Chapter Text
The coffee shop was unusually empty today. There would usually be lines stretching outside with people wanting to come by for an afternoon snack or college students typing away on their laptops. Right now, there's only three people. One kid by themselves, on their laptop with papers scattered around the table. They've already ordered around four coffees. It was fall so he's sure midterms were soon. Seven, feeling bad even offered to give them something on the house. They gladly accepted it. Thanking him profusely and tiping a $5. More than what he offered costed. And the other two were there together. In a corner of the shop, chatting away. They were too far to understand. But they seemed happy.
He looked up at the clock that hung near him.
C00lkidd was almost out of class. He should be here soon.
He grabbed a towel and pretended to be busy by wiping down the already clean counter.
"Slow day today." He heard from behind him.
His coworker, a slightly taller, muscled man came out from the back. His arms were covered in flour. A tray of freshly baked pastries in his hands.
Guest1337. An ex-veteran. They started working there around the same time. And they both were in the back baking. Including the fact that they were both fathers, they bonded pretty quickly. From an outside perspective it was strange. Seven was timid and quiet most of the time. Keeping to himself mostly. Guest was talkative. He'd converse with anyone and was very friendly despite his appearance. But despite that they got along well.
Seven worked in the back for a while. But was moved here since their cashier quit. And he was the only other employee to know how to use a cashier.
"It seems so." Seven answered back. He moved to the side to let Guest put the pastries on display.
Seven looked back at the clock. 30 minutes until his son gets out of school.
Remembering something, he turned to Guest.
"It's Friday, no? You're taking care of Charlotte this weekend right? I Can ask 8o8 to bring her here to be with C00lkidd while we work." He pulled out his phone to text 118o8.
Guest placed his hand over Seven's phone. Lowering it down.
"No need. Charlotte's having a sleepover at a friends house. Daisy said she'd handle it."
When Guest went to war, he was gone for years. When he was pronounced dead, Daisy moved on. Not without mourning. But Guest didn't go back home for another three years. Thinking he died, Daisy found love. Guest didn't fight it. He was glad she moved on and didn't wait for someone who was thought to be dead. He still mourns what they had. But he's not angry. He could never be angry at her.
Seven put his phone away.
"Is it with that new friend she mentioned last time?"
Guest leaned on the counter, trying to remember who he was talking about.
"No I don't think so. Someone else completely different."
Seven hummed. Looking back outside at the people walking by.
He's glad there aren't many people coming in today. He wouldn't have to talk to anyone. But also. It made it so boring here. And both their shifts don't end for another two hours.
The bell above the door rang. Finally.
Guest left back to the kitchen.
And so did Seven when he saw who entered.
"A friend told me about it. It has to be good. He said they make the best pastries." Chance waved their hands around to show their point. Elliot walked beside them. From the short details he was told, the place sounded nice. And he hopes it is since it's both of their first times here.
The outside was nice. Different from the other stores. It was painted a soft orange. The windows tinted slightly, and a painting of a tree with leaves falling on it. It was cozy looking.
Pushing the door open, they were met with the warmness of the inside. It felt nice from the cold air outside.
The moment they stepped in, they watched as the employee at the counter basically booked it to the back. But neither of them really thought too hard about it.
"Guest. I have a problem. A big one." Seven exaggerated.
"Did someone sketchy looking walk in?" Guest immediately went serious, already walking back to the front, but Seven stopped him.
"It's not that. It's just… remember when I told you about… my past. What I used to do? I- someone who I used to terrorize just came in. And I panicked and ran back here." He turned to the door that separated them.
He felt hands being placed on his shoulders, so he turned back around.
"How about I man the cashier for this guy? You just stay back here and finish up these pastries?" Guest gave him a warm smile, not waiting for Seven to answer before taking his apron off and leaving to the front.
Guess Seven will just have to wait for them to leave.
Elliot and Chance were chatting until Guest walked out.
Elliot heard them let out a little 'woah' from his side when the employee walked out. He rolled his eyes.
"Hello Welcome! What would you both like." He greeted.
"Is the big guy on the menu?" Chance tried flirting.
Elliot covered his face and backed away slightly.
Guest looked like he was trying his hardest to keep up the smile. But his eyes squinted from the pick up line.
Elliot, not wanting this awkwardness to persist, just pushed Chance to the side.
"How about you just give them a…" he took a look around the display counter. "that. And a hot chocolate." He pointed at a small mousse in a plastic container. Guest tapped out the order on the register.
"Anything else?" He asked.
Elliot glanced at their clock. It's 3 pm now. Is it too late to get a coffee? He's really craving one right now.
Before he could answer, the front door was opened and in came a 10 year old kid. He ran around Elliot and Chance and proceeded to talk with Guest. Not caring for the two customers.
"Hi Guest!!! Can you tell my papa I'm here!" Right after he smushed his face into the display. "And can I have a chocolate cake? I want that one!" He dug into his pocket and took out loose bills and coins.
"Kidd…" Guest chuckled. Giving an apologetic smile towards the two. "How about i get you that cake when these two finish ordering."
C00lkidd turned to the two customers, finally acknowledging them. "Oh! Sorry!" He took his money and ran to a booth.
