(C) The Thinker-

When Colin got home that night slightly exhausted, yet really tired. He went right to the bed and fell soon asleep. Colin woke up to a sun light shining right into his face trough his large windows. He rolled over to his other side and tried to continue sleeping. But that ray of light had woke him up enough, and thoughts of the dream he just had started to flow in his mind. He didn't remember the details, but he was sure that Jared had been there. Colin realized that he was smiling. He pushed that thought aside and rubbed his face and yawned, his hand stroking trough his messy hair. He exhaled heavily and stood up and glanced the alarm clock on the bed side table. It was too soon in Colin's mind. He grabbed a bathrobe tossing it to his shoulder, walking to kitchen he loaded the coffee machine and pressed it on. The coffee would be ready when he'd be out of the shower. He trudged to bathroom and went to shower. Cold water felt good and refreshing on morning, he washed his body and hair quickly. As he stepped out he looked to the mirror, nah he wouldn't have to shave. The stubble wasn't bad, besides he had shaved yesterday! He dressed in the bathrobe and slippers, he ruffled his hair so extra water would drip off and they would dry faster. When he opened the bathrooms door and walked the hallway towards kitchen a fresh coffees smell was flowing there, Colin whiffed the air pleased.
Kitchen was bathing in sunlight, Colin looked to the small balcony. His eternal dilemma on mornings, should he go out for a smoke or not since he had just have a shower. After pondering a while he grabbed his long jacket from chairs back rest and went out. Almost closing the door behind him he started to rummage his pockets for smokes and lighter. "Aww c'mon they can't be over already. I would remember that." he muttered alone, finally finding the pack from his breast pocket. Well there wasn't many left, he frowned to the crumpled and almost empty pack. Even the cigarettes were barely in shape. He found lighter from other pocket and while taking it out a folded paper fell out. Colin lit the smoke and placed the lighter onto a patio table next to him. He bent over to pick the paper from ground, and slumped onto the chair close to him he folded the paper open. Ah yes, it was the posted Jared had gave him. Colin eyed it and slowly inhaled from his cig. Apparently it was some sort of night for rookie musics to play. There were several names on the poster, Colin spotted Jared's name among them. He wasn't sure if he should go or not, it could give some wrong image of him. But then again if he didn't go, would it be rude? And Colin really was kind of curious to hear what kind of music Jared played. Now all those times that Colin had seen Jared scribble in his notebook made sense.  Colin took long breath from the cig tilting his head back and letting the smoke out, he even managed to do few smoke rings. "What the hell, I'll go. I have nothing to lose." He thought. Then he started to think, and looked the date. "Oh fuck no!" he had a shift on that day. Maybe he could switch it to some other day. "Great, now I need to go to work on my day off" Colin sighed. He finished his cigarette and went inside. He attached the posted on his fridge's door with a magnet. "Now finally that coffee" Colin talked to himself, taking a large cup from cupboard and filling it with coffee.

