Work Text:
There he is.
He rang up the register, eyes taking small glances between the machine and the customer in front of him. A small smile on his lips as he listened to whatever was troubling them. Some words of smart advice that the patron seemed to agree with caused him to laugh. He finished up the order, handing them their printed receipt and a buzzer. Waving them away, he let out a relieved sigh, popping his neck and stretching before disappearing further from sight into the cafe.
If he wasn’t in presence of people, Igawa, he would sigh dreamily like some lovesick high school girl like in the dramas he starred in. But he wasn’t like that. He just thought the barista in that coffee shop a few blocks away from the studio looked good-looking, even on the register.
This was Tenma, parked in front of a cozy cafe.
Cafe Mankai. Named after the old theater that went out of business after the owner tragically died from a condition. That information was confidential and Tenma was respectful enough not to pry into things that weren’t his business.
Although the location was inconvenient considering their competition.
Further down the street from them was another more widely known pastry shop. It was well known for being a spot that celebrities ate at and even harbored some good-looking waiters and waitresses.
However, they were being rivaled by a shop that made pastries just as good, maybe even better (That was Tenma’s personal opinion anyway). The staff just as good-looking and treated everyone that came in like an old friend or relative.
The owner was a nice, fresh-faced woman in her early twenties. Almost every day, she was seen at the store, a sharp contrast to the owner of GODza who was never seen inside his establishment.
Most of the workers were male, ages ranged from 16-30, or even higher because of two particular members.
From the mostly male staff and abnormal age range, you’d think it were a host club.
Tenma had been in the place before, his status meaning nothing to a majority of the patrons. Maybe an autograph or two here and a picture there, but nothing too extreme. No fans buzzing loudly enough that he couldn’t enjoy a quiet afternoon drink before a shoot.
But what caught his attention the most. What kept him coming here, again and again, other than the food was him.
The beautiful emerald-eyed barista that worked there.
Could Tenma stop referring to his crush in such a vague manner? He would if he knew his name. He’d only been in the place twice. The first time it hadn’t been his shift. And the second time was when he’d met him for the second time when he was writing an order for an elderly couple.
It was a shot in the dark for what one would consider their second meeting if you could call it one due to the lack of interaction.
Tenma had run into him before he started working here. He was a college freshman who came to one of the production sets with his class for a trip.
He seemed to be the only one who was there to learn, everyone else was just talking or doing their own thing. Even the teacher blew the students off to flirt with one of the backstage crew members. Gross. Her baby face and him being at least in his 50’s didn’t help their case either.
Walking around and talking to some of the writers, he seemed to be the only one who wanted to learn anything from the experience.
Smiling and eyes lighting up when he was praised for his writing after showing one of the playwrights one of his works. They gathered around him soaking up his presence and giving him tips to improve.
Even after his class proceeded to leave him behind, which was rude, he was surprised that older just rode with it. A blunt This isn’t the first time.
But he was lucky Tenma offered him a ride back. His producer whispering something along the lines of, “That boy could write your next movie.” Patting his back and ushering him into the car.
The car ride was silent and neither seemed to mind it. The older scribbling something in the notebook he brought while Tenma kept his eyes trained on his hands and determined face. Flushed a bit from the praise that he didn’t seem used to.
Cute.
Tenma reached over to take hold of the book. The other flinched but allowed the book to be taken from his hands.
Amethyst eyes scanned the pages. The notes were organized even if they were out of order. He flipped to a short story, reading it caused him to raise his eyebrows.
It was good.
It looked like the work of a pro even. Was this guy a college student writing this well?
“Um…” The brunette spoke up.
Looking at Tenma with caution and with expectancy.
Was it okay? Unsaid but not unheard. Tenma wanted to see him red-faced and nervous and he probably could if he gave him his honest reaction. But he kept cool, like he always does, and nodded.
“Yeah. It’s pretty good like the producers said.” He tried to shrug off his embarrassment, not used to complimenting other people. “You should write me a script.”
It came out more demanding than Tenma wanted it to be, but he got his point across.
“Thanks. I’d be glad to.” He replied softly.
The car pulled to a stop. He got out bowing slightly before waving away the car.
Tenma sat there, combusting the moment he considered the car far away enough from the brunette.
