Work Text:
A Foggy Morning
One quiet, foggy morning in March the little bakery that Bad worked at wasn’t as busy as normal. It was still early but normally people were getting coffee before going to work. At around 7am, Skeppy had walked into the building, up to the counter, and placed his order. Bad had given him his coffee.
“Today isn’t as busy as normal, right?”
The question had caught Bad off guard. He spun around to see Skeppy leaning on the counter sipping his drink.
“Uhm, no it’s not.”
“It’s quiet… Well, quieter.”
“Yeah.”
“So, how’s your morning?”
“It’s pretty good. How’s yours?”
“It’s much better now. I fell out of bed.” Skeppy gently chuckles.
Bad reciprocates the laugh. “Why's it better? Cuz of the coffee?”
“Yeah. But also cuz you're here.” Skeppy looks Bad in the eyes.
“Oh? Really?”
“Yeah. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.”
“It is.”
They spoke for another hour or so before Skeppy had to leave.
“Hey, wait. What’s your name?”
“Oh, it’s Darryl.”
“See ya later, Darryl.”
“See ya…?”
“Zak.”
“See ya, Zak.”
Skeppy left the bakery and life went on.
Two days later Skeppy had come back.
“Hey D.”
“Hey! What would you like today?”
“Mmm, just a black coffee.”
“Okay.”
Bad hands Skeppy his drink.
“There you go. Just as bland as your personality.” Bad stops. “I’m sorry, was that too mean?”
Skeppy just stares at him for a second. Then the fake tears started. “No, no. It’s fine. I’ll leave if you want me to.”
“Wait! No! Zak! I’m sorry!”
“Are you really?”
Bad nods aggressively.
“Whoa, okay calm down.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.”
“Dude, I was joking. It was funny. Although, wasn’t I the one to start our conversation a couple days ago?”
“Maybe.”
Skeppy gives Bad a warm smile. “You’re so weird.”
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what I said. You’re weird.”
“You’re weird.”
(Random Person) “Excuse me. Are you gonna move, or are you two gonna make out in the back?”
“Oh my goodness! Sorry.”
“No, no. I think we will makeout. Kissy noises.”
Bad can’t help but snicker. “Kissy noises.”
The person scoffs. Bad and Skeppy just make kissy noises for another second or so.
“Okay, okay, I’ll move. Sorry.” Skeppy walks off to the side and lets the person place their order.
The whole day Skeppy and Bad spoke while Bad was working. Soon, it became closing time.
“Okay, go wait outside for me. I’ll grab my things and be out in a second.”
“Okay.” Skeppy goes outside. Bad comes out a minute or two later, he locks up, and they start to make their way home. They went to Bad’s house because it was closer.
“Are you sure you’re fine walking home?”
“Yes, Darryl.”
“Could I call you an Uber or something?”
“I’ll call you when I get home okay?”
Bad hesitates. “Okay.” Bad pulls out his phone and Skeppy gives his number. They say their goodbyes and Skeppy leaves.
A couple months pass and every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, Skeppy goes to the bakery to talk to Bad. Bad will always have a fresh Chocolate Chip Muffin and a cup of hot chocolate prepared for when Skeppy would get there. Most of the time he’ll be there, but sometimes he won’t. On the days Skeppy can’t be there, he’ll text Bad and say something like “ Sorry I can’t be there. :( I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you <3 ” and Bad would respond with “ <3 ”, “ >:( “, or “ Work is gonna be boring :( “ They would text periodically throughout the day. And every night that Skeppy was still there as Bad would close up they would walk home together, and they would text once when they got home. Some nights Skeppy would stay with Bad. Other nights Bad would stay with Skeppy. Days when they both had off they would go to the park or on a walk and talk until dark. Who would have thought such a beautiful friendship would start with a customer and a worker.