Peppermint is either cheaper than I thought or I’m getting different cakes. It was just a passing thought that came to mind, very much welcomed considering all the other worries that had been plaguing his conscience for the entire morning. Without so much as a ‘thank you’, Fey nodded in agreement and used the best of his peripherals to see where his drinks and pastries were being placed.
And like before, Fey placed the note on the counter and slid it towards the barista, not once taking his eyes off the surface he’d placed it on and gave the smallest of nods. He tapped the money once with his splinted finger—an action that happened to be subconscious which just resulted in a wince of discomfort, and once more, he reached for his drink and bag of cakes and pulled them close.
"Thank you… Keep the change."
Fey could already tell that he’d be looked at by others, again, but he was so mentally and physically exhausted that he simply couldn’t care less. Careful steps had him going towards a different table this time, particularly one that was in the corner of the cafe that was the furthest from the window that he could find. Carefully, with his feet slightly dragging with fatigue, Fey placed his things onto the little table to establish his space.
The messenger bag was taken off his shoulder with great care, followed by his jacket which were both paced neatly at the foot of the seat he would be settled on. It was darker in this corner, so the sunglasses were the next item to be removed, which only made his broken nose even more apparent. Though. his lack of care for anyone elses pity prevented him from trying to hide his injuries. Ignore them and they will go away. If only it were that easy though.
The glossy tiles on the wall that Fey was currently sitting at were giving a clear enough reflection of what he looked like. The dark purples seeping into the inner parts of his eye sockets, and the black eye from the other day, had swollen up again. The skin which had split on his lip and nose had scabbed over at least, even though they made his face look even worse. Walking into a door is a good enough excuse, right?
Again, the guy never looked up, and slid the money on the counter - a $50? Really? - tapping it with his... broken finger. God, this guy was beat up. And who could even have the nerve to hit him? He seemed so fragile and innocent. Sousuke couldn't imagine ever laying a finger on him. But apparently his father had no problem with it.
Sousuke took the money and watched the boy take his things and wander towards the back table this time. Probably didn't want to be seen through the window again. Or maybe it was just so he could try and hide away from all the other customers. Either way, it was the best spot to get the least attention.
He couldn't take his eyes off him as he watched him taking off his sunglasses, revealing the true extent of his injuries. Sousuke felt such an overwhelming feeling of pity and concern for the guy, but what could he possibly do?
Hours flew by. Sousuke continued his work but he couldn't keep his mind - or eyes - off the kid in the corner. He'd gone over it a million times in his head already, how he should approach him, if he should approach him. But no matter how many times he rehearsed it, he still wasn't sure what he should do. But now the shop was dying down, and there we no customers waiting in line.
After mixing up another peppermint mocha, Sousuke assigned Momo to clean up around the coffee counters, and he walked out around the counter, carrying the coffee with him, towards the boy in the corner. He wasn't sure what he was going to do or say, but now it was too late to turn back.
Standing next to the guy's table, Sousuke cleared his throat and gently sat the coffee down on the tabletop. He didn't expect the guy to look up, but he spoke anyway.
"Uh, hey. Not to be nosy or anything but, uh, here's another coffee, on the house..." he paused, not really sure what would be appropriate to say. "Are you... are you okay? You look a bit, uh, beat up."