He was cool.
Not the cringe kind in anime or dramas but genuinely cool. Striving for improvement and enjoyment. The kind that made him shine brighter than any good-looking celebrity out there.
Well, that was a lie. Tenma did think he was attractive in his own plain way.
Tenma recalled his words from earlier.
You should write me a script
He wondered if the older would comply with his demand. He didn’t think so but a small part of him secretly hoped he would take it to heart and write him the script. What would it be about if he did?
Tenma could feel himself smiling like a dork. He was way too whipped over someone so plain and boring. But there was more. Much more hidden under those emerald eyes of his that Tenma wanted to stare into till the end of time if he could.
Tap Tap
A quiet tap on his window brought him from his thoughts. He recognized the face.
Miyoshi Kazunari. One of his friends and one of his biggest supporters on social media. How they got acquainted is a mystery on his part but they “vibed” as Kazunari put it. Tenma rolled down his window.
“Oh, Tenten!” His face lighting up recognizing his famous actor friend. They exchanged some friendly conversation. Joking and laughing about school, work, upcoming dramas, and shoots. He brought up the field trip, making sure to avoid any mentioning of the brunette and sicking to the humorous dialogue.
“That’s pretty funny Tenten! Ah! Did you say field trip to your studio? Was it the week before last week?”
“Yes?”
“Oh, Tsuzuroon took a field trip there!”
Tenma tilted his head a confused look on his features. The bleached-haired blonde laughed twisting his body and pointing at the now very visible emerald-eyed, brunette-haired barista who was sitting cross-legged on one of the outside tables.
If Tenma could, he’d jump back and press himself hard against the other side of the car. Instead, he replied, shaky, cracked voice and all, “He’s the one I gave a car ride to.” Kazunari showed visible excitement. “Really?!”
“Tsuzuroon! Why didn’t you say anything!”
Oh shit
Kazunari was one of his closest friends but he couldn’t stand his blunt nature even though he knew that being overly blunt could harm his relationships with people. He wrote it down in his “Tips and Dating advice from Celebrity Master Sumeragi Tenma” notebook that Taichi named for him for god’s sake!
Tsuzuru flinched, raising his head, eyes scanning to find the source of the disturbance. They eventually land on an extroverted blond waving his hands excitedly like a puppy.
Reaching for what seemed to be earbuds in his ears he clicks them, pausing whatever song he’s playing, before stuffing them in his pockets and approaching the car. At this point, Tenma was tempted to tell his driver to hit the gas and pull him out of his hell. He felt like a teenage girl whose mom’s embarrassing her in front of her crush.
“Miyoshi-san what happened?”
“Why didn’t you tell me the person who dropped you off was Tenten?”
At this point, Tenma was at peak embarrassment.
“Miyoshi-/Kazunari-”
A tired voice and a rushed one spoke up to stop the blond at the same time. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Tsuzuru erupted in a laugh. Kazunari followed, laughing louder, voice collecting attention from patrons on the street. But Tenma was infatuated, his laugh was a soft melody in his ears that Tenma would now play on repeat whenever he needed to be reminded of his crush.
Emerald eyes caught his amethyst gaze again. The younger hoped his face wasn’t flushed.
“Okay, Kazunari-san, I’ll take it from here.” He placed his hands on his hips, turning to oldest to speak in a brotherly tone. Continuing after bringing his attention back to Tenma, “Help Sakuya and Omi with the pictures for the site?”
“Aye Aye, Tsuzuroon! WIll do!”
A bow and a quick wave to Tenma and he was back in the confinement of the cafe.
This was it. Tenma didn’t know what to do in this situation. Though he should see enough scenes like this to know how this should work, they never tell you doing this IRL could be the most difficult thing when your heart is about to burst from your chest.
And yes. Tenma will accept that falling in love with someone like the Barista would be a pain to get his emotions in check with. Falling in love from a glace sounded stupid but Tenma had fallen right into the grasps of that trap and was going to make things difficult for himself when the college student got a girlfriend or finds himself only interested in nothing else but his priorities. But that didn’t matter to Tenma.
He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. The older seemed to catch on and let him do his thing before their eyes meet again.
