Cloud sighed groggily as he made his way into the bustling coffee shop, blinking his dulled cerulean blue eyes behind a pair thick black rimmed glasses as the sudden burst of artificial lighting exploded across his vision. God, could it be any brighter, Cloud groaned as he blinked once more, adjusting to the harsh halogen lighting. "It's too early for this shit." The blonde spat begrudgingly as he made his way to the coffee shop's counter slowly. It was hard enough being a university student but when classes were held at nine in the morning every day, including mandatory practical classes on the weekends, university life was a nightmare. The blonde shook his head as he snarled a little, looking over the same menu boards as he did every morning, being up this early required nourishment and energy. Cloud sighed once more as he rearranged his laptop bag on his shoulder before pulling up both his belts and black skin tight ripped jeans as they began to slip down his hips, continuing his way to the counter, all the while still peering at the menu boards.
"So do you think you'll take up the Psych 101 class for that extra credit, Leon?" Sora asked as he idled about the counter, waiting to serve the customer who stood peering at the menus. The older brunette flicked his gaze over to his younger brother before shrugging. "I'm not too sure, it means I would need to hire someone to work here while I was there." Leon explained, with a soft sigh as he began steaming milk for an order. Sora nodded before looking over to the customer who was still staring lifelessly at the boards. "Hey, Leon. That guy Cloud's here again, do you think he'll order the same as usual?" The small brunette asked animatedly, annoying the taller brunette opposite him who stood hidden behind the coffee machine. "Sora, I don't care. Just take his order and stop talking." Leon murmured, rolling his eyes as he finished making a tall coffee. "Large cappuccino with hazelnut?" Leon called, placing the take away cup on the present counter and languidly went back behind the coffee machine, catching a glimpse of the previously mentioned blonde wander half asleep towards to the counter. His glare softening a little at the sight of the golden spikes, Leon found a small smile creeping onto his usually blank expressionless face as the blonde ordered his usual.
"Hey, I'll have a tall hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. Can you also add extra chocolate powder?" Cloud asked as he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and opening it nonchalantly as the blushing short brunette employee put his order through. The blonde fought not to roll his eyes as he watched the shorter boy fumble with the keys of the cash register like every morning when he placed his order. "I-It's $5.20, sir." The brunette mumbled, averting the taller blonde's blank gaze as he took the exact cash from the silent customer. "Won't be too long, sir! The usual for Cloud!" Sora yelled to the other brunette employee who stood silently behind the coffee machine, busying himself with the previous customer's order. "Won't be too long, sir!" Sora chirped cheerily, having regained his composure as the blonde stalked away and leant against the brown wall, patiently waiting for the older brunette to call his finished order.
As usual, Cloud found himself staring discreetly at the taller brunette as he worked, watching with a near heated gaze as he focused his attention on Leon's hands working quickly as he decorated a chocolate frappe with a thin and sticky looking honey drizzle amongst a heavy swirl of whipped cream before placing it nonchalantly on the present station. Cloud watched as the stoic brunette tossed his head as he tried to flick his long bangs out of his eyes as he continued making orders, calling them out in a commanding tone. "Babycino with marshmallows and a tall latte on skim?" Leon called, near shouting as he hastily placed both the drinks onto a tray for the customer. Cloud sighed softly, content in amusing himself as he waited by delighting in the older brunette smacking the younger brunette upside the head every now and again as he tried to "help" make the coffees. "Just stick to serving, Sora! You've burnt the milk!" Leon shouted as he hit the back of the younger boy's skull. "But Leon! I know how to make the coffees! Just let me show you!" Sora whined as the older boy pushed him back over to the cash register to where another customer was waiting patiently.
"Hey Sora." The customer whispered, a smirk in place on his pale face, aquamarine eyes glinting with mischief. "H-Hey Riku. What cha want?" Sora asked, trying desperately to ignore his heated and very red cheeks. "Large strawberry and cream frappe. You coming to school after your shift?" Riku asked, after placing his order. "Leon, Riku's usual! Yeah, Leon's other employee quit this morning so I had to come in but I finish halfway through first period." Sora explained as he handed the receipt to the older brunette. "You'd think your older brother would hire some reliable people." Riku teased as he played with his own receipt, unknowingly wandering over to stand near the silent blonde.
"Riku? You come here?" Cloud asked, almost incredulously. He was friends with the silver haired teen's older brothers, Sephiroth, Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo as they all attended university together at Garden Campus. Slowly turning to face the blonde, Riku blanched under the curious gaze of the older teen. "Yeah, b-but don't tell my brothers that I'm here, Cloud! I come to see Sora but I have this extra morning class that Seph signed me up for." Riku explained, nervously glancing around for any sight of glinting silver hair other than his own. "Ah, let me guess. This extra morning class is on right now?" Cloud asked, teasing the younger boy. Riku nodded, his usual cockiness gone with the thought of what his older brothers would do if Cloud spilled his secret. "Like I'd tell Seph anything like that anyways. That would mean I have to listen to him bitch and I already listen to Roxas' shit." Cloud groaned, winking at the younger teenager. "Thanks Cloud. I appreciate it." Riku murmured, his tone sincere with gratitude. Cloud nodded in response, flicking his gaze over to peer curiously at the brunette who once again had to yell at the younger brunette to continue serving.
