Work Text:
I had a soft smile on my face as I swirled whipped cream onto my freshly made macchiato. No customers had come in for the past hour or so so I decided to try some new recipes in the hopes that I could make something good enough to add to the menu. I had my regulars, but it was always nice seeing new faces whenever I had new things to try.
I brought the warm beverage to my lips and drank slowly. After tasting I set the mug back onto the counter and smiled. Learning to make chocolate has paid off nicely, I could sell it as its own menu item and now had a chocolate macchiato to offer.
I sprinkled some chocolate crisps onto it to see how I could make it more presentable. Satisfied with its new appearance, I made my way to the back of the store to grab my small blackboard to announce the addition to the menu. After writing the announcement and placing the chocolate that wouldn't be used to make macchiatos on display in the glass case with the other sweets, I went outside the building to place the board.
Just as I was about to enter the building again and finish my macchiato I was jolted by the sound of yelling. I looked over to see a guy in a mesh tank top yelling at a blonde guy with an oversized yellow sweatshirt with triangles on it. I stared at them, bewildered. Soon after the initial commotion another person wearing a green and black flannel ran up to the mesh guy to pull him off of the sweatshirt dude.
The mesh guy shook off the one with the flannel and, after snapping his head in my direction, started walking towards me. I paled and quickly went back into my shop only to be followed by him. I had made it behind the counter before he slammed the door open making me fear he might break the glass as the chime on the door nearly broke at the aggressive movement. I jumped and gave him a nervous smile.
"He-Hello, sir! How can I help you?" My voice was shaking. I'd dealt with angry customers plenty of times but this guy seemed outright violent.
"What? You got a problem with my face or something?! Why were you staring?!" he yelled. Before I could say anything the one with the sweatshirt pulled the mesh guy's beanie over his eyes. I hadn't noticed it before, but it had a pig design and would almost be cute if the wearer hadn't completely terrified me.
"Hey! You can't just go around yelling at people!" The sweatshirt guy then turned to me and blushed. His pause only lasted a moment before he turned back to the mesh guy, "Especially not cute girls! What is wrong with you?!"
The first one slapped his hand away and pulled his beanie back to its original position while the second guy walked over to me.
"Hey, I'm sorry about him, but what if I made it up to you by getting you dinner sometime?" he said, smiling and winking. It was my turn to blush. Before I could respond the guy with the flannel entered.
"Zenitsu, please. Leave the poor girl alone," he said, exasperated. I couldn't blame him, it seems like his friends are both handfuls. It was then I noticed they all carried swords and confusion hit me.
I hadn't heard of any demons in this area. If they are, then I'll have to close earlier so I can be home before dark. That's not good, I had a few people who would come here after getting off work and I'd be forced to lose business.
"Hey are you alright?" the one with the flannel asked. I must've spaced because now all three were at my counter and I hadn't noticed any of them move.
"Yeah, I'm fine, are you guys demon slayers?" I asked, far more shaken by the prospect of demons than a loud, angry guy scaring off a few customers.
"Yeah, I'm Tanjiro, this is Zenitsu and Inosuke," he gestured to flirty sweatshirt guy and loud angry dude respectfully, "and we're with the demon slayer corps," flannel guy, Tanjiro, explained.
"Oh, I'm (y/n), I own this shop," I responded. That felt dumb. They're risking their lives killing demons while I'm serving frappuccinos and pastries, "Um. I realize that's a lot less important, sorry," I added measly. Tanjiro frowned ever so slightly before he spoke.
"Don't say that, I'm sure you're working just as hard as us!" He finished off smiling. Everything about him seemed warm and comforting. Suddenly I remembered my concerns from earlier.
"Wait. So if you guys are here does that mean that there's a demon nearby?" Inosuke suddenly cut in.
"No! These two just wanted a break before our next mission!" I breathed a sigh of relief but Inosuke seemed to get irritated at the explanation.
"Nuh-uh! Monitsu here was the one that wanted a break! Not me, I don't need breaks!" he yelled indignantly.
"Well it's a very dangerous job and I want to meet a pretty girl and get married before I die!" he exclaimed.
"What does that matter?" Inosuke yelled back. All at once I understood why there was a commotion earlier as they began to swat at each other.
With the knowledge that there wasn't a demon I needed to worry about the fact that they might be deterring customers from coming in became my concern.
"Listen you two," Zenitsu immediately turned to look at me with a sweet smile and Inosuke just seemed pissed, "I thank you for what you do, but if you're not going to buy anything then I'll have to ask you to leave, you'll scare off customers." Zenitsu quickly apologized while Inosuke took a step towards me. Tanjiro stopped his approach and awkwardly spoke up.
"I'm so sorry, (y/n)! We'll buy something to make up for the trouble, what's that on the counter?"