“Hey…”
“Hi.”
“I never got the chance to thank you properly the other day, for both the ride and for the compliment on my script.”
The oranged-haired male nodded. “It’s no problem, I meant what I said and the producer agrees. You have talent.”
“O-oh… Thank you.”
His ears are red.
“Ah! Just a moment.” The brunette rushed back into the building. Disappearing just in time for Tenma to relieve his blushing face. The interaction was awkward beyond awkward. His conversion skills should be better than this yet he’s blanking about every time he sees the other.
Speaking of the devil, the other returned carrying a brand new spiral notebook. He seemed hesitant to hand it over to Tenma but slipped it into his hands. Tenma gave him a quizical look. “You said you liked action right? I think Taichi said you mentioned it in an interview?” Tenma took it, he didn’t have any sort of preference for what he watched, as long as it wasn’t horror.
He nodded. Taking the spiral and slowly took it from the other grasp. Is this…?
Tsuzuru reading the look on his face replied. “ Yeah, it’s the script that you asked for.” A brief nod of understanding on Tenma’s part. He blinked blindly sending a smile to the older. Tsuzuru shot one back. “It was a bit hard to put together but Sakyo-san said it was good enough.”
Turning his attention back to the book, he caressed the cover. “T-thanks-” he murmured.
“Tenma.”
His attention was suddenly drawn to Igawa. “You have a meeting to go over your script with the producers.”
Tsuzuru drew his lips into a line before letting out a popping sound as the lips came back to display. He looked back at Tenma asking if he wanted anything before leaving. Tenma rushed to answer asking for a simple chocolate donut and any tea Tsuzuru recommended, though he wasn’t a tea person in the slightest. It felt like Tsuzuru knew exactly what he needed, making no haste and getting back to him in less than a minute.
“Here.”
He handed the bag to Tenma, placing it onto his lap and the tea in his free hand. “You don’t come off as a tea person, so I just got you what you ordered when you came in here the first time.” Did he remember Tenma when he came there? Well, how could he not? He was a celebrity regardless of how lackluster the cafe patrons acted when he walked in.
“Enjoy!” He patted the side of the car alerting Igawa and giving permission to take Tenma where he needed to be. He gave a small wave before heading into the cafe.
Ah. He should’ve gotten his number. He reminded himself to DM Kazunari later.
Tenma shuttered. It wasn’t cold out but the warm air of the night released him of the goosebumps given to him by the harsh air conditioning. Sniffing the night air he looked around, no signs of Igawa.
DMing him would be the obvious thing to do but his earlier exchange with the barista tugged at him. Maybe he should check if he’s still there.
‘Don’t be dumb Tenma. It’d have to be by some miracle of God that he was still on shift, let alone that the cafe would still be open at this time of night.’ But he still wanted to be 100% sure.
Making haste he began walking faster hoping that if he couldn’t catch him, he’d catch Kazunari who was known for closing the cafe on Thursdays. He made it to the almost blackout cafe.
Almost
He marched up to the doors. Peering through them to find a light in the back of the store still illuminated. Tenma pulled his phone from his pocket to DM Kazunari, hands trembling as he struggled to unlock the phone clicking blindly on the first contact since Kazunari was the only one to text him daily. Sending him memes and the like even when Tenma couldn’t respond.
Tenma Sumeragi
Are you still in the cafe Kazunari?
Tenma Sumeragi
I can see a light on in the backroom.
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
Nope!
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
Wait Tenten are you at the caf rn??
△△△
Hi Tenma!
class="user_R"Tenma Sumeragi
Yeah? Just finished a shoot and was walking by.
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
I'm not,but Tsuzuroon totes is!!
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
Tsuzuroon!!
△△△
Tsuzu!!
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
Tsuzuroon!!!
△△△
Tsuzu!
△△△
Tsuzu!!!
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
TSU
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
ZU
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
ROOOOOOOOOON!!!!!
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Tsuzuru
Oh my god Miyoshi-san
△△△
Hi Tsuzuru!△
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
There you are!
Tsuzuru
What do you want??
Tsuzuru
I can't concentrate because of you.
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
TenTen's out there in the cold!!
△△△
Tenma's dying!! You gotta save him!
