Chapter Text
The first time Han Seo felt like he’d belonged somewhere, had been 6 months ago, on a misty fall evening in an Italian airport.
It was a long time coming, of preparing, studying and finally begging his father to allow him to leave Korea to study abroad.
Anything to escape that stifling household he lived in.
So, there he was, his first day in Italy, already fluent enough to shock locals.
He’d dreamt of that day- well, he didn’t dream of coming to Italy to study international business and law, but he’d dreamed of coming nonetheless.
Days after arriving, after locking himself in the cozy apartment he bought for himself and sleeping off the terrible jet lag, his eyes caught on a poster.
Hiring now - will take students.
Behind it, was probably the most beautiful store he’d ever seen.
He could have spent five minutes, or an hour looking around, he couldn’t be sure anymore.
An old, crumbling brick wall, sleek furniture and the rich smell of coffee.
Expensive coffee.
He must have looked like a sore thumb in a place like this, because within moments of him gawking at the opulent interior of the café he was approached by a man around his age.
Luca, he’d introduced himself as, a tall Italian man with a gentle face, and a sweet voice- who gave him the job the moment he opened his mouth.
They must have been desperate, Han Seo thought to himself, but so was he, and he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Not when it gave him the opportunity to do what he always wanted to do-
Bake.
It was a feminine, waste of time, his father had ranted when he asked about it, a sting on his cheek reminded him to never ask the question again.
Instead, he spent his time pouring long hours into studying law and business. Anything that would be useful enough for his father. He’d never be able to use it like his brother did, but he could be of some use.
As drab of an existence as it was, he almost missed his father, and thinking about it, the nearly affectionate moments that defined his childhood.
Almost, he thought, but Luca-
Luca let him bake on the weekends. The kitchen to himself, he could stock their dessert windows with his creations, so long as he could make a decent cup of coffee and work on Tuesdays.
Han Seo thought it was a pretty good bargain. It fostered a warmth in his chest he never thought he needed.
6 months flew by, alongside his friendship with Luca. The older man had taken him in, and treated him like family, shared his space, his store and a warm meal with company when he needed it.
“Han Seo,” The voice, accompanied by a warm hand on his nape, gently pulled him from his thoughts and he turned to face his friend, “are you alright to stay until 6:00?”
Luca frowned a bit, the expression foreign, “Amali cancelled last minute, but I know you’ve been working since 8:00-“
The younger smiled, waving his worries away, “Don’t worry about it, it’s only,” he checked the clock behind him, “two more hours, I can handle it.”
“Han Seo-“
The younger man huffed, turning the older on his heel to push him out of the kitchen.
“If you’re so upset about it, let me have the kitchen on Tuesdays too, that’s my bargain.” Han Seo passed the older man his jacket, throwing it over his shoulders, “Besides, you’ve been here since 5:00 a.m.”
Luca frowned playfully. He put his arm through jacket as he ‘contemplated’ the offer.
“Okay,” The older acquiesced, his eyes turned sharp, “But you leave as soon as it turns 8:00.”
Han Seo leaned over the counter as he watched the older man from the doorway.
Luca stopped again midstep, “And I don’t mean close up at 8:00, I mean leave at 8:00 Han Seo!”
The younger shooed him away with promises of an early bedtime, and though he wasn’t particularly happy about it, Luca eventually left.
Han Seo wasn’t afraid to be in the store by himself, he’d long been trained to do his job properly, and it was one of the few things he was confident in his ability to do.
He hummed peacefully as he wiped the glass down in the front, periodically locking sections of the store as the night went on.
It was 7:28 p.m. when Han Seo heard the bell jingle again.
“Hello!” He chirped, attention split between the customer and wiping down the very corner of the dessert case.
A deep hum floated out.
Han Seo peeked up to see a man, taller than he was, staring intently at him.
Wrapped in what had to be a designer scarf, a long trench coat and a rich scent of which Han Seo wasn’t sure was the coffee, or the most expensive cologne; the man seemed to stand there, unaware of what a marvel he was in the small coffee shop.
“Hello,” He rumbled again, an awkward squint making its way to his eyes, “…I would like a dessert.”
The assertion was met with a wobbly lip, as Han Seo took in the seriousness behind the gaze pointed at their lemon loaf.
He cleared his throat, throwing the towel over his shoulder.
