Work Text:
“Jesus Christ why is Belgium so fucking cold!” Babe heard Bill complain from a little ways behind him.
It was pretty cold, he thought to himself, agreeing with his friend.
Snow was beginning to fall, little white flecks standing out against the green of their fatigues as they made their way through the new base.
“I could really use some coffee right about now,” Shifty murmured from next to Babe.
Poor Shifty, not used to the snow.
Slinging an arm around his soft-spoken fellow rifleman, Babe smiled softly.
“Come on Shift, we’ll go get you something warm,” he promised.
Shifty gave one of his famous smiles and Babe couldn’t help but melt a little.
A few buildings were lit up ahead, the smell of baked goods and coffee filtering down.
Babe grinned.
“That’s more like it, hey, let’s go grab something for the others,” he suggested.
Shifty smiled again as they sped up, pushing open the door.
Warm air hit them in a nice breeze, a faint smell of chocolate lingering and quiet piano music in the background.
“Good morning,” a gentle voice called.
Babe turned around and his jaw almost dropped.
The barista behind the counter was a gorgeous man with dark hair and the deepest blue eyes he’d ever seen.
Shifty let out a small snicker at his probably love-stricken face.
“Morning,” the Virginia native replied, smiling.
“What can I get y’all?” the barista asked, smiling back.
“I’ll have a medium hot chocolate, a medium café mocha, a medium London Fog, two chocolate croissants and, what do you want Babe?”
The barista paused.
Babe quickly blinked.
“Oh uh, I’ll have a medium,” he squinted at the menu, “Spiced Chai latte please,” he turned to Shifty.
“Me or you, Shifty? Or we splittin’?”
“I’ll take mine, Tab’s and one croissant,” Shifty offered.
Babe nodded.
“So I’ve got mine, Bill’s, and the other croissant?” He confirmed.
Shifty nodded.
“That sounds right.”
Another barista appeared.
Her dark blonde hair was in braids, a blue scarf keeping it out of her face.
She smiled at them, saying something to the very cute barista in French, or at least Babe assumed it was French.
He huffed a smile and got to work on their drinks.
“That will be $8.75 for the chai, mocha, and croissant,” she said with a pleasant accent.
Babe took his wallet out of one of his pockets, sliding his card in.
“Thank you,” she said, after he slid his card back into his wallet.
He nodded and stepped to the side, letting Shifty go next.
The door opened again and he laughed at Bill’s face.
His nose was already turning pink.
“The hell you laughing at Babe?” Bill griped, “Your face looks like your hair.”
Babe snorted.
The male barista paused again when his name was said.
“Your name is Babe?” The female barista asked with a laugh.
Babe chuckled.
“Nah, just what everyone calls me, only the nuns called me by my first name,” he explained.
She laughed again and Babe saw Tab’s cheeks pink.
“I’m Renee,” she introduced herself, “and that’s Gene,” she motioned to the other barista, “Which branch?” She asked, referring to their fatigues.
“Army,” Babe said, smiling at Gene as he handed over the drinks and pastry.
Bill stepped forward once he got near the door.
“Whatcha got Babe?” He asked.
Babe handed him the cafè mocha with a grin.
Bill sipped it and groaned happily.
“You’re a godsend, you know that?”
Babe cackled.
He thought he saw Gene’s cheeks redden, but he brushed it off.
Shifty was smiling when he came over a minute later, handing Tab the hot chocolate.
Tab accepted it with a grin.
“Shifty Powers, the world does not deserve you!” He proclaimed, wrapping his hands around the cup.
Shifty smiled again and motioned to the door.
Babe waved at Renee, who waved back with a smile as they ventured back into the cold air of the base.
~~~~~~~~
Renee spun around, her face lit up.
“You!” She exclaimed gleefully, pointing at Gene, who was now very interested in their tea boxes.
“You can’t hide from me Eugene! You thought he was cute!"
Gene bunched up his shoulders, his cheeks red.
“He was cute,” he admitted, knowing she wouldn’t stop until he agreed.
She grinned.
“I was looking at him from the back when he and his friend came in, he was looking at you too,” she told him.
His cheeks were probably on fire.
~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Gene was busy making himself a London Fog when the door opened.
He turned his head and recognized one of the same men from yesterday, Shifty, if he remembered correctly.
Shifty smiled at him.
“Good morning Gene,” he said, Gene perking up at the now noticeable hints of a Southern accent.
“Good morning, Shifty, was it?”
