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"Oh hell," Henry spoke underneath his breath as he rushed to grab the rag behind the counter for the third time in under 15 minutes. At this rate, if he kept this up, he might even beat his personal best. He scrubbed the counter with an intensity, hoping to distract himself from the string of embarrassing blunders he'd made earlier that morning.
Henry could not, for the life of him, fathom why he had ended up with a job as a barista when he had zero social skills and an innate ability to trip on air. A barista, of all things. As if moving continents to escape his racist, homophobic grandmother wasn't enough, he now found himself repeatedly embarrassing himself in front of possibly his entire university population.
Okay, perhaps he was being a tad dramatic, but in Henry's defense, he was running on very little sleep. Between his shifts at the cafe, managing the youth shelter with Pez, and keeping up with classes, he was stretched thin.
Which is exactly what led him to the fateful encounter with Alex Claremont-Diaz on that snowy winter morning. The cafe was quiet, only a few early-risers with morning lectures shuffled in occasionally, while others sought refuge from the December chill. And that's when the most gorgeous person Henry had ever seen walked in. The guy had the prettiest brown curls, and as he approached the counter to order, Henry got a good look at him. How was it possible for someone to have such long eyelashes? As if he wasn't handsome enough. Mustering up the energy to take the guy's order and trying his best not to stare, Henry gave what he hoped was an adequate smile and began to take the order.
"I'll have a large black americano," the guy's voice had a southern drawl to it, subtle enough that you wouldn't catch it if you weren't paying attention.
"One amack blericano. That'll be 4.50— I…" Henry closed his eyes, giving himself a minute to process that he had genuinely just said that out loud, and it wasn't a nightmare. He had spectacularly embarrassed himself in front of a guy who looked like he stepped out of a freaking fashion magazine. He wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor right then and never resurface again.
Slowly opening his eyes, he chanced a glance at the guy's face. An amused smile greeted him, and Henry willed himself to act normal.
With a chuckle, the guy corrected him, "A black americano, please. To go."
As Henry busied himself with making the drink, he couldn't help but let out a small laugh, "Guess I'm not having the luckiest day."
The guy leaned against the counter, still grinning. "Well, your day might be going a little off-course, but you're definitely making mine more interesting."
Henry tried to suppress a smile, appreciating the guy's good humor despite his own awkwardness. As he handed over the black americano, he could see the guy take a look at his name tag, subtly located on his apron. He managed to catch a hint of amusement in the guy's eyes as he glanced down.
"Thanks, Henry," the guy said, his tone friendly as he reached for his drink. "I'm Alex, by the way."
Henry's heart did a little somersault at the sound of Alex's name. It was a simple name, but the way it rolled off Alex's tongue made it sound... special. "Nice to meet you, Alex." Henry managed to reply, and it was amazing how even a simple exchange of pleasantries felt like a small victory at this point.
Alex gave him a wink before turning to leave, holding his drink in hand. "You too, Henry."
As the door jingled closed behind Alex, Henry leaned back against the counter, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. Embarrassment, flattery, attraction — it was all too much to process.
Later that afternoon, when his shift was over, Henry found himself recounting the entire interaction to his best friend, Pez. They were practically inseparable, and Pez always had a knack for brightening Henry's spirits. As they sat at a corner booth in the cafe, Pez sipped on a latte while Henry poked at a muffin, clearly lost in thought.
Pez raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, let me get this straight, Hazza. You, the heir to the throne of awkwardness, managed to outdo yourself in front of a hot guy?"
Henry groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Yes, Pez, that's exactly what happened. I swear, I can't hold a coherent conversation to save my life."
Pez chuckled. "Well, at least you're consistent. But hey, if it makes you feel any better, you've just given that guy a hilarious story to share with his friends."
Henry peeked through his fingers, his expression a mix of exasperation and chagrin. "Oh, wonderful. Just what I needed, to become the subject of someone's comedic anecdotes."
Pez reached across the table, giving Henry's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, don't sweat it. We've all been there. And who knows, maybe he's into the whole adorably awkward thing."
Henry sighed, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh, please, Pez. I'm pretty sure 'adorably awkward' only works in romantic comedies."
Pez laughed, leaning back in the booth. "Well, it could be your signature move. Own it, Hazza."
Henry sighed, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I appreciate the pep talk, Pez. But seriously, if I could, I'd go back in time and erase that entire interaction from existence."
Pez laughed, leaning back in the booth. "Well, unfortunately, time machines aren't a thing yet. So, I guess all you can do is hope that cute guy comes back for another cup of 'amack blericano'."
Henry rolled his eyes, but didn't hold out much hope, it was a pretty small chance of anything ever actually happening.
