Chapter Text
It was snowing. Wooyoung was behind the counter watching the clock to chime. He rested his head in his hands and watched the city becoming blanketed in white, no doubt by weeks entering or leaving the shop would be completely impossible, not that anyone would. They'd be at home, huddled in blankets and oversized clothes like they should be.
The little ‘ding!’ of the front door draws his attention. A guy, probably around his age, maybe years older? Nah, Wooyoung’s bet it's only a few month's differences from him entering the shop.
“Could I have the signature coffee and croissant, please?”
Despite Woo’s usual quick response to a customers order, he fell into a daze. This man beauty was striking and Wooyoung was positive it wasn’t possible for someone to be that good looking.
“For dine-in."
Not even realized he hadn't replied for a few seconds, Wooyoung just watched that man take his seat over by the window then wondered why there were so many butterflies fluttering around his stomach. That beautiful voice, yet again, took Wooyoung out of his daze with a questioning stare.
“Oh, Yes. Coming right up!” Wooyoung simply carried on as if nothing had happened, despite his eyes betrayed him at times when he managed to catch glimpses of the young mysterious man in his formal attire.
The quiet hum of the refrigerator and the slight hiss of the espresso machine was the only thing keeping them company on this cold December. Wooyoung wrung his fingers, biting the bottom of his lips as he watched the man sip the coffee while the snowfall flutters against the glass window.
Damn. He’s like a person who straight up came from the paintings.
-----
Wooyoung has tried not to think about it too much.
There were so many times that he was so tempted to check social media and search for the tall good-looking man in the coffee shop, like there weren’t more than a million men on social media to sift through. So instead he’s resorted to every form of distraction humanly possibly, from buying two more cycling bikes to add to his current collection of three and re-reading all of his recipes books to keep his mind occupied.
Wooyoung cleans the tables and wipes the counters then sighs to himself when he notices another empty coffee cup on the floor. His mind starts to wander, that man is not the first attractive guy to come in. He was just a one-time customer and it was obvious that he just needed a random place to stop by.
At least that’s what Wooyoung tries to tell himself, until the door opens and caused the bell strung above it to chime.
It’s him.
-----
Wooyoung froze entirely. He was sure he looked like an idiot, because he was almost positive that his jaw had dropped when the man spoke. Because of that voice. Maybe it was his delusional—after midnight—mind speaking, but there was something about the way he spoke.
“Still open?”
“Wh-What? Oh, sure!” Wooyoung spluttered, snapping back to reality and focusing back on the attentive eyes in front of him. “Feel free to take a seat!” Amusement is apparent in his tone.
Wooyoung shook himself out of his stupor after the other man left and found a seat near the window—again. He could hear his happy movement on the counter, his eyes wandering and enjoying the view. Only a few minutes later, Woo’s brings him his brewed coffee and there are already tons of paper scattered on the table, all with complicated words and Wooyoung had to admit he’s actually impressed by it all.
“Wow… You must be very busy. How could you endure with all of these heavy worded papers? Especially at this time, Sir?”
Please, please accept this harmless small talk. I might be too loud or nosy but, please…
The other man snatched up the cup and took a quick drink, not even answering the questions first or caring about the burning feeling of the liquid as it reached his tongue and forced its way down his throat. He stared at the cup after he put it down before giving Wooyoung a serious look.
“First of all, yes.” He stated, entirely truthfully.
“Ahh… I suppose I should be honored then.” Wooyoung muttered. “So…”
“Hm?”
“What’s your name?”
-----
The two sat in contented silence for hours. Wooyoung cleared his throat a bit to get the attention of the man across him—quietly highlighting the papers and scribbling in between sips of coffee.
“Don’t worry, I'll pay you to double, or even more for your overtime shift. Coffee-boy.”
“Huh?” Wooyoung quickly responded. Their eyes met. “I’m the owner, mind you. Mr. Jung Yunho.”
“Owner, really?” Yunho asked, raising an eyebrow as he casually returned his focus on works.
“Yeah. And I’m pretty sure I’ve never been called a coffee boy before.”
Yunho took another look around the room he was sitting in. Wooyoung actually ran the shop. He's got his eyes latched on the slice of the forearm that the—second-rate—cafe owner allowed to be visible at the bottom of the rolled-up sleeves of the white button-down that hides under the half apron.
"Well, you're a coffee boy now,” Yunho kept up. "This is a coffee shop, and you serve me a coffee too.”
Wooyoung sighed. “So, what’s got you up loitering in the middle of the night?” He said softly. “Honestly, I really want to know about what you do for a living, but I'm afraid I'm not ready for your answers.”
“Entertain myself.”
Wooyoung looked up at him in surprise to see Yunho leaning in across the table, looking intrigued. A drawn-out silence hung in the air and he stared down at the table. Yunho couldn’t tear his eyes from him.
“Your one and only old coffee machine there, that’s from my company. I’m their new CEO.”
The coffee boy simply tasted the bitter sting of confusion. He was unable to do anything but stare back, give a frustration shake of his head and say “No way... It can’t be real…”
Yunho laughed, really laughed and it felt good. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so at ease, but he was sure it had been a while. The man he’d just met was cheering him up more than anything else had in years. Wooyoung opened his mouth, a protest on his tongue. But his brain came to a halt as he processed Yunho laugh.
"How lucky... I wish i'm rich enough."
“Well… I wish I could be that lucky.” Yunho stopped his muttering as soon as he realised he was doing it. He didn’t want to burden Wooyoung with his issues. At least, not now. It was enough that he was keeping the younger man up just so he could get accompany.
“It feels nostalgic, by the way.” Yunho said after a moment, staring down into the cup he’d put on the table. “I love it.”
“Thanks,” Wooyoung muttered, lowering his gazed embarrassedly. “It’s nothing specta—”
Yunho casually checked his watch and seeing it was now closer to 6.00 am. Damn, how long they have been sit together? Without another thought, he stood up in the middle of Woo’s sentence. The smaller man’s face fell.
“Wha—What’s wrong?” Woo’s asked in alarm, sounding slightly panicked.
“I have a meeting in few hour! Not to mention my attire… I’ve to go now.” He rapidly pulled on the luxurious long coat that he’d hung over the back of the chair, the—work related—papers and his smartphone. Not to forget, he left a lot of money on the table as tip as he promised.
“I can clean up, don’t worry.” Wooyoung laughed and Yunho glared without menace over his shoulder at the younger man. “Promise to come back as soon as you can!”
The bell jingled as Yunho exited out onto the street. Unable to stop smiling, Wooyoung just stared at the door for a minute. He was about to turn around and return to clean up the mess when the bell chimed again and Yunho’s face reappeared in the doorway.
“Thank you,” he said softly, giving Wooyoung a gentle smile. Then he was gone again without allowing the coffee-boy a chance to respond.