     It was pretty chilly outside when Colin was walking to the bar, he took last turn around the corner and entered in. He automatically took a glance at the table where Jared usually sat, and for his surprise he was sitting there today too. Jared looked to the door when Colin entered, they smiled to each other. But Colin walked by him and headed to the counter, thank god his friend Jeremy was working. "Oh, Colin hi!" Jeremy greeted "I thought it was your day off today" he continued. "Yeah, it is. And kind of about that, could I have day off on Saturday. I know I'm supposed to be working, but could I have it off? Please?" Colin smiled to his co-worker, raising his eyebrows. "Are you serious?" Jeremy asked, looking at Colin trying to see if he was kidding. "Please, Jer? I uh kinda of have this one thing...heh?" Colin tried to beg his friend. Jeremy didn't look amused at all and when he started to say something Colin quickly continued "I'll cover one of your shifts up! Seriously, just this once. You know me, I keep my promises. Please." He finished crossing his hands together. Jeremy sighed loudly looking into Colin's eyes "Fine. But just this once. You owe me big time!" he agreed, pointing at Colin with his index finger. "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you~" "Yeah, yeah. Now calm down. So what's on Saturday?" Jeremy pried. "I told you, a thing" Colin tried to avoid answering. "I want to know and you're almost obligated to tell me.  Since I'm doing your shift that day. So spit it out." Jeremy wasn't giving up. Colin sighed and rolled his eyes "Well, I'm going to this one club." "aha?" it was Jeremy's cue to continue "And uh... This one guy is playing there. Happy now?" "What guy?" Jeremy was genuinely surprised. "So, can I have a beer now?" Colin tried to change the subject, "No. What guy?". Colin frowned "Well, some guy who.. ... plays. Dude, give me a beer before I come and help myself out." Colin could see that Jeremy wasn't satisfied of his answer, but poured beer for him. "Well you'll tell me after Saturday. Okay?" It really wasn't a question, it was statement. Colin just nodded and took the beer.
Colin walked next to Jared's table "Hey. Is that seat taken?" he asked pointing to chair on opposite side of Jared. "No, it's uh totally free" Jared replied. Colin sat down. "I assume you're not working today?" Jared tried to make up conversation. "Yeah, I'm having a free day." Colin replied and took a gulp of his beer. Jared nodded, he was playing with his pen. "Hey, about the gig you're having. I'll think I can make it. What time it is? I tried to look from the poster, but it was pretty messy." Colin tried to sound careless, even thought he was curious. He noticed that Jared was biting his lower lip, he looked kind of cute. Colin had to look away , he took another swig at his beer and looked to the counter where Jer was looking back at him. "Well uh, it starts already when the club opens. But I won't be playing until later on evening. I guess like, after seven or so. It's really not like set in stone." Jared replied with a smile. "Okay, I'll be there then." Colin returned the smile "So what are you playing?" he continued. "Guitar, acoustic." Jared took a sip from his coffee. Colin chatted with Jared and before he even noticed he had finished his beer. "I'm getting new one, want something? A new coffee perhaps?" Colin asked little unsure if it was too friendly. "Umh, I think I'll take beer. It's kind of late for coffee." Jared smiled shortly. Colin grinned and left to the counter. He opened his mouth to place order, but Jeremy was faster "Is that your new mystery guy?", Colin shut his mouth and glanced at Jeremy "...no." he denied. Even he wouldn't believe that. "I'll take two beers, thanks" "Oh! So it is!" Jeremy  determined and poured the beers for Colin at the same time. "I've been seeing that guy here pretty often." Jeremy continued, Colin thought that it would be better to stay silent and let Jeremy to do his own deductions. "Does he have a crush on you? I think he has. I mean it's kind of obvious, right?" Jeremy paused for Colin to say something, but he didn't. "Wait, do YOU have a crush on him?" Now there was a little judging and worrying mixed in Jeremy's tone. Colin shrugged "I don't know, what if I did?". Jeremy squinted his eyes "no, It's uh.. Really? Well umh.. It's cool, I guess?" He babbled and then handing the beers to Colin who walked back to table. Colin and Jared chatted the whole evening there and finally both headed home. While walking home Colin was thinking his feelings, he tried to deny the idea of being gay. He couldn't possibly have a crush on Jared, it was just not happening. But then again, he did feel something for Jared. It wasn't same that he felt with his friends, because Jared gave him butterflies. With those thoughts he went to sleep.

Hunt-

(J) It had been few days since Jared had popped in first time at the bar where Colin was working. Just before entering the place Jared crossed his fingers and hoped that the same guy was working there, as he stepped inside his eyes searched the place and with his luck found him right behind the counter. A wide smile appeared on his face as he proceed to walk towards counter on the line, there wasn't many people before him. As his turn came he was still smiling pretty widely. Colin looked at him "Hi. What can I get you?" he sounded so monotonic. Like he didn't even remember him, just as Jared had feared "uh, coffee black" he replied quietly, almost mumbling. "What?", apparently it had been too quiet. Jared coughed and repeated himself and looked Colin, hoping he'd gestured somehow that he'd remember him. Colin served Jared's drink and charged it. Jared smiled and politely thanked Colin and went to sit in free table near window. He rummaged his notebook that had seen better days out from his satchel. He took one of his many rubber bands from his wrist and tied his hair back on a tiny bun. After that he started to write in his notebook different rhymes and lyrics for his possible new songs.

