Chapter Text
“And what'll your name be?”
“Terios.” He answered the barista he'd just ordered from, stuffing his card back into his wallet.
He walked to the empty table he had eyed since he entered. It was near the front doors, but most other tables were occupied. The familiar hum of coffee machines faded as he furthered himself from the bar area. The comfortable chatting of other patrons, the occasional roar of passing cars, clinking of glasses, the scent of coffee, tea, and pastries. He set his bag down on the cushion clad bench, eyes surveying the surroundings. Some typed away at laptops, some cracked open books, some talked with friends, one person was scrambling in their bag, the sound of rustling paper following their every moment.
He had hardly registered the jingle of the entry door and the increase of volume of the street's traffic, keeping focused on his bag.
At least, until he heard a familiar voice. “Hey, T!” Terios whipped his head around, eyes widening as they landed on Nick's face. He had a smile, like he always did… “Funny seeing you here.”
“How did you know I was here?” Terios asked. His throat constricted around the words, a strange phenomenon that seemed to happen around Nick.
“Didn't,” Nick said nonchalantly, “I was just passing by when I saw you.”
Terios hummed softly in acknowledgement, eyes tracing over Nick. There was a hardly visible sheen of sweat, his chest rose with each breath he took. He must've been jogging , Terios deduced. His gaze lingered, and Nick tensed, shifting slightly under Terios's careful watch. Terios quickly turned his attention back to Nick's eyes.
“Could I sit here with you?”
“What?” Terios mumbled, “That's… alright with me.”
“Sweet.” Nick sat down on the cushioned bench opposite of Terios's chosen seat, kicking back and relaxing.
Nick, just inviting himself to other people's plans, making himself comfortable without warning. That spontaneous nature, that carefree attitude… Terios ripped his gaze away, he didn't want to stare. Again.
He sat himself down trying to keep his eyes on his bag as he pulled out some papers. Homework. He tried to focus, but he found it difficult with Nick across from him. He wasn't expecting company, and his preoccupation on Nick's existence made homework infinitely more difficult.
He furrowed his eyebrows, grip tightening on his pencil. The sounds of chattering, machines humming, the jingle of the door, the sound that seeped in from outside, the clacking of laptop keyboards, the smell of coffee, tea, fruit juice, perfumes, and all else. Overlapping conversions, sounds, smells. Why did I come here to focus … Terios asked himself, clenching his pencil with much more force than necessary.
“Order for Terios!” Terios flinched hard at the call of the barista, hoping Nick didn't notice. As he got up, he slammed his knee against the underside of the table, cursing beneath his breath at the sudden influx of pain.
“You okay?” Nick asked, genuine concern apparent.
Terios nodded, walking past him to get his coffee. As he picked it up and took a whiff of the rich, warm smell of his beverage. He felt his shoulders relaxing.
He walked back to his table, trying not to mind the lingering numbness and pain of his knee.
Terios’s eyes fell on Nick, and his pace slowed to a stop. Nick seemed to be taking in the atmosphere of the place. The warm browns and dull oranges of the wood and decor, brownish gray masonry, and occasional offwhite, almost eggshell color that blended well with the warmth of the environment, the plentiful signage, the small pops of green from the various potted plants. “Don't you want to get something to drink?” Terios asked.
“No,” Nick laughed softly to himself. He shrugged with his constant sunny smile still on his face. “I think coffee’s kinda gross…”
Terios tilted his head slightly, before setting his coffee down. He “Then why did you come to a coffee shop?”
“Because you're here.” Nick said, like it was nothing, like it was a no-brainer, like it was just how things are, or are meant to be. Nonchalant as always, but there was something in those eyes, something Terios convinced himself he imagined.
Terios felt an unfamiliar stirring sensation in his stomach, blush creeping up his neck. That feeling, gratitude , but why did it feel so much like embarrassment? How such a pleasant feeling made him wish the ground would swallow him whole, maybe that would calm the racing of his heart. He mouthed the word you , but couldn't get his voice out, like it was stuck in his throat, making it harder to breathe.
He swallowed hard. “There's… Some other drinks here…” He cringed at how timid his own voice came out, wishing Nick somehow wouldn't notice his flustered state. “Hot Chocolate, tea… I think they have apple and orange juice…”
“Really? Honestly, orange juice sounds great, now that I'm thinking about it.” Nick's voice carried his usual carefree energy. Nick's hands found the pockets of his baggy sweatpants as he stood up, eyes landing on the large menu on the wall far behind Terios. He breathed a sigh of relief, no longer the focus of the other's gaze.
“They also have some pastries. I could buy us something if you'd like.”
“Huh?” Nick's eyes met Terios’s again. “Nah, you don't gotta waste your money on me.”
“It wouldn't be a waste…” Terios mumbled beneath his breath, his own soft words surprising himself.
“What was that?”
Terios felt his cheeks warm significantly, but he tried to act natural regardless. “It's not a big deal, I have a lot of money.” Terios felt an itch to play with his bracelet, or his hair, or anything that would make him feel less awkward. “And… you know, supporting local businesses.”
