[HxH] Caffeinated Catastrophe

𓆩♡𓆪 Five: Ristretto

There's an evident difference between solitude and loneliness.

While technically, the two words may be of similar meaning, or might imply the same state of existing isolated from those around you - they still carry a few significant, distinct dissimilarities.

Solitude is a choice. A decision you make with a purpose in mind, not something that is forced upon you.

You may take the route of solitude in order to recharge your social batteries. To recover from the hard work being a sociable human being entails, all of the stress it may put on your body, mind and soul.

Or perhaps being on your lonesome is simply something you prefer over spending time around others. Maybe the loudness and excitement of others does not appeal to you as much as the quietude being the sole person in a room has to offer.

It may not be clear to you why you've elected to seclude yourself from the world around you. You may not even know what the reason for your wish for solitude is, nor why it appears much more peaceful than the comfort spending time around others may provide you with.

One thing is certain though - in all of these cases, you've made a conscious, informed decision to abstain from interpersonal contact with other human beings, a choice you've pursued not because you were forced to, but because it's your preferred way of existence.

It's different with loneliness. Nobody chooses to be lonely. With all of its negative connotations, the word in itself already invokes a certain reaction of discomfort upon its utterance.

Loneliness is a state of being that is forced upon you by others. Whether or not you want it doesn't matter - if another declares you deserving of it, consciously or unconsciously, there isn't much you can do aside from begging them to revoke it.

It can be a blessing as much as it can be a curse. Being pushed into a life of loneliness, practically obliged to be left alone with your own thoughts, allows for a lot of self-reflection. When others do not want you around anymore, your sole companion becomes yourself.

Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on the individual, of course.

One thing is certain though - there are quite a few individuals in this world that should never be left alone with their own thoughts.

☕🥧🧸💭🥐🥛🍵

When Y/N first entered their personal abode, a small living space situated right above their coffee shop, the last thing they expected was for someone to hold a knife to their throat.

Or, well, maybe they should have expected that to happen at some point, judging by the customers they tend to serve on a daily basis. They're well aware, after all, that some of them work in less than conventional spaces.

In fact, them not having been the victim of an attempted murder yet must be just another testimony to how good their coffee is!

With a small sigh, they let their shoulders slump down a little, closing their eyes and raising their hands in a clear gesture of surrender. The snow globe they'd just bought wobbles around in the pocket of their pants upon each movement, tiny artificial snowflakes descending messily.

They don't even try to turn their head around to get a look at the person threatening them, knowing that would most likely lead to an escalation of the entire situation. Instead, they stay still, unwavering, waiting for their captor's next move.

"I think you may be in the wrong house, I know this place looks empty, but I do actually live here!" They declare, their tone of voice making it sound more like an attempt at a joke than a genuine statement.