Work Text:
Mu Qing had been going to the same coffee shops for at least a month, since he got his new job in the recently opened office for Hua Co. And every time he goes, the same attractive barista always spells his name wrong. Usually it doesn’t bother Mu Qing, and he says nothing about it, finding it quite amusing, and dare he even say… cute. His best friend Xie Lian had heard a lot about this mysterious barista, and as much as he wanted to complain, he realised he sounded the same when he spoke about Hua Cheng. Xie Lian’s only advice was to ‘ask him about it’, but Mu Qing would rather not, besides, as he’s said he’s not that bothered about it. However on one unfortunate morning. He had had a terrible night. He hadn’t slept, his mother had been in the hospital for over a week and that night she had gone into a critical state. Xie Lian and even Hua Cheng, who didn’t usually like Mu Qing, had told him to take the day off, but he had refused saying he needed a distraction.
Unfortunately, for the barista, it wasn’t going to be a typical morning. The café wasn’t a very busy business, and so it was always the same people if not occasionally someone different. And every day Mu Qing went in the same barista was there, Feng Xin would always be there, waiting and smiling, greeting him, maybe a bit differently than other customers, but he’d smile a small smile and say hello and so on, and they learnt a lot about each other. Today was no different, only bags were visible under Mu Qing’s eyes, he looked tired, but regardless Feng Xin would smile and ask him if he was ok. Mu Qing said it was nothing and that he was ok. A few minutes passed before his name was called, and Mu Qing read the name that would usually make him smile, amused and maybe even laugh, which instead seemed to flick a switch, and Mu Qing snapped. Everything hit him like a train.
“WHY CAN’T YOU LEARN TO SPELL MY FUCKING NAME RIGHT!” Mu Qing shouted, and Feng Xin said nothing, as Mu Qing shouted at him some more.
“I’m sorry… sir.” Feng Xin replies, Mu Qing’s eyes widened when he realised what he had done, eyes watering slightly, hands shaking as he covered his mouth.
“I-I I'm Sorry- I-I didn’t mean-” Mu Qing placed the drink down, before practically running out the shop, Feng Xin watching him run down the street, sadness in his eyes, as he looked back at the drink. His manager smiled sadly, as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
“He’s just having a bad day…” Feng Xin mumbled to himself, tears forming. Nobody, while he worked there, shouted at him like Mu Qing had.
“Take a short break… clear your mind.” his manager smiles softly, handing him a drink.
“A-are you sure?”
“You need it.” She smiles softly and he nods, taking the drink, wiping his tears as he sat out back. His manager had heard everything about Mu Qing from Feng Xin, talking about him all the time, and how much he couldn’t wait for Mu Qing to come in and visit. Feng Xin’s heart had cracked when Mu Qing had lashed out. Now he just wanted answers.
Meanwhile Mu Qing had run straight to work, and straight up into his office on the top floor where he, Xie Lian, Hua Cheng and a few others worked.
“Mu Qing?” Xie Lian asks having just arrived, walked into Mu Qing’s office seeing him crying in his chair, and no drink.
“What happened?” he asks as Hua Cheng looks in, before going into his own office, giving Xie Lian a small kiss before doing so.
“I snapped… I shouted at him- I didn’t mean to-” He cries out.
“Ah… Mu Qing… you're tired, overworking yourself… you broke down…” Xie Lian explains.
“I can’t… I can't show my face there again….” He whispers out.
“Yes. yes you can. Just not today, ok?” He explains softly, as Mu Qing nods.
“Right- I-I need to… work.” He mumbles.
“Mu Qing…” Xie Lian sighs but walks out watching as Mu Qing gets on with his work.
Next day
Feng Xin was hoping to see Mu Qing at some point today, he hadn’t shown up in the morning, and now it was about midday, when two people walked in wearing similar to suits, with the same Hua Co. id cards that Mu Qing usually wear, as they stood in the short line, waiting to order.
“This is the place right?” the taller one asks
“He was very descriptive of the place- he says the coffee is really good.” the shorter explains
“Yeah but he drinks black iced coffee.”
“San Lang! I’m sure it’s still good. Y’know I'm worried about him. He’s terrible at taking care of himself when he’s on his own… god knows what he’ll do.” the shorter explains
“I’m sure he’ll be fine- actually you have a point. But I'm sure the idiot won’t do something stupid.”
“I hope so…”
“Good afternoon, what can I get you both?” Feng Xin asks as they stand at the counter now.
Xie Lian ordered what he and Hua Cheng wanted before waiting for their drinks, Xie Lian’s phone.
“Mu Qing? Is everything ok?”
Feng Xin’s eyes widened slightly hearing the name of the caller.
“Oh- I-I’m so sorry…”
“Hey… why don’t you meet us at that coffee shop you go to all the time? I’ll buy your drink- are you sure? Alright then. Yeah- Hua Cheng is here with me- he won’t make fun I promise- great I’ll see you soon ok?”
“What happened?”
“I’ll let him explain it… But you have to promise you won’t make fun of him, or upset him even more.”
“But Gege… I-I… I promise.” Hua Cheng huffs.
“Great.” he smiles, before taking their drinks that they ordered and finding a table.
Ten minutes later, they saw Mu Qing walking in. He had on a hoodie and jeans, his hair unbrushed but it was still… neat somehow, and his eyes puffy and red, he glanced up seeing Hua Cheng and Xie Lian, Xie Lian giving him a small smile as he nodded walking to the counter.
“Hey…” Feng Xin starts quietly.
Mu Qing hadn’t even realised Feng Xin was there, as he looked up surprised.
“U-um… h-hey-” it was an awkward moment, before he spoke again.
