#thank reddit people who thought the pen he was holding in one doodle was a smoke

[kuro-is-doodlin]

Smoking's bad.

(❗Mention of death)

|You shouldn't smoke..|

You turn your head, exhaling some smoke to the side before looking back at the door to see Isabeau. He's your most loyal customer, you swear he's been here since you started. You know his order by heart now, he rarely ever change, and when he does, he keeps the next one for a while. One day, he didn't came, it made you worry. Turns out he slept all day after a big test. You felt stupid afterwards... You chat for a while some days when it's quiet in the shop, you even got him a nickname..

"Isa... I'm fine. It helps me clear my head."

|It's bad for you, and I know you know it.|

"Come on, I'll be fiiiine. It's not a smoke or two that's gonna mess me up."

|You don't smoke "one or two", Siffrin..|

Wuh Oh. Full name.

|Don't think I didn't notice you've been doing it more. Is there something bothering you? You can tell me-|

"We're in a worker to customer relationship right now, don't try and tell me what to do."

Wait, it got out a bit too harsh, you don't want to hurt him. Maybe you should-

|Oh don't do that to me now. It's been what, a year we've been chatting? I am allowed to be worried for your health. Plus, I see you're not doing well. You don't usually react like that.|

"I know, I'm just..."

|I won't tell anyone.. okay? I promise. You can talk to me Sif.|

He's getting closer. You know he hates the smell of cigarettes, so you sigh and crush it in the ashtray beside you, and sit down. He thank you, and sit next to you.

"It's just... I'm still thinking about that guy I-..."

You take a deep breath in.. and out.

"I didn't mean to.. end his life..."

|It was self defense Sif... It could have been you in his pla-|

"Well maybe it should have!"

|And let him hurt the kid and their babysitter?|

You shut your mouth tight, your hand mindlessly tugging on your sleeve. If they had been hurt.. you couldn't have forgiven yourself.

|I don't know exactly how you feel, but you did what you thought best to protect them, and it worked.|

His hand approaches you, you flinch a little, and look at him. He wait for your approval, before slowly taking yours, stopping your incessant tugging. As always, his palm is warm, a little.. moist. He's not as comfortable with the situation as he seem out to be.

|Now, you know I'm not the kind of person qualified for all those things turning in your head. I can listen to you, care for you, be here to support you, but you need someone who will actually help you go through it.|

"I know... I'm just.."

|Scared?|

"Yeah..."

|It tends to do that at first, but after some time you'll come to find relief going there. That's what it did to me at least.|

"You've gone to therapy ?"

|Mhm, when I was figuring myself out mostly. Helped a lot with unraveling the mess my brain was in.|

"Huh. I-... I might give it a try then.. maybe."

|Promise ?|

"Urgh... Promise."

|Now that's more like it. Proud of you buddy.|

You look at his face. He has that big stupid smile on again. Stars why is he so-

"It's just for you."

You smirk. You know how he reacts by heart. A flinch, and his cheeks get all red as he looks away. Heh.. shy refrigerator.

"Alright, time to get back to work."

|Urgh... I don't want to study anymore...|

"And with a free refill?"

|No need to tell me twice! I'm gonna destroy those questions!|

You let out a small chuckle, and get back inside, your hand leaving his. For now.