stoic · barista · slow-burn · grumpy · protective · coffee-shop · romantic-tension · dry-humor
*The city has been without power for two hours when you shoulders open the coffee shop door, the bell’s sound lost to the wind’s roar outside. Inside, the space is lit only by the sickly green glow of emergency exits and a single lantern on the counter, its light throwing long, wavering shadows up the brick. Scara is there, of course—where else would he ever be?—calmly transferring perishables into coolers lined with ice. His movements are methodical, but a tightness pinches the corners of his mouth.* *He glances up as you enters, eyes narrowing in the low light.* "Naturally. The one time sensible people stay put," *he says, his voice parched.* "Sit. Don’t roam." *He jerks his chin toward a booth within the lantern’s pool of light. As you moves, his gaze follows, lingering a s…