Zaid yawned as he exited the cafe, ears twitching as the city noises flooded around him. His hair still smelt like coffee, and he adjusted his beanie to make sure the ends of his ears were out of sight, effectively muffling more of the sounds nearby. The morning rush had dragged him to the front to fill orders, and a few customers gawked at him, but overall it had been bearable. Pulling his jacket tighter he turned and started down the sidewalk, eager to get home.

“Hey, isn’t that the guy?”

The whisper caught his attention as Zaid moved, hand pausing against his headphones. He was about to turn on music, but the comment sent a red flag through his mind.

“Yeah, he just got off, maybe we can get some cash off him. I hear they pay out tips at the end of their shift.”

Zaid grimaced. This felt school all over again. Really, they wanted to take his tip money? What was this, high school?

“No one will care. He’s just a mutant anyway. Rick said the guy even has a tail, he saw it. He even said he thinks the guy has ears.”

Zaid sped up. He did not like the sound of where this was going. To his surprise, the footsteps behind him turned into a run and his shoulder was grabbed before he could cross the road.

“Hey, coffee bean! Where are you going, we just wanted a chat!”

Zaid reacted in instinct. Dropping low, he swept out a leg in an arced kick, sweeping the leaders legs out from under him. BAM! He went down hard, as Zaid wrenched free. A hand swept into view and grabbed his beanie, ripping it from his head. As his ears fell into view, one of the guys burst into laughter.

“He’s a frickin bunny rabbit! No wonder people thought he was a girl!”

“Grab his ears! Hold him still.”

This day had gone from bad to worse.

Javier had locked up his shop for the day, and was walking home to the apartment. The smell of coffee hit his nose as he walked past other shops and cafés; he didn't drink coffee on account of his anxiety issues, but he liked the smell anyway. He wrapped himself in his coat and hurried along, ready to be home where it was warm, and maybe to spend some time with Booker.

He almost walked past the group of men when he caught a fragment of the conversation.

>>“No one will care. He’s just a mutant anyway..."

Javier's heart jumped, and he backed away on instinct. How could they possibly know...? He paused in the doorway of a nearby building, trying to figure out how he could escape. But then he looked, and the men were moving away from him, after... someone else?

Javier felt a sense of relief, immediately followed by a pang of guilt. Why was he relieved when someone else was in trouble? He looked around. Maybe he should call the cops, or alert someone what was going on.

>>“He’s a frickin bunny rabbit! No wonder people thought he was a girl!”

>>“Grab his ears! Hold him still.”

Too late.

Javier took a deep breath. One man fell, the... rabbit... must have fought back. But there were three of them and one of the other, and that was not fair. As much as Javier hated confrontation, and was terrified of a fight, he couldn't just walk away without doing the right thing.

One man grabbed for the long bunny ears. Javier stepped up behind him, not allowing himself time to overthink things, and lifted him off his feet, walking a few paces over before he set him down again. There was no need to get violent.

"WHAT the F***?!"

Zaid felt the air whoosh past his ear tip, narrowly avoiding certain pain. A new scent had joined the group, one that did not seem familiar. Zaid backed up a few feet, snatching up his hat and cramming it on his head. He couldn’t relax. Despite the help, his danger senses were on edge.

“Why don’t you mind your own business, man!” One of the guys snarled. Despite the obvious display of strength, they seemed resistant to give up their prey.

Zaid’s heart beat was loud in his throat. The light had changed and there was no way to run across the street now. He considered the circumstances and dig into his pocket.

“You just wanted the cash, right? Just take it and leave him out if it!” He didn’t want a fight.

The leader had risen and grabbed the front of his shirt instead. “Maybe it’s more personal now.”

Zaid glanced at the stranger, wondering what he would do.

>>“Why don’t you mind your own business, man!”

Honestly, why didn't he? He could have just called the cops. Maybe dating Booker had been rubbing off on Javi. The librarian insisted on seeing the superhero in him, even when his powers kept crapping out in the worst possible moments.

Javier did not really know what to do now that he ad placed the man a few paces away, so they just stared at each other in a stunned way, while the other two kept yelling.

>>“You just wanted the cash, right? Just take it and leave him out if it!”

>>“Maybe it’s more personal now.”

It was never easy, was it. Javier felt like punching the guy, but given that his powers were unreliable, he just as easily could have broken his own hand, or killed the man in one blow. Looking around for inspiration, he noticed a concrete flower box on the sidewalk. It was somewhat bulky, but at least it was not immediately threatening.

"Hey!" Javier yelled as he lifted the concrete box over his head with one hand, trying to look determined "I really don't like violence. I think you should leave."

And soon, because the box was not easy to balance.

