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It was a chilly December day when Renji Abarai had finally worked up enough courage to talk to the beautiful barista at the coffee shop just a few blocks from his off-campus apartment. Or he had thought he had the courage until he caught a glimpse of the man through the storefront window like he had the last four times he had tried this.
He was easily the most attractive person he had ever seen with his long black hair that was always neatly pulled back showing off his sharp features and stunning grey eyes. Byakuya Kuchiki never failed to keep Renji’s full attention by merely walking into the room.
This shouldn’t be so hard.
Renji had recovered from his bumbling first introduction when Rukia had brought him along to meet her friends while he was in town looking at grad schools. Renji had been so taken by him in that moment that he knew he had to say something but his thoughts and his words were not making the connection. He just smiled and nodded along to the conversation, trying in vain to not make it obviously when he stole glances Byakuya’s way. Rukia had obviously seen this and was relentless in picking on Renji for it the next day. Maybe if I finally talk to him she can let that whole night go.
He hadn’t seen much of Byakuya since then until one night when he was walking home from campus and happened to catch a glimpse of him cleaning tables in the coffee shop. This was his chance to make a much improved second impression.
Renji adjusted the strap on his shoulder bag as he pulled open the café door and walked into the shop. The rich, earthy scent of coffee filled the small space with just a hint of sweetness blending in from the baked treats filling the display cases by the cash register. Above the register was a menu board with a long list of options, and in the middle of that was a photo of a very fancy looking drink topped with chocolate curls and whipped cream.
Being in his forth year of undergrad in the kinesiology program, Renji was no stranger to coffee. And he also had been known to drink the occasional cup of tea for Rukia’s sake when she wanted company to go to a tea room. But looking at the words on the menu board had him feeling like he had stepped into an alternate reality. When Byakuya cleared his throat to get Renji’s attention he almost stumbled over his words again before he collected himself with a smile.
“Ahh… hi, Byakuya right?”
Byakuya’s expression slipped into surprise before he replied, “you’re Rukia’s friend I met before. Renji, currently in your fourth year of undergrad if I recall correctly.”
Renji unconsciously reaches his hand up to rub the back of his neck. Man, am I glad that was the detail he remembered about me. “How long have you been working here? You didn’t seem like the barista type when I met you.”
“It’s been a few months, and it’s not so bad,” Byakuya says with a hint of a smirk. “It affords me enough to have some additional freedoms without my grandfather needing to know.”
Renji nods in understanding. He has heard some stories about the Kuchiki family and their expectations for the siblings. It’s good that Byakuya has found a way around all their rules.
“Did you stop in to just say hello, or were you planning on ordering?”
Renji can feel the warmth gathering in his cheeks even though he is trying to keep his blush under control. I have to say something, even if I don’t have a clue what all the things mean on the menu. “I was thinking of trying that fancy festive one you have up on the menu board. And maybe a chocolate chip cookie too, please.”
Byakuya enters his order into the cash register and tells Renji to make himself comfortable at a table while he prepares everything.
There is a table close to the counter that looks like the ideal place to sit and continue chatting with the older man while they both work. Being in his fourth year means that Renji is never without some kind of school work, so he pulls out a textbook, his notebook and a pen to begin making his study notes.
A few minutes later, Byakuya sets a warm plate with two cookies next to Renji’s open textbook. “Oh, I only ordered one…”
“I know, but that textbook looks like you could use the extra sugar to get you through your readings. I also warmed them up for you a little, they are the best when the chocolate chunks are soft.”
Renji smiles warmly up at Byakuya. “Thanks! This class has been kicking my ass, so I’ll take anything to help make studying for it better.”
When Byakuya delivers Renji’s drink to him he can’t help the quiet chuckle that escapes his lips at how wide Renji’s eye become when he is face to face with the mountain of whipped cream sitting on top of his peppermint mocha. Renji thanks him before picking up the spoon from the side of the saucer and making a show of taking a large scoop of the sweet, white fluff. I swear I can see just a little blush across Byakuya’s cheeks. He’s so cute when he’s a little flustered!
Byakuya returns to behind the counter and continues his usual duties to serve customers and prepare orders. After a small rush of customers, he looks over to check on his only remaining customer. “Is there something wrong with your drink?”
Renji winces as he ducks his head a little at his grimaced face being caught by the barista. He was hoping that he would not have noticed how much he was struggling to finish his drink. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“About your drink?” Byakuya asks.
“Mhmmm, you see, I’m really not a fancy coffee guy. And everything you have here is definitely under the category of fancy coffee. I ordered this without a clue what it would actually taste like, but I figured how bad could it be?” Renji starts to laugh quietly, “turns out it really could be bad.”
“Why didn’t you just ask me to explain things to you? I would have, it is part of the job to be honest.”
“Another secret to tell you… I was really trying to make a good second impression since you are so far out of my league that I need all the help I can get.” I can’t believe I told him all of that. Renji isn’t ready to look up at Byakuya, so instead he shoves the remaining half of his cookie into his mouth. At least now I can’t say anything more.
When Renji does look up again, Byakuya has moved back behind the counter again. I’ve definitely made a memorable second impression, pretty sure I’m not getting a chance to make a third one. He decides that he’s spent enough time studying, hoping to avoid making things any more awkward he packs up his things back into his bag and starts towards the door.
“Renji, wait!” Byakuya raising his voice just enough to be heard around the whir of the coffee machines around him. “You like regular coffee, right? I think you should try this one on the house. I wouldn’t want you to leave without having something you enjoy.”
A large paper cup is slid towards Renji, along with a small basket holding different kinds of sugar packets and both cream and milk to add to what smelled like a great cup of coffee. After adding a bit of sugar and cream, Renji took a tentative sip of the hot drink. The coffee flavour was complex and earthy without bitterness. He could taste how smooth it was over his tongue with the subtle sweetness of the sugar he had added. This really is the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had.
“That’s amazing! This is my kind of coffee for sure, thank you for this.” Renji gives Byakuya a quick smile as he picks up the cup again to leave. That is when he notices a series of numbers written in marker under his name. “What’s this number for?”
Renji is almost sure that he sees Byakuya’s cheeks start to turn a warm pink when he says, “for when you are ready to make a third impression or have another secret to share.”