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Denki sat in the back room of the cafe, laughing at silly tiktoks while he enjoyed his 15 minute break. They were busier than usual, but that’s what happened once the new fall flavors became available.
“Oi, Pikachu,” Sero called, from the door that led to the sales floor and counter. “Your favorite customer is here.”
“Huh?” The electric blond asked, not really listening, too engrossed in mindlessly scrolling on his phone.
“You know the one. Perpetually tired, wears cat ear headphones, always orders the sweetest coffee imaginable.”
Something registered in Denki’s brain and he shot out of his seat. “HE’S HERE? CAT BOY IS HERE?!”
“If you don’t get your ass out here, Deku’s gonna take his order,” Sero smirked before walking away.
The blond scrambled out of his seat, nearly launching his phone off the table as he tripped over his own feet. He quickly pulled his visor on, fixing the loose strands of hair around his cheeks and darted out of the back room.
Deku was smiling at the cash register as the purple-haired man stepped up to the counter. He knew the guy’s name was Hitoshi. He’d been taking his order every time he stopped by the cafe for the last six months.
“I got it, I got it, I got it!” Denki shouted, body slamming Deku out of the way.
“What the?! Kaminari, I thought you were on your break.”
“I was. Now I’m not. Mind ya business!” Denki flashed his best smolder and turned to his favorite customer. “Hi there. Good to see you. Want your usual order?”
“Uh… is he okay?” The purple-haired man asked, pointing at Izuku who was rubbing his side with a grimace.
“He’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” Denki laughed awkwardly. “So, extra large hot caramel latte with three added pumps of cinnamon and double whipped cream?”
“ That , and I gotta order a few more things, too.”
“Wow,” the electric blond responded with a smirk. “You don’t usually order anything unless I talk you into it.”
“Yeah, well, I’m here with someone and got stuck with ordering for both of us.”
Denki’s heart sank along with his smile. Now that he looked him over, Hitoshi was dressed to impress. Wide leg black baggy jeans with thick chains swooping around his hips paired with a skin tight black shirt under an open, short sleeve patterned button down.
“O-Oh, what else can I get you then?” He asked, trying to shove down his disappointment.
“Medium iced green tea with mango, a tropical smoothie bowl and a bearclaw,” Hitoshi answered, card already out to pay.
“Sure, we’ll have your order out as soon as possible,” Denki nodded, printing out the stickers for the drinks and slapping them on the proper cups. He spotted a pretty, well dressed woman with black hair eyeing the counter. Denki didn’t realize he was staring until Hitoshi turned around and waved. The woman waved back. “Deku, I’m going back on break, can you take over?”
“H-Huh? But I thought… ah sure,” The freckled man changed his tune seeing his coworker’s crestfallen expression. Izuku switched out at the register and picked up where he left off while the electric blonde shuffled away to the backroom.
“Stupid! So stupid!” Denki growled, slamming his knuckles into the side of his head, not caring that it hurt. “Of course he’s got a girlfriend! Why are all the pretty one’s straight?!”
He sat down heavily in one of the chairs around the break table and slumped with a loud whine. All these months he’d been fantasizing about what he’d do if his favorite customer came in to see him. Write his number on the cup; add in a pastry “on the house;” make the absolute best caramel coffee with perfect latte art and when he calls out the name “Hitoshi” their eyes meet and sparks fly and then Caramel Connoisseur Cat Boy will reach for the coffee, their hands meet and Denki’s soulmate au will be complete.
“Break’s over! Get back on register,” his boss snapped.
Couldn’t he see Denki was having a crisis in love?!
The rest of his shift went by like a gray hued watercolor painting. Every face was a blur. Every order was forgotten once it was completed. And all the while, Hitoshi stayed at that little table by the central fireplace, smiling softly at the woman with the dark hair. Hours went by before the two said goodbye, hugging tightly and laughing. Denki was convinced he was living in his own personal hell.
And then this chick had the audacity to come up to the counter to order something to-go.
“Hello,” she smiled.
“Hi,” Denki responded in the most monotone voice. “What do you want?”
“Kaminari! Tone!”
“Sorry, Boss!” He called and put on his best fake smile and customer service voice. “What can I get started for you?”
“Oh, no, that’s– I think there may have been a misunderstanding.” She cleared her throat lightly, and reached out her hand, expertly manicured nails with French tips shining under the lights above the counter. There was a piece of paper trapped between her fingers.
“What’s this?” Denki asked, cautiously taking it. There was a phone number clearly written on it. This bitch .
“Hitoshi is too chicken to give you his number, so I’m doing it for him. It’s what good sister-inlaws do,” she grinned. “I’m Momo by the way.”
Denki suddenly felt like a complete idiot . “I… I am so sorry for being rude.”
Momo waved him off with an elegant laugh. “Hitoshi talks about you all the time. I can see why. You’re cute.”
“Thank you?”
Her dark eyes stared at him expectantly.
“O-Oh, umm, did you want another… black tea with mango?” Denki asked, face screwed up in confusion.
Momo slumped in defeat. “Please text him!”
“Oh. Oh! ” Denki looked around and didn’t see his manager anywhere. He typed out a quick message, heart beating fast in his throat.
Heyyyyy I get off in 15 min. Wanna go to the arcade?
“Sent,” he grinned. “Oh shit! Wait!”
It’s Denki btw! Your favorite barista!
“Oh my God! Momo, what the hell?!” Hitoshi growled, rushing up to the counter and grabbing her arm to pull her away.
“See, he said yes! He likes you. It’s not a big deal,” she defended.
“That’s not the point!” Hitoshi had never looked more awake, eyes wide and cheeks tinted pink with embarrassment. “Stop playing matchmaker!”
“S-So, you don’t want to go to the arcade with me?” Denki asked sheepishly.
Momo and Hitoshi snapped their attention to him. It was lucky there were few customers left in the cafe or Denki would feel a little self-conscious being at the center of whatever drama was going on.
“Of course I do!” Hitoshi shouted. “I’ve been drinking that insanely sweet coffee every time I come in just to have an excuse to see you even though I can’t stand drinking anything that isn’t black coffee.”
Denki was really confused. “But you love the extra large hot caramel latte with three added pumps of cinnamon and double whipped cream.”
Momo laughed loudly and Hitoshi glared at her. Accepting defeat, the purple-haired man slid up to the counter again. “I don’t like caramel lattes or whipped cream.”
“So why didn’t you tell me?”
Those dark eyes stared in Denki’s, a smirk twitching at his lips. “I was too sweet on you to correct the order.”
“Damn dude, that was smooth as hell,” Sero whistled.
Denki was certain he was about to pass out. His face hurt from smiling so big, chest full of warmth. “I’ll be sure to remember your order for next time.”