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It had been raining for what felt like days but was probably only a few hours. As Sig wiped down the counter he heard the bell over the door go off signaling another customer coming in out of the downpour. He glanced up and saw it was Five Pebbles, his unfortunate crush.
Five Pebbles had been coming into the shop for about a month. Sig had attempted to ask out the dour man on his first visit but before he could even get the question out Pebbles had sneered and exited the store. Since then Sig had crushed from afar and tried to get Five Pebbles to at least stick around and start a conversation so he could ask him out. His current method was coming up with the wrong name every time the other man ordered. He figured Pebbles would break eventually and have to talk to him instead of just inwardly seething and walking out.
He hoped so at least. He could come up with only so many names before repeating himself. He felt like repeating a previously used name was losing the game that Five Pebbles wasn’t even aware he was playing.
He shook his head bringing himself out of his meandering thoughts as Five Pebbles made his way towards the register. He smiled before greeting, “Welcome to Bunker Beans. What can I make for you today?” as he always did. Suns would lose his shit if he caught him not saying it. He was a decent boss, but he was a stickler for rules.
“One large black coffee,” Pebbles’ voice washed over Sig. It wasn’t a surprising order, nor was it something he could forget. Always the same easy order with zero variation. But it was the game they played. Even if only one of them knew there was a game being played.
“One large black coffee. Not a problem. That’ll be $3.58 today,” Sig said as always. “Can I get a name for your order?” He finished out the interaction.
Pebbles narrowed his eyes at Sig looking at him like he was an idiot. “Five Pebbles,” he enunciated both slowly and clearly as if hoping for once Sig would get his name right.
Ha. Silly boy. He should know better than that by now. Sig took the money and handed over Pebbles' change before turning around to make the order. He heard change drop in the tip jar and smiled to himself. Even if he pissed Pebbles off every day, he was still not asshole enough not to drop his change in the jar. He figured when that happened he’d have to give up the game.
He popped the lid on the cup and turned around with a smile before looking right at the beautiful face of Five Pebbles. Pebbles was staring at him with a glare that could scare a lesser man. Almost daring him to do it. Of course, that wasn’t going to stop him. His smile turned to a smirk before he calmly said, “One large black coffee for Live Tebbles,” and placed the cup on the counter.
If there was such a thing as a silent scream, Pebbles was most certainly doing it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as if preparing himself for an unfortunate task. “What will it take for you to call me by my actual name? I know you aren’t nearly as brain-dead as you pretend to be.”
Could it be? Was today the miracle day?! Sig’s eyes widened and shock must have clearly shown on his face because Pebbles was almost smirking right back at him. And oh boy wasn’t that a glorious sight? “Your number. And a date. Give me those and I promise I’ll only call you by your name from here on out.”
Pebbles raised his eyebrow and gave a look of disbelief at that last part.
Fair. “Ok, your name and maybe…..baby?” Sig threw out hopefully.
Pebbles rolled his eyes before reaching out his hand for something. At Sig’s confused look, he continued, “Give me your phone if you want my number, idiot.”
Gods, the rudeness only made the man more attractive in Sig’s eyes. He reached into his pocket, unlocked his phone, and passed it over. Still not completely convinced this wasn’t a daydream in his head, he watched as Pebbles typed in something and handed it back over.
With his task done Pebbles began walking towards the door shouting over his shoulder, “I prefer sweetheart but I can deal with baby.”
Any sanity Sig had left in his head exploded and he was worthless for the rest of the shift. That night would see him text Pebbles and the months and years to come would see Sig call Pebbles all kinds of names but he’d eventually wind up calling him husband.