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Sagan doesn't know why he keeps coming back to this coffee shop, the doorframe barely tall enough to accommodate him and the bell meant to chime upon entry hitting the side of his face every day since his first visit to Topped Off.
Usually, a guaranteed smack from anything was big enough to be an unintentional deterrent, but just like the first time, it´s the same employee who lets out an almost comedic squawk of concern for him before taking hold of his hand and sitting him on to the nearest chair and half dashing to get some ice for his sore face.
The employee´s ebony hair, loosely curled and barely reaching their ears bounces like splashing ink on their cheek and their cute choppy bang framing their face only adds more to that effect.
He´s never really spared an opportunity to really look at them, tawny skin like daylilies and Cattleya Velutina. Broad shoulders and statuesque in build, they were impressive to look at, dark eyes plump lips with a beautifully arched cupid´s bow how could he not find himself impressed? He bet they dressed well out of uniform, even if they didn't they probably pulled off whatever they wore.
He´s snapped out of his frankly embarrassing stupor, by the sound of their shoes against the wooden floor as they skip back. Not with a bag full of ice this time, but a real ice pack, it´s a nice shade of yellow, the reusable sort with small animals drawn all over. He takes it from the employee´s outstretched hand, placing it easily onto his cheek asking "Did you guys always have this?" Curiosity coloring his tone.
They shake their head intently before adding quickly, "Since you´ve been coming pretty often and it´ll be a while before we can make the door.." they tilt their head humming before continuing "...more accommodating for people over like, 5´11. I figured I might as well bring a real icepack in case this happens too often"
They stand to attention after their little spiel and stare brightly at Sagan "Since it´s a shame your beautiful face´s gotten hurt for what? The 10th time? Your drinks on the house, just tell me what ya want when your feeling better and I´ll ring it up! Cool?"
Before he can even come up with a response though, the bell chimes, and the employee bounds quickly back to the register to brightly take a new customer's order. The ice pack´s bitingly cold against him but he keeps it firmly in place as he tries to process, was that employee... were they flirting with him? That can't be right, well it could but could it? Maybe they meant it objectively? He knows he must be blushing over this, can feel the heat in his cheek rising, and wants to hit himself with that bell again so he can hide his other cheek with a pack.
By the time he´s finally calmed down enough to realize that the pack´s started to become limp in his hold as the ice melts. He stalks nervously to the front rehearsing his order and quickly repeating it out loud, he stands awkwardly after the order´s been placed in front of the counter as the cashier rings it up, he fumbles momentarily, unsure how to open his wallet with the ice pack still in hand but the employee laughs easily as he hands the yellow pack and opens his wallet trying to hand a 20 over from his outstretched palm. Swiftly they push at his hand curling his fingers over the dollar chuckling as they remind him "On the house remember?"
They draw away, going presumably to put the ice pack in its place and start on his order. Hopefully too quickly to notice the rising flush on Sagan´s face, eyebrows knitted as he stares at his hand intently focused on the point of contact.
They come back calling with his order cheerfully chanting "Order for Sagan! Order for Sagan!" knowing exactly how empty the store was this early in the morning he raises a hand coming to intercept the cup.
"Thank you..." he pauses looking at them blankly before they straighten realizing the silent question "Oh it´s Daegel! You can call me Dae or D, whatever!" they laugh a bit before adding "Maybe I should get a name tag huh?"
Sagan nods "Yeah, probably but anyway," he lightly shakes his drink "Thanks for this Dae"
"Anytime!" they chime, maybe happy Sagan had said their name? He´d work on saying it more then. Sagan turns to the door, careful to duck this time holding the cold drink steady before stealing a quick glance back at Dae.
Yeah, he´d probably be coming back anyway.
His coworker on set laughs at him when he comes in, "Where do you even go during your breaks Sagan?¨ his Co-Star Thana asks as she eyes his drink "If you wanted some coffee you could´ve just asked someone onset to get your order for you"
"The point of a break is to get some fresh air isn't it?" he scoffs "I got my air and I got to stretch my legs, I don't see the harm in that"
She lifts her hands up in mock surrender "I´m sorry Mr.Bigshot! Thought you´d want to spend your break walking somewhere I dunno fun, not some obscure coffee shop where the coffee´s probably barely adequate"
Sagan rolls his eyes taking a sip of his drink "Don´t insult my taste in such a roundabout way, the coffee´s delicious and there was nowhere else I´d rather have been anyway" His Co-Star elbows him in the side smiling, as if triumphant at the simple admission.
Thana bounces on the heels over her shoes, pretending to intently think tapping her chin and pacing side to side as she waves her hands smiling at him "Eureka!!" she cries, running to him with more attitude than scarcely anyone would be willing to deal with before stopping her charge right in front of him anticlimactically.
She leans in to whisper as if having unlocked arcane wisdom, "Was the Barista hot? is that it?" His grip on the drink becomes murderous momentarily, it´s enough to convince her she´s right. Thana nods sagely, "the hot ones always work in coffeeshops huh?" she pokes at his side, incessantly at his silence "Well? I´m right, aren´t I? Take me with you! Maybe they have a cute coworker!!"
"Is it obvious?" he cuts in, "is it obvious that I think they're hot?" Thana´s face splits downright maniacally, into a smile "It´s written all over you Sagan"