Kai hated the smell of coffee. He didn’t use to, but working at a coffee shop for six month, made him never want to smell coffee again.
“You’re late,” his boss said as Kai walked through the doors.
Kai looked at the clock on the wall. “It’s 6:32.”
“You’re shift started at 6:30.”
Kai hated the morning shift, who even leaves their house at such an ungodly hour.
“Oh, and I need you to train the new hire,” the boss said as she walked into her office.
Great, morning shift and babysitting duty, this day couldn’t get much worse.
Kai walked behind the counter and grabbed one of the aprons. No one was in the shop, so he was in no rush. There was one other person behind the counter with him.
They were dressed in black with a green apron on. Their make up looked like they were half asleep when they put it on.
“Are you Kai?” they asked, walking over.
“Yeah.”
“I’m Elliott, they/them, I was told you’re training me.”
“Apparently.” Kai tied his apron. “Turn on the coffeemaker.”
Elliott walked over to the coffeemaker, looking it over. “How?”
Kai sighed. This wasn’t what he wanted to be doing with his day. He quickly went through the abridged version of how everything worked. As he finished up, a customer walked in.
“If you have any questions, ask literally anyone else,” he told Elliott.
Elliott looked around. “You’re the only other person here.”
“Good morning, what can I get you?” Kai said, switching to his customer service voice.
“Small coffee, black,” the customer said, not looking up from his phone.
“Coming right up.”
Elliott watched as Kai poured the coffee.
The day went about as smoothly as a Monday with a new hire could. Which is to say, it sucked. Kai constantly had to stop what he was doing to help Elliott. The line got long and the customers got frustrated, often taking that frustration out on Kai and Elliott.
“I’m taking my lunch,” Elliott told Kai.
“Good,” Kai said.
Just as Elliott started walking to the break room, a man walked up to the counter, cutting the line.
“So this was the best you could do.”
“Mitchell...”
“No, no, it’s fine, my help isn’t good enough for you anymore, even though you were okay with it for years,” Mitchell said. “But no, this is so much better, right.”
“I-“
“A couple secessions with that stupid wannabe doctor and you think you’re too good for me now.”
“Mit-”
“You aren’t.” He picked up the bobble head dog that stood in front of the animal shelter donation box. “So when do you think you’ll stop with this little act for attention this time because they’re getting really annoying.”
Kai stepped forward, subconsciously putting himself partially in front of Elliott.
“Look, I don’t know who you are or what’s going on here, but I have a line of customers who want their coffee, so order something or leave because this little act for attention.” Kai gestured to Mitchell. “Is getting on my nerves.”
Mitchell looked angry. “And if I don’t want to leave?”
“I’ll remove you myself,” Kai said.
He looked Kai over. “Heh, you?”
“You wanna go.” Kai rolled up his sleeves.
It was clear Mitchell hadn’t thought Kai would go through on his threat by the step back he took. He looked over at Elliott.
“I’ll see you at home.” He set down the bobble head and left the shop.
“Now, what can I get you,” Kai said to the next person in line.
“Oh, um, uh, a medium mocha caramel latte please.”
“You got it.” Kai got started on the order.
Elliott followed him.
“Thanks,” they said.
“No problem,” Kai said. “Do you need somewhere to stay tonight?”
“I’m fine, I’ve been crashing at my sister’s the past couple days.”
“Good,” Kai said, handing the latte to the customer.
“Mitchell...he isn’t that bad usually,” Elliott said. “he’s been having a rough few days.”
Kai got to work on the next order. “Don’t make excuses for him, moving out was the right thing.”
“Except I didn’t, all my stuff is still there, I’m just staying with my sister until he calms down.”
“Elliott-”
“I have a lunch break to take,” Elliott said, walking to the back.
They knew they should leave Mitchell, but it was a hard step to take. The scene he made at their work today, though, was making the decision a little easier.
Notes: Howdy, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted the last chapter lmao. Anyways, there’s not much to say besides if y’all got any questions, feel free to ask.
September 2nd, 2017
Emile woke up early that morning, earlier than what he usually woke up at on the weekends. Emile usually woke up at 9 in the morning, but today, Emile woke up two hours early.
He sighed softly and pushed himself off his bed, gathering some clothes before going across the hall and into the bathroom. Emile placed his clothes on the counter then turned the shower to a decent temperature. After that, Emile took off his pajamas and got in the shower.
