"Doc, we're out of coffee."

"Ah shoot-" Doc muttered. "I thought we had another day or so before it ran out. I'll buy some more after classes."

"And I drank the last energy drink." Etho sulked when he realized.

"Huh? We still have a few." Doc raised an eyebrow. He opened the fridge, which he was next to, to prove it by waving his hands over the assorted drinks. Actually, a significant portion of the fridge was the drinks, and some leftover takeout, which made Doc quickly reconsider the idea of buying more groceries than he intended. Healthier food would probably do them good too.

"Those are carbonated." Etho deadpanned.

"Oh. Right." Doc frowned. "Do you think you can last a few classes man? We don't have time to run there beforehand."

"Yeah, I can manage."

----

It was a gorgeous day, and Bdubs was a salty, salty man.

Ok, well, to be fair, he had actually cooled down significantly since he last saw Etho, and had mostly ignored that it had ever happened. He wasn't that salty anymore.

Keralis didn't talk about it anymore. Cleo franky didn't care much more than a short quip to Etho's defense (wHO'S SIDE WAS SHE ON, HUH?) and a grumble about throwing away the ruined napkins and cardboard cup holders thingies Bdubs forgot the actual name of (y'know, those things so you don't burn your hands? Cardboard thingies? He should know this, working at a cafe).

Grian had only laughed once after he helped clean up the water and then was explaining it to Scar later on, who only raised an eyebrow and shrugged nonchalantly before the topic was changed- probably about Jellie, Bdubs couldn't remember.

"It's usually about Jellie," He scoffed a little as he thought, but he was smiling nonetheless.

But still, most people didn't seem to care as much as he did, and for an hour or so before class, he dawdled at the idea of him having imagined it all way worse than it was.

"Wouldn't that be hilarious!" He chuckled slightly, letting his thoughts rise to an inaudible whisper, as he swung his legs, dangling over the edge.

"If moi, the most perfect human,-" He mumbled overdramatically, clearly sarcastic, even to himself. "-was going insane and imagined a whole conflict with some white haired stranger who talked to me once- ha!" He had stifled a louder laugh, rolling his eyes to himself as he put the back of his hand on his forehead dramatically.

He fell backwards onto his mattress comfortably, grabbing the pillow next to him to hug as he stared at the ceiling.

"This is all so funny isn't it." He groaned, closing his eyes for a second. He was ready for the day physically(except maybe his hair being ruined by laying on it), but mentally, he was in a different place completely.

The weekend work wasn't that bad, albeit something to get used to since he was doing the extra work to raise tips for the bill. But to be completely fair, the bar was down basically on the ground in terms of customers, thanks to a wonderful, hot, and amazing person named Etho. Who had basically kicked the bar down to hell, if Bdubs was being dramatic, which he usually was.

So the weekend wasn't all bad, but it wasn't all that spectacular either, and even if it wasn't fair, he partially put the blame on Etho for everything that was going wrong.

He was laying in bed, and decided he was thinking too much. The clock said he had to leave. He sighed purposfully, trying to let it all go in one breath as those old yoga videos had repeated to do so many times in highschool.

In and out, and his chest rose and fell, he closed is eyes.

In and out, a second time, more slowly.

Wrinkling his nose, he swung himself up, taking a defeated breath back in and opening his eyes.

It didn't work.

Grabbing his bag and walking past the mirror instead of redoing his hair, he left his apartment.

And now he was here, just walking to class and trying to get his thoughts sorted and organized before he had to focus on real work. Spacing out in class wasn't going to help anything.

He was watching the leaves on the trees fall around him slowly at this point. It was warmer than normal for fall weather, and there wasn't a chance of rain in sight, which made the gentle breath combing through his hair refreshing, instead of an equation for a bad hair day.

Bdubs took a deep breath in, and a slow breath out, letting the fire flicker back to light. Fuck yoga and letting things go, sometimes anger was the best motivator to get shit done.

