Work Text:
You stop wiping down the counter when you hear the cafe's door open. The android you already know walks through the door with his usual straight and kind of goofy way, wearing his usual social clothes.
It's only been a few weeks since you became a clerk at that cafe and you've noticed that Connor is a repeat customer, even though he can't eat or drink anything—other than thirium—offered by the cafe. You find it puzzling to say the least that one of Connor's most common requests is a cup of coffee and some donuts to go.
– Good morning, Connor— You see him approach with a hint of a smile, smiling back at him— How are you?
He adjusts his tie, a mania you noticed in him a while ago— Very well. And you?
You let out a small laugh, always finding it cute the way he always talks formally. You lean your elbow on the counter, huffing.– Yeah, you know how it is... Working a lot. It's always very busy here.
He nods in agreement, and you notice the LED on his temple begin to turn yellow. You frown, reminding yourself that this is usually a sign that the android is thinking.— Something wrong, Connor?
Connor, who has been looking over the desserts in the showcase, returns his gaze to you. He clears his throat.— Of course. I think... I'm going to want to change the order today. I just don't know which dessert to choose.
You turn your head to look at the dessert display, weighing the options. You purse your lips as you think.– Well, I guess it depends on the person's taste. If you want something sweeter, a strawberry cupcake is a good one. If you want a more bitter, black forest cake is an option to consider.— You look back at him, noticing that his eyes were on you. He looks away as he adjusts his tie once more, even though it's already perfectly aligned. He looks at the showcase again before speaking.
– I will have a piece of black forest cake and a big cup of black coffee to go, please.
You nod, preparing his order and delivering it. You can't help your curiosity when Connor is paying for the order.— I always see you bringing dessert and coffee, and it makes me wonder...
– You wonder who I take the order to, seeing as I'm an android.— He interrupts you, and you stare at him. He raises his eyebrows, and you see his LED flashing yellow.— Sorry for interrupting you. I buy snacks for my friend and co-worker.
You smile, noticing that he is especially agitated today.— Oh, I see. I thought you were taking it to your partner or something.
He finishes the payment, frowning at you.– But he's my partner.
You laugh.— No, I mean, in a romantic way.
– Oh, I understand.
You see that he is silent for a few seconds, looking like a confused puppy. You pull your lips into a smile.– Are you single, Connor?— His eyes meet his, and he squirms a little to pick up the bags, probably not expecting the question. You instantly regret it, realizing you were asking about a customer's personal life, when Connor responds.
–I am.— He looks at you and smiles, and you can tell he's a little flustered. Shit, maybe you shouldn't have said that.— I have to go. See you another day.
You say goodbye a bit awkwardly, seeing him leave a bit in a hurry, almost tripping over his feet.
Maybe you shouldn't have asked him that question, but his reaction was so lovable that you couldn't regret asking it.
•
Customer traffic is low on this rainy morning, making you feel bored, as well as mentally cursing your boss for making you work so hard. You're so sleepy that you barely notice someone approaching you at the counter.
– Good morning.— You realize it's Connor, giving you a worried look.— Are you okay?
– Hi, Connor.— You straighten your posture, smiling.— It's not a big deal. The movement is low today, it's raining and I just wanted to be at my house.
He looks at you for a few moments, before nodding and looking at the showcase. – What dessert do you recommend for me today? Or rather...— He fumbles with his jacket.– Which one do you like?
You frown at the question, assessing the sweets.—I don't know. I like them all, but brownies are my favorite.
–I see.— He seems to think for a moment.— I will have three donuts and a coffee to go, and a brownie for now.
You miss the request. Can androids eat now? But you wouldn't question it. "Could be a new update or something", you think.
You prepare the order, placing the to-go items in the bag and the brownie on the plate.– Here it is.
He picks up the bags and looks at the brownie for a few moments, looking back at you with a smile.— The brownie is for you.
You frown, chuckling, not expecting it.
— For me?
— It's a gift. You're always here working hard, you deserve it. Plus it's your favorite, so... Enjoy.
You feel your insides warm when you look at him again, and seeing him stare at you with such a cuddly look convinces you to accept. Thank you, Connor.
His smile seems to lighten up more, making him look like a cheerful puppy.
You say goodbye and you take your first bite of brownie. You feel an explosion of flavors in your mouth, but also an explosion of feelings at the thought of Connor.
•
Two weeks pass, and in the meantime you notice that Connor starts going to the cafe more often, always finding opportunities to talk to you, whether asking for information about a product or just asking your opinion on which one he should take. Sometimes you notice him looking at you, and most of the time you look back, he looks away, looking embarrassed.
