undergrounds | (no subject)

I. CHOCOLATIER DU MONDE - (OPEN)
It didn't take too long for Kyle to find a job in the city. He wasn't entirely sure if this one would last, given that he was hired for a seasonal trial period, but it meant doing something kind of cool and getting paid for it, so he couldn't complain. Working at a gourmet chocolate shop meant giving people things they actually wanted for prices they were already willing to pay. He didn't have to sell anyone on things they didn't want and had the added bonus of rarely dealing with agitated customers.

Of course, with Valentine's Day around the corner, the shop was busier than ever and most of his shifts were spent on his feet helping people. He was mostly grateful that they didn't do deliveries and that every transaction was straightforward and in-store. Plus he'd already been able to sample most of the flavors and could actually able to recommend some. Which is why, when the next customer was up, he immediately offered them a smile and a sample of the dark chocolate orange creme.

"Try this."

II. CAFE - (CLOSED TO ALEX)
Kyle couldn't help but wonder why Alex had asked him out on Valentine's Day. The girl seemed adamant in shutting down every attempt at flirting and diligent about insisting on their inability to ever progress. Which he was fine with if that's what she wanted, but the mixed message was more than a little confusing. There was a part of him that wondered if maybe she was oblivious to the day. Even still, she had to have a reason for asking him out to coffee then. Luckily, his new job at the chocolate shop provided a convenient excuse to bring her a gift without making a big deal out of it.

"Hey," he greeted her with a smile, taking a seat before she could even offer. Kyle set the small golden box in front of her. "Here, I got these for you. I figured you wouldn't like the heart box, so I went simple."

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"I do need to make sure you know!" She keeps her voice down, painfully aware of how public this is. "You don't kiss friends on the lips, Kyle!" Maybe he did, maybe that was perfectly normal in whatever middle-of-nowhere American town he was from. But it was definitely over the line for her. If he'd kissed any other part of her face, it might have been a little intimate but she could still rationalize it as not necessarily romantic. As it was, though, he was making it very difficult for her to keep everything between them platonic.

His frustration transitions into exasperation, more akin to hashing out an old pet peeve than actually being upset. Kyle shakes his head as she speaks, lowering his volume again to match hers. He's less concerned with keeping his dirty laundry of sorts private than he is with making her comfortable.

"I was trying to kiss you on the damn cheek until you moved." Not entirely true, but she doesn't need to know that. It genuinely was meant as a platonic gesture of affection. "Trust me, if I was trying to kiss you, you'd know."

Alex stares at him as he speaks, that same determined look on her face.

"Good," she says once he's done talking. She only wanted to make sure neither of them would end up getting hurt over something that she wants to be fun and easy, and it seems like they're more or less on the same page. Of course, getting on the same page means capping off a really nice morning with annoyance and frustration.

"Good." This time, her voice is a little lighter, trying to let him know that she's willing to let this go if he is. "You... you should go. You shouldn't be late for work."

"Hey," he almost cuts her off, already returning to his lighter and more humorous ways. Kyle's determined not to part in such a mood and his train, according to the overhead display, doesn't arrive for another three minutes anyway. Instead, he chooses to use his time wisely.

Or stupidly. Depends on how you look at it. His lips curve into a mischievous grin and he leans ever so slightly closer to her. "I know what you're thinking."

When Kyle leans in, Alex leans back, momentarily panicking at the thought that he hadn't listened to her at all and is trying to kiss her again. She quickly realizes that's not what he's doing and leans forward again, frowning at him almost defiantly. "That you're an idiot who's going to lose his job?"

"You're wondering if you should kiss me goodbye." His intentionally obnoxious smirk broadens, completely teasing her. Kyle straightens, taking a half step away from her. "But it's okay, I'll save you the agony of deciding. I have a train to catch."

He jabs a thumb over his shoulder to the empty track where the sound of a train approaching finally echoes through the halls. He's not the smartest, but he's hyper vigilant and strategic. Both of which play to his advantage here. "Bye, Alex."

Alex can't help rolling her eyes. She told him not to kiss her only seconds ago, and now he's behaving like this. Unfortunately, it's kind of working. She glares at him as he moves towards his train, hating how nice his smile is.

"Bye," she echoes, tense and very serious, her fists clenching by her sides. She stares at him for another moment before turning and walking out of the station.