Work Text:
Lando enjoyed how the first rays of autumn sun streamed into the café, casting warm shadows over the empty tables. The silence of the place before opening was one of his favorite moments of the day. There was no noise from customers or conversations, just the sound of his footsteps as he tidied up. He could put on music, of course, but he preferred to let the calm fill the space. It was his little moment of peace before the hustle and bustle began.
As he flipped the sign on the door to indicate that the café was now open, Lando positioned himself behind the counter. He slid his finger across the screen of his phone while listening to his colleagues chatting in the background. He didn't really feel like joining the conversation.
The hum of the coffee machine filled the air as Lando busied himself cleaning the counter, his hands moving with the automatic rhythm that experience afforded him. Although his coworkers were happily conversing, he remained in his own world, enjoying the slight aroma of freshly ground coffee that floated in the air. The clock on the wall read 10:30, and the first wave of regular customers had come and gone, leaving the place in a nearly comforting calm.
Lando sighed, content with that momentary peace, but he knew that soon the café would fill up with activity again. He leaned against the counter and took a sip of his coffee, feeling how the drink warmed his chest. He liked those in-between moments when the day had yet to decide whether it would be chaotic or a quiet one.
His favorite part of the job had always been latte art. Making designs in the foam of the coffee allowed him to be creative amid the daily routine. He wasn't bad at it; in fact, he had seen more than one customer take pictures of his creations and post them on Instagram. Although it was a small detail, it felt good to show off that little skill.
The morning progressed without much to highlight: the regulars ordered the usual, and the new faces were not particularly memorable. Except for him.
It must have been around eleven in the morning—Lando remembered well because he was distracted by his phone—when the soft jingling of the bell caught his attention. Looking up, he found a boy he had never seen before. Impossible to forget. His eyes, framed by long eyelashes, captured his gaze immediately. If that boy had asked him for all the money in the register, Lando probably would have obeyed without thinking.
He wore a maroon shirt that fit him perfectly, as if the color and shape had been created just for him. Lando, completely stunned by his beauty, barely registered when the boy approached the counter.
"Can I order?" the boy asked with a smile, pulling Lando out of his daze.
"Uh? Yes, sure, good morning," Lando replied, clearly awkward as he tried to regain his composure. Not the best start.
To his relief, the boy didn’t seem to notice his awkwardness or, at least, he didn’t seem to care. Lando struggled to remember how to take an order, internally pleading that the heat in his cheeks would disappear soon.
The name "Oscar" was embossed on his debit card, and Lando watched as he paid. Oscar headed to a table in the corner, pulling out his laptop from his backpack. Great, Lando thought, it seemed he was going to stay for a while. More opportunities to make a fool of himself, he joked to himself.
With renewed determination, he decided that at least one thing would go well: the latte. He was determined to impress him with his best foam art. It was just a simple vanilla latte, but he would create an intricate decoration he had seen on Pinterest, something like a heart surrounded by leaves. Nothing too complicated.
What he didn’t expect was the intensity of Oscar's gaze as he prepared the drink. Could he take the moment to show off a little? But as soon as he poured the milk into the cup, everything went wrong. What should have been a delicate and precise design ended up looking more like an abstract piece worthy of Pollock.
Without looking up, knowing that Oscar’s gaze was still fixed on him, Lando tried to hide his frustration. He placed the cup on a tray for one of the waitresses to take to the table. At least he wouldn’t have to face him directly... for now.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
The next day, around eleven in the morning, Oscar walked through the door of the café again. Lando immediately noticed that today he wasn’t wearing the maroon shirt that highlighted the curve of his waist so well. "What a pity," he thought, almost without realizing it. His second thought was more decent: Oscar had returned. Was that good or bad? The possibility that he might come to complain about the coffee from yesterday crossed his mind, but before he could dwell on it, a growing line of customers pulled him out of his daydream. The café was busier than usual, and with fewer staff available. Today, it was just him and his coworker, which increased the pressure.
The sound of the bell chimed in the background as Lando hurried to serve the growing line of customers. Unlike the tranquility of the previous morning, the atmosphere in the café today was full of life and bustle. The barista juggled preparing drinks, taking orders, and listening to his coworker complain about the lack of staff.
