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cannedapricot · 1 year

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oatmilk shaken espresso. || ldh

in which you dread heading into your weekly shifts at the coffee shop 5 minutes away from campus. between your inconsiderate manager telling you to lock up and the 4pm after school rush, you always claim to be a hair's drop away from submitting your two weeks. to make matters worse, you're always scheduled with a man who never seems to shut up. however, his one saving grace is his delectable shaken espressos, which may or may not be the single reason you haven't stormed out yet.

word count: 3.1k

genre, warnings: fluff, slice of life, one sided enemies to lovers?, college!au, coffee shop!au, mentions of consuming alcohol, profanities, one singular "that's what she said" joke

a/n: cracks bones im back from the dead with a university degree and a stiff spine. i haven't written in a hot minute so this might be a mess but i hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

4:30PM, WEDNESDAY - DONGHYUCK, RENJUN, Y/N

4:30pm on a Wednesday is the worst shift anyone had to work. Some of your friends would argue that the closing shift on Fridays are actually the worst ("I want to be piss drunk on the streets, not working."), but it was precisely because everyone would be out drinking, no one would think to set foot into the coffee shop on the corner. No students in uniform flooding the cramped shop, no office workers fighting the crowds for that espresso shot to get them through the week, and most of all, no Lee Donghyuck, your worst nightmare.

It was a known fact that Donghyuck, who also goes by his loving nickname Haechan, never shows up to work on a Friday evening. Even if rostered. One look at his social media and you would know where he's at on a bustling Friday, the student bar. This drove whoever was on shift nuts until eventually, the manager learned to not roster him for the dreaded Friday closing shift. Which meant, for you, Friday was bliss and you would do anything for that shift.

Instead, you were rostered for the closing shift on a Wednesday. Upon clocking in and donning the coffee colored apron, you were greeted by an annoying grin.

"Ooh, y/n, we're closing together tonight, you'll get to be with me alone."

You almost spun right around and left the shop at his teasing voice and grotesque wink. If it weren't for Renjun asking you to take orders because he has his hands full, you swore you would've left.

And so, with a deep sigh and a fake smile plastered on your face, you start another shift at your minimum wage customer service job.

"Welcome to Coffee House Aroma, what can I get for you today?"

12:30PM, SATURDAY - DONGHYUCK, JISUNG, Y/N

"Stop glancing at the clock, time isn't going to tick by any faster."

You scowl at Haechan in response, settling the mug you were drying down with more force than you originally planned. Your shift started at 6am today and ended in half an hour, you were ecstatic at the thought of leaving. Haechan, to nobody's surprise, showed up hung over this morning and was extremely confused when you told him he had to train the new barista today.

"Shit, that was today?" he had said, fingers combing through his hair in attempt to recall this information. Jisung, the new recruit simply stood there, flustered, as you felt the heat rise to your cheeks in frustration.

The entire morning was spent with you teaching Jisung the reigns of working at a coffee shop while Haechan spent it in the back storeroom, claiming it was helping his headache. Thank goodness it was a Saturday morning, which meant business was slow as everyone was sleeping in instead of making their usual morning commute. Otherwise, you would've decked the man in the face.

"Well, excuse me for hoping I can leave faster." Spinning on your heel, you grab a shaker, wanting to make yourself the signature drink that always managed to bring your spirits up.

"Making something?"

"Yeah, iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso."

Haechan hums in response, eyes following your figure as you try find the lid of the said shaker.

"I'll make it for you today," he offers, "an apology for coming in hung over."

"Huh?"

"Don't make that face, you'll get wrinkles." He winks before yanking the shaker out of your grasp. Your fingers fly to your face in attempt to smooth out any lines that may have appeared, only for your brows to furrow again at the sight of your worst enemy producing the lid out of his pocket.

"If I get any premature wrinkles, they're all on you."

"What an honor."

Jisung returns shortly after the exchange, blubbering about how the trash bin outside wouldn't close, so you left momentarily to sort it out. By the time you come back inside, Haechan had finished the coffee and left it on the counter for you.

You take a sip.

He smirks at your reaction.

The stupid shaken espresso was delicious.