          (C) Colin noticed when Jared came in to the bar.  He had to focus on the customers he was serving and drop the stupid thoughts! He wasn't falling for some random guy. "Play it cool Colin." he chanted in his head. And there he was in front of him ready to order. "I bet he takes coffee" Colin thought "Quick! Say something, you're the bartender for fuck's sake!". Colin asked what the guy wanted, his lips were moving but Colin couldn't hear a thing because his concentration were on Jared's bright blue eyes. Colin had to ask again, since he couldn't catch it on first try. "What a rookie mistake!" a tiny voice snarled in his head. This time he heard what it was and he poured the coffee in cup and handed it to Jared. Colin smiled to the guy, but just a hint of too late. He already had left the counter, leaving a lousy tip again, but Colin didn't mind. Now he had to concentrate on other customers wanting to order, but he tried his best to sneak a glance to this guy. Multitasking wasn't his best quality and the old woman on the counter had to snap him back into reality, "Hey where's that martini with a twist I ordered?" she demanded. "Sorry, coming right up!" Colin responded with an awkward smile and started to make her drink. He took a quick look on the window table and noticed that Jared had tied his hair up "It looks nice" Colin thought. He tried his best to not stare at the guy and pay attention to his work now. Otherwise he wouldn't get any tips today at all!

          Jared didn't even notice time passing by so fast when he was concentrating on his writing. He had finished his coffee while back, the end of had been cold. Colin was collecting empty cups and glasses from table and went to pick Jared's as well. When he reached the table and grabbed the cup, Jared's intense gaze from the notebook rose "Hey!" he yelped, Colin twitched a little he wasn't waiting that. Colin turned to see Jared's face "Yeah?", "I was going to get another cup.. of coffee." Jared said and subtly pointed the cup. "Oh" Colin raised his eyebrows in surprise "Black?" he quickly added to it. "Yeah. Thanks." Jared smiled to him, Colin returned the smile and went to fill Jared's cup. At the same time Jared dug his pockets to find his money to pay the coffee. Colin was back at the table and put down the coffee onto the table, Jared was already handing the money for him. "The extra cup is free." Colin stopped him, with a little smirk on his face. "It is?" now it was Jared's turn to be surprised, Colin just nodded. "How about the third one?" Jared jested, Colin uttered a laugh "We'll see." he turned away and walked back to the counter where few customers were already waiting to get served. Jared took his cup and raised it onto his lips, hiding a smile behind it and looking to that handsome guy and finally taking a sip from the cup. Suddenly Colin looked back at him catching him looking at him, both gave a little awkward smile to each other and then got back to what they were doing. Jared tried to make few more rhymes, but only was able to draw tiny hearts on the marginals. Colin was smiling to himself, he was feeling good. The extra cup really wasn't free, he was just being nice to that guy. Inside he was hoping that he'd come here again.

          Jared stayed at the bar still for a while, trying to rhyme. But it didn't went well. He finally finished his coffee in irritation and packed his stuff back in the satchel. He took a last glance at the counter, Colin wasn't there. Jared sighed quietly, but headed left. As he stepped out he pulled a cigarette out from his pocket, and patted his pocket to locate the lighter. "Oh man, did I left it home?" he thought is slight panic, "You need a light?" familiar voice asked. Jared look up to see that Colin was standing there having a smoke. Jared had just located his lighter in one of his pockets, but instead of using it he replied to Colin with a tiny smile "Sure" it was almost just a breath trough his lips. He took few steps towards to Colin, who was holding the lighter so Jared could light his cigarette. "Thanks, I'm Jared by the way." Jared said carelessly while taking few inhales from his cig and trying to make eye contact him. "Colin" he presented himself looking into Jared's eyes, "Man they are blue" he thought and took last inhales from his cig before stumping it onto ashtray. Colin slowly started to walk away back to the bar, but turned around "So, see ya around, I guess."  he said hint of asking in his tone. "Most likely" Jared replied with a nod and waved his hand for bye, he as well started to head away, making his his way home.

           (J) After that day Jared started to go in that bar few times a week. Trying to deepen his relationship in Colin and courage to ask him out. Few times he had taken some of friends with him and had a longer night in there, drinking and socializing. But most of the times he was there, sitting on 'his table' as he liked to think of it, drinking coffee, sometimes even spiked and writing lyrics. Few times Colin had joined in his company for a brief moment when the business was slow. Still Jared didn't know much about Colin, they had quite platonic relationship. It had been over a month now and Jared's patience was running out. He had finally figured a way to ask Colin out!
     Next time Jared went there it was pretty late already. He drank few beers during that night. Colin was starting to close down. Jared took last sips form his beer finishing it, walked to the counter where Colin was and placed his empty glass to in front of him. "Enjoyed it?" Colin smirked, "Oh yes" Jared smiled back to him  and dug a creased poster out of his satchel.  "Umh, I'm playing in this club this weekend. I mean if you'd like to come. It's totally free." Jared mumbled little shy, handing the posted to Colin. Who took it, little surprised Jared being so bold. Then again it could've been just a nice friendly gesture.