He wiped his hands down, before moving to stand in front of him, “Which kind of dessert? We have plenty.”
The panicked expression he got was enough for Han Seo to giggle quietly, before sliding the glass open again.
He stared at the man in front of him, earning a slight fidget, before smiling, “You look like a man who appreciates a gentle sweetness, am I right?”
The man blinked. His lip pushed out thoughtfully, “I, I don’t like too much sweetness, no.”
Han Seo smiled sunnily, before shuffling around the counter.
He leaned over, pointing to a small set just to the taller man’s side, sitting on pretty decorated paper.
“I recommend those, almond cakes, they’re not super sweet, but they’re nice enough to balance out a good cup of strong coffee.”
The older man hummed, and waved his hand. Han Seo assumed it meant to pack the thing up, so he dashed around the corner to the cash, but the other man still seemed to be staring at the leftover desserts.
“Um,” The man looked at him, “we also have a lemon loaf. It’s really good with tea-“
He moved around again, seeing the tension start to bleed from the man’s shoulders as he pointed to each dessert he thought the man would like.
Apparently he really didn’t know what he wanted, waving his hand on every suggestion Han Seo made, satisfaction blooming when Han Seo packed it up for him.
By the end of it all, it was 8:02, their dessert shelf was pretty much cleared, and Han Seo was helping the man carry three bags of desserts to his car.
The man got in his car, as bashful as an unruffled man could be, he thanked him for his help.
Han Seo waved it away, “It’s my job, there’s no need to thank me.”
The man tilted his head, not a finely coiffed hair falling out of place, “Are you not the baker?”
The smaller man laughed, “No, but I would love to be.”
The man left soon after, a smile, much softer on his face as he peeled out of the parking lot.
Han Seo rushed back inside, clearing the shelves and cleaning as fast as he could. If he ran he could still make the evening call for the cafeteria, and maybe just maybe,
Luca wouldn’t kill him.
—-
Han Seo wouldn’t say that he was dead, per se, but the whack that bounced off his skull did leave him clutching the edge of the table in absolute agony for a few, treacherous, moments.
“I said I was sorry.”
Luca huffed, shoving a puff pastry his way, glaring harshly when Han Seo opened his mouth to reject it.
“Eat your breakfast. Now.” He snapped, rifling through his bag, “And you also said you would be out by 8:00 p.m but I guess I can’t trust your words.”
Han Seo whined pitifully.
“Luca, please,” He sat up, “I just got caught up with one last customer, but he bought so many things-“
The man scowled over his own breakfast, hand moving away after shoving the pastry between his teeth.
“I don’t care about that, I care about your sleep schedule and general nutrition.”
Han Seo looked away, chewing thoughtfully. Luca could still see his grin though, his ears blaring red. He pinched them harshly, probably to give him an excuse for his watering eyes, before pushing the warm drink closer to him.
Their professor walked in, and their conversation died, but Luca still patted his head when he finished his pastry.
The class dragged on far too long, as usual with Mr. Fettuccine- Fegatilli, Luca would correct him at least once a class.
Han Seo thought his name was awfully appropriate, for a man who looked like he would steal his internal organs at any opportunity. Maybe he would cook them, but he wasn’t willing to find out.
That didn’t stop Luca from slapping the back of his head whenever he fumbled the name, uncommon enough but especially so with his foreign tongue.
The two walked peacefully towards the café, already entertaining a long enough line without Luca there.
Fei, an international student who took to him like a fly to honey, immediately brightened when she spotted her coworker. She waved, in between handing the customer their drinks, as Han Seo bent over the counter to grab his apron.
“You’re here!”
Fei sighed, moving closer to ’replace the milk’, “Thank God,” she gritted, “I just had to make someone six custom drinks, and I might lose my mind if another person asks for your specialty croissant.”
Han Seo snorted, directing a customer his way, he patted the shorter woman on her shoulder, hoping it gave her gripe some solace while he dealt with their patrons.
The Chinese girl had been one of his first friends- aside from Luca- in Italy. Both bonding over being, very obviously, foreign in a foreign country.
They’d immediately taken to one another after he tutored her in Italian.
He could thank his foreign languages tutor for that, when he visited home, to allow him to make a new friend so quickly.
They moved around each other fluidly, completing order after order until the rush finally calmed enough for him to get a sip of water.
“Han Seo.”
He tilted his head up to see Luca, the man shrugging his jacket on easily.
