Chapter Text
The sun began to set, casting a beautiful orange hue across the world, as the gentle autumn breeze rustled the amber leaves of the trees. Xie Lian basked in the sky’s array of colours as he worked through the quiet leaves flying through the wind, arriving at the cafe for his closing shift. The cafe was decorated with small bits of Halloween and autumn decor, fairy lights lining the drink counter, and the stage adjacent.
Xie Lian walked in, seeing some new faces setting up by the stage. He saw a few amps and what looked to be musical instruments. The cafe typically hosted trivia nights, karaoke, small comedy acts, and even magic performances. Yet, never a band, which one would think could have been the first option for a stage. He walked past to get into the back to clock in, getting bombarded by his favourite bubbly co-worker and best friend.
“A-Lian! You’re finally here! Did you see the band outside?!” Shi Qingxuan took his hands into theirs; he could see the stars that glittered in their eyes with excitement.
“I didn’t get a good look at them, but I saw them setting up. Do you know what kind of music they play?” Xie Lian said, releasing his hands to tie his apron on.
“Not sure! They just got here, maybe 20ish minutes before you! However, Yizhen said he knows the guy on the keyboard. Said it might be a regular thing to see them on weekends! He finally took my suggestion to get live music and really make the place cozy!”
“I suppose it would be nice, and maybe I’d have company when closing hours get kind of slow… are you closing with me?” Xie Lian asked, walking them out to the counter where Yizhen was.
“OF COURSE! I wasn’t originally, but then I saw the band, and I couldn’t resist.” Shi Qingxuan glanced at the band. Xie Lian finally was able to get a better look; however, his thoughts were interrupted.
“Look how dreamy the one with the scowl is,” they said, dazed.
“The one with the ponytail?” Xie Lian asked, looking at them with an eyebrow raised. He had heard of opposites attracting in fictional stories, but he wasn’t sure it was true in practice.
Shi Qingxuan playfully hit Xie Lian on the shoulder, “You know I like them mean!”
“Qingxuan, focus!” Yizhen said as he was taking orders at the counter.
Xie Lian let out a light chuckle, preparing some of the drinks alongside his pouting best friend. It was true, they did particularly enjoy someone who was a bit combative. He looked over to the band stage again; they seemed to be nearly ready to start performing. The “mean” one with the ponytail was dressed mostly in black but adorned in gold jewelry. He looked to be the band’s bassist, standing on the right side of the stage. Shi Qingxuan mentioned that Yizhen knew the pianist, who stood on the left side of the stage. He looked quite plain in comparison, but still handsome nonetheless. He was wearing a dark purple shirt with a lower side pony over his shoulder. His face didn't hold a scowl or smile, but rather just a, well… plain, neutral expression. Lastly, the guy in the middle was dressed in red and black, embellished with silver. His hair was unruly in a quite attractive way, while one eye was covered with an eyepatch. He stood tall with an electro-acoustic guitar; he looked as if he were playing with a pedal at his feet. An electric guitar off to the side, with a smaller drumset.
“How did you find this band again, Yizhen?” Xie Lian asked, moving towards the counter to take the next order.
“Ah, I made a deal with Yin Yu, the guy on the keyboard.”
“A deal?” Shi Qingxuan chimed in.
“Yeah, Yin Yu agreed he would play at our cafe every weekend if I stopped showing up at his house to see him,” He explained.
“What?” Shi Qingxuan said, squinting with their eyebrows furrowed.
“I’ve been attempting to court him for months.”
“But why would you go to his house? Isn’t that a bit…” Shi Qingxuan trailed. Yizhen titltedhis head, looking at Shi Qingxuan curiously, optimistic and oblivious to his actions. “Ah.. never mind,” Shi Qingxuan said, sighing.
Xie Lian went back to writing names on cups for to-go orders before hearing someone clear their throat in front of him. He looked up, heart almost skipping a beat as the eyepatched figure stood tall before him. Xie Lian recognized he was tall from afar, but seeing it right in front of him, something new blazed within him. A dangerous smirk looks down at him, as his eyes look hopeful.
“Oh! Sorry for the wait. What can I get you?” Xie Lian asked, trying to maintain eye contact before looking down at the register.
“What’s your favourite drink?” His voice was deep and rich with allure, leaning closer over the counter.
