–{✶}–

   “You.......are really tall.”

      Man, did he REALLY have to prepare himself for that one; the blond’s chest puffed out and chin held high, mouth twisted into a flat frown when observing the stranger a whole foot taller than himself. It takes but a handful of seconds after he’d spoke to recognize his mistake, and that confidence bleeds away to leave the younger to deflate. Oh no.

   “I--...uh--...I mean, you’re pretty tall! I mean--no, you’re not that tall--no, you are, but, oh shit. Please stop me. It’s happening, word vomit, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, oh my God--”

Almost 3 in the morning. The door was already locked, and she was almost done putting the chairs on the tables so she could sweep the floor and close everything to sleep. The hybrid took a deep breath, incredibly happy that tonight’s shift was already over.  Normally the Santa Madre bar wasn’t a place that changed too much, especially visually, but it was almost impossible to miss the silhouette covering the front door, which called her attention as soon as she began to work on the floor.

With the first couple of knocks, she cautiously made her way to the door and unlocked it, immediately facing a wide chest at her eye level. “Uh...” It took a second for her to look up at the man and make eye contact. “The place’s closed for tonight, mister... M’afraid yer gonna have to look for another place to drink.”

Suddenly, the sound of heavy rain was quickly making its way towards both of them, and with the first couple of drops, she acted on the impulse to give a helping hand and opening the door further to let the hulking stranger walk inside.

“Oh... okay, c-come on in! Yer gonna get soaked in this rain.“ She quickly burst out, opening the door and gently pushing him by the back so he could enter. Was this really okay? The boss wasn’t in the building tonight, and Louis and your other coworkers were already sleeping or home. She was alone to deal with them.