Work Text:
It was a slow morning; only a few guests were scattered around the place. He was standing near the coffee machine that he had just thoroughly cleaned and let his eyes wander through his -his!- coffee shop. It still felt so new to him. The furniture, mismatching if you looked closely but in the big picture so welcoming, had already had a life before they ended up in his café. If only they could talk, he chuckled to himself. Then, there were walls full of books; not neatly organised so people wouldn’t be afraid to take one to read whilst in the coffee shop. He encouraged people to take them home if they wanted and was always happy when they brought other books in return. Then, of course there were the brightly coloured different lgbtq+ flags all over the place and for everyone to see. He wanted the place to be a safe space for everyone - it was the reason he opened his café in the first place.
Looking around, he couldn’t help but being proud of his accomplishments. All the stress of the past weeks was so worth it! A smile started to take its home on his face as he crossed his arms infront of his chest and surveyed his place contentedly, just like a proud dad.
As he let his eyes wander, his gaze landed on the large, old clock hanging on the wall above one of the smaller bookshelves. Two applicants should be arriving soon. He had advertised for a new barista and had been equally impressed by these two young men. He had invited them both in to meet him for a trial shift even though he had only one job to offer. He wanted to actually get to know their work ethic before he hired either one and maybe that would help him make a decision. It wasn’t necessary that they were part of the lgbtq+ community but they at least had to be allies. He wanted no phobic assholes - of any kind - in his shop, it was his baby after all.
He did one final check to see if everything was ready for them when he heard the tell-tale ring of the bell over the door, indicating the arrival of a new guest. He looked up to see a tall, slender young man with black curls entering his shop. This must be Charlie, he thought. He watched as the handsome young man’s eyes gazed around the room and as a beaming smile settled onto his face; his eyes had clocked the many colourful flags. He was pleased with the man’s reaction and hoped that the other applicant would also be just as accepting. As if he had been conjured up, the door opened again, revealing an attractive young man with reddish-blond hair, about the same height as Charlie, as muscular as an athlete. And this must be Nick. He mused for a moment what sport he would play. Maybe rugby, given his arms.
Nick seemed to be momentarily frozen as he took in the shop’s surroundings. The owner held his breath for a moment. The appearance of the second man wasn’t as clear to classify as Charlie. But, a second later, he scolded himself for thinking such stupid thoughts. He, of all people, should know not to make assumptions based on how someone looks. Nevertheless, he was glad to see that Nick seemed to be delighted just as much as Charlie had been when his gaze landed on the flags, a smile spreading over his features.
He took in a deep breath to centre himself in preparing for the upcoming hours and closed the distance to the two men to greet them properly.
“Nick? Charlie?” He asked, turning from one man to the other, just to be definitely sure.
Both men turned to him and nodded in expectation.
He held his arm out to greet them properly. Both had a firm handshake and looked at him with open faces and warm eyes. Off to a good start, he thought to himself.
“I’m so happy that you were both able to come in for trial day, especially at such short notice!”
At this point, both men seemed to really register the other’s presence and glanced at each other, eyes going wide, and were they checking each other out? Oh. Then, confusion flickered over their features as they turned their gaze back on him.
Oh right, he hadn’t told them that tiny little detail. He cleared his throat.
“I’m aware that these are rather unusual circumstances. You both applied at the same time and were both available at the same time too, so I thought, why not?” He had the decency to look at least a little sheepish. He owed them that much.
“So, um, are you up to it?” He added for good measure.
Both men both looked at each other again, as if to try and assess the other. Then, slowly, they both nodded, obviously still a little unsure. Honestly, he couldn’t blame them. It was a unique situation. But time was short. To try them both out at the same time seemed to be such a good plan just a few minutes ago but now, he realised how this sounded.
“Oh dear, I don’t mean it as a competition, even though it might look like one to you. Please just be yourselves today!” He pleaded before he tried to divert the growing tension by clapping his hands.
“Okay, let’s start. I’ll show you around!”
And, so he did. He tried to remember to tell and show them everything important, all whilst guests were coming in and wanting their fixes of coffee, tea or whatever had taken their fancy that day. He couldn’t help but notice how good both Nick and Charlie were. Both were fast learners, following instructions carefully. Nick, with his beaming smile and flirty tone, made the customers blush happily and Charlie, with his speedy skills for making the drinks made the customers drink their beverages with a happy sigh. Hmm, interesting. He stored that thought away for later.
He was delighted with their professionalism and how they handled this special situation. Later, as he went into the storage room to get some more espresso beans, he congratulated himself for the decision he had made, letting them try out together. This really was off to a good start!
On his way back and with his arms full of bags of beans, he couldn’t help but eavesdrop.
“You could literally work anywhere else!” He heard a muffled voice whisper-shout, “like a bar, or a sports clothing store or a gym or whatever!”
Or, maybe not.
“You too! You could work a club or a book store or a concert hall” the other man said before he paused for a second. “A gym? What the fuck?”
“Yeah, with all your muscles and stuff!” He heard what must’ve been Charlie say, given the context.
