For some reason, after that, my masochism draws me to Starbucks daily with my old, religious routine. Seeing Blue makes me feel...odd. Breathless and almost...excited. I actively look forward to the creative insults he'll hurl my way, and this morning is no exception.

Blue's eyes flicker upwards for only a second before he resumes whatever he was doing on his till.

"Get out."

I smile at the familiarity, pondering for just a moment if I should invest in some time with a therapist.

"Nice to see you too, are you well?" I ask politely.

He heaves a heavy sigh, glancing up at me again with a pinched expression. My smile falls somewhat as I take in his pale complexion, the dullness in his usually vibrant eyes.

"What do you want?" He asks despondently and I press my lips together in concern. He's not being nearly as mean as he normally is. It's concerning.

"Are you alright?" I ask, glancing around for Rex.

"I'm fine." He snaps, sounding much more like his usual self.

"You don't..." I pause. He always looks fine, but today he looks unwell.

"You don't look well." I say softly.

"I'm fine." He repeats. He's beginning to look impatient, but I don't really care.

"Where's Rex? Maybe he could..." I begin, glancing around the counter.

"He doesn't need to know." He hisses, cutting me off.

"I would want to know, if it were my brother." I argue. Blue pulls a face.

"You have a million brothers." He says distastefully.

"I do. People always say our mother is a saint for taking all of us on." I say, wondering just when Blue and I became capable of conversation that's civil.

"Taking you on?" He demands.

"We were adopted." I confirm. Blue stares at me peculiarly for a moment. I purse my lips, glancing at him up and down. He really doesn't look well.

"Where is Rex?" I ask.

"Sick." Blue mumbles and I hum unhappily.

"And you're sick too?" I ask.

"Sick of the sight of you." He mutters. The comment almost makes me smile, but its delivery is weak and forced.

"And there's no one else here?" I confirm.

Blue shakes his head.

The door sweeps open behind me and I bite my lip, glancing at my watch.

I'm due at my old college for rehearsals in half an hour. Every year they throw a halloween showcase, highlighting the talent of their students as part of the October London theatre week, and they'd invited me back to participate. Squeezing in rehearsals around my already overflowing schedule has been impossible, and there is no way I am able to miss this one.

I sigh, knowing that, despite that, there's really no fight to be had.

I'm going to be in so much trouble for this.

"Go and sit down." I order.

Blue looks up at me like I'm crazy, his eyes widening in horror as I breeze behind the counter. I grab an apron from one of the pegs on the back wall and wrap it around myself efficiently. It's been a little while since I worked at Starbucks, but I remember the gist of it.

The till is logged in already, and I take a second to re-familiarise myself with the system.

"Grey?! What are you doing?" Blue hisses urgently.

"Hi! Welcome to Starbucks, what can I get for you?" I ask, ignoring Blue and smiling happily at the woman walking towards us.

She smiles back, reeling off a perfectly rehearsed order.

It's just an oat milk latte, but I'm grateful for the simple order to start off with.

"Great choice, can I tempt you to go large for an extra 25p?" I ask cheekily, raising a tempting eyebrow.

She laughs and nods.

"Go on then." She says and I nod, tapping through the order.

"Can I grab a name?" I ask.

"You can have my number too, if you like." She says and I glance up, a surprised laugh escaping me.

She looks to be a few years older than me, wearing a professional shirt and pencil skirt, her chocolate brown hair perfectly styled. Her painted lips are drawn into a wry smile, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Don't tempt me." I tease and she laughs.

"Daniella." She says and I nod, jotting it onto her cup.

"Thank you very much, Daniella." I say and she winks.

I print the label and stick it onto her cup. I'm about to go and begin the order when Blue snatches it from my grasp. He is glaring at me like he wants me to drop dead, but gets busy with the simple order anyway.

Getting to watch him up-close while he works is amazing, and I get to really appreciate for the first time just how at-home he is behind this counter.

Daniella taps her card and shuffles along in classic Starbucks style, allowing our next customer to step up. I spread a brand new smile on my face and begin the process again, trying to avoid looking at the time that conveys to me how late I am.

Blue and I work in relative silence, the busy morning rush keeping us incapable of idle chitchat. I make friends with five different customers, and I am happily reminded why I stuck out this job for so long.

It's the smiles that they give you when you provide a service so valued. It fills me with so much warmth that I want to burst.

Then I am reminded why, on occasion, this job really sucks.

"That's a fucking rip-off." The gentleman in front of me snarls.

"That's just the price of the drink, Sir. If you prefer, I could offer you some cheaper alternatives?" I offer.

He looks offended at the notion.

"You think I can't afford it?" He asks.

"Just trying to be helpful, Sir." I assure.

He scoffs.

"I don't need some fag to give me suggestions." He sneers.

I sigh heavily at the slur, wishing I weren't quite so used to hearing it.

"What did you call him?"

Blue's voice appears next to me and is more hostile than I've ever heard. I look over and panic.

The gentleman in front of me looks at Blue's hair, his nose ring, his gorgeous, hate filled features and scoffs.

"Great, another fairy." He mutters.

Blue seethes next to me and I bite my lip, my hand brushing against his arm gently to try and prevent him from throwing something.

"You better get the fuck out then, before I stick my wand up your-..."

"We're going to have to ask you to leave, Sir." I cut in, my cheeks warm from Blue's very vivid threat.

He storms away, throwing out a few more curses as he does. Blue looks livid, and ready to pass out all at the same time.

"Take a break. I've got it." I murmur, smiling as the next customer walks forwards awkwardly.

"Are you insane? What if he comes back? You don't even work here for fucks sake." Blue hisses, slapping the name tag on my apron that clearly reads 'Rex' and I smile.

"You look like you're about to collapse, that feels like a slightly bigger problem. And if he does come back, I can handle it." I say with a shrug, glancing over my shoulder to look at him.

He scowls at me, but doesn't actually argue.

He takes a seat at the corner of the counter, his eyes watching my every move as I now take orders and make them. It's a slightly longer process, but since it's quieted down, it's not a problem.

I smile to myself as I click the portafilter in, reminiscing my old barista job. I had had the best regulars, always so happy to see me.

I work quietly and efficiently, my happy smile not leaving my face for a moment as I make orders. Blue seems to understand my limitations, and often has short, soft instructions for me when I hesitate. I'm grateful for his watchful stare instead of intimidated by it, glad that he's close by, just in case.

When I recognise Ali through the windows I duck beneath the counter, glancing at Blue. He stands up, a little wobbly but looking much brighter, and signals for me to shoo. I grin at him, fishing the apron off my head and tucking it beneath the counter.

I creep around the other side, popping up discreetly once Ali has sidled into the break room.

I glance at my phone, frowning gently at the various messages and missed calls. I'm so late for rehearsal.

I look up, not giving much energy to Blue's quizzical stare.

"Will you be ok?" I ask.

His gaze narrows but he nods slowly.

"Good, I have to go. Get some rest, and feel better soon!" I say, already moving out the door as I speak.

I bid him a final wave, smiling at his slightly bewildered expression as I break into a jog.

Not the morning I had anticipated. So much more.

_