11:00AM, THURSDAY - DONGHYUCK, Y/N

"Enjoy the rest of your shift!" The glass door triggers the bell to chime as Renjun leaves for the day, having completed another morning rush. You wave in response before watching him dash across the crossing while the light was still green for pedestrians.

"He's in a rush today." Haechan comments, leaning on the till.

"Meeting with some friends before class apparently. I think he's trying to impress this girl in the group." You allow yourself to snicker at the thought.

The past few shifts involved you pestering Haechan to know what he did to your coffee to make it taste better than when you made it yourself. He always shrugged at the question with a smug grin.

"Maybe I'm just better." He'd say.

Of course, you weren't a sore loser or anything. But you've been trying to recreate the taste every shift you've been on to no avail. Haechan, being the absolute bane of your existence, would laugh at your attempts.

Perhaps he caught you staring at the shaker. Your co-worker strolls up to you and teasingly puts an arm around your shoulder.

"Missing my coffee?"

"Fuck off."

"Ouch, that's so cold of you." Though the words sounded accusatory and offended, the mischievous glint in his eyes told you he felt the opposite.

"How about I make you my shaken espresso again?"

"Really?"

"If you refer to me as "my beautiful angel of a co-worker Hyuckie" I'll consider it."

"Nevermind, I'll figure it out myself."

9:00AM, SUNDAY - JISUNG, RENJUN, Y/N

Sometimes, you really admire Renjun's ability to be able to open the shop on time. He always seemed to prefer opening shifts. 5:00am wasn't the ideal starting time but somehow, Renjun is always there fully awake and greeting you with a bright smile.

You, on the other hand, showed up with messy hair, bags under your eyes, and a crumpled shirt. The iconic underpaid and overworked college student look. It didn't help that you stayed up late the night before to finish a five page essay. You must've looked like you just rose from the dead because when Jisung came in at 6:00am on the dot, he asked,

"Are you feeling alright?"

Yeah, you were never agreeing to a 5:00am shift ever again. At least it was a short shift, because in an hour, you got to leave with big plans for the day ahead (a nap).

"Y/n, could you clean the table by the window please?"

With a cleaning rag and a spray bottle as your chosen weapons, you find your way to the said table under Renjun's instructions. Only a few crumbs, a glass, and a plate to clean. That's not bad at all, you've had much worse.

You hummed a happy tune as you stacked the mug and dish. Once you overlook the inhuman starting time, the shift wasn't so bad. You had your two favorite co-workers with you, the only people in on a Sunday morning were gossiping middle aged ladies, and you got the whole day ahead to do whatever you wanted.

This small bit of happiness lasted until you looked up and out the window, making direct eye contact with Haechan, who was on the opposite side of the street, waiting for the signal to cross.

So much for a peaceful morning.

"Good morning- oh y/n, you look terrible."

"This is my normal face what do you mean?"

"Terribly nice!"

Jisung stifles a giggle at the exchange and you look at him, betrayed.

"Haechan, you're here early. Your shift doesn't start until 10." Renjun double checks the time as Haechan moves behind the counter to give the opener a hug.

Which was obviously dodged.

"My 8am class finished early so I thought I'd drop by and check on my favorite people."

A scowl found its way onto your face at his statement and your stomach threatened to empty the croissant you ate an hour prior.

"Well, since Haechan's here early, y/n, you can finish early. Remember to clock out."

With sigh of relief and a high five with Jisung, you happily moved to the locker room to take your apron off.

"Alright, I'll be going for the day then- whose drink is this?" A cup of coffee on the counter catches your eye as you bid farewell.

"Oh, Haechan said it's for you."

An oatmilk shaken espresso.

7:30PM, TUESDAY - DONGHYUCK, MARK

No matter how much you tried to convince yourself the opposite, you couldn't deny that Coffee House Aroma was the perfect place to study. Not only was it only a five minute walk from campus, as staff, you get free coffee. Which meant unlimited refills as you slave over your final assignments before Christmas break.

The scent of coffee being brewed, the sound of rain hitting the windows, the fireplace crackling from the 12 hour long video on Youtube, was there anything more perfect?

Though you admit, you forgot that Haechan and his best buddy, Mark, would be on shift today. So periodically, you would hear giggles coming from behind the counter.