“A-about yesterday- I-I'm sorry- I-I didn’t mean what I said- I just- I’ve had a really bad week and yesterday- it just.. Hit me and I snapped… I'm sorry.. I really am-”
“It’s… ok really… Everyone has bad days…” he smiles softly, sliding a drink in front of him.
“It’s your usual… with umm an extra shot of coffee, I have a feeling you’ll need it…it’s on the house.”
Mu Qing look’s up at him, eyes widened in surprise.
“A-are you sure?” He asks quietly.
“I’m sure- I asked my manager and she said it’s fine- plus you never did take your coffee from yesterday.” he adds.
Mu Qing lifts up the drink, and sees his name written incorrectly again as he smiles slightly.
“I mean what I said though… I didn't mean any of it. I actually quite like it… when you spell it wrong…” he mumbles out, and Feng Xin smiles.
“If you keep coming back then I’ll keep doing it.” He replies and Mu Qing smiles softly, wiping his blurry eyes.
“That’s a promise.”
“Mu Qing! Stop flirting. I want to know what happened to your sorry little ass.” Hua Cheng calls out, and Mu Qing sighs.
“That’s my cue. Thank you…”
Feng Xin smiles with a nod as Mu Qing turns to face Hua Cheng and Xie Lian walking towards them.
“What do you want, pee brain?” Mu Qing shot back.
“I told him I'd let you explain.” Xie Lian explains.
“Like it’s any of his business.”
“I’m your boss. So it actually is my business.” Hua Cheng adds on.
Mu Qing bit his lip.
“My mum died last night.”
“Oh. damn- rip I guess.”
“You are not helping.” Mu Qing glared at Hua Cheng.
“San Lang…” Xie Lian sighs.
Meanwhile at the counter, Feng Xin was screaming on the inside.
“Everything ok?” His manager asks with a smile.
“He apologised- he said he liked it when I spelt it wrong- I think I’m going to explode.”
“Alright- Alright- calm down.” she chuckles.
“I heard his mum died. Which would explain his behaviour yesterday and the tears and eyes.”
“His mum died-” his eyes widened.
“Can I…”
“Go on. He’s our most loyal customer. He’s here all the time.” She smiles and he nods. He remembered Mu Qing telling him once he liked cheesecake. So Feng Xin placed a piece on a plate and walked towards them.
“Hey umm- I heard about your mum…” He mumbles and Mu Qing looks up at him.
“I’m sorry about what happened. This is for you…” He mumbles shyly, placing the plate in front of Mu Qing.
“I-umm… t-thank you…” Mu Qing mumbles out cheeks flushing as Feng Xin smiles and begins walking away.
“How can he get so much more attractive!!!” Mu Qing mumbles to himself.
“It’s so obvious he likes you.” Hua Cheng points out trying to sneakily take the cheesecake only for Mu Qing to slap his hand.
“Mine.”
Xie Lian lets out a small laugh watching the scene unfold.
Soon the two had to get back to work, having to leave Mu Qing who didn’t mind.
The shop slowly emptied with Mu Qing being the only one left, as everyone else had gone to work again.
He got up, placing the plate and drink on the counter, leaning against it.
“Is it usually this empty?” he asks softly as Feng Xin takes his plate and empty glass.
“It tends to get empty during work hours, with occasional people coming in.” Feng Xin explains
“Oh… do you have a pen and paper?” he asks.
“Uhm… somewhere around here….” he mumbles looking around before grabbing a pen and piece of paper, as he writes on it.
“Thank you for the cheesecake by the way. I didn't think you’d remember I liked it.” Mu Qing chuckles softly as he slips the paper across to Feng Xin.
Feng Xin’s eyebrows furrowed as he read the slip, eyes widening a second later, cheeks flushing.
“I umm… we know a lot about each as it is… and I just thought… maybe… umm if you wanted to hang out and things outside of our jobs. I’m free for the next few days anyway… So umm.. If you ever want to hang out and find yourself free… just let me know…” Mu Qing smiles softly.
“I umm… I will.” He smiles back and Mu Qing nods.
“I need to get back to the hospital… I need to collect my mum's things… and a few other things…” Mu Qing mumbles and Feng Xin nods.
“I hope I get to see you again soon.” Feng Xin smiles and Mu Qing nods before leaving the shop.
A few weeks later
Mu Qing looks at his phone with a grin.
“He hasn’t stopped grinning at his phone all day.” one of his co-workers explains
“He’s in love.” Hua Cheng points out.
“Who's the lucky guy?”
“Barista at the coffee shop down the street.”
“Oh? The place where we go weekly for an afternoon?”
“Mhm. It was actually Mu Qing’s idea. The business is struggling to stay open, so Mu Qing suggested hosting events weekly with our staff, sometimes the public gets involved, and it’s slowly racking up customers. I managed to get San Lang to partner with the shop, so occasionally we sell products from there that are limited to that coffee shop. San Lang won’t admit it but he actually likes the coffee shop too.” Xie Lian chuckles softly.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” Mu Qing grabs his jacket and bag, with a smile.
“Alright- bye Mu Qing!” Xie Lian waves as Mu Qing walks out his office and into the lift. Soon he walked into the coffee shop with a grin.
“Have I told you that I'm grateful for your help with the shop yet?” The manager asks with a smile.
“You have. Every day.” He chuckles.
“Ah- Feng Xin’s just getting his things. He shouldn’t be long.” She smiles and he nods. Soon Feng Xin comes out from the counter with a smile.
“Heyy! How was work?” Feng Xin asks
“It was good. How about you?”
“Busy. thanks to you.” he chuckles.
“I’m glad I could be of help.” Mu Qing hums, taking his hand.
“Bye boys! See you in the morning.” the manager waves as the two boys wave goodbye in response, making their way to Mu Qing’s flat.