T/W: Foul Language

“Coffee?” Oliver asked, stepping back with a knowing smirk as if he could sense how much I wanted to knock his eyes out. Get back here, you punk. I can kick an off-duty person who started the fight, right? 

“It’s too hot. Weren’t you worried about me suffering from dehydration?”

“Touche… But iced coffee and other drinks do exist,” he shrugged. His red hair falling from his shoulders from the movement caught my eye.

“I’m surprised you’re allowed to keep such long hair,” I nudged my chin toward his shoulder. Oliver raised a brow.

“Ah, I guess you didn’t get to see it, being blinded by my looks and all when we met-”

“What-” I gasped at the absurdity and audacity of his egotistic statement. Where does he get the confidence? 

“But I usually keep all of it tied up and under the cap. I’m a lot more put together than you’d think when in uniform. Too bad you missed it. I have a feeling you’d probably dream about how good I looked in it.”

“Just stop,” I groaned, rolling my head back. He laughed. He’s already latched onto teasing me, this bastard. Can I report him for bullying while off-duty? 

“Iced coffee, then,” he continued, looking up at the set of stars. “The Library Specialty Coffee Shop is just above, and they have some killer coffee. They have oat milk too.”

“Are you assuming I’m vegan?” I spat. He smirked again. Has he even stopped smirking?

“No, I assumed you were lactose intolerant. You look like it.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” 

“Well… It’s your vibe,” Oliver pursed his lips as he looked me up and down. Clearly, he was mocking me.

“... My vibe?” I replied in an offended tone, waving down at my outfit. He nodded in return, stroking his chin.

“And your looks…” the red headed ass continued. I pursed my lips as I contemplated murder.

“... My looks?” My voice pitched a bit higher than I meant for it to. “What’s wrong with my looks?!”

“You look like you’re lactose intolerant. Do you have gluten problems as well? Anemia? You should really eat better…”

“Are you picking a fight with me?”

“I’m a civil servant. I would never.” Oliver shrugged. Forty feet… That’s how far we were standing from the tracks. If I could just direct him a little closer…

“Utter bullshit,” I laughed out of spite. This ginger has been smiling with such a relaxed posture this whole time. Why am I the only one on edge?

“It’s a pretty privilege thing, We get away with bullshit,” he chuckled. This kid… left me speechless. 

“Sure, let’s go get that coffee,” I replied curtly, repressing a sigh. So I can drown you in it. I smugly thought to myself, looking at him with gleaming eyes. Something about this punk really irked me every time I looked at that flawless mug of his. 

I still don’t understand why I’m growing increasingly angry with every interaction with someone who went out of their way to help me. I didn’t feel this even when he slightly annoyed me with all those questions. I understood he was just trying to help me. So why does he make me angry?

“Coffee better not be burnt shit,” I grumble, turning away from him. A chuckle sounded behind me. I looked over my shoulder at Oliver and nodded toward the stairway. “Go first. Protect the peace.”

“Ah,” he mumbled, glancing at the wildlife gang fight still taking place on the steps. “I’m not animal control, sorry.”

“You don’t go first, we don’t get coffee,” I replied, throwing my thumb to the top of the stairs. Oliver raised a brow.

“Wouldn’t say I’m that desperate, anyway,” he replied. I clicked my tongue. At this point, the main speaking muscle in my mouth is going to go numb from the number of times I’ve clicked it today. 

“What do you even want from me?” I snapped. “We go. We don’t go. What does it matter?”

“Testy, aren’t you?” He replied, smirking. “Aren’t you supposed to be older than me? You act more like you’re going through puberty. Must be a height thing.”

“Height thing?!” I spun while sputtering, my mouth gaping. My head felt like a stalled engine. “I am the height of the average male, thank you very much!” 

“Obviously, the standards haven’t been updated to the current average,” Oliver replied, moving his hand from the center of his chest to the top of his hairline as he looked down at me, shaking his head. I could feel my face grow hot from somewhere between embarrassment and anger. 

“Screw you,” was all I could spit out at him, turning away and stopping up the stairs leading to the street level. I no longer cared if he followed me or not. I stormed past the dueling vermin, ignoring their scattering as I ascended to the streetside, not once looking back. It was only when I rounded the railing at the top - and heard the muffled chuckle, did I bother to check behind me. 

“I’m still here,” Oliver replied, probably assuming he was reassuring me. I would have been more assured if he no longer were. I rolled my eyes. 

“I’m too hot to do this, copper.”

“That’s a pretty narcissistic view of yourself,” he retorted with a calm face. I had to remind myself it would hurt me more to punch him. Dealing with this bastard was mentally draining me faster than this day already was. 

“Sigh… Can we just get this over with?” 

“This is how you treat your saviour?” 

“Aren’t public servants not allowed to accept gifts, bribes, and other monetary-related goods and services?”

“A kiss then?”

“Sexual harassment from a cop? Why am I not surprised?”

“Never mind…” Oliver sighed, realizing his flirting attempts were just leading both of us in circles. “Follow me. And don’t worry. I know the dire financial state of students. Since I’m the only one with a career between the two of us, I can buy the coffee.”

“Pardon you?” My jaw was going to break next. Did I look that poor? His audacity was reaching my breaking point.