Read From Ashes to Alpha :: no sense of romance

The warm, inviting aroma of freshly ground coffee beans greeted me as I pushed open the door to the quaint little café.

My muscles ached from another grueling day of physical labor, and the weight of exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. But as soon as I stepped inside, the soft hum of chatter and the gentle clinking of cups against saucers seemed to wash away some of the weariness.

Mia was behind the counter, her hands moving with practiced ease as she poured steamed milk into a ceramic mug.

Her dark hair was tied back in a loose braid, and the faintest hint of a smile played on her lips as she looked up and saw me.

Our eyes met, and for a few seconds, the world around us seemed to fade into the background.

"Hey," I said, my voice rough from the day’s labor but softening as I spoke to her.

"Hey, James," she replied, her voice like a soothing melody. "Long day?"

"You could say that," I chuckled, leaning against the counter. "But seeing you makes it all worth it."

She laughed softly, a sound that made my heart skip a beat. "Flatterer. The usual?"

"Please," I nodded, watching as she turned to prepare my drink. The way she moved was almost hypnotic, and I couldn’t help but admire the grace in every motion.

The café was cozy, with soft lighting and the scent of pastries mingling with the coffee. It was a haven, a place where I could forget the outside world, even if just for a little while.

As Mia handed me the steaming cup of coffee, our fingers brushed briefly, sending a jolt of warmth through me. "Careful, it’s hot," she warned, her eyes meeting mine again.

"Thanks," I said, taking a sip. The rich, bold flavor was exactly what I needed. "You always know how to make it perfect."

She smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached her eyes. "It’s the least I can do for my favorite customer."

"Favorite, huh?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Don’t let it go to your head," she shot back, but there was a playful glint in her eyes.

We stood there for a moment, the easy banter between us a comforting constant. The café buzzed with life around us, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of us, sharing a quiet, intimate connection.

As the night deepened, the café grew quieter, the hum of the espresso machine now a distant murmur.

It was moments like these that I cherished the most—simple, uncomplicated, and filled with the promise of something more.

"James," Mia said softly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?" I responded, looking at her.

"Thanks for coming by," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It means a lot."

"Anytime, Mia," I replied, my voice equally soft. "Anytime."

As she walked away, I let out a slow breath, the café’s ambiance wrapped around me again.

Almost.The gentle hum of Mia’s melody floated through the air, soft and soothing, like a lullaby meant just for me.

I leaned back against the wooden chair, letting the sound wash over me.

It was one of those rare moments of peace, where the weight of the world seemed to lift, even if just for a little while.

Mia sat beside me. She was always like this—her mind seemed to wander even when her body was still. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her.

“James,” she said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you think we’ll always be like this?”

I turned to her, my brow furrowing slightly. “Like what?”

“You know,” she gestured vaguely around us, “just… here. In the shadows.”

I reached out, my hand brushing against hers. “No,” I said firmly. “We won’t always be like this. This isn’t our forever, Mia. We’ll find a way out. We’ll build something better.”

She looked at me, her eyes searching mine for something—reassurance, maybe, or hope. I squeezed her hand, hoping to convey the conviction I felt. But then she glanced away, a small, almost imperceptible sigh escaping her lips.

“

Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath, so quietly I almost missed it. “What a blockhead.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Did you just call me a blockhead?”

She froze for a second, then burst into laughter, the sound light and musical. “Maybe,” she admitted, grinning. “You’re so serious all the time, James. Can’t you just… enjoy the moment for once?”

I stared at her, my lips twitching despite myself. “I am enjoying the moment,” I protested. “I’m just… thinking ahead.”

She rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her expression that made my chest tighten.

“James?” She murmured after a while.

“Yeah?”

“Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

She lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that took my breath away.

“Promise me that no matter what happens, we’ll always find our way back to each other. Even if things get hard. Even if the world tries to tear us apart.”

I didn’t hesitate. “I promise,” I said, my voice steady. “No matter what.”

She smiled, a warmth in her eyes that made my heart ache in the best way. “Good. Because I’m holding you to that, blockhead.”

I laughed, pulling her closer. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

And as we sat there, the night wrapping around us like a blanket, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope—a quiet, unshakable belief that no matter what the future held, we’d face it together. And that was enough.