Chapter Text
Theo had been dragged out of bed by the continuous and persistent knocking from his door. He didn't know who else would be harassing him this early aside from one girl who had been trying to get him out of his apartment for the last week.
Unfortunately, he'd been correct, before he even opened the door he could hear her sweet voice saying things along the lines of "come on Theo I know you're in here, you literally haven't left in forever" and "let me in" the last was said in a sing-song voice. Which might it be said that she was exaggerating that first bit, he had been in and out of his apartment, he just hadn't been doing anything exciting. He was just an average guy with an average life so sue him if he didn't spend every day like an adventure. Still he supposed he should let her in before she disrupted his neighbor's to much.
"Did you just wake up?" Pippa asked, eyeing his messy state.
"It's only about to turn eleven, what do you mean?" He bit back. It wasn't late or anything, she was just an early bird. An insanely early, early bird.
"We'll go get dressed. Today I'm determined to actually get you out of the house. You finally got a small vacation from work, and you're going to spend it inside? Come on Theo, it'll be fun. Let me treat you to today" he sighed at this declaration, just knowing that it was going to be an exhausting day. But only for him, because Pippa was caring but incredibly enthusiastic about things. He didn't think he'd seen her get tired when she had her mind set on something.
"We'll start with coffee, I know a great place. Somewhere you haven't been yet" somewhere new had not been the hooker but coffee was enough of one so Theo reluctantly went to go get dressed while Pippa put Popper in a harness and leash. Apparently they were taking him too.
The three walked, Popper at first stopping here and there to do his business but after a while seemed excited to just be out for so long and started to sniff at passing people. Some of them cooed along the way, and Popper lived in his own little oblivious world. Oblivious to his owner's distress about the things that were being told to him. Aka, the plans for that day. Pippa wanted to do some shopping and just some sightseeing in general, maybe even stop by the museum that recently opened, (mainly for Theo because her little history nerd may actually be happy there).
"Does the place let pets?" Theo asked, the conversation had finally shifted to the place they were going rather than the torturous plans of today so he used this as the opportunity. He wasn't completely opposed to leaving Popper outside but he knew from experience that more often than not he did not like being alone.
"Yup, it does, don't worry I made sure of it. I've been to the place before, it's actually really good. The workers are nice and there's desserts and the drinks are kind of exotic, like it's got more options for drinks than a regular coffee place." She explained before jumping a bit in reminder, "oh and the price is fair! It's great, I'm sure you'll like it," it was a cafe and they'd be eating inside, how better could it be? In all honesty, despite all the hype, Theo was still thinking of just an average Starbucks with maybe a few drinks that he'd never have intentions of trying.
And he was half right. Both the interior and exterior looked much better than a Starbucks, but it was a dine-in cafe only so he'd hope so. As for everything else, it seemed kinda basic. Likes those cliche films where the protagonist is busy and needs a coffee and ends up meeting a hot stranger at a cafe. So if that could give any imagery than it was that, except with a darker undertone.
It seemed comfortably busy with what Theo would deem little staff. How come there were only four people working? Well they seemed to have been doing a good job, so maybe it just didn't take a lot of people to take and make the orders. What did Theo know about coffee? He'd only been in an indoor cafe once or twice.
The barista taking their order was a guy only three feet shorter than himself, dressed in the slick black uniform that was required. Black curls crowned his head, and maybe it was the combination of the curls with the fairly muscular yet thin figure with just the whole dead aesthetic look about him, but damn was he hot. And it did not help when he smiled seeing them,
"Again? Didn't you get coffee earlier?" He teased Pippa, Theo wasn't sure what he was expecting but the mixed-mainly Russian accent was not it. Outside of Theo's mind, Pippa laughed and defended her actions because she in fact did get a coffee earlier too. 'I needed energy to get him out of bed,' she said smoothly. He wasn't registering what was going on, too entranced with Boris' movements with the tablet in front of him and happily talking to Pippa (who he'd grown acquainted with during her constant visits). Maybe if Pippa cared about him she would've taken him out of his head that way he didn't look like a fool when Boris spoke to him.
"Wha- sorry um..what?" Theo had no way of knowing what had been said. Just that Pippa had been smiling devilishly and Boris seemed amused,
"Do you know what you'd like to order?" .. fucking stupid- of course that had been what he was asked! They were in a cafe for fucks sake and Theo hadn't ordered yet so obviously that would've been the thing that was asked. Actually looking at the menu for once, Pippa had been right, there'd been a lot of selections.
"Sorry, he's a bit bad at knowing what he wants," Pippa told Boris before looking at the menu, "do you want something with a lot of caffeine or chocolaty or something else?" She tried to help. (Oh so now she wants to help). Theo was feeling pressured, he embarrassed himself already and then Pippa's statement about him, and now looking like a child not knowing what he wants. And maybe he wouldn't mind this situation as much if it hadn't been for the hot ass barista. Actually it wouldn't have happened at all if it wasn't him.
