Work Text:
Xie Lian left the office exhausted, like most days. He didn't even remember what he'd been working so hard on, it all seemed insignificant as soon as he was out the door. Maybe Shi Qingxuan was right, he really needed to take some time off.
Xie Lian didn't really pay attention to where he was going, letting his feet carry him onwards on autopilot, until the rich smell of coffee made him suddenly stop. He looked up and saw that he was standing in front of the Silver Butterfly Café.
Ah, thank the heavens, I’m saved, Xie Lian thought, not caring if that was dramatic. His shoulders already felt a little less tense and breathing seemed easier. He stepped inside and froze in the doorway, staring at the barista behind the counter.
It wasn’t like Xie Lian had never been here before, if he was honest this had become part of his daily routine by now. No, it was that the man he was looking at, Hua Cheng, was just too handsome, and he never seemed to get used to it.
Hua Cheng had long, black hair, pulled back into a crooked ponytail, gorgeous hands with shapely fingers, and beautiful dark eyes, a sharp nose and a mouth that was always smiling whenever Xie Lian was nearby. He had tattoos on his arms, elegant flowers and butterflies in bold colours.
Xie Lian had previously spent enough time there to have been lucky enough to admire the barista’s long legs as well, trying and failing not to stare as Hua Cheng lifted a crate of oranges to squeeze orange juice with.
Hua Cheng’s face pulled into a wide grin when he saw Xie Lian in the doorway, and he waved at him before putting two cups on the drip tray of his espresso machine and pulling the lever to let the coffee flow into the cups.
“Gege!”
Xie Lian could feel his face heating up and cleared his throat, finally stepping further into the shop and smiling back at the barista.
“Good afternoon, San Lang.”
San Lang was what Hua Cheng had told Xie Lian to call him the first time he was at the coffee shop. He had gotten himself drenched in a sudden downpour that day, and Hua Cheng had actually given him dry clothes to wear, oversized sweatpants and the same shirt that everyone working at the coffee shop wore.
Now, Hua Cheng looked him up and down, frowning slightly.
“Please sit, gege.”
Xie Lian did as he suggested, sighing at the comfort of the high seat by the counter. He was usually too distracted to notice, but the coffee shop was very cosy. There were corner seats and lounge chairs, big windows to let in the daylight, and a tasteful selection of houseplants.
Xie Lian let his feet dangle as Hua Cheng steamed milk to smooth perfection and started pouring, his long, skilled fingers holding the cup with the greatest care. The barista set the cappuccino with a beautiful latte art tulip on the saucer when he was done, and repeated the process with the other cup, making a rosetta. He then rang the bell to indicate that the cappuccinos were ready to be served.
Hua Cheng wiped his hands on his red apron and glanced at Xie Lian again, seeming to come to a decision and putting the cleaned piston into the coffee grinder. He took the biggest cup the place had - a bathtub as Xie Lian always called it - tamped the coffee grinds and started making a large cappuccino, with an extra shot of espresso and a shot of vanilla syrup, pouring the milk carefully but confidently. Hua Cheng set the cup down in front of him when it was full and added something to his creation by drawing in the foam.
Xie Lian found himself staring at Hua Cheng again. Apparently he couldn’t help himself. Hua Cheng’s little frown of concentration was just too cute. He finished his drawing and looked at it for a moment, extremely critical, before deciding it was good enough and setting the large cappuccino down in front of Xie Lian.
Hua Cheng had poured a beautiful butterfly, and added a charming little flower next to it. As always, Xie Lian’s stomach did a flip, and he thought: San Lang made this especially for me. But he only allowed himself this silliness for a second, immediately chiding himself: Don’t be ridiculous, San Lang makes pretty latte art for everyone.
“San Lang…”
“Drink up, gege, you need it.”
Xie Lian looked at the latte art. Really, it was too beautiful, how was he supposed to drink this? But Hua Cheng was looking at him, one eyebrow pulled up, so Xie Lian brought the big cup up to his lips and took a sip, moaning softly at the warm, strong and smooth taste of the coffee.
“Gege, wanna get dinner?” Hua Cheng asked suddenly.
Xie Lian nearly dropped his veritable bowl of coffee. He clutched the cup, staring at Hua Cheng. Hua Cheng was staring back at him, suddenly looking rather pale.
“H-huh?” Xie Lian choked out.
The seconds ticked by, and something like panic was creeping into Hua Cheng’s expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but Xie Lian was faster.
“Yes.”
Hua Cheng looked a little faint, and it looked like he was actually gripping the counter to keep himself upright.
“Huh?” it was his turn to say. Xie Lian had never seen him like this, completely lost for words, a pretty blush spreading over his face. It was utterly adorable. Xie Lian thought he might really be in trouble here. His own heart was beating frantically, and he tried his best to steady his shaking hands as he slowly put his coffee down, managing to keep most of it in the cup.
“Yes, San Lang, I would like to have dinner with you.”
Suddenly, Hua Cheng’s coworker Yin Yu, whom Xie Lian was embarrassed to admit he hadn’t even noticed until now, stepped up to the espresso machine with a sigh, nudging Hua Cheng to the side.
“I’ll make those orders,” he muttered.
Xie Lian looked around. It wasn’t very busy in the shop, this late in the afternoon, but there were still a few people obviously waiting for their hot beverages.
“Ah...” he said sheepishly, rubbing his forehead.
Hua Cheng looked annoyed at being interrupted, but then he looked back at Xie Lian and smiled happily, his eyes shining.
“We’ll be closing soon, will gege wait for me?”
Xie Lian pulled himself together and looked up at Hua Cheng, returning his smile.
“Of course, I’m quite comfortable here.”
He was definitely going to request that time off.