Chapter Text
Keith stood in front of a simple glass door. There used to be plastic leaves decorated all along the side of the door, but they had faded and blown away. He pulled his dark-coloured sweater tighter around him as the cool autumn wind picked up even though it was later in the morning. Keith turned to a sharply dressed man that looked slightly older.
“Crano, do I have to go in?” Keith asked the man, whose shoulder-length hair tied back into a ponytail threatened to come loose from the wind.
“Yes, it is an essential skill to be able to order food items,” Crano pulled out a small comb and fixed Keith’s windblown black bangs once the wind had died down.
“Not for me; I can always just have you order things for me,” Keith pushed a hand through his hair; he never liked it when it was that neat.
Crano clicked his tongue, “Sir.”
Keith ignored Crano’s signals to enter the cafe, “Don’t you own this coffee franchise? Do you need more money? I could always ask my Father to increase your yearly pay-”
“Sir, I am perfectly well off. Your Father is a very generous man, now, please- Crano was interrupted by the cafe door jingling open and someone stopping in the doorway.
“If you’re gonna buy something, come in. Please don’t block the door for other customers.” An employee stood in the doorway. He had close-cropped red hair and what looked like terribly dyed white tips, and he also looked like he had just woken up. The employee pointed at a person patiently waiting behind Keith and Crano.
Crano cleared his throat and apologised to the person as he stepped back to let them in. They walked in, and the employee followed suit.
A few seconds later, Crano nudged Keith, chuckling, “Please remember to breathe, sir.” Keith was startled and finally started breathing again, realising that he had been staring at the employee.
“I-I was just surprised anyone would dare talk to me in that tone,” Keith flushed.
“Of course,” Smirking, Crano pushed open the door and gestured to him to walk through. Keith nervously walked into the small cafe, it looked like any other Cafe, nice, clean, simple, though not quite as nice as the Strawbucks down the road. It was practically empty since most of the rush hour patrons had left by now; those that were still there tucked themselves into corners and minded their business. He walked up to the counter where the employee they had seen outside was standing.
“I’m sorry for blocking the door outside… Lucifer?” Keith read the nametag, “Wow, I’m sorry, but your parents must have hated you.”
Lucifer chuckled, and pushed a hand through his fiery red hair, the same way that Keith does, “Let’s just say it scares away the Karens… Please, call me Lus.” The employee winked, and Keith turned a similar shade to Lus’ hair. He glanced at Crano for reassurance. Crano gave two thumbs up and smiled, mouthing, ‘You got this!’ Keith took a deep breath and hoped he didn’t look as nervous as he felt.
“Lus… May I have some Vintage Narcissus tea with four rose petals and two pieces of lemongrass brewed in. After brewing, I’d like a singular plum blossom, pink if you have it, on top.” Lus, who had been writing down the order, paused and raised an eyebrow. Keith realised what he had just said and mentally facepalmed.
“I mean… What would you recommend?” Keith shuffled, remembering that he was talking to a handsome guy.
“When people ask that, I am supposed to say the overpriced seasonal special,” Lus lowered their voice, “But it tastes like shit. So I would recommend a Hot Vanilla Latte; it’s one of my personal favourites.”
Keith laughed, “Then I’ll get a Hot Vanilla Latte!”
“One Vanilla Latte coming right up.”
Keith walked over to Crano, who was looking at him expectantly, “So… How did it go?”
“It went well….”
“Details?”
“What do you mean ‘details’?” Keith asked, mocking Crano with a surprisingly accurate impression, “What am I supposed to even say, ‘We had the most interesting conversation, and we fell in love?’ “
“Yes,” Crano said a lot more directly than Keith expected.
He looked at him, “Are you crazy? No…”
A few minutes later, Lus was handed a drink and a receipt; after reading it, he looked straight at Keith. Keith’s eyes met his, and he looked away quickly.
“One Hot Vanilla Latte!” Lus said only slightly loudly, not needing to yell since it was a quiet afternoon. Keith stood up and walked forward, pulling out his credit card. His non-black one. Keith didn’t need Lus to know he was loaded. People always change after they knew. And he didn’t want him to change.
Keith grabbed the coffee and handed Lus his card, “Thank you!” Keith smiled as not awkwardly as he could. Lus chuckled, so Keith figured it wasn’t working and stopped, “Was it that bad?”
“Yes, but it was a cute attempt,” Lus’ smile would have blinded Keith if he hadn’t frozen from being called cute.
“Well,” Keith choked out through a strained smile, “Have a good day!”
“Enjoy your coffee.”
“You too!” Keith turned a deep shade of crimson and quickly turned around. There was no recovering from that. He walked over to Crano’s table and sunk his head into his hands.
“Wow, you really are head over heels,” Crano smirked.
“You know if you smirk so much, your face will get stuck like that,” Keith said, annoyed, but he started smiling.
“You never denied it,” Crano said under his breath.
“What?” Keith’s head tilted a little.
“Nothing,” Crano smiled softly.