"Sorry, uh just a regular Americano" he breathed out. Could he melt? Or just evaporate honestly, anything would be better than being alive and standing right now. Boris just laughed again and nodded. Giving the order to the ones making them behind, it seemed that he was the one on register duty for the time being. Listen, he didn't know their system.
Boris Pavlikovsky, the name tag read. He wasn't completely sure if he was pronouncing the last name correctly in his head but Boris..it was a fitting name, he could hear himself fondly saying th- woah, why would he have any reason to fondly say it? Popper took him out of his internal monologue, or rather Popper and Boris. The barista had came around and knelt down to play with the small dog who happily jumped to lean his front paws against his bent knees. Pippa had told Boris he could pet him.
Popper loved people, and even more so loved attention. So of course when this stranger who his owner had been making googly eyes at came around to pet him, he was excited and even yipped happily. They were in a cafe though so while laughing Boris hushed him
"тсс, будь хорошим мальчиком, Popchyk, тише" he…he spoke another language!? Consider Theo officially swooned. Pippa noticed, but Theo himself hadn't even so he definitely didn't notice her watching between the two.
"You two can take your seat, we come to you with your orders," one of the ladies working (with orange and black hair tied into a low ponytail) said politely, luckily there was no one behind them in line. Pippa had momentarily forgotten about that, with everything with Boris. Speaking of which, "Boris! Ugh go change your apron and wash up, literally what have we talked about? You can't stop for every pet you see. I'm about to make this a pet free cafe because of you," her tone was frustrated but Boris took the anger in stride. Chuckling as he saw her walk off.
"надеюсь скоро увидимся," he did a last couple of rubs on the dog before disappearing behind a staff only door, probably to change his apron and wash his hands. Pippa, Popper, and Theo took a nearby seat. He took off his glasses and hid himself in his hands, really just trying to come to his senses more than anything. It was only eleven:fifteen, why was time so fucking slow? Pippa laughed, petting Popper who was on her lap. (Boris had called him Popchyk, Theo noted. Wondering what that meant and why Popper responded so happily to that in particular).
"Aww are you in love?" She teased, getting Theo out of hiding enough to glare at her. Now was not the time for games. And what kind of question was that!? If she didn't have eyes, they both were guys. And sure, maybe that wasn't that big of a deal, but they also literally just met so how the fuck could they be in love? Pippa rolled her eyes at the look, "come on Theo, you haven't dated since Kitsey, it's like you're mourning something that was doomed from the beginning. And that's not very healthy. It's probably good for you to find someone new anyways, about time too" he had just been waiting for her to bring up his ex fiance.
A few words (some vulgar in Theo's case) were shared while the baristas got the drinks ready, and food too apparently. Of course Pippa ordered them both sweets to munch on because she was too caring and not only could tell Theo was in a trance at that moment, but also knew he would never ask for himself anyways. Theo was actually quite glad when they got it because it gave him something to do apart from self-loath.
Was that disappointment in his chest when it was the multicolored haired (kinda emo) girl from earlier and not the hot emo guy? No, it definitely was not.
He could see Boris working, the next time he 'subtly' looked over Boris was making drinks, and looking so cutely concentrated while doing it. He did it with ease, looking so much more responsible and serious then he did earlier. A few times, he noted, he could see Boris bringing an order to a table, and it was then that he could see the friendly toothy smile.
When he stopped looking because Boris went out of sight he was met with a smug looking Pippa, who couldn't believe that in the last few minutes how many times Theo looked away to spy on the barista.
"What?" Theo said hesitantly, did he miss something? He was sure he heard everything, just because he wasn't looking at her didn't mean anything. He was just..enjoying the cafe.
"Oh you know exactly what. I'm surprised you two haven't made eye contact yet-" she wished it on him. Pippa was either a fortune teller, bad luck, or a witch (maybe all three) because when Theo gave an instinctive glance, he found Boris looking back. Much in contrast to his own reaction, Boris just grinned from where he was measuring our milk and winked, going back to his job as if nothing happened. And Theo? Well Theo was sure his soul left his body.
"We have to leave, like asap, I- you jinxed it" Theo whined, very obviously avoiding looking back that direction. His face was pink and shoulders were shuddering with nerves and suppressed hysterical laughter.
"Absolutely not, you're going to make him think you hate him, haven't you seen any movie? I'm not letting you ruin a perfectly good chance. We'll stay a bit longer, then you'll order a second coffee because I know you're a coffee addict and you're going to need it for our outing" she replied confidently, brushing her orange bangs out of the way a bit and taking a bite of the churro she'd gotten. Theo slumped over and drank his coffee, he ate the sweets gingerly as Pippa continued talking.
