we took a polaroid before ever show on this tour. the past two weeks have been a fever dream. thank you so much to everyone who's built this community, and created a space where kindness will always win.
we are a dirtbag boyband called bears in trees, and this is just the beginning.
WHERE IS THE BLOG THAT UPDATES EVERYDAY SAYING WHETHER WYLAN HAS BEEN CAST OR NOT? HOW ARE THEY DOING? HOW ARE THEY COPING? WHATS THEIR NAME I NEED TO FIND THEM
Summary: Wilhelm and Simon are baristas who only communicate through sticky notes.
Word Count: ~3400
A/N: Not my finest work but it's been a while since I wrote fanfiction so I'm still warming up. Also I don't know anything about coffee just go with it.
Also also, should I rewrite this chapter but from Wilhelm's perspective? I think that would fun.
Read on ao3 / fanfiction masterlist / prompts
Simon wrote the first note. It was a simple sticky note placed to the right of the till.
LOST: purple android charger
There were only two other employees at Curtains. One of them is Simon's best friend Felice who makes baked goods in the kitchen. The other is a barista that Simon has never even seen due to their different shift times. Simon doesn't even know their name. He can only hope they're nice enough to keep an eye out for his charger. His café tips can barely buy him a replacement.
By his next shift, there's a yellow sticky note next to his pink one.
FOUND: purple android charger
where can I leave it for you?
- Wilhelm, fellow barista
Under these notes will be perfect
You are my hero, thank you
- Simon, scatterbrain
Wilhelm. It's nice to know his name. While Simon has never given much thought to his coworker, he's been seeing signs of him everywhere. Hair ties left next to the pencil holder. An often forgotten scarf. Marshmallows spilled on the counter. An apron hung backwards. The occasional sticky note with a reminder ('buy spoons,' 'Text Erik'). In fact, those notes are what inspired Simon to write his own.
Sure enough, the next day, a purple charger is on the counter with a new sticky note.
You have to be a pretty big scatterbrain to lose a charger this vibrant
- Wilhelm, local hero
Simon twirls a pen in his fingers. He got his charger back. This could be the end of it. He and Wilhelm could go on to narrowly missing each other and throw these sticky notes away. But why deprive himself of little bursts of dopamine?
I tend to lose things quite often. Your hero duties probably aren't done just yet
- Simon, damsel in distress
He can't help but grin as he sticks up his note. It's an odd thing to smile at, but he feels no shame in it. He glances to the notes throughout the day. Wilhelm's handwriting is a very neat cursive. A little on the fancy side but still readable. If only he was a handwriting or psychology expert. He could've analysed each word to see what it says about Wilhelm's character. Or he could just ask someone who knows Wilhelm.
"Have you ever met Wilhelm?" Simon asks Felice as they walk home that evening.
"If course I have. I work with him half of the week"
"What's he like?"
"Such a sweet guy. He's really patient and smiley and handles rude customers better than you can handle cold weather"
Simon scoffs. Felice is completely right, of course. Simon is always bundled up in hoodies and scarves to protect him from even the slightest chill. He often relies on coffee to keep him warm, making his job as a barista perfect.
"Low blow" he kicks a pebble. ". . . so, what does he look like?"
Felice smiles to herself. "He looks our age. Very tall, long fringe like a boyband member, very good looking" she nudges Simon as she says the last part.
"Okay, no, it's not like that" he insists.
"If it's not 'like that', why ask about him now? You've been working at Curtains for like six months and you've never even acknowledged him before"
"I don't know. Just got curious"
"Hmm mmm. Sure you did"
Simon rolls his eyes, but can't help smiling.
"Wilhelm asks about you too"
"He does?"
"Unlike you, a few months ago he got curious about who takes over his shifts when he leaves"
"What did he ask?"
"Usual stuff. How old you are, how you and I met, what you're like"
"What did you tell him?"
"I chatted you up like crazy"
"Hmm mmm. I'm sure"
Felice playfully shoulders him, grinning. Simon chuckles, looking down at the concrete.
☕︎︎
When Simon comes to work the next day, the sticky notes are in a damp pile next to the till. A single dry note sits on top.
I accidentally spilt my peppermint mocha on our sticky notes. I am utterly and completely devastated. I think I'm the one that needs a hero after all
- Wilhelm, total disaster
I don't know what's worse, you spilling your drink or the drink itself
- Simon, utterly disgusted
Simon was going to leave the note like that. But as he stuck it up, he figured that he might as well give Wilhelm a drink suggestion. Maybe it'll inspire him to drink better coffee.
