Darwin couldn’t believe how crowded a coffee shop could be at half past ten in the morning. He grimaced in distaste at the sight of all the strange Halloween-inspired concoctions the other patrons seemed to be enamored by. He liked his coffee black. Sometimes, he would add a little bit of sugar to it, but that was the extent of his adventurous nature when it came to coffee. He scowled when Kellan snickered next to him.

“What?”

Kellan snorted. “You need to lighten up, man. Some people actually enjoy sweet coffee or one of those bright-colored drinks. Not everyone likes their coffee black. Then again, you tend to prefer dark-colored clothing, black coffee, and a black car. In fact, most of the items you own are in shades of gray, navy-blue, dark brown, dark green, or black. I’m beginning to think you have a tortured soul or something.”

Darwin scoffed. “Just because I don’t like neon pink shirts, glaring red pants, or vomit-inducing brilliant green sweaters like you, that doesn’t necessarily imply something is wrong with my soul.”

Kellan smirked. “You should smile more often, man. You’re handsome and very attractive, but your expression can be terrifying most of the time.”

Darwin could feel his heart beating a little faster, and he cleared his throat once or twice before responding. “You ... uh, you think I’m handsome?”

Kellan chortled. “Are you fishing for more compliments? Have you ever peeked at your reflection in the mirror?”

Darwin was about to retort something scathing when he felt someone tapping him on his left shoulder from behind, so he turned back, and his eyes widened a little. “Endy! Uh, fancy seeing you here. What are you doing here?”

“I caught an advertisement through social media that this particular coffee shop would be introducing a new beverage in honor of Halloween this year. I thought I would give it a try.”

“Darwin hates such frivolous beverages or the people who like them,” Kellan whispered at Endymion, but Darwin could hear the entire sentence just fine. He glared at Kellan in irritation, but his partner simply grinned at him in return. “I’m telling the truth.”

“I don’t hate…you know what? Whatever.”

Darwin jumped a little when he felt Endymion’s hand squeezing his left shoulder while Kellan did the same to the other one. He became more excited when the other two men didn’t remove their hands.

“What do you like then?”

Darwin could feel the heat creeping up his cheeks in embarrassment as he answered Endymion’s question. “A cup of black coffee. Maybe I’ll add a little sugar today.”

“How quaint! How adventurous! How thrilling!”

Darwin ignored Kellan’s obviously sarcastic remarks and addressed Endymion instead. “Do you have time to sit with us after we get our coffee? Or do you have to go back home immediately?”

Endymion shrugged. “I have time.”

“Great!” Darwin exclaimed loudly before gritting his teeth in mortification. He really wanted to dig a hole and bury himself. Or at least his head. He was acting like a lovesick teenager. He definitely sounded like one. “I ... I mean, it will be cool to hang out. As friends.”

Endymion stared at Darwin. Meanwhile, Kellan darted his eyes back and forth between Endymion and Darwin.

“D, are you okay? You’re being weird.”

Darwin could detect the heat of embarrassment rushing up his neck and face as he nodded at Kellan. “Of ... of course.”

Fortunately, it was their turn to order, so Darwin approached the counter in a hurry. Kellan and Endymion did the same. Darwin also requested for a few cupcakes, three slices of pies, some sandwiches, and half a dozen donuts. He avoided Kellan’s astounded gaze and Endymion’s startled gasp. He figured the huge amount of food would be a surefire way of making sure Kellan and Endymion would be stuck with him at the coffee shop for as long as possible.