A week after that embarrassing encounter, Henry was determined to make his shifts at the cafe as uneventful as possible. He had strategically placed cups, napkins, and saucers so that he wouldn't have to bend over too often or risk tripping over his own feet. As he moved around the cafe, picking up cups and expertly maneuvering the tray, Henry focused on each task with unwavering concentration.
Out of his periphery he could see Alex enter the cafe with who he assumes is his sister and a friend. While taking others orders he heard the names Nora- who was their best friend- and June- who, as he thought, was his sister.
His heart raced as he approached their table, his practiced smile not quite masking his lingering embarrassment. "Hello, welcome to the cafe. Can I take your order?"
Alex looked up, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he met Henry's gaze. "Well, well, if it isn't the 'amack blericano' expert."
Henry's cheeks flushed, and he inwardly cursed himself for not being able to escape the teasing. "Right, um, sorry about that. Can I get you guys anything?"
June chuckled, giving Henry a warm smile. "Don't mind Alex. He's just trying to play it cool."
Nora chimed in, shooting Alex a pointed look. "Yeah, and failing spectacularly, might I add."
He glanced around trying to see if another co-worker was free. Unfortunately, everyone was busy taking orders from other patrons, leaving Henry to take care of Alex's table.
As he pulled out his notepad to take their orders, Alex leaned back in his chair, an eyebrow raised. "So, Henry, any creative interpretations for our names this time?"
Henry's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes playfully. "I'll have you know that I'm very capable of getting orders right, thank you very much."
Nora chuckled. "Oh, we have no doubt about that, Henry."
June leaned forward, her expression teasing. "But we're curious to see if you'll add a little extra flair to our names this time."
Henry couldn't help but smile, feeling more at ease as their banter flowed naturally. "I promise to keep the creativity to a minimum this time."
As he jotted down their orders, Alex leaned in a little closer, his tone lighthearted. "Aw, and here I was hoping for another rendition to my order"
Henry chuckled. "I'll save those for special occasions." he said as he left the table to prepare their drinks.
With the drinks carefully balanced on the tray, Henry returned to the table. As he started to place the cups, Alex leaned in even closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know, Henry, I've been thinking. If I wanted some foam art on my coffee, could I request a miniature crown or maybe a cute corgi?"
Henry laughed, a mixture of nervousness and amusement. "I'm afraid I can't promise anything as impressive as a crown or a corgi, but I could attempt a simple heart or a smiley face."
Alex's grin grew wider. "Well, a smiley face from you sounds perfect."
Henry felt his cheeks heat up at the compliment and he fumbled as he almost dropped the cup he was setting down, he could feel Alex's smirk.
He really wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole right then. But he managed to regain his composure and set the drinks down without any mishaps. The trio exchanged thank-yous and smiles as they received their drinks, and Henry watched as they settled comfortably into their seats.
For the rest of his shift, Henry moved around the cafe, serving other customers, all the while stealing occasional glances at Alex, Nora, and June. Eventually, the trio looked ready to leave. As they got up from their table, Alex caught Henry's eye and gave him a playful wink. Henry couldn't help but blush, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and delight.
Alex then offered him a charming smile, a wave, and a nod of thanks before following Nora and June out of the cafe. Henry watched them go, a small smile on his lips.
A few days later, Henry found Alex himself sitting at a corner table in the cafe, laptop open in front of him, engrossed in his work. The place was relatively quiet, and he looked like he appreciated the peaceful atmosphere as he delved into his tasks.
He looked in from the glassy window as Alex typed away, occasionally looking up, taking in the soft murmur of conversations and the occasional clinking of dishes which seemed to create a comforting background noise.
Alex was about to take a break, when the cafe's door opened, and he glanced over to see Henry walking in. It was as if fate had timed his entrance perfectly. A smile tugged at Alex's lips as he watched Henry clock in, and Henry gave a small smile back.
Henry made his way to Alex's table, a warm greeting on his lips. "Hey there. Mind if I clear your table?"
Alex shook his head, closing his laptop. "Not at all. Go ahead."
As Henry began clearing the table, his fingers brushed against the edge of Alex's coffee cup. Alex held the cup out instinctively, his fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary as their hands made contact. "Thanks," he said, his voice softer than before.
A faint blush dusted Henry's cheeks as he took the cup, and Alex couldn't help but find it endearing. "Pretty," Alex complimented, his tone playful.
Henry's brows furrowed in confusion. "Oh, uh, well, the owner of the cafe makes these custom cups. You can buy them—"
Alex cut him off with a chuckle, "I wasn't talking about the cups."
Henry's eyes widened in realization, and his grip faltered for a split second. The cup began to slip from his fingers, but before it could tumble to the ground, Alex's reflexes kicked in. He reached out and caught the cup, his fingers grazing Henry's in the process.
