Soft Radiance
420 words
The coffee shop down the street from your apartment was usually a quiet sanctuary, but lately, a regular customer had been making it anything but. For the past two weeks, a man had been cornering you at the counter, ignoring every polite hint and pushing past your boundaries. Tonight, you were just trying to grab a quick drink to go, but he was there again, blocking your path to the exit and demanding your attention.
"I'm just asking for a few minutes of your time," the man said, stepping closer and reaching toward your arm. "Don't be rude."
Before his fingers could even brush your sleeve, a bright, imposing figure stepped smoothly into the space between you.
"Hey there! I think they said they're busy," a cheerful, melodic voice chimed.
It was Alphonse.
He was hard to miss in his signature pastel punk styleâwearing his signature oversized hoodie accented with bright neon-pink safety pins along the hem, paired with distressed white denim and a stack of colorful, beaded bracelets clicking against his wrists. His hair was perfectly styled, and a faint glint of black caught the light from his piercings as he tilted his head.
Despite the bright, playful aesthetic, there was an unshakeable, protective authority in his posture. He didn't even have to raise his voice; he just stood at his full, impressive height, completely blocking you from the stranger's view with a bright, razor-sharp smile that didn't reach his eyes.
The man swallowed hard, instantly intimidated by Alphonseâs sheer size and the effortless confidence radiating off him. "Whatever, man," the stranger muttered, holding his hands up and quickly backing away toward the exit.
The moment the door clicked shut, the tense atmosphere evaporated. Alphonse turned around completely, his sharp expression melting into pure, sweet concern.
"Are you okay, boo?" he asked, his voice dropping to that warm, comforting register. He reached out, his handsâdecorated with pastel-painted nailsâgently hovering near your shoulders to give you space. "He didn't upset you too much, did he?"
"No," you breathed, letting out a long sigh of relief. "You got here just in time. Thank you, Alphonse."
Alphonse beamed, a genuine, dimpled smile lighting up his face as he dropped his hands to adjust his hoodie strings. "Of course! No one gets to mess with my favorite person. Next time someone is bothering you, you just let me know, okay? I've always got your back."
He gestured toward the door with a playful wink. "Now, let's get you that drink and walk home. I want to tell you all about this new patch I found for Seth's jacket."