Shifty nodded, still smiling.
“Can I have a medium Americano and a Honeyed Irish Black Tea?”
Gene nodded, turning back around.
“How are you boys liking Belgium so far?” He asked over the sounds of the kettle.
Shifty laughed.
“It’s not so bad, but I don’t like the cold as much. Babe, Bill and the others from up North are better off I think.”
Gene chuckled.
“I can tell. If you don’ mind me asking, where are you from?”
“Virginia,” Shifty replied, hands in the pockets of his army-issued coat.
“A fellow Southerner then, I’m from Louisiana,” Gene said, pouring the tea and coffee into the to-go cups.
“Really?” Shifty asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice, “What are you doing in Belgium then?”
Gene grinned.
“I’m in the reserves, training to be a medic,” he explained.
Shifty smiled again.
“Wow, that’s impressive, well I gotta run, Babe and Bill have been at the range since 0400 and I promised I’d meet them for breakfast,” he dropped $10 on the counter as he headed back out the door.
Gene waved as he left, smiling to himself.
~~~~~~~~~
Shifty sped into the mess hall, plopping down next to the two Philadelphia men.
“There you are Shifty!” Bill said, “We were starting to think you got lost.”
Shifty did not stick out his tongue.
“Well I was going to give you these,” he held out the two cups and Babe’s whole body became more alert.
“Is that?” He asked.
Shifty nodded with a grin.
“Americano for Bill, Honeyed Irish for Babe,” he handed them their respective drinks.
“Shifty, if I wasn’t so goddamn cold and straight, I could kiss you,” Bill said around the muffin in his mouth.
Babe almost spit out his own muffin, laughing.
Shifty rolled his eyes fondly.
Babe took a sip of his tea, noticing black writing on the edge of the cup.
He choked, almost spraying tea onto Bill.
“Babe what the hell?”
Babe didn’t answer as he read the string of digits on the cup.
He tried to not whoop loudly, but instead settled for a small fist pump.
“What is it?” Shifty asked.
Babe turned the cup with a face-splitting grin.
“I think I got the cute barista’s number,” he said.
From Unknown Number:
Hi! Is this Gene?
To Unknown Number:
It is :)
From Unknown Number:
It’s Babe, by the way
Wasn’t sure if you knew
To Babe:
I figured as much, I wrote my number on your cup after all
From Babe:
How’d you know it was going to be mine??
To Babe:
A magician never tells :)
From Babe:
Alright then magic man, keep your secrets :)
Gene smiled at his phone.
“What’s got you all smiling? Did the cute boy come back?” Renee asked, tying her blue scarf around her braids again.
Gene didn’t answer her.
She peered over his shoulder and squealed.
“You gave him your number!” She cheered.
Grabbing a straw, Gene chucked it at her, cheeks turning red again.
She dodged it, giggling.
“You can’t lie to me Gene, we’ve been friends for long enough,” she chided, still giggling.
“If I say yes, will you leave me alone?” He shot back, looking up from his phone with a grin.
Renee started laughing just as the door opened, another one of Babe’s friends from the first day, Tab, he thought.
He seemed to freeze.
“Is this a bad time?” He asked, taking in the laughter.
Renee wiped her eyes, still giggling.
“No no everything is fine, what can I get for you?” She asked.
Tab smiled at her, his brown hair flopping over his forehead a bit.
“Can I get two hot chocolates please?” He asked, pulling his wallet out.
Gene got started on the drinks, smiling to himself as he made the second one, adding in the dash of cinnamon that he knew Renee liked.
“That will be $4.65,” Renee said, pressing some buttons on the screen.
Tab pulled out a five dollar bill.
“Keep the change,” he insisted.
She smiled at him, brushing a piece of her hair back that had fallen out of its braid.
Gene handed Tab one of the cups and winked at him with a small smile.
Tab paused.
Gene then handed the second cup to Renee and motioned to one of the small tables in the corner.
“Go,” he shooed them, smiling.
Renee shot him a surprised look.
He gently pushed her from behind the counter and towards Tab, who was trying not to blush.
“Enjoy your date,” he called to her in French, watching Tab look confused while she turned pink.
Renee suddenly turned to Tab, saying something too quiet for Gene to hear, but Tab smiled and they headed towards the door instead, Gene waving them off.
~~~~~~~~~~~
He and Renee were both waiting the next morning for one or more of their new regulars to show, frowning at each other when they didn’t.
“They are working,” Renee said, heating herself an apple scone as she leaned against the counter.
