Kissing Stars | ✔️

Friday, February 14

Friday, February 14
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The barista kept their eyes on their hands as they methodically prepared the latte for the customer impatiently waiting on the other side of the counter. The sound of feet periodically tapping on the floor and huffed, exaggerated sighs, filled their ears. C took a deep breath, brushed their hair out of their face, put a lid on the warm to-go cup, and turned around with their smile back in place.

"Thanks for visiting, and have a sugar sweet day!" C smiled fakely as they said the required phrase. Once the woman turned, they looked back at their coworker with a blank frown. "I hate my life."

Their coworker, Amara, threw her head back and laughed. "God, you're funny."

C shrugged and looked aimlessly out the window; they weren't trying to be funny. Their coworker didn't seem to care either way, and greeted the next customer that walked up to the register. C didn't look at who had come up to the counter, instead simply began preparing the customer's order as it was repeated by Amara. It was a tall oat milk latte and two of the frosting-filled cupcake hearts that the coffee shop/bakery they worked at sold. C prepared the drink with muscle memory alone, and bagged the cupcakes.

They weren't looking at the customer; it was nearly 2 PM and the store had been a rush of people all day. However, when they announced the order and looked up to say that terrible, cheesy goodbye, they were met with an expectant smile and eyes full of stars.

C nearly dropped the coffee. "O-Orion? I-"

"Hey, sweetheart, want a cupcake?" Orion asked with a grin, holding up the to-go bag they'd abandoned on the counter.

C gaped. Time stood still. Then, it all came rushing forward, and they were dashing around the counter to jump into the tall person's arms.

"Ori!" They cried. The shorter person shoved their face into Orion's neck while the tall one wrapped his arms around them, lifting them off the ground. C couldn't help but let the tears escape their eyes.

They didn't let go for a while. Orion didn't, either. But, soon enough there was an awkward cough from the person waiting in line behind them. C reluctantly let go of their friend to pull them aside towards a table. Orion followed, not letting go of their hand for even an instant.

C looked back up at Orion; they couldn't stop themself from reaching up to hug him again. The kinky-haired one squeezed them tight. C basked in it.

"You know, I've been wanting to hug you for two months," they murmured.

"Live up to your expectations?" Orion whispered back with smugness in his voice. C grumbled into their chest, but nodded.

"Exceeded them," they mumbled.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch it," the taller one teased. C lightly slapped Orion's chest. He laughed and called them cute.

"Stoppp," they whined. Orion pet their hair with a chuckle.

They leaned down to C's ear. "For the record, I've wanted to hug you for a while, too. And this definitely beat my expectations," Orion whispered caringly.

It took the pair another ten minutes before C reluctantly pulled away from Orion. "I have to get back to work," they whined.

Amara shook her head from behind the counter. "Uh-uh. There's only 45 minutes left of your shift, and no one's here. I'll cover for you. Besides, Charvi's in the kitchen and has nothing else to bake, they can help me if I need it."

C looked at her unsurely. "Are you positive? I can stay."

"Go," the long-haired girl insisted. They mouthed their thanks to her, and giddily turned back to Orion.