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Lloyd drummed his fingers on the countertop, waiting for business to pick up. He’d never thought he’d say this, but he was bored without customers. With a drawn-out sigh, he rests his elbow on the counter, setting his head in his palm. After a few more minutes of going insane from boredom, he leans backward to check that his boss, Alicia wasn’t watching him, Pulling out his phone, he mindlessly scrolls it, before hearing the welcome bell ding, scaring him. He drops his phone in surprise, quickly catching it before it can hit the ground. “Hey,” The customer just silently looks up at Lloyd for a second. Wow, he is… Unfairly handsome. “Who are you?”
“...I’m- I’m Lloyd?” The Barista says. I feel like a god damn pokemon.
“I’ve never seen you here before, are you new? Is no one else available?”
“Yes I’m new, and no, unfortunately, Alicia is busy. It’s just me right now.” Lloyd says with his professional smile, though he already fosters a distaste for this customer.
“Oh. I guess I’ll just have an iced Americano, then.”
Lloyd nods. “It’ll be right up, could I have a name to go with it?”
“Javier.”
Lloyd nods, turning around to start making the coffee, and Javier turns and just takes a seat at one of the tables, pulling out a computer. Oh shit, he’s one of those guys- Lloyd has to bite down on the inside of his cheeks to keep from bursting out into laughter. He quickly busies himself with finishing the drink.
I
“Order for Javier?” Lloyd calls out, pushing the drink onto the counter. The drink is most definitely not an iced americano, and if Lloyd had to describe it he’d call it a monstrosity. The cup, notably labeled ‘Tomura Shigaraki♥”, was barely visible under the number of toppings Lloyd had painstakingly stuffed under the lid. And the drink itself- was a strawberry frappe with vanilla syrup, hazelnut syrup, caramel and chocolate drizzle, extra sweetener, a splash of almond and soy milk, as well as sweet cream. Honestly, Lloyd had to say he was proud, it took talent to fuck up a drink this badly, and he even took the time to write a lovely note. ‘You could definitely use this sweetness in your life, I hope it helps you with your attitude problem.’ Javier looks at Lloyd like the brunette had grown a second head. “I can’t drink this.”
“Okay, Pussy.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, so go on then. Tell me to make another one. I really couldn’t care less, order another drink.” Lloyd pauses for a second to relish the glare he receives from the blue-haired man. “What, can’t do it? I said I don’t mind, make a fuss, Go on.” He dares, smirking a tad as the man clenches the drink in his hand, so tight he’s sure it’ll explode. Thankfully it doesn’t, and the man’s eye simply twitches. “Here- think of it as my gift to you.”
“It’d only be a gift if you made my actual order.”
“That goes against the whole point of a good gift. A good gift is a pleasant surprise, as is what I’ve given you.”
“This is anything but pleasant.”
“I put my heart and soul into making this drink, believing it would help you with whatever problem in life that made you such a bitch. Are you just going to disregard my efforts? So cruel.” Lloyd wipes a fake tear, barely hiding a snicker as Javier’s eye twitches again. The shorter man watches intently as Javier slowly lifts the drink to his lips, letting just a drop of the liquid graze his lips. “It’s disgusting.”
“You like it? I’m glad, you had me worried for a second.” Javier looks like he’s about to strangle Lloyd, but honestly, Lloyd wouldn’t complain. Javier storms out of the cafe, and Lloyd notes he still has the drink. Why didn’t he just throw it away in front of me?
II
“Lloyd. I noticed that a certain blue-haired man came in yesterday. A man named Javier?” Lloyd’s boss, Alicia Magentano asked, arms crossed. Oh shit. “Um- yeah. Javier. Yep, he came in.”
“I also happened to notice he didn’t seem too satisfied with his drink.” Alicia continues, squinting at Lloyd, who laughs nervously, averting his gaze. “That’s bound to happen sometimes, not everyone likes what they order.”
“Lloyd, how many people in their right minds would order- order whatever the hell you made?”
“Him, I guess.”
“Lloyd, Javier isn’t just some random customer- he’s a well-respected physical combat instructor- and a model. He’s quite famous. He’s one of the main reasons we’ve had an increase of foot traffic in the area.”
“Oh, shit- oh shit he’s good at fighting? what if he kills me? What will I do?”
“Be dead, then? I don’t know.”
“I’m writing you out of my will.”
“Won’t be missing much.”
“Fuck you.”
