Even after moving to a completely new place, Cole is determined to keep his routines intact. That includes getting a large black coffee to go precisely at 7:00 at his local coffee shop.
He just didn't know it went with a certain brown-haired barista...
Skylor expected to find the staff room empty and certainly not filled to the brim with misery stemming from her best friend – who was supposed to be home a long time ago and instead was currently sprawled over the entire table.
She needed a moment to prepare for this.
"Kai? Dearest? Are you going to tell me why the hell you're still here?" She walked over, as if approaching a wild animal, a kind smile plastered across her face despite the fact that he couldn't see it, being too busy with the desk. "What's that in your hand?"
The only answer was a muffled groan and the rising of said hand clutching a colourful paper – no, postcard. Skylor took it from them, flipping it around to see what the fuss is all about.
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"Good grief, you two are sickeningly adorable," he muttered. "I'm guessing this is the reason you came back here?"
"It's so cold and empty and lonely. Everything reminds me of him, I don't know where to go."
Skylor bit her tongue, held back the sigh that was begging on its knees to be set free. "All right, come on, maybe just– let's stop inhaling the wood." God, how can somebody so lean be so heavy? If they at least cooperated a little more. Still, despite all the dead weight, he managed to pull him to sit up and not take over the entire table.
"Ah, there we go, hello." It was not the right time to laugh but their murderous expression was priceless. "Come on, it's not the end of the world yet."
"Feels like it," Kai grumbled, probably burning the whole place down with his eyes.
"I thought you guys call each other and do all that," she waved her hand, as if creating imaginary art in the thin air, "couple-y stuff."
Kai slammed his palm on the table like a judge in a courtroom. "Fuck calling!" Verdict rendered.
"Okay... Up you go. Come on, darling, let's go."
"Where are we going?"
"We are going to beat my mates at bowling and win some chicken wings, okay? You're solid at bowling, I need a teammate." Step one – get them out of the pool of sorrow before they drown.
"Ooh, hot wings?"
"Sure, it can be hot wings."
"Awesome. Let's go kick some asses then!" They were gone with the wind and Skylor had to grab her things in a rush, feeling like a mother about to catch her child from running into the speedway.
His stride was airy as always and everything seemed to be fine again.
Step two – don't fall for it hook, line, and sinker, you're not a fish.
"Kai... Are you doing okay?" He almost seemed relaxed if it wasn't for his tense shoulders and distant look in his eyes, which somehow managed to seem more blue than usual.
"Hm? Yeah, I'm just spiffing. I mean– I miss Cole but it's nothing I can't handle. You know? It's completely normal and healthy and important to keep some distance and I am not a p–"
"Don't say it."
"Seriously, I'm normal. You don't have to worry about anything 'cause I'm not worried about anything."
She nodded, watching him avoid even glancing in her direction. "Very convincing."
Many things were left unspoken and while some were a mystery, one was as clear as a day – Kai needed a friend and a nice distraction. So, Skylor took them by the shoulders, taking the lead on the way to the bar, carefully curating every theme he could bring up without sending Kai on more spirals which were the last thing he needed at the moment.