"If that bastard thinks just because the others don't care that he's off the hook- well he better think again."

"I don't know what i'm gonna do if he shows up again. But it's going to be something."

----

"You're going to the store right now?"

"Yeah. Ren said he has to get stuff too so we're heading over together."

There was a beat of silence as they shuffled around the apartment, sort of doing their own things after classes were over. Doc was counting over ingredients to buy, notebook and pen in hand, while Etho was cleaning up chip bags and clothes off the floor. It was one of the upsides to having a roommate, sharing the workload of keeping up an apartment.

Then Etho spoke up, breaking the silence.

"I think I'm going to go to the coffee shop to get some caffeine."

Doc stopped moving, and looked at Etho. The fridge closed, drawing Etho's attention towards that direction, where Doc was looking at him oddly.

"Do you-" Doc started and then stopped. "Do you want me to go with you? I can stop there before the store. I don't really want to get between you and Bdubs, but if you need-"

"Nah it's ok." Etho shrugged casually, waving him off as he picked up one of Ren's worn hoodies, looking at it weirdly before putting it in the basket anyway.

"He's probably fine now anyways, right?" Etho said hopefully, stifling a yawn and turning away so Doc couldn't see.

Doc chuckled solemnly. "I'm not so sure dude. Bdubs likes to hold a grudge. I would know."

Etho wanted to ask more, but he shook it off. "I won't bring my computer, and if I get a chance I'll say sorry. Maybe then he could forgive me a little? Keralis did."

Doc hummed, "But Keralis and Bdubs are different people. Very different people."

"I wouldn't know." Etho shrugged.

A plan at the back of him mind said he would say sorry if he saw Bdubs, but the more hopeful side just hoped he wasn't there just yet. Maybe he was too tired to apologize anyways. Focusing on words was getting a little harder than it would be normally.

He threw an extra few things into the basket, promising himself to clean them later. Now Etho just had to walk to the coffee shop without falling asleep. Easy enough!

----

"So how was your weekend Bdubs?" Xisuma took a sip of his tea.

"Eh it was fine I guess." Bdubs sighed. "I mean there was this annoying british-sounding kid who knocked over like 3 chairs, and this other one who took like- so many napkins." He made a confused face, shaking his hands in the air a little.

"Do you know how expensive those are? Now that Cleos shown me the recepits for supplies, I swear I feel guilty every time I press to hard with the new pens." He mumbled. Xisuma hummed and nodded.

"And then this realy freaking tall guy kept starting at me, and his friends kinda just said he did that sometimes. Not to mention someone with a bi cape came in, and the cape was cool and all, but it got caught on the door, and a chair, and then they waved it around dramaticaly, which looked cool until it knocked over some strawberry drink. And then G was late, per usual, and I had to clean it up and it was really sticky." Bdubs took a breathe, and Xisuma used the pause to ask a question.

"Why does Grian seem to always be cleaning aways? Isn't that job normally passed around."

"He actually volunteered to be the default cleaner." Bdubs explained, shrugging. "Sometimes he gets bored and makes a few drinks, but he's broken the machine enough to get Mumbo mad at him, and Scar normally takes over the register when he's around, so it's the last avalible thing."

"Hmm, ok." Xisuma took a sip. "Continue ranting."

Bdubs wanted to protest he wasn't "ranting" but decided it wasn't worth it. Xisuma was in speech and debate afterall; arguing against him wasn't advised.

"And orders were slow overall, and I ruined a white shirt- just guess how-" He bitterly laughed. "-and then had to wear one of G's hoodies, because it was that or Cleo's, and I'd like to keep some dignity if I can. Then some annoying kid decided that today, bees are in indoors pets! I know you love then Xisuma, but even you had half a brain to keep a hive outside."

"That indeed I did."

