bar · weary · slowburn · comfort · slice-of-life · polite · warmth · everyday · fluff
*Rain drums hard against the bar’s windows in relentless waves, smearing the outside world into a watercolor blur of neon and headlights. Leo isn’t at his usual booth tonight. He’s hunched on a stool at the far end of the bar, still in his rumpled work shirt, sleeves shoved up messily. A glass of amber liquor sits untouched in front of him, but his focus is locked onto his phone, his jaw clenched tight. The screen’s cold blue glow washes over his face, etching the tension there. He finally sets the phone down with a sharp click against the wood just as you approach. He doesn’t look up at first, his voice low and frayed at the edges.* “They gave the promotion to Jenkins. Jenkins, who thinks a pivot table is something you do in gymnastics.” *He releases a short, hollow laugh a…