Emile hummed 'A Giant Woman' as he washed the shampoo out of his hair then grabbed the bottle of conditioner. Emile put the conditioner in his hair before putting the bottle back and grabbed the body wash.
When he finished his shower and got dressed, Emile quietly made his way into the kitchen. Elliott and Patton were still asleep on the couch, practically using each other as pillows. Emile couldn't help but smile at them, releasing a relaxed sigh.
Emile loved his kids from the bottom of his heart ever since day one. To Emile, it felt like it was only yesterday when he brought Elliot home from the foster group home. He remembered how excited Patton was to finally have someone else to tell his jokes and puns to. He remembered how emotional the three of them had gotten when Emile told Elliott that he was adopting them.
Another relaxed sigh left Emile's mouth when the coffee machine let out a soft beep behind him, telling him the coffee was done. He turned around and went over to the cupboard, grabbing himself mug. Emile then poured some coffee into his mug before placing the coffee pot back on the machine. After doing that, Emile grabbed the creamer from the fridge, pouring a generous amount into his coffee then put it back.
As Emile drank his coffee, he let the family dog, Muffin, outside, letting him do his business. Once Muffin came back inside, Emile closed the door behind him and watched as Muffin went onto the couch, laying down next to Patton. He smiled fondly at the memory of Muffin's first day in the house.
He remembers Patton begging him for months about wanting a dog, promising to take care of the dog as much as possible(Patton was nine at the time, there was no way Emile was letting him take care of a dog by himself). But, nevertheless, Patton had done an amazing job taking care of Muffin when he was younger.
After Emile finished the rest of his coffee, he placed his empty mug in the sink then went back to his room, deciding to get some house chores done while the kids were asleep. He stopped by the laundry room on his way back to his room, grabbing the basket of clean clothes off the floor and carried it to his room.
***
Elliott groaned at they woke up, the sun shining in their eyes. They blinked whatever sleep was left in their eyes before trying to move, only to be trapped by Patton and Muffin. Elliott let out another groan, closing their eyes again. Elliott opened their eyes once more when they heard their phone buzz on the coffee table.
They reached over to the table and grabbed their phone, looking at the screen. It was a message from Mitchell, Elliott's asshole of a boyfriend.
Mitch: hey babe, wyd?
You: Just woke up. Wyd?
Mitch: nothin' much
Mitch: just bored
Mitch: and thinkin' about you, of course ;)
Elliott rolled their eyes, leaving Mitchell on read as they turned their phone off and dropped it on their lap, sighing.
Patton woke up a few minutes later, stretching his arms and almost hit Elliott in the face when he stretched. Once their little brother was fully awake, the two untangled their arms and legs, making sure not to kick or hit each other on accident.
"We good now?" Patton asked once him and Elliott were finally apart.
"Yup. You think Pops is awake?"
Patton shrugged, standing up off the carpeted floor. Muffin sat on the couch and barked, making Patton laugh and pet him. Elliott smiled, pushing themself off the couch. They then made their way to the kitchen, Patton and Muffin followed behind them. Elliott grabbed two bowls and spoon while Patton gave Muffin his food.
"We need more food for Muffin," Patton pointed out, holding up the empty dog food bag.
"Okay, I'll let Pops know," Elliott said, grabbing the cereal box. Patton beamed at Elliott, giving them a quick hug. Elliott laughed as they gave Patton a one-armed hug.
Emile ended up coming back downstairs once he heard laughed, seeing Elliott and Patton in the kitchen. He walked in and hugged both of them, making Patton jump a little before he giggled. Emile laughed, placing a kiss on the two's foreheads.
"Morning Pops," Patton and Elliott greeted at the same time as Patton returned Emile's hug.
"Morning, you two. Whatcha putting together for breakfast?" Emile asked, letting go of his kids. Elliott shrugged, motioning towards the bowls and spoons on the counter. "We're just having cereal for breakfast. Also, we need to get more dog food for Muffin," Elliott explained.
"Okay. I can get some when I bring him to the pet groomers downtown. They have a pet store right next to it," Emile stated.
"Ooh, I wanna come! I've been aching to take Muffin out for a walk, if we are walking there, of course since we don't live that far from the downtown area," Patton said, rambling a little.
"Of course you can come, sweetheart. And we are walking, the weather is too nice to drive in," Emile replied, grabbing himself a bowl and spoon.
