Work Text
On a warm fall morning, Baekhyun's sleep was disturbed by the annoying sound of the alarm clock. It kept ringing like that until the guy knocked it out. Opening his sleepy eyes, Baekhyun got out of bed and yawned, scratching the back of his head. The guy never had breakfast in the morning, so he showered, got dressed, and headed to work.A coffee shop on 'Babylon 29 street' called 'Ristretto' was about 25 minutes from his house. Although it wasn't popular, but visitors came here quite often and the rating wasn't bad. Here were not so rare large streams of queues, always noisy conversations and most importantly the aroma of coffee absolutely always fragrant in this institution.The 25 minute walk in the morning was something Baekhyun really enjoyed. The city was still just waking up, everyone was rushing to work and going about their business; the fresh air, the light cool breeze that made him comb his hair back quite often and sometimes shudder from the cold. Baekhyun, as usual, arrived before all the employees: half an hour before opening time. He opened the door of the small establishment and stepped inside.The whole place was decorated in warm colors; beige-brown walls, a slightly darker ceiling, large licorice lamps with a dim yellow light; large windows overlooking the street and the city, where there were tables where customers could stop and work, and some could stay for an hour reading a book; glass display cases where delicious and appetizing pastries were usually laid out created the atmosphere of the place. He was wearing a dark brown apron around his neck, which he tied tightly in the back, and a branded 'badge' with his name on it was pinned to his chest.After washing his hands, the guy turned on the espresso machine, set up the cups, and did the rest of the procedures necessary for further barista work.Baekhyun was in love with the smell of coffee, his job, and his position. Coffee brewing, customer service, new drinks - all of it made him happy every day. The guy especially loved experimenting, adding something new, making drinks his own way. It could have turned out badly, but in all the time he had been working (which is like 3 years now) no one resented it and everyone was satisfied.Jay and Mina arrived a little later than Baekhyun and in 20 minutes the doors of the coffee shop were open to everyone. While the customers were gone Jay decided to strike up a conversation with Baekhyun:— Baekhyun, how's the mood? - Jay slapped the guy under his side, laughing. The guy with greenish-blue eyes was taller than Byun by a couple of centimeters. His red, curly hair was slightly curled on the sides, suggesting a morning style. Both ears were pierced, and he had faint freckles on his cheeks, which gave him a certain appeal.— Great. - Baekhyun chuckled. — You know I love my job.— Yeah, right, Baek, I know. - he thought for a moment. - But don't you get tired of doing it every day? Wouldn't you like something new and different? A relationship, a girlfriend.— Jay, I'm not interested in a relationship. - Baekhyun said with a frown, looking at his friend.— Baek, you're 23 years old. - The guy came closer. - Don't you see the way Mina is looking at you? Here's your chance. - Looking around, the guy whispered.Baekhyun didn't have time to answer when he noticed the first customer of the day. He went to the counter, sighing doomfully, and took the order. He brewed the ace latte with caramel syrup and served it to the young girl. While making the payment, the guy had time to take a good look at her: A blond bob, bright expressive eyes, slightly ruddy cheeks, thin, weathered lips; a standard office uniform: a white blouse and skirt that were perfectly ironed - here was a perfect, graceful and beautiful girl, but nothing that attracted Baekhyun.
And what kind of girls do I like?