“Yeah yeah, now get to work.” Alicia says, ending the conversation by throwing Lloyd’s apron at him. Lloyd contemplates flipping her off, but he’d much rather keep his job. He puts the apron on, tying it around his back as he prays that there won’t be many customers today. He’s been reading this web novel lately- something about a guy who transmigrates into a novel he’s been reading. He’s aware of how cliche it is, but he’s a sucker for mindless entertainment. Fewer customers mean more free time to read. He greets his coworker Christine, offering a warm smile. Christine was a sweet girl, albeit a bit shallow, but it seemed she was indifferent to Lloyd. Which was a bother, but what could he do about it? As the first customers start rolling in, Lloyd falls into his customer service persona, silently hoping that Javier would be back. (though he’d never admit it)
Luckily, it seems as though Lloyd’s impulsive behavior didn’t scare Javier off quite yet, as Javier comes in. Lloyd had been serving another customer, which meant the Barista had no time to greet the new arrival, though he’s made aware of it by Christine letting out a little squeak (as she tends to do with handsome men. Lloyd never got a squeak from her.). Once giving the customer their (correctly made) drink, Lloyd greets Javier with another professional smile. “You’re back.” Lloyd’s deadpan voice contrasts the cheery persona he’s put on for the other customers. “Yeah, and I was hoping to get my actual order this time. Iced americano, no extras.” Javier stresses, watching as Lloyd nods and marks down his order. Lloyd turns around to start making it, and Javier heads to a table to sit. Keeping watch as Lloyd makes his drink, the blue-haired man pulls out his computer. Now- Lloyd certainly isn’t dense, he can feel Javier’s eyes on him as he proceeds to fuck up Javier’s drink again. Can I put any more raspberry drizzle in this? Lloyd deems Javier’s drink enough of an atrocity and decides it’s finished.
“Order for Javier?” This time, the cup is labeled ‘thing one♥’. “Why must you be so immature?” An exasperated Javier asks.
“This is how I get my dopamine.”
“Get it elsewhere.”
“Get your coffee elsewhere.”
Javier opens his mouth, then shuts it, having no retort. What reason does he have to return to the cafe after what Lloyd had done? At the moment, all he can do is seethe in silence as Lloyd smirks victoriously. “Go ahead, give it a sip.” Javier stares at Lloyd once more, and Lloyd returns the stare. Amidst their staring contest, a line of disgruntled customers has formed. “Well- either drink it or throw it away, I have more customers.” Javier’s stare shrifts into a glare, as he grabs the cup with such force some of the sweet cream spills from the top and walks off. The cafe quiets down for a bit after he leaves, allowing Lloyd and Christine to take a bit of time to themselves.
Lloyd sighs, wiping his hands on his apron. “Lloyd- was that Javier? Javier Asrahan?” Christine asks, putting her hair up.
“Hm? Oh yeah, it was. Why?”
“He’s so much more handsome in real life! I can’t believe he came right as I had to grab something from the back, you should have let me serve him.” She whines. “Sorry? He’s not even that good-looking.” Lloyd outright lies, Javier is one of the most handsome men Lloyd had ever seen. Thankfully, this comment seemed to spur Christine into a rant about how handsome Javier was, allowing Lloyd to think as he absentmindedly nodded at what she said. Will he be back?
III
Alicia had changed Lloyd’s schedule so that he had a closing shift, as per his request. He claimed that it made it easier for him because of his classes, but really it was so he’d stop encountering the mystery that was Javier. And by mystery, he means the mysterious feeling that possesses him to add like- five pumps of vanilla into Javier’s drink. As he got ready for his shift, another one of his coworkers, the one who took his opening shift, Arosh approached him. “Hello, Lloyd.” The tall man says. Lloyd has to tilt his head up to talk to him. “Hey! You’re taking two shifts?”
“ Yep! I need the extra money for training. But I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Oh okay, shoot.”
There’s this blue-haired guy- I think his name starts with an h. Or is it a J?” Arosh continues, trying to think back. Lloyd’s heart rate picks up as he nods. “Was his name Javier?” Arosh lights up in recognition, nodding. “Yeah, that’s him! He came in three days in a row, and he’d just stare at the counter for a bit. On the third day, he asked to see the employee schedule. so I told him I couldn’t show him, so he just asked about you. I denied him any information, and he asked again, and I think he’s stalking you, so are you safe, Lloyd?”
“Did he… order anything?”
“He was about to, but then he hesitated and didn’t order a thing.”
