‘This guy will be different, alright? Alright. No more one-time-two-time-three-four-five-time things! On-and-off-again, shallow relationships are over! Time to settle down and start a family of one boy and one girl in a cul-de-sac. Maybe just two dogs and a single two-story house in a suburban area. No, no! A cabin in the forest near a waterfall and lake. We could catch our own fish, make our own clothes! Maybe a studio apartment in the city overlooking tall buildings? Or a cozy apartment above a bakery maybe?? That would be so romantic!! We can bake breads and pastries and have flour get on our noses and laugh at each other, then share a kiss, sweet as jam…'

“Your hot cocoa, sir.” A red-faced server set down the way-too-large cup as cream swirled in a circle, steam puffing up.

“Oh! Is it alright if I order two scones? I have a date. It was an online thing, but I really like him! He’s a Minotaur and he said his tail is really soft...Gah! I’m saying too much, sorry. Thanks for the cocoa!”

His proud yet sheepish smile caused the server to laugh--if only a little bit--for the first time this entire, troublesome day. For a moment, a weight was lifted from the server’s shoulders, although customers were beginning to get fed up with waiting for their orders. “Oh, I see. Congratulations, man! Need anything else?”

As if second nature, he was already writing down his phone number on a small napkin and handing it to the server, whose face deepened to an even darker red and whose small, pointed ears seemed to waver in eagerness as the cool fingers of the giddy patron brushed against his own absentmindedly.

“I’m very optimistic about this, but I like to keep my options open, you know? In case things don't work out...” He glanced away from the server, counting to three in his mind before lifting the piping hot cup of cocoa to his lips.

“If you don’t mind…” He sipped, hiding that he had just burned the living fuck out of his lips in an attempt at looking coy and nonchalant in the server's eyes. 

The way his eyes twinkled with a daring, cobalt blue while also being as innocent as a calm ocean distracted the server from the large, oversized Minotaur who had just entered the cafe. Steam wafted from his nostrils as he eyed the small, silver-haired optimist with first degree burns on his tongue at this point. He strutted toward him, t-shirt ready to rip open from being an obvious two sizes too small. There was determination in his own, forest green eyes as he stood over the server and his potential partner, looking down at them both from his height of about seven feet.

“You’re here early.” He added a grin as he spoke the next few words. “Pretty and eager. I like it.”

The Minotaur sat across from him, the strong scent of iron on his hands. ‘His hands are so veiny, but large…but veiny…’

“Oh, well, I guess I was excited to finally meet in person. Am excited…but I thought we were supposed to meet at 4pm? It’s almost five now--”

“Ah, thanks for reminding me! I have to get a large coffee from this place. It comes with a free bagel, but the offer ends today at 5!” He was out of the small chair and in line within seconds. ‘This date is starting off horribly! Maybe I’m expecting too much too soon. We have only been talking to each other for a month through messaging, but it turned sexual so quickly I was sure this would be my chance to learn a little more about him before we jump into a bed together!’

A soft, flute-like whistling alert caused him to take out his phone, seeing a notification pop up.

--5 stops away--

He swiped the screen and pulled up a number whose identification was a sun followed by a poop emoji. That always made him laugh somewhat. He glanced up to find that the Minotaur was now at the counter, eyeing the poor cashier as if they were the last, free bagel available. He sighed to himself, coming to realize that this wasn’t a date. At least, not in the Minotaur’s eyes. In a few moments, the Minotaur would most likely ask him how he stays so attractive or who gave him permission to be so sexy. Something along those lines. Next, a subtle remark about the cafe being cramped despite it being as large as some, very successful restaurants in the area. Finally, “let’s get out of here” or “wanna go somewhere more quiet so we can talk?”

‘I wonder if he’s big all around. Forget size! This guy just wants, well, I want it too, but not without learning about him more first! This was supposed to be different: meet, become friends, fall in love, get married, two dogs, apartment above the waterfall or whatever bullshit I’ll never have…’

“Damn, I missed the deadline. Guess I talk too much, heh.”

“Well…it looked like more than…just talking from over here.”

The Minotaur leaned over the table almost, putting his large hand closer toward him, then placed it on top of his, lightly grasping his smaller fingers. “Hey, I just want you to know that I’m glad we got to meet up like this. Talking online is fine and all, but I’ve been dying to see your cute face in person. I’d be lying if I said I’m not thinking about all those pictures you sent me. Still waiting for proof that was actually you and not some, random image search for naked-from-the-waist-down guys.”

He let out a small chuckle and glanced away, feeling his face become warmer. He was always a sucker for gentle, physical contact. Especially from larger partners. The “gentle giant” trope was all too real in his mind and it was, wholeheartedly, the top quality he searched for in potential boyfriends.

“Of course that was me. But I don’t show my face in pictures like that. Personal, insurance policy…”

“Maybe some in-person proof, if you’re willing?”

The same, flute-toned alert on his phone caused him to turn his attention away from the slowly heating Minotaur to his phone, seeing an update to the previous message. 

--2 stops away--

“Sorry, I have to make a quick call.”

“Go ahead, I’ll be here. Waiting for more than just some coffee and chit-chat.” He winked before biting the center of his cool gray lip.

“Listen…before we go any further, I want to know something.”

The Minotaur chuckled awkwardly at the small, serious face before him, realizing that this wasn’t going to be the fuck buddy relationship he was hoping and eagerly awaiting.

The cafe buzz had died down and at this point closing time was swiftly approaching. Chairs were placed on top of all but one, small table and even the last light was threatening to be turned off by the impatient supervisor of the cafe, whose cold glare caused no impact to the discouraged and saddened, silver-haired patron still sitting there. His face was illuminated by his phone screen, a subtle wetness on his cheeks that would not dry no matter how roughly he wiped his face with his jacket sleeve. His favorite jacket, a raven-black bomber jacket, was now soaked with his tears and snot. He composed himself long enough to call home after receiving so many alerts about a delivery he’s been expecting for a week now.

--You're next-- 

“...I’ll be back soon, but the package will be there any minute now. Please, can you do this for me? It’s all I’m asking for...bye.”

Just as he hung up, his waiter from about two hours prior approached him almost in a cautious manner. “Hey, uh, my supervisor is on the verge of ending me because it’s closing time. Are you waiting for someone to come pick you up?”

The server from earlier looked different without a uniform shirt on and order slips in hand. There was now a sort of calmness across his face as he smiled, almost yawning but holding it in to be courteous in this touchy moment. The umbrella in hand was unfastened, ready to spring forth and shield him from the heavy shower that had begun outside moments before. He spoke up again when he received no reply. “Are you alright? Sir?”

“I’ll live. I have been this long. Goodnight and thanks again for the really nice service earlier. Don’t lose the napkin I gave you.”

Without waiting for the server to respond, he got up and walked to the entrance/exit door into the rain. His hair and jacket soaked immediately, the harsh rainfall camouflaging the seemingly-endless tears as they streamed down his cheeks, pooling at his chin and then dropping to the ground.

“I’ll text you this week!”

He stopped in his tracks and, glancing back through a teary expression with a pained smile, nodded his head slowly.

“No pressure…”