I lift my head when I hear the sound of the door being opened, along with the ring of the bell. I smile once I see Clint walk in along with his wife and kids. I walk over to the register as I wave at them. A warm smile on each of their faces as they walk in hand in hand.
"Good morning guys." I say looking at the loving family.
"Good morning Dylan, how have you been?" Clint asks as his wife takes the kids to look at the sweets on display.
"I've been really good, the cafe is keeping me busy and I couldn't be happier." I tell him as I look around my cafe.
The hard wood floors along with the warm colored walls. The smell of coffee and freshly baked goods filling the air, giving a homey feel to it. Lights hanging from the ceiling making it seem a little magical. The windows pouring in some natural lighting, along with a few plants here and there to help decorate the place. The menus hung on the walls written in chalk with small doodles with what the drinks look like.
There are already a few guests sitting down and working on their laptops as they enjoy their coffee. It is not the most glamorous place, but it's perfect to me.
"Have you talked to that guy yet?" Clint asks with a quick wink.
My cheeks instantly heat up "It's not like that." I deny him as I suddenly find my shoes very interesting.
'Yes converse are my new latest obsession, definitely.'
I hear him laugh "Look Dylan, if you want to talk to the guy that badly just do it." he encourages me.
I quickly make up an excuse to try and avoid this conversation "I would do that, but he's not here right now. Such a shame."
Just as I finish talking I hear the ring of the bell as the door opens, in walking the man of the hour himself. His long raven locks falling perfectly above his shoulders. His pale complexion only enhancing how dark his hair is. His face is sculpted with high cheek bones and a sharp jaw. I know if I were to get close to him I would have to look up since he seems to be around six feet tall, probably taller since his lean figure makes him appear taller. He has on a black coat and his usual leather satchel at his side.
He stops at the door and looks over to me, my breathe immediately getting caught in my throat as his piercing gaze meets mine. I feel my heart hammer in my chest as we continue to stare at each other, everyone else seeming to vanish as it feels like we are the only two people in the world.
I am brought out of my trance once he begins to walk away from the door and to his usual seat next to the window, taking out his laptop, notes, and a pencil as he gets to work.
I let out a defeated sigh as I look back to Clint, a knowing look in his eyes as he makes no attempt to hide his smirk.
"What?" I ask defensively.
"Looks like prince charming came just in time." he comments while nudging his head towards the mystery man himself.
I groan at his comment "If you want your coffee and muffins I would suggest dropping the subject." I threaten him.
Clint brings his hands up in surrender as I continue to stare him down. This only lasts for a moment before I grab his usual order. Nobody would of expected Clint and I getting along so well, but Clint is a really good friend, I even babysit for him sometimes when he needs a date night with the wife.
I walk over to Clint and hand him his usual "Here you are." I say.
He smiles as he hands over the money which I gladly take "Thanks Dylan, happy new years." he tells me before grabbing his family and leaving.
I put the money into the register as I look back to the door. I forgot about new years, it's not like I have anyone to celebrate with. Tony and dad went on a trip to Vegas, Steve and Natasha are spending it together, and that leaves me to be by myself.
I quickly shake my head and put on a more positive attitude.
I look over to where the man from earlier is currently sitting, his fingers typing away on his laptop as his eyes scan his computer screen. I notice his jaw clench before he grabs the pencil and quickly writes something down before going back to his laptop. It's obvious he is stressed out at the moment since his jaw continues to clench and he runs his hands through his hair every once in a while.
'I wonder how soft his hair is?'
I shake my head and let out a sigh once I notice how pathetic I must seem. This man has been coming here for about a month now everyday, and I have yet to even talk to him. The most we've said to each other is 'Here you are sir.' and his reply 'Thank you my dear.' I don't even know his name.
I would go talk to him, but he is way out of my league, he looks like a God meanwhile I am just....I look down at myself to find flour covering my apron along with a coffee stain here or there. My hair is messily tied back, and there is probably chocolate on my nose. I grab a napkin and wipe my nose to find my theory to be correct. A few lose strings hang from my sweater and my jeans have holes in them.
I groan as I lean against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest as I sneak another glance over to the man. I bite my bottom lip as I try to come up with a strategy to go and talk to him. I take in a deep breathe before slowly letting it out. There is only one thing to do, what I usually do.
He usually gets here around eleven and stays until six, he never comes up and orders anything from me. So I have taken it upon myself to bring him a coffee and pastry whenever he starts working. I always tell him he doesn't need to worry about paying for it, but every time he leaves there is money where he once sat. I only started doing it because he stays for so long and he never brings anything else to eat, and I don't want him starving himself, it's the least I could do.
I wipe my hands on my apron and roll up my sleeves as I begin to make some tea. I remember reading that chamomile tea helps when you are stressed, and right now he seems stressed with his work. So I begin to make him a cup of tea, along with an apple fritter.
