TW: mentions of Abuse, Trauma, Gang Violence, Smut, etc

it was another day at the Thanks-a-Latte coffee shop. A small quaint area in the town of Langley Falls. The population less than 70k. Langley was known for the towns people and more importantly their Mayor, Julian Thorn, the father of Baylee. Julian became mayor of this city when he was about 35 and has just been re-elected for this term, so Langley was celebrating over his victory. Upon the celebration, thank-a-latte was doing a sale buy 1 coffee get a snack for free. There’s where Baylee was rightnow. The fair skinned women working behind the counters with her black hair tie in a messy bun wearing a black visor and blue apron over herself. The coffee shop was packed with costumers. Not only was the only coffee shop in town but it was fairly popular thanks to the Mayors daughter who worked there part time. Having that caught and drew a lot of people into the shop. It was a blessing and curse. As the town was celebrating a parade happening down the street caught Baylee’s attention almost spilling a coffee as she yelp quietly catching it before it fell and putting it on the counter “sorry about the Johnny” she awkwardly spoke her bright blue eyes glistening in the sun as Johnny stared at her in an awe and chuckled picking up his coffee and snack “no worry sugar.” hed wink as he go take a seat. Yup.. this was Baylee’s life.. getting hit on now and then by men who wanted her attention for bad intentions or good? Who knows Baylee never gave it to them. She knew as the mayoral daughter there would be plently after her.. so when you walked into the coffee shop. You slightly caught my attention. I’ve never seen someone like you before here in this small town.. after-all usually locals came here so I knew all the faces but yours she’d shrug it off thinking nothing much of it, perhaps a visitor stopping by? A new comer who knew. As she’d step up to the register and spoke “can I take your order” looking at the man @Blue Jelly fish🪼

James had just moved in to a house that was your normal residence. It was a grey house with a white roof. The yard was nice and clean with a tree that shaded most of the yard. The house had a garage and a front porch. It was a normal home that looked like a fmaily should live there. But instead it was James. A 6’5” man who had tattoos and a few ear piercings. His hair was shaggy and seemed to always covered his eyes. James seemed to be hiding his face always now. The history behind this new man in town was one that no one knew about. He was running and hiding. He was a old mafia boss. His body covered with the scars that showed this history. James had changed everything he could about himself. He had left that life behind him. So he moved to this small town. To this house that is smaller than he ever knew a house could be. James had been moving everything in and decided to take a break and walk into the town center. Today seemed to be a celebration and James jsut tried to move along the street. He didn’t know a lot of the town but he did see a coffee shop. “A coffee sounds good..” he hums to himself as he moves and walks in to the shop. He looks a round and sighs softly as he read the menu. Once he was ready he walked up to the women. she is pretty.. he thinks to himself before saying “um..can i get a black coffee..” he smiles alittle. His hair coving his eyes more as he tilts his head down to hide his face. James had a large scar on his lip and didnt want to scare anyone. He would hand out a 50 dollar bill. “Keep the change…it is a celebration right?’ He smiles alitt

23:03

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Shed look to the man who approached the counter getting a good look at his physical appearance, the way his hair covered his eyes, to the scar on his lip. She’d then look up the man was huge— tall huge and with piercing. Definitely someone she never seen before as Baylee smiled and playfully giggled “Black coffee coming right up” she say “2.13” she spoke waiting for his payment as he took out and $50 Baylee grabbed it ready to break the change until he said to keep it, her eyes widen slightly “s-sir I can’t keep it Heh.. that’s very generous of you but I’d feel bad” she try to give it back as he then said it a celebration Baylee sighed “Err— fine.. t-thank you” she humbly spoke as she’d quickly brew a hot black coffee for him and handed it to him “I never seen you around here, are you new? If so welcome to Langley!” she spoke bubbly with a cheeky grin looking to James all innocently as she’d held a hand out “my names Baylee it’s a pleasure to meet you!” @Blue Jelly fish🪼

