I should not be writing things late at night. Great and horrible things can happen.
Like a freaking coffeeshop!AU…(forgive me for I have sinned).
I am working on Staring into the Sun, but this…this monster…it demanded to be written.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its characters. This is just for my own amusement and not for profit.
Rey really wasn't supposed to remember people's orders. Okay, if she was being honest, she did not remember 99.99999 percent of coffee orders that came through the shop on a weekly basis.
But this guy was special. He always wore a black coat buttoned as far up as it could go, black pants, and shiny black shoes. His face was long, pale, and angular and he had a mess of black curls.
Did not seem like the medium caramel latte, extra whip, extra caramel drizzle kind of guy. But sure enough, every week day he was there, at 8:15, give or take a few minutes, wearing the same coat and probably the same shoes and hopefully not the same pants. He would order his coffee, the same thing, every day. He would give his name, pay for his drink, try not to stare at the brunette barista behind the counter, pick up his drink, and leave.
It was clockwork. Predictable. Like the sun rising or the local baseball team never making it to the playoffs.
He was never rude, unlike some people that would trudge into the shop in the wee hours of the morning. He was cordial, looked her in the eye, giving her his undivided attention, despite the fact he seemed a little out of it without his morning coffee.
So Rey knew his order and remembered his name. So what? It was so predictable she would be stupid not to remember. It meant she was a good saleswoman. Building a relationship with the customer. Or something.
His name was Ben. And she was in big trouble.
…
"Mind if I sit with you?"
Rey was halfway through her sandwich and an eighth of the way through her book when a really familiar voice sounded above her. She looked up.
Maybe there was a solar flare. Maybe she was dreaming. Maybe she fell into a weird alternate universe where Ben Medium-Caramel-Latte actually showed up during her lunch hour instead of 8:15 in the morning.
She opened her mouth and shut it. And opened it again. "Ah, sure. Go ahead."
He sat down across from her, setting a cup on the table. And she knew what was probably inside it. He was still wearing that black coat, even though it was almost 80 degrees outside.
"I'm Ben."
"I know." The words escaped before she could check herself and she reddened.
He blinked at her, suddenly looking very shy.
"You remember me?"
"You are hard to forget, Ben," she said.
It was his turn to blush. And it was true. He was striking to her. After two weeks of him coming every day, ordering the same thing, she decided that he was going to be a constant in the life of the café. She could not forget him or his face or his fucking coffee order. And he had been coming here for five months straight.
"I'm Rey," she said.
He smiled teasingly. "I know." He tapped a finger against his chest, indicating her nametag.
They lapsed into silence, neither of them quite sure what to say.
"Maybe we could get a drink."
Rey blinked at him, startled by the offer. And he looked equally startled, as if he was not expecting to say what he said.
"Not coffee, I am sure you get enough of that. Probably sick of coffee," he rambled, laughing nervously.
Rey smiled at him as he stuttered to a halt.
"How about dinner, then?" she said, "There is this little restaurant on 4th street: Kanata's."
Ben looked so relieved. He obviously did not think that she would have accepted his offer, much less given him a better offer.
"How does 6:30 sound?"
…
She was nervous as Hell. The last time she had a date was with Poe and he ended up with her best friend Finn. And that was a year ago.
"What do I wear?" she yelled in the general direction of her phone.
She was practically flailing in front of her closet in a bath robe, hair drying.
"Why in God's name are you asking me?" Finn's garbled voice sounded.
Rey rolled her eyes, wishing he could see it. "Because you are my friend, that's why!"
"Well, what does he do?"
That was a good question. She did not know what he did for a living. In fact, she only knew his name and the fact that he liked sugary drinks.
"Probably a businessman. Always wears slacks and a black coat and dress shoes."
There was a contemplative silence on Finn's end.
"Oh, well. Go fancy-ish, I guess."
She fished out a black skirt from the back of her closet.
"Skirt and a nice blouse, what do you think?"
"Sounds good, Rey! But you could probably wear a trash bag and he would be all over you."
"You got this, Rey."
"Thanks Finn. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"
"See you, Rey."
She tapped 'end-call' and stared at the clothes she set on her bed.
She had to find a lint roller, since the dark fabric of her skirt was covered in orange and white cat hair.
"Damn cat," she muttered.
Speak of the devil, Bebe ran into the room and hopped on top of the bed, on top of her pillow. Rey reached over and petted her head. Bebe pressed against her hand with a purr.
"I know you believe in me," Rey muttered, Bebe squinting her eyes at the human.
6:15 rolled around and it was time for her to leave. She had her black skirt, fairly low-cut purple blouse and high-heeled shoes.
And she had hope.
"Let's do this."
So…I am trash. And last night I had the sudden headcanon that Kylo Ren has a sweet tooth.
Fight me. Or don't.
Part 2 coming either later today or tomorrow!
Feel free to drop a review! They are much appreciated! Even better, send me AU prompts!
~Tiara of Sapphires