Work Text:
Eric has a love-hate relationship with coffee and coffee shops. Not too long ago, he wasn’t really into any drink that had even a drop of coffee, mainly because he was still young and coffee isn't something kids should be drinking, according to the adults around him. They always scared him that it would stop him from growing taller. There were kids his age who would sneak a cup of coffee or two to get a taste of being an adult, but Eric was not tempted in the slightest.
His first encounter with coffee didn't go well, after having their science experiment for taste buds in kindergarten. The poor boy was assigned to taste instant coffee powder to describe how something bitter tastes like. It’s been years but the memory is still so vivid in his head, with how he had to use the new hand towel he got for his birthday to wipe off the bitterness in his tongue because the water he brought wasn’t enough. Even worse, his mom cooked his favorite sujebi, after begging for so long, but the lingering bitterness ruined the dish for him.
Juices and yogurt smoothies were his go-to orders when his friends met up in some café in the neighborhood. And for a long time, he didn't think having coffee would be something he couldn't miss on his routine.
But he’s not a kid anymore, and as a college student, coffee is his constant company to keep him awake for his requirements. The one time he decided to not have a cup for the day forced him to miss his first two classes because he slept through the problem set due for a major class. At first, his parents were against him flying to Korea alone for college because he said he wanted to see the world now that he’s not a kid anymore. But he begged and begged until they said yes. So there he was, working extra hard to show them that they made the right decision.
But also, being a college student means he's been spending too much time in coffee shops, leaving his wallet almost running dry. His room was too distracting with his bed seducing him to get more sleep on the daily. Not to mention his roommate, Sunwoo, would bring home a certain guy on some days.
The café across campus was his home for the past week, along with other students, because it’s finals week and he needed every waking moment to study. Heck, he barely got time to shower. And he’s supposed to be sick of this place.
Ten steps left.
He’s supposed to be sick of it so why, why did his feet lead him there again? This was already his third attempt for the week in trying to catch a glimpse of the boy who has been making his flutter like bass-boosted speakers. It has been worrying him a lot to the point where he had himself checked at the university’s infirmary, only to get a glare from the school nurse who had to work straight shifts because of the long lines in the triage. In his defense, he thought he was getting a fever alongside the weird feeling . Must have been from all those sleepless nights, right?
Why did the coffee shop have to hire this handsome barista just when he’s about to leave for LA?
Eight steps left.
Knowing his name would mean progress because for the past eleven weeks he’s been crushing on the student council volunteer who handed him sample exams, all he did was stare and walk the other way. He did try asking his roommate, Sunwoo, if he knew this boy, but Eric didn’t know anything about him except he took his breath away when he smiled.
Eric is known to be the most energetic and shameless among his friends. He’s the one who could kill the lurking cockroaches in their dorm room. He’s the one who would accompany Sunwoo whenever he needed to go pee in the middle of the night because the communal toilet is situated on the other end of the floor. Whenever his professors asked him for a song or dance number to entertain the sleepy class, he never had a problem with it.
So why was he even having a problem approaching this guy? He’s supposed to have lots of energy so why do his knees go all weak when it’s time to approach the counter and ask that name? It’s just a name, right? No big deal.
Six steps left.
He wouldn’t be having this dilemma if Sunwoo didn’t drag him to the same coffee shop for a Buy One Take One coupon he got from a friend . Sunwoo didn’t want to finish two venti-size ice blended coffee alone because it would make him nauseous, he said. Eric easily gets dizzy in very crowded places so he poked Sunwoo and told him that he’d be waiting at the table outside.
As he dragged the feet of the chair to position himself properly, he felt his heart suddenly beating like a hummingbird’s, like an emergency alarm had been turned on in his system. Because as he fixed the scruffs of his shirt, the boy he’s been pining for weeks was walking out of the store while saying goodbye to who seemed to be his colleagues.
He already had too much coffee but he needed to go back there.
Four steps left.
Did he really have to resort to getting more coffee after all he had to drink for finals week just to be able to read his name from the nameplate? Sunwoo has been telling him it’s not healthy and he should stop dilly-dallying and just ask the name from the man himself.
But he always had the wrong timing of coming in when he’s not there. The shop’s windows are kind of dim and it’s embarrassing to suddenly go back out of the door just because the boy he’s looking for is not around.
One time he got it right, Eric’s allowance just had to run out. His mom got suspicious when a few days ago, he told her he had enough money before his flight back home.
Two steps left.
The store door handle felt so near yet so far. He tried glancing at the window but he couldn't make out anything from it. He felt his chest tighten as his skin touched the metal handle. He closed his eyes as he stepped inside, his last attempts of wishing he was there. All the stress from his classes made Eric wish for the vacation to come faster so he could see his family after being away for a while. But here he stood, wondering if it’s all right to miss that flight home. He slaps himself at the thought.
It wasn’t supposed to be a now or never moment because he could always try after coming back from LA. But he couldn’t help wondering what-ifs. What if he ended up resigning before the Christmas break ends? What if he ended up moving to a different university? What if he suddenly moves out of the country?
So his smiley boy better be around for today.
Zero steps left.
He felt the weight leave his shoulders when he opened his eyes and saw that he was there. His smiley boy locked eyes with him as he approached the counter. He swore he heard bells clanging and birds singing in the distance.
Is this how they feel when they walk down the aisle? He mentally slapped himself for thinking too far for something like this silly crush of his.
Twenty-four inches apart.
Eric’s eyes should be diving straight to the nameplate to fulfill the purpose of his little trip, but he found himself entranced at the view right before his eyes. He attempted to memorize the lines of his face, which must have been from schoolwork. Nonetheless, he’s still beautiful.
“Caramel Macchiato, please. Iced. And one chocolate-glazed doughnut,“ he said as he practiced on his head. He tried to emphasize every syllable, wanting to have this ordering session a little bit longer. He tilted his face to get a peek of the nameplate that was being covered by the boy’s arm as he entered his order on the machine. Worries start to accumulate in his throat. What if he failed to get his name again? And what if he gets to have his name but he goes somewhere far away so soon?
His internal dialogues were interrupted when the boy handed him his change. He failed yet again. He mentally prepared himself because he can imagine the disappointed face of his mom at how he’s been wasting his life and money on something that has nothing to do with his education.
Eric accepted defeat and went to take a seat as he waited for his order. After a stroke of bad luck, he was confused about what to do next as he watched the boy approach his table with his order in his hand. He practically lived there the other week and customers had to come to the counter themselves to get their orders. So why is Mr. Barista handing the order himself? If he knew, he would have practiced how to react. He can feel his heartbeat starting to speed up like it’s competing in a drag race. And finally, with his allowance and ears on the line, the nameplate came to his view.
“You’re here again,” the barista said, showing him those moon-shaped eyes as he smiled. Up close.
He felt his brain go on a short-circuit as he got overwhelmed by the rush of his thoughts all at once. He couldn’t think straight. Getting the coffee from him should’ve been an easy task but his muscles refused to move the way he wanted them to. He tried to hide the shaking but he just had to spill his coffee. What the fuck? Was he too obvious for the barista to remember him? Was he staring too much? He was so close that Eric couldn’t breathe. “Y-Yeah... T-Thank you,” he somehow managed.
“Cute,” his barista said right before he headed back to the counter.
Eric was so sure he’d combust right there and then.
Finally learning the name of the boy he’s been pining over for weeks, he thought how fitting his name is for his features. It sounds so soft yet assertive. Calm but intimidating.
Just like a precious stone. Beautiful. Graceful.
Juyeon . That’s what it said.
Maybe it was all right to have too much coffee.