"And this fox guy with a white streak in his hair, he's been here before I think, got dared to see how many cookies he could fit into his mouth?! They got crumbs everywhere, which I also had to clean up. Not to mention they were loud and didn't slow down until they finally left."

"Well that sounds like a shitty day to me." A new voice deadpanned.

"Wha- oh Ex. Didn't know you were here." Bdubs looked up at their face, standing near the door.

Ex hummed. Xisuma sighed. They did this a lot. Entering rooms silently and waiting before mentioning they were there. He was used to it, but annoyed.

"Uh, how long have you been here?" Bdubs asked sheepishly.

"Long enough to figure you have some pent up anger or something."

"Coming from you." Xisuma mumbled, hiding his smirk with his tea cup.

"Well I had a present for you but now-"

"Woah woah what?" Xisuma sat up more quickly, putting the cup down with an amused and confused face.

"What." Ex raised an eyebrow.

"You got me a present? A nice thing? That you did?" Xisuma asked in mock surprise.

"I can still walk to my room! I'm still standing up." Ex exclaimed with a bright smile.

"Aw stop teasing him X." Bdubs chuckled. Xisma stifled a laugh, but stopped anyway.

Ex rolled their eyes and fished out something from a bag.

"Here."

They threw it at X's face, but used to things like this, he caught it pretty easily.

A chocolate bar.

"Hah!" He gasped in delight, "Aw-" Xisuma started, but Ex cut him off.

"Here. You too I guess." They said as they threw a bar at the less-skilled Bdubs, who had it smack into his face before falling into his lap.

"Uh. sorry. I guess." They really did not seem sorry. Even with a slightly annoyed grumble, Bdubs thanked them.

Ex fell onto the empty beanbag across from them, without saying a word. Bdubs was going to mention it, but didn't want to scare them away, so he kept his mouth shut.

"Where's the other one- uh, Keralis?"

"He's with xB, Ren, and Beef." Xisuma answered, ignoring how Ex called him "the other one".

"xB just wanted to tag along for the afternoon, but the other 3 have a cooking class together and decided to try and remake some stuff at home one day a week. They let me sample a crêpe once, it was actually quite good."

"Besides the being around people part, the food sounds nice." Ex mentioned.

"That explains why he was late to work last week." Bdubs said. "But if he doesn't bring me some of that food next time, I'm telling on him." He pouted and crossed his arms dramatically.

Xisuma laughed and Ex snorted, and Bdubs felt a little proud of himself for getting Ex to- well sort of laugh.

"To who?" Xisuma asked

"Cleo, she'll whoop him into shape."

"What if he starts bringing her food and not you?" Ex prompted.

"Me and Doc have a plan to steal food sometime anyway. We'll just set our plan into action!" Bdubs exclaimed triumphanty.

"Good luck on that." Ex snorted.

"If you succeed, I'd implore you to bring some to me as well. That is, if you still want tea afterwarrds."

"Hey!"

"Isn't that Beef guy- uh.." Ex started, and stopped with a frown. "Ah shoot I was gonna make some cool connection there."

"Hmm, what about Beef?" X asked.

"Oh right- I saw him and he waved today." Ex said. "Never talked to him before, but I think he knows you? I saw him with the tall cyborg guy and the guy that made Keralis cry before. They're friends right?"

Bdubs froze.

"Doc and Etho?" Xisuma prompted.

"Yeah them. I dunno. They all seem close I guess." Ex shifted a bit, grabbing a bag of chips from their bag. "You two ever make up by the way?" They asked, directing it at Bdubs.

"What."

"Oh ya know, the Etho guy came here and asked about you. Said you'd be mad at him or something. Sort that out yet?"

Xisuma winced, trying to signal to stop the conversation with a sharp wave if his hand to his own neck. Ex didn't get it.

"I am mad at him."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

----

It was right there. He was right there. The weight pulling him away from the building was much lighter than he expected it to be, but maybe it was the insomnia and caffeine withdrawal keeping him from feeling half of it. Two people walked out chatting happily(and loudly), and held open the door for him.

