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*squidnie* · 04-07-2026, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoe

He told himself it was just nostalgia and one of those restless, in-between days where his feet carried him somewhere that was familiar. Back when everything had been uncertain, sure, but simpler in its own strange, scrappy way. Back when a room at the Leaky Cauldron and a decent cup of coffee had been enough to anchor him.

The Alley hadn't changed much. Or maybe it had, and he just couldn't see it through the haze of memory. Either way, it pulled at him the same. When the scent of coffee drifted out from Espresso Patronum, it wasn't really a decision.

Jordan stepped inside, shoulders loosening almost instantly as the familiar warmth wrapped around him. He ordered an espresso, keeping it simple this time, and turned from the counter, cup warm in his hand.

He didn't mean to stare. He really didn't. But something about the way the guy sat at the table caught Jordan off guard. There was an ease to him, the kind Jordan recognized but hadn't quite mastered himself yet.

And, yeah. Okay. The guy was quite handso—

Jordan hesitated only a moment before crossing the room, confidence settling back into place when he decided to stop overthinking.

"Hey," he said, stopping beside the table, a small, easy smile curving at the corner of his mouth. "I know this is a little out of nowhere, but—" he lifted his espresso slightly, like that explained anything at all— "any chance this seat's taken?" Were there other seats he could have taken? Plenty. Was he hoping the stranger before him wouldn't point that out? Perhaps.

A genuine smile tugged at Collin’s lips without his control at the notes of approval in Jordan’s tone. It was undeniably nice to be recognized for the position he held. Not - and he laughed brightly at the suggestion - a pooper scooper or something equally alarming. Not that he judged such occupations, and had held similar ones in the past, but he’d paid his dues and worked his way up and he was proud of where he was.

He met Jordan’s eyes, an easy smile still playing on his face. It faltered slightly as he watched the man move, cataloguing the small details of his nonverbals. It made Collin want to dig in further. Learn more. It also gave him a sense that doing so too much, too soon, would have the opposite effect from what he wanted.

Interesting. He always wanted others to feel comfortable with him, of course, but this one felt… different.

He lifted his own drink and took a long, measured sip, creating a slight distance that Jordan could fill if he so desired. “Love those days,” he commented thoughtfully. “As if your body is moving on its own accord toward what you need.” He paused. Keeping his head lowered slightly toward his cup, he lifted his gaze. “Was it the espresso pulling you in, do you think?”

He leaned back in his chair again, settling in a bit, and let another question break through. “What do you do for work?”

04-07-2026, 11:58 PM	#184 (permalink)
squidnie Alley Proprietor Erkling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: lurking Posts: 20,950 Hogwarts RPG Name: Professor Lillian Hawkins Graduated Hogwarts RPG Name: Cathryn “Cat” Webb Ravenclaw Diagon Alley Proprietor: Collin O'Shea Owl Post	Sardines ♥ // Nomsy, yo ❄ rolling in the ink ❄ Quote: Originally Posted by Zoe He told himself it was just nostalgia and one of those restless, in-between days where his feet carried him somewhere that was familiar. Back when everything had been uncertain, sure, but simpler in its own strange, scrappy way. Back when a room at the Leaky Cauldron and a decent cup of coffee had been enough to anchor him. The Alley hadn't changed much. Or maybe it had, and he just couldn't see it through the haze of memory. Either way, it pulled at him the same. When the scent of coffee drifted out from Espresso Patronum, it wasn't really a decision. Jordan stepped inside, shoulders loosening almost instantly as the familiar warmth wrapped around him. He ordered an espresso, keeping it simple this time, and turned from the counter, cup warm in his hand. He didn't mean to stare. He really didn't. But something about the way the guy sat at the table caught Jordan off guard. There was an ease to him, the kind Jordan recognized but hadn't quite mastered himself yet. And, yeah. Okay. The guy was quite handso— Jordan hesitated only a moment before crossing the room, confidence settling back into place when he decided to stop overthinking. "Hey," he said, stopping beside the table, a small, easy smile curving at the corner of his mouth. "I know this is a little out of nowhere, but—" he lifted his espresso slightly, like that explained anything at all— "any chance this seat's taken?" Were there other seats he could have taken? Plenty. Was he hoping the stranger before him wouldn't point that out? Perhaps. A genuine smile tugged at Collin’s lips without his control at the notes of approval in Jordan’s tone. It was undeniably nice to be recognized for the position he held. Not - and he laughed brightly at the suggestion - a pooper scooper or something equally alarming. Not that he judged such occupations, and had held similar ones in the past, but he’d paid his dues and worked his way up and he was proud of where he was. He met Jordan’s eyes, an easy smile still playing on his face. It faltered slightly as he watched the man move, cataloguing the small details of his nonverbals. It made Collin want to dig in further. Learn more. It also gave him a sense that doing so too much, too soon, would have the opposite effect from what he wanted. Interesting. He always wanted others to feel comfortable with him, of course, but this one felt… different. He lifted his own drink and took a long, measured sip, creating a slight distance that Jordan could fill if he so desired. “Love those days,” he commented thoughtfully. “As if your body is moving on its own accord toward what you need.” He paused. Keeping his head lowered slightly toward his cup, he lifted his gaze. “Was it the espresso pulling you in, do you think?” He leaned back in his chair again, settling in a bit, and let another question break through. “What do you do for work?” __________________ ★ Kindness is its own kind of magic ★