Caffeiiiiiiiiine. It was the only thought that kept going through Simon's head this morning as he headed out from his apartment and on his way to Cosmic Comics. He'd been up early to make sure Tabitha got to school on time - because no matter what Jolene said, he was a good father when it came down to it - but he didn't actually have to be at the store just yet. One of the college kids who worked for him was opening today, and he'd offered to pick up coffee for them both on the way in. He even had coverage to pick Tabitha up at school and then bring her back to the store for a couple hours. She usually didn't mind, though it was harder to keep her focused on doing her homework rather than reading all the comics that had come in that day.
She really was his daughter at heart, a thought that had him beaming.
So, to the coffee shop it was, and drinks in hand, Simon nudged the door open with his shoulder and headed out. Charmander had insisted on coming along, the salamander hanging out in his jacket pocket, head peeking out every once in a while. At least Simon knew where his familiar was at all times, a good thing considering how tiny and squishy he was. He'd had his back turned when someone bumped into him, knocking one coffee into the ground and the other one all over him. And that was the exact moment when Charmander woke up.
OH MY GOD IT'S ALL OVER ME WHAT'S GOING ON I'M BURNING! I'M BURNIIIIIIING!
"You are not," Simon muttered under his breath, pulling his now-soaked jacket away from his body. Well, at least it wasn't white, and he probably had another hoodie stashed in the back of the shop somewhere.
YES I AM! Coffee is very hot, you know!
"No shit." Honestly, his familiar made such a huge deal out of everything. Shit happened, and you dealt with it, and there was no use crying over spilled milk. Or spilled coffee. He glanced up at the guy he'd bumped into - or had it been the other way around? - and gave him a smile. "No worries. You okay?"