His thoughts suddenly flashed through his mind, but remembering that he was at work, Baekhyun dismissed his thoughts and started serving the next person.By the end of the work shift, he didn't have any more thoughts like that, he was focused only on making delicious coffee and making sure everyone was satisfied as always. But after the end of the workday, Byun remembered today's conversation with Jay and really thought anxiously.Yes, Baekhyun would definitely like to live, to spend time together with someone who would love him. (Maybe even more than he loves coffee.); to have delightful and indescribable feelings; to brew coffee in the morning for his beloved, make her breakfast and even have a pet; to please her every day and make her happy; But could Baekhyun make someone happy? This is a question that has been tormenting him for a long time.Every day, the coffee shop where Byun works gets a lot of visitors, including girls. But not one of them has yet to make him dream, to desire her.After reaching his apartment, Byun took a warm shower and tiredly fell on the bed. The barista's work week had gone by at an incredible speed. Serving so many people, making so many drinks, you don't even notice how quickly the daily shift ends. But working with people is definitely exhausting.Sleepily yawning, Baekhyun leaned on the counter and waited for a new customer. The coffee shop was crowded today, and his head was starting to pound. Mina noticed his tired and shabby appearance: a girl with long brown hair, gathered in a big, careless bundle, brown eyes, a neat nose and a minimum of makeup on her pretty face. She was small in height, about 157 centimeters tall, the guy thought as he looked at her.— Hey Baekhyun, I think you're tired. I'll take over for you. - Gently touching the guy's arm, Mina said, smiling her sincere smile. Her eyes sparkled whenever she had a chance to talk to Byun. The guy paid attention to the touch and shifted his gaze to the girl, but only began to falter in his request for help. — Baekhyun... I'll call out to you if there's anything wrong, go take a breather. Don't worry, I can handle it.— Mina, thank you, but... No. There's a lot of people, and Jay's taking new baked goods. - Beck sighed heavily.— 15 minutes Baekhyun! - Mina said as if begging. — I can really handle it. Even though she wasn't a trainee anymore, she still needed a lot of attention, and at times Byung would still look after her or help her when she didn't do well. He was about to refuse, but Mina took his place at the counter.— Okay... - He smiled and went to the back office. The room was like a small warehouse, with extra food, grains, milk, and a small table with cushioned chairs, one of which Baekhyun sat down on. The boy rubbed his scales tiredly, then rested his head on his hands on the table, covering his eyes. He would have dozed off here if he hadn't pulled his phone out of his pants pocket.Meanwhile, Mina was graciously serving customers and filling a few orders. The bell on the door rang again, announcing that new customers had arrived. The girl turned her attention to the front door and saw an elegant couple heading towards the cash register. The newlyweds had been looking for a long time at what order to make, joking and still could not make up their minds. She was sure that any second the young couple would turn around and leave, but it was different and the cute 'person' spoke.— Hello. Can I order an espresso, please, and... - she hesitated, still eyeing the menu sign. — Excuse me, could you make the second drink to your liking..... something sweet.— To your liking? - Mina looked at the girl, not realizing if she was serious, but her gaze was completely calm.— Yes, please.— Uh, okay. - Her voice trembled. — Your name.— Jane and Oliver. - she smiled. — Can I pay right away?— Uh, yeah, sure. - Mina made the payment and then looked at the girl walking away to the table in the corner of the coffee shop for a long time.She managed the espresso very quickly and easily, but the second drink caused her undoubted difficulties. The girl tried to think of something, but she didn't know what to surprise this person with. Mina had been thinking about Baekhyun all this time, but she didn't dare to ask for help, since she was the one who had sent him on vacation. Sighing heavily and gathering her strength, Mina went to the office where the guy was sitting.Sending a guy to rest, assuring him that you could handle it on your own, and then asking for help....He still looked tired and sleepy, (and even cute) looking at his phone and playing something.— Baekhyun. - Mina called out his name. The guy immediately raised his innocent eyes and stared at her. — ...I need some help.— It hasn't even been two minutes. - Byun snidely snickered, satisfied that the girl still couldn't do it without him. But when he saw the upset look on her face, he stopped talking. — What's wrong?— There's a girl. She asked me to make something to her liking. I figured you're the kind of guy who likes to experiment. and I couldn't think of anything. Anyway. - The guy jumped up from his chair and walked over to the girl.—She said so? - he asked in surprise.Mina nodded quickly, catching her breath next to Byun. She felt like they had never been this close to each other before. The expression on the girl's face was even funny and cute at the same time, which made the guy smile.—Don't worry, I'll do it, but you carry it. Okay? - Baek touched the top of her hair and stroked her head, smiling playfully.— Ahh, it's okay. - Mina said uncertainly, staring at Baekhyun.— Nice. - The guy walked away to the cash register, leaving Mina all alone with her thoughts.
What was that just now?!
Baekhyun guessed knew exactly what Mina probably definitely liked. She's a beautiful, sweet, calm girl; always positive; not demanding much of herself, just love and care.
Maybe we should try it after all?