Heat rushed to Henry's cheeks as he stammered out, "U-Uh you weren't?"
Alex's grin was infectious, and he leaned in a little closer. "Mm no. Just to clarify, I was actually talking about you."
Henry's embarrassment mixed with surprise, creating a whirlwind of emotions within him. He's pretty sure his face was on fire and he could practically feel the tips of his ears redden he managed an incoherent noise which sounded a lot like nghfh meanwhile Alex looked positively gleeful at his reaction. He watched Henry try to form words until he gave up and retreated back towards the register, cheeks still flaming.
A few days before Christmas, the cafe was bedecked with twinkling lights, casting a cozy and festive glow. Henry, perched precariously on a ladder, was determinedly trying to hang up a string of Christmas lights along the walls. He was entirely focused on his task, unaware of the approaching presence until a sudden voice shattered his concentration.
"Need some help with that?"
Startled, Henry lost his footing on the ladder. In a rush of motion, the ladder wobbled beneath him, and he instinctively reached out for balance, his heart racing. The lights he'd been holding slipped from his fingers, scattering on the ground as he teetered dangerously.
Before he could fully comprehend the situation, Alex's strong arms enveloped him, stopping his fall just in time. Henry's pulse raced as he found himself pressed against Alex's chest, their closeness taking him by surprise.
"You alright there?" Alex's voice was soft, filled with concern.
Henry pulled back slightly, his cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and relief. "Yeah, thanks to you."
Alex grinned, his expression lighting up the room as brilliantly as the Christmas lights. "You're welcome. But next time you decide to perform daring acrobatics, maybe do it with a safety net."
His disheveled hair made it difficult to look away and Henry had the sudden urge to run his fingers through it. The moment felt almost suspended in time, their surroundings bathed in a warm and inviting glow. It was a moment that seemed almost magical, suspended in time with the soft glow of the lights casting a warm aura around them.
As the seconds stretched, Henry's tousled hair and enamoring appearance seemed to captivate Alex. Finally, he cleared his throat, a hint of a playful smirk on his lips. "Henry, I've been meaning to ask you something."
Henry raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh?"
Alex's gaze remained fixed on him, his voice smooth as silk. "How about we take a break from holiday decorations and share a cup of hot cocoa together?"
A smile spread across Henry's face, his heart fluttering at the invitation. "That sounds like a great idea."
Alex took a step back, his hand extending toward Henry. "Shall we?"
With a nod, Henry descended from the ladder, his fingers sliding into Alex's as they made their way to a cozy corner of the cafe. The lights twinkled overhead, casting a gentle glow over their table and Henry realized he was so totally gone.
As Henry's shift at the cafe came to an end, he found himself walking toward the entrance with Alex by his side. The cheerful Christmas decorations around them seemed to mirror the newfound warmth that had developed between them.
"So, are you heading straight home, Henry?" Alex asked, his tone casual but laced with an underlying hint of something more.
Henry smiled, feeling a pleasant flutter in his stomach. "Yeah, just a short walk from here."
Alex's steps matched Henry's as they continued down the street. "Mind if I walk you back?"
Henry's heart skipped a beat at the offer. "Not at all. I'd appreciate the company."
As they approached Henry's building, their conversation flowed effortlessly and Henry admired how the setting sun seemed to make Alex look stunning.
Upon reaching the entrance, Henry slowed down, turning to face Alex, but just as Henry was about to say goodbye, something caught his eye near the doorway — a sprig of mistletoe hung above them.
He blinked, momentarily taken aback. As he looked at Alex, a soft smile tugged at his lips. "Would you look at that?"
Alex followed Henry's gaze, his eyes lighting up with realization. A mischievous grin appeared on his face. "Well, it seems we've stumbled upon some holiday magic."
Henry's heart raced, his own grin matching Alex's. "I guess we have."
At that moment, time seemed to slow down. The twinkling lights around them, the crisp winter air, and the mistletoe above them created an atmosphere that was hard to resist. Alex leaned in just a little, his eyes locking onto Henry's, seeking permission.
Without a second thought, Henry closed the remaining distance between them. Their lips met beneath the mistletoe, a soft and sweet kiss and Henry went from holding Alex's face to slipping his hands into his curls just as Alex pulled Henry closer, one hand on his waist.
When they finally pulled away, Henry couldn't help but smile, a shy and small one feeling content. "Happy holidays, Alex."
Alex's gaze held utter fondness. "Happy holidays, Henry."
As they exchanged one last lingering look, Henry stepped back into his building, Alex watching him go, feeling giddy as he turned around to head back home. June and Nora were going to have a field day with this.