“Oh… Well, I promise I’m safe, but I’ll call you if something comes up.” Arosh seems satiated with this, grinning at Lloyd. “Well, I’ll be off then.” The tall man calls, rushing out the door. Lloyd checks his schedule, and… Yup, I’m closing up solo. Thankfully there weren’t many customers who came in late and the ones who did usually had quick orders. He walked behind the counter, pulling out his phone as he waited for the customers to roll in.
Lloyd was so engrossed in his stupid little web novel that he didn’t notice the bell ring. Alicia really might fire me at this rate. He thinks, only noticing the customer once he hears footsteps. “So this is your new shift.” Oh shit it’s him. “Yeah, but we’re closed right now .” Lloyd says, knowing full well that his shift just started. But really- he’d already pissed off Javier enough, and while it may seem so, he didn’t have a death wish. “The sign says you’re open.”
“The sign lied.”
“I checked online.”
“You did all that just to see which shift I took? Are you stalking me?”
Javier grits his jaw. “Just make me my damn coffee. My actual order.”
“Mhm, mhm, iced americano, I know” Javier doesn’t seem convinced, but it’s not like he can come behind the counter to force Lloyd to make the right drink, so he settles for the next best thing which is watching Lloyd with a scrutinizing gaze. Sitting with his hand propping up his chin, he stares at Lloyd, seeming to pierce through the barista’s soul. He watches as Lloyd pours a hazardous amount of French vanilla creamer, different syrups, and drizzles, physically flinching when Lloyd tops it off with whipped cream. Lloyd, who long since been reveling in Javier’s gaze (ignoring the circumstances of course), offers Javier a blinding smile. “Order for Javier!” This time, the cup is labeled “Marge Simpson♥” Javier looks at the name, then looks at Lloyd like he’s given up on life. “Why are you even ordering a coffee at like- 9 pm? We pretty much only have the cafe open this late for those who want food and those who work late shifts.” Lloyd asks, trying to change the subject out of pity for his customer. “I just felt like it. You should be happy I’m still offering my patronage here.” Lloyd just chuckles, wiping down the counter to keep his hands busy. “Yes, I’m so lucky to see your…” Lloyd almost slipped, almost calling Javier handsome, which would have caused him to die of embarrassment. So, in lieu of that, he trails off, just looking at Javier’s face. Javier mirror’s Lloyd’s actions, and it feels as though he’s drinking in all of Lloyd’s features. Never had he been looked at like this, and it was quite flustering. “Irritating face.” Lloyd finishes, knowing it’s obvious that’s not what he was originally going to say. Does Javier look a bit disappointed? Lloyd mentally laughs at himself, he’s always read too much into people’s expressions, and Javier was probably as indifferent as ever. Lloyd was just making stuff up. Obviously.
IV
“...I’m genuinely starting to believe you like these abominations I make for you.”
“So you acknowledge they’re terrible.”
Lloyds sighs, looking at Javier with a bored expression. “Well obviously, they’re terrible. Yet- you keep coming back. Have you fallen for my masculine wiles and charms?” Lloyd asks, batting his eyelashes as he adds two scoops of matcha powder into Javier’s drink. Javier makes a face of pure disgust, and somehow he still manages to look inhumanely attractive while doing it. How irritating. His shift started ten minutes ago, and (as he had for the past four days) Javier came in at exactly 9:15. No one else was present in the cafe, meaning Lloyd had to work under Javier’s hawk-like stare. As Lloyd turns around to grab the chocolate shavings, he continues to feel Javier’s eyes trained on him. “Quit staring at my ass.”
“I’m not staring at your ass.”
“You’re staring at me, and my back is turned. Deduction says you’re staring at my ass.”
“I’m not, and your deduction is shit”
“I watched Detective Conan as a kid, as well as Scooby-Doo. I’d say any deduction I make is valid.”
“...Just make the damn drink.” Javier says with a sigh, leaving Lloyd to snicker to himself as he pours the chocolate shavings on top.
The two carry on with their meaningless conversation as Lloyd makes the drink, eventually serving it up. The character on the label today is Hatsune Miku, paired with the trademark heart. “Order for Javier!” He calls unnecessarily as the cafe is empty save for the two men. Javier sighs again, taking the drink. He’s sighed more in the past 11 days than he had in his life, and yet he kept seeking Lloyd out. “I’m certain all of these drinks are your attempt to murder me.” To which Lloyd responds with a dry, not-at-all threatening laugh. “What? Noooo.” He drags the vowels for a second too long, making Javier squint his eyes in suspicion. “I’m telling the police.” He mutters, glaring at Lloyd without any actual malice. “Mm, you do that. It won’t be easy for you to ogle at me if you do though”
“I have never ogled you.”
