Work Text:
Despite years of experience serving coffee, the request for something called a coffee tonic was a new one. “It is made with espresso over ice, cut with tonic water, and optional simple syrup.” The customer before you, Jongho according to the cup name, added that preferred his unsweetened.
“Hey Yunho, do we still have that tonic water in the back?” While your employee went to look, you explained Italian sodas had just been added to the menu to take advantage of the warming weather. Flavored syrups and cream were always on hand for the coffees anyway, so it had been a simple matter to begin stocking club soda to complete the recipe. Somewhere in the ordering process either you or Yunho had mistakenly picked tonic water instead so the idea of suddenly having a purpose for the stuff was an appealing one.
Triumphantly holding aloft a bottle, Yunho returned batting his eyelashes. “You see, I am a genius for ordering tonic water. We needed it after all.”
Knowing it was just humorous bluster on the part of the usually self-effacing man, you agreed Yunho was a genius. “Not for the ingredient mix up, which I still think was my fault, but for your effect on my life. Everything is so much easier since we met.”
Clearing his throat and with a head tilt to Jongho, Yunho reminded you a customer was waiting.
“Since this is experimental, your coffee tonic is on the house. It might take a little longer so Yunho will bring it over to you once it is ready.”
“Thank you. I look forward to it.” With a graceful nod Jongho dropped some bills in the tip jar. He then pulled out a notebook from his trouser pocket and sat at a nearby table, scribbling away. Jongho was impressed when soon afterward Yunho brought the drink over accompanied by a complimentary spinach and Parmesan quiche. “That is incredibly kind of you.”
“My boss is grateful you clued us in to a trend. With a clientele that runs older, we are not exactly cutting edge around here. A basic coffee is what most of the regulars come in for.”
Jongho took a sip. “That's excellent. What a difference from chain coffee bars. I really like the family atmosphere you have here too. You and your partner seem made for each other.”
Yunho clapped a hand over his mouth to cover a laugh. “I only started working here a few weeks ago. They are that warm with everybody. Pretty sure my boss could charm even the most stoic of hearts.”
Flustered, Jongho regretted his offhand comment. “I should not have assumed. My mind goes to romance too easily these days while I am trying to write a love story.”
“No, it is fine.” Yunho looked a little wistful. “We would not be compatible anyway. I don't like to read and they devour books at an astounding rate. Someday the right person will come along who matches their tastes.” Looking down to the notebook Yunho encouraged, “Take all the time you need. You can see we are not busy and lingering customers bring life to the place. And, if you get it published, I can brag the author did some writing here. It will be good for business.” Respecting Jongho's privacy, Yunho then returned to the counter without asking about the story.
Jongho decided he could get used to working on his novel here in the quiet and friendly shop. From that day on he was a regular for coffee tonics and a bite of something savory. There was always welcoming banter from either you or Yunho when he entered, then enough time to himself to get a significant word count in.
Often gazing into space while coming up with the right phrasing, Jongho would catch himself watching you at the counter. No matter how busy the line, you met his eyes with your own smiling ones every time. Slowly but surely the love interest in his novel took on your traits. Not only did the physical description match yours, the character was also quick witted and funny like yourself. Over the course of the story they drew out the more reserved friend turned boyfriend who had a lot in common with Jongho himself. After this progression, the guys in his writers' group had already begun to lovingly tease Jongho about asking you out when they heard how affectionately he described his muse.
Their urging became insistent when they saw the two of you together with some clear signs of attraction on each side. This occurred when the library room they usually gathered at underwent renovation. Jongho had asked if it was okay for his authors' group to meet at the coffeehouse instead. The idea was met with your wholehearted approval. It was not just a business decision, more time in Jongho's presence was the real draw. By now your crush had become so obvious that Yunho was merciless with his good-natured jokes about your 'boyfriend' whenever customers were not around.
Greeting them enthusiastically, you made the group feel at home from their first meeting. An interesting mix of personalities, you wondered what drew them together beyond a love of words. It did not take long to see the way they cared for each other and were closely bonded. Within a few meetings you were just as welcome among them as a friend, and it warmed your heart to have expanded your social circle.
The first to introduce himself had been Hongjoong. It was not just a vibrant head of blue hair and eclectic clothes that made him stand out, he also seemed to hold something of a leadership position in the group. With such an artistic style it made sense Hongjoong's writing took the form of lyrics to go with his musical compositions.