“Muscles and stuff? Are you fucking crazy? I don’t want to work at a gym; I want to work here!”
“I want to work here too! I’ve searched for a lgbtq+ friendly work place for so long. Can’t you just go and leave it to me?”
“No! Why would I do that?”
“Like I said, you could just literally work anywhere else and people would gush over your good looks and just give you their money.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?”
He had to agree, Charlie did sound a bit crazy right now.
“It’s- I-,” the owner heard Charlie take in a deep breath before he continued, “I mean, it’s just not fair I have to compete with a person like you! You’re so easy on the eye and so good with all the customers, I don’t have a chance and I really need the money! Also, I really, really want to work here!”
“As if!” Nick exclaimed, “You’re much prettier than me, have you not seen the customers ogle you?”
What? He hadn’t seen that either but his focus hasn’t really been on that to be honest.
“What? What the fuck are you talking about?” Charlie hissed.
“Of course you’re oblivious. Just add that to your great personality! You - with all your curls and blue eyes and dimples and perfect lithe body - You just have to stand next to the coffee machine looking pretty without even knowing it and people can’t take their eyes off of you!”
“Nick, what the fuck? Are you delirious? Nobody was checking me out! They were looking at you, you dumbass!”
Were they now fighting over who was prettier?
He did not see that coming at all. He knew he should move but there was no way that he was going to give up his secret spot for all the money in the world. He didn’t know what was happening between the two men but it was just too good to not listen. His arms started to grow heavy and he ignored it happily.
“No! They were not! They were - Oh, hi, yes, welcome, what can I get you?”
Pity, guests. The first time he cursed their existence.
Clearing his throat to make his presence known to the two young men, he stepped out of the back of the shop. They both had a reddish tint on their faces that deepened even more when they saw him standing behind them. He only barely suppressed a grin.
After finishing the ongoing order, they both turned to him, knowing he had more to tell them.
“So, as you know by now you don’t have to wait on the guests at their tables but please have an eye on it if they forget to clean the tables by themselves. I need them to be ready for the next guests at any time.”
They both nodded and let their eyes wander to see if there were any tables in need of cleaning. He liked them. How was he ever going to decide? Maybe he could check their backgrounds a little.
“It is also important to me that the bookshelves are dustfree and well stocked. If you happen to have books at home you want to get rid of or give a new home, you’re welcome to bring them in.”
“Oh, they’re free to take?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, you can give and take as much as you want,” he replied with a smile. They both beamed at him.
“And the flags have to be on good display too. All people are welcome here.”
“I really like that,” Nick said, earning himself a curious side eye from Charlie.
“Why would you care so much?” Charlie blurted out before he covered his mouth as if to prevent it from being so rude again. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, I guess I’m a bit on edge because I want this job so badly,” he added a second later, looking genuinely regretful and a little abashed as he averted his gaze to his shoes.
But Nick didn’t give the impression of accepting his apology that easily. It seemed to be an upsetting topic for him, if the way his cheeks had turned an angry red, how his brows had shot up and the annoyance clearly visible on his face were anything to go by. He looked like a cartoon character ready to explode. Charlie’s eyes widened in shock; it was almost comical.
“Why the fuck are people always so full of prejudice towards me? What is your fucking problem?” he raised his voice towards Charlie, shooting daggers at him.
He was just about to shush him but Nick was apparently on a roll now. He was just glad that they were out of earshot from guests and there weren’t any new ones waiting at the counter.
“Just because I look the way I do doesn’t mean I fit your stereotypes! I’m so fucking tired of this shit, people always just assume that I’m an ally and don’t really belong to the community,” Nick’s voice became quieter, trailing off. He sounded sad and defeated, his eyes downcast and his arms crossed in front of his body as if to protect himself.
The shock on Charlie's face gave way to an expression of sympathy.
“Nick, I’m really sorry,” Charlie tried again, putting a hand on Nick’s arm what made Nick’s gaze jump from his feet to Charlie’s face and then hand and then face again. Obviously, he was not sure what to make of it and how to react.
Charlie sighed, “I can sort of relate to it, I guess. People always just assume I’m a stereotypical gay but I actually do like sports, for example. I mean, I am gay, but I don’t like being defined by it.”
Nick’s gaze softened at that and he uncrossed his arms. Charlie’s hand was still resting on his arm and he put his own hand on it. It was a very sweet gesture.
“Yeah, I can definitely empathise to that. People often just assume I’m straight and when I tell them I’m actually bi, they just laugh or make dumb comments. It’s exhausting. That’s why I would really like to work here.” He sighed deeply. “Sorry for snapping at you, it’s just a sore topic and I thought today of all days I wouldn’t have to deal with it.”
Charlie’s cheeks flushed red and he looked now positively embarrassed.
“I’m so sorry I made you so uncomfortable, Nick.”
“You say sorry an awful lot of the time,” Nick chuckled.
“I do, yeah. But, right now, I really am sorry and have all reasons to be!”
