So You Two Are Dating?

Side Story (4) - Chapter 4

Raze pushed open the door to the bar, the bell above it chiming softly in the otherwise quiet room. Morning light filtered through the windows, casting warm patches across the empty tables and giving the place a sense of calm that it rarely had. He took a quick look around—sure enough, only a handful of regulars occupied the corners, each nursing a quiet drink, leaving the bar practically empty.

Harlan was already at his usual post behind the counter, wiping down glasses and arranging bottles. His rugged face softened with a hint of surprise when he noticed Raze walking in so early.

"Morning, kid," Harlan greeted, his voice a familiar gravelly tone that matched the well-worn atmosphere of the bar. "Didn't think you'd be around this time of day. Still waking up from last night?"

Raze chuckled, shaking his head as he slid onto a stool at the bar. "Not today," he replied, reaching into his jacket. "Actually, I wanted to stop by for a different reason."

Harlan raised a curious eyebrow, setting the glass down. Raze pulled out a small box and slid it across the counter, his gaze steady but laced with a bit of warmth.

"Happy birthday," Raze said simply, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Didn't think I'd forget, did you?"

Harlan blinked in surprise, his rough exterior momentarily softened by the unexpected gesture. He glanced down at the box, a mix of curiosity and appreciation in his eyes. With a quiet nod, he opened it, revealing the custom flask nestled inside, gleaming softly under the bar lights.

The flask was a perfect fit—sleek, sturdy, with a brushed steel finish. Engraved on the front was a small, understated phrase: "For the stories only you know."

Harlan's face softened further, his usually guarded eyes reflecting a hint of emotion as he took in the engraving. He ran a thumb over the words, chuckling softly before looking back up at Raze.

"Kid, you've got a better memory than I give you credit for," he said, his voice gruff but warm. "Didn't think anyone remembered this old man's birthday, let alone get him something like this."

Raze shrugged, the corners of his mouth lifting in a casual smile. "Figured you'd appreciate it. Consider it a thank-you, too. You've listened to more of my rants than anyone else has."

Harlan let out a quiet chuckle, slipping the flask back into the box with a touch of reverence. "Well, I'll be damned. I'm usually the one giving out the advice, not getting the gifts. Cheers to that," he said, reaching for the bottle of bourbon on the counter and pouring them each a shot.

They lifted their glasses in a silent toast, clinking them together before downing the shots. The warmth of the whiskey settled comfortably between them, filling the quiet with an unspoken camaraderie.

"Thanks, Raze," Harlan murmured, setting his glass down with a satisfied sigh. "This means more than you know."

"Anytime," Raze replied, the sincerity in his voice clear. And as he glanced around the quiet bar, he realized that, just like with his friends, there were a few constants in his life—those who'd been there through thick and thin, even when he hadn't noticed.

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Raze left the bar, pulling his jacket tighter against the brisk morning air. The early sun cast long shadows across the city streets, and despite the chill, there was a certain calmness in the city this morning. He took a few steps, his mind still lingering on the quiet exchange with Harlan, the bartender. Today felt different—lighter somehow. Maybe it was the unexpected connection or simply the reminder of the familiar constants in his life. Whatever it was, he felt… at ease.

As he made his way further into the city, weaving through the streets, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye across the way. A familiar face, one he almost couldn't believe he was seeing here of all places, stood on the sidewalk near a small café.

"Milo?" Raze muttered, his brows lifting in surprise.

Sure enough, Milo stood by the shop's entrance, peering at the menu posted outside the café, hands jammed into the pockets of his oversized hoodie. Raze took a moment, collecting himself before calling out, knowing he had to play this cool. He sauntered over, a smirk settling on his face as he finally called Milo's name.

"Milo! What are you doing here, man?"

Milo turned around, his expression a mixture of surprise and something close to embarrassment. He didn't expect to see Raze here, and for a moment, his usual reserved demeanor faltered. He gave a slight, awkward wave, as if unsure how to greet him.

"Hey, Raze," he muttered, shifting his weight. "Didn't… didn't think I'd run into you here."

"Didn't think you'd actually venture out of your apartment, let alone make it all the way out here to the city." Raze chuckled, keeping his tone light, though the sight of Milo here had him thoroughly intrigued. "What's going on?"

