Work Text:
It had always begun the same way. The same routine, the same time.
Yakumo was behind the counter, finishing the latte that the previous customer had ordered. He handed the warm beverage over to the young woman with a soft smile, and a light bob of his head. “Here you are, miss. Enjoy!” He mused warmly, acknowledging the friendly smile returned to him, and her soft ‘Thank you’.
He’s said that countless times over and over again, memorising it as if it were a script, and he was an actor in a play.
Working at the café was a comfortable change of pace. He didn’t need to worry about the strenuous workload that were his classes, or be brought into group work projects without his consent. The café had been a calm, peaceful area in the heart of the campus grounds. Students, professors, and others were often respectful and patient with the brunette and his coworkers. He was able to bake desserts to his heart’s content, which grew favoured by the cafe’s patrons. Yakumo didn’t think that he’d see the day where his handcrafted work was adored by many.
During evening shifts, the view was beautiful too. The lighting was comfortable around the earthy coloured building. Traffic was slower than ever, and the sunset was always a sight to behold. The final, orange hues of the sun’s rays made the little building look comfortable and homey. In Yakumo’s opinion, anyway.
It was easier this way. He didn’t have to worry about flubbing up anything for the most part. He could easily ask the patrons for their orders, prepare it without question, and hand it off with that signature, gentle smile of his. There was little stress during his working hours, and he had the place to himself until Kuya was to show up for his shift.
Each and every day, it was the same, comfortable routine.
And each and every time, he anticipated the same, upcoming interaction between him and his lover.
As the main entrance door swung open, the little bell jingled from the top of the doorframe.
From his spot, Yakumo’s head perked up like a puppy awaiting his owner. His red eyes slid over to the entrance, looking over to see who had entered the small, yet comfortable café,
The sight of light brown hair made his smile grow excitedly. Eiden had finally arrived at the café - and right around the time he usually came by, too.
He’s here, Yakumo thought, his hands swiping down his apron to remove any wrinkles. A light pink blush dusted across his cheeks. He at least wanted to look presentable for his boyfriend. He’s finally here..!
It didn’t take long for Eiden to waltz around the corner, and over to the front counter. A soft melody had hummed from the other man as he glanced at the display shelves, showcasing the multiple baked goods laid across their respective places.
Yakumo watched as the brunette stopped for a second, his eyes fixating on a specific muffin, before continuing his stroll over toward the barista himself.
Once arriving at his designated spot, his eyes bounced up to look at the person before him. A small grin stretched itself across Eiden’s features, with a flirty, half lidded look falling onto his eyes.
“Well, hey there, handsome~.” He purred, his body leaning over the counter. His elbows rested comfortably upon the marble top as his head leaned in closer to Yakumo. “Come here often?”
A peal of giggles rang like a cacophony of bells. He’s heard this several times. One time too many, if he were to ask Kuya about it. And yet, each time he entered the building, Eiden always began with that cheesy opening line.
“I-I work here, Mister Eiden.” Yakumo couldn’t help but respond the same way he always did. Reminding his flirtatious lover that this was his work area; where else would he be?
“Oh, yeah? I mean, I can see why. The atmosphere suits you, y’know.” Eiden hummed, raising an arm to rest his chin on his palm. His eyes moved down slowly, like he was checking out the working man. “Then again, I can think of a better place that you’d look good in~.” He added, his eyebrows waggling as he spoke.
Yakumo tilted his head curiously. His cheeks were lightly flushed from the previous complement. “Where would that be?”
Eiden’s grin grew. “Oh, you know. In my sheets~?” He shot his lover a wink, only for it to be followed by laughter as Yakumo’s cheeks flushed into a darker red. His pale hands reached up to cover his face in a futile attempt to hide his flushed expression.
Even in such a public space, like the place he worked, Eiden was so unabashedly flirtatious. It made Yakumo’s mind race. How could his darling lover be so forward and open about such a suggestive comment? If it were him, Yakumo wouldn’t be able to finish what Eiden has said. He would completely shut down! And yet, here Eiden was, endeared by his boyfriend’s blushing behaviour.
“Hey, hey. Don’t hide that cute face from me, Yakumo. I’ve come over here to see you.” Eiden mused to the other brunette. From the spaces between his fingers, Yakumo could see him tilt his head to the right slightly. “I like seeing my favourite barista in full. Handsome face and all~.”
Yakumo squeaked softly at the compliment, his heart pounding at the confines of his chest. Slowly, he began to pull down his hands from his face, revealing the smiling man before him. Fond, loving smile and all. “There he is. My handsome, perfect barista~.”
His red-eyed gaze softened gradually upon hearing that, a smile lifting at the corners of his lips. “I-I’m your favourite..?” The question found itself coming out as a meek half-whisper.
