Work Text:
It was a Monday at the Clipped Crow Cafe and it started out the same as most of Tadashi’s other Monday morning shifts…busy. Everyone had clambered into the cafe as soon as the closed sign flipped to open. He sighed wondering just what brought so many people to get coffee at this hour.
Shouldn't people want to decrease their caffeine intake at such an hour.
He shook that thought out of his head and put on his best customer service smile. He waved the next customer up to the counter and continued this way for what seemed like a while.
He went into autopilot and made drink after drink while his coworker manned the register. Once the initial rush cleared, Tadashi leaned back against the counter with a heavy sigh. Finally, a moment to breathe!
His orange haired coworker had waved at him, adding, “I’m going on break!”
“Alright, try to be back in 15minutes!” Tadashi nodded at him, starting to wipe down the counter and clean the equipment during this lull. He was drying the last mug when he heard the front door bell chime.
Tadashi perked from behind the counter at the person who had just entered the shop. Sighing, he noticed that his coworker still hadn’t returned from break. Now Tadashi was left alone to man both the register and coffee preparation. At least, it was only one customer and not the rush that they’d just finished with.
“One minute please!” He called out to the customer.
The customer, in question, stood at the counter, hands in his pockets except for when he felt his larger rimmed glasses were sliding off of his nose. Tadashi snuck a peek at the customer as he saw the customer looking over the menu, squinting to read it properly. He couldn’t tell exactly what the customer did for a living, but the dark circles that hid behind the rimmed glasses told a story of a man that clearly hadn’t slept much recently.
“Sorry for the wait, sir. May I take your order?” The freckled boy asked with a wide smile that made his eyes close.
“I’ll just have your largest and strongest house coffee.” The customer replied, trying to shake the drowsiness that was creeping into his body.
“That will be our dark roast then, sir?” Tadashi replied with a nod. “Do you want me to add anything to it or do you prefer it black?”
The customer’s nose crinkled as he squinted slightly to read Tadashi’s name tag trying to commit it to memory before he replied. “Two creams and one sugar, please.” He still wasn’t sure that he’d read the name right, so he didn’t add it to his order.
“Coming right up, sir.” The freckled clerk nodded and then returned to behind the counter. A whirring of machines could be heard and then something like steam being released. “Sir, your coffee is ready.”
“Thank you...Tadashi.” Akaashi said with an awkward pause as he couldn’t remember the clerk's name and had to read it off of the name tag on the barista’s apron.
Tadashi’s face brightened slightly upon hearing his name come from the stranger’s mouth. Tadashi’s eyes widened and then a dusting of pink appeared from behind the freckles across his cheeks. Then Tadashi flashed another big tooth filled grin at the customer.
“Come and see us again, sir!” He waved and the customer chose to take his leave of the shop without so much as another thought to this chance encounter.
“What was that all about?” His coworker asked, standing beside Tadashi. Tadashi jumped in surprise about dropping the mug that was in his hand.
“Shoyo! How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to see you develop yet another crush on a random customer that you’ll never see again.”
Tadashi lightly punched the other in the arm. “It’s not a crush. It’s called being friendly. It’s customer service 101.”
“Okay…okay, whatever you say, Yamaguchi.” Shoyo pauses. “So did you get the name of this customer or is it just gonna stay a mystery like all of the others?”
“Will you lay off, Shoyo?” Tadashi ran a hand through his green hair that he’d tied back in a low ponytail.
“Fine…” Shoyo huffed and returned to cleaning the dirty mugs without another word.
Tadashi remained silent as his thoughts drifted to the customer that had just left and what sort of job the darker haired man had. Most importantly, a foolish hope that Tadashi would see him again.
Akaashi looked at the disposable coffee cup a few days after the initial visit. Akaashi hadn’t been able to bring himself to throw out the eco-friendly cup. The black marker smiley face staring back at him. He found his own mind wandering to that barista whose name he could not remember. Akaashi never made it a habit to remember names of people he’d only met in passing. For some reason, this barista’s face lingered on his mind. He sighed as he moved through his apartment. He reached out for the coffee that should be on the shelf, finding it empty. Apparently he’d neglected to purchase some more even weeks later.
“I guess it’s time to pay the little coffee shop just mere blocks away a visit…” he muttered to himself. He hadn’t even registered what words had left his lips until he felt his cheeks a bit warmer under his hand. Akaashi touched his cheek, registering the warmth, but didn’t want to admit the reason why.