"Fooly is going to help me with Stats later, you need help with that too Sammy?"

"Nah Stats is fine. History's what's dragging me down already. I swear the teacher picks favorites, and I am not one of those."

"Really? I thought I did pretty good in that class last year."

"Well you were probably her favorite." The tall guy chuckled, "This year Wilbur is her favorite, and there's no way I can beat him with his poems and music stuff. He's like the golden child of the class."

"Tough buddy. But I can help you with the timeline stuff if you need it at least."

"Yes please Ponkie."

Etho felt bad for eavesdropping a bit too much as he walked through, but they were pretty loud, and he didn't bring headphones this time to drown them out. It was probably better that he didn't though.

Inside smelled really good. Coffee, cardamon, cinamon, all of it. And damn did it hit him like a train, even with the mask over his nose. It felt-...  comforting to be back, the warm air on his skin and quiet atmosphere surrounding him, but that probably wouldn't last long if he decided to screw it up again.

Cleo was right there at the counter, and when she caught sight of him, a sympathetic smile found its way onto her lips.

"Hey Cleo." He said, really trying not to yawn.

"Caffeine withdrawal is killing you huh?" She answered almost immediately, not so subtly looking him up and down.

"How could you tell?" He chuckled lightly, not trying to hide the tired look in his eyes.

"You're a fool sometimes Etho." She smiled.

"Yeah, I am."

"So I'll add 10 shots to your drink." She joked, "Anything else in the coffee cup?"

"Medium black coffee, and whether you're joking or not about the shots, at least add three."

"I'm maxing you at two." She said sternly, grabbing a cup next to her and the red marker in a cup.

"Fine."

"No arguing? No fake annoyance?" She raised an eyebrow, pointing the marker at him accusingly. "What type of alien are you and what did you do with my snarky Etho? I feel like he would have told me if he died and you tuned in to replace him."

"I'm an alien that's willing to realize three shots might kick me a bit hard after some withdrawal. I'd prefer not to pass out or something here." Etho chuckled lightly.

"Fair." She said simply, writing his name on one side, before turning it to write everything else on the other side. "I really would prefer not calling another ambulance anyway if you decided to pass out." She muttered.

Eth furrowed his eyebrow slightly, "Another ambulance? What happened?"

He figured she would explain more if she felt like it- she was a pretty straightforward person after all -so he just slid the card through the touchpad without questioning it after Cleo totaled it silently. Her phone rang, and she gave an apologetic smile as she stopped to read who it was.

"Oh shit-" Her eyes went wide. He saw her reread the name over again. He was about to speak before she continued.

"No no it's fine." She told him quickly. "I just have to take this- like, right now. Sorry."

"It's fine, not in a rush this afternoon." Etho shook his head slightly.

"I'll have someone else finish this." She said, putting the cup on the counter near the caffeine machine, "Sorry again, just sit wherever in case they take a while to get out and make it."

He nodded as she gave him one more apologetic smile, before accepting the call and putting it to her ear as she walked to the back room.

Etho turned on his heel, picking the opposite side of the room as last time. Not that it would change anything, but he really didn't want to be there again. Scrolling through his phone while leaning back on the comfortable chair, he relaxed a little. This really wasn't as horrible as he expected.

"This is nice."

----

What the fuck was that guy doing here?

He saw him through the slit of the door as Cleo walked in, talking on the phone. He was just there, sitting on a chair, staring at his stupid phone in his stupid hand with his stupid white hair over his stupid face covered by his stupid m-

"I'm sorry, one second." She apologized sweetly to the person in the phone, stepping between Bdubs gaze at the door effective snapping him out of it. He had just enough time to regster how polite and sugarcoated her tone of voice sounded.

"Wha-... why-.... hUH?" He thought, both at Etho, sitting casually on the couch in the cafe, and at Cleo being sweet and apologetic. "What is going on today? Am I dreaming?"