“Hey, can you take care of the register while I finish these orders?” his coworker asked, exhaustion written on his face.
“Sure, no problem, I’ll handle it,” Lando replied, trying to stay calm. He knew the workload had doubled that morning. He focused on the customers in front of him, trying not to seem desperate as Oscar’s turn approached.
Finally, it was time to serve Oscar, and to his relief, he felt a bit more centered today. Although the boy looked more tired than the day before, with noticeable dark circles competing with his long eyelashes for the prominence of his gaze.
“Hi, one vanilla latte, please,” Oscar ordered with his Australian accent, which Lando noticed clearly this time, causing a slight knot in his stomach. That "gay panic," just in time. Oscar paid in cash, and their fingers brushed briefly as they exchanged money. A simple gesture that left him feeling calmer, or so he thought.
Oscar gave him a slight smile before heading to the same table as the day before, that corner one near a power outlet. Lando watched as he settled in and pulled out his laptop, and with a bit more confidence, he set to work on the growing pile of orders.
As he dispatched coffees one after another—Americano, milk tea, cappuccino—Oscar’s gaze followed him like a shadow. “Everything’s going better today,” he thought. “I’m definitely going to impress him.” He left Oscar’s order for last, still undecorated, and worked on the others.
When the moment finally came to prepare the vanilla latte, he tried again for the design he had wanted to do the day before: a heart adorned with leaves. As he poured the frothed milk into the cup, he glanced at Oscar. The Australian was staring at him from his corner, a slight smile peeking out from beneath his eyelashes. “Is he smiling at me?” Lando wondered while trying not to lose focus. But the nerves proved stronger. The result, while better than yesterday, still wasn’t what he had envisioned. At least it wasn’t a total disaster.
With the coffee ready, he realized he would have to take it to the table himself today. He took a deep breath, fixed his hair, and headed towards Oscar, trying to hide his nerves. Upon arriving, he carefully placed the cup on the table, followed by the spoon, and glanced at what Oscar was typing on his laptop.
“Thank you,” Oscar said, smiling at him. His eyes wandered over the cup and then stopped at Lando's face.
Lando felt a slight chill when Oscar frowned at the latte decoration. “Shit, he noticed,” he thought. But he decided to keep his composure.
“It’s nothing, Oscar,” he said, not realizing he had released his name. “God, how dumb am I!” he thought instantly.
Oscar raised an eyebrow, surprised but amused. “You remember my name already?” he asked playfully. “I didn’t even told you. How thoughtful.”
Heat rushed to Lando’s face, reddening his cheeks. “What can I say? I like to take good care of my customers,” he replied, improvising, though his tone betrayed his nervousness.
Oscar let out a soft laugh and returned to look at his computer, though not before giving him a smile that completely disarmed Lando.
“What are you working on?” Lando asked, genuinely interested, although a bit nervously.
Oscar looked up from his screen. “I’m working on a project for university. Nothing exciting, really, but this place has good energy,” he replied, shrugging. Lando noticed a hint of shyness in his voice, which made him smile internally. Oscar didn’t seem like the type to talk much about himself.
“Well, if you need another coffee to keep up that energy, just let me know,” Lando said with a more confident smile this time.
Oscar chuckled softly and nodded. “Thank you very much. Although…” he glanced down at the cup and then smiled again, “I didn’t expect such an abstract design.”
Lando let out a nervous laugh. “Sorry, it’s not my best work.”
Oscar waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine; the taste is what matters.”
They both shared a brief smile, but before the conversation could deepen, Lando’s coworker interrupted.
“Lando, stop flirting with the customers and come help me,” he joked from behind the counter, half-serious.
Lando apologized with a glance towards Oscar, giving him a small smile before returning to work. “Lando, huh? Nice name” Oscar commented, just before the barista turned back to the counter.
The rest of the day passed without any major incidents. Oscar continued typing on his laptop while Lando worked, attending to the flow of customers. Almost at closing time, Lando noticed Oscar starting to pack his things. With his backpack slung over his shoulder, the Australian approached the counter one last time before leaving, pulling a bill from his pocket and placing it in the tip jar.
“See you tomorrow, Lando” he said with a quick wink before disappearing through the door.