This made you think about the possibility that he was interested in you, but you decided to put the thought aside, since you tend to delude yourself with something that is often not even happening.
You really don't want to deceive, but you can't help but smile when you think of that goofy suit.
You're clearing tables when you hear the store door open, seeing a gray-haired man with a sullen expression walk towards the showcase. You follow him around to the other side of the counter.
– Good morning, sir, can I help you?— You say the catchphrase that you repeat countless times a day. He stops looking at you in a relaxed way.
–Yeah, I'd like one...— The ringing of a phone resounds in the place, and I realize it's the man's phone when he takes it out of his pocket.— Shit... Wait just a second, please...
You nod, too sleepy to care about the conversation the man was having next to her, until you heard a familiar name.
– Holy shit, Connor… where are you?! How many times have I told you not to go investigate these fucking crime scenes alone?!
You start to question if this is the Connor you know, frowning. The man rants some more and hangs up the phone, turning to you. You don't even wait for him to say something before asking.– Sorry to eavesdrop, but I know a Connor, are you talking about a brown-haired android who only wears a suit?
He frowns.– Yes, how do you know him? Ah, he had told me he was going to a cafe, that must be it. I'm going, have a good-
– Is he okay?— You ask worriedly, drumming your fingers on the counter.
He is silent, staring at you for a few seconds with furrowed brows before answering you.– Yeah, he's just… He's being the careless idiot he always is at work. He'll be fine.
He strides out of the shop, and you bite your lip in distress. You hope that Connor really is fine.
•
Today you went to a doctor's appointment in the morning, deciding to have lunch close to your work, since it would be in the afternoon.
You didn't see Connor again after that day, so you were a little worried about how the droid might be doing, but you tried not to think about it too much.
You enter the restaurant while texting on your cell phone, barely hearing someone call your name. You turn around, seeing that gray man from the other day, plus a figure beside you that makes you feel relieved. There is Connor, without a scratch, making you almost not believe that the man next to him was so desperate that day.
Connor tenses his shoulders a little when he notices you, giving an awkward smile. The older man calls you with his hand, and you go towards the table where they are.— You who were worried about this idiot, look at him here, brand new, as always.
He lets out a laugh, taking a sip of his juice. Connor is still smiling, straightening his tie, and in that moment you definitely understand that this movement is something he does when he's nervous. Hank stretches his lips into a smile. “Come here, sit with us.
You smile, sitting down and picking up the menu. You can almost feel the tension in the room as you can see Connor looking at you from time to time out of the corner of your eye. You start to really believe he's into you, feeling your heart race at the thought.
You place your order and start chatting with them. The older man, who you learn is named Hank, tells him that that day Connor had injured his leg in a chase and was asking him for help. You laugh as he ruffles Connor's hair with his hand as he tells you about what happened, watching Connor try to smooth his hair again with his hands, looking embarrassed. You think the father-son relationship they have is cute.
Hank stands.— I'm heading back to the DPD. It's quiet in there today, Connor, I think you can stay here keeping your friend company for now.
You can't help but laugh at the desperate expression Connor gives Hank for a millisecond, who shrugs, taking his leave and leaving you alone. You can't deny that it was comical to see that penguin in a suit nervous in his presence.
You start talking about your tastes, you obviously having to bring up the subject, because if it were up to the android, he would short circuit and set the restaurant on fire.
You discover that Connor likes dogs, having one named Sumo, in the house he lives in with Hank. He tells about the coin tricks he does for fun and sometimes to relieve anxiety. You feel like he thought you were going to judge him for being an android with anxiety, as he seemed agitated when you told him about it, plus his LED turned yellow. But you reassured him, saying that everyone has problems and that everything is fine, as long as he has psychological support and good people around him.
You ask him to teach you the tricks, but it just makes you laugh when you see him get embarrassed every time he takes your hand to show you the right position to throw the coin, in addition to the coin escaping your hands every time that you tried, making you convince yourself that these tricks are probably not humanly possible.
He walked you to the cafe, and when it was time for you to enter, he didn't seem to know exactly how to say goodbye, standing still as he looked at you with those bright brown eyes and arched eyebrows, that look you find adorable.
You smile and hug him, feeling him hug you back slowly, as if he is "processing" the information. You could almost feel the thirium pump racing against his chest.
You can't help but tease him a little more, planting a kiss on his cheek as a final farewell, watching Connor smirk as he stutters a "bye" before you walk into the cafe, making you finally convince yourself that he really likes you.
So, for the first time in a long time, you'll work happier than ever.