Nothing More than an Acrimonious Dispute

My foot was tapping against the worn floor of the coffee shop, creating a tedious noise that had been irritating me for the two hours.

"Excuse me?" An unfamiliar voice queried.

"What?!" I snapped, not giving a shit that they were a customer. I had near to zero sleep last night so I was beyond grouchy.

The customer that had interrupted my busy schedule of being angry and not doing my job sent a look of disbelief my way, to which I just shrugged off with the roll of my eyes. Her stunned look was contorting and turning slowly angry, which was entertaining to a certain degree. "Do you know, you're very rude?! I'm sure your boss wouldn't like to hear about this." The strangers narrowed eyes threateningly, hoping it would scare some sense into me (which it obviously didn't as I returned her glare accompanied with a bitter sweet smile). "Anyway, I would like to order a small coffee with two sugars and maybe a bit more respect from you."

"Yeah yeah, lady. Sit down and I'll bring you your damn coffee." With the wave of my hand, I rudely dismissed her, shooing her away rudely. "Next!"

The similar routine went on for the next half an hour. As expected, I would get a lengthy lecture on how to be more respectful and less rude. You see, not having any sleep wouldn't have bothered me that much. It was just the fact I had been left completely alone, with no notice from Vic telling me he was ill. All it took was a fucking phone call. That way, someone could have filled his position for today, and I wouldn't be swept off of my feet. Monday mornings were always the busiest and I had no break.

Normally, our shifts started at nine, and it was half eleven now. Where the hell was he? If my patience was wearing thin now, how I was going to last all through the day on my own was beyond me. I didn't have time to think because I was doing a million things at once and I was getting more flustered as the seconds ticked by. There was no doubt I looked a mess: my hair was beginning to tangle, a red glint tinged my whole face, and the thin layer of sweat coating my forehead just added to my unpleasant attire. It may not sound much, but the fucking shop got warm pretty quick, so when it was swarming with unmannered pricks, it wasn't hard to feel like you were about to implode from the heat.

Just when I thought the shop couldn't get any busier, the bell chimed a hideous shrill, letting me know that yet another person had walked in. Why?! Couldn’t they go somewhere else? Burying my head in my hands, I let out a deep sigh, hoping it would help me compose myself. The bitter sweet grin I gave everyone spread across my face, looking like it did not belong there. I looked up and was about to ask the person what they wanted until I caught sight of who it actually was.

Vic.

My strained smile literally dropped and I felt myself beginning to scowl before I had actually processed a proper thought. Out of pure spite, I decided to give him a tough time. In other words, tease him to no end. Damn it, last night I had actually considered being nice to him. That plan was going straight out of the window.

Vic walked straight past the counter, completely ignoring me. A hood was pulled up over his head, obscuring his face completely from where I was standing. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion as he mumbled something under his breath, his voice noticeably croaky.

"What?" I retorted nastily.

"I said 'I'm sorry I'm late'." Bare. That was the only way I could describe his voice. There wasn't a trace of emotion in it, not even sarcasm or annoyance.

"Well, you should be. You're two frickin' hours late. Do you know how busy it has been? Oh, and do you know how stressed I have been?! I don't care if you've been fucking high on god knows what and dru-"

"If I were you, I'd shut your fucking mouth." Vic turned so he was facing me. I think my mouth literally dropped when I saw his face; his left eye was slightly swollen, and had a deep purple bruise encircling it. A few harsh scratches marked his usually gorgeous skin, and he had more bruising near the bottom of his jaw. My mouth remained open and I literally could not believe my eyes. The small cut on my face was nothing in comparison to the mess he was in.

"It's rude to stare, you prick." Vic's voice still had that hostile edge to it, and it honestly scared me. This was different to his usual rude and obnoxious demeanour- it seemed cold and utterly bitter. I did consider questioning him about it, but something told me that it would be a dreadful idea.

Not another word was exchanged and Vic headed towards the store room, presumably to get into his work clothes or whatever. Secretly, I hoped he stayed in there, despite my previous winging about being alone. Vic was acting angrier than usual, so whatever had happened must have been fucking bad.

The wait for him to return felt like an eternity. Nervous wouldn’t have been a good enough word to describe how I felt. My tapping only got more noticeable as I anticipated Vic’s return, which soon pulled me away from my little trance I had got myself into. As he approached, I stared straight into his eyes, and for a moment, his iciness seemed to dissipate, and he gave me a sorrowful glance. It was hastily replaced with a sharp scowl, causing me to divert my eyes away.

That’s pretty much how things went; we would share a few awkward glances, the awkwardness coming mostly from my end. Vic on the other hand sent me almost malicious glances that set me right on edge. Who would have thought that only an hour ago I had been ready to shout at him? I couldn’t even preoccupy myself with serving customers, as everyone had gone to work, and it was our lunch soon. For the most part, we literally stood at opposite ends of the counter- Vic too stubborn to talk to me and I too frightened to talk. I guess that was just the effect he had on people- he could be incredibly intimidating.

Thankfully, a customer came in, filling the shop with a bright ringing. Vic was quick to serve him, and since I just stood there, unsure of what to do, I let my eyes wander. Whilst racking my eyes over Vic’s body, I caught glimpse of something I was adamant wasn’t there yesterday. As Vic stood there at the coffee machine, I noticed his right hand looked pretty fucked up. It was literally black and blue, inflamed, and cut up to no end. Oh god.