"Hey y/n, listen to this, Mark said his lecturer gave him extra marks for the embarrassing lyrics he wrote on the back of his test sheet." Haechan makes himself comfortable in the seat opposite yours as Mark throws a paper straw at him jokingly.

"It was for a creative writing class alright? It somewhat makes sense to get extra points for that."

"Why do you have tests for creative writing? What are they testing you on?"

"To be honest, I have no idea - and I took the test."

The boys burst into a fit of giggles again as you simply roll your eyes and return to your studies.

"I see that smile on your face, y/n. It's alright, you can laugh. You don't have to be cold to me all the time you know."

"I'm not cold to you all the time. Only when you're being insufferable."

"So all the time." Mark comments, disregarding Haechan's fake pained expression and presenting a slice of cake in front of you.

"New cake the managers said we'd be selling from next week. Of course, we're special so we get to taste it beforehand."

"Don't mind if I do."

"Hyuck, you've already had your slice, this one's for y/n."

You stuck your tongue out in flaunt before taking a bite of the dessert, watching as the man in front of you pouts.

"This is good! It's the perfect cake to go alongside coffee."

"Sounds like someone wants the Haechan special shaken espresso."

"You're being insufferable."

After letting out a fake cry, Haechan dramatically runs behind the counter, probably to seek comfort from his friend. You shake you head before letting yourself be swept away by the lullaby that is your lecture recording with a small smile on your face.

9:00PM, FRIDAY - DONGHYUCK, Y/N

Upon looking at the roster earlier that week, you nearly cried out of joy seeing that you were assigned to Friday's closing shift. Even better that they rostered Haechan with you, because he most definitely wasn't showing up.

You loved being the only one behind the counter at a closing shift. You loved watching the customers and guessing the reason as to why they're at a coffee shop late at night. The quiet whispers and giggles from the loving couple that's enjoying a date, the student frantically scribbling exam notes, tight grip on their pen, the group of cheerleaders after a game, chattering about their win. There was so much happening, yet not much at all. You loved it.

The door swings open, bell chiming, letting a cool breeze into the warm shop.

"Welcome to Coffee House Aroma- oh."

"Pleased to see me?"

His usual cocky grin plastered on his face, Haechan crosses his arms and leans against the counter separating the two of you. Clad in a leather jacket and gel in his hair, it was evident he had planned to be someplace else.

"Aren't you supposed to be at a bar somewhere?"

"How could I be drinking when I'm rostered on for tonight?"

"Haechan, be real, you never show up on Friday nights. Why are you here?"

"I missed you." He says, teasing laced in his voice. You turn away from him in embarrasment and scoff. Part of you assumed he was drunk and got seperated from his friends, but you couldn't smell alcohol on him at all.

"Well, you're about," you check the time, "five hours late. We close in an hour."

"Better late than never. I'll make your favorite drink in apology."

Before you could come up with a clever response, Haechan jumps over the counter (thank goodness it was clear of anything) and grabs a shaker.

"Also, you live on campus, yeah?" He asks, grinding beans into the portafilter.

"Yeah, why?"

"I'll walk you home."

5:30PM, MONDAY - DONGHYUCK, MARK, Y/N

"Caramel Frappuccino for, uh, Shohei?"

Monday was nobody's favorite. Back to classes, back to work, back to the coffee shop rush hour. The three of you on shift at Coffee House Aroma were extremely busy. Mark was manning the till while you and Donghyuck were flying on your feet, making sure the orders were made and sent out.

It was always during rush time that you see a side to Donghyuck you usually don't see. A focused and serious Donghyuck who did his work efficiently without any extra steps. You didn't mind this polar opposite side to him. In fact, it made for good marks in your books. Though you would rather die than to admit that you miss his teasing when he passes you on the floor.

"Ugh." You let your head fall into your arms at the counter. The rush had died down and the three of you finally got to take a breather.

"I can't anymore, I'm going on break." Donghyuck drags himself to the break room, groaning dramatically, per usual.

"So dramatic." You mutter under your breath. You then turn around to do some dishes piling in the sink only to bump into a smirking Mark.

"So... What's up with you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"I can't help but notice that you're calling him by his actual name rather than "Haechan" these days."

Your ears suddenly feel hot and ticklish.