"Do you know Leon?" Riku asked, following the now silent blonde's gaze towards the stoic older man. Breaking his heated gaze, Cloud turned to flick his eyes sharply down at the younger teenager. "No." The blonde confessed, sighing once more. "You know that he's Sora's older brother, right?" The silver haired teen questioned, making idle conversation with the blonde. "Really? So, does that mean Leon kno-" Cloud began to ask before he was interrupted by the younger boy. "Yes, he's friends with Sephiroth. I'm pretty sure he goes to Garden University as well." Riku murmured, frowning as he tried to remember more about the older brunette. Cloud's mouth fell open as Riku alerted him of Leon possibly going to the same school as him and began to shake the younger boy for more information when the brunette himself interrupted their conversation.
"Usual for Cloud?" Leon called as he placed the cup onto the present station, this time however, lingering until the blonde pushed himself off the wall and made his way to the counter, leaving the silver haired teen to wait for his own order. "Thanks once again." Cloud murmured once he reached the counter, taking his mug of hot chocolate and saucer gratefully from the other man. Leon could feel his cheeks heat slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck, only nodding in response to the blonde. "Still not gonna talk? Oh well, there's always tomorrow." Cloud teased as he took his drink and sat down at one of the lower coffee tables, seating himself in a comfy oversized arm chair, leaving a regretful and once again stoic brunette standing in the same position. "You're never gonna get his attention if you don't talk to him, Leon." Sora teased, punching the older brunette's shoulder jokingly. "Shut up and serve the customers, Sora." Leon whispered harshly before stepping behind the coffee machine once again. The younger brunette only laughed as he took his position behind the cash register again.
As Cloud finally got comfortable in the oversized arm chair, he brought his overly decorated hot chocolate to his lips and sipped the decadent drink, relaxing as the warm liquid slipped down his throat. "Oh Gods." Cloud whispered as he went to take another sip of the warm drink when a pair of arms encircled around his neck and cold lips pressed against his cheek. "Cloud, fancy seeing you here." A silvery voice chuckled near the blonde's ear. "What do you want, Kadaj? It's a little too early to be around your maniacal ass." Cloud retorted, continuing to sip his drink lazily. Kadaj pouted as he untangled his arms from around the blonde's neck, slipping his slim frame onto the blonde's lap, careful not to spill both his drink and Cloud's. "I'm meant to be on the lookout for Riku, turns out he doesn't go to his extra classes but I saw that he was drinking this pink drink so I made him buy me one and then I saw you!" Kadaj explained, snuggling closer to the blonde who continued to nonchalantly sip his drink, clearly used to the clingy silver haired teenager on his lap. "Kadaj, stop annoying Cloud." Riku called, frowning as he made his way over with an identical pink drink to his brother's. Swivelling around, Kadaj stared at his younger brother until Riku sat down opposite the two uni students. "Cloud doesn't mind, right Cloud?" The older silver haired boy cooed, turning back to blink big aquamarine eyes at the blonde. Cloud nodded as he took another gulp of his drink, indulging in the silky soft warmth of the smooth drink. Leon really knows how to make a good drink, Cloud thought as he slipped into a heady daze of endorphins.
"Ooo, looks like your boyfriend's cheating on you, Leon." Sora teased as he gestured towards the blonde and Riku's older brother canoodling on an arm chair. Flicking his gaze away from the steaming milk jug, Leon stiffened as he watched the pair flirt harmlessly only to be admonished by the younger silver haired teen. "I'm sure it's okay, that's Riku's older brother. I think they have classes together at Garden." Sora explained, trying to dig himself out of the hole he unintentionally created. "They go to my school?" Leon asked, turning to raise an eyebrow at his younger brother who was now babbling and begging for his forgiveness. Ceasing his theatrics, Sora nodded, wiping away his crocodile tears. "I think Cloud's doing a psychology course with Sephiroth and the triplets are doing forensic science or something morbid." Sora explained, frowning as he tried not to think of what course the triplets were involved in. Leon mulled over this new information as he peeked over the coffee machine to glance at the blonde who continued to flirt with the silver haired man seated on his lap. The older brunette frowned as he watched the blonde laugh as he received multiple kisses from the silver haired boy. "Jealousy really suits you, Leon." Sora murmured, a sly grin dancing upon his lips as he served yet another customer. "Shut up, Sora." Leon mumbled as he returned to hiding behind the coffee machine, silently wishing death on both his younger brother and Riku's.
"Kadaj, stop kissing Cloud." Riku hissed, prodding his older brother's shoulder harshly. Cloud laughed once again as the older silver haired teenager turned to glare at his younger brother. "You should be glad I'm here kissing Cloud and not telling Seph that you're not going to your classes because of a little brunette." Kadaj jeered, turning back to plant his lips on the blonde's cheek again. Ignoring the beginnings of a fist fight between the two, Cloud returned to sipping his now cooler drink, the silky smoothness delighting his tastebuds once more. "Please don't tell Seph, 'Daj." Riku pleaded quietly as he looked over his shoulder to peek at the enthusiastic brunette who was serving another customer. "Fine, fine. I won't. Just stop with the puppy dog eyes." Kadaj grumbled as he pulled his phone out of his pocket to check the time. Finished with his drink, Cloud placed the porcelain cup onto the lone saucer on the coffee table in front of him. "Cloud, it's eight thirty, we should probably get going." Kadaj murmured as he reluctantly removed himself from the blonde's lap. Cloud stretched his legs and nodded silently towards the eccentric silver haired teenager before standing up and following him to the door. "Come again!" Sora yelled as the pair of uni students exited, receiving a small smile and wave from the blonde. "Get back to work!" Leon shouted before smacking the back of the younger brunette's head. Rubbing his head, Sora smiled slyly once more before responding, "You're just jealous because Cloud smiled at me." Leon frowned before smacking his brother once more. "Shut up, Sora."