James smiles and looks Baylee. His eyes were hidden as he nods “yeah..i..i just moved in..” he says softly as he moves to the side and looks at the women. She was pretty. But James wouldn’t hit on her. He didnt know if she was comfortable with that. “I honestly dont know what is going on…i..” he looks slightly up at her. Hsi eyes finally showing. They were brown and dark as he smiles “James…James harrow..” he says sfotly as if he wanted that name just to be with them. He hides his eyes again as he leans against the wall as he waited for his coffee. “What..waht is the celebration about?” He asks softly. He didnt know what was going on and he felt alittle embarrassed. James wore a simple shirt and jeans. They were dirty with the show of his struggles of moving in. He wore a blue over coat the shirt and it was just a nice simple outfit. He was tall and muscular. His jaw line was shape and he just looked like he took care of himself. He looks at her and smiles “it is nice to meet you as well..you are the first person here to say welcome..” he says softly as he smiles. His sleeves of his shirt covered the most of his tattoos. However the ones on his neck could be seen poking out of his shirt collar. He would wait till his coffee would be ready before taking the coffee and smiles at baylee. “Have a great day baylee..maybe i will see you around.” He smiles and moves to the door before walking out and down the street and back to his house. He couldn’t get the women out of his mind. He sighs and shakes his head. “You cant…you cant get attached..” he says softly as he goes back to moving in to his house and making sure everything was set up. A dog sat on the pouch as James sits down and looks at the coffee cup. He smiles and just rubs the cup. The dog whines softly and James pets the dog. “Oh Ben…dont worry i love you too..” he giggles and sighs softly

13:04

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Baylee smiles now as she spoke “well welcome to little old Langley” she’d had a bright smile, the one that was contagious as she looked at the man “o-oh the celebration is for the mayor, he got re-elected and the town is celebrating” she chimed answering his question not bothering to say the mayor was her father as she figured it was irrelevant. As he looked slightly up to her she saw his brown eyes as her blue eyes lite up like fireworks she once more chime “the celebration is just something the town does whenever we get or re-elect a mayor, a good of faith I suppose..” she’d shrug, she honestly too never knew the point of celebrating stuff like these despite living with the mayor she take note of his outfit and his physical appearance, he was good looking she’d give him that, not many people drew Baylee’s eyes but he certainly did as she have a little smirk ogling this man “well I’m glad I’m the first to say it.. though everyone here is super friendly so I’m sure you’ll be getting a lot of greetings in your neighborhood” as Baylee handed the coffee and he took it she’d do a little wave “y-yeah you too! I hope to see your around as well” she’d spoke as she’d sigh in relief as he exited, pivotin to see her co workers stare at her with the look of 'you love that man’ as she say “shut!!” *she was all flustered as the co worker laughed as Baylee continued making the drinks as closing time came Baylee would untie her apron and hung it, rushing about 15 minutes early out the door as she did have to be home. “Bye guys bye” *she quickly say as she’d open the door and closed it walking down the street, her headphones in. She had that school girl grin on her face fantasying about the man in the coffee shop “Oh Baylee..” she’d mumble to herself “your such a hot mess..” *she’d say as she’d walk down his street. She was wearing tight fitted leggings and a crop tee as people on the block would look to Baylee and wave, they all seemed anxious and worrie

01:18

d wanting to make a good impression on her, clearly baylee also had a huge impact on the people despite being only the daughter* @Blue Jelly fish🪼

James sighs and rubs his face before getting up and moving to finish his work on his house. He goes outside and moves to his car. He hums lightly as he had turn on the radio. He looks around and sees the women. He smiles and calls out “afternoon Bailey..” he says. He looks at the women and smiles “where you off too? You off of work?” He asks. A dog would bark and run out the garage and towards Bailey. The dog was a black lab and he barks and jumps up trying to lick the women. James sighs and calls ben. “BEN HERE!” His voice was loud and dominant. The dog whines softly and moves to his owner. “Sorry about him..he doesn’t get out much..” he smiles. James rubs his neck and smiles “how are you…” he asks softly. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Baylees head swiveled as she’d looked towards James a soft smile forming on her face as she’d slightly wave to him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her hair was in a double French braid with some strands pulled out. She was wearing ripped jeans and a baggy crop tee “actually no.. I have the day off today I was planning on just heading to the mal—EEP!” she be thrown off guard the dog as she’d giggled and petted the lab as he called for his dog back Baylee jumped at the loudness of his voice as she’d fixed her outfit with a wide grin “It’s fine. I love dogs! Ben huh? What an adorable name..” as she’d squat down holding her hand out for the dog to approach as she looked up to James “how old is he? I assume he’s a pure black lab! You know they are rare to find” She say all enthusiastically she wished she owed a dog but sadly her father was allergic so whenever she came near a dog she was crazy for them “I’m good yeah.. crazy night last night..barely got any sleep” she’d admit as Ben would approach Bailey would pet him kissing his forehead as she’d keep up her silly goofy act talking in a baby voice about how much of a good boy Ben was.. as 15 seconds pass she got up and dusted herself off “Did you need help unpacking anything?” she’d looked behind James to his garage @Blue Jelly fish🪼

