Prompt#1 Coffee Shop au

Words: 1885

Sorry for taking so long.

I've been working too much.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daehyun had a morning schedule, or routine is what most people would call it. He would wake up at 7 a.m. sharp and be ready and out the door at 7:25 a.m. on the dot. So, every minute from the moment he opens his eyes counts. Which leads to Daehyun never misplacing anything because looking for it in the morning is a waste of precious time he cannot afford to lose. 

Once outside the door, he takes 10 minutes to reach his favorite coffee shop. Youngjae, his barista for the past two years and best friend for that long, has his drink ready to go and all Daehyun has to do is pay for it. Unless, it is finals, like this week, and Daehyun has several coffees for different classes then he waits and orders his coffee like a normal person.

But, today is not going as planned as it has been for two years. And that bothers Daehyun to no end. First, he wakes up ten minutes later, which is a lot of time wasted, second, he can't find his lucky pencil, and third, he feels like he forgot something as rushes his way to the café. He had to literally throw whatever was on the floor, ignore his total bed head, and wear his big glasses instead of his contacts cause he was not going to make it in time. And he forgot something, he knows he did.

Daehyun walks into the coffee shop and groans in exasperation. The line was so long. He does not have time for this. There are four people in front of him, two of which are just staring at the menu dumbfounded. The first person orders quickly, the second one uhm's a lot, the third has no freaking idea what a goddamn coffee is apparently, and the fourth will never be seen if he does not hurry up. Daehyun takes a deep breath and starts looking for his wallet when the person right in front of him finally decides on whatever drink.

Daehyun walks forward, eyes looking into his backpack for his wallet, as he says, " Good morning, Youngjae, I want a 25 ounce latte, hot, of course, with two pumps of hazelnut, almond milk, a teaspoon of sugar, and add an extra shot of espresso, please". There is a small pause before, "I'm not Youngjae". Daehyun stops rummaging for his wallet and looks up. The person behind the counter is definitely not Youngjae. He has an eyebrow pierced, smudged eyeliner, and a whole arm of tattoos. And for some reason Daehyun's heart startles as he sees a smile smile spread on the other's face.

"You're not Youngjae", he blurts. His new barista chuckles and the sound makes Daehyun go warm inside. "Already established that", he replies making Daehyun blush softly. "Right, uh. Where is he?" Daehyun asks. The barista his pierced eyebrow before he answers. "Not here". The answer has Daehyun rolling his eyes and sighing exasperated. "I can see that. I meant do you know where he is?"

"Woah, you clearly bite. His final was moved at last notice, he couldn't be here", the barista answered amused. Daehyun pursed his lips, another thing that had gone wrong today. Not that he didn't like the new barista, it's just that he probably won't make his coffee the way Youngjae knows how. "You must be Daehyun, huh?" The barista asked still amused. "How'd you know?" Daehyun asked narrowing his eyes. The barista shrugged. "Youngjae said someone named Daehyun might come in and be very upset he wasn't here and to apologize in his stead that he couldn't let you know in advance". Oh, that made sense. "It's fine. I'm fine. What's your name? You know mine", Daehyun inquired. The barista broke into a grin and Daehyun felt his breath stutter. "Jongup, your barista for today", he said stretching out his hand. Daehyun looked at it for a bit before taking it slowly. His hand was warm, and rough, like after years of working, and felt so nice as it clasped around his.

Daehyun stared at Jongup and saw how young he looked. Maybe younger than him or his age, definitely not older. He had soft, warm brown eyes, sharp cheekbones that complemented his face handsomely, a strong jaw but soft, pink lips, and a small bump on his nose that stopped him from being completely perfect, not to mention the cute little beauty mark he had, all under a mop of midnight blue hair. Jongup cleared his throat lowly, Daehyun blushing as he realized they were still holding hands and let go quickly.

"Uh, I- Do you need me to repeat the drink, Jongup?" Daehyun asked, the name rolling off his tongue smoothly. "It's okay, I remember", Jongup replied as he moved away to make Daehyun's coffee. Daehyun couldn't help but stare at Jongup's back as he made the drink. He could see the strength in those shoulders, arms, and back through the black tee. It fit him snugly and Daehyun had never more thankful for cotton henleys before. And the tattoos looked so nice, not that Daehyun would ever get one, but they really looked good on Jongup. And jesus christ Daehyun was checking him out and if Jongup were to turn around he'd be caught.

Jongup looked over his shoulder. Saw Daehyun staring. And winked.

Daehyun gasped softly, his eyes widening even more, and flushed red. He got caught.

