K. Jones | Small Talk and Mediocre Coffee

Warming Up

The next time Killian walks into the diner, he sits down in the same booth as before. He watches as you listen to a customer at the counter. You offer them a polite smile before laughing at something they said. This all seems to come so naturally for you. Watching you interact with everyone, Killian can't help but notice that it seems almost effortless.

He wonders what that is like. It's not that he isn't friendly. It's just that he's not much of a people person. He figures that's why most of town describes him as standoffish.

You look up and meet Killian's eyes. Killian swears that your eyes like up with delight at the sight of him, but he must be mistaken. He's just another customer at the diner you work at – nothing more, nothing less. Nevertheless, he smiles back at you.

You lift your hand and signal that you'll be with him in a second. He nods at you, politely.

His phone vibrating draws his attention away from you. He grabs his cell phone and flips it over, reading the caller ID. He sighs as he reads "Liam " across the screen. Killian hesitates for a moment before declining the call. He wishes that he no longer felt the stinging pain of guilt in his heart when it came to his brother.

"Well, look who's back."

Your tone is playful. It's enough to get Killian out of his own head and take a breath. He shoves his cell phone back into his pocket, deciding that he can worry about Liam later. A small smile plays at the corners of his lips as he looks up at you.

"Guess I haven't gotten enough of that small talk and mediocre coffee."

A grin spreads across your face at his words and Killian just wishes the sight wasn't so beautiful.

"Small talk and mediocre coffee coming right up."

A few days later, Killian finds himself at that same booth again. He pulls out his phone and reads a text from David, asking him to stop by the station after work. Before he can send him a message back, a mug is placed in front of him, filled to the brim with coffee.

"I see you've memorized my order."

You laugh at him, crossing your arms over your chest.

"It's not hard when all you order is a cup of coffee, Killian."

"It's all I need, love."

You roll your eyes at him as he takes a long sip of his coffee.

"Seriously, Killian. I know that you stop in here on your way to work. I can get you something to eat, on the house."

You raise an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to respond. Killian chuckles and scratches the back of neck. Your concern about his well-being continues to surprise him.

"You don't have to do that, love."

You cock your head to the side and raise both brows.

It's then that Killian realizes just how stubborn you are. There certainly is no way of getting himself out of this now.

"Come on, anything for my best tipper."

You're not kidding either. Killian leaves a five dollar bill under his mug every day for a seventy-nine cent cup of coffee and pleasantries. The gesture doesn't go unnoticed by you.

And just like that Killian's new routine turns into small talk, a mediocre cup of coffee, and breakfast.

Two weeks after Killian first stepped into the diner, he changes his seat.

It's a Wednesday. Killian is watching you help Henry with his homework before school while he drinks his coffee from the comfort of his booth. You're good with people, but you're even better with kids. Every time Henry comes in, you have a cup of hot cocoa ready for him and always manage to make him smile before sending him off to school. Just as with Killian, Henry seems to have grown on you during your time in Storybrooke.