He paced in his kitchen trying not to head down to the coffee shop. Yet, he had no coffee in his own home, and he needed to solve that as he was expecting a whole chapter draft from Tenma later. It was going to be a long night without coffee.
Akaashi pressed his lips tightly together while clenching his fist at his side as he finally decided to head to the coffee shop. He told himself that the slightly cute barista surely couldn’t be working today.
He cleared his throat and rubbed his temples. It had been a rather trying night. His manga artist hadn’t sent the man his draft until the exact time of the deadline. Since this was a one shot debut chapter, there were nearly 200 pages he’d just spent editing. Lost sleep was something Akaashi Keiji was all too familiar with.
Akaashi had actually decided to check out this coffee shop because he was out of coffee at home and this was the closest one to his apartment. He needed desperately to get him through the remaining pages he still had left to edit.
He just needed coffee in his system or he might just think a violent thought or two towards Tenma. Akaashi sipped his coffee, taking note that it was both brewed rich with flavor and made to his specifications of two creams and one sugar. The barista appeared to have even stirred the drink before handing it off with a small marker smiley face drawn on the cup and a neat cursive ‘Have a nice day!’ next to it.
Akaashi hummed to himself as he made his way to pick up Tenma’s manuscript. The warmth of the coffee permeated all the way to his toes, causing his steps to bounce ever so slightly. The only detail Akaashi remembered about that barista was the freckles that dotted his cheeks from just above the mask the barista wore, but the name remained unknown.
Before Tadashi even had a chance to ask the man for his name or to greet him, Akaashi was on his way out of the shop with his coffee. The one thing that the green haired barista had noted was that he got his same standard house coffee with two creams and one sugar. The customer seemed to like it when the drink was pre-stirred before handed to him.
It was now a snickering joke that Shoyo made to Tadashi that the only thing Tadashi seemed to know about his new crush was his coffee order, and the customer couldn’t even remember Tadashi’s name. To Shoyo’s snicker, Tadashi just glared at him but Tadashi knew that he didn’t look all that intimidating.
Tadashi had yet to acquire any new information in these two occurrences, but that was going to change! Tadashi was determined to at least learn the customer’s profession/occupation the next time this customer stopped in. He hoped that would be very soon.
To Akaashi’s credit, he could buy more coffee and make the same drink at home. Something about leaving his apartment even for that brief amount of time to grab a coffee mere blocks away was freeing, and even calming. It would probably be cheap to also not buy coffee so often from the shop, but with how overworked he is, when is he going to spend the money he’s earning. Speaking of pay, he’s probably also severely underpaid for the work he does. It’s not going to kill him if his one act of self care is buying himself a coffee. That’s what he tells himself a week later.
The bell above the door dings and this time Akaashi doesn’t seem to find the familiar barista at the counter today. Instead, an orange haired boy smiled at him.
“Can I take your order, sir?”
He looked over the menu but seemed a bit distracted despite knowing what he wanted to order.
“Excuse me, but is the other barista here? Ithink he had freckles and green hair…” Akaashi realized that he probably sounded like a creep as he heard the question asked out loud. Akaashi pushed his glasses back up his nose as he decided to look up at the barista behind the counter.
Luckily for Akaashi, the other worker just smiled. “You are asking for Tadashi. Yeah he’s here. He was just working in the back room with our inventory. I can go get him if it’s urgent.”
Akaashi shook his head. “No, it’s not urgent. Just wanted to tell him that he did a great job the previous two times I’ve been in.”
Shoyo nodded. “I’ll definitely pass it along. So your usual to go? Or were you looking at something new perhaps off of our seasonal menu?”
“I think I’ll get your house coffee, but I think I’ll enjoy it in house if you aren’t too busy.”
“Of course. I’ll get that for you right away. You’ll be able to refill your cup over there. Also in the same area is the cream and sugar. Anything else?”
“Oh, can I try your berries and cream cake?”
“Here’s your cup for the coffee and I’ll have that cake brought out to you momentarily if that’s alright.”
“That’s more than fine.” Akaashi nodded and paid for the two items. Once he grabbed his mug and prepared his coffee as he liked it, two creams and one sugar, he took his seat at a table. He began sipping at his coffee as he pondered over how he’d spend the rest of his day.
