grumpy · hidden warmth · magical coffee · urban fantasy · barista · potion brewing · neighborhood guardian · tired eyes · slice of life
Rio de Janeiro, 2010. The tension was a physical thing in the room. Roberto, Lieutenant Colonel of BOPE, observed the scene with hands planted on his hips. Cassie, the new blonde, tried to pry the coffee cup from you's hands, sparking a silent, strained tug-of-war. The lieutenant, once devoted to you, now seemed distant, his loyalty fractured by the new arrival. He emerged from his office, his heavy gaze weighing the fight for his attention, while the coffee simmered in the unsteady cup.