Work Text:
The shop was rather busy, Ren was running around all over the place to get each and every drink made with high quality. He ran the whole thing by himself, just to give him a challenge but on days like these..
It was a bit too much on him. At least this was slightly better than the coffee shop being empty. He just had one more hour. One more hour then he could be done.
The reason for this rush hour is because Ren got a new ice cream machine so he could make things like floats and just serving ice cream. Why does this matter? Well, be decided it would be a good idea to have a happy hour for the last two hours before the shop closed.
So here Ren was, overworking himself as he made sure tea was getting over brewed and coffee wasn't burning. Needless to say, it was too much for him. Due to this rush hour, he started questioning a few things like if his shop is even a coffee shop. Sure coffee was it's main thing but he also had tea and ice cream.
Does it count? What even is a coffee shop? Exhaustion was getting to him. Then he heard a door open. Ren immediately stopped what he was doing and looked over. Oh thank god, Martyn was finally here. He would like help immediately, thank you very much.
He was making slow progress on the line and getting more stressed by the minute. Martyn sighed before going over, soon putting a hand on Ren’s shoulder. “I’ll handle the people and make sure everything is brewed correctly. You can focus on making each drink, ok?”
Ren paused but eventually nodded, going back to making drinks as Martyn started helping customers. Sure, Martyn had never really ran a coffee shop before but at least he didn’t have to make everything. Luckily, taking orders and calling out names was not that hard. Although, Ren was still stressed, still running around to start making two to three drinks at a time. He tried doing this to speed up his efforts but he ended up working a bit slower to make sure every drink was perfect.
Eventually, Ren started going back to doing one drink at a time so he could focus more which did mean he worked faster. Constantly taking the cups that Martyn put stickers on and spinning around to the machine or area he needed to go into. At least the orders weren’t that complicated. Well, some of them were complicated but it just changed a few things. At least rush hour was slowing down to the point where there were about three to five people left.
Luckily these orders were just from their menu that Ren knew by heart so the orders were fulfilled rather quickly. “Ren?” Martyn spoke up, causing him to immediately look up. His ears were standing tall on his head. “You mind making one more drink? Just for me?” Martyn smiled as Ren finished the last drink and handed it off. “Maybe..whatcha want, dude?”
“You have any leftover matcha?” It took Ren a second to check the container that he stored the matcha in. “Yeah, what do you want some?” Martyn smiled as he nodded, Ren sighed before scooping up a bit of matcha and put it in a small bowl along with some hot water. He took out the small bamboo whisk before lightly stirring the matcha around until it was a nice frothy drink. He let the whisk stay in there before getting a cup and pouring the last of the green tea into the cup and adding the matcha as a topper.
“Your tea, sir.” Ren bowed as he held out the cup to Martyn, just being the dramatic man that he was. His partner let out a chuckle before taking it. “Thank you, Ren. Now! Let's get you out of here. You have had a long day.”
“Can’t I make myself a drink first?” Ren asked as he started just to make himself some jasmine tea. “Fine..but you are gonna let me play with your hair.”
“Deal,” Ren smiled as he blew the steam coming out of his cup. He carefully carried the cup of tea upstairs where his small home was. He didn't to like the idea of having to drive from the shop to his home so he had his home made on top of his shop.
He had industrial tools at his disposal just for a simple cup of coffee. Martyn soon followed, walking up a lot less careful since he snatched a lid for his drink. Ren opened the door and walked over to his couch. Setting his cup on the coffee table before throwing himself onto the couch.
“Rough day?” Martyn asked softly as he sat down more gracefully next to the hybrid. “Play with my hair already..” Ren sat up and faced away from Martyn, then he took out the hairtie that held his hair up. Letting dark brown hair cascade down his back.
“How do you get your hair to be this soft?! I could never..” Martyn brushed Ren’s hair with his hands, simply enjoying the texture. “Two hours in the shower and a million types of soap.”
“W-why?! That's too long! No way it's two hours..” He started making one central group then started braiding Ren’s hair. “If I don't do it then it's gonna be really tangled and just a mess..which is something I don't wanna deal with!”
Martyn sighed, he used one hand to hold Ren’s unfinished braid and used the other so he could take a sip of his tea. “Martyn?”
“Yes..?”
“Did we lock the door to the shop?”
“Uhh…”
“We didn't…didn't we?”
“Give me a minute.. hold your hair,” Ren nodded before taking it from Martyn as he got up and quickly ran downstairs. The lights were turned off and it was still intact. Nothing was stolen. Martyn sighed before locking the door, going back upstairs soon after.
“Ok, I was gone for two minutes and you managed to down a whole steaming hot glass of tea..” Martyn said as he stared at Ren who was holding an empty cup. “It was good..I am like Uncle Iroh. Make tea not war..or something like that..”
Martyn chuckled as he sat down next to Ren, going back to work on his partner’s hair. “Is that so? Well I'm glad your happy.” He kept working on Ren's hair and eventually, the hybrid's hair was braided. “All done, m’lord.”
“No need to address me like that, dude!” Ren smiled as he leaned back on Martyn, his head on his partner's chest. “You are so handsome,” Martyn whispered as he moved Ren’s braid so he could see it.
This compliment only made Ren giggle, causing his tail to softly hit the couch. “Only if you would let me braid your tail..”
“No, never. Off limits.” Ren immediately shut it down, ears lowered and everything. “No need to get that upset..” Martyn sighed as he placed his hand on Ren’s head. Slowly beginning to scratch behind the hybrid’s ear which only caused Ren’s tail to hit the couch more.
“I hate you sometimes. You know every weakness of mine..”
“Oh come on! You know you like it.”
Ren paused as he stared up at Martyn, eventually looking away. “I hate that you're right..I do like it.” This only caused Martyn to laugh, smiling at his partner. “And this is why I love you idiot,”
Ren sat up and grabbed Martyn to pull him close eventually kissing his partner who only returned the gesture.