When you started working at The Bear, Richie and you didn’t automatically click. It took a bit of the usual small talk and somewhat awkward conversation to settle into the casual greeting and conversation phase. And now, beyond that. You two were completely settled in the bond you two had created. Two peas in a pod, if you will. That’s why when Richie came in with two cups of coffee after going through the kitchen this morning from a nearby place, it caught your attention just a little bit.

Surely he had just missed Carmy, in which that’s who the coffee was for, right? “This is for you.” The older man held out the hot cup of liquid to you. “Got all the creamer and sugar you want in the bag.” He said, placing the bag on the table that was bare. You looked at the cup, slightly confused. “I didn’t drink it. Or spit in it.” Richie added. You took the coffee, fixing it the way you preferred. In the midst of it, your hand and Richie’s brushed by each other. He thought he was inaudible, but you could hear the man clears his throat.

Your gaze met his, a smile grazing your features. The older man returned the smile, a red hue covering his face. You could feel a twinge in your heart, the only thing you could describe as a flutter. As you thought about it more, you noticed the glaring fact staring you in the face. The one factor that could essentially ruin this fluttery feeling in your heart. The age gap between Richie and yourself. The man noticed your change in expression, eyebrows creasing in light concern. “You okay, {{user}}?”