Best + Bitter = Better

Thirty days after

Geoff is at the counter of Starbucks, waiting for customers to wander in. It's been a slow day, so he's been left alone with his thoughts. In other words, he's been drowning in his thoughts and wallowing in his emotions. His smile has been forced today, he's too emotionally strained to deal with people.

He glances up as he hears the door open. Familiar purple hair catches his eye. His heart warms. Awsten bounces up to the counter, not even acknowledging the almost empty coffee shop; eyes on Geoff completely.

"What brings you here?" Geoff asks, smile wide and real. He stands up straight and places both hands on the counter outstretched, almost reaching where Awsten has folded his arms on the counter.

Awsten gives a coy smile before replying, "Just here to see my favourite employee." He laughs. "And to also get my coffee fix." He confesses with a grin.

Geoff breathes a laugh, a permanent smile on his face just from the presence of his favourite person. "I've never served you before. This is new." He states, grabbing a large cup and making Awsten's gingerbread latte. He's done in under a minute and brings it back to Awsten who's sat on a stool at a bit of the counter where there are places to sit.

"I didn't even order, how did you know?" Awsten creases his eyebrows incredulously, a childish grin on his face.

"Come on, I've known you for years. And you think I wouldn't know your order? Plus, you're like the most basic bitch." Geoff laughs with Awsten and pushes away Awsten's outstretched hand with the money in it. Instead, he unpockets his wallet and pays for it himself.

"What?" Awsten asks, gesturing towards the cash register.

Geoff shrugs a little, "Just because." He says I love you in his head, but can't bring himself to say it out loud.

Last night, when they had had their moment, they stayed on the floor for a while. Then they got up and made sandwiches together. They made plans to talk about it while they ate, but Jawn came home and then Gracie. So nothing was achieved last night.

"Oh. Thank you, Geoff." Geoff gets the chills from how good it feels to have his name said by Awsten.

"No problem, Aws." Geoff smiles. They hold eye contact for a second, then look away.

The door opens again and Geoff grimaces as he sees Lucy strut in wearing a crop-top and the shortest skirt she owns with only a fur coat for warmth. It's Winter, it's fucking cold. Geoff is just surprised she hasn't died from frost bite.

Geoff looks at Awsten, sighs and rolls his eyes. Trudging to the counter to take his order.

From Awsten's point of view, it looks like they're flirting and something riles up in him. He knows that it's just how Geoff deals with customers, because one of his friends - Becky - was telling all of them how hot the new barista was. And that he was totally flirting with her. After a brief description of "The prettiest blue eyes." and "The fluffiest hair." Awsten deduced it was Geoff. He had great fun in telling her he was gay.

Geoff is walking towards him with Lucy's coffee because he has to pass Awsten to get to the counter where you retrieve your coffee. A sudden impulse has Awsten leaning over the counter and roughly pulling Geoff towards him and into a kiss. At first they are both just as shocked, but they slowly fall into it. Geoff lightly touches Awsten's arm with the hand not holding Lucy's coffee and gently squeezes it before pulling away. They stare at each other, completely lost for words.

A disgruntled cough, catches Geoff's attention. Lucy. He hands her her coffee and takes her money, distractedly putting it into the register. He wanders back to Awsten and they return to just looking at each other.

"Can we talk?" Awsten mutters, his throat thick with anticipation. Geoff checks his watch and nods.

"Christie is in the back, waiting for her shift to start, I'm sure she can cover for me." Geoff decides.

-

On the walk back to Geoff's apartment, they begin their 'talk'. Geoff has never been fond of 'talks' because there always seems to be an implication that he's done something wrong, but this feels oddly comfortable.

"Look, " Geoff starts, immediately scrutinising his choice of words. This has to be perfect and he's already fucking it up. "I love you. I want to be with you." It feels good to put it out in the air with no distractions or 'circumstances'.

"I know." Awsten smiles. It feels good to know definitively that Geoff loves him." But I'm with Mark."

Geoff's face scrunches up. "What does that matter, you're going to break up with him aren't you?" Awsten keeps his sight dead ahead. Geoff shakes his head, not believing what is implied. "What do you mean? We love each other. He doesn't matter anymore." And in a perfect world, Geoff is right. But nothing in this world is perfect.

"Yeah. He's still surprisingly relevant." Awsten jokes. His jokes thinly veil his emotions and Geoff knows him better than his favourite book.

"Sweetheart, he can't hurt you. Not if I'm there." Geoff whispers. He takes hold of Awsten's hand. It's cold, freezing in fact. Geoff takes his gloves out of his pockets and puts them in Awsten's hands.

Awsten puts them on his hands, making them instantly warmer. "I know." He sighs. "But I'm still scared." The sound of those words makes him seems small and frail. Geoff carefully wraps his arm around Awsten's shoulders and brings him closer to his side. This is going to be quite the process.