Chapter Text
Chris inhaled the scent of the Hale Beta and sighed. He knew better than to yearn after humans, really he did, but this one... This one was so different. Not to mention the coffee they made was laced with catnip and God help him, he loved 'nip in his morning coffee.
He shivered in his jacket and bustled into the shop the same time as a group of high-school aged humans. After that particular gaggle had settled down, he was greeted by the Hale he didn't want to see; Talia, the so-called Alpha of the Hale hunters.
"May I help you?" she asked with a chirrup, her eyes far wiser than her tone.
"Just coffee. I don't want to make it a hassle for you since it's rush hour." Chris answers with a smile that's completely fake.
"Talia! Shoo. Go back to harassing Derek or Erica or somebody else." Peter. The smile that stays is genuine and something he really shouldn't be flashing at an experienced hunter. "Chris, right? Town mechanic?"
"Yeah. Problem with your car?" He's used to these sorts of questions.
"Derek's, actually. It's his birthday and I need..." Here Peter leaned over the counter and whispered, "a recommendation for a first car."
"You know him pretty well. Why ask me?" Chris replied with a shrug.
"'Cause you're kind of handsome and that smile's a little too attractive for a bunch of high-school kids to be gawking at, y'know." The last part was delivered with a wink and his coffee just the way he likes it, the steam curling off of it smelling strongly of catnip. "I know what you are," the man continues as though it's everyday conversation, "but I need your help in picking out the right color. Besides, Tals is a huge softy when it comes to cats."
Chris swallowed sharply as Peter took back his coffee and wrote something on it. "Oh?"
"For sure. Shoo. You're holding up the line, sweet cheeks." Peter teased as he shoved Chris to the side with a strength that most humans didn't possess, the muscles standing out as he went with the hand. His coffee was given back as Peter flirted with the exhausted college students to give them caffeine as well as food. He glanced at his cup and blushed at the note:
'Come see me after the café shuts down, kitty. I really do need some help. By the way, you have a sweet smile.' -Peter