(J) The Dreamer-

Jared turned to take a last look at the bartender before going out from the door. He bit his lower lip gently and tried not to smile. He blew onto his coffee so it would cool down faster. Walking down the street mindlessly Jared noticed that his thoughts went to that guy over and over again. Thinking about his dark brown eyes, small stubble and short dark hair. Smile rose to his lips unwillingly. He tried to shook those thoughts off by drinking coffee and trying to focus more on the walk it self. After again catching himself thinking of this guy he tried to reason that there's no point in thinking about him, he didn't even know his name and he so not was going to crush on him. "I mean please, Jared are you kidding yourself! You only went to pick a cup of coffee, and he wasn't even particularly nice towards me. And you've seen better looking guys, so what's the big deal? You'll probably forget him by tomorrow, and he sure wont remember me." Jared's thoughts rambled in his mind loudly, but on the outside just a quiet sigh came out. He had came to his front door, surprisingly fast. Grunting to the empty cup he took his keys from the back pocket of his tight jeans and opening the door to his dark and empty apartment. "I'm home!" Jared yelled to the emptiness closing front door behind him and tossing his keys to the side table next to it. He headed right to bedroom and slumped to bed, all clothes still on. He laid there in the dark for few minutes before searching the light switch on bedside table and turning a light on. Low displeased grunt left from his lips as the light hit him in the face. Squinting his eyes in the now lighted room he got up to sit on the edge of his bed, realizing he was still holding the coffee cup on his hand. He crumpled the cup and tossed it in the dustbin on the corner of the room, it landed right in. Jared kicked his shoes off and tugged his shirt and jeans off as well, leaving nothing on but briefs.  He tossed the clothes on chair that was near. Yawning and rubbing his eyes he let his body to fall back onto the bed, he was really tired. Even too tired to wash his make up off. As he crawled under the blanket and curled up to a nice position and already to fall asleep he remembered that he hadn't gave food to Mr.Snuggles, he would have to get up. The kitchen never had seemed to be so far away before, wandering his way there and thinking where the hell his cat was hiding this time. Usually she was always waiting for him to get home. Jared took a sachet of kitty food from the cabinet, emptied it to the food bowl and tinkled it so Snuggles would hear it. No nothing. Weird. Jared started to return to his bedroom and walked pass the bathroom, oops he had forgot to leave the door open in rush. He cracked the door open and Snuggles scuttled out of there to the kitchen. No wonder he hadn't seen the cat around. Now he could go to bed and have some sleep. Finally.
When Jared woke up the next day, it was already afternoon. He had kicked the blanket to the floor apparently in his sleep, since it wasn't on the bed. Mr.Snuggles was sleeping on the pillow next to his head, Jared reached to pet her. The cat woke up to the touch and took a better position on the pillow. Jared yawned and stretched his limbs exhaling heavily when resting his arms on top of his bare chest. He was thinking about the dream he had last night, even there had been the good looking guy from last night. He was smiling again when thinking about him, Jared tilted his head back and looked onto Snuggles's back "Should I do something about this whole thing?" he asked from the cat, as if it would answer to him. "Maybe I'll just go there again. What do you think? mmmh" he continued his partly self encouragement speech to the cat and scratched her gently. After the cat ran off Jared got up and sat there for a while thinking of what he really should do, but only ended up burying his head onto his hands in frustration. Still he had decided that something must be done!

(C) First Meeting-

Colin was working a night shift on the bar, serving customers after another. The job wasn't giving much challenge and he was just bored. Every once in a while someone ordered something special or stayed for a quick chitchat, other than that it was boring. Today was awfully quiet day, and it was almost closing time and he was last worker left. He was wiping tables when he heard voice, "Hey. Are you guys still open?" there was young dark haired guy standing behind him. "Well, I'm just closing up, but sure what ever." Colin walked behind the counter "So what can I get you?" he asked, you could hear from his voice that he was tired. "Do you have coffee?", Colin nodded "To go?", "yeah, no milk or sugar." he added before Colin could ask. Colin smiled to him, and poured coffee in the cardboard cup and handed it to the guy. "The lids are there" Colin pointed to a small counter. "Okay, thanks. You guys are like the only place open anymore at this hour." he smiled, paid the coffee and left. Colin watched him walk out. The guy didn't even leave a proper tip for him.