Handing a drink to a customer, you wipe down the counter and register soon after.

A small group of firefighters enter your cafe, all ordering some variation of coffee. You insist on not letting them pay, a close relative of yours was a firefighter and you know the danger of the job.

All of the firefighters leave except for one. He tries to pay for his drink, even jumping behind the counter and trying to tip you. You crack, letting him pay, and he leaves.

Next day rolls by, and the same man from yesterday enters the cafe. Instead of ordering a black coffee like yesterday, he orders something unique from the menu.

He comes by every day in the mornings, ordering different drinks and chatting with you. On the fourth day, you finally get his name, Nick.

Eventually, he discovers a speciality item on your menu, the most expensive drink you offer, and sticks to ordering that every day. Over time, the two of you form a friendship over the ten minutes it takes you to make the drink every morning.

One day, you’re cleaning up to go on break as you hear a group of girls talking among each other. One of the girls speak up.

“Did you hear about that fire a few blocks south? Apparently a few firefighters got really hurt.” She says, her eyebrows etched.

Nick’s on shift today. You remind yourself. You ask a coworker to cover you, running out of your cafe across a few blocks immediately after.

You finally make it to the fire, your gaze immediately finding Nick as he makes his way out of the fire.

He sees you, taking off his helmet with a smile on his face. “What are you doing here?” he asks.

Insp: @read_between.the_wines on tiktok٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-