I hum lightly to myself as I finish preparing the tea, putting it in a mug decorated with branches painted on it. I grab a small plate and place the apple fritter onto it with a napkin. I grab them both and walk out from behind the counter, making my way over to Mr.mystery.
He doesn't notice me walking towards him until I set the tea and fritter down onto the table in front of him. His eyes jump from his screen and to me, I try not to let myself blush or show any change in my demeanor as my heart beats rapidly in my chest.
He gives me a gentle smile "Thank you my dear." he says with his entrancing accent.
I've always had a soft spot for accents, so when he first spoke to me you can only imagine how my heart melted.
I clear my throat as I take a step back with my hands in front of me "It's no problem at all sir." I say simply before I force myself to walk away.
As I walk away I swear I could've felt someone's eyes on me. If I didn't know any better I would say it was him, but it couldn't be. I shake my head as I pull myself out of my imagination as I return to the counter, continuing to make more pastries as more customers enter.
Hour after hour of serving guests and saying goodbye to them as they leave for the night. It isn't until I notice only one customer left that I look over to the clock. My eyes widen when I realize it is almost ten. I usually close at eight, I guess I lost track of time.
I look over to the last customer and I internally scream as I realize it is mystery man himself. I bite my bottom lip as I look from the clock and back to him, debating on what I should do.
'Let him stay or ask him to leave.'
I debate with myself trying to find the best solution to this problem.
I let out a sigh before walking over to the door and flipping the sign around to show the cafe is now closed. I then walk over to the seating area. I look at him then back at the clock, once again at war with myself.
'I can give him a bit more time, I should probably pick up the mug and plate though.'
I convince myself to walk over to his table, my hands slightly shaking as I realize we are the only two here right now, even outside there aren't many people walking the streets. Once I reach his table I quietly pick up his mug and plate, trying not to catch his attention, but I fail as the mug hits the plate, making a sudden sound. The sudden sound even startled me, causing me to jump slightly and let out a small squeak.
I look over to the man and see him starring at me, his emerald eyes shinning with amusement.
'Smooth move Dylan.'
I clear my throat "I'm sorry for disturbing you, I am just clearing your table." I say politely before retreating back to the counter.
I quietly set the glass into the sink, internally hitting myself. I interrupted him, he probably thinks I am annoying now, he's never going to come back, I screwed up big time.
"Excuse me."
I raise my head and quickly turn around to find him standing in front of the counter, a small smile on his face as he looks directly at me.
"I apologize for disturbing you, but that tea you gave me, was it by chance chamomile?" he asks me curiously.
By the glimmer in his eyes I have a feeling he already knows the answer to his own question, but I answer him anyways.
"Yes it was." I give a small nod.
Then something hits me "Was it not to your liking?" I ask him, my eyes wide.
He quickly shakes his head "No, quit the opposite actually, it seems to be just the thing I needed."
I let out a small breathe of relief "That's good to hear. You seemed stressed, so I thought chamomile would help."
He smiles at me "That was very thoughtful of you."
This comment makes me blush slightly and I quickly hide my face from his view as I look over to the tray of muffins.
"My name is Loki." he tells me suddenly.
I quickly look back up at him, joy filing me at finally knowing his name. Although I was expecting a more common name to be completely honest, but for some reason his name fits him really well.
"It's nice to meet you Loki. My name is Dylan." I respond, trying to act natural but a huge smile coming to my face instead.
I watch his eyes light up as a smile comes to his face. I can't help starring into his eyes, they always seem to be holding some form of emotion, and they are very entrancing.
I push a loose strand of hair behind my hear before speaking again "If you don't mind me asking, what is it that stressed you out so much?"
I give him a curious glance, wondering if I asked too much as he continues to stare at me. An amused smirk makes its way to his features as he takes a step back towards the table.
"If you wouldn't mind joining me my dear, I can tell you all about my troubles with a certain girl." he tells me as he offers me his hand.
I slowly take his hand as he gently leads me over to his table. However, his remark of a girl did catch my attention. My heart sinks to my stomach as I realize he has a girlfriend. He pulls out a seat for me and I gratefully take my seat, he sits across from me as he closes his laptop and puts it away into his satchel. There is now nothing on the table separating us, just him and I.
"So who's this girl you're having trouble with?" I ask him, trying to sound casual.
He fiddles with his left hand as he begins to explain "Well, her name is Jamie and she seems to be having trouble with her feelings, and I don't know what to do about that."
I raise an eyebrow "What kind of feelings?"
He smirks "Hate, guilt, and love."
My eyes widen at his explanation "Why does your girlfriend hate you?"
It goes quiet at my sudden question, before I hear him let out a small laugh. My heart melts at hearing him laugh, a small smile coming to face along with a rosy blush as he looks me dead in the eye.
"I assure you, I do not have a partner at the moment." he tells me, the humor not leaving his gaze.
