Chapter Text
Exer sat behind the counter patiently for customers. As a coffee shop, you would expect a lot of them, but Cup-O-Cat wasn't exactly the next Starbucks. Exer giggled to himself as he cleaned up yet another mess he made from tripping. Exer always made messes, Marco always made rude customers mad, and the rest were too shy for their own good.
Despite their flaws, Cup-O-Cat got pretty good reviews. Exer's lattes were most of the attraction towards the cafe, but Exer tried to keep everyone humble about it when the owner was nearby.
Because of a virus spreading around towards his co-workers, he had been the only one there today. Thankfully, it had been pretty slow.
___
David looked up at the sign of the new cafe in town, Cup-O-Cat. Sighing, he stared at a beaming Brenda who was practically skipping in. Unlike his twin, Coffee was one thing he couldn't stand drinking. However, the big smile and puppy eyes his sister gave melted his heart and agreed to come with her.
"But David, none of my friends want to go! I can't go alone! That's so embarrassing!"
David could practically hear her whining still as he entered through the glass doors. The bells chimed and he pushed his walkman to lay on his shoulders.
"You're not even going to look at the menu?" Brenda asked, annoyed, after a moment of David staring down at his feet out of boredom.
David huffed, "You know I don't like coffee."
Brenda rolled her eyes. "They sell more than just that." She said, pursing her lips.
Rolling his eyes, he picked up a paper menu from the counter, opening it. "Well, what are you gonna get?" he asked, watching her set the menu down just as quickly as she picked it up.
"A latte. Heard they make it really good here!" Brenda beamed.
David laughed, "They say that about every coffee shop."
Brenda pointed her finger, "Cafe." She corrected him.
David squinted at her, closing the book. "And you?" Brenda asked, seeing him close the menu.
"Nothing. I'll pay for you, though." He shrugged
Brenda groaned, "Ugh, whatever! You're so boring." She huffed, piling the two papers on top of eachother.
Exer stopped cleaning the dirty dishes once he heard talking, walking over to the counter where two people stood. Exer looked over at the boy, around his age, in a worn out red high-school jacket that Exer thought went well with his blonde hair.
"Hello!" Exer said, walking closer, before he could get a better glimpse of him. When he did, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to reply when the moment came. He was gorgeous.
"Come on get something," The girl whispered to him, nudging.
David sighed. "What do you recommend?"
Exer blushed as he realized it was his cue to speak.
"Ah yes um, drink or pastry?" He coughed. Was it the embarrassment or the virus getting to him?
"I don't mind."
"Well, i think i make a good Chocolate Milk Coffee." He scratched his head while leaning towards the counter.
The blonde boy laughed, "Chocolate Milk Coffee?" David questioned.
Exer blushed as he started to realize the ridiculousness of it. "Oh, well, it's one of our specials."
"Sure sounds special," He giggled, Brenda hitting him in the arm, giving a disapproving look. "I'll try it." he said. Brenda looked back at Exer, "I'll just get one of your famous lattes." She said, winking with a smile.
"Uh, name for the order?" He asked, lifting up one of the cups.
"We're the only ones here." David mumbled.
"Ah--um..." Exer blushed furiously. Exer tried to convince himself this wasn't a way to get the boy's name, but he'd be lying. This was definitely an unconscious excuse to get his name, and he was caught.
"Don't be like that, Dav." She shook her head. "Br-"
"Put it under David." He interrupted, crossing his arms. Brenda looked at him, squinting.
Exer stared for a few moments before the boy made him aware of his gaze by staring back, he jumped up and ran to make the drink.
"Brenda, He was staring at you." He heard the blonde boy whisper.
'No, i was staring at you' Exer blushed, grabbing a cup a little too tightly.
"Was he?" Brenda asked. David only nodded suspiciously.
Exer blushed as he stared at the cup. Sucking in a breath, he swiftly wrote down his number on the coffee, looking back to see if they noticed. Sighing relief when they weren't looking, he placed the two cups down on the counter.
"So what exactly is Chocolate Milk Coffee?" David asked Exer while Brenda picked up her drink and sipped it.
"It's just like the name, regular chocolate milk with lil' coffee in it, not a lot. It's.. uh, my recipe, They kinda let me put whatever on the menu ever since my latte became popular. So, I just mess around with it sometimes." he shrugged.
"Your manager? must be fun." he laughed halfheartedly.
Exer sheepishly smiled, "Yeah, but it's just that we're new here and she wants to bring in customers." He tapped the counter, staring at where he put his number, close to regretting it.
He picked up the drink, the number facing towards Exer. "How much? You never said."
"Um..it's on the house. For your... friend too."
He raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "Why?"
"No reason! Just--feel like being nice. I'm gonna close up soon, anyway. She's letting me leave early cause it's just me."
Brenda shook her head. "I don't want you to get in trouble--"
Exer shrugged. "I'll pay for it."
Shaking her head, the girl put some money in the Tip-Jar. "At least take some for yourself then."
the boy took a sip and pursed his lips, "This is actually, interestingly good."
Exer laughed. "Aww, don't flatter me."
"Well, Color me shocked. I'll have to come here again. Maybe you can show me the rest of your weird menu?" He smiled, resting his arm on the counter.
Brenda shrunk into her cup, smiling as she looked over to David.
Exer laughed weakly, sickeningly embarrassed. "Yeah! I'm, uh, Exer, by the way."
"Alright Uh Exer, I guess I'll see you." David teased, putting his hands in his pockets.
Exer laughed awkwardly as they walked out the door. "Y-yeah."
Exer heard the bell ring. He thought he was looking at the girl, Brenda he said, and David had been suspicious of him. Exer's eyes went wide. He started to regret putting his number on David's cup.
---
David took another sip of the coffee, humming.
"I thought you didn't like coffee." Brenda started, pursing her lips quizzically.
"It sounded interesting," David blushed, looking away. "Besides, the Chocolate milk surprisingly takes away most of the bitterness of the coffee." he nodded.
"Wait-- what's that on your cup?" Brenda asked, walking closer towards him.
David turned the cup to see the back.
A series of numbers, followed by a "Come back soon?" and a smiley face sat in the middle of his cup. David felt his face grow hot.
"That idiot wrote his number on the wrong cup." He huffed, rolling his eyes.
Brenda laughed. "Did he?"
David blinked. "What are you implying?"
She shrugged. "I'm just saying, he kept talking to you."
"I don't think it was like that.." he looked away, flushed.
Brenda groaned. "Ugh, come on. You were totally flirting with him!"
David laughed. "Okay maybe he was kinda cute, but he was definitely looking at you." He said frowning at the thought of someone flirting with his sister. Brenda only shrugged, giving a sly smile. David looked down at the number again, squeezing the cup a little too tight. It wasn't like that-- it couldn't be like that. The number made his heart skip a beat, but if it was like that... well... he didn't hate the idea.