Theo did end up ordering another Americano but this time to go. Boris had been the one to make it and when Kylie handed him the to-go cup it had 'Potter' written on the side in black marker, obviously having been Boris' handy work since the girl didn't touch a marker and Boris had looked awfully mischievous. And while the insult was there, Decker couldn't help but cradle the cup with some care.
Pippa had been correct, he really did need the coffee because she just kept finding places to go. Clearly having taken advantage of getting Theo out of the house. They didn't part till almost four hours later, she dropped Theo and Popchyk home,
"Bye babe! Go visit the cafe again tomorrow and get him" she winked before driving off, Theo huffing behind her.
"Can you believe her? And to think I willingly hang out with her" He said to Popchyk, who bounded closely behind him back to his apartment.
Theo read a bit and watched TV, it wasn't until later that night, a bit before dinner, that he was feeding Popper. He had put the dog food into the bowl and was going to take off the dog's harness for the night. But a paper that stayed attached with a paperclip had caught his eye. He really didn't think of any way this could've gotten there, no reason for him or Pippa too, so then what the hell was on his dog?
He pushed up his glasses and unfolded it, Theo wanted to die, did he make that clear yet? Because he really just wanted to be gone. Y'know if that wouldn't inconvenience anyone, then that'd be great.
Boris had given him his fucking number. 'Call me, Potter' with a smiley face had been written under the sloppy yet oddly neat scribble of numbers. Why did everyone expect him to get with this guy he just met? (More importantly, why did he actually want to do it?)
He's never gotten someone's number so randomly like this, so he did the only fun thing he could think of and called Pippa. When she had the audacity to not pick up the first time he called again, at least this time it worked. Which he was grateful for because he was flipping out. He told her about it, ranting to her about how he found the number in Popchyk's harness and all the things you already knew. Theo paced the room, clearly stressing, and all Pippa had to say for it was laugh! Why was everyone laughing at him that day!?
"Theo, hun, just call him. Or fine if you don't want that commitment, text him. Listen, I have to go, but if you think he doesn't like you after nicknaming you and literally giving you his number then you're more oblivious than I thought. Byee, I wish you luck, even though it's not needed because you two are practically dating already" she said in a hurry so he couldn't retaliate. The unheard giggle could practically be seen as she hung up.
Theo procrastinated texting Boris (why was he even entertaining the thought?) Just knowing that he had his number made him bubbly everytime he remembered it, and quite frankly Theo was scared of that feeling. So he got drunk after dinner, and his drunken mind seemed to especially like the idea of talking to Boris. He laid in bed, fighting sleep, he fumbled with the paper to unfold it and clumsily entered the digits.
"Hello?" Ah Boris didn't know his number and with all the hours that passed he probably didn't expect Theo to call at all.
"It's me, Potter, from earlier- uh hi. That's all, bye" Theo's heart was skipping too many beats, he was sure he'd die. Almost dropping his phone he hung up. Unknowingly, he left Boris gaping on the other side.
His phone rang with the familiar number, and dumbly he picked up,
"Hello?" It was his turn to greet. Boris laughed on the other end of the line,
"Potter," god how he said the name, "are you okay? Drunk?" Damn A+ for you Boris. Theo laughed, he was a blackout drunk, this was going to be learnt soon enough, but it wasn't often that Theo even drank. It was hard to be hungover and still keep your job at the museum.
"Yeah..j'st a bit" it seemed like it was much more than that, but sure.
"Why'd you call?" There was only fondness in Boris' voice, just genuine curiosity.
"Why'd you leave your number and a note if you didn't want me to call, fucker" Boris laughed again, Potter was so amusing intoxicated. Well..he'd been amusing sober too but the embarrassment and awkwardness had been radiating off him then and that was a different kind of amusing.
"Good point. I wanted to talk more, you seemed fun and cute, thought we could hang soon" Boris shrugged despite not being seen, "what's your name? You'll forever be Potter, but I want to know if is okay" did he really want to be forever called Potter? (Fuck it- he'd be called anything if it was Boris saying it)
"Theo- uh well Theodore but jus' Theo," it made sense to him in his head, and his mind didn't bother to clarify that it was what everyone called him, "Decker" Boris just hummed,
"I assume you know mine? You seemed to have been looking at my name tag earlier" and Theo let out a tired 'mhm" at that. Boris had a lot of unanswered questions but Theo didn't wasn't sober and he was clearly tired. "Go to bed Potter, I'll text before shift tomorrow. Night," he was tempted to add something sweet at the end but he had some sense that they just met.
Boris hung up and Theo was quick to fall asleep after.