Eiden returned the soft expression, his fond smile growing bigger inch by inch. “Of course you are!” He exclaimed, his announcement earning a turned head or two from a few customers caught off guard from the sudden rise of tone. “Why else would I come here everyday? You make the best coffee, Yakumo. Muffins, too.”
Yakumo’s gaze trickled to the marble countertop, a smile of his own growing back in place of his previous one. If what he said was true - if he really was Eiden’s favourite barista - , then he couldn’t give him a poor excuse of service. At the end of the day, Yakumo was still on the clock. He didn’t want to diminish his service provided to Eiden.
“I– Thank you, Mister Eiden. You’re v-very kind.” His voice softened further for a moment, the heartfelt response causing his innards to feel as if there were a swarm of butterflies within it. His red hues glanced back up at the other man. “What can I get for you?”
The other’s eyes looked up at the menu above Yakumo’s head for a moment, eyes dancing along the lines of various drinks and their prices. A soft click of his tongue rang out in thought as he determined the best beverage for the early evening.
“Hmm, I’m feeling for a French Vanilla.” Eiden looked back down at Yakumo, flashing him his sweetest grin. “Medium, pretty please?”
In an instant, Yakumo’s hands worked to press the named selection on the till screen, his fingers diligently pressing the correct size and flavour of the coffee his boyfriend had wanted. “French Vanilla. A r-really good choice, Mister Eiden.” He hummed in approval of his boyfriend’s order. His eyes bobbed back up at his boyfriend like apples in a barrel. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
He watched as Eiden’s eyes glanced over at the muffins once more, squinting to read a specific word on the signs. “The Fruit Explosion muffins sound interesting. They look fresh, too!” He commented aloud, shooting his boyfriend a wink once more as looked back at Yakumo. “I’ll have one of them, too, please. That’ll be all.”
The younger of the two couldn’t help the squeak that left his lips once more upon watching Eiden wink at him once more. Such a small gesture of teasing flirtation made his heart begin to hammer once more. His head nodded rapidly as he entered the remaining part of Eiden’s order. Once finished, his fingers danced to the total pop-up screen. “Th-That’s going to be four dollars, and fifty cents.”
In a flash, Eiden pulled out a five dollar bill, and handed it to the meek man behind the counter.
“A-Ah, thank you.” Yakumo stammered out as he accepted the cash, his other hand pressing the button to open the till below him. The register slid open with a soft clatter, the metallic rails humming quietly beneath Yakumo’s fingers. He slipped Eiden’s five into its slot, his movements careful and delicate, as though the single bill carried all the weight of their daily ritual.
His heart thumped wildly. Even now - especially now - he could feel Eiden watching him, drinking in every shy movement. The brunette retrieved the change quickly; two quarters, cool and gleaming against his warm palm.
When Yakumo turned back to the counter, he placed them onto his hand, extending it toward Eiden with the same gentle customer-service smile he always tried to maintain. It was soft, earnest, and even a little shaky.
“Fif-Fifty cents is your change, Mister Ei– Eep!”
Eiden didn’t let Yakumo finish. Instead of reaching over to grab his change, he grabbed ahold of Yakumo’s hand instead.
His fingers curled beneath Yakumo’s hand before the barista could fully fluster or retreat from his grasp. Without warning, Eiden lifted his boyfriend’s hand toward his lips. His gaze flicked up, not mischievous this time, but quietly adoring. Then, then pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to Yakumo’s knuckles. The lightest touch was warm as steam curling from the espresso machine. As soft as a whispered promise.
Yakumo froze, his blush deepening so violently it felt like heat blooming straight from his chest to the tips of his ears. The kiss lingered for just a second> Just long enough to send a shiver racing up his arm and settling somewhere hopelessly flustered beneath his ribs.
Eiden lowered his hand with a smile that had grown in tender adoration for his shy, coy lover. “Thank you~.” He murmured, his voice lowering into a purr that wrapped around Yakumo like velvet. “Best customer service I’ve ever had~.”
Yakumo nearly dropped the quarters across the counter before pacing them in Eiden’s hand.
“I–I - Welcome-! I-I mean, you’re welcome-!” His voice cracked in the middle of the last word, and ducked his head in embarrassment. He pressed his lips together as if it would prevent any more undignified squeaks from escaping.
In a desperate attempt to maintain his composure, he stepped back towards the coffee machine in an attempt to try and anchor himself against the further counter. His warm cheeks failed to cool as he spoke. “I-I’ll prepare your coffee now. It’ll b-be over there on the right.” He stuttered, pointing a thumb at the pick up area a few steps ahead of Eiden.
The moment Yakumo turned his back, his shoulders curled inward with a tiny shiver. The ghost of Eiden’s kiss still tingled along his skin.