Okay, now my curiosity was going to get the better of me. Without even thinking what I was doing, I walked up to Vic, prodded him lightly in the shoulder as he made the coffee with difficulty, and offered a sympathetic smile (a smile he did not return).

“Hey Vic, is your hand okay?” Mentally, I smacked myself. Of course his hand wasn’t okay. God dammit, I could say some pointless shit sometimes.

“What does it look like to you?” Vic lifted his attention from the coffee and glanced up at me with a vexed expression, his good hand fiddling and struggling with the coffee cup.

“Well, ermm…I-I” My words wouldn’t come out and I was making a complete idiot of myself. “Here, let me help.” Cautiously, I reached my hand out, making an attempt to help him. Without any effort, I put the lid on the coffee and went over to serve the customer. I almost wanted to ask the person to stay in the shop to save any awkwardness, but I knew I couldn't.

"I am able."

Confused, I spun around until I was met with Vic's mahogany orbs. "Excuse me?"

"I said I'm fucking able, and certainly do not need your help." The words were practically snarled and I felt a sting prick my emotions.

"I-I was just trying to be nice because you looked frustrated and your hand and you seemed so angry...I-"

"Shut up! Just shut up Kellin! God, get it into your stupid fucking head that I don't want you or need you. I hate what you are doing to me! Stop helping! Just stop trying! I'm not worth your time; I'm not worth your effort. I don't want you to care for me, or try to be some fucking friend, okay?!" Vic's voice rang in my ears, and he looked shocked at his own words. I don't know how I could even act surprised, it wasn't a shock that Vic had a spiteful streak, but this time, it hurt. It really hurt, and I had no idea why- maybe because his words were so blunt and truthful?

Neither of us did anything. We just stood there, absolutely clueless, staring at each other. Vic still looked surprised but his eyes held a look of sorrow. He literally looked like he was going to break into two.

"I-I'm sorry." He uttered out, his mocha eyes clouding over with what looked like tears, though he let none of them fall.

Before I could reply, he scurried off, near enough running through the store room and out of the door. Any normal person would have let him go. They would have let him go and drown in his guilt, hoping that karma would viciously pick away at him. I on the other hand did the complete opposite and traipsed after him. It's like I couldn't pull myself away, and I just couldn't stay angry at him.
----

'Vic?" My voice was slightly strained as I tried to verbalise my words as softly as I could. "Vic?" I tried again. Still, I got no response.

The sight in front of my eyes was definitely one that could dampen your spirits. On the floor was where Vic sat, his head buried in his hands. It was as if his mind had just snapped, and this was the mess that break left behind. Timidly, I slid down it the floor, my back pressing against the chilled bricks. Without pushing any boundaries, I placed a hand on Vic's bare arm gingerly and shook him as gently as I could. Once again, Vic didn't respond and I was starting to get concerned.

"Vic, c'mon." Lightly, I pulled at his arm once more, trying to get his attention. Thankfully, his stubbornness wore away and he looked at me, an absence of incentive and life lacking in his eyes. My mind couldn’t adjust to his sudden temperament changes- one second he was practically ripping me apart with a look, then the next, he had tears brimming at his lids.

“What happened?” Tentatively, I reached my hand out and traced a bruise on his lower jaw, before resting my hand round the back of his neck.

“I made another pathetic mistake that resulted in someone I love getting hurt. Why do I keep screwing up? It’s no wonder no one wants to be around me- I can’t even act civil enough to make a friend. God, I’m such a fuck up an-”

“You’re not.”

Giving me a perplexed expression, Vic raised an eyebrow and stared at me inquisitively. “What?”

“I said you’re not. You’re not a fuck up. In any way, trust me.”
“And what makes you so sure?”

“Vic, you might come off as a prick, but I think there’s a kind heart under that tough façade you try so desperately try to hide behind. You’re lonely and you need someone. I know that. So please, just let me be there for you.” I moved my face until Vic’s breath tickled my lips. “Please.” My voice trailed off into a whisper and I couldn’t resist brushing my lips against Vic’s gently. The action made the whole of Vic’s arm tense under my soft grasp and I couldn’t help but smile.

As I rested my forehead on Vic’s, I allowed my eyes to flutter close and I brought my hands up to his face and cupped it lightly. “Please.”

And just like that, Vic’s walls came crashing down, even if it was just for a while. He even let me press my lips to his own, allowing me to taste the faint flavour of coffee residing on his tender lips. This kiss was unlike our last; it wasn’t desperate or messy- it felt… different?

Vic moved his lips against mine so slowly- it was as if he was trying to savour every moment. It wasn’t rough either, it was almost sensual? Occasionally, he would lightly nip at my lip, sending little bursts of pleasure to course through me. Even then, he would run his tongue over the slight damage he had caused. Every sense was heightened, so when Vic moved his tongue against my own, I felt surges of electricity bolt through me. I couldn’t help but run my fingers through his hair, pulling lightly at the locks, which made a hushed whimper escape Vic’s lips.

However, that was the thing that seemed to draw us both back into reality, despite how much I wanted to stay lost in that kiss. Vic’s eyes remained closed as he pulled away and nuzzled his nose into my neck- the cold in his breath taunting the sensitive skin just above my collar bone. I wasn’t really sure what he was doing, but I didn’t care in the slightest. That was until my attention was captured by a few simple words formulated in timbre of a whisper.

“Oh Kellin, what are you doing to me?”