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Gray clouds stuffed up the dark sky, hiding the stars and making everything even more depressing. Cu let out the biggest sigh in existence as he slumped against the cafe counter. It had been a long Monday. The cold weather kept up a constant flow of customers all day long and he was exhausted. Thankfully, now that it was getting close to 10 pm, the avalanche of orders had slowed to almost nothing. People were either heading home or locking in on their assignments as closing time approaches.
One would think that such a small cafe wouldn’t get such big traffic but Cu took pride in his little shop. He did his best to keep the prices fair and the atmosphere cozy. No entitled people were welcome here. (They usually made him laugh and then he tossed them out.)
But today had been… a lot. First, both his part timers had to cancel, something about a sudden exam. Then, Will, one of his full time employees developed an awful cough in the middle of the day, leading to Cu having to handle most of the orders himself. He could only hope that they were doing okay as he wiped tables and filled the orders that Will usually did. At least Nikki was all good. She was in charge of the bakery and her lovely treats are probably one of the reasons money has never been an issue. Cu would not be surprised at that.
Right, don’t get distracted. It’s just been a really long day and Cu was about ready to close the shop. He hadn’t worked the floor of the shop this intensely in many weeks. Back aching and arms sore, Cu simply decided to rest as well as he could as everything settled for the last hour of opening.
The temptation to close early was lurking in the back of his mind, but he sympathised with the students since exams were all throughout this week. Which means both Eevie and Lizzy, the part timers, would be pretty busy for the remainder. They were lovely workers but they also were both busy students too. So Cu would definitely be serving the floor far more often this week…
He heaved another sigh and gently massaged his temple as he imagined the week ahead. His chronic pain could be an awful thorn in his side, but he could hope that it would not be as intense. He’d be fine, right? Right?
The tiny bell above the door jingled, making his eyes fly back open, ready to welcome another customer. (Not truly. He was exhausted.) But standing there was no stranger, anything but that actually.
White hair swept up into a high ponytail, Felly quietly shook the snow from his boots and trench coat. Cu could practically feel his whole body relax as the taller man finally made his way to the counter, the smallest of smiles gracing that cold face. (Which was an incredible sight after such a long day. Cu knew he himself was probably grinning like an idiot, but sue him.)
“It’s not closing time yet. What are you doing here, Felly?” Cu got an eye roll in response to his teasing voice. (Which was so cute to see.)
“To make sure you don’t burn yourself out.” Those crystal blue eyes bored into the barista, forcing Cu to look away.
“I’m doing just fine, thank you.” He crossed his arms with a huff. But when he opened his eyes to peek back, Felly simply looked unimpressed. Cu let out a tiny sigh before grinning and spinning to reach for an empty cup. “How about I get you a drink? Something to warm you up? Maybe some banana cream pie-” But Felly was faster getting around the counter.
Arms wrapped around his waist, pulling Cu into a very firm chest.
“Wha-” A blush exploded over Cu’s face as Felly curled around him. “Not in public!” He whispered, trying to comprehend why he was suddenly victim to an overgrown koala. “Save it for home, idiot.” The barista quickly glanced at the few remaining customers in the shop but they hadn’t noticed the interaction.
“You’re the idiot, mea vita. Relax and sit down.” Felly murmured as he nudged Cu’s cheek with his own. That voice was right in Cu’s ear and, fuck, his blush was not going away.
In the next moment, the barista was seated (against his will) on a spare chair behind the counter and Felly was taking off his layers. The delightful and enticing smell of Felly’s cologne invaded Cu’s mind as the coat was put over his lap. The view was quite lovely Cu supposed as the other retied his hair. (He definitely wasn’t eying the lil bit of tummy that appeared from under that grey sweater. That toned muscle was certainly some great eye candy.)
But he quickly averted his eyes when Felly chuckled. When he glanced back, that gorgeous silver ring was what caught his eye. It glimmered as it caught the soft cafe lights. And not for the first time, Cu felt pride for choosing the most gorgeous ring ever for his husband. Felly smiled smugly at his spouse which only caused Cu to blush even more. (Damn you, Felly! (not actually)) Thankfully, he was spared as Felly grabbed a cloth to start wiping down the countertops and glass cases.
Calmness once again permeated the cafe and Cu slumped forward slightly as exhaustion finally was allowed to take hold. It felt like his very bones were aching from moving so much all day. And his spine felt stretched thin and burning like embers. Tugging Felly’s coat closer, Cu let himself sink into that relaxing scent of leather and ink just for a moment. For this moment, maybe he could forget about his pain and all the pain he’d have to endure this week.
He heaved a sigh as he remembered that Felly would also be gone for several days. Some conference wanted him to talk about his brand new book. Not that Felly was much of a speaker, but his books were really popular. Cu loved everything his husband wrote. Even the really goofy stories or the small poems that lay on sticky notes around the apartment. Cu tried to save every bit of writing he found since they were all small pieces of the man he so loved.
The bell above the door once again jolted the barista from his relaxed state. But he froze as he watched Felly hold the door for the last few stragglers and a smiling Nikki. Was it 10 already?
Sure enough, a glance at the clock on the wall confirmed it was closing time. Cu wondered if maybe he fell asleep but that would be ridiculous. In a cafe chair? Really? (The debilitating exhaustion seemed to confirm the theory tho.)
When he tried to stand however, he was only met with searing pain ripping through his spine. Gasping for air, he hunched over Felly’s coat, gripping the fabric tight. Awareness dimmed as he fought for each breath. But then two gentle hands on his cheeks brought everything back. Right, Felly was here. He wasn’t alone.
Worry practically radiated off his husband as Cu tried to steady himself. But he couldn’t make eye contact as he wondered if he was just overreacting. It truly wasn’t that bad of a flare up. (A lie.) He would be fine. (Another lie.)
“I’m here, mea amor. Keep breathing.” Cu’s ears finally stopped ringing and Felly’s voice came through. “Remember our code, two hand taps if you need help or for a hospital. You’re doing wonderful.”
The praise softened Cu’s heart just a bit and he finally risked looking at his spouse. Felly gave him a soft smile in return, but there was no denying the deep worry in those eyes. (What did he do in his past life to deserve such concern, Cu may never know.)
Just as quickly as the flare up appeared, so it left again, leaving the barista to slump against Felly’s arms. Hollow aches and burns remained, coursing through his muscles like memories. Cu could only sigh, both in relief and exhaustion.
“Is touch okay?” Felly asked quietly. (And oh so patiently. Cu truly didn’t deserve his husband.)
After receiving a nod of consent, his spouse gently kissed his forehead, lingering there for a bit as if trying to imprint his affection directly into Cu’s mind. His husband knew his thoughts so well, damn.
“I love you, even if you’re in pain and feel undeserving. I chose you to be my husband, not anyone else.” Felly’s eyes were oh so soft as he smiled. “You’re mine, mea vita. And my love for you will never change.”
Tears burned Cu’s own eyes as he forced himself to look away, a bit overwhelmed. Felly simply gave a little chuckle before giving his husband a warm hug that made Cu’s breath hitch. Sure it was awkward given that one was seated and the other crouched down, but both needed it tonight. One was about to have a long week of grueling work and the other was leaving on a trip tomorrow.
Amidst the warm embrace, Cu could feel the press of his own cool ring hidden under his own white cardigan. He was reminded once again that Felly loved him just as much as Cu loved his husband. They were going to make it through this week no matter what and everything would be okay. They were in this together after all. There was no stopping their wills when they pushed onwards.
As Cu finally released his pent up breath into Felly’s shoulder, he could only wish that all of winter could be as warm as this love they had.