“I’m going to go pick up that walnut order, okay?” He nodded towards Fei, “You guys clean up and head home, it’s riposo soon.”
The younger man saluted, allowing Fei to collapse against him for a short moment.
“I can’t wait to take a hard nap.”
Han Seo snickered, “You gotta finish here first.”
Fei groaned into his shoulder.
He polished off his water, before clapping suddenly, “Alright, let’s get back to work!”
—-
Vincenzo wasn’t sure why exactly he was here again.
That was a lie.
He stood awkwardly in line, the pack of customers almost reaching the door with how busy they were.
He could see the two employees rushing back and forth, taking orders and sending people off with smiles.
A gummy one caught his attention. Full teeth and bright like it captured the sun in a bottle, Han Seo handed the man in front of him his croissant, and coffee and sent him off.
Vincenzo wasn’t sure if it was creepy or not, memorizing the barista's name, but he also hadn’t dated in the past twenty years.
He was sure he could excuse himself for the lack of prowess.
It took probably less than it should have, with the efficiency that the two worked with, to get him to the front of the line.
His patience wasn’t exactly his strong suit. Which was why he found himself just as surprised as the cashier in front of him, when he allowed the group in front to cut him in line.
The Italian’s eyes strayed to the younger man, just wrapping up an order as he came to be next in line, and he saw the recognition light up his face as he walked up.
The man leaned over, smiling as he chirped a bright Hello! in his direction.
He returned it, as enthusiastically as he could, his heart doing CrossFit when the corners of the man’s eyes crinkled.
“Did you enjoy the pastries?” He tilted his head, dark hair flopping to the side, “They were good right?”
Vincenzo nodded, “Very good.”
Han Seo giggled softly, “That’s good, what would you like?”
Vincenzo watched him, the giggle holding him hostage. It was so cute, he knew he should say something, but he wasn’t quite sure what.
Should he compliment it? Tell him he looks good? Would that be creepy?
The younger man’s smile was starting to slip the longer he stared, shifting on the spot.
Apparently, he decided on blurting out a quick, I would like a drink, thank you, before settling down in a booth, where he could be miserable away from the eyes of the other customers.
He held his head in his hands.
“A drink? Really?” Vincenzo scoffed at himself.
That was very specific, he scolded himself, in a café, with six whole menu boards of drinks to choose from.
He peeked at the door, he should probably just leave. There was no use in sitting in the booth waiting for anything, seeing as he didn’t order anything.
The Italian rubbed his temples, sitting here with nothing was even worse. Just taking up space waiting for the young barista to get off work, to talk to him about almond cakes.
He was about to make a great escape when a small saucer clinked delicately onto the table.
Vincenzo looked up to see Han Seo grinning down at him, pointing towards the two items on the table.
“I brought you a shot of espresso, and a dark chocolate tart.”
Vincenzo probably looked like a fool, gaping up at him the way he was, “H-how did-?”
The younger waved his hand, “You just said a drink, so I guessed. You look like an espresso guy, and you said you don’t like super sweet things, so,” He grinned shyly, “dark chocolate.”
He looked at the two items, until he could hear the younger fidget.
“I’m sorry, I seem to have misread you, I’ll get you a new set-“
Vincenzo pulled the two saucers towards him, “No, thank you Han Seo, I was just…” He inhaled the scent of the espresso, “surprised, you were able to gauge my palate so well.”
The barista waved a hand, absentmindedly wiping his hands against his apron, “It’s nothing- Wait, how did you know my name?”
Vincenzo groaned around the spoon. The taste of dark chocolate against the smooth, rich taste of the espresso warmed his blood.
He pointed towards the name tag with Han Seo scrawled cutely in pink marker.
The Italian took his hand in his, placing a delicate kiss on his knuckles, “Vincenzo.”
Han Seo stuttered as lips grazed his fingers, and Vincenzo grinned.
“I have a feeling you’ll be seeing me more often.”
—-
“Hey, don’t fall asleep here.”
Han Seo’s head bounced off the wooden table.
Luca’s hand flew up to soothe the younger’s throbbing forehead, a disapproving frown curling down his lips.
Han Seo groaned. It was taking everything in his power not crash against the desk, suddenly the softest of altars for him to rest his weary head-
“Hey.”
