Chapter Text
"Urgh! Can this place be any more boring?"
Jax slumps on the counter, watching aimlessly as another customer exits the small shop. Behind him, Ragatha huffs, and poor little Gangle whimpers. He isn't even three hours into his shift and he's already feeling like walking out. That's a new record.
They're all out of caramel creamer, and it's Ragatha's turn to slink away to the storage closet. He feels the burning of her gaze on the back of his head as she steps away.
She knows better than anyone that he and Gangle alone are never a good mix.
Speaking of Gangle, Jax still has no idea how she even got this place; let alone why she would even want a dingy old coffee shop. I mean, maybe it's an upgrade from fast-food, but it's hard to say when all the customers act the same. Just last week he had to slam a guy's head into the counter for perpetual harassment, but what does he know?
Honestly, if it were his choice? he wouldn't be here at all.
Unfortunately, his options are currently limited.
Which leaves him stuck with ragdolly and whiny. And if that wasn't already enough to make him pull his hair out, then the fact that this stupid coffee shop is right next to some giant corporate building will definitely drive him nuts. Business workers shuffling in and out of the door, they're lack of cleanliness making Jax have to clean up after them, and worse of all-
"Do you think Zooble will be stopping by today?"
Fucking Zooble.
Just hearing their name makes Jax growl, And Gangle looks like she's just about to crack under his gaze.
"Jax! Stop staring at Gangle like that! It's not a good look, and you're gonna scare the customers away!" Ragatha rounds the corner, stepping out of the storage room. She steps over to Gangle and rests a hand on her back, the smaller girl relaxing just the slightest bit.
"I'm sure Zooble will come! They never miss an opportunity to see us!"
Tch, see us? Jax scoffs, tapping his foot and turning his attention back to the shop door.
More like see Gangle. Those two are in some kind of weird situationship. For every time Zooble comes by, Gangle just talks on and on about them, it makes Jax wanna shoot himself. It's disgusting. The least they could do is get a room.
Just then, the chime of a bell alerts Jax of another customer.
Or "customer"
Speak of the devil and he shall come.
"Zooble!" Gangle nearly hops the counter at the sight of them. Jax only grunts, impatient, but then he smiles as Zooble side eyes him.
"Gangle! How've you been? Jax isn't picking on you today is he?"
"I can't believe you'd even insinuate I'd do such a thing!" And for dramatic effect, he bats his lashes at them.
"Insinuate? You literally-"
"I'm okay!" Gangle interrupts, shoving herself into Zoobles arms, the other reciprocating the hug almost instantly. Watching Gangle nuzzle her face Into Zooble makes him scrunch his face.
Ew.
That being said, there's definitely something else on his mind. Jax reaches over and pulls a strand of Zoobles hair. They swat his hand, but there’s no real strength behind it.
"What's with the hair, geometry?"
Just last week it was black and white. Now all of her white is a hot pink, and the underlayer is……still black. It's a little more bearable than when they looked like a piano(something about that comment really seemed to anger them), but just the fact that it's on Zooble is enough for him to label it unbearable.
"None of your business. Not anything a rabbitoid like you could comprehend."
"I'm just surprised you haven't gotten fired by the CEO. I hear they don't like ones like you." He puts his hands up in mock defense and grins wider, Zooble just glares. Joining her stare is Ragatha, who comes soaring up beside him to greet them.
"How is it with your boss, anyway? He isn't pestering you still, is he?"
"Caine? Uhh -no he...he's been distracted with the new hire lately, thank god."
They mumble the last part under their breath. Gangle giggles within their hold and Zooble shoots her smile.
"New hire? That sounds exciting!"
"Of course that sounds exciting to you, Rags - Everything sounds exciting to you."
God, if only she would stop with the toxic positivity. Jax pulls away from the counter quick enough to ignore Ragatha's incoming lecture about his attitude. If he's gonna have to hear about some other nobody, then at least let him have a drink. He snags one of the creamers, a cup and starts up the coffee maker.
"-The way I see it? That's another Zooble that I'll have to attend to, and we've already got more than enough of those."
"Well, nobody was asking." Zooble's deadpan voice continues and he swears-
Is Gangle still snickering? He'll have to knock some sense into her later. Maybe lock her in the storage room again.
"But, yeah - today's only her second day. She's a bit of a nervous wreck. I can only imagine what kind of torture Caine must be putting her through..."
"Aww! You should bring her by some time! I'd love to meet her!"
"Y-Yeah! Maybe...we could help her feel more comforta-"
"Do not."
He glares at Zooble. They roll their eyes at him. Poor Gangle, who was just starting to roll out of Zooble’s arms, jumps back into them. God, she's such a baby.
"I'm sure you'll all be seeing her soon. Pomni’s a big fan of coffee. Who knows-"
And an almost devious smirk starts pulling at their lips as they stare at Jax.
"-Maybe they'll finally set you straight. Force you to actually work your ass off for once."
"No need to project your insecurities on me Zooble! What about 'nervous wreck' makes you think she can 'set me straight'?"
Zooble quirks a brow, refusing to even acknowledge his retort.
"Just because she's nervous, doesn't mean anything. Something tells me she might be a powerhouse."
"Tch, sure. Whatever."
As Jax leans back on the counter, he watches Zooble say their goodbyes to Gangle and Ragatha. Gangle looks pitiful as she waves Zooble out - then it's right back to work she goes. The coffee in his hands is bitter. Actually it tastes a little…..old? When was the last time they cleaned the machines? Why does that even matter to him?
It doesn't. He's zoning again.
Watching the bristles of a broom sway across the floor, Jax tries to ignore the slight pit settling in his gut at Zooble’s words.
But just what exactly did she mean when she said, "set him straight"?