My first attempt at Holly Black fanfiction! I hope I do this justice, because Corny and Luis just deserve that much. I do not own anything in this story, except the plot line and this disclaimer. So, yeah… Here it goes.
"Corny! Come out of the closet!" Kaye called from the stairs.
"Where have you been Kaye?" Luis called down to her, a smile in his voice. "He did that forever ago!"
Corny, still digging in the closet for a camera (which should not be hard to find, since he was a genius and kept every electronical device he had in perfect condition and exact order), tossed a shoe out the door. It didn't hit Luis; but then again, he wasn't exactly aiming for it to. A blush, of course, covered his features as he continued on his hunt. After a couple more minutes, he was successful in his hunt for the old camera he had put back together last summer. "Finally," he muttered to himself.
"He found it! And he's coming out of the closet!" Kaye called down to King of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts, Roiben, who awaited us in the little café. A small chuckle was heard from the bottom of the stairs. After six months of preparing, getting the money, decorating, and advertising, little Moon in a Cup had come to its grand opening tonight. Faerie and human alike gathered outside, a hum of excitement and wonder pulsing through the large crowd. The size of this crowd attracted even more, as did the odd name and 'other' news that very few had heard about - the Back Room. It was not a V.I.P. room, or reserved as many may actually think. It was where Luis worked his magic. Er, where he undid other people's magic, actually.
With the protection order still in place and news of Roiben's consort, Kaye, debuting her dream, added to the iron of the surrounding city, many faerie lingered but didn't stay.
Corny and Luis tramped down the stairs hand-in-hand, ready to open the café. Roiben, Luis, Kaye, and Corny stood smiling in front of the counter, menu bright and bold behind them. Corny extended his arm, and snapped the photo. The camera flashed, sending everyone blinking as soon as it was over. After regaining their sight, everyone gathered around the camera. Luis wrapped his arms around Corny's scrawny waist and buried his face in his neck, still smiling. Corny smiled back, placing a protective arm around Luis. Kaye and Roiben just shared a secret smile, their hands intertwined. The group of four readied themselves for Moon in a Cup's grand opening, slipping out the door and addressing the crowd. A hush settled over them as Kaye took her spot in front of the people, her glamour hiding her true identity – to most, at least.
Kaye decided there wouldn't be a long speech, or anything horribly cheesy. So she just smiled and stepped up to the ribbon separating the world from Moon in a Cup. Roiben handed her a gleaming pair of silver scissors with his own smile. Luis and Corny stood beside her, hands clasped at their sides.
"I want to thank you all for coming out here and supporting our dream. Our thanks goes out to all that will visit us here at our little café. We welcome you to Moon in a Cup." Kaye grinned wider, cutting the ribbon with a single snap of the scissors she held.
People crowded into the café, so Roiben and Corny got the machines started. Kaye took the orders and Luis worked he crowd. All four were moving swiftly and constantly. Ruth and Val stumbled in late, fighting the crowd and complimenting them on the decorations and equipment. It had been hard to find items with very little to no iron to fill the place, and even harder to find a building like that. They had managed, using money they had saved and money they had made (literally or not) to buy everything. After all, glamours only worked so well… Civilians were already lining the counters and crowding around the wooden topped tables while others sat on the matching chairs. The pulsing, excited hum was back, and the six kicked it into high gear. Luis occasionally disappeared into the back when a customer whispered something to him or there was a knock at the side door.
At the end of the day, after a few cool tricks, a couple spills, some slips-ups, a lot of tips, and more money than expected later, they were done. Kaye collapsed into a dark purple beanbag next to the faerie tales and some faerie's tales, and sipped at some coffee. Roiben sat next to her, absently playing with her green hair. Val and Ruth dispersed, going to meet Ravus before heading to Val's apartment a few blocks over. Corny locked up the café, and filled two mugs with coffee and smiled at Luis, walking over to him with the cups in hand. Luis stole a light, loving kiss before taking his caffeine-induced drink, leaving Corny lingering for more. Instead of giving in, Luis sat back against the wooden chair, grinning at his lover. Cornelius leaned across the table and kissed him anyways, leaving the tease wanting more.
Even with all the turmoil and torture they had endured, the four friends could end the day with a laugh.
Hope you enjoyed the first installment to my story! I will probably update this once a week to once every two weeks. I have other projects and it will take time, so don't get too upset.