For unbreachable

[simplepuzzle]

 Chuck saunters into Pacific Roast with his backpack flung over his shoulder. There are perks to being the son of one of the co-owners of a corner coffee shop/cafe, and free drinks are one of them.

No free fresh pastries, unfortunately, though if it's still there by the second day it's fair game. 

Which is awesome for Chuck's study-induced sweet tooth. 

...and would be less awesome for his waistline if he wasn't as active as he was.

There's someone unfamiliar behind the counter, but that's not too surprising, Herc had said he and Pentecost were looking to hire some new blood since losing all three of the triplets to better jobs (not begrudging, nobody wants to barista forever). Chuck just drops his bag into his favorite armchair, staking his claim at the table before making his way to the counter and nodding at the stranger in greeting.

"Hey, mate, can you get me a flat white? Thanks." And, without waiting for a response, heads back to said staked table to unpack his books.

Comments

[unbreachable]

Raleigh has no idea that Chuck has been snooping on him, and continues to act like normal, moving around behind the counter, doing his damn job, and for the most part he gets along with his co-workers.

Chuck's the only one that gives him a hard time, and finally one night when the place is closed and Chuck's been especially annoying Raleigh tosses the rag down and glares.

"The fuck is your problem with me?"

[simplepuzzle]

It's probably another kicker that, while he's not everyone's favorite person, he mostly gets along with most of the other people who work there. Even Mako, though there's intense eyerolling on both sides.

On the night Raleigh finally snaps, Chuck's just about to start his mid-semester break, so he's feeling kind of lazy and antsy all at once. He leans back in his chair and props his foot on the table Raleigh just wiped down and smirks at him.

"Maybe I don't like your face."

[unbreachable]

This one is going to come to blows, Raleigh can just tell. He shoves Chuck's foot off the table, eyes flashing, and he steps closer.

"Then don't come in here while I'm working."

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck's on his feet quick when Raleigh shoves his feet off, hands fisted at his sides.

"I focus best when I'm here," he growls. "I'm not going to sacrifice what works just because you bug me."

[unbreachable]

His hands are clenched by his own sides.

"Fine -- just stop being a dick to me because you feel like you're fucking entitled to."

He doesn't have time for this petty shit.

[simplepuzzle]

"You think I'm fighting with you because my dad's half owner?" Chuck asks, disbelieving. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Does Raleigh seriously think he's that much of a douchebag?

[unbreachable]

"Chuck, I don't know why you're doing it."

Seriously. Raleigh doesn't give a fuck if you're the goddamn presidents son. Stop being a dick.

[simplepuzzle]

"Whatever," he snaps, pushing at Raleigh's chest. "I might be an entitled dick to you but you've been a dick right back, Rahhleigh."

It takes two to argue. Or fight.

[unbreachable]

"Well I'm damn sure not going to sit here and tolerate it, course I'm going to be a dick back," he snaps, though he's stumbling back a little bit because of that push.

He doesn't take the bait, though. Not yet. He doesn't want to lose his job by brawling in the store.

[simplepuzzle]

"See, you could have just said you were defending yourself, but just admitted you're a dick."

Chuck's smirk is smug, a feral glint in his eye as he pushes him again.

Herc wouldn't fire Raleigh for fighting with his son, he'd know who started it. Chuck might be banned for a little while, though.

[unbreachable]

"Only because you're provoking me," he snaps.

Raleigh stumbles again and he shoves him back, patience snapping.

"Don't touch me."

[simplepuzzle]

"Some people need provoking!"

He can't really say why he likes pushing Raleigh, his buttons or literally him right now. Maybe it's one thing to do with him getting an actual fire in his eyes as opposed to the almost zen calm he has even when arguing with customers.

So he grins, baring his teeth, and shoves him a third time. "Make me."

[unbreachable]

Raleigh has a date after this that he's going to have to cancel, he just knows it.

He knows it the second his fist flies through the air and connects with Chuck's jaw.

It's just one of those things. He's sorry, too -- his girlfriend is gonna be pissed.

[simplepuzzle]

What, she doesn't find bruises attractive? No big loss.

Chuck curses when he's punched, taking a step back and cradling his jaw with one hand for a scant moment before he's rallying and leaping at him.

[unbreachable]

And they launch into a full on brawl right there in the coffee shop, Raleigh throwing Chuck against the counter and coming after him with a snarl.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck gives--

--well not as good as he gets because while he's a brawler and fights dirty, he doesn't really get a lot of chances to practice that and Raleigh...

Yeah so Chuck gets punched in the gut a few times before he's wrapping an arm around Raleigh's neck and kicks up into his stomach in return, letting out a grunt.

[unbreachable]

Raleigh practices. He got a lot of it out there working in construction and he's had his share of boxing, and he might have a bag in his living room that he uses.

He get shit in the gut and he growls, throwing Chuck off of him and shoving him towards the wall.

[simplepuzzle]

Yeah Chuck's a graduate student.

He snarls back as he's shoved, struggling wildly against his hands. "That's it," he spits at him, blood smeared over his lower lip. "You sure it's me you're so ready to punch in the face?"

[unbreachable]

"The fuck is that even supposed to mean?" He snaps, hands flexing into fists as he watches Chuck sway in front of him.

[simplepuzzle]

Honestly, Chuck's just really good at pushing buttons.

"Seemed pretty eager to come to blows with me," he mutters, trying to regain enough balance to get Raleigh by the hair and shove him into the wall in return.

[unbreachable]

"You pushed me first," he growls, shoving him back. They're probably making a fucking mess in the place and RAleigh's going to have to clean it up.

[simplepuzzle]

"Oh, yeah." Chuck laughs low as he's knocked back into the wall, running his tongue over his blooded teeth. "Guess I'm the only one here with a few unresolved issues."

He kicks out a his legs, trying to knock him down

[unbreachable]

"So that's it, then? You piss me off, provoke me so you can work your shit out on me?" Raleigh goes down but he grabs Chuck and jerks him to him, twisting his body so Chuck's back hits the floor, RAleigh on top of him.

[simplepuzzle]

"Sounds right!" It's let out in a wheeze, a grunt as he's shoved to the floor and the air's knocked out of him

He knocks his head back for a second before trying to roll them, yanking sharply on his hair again as he writhes.

[unbreachable]

"That's the only reason? Are you fucking kidding me?!" Maybe RAleigh should just quit because goddamn this is not wo--

shit Chuck stop pulling his hair. He twitches a little and hisses, hands gripping the front of Chuck's shirt.

"Stop. Stop it now!"