Chapter Text
“One cappuccino please.”
The hazel brown eyes didn’t look at him as he nodded and sent the order down to the one operating the machine.
“Anything else?” A rough hand darts over the buttons, punching in the prices. He was still not looking at him, brows and nose scrunched up as he obviously looked at the line behind him.
He wanted to say something to the cashier, do a small talk, but he knows it’s not the time. It might never be. “No, that’s all.”
“That will be 4.32. Next.”
With the clear dismissal, Illinois shuffles over to the desk where his drink were already waiting. Damn, they worked fast here. Grabbing his drink, he finds a corner where he can watch the counter from.
People filter in and out, the coffee shop bustling with activity. People coming in for a break, for lunch, a quick cup of coffee before rushing of to a meeting, students desperate trying to study. None of them interesting enough to break Illinois’ careful watch over the cashier from under his hat.
His geled hair that kept getting loose strands, the surprisingly well hidden annoyance at the customers. The too small shirt he seems to be cursed with. Illinois were sure that about half of the customers were checking the cashier out.
The coffee were long gone cold, barely touched, when Illinois’ phone rang. He knew who it was.
“ Found him yet? ”
Illinois watched the cashier. “No. Not yet.”
And with that, he left the coffee shop, throwing the cup with cold coffee into the bin.
He knew he should stay away. And yet he finds himself in the corner with a cup of cold coffee almost every day. No matter how noisy or silent it was, he was a constant in the ever changing scene.
Illinois were sure the workers noticed his presence. Probably came off as a creep, considering how much he was watching the cashiers. Especially one specific. He really should stop.
But he can’t stay away.
“Why do yous keep ordering coffees when yous don’t drink them?”
Illinois glanced up from under his hat. Hazel brown eyes curiously looking down at him, a frown present on his pale face. Accent barely there.
No hint of recognition.
He pulls down the hat over his eyes enough to not see his face, his heart beating painfully in his chest. “Wasn’t aware I had to drink what I ordered.”
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor intensified Illinois’ resolve to stare a hole into the table.
A huff of annoyance almost pulverized the resolve.
“You’ve been unable to keep your eyes away from me for almost a month, and now that I approach yous? Yous don’t even dare to look at me.”
Illinois peek up under his hat. The tag sat mockingly on the cashier’s chest. ‘Jesper’ it read, he almost huffed at that.
“What are yous doing here? You’ve picked the wrong fucking target to harass because I will punch yous!”
His heart ached. “I know you will.” He hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but the soft whisper were loud enough to be heard over the silent coffee shop.
‘Jesper’ looked surprised and tense, and if he dared to say it, even a little bit scared.
With a shake of his head, Illinois grabbed his once again cold cup and downed it’s content. He suppressed the shiver of the disgusting taste. “I’m sorry for creeping you out. You just reminded me of someone I knew.”
Hazel eyes stares at him and he looks back unflinching. “You don’t need to worry. I won’t be coming back.” It hurts to breathe, it hurts to stand up, he just want to sit back down. Looking away made it easier.
“Goodbye, Yancy,” he whispered, trying to reel in all of his emotions as he turned away.
There’s a pained gasp behind him, but he forces himself to keep moving to the door. Then, down the street. Step after step.
Illinois barely registered the fact that he pulled out his phone and pressed call until Dark’s voice greeted him.
“He’s not in the city. Looked everywhere, couldn’t find him. I’m prepared to come home.” His tongue felt heavy and he wanted to throw up. Instead he stumbled through the shadows as they swallowed him up, allowing him instant transportation back home.
Illinois knew that the other’s knew that he lied. And yet, when he arrived, no one said anything. The only thing that happened was Magnum stepping forth and pulled him into a hug.
Illinois didn’t leave the Manor for a very long time.