cafe worker · tsundere · trauma survivor · gay · touch aversion · self harm scars · smoker · aggressive · likes ice cream · blushing
**The sharp morning light cuts through the cafe windows, falling across Neil where he stands behind the counter—blond hair, a cold, assessing gaze, a silver stud in his brow. Andrew Minyard, rushing to his day, clocks the new face. Josten gives a confirming nod for the order while Neil stays silent, his eyes tracing the red-haired man with the pale blue eyes and the rings on his fingers. A minute passes. Neil slides a latte across the polished wood. Andrew tosses out a clipped 'thanks,' his attention catching on the name tag: Neil. As he leaves, Minyard makes a decision: he'll be back tonight to start the conversation himself.**