Expresso Yourself! [Berwald + Tino + Carmen]

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DON'T GET TOO CLOSE IT'S DARK INSIDE IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS

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“...And so it was so it came out of no where and jerked my line under the boat. I really wasn't expecting my first fish to be some sort of monster, but I held onto my reel. Evidently, there was no slack set in my line and it actually jerked me right out of the boat and under the water! I mean, that sucker stole my rod! I was okay, though now I always hook my foot under the seat so it won't happen again. Have you ever been fishing before Berwald? My dad's a conservation officer so we went out lots when I was growing up.”

Tino wasn't one that let silence last, so most of the duration of the walk was filled with random chatter from the Fin. The conversation was pretty much in Tino's control, as this Berwald character didn't say too much. Aside from feeling like he was babbling nonsense, Tino didn't mind (much). So far, Tino had talked about the weather, which connected to scenery in the chatterbox's mind, leading the topic to his limited knowledge of the layout of London. Tino then mused about how he wasn't used to the big cities because he was from rural Finland. One thing about nature lead to another, and Tino was talking about his first fishing trip. In fact, Tino was so caught up in talking that the yellow cafe caught him off guard when it appeared in his peripherals.

“Oh jeez we're here! Ah okay, why don't w-” Tino stopped in mid-sentence (and mid-stride) before crossing the street, half dumfounded at the innocent looking cafe. However, there was a single change to the appearance of the shop. In the corner of the window was a small little sign, advertising the handwritten words 'NOW HIRING~'

Tino naturally enjoyed his job as an agent. That was never a concern to the blond. However, he was a rookie and therefore wasn't able to take on missions that paid well. Instead, he struggled for money and had to keep up a second job to support himself (being healthy and a diabetic wasn't easy, nor was it cheap). The only available job he could get was at a sketchy pub in the bad part of town. Originally, he was it as an opportunity to eavesdrop on customers, but he hated working at the Gun. He got no intel on anyone and instead smelled like alcohol and ash come 2 am, and he had had several close encounters with butterfly knives and switchblades on his walks home from his late shifts. He wanted out, and if he could get a job elsewhere, he'd take it in a heartbeat.

Thump thump. Tino was applying for that job.

Blinking, the Fin realized that he had stopped without any sort of explanation. He quickly began walking across the street, catching up to the other. “Oops sorry, lost in thought. Why don't you grab a table? I'll be riiiight there!”

As they entered the bright and sunny little stoop, the heavenly aroma of freshly brewed coffee rolled over Tino in waves. He practically shuddered in happiness. Oh how he loved coffee, and Carmen's was no exception. In fact, it was his favourite place to go in all of London, and he was practically bursting at the seams because he had the possibility of working there. Eagerly striding up to the counter, Tino leaned over the polished surface and looked left and right, a wide grin stretching from ear to ear, lighting up his violet eyes with excitement. “Carmen? Carmen are you in today?” As he waited, he quickly grabbed £4 from his pocket and placed it on the surface for the two coffees he was going to order after he interrogated the Spaniard about the job posting in her window.

CODED BY LOGAN

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To be honest, Berwald was a little jealous of Tino's ability to speak so freely, and for such a long period of time, around a stranger no less. Then again, they weren't really strangers anymore were they? His talkative companion had wasted no time in telling what seemed to be his entire life's story. A cozy little home in Finland with loving parents, how London winters could barely be considered “cold” (which Berwald could agree on), how overwhelming London’s size was to him, and then this recent fishing trip story. His companion was going on about everything and nothing, but he spoke with such enthusiasm that it was hard not to get caught up in his energy. As such, Berwald actually told about his life in turn; born and raised in Gamla stan as an only child, how his aunt was a little on the doting side, and how his favorite holiday location was in Skellefteå.

“Dad didn’t like fishin’,” Berwald replied. “Got seasick t'easily. He took me crayfish gatherin’ for kräftskiva –crayfish party. 'Case you were wondering'.” Honestly, ”kräftskiva” sounded much less ridiculous, but not everyone spoke Swedish. As much as Berwald sometimes wished they did, to be rid of one less uncomfortable obstacle if nothing else.

The cafe, painted a bright and vibrant yellow, came into vision, and Tino proclaimed their arrival shortly afterwards. Berwald had taken a couple of steps forward before he realized that Tino wasn’t following, glued to the spot like someone had pressed the pause button. Curiously Berwald tried to see whatever it was the Fin was looking so intently at. With his poor eyesight, however, it was a vain attempt.

”Tino?”

”Oops sorry, lost in thought. Why don't you grab a table? I'll be riiiight there!” Berwald blinked and hoped that his face didn’t look like it was angry or disapproving. He had just gotten on somewhat stable ground with the Fin; he didn’t want to ruin it all because his face seemed to be locked in a perpetual scowl.