Gene hummed. She had a point. They did have a job to do.
It was later that night Gene looked up as an ambulance went roaring past the cafe window, heading towards the hospital on the base.
“I hope they’re okay,” Renee bit her lip, her eyes wide.
“Me too,” Gene said.
A few mornings later, Renee looked up as the door chimed.
Babe and Shifty, looking almost asleep on their feet.
“Gene!” She yelled into the back.
He appeared a few seconds later, wiping his hands on a towel.
“You had us worried,” he said, the small smile falling from his face as he took in their fatigues.
“What happened?” He demanded, reaching for the first aid kit under the counter, almost leaping over it.
“It’s not ours,” Babe whispered, his voice hoarse.
Gene paused.
“You’re sure?”
Babe nodded, letting Shifty lean against him.
“It’s Tab’s,” the shorter man murmured, sounding like he hadn’t slept in days.
Gene and Renee looked at each other in fear.
“What?” She asked, her eyes threatening to water.
“Tab got stabbed by a sentry,” Babe said, scrubbing a hand over his face, “He’s in recovery at the hospital.”
Renee clapped a hand over her mouth, her shoulders beginning to shake.
“They said he’s gonna make it,” Babe blinked slowly, obviously tired.
Gene didn’t hesitate to take the apron off of his friend.
“Go,” he said, “I can handle it. Go to him.”
Babe and Shifty blinked a few times each.
“You’re the girl,” Shifty realized, “He wouldn’t stop talking about this girl he went on a date with a few days ago,” Shifty looked a little more awake now.
Gene quickly raced behind the counter, pouring three to go cups of their strongest iced coffee, handing one to each of them.
“Go,” he said again.
She nodded and almost ran, her blue scarf falling to the ground.
Shifty looked at Babe, who was still a bit slow.
“I’ll go with her, make sure she finds his room,” he said, and left, catching up to Renee quickly.
Gene looked at Babe now, the red headed soldier still a bit out of it.
“C’mon, sit down,” Gene quickly flipped the sign on the door to CLOSED, pulling Babe into the apartment behind the cafe.
Babe was more awake now as the smell of coffee turned into almost a woodsy smell.
Gene all but shoved him into a soft chair, appearing a few minutes later with a small plate of snacks and a blanket.
It took him a few more minutes before Babe rejoined the world, his eyes flickering around the new location.
“Hey, you back with me?” Gene asked, keeping his voice low.
Babe nodded and Gene handed him a piece of something that looked like bread.
“Eat it,” he said gently, “You need to get somethin’ in your system.”
He ate it slowly.
After a while, he seemed more alert than when he and Shifty walked in.
“Good,” Gene declared.
"Hey Gene?" Babe asked.
"Yeah?"
"Can I use your kitchen?"
~~~~~~~
Tab was thankful for the dimmed lights in the recovery ward.
He was awake now, the stitches still in his healing side.
Picking up his book, he flipped through it slowly, enjoying the quiet, minus the steady beeps of the monitors hooked up to him.
The door at the end of the hall opened, and Tab looked up at the sound of running footsteps.
Renee’s braids were coming loose, some of her hair framing her face.
He managed to sit up more, trying not to toss his book onto the table.
“You’re okay?” She asked, breathing heavily.
He nodded.
“I will be, promise.”
Renee sat in the chair next to his bed, moving it so she was right next to him.
Tab offered his hand, palm up, and she took it, interlocking their fingers with a small smile.
She sat there for hours, but now she was up on the bed with him, her body on his uninjured side as he read.
The doors opened again and Tab blinked.
Gene, the other barista, was coming towards them, a small bag in hand.
“Talbert,” he greeted, nodding his head.
“Gene, good to see you,” Tab said, “Also how’d you know my last name? And how’d you get in here when you aren’t a guest? You need a military ID and be either a medic or doctor to-” he paused, seeing the smirk on the barista’s face.
“Did you sneak in here?” He whispered harshly.
Gene suddenly laughed.
“No I didn’ sneak, I’m a medic in the reserves, I used my ID to get in.”
Tab sighed in relief.
Renee had reached for the bag, a stream of excited French exiting her mouth.
Gene snorted.
“Compliments of Babe actually, he took over ma kitchen.”
Tab suddenly reached for the bag.
“Babe barely cooks anymore! I don’t care what it is, but I want some!”
Renee pulled out a handful of small desserts.
A whispered “Fuck yes!” from Tab made Gene and Renee look at him.