“See you tomorrow?” Lando repeated to himself, watching the door close behind Oscar.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Days went by, and Oscar's presence in the café had become almost essential. It was rare for a day to pass without him showing up, even if just for a little while. He didn't always come to study; sometimes he just dropped by to say hello, chat for a few minutes, and then leave. Those brief moments lit up Lando's day, leaving him in a sort of cloud for the rest of his shift.
Bringing coffee to Oscar had become a task exclusively for Lando, something the other employees noticed but never mentioned. Lando no longer cared if his latte art came out perfectly; he had accepted that it wasn't that which attracted the Australian. Still, it seemed that Oscar enjoyed the company more than the coffee's design. They shared little conversations each time, some longer than others, depending on the flow of customers.
Today, Lando woke up with an idea in mind, one he couldn't believe hadn't occurred to him before. His break was at two in the afternoon, more or less, depending on how busy the café was and if any of his coworkers needed help. Oscar arrived a little later than usual, around noon, and he seemed somewhat flustered, as if he had run to get there. He was wearing his famous maroon t-shirt again. Lando had counted at least four times that he had worn it.
“Did you oversleep?” Lando asked in a teasing tone as Oscar approached the counter. There was something charming about the flushed cheeks of Oscar, the rising and falling of his chest as he caught his breath, and those messy strands of hair falling over his eyes. Oscar ran a hand through his hair in a futile attempt to fix it.
“Oh, I'm such an idiot,” Oscar replied with a nervous smile. “I thought I had more days to finish an essay, and it's due today. Plus, I didn't sleep at all. Give me the strongest coffee you have, please, Lan.”
Lando couldn't help but smile. Over the weeks they had known each other, he had noticed that Oscar was the typical nerd who always said he would do poorly, only to end up getting a perfect score.
“Hey, calm down; you’ll be fine” he tried to reassure him while jotting down the order, although he wasn't entirely sure giving him more caffeine was the best idea. “Just take it easy; you can pay me later.”
Oscar let out a slight laugh and went to sit at his usual table in the corner. Meanwhile, Lando prepared the coffee and continued serving other customers. However, today he had a plan: he wanted to use his break to sit down with Oscar. It felt strange that, after so many chats, they had never sat together to talk more calmly.
When the time for his break arrived, Lando made his own coffee, grabbed a sandwich from the kitchen, and without overthinking it, headed straight to Oscar's table.
“Do you mind if I sit with you?” he asked, although he was already swinging his leg over the edge of the chair.
Oscar looked up from his computer and smiled, moving some papers to make room for him.
“Not at all; please, sit down.”
Lando settled in front of him, suddenly feeling a slight nervousness, but he hid it behind a smile. Oscar closed his laptop, giving him the attention that until then had always seemed divided between his studies and his coffees.
“How's the essay going?” Lando asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Exhausting. It's for a history class, nothing out of this world. But sometimes I feel like I'm just writing in circles,” Oscar replied with a sigh. “Do you know what it's like to be up until three in the morning going over the same sentence?”
“Well, not about history,” Lando laughed, “but I understand. Though in my case, my ‘crisis’ is whether the milk froths well or not,” he joked, causing Oscar to let out a genuine laugh that made Lando feel a little lighter in his chest.
They both fell silent for a moment, enjoying their respective drinks. Despite having talked before, something in the atmosphere felt different, more relaxed. As if this conversation was destined to be something more.
“You know, I like this place,” Oscar suddenly said, breaking the silence. “Not just because it’s quiet for working. I like being here…” he paused and looked at Lando, with an expression that seemed to carry something more than just casual words. “With you.”
Lando's heart skipped a beat. It was the first time Oscar had said something so direct. They had had many trivial conversations, but this... this was new.
“Well...” Lando cleared his throat, searching for words. “I also like that you come. Honestly, it's the best part of the day.”
Oscar smiled, leaning a little forward.
“So I'm your favorite part of the day, huh?” he said with a hint of mischief.
Lando smiled, and for once, he didn’t feel nervous responding.
“Maybe…” he admitted, feeling how his words floated between them like a truth they both already knew but hadn't said aloud until that moment.
The conversation continued, more fluid and relaxed. They talked a bit more about Oscar's interests, his studies, and how he ended up in London. Lando, for his part, shared how he had come to work at the café and how much he enjoyed the little connections with customers. But as the words went back and forth, something became clear: they were becoming more comfortable with each other, on a level deeper than they had experienced before.
