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New Part-Timer
Akk was doing another opening shift at the coffee shop when he first met Ayan. Being the owner and sole worker there, he desperately needed the help. Keeping a part timer was difficult when you were as strict as him, he found out.
Thinking back now, the other was being very obvious with his feelings and words, Akk was just blind to it. Ayan walked in, 15 minutes before opening and right on time for his first shift. He was the new trainee who Akk was training on opening. The shorter male wore his bangs swept back, uniform loose and rumpled slightly. A small gold hoop hung from one ear and a large smile graced his features.
âHey! Are you the manager?â The casual greeting surprised Akk
âYes. Please be more formal.â He gently corrected it. âMy name is Akk, but you can refer to me as manager.â While the man is sure he comes off as cold, he doesnât want any boundaries to be crossed,especially this early.
âOkay! My name is Ayan, Aye is fine though.â The reply was oddly smooth and Akk turns away, not willing to further ponder the situation.
âThen, Iâll begin explaining things before we open, Ayan. Youâll be mostly a cashier today while you get up to speed.â
Ayan pouted lightly at blatantly being called Ayan, but said nothing and complied. He had just started here after all, and the manager was pretty cute, cold personality and all. Hopefully, he'll warm up and call him Aye soon enough. Even if they didnât get far in anything heâd like to at least The morning was busy, per usual of a monday morning, but it wasnât Ayanâs first time working in a place like this either, so it was fine with him. By noon, it had cleared out considerably and Ayan leaned against the countertop, scanning the room to see how many were left. Satisfied with the meager 4 customers still sitting and occupied he turned back to Akk.
For Akkâs part, he was always busy, never once looking up from his task, except to give instructions. This one was diligent for sure. Was he straight though? Any flirting he had said so far seemed to go right over his head.
âSo⊠Got a girlfriend?â He figured this was better than feeling out a straight person for the next 4 hours.
âI do not believe that is appropriate.â The response appeared professional, but Ayan could tell the manager was definitely flustered. Private man, then.
âOh? I was just curious about my manager. It seems like weâre the only two who work here, so I donât wanna work here 4 times a week and never learn anything. Besides, itâs getting pretty slow here.â The shorter male counted off several reasons to support his idea, while he really just wanted to know if he had a shot, or not. Akk didnât need to know that.
âIf you must know, no.â The response was on the quieter side, suggesting he truly did not want to talk about it. Embarrassed maybe? Ayan hummed in response. He supposed being single in their culture was frowned upon. Especially since he had his own business and everything.
âHmm⊠Me neither, but Iâm gay, so that checks out. But why are you too busy for a girl?â Even though it sounded smooth and calm, that sentence was more so practiced and charged. No point in hiding it, however. If he was gonna hit on the guy, heâd know anyway.
âOh. I⊠donât really care. And no, not that either. Girls donât like my personality too muchâŠâ The manager responded slower.
âCool. Part of the reason I quit my last job. Way too much harassment for my sexuality.â Another heart thudding but practiced sentence from Ayan, and the manager hummed but said no more. Waiting in silence, Ayan internally winced. Might have gone too hard on that one.
âIâm not going to fire you for it. Like I said, I donât care. Also, youâre the only part timer I have anyway.â The response sounded calculated, and Ayan smiled. He had been thinking about what he was gonna say.
âAw, manager, how sweet.â He smiled and Akk, glanced over coldly, although his demeanor seemed partially forced now.
âGet back to work. Go wipe the espresso machine.â And wandered to the back mumbling something about inventory. Humming away, Ayan got to cleaning.
That day ended without much more fuss and when the clock hit 4 pm, Ayan clocked out and left. Akk stayed behind, tying up some other loose ends before heading out himself at 5. The new recruit worked pretty well, but his uniform was sloppier than heâd like. Heâd correct him on that tomorrow. Customer service was satisfactory, conversation seemed to flow better than any other part-timer he had, and didnât seem in a hurry to quit.
âFiring people just because they're gay, stupid.â He muttered while gathering the rest of his paperwork to mull over at home. What does sexuality have to do with work anyway? Wait, why did he care anyway? Ayanâs past employment wasnât his problem. Shouldering his bag, he went home.
The next day, Ayan arrived at the same time and jumped in where he was already instructed. Conversation flowed once again and Akk could not remember work going this fast. By the time Ayanâs shift was ending, he felt a little sad. Perhaps he was lonely after working alone all these years.
âHey boss, can I call you that?â Ayan suddenly spoke and Akk nodded.
âYes. What is it?â
âWhy am I the only part timer? I mean itâs pretty busy, pays well, and you could probably use a few more hands.â The question was innocent but Akk internally winced.
âReasonsâŠâ He tried being vague.
âLike? You arenât a murderer or something right?â
Akk turned, shocked at the question, then saw a smirk on the other person's face. Great, he was messed with. âNo⊠They just say I give too much work and have a terrible personality. Happy?â He finally huffed out. Unlike Ayan there, he had the sociability of a rock and the bendability of a wooden ruler.