"Well, Donghyuck's his name isn't it? It's not weird for me to call him that."

Mark hums, an eyebrow raised while you shuffle past, eyes on the tiled ground.

"He didn't drink and left early last Friday. Said he had to take someone home. Know what that's about?"

Last Friday? He showed up to a shift he never shows up to and walked you home.

Oh.

"And I also heard about that time he made you your favorite coffee after hearing about how tired you were." your co-worker didn't even try to hide his intentions, "Renjun told me."

"You should check on him. I heard sudden changes in personality isn't good news."

Mark says nothing, a grin etched on his face. Instead, he messages Renjun.

"There's definitely something going on."

"I told you so."

4:30PM, WEDNESDAY - DONGHYUCK, RENJUN, Y/N

Wish as you may, the shift you dread will always come rolling around in the end. Yet again, you find yourself behind the counter at Coffee House Aroma, the clock hitting 4:30pm with a familiar annoying presence by your side. Renjun called in sick, you don't blame him - the storm was raging outside, you wouldn't want to get caught in that either. But thanks to the buckets of rain, the coffee shop was quiet. Everyone was rushing to get to the warmth of their homes, no one even thinking about stopping by for coffee.

"The rain doesn't look like it's going to stop any time soon." Donghyuck says, chewing on the straw to his drink. You sigh, glancing at the clouds through the glass.

"Hopefully it at least gets lighter around 10 - I really don't want to get wet on my way back."

"That's what she said."

His joke was met with a glare.

"You set it up, not me."

The shop was empty, save from the two of you. Both of you were leaning against the counter in boredom and you were doubtful that any customers would brave the thunder and lightning for a cup coffee.

"Do you think we can get away with closing early?"

"As if, you know how our manager's like."

It was true, your manager never, under any circumstance, closed the shop early. There could be a volcano eruption and he'd tell you to keep the shop open in case anyone wanted coffee.

"Aren't you glad to be stuck here with me?" Donghyuck had his signature smile on his face as he asks, "I am one of the most attractive individuals on campus you know?"

"Said who?" You retort, playful scowl on your face.

"Renjun."

"I'm positive that was a sarcastic remark."

He laughs and a calm silence settles over the two of you. It's funny how things turn out. A couple of weeks ago you would've sworn you'd be at his throat by now.

"Why? You don't think I'm one of the most attractive individuals you've laid your eyes on?" He teases, tilting his head to one side.

"I never said that."

Donghyuck was taken aback. He didn't expect this from you, heck, you didn't expect this from yourself.

"So you think I'm hot."

"Maybe. A little. I mostly think you're insufferable."

He chuckles.

"You want to date me so bad right now."

Indignantly, you serve your head to give him a good glare, only to find him closer than you were expecting. Did he always leave the top button to his polo unbuttoned?

"Wanna skip the rest of our shift and go on a date instead?"

"In this rain?" You ask, glancing at the pouring rain.

"I've been chasing you ever since you started working at this establishment, I'm not letting a thunderstorm stop me. Besides, dancing in the rain's romantic, right?"

A smile threatened to creep onto your flushed face. Your stupid co-worker had his stupid smirk on while looking straight at you.

"Tell me what you put into your oatmilk shaken espressos then I'll consider it."

"My love for you."

"You're disgusting." You say, closing the till with a smile on your face.

#i havent written in so long im so rusty forgive me #mark exists to mention the obvious #nct #nct dream #lee donghyuck #haechan #nct scenarios #nct imagines #lee donghyuck imagines #lee donghyuck scenarios #haechan scenarios #haechan imagines #nct dream imagines #nct dream scenarios #kpop #kpop scenarios #kpop imagines #coffee shop! au #college! au

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lihhelsing · 7 months

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“Hey!”

The next customer has chocolate brown eyes and long curly hair. He’s kind of cute, Steve thinks.

“Hi! What can I get started for you?”

The guy looks at him expectantly and Steve is a little confused but he keeps his smile plastered and waits. The order will come in time.

After a long minute, the guy’s smile falls a bit but he ends up asking for a black espresso.

“You got it. What’s the name?”

Now it looks like Steve just offended the guy. He tries to think if this is someone who has been to the shop before but Steve knows for a fact he’d remember him.