Han Seo whimpered out loud, “Why can’t you just let me rest?” He flopped against his chair, “You slave me in your restaurant, and then drill me at school. What more do I have to give?”
Luca rolled his eyes, “Your public decency.”
He got up regardless, patting his friend's shoulder softly, “But I’ll get you a coffee, because I love you.”
The Italian turned on his heel, bowing flourishingly as he went, “Be grateful.”
Han Seo scoffed, waving the older off. He’d always be grateful for Luca, no matter how much he complained. He always took care of him.
He slammed his forehead against the desk. Even when Mr. Fettuccine drones on for 3 hours past their lecture time.
“Lucaaa.” He whined out in the open.
It was nothing but an empty library. No students would be here this late, on a Wednesday evening. Except for him, Luca and-
The cold chill running down his spine. Han Seo spun in his seat. Eyes darting over the large space.
“I could have sworn someone was-“
“Han Seo?”
He screamed. His heart hammered in his chest, looking up to see Luca. The older man had an iced coffee held out to him, a furrow in his brow.
Luca pulled the bag from the other chair, pushing the drink towards his friend.
“Come on.” He fussed, looking over Han Seo’s shoulder for what could have caused such a reaction, “You’re clearly tired. Let’s get you home.”
Han Seo nodded.
Maybe he was just imagining it, but he couldn’t shake the feeling,
that someone was watching him.
—-
Vincenzo frowned into his coffee.
He placed the small cup down on its saucer, delicately wiping at his lips.
“If I didn’t know you any better, I would think you were frowning at the whole business shenanigans.”
He looked up at his childhood friend.
A mischievous grin spread over her lips as she sipped her beverage, “But alas, I know you’re just a coffee snob.”
Vincenzo sniffed. He pushed the saucer further away from him.
He wasn’t sure when the thing in that cup could have ever counted as coffee, in Italy nonetheless. Though, what could he expect from the instant coffee served up to these university students on a silver platter.
The deal had irritated him to a fair extent. Some foreign company having the nerve to attempt to play at their game.
He scoffed.
Cha Young rolled her eyes, “Ah, yes. Excuse me for insulting your tastes.”
The glare he sent her way was met with an innocent smile. His friend simply content to drink her beverage and tease him when need be.
Vincenzo rolled his eyes, “The coffee tastes like water.”
Cha Young pushed her cup away from her, “I’m sure you have something better in your office.”
“Besides,” She hummed, “I couldn’t expect you to lower yourself to drink at a café.”
Warm brown eyes. Vincenzo cleared his throat, trying to rid himself of the flush rising on his cheeks, but failing to hide the smile blooming.
“Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
Cha Young raised a brow.
—-
Han Seo peeked around the welcome sign. He waved when he saw one of his regulars come in, sending them off with their drink before they even made it to counter.
He was waiting for someone.
His shoe tapped against the tiles, practically dancing around the small island to clean the tables.
Fei raised a brow, giving him a one armed hug on her way out.
He was closing alone tonight, he knew there was nothing quite exciting about that, but-
He grinned.
Vincenzo was coming to see him later. As he had the past week.
Well, he hoped he would be coming to see him. It was practically a routine now, as he saw it.
“No need to break it.” Han Seo giggled to himself.
Every day, whenever he had the chance, the older man would come in. He would sit in Han Seo’s view, and wait until the younger could serve him.
If Luca were here, he would probably tell him it was creepy and weird.
Luca wasn’t here though, and Han Seo didn’t think it was all that strange, seeing as Vincenzo wasn’t nearly as suave as his appearance would make him out to be.
Short sentences and awkward stumbling led to conversation, and a promise to return.
Han Seo certainly wouldn’t call him a smooth talker though.
That didn’t mean his heart didn’t flutter when the man walked in.
Half past 7:00 p.m., the man- his acquaintance? Friend perhaps?- smiled at him over the knitted scarf wrapped tightly around his neck.
The bitter cold reminded him of the changing of seasons, and the blossoming of new things.
Han Seo smiled, good things.
“Hello, Vincenzo!” He chirped, almost skipping behind the counter to face the man, “What can I get for you today?”
The man stumbled over. His face pinched with concentration.
Secretly Han Seo hoped the man would let him pick for him, so he could feed him all the things he knew he would like.
A sheepish stare, and Han Seo waved him off to his usual seat.
“I’ll get something for you, just sit down.”
