Another Dumb Romance Fic || ColeyDoesThings (Barista/Employee)

Chapter Six: Bartending

[WARNING] The following chapter contains heavy drinking and alcoholism.

If Nikki could go anywhere else for her oneshots, she would.

Honestly, if she could avoid putting up with Bella, she'd take a different option. But, unfortunately for her, no one else in the city made oneshots quite as well as the baristas at the Fanfic Café. Other people always screwed up orders, or only served fluff, or wouldn't understand tropes correctly, or wouldn't allow shipping... But not the Fanfic Café. They would allow whatever the customer asked for, age permitting, and would even allow Dead Dove: Do Not Eat (though this was not on the main menu). They served everyone that they could within the guidelines, and even served alcoholic beverages.

And for as much as Nikki hated to think about it, there was no better barista than her rival, Bella.

Sitting at the bar counter and staring at the empty glasses, the sullen woman let out a long exhale. She was tired from work -- she was lucky that her shift wasn't rush hour on Sundays, but she still had to deal with customers, including the occasional Karen, fangirl, or antishipper. Not to mention that only getting Saturdays off was finally starting to wear her down. She thoughtfully rubbed the rim of one shot glass with her thumb.

"Sorry about that," Bella announced, stepping behind the bar counter again and looking a bit frazzled. "I wouldn't have taken so long, but--"

"...it's Sunday, so you're short-staffed, and there's a lot of people here tonight. I know," Nikki finished, leaning on the counter a bit. "Whatever, it doesn't matter to me."

Bella tried her best to hide a scowl. "No, of course not. You only care about the drinks. Silly me."

As the barista served up the next few shots, Nikki watched her closely. She knew that Bella hated serving her every weekend, and she understood exactly why. Not only did Bella dislike her already, but she also perceived Nikki as an alcoholic. Now, Nikki wasn't entirely sure if that was true -- in her own head, she figured that the low alcohol quantity was enough to qualify her as sober. But either way, what business did Bella have prying into someone else's private life? It wasn't like she cared about Nikki any other time.

Well... There was yesterday's incident. At the mall. The raven pendant that made Nikki's heart ache just thinking about it. She still wasn't able to figure out Bella's reasoning on her own. That woman was so much of a contrarian that it gave the employee a headache.

"Here you are," Bella drawled, unimpressed as she set down the shot glasses again. Nikki drank all three, then waited for them to be refilled. As she did, she blinked slowly. She was starting to get tired, and she still wanted to be able to get home safely. She put up one of her hands, signaling to stop.

"That's enough. I still need to get home."

Bella looked up in surprise -- Nikki rarely ever cut herself off. Either the employee couldn't handle a lot today, or Bella had accidentally made the drinks too strong. Whatever the case was, Nikki was starting to slur her words and tilt a little bit. The barista didn't think she'd be able to walk home safely.

Sighing, Bella stepped out from behind the counter and went to help Nikki up. "Come on, let's get you to my car. I'll take you home."

Nikki struggled a little bit, but she didn't do much and her efforts were pathetic at best. "Let go of me-- I can walk myself home, dammit--"

"No, you can't. You've had too much, and I'm afraid that you're gonna get hurt." With a look of determined fire in her eyes, Bella helped Nikki stand and started walking her towards the door.