Archive of Our Own

Grian held the door open for a stunned woman before he stepped into the cafe himself.

It was as comfy as it always was, fairy lights twinkling along the ceiling, the lights casts stars across the wall, gleaming against photos, posters, and tear-tab advertisements for the community. Grian had put one up just last week for the library game night. It was still there, three tabs pulled off.

The smile that crept onto his face was thoughtless, innate in the act of walking into his favorite cafe to see his favorite barista in his favorite neighborhood to walk through.

The line was long, and he made his way to the back, still smiling even as head’s turned to watch him, jaws dropping.

Others, the regulars, just smiled. One woman he’d chatted with a week or so back waved her fingers in greeting. She was a sweetheart, had asked Grian about the recent push for community service and how she could get involved. He quirked his head with more of a grin, waving back at her.

The line moved forward, and Grian kept up with it, bouncing back on his heels. He caught a glint of the man he really came to the cafe for, though the coffee was good, too.

Taurtis was breath of fresh air in his city that so often drained people in their day to day. He had the most contagious laugh Grian had ever heard, a smile that lit the room up, and enough kindness to make firefighters saving kittens from trees look vicious.

He might be Grian’s favourite person.

And he would never brag, but Taurtis always lit up when he saw Grian, always called for a coworker to cover him for a few minutes so they could catch up, always refilled Grian’s coffee with a finger to his lips, a secret sort of smile that Grian held close to his chest.

Taurtis liked seeing Grian just as much as Grian did him, he was completely sure.

The line moved forward again, and Grian was up.

“Welcome to Evo, what can I get for you, sir?”

“Your number?” Taurtis’ expression didn’t so much as shift. Grian cleared his throat. “Just a coffee, room for cream, please.”

“That’ll be five seventy-two.”

Taurtis liked Grian, he just didn’t seem to care for Cute Guy.

Maybe Taurtis just doesn’t like heroes?

The man under his heel attempted to reach for his knife, but Hot Guy landed an arrow in the space between his hand and it, stopping him in his tracks.

No, I’ve seen him cheer for HG on the news.

“Ambulance is a few minutes out still.” Hot Guy called over his shoulder, helping one of the victims back to his feet. “I’ll restrain him, could you get-”

“Of course.” His friend didn’t even need to finish his sentence, Grian was already letting his heel up, reaching for the first aid kit on his belt.

Another man had been roughed up, and Grian knew it was on him to make sure he wasn’t in immediate danger.

Hot Guy was great with victims… not as great with blood. A bit odd for a hero, but Grian had his oddities as well, so who was he to judge.

The man was familiar, and it only took a moment for Grian to place him as another employee at Taurtis’ cafe, probably a couple years younger than Grian himself.

“Hey, there.” His voice changer didn’t obstruct the near flirt in his tone as he crouched down in front of the man, checking for any visible head injuries. “Can I touch you real quick, wanna make sure you didn’t get knocked around too much.” He slipped on a pair of latex gloves.

The man nodded. “You’re Cute Guy.” He said, a bit obviously. Maybe a head injury after all.

“You’re not too bad yourself. Now, could you tilt your head forward for me? I’m just gonna feel for any bumps.”

“No, I mean- you are cute, but you’re…”

“I am.” He agreed, nodding. “And you are?”

“Alexis Crow.”

“Alexis Crow, would you mind me checking your eyes?”

“Go for it.”

Grian unclipped his penlight and clicked it on, relieved when his eyes responded as they were supposed to. “You work over at Evo, right?”

“How- oh. You come in, right? My boss mentioned it the other day. You’re becoming a regular.” Alexis smiled shakily, but thankfully he seemed to be doing much better than he had a minute before.

Taurtis had mentioned him? As Cute Guy? Maybe he didn’t hate him after all.

“Oh, shit, my boss.” Alexis fumbled for his phone, but found it cracked down the front. He tried the power button again and again, but nothing happened.

Grian hissed in sympathy. “I can get that fixed for you, mate, free of charge.”

