#CoffeeCreations

Song : "Too Sweet" by Hozier

Title: Whiskey Neat, Coffee Black

Word Count: 2,843

Trigger Warnings: Alcohol, mild depictions of violence, toxic relationships, themes of self-loathing

Luca "Black Jack" Bellasari strolled into the dimly lit jazz bar like he belonged there, and maybe he did. A cloud of cigarette smoke greeted him at the door, curling lazily around the hanging lights that bathed the room in sepia. The band was playing something smooth, low, and bittersweet—a saxophone crooning over the gentle hum of a double bass. In that moment, for just a fleeting second, Luca felt like he could breathe. He let the music trickle into the turbulence inside him, softening the jagged edges that had grown sharper day by day.

His storm-gray eyes scanned the room as he ordered a whiskey neat, his usual. No frills, no nonsense. Ice just watered things down, and sugar complicated the burn. He liked to keep things simple—until he didn’t.

"Luca," came the sound of her voice behind him, familiar and honeyed, like a memory. He froze, brow furrowing slightly before turning to see her leaning against the bar.

Hannah Catalina. God, that name. It felt too sweet, just like her. Bright as the morning, soft as the rain, tangled blonde hair like sunlight on the water. She didn’t belong in this kind of place, not really. She belonged in a world filled with wildflowers and clean air, not dank bars drenched in sin and regret, not with a man like him.

He took a slow sip of his drink, letting the fire roll down his throat before answering. "Hannah." His tone was even, careful.

"You didn’t call," she said, her voice carrying the slightest edge. Her minty green eyes searched his face, trying to find the cracks in the facade he wore so well.

Luca smirked, though the gesture didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Wasn’t sure you wanted me to."

Hannah frowned. "Don’t do that, Luca. Don’t pretend you don’t know I care."

That was the thing, wasn’t it? She did care—too much. And he couldn’t carry the weight of that care. Couldn’t stand the way it made him feel exposed, raw, and seen in ways he didn’t want to be seen. Hannah with her sweet words and Sunday-morning optimism; Hannah with her endless attempts to pull him toward something brighter, safer, better.

"You're too sweet for me," he said finally, the words cutting but quiet. He didn’t look at her when he said it, focusing on the drink swirling in his hand instead. "This isn’t your world, Hannah. It’s mine. You don’t wanna wake up smelling like a bonfire, lost in a haze. Trust me."

"But I want you, Luca," she replied fiercely. A flash of fire burned in her eyes now, a spark that threatened to crack through his carefully constructed walls. "Doesn’t that matter for something?"

He exhaled sharply, a haunted sound, and glanced toward the far end of the bar where the bartender had begun cleaning glasses. "You don’t know what you’re asking for."

"I know exactly what I’m asking for," she shot back. Her voice dropped to a whisper, vulnerable but determined. "I know there’s more to you than this. More than the whiskey and the scuffed boots and the shadows you keep running from."

For a moment, Luca said nothing. He just stared at her, his jaw tight, his pulse hammering in time with the slow, aching music overhead. A part of him wanted to believe her, to believe in the goodness she insisted she still saw in him. But that part of him had been smothered in smoke and whiskey long ago.

Finally, he raised his eyes to meet hers and gave her a smile so brief, so fleeting, it almost didn’t exist. "You don’t wanna go down this road, Hannah. You might think you do, but you don’t."

• • •

Luca thought that was the end of it. He thought he’d done the right thing by shutting the door and walking away, as he always did. But nothing ever stayed that clean in his life.

That night, after a few more drinks than he’d planned on, he found himself in an alley behind the bar, lighting a cigarette. The night was cool, the stars faint behind the city haze. Smoke billowed around him, and he let it settle in his chest, hoping it might quiet the voice in his head—the one that sounded suspiciously like Hannah, telling him to be someone else, someone better.

He should’ve seen the men coming, but the world was a little too blurry for him to them right away. Two of them, stepping out of the shadows like they’d been waiting for him. One tall and lean, the other shorter but broad-shouldered. Both had that look that predatory gleam he knew far too well.

"Luca Bellasari," the taller man drawled, his voice slick like oil. "Heard you’ve been causing some trouble for the Marzano family."

Luca’s lip curled as he straightened his posture, slipping the cigarette from his mouth. "Trouble? Me? I’ve been nothing but a gentleman."

The shorter man laughed, a harsh bark of a sound. "Funny guy. But you should know, Benny Marzano doesn’t take kindly to people cutting in on his territory. Ain’t no room for rogue operators in this town."

Luca’s jaw tightened, but his expression remained carefully neutral. He’d made a deal with himself a long time ago: no one would ever see him sweat. "Tell Benny if he’s got a problem, he can come find me himself. I don’t have time for lapdogs."

The insult landed exactly as he intended, and the shorter man lunged toward him, a knife glinting in the faint light spilling from a streetlamp. Luca moved instinctively, sidestepping the incoming blow and delivering a sharp punch to the man’s gut. The tall one was next, coming at him with less fury but more precision. Luca managed to disarm him, but not before the shorter guy recovered and sent him sprawling with a blow to the side of his head.