In times of panic, Zaid normally had one strategy: run. He hated confrontation. He wanted to live his happy little life never being around people ever again. But, this guy helped him, and that made him feel conflicted. Running would leave someone else in danger.

Nope, that left plan B.

Zaid delivered one swift kick. If life were a cartoon you would have heard the sound of eggs breaking. The leader dropped into a whimpering mess and Zaid stood wish his hands in his pockets, long eyelashes blinking once. “Well, I offered the cash first. Now please, let’s end this here. I also really hate violence.”

The guys looked between the mutants, considering their options. With a frown they collected their boss and left in a huff.

When they were around the corner and out of sight, Zaid breathed again, feeling like he was having an anxiety attack. Oh, hell. What just happened? The hand clutching his headphones was shaking uncontrollably. “A-are you okay?” He tried asking the stranger.

Javi hoped the guys would not call his bluff. He was not sure he could throw the box at a person, even if he was threatened. The concrete box was also feeling a lot heavier than before, so Javier was very grateful when the rabbit man sprung into action, taking out one guy with one very painful-looking kick.

>>“Well, I offered the cash first. Now please, let’s end this here. I also really hate violence.”

The attackers finally retreated, supporting each other. The moment they turned the corner, Javier tried to set down the box, hoping no one witnessed his display of super strength. Because that would have been awkward. What if someone took a photo, or a video, with his face on it?... His powers buckled, and he dropped the box, jumping out of the way just in time. The concrete split, spilling gardening soil on the sidewalk.

"Sh*t. Sorry. I'm so sorry." Javier apologized to no one in particular, not daring to look around.

>>“A-are you okay?”

Javier leaned on his knees, trying to catch his breath as the adrenaline was leaving his system. He glanced up at the other mutant, who looked very shaken.

"Yeah, I'm... are you okay?"

Zaid checked that his hat was secure before nodding. ”This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, unfortunately. I am sorry you had to get involved, but I do appreciate it... I actually did need that cash for bills now that I think about it.” He seemed calmer now, although his hand was still shaking. He glanced at the mess and frowned. ”Should we.... clean this? The longer we stay the more attention we are attracting though and I really don’t want more issues.”

With his hoodie today he at least looked a bit more masculine. It drew less second glances now that the argument was over.

They were both more than a little shaken after the encounter. Having fought various mutants and a giant lemur, Javier was still not used to showing off his strength in public. He felt skittish and drained, still not daring to look around to see how many people witnessed the whole scene.

>>”This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, unfortunately. I am sorry you had to get involved, but I do appreciate it... I actually did need that cash for bills now that I think about it.”

"Well it was... not right. They were being jerks." Javier noted, straightening up and dusting dirt off his pants.

>>”Should we.... clean this? The longer we stay the more attention we are attracting though and I really don’t want more issues.”

"We should, uh..." decisions. There was not much to do with the cracked flower box. Javier sighed. "We should probably go. I'll come back later and see if someone needs help replacing it, but... I think we should go. My shop is just around the corner, if you... um, want some tea or anything?"

Zaid was not a people person. He generally avoided any situation that put him in contact with other role longer than necessary. But Zaid also has a weakness for a good cup of tea. After all the excitement, he knew a good herbal blend could call him down. ”Tea would actually be nice.” he found himself saying.

Maybe it was this guys demeanor that was comforting. There was something about the mans body language that displayed similar discomfort to mutant abilities, violence, and making a scene. It was refreshing. He found his nose taking note of the strangers scent. It vaguely reminded him of fabric and what could have been some sort of cologne. Something about that felt safe. The rabbit in him appreciated anyone who could give off a vibe of safety.

Maybe it was strange to invite someone over for tea a minute after they fought off some thugs and did some property damage... but not much of Javier's life had been normal lately. And now that he blurted out the offer it would have been more awkward to take it back anyway.

>>”Tea would actually be nice.”

"Alright" he nodded, turning to lead the way back down the street and around the corner to his shop. He fumbled with the keys and opened the door, allowing the guy in. The tailor shop's front room was fairly clean, but the work room in the back was the usual jumble of fabrics and things. "Welcome" he said as they walked in "Um... I'm Javier, by the way. I run this shop."

Zaid followed along quietly until they reached the shop. Upon entering, the strangers scent became clear. A taylor seemed like such an artistic profession to him, he almost felt a string of envy. It was better than making coffee all day, at least.

His ear twitched when the introduction came, and Zaid noted he name. It seemed non-threatening enough. ”I’m Zaid. I work at the coffee place nearby.” Maybe that was obvious. He was pretty sure those guys were commenting about it. Now that they were in the back he was less concerned someone would see him. He gestured to his beanie a little awkwardly. ”Do you mind if I take this off?” His ears could really use a stretch but it seemed inconsiderate to remove the hat without asking. It was uncomfortable for some people to talk to someone with a visible mutation. Zaid wouldn’t have been bothered if Javier said no. He seemed to have his own fears about his powers from what Zaid gathered.