I looked down to see my macchiato, the whipped cream had melted slightly but it was alright.
"It's a chocolate macchiato, it was just added to the menu a couple minutes ago and the chocolate is homemade. Would you like it?" He nodded with a smile while Zenitsu looked at the menu overhead and Inosuke looked at the display case with the sweets.
"Hey you're paying, right Gonpachiro?" Inosuke said with a grunt. Tanjiro sighed in response and nodded.
"Well, I'll have the caramel frappuccino, I've no doubt it'll taste amazing if you're the one making it, although I don't think that even the best barista could make something as sweet as you," Zenitsu said, winking at the end and shooting finger guns at me.
I grimaced slightly.
"Uh right, so a caramel frappe and a chocolate macchiato, what would you like Inosuke?" I said, turning him.
"I want this!" he said pointing at a dessert.
"The strawberry shortcake?" he smiled and nodded with excitement, looking like a little boy. I typed in the three items into the register.
"That'll be $9.63 please!" I said with a smile. It wasn't my usual customer service smile, something about Tanjiro was drawing a genuine one out of me without even trying.
He pulled a twenty from his pocket and handed it to me.
"Here, you can keep the change for the trouble we caused," I tried to give him the bill back.
"That's fine, you really don't have-" he grabbed my hand with his. They were rough but it was nice.
"Please, it's the least I can do," he said while closing my fingers around the bill. We stood there for a moment, his hands still holding mine, and stared at each other.
"Are you kidding me?!" Zenitsu shouted, Inosuke, Tanjiro, and I all jumped. "You have the most beautiful girl as your sister and now you're getting to hold the pretty barista's hand?! That's no fair! I can't stand guys like you!" he said, reaching for his sword.
Tanjiro quickly let go of my hand and put his own up to Zenitsu.
"Calm down! We're in a store and I was just giving her the money!" Zenitsu contemplated his words, hand still on the hilt of his sword. He glared at him a moment longer until he shoved his hands into his sweater pocket rather moodily and stomped over to the small table in the corner near the window. Inosuke started snickering and followed behind him, sitting at the table. Tanjiro turned to me with a face as red as a tomato and apologized before scurrying to join his friends.
I looked down at the twenty in my hand and put it in the register without any further argument before starting on the order. My face felt warm and I could only imagine how red it was. Once I finished the drinks, I plated the cake and grabbed a fork before walking to their table.
"Here you guys go, I don't have any to-go cups or boxes because I forgot to order them," I paused for a moment, looking at them, "I'm sorry, I should've told you earlier. Is it alright if you stay here to finish?" It seemed as though Inosuke didn't hear a word I said, he just started eating the cake. He really did seem like a child.
"Of course we can stay, with beauty like you asking, how could anyone say no?" Zenitsu responded. Causing Tanjiro to roll his eyes.
"We don't mind staying, (y/n), if anything, I'm surprised you're not kicking us out," he said, chuckling and rubbing the back of his neck slightly. I giggled.
"I'm not gonna kick you guys out, but can you guys tell me what you think of the taste?" Inosuke grumbled out a 'yummy' with his mouth full as he continued to eat while Zenitsu and Tanjiro took a sip.
"This is absolutely lovely, just like you."
"It's really good! The chocolate doesn't overpower the coffee and it mixes well!" I smiled at the trio.
"Alright, good! Let me know if you need anything else!" I said before returning behind the counter. I looked at the clock on the wall and frowned.
"What's wrong, (y/n)?" Tanjiro asked. I looked over at them, all three were looking at me with curiosity.
"Oh, it's dumb, I just noticed that the time is 11:14 and I usually make a wish and 11:11. I know it's childish, but I can't help it," I explained sheepishly, rubbing my neck at how silly it really sounded out loud.
"That's really cute!" Tanjiro said, I flushed and Zenitsu looked shocked. As if realizing what he said he started to back pedal, "I mean, not like that, it's just that...um. So what were you gonna wish for?" he finished, visibly embarrassed. Zenitsu only glared while Inosuke tried not to laugh.
I cleared my throat before responding.
"Oh. Well, you're not really supposed to say what the wish is, but since I didn't get it, I guess it's alright. I was gonna wish for the nicer salesman to answer when I called to order the to-go cups and boxes," My face was warm and I was fiddling with my hands.
"Oh. Well, I hope that the nice one answers!" Tanjiro said awkwardly.
"Yeah, he gives me deals usually and the other one is kinda rude," I responded, still fiddling with my hands.
Does he actually think I'm cute? Is it because I was doing something little kids do? That doesn't seem right. Not only that, but why do I care so much? Zenitsu's been flirting this whole time and I haven't bat an eye outside of my initial shock at first, but Tanjiro calling me cute and tripping over his words is what gets me? Ugh. This blows.