On a second note, he scrawls an order for a caramel iced mocha. He adds to the bottom: I don't know what your taste is like, but this drink never fails :)
He bites the cap of his pen with a smile. Who knew recommending a drink order could be so exciting.
︎☕︎︎
Wilhelm doesn't leave a reply for the next few days. Simon figures that he must have really hectic shifts and not have time for a little sticky note conversation. It's also possible that he thought Simon went too far with the drink. Or that Simon was just too invested in what was just a little bit of fun for Wilhelm.
Simon's brain aches with all these thoughts. For the sake of his sanity, he decides to forget about it until his shift ends. He takes a deep breath. "Next please!"
A tall boy steps up to the counter. He's composed but Simon can sense his excitement- or is it nervousness? Why would someone be nervous to order coffee? The boy stares at Simon like he's some marvel. He's attractive, with long-ish hair clipped back from his face. His eyes sparkle as he resists a smile.
Simon gives him a customer service smile (as Felice calls it) and asks, "How can I help you?"
This seems to snap the boy back to reality. His eyes flick down to Simon's name tag and back to his face. He seems to buffer for a second before replying with an awkward laugh.
"Sorry.. I'll have a, uh . . . an iced caramel mocha please?"
"Perfect. That will be 3.50 please"
"Of course" The boy fumbles through his pockets. Simon can't help but crack a smile. He's like an excited puppy. He produces a tenner and nearly drops the change Simon hands back to him. The boy puts the change into the tip jar.
"Thank you very much" Simon says as he finishes fixing his drink.
"I know how hard baristas have it. A tip just makes it a little better" The boy replies.
"Mmm. Would you like me to write your name on the cup?"
The boy seems to buffer again as if the fate of the universe relies on whether or not his name is written on the cup. He lands on leaving it blank, taking it from Simon with a smile.
"Have a nice day"
"You too" and the boy leaves.
☕︎︎
A note appears two days later.
Usually I prefer hot drinks but your drink was delicious. I made one for you to try and left it in the office fridge (you don't have to drink it if you don't want to)
- Wilhelm, new iced coffee enthusiast
Sure enough, in the fridge in the back office (that is only used to store cups, paperwork, and the employees food) there is a plastic cup with Simon's name. He fights a laugh. Someone he has never even met before has made him a (probably very overcomplicated) drink.
Simon takes a sip. He nearly chokes. Spluttering, he covers his mouth with the back of his hand. God, that tastes awful. He turns the cup, spotting text written on the back. Pumpkin cream cold brew.
I love the gesture but I hate pumpkin. I prefer more simple flavours in coffee.
(although if you do like it, try a pumpkin spice warm up (recipe on the back of this note))
- Simon, pumpkin unenthusiast
Simon tries to sip the drink throughout the day but ends up throwing it out. Wilhelm probably has great taste but, god, pumpkin is rancid. Wilhelm tries again and leaves Simon a brown sugar chai. It goes down a lot better.
As they leave each other drinks, Simon learns more and more about Wilhelm. Wilhelm prefers hot drinks and loves hot they keep his cold hands warm. He always tries the weirdest flavours he can. He loves whipped cream but hates marshmallows. He always drinks coffee in the evening as that's what his brother always did growing up.
Weeks go by and Simon is greeted by a new drink nearly every single day. He gets better at making Wilhelm drinks that he likes. He even learns about Wilhelm's family and personal life. Wilhelm's favourite book is The Princess and The Frog. He loves horror movies but they terrify him. His first boyfriend would headbutt him to say hello. He's working at Curtains as he studies political science (although he's not sure if he wants to study it anymore).
Simon doesn't just think he knows Wilhelm, he does know Wilhelm. And Wilhelm knows him. He can't help but think what would happen if he came into Curtains while Wilhelm was working. Would they be friends? Would he be over stepping some unspoken boundary? Turns out, Simon doesn't have to worry about that.
☕︎︎
Eight thirty on the dot, time to close. Simon has flipped the sign and locked the door when Felice calls him from the kitchen. She stands next to a taller boy with dark curly hair and a barista apron (who seems both excited and disgusted to be here).
Felice claps her hands together with a customer service smile.
"We have a new member of the Curtains family" she announces. "Simon, meet August. August, Simon"
August grins professionally and holds out his hand. "Simon, I've heard so much and I'm very excited to work with you" He's certainly a charmer. Simon shakes his hand politely and - my god - August has quite a grip.
