Clashing Tastes

Chapter 2

The next morning arrived, much like any other day in the bustling cityscape. The sun cast long shadows as Stolas made his way to Lush Brew, longing for the taste of Blitzo's expertly brewed coffee. It had become his daily routine, and in a way, an addiction for some reason that he couldn't resist.

For some reason as Stolas came nearer Lush Brew he could feel himself tensing up in almost excitement..? He brushed off the odd mix of emotion in his mind and continued to walk towards his destination.

As he entered the shop, Stolas couldn't help but let out a disapproving sigh, taking note of the rickety tables and peeling wallpaper. In his eyes the only use of his place was the somewhat decent workers her and the beautiful coffee he got from it. His comments about the shabbiness of the place were met with a roll of Blitzo's eyes, a silent acknowledgement of his annoyance.

Stolas approached the counter, his usual air of entitlement oozing from every pore. "I suppose even a place like this could serve its purpose," he muttered, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Blitzo's gaze flickered between annoyance and amusement, barely pausing in his routine to take Stolas' order. The limited small talk that ensued was dominated by Stolas' self-absorbed ramblings, boasting about how well his company was doing and how he was destined for greatness. He had a sly smile on his face as he continued talking almost as if he was looking down upon Blitzo.

Handing Stolas his drink, Blitzo had little time for anything more than a quick farewell. As Stolas took a step towards the exit, disaster struck. His foot tangled with an unseen obstacle, and in a split second, his pristine white blouse covered by grayish blue sweater was drenched in coffee, the hot liquid pooling around him.

Blitzo's eyes widened in surprise, his body tensing instinctively. He braced himself for the inevitable explosion of anger, the entitled whining about ruined clothes and the inconvenience of it all. And prepared himself to ensuing mess that the coffee would leave on the hardwood floors. But instead, Stolas crumbled to the floor, his face contorting in anguish.

Tears streamed down Stolas' face, mirroring the coffee stains on his clothes. He let out a soft cry, his voice filled with devastation. "You just made it and I ruined it.."

Blitzo watched, dumbfounded, as Stolas' carefully constructed facade shattered before him. He knelt down, placing a hesitant hand on Stolas' trembling shoulder. "Hey, it's alright. It's just coffee. I can make another one," Blitzo said, his voice came out awkward yet somewhat gentle.

Stolas looked up, his eyes red and puffy, tears mixing with the coffee stains on his cheeks. He was vulnerable, stripped of his arrogance and entitlement. "But it was perfect. The taste, the warmth. I can't believe I spilled it. I ruined it."

Blitzo's heart softened at the sight of Stolas in distress, his feelings of irritation replaced by a growing sense of empathy. He helped Stolas to his feet, and together they cleaned up the mess, silently working in unison.

As the last of the spilled coffee was wiped away, Blitzo started brewing a fresh cup. He handed it to Stolas with a small, awkward smile. "Here," he said softly. "Just be careful ok?"

Stolas accepted the cup, his eyes still filled with tears. He nodded, unable to find the words to express his gratitude. With a final glance towards Blitzo, as Stolas walked out of the shop, Blitz's mind filled with a confusing mix of emotions.

Left alone behind the counter, Blitzo found himself contemplating the encounter. He had always assumed that Stolas was nothing more than a privileged, arrogant prick. But now, in that moment of vulnerability, he saw a different side of him—a genuine love for something as ordinary as a cup of coffee.

Blitzo couldn't deny the pleasant surprise he felt at realizing that Stolas cared about something, even if it was just his coffee. It gave him a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was more to Stolas than met the eye.

As the bell above the door jingled, announcing the arrival of another customer, Blitzo took a deep breath and prepared to face the chaos of the day. But deep down, he couldn't deny the tiny spark of anticipation, wondering what other surprises Stolas might have in store.