Work Text:
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“The usual?”
“Of course.”
Gaz walked to his usual corner booth with a steaming mug of black eye coffee, snow falling in a light drizzle. It was not nearly as chilly as it would be in later weeks, as December was just around the corner. Gaz blew the steam wafting from his cup gently, making it curl into wisps of fog around his nose.
Taking a gentle sip, he scans the shop for its regulars. An old woman with fuzzy white hair and mismatched socks on the barstool, the gruff bearded man guzzling an americano, scrolling through his phone, and them. The co-owner who always worked the register around the time he walked into the shop. You.
You had a look about you, something that made him feel at home. Around the holidays, you had a faint scent of roasted chestnuts, maybe some Christmas-themed perfume you bought around this time. Sometimes when you arrived late, your nose was tinted red with snowflakes caught on your eyelashes.
The feeling Gaz had around you felt homey, when you’d exchange lighthearted banter and witty one-liners. The both of you didn’t meet as often as you’d like to outside of the quaint coffee shop.
One day he remembered vividly was an October weekend. It was a coincidental meetup, as you were walking to lunch at a café a few houses down from the little coffee shop. Your hands were shoved into your pockets, your breath in translucent wisps clouding your vision. As you felt a sturdy hand grip your shoulder.
You turn around as you see Gaz in a navy blue scarf loosely wrapped around his neck. “Oh, hey Gaz!” you say, his presence a very welcome surprise.
“Never seen you outside the shop before. Where’re you headed?” he beams. Outside of your uniform, you wore a black turtleneck layered with a white pea coat and black pants. It was jarring to say the least, as he had gotten so used to your pale green apron and black polo splattered with random coffee stains.
“I’m goin’ to get lunch, wanna come?” He smiles and nods. As the two of you walk in a comfortable silence, Gaz stole a few glances at you. When you arrived, you ordered a sandwich and a chocolate cake. Gaz ordered a Shepherd’s Pie and you two waited for your food. As you talked, a steaming pie and a sandwich was set before you two. As you hungrily ate a roast beef sandwich, a breadcrumb stuck to your upper lip.
“Hey, you have a thing on your lip,” Gaz pointed out. As you searched in vain for the crumb, Gaz sighed and grabbed your face. “Here,” he says as he used his thumb to swipe the breadcrumb off your lip. You flushed and thanked him, brushing it off as a kind gesture as you smiled.
As Gaz recalled the moment, he didn’t realize he was in a trance as you saw his eyes glaze over as he smiled goofily. You shook him gently. “Gaz? Gaaaz? Wakey wakey,” he jolted and looked up at you.
“Sorry, spaced out there.” He shook his head as if shaking away imaginary flies. Gaz checked his watch and frowned. “Well, I have to be going right now. See you tomorrow y/n!” He hopped up from his chair and walked out, sparing a quick glance back at you. He grinned and closed the door, the bell tinkling lightly. You stared back down at the table and how neat it was. Gaz never messed around on the table, crumbs rarely there and his unused napkins neatly folded. As you picked up his plate, mug, and napkins, you saw something in between the napkin folds. A pale yellow sticky note with the shop’s cat, a white fluffy tom named Baldie, scribbled on it. You smiled as you showed it to Baldie, who in return clawed at the doodle. You giggled and carefully folded the drawing and put it in your pocket. As your business partner, Antigone, took orders from customers, you assembled the drinks in the back. You usually worked from 7 am to 5 pm, when the shop closes. You and Antigone lived in the house upstairs and were college roommates.
Antigone was a short, curvy woman with dark skin and dyed red hair. Her dimples always showing when she smiled and a bubbly and infectious personality. While she handled finance and more mathematical parts of business, you took care of the shopping and maintaining the exterior appearance of your shop. The two of you had a harmony despite your differences. Antigone appeared to be airy and unfocused but was rather serious and cunning. Her former partner was rather surprised to find out she wasn’t a very naïve and bimbo-esque character, and when they couldn’t take advantage of her, like he planned, he cut ties with Antigone completely. The two of you were glad to be rid of them, and she vowed to never allow someone to get in between you two again.
As you swept up the table, playing a love ballad in your earbuds, it got you thinking. When was the last time you had a relationship? You’ve had a few flings here and there, nothing long-term though. The only significant boyfriend you had was back in your eleventh year, and he was the most toxic piece of trash you ever dated. He was pushy and domineering with a soccer player body and this permanent cocky grin plastered on his face. You remembered the time the two of you went to his shitty friend’s party. He offered you some punch, which he roofied earlier.
You remember waking up in a forest stripped naked with no remembrance of the night before. It seemed he barely tried to cover you up, as your clothes were haphazardly laid over your body. Trashed beer bottles and used condoms were scattered around you. You found your phone somewhere in the undergrowth and desperately called your parents. When you tried to press charges, the officers denied you that because they claimed it wasn’t solid proof that it was your ex who violated you. You went home that day dejected and sobbing into your mother’s shoulder. The rest of your year was a nightmare. The sexual harassment, the jokes, the lies. You went to a prestigious university far away from your school. There you and Antigone met, instantly becoming inseparable.