"Well, uh, we finished, it was really good, you make great drinks," Tanjiro said, slowly getting up with his now empty mug.
"You make good cake too, hey Tontaro, we should come back here tomorrow!" he said before handing me the now empty plate with his fork. Tontaro? Didn't he also call him Gonpachiro earlier? That's weird. He for sure introduced himself as Tanjiro and Zenitsu even called him that. Oh well, I guess it's just Inosuke, he called Zenitsu Monitsu so it's probably normal.
"Yeah, we definitely should!" Zenitsu agreed, handing me his mug. Tanjiro looked at me, still holding the mug.
"Is that alright with you?" I nodded.
"Of course it is silly, why would I turn away customers? Besides, you guys are fun," Tanjiro blushed at that and placed the mugin front of me.
"Uhm, if you'd like I can wash this," he still held the handle of it while he brought his gaze up to meet mine.
"No, it's fine, this is my job after all, you don't have to do that," I paused. This guy was cute and seemed really sweet. I contemplated trying to flirt before deciding life is too damn short.
I grabbed the hand holding the cup's handle, essentially reversing the moment with the twenty earlier, and took his hand away while maintaining eye contact. He was starting to turn red, but at this point it'd be best to just commit.
"I look forward to seeing you tomorrow," I said, smiling. I don't know where I got this nerve but it was running out. I took the cup, pulled my hand away from his and grabbed the other dishes so that I could bring them to the back where the sink was.
Tanjiro had a rather large grin as he leaned over the counter to see me better.
"I'll see you tomorrow, (y/n)! We'll be back around this time!" he said while waving. I gave him a small nod and tried my best not to laugh at Zenitsu's clearly upset expression.
"C'mon, Tanjiro, we gotta go," he said, pulling him by the collar of his flannel. Inosuke had given up hiding his laughter and was giggling near the door. I giggled as well and waved goodbye to them before disappearing in the back to wash the dishes. Relishing in the fact that I could hide my increasingly reddening face.
I heard them leave and I let out a shaky breath. What the hell. When did I get bold? I brought my hands to my face and cupped my cheeks. Get a hold of yourself! He's gonna come back tomorrow and he seemed to like you too!
"You're fine! If you play your cards right you might be able to get a cute boyfriend, so calm down!"
"Uh, hello?" I jumped at the sudden voice. I peaked my head out to see a regular of mine standing in the doorway.
"I'm sorry! I must've not heard the door chime, would you like your usual?" I said, quickly walking to the counter.
☕︎☕︎☕︎☕︎
The rest of the day was uneventful and went on without a hitch. The sun had set and I started to do my end of day duties like cleaning and preparing any baking I'd need to do for tomorrow so that I can throw it in the oven without having to do any prep work first. I went out to grab my blackboard and as I turned to go back inside, my name was called. I looked to see Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and a cute girl wearing a pink jacket and a green mask. I smiled at the group and waved shyly. Tanjiro quickly sped up to meet me at my door and smiled at me.
"How was the rest of your day?" He asked, I tucked a loose strand of hair that'd escaped my bun behind my ear.
"It was fine, nothing of note except for you guys," I chuckled, looking at him with a smile. He returned it and turned to the girl I hadn't met before.
"Nezuko, this is (y/n), the one I was telling you about," he was talking about me? "(y/n), this is my sister, Nezuko," I gave her a small wave. She stared at me a moment before quickly walking up and giving me a hug. I was caught off guard for a moment and Tanjiro looked panicked while Zenitsu looked as though he might faint.
I hugged her back and smiled at her. I couldn't see her mouth, but I could tell she returned the smile with her eyes. I looked over at Tanjiro and the soft expression he wore made my heart melt. I opened my mouth to say something but before I could, Zenitsu spoke up.
"Wow! Two cute girls hugging, they're so cute, don't you think so?" he asked, turning to Inosuke.
"No," He responded coldly. Both Tanjiro and Zenitsu seemed upset by his answer. The three began bickering while Zezuko only watched. I opened the door and called out to them.
"Hey guys, c'mon it's cold, come inside," they stopped and followed me in. Inosuke quickly went to the display case and was soon disappointed to find that it was nearly cleaned out.
"Hey, where's all the sweets?" he asked with disappointment very evident in his voice.
"Oh, well, I've sold most of them, I sell just about everything I make. I'm closed now though so I don't mind giving you the rest," I said, going behind the counter and grabbing a plate to put the remaining sweets, two cake pops and a slice of lemon bread, on. His face lit up as I handed it to him and he quickly sat down with it.
"Oh, you're closed? I'm sorry, we can go, I don't wanna impose," Tanjiro said, frowning slightly. I shook my head.