Blood pounded in Luca’s ears as he hit the ground, tasting copper on his tongue. He reached for the switchblade tucked inside his jacket, but before he could get to it, the sound of footsteps echoing in the alley caught all three men’s attention.

Hannah.

She’d followed him. Of course she had.

"What the hell is going on?" she demanded, her voice sharp and panicked.

The men exchanged looks, and Luca could see the calculation in their eyes. They were wondering whether to use her as leverage, as retaliation. The idea sent a surge of adrenaline through him, and he rose swiftly to his feet despite the ache thrumming through his body.

"Get out of here, Hannah," he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument.

But she didn’t move. "Luca..."

"I said go!" he barked, more forcefully this time. His eyes bore into hers, pleading silently for her to listen.

She hesitated for the briefest moment, then reluctantly backed away, disappearing down the alley. Once she was out of sight, Luca turned his attention back to the two men, who now looked more amused than anything else.

"Trouble in paradise?" the tall one sneered.

Luca wiped the blood from his lip and smiled bitterly. "You have no idea."

• • •

By the time Hannah found him the next morning, Luca was nursing his wounds at a diner, a black coffee steaming in front of him. She slid into the booth across from him without asking, her expression carefully unreadable.

"You look like hell," she said after a beat.

He chuckled humorlessly. "You should see the other guy."

Hannah didn’t smile. Her eyes softened, and when she spoke again, her voice was low, heavy with unsaid things. "I don’t care how many times you try to push me away, Luca. I’m not going anywhere."

Luca stared at her, something cracking deep inside him that he didn’t know how to fix. "You should," he said softly. "You really should."

But she didn’t. And for the first time in as long as he could , Luca started to wonder if maybe just maybe sweet wasn’t so bad after all.

• • •

End.

Authors Notes

About the Song

About Song:

Hozier’s “Too Sweet” captures the push and pull of indulgence, rejection, and the clash of desires within a relationship. At its heart, the song explores the narrator’s longing for a wild, hedonistic lifestyle—think late nights, whiskey, and reckless abandon—and how their partner’s "too sweet" and seemingly perfect nature feels out of sync with that. It’s not that they’re repulsed by the sweetness; it just doesn’t feed their craving for something darker, messier, or more indulgent. The relationship doesn’t fill the void they’re trying to satisfy.

On the musical side, the track grooves with a tough, retro-R&B vibe, complete with a funky bassline that brings both catchiness and an eerie undertone to the song. There’s a distinct push and pull in the sound too it’s upbeat but carries something brooding beneath the surface. True to Hozier’s style, it’s hard to pin “Too Sweet” to a single genre as he seamlessly weaves elements of folk, blues, indie pop, and R&B into a sound that’s distinctly his own. It’s a song that feels both timeless and fresh, a layered exploration of human connection and appetite that only Hozier can deliver.

Lyrics:

It can't be said I'm an early bird

It's ten o'clock before I say a word

Baby, I can never tell

How do you sleep so well?

You keep telling me to live right

To go to bed before the daylight

But then you wake up for the sunrise

You know you don't gotta pretend, baby, now and then

Don't you just wanna wake up, dark as a lake?

Smelling like a bonfire, lost in a haze?

If you're drunk on life, babe, I think it's great

But while in this world

I think I'll take my whiskey neat

My coffee black and my bed at three

You're too sweet for me

You're too sweet for me

I take my whiskey neat

My coffee black and my bed at three

You're too sweet for me

You're too sweet for me

Ooh

Ooh

Ooh

Ooh

I aim low

I aim true, and the ground's where I go

I work late, where I'm free from the phone

And the job gets done, but you worry some, I know

But who wants to live forever, babe?

You treat your mouth as if it's Heaven's gate

The rest of you like you're the TSA

I wish I could go along, babe, don't get me wrong

You know you're bright as the morning, as soft as the rain

Pretty as a vine, as sweet as a grape

If you can sit in a barrel, maybe I'll wait

Until that day

I'd rather take my whiskey neat

My coffee black and my bed at three

You're too sweet for me

You're too sweet for me

I take my whiskey neat

My coffee black and my bed at three

You're too sweet for me

You're too sweet for me

Whoa, oh

Whoa, oh

Whoa, oh

Whoa, oh

Whoa, oh

Whoa, oh

Whoa, oh

Whoa, oh

I take my whiskey neat

My coffee black and my bed at three

You're too sweet for me

You're too sweet for me

Listen To Song:

"Too Sweet" by Hozier

About the Story

Themes:

The story intertwines themes of mismatched lovers, self-destruction, vulnerability, and redemption. At its core, it reflects the tension between two opposite characters: Luca, a man who thrives in chaos, and Hannah, a beacon of optimism and stability who wants to save him. The story explores rejection, not out of lack of affection, but from a fear of inadequacy. It touches on the deeper costs of a life filled with violence and shadows, and the longing for light but feeling unworthy of it. Additionally, themes of loyalty, self-identity, and the fight against one’s demons shape the narrative.