Lando realized that time was slipping away when his coworker called him from the counter, signaling that it was time to get back to work. He reluctantly stood up from the table, though with a smile.
“Thanks for lunch,” Oscar said. “It was… nice.”
“Yeah, it was,” Lando replied. “We should do it again someday, right?”
Oscar nodded, smiling.
“Sure. See you tomorrow, Lan”
The barista returned the smile and walked away, his heart beating a little faster than before. It had been more than just a simple lunch, and they both knew it.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Lando had never broken a cup in all the years he had been working at the café. But that day, his fine motor skills seemed to have completely abandoned him.
It was an incredibly slow morning. He wasn’t sure if it was the end of the month or if the new café that had opened a few blocks away was stealing his customers, but the only one keeping him company was Oscar, sitting at his usual table with his eyes fixed on his computer. Although Oscar didn't talk much when he was focused, his mere presence was enough to calm Lando's spirits.
One of his coworkers was absent due to something related to her pregnant sister, and another coworker had left early for an exam. Lando was grateful that the day was so quiet because otherwise, the stress of doing everything alone would have driven him crazy. Between customers, he took the opportunity to thoroughly clean his work area, trying to make time pass more quickly. It was in the midst of that task that, suddenly, a tray full of cups decided to crash to the floor, causing the sound of shattered dishes to echo throughout the café.
Oscar quickly looked up, a worried expression on his face, while Lando, visibly annoyed with himself, bent down to pick up the larger pieces. “Great,” he thought, “this is definitely going to be deducted from my paycheck.” But in his rush and frustration, he grabbed a piece of ceramic too hard and felt a sharp pain shoot through his hand.
“Ah, damn it,” he exclaimed, standing up and looking at the blood oozing from the cut. It wasn’t deep, but like all cuts on hands, it looked much worse than it was.
Before he could think about what to do, Oscar was already standing in front of him, startling him a bit because he hadn’t heard him approach.
“Lan, are you okay? Do you have a first aid kit around here?” Oscar asked, his eyes filled with concern.
“Relax, I’m fine. I can manage,” Lando replied, visibly frustrated. But Oscar, ignoring his words, headed straight to the kitchen in search of what he had mentioned. Just a few seconds later, he returned with disinfectant and bandages in hand. The situation suddenly felt like a scene from a cheesy afternoon novel, but Lando wasn’t complaining.
Oscar crouched down, carefully dodging the remnants of the broken dishes, and approached Lando with determination.
“Alright, give me your hand,” he ordered gently, and Lando, without even thinking about it, obeyed. It was as if Oscar’s words had gone directly from his mouth to Lando's arm, without needing to pass through the filter of his brain.
The cut wasn’t very deep, but it was in an awkward spot, right at the crease of his hand, making it hurt more than it should have. Oscar held Lando's hand with surprising gentleness, assessing the damage. Lando felt a sort of electricity where Oscar’s fingers brushed against his skin. While carefully cleaning the wound, Oscar looked up every now and then to make sure it wasn’t hurting too much.
He finished bandaging Lando's hand skillfully, but his hands didn’t pull away right away. His eyes remained fixed on Lando's hand, as if the simple contact was reason enough to prolong the moment. Lando, for his part, watched him with curiosity, waiting for Oscar to say something.
“Are you doing anything tonight?” Oscar suddenly asked, catching Lando completely off guard.
“What?” Lando replied, a mix of surprise and confusion.
“Just that; do you have plans? I’m done with my essays and exams, and I thought maybe we could go out. You know, chat without so many cups in between,” Oscar blurted out, as if he feared that if he stopped, he would lose his courage.
Lando looked into his eyes, and for a second, time seemed to stop. Oscar's cheeks were flushed, just like that day he had rushed in, and Lando knew he himself wasn’t far from that state.
He quickly nodded, without overthinking it.
“I’d love to,” he replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Oscar smiled, visibly relieved. Then, without saying anything else, he helped Lando clean up the mess of broken dishes, although Lando could barely focus on that. His mind was already on the date he had just confirmed.
