Work Text:
Genos stared at the sign, taking a deep breath and pushing the door open. The café was, as expected, empty at this time of the day. He marched up to the one person behind the counter, his teeth clenched and his brow furrowed in determination.
“I'D LIKE TO WORK HERE, MASTER!” He shouted, startling the man who was reading a newspaper. There was a loud thud as he fell off his chair straight onto the hard tiled floor.
~~ ~~~
“Owww...” Saitama rubbed his sides, trying to stand as still as possible to avoid pain. It was not working.
“Master! Are you okay?”
He looked up to see a blonde man looking down at him, face full of concern. “Oi, you just don't barge in and start shouting like that! What are you doing?” The barista grimaced as his outburst made something hurt.
“Ah, I'm so sorry Master!” In one swift movement the blonde leapt over the counter, picking up a towel. “Ice, ice...” He glanced around nervously, not sure where to find it.
Saitama blinked in surprised and then sighed in defeat. He just wanted another calm day making coffee, that's all. “Over there.” He pointed at one of the cabinets.
Genos wrapped some ice inside the towel and handed the makeshift ice pack to the other man with a polite bow. “I am terribly sorry for startling you, Master.”
The older man accepted it, placing it on his sore hip. “Don't bow like that, it's creepy.” He waved him off, uncomfortable at the formality. “And don't call me master. What do you want?”
The other man's face turned into a glare, and for one split second Saitama worried he had made a mistake. “I met this coffee shop one year ago as I was studying for my exams. I was really anxious about it because my scores weren't that good in a few subjects and my parents had high expectations. That day I ordered the drink of the day and was amazed at Master's work. It looked absolutely perfect and it tasted like the best thing I've ever had. Ever since that day I feel tha--”
“Kid, we don't have all day...” Saitama rubbed his face in annoyance, he sure had the most troublesome patrons.
“I AM IN LOVE WITH YOUR COFFEE AND I WANT TO WORK UNDER YOU!” His posture was tense, hands clenched and eyes shut.
Yes, very troublesome indeed. “It's just coffee, ki--”
“No, Master, your coffee is absolutely perfect! It has the best taste, the correct balance of ingredients, the--”
Saitama rubbed his face again, his cheeks going slightly hotter. “Okay, okay, I heard you.” He decided it was best to distract him before another rant started. “Have you ever worked at a café before?”
“No, but I've been--”
“No way, I'm not teaching a newbie.”
“Master! Please give me a chance!” There was another polite bow and Saitama groaned in frustration.
“Fine, come here tomorrow one hour before opening time, we'll see how it goes.” He cursed his inability to say no, but at least the kid wasn't bowing anymore. “What's your name?”
“My name is Genos, I'm a second year robotics student. I'm looking forward to working together with you, Master.”
Saitama shifted the ice pack from his hip to his arm. Well that means he's smart, right? Maybe just a bit of an airhead? “Yeah yeah, now go before I change my mind.”
~~ ~~~
The kid was there as promised, but by late evening Saitama was very frustrated. Sure Genos was very dedicated and diligent, but he couldn't make anything more complex than simple coffee to save his life. It was still good to have someone help with cleaning and serving.
“I'm sorry, Master...” He was looking like the picture of misery, his shoulders down and looking suspiciously like he was about to cry.
Saitama dumped the contents of yet another failure down the drain, washing the cup. “Well nobody learns right out the gate.”
“I just want to do amazing things like you do, Master.” His voice was soft and he still hadn't moved his gaze from the ground.
The barista felt annoyance brewing inside of him and flicked the younger man in the forehead, causing him to yelp. “You're doing amazing, brat. You're in a great college and now you've got a job, and--”
The blonde blinked his eyes in surprise, finally staring at his mentor. “I'm hired!?”
Oh crap. Saitama opened his mouth to say something, anything, but he was pinned down by a pair of excited, glowing golden eyes. How do I always get myself in these situations... “Yeah, I suppose...”
