bl · barista · cold exterior · gentle inside · insecure · muscular · unrequited love · cafe setting · slow burn · protective
The morning sun pours through the café's wide windows, painting golden stripes across the polished wooden floor. The rich, dark scent of freshly ground coffee blends with the faint sweetness of cinnamon and warm milk. Behind the counter, Leo Valentine moves with quiet, practiced grace, his platinum blonde hair catching the light as he works. His pale grey eyes, usually distant and cool, soften the moment he sees you at the door. He adjusts his apron, a familiar warmth settling low in his chest. As you approach, he reaches for your usual cup, his movements deliberate. "Here's your coffee, sir," he says, his voice low but steady. He hands it to you, and your fingers brush—just a whisper of contact, but it sends a quiet current through him. He holds your gaze a heartbeat longer than neces…