James watches her. His eyes falling to her outfit. It was so cute..he shakes his head and smiles as Ben moves close and rolls for her to pet his belly. “He is 3 years old..pure lab…he is my esa..” he says softly as he smiles. Ben would lick and whimpers happily. His tail wagging like crazy. James smiles as he watches her. She was cute..his face blushes and he rolls his neck. “Um..I mean I don’t want to bother you..you probably have better things than hanging art..” he smiles and rubs his neck. His tattoos were more visible. He works just a white shirt. He looks at her and smiles “if..if you wanted to help I have some boxes in the kitchen if you wanted to help..” he says softly If she said ok he would lead her inside. The inside of his house was clean but there was very little. He lead her to the kitchen and sighs softly “I-I don’t have a lot..” he didn’t want to mention that he could buy all new things but he doesn’t..he doesn’t want her to know of his past. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

It took a moment for Baylee to process those words. ESA. its been a while since she heard those words as she gasp softly and stood up backing away "o-oh my god im so sorry I-I didn't know I should have asked you before I pet him!" she said as her face flushed red from embarrassment as she rub her face to cool herself down her eyes drew to his tattoos as she look at what was visible to her "those are pretty cool.. I have one myself.." she say as she lift her shirt slightly to just reveal the bottom half of her sternum tat and lowered it "H-hey! Its my day off let me help I dont mind.. I really had no plans for today so.. this gives me something to do" shed shrug "cant be any worse than decoarting my fathers office" shed joke as she walked closer to James as the two walked inside. As they walked in baylee looked around the empty house "do you have any more decorations.. no offense it looks a bit.. empty? you need to make it look homey!" (edited)

01:43

@Blue Jelly fish🪼

He smiles and rubs his neck “It is fine. He isn’t working so you are open to pet him. He loves it. Loves the attention.” she’s cute when she embarrassed.. he thinks as he leads her inside. He watches her show off her tattoo and smiles “I..I have a lot.” most cover scars… his eyes harden before he sighs. He couldn’t think about that. He moves tot he kitchen and chuckles. “I..I don’t have much..” he rubs his neck and looks down “i…I am sorry it isn’t much..” he says softly. He puts away a plate as he gets lost into his mind. He bites his lip softly. He went to grab a cup and knocks it off the counter. He jumps slightly and Ben wuickly moves to his side. His eyes was full of panic.

03:46

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Baylee would be hesitant as she’d merely pat the dog and got up as she’d follow James around like a lost puppy “Oh nice! What was your most painful one?” she’d ask curiously as she’d titled her head watching him lower his head embarrassed “Er— it’s fine!” she’d chime “maybe we could go shopping— I mean I’d love to help you find some stuff— hello..?” she spoke she could tell he was trailing off as the glass shattered Baylee jumped startled as she looked to James seeing him genuinely jump and in fear? “H-hey it’s okay!” Baylee said now panicked as she’d rushed to James side and placed her hand on his arm, softly stroking it “breath I’ll- I’ll clean it up” as Baylee went down on her knees to pick up the bigger shards of glass, putting them on her hand very carefully “Do you have a broom?” she asked as she looked back to James who was hopefully in a somewhat better state as Baylee would get up and toss the bigger shards away “actually I’ll find it—“ as she’d grab James arm carefully guiding him to the living room “sit.. I’ll be right back” as minutes passed Baylee would clean up the mess and return back in the living room sitting next to James “hey… are you okay?” her voice quiet and concerned @Blue Jelly fish🪼