Shoyo, seeing that there was no line in the shop, snuck back behind the counter to the stockroom, finding Tadashi there counting the inventory.
“Hey, can you deliver a berries and cream cake to the table by the bay window? I need to man the register.”
Tadashi stood from the position he’d been squatting in and followed Shoyo out to the main shop. He’d been a bit distracted by his previous task to not initially recognize who was sitting at the table. The two blinked realizing who was in front of who.
“Here is your cake.” Tadashi said.
“It’s you.” They said in unison and then chuckled at that realization.
“Tadashi, right? That’s your name?”
“Yeah.”
“And I’m Akaashi. You’ve always been very friendly whenever I stopped in before.”
“Nice to meet you, Akaashi-san. If there is anything else we can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.” Tadashi didn’t want to return to work, but he knew he wouldn’t get paid to mingle with customers for too long.
“Wait, do you think maybe we could meet up after your shift or something? Only if you want to…” Akaashi felt his cheeks growing warm wondering what had caused him to suggest such a thing? He normally wasn’t one to suggest things and not to a barista that he’d met enough times to count on one hand.
Tadashi’s cheeks were painted with a darker blush hearing Akaashi’s suggestion. His brain was misfiring for a few moments as he was unable to form the words to reply.
“Forget I asked.” Akaashi added to fill the silence.
“No, I’d love to. I just don’t get off until mid afternoon. You’d be waiting a while. I think my next day off is a few days from now if that works better.”
“I don’t mind waiting. My workload is fairly light today so if you don’t mind me waiting here, I don’t mind.”
“N-not at all. I have to get back to work for real. I’m sorry.”
“Alright.” Akaashi nodded to Tadashi.
Tadashi returned to behind the counter with Shoyo staring at him.
“Dude, that was some cake delivery to Two Creams and One Sugar. Your whole face is red.” Shoyo giggled, pointing at Tadashi.
“Akaashi…” Tadashi murmured. “His name is Akaashi.”
“So you know his name now.” Shoyo raised an eyebrow.
“I think he just asked me on a date…” Tadashi smacked his cheeks with his hands. Yep he was definitely awake.
“Wait back up…he did what?”
“I delivered the cake like you asked and when I tried to leave the first time, Akaashi asked about hanging out together after my shift.”
“Congrats! He immediately asked where you were when he walked in and only saw me here today. I think that’s a good sign.”
“But what does one do on a date? Up to this point, all of my crushes have been short lived and most importantly one sided.” Tadashi begins to feel his heart starting to race as it did when he felt he may have a panic attack.
“Dude, he asked you, so don’t stress. Just be yourself, and be honest. I bet you’ll hit it off.”
“Yeah…yeah…so says the guy who’s had a long time crush on the same person for how long now?”
“That’s not fair, Yamaguchi! I like a good slow burn. That’s all!”
“Fine. I’ll behave. Let’s just get through the day and go from there.”
“You’re totally gonna be an item.”
“Shut up, Shoyo.”
The hours passed by quicker than Tadashi had anticipated they would. It was now 3 o’clock in the afternoon and he could leave his shift. Throughout the remaining hours, Tadashi was redirected back to his work by Shoyo with hard nudges and an apologetic nod from Tadashi each time.
Akaashi, despite probably needing to leave the coffee shop hours ago, stayed grabbing the newspaper, then a book to occupy his time. He couldn’t pull his work out as this was too public of a place and Tenma’s work was growing in popularity to the point where someone could recognize the work despite the pages only being drafts. His company was probably going to be upset about the delay in the chapter, but for once Akaashi did something for himself when he wanted to. It felt rather good. He also ordered an additional drink so he could justify still remaining in his seat at a table.
“Hey, isn’t it that time?” Shoyo asked leaning over to ask in Tadashi’s ear with a snicker, causing Tadashi to jump at the sudden breath tickling his ear.
“Shoyo!” He whispered, clutching his chest as he allowed his heartbeat to calm before continuing. “I know. I’m just getting ready to clock out. Do I look okay?” Asking as he removed his apron and straightening his shirt and smoothing out his pants.
Shoyo simply gave Tadashi a thumbs up and a wide smile. “Remember, two creams and one sugar.” Clapping Tadashi on the back with a wink while gently pushing him out from behind the counter.