Simon smiles, tightlipped and polite. "I had no idea we were getting another barista. I hope this doesn't mean my shifts are being cut" he half jokes.
"No, they're not" Felice takes a breath and presses her lips together. "August is a replacement for Wilhelm"
Oh.
"Replacement?"
"He handed in his two week notice a few days ago. He recommended August to replace him"
"Oh"
"I figured he told you"
August glances from Felice to Simon. He ignores the sudden drop in mood and claps his hands together. "Well, no point dwelling on the past. I promise that anything Wille could do, I can do better"
Simon barely knows this guy and he wants to punch his face in. Regardless, he goes through the motions and shows him the ropes. Simon makes sure to pocket the sticky notes. It's like August seeing them will taint them. August, very proud of his new barista abilities, leaves with a merry wave. Simon locks up behind him. He puts the notes back in their proper spot. He hesitates, and adds one.
Are you leaving?
- Simon
Simon knows the answer. He just needs to hear it from Wilhelm himself. Or see it. Whatever. It's stupid for him to feel so upset that someone he's never met is quitting a low-paying job. But he is still upset. The least he could get is answers.
I'm sorry, I should've told you. I officially leave next Friday. It's a long story but I'm going to focus on my studies
- Wilhelm, future customer
Best of luck with your studies. I'm going to miss talking to you
- Simon, soon-to-be Curtain's best barista
Simon's pen hovers under his name. He could add his phone number. Write some line about how they can keep in touch in a more eco-friendly way. Just because Wilhelm is leaving Curtains, it doesn't mean he's leaving Simon too.
He caps his pen.
☕︎︎
Friday arrives.
Wilhelm and Simon spend the next week and a half leaving even more notes than before. They scrawl about their day, leave each other jokes, and more often than not there's a coffee waiting for them each morning. It's like nothing has changed. Simon is still biting back grins as he reads the notes. He's still tempted to leave his number. He's still memorising every trivial thing he can about Wilhelm and assembling them together in his head.
And yet, Friday arrives. Simon is working today. He wakes up long before his alarm and decides to bite the bullet and come to work early. There's a first for everything, right? His breath still minty from toothpaste and his mind still groggy, he finds the back door of Curtains unlocked.
Felice is usually early to open up the kitchen. Although, Simon thought she was off today. He can barely process going inside and getting into his apron so maybe he's not the most reliable source of work schedules.
He pushes into the main café to see someone standing behind the counter. Someone holding the sticky notes. It's the same boy Simon served weeks ago. He's shuffling through the notes sadly.
"Hello"
His head snaps up. His eyes go wide and he freezes.
He smiles a little. "Hello"
He's wearing a red polo shirt with an ink stain on the pocket. A Curtains apron is hanging down his waist. He has a watch too big for his wrist. His unclipped hair falls over his eyes. Wilhelm.
Simon gapes for a moment before chuckling breathlessly.
"Wilhelm?"
He nods. "It's nice to meet you Simon"
Hearing his name sends a shiver down Simon's spine. He can't help but smile. Wilhelm is taller than he imagined. His hair looks blond in the overhead lights. His eyes flit over Simon, as if he's taking him in too.
Simon has been staring at him for too long. He clears his throat and looks down to his feet. "It's kind of. . . weird to see you in person after only talking to you over sticky notes- not weird in a bad way. I'm glad you're here, actually, I kind of wanted to meet you in person but I figured since you're leaving I wouldn't get to but now you're here and I'm still talking"
Wilhelm blushes, looking down at the notes in his hands.
"I hoped to see you too" He laughs a little. "I mean, I already did see you when I came in for coffee a few weeks ago. I don't know if you remember"
"Of course I remember. I recognised you as soon as I came in. You ordered an iced caramel mocha." Of course that was Wilhelm. Simon kicks himself for not realising immediately.
"As you suggested. I was going to make my own but I figured I should get it from the expert himself"
"What did you think of it?"
"I liked a lot more than you liked my pumpkin drink"
Simon scoffs. "Come on, pumpkin is the worst flavour. It should be considered a crime against coffee"
"No! Pumpkin is the most genius idea since . . . since blinds on windows"
"Blinds on windows?"
"They're handy, what can I say"
Simon laughs, shaking his head. Wilhelm licks his smiling lips. They look at each other for a moment. The electricity in the air is enough to make their hair frizzy.
Wilhelm breaks first, looking to the notes in his hands. "The real question is, what should we do with these?"