“Well, yeah, that’d be great, but I have to tell my boss what happened, I really can’t lose this job-”

“I’ll take care of it.” Grian assured. “The phone numbers on the website, I’ll give them a call after the EMTs check you out, promise.” Alexis slumped in relief. “But I don’t think being late to your shift would get you fired, not from Evo, at least.”

“...Probably not.” The other man eventually agreed, still staring down at his phone.

This time, Taurtis’ head shot up with a relieved grin the second Grian pulled the door to the cafe open.

“I was beginning to think you’d found a better place to get your caffeine fix.” He joked, leaning forward next to the register, across the counter.

“Better than here?” Grian glanced around the empty cafe. Empty save for them, at least. It was an hour to closing, in the time period Taurtis never broadcast being open, just kept the doors unlocked and the lights on. “Never.”

Taurtis’ answering smile was even brighter than the one before.

“Your usual?”

Grian let his work bag fall beside one of the tables. “If you insist.”

“I do.”

Moments later a mug of coffee with vanilla cream was in front of him, Taurtis already pulling the chair on the other side of the table out to sit.

“How’re the books and such?”

He laughed. “They’re good, had a boy return a book that had been overdue for three years today.”

“Slow reader.”

“Must be.” Grian agreed with another laugh. He reached for his coffee. Not to drink, just to hold and feel the warmth. “How’s the coffee and such?”

A dramatic sigh. “Eventful. It’s been an interesting week.”

“Tell me about it?”

“You don’t have paperwork to do?”

He shook his head, even though he always had paperwork to do. “C’mon. You can’t say eventful and not tell me why.”

“One of my employees got mugged yesterday on his way to work. A few blocks east from here, avoid Kings if you can, that’s where it happened.”

“Is he alright?”

And Grian really did want to know. He wasn’t a doctor, just had some basic first aid training.

“He’s doing alright.” He scoffed lightly, a teasing smile on his face. “He got to meet his favorite hero, so I think it was a net positive to him, actually.”

“He met HG?”

Taurtis looked at him oddly. “Cute Guy.” He corrected, taking Grian mug from his hands and stealing a sip from it.

His face warmed.

Not at being the favorite hero, that did happen every so often, even if most people liked his counterpart more.

“Oh,” He blinked, then cleared his throat, turning away from the sight of Taurtis licking his lips to catch a drop of coffee. “I’m glad he got to meet him, then?” He was just lucky his voice didn’t crack, void.

“Is your favourite hero Hot Guy?” Taurtis asked, a curious glint in his eye. “Because sometimes Cute Guy comes in, so maybe he’ll bring his sidekick in sometime. I could let you know if he does? Text you?”

“His sidekick? I don’t really think Hot Guy’s a sidekick.” His brain caught up with the second half. Text him? Was Taurtis asking for his number-

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t say Cute Guy’s the sidekick between the two.”

Grian froze. “Taurtis,” He began carefully, a warm feeling growing in his chest, he tried to keep the smile off his face. “Are you a Cute Guy fan?”

Instead of immediately denying, Taurtis seemed to actually think about it. “I mean, I guess? He did save Alexis and he’s surprisingly been very polite when he comes in for coffee-”

“Surprisingly?”

“He’s a super popular hero, I’m sure he’s used to being catered to more than most people.” He shrugged.

“Maybe.” Grian allowed. People did offer him and Scar anything they wanted, they just never took it. Felt too weird, they both agreed. To get money and fame, then take of the masks and be themselves again. Just a librarian and a baker. Hardly fame worthy. “Maybe they’d prefer to be treated normally, though.”

“You think anyone would take our lives over theirs?” Taurtis half laughed, resting his chin on his hand.

“I would.”

Taurtis’ entire demeanor shifted from sardonic to earnest. Eyes softening at the edges, he leaned forward just a bit, smile settling into something far more genuine. Just a quirk of his lips that had heat rushing to Grian’s face.

“You’re the exception, then.”

Scar didn’t usually come to see Grian during work. Cub and Mumbo both agreed that it wasn’t smart for them to associate too much outside their masks. It was a rule both of them respected.

