Chapter Text
Grian leaned on the counter, elbows resting on the top as he scrolled through his phone. He was just scrolling through M , catching up on all the daily newsfeed. It was mostly HotGuy doing heroic saves around the city, the occasional funny animal video, or actual news article. He shook his head, glancing at the time to see that it was just a few minutes until midnight.
He took a deep breath, sliding his phone into his pocket and trying to look like he didn’t just spend the majority of his shift on his phone not doing work. It was just in time too as the door was pushed open just at 11:55, as always.
“Oh Grian~” A voice called, one just as obnoxious and sing-songy as the bells above the door. “I have come for my-”
“Yes yes. Your outrageously complicated drink order that you must have at basically midnight because you are a night shift worker and need to stay up to stop all the crime in the great city of Hermitopia,” Grian drawled, waving his hand as he pulled out a notepad. He already had a pen in hand, waiting for Scar to give whatever order he fancied tonight. “Go ahead, HotGuy.”
He wished he could start it and have it ready for the hero, mostly so HotGuy had no reason to stick around too long, but it seems that it was the other’s goal to change his order every single time, with no clear pattern as to what he’d get next. It was as if HotGuy was trying to make sure he had to stay as long as possible so that he could talk Grian’s ear off.
“Actually,” HotGuy started, walking up to the counter. “I was thinking of keeping it simple tonight. Just make me two of whatever you get usually,” he decided, winking at Grian. “I’ve always been curious about your coffee order, birdie. What does my favorite little barista order?”
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop with the nicknames? I have an actual name.” Grian turned around, grabbing the things he needed from memory.
He could give HotGuy something awful and disgusting, claiming that it was what he always ordered, but the hero probably ordered the second drink for someone else. He didn’t know who else would want to do a night patrol with HotGuy but just in case, Grian went with something easy but something that wasn’t full of so much salt and lemon juice someone would get sick.
“I like the nicknames,” HotGuy whined, and Grian could already tell the hero was pouting. “It’s a special thing between us, like when you call me HotMess!”
“That’s not a nickname, that’s an insult,” Grian groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as he grabbed two plastic cups, filling them halfway with ice before pouring equal amounts of coffee, milk, and flavored syrup into each of them. He topped it off with whipped cream, drizzling it with caramel sauce. “But your coffees are ready.”
“Our coffees,” HotGuy corrected, pulling out his wallet. Grian noticed that it had a cat’s face. One with a grey and white coat. He thought it was cute, as he loved cats despite not being able to have any of his own, but it seemed odd for a superhero to be carrying. He didn’t comment, especially when HotGuy pulled out a twenty dollar bill, sliding it forward.
“I don’t really need you to buy me coffee,” Grian assured, reaching for the twenty, only for HotGuy to grab his wrist. He couldn’t help but flinch, as HotGuy never actually grabbed him before.
“Please, take it. It’s just a little treat to show my appreciation to you,” HotGuy assured, his grasp slowly turning more gentle, moving to lace their fingers together instead of holding Grian’s wrist. “I’m glad I met you.”
“Thanks?” Grian mumbled, unable to keep the confusion from bleeding into his tone. “I just…I don’t think you should be, I’m not the nicest to you. I don’t treat you like everyone else, always fawning and kissing the ground you walk on.”
“That’s why!” HotGuy exclaimed, squeezing Grian’s hand for the briefest of seconds before relaxing his grip. “It’s because you treat me that way! You treat me like I’m a normal person and not some idol. I know I’m a hero and I should love the attention, but it just gets so tiring sometimes. I just want to be normal and go around and have people not throw themselves at me constantly. It’s getting boring.”
Grian pulled away right then, outright yanking his hand back from HotGuy, hugging it to his chest like he’d been burnt. “Boring?” He mouthed quietly, staring at HotGuy as if the man grew a second head. How could one find it boring to be fawned over? To be adored by an entire population?
“I…I don’t think that sounds boring, to be adored,” Grian admitted, voice quiet and unsure. He didn’t know if he should be talking to the number one hero like this, but he couldn’t help it. “Everyone here loves having you and they’re grateful, you save so many lives just existing here and-”
“Yes yes, I know,” HotGuy drawled, shaking his head. “I know I am adored by everyone, it’s so hard not to know how grateful everyone is, but I don’t want to talk about them, I know what to expect from everyone when I walk outside. I want to talk about how I feel about you. You’re different and it’s refreshing, I want more of it.”
Grian swallowed the lump in his throat, taking a step back from the counter, looking outside the window. He didn’t really expect help, despite hoping maybe if he looked there would be someone walking in, but it made his heart drop nonetheless. “How you feel about me? I don’t think I understand, HotGuy.”
“Oh Grian,” the hero crooned, leaning back, a hand moving to rub the back of his neck. He had a small flush to his cheeks and a shy smile on his face, which might have been cute if Grian hadn’t been so perturbed. “I have feelings for you, I love you.”
A stone sank in Grian’s gut, watching the hero look at him with such a soft look. He felt bad, watching HotGuy look so vulnerable, and he couldn’t help but wince. He felt guilty he couldn’t feel the same about the hero. He looked up to HotGuy and respected him, as one does with the hero protecting you, but he couldn’t say he loved the other. He barely knew him, and he was worried that dating the hero would paint such a huge target on his back.
“HotGuy, I’m flattered you feel that way about me,” Grian began, forcing himself to meet the hero’s visored gaze. “But I can’t say I feel the same. I’m not…really looking for a romantic partner right now.”
"What?" Hotguy asked, looking stunned at Grian’s refusal. "But...but why not?"
He sounded so childish now, going from big time hero to a child who got told no at the store, it only made Grian more nervous. "I'm just not...I don't think I can handle a relationship right now, especially with how busy I am. I-"
"Then it's perfect that it's me! I'm busy too, saving the entire city! Don't you want to come home knowing you're safe with the number one hero in your home? Our home?" Scar asked, reaching out slowly, as if trying not to spook a frightened bird. "I can make you less busy. You work so much because of money, right? You can work less and I'll buy you whatever you need, anything you want. Grian, please."
"HotGuy please, I don't want that. I don't need you to do-"
HotGuy growled, causing Grian’s mouth to close with a sound click. Grian’s eyes darted around. Still no one, only two doors to leave from, and the closest was being (unintentionally?) blocked by the hero.
"You just said you wanted to be adored, right? That you wanted what I have, to be so adored by people? I can do that for you. Let me adore you, show you how much I want you.”
“I…no.” Grian pursed his lips, looking at the hero, who was starting to look more and more like your regular, pushy guy. His back burned as his wings tried to push out of him, thinking he could use them to escape, but he'd have to pass Hotguy to get to the door. “You need to leave.”
"But I-" Hotguy stopped, finally meeting Grian’s eyes. He looked hurt, a small frown on his face, and Grian felt bad for asking HotGuy to leave.
Just as he was about to apologize and change his mind, HotGuy leaned away, taking a step back to give Grian personal space. "Alright, I have a patrol to do. Thank you for the coffee, I always appreciate it." He turned and left, the bell above the door rang loudly in the silence of the Cafe.