Would it be creepy to say that he had his order memorized? Han Seo shook his head, moving through the motions of serving the smooth shot of espresso.
He whirled in place to grab a dessert, maybe something sweeter this time to balance it out. He pulled out a biscotti- actually, two biscottis, and placed them delicately on the place.
Han Seo didn’t think it was weird. The older man always seemed to appreciate it, that he knew his tastes.
Like right now.
Vincenzo smiled when he saw him coming, quickly straightening himself as if Han Seo hadn’t seen him slip on his palm moments earlier.
He watched Han Seo dust off his hands on the apron, waiting for his approval as he took a ginger sip of the espresso.
The older man’s eyes lit up when he saw the biscotti, sending the younger a rare grin.
“Thank you, I will enjoy this.”
Han Seo nodded eagerly, rushing back to his place.
It was 7:37 now. His head still throbbed when he thought about the devastating blow Luca dealt to his skull. The lecture he got was even worse, and he really didn’t want a repeat of that.
So, Han Seo made sure to close early now.
“Ahem.”
Han Seo turned to see Vincenzo standing, his plate empty, and held out towards the counter.
“Oh, let me take those.”
The older man mumbled a small, thank you, before awkwardly shuffling back to the table.
Han Seo saw him hesitate for a moment, hovering around the bag resting on the chair.
Vincenzo turned, “Are you,” he gestured vaguely, “closing alone?”
He winced as soon as the question left his lips. He really hoped that didn’t make him sound like a serial killer, but the thought of Han Seo closing up alone at night just didn’t sit right with him.
The younger man smiled, nodding brightly. Vincenzo wanted to scold him for making himself so vulnerable, but he refrained.
“Would you, by any chance,” He coughed into his elbow, “want me to stay?”
The barista paused.
“I’m sorry,” Vincenzo blurted out, “if that overstepped I just thought since it’s late…”
Wow, he hasn’t done this in a long time. Still, the twinkle in Han Seo’s eyes wreaked havoc on his composure.
The younger man smiled, “That’s very considerate of you. I don’t usually close alone but you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”
God, he really hoped he wanted to.
Vincenzo sat down in response, and he hoped he wasn’t insane to think he saw the young man breathe a sigh of relief.
He watched Han Seo go through his routine, wiping down the glass, counting the money in the register, taking stock, all in silence.
Strangely comfortable, Vincenzo was almost reluctant to fill it.
“So,” He started, earning a hum, “if you’re not the baker, why do you bake?”
Han Seo paused, he sent him a smile from over the glass.
“I want to be a baker, but I’m studying law.” Han Seo sighed, his circles becoming aggressive as rubbed the stains out of the countertops.
Vincenzo nodded slowly, “Parents?”
The barista laughed, “Of course. He’s a business man, doesn’t believe baking is lucrative enough.”
It wasn’t the most lucrative, Vincenzo could admit, but, he stared down at where his biscotti had been, it was clearly what made him happy.
He watched the younger flounce around the kitchen, and he was good at it.
He could help him do that.
Han Seo patted his shoulder when it was time to lock up, 7:58 and the sun had already descended far past the cityscape.
The two chatted until they hit the main road, populated with people even during the weekdays.
Han Seo turned to face him, face drooping slightly, “Well, I guess you probably have to go now, I can walk from here.”
The older man nodded, but made no move to leave. Instead he took a step forward.
Han Seo’s breath shivered. He stepped towards him, head tilting upwards to meet his eyes.
Vincenzo reached out, hesitating, before stroking a knuckle over the swell of Han Seo’s cheek.
He really hoped he wasn’t misreading this- whatever this was they had going on.
“I would really like to see you again.” He implored, Han Seo’s head tilted up to meet his gaze, “Maybe, outside of the café?”
The older man twitched, “N-not that it’s not a lovely café or anything.”
When Vincenzo asked to keep him company, on a late night alone in the café, Han Seo had half a mind to think he was about to be murdered.
But there was something in Vincenzo’s eyes, as his thumb stroked over Han Seo’s cheek, that made him want to trust him.
Han Seo could barely keep himself from giggling the more Vincenzo complimented the café, spiralling in his own nervous attempt at wooing the younger man, and not insulting his beloved work.
He exhaled, watching it go up with the cool night air.
Vincenzo’s worries seemed to go along with it, as Han Seo melted into his touch, a grin curling up the corners of his lips,
“I would love to.”