"25 ounce hot latte with two pumps of hazelnut, almond milk, a teaspoon of sugar, and an extra shot of espresso", Jongup announced with a smile on his lips. Daehyun smiled amazed that Jongup had remembered his drink, he must be really smart. Jongup raised his eyebrows at Daehyun after a minute. "Uh, what?" Daehyun stuttered as he realized Jongup had told him something. "It's $4.59, Dae", Jongup said again. Daehyun stared at the nickname. Nobody had really called him Dae before, not even Youngjae. He kind of liked it.

Wait, money. He had to pay. "Oh, right, yeah. Sorry. Let me just get my wallet. It's where I keep my money", Daehyun babbled making Jongup laugh softly. He couldn't help but wince at how stupid he sounded. Daehyun ducked his red face into his backpack and looked for his damn wallet where he obviously keeps his money. After a few seconds of rummaging it was obvious he didn't have his wallet. Of course. That would be the thing he forgot. Fan-freaking-tastic.

Daehyun sighed dejected before looking up at Jongup. "I don't have my wallet. Sorry, I must have forgotten it back at my dorm", Daehyun apologized sincerely. Jongup gave him a kind smile. "Take the coffee". Daehyun blinked surprised at Jongup's words. "But I can't pay for it", he replied softly. "I'll pay for it. Don't worry about it. Just don't pout and look sad. You look cuter when you smile", Jongup said as he put the coffee cup in Daehyun's hands. "Thank you", Daehyun said breathlessly, reddening even more. "No problem", Jongup easily answered.

Daehyun gave him a smile and turned to leave. He was close to the doors when he turned around and walked up to the counter again. Jongup turned to look at him and the person ordering their drink gave him a glare. "I...I- Would you- Can I- Uh, forget it", Daehyun ended abuptly and walked quickly out the coffee shop. Gosh, he at asking people out. Maybe cause he had never tried to ask anyone out. How did people do it? Daehyun wondered sadly as he walked to his class.

+

Jongup stared after Daehyun. He wanted to follow him and find out what Daehyun wanted. Whatever it was, Jongup would give it to him. "Just go, idiot", Yongguk, his coworker said from the small kitchen where they keep their baked goods. "Really?" Jongup asked happily. Yongguk rolled his eyes at him. "Yes. It's depressing seeing you stare at the doors like a sad puppy. Go. I'll take care of the customers in the meantime", Yongguk replied.

Jongup didn't even bother taking off the apron that was wrapped around his waist as he stormed out of the coffee shop. He was not letting go of Daehyun. Daehyun with his big, nerdy glasses and gorgeous smile, and a head of hair that looked like he just got done from having the best of his life. Not to mention how easily he blushed. Daehyun was the personification of cute.

Jongup stopped and looked for that blonde head through the milling students. Jongup was about to head back to work deflated when he spotted him in front of the Neural Sciences building. Of course, his 8 a.m. class had to be something difficult. Jongup started running to the building and bursted through the doors and saw Daehyun going to the second floor.

"Daehyun!" He called out softly. If he yelled, the professors would hang him. Thankfully, Daehyun heard him and turned to see him, immediately blushing twenty shades of rouge. How cute. Jongup went up the stairs and stood a step under him. "Yes, Jongup?" Daehyun asked him. It was Jongup's turn to blush...only a little bit. "I wanted to know if I could have your number so that I could ask you out on a date sometime this weekend?" Jongup asked softly.

He heard Daehyun hold his breath and saw him bite his lower lip. Jongup felt his heart stop. "It's fine if you don't want to. I understand. I mean you don't look like someone who'd be interested in someone like me. We are clearly very different so I gue-" Jongup's endless stream of words was cut by Daehyun placing his hand over his mouth with a smile. "I'd love to. It's just that I was thinking about going on that date with you today instead". 

Jongup blinked at Daehyun's explanation and grabbed his hand from his mouth. "Oh. Yeah, that works for me. How about a lunch date?" Jongup proposed excitedly. "Perfect. Let's meet at the coffee shop", Daehyun replied. Jongup nodded up at him.

Jongup saw Daehyun's glasses slide downward on his nose and pushed them back up. "You look good in glasses", Jongup said making Daehyun snort softly. "Okay, Romeo. I have to go take my final. I'm late at being early already", Daehyun said. Jongup raised an eyebrow, confused at the sentence. "That makes no sense", he said slowly. Daehyun chuckled at him. "Yeah it does. See you later", Daehyun said and gave Jongup a soft peck on the lips before walking up the stairs backwards with pink dusted cheeks.

Jongup wanted to chase Daehyun's lips as they left his but he knew Daehyun needed to leave. Later, then. He waved good bye at Daehyun. As soon as Daehyun was out of sight, Jongup touched his lips softly. They were tingling and he couldn't keep the goofy smile off his face. Goodness, Daehyun had made of him a tingling mess out of him with just a peck of a kiss.

I am in so much trouble, Jongup thought as he sighed. He knew he was falling hard for Daehyun and very quick.  And you know what. Jongup didn't even mind one bit.