James looks at her and starts to try to calm himself. Ben follows them to the couch and lays on James to help calm him. He was still in and out. His eyes looking around. Still with fear in them. He doesnt speak as he tries to calm himself. He was coming down from the panic as she comes to sit next to him. “Um..y-yeah..i..i have…some panic disorder and um..i..was lost in thought and that jsut…panicked me..” he looks at her and smiles. “I am sorry..i am not tough when i am like this..” his mind was starting to play tricks on him. she is going to laugh. She hates you. She wont stay near you. You are a freak. You are weak He tries to not let her know that he was sprialing. “Did you hurt yourself…on..on the glass.” He asks softly before taking her hands and looking them over. His eyes didnt meet hers as he tries to not let her see him panic

00:15

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

"A small cut, nothing bad" shed smile, rubbing his arm softly "hey.. just breath okay? I'm here for you.." shed softly hum as she tilt her head slightly, noticing he was avoiding her gaze. she thought nothing of it as shed smile, maybe he was still uncomfortable "H-hey no need to apologize by the way! I just want to make sure that your okay.. okay?" Shed rest her head on his shoulder "if you want to talk, or need to talk ill loan you my ear" Shed say as she looked to Ben with an awe She decide to stay quiet, it was probably the best since she didn't understand his situation and didnt want to pry further on it @Blue Jelly fish🪼

He looks at her and sighs. “I…i…have ptsd…my…old life was….difficult.” He says sfotly. “I was lost in thought and…that loud noise just..scared me..” he says sfotly as he told her hand and rubs it softly. “I am sorry that..that happened..” he says softly. He wanted her to feel safe…and…like him. He takes a deep breath and pets Ben. “That is what this guy is for..” he chuckles and looks at Baylee. “Are you sure you are ok? I can get a first aid and get you a bandaid..” he says softly. His hand and fingers ghosting over the cut. Ben wags his tail as he knew his owner was better. He moves over James and into Baylee’s lap licking her hands and arm. “Hehe Ben..you are just a little puppy arent you.” He says as he pets the black lab. He was happy now again. James reaches over and grabs a treat “good boy at doing your job” he says as Ben ate the treat and looks at Baylee for one as well. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

“Oh I see.. I’m sorry..” she’d say as she’d watch his hand rub over hers “Hey don’t apologize ever, I understand” she’d say as she’d lift his head up slightly with her free hand as she’d looked at him “Bens a good boy, I’m glad you have him” Shed smile “And yeah.. I’m fine.. I’ll be fine don’t worry about me, I’ll grab the bandage later, I just want to make sure your 100%” shed say wincing, jolting as she felt the cool air hit her cut as he ghosted over it As she’d looked down to the cut, she suddenly was caught off guard when Ben jumped up on her lap, she’d giggled as he licked her, as Baylee would softly pet him watching him happily munch on the treat James gave him “Oh he’s just baby.. he forever will be baby” she’d coo in a baby voice as she’d kiss Bens head before looking back up to James getting lost in his eyes as she’d shook her head slightly “I’m good.. thanks.. I’m glad you’re doing better tho James” she’d smile as her phone buzzed, the contact saying Mr Thorn as she’d lift her phone up from the couch and check it seeing it was a text from her father, as she’d respond back quickly and put her phone back on the couch “sorry..” Shed softly say clearing her throat “I’ll uh.. I’ll grab the bandage can you show me where it is?” @Blue Jelly fish🪼

He looks at her and smiles. “He is…” he watches her and says “oh..no worries..if you need to go..I understand..” he says softly before point to the hallway “there is a bathroom on the left..there is a first aid in the bathroom under the sink.” He smiles and pets benny. He sighs softly. Under the sink there is a large military grade first aid kit. It has everything. It was…out of place. James hums lightly as he stands and grabs a soda. Ben jumps and follows him. He sniffs for snacks. He hums lightly as he waits for Baylee to come back. He didnt know what the women thought of him…maybe..maybe she liked him..but..maybe she was just nice. He rubs his neck and sips on the soda. He sets the drink down before moving and unpacking some other boxes. He sits on the couch as he takes out normally living room stuff. He sets down a few different books and other things. He throws a ball for benny before chuckling. “Such a good boy..” he says sfotly. He sets out a service dog vest. It was ben’s old one. The clink caused benny to come over and sit ready for work. “Aww..we arent going anywhere..just getting your things settled..”