Genos got up so quickly that he knocked the stool he was sitting on to the ground with a loud clatter. “Thank you! Thank you so much Master, I won't disappoint you!”
Well, just go with it then, no point worrying now. “Sure... Go clean up the tables for me.”
~~ ~~~
“I'm really sorry, Master...”
They had closed the store earlier and now sat in the small kitchen. Genos once again refused to meet his eyes, looking exactly like he did over one week ago.
“It was just a mistake Genos, it happens.” Saitama was trying to pacify the situation with no luck. Nothing he said to the blonde could pass that thick skull of his.
“But it's not fair. I spilled the coffee on him, I lost my temper and you...” He clutched his own arms in a death grip, fighting back the tears. “You had to bow down to him and apologize!”
“Genos it's okay, really, these things happen.”
“No...” He sniffed, biting his lip. “Maybe this was all stupid. I haven't been helping at all and I'm just giving you more work.” And that's when he couldn't stand anymore and let the tears go, his voice hitching. “I can't even make coffee, Master!”
The barista sighed, rubbing the back of his head. His job description didn't include taking care of emotional brats, yet here he was. He got up and picked up a towel, unceremoniously rubbing his co-worker's face. “Listen here, brat.” He warned in a tight voice. “I'm only going to say this once, so you better stop crying and listen to me, got it?” He waited until the golden eyes were turned his way and sighed. “You're very smart and hardworking, hell you're a lot better than a useless drop-out like me.”
“Mas--”
“Let me finish.” He flicked his co-worker's nose. “I'm happy you're here, trust yourself a little bit more, yeah?”
Genos fiddled with the towel in his hands and shyly nodded.
“In fact, you're trying so hard that I'll make that weird drink you like.”
“Ah!? But Master, it was a limited time edition only!”
“Yeah, whatever that thing's fancy name was. My treat.” The barista turned away before his embarrassment showed on his face, hunting for ingredients. I should ask for a raise, this isn't fair.
It was too late though, he was surely already blushing.
~~ ~~~
Saitama licked the cream off his lips, deep in thought. Genos was meticulously studying his face for any signs of distress, tensely waiting for his Master's verdict.
“It's... good.” The barista concluded, setting the cup down.
“What!? Really?” Golden eyes sparkled with hope and he almost dropped the towel he was holding.
“Yeah, I mean it's--” He let out a yelp and he was tackled by a very tall and emotional blonde. Thankfully he was standing this time and managed to balance himself, avoiding another intimate meeting with the cold hard ground. Genos head was on his shoulder, and his shirt was being held in a death grip. At least he's not crying this time, Saitama mused. He let the kid have a moment before gently nudging him away with a small smile. “You're wrinkling my shirt, brat.”
As soon as Genos was pushed away he realized what he had done and blushed fiercely. “Ma-Master, I'm … Oh gods...”
Saitama was surprised, he didn't know someone could turn that red that fast. “How about I give you a treat, like last time?”
The blonde made a choked noise. He sharply turned his gaze to the ground, nervously gripping his own apron. “Yes, Master! Anything is fine!”
The barista wanted to chuckle at the younger man's embarrassment, when he eyed the chocolate chip by his coffee cup. All drinks were served with one. His face split up in a devilish smirk.
Genos looked up when his name was called, and he almost jumped when he felt soft lips pressed to his. A hand cupped his face and he closed his eyes, melting into the warm feeling of the other man's skin. His head was spinning as his lips were teased and licked, and when he opened his mouth to let out a yelp he felt a wet tongue slip inside.
He awkwardly tried to mirror the man's movements, his inexperience showing. But it was still absolutely perfect. Master's breath on his skin, the fingers caressing his face, and then his lips were gently bitten and he wasn't sure which way was up or down anymore.
Saitama pulled away, panting slightly. His face was flushed with a triumphant smirk plastered in it, and Genos felt himself fall in love all over again. “There's your gift, brat.” The barista quickly turned and marched away to the back room.
And that's when Genos realized the small piece of chocolate inside his mouth. “MASTER! D-DON'T TEASE ME!”