The rest of the day passed in a strange combination of speed and slowness. Only four more customers came in throughout the shift, which was an incredibly low number. Oscar remained in his usual corner, but occasionally came up to the counter to chat with Lando, taking advantage of the fact that there was no one else in the café.
Lando was grateful to have a change of clothes at the café. He had never been too concerned about his appearance while working, but the idea of going out with Oscar, especially after everything that had happened between them, made him want to look a little better. As soon as the clock struck six in the evening, Lando had already finished cleaning his station, changed his t-shirt for a slightly nicer shirt, and hurried toward the door. Oscar, as always, was ready, his backpack slung over one shoulder, waiting for him with a smile.
“Are you ready, Lan?” Oscar asked with that accent that never failed to quicken Lando’s heart.
Lando nodded, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks. They felt like two teenagers on their first date. As they walked toward the exit, their hands brushed timidly. Lando hesitated for a second, but then, gently, intertwined his fingers with Oscar's. It was a simple gesture, but at that moment, it felt like the most important thing in the world. Oscar squeezed his hand in response, smiling at him from the side, and they walked like that, in silence, through the streets of London.
The bar they had chosen was small and cozy, with tables on the sidewalk, dimly lit by street lamps. They chose an outdoor table, and although it was a bit chilly, neither of them seemed to notice. The conversation started easily, flowing as it always had between them, but this time there was something more: an intimacy that had only previously existed in their glances and smiles.
“How did you end up here in London?” Lando asked, looking at Oscar, who was toying with his beer glass.
Oscar laughed, shaking his head. “It's a long story. I came to study, but in the end, I stayed because... I don’t know, I’ve always liked the idea of making my life here. Australia is beautiful, but... I couldn’t see myself staying there forever.”
Lando nodded, listening intently. “I’ve always been here,” he said after a pause. “Sometimes I feel like I haven’t seen anything of the world.”
Oscar stared at him, and for a few seconds, neither said anything. It was as if those few words had revealed more than Lando wanted to admit, a vulnerability he didn’t often show.
“Well, you can always start now” Oscar suggested softly, brushing Lando's fingers with his across the table.
The conversation flowed to lighter topics: what they liked to do, the movies they enjoyed, the silly things about their jobs, and a bit about past relationships. Although they didn’t delve deeply into their romantic experiences, both made it clear that this connection they had was something different, something they weren’t used to feeling.
“Have you noticed that I always wear the same t-shirt when I come?” Oscar asked suddenly, laughing.
Lando burst out laughing, nodding. “I thought it was the only one you had.”
“I have a lot of the same” Oscar confessed. He looked at Lando with amusement, but there was a spark in his eyes that told Lando this, whatever it was they had, was serious.
When it was time to leave, they found themselves standing in front of the bar, the street empty around them. They didn’t want to part ways; neither of them said it, but they both felt it. They looked at each other in silence for a moment, as if trying to find the courage to take the next step.
“Osc...” Lando started to say, but before he could continue, Oscar stepped toward him, closing the distance between their bodies.
They were barely a few centimeters apart in height, he realized at that moment; they almost always talked while sitting. Lando gently took Oscar by the waist, pulling him a little closer. Oscar’s eyes never left his for a second, and slowly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Oscar brought a hand to Lando’s face, caressing his cheek before leaning in toward him.
The kiss was tender, almost shy at first, but it quickly turned into something deeper, more sincere. It was as if all the time they had spent together, the little glances, the accidental brushes, had culminated in this moment. Lando held Oscar firmly yet gently, while Oscar’s hands rested on his neck, pulling him even closer. The night’s chill was no longer felt, not while they kissed under the dim light of the street lamps.
When they finally pulled away, both smiled, their faces still close, breathing the same air.
“Do you want to come to my place?” Oscar asked, almost in a whisper, his cheeks still flushed.
Lando nodded. “I’d love to.”
The next day, Lando walked into the café with Oscar by his side, both sharing knowing smiles. The sun was already flooding the café’s tables. With his hands still trembling from the excitement of the previous night, he prepared the first latte of the day. This time, the drawing turned out perfect: a heart surrounded by leaves, just as he had imagined. He took two cups to the table and handed the one with the drawing to Oscar. Oscar looked at him with pride. Lando smiled. Finally, everything was in its place.