Chapter Text
'Coffee.. I need coffee..' The tired eyes of the black haired individual looked at the cupboard, but there was no sign of even a packet.
Winston was sure that he bought a good amount of coffee last week, little did he know about his caffeine addiction.
"Huh.. What now..?" He muttered, coughing afterwards. He didn't want to buy another packet again, as the convenience store is running out of coffee. He wouldn't dare to go to somewhere that far either, or else he'd be late.
Sighing in disappointment, Winston closed the cupboard once again and soon started to take a quick shower.
He could see huge bags under his eyes, but what does it matter? As long as he's doing his job, that's what counts.
Finishing his little routine, he put on his long sweater and cleaned his shades for a moment before putting them on.
They weren't exactly shades like what'd you see from the beach. They were rather round, large enough to hide at least his eye bags.
Checking everything before finally leaving his rather messy room, he gave it one final look before closing the door behind him, locking it afterwards.
~~~
"Oy John! Wanna go to a hotpot?" Winston could hear the other employees converse once again, trying to block out the noise as he was busy with the papers. 'Less eavesdropping, more working.'
"Huh? Oh, sorry guys. I'm heading to this one cafe that's booming lately. It's somewhere near the block.. I think it's called Dino Cafe?"
Winston paused, his hands froze as he heard the mention of a cafe. No, get to working, Winston! He shouldn't be listening to this either way-
"Ohh! I went there a couple of times, and their coffee is the best! Hands down, really great recommendation!"
Coffee.
Winston's brain automatically focused on the conversation. Perhaps they have something good to share this time around.
"They also have snacks, and afternoon tea!"
"Isn't it a cafe, not a teahouse?"
"But it's working, isn't it? Many people would go there by the afternoon to drink some."
Winston is not the type to drink tea, but maybe he could try it out-
"Loomis."
Winston jumped at the mention of his last name, looking to whoever said it and soon started to shudder the moment he saw who it was.
"M-Mr. Emanon-"
"You're idling again, aren't you?" Emanon sighed rather harshly, disappointment laced in his voice as Winston lowered his head in shame.
"The sooner you're done, the faster you can go somewhere."
... Huh?
"W-wha-"
"Don't make me change my mind, Loomis. Finish these and you can leave early."
.. What stroke of luck did he encounter? Emanon was never nice to him, let alone letting him leave early..
He could only muster a small nod before Emanon walked away, though Winston could feel his heart beat in slight anxiety.
'Calm down.. Calm down..' He took in deep breathes, looking through the papers that were already half done.
".. Let's do this."
~~~
It took a while for Winston to finally finish his work, but it was worth the hours. He stretched out his arms and legs, hearing a few bones here and there pop and snap. 'Huh.. I haven't moved it that much, huh..?'
He looked around the cubicle, seeing the same people working except others are heading out for a coffee break.
'I should.. go to that cafe..' Winston thought, but he paused when he realized something.
He doesn't know where the Dino Cafe is located.
"Hey John! Let's go and get a grub from the Dino Cafe!" Winston looked up to the one who mentioned John's name.
Maybe he can ask if he could join them..?
'No.. I've never even socialized before.. Let alone talked to them..' Winston hesitated, feeling rather dejected as he didn't really know anyone here.
'Maybe I should.. Follow them instead.. Yeah.. Pretend that I know where I'm going too..'
Winston made up his mind, as he soon picked up his bag and followed the group, making sure to be at a good distance.
~~~
It was a rather long walk, and he almost lost them at many times, but surprisingly the Dino Cafe is just near to his apartment complex a few blocks up.
Winston looked at the sign first and then at the windows. There are so many people...
Ahh, but the aroma of coffee.. the scent of what smells like baked sweets also lured Winston, entering the cafe without any second thought.
Coffee. All he wants is coffee. Nothing more, nothing less.
He waited in line, keeping to himself while the group that he followed didn't pay any mind to him.
Perhaps this is a good thing about being invisible sometimes: not being bothered by whatever they want to say.
It was soon his turn after the wait, though he found himself to get stuck in his throat the moment he was about to order.
What were the coffee they serve here again..?
He could feel his anxiety piling up, cold sweat forming as he realized the mistake of not knowing what coffee he wanted.
The barista must have noticed, as he spoke to him. "You're new here? Don't worry, we got you covered." Winston looked up quite surprised, but could only nod as he didn't want to take long.
"Black coffee or brown?" The blonde barista asked, preparing the order as Winston muttered 'Black'. "For takeout, I assume?" Winston nodded again, not wanting to talk too much.
After paying and taking his coffee, Winston sat on a bench, first sniffing the aroma.
The black coffee smells very apparent here, no additives, no milk.. Just black.
It almost smelled quite different from the ones he bought from the convenience store, in a much more.. Organic way, perhaps.
He took a sip of his coffee and his eyes widened.
Those guys weren't lying, this is good.
No, good is an understatement. It tasted the best, and the roast is also just right. He could taste the bitterness, but it left as a good aftertaste even when he chugged it all down.
".. More.." He muttered, getting up as he headed back to the cafe.
~~~
"Back for the usual, Mr. Loomis?" The blonde barista chuckled, hearing the familiar little ring omit from when Winston entered the cafe.
Winston only nodded, not talking as much but prepared for his usual blend. He always made sure to get up as early as possible, as he heard that early birds get to taste test new blends, if they so desire.
So he'd always follow that new routine, almost like a religion. Get up early than 5:30 and head there to the cafe before 6:30 strikes.
"We decided to make the blend much more interesting, per se. You sure you can take it?" The blonde barista asked Winston, though he only nodded which made the other barista concerned.
"Jon.. should we really let him taste test this one..? His eyes-"
"It'll be fine, Timothy! Don't worry too much about it."
His head is aching. He doesn't know why but his head is aching. He couldn't pick up the other voices, almost as if they sounded too far or too faint.
Once he was served the free coffee he could taste and give a rating to, he couldn't help but feel rather.. light headed.
He was already holding the coffee, so he decided to drink at least a little bit-
"ACK-"
He coughed out violently, spurting whatever blend was in his mouth. There's nothing wrong with this coffee, but why is his body rejecting it?
"I-I'll just.. Sit down.."
Winston mumbled, not even minding the baristas' warnings as he turned around. But the moment he did..
He couldn't help but drop the coffee.
'It hurts.. It hurts..'
Winston's eyes started to close as he passed out, unbeknownst to him that he passed out on an officer.