“Well, I wouldn't have anything to give you in return.” Nick shrugged.
Your friendship is worth so much more than anything money could buy. The thought crossed Terios's mind. What the hell is wrong with me? “I don't care, I can buy it for you. Just tell me what you want.” His voice came out much more stern than intended, but sounding pissed beat sounding all pathetic like earlier.
“Yeah, right, okay.” Nick seemed to shrink at the more stern tone. Terios felt a twinge of guilt, but he brushed it off quickly, happy to be rid of the argument. He set down his coffee. “Come on, you're ordering something,” he told Nick, who didn't argue.
They strolled up to the counter, and Nick ordered. Without any coffee, the wait time was really short. Nick grabbed his own drink, while Terios grabbed the small paper bag with the pastry inside.
“I can carry it myself, y'know.” Nick gave Terios an amused smile.
“I'm aware.” Terios said, walking back to their table.
“Thanks.” The word seemed to linger in the air. They sat down, and Nick took a sip of his orange juice. Though, it didn't take too long for him to finish it. Terios sat, stunned that Nick had nearly finished his orange juice before Terios took a single sip of his coffee. Nick sighed, “Guess I was thirstier than I thought.”
“Guess so…” Terios mumbled idly. He tried to snap his attention back to his homework. He took a sip of his coffee, the warm, bitter taste was always familiar and welcome, and he tried to focus.
“What're you working on?” Nick asked. Terios felt his eyebrows furrow.
“Economics homework.”
“Econ? That sucks…” Nick signed, propping his cheeks on his hands, and elbows on the table.
“It's a little difficult when I can't focus on it…” Terios mumbled.
Nick leaned back in his chair, elbows no longer on the table. “Sorry…” He apologized.
Nick grabbed the small, white paper bag, and took out the pastry he ordered. Small bites, taking in his surroundings. Terios forced his eyes back down to his paper.
Terios tried not to pay attention to what he believed was just his mind playing tricks on him, like Nick stealing glances at him. After all, why would he? Even if he was, he'd just be looking at the homework, right?
He tried focusing on the word problems. He tried focusing on the hypothetical sales manager for a hypothetical advertising agency who believes there is a relationship between the number of contacts that a salesperson makes and the amount of sales dollars earned.
Somehow, telling himself to focus made focusing even harder. He sighed, pulling out his calculator, hoping that math would distract him. Putting in the functions would ease his mind.
Luckily, that seemed to help.
He continued the work on the problems, not so much as looking at Nick.
Terios went for another sip of his coffee right as his phone beeped and buzzed. An Akuma alert. He flinched, coffee falling out of his hand. The loose fitted lid popped off, leaving the coffee to soak his papers. He quickly scrambled to clean up the mess, damage was done, the papers were thoroughly soaked. “No, no, no…” Terios mumbled. The entire shop was filled with mobile alerts and hushed chatter. Amidst the chaos, Terios didn't notice Nick had rushed to grab Terios Napkins.
“How's your papers?” Nick asked quickly, handing them to Terios.
Terios's face fell, looking at the soggy mess before himself. He felt completely and utterly powerless. He felt his brows furrow. “Ruined…” Terios sighed, head down. Why did everything go wrong? Why was he such a klutz today? In front of him ?
“Maybe you can redo them…?” Nick said, attempting to sound cheerful.
Terios nodded solemnly. “I still lost all my progress…” He dragged the paper towels across the hot liquid, his frown deepening.
“When's it due?”
“Two days from now,” Terios mumbled. “But I hate having stuff not done.”
Nick helped dry the table. “You have a lot of time. I know it sucks, but you just gotta move on from it, okay?” Nick's voice was surprisingly soothing. Practiced.
Terios sighed, his work on the spill slowing. His eyes took a glance at Nick, he's got a smile, a gentle one. Terios focused back on the task at hand, but the image replayed in his mind.
“See?” Nick said after nearly all of the spill was swept up. “We've already got it cleaned.”
“Thanks… for your help.” Terios's gaze didn't meet Nick.
“It's no problem!” Nick said cheerfully. “But, I should probably go finish my jog.” Terios looked up at Nick when he said that. “You know how Tom and Maddie want me home whenever there's an akuma attack.” Nick shrugged. “I'll catch you if you're here after?” Nick asked with a small smile.
Terios gave a reluctant nod, looking down at space that used to be covered in coffee, the space Nick helped clean. He swallowed hard before mumbling, “Okay.” There was an ounce of relief in his voice.
“See ya!” Nick waved as he walked outside, darting down the sidewalk.
Terios sighed, standing up from his table and heading toward the restroom. He'd be back soon enough, so his bag stayed at the table. He went into the bathroom, then into one of the stalls.
He lifted his jacket, and his small, ladybug-like creature crawled out. “Chao Chao?” It chirped.
Terios checked his phone, looking at his news app. “Akuma attack on the other side of town.” He stuffed his phone in his pocket, and sighed. “Time to transform.”
After a flash of light, he opened the stall and walked towards the window. It was difficult to open, being so high up, but he managed to unlatch and push it open. He grabbed the yo-yo at his hip and swung himself out of there.