Chapter Text
It started off innocently enough, just two strangers locking eyes. It was purely coincidental, your eyes had swept through the cafe you'd just entered. The atmosphere was relaxing, the decor warm and inviting. Cute.
And then there was him.
You've never been a morning person, you preferred to sleep your days away and stay awake at night. Unfortunately for you, your new job required you to get up in the mornings. Thus, caffeine was needed.
You're new to Linkon, when you had searched for the closest cafe to your house, this is the closest place that had come up. It was all just... coincidence.
At first.
You're not sure if both of you just happened to scan the room at the same time when you caught each other's eyes or if he had already been staring.
It was his eyes that froze you in place, a perfect purple that seemed too bright in the soft glow of the lights. He was devastatingly handsome, tall and broad in the way that made the breath catch in your throat. Dark hair and a full mouth, expression open and vulnerable - but only for that moment.
His wide eyes relaxed minutely, his gaze darkening as he stared you down. He was just so.. much. Far too much in that moment and -
And then it was your time to order and you had to leave to make it to work on time.
You never thought you'd see him again. Just a nice memory of a beautiful man that you saw in your new city.
He wasn't about to take that chance.
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
"You seriously have a gift." Cassidy huffed, dropping onto the break room couch.
"Not really." You shrug sheepishly, laughing her off with a wave of your hand.
"All the dogs love you, they do whatever you say." She pauses and then glares. "They don't often listen to the rest of us."
You don't quite know what to say, you've always been bad at taking compliments. Since you were a baby, dogs have loved you, you befriend them wherever you go. So she wasn't exactly wrong..
With your need to get away from your home city, a job at a shelter was way more than you have ever hoped for on such short notice. Working with animals is your dream after all.
The shelter itself is actually quite big, and with only seven employees total, the days tend to be long and tiring. More often than not, you are the one working the extra hours whenever more help was needed.
While the shelter still relied quite a bit on the donations and generosity of the public, the owner of the shelter spared no expense in not only the state of the place, but the decor as well. It's comforting here, whites and creams mixed with soft blues.
"I'm sorry, you were supposed to leave two hours ago. I really appreciate your help."
"Oh no... the horror, more money and taking care of a bunch of puppies?" You laugh, moving to grab your bag out of your locker.
"Alright, fair point. I'm the best boss ever." She teases.
"See-ya!" You call back, refusing to answer that. Your feet and back are killing you, you're tired, and you're hungry.
You can hear it before you get to the front door, it's raining heavily, the sky is cracked open and pouring. The rolling gray clouds making everything gray and bleak. You've always loved storms, but walking several blocks in a downpour isn't something you really wanted to do after a long shift. You prefer the rain when you can get cozy at home with a nice hot drink and a good book. Maybe binge a show.
"Great.." Sighing, you walk back into the building and move around the reception desk to grab the umbrella you keep here for emergencies. You really should finally buy a new one, you've had this one since junior high. It's a cute pink color with little dogs all over it.
With a deep breath you once again step out of the building and into the storm. Just as you round the corner to begin your journey, lightning cracks through the sky, the roll of thunder coming right after.
It was that flash of electricity that cemented his place in your life. The lightning had lit up his eyes, molten purple with depths you were going to drown in. Rare gemstones that pierced straight into your heart. His face was impassive for a long moment, one beat, and then two.. He smiles, a slow and easy sort of smile that warms you all the way down to your toes.
"Hey, you're the girl from the cafe the other day." His head tips slightly to the side.
"And you're the guy." Could he tell you're nervous? It was one thing being near such an attractive guy.. it was another thing entirely that he had remembered you after only seeing you for a handful of minutes.
Your stomach flutters as he stares down at you. When you first saw him, you knew he was tall.. But he had been sitting down then.. having him stand in front of you now is dizzying.
You've always been small, according to Cassidy, you're dainty and cute. Somehow, this stranger makes you feel even smaller. If you don't crane your neck back to look at him, you'd be staring at his chest..
Was he always standing so close? Or did he step closer?
"I'm flattered you remember me." His smile is warm, inviting in the way that a cute puppy with bright eyes and a wagging tail is.
You choke down the words that almost burst from your mouth. Because really... who wouldn't remember him? He's heartbreakingly beautiful.
Come to think of it.. the two people he had been with that day had been just as good looking. You'd barely spared them a glance at the time, too lost in the amethyst gaze of the man in front of you.
You did take note of the way the other two held hands. A couple then? The girl had been short, possibly a little taller than you are. She had dark hair and pretty eyes, her companion just as tall as the man before you. His white hair was cut stylishly, his red eyes gleaming.
You can't think of what to say without embarrassing yourself. You're not sure if he picks up on that or just doesn't notice your lack of response, but he carries on.
"What are you doing out here in this weather?" He reaches out, catching a few raindrops on his fingertips.
Gesturing behind you, you point at the now, closed, animal shelter behind you. "Just got off work."
He looks past you, taking in the shop front with a quick sweep of his eyes.
"Animals huh? I bet that's a fun job." He chuckles.
Wow, that's endearing. You want him to laugh like that again.
"You say that... but then you end up working overtime to bathe six, very smelly, puppies."
"I don't know, that still doesn't sound bad to me." He grins, a hand coming up to rest on his hip.
"Tell that to my back." You grumble.
There's something about him that makes it easy for you to let your guard down.
"Not to sound weird.. But since I know your place of work, I feel like you should at least know my name."
"The next logical step." I agree, trying not to flush red. The splatter of rain bounced onto the sidewalk and splashed onto your jeans.
"I'm Caleb."
You introduce yourself.
"Pretty name for a pretty girl." You expected his expression to be teasing, playful maybe, but there was something so sincere in the look on his face. He was earnest in a way that had you giddy. You felt like you were back in junior high experiencing your first crush.
Was he always like this?
He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly appearing nervous.
"Uhm.. I'm sorry if this is sudden.. But could I walk you home?" He paused. "Assuming you're heading home that is." He gestures at the rain. "I'd feel horrible letting you walk home alone in this."
Despite the fact that he had clearly been flirting, you still find yourself surprised. This man.. this cute and seemingly perfect, prince charming, wanted to walk you home.
"Yes!" You cough and clear your throat. "Sure." You amend, realizing you might be sounding a little too excited.
A walk home from this handsome guy sounded perfect, after all, what could go wrong?