"Yay!"
Emile couldn't help but laugh, loving the hyper energy Patton gave off.
The three sat at the counter and had shared a simple breakfast of cereal. Emile was having his second cup of coffee for the day, fully waking himself up this time with this cup.
"So, you have fun last night?" Elliott asked, looking over at their dad. Emile nodded, taking another drink of coffee. "Mhm. I had a fantastic time and I met this nice guy there," Emile replied.
Patton let out a small squeal, "Oooh! Was he cute? What's his name?"
Emile blushed lightly at the second question, setting the mug down. "Well, yes, he is cute but we just met and I don't want to seem like I'm desperate or anything," Emile explained. Patton squealed again, running over to his dad and hugging him.
"Oh my gosh, Pops, you're in love!" Patton looked over at Elliott, "You hear that, Ell? Pops is in love!"
"I am not, you goof. All I said was the guy was cute, I never said I liked him," Emile said, trying not to laugh, "And besides, I'm pretty sure he doesn't even like me like that."
A small ding came from Emile's phone and Emile wiggled out of Patton's grip to grab it, looking at the screen to see who it was. And speak of the handsome devil himself; It was Remy.
Remy: Gm cutie <3
You: Morning :)
Remy: [Image attached]
Remy: The puppies have taken my son from me.
The picture Remy had sent Emile was Remy's son, Thomas, with probably 10 to 15 puppies on him and around him.
"Ooh, whose Remy, Pops?" Elliott asked, peering over Emile's shoulder.
"He's the guy I met last night,"
"And you already got his number? Nice,"
"Oh shush, El,"
You: Oh my gosh, he looks just like you
You: I guess I found the new meaning to like father, like son
Remy: Aw, Em, you flatter me ;)
"Oh my gosh, Patton was right, you're head over heels for this Remy guy," Elliott pointed out, placing their's and Patton's empty bowls in the sink. Emile rolled his eyes, focusing back on his conversation with a little smile clear on his face.
You: And you easily make me smile
Remy: That's the plan, Em ;)
And Emile couldn't help but laugh, causing Patton to let out an excited squeal.
***
"Dammy, I am such a disaster," Remy confessed, leaning on the deserted counter.
"No, really, I totally didn't notice," Damian sarcastically shot back, currently feeding the snakes in the reptile section of the store. Thomas was next to him, watching quietly in complete awe. The pet store was pretty empty that day, with it being Saturday and all, meaning people would hold off on running errands till later that afternoon.
Once each snake got their own mouse, Damian hopped off the step ladder, sticking the metal grabber back under the snake cage. He walked back over to the counter with Thomas following close behind him.
"So, Uncle Damian, what's on your work agenda for the day?" Thomas asked, resting his arms on the counter surface.
Damian pursed his lips. "Nothing much really. Brenda asked me to help out at the groomers today due to her main groomer being out sick and the appointment is at 11:45," Damian replied, just as another one of the pet shop employees walked in.
"Morning Courtney," Damian greeted.
"Morning Damian," Courtney greeted back. The flirtatious tone in her voice made Damian roll his eyes in annoyance and looked over at Remy.
"Damn gurl, she still be flirting with you?" Remy asked in a hushed voice, peering at Damian over the top of his sunglasses.
"Yup," Damian replied, saying the letter 'p' with a loud pop noise. "Even though I told her that I am not into women, she still does it," He added in his own hushed voice.
"Why are we talking quietly?" Thomas whispered, clearly confused. Remy laughed, ruffling Thomas' hair. The teen let out his own laugh, batting away his dad's hand.
"Hey Courtney, I need you to cover the counter for a good 45 minutes or so! I gotta go fill in for Brenda's main groomer next door!" Damian called out to the back of the store.
Courtney popped her head out from the break room, a big smile on her face. "Of course, Damian! Anything for you!" She replied, practically skipping over to the counter.
"Thanks!" He called back, disappearing into the hallway that connected the store and groomers, making for easy access. Remy sighed, looking down at his phone and waited for a certain someone to text him while Thomas went to go look at the fish in their tanks.
The bell at the front door rang, not really alarming neither Remy or Courtney. But it was the voice that caught Remy's attention.
me? being productive? it’s more likely than you think.
It’s a preview of an animatic im working on bc i really liked doing this art and i felt inspired to make a full animatic so expect this.... sometime.... soon...ish... maybe.