Lloyd just laughs. “Sure you haven’t. Anyways, you got your coffee. I have other customers to attend to.” The cafe was still empty. “Right, because you’re so busy.” Lloyd nods, “Glad you understand.” He says, looking at Javier who doesn’t move. “Guess you’re staying then.” Lloyd says in a faux annoyed tone, though he really wouldn’t mind the company. The two remain in comfortable silence, neither feeling the need to speak.
Lloyd somehow manages to catch Javier taking a sip of the drink, also catching the way Javier gags after one sip. After a second of shock, Lloyd bursts into laughter, causing the model to jump. “What?” the Aforementioned model asks curtly, once again glaring at Lloyd. After Lloyd catches his breath, he glances at the drink in Javier’s hands to Javier's lips as he still has the froth from the drink decorating his lips like a false mustache. A racing thought in his mind tells him to lick it off, but he shoves the thought into the deepest, darkest depths of his mind as he opens his mouth to speak. I hope I didn’t stare too long. “Why’d you try it? I’m pretty sure that’s a hazard to your health.”
“I was simply curious.”
“Curiosity killed the cat, Hatsune. Did no one tell you that?”
“I’m on the cusp of killing you.”
“Ooh, kinky.” Javier’s eye twitches. “You are disgusting. Repulsive. Absolutely nasty.” Lloyd opens his mouth, and it would have been wise to shut up, as Javier seems about ready to commit a felony. “What if I was into that?” Unfortunately, Lloyd isn’t wise, nor does he have any self-preservation. Javier’s shoulders slump forward, looking dejected and done with life. “Why…” He asks no one in particular.
V
Lloyd had finished making Javier’s drink, and the man hadn’t even arrived yet. When has he gotten so accustomed to his presence? He wasn’t even like this for his regulars. Besides- the man was a whopping three minutes late. Will I have to call the police? Lloyd puts calling the authorities off for another five minutes, tapping his nails against the counter as he waits forlornly. He perks up once he hears the welcome bell, glancing up to see Javier. “Wow, you look… you look like shit.” The barista says, noting Javier’s tousled hair, hollowed-out eyes, and sallow, almost waxy skin. Of course, Javier still makes it work, but Lloyd’s gotten somewhat accustomed to Javier's drop-dead gorgeous looks. “I could make you your plain iced americano if you want.” Lloyd says, trying (and failing) to discreetly move today’s crime of a drink to the side. He could probably peddle this off to some kid who wanted to get high on sugar. “Give me the damned drink.” Javier says, looking down at the cup. Lloyd pushes it over, and Javier grabs it. “Wait are you gonna-” The model puts it to his lips, taking a long sip of it, not even flinching at the sugar content.
Lloyd stares in shock. He wouldn’t condemn anyone to drink what he’d made, and yet here Javier was, doing it willingly. He wipes his hands on his apron, coming out from behind the counter. Wordlessly, he sits at the table nearest to the register, where Javier normally resides, patting the chair next to him. Once Javier has sat next to him, Lloyd carefully pries the rink from the man’s hands. “Did you not sleep? Have you been replaced by a clone? Did your hamster explode?” He attacks Javier with a barrage of questions, not giving him the time to answer. “You’re worried about me.” Javier says, as a statement, not a question. “Well obviously, I care about my…” Lloyd has to trail off to think. What was Javier to him? Definitely not friends, Javier probably hated Lloyd. But he keeps coming back. During my shifts. Only my shifts. And Lloyd would never admit he liked Javier. Platonically or romantically. He’d rather die. The best Lloyd could do to describe Javier was just that. Javier. He couldn’t say that though, because if he said ‘my Javier’ he’d probably melt into the floor in embarrassment. “ My customers.”
If Lloyd didn’t know better, he’d say that Javier looked disappointed. But that was illogical. What would Javier have to be disappointed about? “I care about my customers.”
“You made me the wrong drink every day for two weeks because you care about me.”
“Yup,” Lloyd says, with something akin to his signature grin, though there seems to be something else mixed with it. “I wanted to give you the best I had.”
“I shudder to think of your worst.” Javier says, but he’s smiling a little now, so Lloyd considers it a victory. “Anyways, make sure you get some sleep. I like looking at your face, but not when it’s like this.” Lloyd says with a dramatic sigh. “You… Like looking at my face?”
“Obviously I would? You’re a fucking model, you’re stunning. Awe-inspiring. Jaw-dropping. Leg spreading-”
“I’m going to have to stop you right there.”Javier says, stopping before Lloyd’s compliments start getting depraved. Lloyd huffs but complies, leaving an awkward silence. After a few moments of both men avoiding the other’s gaze, Javier has to do something to fix the stifling atmosphere. “Under what circumstances will I get my order?”