Immediately, he reached for the French vanilla ingredients with practiced hands, even as they trembled just a little. The familiar warm and sugary scent of vanilla syrup drifted upward as he poured. It had settled into the evening air like something comforting. Like coffee being made for a lover that was still in bed.
The machine hissed as it brewed, a gentle white noise that helped Yakumo steady his racing thoughts.
Behind him, the soft tapping of Eiden’s fingers on the countertop played out like a little melody. It was a rhythm he always fell into whenever he waited for Yakumo’s drinks, and which played in perfect timing with the sound of the coffee machine.
Yakumo couldn’t help but smile at the sound of it all. It was domestic in its own little way. The way Eiden came in to order from Yakumo at the same time every weekday. How he flirted with the meek man without a sense of regret or shame in the world.
How these little moments meant everything to Yakumo. He wished that Eiden could continue to come into the café like this forever.
Despite their differing classes and schedules at times, the two still made time for one another. This was one of those times, and Yakumo was forever grateful for these moments that they got to have together.
With each step Yakumo felt himself relax again. The ritual was grounding him once more. Adding the syrup, checking the temperature, mixing the drink together until perfection - it was that sense of peace that washed over Yakumo time and time again.
Once the drink was ready, Yakumo poured the coffee into a medium cup, letting the rich aroma fill the space between him and Eiden.
The muffin came next. He moved to the display case, opening the glass door with careful hands. His fingers hovered for a moment, selecting the warmest Fruit Explosion muffin he’d prepared only an hour ago, and selecting the one beside the one Eiden had eyed earlier.. The paper liner crinkled softly as he lifted it, and placed it onto a small plate with a precision that looked almost ceremonial.
Glancing up, he met Eiden’s gaze once more from their distant positions.
His boyfriend was watching him like he was the only thing in the room worth watching. Like he had built everything behind the counter by scratch, and he was some sort of deity.
That alone made Yakumo’s breath hitch.His cheeks dusted a light pink once more as their eyes met.
Yakumo grabbed the steaming cup of coffee once more, and strode over to the part of the counter Eiden was waiting at. He placed the muffin gently beside the steaming cup and slid both across the counter carefully. “H-Here you are, Mister Eiden. Your medium French Vanilla and Fruit Explosion muffin. A-All freshly made f-for you.” His voice softly mused to the other, his tone remaining composed only through sheer will.
“Mmm. Thank you, Yakumo.” Eiden leaned his head over to Yakumo’s once more, their faces in line with one another. He could feel his lover’s warm breath against his lips, teasing the shy man.
In a heartbeat, Eiden pressed a gentle kiss against Yakumo’s lips. The coy barista went stiff for a moment, yet his lips reciprocated the soft, brief gesture.
It didn’t last too long; in a blink of an eye, Eiden’s head retracted back, his back arching into a small stretch. He chuckled softly at the sight of his flustered boyfriend. “Maybe I’ll have to make a to-go order soon, too.” He hummed playfully, his eyes sizing up Yakumo as he took a step back.
Despite his flustered state, Yakumo couldn’t help but be mildly confused by Eiden’s comment. Did he want something else? Was he in a rush?
“D-Do you want me to add a-anything else? I’ll pay for it! I–”
“No, no. There’s no need for any of that.” Eiden chuckled as he shook his head. His prior grin returned as he waggled his eyebrows at the blushing man. “I’m lucky to have this barista for free. I’d like to take him home with me, if I can?”
“A-Ah, well! Aha! W-Well-!” Proper words struggled to formulate from Yakumo;s lips once more, his heart pounding at the offer to go home with Eiden. He wouldn’t be opposed to it now, of all times. To spend time in Eiden’s dorm, playing games. Or watching movies and falling asleep on one another.
Or even being led into his room, where they could kiss. Take their clothes off. Where Yakumo could suck his–
“I-I’m off in half an hour.” He admitted, his eyes bouncing over to the clock – I mean, clock to look at the time. It was six thirty; his shifts ended at seven on Thursdays.
Yakumo looked back at Eiden. This time, more sheepishly. “I-I’d be delighted to come home w-with you. If you don’t mind waiting for me, that is.”
He could see the look in his eyes sparkle like the finest fireworks. Eiden's mouth hung open in a happy smile as Yakumo agreed to come spend time with him after his shift.
“G-Great! Perfect!” He exclaimed once more, earning a few turned heads once more.
Eiden winked at Yakumo once more. “I’ll wait for you out here, babe. See ya soon~!”
Blowing him air kisses, Eiden waltzed off to a seat in the cafe. As he settled down, Yakumo released a breath that he wasn’t aware that he’d been holding.
A nervous, shy giggle bubbled from his lips as he mumbled to himself. “See you soon, Mister Eiden.”