"You can keep them. Consider them a goodbye present"
Wilhelm considers this. "It's kind of weird getting a goodbye present from someone I just said hello to"
"Then how about . . ." Simon straightens, taking a deep breath. ". . . how about we talk some more and work our way up to that goodbye"
Wilhelm grins, meeting Simon's eyes again. "Yeah. That's a good idea. I'd offer to buy you coffee but I uh-" he gestures around him. "-I think you've had enough"
"Ha, yeah good point. How about we skip coffee and get something to eat? I think we know each other well enough for that to work"
"I know a great breakfast place if you haven't had yours yet"
"I like breakfast"
"Let's get breakfast"
"Okay" Simon stops himself. "I'm working today. I can't."
Wilhelm's face falls, but only for a moment. He sucks in his lips in thought. He looks over his shoulders.
"Felice isn't here today"
"I know"
"She isn't here because Curtains is closed"
"It is?" It clicks in Simon's head. "It is"
Wilhelm grins. "We're just here to lock up. Then we have the day off because Curtains is closed"
"You are absolutely right, Wille" Simon agrees. "I'll just grab my hoodie then we can have the day off"
Wilhelm and Simon lock the doors behind them, considering their first out loud conversation a success.
☕︎︎
A note not only lead to their first date, but their first kiss.
They start their date along the beach, stopping along the way to skip stones and pick up shells. They even consider going swimming. The water would be freezing though.
The beach leads them to a boardwalk carnival. Simon thought these kinds of carnivals only existed in movies. Stalls of probably rigged games are set up in a line. Popcorn and laughter fills the air. There's even a Ferris Wheel obstructing the horizon.
They stop to get ice cream at the start of the carnival, debating a little about the flavours. "Wilhelm, pumpkin ice cream is an actual crime please don't get it"
Hand in hand, they walk down the boardwalk. The air is filled with excited laughter and the playful whirl of arcade games. One arcade game in particular catches Simon's eye.
"Do you believe in fortune tellers?"
"I'm sure you can get me to believe in fortune tellers"
A robotic lady sits in a glass box. Her long, painted fingers hover above a fake crystal ball. Simon slips change into the machine and it whirs to life. The woman's arms jerk up, down, and around the ball. Garbled dialogue chokes from the speakers but neither of them can understand it.
A small card shoots out of a slot. The machine goes back to sleep. Wilhelm grabs it before Simon can.
"Come on. I know where we can read it"
Wilhelm leads them further down the boardwalk. Past candy floss, stalls of rigged games, couples holding hands, and children running with their prizes. He slips them just outside of the crowd. Behind stalls and away from the main bustling group. Wilhelm takes them to the very edge of the carnival. They sit down on the wooden planks. Their legs dangle above the water that fills the air with salt.
The chaos of the carnival is quieter here. The sea provides a gentle instrumental to Simon's thoughts as he watches Wilhelm pull out the card.
"Ready to hear your future?" he asks.
Simon nods, and Wilhelm clears his throat.
"The greatest risk is not taking one. Your lucky numbers are 01, 07, and 21. Sounds like a fortune cookie"
Greatest risk is not taking one. Simon's mind immediately goes to one place. Sure, the thing he wants to do isn't really a risk, but his constant fear or rejection makes everything a risk.
Wilhelm leans back on his hands, looking at Simon. "What do you make of that?"
In the light of the setting sun, Simon can't take his eyes off Wilhelm. His teeth, his sweat, his freckles. He takes it all in. The slight smile on his lips, the sun lighting up his light hair. He takes a deep breath. Not everything is a risk, Simon.
A bust of adrenaline fuels him. Simon leans forward and kisses Wilhelm, taking them both by surprise. He jerks back quickly. Sparks shoot out of his ears as his brain short-circuits. Wilhelm isn't having that problem. He grins. Cupping Simon's face, Wilhelm kisses him properly.
Simon leans in as close as he can. He breathes, tastes, and loves Wilhelm. Wilhelm's hands comb through Simon's curls as Simon brushes his hair back. He tastes of coffee and ice cream, Simon's new favourite combination.
Wilhelm finally pulls back, laughing to himself.
"Bet you're glad I didn't get the pumpkin ice cream"
"Shut up"
☕︎︎
Simon wrote the first note. A simple sticky note inquiring about a lost phone charger. He bought the small note that led to a relationship of affection and adoration. But Wilhelm ends up writing the most important one; a poster he holds in the middle of their candlelight apartment. Simon knocks the poster down as he jumps into Wilhelm's arms. It falls into the bed of rose petals.
areudirty
romaincrisis
pixelskylines
titsay
tangentwithtanner