The guy coughs to cover his shock and murmurs “Eddie,” before walking away without looking at Steve again.

Eddie, he thinks. It doesn’t ring any bells and the guy definitely stands out. Steve would've noticed him, for sure.

Steve feels bad anyway. The guy wasn’t flirting, he just said ‘hey’, but he wasn’t not flirting either.

Was Steve that oblivious?

There’s no line in the shop right now, so he decides to make Eddie’s coffee himself.

When he calls his name he slides a chocolate muffin, too.

“I didn’t order that,” Eddie says, not looking at Steve.

“Oh, it’s on the house! Just enjoy.”

Eddie frowns at him as if he can’t quite understand Steve. He huffs out a breath and picks up his things before walking away.

Steve clicks his tongue. Maybe he’s just having a bad day.

The thing is, Steve can’t keep his eyes off of Eddie now. He sits there and eats his muffin alone. He checks his phone a few times and even types on it but seems frustrated after a while.

Steve wonders if he got stood up on a date or something.

It wouldn’t be the first time. A lot of people usually come for first dates at the shop. Steve finds it cute and he usually tries to help when he can. Offers something sweet as a treat for them to share or something.

But lately he’s been seeing a lot of people getting stood up

It makes him a little sad, to be honest. People will sit there for forty or fifty minutes before shyly getting up and walking away, their coffees cold and just half drunk.

Eddie seems to be another victim of that. He picks at his muffin and sips his coffee.

Steve has to fight the urge to say anything. What would he even say? He doesn’t even know who Eddie was waiting for although he does seem the type to date guys.

Maybe he could drop a cup with his number on it. It worked before, it could work again.

Before he can change his mind, Steve does exactly that. He walks around the counter and clear some tables before making his way to where Eddie is sitting.

He smiles, “are you all done?”

Eddie looks up at him and blushes furiously. It’s cute.

“Uh… yeah, thanks.”

Steve grabs the trash and drops the cup with his number written on it.

“It’s on the house, too.”

Steve winks. Hope it wasn’t too cringe and walks away before Eddie can react. He can do whatever but Steve would be really sad if he just ignored his number.

After a few minutes, Eddie walks back to the counter. He looks at Steve with a frown again. Steve kind of wants to run his fingers on it to smooth it down.

“What’s your damage?” Eddie asks out of nowhere. Steve frowns.

Had he read it all wrong? Had he offended Eddie somehow??

He didn’t look like a homophobe but then again Steve had been wrong before about that.

“Uh, sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, I just-“

Eddie scoffs “didn’t mean to offend…? That’s really funny. You’re a funny guy, Steve.”

Steve is so confused now. He’s pretty sure he didn’t say his name to Eddie.

“I’m… sorry? I’m a little confused.”

“Well, that makes two of us.”

“Eddie, I’m not sure-“

“You’re not sure? I’m not sure about you. You act all weird like you don’t know me and then you try to give me a fake number?”

“I… I don’t know you! And it’s not a fake number, it’s my real number. I don’t know what…”

“Yeah? Well, let’s see.”

Eddie picks his phone and dials the number Steve gave him.

Steve is confused but he raises his phone and shows it when Eddie’s number flashes on the screen

“See? Real number,” Steve shrugs.

Eddie looks surprised.

“So what’s this number?”

Eddie shows him his phone and there it is, Steve’s picture on a contact of a number he doesn’t recognize. He instantly feels bad for the guy. He’s been catfished.

“Oh… I’m sorry, that’s not me. I think someone was messing with you.”

Eddie gets bright red again. He pulls his phone back as if he’s been burned.

He mutters something that sounds like an apology and darts out of the door before Steve can stop him.

He feels sorry for the guy.

Someone clearly wanted to embarrass him if they sent him to Steve’s real workplace.

As much as his brain wants to linger on Eddie, his thoughts get interrupted by the evening rush of people in the coffee shop. Robin will be in soon but until then Steve has to manage it by himself and Eddie slips his mind.

Next Part

#Part 1 #There will be more don't worry #steve harrington #Eddie Munson #Coffee Shop AU #AU #Alternate Universe #Stranger Things #Fanfic #Stranger Things fanfic #Steddie #Steddie Fanfic

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