Seonghwa was working on a self-help book about increasing self-esteem. From what you observed, the elegant and polite man seemed to be working on the project as much for himself as any potential audience. Over the weeks you began to see improvement in the way he carried himself thanks to the continued support of his members. Jongho had been particularly encouraging, and again got you thinking about how attractive he was as a person in addition to the physical aspects you had noticed right away.
Slower to warm up than the others, Yeosang's reserved nature gave way to a talkative jokester once he knew you better. Already successful at writing and illustrating comics, he found getting out to be around others helped his mood as well as his productivity. Yeosang seemed particularly close to two of the members. Wooyoung, the outgoing cookbook writer who always had a funny kitchen anecdote to share was the first. San was the other. One night as he left, the friendly, dimpled man confided he was finally feeling confident enough to preview his poetry in the group and credited your interest in his writing as part of the change.
Alternating between laid back and boisterous with a voice that carried, Mingi was the final man you met. He was currently at work on an engaging history of fashion. Mingi's compliments on your own apparel and thoughtful suggestions of new items to incorporate made you feel good. Mingi had a similar effect on Yunho. The two became fast friends and you later learned they had taken to shopping together expanding Yunho's wardrobe.
With Mingi's encouragement over time, Yunho had unexpectedly become one of the members. Although he was not one for writing, they welcomed him as an engaging oral storyteller and he was able to refine his stories with their assistance. Seamlessly integrating into the group, it was as if Yunho had belonged with them from the start.
The last to reveal his work, you heard Jongho's project was a novel centered around a love story though he would say no more. Perhaps in time he would be ready to talk about it, but you would never press. As it was, you were happy enough just to have him nearby, exchanging pleasantries on his way in or out.
Then too, there were the occasional conversations revealing more of his life. It was something you cherished every time it happened. Jongho had also taken to swapping book recommendations based on your tastes, and lately you sat with him on your breaks to discuss the stories. When a shared love of dramas was discovered, you hoped to work up the courage to invite Jongho to watch something together sometime, maybe just in the coffeehouse after closing to begin with.
Another meeting night came to an end and you waved the last of the men off. Your sigh was heavy as you swept up, cursing another missed opportunity to say something to Jongho. Turning to Yunho you admitted, “You have been right all along. I think, well, I know for certain I have a crush on my favorite customer.”
Out of nowhere, or rather the direction of the restroom, Jongho appeared and joined the conversation in a friendly tone that masked his disappointment. “And here I was thinking I was your favorite customer. So, who's the lucky person?”
Frozen in place with a panicked look, your mind raced trying to come up with a face-saving reply.
“You are always telling me Jongho is your favorite customer. You've never said that about anybody else before,” Yunho helpfully supplied. The smirk accompanying the statement told you this was a very deliberate comment. His work done, both paid employment for the day and as your wingman, Yunho hung around and busied himself far down the counter, but still within earshot. He might seem innocent with his cheerful demeanor, but Yunho certainly could be crafty too. Somehow you'd have to get back at him later on, that is if you even survived the embarrassment of this moment.
You watched a smile break out as Jongho worked through the new information. “I know it can go quite badly to ask someone out while they are at work, but I'm sensing it might be okay in this case. For some time now I have wanted to take you someplace for dinner. Would you be my date?”
Almost too excited to speak, you managed to squeak out, “Yes, I would like that very much.”
Your grin matched Jongho's and that signal of success led to muffled cheers heard through the shop window. The rest of the writers' group practically had their noses pressed to the glass watching from outside. They poured back in led by Wooyoung who slapped Jongho across the back and exclaimed, “I knew you had it in you.” The others offered congratulations in turn to Jongho and yourself before dragging a somewhat dazed Jongho out. No doubt they would be psyching Jongho up for his first date just as Yunho would be offering you the same support.
Despite any initial awkwardness getting the relationship off the ground, it was a success. By the time Jongho's first novel finally came out, you were already living together and he welcomed your offer to host the launch party in your coffeehouse, as well as subsequent events for the rest of your shared friend group. Author readings had by now become a popular staple of your cafe. As a raconteur par excellence on open mic nights, even Yunho in time had a volume of his own transcribed tales published.
Taking great pride in the group's accomplishments, over time each of their autographed books became available for sale beside the cash register. All of the volumes by local authors were popular, but none outsold Jongho's love story about the man who admired a cafe owner from afar. The characters' mutual pining came to an end thanks to a chain of unlikely and humorous events that made it an entertaining reread. This was your favorite of the books developed by the writers meeting in your coffee shop too, though your true preference was for living the real-life version with Jongho at your side.