Can't Stop Me From Loving You // Mullette

The Coffee Shop

(Fanart credit: Caw_chan :)

HERCULES' POV

I sat in the small coffee shop, answering business emails and sipping my coffee every once in a while. I had been here for about 3 hours, first I was working on some designs for the New York fashion show I had been asked to design for, but I finished that and needed an excuse to stay. I answered another email, one from the manager of a famous Spanish pop star. I sighed and shut my computer.

I couldn't do this anymore, I should leave. But he still hadn't shown up, and it was worrying me. He had shown up at the same time as me every day for a month now.

The person I was talking about was a tall man, who had a well-groomed beard and a fluffy bun that bobbled up and down every so slightly when he talked. He showed up at the coffee shop every day by himself, but he often got absorbed in conversations with strangers, or with baristas.

I had been working up my courage every day to go ask him, but just when it seemed like I might be ready to go talk to him, he would always leave. So I came back every day around the same time, and so did he.

Well, except for today. Today he had completely missed the time he usually came here, and I was beginning to get worried. I knew it was irrational to be worried, he's probably out doing something else, not thinking about this quaint little small-town coffee shop that I desperately wanted to see his face in.

I sighed and went back to answering emails, the thought of needing to begin sewing the dresses for New York nudging me from the back of my mind. Finally, I couldn't put off leaving anymore. I gathered up my things and let the barista know I was finished with my coffee so she could take the mug. I was walking out the door when I bumped into a man who was about 3 inches taller than me.

I dropped my laptop and quickly bent down to get it at the same time as the man. Our hands touched and I yanked mine away quickly, along with my laptop.

"I'm so sorry, mon ami! I should've been watching where I was going!" Said the man in a thick French accent.

I looked up at him. It was the man. The one I had been secretly crushing on for a month.

"Oh umm, no problem! That was totally my fault." I apologized quickly.

"Nonsense, mon ami!" The man looked at me and we made eye contact for a few moments.

Dang, his eyes were beautiful. They were a dark, chocolate brown that sparkled slightly. I forced myself to look away.

"I'm Lafayette, by the way." He said. "But you can call me Laff."

"I'm Hercules, but you can call me Herc."

"It is very nice to meet you Herc." He smiled and shook my hand.

"You too." I glanced at his shirt for a moment, then realized what it was. "Hey, you've been to the Museum Of Modern Art?"

"Oui, I love art!" He exclaimed. "All of the colors, the deeper meanings, the backstories! I find it simply... exquisite!"

"Me too! I'm actually a fashion designer." I was so excited we had something in common it took everything in me not to take out my sketchbook right then and there and show him my secret designs for the New York fashion show.

"Zat is amazing. I do a bit of everything, you know? I draw, paint, do interior design. But mostly I decorate cakes at my cake shop."

We had a whole conversation about that, and then another one about how modern art was a lot more interesting than older art.

"Well, I am sorry again for running into you, but not that sorry because it started up an amazing conversation. I must go now, but maybe there is a way to... 'ow you say? Make it out to you for so rudely bumping into you?" He said, sounding unsure. I was slightly startled.

"You mean make it up, right?" I asked, chuckling slightly. The man's dark complexion turned slightly pink.

"Yes, that. I remember now make out means something very different than make up." He laughed. "'Ow about I buy you a coffee? Non, you are leaving, which means you just had coffee. 'Ow about I buy you one tomorrow?" He said quickly, then punctuated his sentence with a dazzling smile.

"Oh, sure! Why not?" I smiled back at him.

He took a notepad out of his backpack and scribbled something down, then ripped it off and handed it to me.

"My phone number." He explained, even though I could tell what it was. "Text me later, I'm sure you need to get somewhere! Au revoir." And with that, he walked past me and into the coffee shop.

That went way better than I expected to. I drove back to my apartment with a huge smile on my face. When I got in, I was so inspired I sketched 5 new designs for New York. These ones were more colorful and played with shapes.

"Much better than the originals." I mumbled out loud to myself. Then I went into my sewing room and got to work on bringing my designs to life. 

When I finished sewing the first dress, a bright blue one, it was 1:00 a.m. I decided to text Laff, even though I doubted he would respond.

{{{TEXT CONVERSATION}}}

HerculesMulligan: hey I'm bored are u awake?

LargeBaguette: oui mon ami but barely

HerculesMulligan: u can sleep if u want but what does mon ami mean

LargeBaguette: my friend

HerculesMulligan: so we're friends now? :p

LargeBaguette: we had a 45 minute conversation earlier today and are meeting for coffee tomorrow so yes

HerculesMulligan: technically that was yesterday and we're meeting today

LargeBaguette: haha

LargeBaguette: good night hercules

HerculesMulligan: good night Laff

~End of conversation~

I sighed and sat down my phone. I should really get some sleep. I wasn't tired, so I decided to reorganize my fabric, since it was messy just like the rest of my apartment.

After about 30 minutes I got a text.

{{{TEXT CONVERSATION}}}

LargeBaguette: hey are u awake

HerculesMulligan: yes

LargeBaguette: this may seem weird but can i come over

HerculesMulligan: sure

HerculesMulligan: can I ask why

LargeBaguette: I always sleep better at my friends houses

~End of conversation~

I sent him my address and smiled. He said he'd be here in about 20 minutes. I rushed around my apartment, cleaning it as much as possible. I mostly just shoved things into my sewing room. 

I heard a knock on my door and my heart fluttered with excitement, which was odd. I didn't get excited very often, especially not about people. I opened the door.

"Bonjour, mon ami." Smiled Laff as he walked in. "Your house is very nice."

"Thanks." I noticed he was wearing pajamas and chuckled. "Nice pajamas."

He blushed slightly. "I forgot to change." 

"So did you come over to talk or did you just want to sleep?" I asked.

"We can talk." He said, stifling a yawn.

"I think you need sleep." I commented and led him to my room. "You can sleep in here, if I do sleep tonight I'll be out on the couch."

"Mon ami, I can not steal your bed!" I was about to tell him it was fine when he said, "I am fine with sharing, it is cold in here anyway."

I smiled. "Ok, I'll be in here later. Goodnight, Laff."

"Goodnight." He replied sleepily, laying down.