He pinched himself.

No. Not dreaming.

"Hey Bdubs, I'm really sorry to interupt your break, but I need you to finish the drink on the counter and take over for me." Cleo said to him, holding the phone away from her mouth.

"Uh- yeah sure." He said simply, furrowing his eyebrows and looking at her with a confused stare. She clearly didn't want to explain more with her strained smile so he just got up, passing her as he grabbed his apron on the hook.

"It's about the bill." She whispered quickly, and he froze for a second. She walked away towards the farther end of the room before he could ask anything, and so he continued forwards, through the door to let her finish the call.

"Oh." Was all he thought, slipping into the main room to finish whatever drink Cleo had mentioned. He glanced over at Etho, unmoving, who didn't noice his presence.

With furrowed brows and a small shake of his head, he looked away, choosing to ignore him for now. Etho wasn't worth the time for a thought anyway. "Hmph."

The drink was simple, just a black coffee and some extra shots, and he felt bad that whoever ordered this was probably in a hurry because it was so simple, especially with so much caffeine.

That was, he felt bad until he finished it and yurned it around to read the name in Cleo's handwriting.

'Etho.'

Well that explained more. Why he was here for starters, and why he was waiting silently without standing by the counter. Yeah, Bdubs should have seen that coming. He felt stupid, but had half a thought to consider that he wasn't as stupid as Etho's face was.

"He- he...." Words refused to make sense in his head as he struggled to make an argument to be mad. "He hurt Keralis, and ignored me- well I guess maybe that doesn't matter-, but the sprinklers went off and G had to help clean and it could have ruined all our machinery, and he doesn't care, and he's just back here, and Keralis just forgave him like that with bribery, and mon dieu he just walks in here like nothing happened??!!!"

Bdubs looked around, making sure he didn't say any of that outloud. Etho, who was not wearing headphones this time, had no reaction, and neither did any oft he other customers deep into their work, so he could relax a little.

"He's a paying customer. Fine. He can have some damn coffee."

Knowing he couldn't actually do anything to the coffee itself because of allergins, verbal insults would have to do.

Then he had an idea. One, that just might satisfy his urge to be mean, without actually doing harm in the process. Because he was considerate, unlike Etho, who he would never forgive, ever.

Bdubs took a deep breath, letting the anger he felt flourish as he spoke clearly and confidently, looking directly at his target with a piercing gaze.

"Black Coffee for the Pasty White Haired Guy!" He called out, not hiding the drizzling acid in his voice or the firm frown on his lips.

At first, there wasn't a reaction.

Etho shifted his postion slightly, but didn't look up, probably assuming it was for someone else. Heck, he probably didn't even process the words; He looked pretty spaced out actually. No wonder there were two or something shots in this.

But Bdubs didn't make a second effort to call it out as he stood there, arms folded,

Staring

That

Bastard

Down.

While he simultaneously silently judged him.

"That haircut is so weird. White hair over one eye? Whats the stupid headband even for then?!" Bdubs grumbled under his breath something incoherant, and after another beat of silence, something clicked in that small brain of Etho's, and he looked up towards the counter.

The coffee was facing outwards, enough so Etho could easily read the bright red marker displaying his name.

"Took him long enough."

Awkwardly standing up and waling over with a slightly tilted head and squinting eyes, Etho looked tired and guilty. Mostly tired though.

He made eye contact for a spilt second befoe glancing away, and Bdubs saw movement shift under his mask, but neither spoke a word. He grabbed his coffee, Bdubs had taken a step back -when did he do that?- and Etho turned around towards the door.

The bell was a sound of relief, and excitement, and a smug confidence that told Bdubs he had won. Won what? Nothing. But in the momment, that didn't matter at all.

"HA! Serves him right! He looked so confused!" Bdubs thought in glee.

The backroom door opened behind him and he stiffened.