Except when Scar desperately needed a taste-tester.

They took advantage of when they could see each other in civvies, though. Made the most of it. They hadn’t started as friends, after all, but once they were, little was as annoying as having to wait for a dull patrol to catch up.

Grian was choking on the brownie in his mouth, laughter cutting off his throat as Scar described (in too much detail) exactly how his newest employee had attempted to make cookie dough.

From where he was sat on Grian’s check-out counter, Scar didn’t give him a moment of peace, throwing himself into another story from the past month or so they hadn’t been able to actually talk.

These were some of his favourite parts of being Cute Guy, because if he hadn’t bumped into Scar those years before, they would never have teamed up, never told each other their identities, never trusted each other-- He’d never have gotten this friendship.

Grian tried to quiet his laughter when he heard the door to the library creak open, but it only worked marginally. He had to smoother his laughter into Scar’s shoulder to even hope to tone it down a bit.

“Gri, it wasn’t even that funny, he’s learning it’s rude to laugh—”

“Excuse me?”

Grian took an extra moment to try and collect himself. It wasn’t helpful that Scar was now shaking with the effort of keeping his own laughter in.

“Sorry, sorry—” Grian finally got out, pulling his face from Scar’s shoulder to face the person who needed his help.

Taurtis was shifting on his feet, looking between Grian and Scar with confusion written across his face. His hands were deep in his trouser pockets.

He wasn’t dressed in what he wore at the cafe, obviously. His shirt was a button up, a bit wrinkled like it had been folded instead of hung up. He had suspenders on, a pin for his cafe attached to the left strap. Utterly charming, as he always was.

The messenger bag hanging from his shoulder was new to Grian, though. Deep blue canvas clothe covered end to end with patches and pins, one in particular drawing Grian’s attention. It was a tiny pin in comparison to the others, just a small heart in the colours of the bi flag.

He blinked, trying to focus back on the man in front of him as a spark of hope lit in him.

“Hey.” He breathed before clearing his throat. Scar poked him in the back, and Grian could feel his amusement. That was his power after all, not that he usually used it on Grian. He rarely did, actually. But apparently Grian’s evident embarrassment was enough to warrant it. “Taurtis,” He tried again, his voice much more steady than it had been moments before. “Sorry, someone-” he jerked his head back at Scar, who scoffed and poked him again, sending a small tendril of curiosity to Grian. “decided to come bother me today, so I didn’t see you come it.” He smiled, knowing it was crooked from how Taurtis smiled back at him alone.

“No worries, I didn’t mean to interrupt, I can go if—”

“Absolutely not!” Scar cut in. “I never get to meet your friends, Gri. I demand a proper introduction.” He glared at Grian, but his feet were swinging in contentment, so Grian couldn’t possibly take it seriously.

He sighed and leaned back against the counter, his hip resting next to his friends thigh, knowing Scar would be able to feel his annoyance-amusement.

Taurtis followed the movement, smile dimming just a bit.

“Taurtis,” Grian began. “This is Scar, professional thorn in my side.” He glanced back and up at Scar. “And Scar, this is Taurtis. He runs the cafe on the corner of Third and Aster: Evo. Makes the most brilliant cinnamon late. You’d love his cafe.”

“And you go for the lates?” Grian reached back without looking to swat at the back of Scar’s head. He pretended he didn’t have to go on his toes to reach. “It’s great to meet you, Taurtis.” Scar held back most of his laughter, holding his hand out for a shake.

There was a moment where Grian thought Taurtis might not shake his hand, but he did. Seemingly with a tad bit of hesitation.

Grian pushed back off the counter, taking a step closer to Taurtis, in between him and Scar. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He narrowed his eyes, a bit of a tease sneaking into his voice. Confident in the way he always was with Scar at his back. “Here for the kid’s read-a-thon?” He didn’t wait for Taurtis to reply. “Or did you just miss me?”

The library phone rang, and he huffed out a breath, reaching back to grab the landline and hand it to Scar, who’s eyes went wide at the responsibility.