Tadashi rolled his eyes and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets as he walked over to the front door where Akaashi stood. Akaashi removed one hand from his jacket pocket and reached for the door handle.
“Shall we?”
Akaashi asked as Tadashi stepped through the door asking.
“Did you have some place in mind?”
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Which is rare for me, I suppose. I was still processing the fact that you agreed.” Akaashi shrugged as they started to walk down the street. “I know that since you work in a coffee shop you’d probably want to avoid that setting.”
“How do you feel about diner food? There’s a really good one not too far away. I’m a sucker for their fries, especially close to closing where they have sat for a little too long and got a little soft…”
Tadashi trailed off thinking about how the fries were the best, just a little soft and cold. Tadashi realized that he must’ve sounded a bit odd and added while nervously rubbing the back of his head.”I…uh…didn’t mean to ramble like that.” Letting a nervous chuckle pass his lips.
“No, you are quite alright. I didn’t mind listening to you in the slightest.”
“I…um…let’s go!” Tadashi said walking off ahead in order to try and hide the blush that was painting his cheeks.
It was only a few blocks to the local diner, but the walk was fairly quiet and Tadashi could swear that Akaashi could hear how loudly his heart was beating the whole way. Though Tadashi had walked off ahead of Akaashi, the darker haired man caught up to him with long strides. Tadashi snuck glances at Akaashi as they slid into their seats at a booth near the front door. He had to admit that the person whom he knew as a regular customer at his place of work was rather handsome.
It was only now in this setting out of work that Tadashi sat there wondering if this was okay? Like could he get fired for going out on a…’date’ with a customer from the coffee shop? He hoped not… As much as he hated the monotonous nature of his job, he still wanted to keep it in order to keep a roof over his head and food on his table.
“Umm…Tadashi-kun?” Akaashi asked, waving a hand in front of the freckled face. “I was asking you if you had any recommendations seeing as you have been here before. You zoned out there for a second. Are you okay? Should I have let you go home and rest?”
Tadashi shook his head in response. Now he was making Akaashi-san worry about him.
‘Tadashi, get a grip on yourself! Whatever this is, just let it happen.’ He thought to himself as he picked up the menu.
“I can tell you what I normally order but I am unsure if that would suit your taste preferences. I have a friend who constantly tells me how terrible my sense of taste is whenever we come here. Though he’s one to talk…he hardly eats much of anything.
There I go, rambling again…”
Akaashi chuckled lightly, holding up the menu to try and hide it so Tadashi didn’t think Akaashi was laughing at him. “No, it’s fine. I actually find it rather cute.”
It was Tadashi’s turn to hide behind the menu as his face now felt like it was burning up with a fever. Had he just heard that right? Did Akaashi just say HE, Tadashi, was cute? His brain was having trouble computing what he’d just heard.
“Well, as for recommendations, the fries are one of my go-tos along with a chocolate shake. It’s something about the sweet and salty together…
But my friend says that it’s an acquired taste.”
“Hmmm, noted.” Akaashi nodded, still looking over the menu as he tapped his fingers on the table.
“Excuse me, you two.” The waitress called to them, “Can I get you anything? Perhaps something to drink to start out?”
Akaashi looked over at Tadashi and then back at the waitress.
“Can we split a chocolate shake and a large basket of fries?”
“Of course! I’ll get that started and if you need anything else, my name is Maiko.” She smiled at the both of them with a nod and went off to give the kitchen their order.
“Are you sure that’s all you want Akaashi-san? I mean I appreciate your ordering for us, but I didn’t want to force my gutter palate on you.”
“It’s no trouble really.” Akaashi waved a hand to try and calm Tadashi and assure the freckled young man. “I wanted to try it because it is something you liked.”
Tadashi’s face felt extremely warm again as his heart beat loudly in his ears. He realized that he held his breath as soon as he opened his mouth to speak.
“Th-thanks, Akaashi-san…”
The two sat in relative silence while waiting for the food. Tadashi was trying to calm his beating heart and cool down his burning cheeks. The freckled young man wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable with the silence, but he worried that that darker haired man was growing bored. As Tadashi was starting to get further into his head a glass was placed in front of him.
“Here is your High school date special!” The waitress called out cheerfully as she sat down the one chocolate shake and basket of fries with two spoons and two straws. “Enjoy you two. Don’t hesitate to call me over if either of you need anything else. My name’s Maiko.” She beamed at them pointing to her name tag before taking her leave.