He allowed himself to breath easier, and even smile a tiny bit, at the aroma of freshly brewing coffee. It always reminded him of home, of how every morning their house was filled with the scent of coffee while Eirik made some new, foreign breakfast idea that he had heard from a co-worker; something more ”exotic” than smörgås or knäckebröd. As Tino busied himself with calling for the owner of the cafe, Berwald chose an empty table near one of the windows. Were he by himself, he probably would have looked for a spot further away from the other patrons, but this time.. this time he was actually having coffee with someone. He didn't feel compelled to go off by himself. It was a fresh, refreshing feeling, honestly.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GS AND BTN

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It was mostly busy as usual, and the kitchen was no exception. Carmen busied herself with some of the cooking today; it wasn't her turn today for the register out front quite yet. She honestly didn't mind either way, and if one of her employees had a preference, she would most certainly let them have whatever they preferred to be most comfortable with. It was no use to have unhappy employees who dreaded coming to work and groaned about it, and Carmen liked having a positive atmosphere in her cafe. In fact, she was looking for more employees currently, and a cheerful attitude was definitely what she was looking for. It helped to maintain the optimism she much preferred to be around, and the light-heartedness of the cafe was what brought many of the customers to the Three Tomatoes, and what continued bringing them there. Although she ran the place in an easy-going and familial manner, it didn't make Carmen any less of a businesswoman – she knew what would attract customers, and what would drive them away. There was a formula for it all, and she was quite aware of the factors and products of it. She unfortunately had to let go of two employees recently; one had always had a nasty attitude and was beginning to show it to the customers, which Carmen refused to tolerate. She had quickly told her she had needed to straighten up her act, but the girl had merely scowled, flipped her off, and quit. The other was a college student, and had only been temporarily working for her. He sadly had to go, and found a job that would work out much better for him, she was told with a regretful tone. He said he had enjoyed working for her, and everyone had said goodbye and wished each other a good life sweetly. Both had been losses, considering they had both been good, dutiful workers. Of course, they would never be completely replaced seeing as everyone was unique and like a family member to Carmen when they were hired and she worked with them – but it was time to add new members to her ever so growing family. Carmen hummed to herself as she washed her hands, but was interrupted when she heard her name called through the window. “Carmen? Carmen are you in today?” “One moment, por favor!” She called, drying her hands with a few brown paper towels, and she tossed them in the trash as she approached the counter. She was momentarily surprised to see Isabella wasn't at the register, but then remembered she had requested for a short break only five minutes before. Carmen inwardly berated herself for forgetting, and noted how she had recently been becoming a bit more forgetful than usual. Hopefully it would end sooner rather than later. ”Yes– oh, hello, querido~!” Carmen grinned to Tino, leaning forward on the counter. The man was very sweet; he was one of her more frequent customers, bright and very kind, and he he always said thank you. He had a calm temperament, and he usually seemed to be smiling whenever she saw him – it was nice to know there were other optimistic people out there, especially with how pessimistic everyone always seemed to be. ”How can I help you today~? Your usual?”

words: 554 tag: tino, querido <3 notes: awww yeah i was quick for once!!

MADE BY HABBUE OF GS

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DON'T GET TOO CLOSE IT'S DARK INSIDE IT'S WHERE MY DEMONS

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So good o’ Berwald was a Swede? Tino’s lips parted into a grin at the thought. Gamla stan eh? Tino had been there a few times with his folks when he was a child, but that was quite a while ago. Berwald didn’t seem like a city kind of guy, but then again, Tino didn’t know much about him, aside from some small details about his life. Tino had a bad habit of spilling mostly everything about himself with strangers, and he rarely learned a lot about the other in the same conversation. This was heightened by the fact that the man was tight-lipped and that he mumbled when he spoke, but no matter. Tino still smiled and nodded to everything the stoic blond said, even if Tino had to retrace the sentence in his head a few times to figure out what the man had said. The Fin as getting better at it now though, and over the duration of about 15 minutes, he felt like he had mastered the accent of the other and replied almos instantly to any inquiry or comment he made. Tino would have commented on the Swedish crustacean festival, but his thoughts were temporarily derailed by the potential at a new job.
 
His apparent dumbfounded stance warranted attention from Ber, much to Tino's surprise when he snapped out of his daze. Oops. Well, he’d explain later. Kinda. The half story. As much as Tino liked to talk, he had secrets too. He'd just admit that his other job, the one at the Gun, sucked and that this one would be so much better. He'd never reveal his actual job. That was an implied taboo around the SIS building. Being an agent was something he’d take to the grave, despite his loose-lips.
 
Leaning over the counter, Tino hummed and hawed as he waited for service. He heard a familiar voice, English licked with a Spanish tongue from the back room. Tino practically bounced in his soles, his tussled vanilla blond hair flopping across his face. Yesssss she was in! Perfect! Then Tino could ask her about that sign.
 
The Fin waited, beaming and lively as Carmen rounded the corner. She recognized him almost instantly, meeting his smile with a wide grin of her own. She was a cheerful woman, with a rather attractive face framed by thick chocolate locks that were usually pinned back in a bun. She was outgoing, cheerful, and wasn't afraid to strike up a conversation. Tino liked her personality, her politeness, the ambiance of her café, and she made a really good cup of coffee.

”Yes– oh, hello, querido~! How can I help you today~? Your usual?”

"Oh! Um, yes! Double it please! But that's not the reason I wanted to see you!" he said, his eyes dancing with eagerness as he tried not too look too overjoyed. There was a good chance that he woudn't get that job.

"I noticed that you're hiring!" he practically chimed, trying to keep his voice down so that he didn't disrupt the entire warm bubble of the cafe's chatter. Crossing his fingers behind his back, Tino smiled once again, grin stretching from ear to ear.

"I was wondering if I could apply?"

CODED BY LOGAN