"What are you so happy about?" She asked suspisously.

"Oh nothing." He couldn't help the smile in his voice. "Just thought of something funny."

"Okaaay..." She drew out doubtfully.

"How did the call go?" He asked, trying to chage the subject a little.

She shook her head slightly. "Not horrible but we have to get the money faster or the interest is going to raise more than we can afford."

"What?! We can already barely afford this! That's not fair."

"It's not, but it's not something I can negotiate either." Cleo combed her hands into her hair pulling it back into a ponytail. Both to calm down and get it out of her face.

"You can finish your break Bdubs, get fresh air or something. I got this covered for an hour or so."

"Nuh uh." He said stubornly. "We're in this together. And Keralis and G too." He looked at her. "Skim more off the top to pay for it quicker, and we can deal with the drawbacks when it comes to them. All of my tips are going to this."

She looked around the cafe, and sighed with a smile.

"Thanks Bdubs."

----

Ok so, that was weird. Right?

He was just getting coffee, and Cleo was there, but had to leave to take a call, and then he heard some nickname, scratch that- insult being called to- nope at him, which might've taken a bit too long to process actually (jeez the withdrawl was hitting him hard.), and Bdubs was there, and he was just watching him grab the coffee silently, and- and.

And ok.

That was it.

Etho didn't actually think Bdubs would be there. It wasn't like he had his schedule memorized or anything, and maybe it was wishful thinking, but he really didn't think Bdubs would be there, no matter what he said to Doc before.

Bdubs still seemed mad, so the idea of him cooling off over the weekend was probably off the table, for now at least.

Etho wasn't sure what to think. He was mostly confused.

"Out of all the insults, white haired pasty guy? Or something like that. That's what he came up with?" Was at the front of his mind. "I mean, there are plenty worse things, but this seems... mundane."

He was standing outside of the cafe, a block or so away as muscle memeory guided him away from the place, before he got his head straight and stopped. He stepped to the side so he wouldn't block traffic, and held the cup in both hands.

He really was too tired to be thinking clearly. He even wanted to apologize back there, but with words scrambing in his head before he could even speak and Bdubs staring him down, the words got caught in his throat the moment he opened his mouth.

He figured he could come back? Try again later? Really, trying to say sorry then would not have gone well one way or another. He was thinking too hard again.

"Time for sweet sweet caffine." He decided.

He actually took a sip of his coffee now, outside in the comfortable cold, and it had cooled to the perfect temperature.

He almost spit it out.

"Oh god that's bitter. That is not sweet." He tried a much more careful sip and stuck his tongue out a little in a weak attempt to stop tasting it.

"When did I get such a sweet tooth?" He sighed, pulling it away from his mouth. He could just dump a handful of sugar in it when he got home, no matter how cold it was.

He started walking again, slipping through people slightly faster than the normal foot traffic as he weaved around cozy couples and running kids to get home faster.

But really, was Bdubs trying to start something? A small rivalry to get back at the spilt coffee? He had called him "Pasty White Haired Guy" and Etho had been to tired and shocked to do anything. But tomorrow, Doc would have gotten coffee, and Etho wouldn't be tired anymore, so....

"Bdubs wants to insult me? Well, two can play at this game."

---------

(4546 words above the line)

Ok ok, some stuff is a bit shaky, but still! Extra long chapter for you guys! And now, because I procrastinated like 3 huge assignments and finals are in less than a week, I am forcing myself to stop writing until I'm totally caught up with it all, or finals are over. Whatever comes first really.

Also, uh, quick question, but if i possibly made a discord esrver, would that be something any of you are interested in?

I would not make it until school is over this year for me, but i think it might be fun! Have a good day or night!! I'm going to suffer through presentations, workouts, state testing, and finals now, and then pass out, bye! (this is 14 pages on google docs!)

My AP bio presentation was due 3 days ago HAHA! Fuck!