For You,' |SparklingHerb Smut-Angst|

🥂 First Meet 🥂

This book may contain the following: cussing/swearing, suicidal language, mentioning of the use of drugs or other chemicals, abuse, and mentioning of rape. If any of these things cause you disturbance or cringe, you are welcome to leave. Thank you!

'Sparkling POV'

It feels l nice to get an actual friend for once. Everyone who comes to the bar regularly seems to like Taffy too. This guy's a natural bartender, though he's a few years younger than me, he still looks and acts more mature than... well, some people.

I looked over at Vampire. He was glaring at Taffy with all his might. It only makes sense that he's mad— since he considers himself the co-boss (when he really isn't). And also the fact that I never let him give consent to hiring Taffy. He's drinking a lot more than usual as a result.

"Hey..." Taffy walked over to me and cupped his hands around my ears, "I-is that guy a regular?" He pointed at Vampire, who's stare was probably physically felt by now. I sighed, "Just ignore him. Some weird bozo that stays in my bar 24/7."

"hHuhh??!?? How *Hic* could you saay that, SParky?" Vampire's drunk-ass whined hearing what I said. 

I rolled my eyes, "You heard me, Vampire. When are you seriously going to get a job? Don't come running to me, 'cause I'm not going to hire you." 

Vampire complained and wobbled his head. Slowly, he dozed off on the countertop. Again.

I grumbled underneath my breath. Taffy came over to help me clean. Even though I wasn't looking at him, I could tell he was trying to look at me without making it obvious. I was fine with that.. until it started to get a bit annoying.

"So?"

"S-so what?"

"What is it? If you have something to say then just tell me." I muttered. Taffy looked a bit flustered. "U-uhm...I just wanted to tell you that that guy's a jerk. Why do you let him bully you? I-I MEAN, I'm not trying to probe or anything please don't get me wrong—"

I set down my glass and looked at him. He looks embarrassed, and you know what? I think I'll never know why that is. "Listen, I know that this job seems great at first, trust me, I know. But soon enough you're going to run away if you think it's easy." I shrugged.

Taffy looked surprised for a second, but then he smiled. "I... I don't think I'll ever get tired of this job!" He looked down at the ground, and something in his eyes was practically sparkling.

"Why's that?"

...

"Because I have a wonderful boss like you!"

I froze. Wait. What? Is this guy trying to hit on me? I turned around and looked at him. No... couldn't be. He's too shy and pure to make a move. Plus, I just see him as a friend and employee. Nothing else. Shit. What if I have to reject him?

The thoughts flooded my brain. I could hear Taffy talking to me in the background, but my mind was too preoccupied to even listen. I felt like a jerk.

Suddenly, the doors opened with a jingle. I looked at the clock. It's 12:01, looks like we have a late-comer, I thought. I expected Mint Choco or some regular to come, but instead, it was some guy I had never seen before.

He looked torn.

His hair was green and full of leaves, and he was wearing an apron- like me, but it was splashed with dirt and some kind of green juice. His face was red and his eyes were slanted down and he was sniffling, so obviously he'd been crying. He started to weep through the doorway, and both of us stared at him for a few minutes before he looked up. He looked a bit fazed.

"I-I'm so sorry! I... I'll leave." He blushed and was about to go, but something inside of me told myself to stop him. So I did.

"Wait! You can stay." I quickly used a rag to clean the counter. He turned back around at us, confused. "B...But isn't the Bar closing? I'm such a nuisance... I'd only be bothering you—"

"—N-no! It's fine, we take late customers all the time. Please, if you have the time, sit down." I rushed to escort him to a seat. After he settled in and sat down, I gave him some tissues so he can wipe the tears off his face. I looked at him.

Oh god. He was hot. Everything about him made my heart beat. His slim, delicate body; his soft fluffy hair that I wanted to pet; his thin fingers that he used to wipe his tears away; and most of all, his face. Those pearly brown eyes and perfect lips. I loved everything about him.

But... I looked over at Taffy. He looked just as confused as before- probably because I completely lied about taking late-customers. 

After he stopped crying, I asked for his order.

"W-what would you like, sir?" I stuttered. What was wrong with me?

Everything around me felt as if it was a haze, the only thing I could see right now was him. He looked into my eyes. Oh wow. My mind is going blank.

"I... I don't drink alcohol. I'm a light weight, and I'd rather not get drunk tonight. I'll- I'll take some tea, if you have some- any tea is fine." He was stuttering too. My shaky hands wrote down his order. He was so cute. Even his voice made me feel like melting.

I slowly turned around and started brewing some tea. But the thoughts that raced through my mind was completely taking over.

I'm seriously falling head over heels for this guy. But he was crying! Sparkling you dick, you should go and ask him what's wrong! That'll make a better connection between you two! Wait- but what if that'll hurt him even more? Wouldn't that destroy your relationship? Gahhh! Think, Sparkling, think! Just ask him kindly and then ask for his number, then you two can get into a talking stage—

"Sparkling? The tea is done. It's been beeping for a long time." Taffy tapped my shoulder. I snapped out of it. Okay. First things first, the primary step to get close to this guy is to give him the tea.

I grabbed a teacup and poured the tea in, but my shaky hands slipped, letting a drop of piping hot tea fall onto my bare skin.

"Ow!" I yelped, setting the pitcher down. It left a tiny burn mark on my left hand. The customer sprang up from his seat, "Are you alright? I'm sorry! I should've came here earlier when your head was clear, maybe then you wouldn't have hurt yourself. Gosh, I'm such a bad person..." Then he started to cry again. I forgot about my burn and rushed over to the counter. Instinctively, I gave him a hug. I didn't even realize it.

"No no no! You're alright! Please don't cry, don't cry." I squeezed him a bit tighter. He smelled like flowers. I want to keep on hugging him like this. "R..*sniff* really? T-thank you..." He sniffled. Suddenly, I realized what I was doing.

I stood up straight and went straight back to pouring the tea. What was wrong with me? I don't even know his name! I shouldn't be thinking about stuff like this. Moreover, why was my heart beating this fast?

I went over and placed the teacup in front of him. I can tell this was his first time at a bar. He drank the tea really, really slowly. Then he looked next to him. His eyes turned wide. For some reason, he gasped and quickly set his teacup down.

Why was he so startled seeing Vampire?

"I...I uh, I have to go. It was nice meeting you!" The leafy boy stood up from his chair and quickly rushed out of the bar, leaving his cup of tea behind. He wasn't even finished.

Was the tea that bad? Or... I looked at Vampire. Or did he do something to him? 

I could feel the heat on my cheeks. I'll find out tomorrow. I quickly grabbed my bag and dimmed the lights, then scurried out the bar door. But I didn't realize I had left Taffy inside, as flustered as ever.