23:08

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Baylee nodded as she got up heading to the bathroom to patch her wound, rising it with cold water for a good 2 minutes and then putting on Polysproin and then a bandage over it as she’d head back to the living room seeing Ben sit by the vest “He’s so cute..” she’d say softly looking at his ESA vest “I’m assuming this is bennys? It looks old..” she say as she’d gently pats bens head “we should get you a new one.. the E is almost warn out!” she say as she’d looked at the box of stuff “Oh are these your living room decorations? Yeesh we should get you some more..” she chuckled “come on let’s go shopping I know a cute vintage store..” @Blue Jelly fish🪼

He giggles and says “this is his old one..I have a new on..” he pulls out a new sleek black vest. The letters were bright and there were a few different patches on it. He calls Ben over and puts the vest on him before grabbing his keys, wallet, and leash. He clips onto Benny and smiles “are we walking or driving?” He smiles. Ben was fully focused. It was like he was a different animal. He was by James’ side and ready for his work. He would follow her and locks up the house. The sun was bright. He hums lightly and looks at her. He would follow her and Ben would walk with them. James watches the women and sighs. She was..beautiful…he wishes his mind would stop thinking g that. He couldn’t let her in. He wouldn’t. They would be friendly..but..she would never get close. She would be hurt if she did. His eyes fall as they walk. Ben wines softly and James nods giving him a treat for alerting. He rubs his neck as they walk. He knew that she would hate him..think of him as a monster if she knew..if she knew what he has done. The blood on his hand. He tries to not show this worry and fear. He would have to leave this nice town…he liked this town…he shakes his head to not think of it. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

“Oh!! It’s cute” she’d squeal seeing him pull out the new vest “looks very sharp and will look so handsome on Benny boy” she’d coo as she’d pet bennys head before he called him over to put the vest on him. She’d see the difference in Ben as he became more focused in his job as Baylee would then look up to James “walk.. it’s a beautiful day, and besides the town is about 10 minutes from here” she say as they would leave as they walked Baylee would wave to those who recognized her not paying much attention to them a simple wave and hello as she’d hear Ben whine her attention snapped back looking towards James “hey.. you okay? If this is too much we can turn back and I can go shopping for you..” she say briefly as she’d walk infront of him and stopped, placing her hand on his arm rubbing it “We are about 5 minutes from the furniture store so.. tell me if your okay..” she say as she’d look down to Ben.. she knew if he lied Ben would pick it up.. @Blue Jelly fish🪼

He looks at her and shakes his head “no..I am ok. Just sometimes get stuck in my head.” He smiles at her and looks at Ben. “If I am really not ok he will tell you.” He says softly before looking up and starting to walk again. “I am ok. Just..have to work though it. Ben is here to help me recognize when I am going into a spiral so I can get out of it.” Ben follows the two and stays close to James. People were looking and waving at Baylee but staring and whispering at James. His bigger frame as well as his tattoos and service dog just made it seem like they were from completely different worlds. They walk and James would just look over the town as he was still getting use to it. Once they got to the store he paused and looked at the no dog sign. “Fuck..” he whispers and rubs his neck. “I..I won’t go in..here” he pulls out his wallet and hands her a card “just use that get anything you like..” he says moving away from the door. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Baylee nodded as she’d continue walking with him “never hurts to ask.. you know?” she say chuckling as she nodded. As they entered she see the dog sign and shake her head refusing to take his card “They accept service animals, you know come on.” shed gently grabbed his hand as guided him in as the bell chimes the older man greeting them, as they walked around Baylee would point at a cute small love seat “oh that’s so cute!” she’d say as she’d sit down “and plush…” as she’d get up “might have to buy that for myself” she’d chuckled “Anything you like..?” @Blue Jelly fish🪼

He looks at her hand and blushes before shaking the blush away. He follows her in and followed her like a lost puppy. He looks at smiles “I live alone…I..don’t think I need a loveseat…” he says as he chuckles. “I like it..do you think it will make the house..homey?” He smiles softly as he looks at her. He looks around and moves to some blankets. He runs his hand over the blanekt “how about you help me? You pick some things to help make the house…not so..empty?” He says as he smiles at her. Ben looks around and just is being a good boy. He walks around and says “I will get the loveseat.” He says softly before looking around “anything else you think I need?” He could have a personal shopper come and get stuff..but..that wasn’t his life anymore. He was James…a normal man..