Milo shrugged, glancing away, his gaze darting back to the café menu. "Just… decided to get out for a change. Thought I'd, you know, see what the city's like. Clear my head."

Raze raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the simple answer but respecting the clear boundaries in Milo's tone. "Right. Well, since you're here, why not let me show you around a bit? This place has more to offer than just coffee."

Milo shifted uncomfortably, his hands still buried in his pockets. His gaze darted to the café's door and then back to Raze, who was watching him with a hint of amusement. Milo's mind raced for a response, but his usual easy excuses eluded him. He scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing slightly as he tried to maintain a casual front.

"Well… I, uh… already planned on getting coffee," he mumbled, glancing down the street and trying to keep his voice steady. "And, uh… it's… kind of a… scheduled thing."

Raze's smirk only grew as he took in Milo's uncharacteristic hesitation. "A 'scheduled thing'? Wow, you're really setting up these coffee dates in advance now," he teased, folding his arms and leaning back slightly. "What, did you make a reservation at the coffee counter?"

Milo shot him a nervous glare, the redness in his cheeks deepening. "It's not… it's not a date or anything," he insisted, though his voice wavered just enough to make Raze's eyebrows lift in amusement. "I mean… we're just… meeting here. For coffee."

Raze raised both hands, a grin spreading across his face. "Alright, alright, I won't mess with you," he said, though he didn't look entirely convinced. He took a step back, giving Milo some space. "But you know… if you ever needed advice or anything, I am standing right here," he added, his tone playful but with a hint of sincerity.

Milo shifted his weight, glancing down the street again, the fidgeting clearly giving him away. "It's fine, Raze. I can handle it."

Raze chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "I know you can. Just… make sure you actually let her see the real you, alright?"

Before Milo could respond, a familiar figure appeared at the end of the street. Fayne, with her usual effortless style, was walking toward the café, her gaze set ahead, and a small, almost hidden smile tugging at her lips as she spotted Milo. She wore a soft, cream-colored sweater that draped comfortably over her frame, tucked just enough into a high-waisted plaid skirt in tones of navy and burgundy, which added a bit of classic charm to her look. Over her sweater, a deep navy wool coat was open just enough to reveal the cozy layers underneath, her loose waves catching the breeze in soft, natural waves around her shoulders.

Fayne's pace quickened slightly, her attention locked on Milo, who, despite his shy demeanor, couldn't help but straighten a little as he watched her approach. Fayne hadn't noticed Raze standing beside him yet, but her small, knowing smile hinted that she was excited for this meeting.

Milo shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure how to handle the sudden turn of events, his eyes darting between Raze and Fayne as she drew closer. Raze raised an eyebrow, picking up on Milo's nervous energy.

As Fayne's gaze fell on Raze standing next to Milo, her initial excitement softened into a brief flicker of surprise. She hadn't expected Raze to be here, and the sudden realization made her cheeks flush faintly. For a moment, she looked between Milo and Raze, a touch of nervousness evident in her eyes, as if unsure of how to introduce the situation.

Raze, catching on, decided to play it smooth. He glanced between the two of them with a casual, almost exaggerated nonchalance, pretending not to pick up on the significance of the moment. "Oh, hey, Fayne," he greeted, a warm smile forming as he took in her presence, carefully maintaining an air of innocent curiosity. "Didn't realize you two were… meeting up here."

Fayne's lips pressed into a thin, amused smile, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she could see right through Raze's act. "Yeah, just… thought I'd grab a coffee," she said, trying to sound casual but glancing at Milo as if confirming that he'd be her "coffee buddy" for the morning. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her posture relaxed yet holding an undercurrent of excitement.

Milo, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, finally managed a small smile himself, nodding. "Yeah, figured coffee sounded nice." He tried to sound offhand, but the way he glanced back at Fayne suggested more than casual interest.

Raze chuckled softly, nodding as though he were utterly oblivious. "Well, that sounds like a solid plan," he said, crossing his arms and stepping back a bit, his gaze warm but playful. "I'll let you two… enjoy that coffee, then. Looks like you've got yourselves a pretty good morning lined up."

Fayne's eyes met his, a faint hint of gratitude in her expression. "Thanks, Raze," she replied, her voice quiet but sincere. And as Raze took a step back to let them have their moment, she gave Milo a gentle nudge, as if to say, Alright, we're in this together.