Tsuzuru
It's 70 degrees tonight
Tenma Sumeragi
What?? It's 75 degrees right now?
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆
Still!!
Tenma let out a laugh. Kazunari never failed to make him laugh. Tenma also didn’t know when Kazunari added him to a group chat.
He heard a tap on the door. Turning and being met with the brunette’s face behind the glass doors. Tsuzuru opened the door after Tenma stopped leaning against it. He gave him a small smile, “Come in.”
The younger nodded accepting the invite in. Tsuzuru closed the doors walked ahead and into the room in the back gesturing Tenma to follow him in. Tenma was slightly stunted by the back room. It was large, expected for a large staff. And was fairly decorated with furniture like couches, tables, a smaller kitchen, and a fridge. It was a small house or apartment.
Tsuzuru sat on one of the couches, Tenma sitting a reasonable distance away.
In front of them was a table scattered in papers. A small cushion that looked used recently was there. Tsuzuru was probably using it beforehand.
The younger didn’t have much to say, coming here on a whim without really thinking of the possibility of being alone with his crush. Before it hit him.
He was alone with his crush
‘I need to find something to do.’ He thought. Something. Anything that would keep his attention away from the millions of possible not likely to happen outcomes between him and Tsuzuru that he was thinking of. The script came to mind for a second time that day.
Quietly pulling it from his belongings he began to open the spiral and proceeded to finally catch up on what he’d been wanting to read all day.
Sucking a breath in before starting on the first page.
Tsuzuru glazed back at him, taking a moment to analyze the younger. He was reading from the book he gave him and he tried to keep a smile from tugging on his lips.
Tenma was a fairly attractive person. Of course, he was. He was Sumeragi Tenma. The son of Mr. Sumeragi himself one of the most well-known male actors in Japan. It was hard to find an article about Tenma that didn’t bring up his parents.
But Tenma made a name for himself and was rising through the ranks. Starting in dramas and movies that he’d sometimes watch with his brothers. He had his own merchandise line and some extremely loyal fans.
The older actually thought Tenma was just a brat. But here he was, casually sitting a few feet away from him reading a script he asked Tsuzuru to personally make for him. A relaxed expression that changed when something must’ve caught him off guard or maybe a fight sequence that was nicely detailed that could be amazing if it were choreographed by the right people.
An hour passes and Tenma is watching Tsuzuru pack his papers back into his bag. He follows in unison putting away his own belongings.
They had migrated from the sofa to the floor. Tsuzuru getting another cushion from Tenma. The table forced them to sit closer to each other. But neither seemed to mind wrapped in their own worlds. Tenma had long finished the script, composing himself when the angsty ending finished the story.
When they were almost finished there was one paper remaining. Neither claimed it but Tenma flipped it around showing a typed-out review sheet. He handed it to Tsuzuru who thanked him.
“Do you want anything?”
“Huh?”
“Is there anything you want? Like a donut or cake or?”
“No. I’m fine.”
Tsuzuru made a face but respected his answer. He told Tenma he could wait for him outside, needing to tidy up a bit before leaving.
When he finally came out he had a pastry in his hand. He took a bite out of it, holding it out to Tenma after. The oranged-haired male hesitantly complied.
Don’tthinkaboutitdon’tthinkaboutitdon’tthinkaboutitdon’t-
He took a bite out of the spot Tsuzuru did. The brunette laughed. “I’d always did that to my brothers when they didn’t want to eat something.”
Tenma flushed red. He wanted to defend himself but his voice was caught in his throat. He stayed quiet bumping into Tsuzuru slightly. The older’s laugh suppressed into a quiet chuckle. He apologized, not that Tenma needed him to.
They walked for a while and Tenma didn’t know what to talk about. He already had Tsuzuru’s LINE from the group chat and they’d studied together.
“I liked the script.”
“Really? Thanks.”
“Can I expect to see you in the future writing a best-selling novel or in the credits of an award-winning movie?”
Tsuzuru looked at him. A brief look of doubt across his features. Tenma took his hand, a determined look on his face, and said, “Yes. You can and you will.”
“Okay…”
The younger knew the barista had the potential. He could do it. He’d expect to see him sometime soon. Maybe, hopefully with him beside him.