“Uhmm. How can I help you?”

Grian tried not to wince as he turned back to Taurtis, who’s face was a shade darker.

He frowned. It had been a bit warm in the building lately, and a button-up seemed like it could get stuffy. He should just give in and ask Mumbo to take a look at the heating system. Even if his oldest friend might upgrade it to the point of sentience.

“Are you alright?”

Taurtis shook his head, but was smiling. “Oh, I’m fine. Isn’t the read-a-thon in summer?”

Grian laughed. “Now, how could you possibly know that?”

“You put up the posters every May.”

It was Grian’s turn to feel a bit too warm, and he reached to rub at the back of his neck. “Those posters are pretty attention getting, then?”

“They’re the ugliest things I’ve ever seen.” Taurtis agreed. “But I actually came to ask if you’d like to come into the cafe this Saturday after closing. We’re doing a staff tasting event for the fall menu. Thought having our official regular in there might be fun.”

“I’d love to-”

“Grian, this Saturday?” Scar asked from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see him covering the bottom of the phone with his hand to muffle his voice. Scar looked at him meaningfully.

“Oh, shit. That’s right.” He rolled his bottom lip between his teeth in thought. “I could leave early, couldn’t I?”

Scar’s eyebrows rose. “If you want to die young, sure.” He winced, taking his hand off the receiver. “Of course, ma’am. Yes, we hold them every Thursday night at five. Ages seven to twelve.”

Grian sighed and turned back to Taurtis, who was looking between them oddly again, hands wringing the strap of his messenger bag. “I’m sorry, Taurtis. Scar and I have…” How did he say they were spending the day testing new suits with Cub and Mumbo as Cute Guy and Hot Guy? “It’s our friend’s birthday. The full day. It’s a whole thing.”

“Oh,” Taurtis’ shoulders just barely curled in. “That’s alright, Grian. You’ve got your own life.” He hesitated, glancing back at Scar for a moment before focusing on Grian again. “How about Friday? I could make some stuff ahead of time, I’d love your opinion on some of it.”

“Yes.” Grian knew he had patrol Friday night, but he could squeeze in going to his favourite cafe before then. Scar could cover the start of the patrol, too, if it went a bit later.

Scar clearly knew what Grian was thinking since a balled up piece of paper hit the back of his head, sending with it a feeling of annoyance-acceptance.

“Fantastic.” Taurtis’ phone buzzed, and his eyes widened at whatever it was. “Shoot. I’ll see you Friday, though?” He was already on his way back to the door, hands typing out a response.

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Taurtis shot him one last smile. He must still be warm, since his face was a bit darker than it should have been again. The door creaked shut behind him, and Grian only watched, a ridiculous smile set on his face.

“You are down bad, my friend.”

“Shut up and give me another cookie.”

Scar held his hands up in surrender, phone call evidently over. “Sorry.” He said in a way that told Grian he absolutely was not. “Are you sure your not going to ditch me Friday? Because we have an actual investigation to get done late that night.” He held out a cookie wrapped in baking paper.

“I’ll be there, Scar. But you can handle the start of patrol?”

“Well, I wouldn’t want you to cancel your date for me-”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up. I hate you.”

“I’m sure you do.” Scar agreed easily. “So is there too much cinnamon in this batch? I feel like my snikerdoodles usually don’t have enough.”

Grian might brain himself to get out of this.

“No, well, I mean. Of course I’ve got a place to stay.” The teenager glared at him. “And I’m on my way to work, so you really should leave me alone before I call the police for har-ass-ment.”

Grian held in a sigh.

“Right, mate. Can I walk you to work? It’s pretty late, I just want to make sure you get there alright.”

“I’m a minor, you know. So you have to leave me alone. I don’t consent to this.”

“To me making sure you’re safe?”

