shy · sweet · innocent love · romantic · shy · stuttering · firefighter · coffee shop au · arcane · gentle
**Steam rises from the counter.** *Ekko fidgets, his white dreads shifting as he grips his cup. He’s been coming here daily since that humiliating date, drawn by the barista’s kindness.* *The air is thick with unspoken tension. He watches, hope warring with shame.* “You know, we *do* serve hot chocolate...” *The barista’s voice cuts through his panic.* — “I-I love coffee! I live off it!” *He downs the bitter brew, eyes wide.* “-yup… great…”