Humming to yourself, you brewed orders and cleaned up tables. As the day stretched on, you waved out the final customers and shut the door, exhaling. You swept up the crumbs on the floor and cleaned up the counter. As golden hour approached, you finished tidying the shop. Antigone was cooking in the back, the savory smell wafting through the small shop. “Antigone, something smells good!” you yelled into the back. Her smiling face popped up around the door, winking.
“It’s gonna be a good one dear, better get ready.” She disappeared again, the smell of cumin now mixed in. You went upstairs to your house, throwing your dirty apron in a hamper. You kicked off your shoes and called Antigone.
“Nene, I’m gonna take a quick nap, call me when you’re done.” She giggled and assented. As you slumped onto the couch, the day’s exhaustion overtook you as you fell asleep.
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You woke up a few hours later to find a note on the coffee table. Saw you sleeping, your dish is in the kitchen. -Nene. You crumpled up the note and headed down to the kitchen. A lukewarm plate of chicken ravioli awaited you. You ate in silence, the soft music playing in your headphones. As night approached, you slid your plate in the sink and changed into some comfortable clothes. You brushed your teeth and took a shower before snuggling into your bed, the city sounds outside lulling you to sleep, a chaotic lullaby.
★・・・・・・★
As you woke up, you stumbled out of your room and into the living room, scratching the back of your head as you stumbled on your fluffy white bunny shoes. “Mmmornin’ Ne,” You looked around. “Ne? Where ya at?” You checked your phone and saw the time. 4 AM. You sighed and got dressed, grabbing a black turtleneck and pale blue jeans. Making yourself a quick latte, you grabbed a few cinnamon biscuits and scarfed down your meal. You went out to the balcony window and sat down, sketching things you saw. A telephone booth, a stoplight, a few parked cars, you name it. As time passed, you heard rustling and Nene mumbling some greeting. “Should I open up shop?” You asked as you stood from your chair. She nodded as you walked down to the coffeehouse. You swept up dust and chased away the spiders and little bits that infiltrated your shop at night.
As 7 am approached, you turned the “OPEN” sign around and turned on the coffee machine. You thought about practicing latte art and made a quick latte to practice with. After ten minutes, A customer walked in, his 5 o’clock shadow dark and his eyes lined. His expression reminded you of Antigone and you stifled a giggle before taking his order.
“Hello sir, how may I take your order?” You asked, trying to erase the tiredness from your voice.
“Espresso. One sugar.” He grumbled, his New York accent gruff and thick. You nodded.
“Name?” He gave you his name and sat in a corner table, his presence rather intimidating. You made his coffee as the bell rang and two people walked in, arms entwined. You heard Antigone clumping down the stairs. “Ne, you make the orders while I take them.” She nodded, more awake than the last time you saw her. The couple still waited for you. “Hello you two, orders?”
One of the girls ordered first. “Uhm, can I have a large vienna coffee with, uh, a cinnamon bun? Yeah.” She was the shorter one, with black hair streaked with pale orange.
“Of course. And you?” You turned to the taller one.
“Yeah, a black eye coffee please, extra cream. Oh, and a chocolate chip muffin too.”
“Got it. Okay, that will be…” You took their names down and gave Antigone the order. It was around 7:15 now, and a regular came in. It was the older woman, Betty. She had a strong love for crabs and always ordered lattes. You smiled when she looked up at you, stooped from old age. “Hi Betty, want your usual today?” She smiled at you.
“Yes please. Oh, and give me your hand.” You outstretched your palm and Betty dropped a wrapped peppermint in your hand.
“Awwww, thank you so much Betty! Let me get your coffee. Antigone brewed you the coffee and you grabbed your little jug. “Any pattern recommendations?”
“Oh no, surprise me!” You decided on a swan and grabbed the mug, looking carefully at the coffee. It was now around 7:25. You heard the bell ring and someone walked in. It was Gaz. You didn’t notice him as you were concentrating on the art. He watched as your eyes scrunched in concentration and you poured the shapes carefully, shoulders hunched. You looked so in your element, and Gaz gazed at you, lips parted. He knew he was early, but you looked positively ethereal. Gaz wanted to get a latte just to see your face once again. As you finished your swan, your let out a self-satisfied huff and gave the drink to Betty.
“Thank you, and have a good day!” She beamed as she sat on her barstool, and Gaz came up to meet your eyes. You felt yourself heat up a bit when you two made eye contact. “Gaz, hi! You’re early today hm?” you exclaimed breathlessly.
“Yeah, heh. My clock wasn’t workin’ today so I cleaned up faster than usual. Wouldn’t wanna keep my barista waiting!” He said, staring a bit after he finished. You laughed, looking away.
“Your barista?” You asked in fake indignation. “Yeah, okay Gaz. What should I get you? Usual?”
“Nah, get me a latte this time, extra sugar.” He said with a wink.
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