Chapter 12 #2
“This ain’t really a goodbye,” Bryce said as he joined the throng moving toward the human platforms. “It’s more of a see-you-later.”
“See you later,” Zef echoed, and he waved a hand above his head.
“See you later, Zef.”
When they walked into the cafe kitchen a few minutes later, Willow was mixing dough as Glyma and Quin spoke quietly near the doors leading to the front.
At seven in the morning, the Passing Through Cafe was bustling with early commuters here for their caffeine fix.
The breakfast rush hit closer to nine, when Toni usually arrived.
“Is everything alright?” Zef asked Willow, gesturing to Glyma and Quin.
“Nothing catastrophic. Just last minute problems in Greed that need sorting.”
Quin appeared to be talking Glyma down, and the Succubus was nodding.
She cupped Quin’s face in her purple hands and kissed her firmly, and the Daemon’s red tail curled around Glyma’s back to tangle with her purple one.
They parted, exchanging a few more words before Glyma lowered a hand to caress Quin’s stomach.
She was still too early in her pregnancy to be showing much, but if they tried hard enough, Zef could decipher a small bump above her waistband.
They did not care much for procreation, but they were happy for their friends and hopeful for a healthy baby.
They were also curious to see what an Incubi fetus grown inside a Daemon’s uterus would look like, but that was purely selfish interest on their part.
“Gem called. Apparently there was a mix-up with the water company, so the pipes were never turned on. I’m glad he and Oliver were there to prep for tomorrow and caught it. It would have been catastrophic on opening day,” Glyma said as she joined them at the table.
“It’s going to be fine, Glyma,” Willow said confidently. “Gem and Oliver are a great team, and they’re going to do well.”
“I have full faith in them. It’s our luck I don’t have faith in,” Glyma confessed. “Opening day here was nearly a disaster, and I don’t want that repeated in Greed.”
“We will manifest a perfect opening day,” Zef said as they secured an apron around their waist, and Glyma simpered.
“You’re right. You both are. I need to stay positive and trust that we aren’t complete idiots.”
The kitchen doors opened, and Dex popped his golden-furred head inside.
“Hey, Glyma, Brenda’s at the register, and she said that you had this baked item this one time from the human world.
And it was like, powdered in sugar and had jam inside.
Apparently, it freaking rocked her socks off, and she was wondering if you have any more.
But I, like, have no idea what she’s talking about. ”
“The Berliners, maybe?” Glyma said, and Dex shrugged, ducking out of sight for a moment, even though his voice rang clearly through the doors.
“Yo, Brenda, you talking about the berbiners?” He reappeared a moment later, claws clacking on the doors. “Yeah, she means the berbiners.”
“Berliners,” Glyma corrected brightly, “and no, we don’t have those every day. Just special occasions.”
“Ah, she’s gonna be bummed out, but that’s okay. I will turn her frown upside down with one of your bomb-ass muffins.” Dex pantomimed shooting fingers guns at the ceiling before he noticed Zef. “Hey, Zef, looking dope today with that kickin’ blouse. Good morning air-high-five!”
He slapped the air with one paw, holding it high and waiting for Zef to reciprocate. With a sigh, they lifted a top hand, ignoring Willow and Glyma’s giggles, and pretended to high-five the air in the Lupyn’s direction.
Dex nodded approvingly. “Noice! Today’s gonna be a great day, am I right?” Without awaiting a response, he disappeared through the swinging doors. “Sorry, Brenda, no carabiners, but can I interest you in one of Glyma’s muffins? They’re bussin’, no cap.”
“See what you have done?” Zef said accusingly to Glyma.
“Oh, he’s sweet,” Glyma defended, “and the customers love him.”
“But at what cost?” they demanded as Willow burst into laughter. “What cost?”
The next day, Zef joined the rest of their coworkers at the Greed location to celebrate the soft launch.
The space was small, standing room only, with a tiny bakery case and an espresso machine behind the counter.
Gem was truly in his element, taking orders and making drinks as he chatted amicably with customers.
At the busiest moments, Oliver took over the register so Gem could focus solely on the espresso machine. Since there was little space inside, Zef ordered a hot tea, congratulated Gem and Oliver—and Glyma, of course—on a successful launch, then took refuge outside in the cold March air.
They sipped their drink to stay warm as Tad perched on their shoulders, watching the customers filter in and out. “It is quite busy,” they commented, and they felt Tad’s nod wriggle through her body.
“Looks like it. I guess franchising was a good call.”
“I hate it here,” Toni grumbled, eyeing the people around them distrustfully. “Bunch of Greed dickholes. No offense, Liel.”
“For the millionth time, I’m from Gluttony, same as you. I just work here,” the Gymnot said, sipping his Americano.
Jude knocked Toni’s arm in reprimand. “They’re probably not all bad.”
“Yeah, that’s speciesist,” Dex said, before his bushy brows furrowed. “Or district-ist?”
“That’s a made-up word,” Cya snipped.
Dex rolled his heterochromatic eyes and propped his arm on Cya’s shoulder. “Technically, all words are made up.”
With a warning rattle from their tail, they shoved Dex off them. “You know what I meant.”
Zef took several photos and sent them to Bryce. With the time difference, they assumed he was still sleeping, but they still waited an extra second before locking their phone, just in case he replied. He did not.
“Did Bryce get to Montana, okay?” Jude asked.
“Yes, he arrived last night.”
“How long is he gone for?” Toni asked.
“Three weeks.”
Liel tugged his coat tighter around his body. “I bet it’s nice having some solitude.”
“I suppose,” Zef said noncommittally.
To be honest, they had slept poorly last night.
The house had not sounded different, but it had felt different.
The emptiness had pervaded every corner, filling the shadows with the stark reminder that Bryce was not there.
They had been surprised by how much it bothered them, though they did not want to admit that aloud.
Like Toni could somehow sense it, he knocked their arm with his. “You wanna come over for dinner tonight?”
“We still have manicotti in the freezer. Please, come help us eat it,” Jude said, a slight plea to his voice.
“I do not want to intrude,” Zef started, but Toni was already shaking his head.
“It ain’t intruding if you’re invited.”
Touched by the offer, Zef agreed, and they spent the evening with Toni and Jude. The manicotti was delicious and even after Jude had disappeared into the bedroom, they remained in the living room with Toni, chatting and even learning to play one of the Elas’s video games.
Upon their departure, they stepped into Toni’s space, making the Elas freeze. They lifted their top right hand and placed their palm to the side of Toni’s cheek, and the skin warmed under their touch, darkening a deeper blue.
“Thank you, Toni. I very much enjoy your company.”
His black eyes turned glossy, the gills on his neck fluttering. “Ah, Zeffie, don’t get cute with me. You know I can’t handle that.”
They snickered quietly, giving his cheek a pat before stepping back. “I will see you on Monday.”
“Yeah, yeah, get outta here before I hug you,” he postured, even as he rubbed the back of his hand under his nose with a sniffle.
“I am not ready for a hug,” they said honestly, though they did give Toni’s hand a quick squeeze. The Elas squeezed theirs too, his thumb rubbing over the back of their knuckles. “Goodnight, Toni.”
“Goodnight, Zef.”