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We've infused our teas and coffees with chilli to fight the winter chill. Come in for a perfectly shocking pick me up
Virgil had thought the change quite fitting for the cafe. Everywhere else was doing seasonal drinks so of course they'd have to be more chaotic in theirs.
Remus just liked the shocked reactions people had when first taking a sip and had been convincing Virgil to let him man the counter constantly since the drinks were released.
From the kitchen, he watched when Thomas and Remy were likely to arrive, waving and rolling his eyes to see Remus doing one of his balances. "Not sure I want chilli in my drink today, can I have an option that isn't infused with it?"
"I'll check out back. We've got some salted grounds left from the other month I think." Virgil called through before his husband could make any reply.
Remy looked over the options available and decided to choose his drink before letting his cake be chosen, “Babes, While Virgil figures out an alternative for Thomas, I want my coffee with caramel syrup, cinnamon stirred in and plenty of whipped cream on top.”
“I've got the perfect miniature whip to get that cream into shape too.” Remus immediately turned to pull a full length whip from one of the counter drawers, going to swing it just as the door chimed to announce someone else coming in.
Janus was immediately tugging the whip away, scowling at Remy and Thomas suspiciously. “That is not a miniature whip. You're going to smash the lights. Which of you idiots gave him the chance to get the whip out? I thought we'd all learnt not to call it whipped cream!”
“Oh, hey Janus. There's chilli in all the drinks for now. We're waiting to hear from Virgil if he knows of any left over stock still in date to be used.” Remy greeted easily, smirking as he leant his back against the counter only to jump up at the yell that came before any reply.
“REMUS! When, oh When, did you order in loose leaf tea? And do you have any strainers or anything for it?” Virgil marched through with a box in hand, eyes scanning over it to check the best before date and whether the contents actually looked okay.
“Oh I mixed my own tea for like the first year of running it before finding a company that would make custom teabags. It takes years to go off when stored properly so I just figured I could bring it out for like special occasions. I think the strainers are under the sink, or possibly the wobbly floorboard to the left of the oven.”
“It's still in date, and by some miracle it actually was stored sensibly. Thomas, other than no chilli do you have any preferences for your tea?” Virgil tapped the box where the date was before glancing over to Thomas.
He had been trying not so subtly to get a look at the label on the but relaxed when Virgil addressed him,“If I had more than minimum preferences, do you really think I'd still have this as my cafe of choice?”
Virgil shrugged, going back into the kitchen saying, “Fair. I'll just mix a few of these packets that sound like they'd taste nice together then.”
“So it isn't entirely surprising that Remus hides things under floorboards like either an angsty teen or someone during a revolution where homes get raided for forbidden items, but seriously, what on earth counts as a special occasion for you?”
“Don't Answer that Remus! We do not have a license for these guys to get drunk trying to forget your list! Just make their drinks.” Virgil yelped, sounding like he was actually kneeling to check under floorboards.
Remy looked over the top of his sunglasses at Thomas, shaking his head mock despairingly, “Honey, I don't think Christmas or like Divali were going to be on that list even without Virge's warning.”
“And yet he'd decided to do seasonal drinks.” Janus tried to counter while joining the group immediately looking to Remus to get the real reason for the choice.
“Yup, chilli drinks for chilly weather! Since I couldn't get flour to work when trying to get the spring to come quickly.” Remus declared, chest out and hands on hips like deciding to change to chilli was the greatest decision ever made.
Virgil popped his head through the door again, waving a tea strainer before going back into the kitchen to wash it. “Thank ingredient interactions for that. Remy you're having a cake that was made from those tests being salvaged today. Don't worry it's definitely safe to eat.” He stated.
“Gurl, I'm used to being Remus's test subject for cakes. Didn't know I was yours as well.” Remy leaning on the counter smirking in the direction of the kitchen would probably have had more impact on Virgil if he'd been visible to the other. Instead it just got a glare and a shove away from Remus who also turned away to serve the cake up.
“Don't think it's person specific. You're just the cafe test subject. Bet this pair aren't going to start drinking until after you've taken a few sips.” Virgil snorted, coming through with the now clean tea strainer filled with a mix of a couple fruits, spices and flower petals.
Remus looked up wiggling with hope as he asked, “I can give Remy my experiments then?”
“No. I've told you half of those are poisonous and have literally dragged you to A&E given how bad your reactions to trying them have been. There's a reason I keep an eye on you when cooking unless it's for our customers.” Virgil scowled, wagging a finger in his direction.
“You're no fun. Can I at least try-”
“No! The burns treatment first aid kit doesn't arrive until the New Year so no upside down drinks making until then at a minimum.” There was no need to let the question be finished. Everyone who visited the cafe more than a couple of times since Virgil started dating Remus had seen him prevent Remus from trying to make a drink while in a handstand. It had only grown more often when he'd become a co-owner.
Their customers were snickering at the by play and Janus soon spoke up, “Virgil, Have I ever thanked you for all the wonderful work you've done since joining Remus in running the cafe?”
Watching his husband fold his arms pouting Virgil smirked and nodded. “Because I've made Remus pout like a toddler?”
“That is a very amusing thing to see, yes.” The agreement might have been said by Janus but Remy and Thomas were nodding along until the door opened and a new customer walked in looking to the group hesitantly.
With that Virgil nudged Remus to finish making their friends drinks while he made sure the payments left on the counter were all rung up on the till and asked for the new persons order. They could indulge in the nonsense of the cafe when there wasn't someone entirely new to it needing to be served.