Chapter Text
You are Bro Strider, and who is this idiot.
~~~~~
"Four sugars?" you echo. "Four." He nods, looking confused.
"Yeah, four. What's wrong with that?" You chuckle.
"Well, technically, nothing," you say with a smirk. "Name?"
"John, with an 'h'," you scribble the entire phrase onto his cup, twisting at the torso awkwardly so he can't see. He squirms, visibly annoyed. Good.
"You're pretty crabby for a guy in customer service." Who does he even think he is? You lower your shades, fiery amber eyes a warning to keep his mouth shut.
It doesn't work.
"Oookay," he drags the word on for seconds. "So, what's up with the shades? Isn't that against the dress code, or something?" God, what a dork. You push them back up, filling a to-go cup with black coffee.
"I've been here a while," is all you say.
"I like them." Your head snaps up from the sugar you're pouring into his disgusting coffee.
"What?" You almost don't believe what you're hearing. And then you don't believe what you're seeing.
Because he winks at you. Winks. You don't even know this kid and he fucking winked at you. And it's not just a normal wink-- maybe that would've been okay. But no- it was a full-on, cheesy, 80s movie wink, baring his teeth and scrunching his face up.
"What the hell is this kid's deal?" you think. You shove the cup across the counter to which he takes it and frowns. He has, apparently, seen what you wrote. He gives a girly "ugh!" and sits at a booth near the back of the shop, still within your line of vision.
"You're insane!" he exclaims.
"Thanks hon, I try my hardest," you snap back, baring your teeth in a wide grin. He gives a little huff, and slumps down in his seat pathetically. You hope he doesn't notice you watching him.
He does. He gives you a smug smile and sips his drink.
"When do you get off?" he asks far too casually.
"Oh, all the time," you snipe back.
He sighs like you're ruining his life. "Ugh, just answer the question!"
You pause in refilling the coffeepot to glare at him.
"Come on, you walked right into that one."
He pulls his shoulders to his ears sheepishly. "So I didn't see that coming. Sue me."
"You won't see it coming tomorrow night, either." Now it's your time to wink; he looks slightly uncomfortable or maybe like he's trying to hide a boner, which would be uncomfortable anyway.
"Fuck off," he says, angrily staring into his drink.
"Ooh, a feisty one," you say sarcastically, going back to your petty work tasks.
"Can you finally just answer my question?" he says softly, sounding genuinely upset. But you're not one to fall for a dorky kid's tricks. You're not stupid, after all.
"Mm, guess," comes your reply. He splutters and throws up his hands.
"I don't know! Uh, in five minutes, with me?" he exclaims. He sighs, you scoff.
"Subtle." He gives you, presumably, the most evil look he can muster, although it looks more like an angry puppy.
"C'mon, dude," he whines.
"Why so persistent?" He stalls and sputters again-- does this kid know how to talk?
"Uh, 'cause you're hot?" He says it like a question. No, that is not a blush spreading across your cheeks, no sir. Striders do not blush, especially not this Strider. Nope.
"Oh, am I?" You flip your sunglasses up to your work cap, resting them on the brim. He winced and turns back around, so, being the nice guy you are, try to burn holes in the back of his head by staring at it. You can tell he knows because he's fidgeting; popping his drink open and closed, messing with his hair-- doing everything he possibly can to not look at you. You stare as you steam milk, which is the loudest and most annoying noise this awful goddamn shop can make. As it screeches he is growing more uncomfortable, squirming in his seat. It is absolutely hilarious.
Saving both of you from the awkward moment, a girl walks into the shop; she has buck teeth and glasses and asks for a "chai tea with extra sugar, thanks!" You practically do a double take, looking from the girl to John-with-an-h and back again while you take her money. She looks at you, obviously confused, and follows your eyes to the back of the shop. Spotting John, she grins and waves at him.
"Hey John!!!" she calls. He whips around, jumps a bit, and waves.
"Hi Jade," he says weakly, looking defeated. You raise an eyebrow at the girl, Jade, who gives you a huge smile.
"John is my little brother!" Your brow furrows.
"How little we talkin'?"
"We're both seventeen. But I'm older by four minutes!" All you can do is smile awkwardly.
"Twins," you say through gritted teeth. "Great." Seventeen? SEVENTEEN?! You could practically be his father! You try to calm down, though your hand still shakes as you hand Jade her tea.
"Bye John!" She waves shyly at you as she leaves. John turns to you, you gape at him.
"Seventeen? You're seventeen?" He looks like he wants to abscond the fuck out of there.
"Yeah, why?" Is he serious right now?
"I'm thirty-eight!" He shrugs.
"I don't have a problem with that if you don't."
"Uh, I kind of do," you say. Even if he is adorable, you must hold back.
"C'mon man, lighten up!" he says.
Whoa, fuck that. You are lighter than a feather, lighter than air. You could have an on/off switch you're so light. Okay, that was a bad analogy. This kid is messing with your head.
"Fine. I'll indulge your freaky, reverse-cougar ways. When and where?" He practically bounces in his seat.
"Tomorrow at... noon? Is noon good?" You nod yes very slowly; you don't work Fridays.
"Alright, we've got the time. Place?"
"How about here?" Seriously, kid? You mull it over; maybe it won't be so bad-- you get free drinks, a cute boy... sounds good to you.
"Alright." He smiles hugely and leaps out of his seat.
"Okay. Bye!" he calls, moving to go out the door. "Wait! What's your name, anyway?"
"You can call me Bro."