Poolverine | ~1K | Coffee Shop AU, Meet Cute, Fluff
At 5:27, Logan returns to his office from his last round. At 5:31, he zips up his jacket and nods at Mark, who starts his shift now. And at 5:37am, Logan walks into the coffee shop that's halfway between his work and his apartment.
He gives the barista a small smile as he steps up to the counter and before he can open his mouth to order, the barista --Nick, according to his name tag-- says, "A tall hot chocolate with a dash of cinnamon and marshmallows."
Logan is taken aback and it must show on his face because Nick chuckles as he types in Logan's, correct, order. "You've been coming here every morning for the past seven weeks. I took a lucky guess."
Nick tells him his total and Logan taps his card, a tentative warm feeling spreading in his chest. He'd started a new job as night security guard seven and a half weeks ago. After a couple shifts, he had noticed the coffee shop on his way home and spontaneously decided to treat himself.
This early, the shop is quiet. Only one other person is sitting at one of the tables, hood pulled up and typing away on a laptop.
Logan leans against the counter and tries (and fails) not to let his eyes wander. Because wanting a hot drink on his way back from work is only half the truth why he stops here every morning.
The person at the table stops typing and brings their arms up above their head in a stretch. The movement causes the hood to slip and Logan catches a quick look at a handsome face, brown hair, a satisfied smirk like he's in on a joke nobody else knows of.
His eyes flicker around the coffee shop and graze Logan for a split second before darting away again.
Logan feels heat rise in his cheeks and looks back down at his shoes, hating that he's so affected but at the same time unable to fight the fluttering in his stomach.
"Here you go," Nick interrupts Logan's thoughts, sliding over the cup.
"Thanks." Logan gives him a tired smile and allows himself one last glance at the man at the table, who went back to typing away.
Shoulders already pulled up to his ears to brace himself against the chilly November air, Logan turns to leave.
At 4:50, the last of Wade's three alarms rings. At 5:11, Wade steps out of the shower, towel slung low on his hips. He goes through his skin care on auto pilot, pulls on jeans and a hoodie. Shrugs on his jacket and grabs his bag and keys, letting the door fall quietly close behind him. And at 5:37, Wade is sitting at his usual table in the coffee shop, usual latte next to his laptop, typing away at whatever article he has due.
He forces himself not to look up when he hears the door open, cold gust of wind following the man inside. Because Wade knows who just came in. The same guy who came to this coffee shop without fail for the past seven weeks.
Seven weeks ago, Wade decided he needed a change of scenery from staring at the walls in his home office. So, he grabbed his laptop and went into the first coffee shop he came across that was open at such an ungodly hour.
And then this absolutely eye candy of a man walked in, making Wade's mind spin with thoughts that reached from inviting the man back to the bathroom to going down on one knee and asking him to marry Wade.
Thus, a new routine was born.
Wade takes a break from typing to stretch, using it as an excuse to peek at the man at the counter. He looks gorgeous as always, bundled up against the cold but clearly well built under all those layers. Wade wants to run his hands through those cute tufts of hair sticking up, wants to feel that beard leave burns on the inside of his thighs.
Fuck, he's hot. Became even hotter when Wade first spotted the two grey streaks at his temples.
Nick hands him his cup and the man turns to leave. Wade panics. He's watched the man leave day after day, too much of a coward every time to make a move.
"Enjoy your coffee!" Wade cringes, pressing his lips together. Enjoy your coffee?! Really?
The man pauses and half turns to look at Wade, a half-bemused, half-confused look on his face. "Thanks?" he says, and it sounds like a question.
Wade considers grabbing his things and running away, never to return. Way to embarrass yourself in front of the hot guy you've been pining over for almost two months.
"But, uh," the man keeps talking, taking a step closer to Wade's table. A tiny glimmer of hope sparks in his chest. "It's not coffee." He leans in, conspiratorially. "It's actually hot chocolate."
Wade's lips twitch before they spread in a grin, an answering smile appearing on the hot guy's face. "Promise I'll keep your secret." Then, "You wanna sit?" Wade offers, hesitant. The guy's probably on his way to work.
But to Wade's surprise he nods and pulls out the chair.
"Wade," Wade replies, raising his cup in a toast.
Nick watches as Logan and Wade fall into easy conversation, ducking his chin to hide his smile. Seven weeks ago, a guy in a hoodie came into the shop for the first time, setting up his laptop at one of the tables and typed away for a couple hours.
That same morning, another new face stopped by, ordered a hot chocolate and Nick could pinpoint the moment he spotted the guy.
Every day after that, like clockwork, both of them came into the coffee around half five. Hoodie Guy first, rushing to order and set up at what quickly became his usual table. Followed a couple minutes later by the hot older guy, who only ever ordered his drink to go.
One time, Nick was able to spot a badge, leaving him to combine that he was probably on his way back from work. Which would also explain his non-caffeine order.
Nick spent week after week watching the both of them sneak glances at each other, but neither brave enough to make a move. Until today, apparently.
Wade laughs, head thrown back, accompanied by Logan's chuckle. It's only half an hour later that Logan excuses himself, yawning. They pull out their phones, clearly exchanging numbers, before Logan finally stands to leave.
The next morning, Wade doesn't bother with the laptop, eagerly watching the door and jumping up as soon as Logan steps into the coffee shop. There's a moment where time stands still, their noses almost touching and then Logan darts forward to press a chaste kiss on Wade's lips.
Nick tactfully turns away, pretends to be busy cleaning the coffee machine until they step up to the counter, hand in hand.