Grian (as Cute Guy) had his arms crossed over his chest, head tilted as he tried to make sense of the teen in front of him.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I don’t consent to you not being safe.” The teen didn’t know how to reply to that, apparently. “Just let me do my job? I swear I’ll leave you alone after that, but this area isn’t the best this time of night-”

“You’re a wrongun, aren’t you? You just want to sell my liver and shit!”

“I have my own, actually. So I’m alright on that end.”

“You don’t even know my name, which means I’m a stranger! Did your mum never teach you Stranger Danger? I might just want to sell your liver!”

“You have your own. So I think I’m alright on that end, too.” He paused, tilted his head in thought. “And no, my mum didn’t.”

The teen stared at him, mouth open, before he sprinted, ramming into Grian’s shoulder to get past him.

Grian didn’t follow. He was sure the boy would be fine. He’d pick-pocketed Grian’s emergency money, after all.

The next time Grian saw the teen was Friday night in Evo cafe.

Taurtis looked absolutely exhausted, and dragged Grian into the back room when he walked in, leaving the teen (with a name tag reading: Tommy) mopping the floor.

“I’m so sorry, Grian, I know this was supposed to just be us, but the kid came in earlier today. He needed a job, so I’ve got him doing some cleaning, and he refused to clock out until I left too. I think he really needs the money, so I-”

“Taurtis,” Grian rested a hand on his shoulder, pulling his attention. “Just breathe. It’s alright. He looks a bit thin, do you want to have him join the tasting?”

Taurtis sagged in relief, slouching to lean his head on Grian’s shoulder with a nod.

“He’s… a lot. So don’t be surprised if-”

“Floors are done, what’s next?”

Tommy’s head was poking through the swinging door that created the barrier between the cafe and the storage and kitchen stations. Taurtis leaned further into Grian.

“Grab a table,” Grian spoke for the other. “We’re going to be trying out the fall menu items. Taurtis and I will get them ready, so make yourself comfortable.”

“You’re not my boss.” Tommy grumbled, but left back to (presumably) do as Grian said.

“Seems hardworking.” Grian fought down a smile.

Taurtis only groaned.

“So your boyfriend’s got a kid now?”

Grian pushed his shoulder into Scar’s lightly. Only because his legs were flaring up, otherwise he’d have pushed him over fully.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Right.” Scar clicked his tongue. “You just want him to be. But he does have a kid?”

“It’s a kid I ran into a few days ago on patrol, jumpy as all get out. I’m glad he made his way to Evo.”

Scar rose a brow, which should make it impossible for Grian to see, but unluckily he knew Scar well enough to be able to tell.

“Shut up.”

“I didn’t even say anything!”

Cub and Mumbo were fighting about something.

They usually were. The two were prone to butting heads as often as they agreed, so it was nothing new.

What was new was that they were making it Grian’s problem.

“I just don’t understand how he can be so… shortsighted!” Cub was whining to Grian on the booth opposite him in Evo, which had, until then, been Grian’s one place away from the drama of his life.

“Well at least I’m not short, period.” Mumbo retorted from his own seat directly next to Cub.

Grian’s eye twitched.

Tommy had been pretending to clean the table next to them for the past ten minutes, clearly just listening in to their conversation.

Taurtis, for his part, had been swamped with customers since Grian had come in (alone, because Mumbo and Cub had tracked him to the cafe), so he hadn’t even been able to say hi to Taurtis, which is why he’d come in the first place.

Cub groaned in the back of his throat, turning in his seat to go back to arguing with Mumbo directly.

It wasn’t productive.

They couldn’t even talk about their actual disagreement, since it had to do with their other jobs (at least, on the surface), so everything they were saying was really just to stir the pot more.

“Can I just pay you two to shut up?”

Both of them turned on him.

“What happened to ‘any friend of Scar’s is a friend of mine,’ huh?”

“Oh, so now friendship means nothing? Et tu?”

As Grian’s head thudded onto the table, he could hear Tommy laughing.

“You’re both just mad you had to cancel your date.” Grian said into the wood grain of the table.

Both were silent. Until.

“Grian, I think your memories going, you must be confused, I don’t know what your talking about—”

“I knew you hit your head last week! Scar was all fussy, which he never is—”

“Sorry, hit your head?”

