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“Tall lotus latte for Tighnari!” Kaveh shouted, placing the hot cup on the counter.
A studious looking hipster boy walked up, his hair a shiny black with green streaks. He smiled over the bunch of his scarf and gave a soft “thank you,” as he grabbed his latte.
It was busy in Puspa Cafe. But it was usually busy on Monday mornings. Between scholars at the Akademiya, professors and other workers hurrying to their jobs, the cafe was the best stop for a jolt of caffeine.
Kaveh got busy making the next drink in the long line of cups that were positioned next to the espresso machine. Oh, he was going to have to move a whole lot faster if he didn’t want to deal with disgruntled customers. Or get yelled at by his boss. Again.
He called out the next two drinks and watched two giggling girls push through the crowd to pick up their iced sugar beverages. On to the next.
His partner was supposed to be running the cash register, but they have suddenly stepped away without letting Kaveh know. The blond was frazzled and beginning to spiral. Make drinks or take orders? What should he do? Which was the path of least consequence?
Kaveh took a deep breath and finished the next three drink orders, calling them out at the pick-up counter before rushing over to the register.
“So sorry about the wait. What can I make for you?” he said, a bit breathless.
Not just because he’d been running around like crazy for the last thirty minutes but also because the man standing before him was gorgeous! Tall, dark, brooding. Just his type. His eyes, the color of a rainforest sunset, burned into Kaveh’s soul and the barista felt a bit dizzy. When was the last time he took a breath?
“What do you recommend?” the man asked, his voice low and velvety, the words spoken slowly as if he had all the time in the world.
Kaveh did not, in fact, have all the time in the world to entertain his question. “Depends on what you like. Something bitter? Sweet? Iced or hot?”
“Hmm…” the man pondered, silvery hair slipping from his ear to cover one eye. “I’m not sure sweet is the best. It is quite hot out.”
“Iced drip coffee, then?” Kaveh asked. “Room for cream.”
“No no, maybe a latte.”
The bell above the door rang and Kaveh felt his heart shoot up into his throat. The line was building again and this man was holding it up with his ridiculous questions.
“Please, Sir, I can get you anything, just have to tell me what you like.”
“Oh? Is that right?” the man asked, his voice dropping to a deeper register. A smirk pulled at his soft peach lips and Kaveh felt his face heat up.
“Dude! Just order something!” A person called from further back in the line.
“Apologies, I’m just not sure if there’s anything I’d like here…” the man said, eyes dipping to Kaveh’s mouth. “Except one thing.”
The audacity! Kaveh felt his jaw go slack. Not in his entire life had anyone ever flirted with him quite like that.
“And w-what is that?” Kaveh asked, hating himself for the way his voice cracked.
“A bearclaw,” the man smirked. “And I’ll take a tall drip coffee, black, no cream.”
“Sure,” the barista felt his stomach drop. Maybe it had been his imagination. He rang up the order and packaged a bearclaw before accepting payment. “Can I get a name for the order?”
“Alhaitham.”
His mind was spiraling by the time he grabbed a cup, the name Alhaitham ringing in his ears. It was a nice name, even nicer when the hot guy said it. What would it sound like on his own lips? He was too scared to try right now. Maybe on his break, he could try it out, feel the syllables on his tongue.
And then his partner was back, looking like he wasn’t the least bit guilty of leaving Kaveh high and dry. The dark haired Akademita student, abroad from Inazuma, looked at Kaveh and made an annoyed face.
“What?!”
“Where were you?” Kaveh hissed.
“Had to take a call.”
“And you couldn’t have told me? Scara, seriously!”
“Sorry.” But Scara didn’t sound the least bit sorry. He was also not the most pleasant with customers, but at least he could deal with the disgruntled ones after waiting so long.
Kaveh still hadn’t poured the flirty guy’s coffee yet. He had a choice to make. Biting his lower lip, he scribbled a quick note on the side of the cup. He grabbed the pot of coffee and poured it to the top before snapping on a lid.
“Tall drip coffee for Alhaitham!” Kaveh called out and nearly gasped. Oh it felt good to say that man’s name out loud.
Alhaitham picked up the cup, eyes staring at the barista’s face. Was Kaveh blushing? Probably. Oh gods, he looked like a fool. And now Alhaitham was looking at the note and…
“Have a nice day.”
Nothing. Kaveh felt a bit disappointed. There had been no recognition in Alhaitham’s smoldering eyes, his lips a flat line. Had he made a mistake? Should he not have written his number on the cup with a little heart? Fuck, he was so stupid.
“Kaveh!” Scara shouted, tearing him from his thoughts.
“S-Sorry,” he shook his head. Of course, he still had a job to do.
The rest of his shift went by in a blur. Kaveh couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d done. Was he going to be reported? Maybe Alhaitham already had a significant other and would take offense. Maybe Kaveh misread the entire situation and there had been no flirting at all. A hut guy was just nice to him and smiled at him and made his heart beat into overdrive.
Kaveh cleaned his station and clocked out for the day. It was only mid afternoon, a little after two. He had been too anxious to eat anything on his break and now his stomach was protesting. Wiping a hand down his face, Kaveh walked toward the tavern he liked to go to some days. It was always quiet in the afternoon and he really needed some wine to wash away this crazy day.
But as he paused at the crosswalk, waiting for the signal to change, someone sidled up next to him. Kaveh instinctually took a step away and looked up to glare at the person who decided to invade his space. But at the sight of silver hair and burning sunset eyes, his face went slack.
“Alhaitham?”
“The one and only.”
Kaveh’s heart shot up to his throat. “Listen, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have written my number on the cup.”
“Is that what that was?” Alhaitham asked.
“What else would it be?”
“Not sure. I could barely read your scribbles.”
Kaveh puffed out his cheeks in aggravation. “They were not scribbles! It was clearly–”
“Are you hungry? The cafe was busy.”
“I–” Kaveh blinked in surprise at the change or subject. His stomach twisted, threatening to eat itself. “Yes, actually. I haven’t eaten since before my shift.”
“Let me take you to lunch.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a request. One that Kaveh really didn’t want to turn down. The signal changed and everyone around them began to shuffle into the street, leaving Kaveh and Alhaitham standing on the sidewalk.
“I’d like that,” Kaveh smiled softly.
“Great,” Alhaitham nodded. In a bold move, he gently took Kaveh’s hand in his and threaded their fingers together. It was so warm compared to the cool autumn air. “There’s a tavern near here that serves good food and even better wine.”
“I know,” Kaveh chuckled. “Lambad’s is the best.”
“Ah, so you know of it? Good.”
The signal changed again and they had to remain standing on the sidewalk. Feeling the heat of Alhaitham’s palm against his, thumb gently brushing over his knuckles, Kaveh didn’t mind having to wait a little longer. Not at all.