Chapter Text
Polites hummed to himself as he wiped down the counters. It was midday and he’d been at work for a few hours. Really, nothing could slow him down, not even a horrible morning or waking up early. It was odd how much he enjoyed his job, sure, but why would he hate it? It was amazing! He loved the customers, no matter how mean they could be; he loved making coffee, and he loved the shop.
It was always so nicely lit by midday, the warm sun lighting through the windows and illuminating the plants and walls. The tables were all wiped down and shining underneath the glow, the floor nicely swept up. All by himself, of course. He was the only one willing to perform those tasks.
He could never hate his job. Perimedes, on the other hand…
Permedes would often hide in the back rooms, making various excuses that got more outrageous every day. Now even Elpenor would join him. He had no idea what they were doing and he didn’t want to know. He’d let them avoid work, but he wouldn’t listen to them whine when they didn’t receive any tips.
It was actually kind of nice when he was alone in the front, anyway. He got to hum to himself and enjoy the quietness of his mind. He could never understand how others functioned with their brains racing. Polites’ brain moved slowly, like a calm river. His thoughts were always put together and he never stuttered over his words. It was one of his biggest strengths, in his opinion.
He was jerked out of his thoughts by the opening of the door. He looked up from where he was wiping the counters—actually, he had just been wiping in one spot, though now at least it was very shiny—and greeted the man at the door.
“Hi! Welcome to–”
Polites’ voice trailed off as he fully saw the man in front of him. The man was well built—shorter than him, sure, but he had wide shoulders and defined muscles. His hair was messy and brushed over his face, half covering his eyes, and he bore a clean shaven beard. He wore a relatively casual outfit: a crisp white shirt and a black jacket with a collar. Polites squeaked and ducked slightly, trying to hide his flushed face behind the cash register.
The man had been fumbling in his bag, but he noticed Polites’ reaction. He looked at him curiously before a cocky smile made its way to his face. “Hi.” He sauntered over to the counter and leaned on it casually. “Can I have an….americano?” He grinned, showing off his sharp-ish canines. Polites lifted his head and cleared his throat, trying to be more professional. “Yep. Okay. Coming right up, sir.”
He turned to prepare the drink. He took deep breaths to try and calm himself down. It could be argued that the man wasn’t that attractive, but he couldn’t bring himself to think so. The gleam in his eyes was one thing, the well built thighs that still somehow shone through his pants was another. He cleared his throat again, which hurt a bit. He tried to make conversation as he worked.
“...I haven’t seen you around before.”
“Oh, yeah. I don’t go out much. Just to walk my dog.”
Polites turned his head slightly as he stirred the coffee, smiling faintly. “Oh, you have a dog?”
“Yep. His name is Argos. He’s pretty old, but he’s still going strong. Do you have any pets?”
“No. I’m allergic to cats and dogs.”
“Damn. That sucks.”
He chuckled softly as he turned back around, feeling more at ease. The americano hadn’t taken long to make, but then again it was one of the most simple things he could’ve ordered. He pulled out a marker from the pocket of his uniform. “What’s your name?”
“Odysseus.”
He almost blurted that it was a pretty name, but he refrained. “How do you spell that?”
“O-d-y-s-s-e-u-s.”
He nodded and handed him the cup, his handwriting was curly and nice. Odysseus smiled, leaning against the counter again.
“You seemed startled when I came in. Was there a reason for that?” Odysseus asked, smirking. He knew exactly the reason. Polites flushed again. “Oh. No. There was a…fly. I hate flies. They’re…scary.” He muttered, and Odysseus laughed, a sound that nearly surprised him.
“Oh, yeah. I’m in the same boat as you. Flies are the worst.” Polites smiled at him, grateful that he wasn’t pushing too hard. He leaned on the counter as well. He searched his face for a moment, trying to decipher every emotion in those shining eyes.
“What’s your name?” Odysseus asked suddenly. Polites blinked. “Huh? Oh. It’s…it’s Polites.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
It seemed as though Odysseus was much braver than Polites was.
He coughed into his hand, his face burning. Odysseus looked like he was stifling a laugh. “Er….thanks.” He muttered. He no longer felt like a calm river. He felt like a waterfall.
Odysseus chuckled for a moment, tracing his finger absentmindedly over the ridges of the counter. “You’re here all alone? Your coworkers sick?”
He grimaced. “...no…they’re…they’re hiding in the back again.” Odysseus laughed again, this time out of surprise. “Wait, really? Oh, wow. Good on you for not going with them. Do they…not like your job compared to you?” Polites half groaned, half laughed. “They hate their job, but it wouldn’t kill them to do their work.”
“So you just slug this place on your back, then?”
“I suppose you could say that.”
“‘You suppose’.” Odysseus rolled his eyes. “You’re very modest.”
“...yeah. I guess I am.” He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “I don’t like to swell up with pride, y’know?”
“No. I don’t know.” He deadpanned.
Polites let out a startled giggle. “Oh. Good to know.”
They chuckled, and once they stopped chuckling, they stared at each other for a moment, clearly trying to find something to say. Odysseus suddenly smirked, and Polites knew he wouldn’t like what would come next. “...you hid when I came in because you thought I was hot, didn’t you?”
Polites sputtered, his face burning hotter than the sun. “I–I’m not saying no…but–uh–uhm…” He trailed off, unsure how to defend himself. Odysseus seemed to be having the time of his life, so much so that Polites was tempted to tell him to shut up.
“Alright. Alright. You think I’m hot, that’s cool.” Odysseus shrugged, not making a deal out of it even though he probably should’ve. “For what it’s worth—you’re hot too.”
Before he had a chance to respond, Odysseus rushed out the door, americano that was most likely cold by now in his hand. Of his own embarrassment or giddy, he didn’t know. He stared after him, feeling as though he may combust if he didn’t drink some water. He didn’t even know what to think, his mind was utterly blank.
Perimedes and Elpenor came up behind him. He was unsure if they had listened to the whole conversation or if they had only eavesdropped towards the end. Polites didn’t even look back to acknowledge them.
Perimedes spoke first. “...so…did you get that guy’s number?”
Polites nearly slammed his head down on the counter. “FUCK!”