Grian tilted his head, cheek pressed into the table, to look to Taurtis. He had a concerned smile on his face.

“No. They’re just annoying.”

“Am not, Grian, you take that back!”

“Well, he’s right about you, but I’m not!”

Grian made eye contact with Taurtis, who looked a lot less concerned.

“You have interesting friends, Gri.” He half-whispered.

Taurtis only realized his mistake when two sets of eyes descended on him.

“And who’s this, then, Grian?” Mumbo had a mask of civility on, but it was a bit less effective when he had just been whining like a child.

Cub leaned forward into Mumbo’s space to look at Taurtis closer, basically resting his chin on Mumbo’s shoulder. “Yeah. Is this the guy Scar was talking about?”

Taurtis turned to look at Grian, as if he had even a bit of a handle on this situation.

He sighed and sat back up. He waved in his friends’ direction. “That’s Mumbo and Cub. They make me miserable.”

“You’re not going to tell us his name?” Cub asked.

Grian was already shaking his head. “I don’t like encouraging your stalker tendencies.”

Mumbo gasped in affront. “There’s nothing wrong with knowing the people you surround yourself with.”

“And that’s why you had access to my social security number by the time we met?”

Mumbo’s face went as red as his tie. “He’s making that up, I swear—”

“He’s not.” Cub added. “Mumbo here had access to my bank account before we were even introduced.”

“Oh, and you’re any better?” Mumbo scoffed. “You checked my hospital records instead of just asking me if I had allergies.”

With them distracted, Grian slid out of the booth and dragged Taurtis and Tommy away to hide in the back while there was a lull in customers.

The arrow just barely nicked his arm, he really was fine. The worst part wasn’t even the cut. If only Scar hadn’t charged the arrow with retreat retreat retreat Grian would be having a much better time.

“I really am sorry, C- I don’t know how I missed him—”

“We were wrestling on the ground in a dark alley, I’m surprised you managed to get him at all.” Grian was holding his hand over the cut, scolding himself for not bringing more gauze.

“Only after I shot you.” Scar agonized, as several men squirmed on the ground behind them, tied together to a dumpster. He had a hand on Grian’s shoulder, constantly pushing calm, sorry, peace to counteract the emotions from the arrow, his own guilt melted in it as well.

“It’s fine, H, let’s just get out and get it cleaned up and I’ll be good as new.”

Scar bit his lip, but nodded.

Grian let Scar guide him, leaning a bit of his weight on Scar. His ankle was beaten up too, to make everything worse.

Scar stopped in front of a familiar door, and Grian was already shaking his head.

“No,” He was vehement. “We’re not bothering—”

Scar pushed the door open, a little bell dinging above them.

“Welcome to Evo, what can I get for—”

Taurtis stared at the two of them, mouth open.

“Sorry to intrude,” Scar began. “My friend here got a bit… nicked. You wouldn’t happen to have a first aid kit, would you?”

To Taurtis’ credit, he only stared for a few more moments before he nodded.

“Uhh, yeah. Bring him in, I’ll grab it.”

While Taurtis rushed into the backroom, Scar led Grian to lean against one of the booths, not setting him in it, because Grian would kill Scar if he stained anything with his blood.

Scar kneeled next to him, and Grian finally took his hand off his arm. His friend hissed out a breath at the sight of it, still pushing sorry, calm, love.

Grian quirked a smile at that last one. Scar and Grian could bicker and argue, but they were family at the end of the day. Grian trusted Scar as much as he trusted himself. He knew it went both ways.

He quirked a smile. “I’ll be fine, HG.”

Scar frowned harshly, blinking back tears of guilt and frustration. “You’ll scar.”

He shrugged with his good shoulder. “Twinsies.”

It broke the stiff air around them, and Scar giggled a bit as tension fled from his own shoulders. “Twinsies.” He agreed, hand falling down to hold Grian’s a squeeze it lightly.

Taurtis cleared his throat. “Sorry, just. Can I help? I’m first aid certified.”

