Day 17- Foxiyo: Coffee Shop AU

Fox walked into the shop, still feeling groggy from waking up late. He still had plenty of time to make it to his shift at the station, but he'd slept through his alarm all the same, and that was frustrating.

The barista asked him if he was alright as he ordered his regular black coffee. Reluctant to talk, he simply said "Fine," and went to sit down to drink his coffee.

Despite being a little later that day, the people in the shop were mostly the same. Same regular faces of everyday, strangers, yet familiar faces all the same.

Fox sighed and sipped his coffee. He checked the clock on the wall. He didn't need to feel rushed, yet somehow he did anyway. He knew he had plenty of time, yet he was running behind his schedule, and there was the work he hadn't finished yesterday that he needed to...

"Ahem," said a voice to his left.

He jumped and looked over, trying not to spill his coffee. A young woman stood there, a briefcase under her arm, and a look of concern on her face.

"May I help you, ma'am?" Fox asked.

"Well, I was just going to ask if I could sit there across from you," she said gesturing to the seat. "I usually do sit there, and I promise I won't bother you. But I was wondering if you were alright sir; you seem rather spacey, and tired."

Fox continued to stare at her, trying to comprehend what had happened. "I'm too tired for this," he thought.

"Sir?" the woman asked, still visibly concerned.

Fox shook his head and gathered his thoughts together. "Sorry, sorry. Yes, you may sit there. That's not an issue. Sorry. I'm probably going soon anyway. I'm fine."

The woman remained unconvinced, but sat down all the same. She placed her briefcase on the table and took out a computer. She looked across the table at Fox, who quickly broke his gaze and checked the time again.

"My name is Riyo, by the way," the woman said. "Do you often come here?"

Fox looked back over and nodded. "Everyday. I'm running a little later today though. My name is Fox."

He mentally smacked himself. He could at least try to have better sociability. But to be fair, people did not speak to him much.

"Well," Riyo continued. "If you're running late that would explain why you look so tired. Pardon me if I seem forward, but you do seem rather exhausted."

Fox grimaced. "I'll feel better after I've finished the coffee. It happens."

"Doesn't mean it should," Riyo said as she began typing in her computer.

"I'm sorry?" Fox said raising his eyebrows.

"People need to learn how to take care of themselves," she explained. "And people need to learn to take care of others."

"I don't follow..." Fox said as he sipped his coffee.

The woman looked up from her work. "You're pushing yourself and you shouldn't be; it's not healthy. Likely you are doing it because you feel you must because of your work. They aren't taking care of you and in turn you fail to take care of yourself." She turned back to typing on her computer, leaving Fox somewhat speechless.

"Pardon, ma'am?" Fox asked.

"If you need to go I'd hate to keep you. I can tell you are in a bit of a rush," Riyo said. "If I took the time to explain everything, we'd be here too long. But if you come tomorrow I'd be happy to explain more about my stance on this subject. I can come earlier if that works for you better."

Fox stared at her in shock. "Um...I suppose that works. I'll see you tomorrow then?" the man asked as he finished his coffee and stood up.

Riyo smiled and nodded. "Yep."