I feel relief flood me at his words, knowing he isn't seeing anyone. I then bite my bottom lip as I become confused.
"Then who is Jamie?"I ask him curiously.
He lets out a final chuckle "She is a character for a script I am writing." he clarifies.
It is in that moment that I feel like the worlds biggest fool.
I shake my head at myself "I'm so sorry." I tell him.
He shakes his head "Don't be, but you can apologize if you aren't able to help me." he says teasingly.
I give him a smile "Challenge accepted, so what is the problem?"
"Jamie has recently found out that her lover has used her in the past, and she doesn't know whether or not to believe his feelings for her anymore. Her lover is currently in a life or death situation, she can chose to save him, or let him die. She is conflicted with her feelings of betrayal and love, so she isn't sure on what she should do." after he finishes explaining I stare at him in fascination.
The whole time he was explaining his story to me his eyes would not stop shinning, as well as the smile on his face. I have stolen glances of him while he was writing but I have never seen him this happy before. He truly loves his work, and I can tell he put a piece of himself into it.
"What should she do?" he asks me, bringing me back to reality.
His eyes don't leave me as I begin to think about this characters situation.
"She feels betrayed by someone she trusted, so she is obviously hurt. But even so, she loves him, she would save him without a doubt. She may not understand why she saved him,it could of been instinct to her. But this causes her to realize how dearly she holds this person, no matter what he has done in his past or what he will do in the future." I don't even realize I am rambling until I meet his eyes and I suddenly stop.
I let out an awkward laugh "I'm sorry, I can't learn to be quiet apparently."
He reaches his hand across the table and grabs a hold of mine "Don't apologize, you helped a lot. But why are you so certain she would save him?"
I bite my bottom lip "If it were you, wouldn't you save someone you love? Even if they hurt you?" I ask him.
He doesn't take his hand away from mine, and I really don't want him to. He continues to stare at me as a small smile begins to grow on his face, a glimmer of curiosity growing in his eyes as he looks at me.
"I would." he says looking at me.
I feel my heart hammering in my chest as we look at each other, it once more feeling like we are the only two people on earth. I quietly clear my throat as I let out an awkward laugh.
"So you right plays?" I ask him curiously.
He gives me a curt nod "Yes my dear, I am a playwright."
I tilt my head at his curiously "Like for live theater?"
"Yes, this is actually my first piece. I'm hoping to have it performed at some point during the following year." he explains simply.
My eyes widen "Really? That seems really cool." I exclaim, my interest peaked.
He lets out a small laugh "I suppose it is."
"So what is it about?" I ask him, my curiosity taking control.
"You're full of questions aren't you?" he says teasingly, only causing me to blush.
I know he notices since his smirk grows and he begins to draw little circles with his thumb on my hand. I hadn't noticed before, but his hands are a little cold. Not to the point of concern, but enough to notice and send a relaxed wave through my body.
"But, this story is about a girl named Jamie who lives with a dark secret. She expects nobody to understand her or take the time to try. Until she meets a boy who shows her otherwise. Her family is not fond of this boy, so you can imagine the trouble that ensues when she decides to befriend the boy anyways." he explains to me.
My eyes widen "What happens?"
He shakes his head "What's the point in a story if I give away the ending?"
I bit my bottom lip "You did tell me she is struggling with her feelings, and that the boys life is in danger."
He lets out another laugh "I suppose I did, didn't I?"
We sit in a comfortable silence, neither one of us saying anything as we look at one another. Our hands still entwined and neither of us showing any complaints to this fact. I feel as if this is all a dream and I am going to wake up any moment, but I don't want to wake up.
"Bang!"
At the sudden noise I quickly jump up, my body moving on its own as the noise startles me. I moved a bit too fast, since my leg caught on the chair, causing me to begin to fall back. Everything happens so quickly, and I expect to be met with the wooden floors. Except I don't hit the floor, I feel arms circle around my waist and keep me from falling.
I slowly look up and I am met with the entrancing eyes of Loki. My body leaning against his as my arms rest on his shoulders, our faces very close together. His arms circled tightly around me as he looks down at me with amusement clear in his eyes.
I bite my bottom lip as I try to come up with an excuse for my clumsiness.
"Are you alright dear?" he asks me, his breathe fanning against my ear.
I feel a chill rush down my spine and I know he noticed by the smirk growing on his lips. I don't pay attention as there are more fireworks shot up into the sky. My eyes stay on him as I look over every detail on his face. His eyes seeming to do the same for me.
'Oh what the hell.'
I grip onto his shoulders as I bring my face a little closer to him, a bit of courage taking control of me. I go slowly giving him plenty of time to pull away, but instead I feel him rest a hand on the back of my head and pull me to him. Our lips meet and just as they do another firework shoots off into the sky.
'If this truly is a dream, I don't want to wake up.'