Scar relaxed further. “Oh void, yes. Please. I’m, like, awful with blood.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t passed out already.” Grian added, leaning his head back against the booth. He was beginning to feel just a bit light headed.

Okay, maybe calling it a graze had been generous.

Taurtis looked at where Scar was sitting awkwardly until Grian spoke for him. “You have to get out of his way, Hot Guy.”

Scar jumped up and scrambled to Grian’s other side, face flushing in embarrassment. “Don’t call me that.” He grumbled, taking Grian’s other hand to keep his emotions stable.

Negative emotions always left a bigger imprint on people than positive ones, after all.

“It’s your name.” Grian rolled his eyes.

“Only because you’re annoying, Cute Guy.”

“So now our hero names are my fault?”

“They are!” Scar brushed Grian’s hair out of his eyes, adding a pinprick of amusement. “If you hadn’t flirted with me the first time we meant, the press wouldn’t have gone with Hot Guy.”

“I flirt with everyone.” Grian dismissed. As if to prove his point, he turned to Taurtis, who was biting back a smile as he flushed the wound. “Cupid must’ve shot that arrow, because I’m lightheaded looking at you.” He winked for good measure.

Taurtis didn’t blush, only rolled his eyes in good-nature. “Someone used an arrow? Isn’t that his thing?” He glanced at Scar before he froze. “Wait. Did he?”

“Shoot me? Yeah.” Grian nodded.

“I didn’t mean too!” Scar said desperately. “It was dark, and—”

“Again, I’m fine, HG.”

Scar didn’t say anything, just avoided looking at the wound.

“It’ll need stitches for sure, but I can’t do those.”

“I can.” Grian assured, smiling at Taurtis. “You wouldn’t happen to have a stitching kit in there, would you? Otherwise if you’d be willing to just wrap it I can take care of it later.”

Taurtis’ jaw dropped for a second time that night. “A- absolutely not. You are not giving yourself stitches.”

“I’ve done it before, don’t worry. Just glad HG didn’t get my dominant arm.”

Taurtis looked to Scar like he’d side with him over Grian. He only shrugged. “If he says he can, he can.”

“You’re both insane.”

“A bit, yeah.” Grian agreed. “So… stitching kit?” Taurtis slowly pulled it out. “Thread it for me, HG.”

“On it.”

Taurtis was watching from a few feet away, knees curled into his chest, arms wrapped around them as he watched in horror are Grian took the needle from him.

“Pinch my skin together? Thanks, H.”

During the fourth stitch, Taurtis had to excuse himself. Used the time to dispose of the blood soaked towels he’d used cleaning him off.

He came back just as Grian had Scar snip the last of the threading, holding a travel cup of coffee and setting it on Grian’s good side.

It didn’t have a lid on it, and Grian could see it was what he always ordered as Cute Guy.

“You remember my order?” He felt the smirk creep onto his face as he leaned back against Scar. The adrenaline was wearing off. Quickly. “Am I special?”

Taurtis wasn’t amused. “You order coffee with room for cream. Not exactly rocket science.”

“But you remembered.” Grian teased, attempting to sit up straight, but Scar had an arm wrapped around his chest to keep him in place. “And I don’t hear you arguing with me being special.”

“Oh, there’s no doubt you’re special.” Taurtis deadpanned. Grian couldn’t have stopped the laugh that bubbled out of him if he wanted to, which seemed to surprise the other man.

“Thanks for letting us use your kit, Taurtis.” Grian finally said. “And the coffee.”

“You know my name?”

“Of course he does,”

Grian elbowed Scar. “Of course I do. You’re special.” Again, it had no effect on Taurtis. “This is my favourite cafe, I know everyone who works here.” He continued. “It’s a great community spot, you know. And where else can you get a caramel apple late?” He leaned his head back to look at Scar. “You need to try it, man. It’s religious.”

Taurtis laughed. Threw his head back and laughed, like he had said something particularly funny. And… Grian just had to try one more time.