Mood:

The mood of "Whiskey Neat, Coffee Black" is intimate, smoky, and bittersweet. It captures a gritty, raw emotional tone softened by moments of vulnerability between Luca and Hannah. Atmospheric descriptions of smoke-filled jazz bars, dark alleys, and the ache of unspoken love give it a moody, nostalgic feel, like a blues song playing in the corner of a room. Despite its dim undertones, there's a flicker of hope at its conclusion—a whisper of redemption woven into the shadows.

Incorporation of Song Lyrics and Themes:

The story draws heavily from the assigned song, “Too Sweet” by Hozier, blending its lyrics, imagery, and themes into the narrative:

Lyrics Reflected in Story Details:

“My whiskey neat, my coffee black, and my bed at three”: These lyrics are directly referenced in Luca’s emotional detachment, late-night habits, and his preference for simplicity no frills, no complications. The phrase is also explicitly mentioned by Luca as a metaphor for his chaotic, nomadic lifestyle.

“You’re too sweet for me”: This line serves as the crux of Luca’s conflict with Hannah his rejection of her love because of his belief that she doesn’t belong in his dark, dangerous world.

“Smelling like a bonfire, lost in a haze”: This imagery is mirrored in Luca’s environment the smoky bar, the haze of bourbon-fueled nights, and his life’s chaotic rhythm.

“You treat your mouth as if it’s Heaven’s gate, the rest of you like you’re the TSA”: This aligns with Luca viewing Hannah as someone “too perfect,” someone disciplined and untouchable qualities he finds both unsettling and awe-inspiring.

Themes and Mood Alignment:

The theme of mismatched lovers one sweet, structured, and idealistic, the other flawed, chaotic, and self-destructive is mirrored directly in Luca and Hannah’s relationship. Luca embodies the narrator’s rejection of a “too sweet” partner, not because of disdain, but because of insecurity and self-loathing. Like in the song, there’s a yearning for spontaneity, reckless freedom, and avoiding structure, encapsulated in Luca’s lifestyle choices and his world of smoky bars and crime.

The story also reflects the narrator in “Too Sweet” struggling with the idea of discipline or perfection in a partner. Luca’s resistance to Hannah’s love feels like his fear of being exposed or molded into someone he's not a sentiment central to the song.

How the Story Fits the Assigned Song:

The story perfectly aligns with both the spirit and literal themes of the song:

Core Dynamic of Rejection vs. Longing:

The push-pull tension between Luca and Hannah mirrors the song’s narrative of a love that feels mismatched. The rejection of something "too sweet" is both literal and metaphorical in the story, as Luca wrestles with his feelings of unworthiness and his attraction to Hannah’s light.

Lifestyle Reflected in Lyrics:

Luca’s love for late nights, his preference for whiskey neat and coffee black, and the gritty jazz atmosphere echo the song’s focus on rugged, spontaneous living over structure and restraint.

Emotional Cadence:

The song has a wistful, slightly melancholy tone that matches the mood of the story dark but threaded with warmth and flickers of hope.

Characters:

Luca

Luca "Black Jack" Bellasari is a smoky, magnetic soul caught between two worlds: the grit of his Southern roots and the shadowy legacy of his Italian father’s criminal empire. With storm-gray eyes, jet-black hair, and tattoos that tell untold stories, he’s as dangerous as he is alluring. Raised by a blues-loving Southern belle and a calculating mob boss, Luca straddles charm and ruthlessness a gentleman with a hint of danger. He wears tailored suits with scuffed boots, sips whiskey neat, and lives for smoky jazz bars and neon-lit nights. Calculated yet impulsive, he’s got a soft spot for goodness but keeps it buried beneath his devil-may-care demeanor. Torn between loyalty and escape, Luca is a protector to those he loves but fears undeserving of love himself. With his honeyed drawl and sharp intensity, Luca embodies the raw, bittersweet rhythm of Too Sweet a man both shaped by shadows and longing for light.

Luca "Black Jack" Bellasari Profile

Hannah

Hannah Catalina is a woman of quiet strength and radiant warmth, embodying hope and resilience in stark contrast to the shadows surrounding Luca Bellasari. With mint-green eyes searching for truth and golden, sunlit hair, she feels like she belongs to a simpler, purer world. Comionate but firm, her presence is defined by a stubborn optimism that believes in redemption, even when others ncluding Luca cannot see it.Hannah refuses to shy away from the chaos in Luca’s life, though her soft heart masks an inner tenacity that challenges his hardened worldview. Beneath her determined loyalty is someone well-acquainted with heartbreak, and despite her belief in Luca’s potential for more, she wrestles with how much of herself she’s willing to lose in order to save him.Grounded by empathy but shaped by her own struggles, Hannah embodies light in the darkness, fiercely holding on to hope yet quietly aware of the toll it takes all for the man she refuses to give up on, even when he pushes her away.

Hannah Catalina Profile