“These are Babe’s mom’s Irish Ginger Snaps, she only makes them around St. Patrick’s Day,” he explained, happily munching on one of the cookies, grinning.
“He’s Irish?” Renee asked, nibbling on one of the other cookies.
“His mom was born there, and she and his grandparents came over when she was in her 20’s. Mama Heffron is a Saint,” he mumbled the last part.
Gene could see it.
Babe’s house, full of laughter and the smell of bread baking.
“Whatcha thinkin’ bout Doc?” Tab asked, another cookie in his mouth.
Gene froze.
“You called me Doc,” he said carefully.
Tab nodded and swallowed.
“Well yeah, you’re a medic aren't you?”
Gene huffed a smile.
Tab was released a day later, Babe, Shifty, and a few other guys all hugging him as soon as he entered the lobby.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asked Renee.
She smiled.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” she promised, pecking him on the cheek before she followed Gene back towards his small place.
The boys all hollered at Tab about his girlfriend once they left the building.
~~~~~~~~~
They were only there for another three months before they learned.
“They’re sending you where?” Gene asked, turning to face Babe.
Babe’s face was crestfallen.
“Australia,” he said quietly.
Gene walked around the counter and pulled him into a tight hug, Babe’s hands pulling him as physically close as he could.
“I’ll come back,” he sniffled, “I promise.”
To Babe <3 :
Good morning Babe
From Babe <3:
Gene it’s like 1 am there why are you still awake?
To Babe <3:
Got called in to assist on a patient
From Babe <3:
You’re a doctor??? I’m just learning this now???
To Babe <3:
Did I not tell you I’m a medic in the reserves
From Babe <3:
N O
To Babe <3:
Oh
My bad
Sorry
From Babe <3:
GENE WHAT THE
~~~~~~~~
They texted, called, and video chatted as best as they could.
Babe was usually getting ready for his day as Gene went to sleep, or vice versa.
They couldn’t find the time.
To Babe <3:
Facetime later?
To Babe <3:
?
Gene frowned. Babe was always quick to respond.
A Few Hours Later
Renee’s phone dinged with a familiar tone and she opened the call with a smile.
“Hi,” she said, smiling at her boyfriend on the screen.
Tab smiled back, a lot of background noise behind him.
“Listen, I need your help.”
She sat up.
“What is it?”
Tab grinned.
“We’re coming back,” he said.
Renee paused.
“To Belgium?”
Tab nodded, still smiling.
“Babe left a few hours ago, I’m leaving in less than ten minutes, his plane lands sometime tomorrow morning, mine a hour or so later. Can you find a way to keep Gene on the base, or even better, in the cafe?”
Renee wanted to cry in happiness.
“I can,” she promised, “Who is getting you from the airport?”
“Bill is picking us up,” Tab looked behind him.
“I gotta go, but I’ll see you tomorrow, I love you.”
The call closed and Renee jumped up, picking things up around her apartment.
Gene checked his phone again.
Babe still hadn’t responded.
“What is it?” Renee asked him.
Gene scrubbed at the counter.
“Babe hasn’t responded to my last message,” he said a minute later.
Renee blinked.
“That is unlike him,” she agreed, “Perhaps he does not have service right now?”
That was a possibility, Gene didn’t want to admit, Babe was in Australia after all.
Renee peeked her head back into the front of the cafe.
“Maybe try calling him? I need to run to the restroom, can you help this customer? I promise I’ll be quick.”
Gene nodded and pulled out his notepad from the front of his apron, heading towards the front, where he could see two figures out of the corner of his eye.
Tab had his phone out, recording the whole thing and trying not to laugh at the fact that Gene wasn’t even looking at them.
Babe was stifling a grin.
“What can I get you both?” Gene pulled out a pen, ready to write down the orders.
“I’d really like to hug my boyfriend, if that’s alright.”
Gene’s head snapped up, the pen and notebook falling to his feet.
Babe and a laughing Tab were sitting at the small table, wearing civilian clothing, Tab’s hand holding up a phone.
Babe stood up.
Gene launched himself forwards, arms wrapping around Babe’s neck.
“What are you doin’ here?” He exclaimed, pulling back a minute later, grinning.
Babe laughed.
“Surprise!”
Renee had come out from the back, happily going over towards Tab, kissing his cheek as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
Gene looked at her, realizing.
“You knew about this, didn’t you?”
She nodded, grinning.
Gene rolled his eyes at her, turning back around to kiss his boyfriend.