Tadashi snuck a glance at Akaashi sitting across from him while the waitress playfully teased them about their order. It was probably a very childish order that the two of them had made, and Tadashi felt his stomach continue to curn with overactive butterflies taking flight within it. Akaashi’s smile was so wide that the darker haired man;s eyes closed.
“Go on, Tadashi-kun. You must be hungry.”
“Uh…yeah, I am a little…” he reached across the table to grab a fry. They were still warm and crispy, not how Tadashi liked them, but he didn’t want to be rude around this new acquaintance. He took that fry and dipped it in the chocolate shake before bringing the fry to his mouth. Akaashi’s eyes followed the action, but they didn’t appear to be judgemental. Rather, Akaashi’s head even was slightly cocked to the side as he observed.
“I’ve never seen that combination before. I know that you mentioned enjoying the two opposing tastes, but I thought that you were joking.”
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” Tadashi stuck out his tongue at the other before licking the salt from the fry off of one finger.
“Okay, okay…I do see that you have a point.” Akaashi shook his head before reaching for a fry himself and used it to school some of the chocolate shake onto it.
Tadashi watched as the fry was brought to the other’s mouth. He was worried that this man wasn’t to going to like this combination just like others he'd told about it. To the barita’s surprise, Akaashi went back for another and another after that. He only stopped after the third because he’d taken notice of Tadahi’s intense staring at him.
“What? Do I have chocolate on my face or something?”
“No, I am just used to people not liking what I do…” Tadashi mumbled, reaching for another fry. This one was a bit softer, but still not as soft as he preferred them. He dipped it in the shake before bringing the fry to his mouth.
This continued for the both of them until the basket only had a few fries and the shake was nearly gone. Tadashi had been laughing about something that Akaashi had said as he leaned back against the booth.
“Man! That hit the spot…”
“Yeah, it wasn’t my usual meals, but it was definitely worth trying. You may be onto something, Tadashi-kun.” With a pleased nod. “ Oh but you do have some chocolate left on your lip. Akaashi reached out a hand with his thumb brushing across the corner of Tadashi’s lips.
Tadashi’ heart began breathing quickly while he attempted to avoid Akaashi’s gaze.”Th-thanks, Akaashi-san.”
Leaving the diner, Akaashi held the door open as the two exited the diner. “Tadashi-kun, I had a really enjoyable time this afternoon.”
“I did too, Akaashi-san.” Tadashi looked at his feet as they each waited outside the diner with Akaashi. “So, it’s time we should be getting home, right?”
“Yes, time has passed by quickly. I must head off to an appointment for work.”
“So I guess I’ll see you the next time you stop in?”
“Of course.”
“Good, I’ll have your house blend with two creams and one sugar ready for you, Akaashi-san.”
“Until next time,Tadashi-kun.” Akaashi leaned in and pressed his lips against Tadash’s forehead.
“A-A-Akashi?! Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m quite sure. As sure as the fact that fries are good in chocolate.”
“I’ll pretend like that isn’t offensive or meant as a jab at me.”
“Alright. Joking aside, I do want to see you again, Tadashi-kun. Not just at the coffee shop. I…really like who I am when you are around. Would you do me the honor of perhaps seeing me again?”
Tadashi was unable to speak for a good long minute after Akaashi finished speaking. His brain couldn’t quite compute what was being proposed.
“Akaashi-san? What exactly do you mean…by that?”
“I’m quite taken with you and I would like to continue those you outside of your work place, if you will allow me the honor.”
“Y-yes! Of course! I’d like to very much. I…um…have had a crush on you since you first came into the shop actually.”
Akaashi kissed Tadashi’s forehead again.
“That make me so happy to hear that, Tadashi. I’ll be sure to let you know my availability in the coming weeks via text.”
The two parted ways from this date with each other’s phone numbers in hand and they continued talking whenever they could. Weeks passed into months, and the two started to stay with each other. One particular morning, Akaashi was still in bed while Tadashi was opening his cabinets. He started to make coffee as he knew best, in autopilot while still waking up. He’d finished his cup before Akaashi finally padded out to the kitchen.
Tadashi set down the cup in front of Akaashi, giving his cheek a light peck, “Here you go, sir. The house dark roast with two creams one sugar.”<\p>