inkspresso

on the house

Zach enters the coffee shop with an exhausted look in his eyes. The café is empty, aside from Ava, who was cleaning the counter.

He yawns. "Sorry for that. Good evening." He greets her. "Can I have a mocha, or have you cleaned the machine already?"

"Dude, you seem really tired... shouldn't you be resting at home?"

"Finals. I just came back from Ohio, and -"He yawns again." Sorry... I have another final on Thursday and an oral on Friday... and I still have to finish a stupid book report by tomorrow. I've been studying like crazy." He rubs his face.

"You should be sleeping now." She starts preparing his mocha.

Zach shakes his head. "Just these three things, and I'll be free." He grabs his wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

"On the house for my brother's boyfriend." She teases.

The brunet blushes lightly. "So, he told you." He smiles.

"Oh, he did, and so did Dani." She grins. Zach furrows his eyebrows. "The waiter at the restaurant."

"Oh!" He perks up. "He seemed nice."

Ava checks her phone. "Well, he must be getting drunk and catching up with Jack, Jo, and Corbs. I bet they're talking about you."

"Who are those? And why are they talking about me?"

Ava lifts a finger, signing him to wait as she froths the milk. Once she pours it, she makes a cute little drawing.

"Dani, Jo, and Corbs are Jack's best friends. They meet like every month and gossip about their lives." She serves Zach. "I just know Jack won't shut up about you."

The brunet chuckles. "I didn't know he talked so much about me."

Ava raises her eyebrows. "I'm pretty sure I've heard him say your name in his sleep." The two laugh.

Zach sets a five dollar bill on the counter and grabs his mocha. Ava grabs his hand before he can pick the mug up. "Oh, it's so pretty!" She gasps, referring to the ring.

"It was Jack." He admits.

"Damn right. He better know how to treat his boyfriend." She smiles. "Gosh, it's beautiful, I've never seen him gift a ring like this."

Somehow, that comforts Zach. To know he's special amongst all girlfriends Jack has ever had.

"It matches with the necklace." He shows her proudly. Because, truth be told, he likes being his boyfriend, he likes to show off the fact that Jack likes him. That Jack, who thought that he, himself, was straight, happens to be enamoured and certainly attracted to a man- to Zach.

Ava gasps again. "It's stunning... he never gifted anything like that to me!" She whines. "It's always bracelets that I can't even wear here." She pouts.

Zach chuckles as he goes to sip on his mocha. "I'm sure you can wear them on special occasions." He reassures.

"Ugh, I wanna be jealous of you, but you're like literally the best. It's so annoying." She groans. "Just marry my brother already."

He blushes heavily. "I-It's still too early to think of that." He smiles nervously. "We're taking things slowly, very slowly."He clarifies. "Jack has never dated a man, and I've never dated, full stop. We still have a lot to learn."

Ava nods. "I just think you make each other very happy."

Zach sips on his mug. "It's my main goal, to make and keep him happy with me." He confesses. "I'd reckon it takes time and plenty of effort. And right now, I should be putting my efforts into studying." He smiles.