A Beautiful Boyfriendship

Prologue: The Coffee Shop

Hey Hey Hey! Haha, so what's up? I apologize in advance for the length, I know it's short, blah blah blah. This is just a prologue of sorts, kinda setting things up.

P.S. If it's confusing, Chris is the first man, Darren is the second.

Anyway, without further ado, let us begin!

-CC

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(Fall, 2010)

The doorbell of the small Los Angeles coffee shop dinged, announcing its new patron's entrance. A twenty-something man with messy brown hair, blue eyes, and a worn messenger bag slowly shuffled to the end of the line. The man's features, at best, were worried, tired, and worn. At worst, his eyes had puffy purple bags under them, the whites bloodshot, and his skin was so pale he looked as if he had the flu. His shoulders were hunched, his body drawn up, as if to protect him from some unseen danger. The man was a walking zombie.

He was the total opposite from the customer in front of him. The slightly older but inches shorter man had dark, curly hair and traces of Filipino in his features, though the first man couldn't see that. The darker haired man was bouncing on the balls of his feet and singing under his breath, "Gotta get back to Hogwarts, gotta get back to school..." He seemed as if he was on a caffiene high, which was kind of ironic seeing as both men were in a coffee shop. Suddenly, the second man heard the first begin coughing into his elbow. His features softened, he stopped singing, and turned around.

"Hey, man, let me buy you a drink. No offense, but you look-and sound-awful," he said. The man smiled weakly but gratefully.

"That would be great. I'll take a medium mocha, if that's okay," he said hoarsely, but so sexily that the second man had to remind himself that he's straight, for God's sake. He just remembered to nod in agreement.

By this time, the pair was up to order. The second man stepped up and said, "I'll take a medium half-drip with cinnamon, and a medium mocha for my friend here."

"Sure. That comes to $8.53, please," replied the barista.

The older man fished his wallet out of his pocket and began counting out change. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the first man open his wallet as well. Without taking his eyes off of his assorted coins, he stopped him.

"Oh, no, you don't, silly. I offered you a drink, and I'm sure as hell going to pay for it."

The man shrugged, a bit surprised by the action, but put the money away with a "Thanks." The barista took the money and produced the guys' drinks.

"Here," said the second man as he hands the other his latte. "I'm Darren, by the way."

"Chris. "

And so started a beautiful friendship.