Guest laughed nervously. "Sorry about that. What was it that you wanted?"
"…Cappuccino. The cookie dough one. Please. And a cheesecake." While he was pulling out his wallet to pay, Chance this time pushed him to the side and took out his card.
"Allow me." He handed his card over to Guest. A flirty grin on their face. It wasn't as charming as he thought it was. Guest just kind of, glanced from the card to Chance. He took in the man's appearance. The guy wore sunglasses and a fedora. Fancy clothes.
He looks like someone who uses his parents money to look important.
Guest didn't say anything and just used the card. He's never going to man the cashier again. The guys friend looks twice as embarrassed, sorry for him for having to be in the presence of this scene.
He handed back the card and started preparing on the drinks, handing them their pastries while they waited.
"You both can sit down, I'll call you over. Oh! And I'll need a name please."
"Ell-" "Chance!"
They stood there in an awkward silence before Elliot face palmed and dragged Chance to a table.
"Dude. Never speak in public again." Elliot hurried his face in his hands from embarrassment. The poor worker had to deal with Chance's terrible excuse for flirting.
"I think he liked it." Chance took a quick glance at the counter. The red kid was at the front and was handed his chocolate cake. Another employee was also there messing with the register before leaving. Elliot was picking at his cheesecake.
"Those sunglasses are doing something to your eyes then." He says as he takes a bite from the cheesecake.
It was fluffy and creamy in his mouth. The strawberry jam on the top fit the flavor of the cheesecake perfectly. He didn't know how to express how much he loved it so he just let out a hum from the flavor.
He heard a quiet 'damn' infront of him. Chance had a spoon in his mouth and a piece of the mousse was missing. He then ate the entire thing at the moment.
"This is so gooodd.' He exaggerated. Picking up the mini container licking off the rest of it. Elliot looked at him in disgust.
Despite the, overly disgusting show of love, the food was delicious. He hopes to come here again one day.
When they both left, Guest called Seven to come back. He didn't properly know how to use the register and hoped he didn't do anything bad, and since it was logged in under Seven's name he didn't want the guy to get in trouble because of him.
As Seven checked the register, C00lkidd was given his cake.
"Everything seems fine. You did good Guest."
Guest beamed at the compliment.
"I just have to make them their drinks and call them over."
Seven turned to talk with his son when he stopped and turned back around.
"Call them over?" Guest nodded.
Guest nodded. "When I finish these I'll call them to pick them up." He turned to make the drinks.
"Guest… you don't call them over. You're supposed to take them over to them.
"……Oh-"
C00lkidd was eating his cake while standing there with them.
"Ok CK, go to a booth and do some work. My shift ends in about in hour. Don't dirty your homework!"
"Ok!!" He said before running back to where he was sitting.
Like if he knew where the other was, Seven looked up at Elliot. He hasn't noticed him. Seven shrunk in on himself. Years of guilt crashing down onto his shoulders.
"I'm going to go back to the kitchen." His voice now filled with sadness.
"I'll call you back out when they leave." Guest patted his shoulder as Seven walked away.
After 20 minutes Seven peeked his head out to see if the two were still there.
And they were. More customers were coming in and Guest was starting to get anxious. So he had no choice but to go back to manning the cashier.
Another 20 minutes past. They're still there. He's lucky they haven't asked for more food or even walked up to the counter. Or even looked his direction.
He just took orders like usual.
Since more people were coming in C00lkidd had to move tables and was now sitting behind the counter on a chair. He finished his homework for the day and started watching cartoons on his dad's phone with headphones on.
Seven kept glancing towards Elliot.
It was strange seeing him again. He obviously looked older. His hair was grown out and tied into a ponytail. But he didn't recognize the other person he was with. Maybe a boyfriend or something. He didn't care he just wanted them both gone.
After another 10 minutes they finally decided to leave. But not before coming back to the counter to get something to go.
He was screwed.
The moment it was their turn he immediately noticed Elliot do a double take on him. It's so over for him.
As he took Chance's order, he could see from the corner of his eye that Elliot was staring at him. Trying to figure out why Seven looked familiar to him.
"One other thing." Chance says.
"Yes?" He tries his best to make his voice as less shaky as possible.
"The other cashier. Think I could get his number." They asked.
"Um." As he hesitated to speak, he was suddenly pushed away from the counter, being blocked by someone.
"Sorry we're not allowed to give out personal information out to customers. So I'm going to have to decline." Guest stood in between him and the other two. Seven didn't even hear him coming out from the back. He no longer had his apron on and his hands were clean. Looking up at the clock, he saw their shift was over.
The kitchen door swung open and out came another employee that took over cashier duty. He was so caught up he didn't notice anything around him.
Guest once again took over for him and charged them for their food. The moment they left, he got C00lkidd and start getting ready to leave. Guest already left so now it was his turn.
He helped C00lkidd buckle into the car, making sure he was safely secured. It was time to head home.
His son fell asleep on the way back and, thankfully, he didn't weigh so much.
He got him into bed for a nap, making sure to wake him for dinner.
He sat the on couch, the tv on low.
… Today was odd. But hopefully, another time, if Elliot decides to come to the cafe, he won't be working.