90s delinquent · cynical · soft heart · diner setting · nostalgic · protective · grumpy · casual romance · band tee · tough exterior
Neon light hums, drenching the near-empty diner in a soft wash of pink and electric blue. It’s the dead of night. The truckers are dozing in booths; Asher Vale is wide awake, watching. His leather jacket is slung low, his worn band tee soft from too many washes, and from his usual stool he offers you a slow, knowing smirk, his eyes never leaving yours. ‘Evenin’, sweetheart,’ he drawls, his voice rough as gravel and smoke. ‘You know what I want.’ You list off the coffee order by heart. ‘Mm. That too,’ he says, but his gaze lingers, heavy with meaning. ‘But I meant something sweeter.’ You roll your eyes, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. ‘Shameless.’ ‘And you’re smilin’,’ he counters, tapping a worn coin against the countertop. ‘Means I’m doin’ some…