“Oh mine? It’s quite simple, but I’ve always loved a vanilla latte. Maybe a close second would be our brown sugar plum latte, it's a bit sweeter if you’re into that,” Xie Lian said, looking back at him.
“I seem to gravitate towards sweet things as of late,” He says, scanning over Xie Lian’s face, adding a dusting of pink on his cheeks and the tips of his ears. “However, I trust your opinion, and I’ll try the Vanilla Latte.” Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; he had a feeling that the comment wasn’t about the coffee.
Xie Lian attempts to compose himself after that, hoping his face cools down. “Perfect, what’s the name for the order?”
“Mm.. Hua Cheng, but you can call me San Lang. I think the band has a running drink tab,” he states.
“I’ll ask. If not, can I find you at the end of the night?” Xie Lian says, placing down the order on the tablet.
“You can find me anytime you want, Gege, but thank you,” Hua Cheng nods, growing his smirk into a soft smile.
“Gege?” Xie Lian asks, looking back at him. “Are you calling me old?”
“You wound me, I would never. Gege just seems so poised and wise with his words,” Hua Chang states. “Does the name bother you?”
“No! No, it’s okay,” Xie Lian says, shaking his head. “Your drink will be ready at the counter down there,” he says, pointing. Hua Cheng gives him a curt nod and walks back to where the band was. He seemed to try and tell them something, gaining a disgusted look from the one in black, and no reaction from Yin Yu.
“He was totally hitting on you,” Xie Lian jumped, tuning back to the world, leaving the bubble he was in with Hua Cheng. He turned around to give Shi Qingxuan a rather “Are you serious?” type face, moving to deny anything they were about to say.
“He was just being nice, he’s part of the band and was just getting some coffee.”
“Your coffee, and I emphasize, your favourite drink,” they mentioned.
“I could mean nothing, and he was just being nice,” Xie Lian denied.
“What am I going to do with you, A-Lian?” they said, shaking their head in disappointment, turning back to the coffee counter.
Outside, the sky deepens to an indigo, and the cafe is dimly lit, warm with glow from the fairylights and lamps. The music wasn’t loud, but intimate. It started with the bass strumming a soft base for jazz. The aesthetic of the band looked as if they would play emo-rock; however, there they stood, preparing for jazz. It made sense for the context of the cafe, but made Xie Lian internally laugh.
Xie Lian was making latte art as the soft sounds of jazz graced his ear; it was mellow and really added to the overall cafe’s vibe. He looked over to see Hua Cheng looking right back at him, making him turn back to the art that he unintentionally messed up just by that interaction alone. Thankfully, he was able to take a toothpick and reposition his mistake, but he couldn’t help but feel watched. As if there was a blazing magnifying glass looking right at his every move, making his ears and face burn. Closing time was approaching, and the cafe started to fizzle out of customers, allowing Xie Lian & Shi Qingxuan to start to clean up a bit to make it easier for later on.
“Gege,” Xie Lian heard as he turned around, sweeping the floor, and he looked back at the counter to see the bane of his peachiness.
“Hi, San Lang, is there anything I can help you with?” Xian says, lifting his head to attempt to make eye contact, but nearly failing. Hua Cheng’s gaze was intense, and not in a bad way, but something warm.
“Oh, just here to pay the band’s tab before we pack up. Thank you again for the lovely wisdom; your suggestion was thoroughly delicious. I’ll have to try your other suggestions next time.” He continued, holding out his card for the payment.
“Well, I’m glad you liked it! I know it can be a bit plain, but it's a staple,” Xie Lian spoke, taking Hua Cheng’s card to complete the transaction. “Well… I’ll see you next Sunday?”
“Mm, maybe sooner if my schedule graces me with any luck, thanks again, Gege. I hope you have a magnificent night.” Hua Cheng replied before giving him a curt smile and walking back to the stage where his band was packing up.
“You should totally go for that,” Shi Qingxuan says, scaring Xie Lian again, tightening his grip on the broom he was using earlier.
“You gotta stop doing that,” Xie Lian says, turning around, “and again, we just met. He’s just being polite to the staff that he’ll have to see every Sunday.” He denies. Shi Qingxuan gives him a raised eyebrow, not believing a word he says, before turning back to clean the milk steamer.
As Xie Lian begins to sweep, he looks back at a busy Hua Cheng, questioning why someone like him would want anything to do with a measly barista.