Raze waved them off with an easy smile, his own amusement and support clear in his gaze. As he walked away, he couldn't help but feel a bit of pride, knowing that they were taking this next step together, even if it meant they both had to dance around it a little at first.

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As Raze continued down the street, a small, satisfied smile crept onto his face. So Milo and Fayne were moving forward, huh? Entering the dating stage—it was exciting, and honestly, a little amusing. Raze had picked up on the subtle sparks between them long before either of them seemed to realize it themselves. Watching their dynamic shift, seeing them step into this new territory, filled him with a sense of warmth.

He chuckled softly to himself, knowing he'd have to keep any teasing gentle and subtle. Milo wasn't exactly the type to take a ribbing easily, and Fayne… well, she'd see right through him in a second. Still, the thought of giving them a nudge or two was tempting.

But Raze knew better than to meddle. Some things needed time to develop naturally. Milo and Fayne would figure out what worked best for them, and Raze respected that. Besides, seeing them stumble through it on their own was half the fun. The city buzzed around him as he continued walking, a lightness in his step that wasn't there before.

It felt good, knowing they were all finding their own paths.

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Raze's thoughts drifted as he kept walking, memories flowing like scenes from an old film. The person Fayne had become amazed him—she had changed so much from the girl he'd met back then, piecing herself together on that park bench. Her strength and warmth had deepened, and her reserved nature had transformed into something more self-assured, grounded.

He remembered the quiet conversation they'd had that day. Fayne had been raw, grappling with her thoughts, the hurt fresh from a falling out with Raxian. He had encouraged her then, hoping she'd see the best in Raxian but understanding her hesitation, her need for time. Back then, she was still figuring out who she was outside of her connection with Raxian, working to define herself in her own terms.

And then, of course, he recalled the time he'd run into her at the flower shop. That was when he'd first recognized how much her connection with Raxian had impacted her, even if neither of them admitted it aloud. She was guarded but curious, trying to sort through her feelings. It was in that moment Raze had truly begun to understand the depth of her emotions, the strength she kept hidden behind her calm demeanor.

Now, seeing her here with Milo—seeing her smile as she met up with him—it was obvious that she had come a long way. She wasn't just the girl searching for answers about Raxian anymore; she was Fayne, a friend, and maybe something more to Milo. The thought filled Raze with a strange mix of nostalgia and pride. She had grown into herself, finding her own path, and if anyone deserved that, it was her.

He smiled to himself, letting the memory fade as he refocused on his surroundings. Raze decided he'd keep the teasing light, a small joke here and there—but he'd let her and Milo find their way on their own. After all, watching them grow into something together was more than enough for him.

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Raze's train of thought broke as he spotted a familiar figure ahead, almost like fate had dropped her right in his path. Solace was walking toward him, a notebook tucked under her arm, her usual focused expression softening as she looked up and noticed him. She hadn't seen him yet, but he raised his hand in a casual wave, a small smile tugging at his lips.

She looked up, her eyes brightening as she returned the wave, and soon they fell into step beside each other, her notebook held tightly against her chest. The chill in the air didn't seem to bother her; if anything, it made the small smile that played on her lips even warmer.

"Didn't expect to see you here," she said, her tone light and a bit surprised.

"Funny how today's been full of surprises," Raze replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I was just out… exploring. You coming back from class?"

She nodded, glancing down at her notebook. "Yeah, thought I'd squeeze in some studying before it gets too late. But it's nice to run into you."

They walked in easy silence for a moment, the sounds of the city creating a comforting backdrop. Raze took the opportunity to notice the small details—the way she held her notebook close, the slight flush on her cheeks from the cold. It all felt… peaceful.

"Any plans for the rest of the day?" he asked, keeping his tone casual.

She glanced at him, considering. "Not really. I was just planning on heading home, maybe working on a few things." She paused, her eyes flickering with a hint of something unspoken. "But… I wouldn't mind a change of plans."

Raze caught the subtle invitation in her words, his smile growing a bit. "Well, I think we could work something out," he replied, voice soft yet playful. "Got anywhere in mind, or are you up for a spontaneous detour?"

A faint smile played on her lips as she looked up at him. "Spontaneous sounds perfect."

And just like that, the day unfolded before them, filled with whatever they wanted it to be.