“Well… Either you go to a different barista…” Lloyd carefully watched Javier’s face while saying this, and was pleasantly(?) surprised to see Javier’s left eye twitch. This was Javier’s most obvious tell- this meant he was irritated, and there’s one thing about Lloyd, it’s that he thrives off of irritating others. “And the other circumstance… is for you to figure out.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I never kid.” Lloyd responds with an air of haughtiness, as though it was preposterous to even entertain the notion Lloyd would ‘kid’ about something. The men fall into silence again, though this time it’s because Javier is on the brink of insanity. “Go out with me.” Javier says suddenly, breaking the silence once again. “Um- pardon?”
“Go out. On a date. With me.”
“I- Yes? No? What-” This is a new scenario to Lloyd, completely foreign. He’s used to being on top of things, either weaseling his way in or out of any situation he wanted, always knowing what to do next. He’s also used to uselessly pining over handsome men and women, without a hope of them returning his feelings. Never has he been asked out (if this even counts as being asked out, as this feels more like a threat) by someone. In a desperate attempt to regain his usual stance on things, he begins to babble mindlessly. “I mean- I really didn’t mean to pressure you into asking me out, I wasn’t extorting a date out of you with coffee, why are you doing this-”
“You didn’t extort or pressure me. I mean- that may be part of it, but it’s not the deciding factor.”
“Then what is?”
“You’re a pain in my ass.”
“So you’re a masochist? I get you, but I’m not sure I can indulge your fanta-”
“No! No, I am not- but that’s not the-” Javier stops talking for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Not to cater to your obviously inflated ego, but I physically cannot stop thinking about you. You’re a nuisance, a pain in my ass, an irresponsible, annoying, boneheaded-”
“Do you want me to go on this date with you or not?”
“Fine. Despite… everything, I still find myself pondering about you, you’re always somewhere in my thoughts. I can’t focus on anything else. It’s a hindrance, so I needed a solution. Thus, I need- request that you go out with me.”
“Wow, you are objective. Yeah, I’ll go out with you. Dinner?”
“Dinner sounds good.”
extra
“One iced americano, no extras, right?” Lloyd asks, looking at the blue-haired man across the counter. “Obviously.” The man (rudely) affirms. “Can I get a name with the order?”
“Lloyd.”
“That’s my name, silly.”
“Lloyd, for the love of all things holy-”
“Can I get a name?”
“...Javier.” Javier surrenders, it’s useless to try to reason with Lloyd. They had their seventh official date yesterday, and Javier (unwillingly) had to admit that he truly was happy with Lloyd. Staring at the barista intently, Javier makes note of everything Lloyd does. He- he skipped the vanilla? And the chocolate? Is he finally making my drink? Javier couldn’t help but be a bit excited. This is pathetic, as I shouldn’t be this excited over the coffee that I ordered being made correctly. Lloyd calls out his order, pulling him out of that chain of thought. Javier picks up the cup with suspicion, holding it up to the light, inspecting the rim of the cup, and just thoroughly examining it. “I haven’t poisoned it, you know.”
“I’m sure you haven’t, but you made the drink correctly. Am I in the wrong to expect there’s something in here?” Javier asks, to which Lloyd can only shake his head. “You’re right, you’re right. But- I did tell you there was another way to get your order. It was originally just making a complaint to my manager…” What the hell- why the fuck didn’t I do that? “But since you fell so desperately in love with me…”
“I didn’t, but continue speaking.”
“There’s a third way.”
“All that buildup, and for what?” Javier groans, taking a sip of his drink. Ah… I missed this. The bitter, cold taste of his drink was eagerly welcomed. “So like… Are we dating?” Lloyd asks nonchalantly, wiping down the counter. “I’d… hope so? If I don’t intend on dating someone I usually wouldn’t continue seeing them.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.” Lloyd says, appearing to be deep in thought. “Do you not want to be dating me?” Javier asks in an uncharacteristic bout of uncertainty. “Javier, you dumb, lovable man. I am a no-name barista who fucked up your order for a month straight and somehow managed to get a date from the most handsome person I’d ever seen. Of course, I want to be dating you.” Lloyd says, flicking Javier’s forehead. Javier nods, offering a rare smile, which is readily returned by Lloyd. “So how's the drink? Tastes even better now that I’m your confirmed boyfriend, right?”
"Yeah, it's amazing."