Baek sighed. Starting a relationship with her was definitely not something he wanted to do. He didn't have feelings like Mina had for him. He'd never felt anything like that at all. Pushing all his thoughts away again, Baekhyun began to prepare his signature drink that he had invented himself. A latte with oat milk, topped with caramel, soy cream, and a topping based on waffle pieces and sugar syrup. The guy had tried this coffee more than once himself, so he was absolutely sure of it. Putting the lid on the cup, sprinkling chocolate on top, he gave it to Mina.— Thank you! - The girl smiled.— You're welcome. - The guy went back to the office, feeling Mina's gaze on him the whole time. She was still embarrassed and began to sign the cups.— An espresso, please, and, uh… for Jane and Oliver! - Mina said loudly enough and the girl sitting in the corner of the coffee shop headed for the cash register.— Thank you! - She smiled again.Taking her table, Jane gave the espresso with caramel syrup to Oliver and took the unknown drink for herself.— Interesting. - she said in a low voice, but the guy heard her anyway.— Jane, you could have just ordered something from the menu. - Oliver said, sipping his coffee. — Well... not bad for a place like this.The girl just rolled her eyes and decided to try her drink. Jane was sure that this place wouldn't live up to her expectations, but suddenly her eyes widened. She had never tasted such delicious coffee in her life. Jane had never tasted such a combination even in Austria.Oliver stared at the girl sitting in front of him, sipping sip after sip.— It's delicious, Oli, it's really so delicious. - Jane said and took another sip. — This is the best coffee I've had in a long time.— Yeah, come on. - snorted the guy.— I'm serious! Try it! - She handed him her cup.— No, I don't want to. - Shaking his head, the guy said. He looked at his wristwatch and added: — We should be on our way in ten minutes. I'll wait for you in the car. - Leaving his espresso unfinished, the guy left the coffee shop.— Selfish boy. - Jane said aloud with distaste.
What kind of drink is this?
Finishing the last drops of the wonderful coffee, she threw the cup into the trash and went to the cash register. The girl behind the counter was just handing the drink to a customer. Mina looked at Jane in surprise, noticing her near the register.— Excuse me, but who prepared this drink? - The girl asked.This question made the girl worried and she tried to explain the situation somehow.— Is something wrong? We can change the drink! - A slight sweat appeared on her forehead.
Baekhyun, what did you mix in there?!
— Can you please call the person who made it?— Ahh.. Yes! Wait a bit! - She smiled nervously and went to the office where Byun was sitting.— Baek! Uh, Baekhyun! There's a girl... She asked me to call you! - Mina was clearly nervous as she tried to put her thoughts together.— What girl? - The guy raised an eyebrow questioningly.— The one you made your drink for. - she said.—Good. - His expression changed to a more serious one. Going around Mina, the guy tried to anticipate all the outcomes of events.
Didn't she like it?
When Baekhyun approached the counter, he noticed a slender, medium-sized girl with long, curly brown hair, bright gray dull eyes, slightly plump lips, perfect cheekbones, dressed in black wide jeans, a white top with a mocha-colored leather jacket on top. As their eyes met, the girl suddenly realized that this was definitely the man who had made her wonderful coffee.Jane had time to get a good look at Byun as he made his way toward her. He was a standard height, a little taller than Jane herself; a white, loose shirt, which looked very sexy on his slender male figure; on his neck various jewelry and 'trinkets', which gave him brutality. She couldn't see his face well, but as soon as he came closer, she could see him: Almost the same shade of hair as her own, slightly disheveled at the sides, dark, caramel skin and expressive, brown eyes that were already looking into hers.— What can I do for you? - Smiling, the guy asked, not giving away his concern.— I'm sorry, I just really liked your drink.... and I'd like to ask you the name of it. - Jane said, also smiling, waiting for a reply.With a satisfied hum, Baekhyun replied: — Excuse me too, but it's not on the menu.— Not on the menu? Did you come up with that yourself? - When he nodded, the girl's eyes widened in surprise. — That's excellent. You should definitely put it on the menu. I've never tasted such a delicious and blissful drink... what did you put in it? - Baekhyun's eyes burned with admiration and mesmerized Baekhyun even more.— I'm very pleased to have pleased you. Unfortunately, what I added is a secret ingredient. - Byun said with a sneer. — I will definitely talk to the management. Is that all I can help you with? - A smile spread across his face. No one had ever said such a thing about his own combinations yet.— No, thank you! Have a good day and... and clients like good day!— I've already met one. - Baekhyun said snidely, which made the girl smile again. — Goodbye and have a good day!— Goodbye!Jane just stepped into the coffee shop, and Baekhyun began to wonder if she would come again. All this time, the image of that girl was running through his mind until he was interrupted by a worried Mina.— Baekhyun? What did she say? - The girl expected to hear anything but what she liked. — Like it?! Wow. I was so worried, Baekhyun.— It's okay, she really liked it a lot. - Byun said. — You can rest now. - The guy sighed, looking at the front door again.Baekhyun's behavior was strange and Mina retreated to the office to leave him alone.Baekhyun leaned his elbow on the bar counter and placed his hand under his head, looking at the door of the coffee shop with a slight smile.