Notes: Books said, "Cool beans." in a text to me yesterday while I was at work. And then I wrote this. This was originally a one shot that I posted in my Bungalow Blues series. And then over at AO3, I posted a couple other chapters. So now it's a short chaptered, short chapter story.

Summary: The coffee shop was right off campus. He'd never been there, but he'd seen it before and heard classmates mention it. He stepped into the place looking a mess. He'd pulled on the first clothes he saw and hadn't even spared a second to glance in the mirror. And he hadn't cared. And then this god behind the counter smiled at him.

Cool Beans

He stood in line for the 3rd time that day. He tried not to fidget, not to play with the hem of his shirt or drag his hands through his hair again. He tried to look calm, cool, collected. Tried to look normal, tried not to look as jittery as he felt. It was partly the coffee. He'd been going there at least once a day, most days twice, since he accidently stumbled in and came face to face with the most beautiful man he'd ever seen.

It was two weeks ago. Zach had never been much for coffee. But he'd been up too late the night before and he needed to be up early for an exam. He rolled out of bed with his alarm clock and he knew he was screwed. He could barely open his eyes.

The coffee shop was right off campus. He'd never been there, but he'd seen it before and heard classmates mention it. He stepped into the place looking a mess. He'd pulled on the first clothes he saw and hadn't even spared a second to glance in the mirror. And he hadn't cared.

And then this god behind the counter smiled at him. "Welcome to Cool Beans. What can I get you?"

Zach blinked at the man and his mouth dropped open. He was rendered speechless. His eyes flitted to the name tag that said Owen and he tried hard not to linger on the skin tight black uniform shirt that looked like a second skin. The man's chest, the biceps, his stomach. Zach swallowed and quickly looked back up at the man's face. And Owen was smiling.

Zach opened his mouth and nothing came out. He looked away, feeling his face flush. Oh god! Why hadn't he looked in the mirror before he left! Why hadn't he showered and put on clean clothes! And the man was staring at him expectantly. And Zach wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Just die!

"Any allergies?"

Zach turned back. He blinked, momentarily confused, and shook his head.

Owen tilted his head slightly. "Dietary restrictions or anything you really hate?"

He shook his head again.

"Plain... or are you a fancy guy?"

Zach nodded his head at that one, feeling rather dumb.

Owen smiled at him again and nodded. "Alright. $3.50."

Zach quickly pulled out his wallet and paid. Owen smiled, yet again, and turned to prepare the drink. Zach watched him move, the way his arms worked and his back when he turned. And then he was back at the counter, reaching over and holding the cup out. Zach reached for it rather timidly and for a brief second, their fingers touched.

And then Zach was holding onto the cup for dear life as he hurried out of the shop.

He went back to the shop the next day. This time he showered and dried his hair and pulled on clean clothes. And had checked himself a dozen times in the mirror. And again, he was rendered speechless and Owen smiled and ordered for him.

And it went on like that. Zach never actually spoke a word and Owen would concoct these magical drinks for him. Though Zach couldn't even remember tasting the coffee itself. For him, the magic was all Owen. And he kept coming back for more.

So it was partly Owen, that made him shake a little as he stood in line. But mostly, it was the coffee. And it was his third time. In a six hour period. But he knew, like the little stalker he was, that Owen was getting off work soon. And it was Friday. And Owen didn't work the weekend. So until Monday morning, this was Zach's last chance to get his Owen fix.

He really was a hopeless mess at this point.

The lady in front of him received her coffee from Owen and finally it was his turn. And Owen smiled widely at him, his whole face lighting up. "Hey." He said brightly. "Must be a record. Third time today."

Zach blinked dumbly and nodded his head.

Owen let out a soft chuckle and placed the order. Then Zach paid and Owen turned to make the drink. But it seemed to take longer. Zach shifted his weight from one foot to the other, feeling a bit nervous and shaky. But finally, after what felt like forever, Owen turned back around and held the cup out.

Zach reached for it and then quickly hightailed it out of there. It wasn't until he was nearly back to his dorm room that he lifted the cup to his lips. He really wasn't in the mood for the sugary drink. But Owen had made it for him. And as soon as the cup was brought closer to his face, he saw why it had taken Owen so long.

There was a phone number written across the cup. Followed by the words, If you want to. Zach's mouth fell open as he stared at the numbers and words. He quickly pulled out his phone.