Short Gay Stories~

The Shepherd

Hello~ I just wanted to say, I know this coffee shop is french (clearly) but I think it matches the imagery of the story. BTW, apparently this is one of the best coffee shops in Paris, so if you're ever there, I think it would be worth it to try it out. Thanks~ 

Summer had started to fade into autumn , making the scenery a strange mix between people in warm and cool clothing. The parks had not yet been abandoned because of the less-than-ideal weather, quite the opposite really, children were thrilled with the falling leaves. In one particular neighborhood, a young man was already wary of the chilling weather, and a thick coat was already draped over his shoulders as he approached his front door. As soon as he was outside, the cold morning wind whipped his raven black hair up and blew stray leaves right into his face. He sighed, starting his daily walk down to the neighborhood coffee shop. The tightly packed houses were all well taken care of, a clear canal running down the middle of the street. The raven haired man walked briskly, wanting to get out of the unpleasant weather as soon as possible. Children darted in and out of houses, greeting and playing with each other, the occasional grown up chastising their unruly behavior. The ravenette didn't see an issue with it, after all, it was a weekend and kids should make the most of their free time, they wouldn't have a lot as an adult.

After an agonizing five minutes of walking, the man made it to his destination. The Shepherd, was a cozy and picturesque coffee shop. The ravenette, however, couldn't care any less about the appearance, he was there for one reason and one reason only. Caffeine. Opening the door, he was greeted by the appealing smell of coffee, and the smell of baking pastries wafted out from the kitchen that was hidden from view. The shop was empty except for two other customers and it's three employees. The coated man walked up to the empty counter. The second that he reaches it, a familiar head poked out from the kitchen's doorway.

"Oh! Mr. Nate, you're here! Let me get you the usual." the younger man said excitedly, rushing to the coffee machine. The now named ravenette smiled at the energetic red head gently. He'd gotten to know the employee after all the mornings he'd arrived sleepy and caffeine deprived.

"Good morning Liam, and thanks." Nathan paused, as if remembering something, "call me Nate or Nathan. We're way past the 'Mr.'" The energetic coffee maker blushed and nodded rapidly. Truly, the only thing powerful enough to cheer Nathan up in the mornings was Liam's coffee. Once done, Liam swooped into Nathan's line of vision and placed his coffee down in front of him before quickly rushing off again for something in the back kitchen. Taking a sip of the hot beverage the tired man smiled lightly, closing his red momentarily to enjoy the most welcomed warmth that the drink brought him. "Here's the muffin M- Nathan" Nathan smiled up at the waiter appreciatively, glad that Liam was beginning to become more comfortable with him.

"What's being a detective like?" A bit surprised by the question, Nathan lowered his book and looked over at the red head leaning over the counter. Winter had arrived without tarry, and soon after all the leaves had abandoned their trees, the temperature dropped much too low for Nathan's taste.

"Well, for one, there's a lot of overtime, it's much too time consuming, and you don't even get results sometimes..." The ravenette glanced at the waiter only to see him wearing a pout. "...what?" Liam sighed and dragged himself up, moving to the coffee machine to clean the worn machinery.

"Well" he sighed, "that sounds extremely boring, you just listed bad things. Tell me about the good side of it." Nathan smiled, watching Liam's nimble hands working over the machines and counter with a rag. Don't get him wrong, he was extremely fond of his job, but he couldn't help it. The young detective was constantly under stress from the many cases he was assigned to. The emotional and physical was extremely tolling on him. Apart from The Shepherd and the office, he only went out of his home for the essentials, only meeting up with friends every once in a while. He considered himself lucky that winter afternoon. He spent hours talking with the red head, and even after the coffee shop emptied of its patrons, they found company in each other.

Walking through the spring rain, the detective made his way to The Shepherd. Nathan was coming back from a long day's work. Winter was long over and now the streets of London were being pummeled by constant rain. The only hint of light was the lonely haze in the sky that signifies the existence of a moon behind the clouds.

Technically speaking, the coffee shop was closed, the only light on would be the small golden one over the wooden blue door. But thanks to a certain coffee maker, he would be getting coffee after hours. As he reached the dark shop, his gaze fell upon a small paper bag at the foot of the door. Reaching down for it and straightening up again, the smell of coffee wafted up to his nose. Pulling the warm coffee out and taking a sip his tired body relaxed.

His schedule was completely packed that week, so he hadn't gotten his regular dose of caffeine in the mornings, luckily, the overeager green-eyed coffee maker was more than willing to leave him a cup of lukewarm coffee outside the door. The young detective had begun a new case, and it had kept him at work for way too long. He was working with a lawyer that seemed to be as much of a worn out worker as he. Once again, Nathan was visited by a recurring sense of nostalgia, he longed for the days in his past that were not packed with work. At the very least, there was a breath of fresh air waiting for him inside The Shepherd. Liam never failed to lighten his day up, regardless of the warmth or the chilliness of the outside world.

While he dreaded the cold of spring nights and their rains, Nathan had to commit to his career, even if it meant slogging his way through the dead of night to a bar he'd never even gone to. Truly, the lengths he had to go to find an appropriate lawyer for this case, who'd ever heard of an investigator having to look for the lawyer they were to work with. Not to mention, he was being accompanied by a colleague, who was, to say the least, awfully impatient and whiny. The man kept on complaining and fidgeting as they looked for the place where they would finally meet their lawyer. Nate sighed and stated to zone out, and as he walked along the empty street, he realized that there was only one place he wished to be at. The Shepherd was floating around in his head and without even realizing it, Liam's blushing face was all he could think of. Nate stopped dead in his tracks, heart beating quickly. The impatient man glanced at him, and asked him if he was okay. 

......Oh...... 

It hit Nate rather abruptly.

.....I didn't even know.... THIS WHOLE TIME, REALLY? AM I THAT DENSE?! .... not only about his feelings, but mine???

His body started to move by itself, and before he knew it, he had stopped in front of a building with warm light flooding out of it. He looked up at the sign that read The Hound. A bit startled, he realized that this was where he was to find the lawyer. The impatient man twittered happily and rushed in, leaving Nate outside. He sighed yet again, and stepped into the the small building. He was rather surprised to see the warm bar beyond the rather bland outside. It was inviting, and the patrons all looked comfortable. He looked over at the bar stools, from which a brunette was getting up. The impatient man voiced his concerns about time, rushing the man who Nate assumed was the lawyer. Their eyes met and a mutual feeling of understanding passed between them, they were both tired and worn out, but nevertheless, willing to work. As they stepped out of the bar, Nate noticed that the lawyer lingered behind, looking as if he didn't want to part ways with the bar just yet. Nate smiled gently and suddenly, was struck with an idea. 

It was a warm evening. Liam stood on the sidewalk, bouncing on the balls of his feet, bright green eyes darting around. Then, a familiar figure caught his eye. 

"Nate!" he waved excitedly, running up to the investigator, "Is this the place?" 

Nate smiled gently, nodding, "Yes, I think you'll like it." His heart fluttered as Liam lit up, a smile etching itself on his face.

And so they took eachother's hands and stepped into the bar.