K. Jones | Small Talk and Mediocre Coffee

Bitter Coffee

The diner smells sweet, like maple syrup.

The scent hits Killian the minute he opens the door. It's almost enough to knock him out – much different from the usual saltiness of the ocean breeze he's used to when working on the docks or the familiar smoky scent of leather and rum in his home.

He can't help but think about how out of place he must look standing in the entryway of the small diner. Granny's is homey and he is, well, intimidating seems to be the word most people choose. Nobody else seems to notice him though. He's not surprised – he's become something of a regular in town – but early mornings at Granny's are new to him.

He sits down at a booth in the corner, hoping not to be disturbed. Killian Jones definitely isn't a morning person.

Night shifts are usually his routine. Work on the docks until the sun almost peeks out from behind the horizon and sleep through most of the day. On his occasional night off, he could be found at the tavern in town – tipsy off his usual drink of choice, rum. So a trip to the diner before a six o'clock shift is very out of the ordinary for him, but since he's scheduled for the morning shift for the time being it seems like this will be his new routine.

"Hey Killian, can I get you some coffee?"

Killian looks up, wide-eyed at you, mumbling an 'aye' before he can even think about your question. You smile at him, placing the pen in your hands behind your ear.

Quickly, you move to grab the coffee pot and a mug from behind the counter. You place the mug in front of him and pour him a fresh cup.

"Haven't seen you around here before."

Your words surprise him, especially since he hasn't even formally met you yet. Even though this is the first time the two of you have spoken, he does know about you. Your arrival didn't go unnoticed by him. He's seen you around town with Henry and has heard all about you from Emma who clearly has begun to admire you. From what he's heard, he knows that you're warm and kind. You've only been here a few months, but you've seemed to find your place in the small town rather quickly – quicker than him and he's been at it for years. He really didn't expect you to notice him though, much less know his name.

Of course you know who Killian Jones is. He doesn't exactly fit in when walking through town. You saw him during your first week in Storybrooke. It was late, but you couldn't sleep. You decided to walk to the pier, sit on a bench, and watch the waves roll in. On your walk to the pier, you passed by the docks. That's where you saw him. Dark hair falling in front of his face. Sleeves pushed up to his forearms, showing off his ink. Irish accent cutting through the sound of the ocean as he yells something to his colleagues. He certainly caught your eye, something Emma teased you incessantly about when you first asked about him.

"I'd usually be asleep right now."

Your brow furrows in confusion and Killian has to hold back a smile at the sight.

"I got switched to the morning shift at the docks."

You nod in understanding. Unlike Killian, you're definitely a morning person. You enjoy waking up and starting your day off early at the diner. There's something about being awake to watch the sun rise that makes you feel at peace. If you were switched to a different work schedule your entire routine would be thrown out the window. You're not quite sure what you would do. You suppose you'd just have to learn to adapt – exactly what Killian is doing this morning.

"Well, there is one bright side."

Killian raises an eyebrow at you before speaking. The last thing he expected this morning was for you to challenge him at the diner – not that he's complaining of course. You're not exactly what he'd call bad company.

"And what's that, love?"

"You get to enjoy my small talk and a mediocre cup of coffee."

He raises his brow and his eyes light up at your words. Unlike before, Killian can't hold back the grin that spreads across his face.

You wish he didn't look so dashing right now. It's just a little bit distracting and you have a job to get back to.

"Well, I certainly can't argue with that."

You give him another one of your warm smiles, before another customer calls for your attention. Right, that job you have to get back to.

"Let me know if there's anything else I can get you, Killian."

He gives you a nod, letting you head back to your duties.

"Oh, and be careful out there. I hear it's supposed to be a cold one today."

Killian looks up at you once again, meeting your eyes just before you turn away. He's astonished. He really didn't expect you to notice him, much less care about his well being.

He wraps his hands around the mug you set before him, relishing in the warmth it provides, before taking a sip. His face twists into disgust as the liquid passes his lips.

He doesn't like coffee. It always leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. Yet, he finishes his entire cup before giving you a small wave goodbye – making sure to leave a tip under his mug before he leaves – because the coffee may have been bitter, but you're sweet as honey.

And as Killian sits in the cabin of his truck, a small smile is still playing on the edges of his lips. The taste still lingers in his mouth. It should leave him in a foul mood, but it doesn't. No, instead, it reminds him of you and the warm smile that never seemed to leave your lips during your conversation with him this morning.

So, maybe the taste will grow on him, especially if you keep smiling at him like that.