“Anyone ever told you your laugh is gorgeous?” He paused, giving Taurtis an obvious once over. “Not just your laugh, actually.”

He prepared himself for the eye roll, for the snipe back. Expected it, even.

But Taurtis’ blushed. Hard, cutting his laugh off completely as his eyes widened before he looked away, clearing his throat.

“You sure you’re gonna be alright? It’s not too late for me to call an ambulance.”

“I’ll be alright, handsome. HG will make sure I take it easy for a bit, no need to worry.”

As if a switch had been flicked, Taurtis was blushing at Grian’s weakest lines, reaching to grab Grian’s coffee and take it with him as he stood.

“You’re taking away my coffee?” Grian whined as Scar cracked up behind him.

“I’ll make you a caramel apple late. I think you’ve earned it giving yourself stitches.”

Grian brightened and forced Scar to help him stand and hobble over to the counter to watch Taurtis make it.

“I’m awful with coffee.” He admitted. “HG can corroborate. I broke his coffee maker last month.”

“He did.” Scar said dryly. “Luckily M-” He coughed. “Luckily a friend of ours loves fixing things, otherwise you’d have bought me a new one.”

Grian hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “I probably would’ve just sent you here for your coffee, actually.”

Taurtis laughed as he poured whatever made his drinks so good into a new cup.

He slid the cup over to Grian. It had late art. A heart.

Grian would have blushed himself if he had enough blood to do so.

“As lovely as this has been.” Taurtis watched Grian take his first sip, smiling. “You two should head wherever you go when not being heroes and rest.” The last part was very clearly targeted at Grian.

When they finally left, Grian shot one last smile over his shoulder at Taurtis, who smiled right back, eyes soft at the corners.

Grian was getting used to doing everything one armed.

Re-shelving books was annoying, but Cub had stopped by for a few hours to help, so it wasn’t awful. Especially since Cub and Mumbo seemed to have used bothering Grian at the cafe as a date, so Grian wasn’t forced to listen to him ranting about everything awful about Mumbo.

Now, though, he was glad to lock up behind him.

He even felt well enough to stop over at Evo.

The bell dinged above him, and Taurtis grinned at him. The cafe was empty save for them, and Grian walked up to the counter instead of sitting at a table, happy to watch Taurtis tidying up.

“Caramel apple late?”

Grian grinned. “Please.” He leaned forward, resting his chin on his good hand, the other resting on the counter.

“Hmm. Thought so.”

“What’s that mean?” He laughed.

“Means you’re a pretty cute, guy.” His mouth went dry. “The fall menu just got put up this morning, if you were wondering.” He rose his brows, amused as he set the mug in front of Grian. Oh. “How’s your arm doing?”

“…It’s alright.”

Taurtis huffed a laugh, wiping his hands on his apron and walking around the counter to stand next to Grian, leaning back on the counter. Arms crossed, he waited.

Grian laughed nervously.

“Anyone ever tell you your laugh is gorgeous?” He gave Grian a once over. “Not just your laugh, actually.”

Grian’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t mock me, I had blood loss.”

The other man held in a laugh. “You know you could’ve just hit on me as you?”

He blinked. “…I could have?”

He didn’t hold the laugh in, this time. He leaned forward and kissed Grian softly, hand coming up to cradle his cheek.

It was gentle, and Grian had wanted this for so long, he couldn’t help but sigh into it, his own arm moving to hook behind Taurtis’ neck and pull him in closer, his bad arm dangling so it didn’t get caught between them.

Taurtis’ other hand snuck around his waist, held him in place as he turned his head to deepen the kiss.

When they finally pulled apart Taurtis had such a soft look on his face that Grian nearly died. “You’re not allowed to stitch yourself up again, alright?” He leaned in to kiss him again, but waited a millimeter from his lips.

Grian finally realized what he was waiting for. “Yes, okay.”

“Good.” His knees went weak.

He didn’t realize until much later that Taurtis could get him to agree to anything like that. It didn’t take him any time at all to realize he didn’t mind it one bit.