Our Perfect Never •||• stony

Part X - Morning Tea

Steve's outfit (without the camera and his jacket is black)

Chayse's outfit (without the gloves and in his coat pocket sits a pen.)

**

-=Steve=-
The dark tyres of my bike roll to a stop as I park in front of a cafe named 'La Brasserie'.

I've never seen this cafe here. Must be new.

The windows have golden lace embedded in the glass, making it look like an enchanting place to eat.

I smile to myself at the creativity of the shop designer as I walk inside, immediately being hit with a wave of aroma.

I sniff the air and the warm smell of sugar and coffee infest my nostrils. A small waitress walks up to me as I walk further into the store.

"Do you have a reservation, sir?" She asks me kindly. I stand there for a second, not knowing if Chayse made a reservation.

"Umm... is there a table under the name of Chayse?" I ask, pronouncing the name proudly.

She nods quickly and points me over to a booth in the corner, showered in the warm autumn sunlight. I shuffle over to the table and slide in.

My breath is deep and husky from the sudden change for cool and crisp to warm and cozy. I slide into the seat and tap my fingers on the table rhythmically.

The waitress trots back over to me and places a menu on the table.

"Are you eating today sir?" She asks and I nod. She hurries back away to grab cutlery.

I watch her scurry away but get kicked out of my thoughts by a knocking on the window. I turn and see a bright face, smiling.

Chayse.

I smile back, his expression contagious to me. I stand up and walk along the window, following him to the door.

Once I get there we stared. A silent greeting in a busy shop.

It is my turn to stick my hand out and shake his hand. He grabs it and shakes, at the same time I pull him up a couple of stairs.

He stumbles slightly and chuckles, I apologise, letting go of his hand and letting mine fall to my side.

He follows me back to the table and we sit down, just in time for the waitress to come back. She places the utensils down and goes back to the kitchen.

I look back to Chayse to see him opening his menu, so I do the same. Skimming the pages I stop and decide on a caramel latte and a blueberry muffin.

I peak back over the menu to see Chayse looking back at me. I see the smile lines next to his eyes appear and I giggle.

He hides back behind the menu and I smile, reaching over and pulling it down so I can see his face.

His emerald eyes twinkle with playfulness as he pokes my stomach with his shoe. I sit back more and look under the table.

I see him leaning forward over the table from underneath it. I sit back up and am face to face with him.

He giggles and bops my nose.

"Good morning Steve." He says cheerfully and sits back down. A blush kisses my ears and sprinkles my cheeks as I lean back into my seat.

"And what a fine morning it is Chayse," I say back, the blush shrinking back and my confidence levels returning. We sit in peaceful silence for a while.

"So, what are you getting?" I hadn't noticed the waitress was back until Chayse lightly tapped my foot with his and gestures to her.

I tell her my order and glance at Chayse.

"Chai latte with soy milk and a scone. No cream." He replies, glancing at her plainly but kindly.

He turns back to me after he thanks her.

"So how's your kitten?" He asks, lacing his fingers together.

"He's... okay. I think I might need to get him checked. He's getting sick." I explain, gaining a worried look from Chayse.

He sighs and puts his hand on mine.

"It'll turn out okay. Really." He reassures me, his warm hands over my cold ones. I nod but then frown.

A gash on his hand sits in plain sight, stitched up and healing.

"What happened to your hand?" I ask instinctively hovering my fingers over it. He pulls his hand back and rubs the sore gently.

"I just cut myself cooking. No big deal." He waves it off and moves his hand under the table.

"So what do you work as?" He asks changing the topic. I think for a moment.

"I... have jobs here and there. Not really fixed yet. You?" I reply, throwing the question back at him.

"I'm a photographer from England. Came here after college for my job. Work for a company that pays well for a newcomer like me. Guess they like the accent." He laughs.

I simper at his face, his dimples deep and his smile brilliant in the mid-morning light. His dazzling jade eyes shielded by his long chestnut brown lashes.

I catch myself staring and look down at the table.

"So we're you from?" I inquire, tapping the table once again.

"Brighton, England. Born and raised." He comments asking me in turn.

"Brooklyn, New York," I state, just in time for the waitress to bring the food. We thank her and she turns away.

"So, you lactose intolerant?" I ask, realising there is no milk in his food or drink. He nods and cuts open his scone.

I take a sip of my latte and glance back at Chayse

"I just want to say, Steve, you have the most fascinating aquamarine eyes." Chayse states and I look back up.

"Your eyes are stunningly beautiful as well Chayse."

***

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