“If you’re so sorry, why don't you just leave me this job?” Nick grinned.
“Shut up! No way!”
Ok, so they were apparently back to banter. He cleared his throat again just in time with the doorbell ringing.
They all stepped towards the counter, changing positions for now so he could see how Charlie behaved at the cash register and Nick on the coffee machine. Maybe that would finally help him make his decision. He really hoped so because, right now, he couldn’t decide for the life of him between the two of them. He liked them both already too much.
He leaned on the door frame to the back of the shop, observing them for a moment. They were both fast learners and eager to please. It was obvious they both wanted the job. And of course, like Nick, Charlie was good with the customers too and Nick had a talent for coffee art. He sighed. Fuck his life and making decisions.
Something in the behaviour towards each other has changed now too. They worked really great together, giving short commands when necessary and helping each other, finding a perfect pace in serving customers. As if it was something they were used to, like they were meant to be. He even caught them both occasionally checking the other out; appreciative stares here and there when the other wasn’t looking, locking gazes over slight touches that had begun to linger a bit too long. Interesting.
He shook his head. He wasn’t cupid, he had other problems at hand. But the gears in his brain started to work. Maybe there was a solution to his problem? Maybe he could hire them both? Could he afford to do it? If he did, he wouldn’t be the one who had to stand behind the counter every day.
They handled the rush that was lunch amazingly well and he really was impressed. He didn’t expect such a successful work trial when he got up this morning.
“Hey, Nick? Charlie?” He tried to gain their attention.
They both turned their heads towards him while simultaneously working on the orders.
Multitasking? Check.
“Can I leave you both to it for a moment? I have to check something in my office,” he looked at them expectantly, curious about their reaction.
But they both just shrugged, nodded, smiled at each other like lovesick idiots and returned to focus on their work.
“Just kiss already,” he muttered under his breath.
“What?” Two heads spun around so fast it had to give them whiplash.
Oh.
“I said, I have to get the milk ready,” he muttered, trying to save his ass.
A puzzled look from them both was his reward and he knew it didn’t make sense now, but he was the boss, he could do with milk whatever he wanted to. They didn’t need to question him. Still, he blushed a little at being caught out.
He coughed and retreated to the safety of his office to re-evaluate the current job situation. He wanted to keep them both; they were so good together. He would be so dumb to let one of them go. And how was he supposed to decide anyway? In desperate need of a second opinion, he called his husband to talk it through. Together, they went over the figures again, seeing if he could really afford it. Even though the numbers were tight, the café had been growing in popularity and the weekly takings had gradually been increasing. It looked like he could just afford to take them both on. He sighed happily and ended the call.
As he came back to the front, he saw the two boys standing very close while Charlie was gushing over something on Nick's phone. They leaned into each other, their shoulders pressed together, their hair mingling.
Under normal circumstances he would've scolded them for using their phones during work hours, but since the few customers were all happily drinking their drinks and there were no new customers waiting at the counter, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
His heart ached in the best way for them. He was certain that he was witnessing the start of blossoming love. He watched Charlie pulling his phone out of his pocket, pushing in some numbers and then switching it with Nick’s. They were both writing something down and it didn’t take a genius to guess what it was. They were blushing, exchanging shy gazes, giggling giddily. Oh, to feel a new love again when everything made your heart want to pound out of your chest and butterflies take permanent residence in one’s belly.
“Nick? Charlie?” He asked in a low voice to not startle them out of their bubble, but to no avail. They jerked around fast, both looking at him like deer caught in headlights.
He pressed his lips together to keep from laughing out loud and cleared his throat.
“Your work trial is over now and I wanted to tell you the decision I made.”
They looked at him very expectantly and anxious and even had the nerves to hold hands as if it was a competition shown in reality tv and it was all about someone’s elimination. Oh, well, maybe it did actually feel like one, since they hadn’t been given any news just yet. They still expected him to choose one of them.
He smiled reassuringly at them and hurried to clear the air.
“It was such a pleasure to work with you both today. You make a very impressive team. So, I re-evaluated everything and am now very happy to announce that I would like to hire you both. You would be working together so I could have a few days a week to myself and would not have to stand behind the counter daily. A win-win, so to say. What do you think?”
The relief on their faces was palpable and he almost expected them to start crying and hugging each other.
“I’d love that!”
“That sounds perfect!”
They both exclaimed at the same time, looking delighted as fuck, making him chuckle.
“Great! I'll draw up the contracts right away.”
Just before he turned his back on them again, he saw their gazes locking once more. They were still holding hands, but now Nick was caressing Charlie’s with his thumb. His other hand came up to brush a single curl out of Charlie’s face. The look in Charlie’s eyes could only be described as totally smitten as he let his hand slide slowly up Nick's side until it reached Nick's bicep to squeeze it lightly. They were whispering to each other but were too far away for him to hear.
He smiled to himself and made his way back to his office to seal the deal with them both.
***
When he saw them again a few days later, they were holding hands and kissing each other in front of the doorway before they entered the coffee shop to start their shift.