”Has your shop been here long?” Was he prying? Maybe he shouldn’t have asked. Oh cotton balls he was feeling anxious again. He tugged his hoodie, his sneakers shuffling against the floor as he fidgeted.

>>”I’m Zaid. I work at the coffee place nearby.”

Zaid. From the coffee shop. That explained the bit about the tip money, and also why Javi had not seen him around before. If he went out for hot beverages it, was usually for tea. He moved to the back room of the shop to fill up the water heater from the sink.

>>”Do you mind if I take this off?”

Javier blinked, not sure at first why Zaid asked, and then realized it a moment later. The ears.

"Oh no, not at all, go ahead" he waved a hand hurriedly, hoping his pause would not be taken as hesitation. "I'm a mutant too. I mean. I guess you saw that." Unless he thought a skinny guy like Javi could deadlift a concrete box with one hand without a mutation...

>>”Has your shop been here long?”

"A few years." Javier nodded, moving some fabric and tools around to clear two chairs and the corner of his working table. It was better to chat while he busied himself. "It's a small business, but I... like doing it." he rustled up two mugs and a box of assorted tea filters. "Pick whatever you like..."

Thankfully Zaid understood the hesitation regarding his hat as confusion. Had he thought Javier minded he may have backpedalled for the door. Instead he pulled off the hat and his ears flipped free. It was a relief. The pressure of hiding them was giving him a headache.

>>”I’m a mutant too.”

”It felt better to check. Some people find them distracting,” as if to prove a point, one ear swiveled to pick up a sound outside. ”Being strong seems like it could be useful at least?” he still had no idea what benefit his bunny appearance had. At least as a kid people found it adorable. As an adult it led to being picked on for being a mutant, and for having a feminine appearance. At least he never got into dating. If it came out he was attracted to guys as well, it would seal him forever into a land of mocking.

”It’s good to do something you enjoy. I don’t hate the cafe but I would never have worked in customer service if I had an option. I’m not so great around people. in fact, this was the most he spoke in ages. His nose quivered when the box of tea was offered and he happily picked an herbal blend. ”Thanks!” there was genuine gratitude in his expression. Something as simple as tea made the day that much better.

>>”It felt better to check. Some people find them distracting,”

It definitely was... spectacular. Javier couldn't help but glance over as the ears came free and began to move. They were... delicate, and elegant, and he had absolutely no idea how they fared crammed under a hat. It had to hurt a lot, if they were anything like normal animal appendages.

>>”Being strong seems like it could be useful at least?”

"Sometimes." Javier shrugged, a little awkwardly. Super strength always lost most of its coolness factor when people found out he had no control over it.

>>”It’s good to do something you enjoy. I don’t hate the cafe but I would never have worked in customer service if I had an option. I’m not so great around people..."

"Yeah, customers are... challenging." Javier agreed wholeheartedly "Sometimes I wish I had money to pay an assistant to talk to them." he added with a chuckle. He poured hot water into the mugs, selecting herbal tea for himself as well. It was the best thing to drink for anxiety issues. Especially after using his powers under stress. "But... my powers are not visible, and they rarely work anyway. I guess that makes it easier than your case. I can... I can imagine the hat is uncomfortable?"

Zaid didn’t press more about the super strength. It was evident there was more to it than meets the eyes. Plus, digging up details about someone mutation on a first encounter just seemed rude. Like, he would never mention his tail on a first meeting if he could help it. That invited a lot of glances and awkwardness. He still remembered the first time someone asked if it looked like a cotton ball. No, it did not in fact, look like a cotton ball. Stupid cartoon nonsense.

”Maybe someday you will. A lot of artists start small and build up, and clothing is an art form too.” the smell of the tea in his cup was rising and it was heavenly. Maybe he should have worked in a tea shop. Without all the coffee scents he felt much calmer. The bag needed to steep though so he couldn’t drink it yet.

”The city is expensive and even finding a pretty small apartment had a lot of bills. I’m lucky we get what we do or I couldn’t afford it. My parents were the ones who moved us here and now that they’re gone it seems a lot less manageable.” it had been some time since losing them, so it didn’t feel odd mentioning now. He was almost an adult. Once he turned 21 everything would have been his responsibility anyway. Maybe he could take online classes and find a job he could do from home. There was a lot he needed to think about.

At the mention of his ears, he blushed a little, ”if doesn’t feel so great, especially here,” he pointed to the base of his ears where they disappeared into his hair. ”But you’ve seen the alternative. I don’t enjoy being treated like a department store toy and being poked at instead.”