"Nonsense. I like having you around," it didn't occur to me that I only referred to Tanjiro at that moment until after I spoke but luckily it seemed no one else noticed and Tanjiro seemed distracted by the fact that he still felt guilty for possibly inconveniencing me. I flushed. "Just, go sit down, you're fine, I'll be out in a sec," he didn't seem satisfied with my answer.
"Well I still feel bad, let me make it up to you somehow," he said stubbornly. I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"Fine. You can help me clean up a bit," I offered. He gave me an enthused nod and smile. I felt myself starting to smile back at him, finding it rather infectious, "Okay, go sit down I'll let you help in a little bit," he nodded again and went to sit with his friends as I went to the back.
Once I got to the back where I was hidden away from my visitors I leaned on one of my counters and groaned. I was down bad. I went to the sink and splashed some water on my face to try and clear my head. I sighed, drying my face off before throwing away the wet paper towel and walking back out.
"Hey so if-where'd everyone go?" I asked. Tanjiro was currently seated at the table while his friends and sister were gone.
"Oh, heh. Well, uhm. What happened was that Nezuko was angry at Inosuke for not sharing any sweets and slapped his arm then he started chasing her around because he was mad and then he chased her out of the store and Zenitsu followed them."
"Oh," I responded. He seemed nervous, "So, you didn't think to follow them? That is your sister after all," I said skeptically.
"Oh, well, Zenitsu has it handled," he responded. I still didn't believe his story. He cleared his throat and continued, "So. What do you want me to do? I gotta help you out, you already said I could," he said, smiling and resting his head on his hand. I sighed.
"Well, you can do the last of the dishes while I fix stuff up to bake in the morning," he smiled up at me from his chair and I felt my heart skip a beat. He was so cute. I swiftly turned around before he could see the redness of my face, "Well, come on, this place won't clean itself," he got up and followed me to the back.
"I've already got the water ready, here's the sponge. There isn't very many left to do. I've also already sweeped and mopped, all I need to do is prepare batter and dough to bake in the morning," Tanjiro nodded.
"Alright, I'll get on that right away!" he said before rolling his sleeves up and getting started on the dishes. I got to work on making dough for banana bread. We worked together silently and for a moment I forgot he was there until I felt a pair of hands on my shoulder. I jumped slightly and he brought his head to my shoulder, nuzzling into the crook of my neck.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he mumbled into my ear. Some of his hair brushed against my cheek, tickling it softly. I felt a shiver run down my spine as my face started feeling hot.
"It's fine, I just forgot you were here, so you finished the dishes?" I asked, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.
"Yeah, what are you doing?" He asked, bringing his hands away from my shoulders and onto my waist, holding my body close to his. For a moment I thought I felt his heart pounding in his chest.
"Oh, I'm just making dough for banana bread, I'll bake it in the morning," I said, trying to keep my voice level. He hummed, his face still in the crook of my neck. We stayed like that for a while and it was nice, but I had finished making the dough.
"I've got to put this in the fridge, Tanjiro," I said softly. He let me go slowly and I quickly put the dough in the fridge after putting plastic wrap over the bowl. That was the last thing I needed to do.
"Well, that was all I had to do," I said. I didn't want this moment to end but we couldn't stand around here forever. He looked at me with an introspective expression.
"We should probably see where they all ran off to," I said, looking at the ground, bringing myself to sit on the counter by the fridge.
"Yeah. But, before that, can I ask you something?" I looked up at him and hummed. He seemed to grow nervous as he rubbed his hands together and frowned slightly as he looked down, "Would you like to go out sometime?" he asked, bringing a hand to rub the back of his neck as the other was put into his pants pocket.
He looked up at me, seemingly unsure of himself. My face felt ten times more hot and I felt a few beads of sweat form on my forehead as we stared at each other. He seemed to lose his nerves as he started rambling and backpedaling.
"I mean, I have to move around a lot because I'm a demon slayer and it's kinda dangerous, but I think you're really cool and pretty and I like you a lot. I don't even know if you like me, but I just wanted to ask, if you don't want to then that's-" I kissed his cheek and smiled at him warmly.
"I'd love to go out with you, Tanjiro," he had a sweet smile on his face as he blushed and kissed me on the lips. I was caught off guard for a moment but soon returned it.
We soon pulled away and looked at each other with flushed faces.
"I guess I should call them huh?" He said, chuckling and pulling out his phone, "But first, can I get your number?" I kissed his nose and took his phone, entering my name and number before handing it back to him. He called them once I handed him back his phone and took a few steps away. I whipped down the table I used to make the banana bread dough and made my way to the small closet a bit further back in the store to give him privacy and take off my apron.
"Well, they all seem fine, wanna go get some food?" He asked, poking his head around the corner. I smiled and nodded, locking the door to the small shop as we left and walking away with him. As we walked through the city I grabbed his hand with a smile on my face. He gave my hand a quick squeeze as I led him to a diner.