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The beginning of August meant it was time for Ezra and Elle’s annual back-to-school-trip to the Swiss Alps. Ever since Elle turned sixteen, it’s been a tradition. It was one of the things she asked for her birthday. To leave the country for a vacation. Before then, all their vacations would be in big cities across the US. Elle’s favorite was Chicago in sixth grade. It just so happened that Ezra was born there so he knew all the best places to bring his child. The Willis Tower, the bean, the field museum, the aquarium, and twelve-year-old Elle’s favorite place, a candy shop.
Now, why Switzerland? Who didn’t want to go to a place that never got too hot all year round, had sweeping mountaintops, glistening water, and architecture seemingly as old as time itself. History wasn’t Elle’s favorite subject in the world but she had to admit it was still pretty interesting to learn about and look at. So Ezra caved. And from then on, it was their little “thing” to do before Elle went back to school.
“Did we… did we have to go on a hike now?” Benoit huffed a little, trying to catch his breath. Right, Benoit was able to accompany them this time. Their whole little family. Sometimes Ezra couldn’t recall what life was like without the addition of Benoit. Certainly not as bright as now.
Elle laughed at the disheveled look of Benoit. Their hotel was at the base of the mountain and it took a few hours to get to the peak, air thinning as the elevation got higher. She didn’t blame him for being tired but she always felt suddenly energized by the cooler air and the few cows in herds around the landscape. Hiking up the mountain was her favorite thing to do.
Ezra took a sip from his water bottle and looked down the mountain at the lake before them then offered his bottle to Benoit. “Blame Elle, sweetheart. Being around nature is her favorite thing.” He shrugged. “But there’s really good coffee up here that makes it worth it.”
Benoit straightened his back as he took a sip from Ezra’s water bottle then looked around. He didn’t notice the few buildings around at first. A train station and a few different small buildings that sold food and souvenirs. There was a medium sized building on a higher part of the peak… was that a hotel? He wouldn’t mind waking up to the sight of the mountain but then he’d have to walk down it if he wanted anything more accessible to him. Like cigars. Maybe Elle and Ezra had that problem on a previous year.
The trio made their way inside the nearest building, the one that served the coffee Ezra mentioned. As soon as he entered, he was hit with the smell of roasting coffee beans and a wave of warmth compared to the cool air outside. Perhaps Benoit understood what Elle meant. There was something energizing about being up there.
One of the workers head raised as soon as Ezra walked inside. His eyes were bright and a wide smile appeared on his face. “Mein Freund! Es ist schön dich wiederzusehen. Ich dachte, du wärst dieses Jahr vielleicht woanders hingegangen.”
“My friend! It’s nice to see you again. I thought you might have gone somewhere else this year.”
Ezra let out a chuckle and shook his head. “Auf keinen fall, wo sonst würde ich den besten kaffee der welt bekommen?"
“No way, where else would I get the best coffee in the world?”
Benoit was shocked to hear Ezra speaking German. He’s heard him speak italian passively during a few interviews but he’s never heard the man speak German. It was… strangely attractive. Benoit wasn’t sure he should be surprised, Ezra could also speak French.
Ezra glanced at Benoit and gave him a slight smile. “What would you like?” Assumedly, Ezra was going to order for all of them.
Truthfully, Benoit had barely looked at the menu before he was sidetracked. So he just went with his usual. “J-just a coffee with hazelnut and creamer.” He stammered out, glancing away from Ezra only to get a smirk from Elle.
Oblivious, Ezra ordered for them. “Ein kaffee mit milch und haselnussweißer, eine heiße schokolade mit schlagsahne und ein weiterer kaffee mit milch. Danke schoen.” He then went to the register to pay before Benoit could even pay attention long enough to ask.
“One coffee with cream and hazelnut cream, one hot chocolate, and one coffee with cream. Thank you.”
“You’re down bad , huh?” Elle teased, nudging Benoit. It wasn’t the first time she’d see Benoit head over heels for her father and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. It was cute though. Her father deserved someone like Benoit. And he got it.
Benoit glanced away, a noticeable blush on his cheeks. “I just didn’t expect… that.”
“Elle, they have more Swiss mountain dog postcards!” Ezra called from the small stand where they were. He then showed a few variations to the two of them. Benoit’s eyes softened. As much as Ezra looked like he kill someone with a single look, he was akin to a teddy bear. He loved dogs, was fairly go-with-the-flow, and wasn’t afraid to get excited about something. Anything.
Elle took a few and looked at them. They were cute but she was more of a cat person. Unfortunately for her, the only thing keeping her from getting one was because she still lived with Ezra. He was allergic.
After a while of looking around inside, their drinks were ready. Elle grabbed hers and took a long sip, savoring it like it would be the last time she’d ever drink it. “Danke schoen, Olivier.” She nodded at the man.
“Jederzeit, meine liebe.” He winked before he went back to making drinks for the rest of the tourists.
“Anytime, my dear.”
Benoit cocked an eyebrow at the interaction and grabbed his drink. He took a careful sip since it was still hot and sighed. Ezra was right. This little place ontop on this massive mountain was bewitching. The taste of the coffee washed over his tongue in waves, filling his senses in ways Benoit didn’t know were possible.
Ezra nudged Elle as he laughed. Benoit’s reaction was something else. “I told you, it’s the best.”
Benoit nodded, unsure how something this good could exist and not immediately be blacklisted for witchcraft or something of the sort. But then again, he was in a relationship with Ezra Wayne. A man that made any man or woman he came across fall in love with him. And while Benoit might not say it in front of their daughter to preserve her from the embarrassment but he could think of a thing or two that tasted better than this.
“It certainly is worth the hike.” Benoit admitted after a while, glancing out the windows at the mountains surrounding the little building.