Work Text:
Just another day, working the same job he'd been since he was eighteen. Not a lot of options in a small town, after all. And the singular coffee shop in town wasn't the worse place to work.
Titch reminded himself that every morning. It wasn't the worst job. Even if some of the people were beyond insufferable, never exceeded a third-grade reading level, and couldn't seem to understand the concept of basic respect, there was definitely worse jobs he'd been close to taking.
"So, where do we keep the extra cups?" Philip, the newer employee asked.
"Under that shelf there," Titch repeated with an eye roll as he mixed three shots of espresso into a drink. Wasn't in his job description to train anyone, but suppose someone had to.
"Right. Right. I knew that. Thank you."
Titch muttered his annoyance under his breath before returning to the counter to hand the freshly made drink to Margaery, a frequent customer and just well known by most in town. One of the few people he didn't mind talking to. Least what she had to say was interesting.
"Here you go Margaery."
"Ah, perfect, thank you," the older lady said, quickly taking a drink. "From the looks of it, you need this caffeine more than I do. What's your issue?"
"Nothing new," Titch replied, pressing his hands into the counter. "Just another day, I suppose."
"If you aren't sleeping right, I bet I got something that could help you, child," she offered.
"I'll pass for now," Titch insisted. Many people in town swore by Margaery's herbal remedies. Titch wasn't that desperate for a better night's sleep. Yet, at least.
"Suit yourself. You know where to find me when you change your mind. Also — your brother still owes me twenty bucks. Remind him, would you?"
Titch just nodded, turning his head as the door opened. Just who he expected to see.
"Good morning," Derek greeted, smile so infectious Titch could help but match it as the taller man approached the counter.
"Good to see you Derek," Titch greeted, giving a small wave bye to Margaery as Derek took up his full attention. "The usual, I assume?"
"That's right," Derek confirmed with a nod.
Titch wrote out the two drink names on the cups, same thing Derek had been coming in and getting for well over a year now. A double espresso and a cappuccino, for his boss and himself.
"Quiet this morning," Derek remarked as he looked around the empty building.
"Usually is, this time on a Thursday," Titch remarked. "You come in just earlier enough to beat the rush of everyone else heading to work."
"Oh, well that hadn't been on purpose," Derek admitted with a small laugh. "Suppose that's why you talk with me, huh? No one else around most of the time."
"Suppose so. You're also just not annoying like everyone else," Titch commented as he handed the cups to Philip.
"Haha, thanks," Derek laughed, sliding his hands into his jean pockets. "Uh, you hear about that new restaurant that just opened up?"
"The Barbecue place?" Titch assumed. "Yeah, James said something about it. Sounds like the foods good."
"What I've heard too," Derek agreed. "Haven't had the chance to try it myself."
"Me neither."
"Would you like to?"
"Suppose so, yeah."
Philip brought the finished drinks back to the counter. Titch took them from him and slid them over to Derek. He had his wallet in hand, attempting to get the money out.
"So… when do you finish work?"
"Six o'clock."
"You think you might want to go check out that restaurant?" Derek offered, finally getting the bills out of his wallet and placing them in Titch's hand. "With me?"
Titch thought for a second as he slipped the money into the register, unaware of the colour changing in his face.
"I think I would, yeah," he finally said while handing Derek back his change. "We can meet there are six-thirty?"
"Great — great! Yes, it's a date then." Derek gave a small wave to Philip before leaving with the coffees in hand.
Titch watched him go, brain still processing what he'd agreed to. A date. It was a date.
"Sooooo,"
Philip had his elbows on the counter, head on his hands has he looked up at Titch.
"You know I always knew there was something between you two. Pretty obvious, actually."
"Shut up Philip."