Chapter Text
September 30, 1998. It was heavy rain and howling winds, but your shop was still open, like a beacon of light in the darkness. A flash of lightning and a high beam panned across the window. The rumbling sound of an engine came to a halt.
Could that be your first customer of the day?
Your question was answered when a young, red-haired woman in a matching leather jacket burst through the front door, triggering the welcome chime that signaled a new arrival. She was drenched like a drowned rat, helmet tucked under her arm as she made her way over to the counter tentatively, her eyes darting back and forth at the empty space before her.
“Hey, uh, you’re open, right?”
“Of course.” Your smile was genial and bright, but not scorching—mellow like the midnight sun in a starless sky. “What would you like, miss?”
She relaxed a little, her shoulders loosening as she placed her helmet on the counter until it appeared as if she remembered something. Looking back, her gaze followed the trail of dirty puddles she had left in her wake. Water pooled from her soaked boots as she gave you a sheepish grin. “Um, sorry.”
You waved it off with a laugh. “Apologize when you can control the weather.” Grabbing a couple of tea towels from the nearby rack, you handed it to her. “Here, why don’t you dry off while I fix you something to warm up with?”
She thanked you profusely as you got to work, concocting up a special blend of frothy hot chocolate with milk, honey, rosewater, and a touch of cinnamon. The pattering of rain from the outside complemented the chill lo-fi soundtrack you had put on in the background.
Sliding the glass over the surface of the table, you placed it in front of her. “Your Turkish Delight, miss.”
“Claire,” she offered. “Just call me Claire.”
As she brought the steamy drink to her lips, her eyes widened, like something had caught her by surprise.
“Mmm, wow,” she sputtered. “This is—”
“Good?”
“Really good!” she corrected, as she gulped the rest down enthusiastically.
At that moment, the door chime tinkled again, and another stranger strolled in, attempting to brush away the droplets from his clothes in vain. Running a hand through his slick blonde bangs, his piercing blue eyes fell upon the two of you like a deer in the headlights.
“Uh, um…” he stammered, only to shake his head in response at his own fumbling as he cleared his throat to try again. “Do you mind if—”
But you were already there, holding out another towel before he could even blink.
“Oh, uh, thanks.” The corners of his mouth curled into a shy smile as he took the towel from your hands gratefully.
“You better leave her a good tip!” Claire hollered from where she sat as he chuckled and raised his hands in mock resignation.
“And what can I get you, mister?”
“Leon.”
“Hmm?”
He stuck out his hand, greeting you with an air of innocence and genuineness. “I’m Leon.”
You shook hands and introduced yourself before he would reveal his order. “Just a coffee, nothing fancy.”
“Coming right up,” you called out over your shoulder, a knowing look cast across your face.
As you prepared a pot of black filter coffee, you overheard your two customers exchanging a few words.
“You from Raccoon City?”
“Nah, I’m just here for a few days to visit my brother. Lemme guess, you’re not from around here either?”
“Not really, well, not yet. I mean, I was supposed to start my first day at the RPD—”
“Wait, today? Have you seen the time?”
“I know, I know… I got delayed. Add the insane weather and I’m still trying to work out the directions on this map.”
“Well, rookie, you’re in luck. My brother’s part of S.T.A.R.S., so I could lead you to the station when the weather clears up a little.”
“Rookie? Really?”
“Do you want my help or not?”
Pouring the freshly brewed coffee into a cup, you served it to Leon, who had just accepted Claire’s offer, despite his slight hesitation. “Your nothing fancy coffee.”
He snickered, locking eyes with you for a split second before taking a sip. Tension eased from his brows as he closed them shut, sighing blissfully into the cup. “It’s—”
“Really good?” Claire suggested, finishing his sentence from him.
He nodded and pursed his lips, finishing the rest of the drink in a couple of mouthfuls. Gesturing towards Claire’s empty glass, he stated, “I’ll get hers too.”
As he fished out a couple of crumpled bills, you stopped him, instinctively placing your hand over his when he tried to slip them over. His eyes flickered at your touch, but he did not pull away, waiting patiently for your response.
“On the house,” you clarified.
“What? No,” Claire protested as she motioned to the empty seats around her. “How’s your shop gonna survive like this?”
“I’ll manage,” you shrugged before peering out through one of the side windows. “Seems like the rain’s lightened up.”
“We’ll be back,” Leon promised, his gaze stoic and sincere, as he dragged the chair out under him, preparing to leave. Claire did the same.
As the door chime tinkled for the final time that evening, he paused abruptly, popping his head back in to ask, “When are you open?”
At this, you let out a smile. “Only at night.”