âWhat? But itâs work! Like I think youâre just doing boss things.â The other seemed totally surprised. âBesides! Itâs a busy place. Of course weâre busy.â The response was quite a shock to Akk and he hoped the little spark of happiness he got didnât show. Ayan may change his mind at any moment, he reminded himself.
âWell, it is what it is. Get back to work. Yell if it gets really busy, Iâm gonna do inventory.â He wandered back toward where extra stock was kept and heard the affirmative reply as he left. âDonât get your hopes up.â He reminded himself. âHe said he was gay not desperate.â
During the remainder of the shift, the mood stayed relatively good between the two of them, even during really busy times. Due to the larger volume of customers though, not much conversation happened. They did touch multiple times, but it wasnât uncomfortable at all. In fact, Akk felt it was slightly comforting even.
The thought surprised him and the male grimaced lightly. He really must be lonelier than he thought. Thankfully, it was busy up until it was time to close, and Ayan left without seeming to notice Akkâs plight.
âGet it together. You need to stay professional. If he quits, you are screwed.â He reminded himself, deciding to walk home today. The cool air might clear his head.
Unfortunately for Akk, it would only last that evening. Ayan did not quit, Akk could not shake off his slow attraction to Ayan, and before he knew it months had passed and it almost felt like Ayan was hitting on him daily. Honestly, it was driving the male crazy and the serious male was unsure of what to do about it. He wouldnât fire an amazing worker because he couldnât get himself together, but also the taller one did not want to harbor weird feelings towards the other for forever.
Distracted by his own thoughts, the owner failed to realize said worker occupying his thoughts was approaching with an uncovered and hot coffee.
Turning, he knocked the employee and drink straight to the grown, the contents splashing all over. âAh!â
Panicking, he hurriedly grabbed a cold rag.
âIâm so sorry. I wasnât paying attention.â His eyes bellied his own disappointment and the owner carefully wiped the areas where he clearly had the liquid spilled onto him.
âNah, itâs chill. I shouldâve put a lid on it, haha.â He tried to brush it off, but Akk knew he was really preoccupied and wouldâve still knocked the over, even if the drink was covered.
âAfter work⊠Can I talk to you?â
âHuh? You arenât gonna fire me, are you?!â The shorter male seemed to panic and Akk shook his head.
âDonât be ridiculous. You are one of the best part timerâs Iâve ever had.â He reassured the other. âBut I do have something to tell you.â
âOk⊠But I really donât wanna quit either, if you are gonna ask me to.â
âYou really have had tons of horrible bosses, huh?â
âComes with the territory.â Ayan shrugged, and stood up.
âAlright, Iâm gonna dry off my pants some. Iâm not burned anywhere too badly, but I donât wanna stay moist the whole shift. I still haveâŠâ He glanced at the clock. â4 hours after all.â
âYeah, and let me know if you need a break before continuing.â Akk went to mop up the mess on the floor, still cursing his own inattentiveness.
The day ended without further incident, but Akk could tell Ayan was at least slightly worried. Probably still hung up about being fired or something.
âMan his past employers must have been real jerks.â The thought came unbidden and Akk wanted to dunk his head into the freezer. Just to cool it off.
âIâm gonna lock the doors!â Ayan called and Akk nodded, absentmindedly. He mustâve been spacing out for a while, however, because the other had enough time to lock the doors, flip the closing sign, and even change before appearing in front of him.
âSo? What did you need?â His head tilted to the side and Akk cursed himself for finding it cute.
âI⊠I think I have feelings for you. I understand if you do not wish to continue here. Itâs a very inappropriate crush to harbor andâ.â
âStop, woah, woah, woah! Whatever gave you the idea that would make me quit? Iâve thought you were cute since day 1! I asked if you had a girlfriend to see if you were straight! Iâve been flirting with you since I started! I thought you were gonna fire me just for that .â The rush of words shocked Akk and then he realized he was a grand idiot.
âI⊠pardon?â
âYou heard me. Hey, can I kiss you?â
Akk nodded dumbly and Ayan easily closed the gap between them. The resulting kiss was chaste, soft and pure. Ayanâs hand gently touches Akkâs cheek and the tall man leans in, enjoying the contact.
Pulling back, Ayan smiles. âThat was great. Also, next time you jump to conclusions that are really self-deprecating, Iâm gonna just kiss you ok?â Pulling out his phone, he hands it to Akk.
âHere, put my number into your phone, then we can set up a full first date, ok? He smiles at the other and AKk nods still absently.
That was honestly his first ever kiss and every part of it felt amazing and better than he had ever expected it to be. Armed with his employeeâs number and plans for a first day, he goes home with a pep in his step today and a small smile.
In hindsight, it really was stupid of him to miss all the obvious signs, but at least he worked up the courage to solve the situation, even if it wasnât what he thought would happen.


















