Author's Note: This is a story with original characters I wrote for my friend's birthday that I rewrote into a Huntlow fic because it would fit them and because I have Huntlow brainrot. The original story came with an accompanying spotify playlist with songs corresponding with the different names. I obviously had to change some of the names for the rewrite lol. Hope I didn't miss anything in the rewrite lol playlist/59QR9kyL3EKbbfdDXmDq99?si=13236e74ee884fe6
Also, this was crossposted from ao3 under the same name :)
The air around him was filled with the distinct smell of coffee and chocolate, hot chocolate to be specific. The golden light of the sunrise spilled in through the windows of the coffee shop.
Hunter quite enjoyed his work, except for the early hours and the having to deal with the general public. He shook his head, trying to not think too much about the bad parts of the job. He wasn't planning on working at the coffee shop forever, it was just a temporary thing, or at least that was what he had been telling himself for the past two years.
He shook off his thoughts and directed his attention towards the mocca he was making. Hunter put on the lid and placed it on the counter, he turned toward the cashregister to take his next order as he yelled out "Mocca for Maria!" He tried his best to keep a positive note in his tone as he yelled out orders, but his voice always managed to betray him with a sour tone no matter how hard he tried.
"What can I get you?" he sighed, his attempt at a typical customer service voice falling short as usual. He lifted his gaze up from the register and to the girl in front of him. The golden rays that bathed the cafe illuminated her golden skin, her dark green hair was braided into a bun, leaving out two locks of hair to frame her face. She had gold jewelry highlighting her ears and her neck, she wore a long golden necklace around her neck. And above her moving lips her large golden spectacles shone in the warm light. Hunter then realized he hadn't heard a word of the girl's order. He blinked a few times to wake himself up, because he was clearly dreaming.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Would you mind repeating?" Hunter smiled, he absentmindedly put his hand through his blonde hair.
"One chai latte and a croissant," the girl repeated, as she hoisted her tote bag up on her shoulder, which had the logo of the local university on it.
"Coming right up…"
"Caroline"
—
As Hunter made his way to work the following day he couldn't help but wish Caroline would swing by to study again. They hadn't talked except for when Caroline bought a second croissant, and the one time she asked for the bathroom, but for some reason Hunter really hoped to see her again.
He unlocked the door to the cafe once he arrived, put on his apron and got to preparing for the day. It was a slow start, but after a while the pace picked up, every time the bell jingled his head snapped to the door. Hunter began seriously worrying he would get whiplash. Finally at 10am he saw a familiar face, sunlight trailed in behind her.
"Hi! What can I get started for you," putting on his customer service voice, with less effort than what it usually took, and now it seemed almost genuine.
"What do you recommend?" Caroline asked as she came up to the register, her dark green eyes gazing into his. Hunter stood there frozen for a second, like a deer in headlights, before he finally realized what he had been asked.
"Sorry, uhm… Well, it totally depends on what you like," he responded finally, having managed to tear his eyes away from Caroline's.
"Whatever you like, I trust you.." she squinted her eyes to read the nameplate on his chest. "..Hunter."
Hunter could feel his face warming up. He tried to think of just about anything on their menu, but he was totally blanking.
"The salty caramel latte…" he finally came up with.
"...is good," he added after an embarrassingly long time. It was good though.
"Great," Caroline beamed, "I'll have one of those then!"
"And what's your name?" Hunter asked, pretending he didn't remember it from the day before.
"Leah," Caroline, who apparently was Leah and not Caroline, responded. Hunter raised a brow involuntarily, but didn't say anything. Leah made her way to the same table she had been seated at the day before, one of the spots facing the register and his workstation. Leah began pulling things out of her bag and setting up a workstation of her own. Hunter turned around to work on Leah's order.
Once he had finished the order, his head was not in order, because he took the latte over to Leah's table instead of calling it out. Taking an order to the table wasn't a problem if there were several people on the clock, but when it was just him, not the best idea. He didn't realize his mistake however until he was halfway to the table, which meant he had no chance of turning around without Leah noticing. Luckily he hadn't left any other customers hanging, he hastily walked the rest of the way to Leah.
"Here you go! A salty caramel latte for Leah," he announced with a nervous smile as he put the order down on the table.
"Thank you," Leah said, her lips spreading into a smile, as she thanked him she was looking intently into his eyes. Her warm dark eyes were way more intense than what Hunter could handle, in addition customers usually didn't look into his soul as they thanked him. A blush began to warm his cheeks, making him forget all about the fact that he should be getting back to work.
"No problem," he grinned back.
"I love your hair by the way!"
The hair in question was in a half-up-half-down style today, with two locks separated from the rest to frame the face.
"Oh, thank you very much!" Leah smiled, looking down at her latte.
The jingle of the bell at the door dragged Hunter back to reality.
"Alright, I should get behind the counter again, so I'll see you around I guess!" he blurted out as he pointed to the counter behind him with his thumb, he turned around and nearly jogged back to the counter. On the brisk walk back to counter he scolded himself for the sudden and random compliment he had paid Leah. Now Leah probably thought he looked and sounded like an absolute fool. See you around? Pathetic.
—
"Did she come by while I was gone?" Hunter asked his colleague.
"She?"
"Gorgeous girl with golden skin, gold jewelry and round glasses. Dark green hair, almost black," he explained. She, whatever her name was, had been coming in pretty much every day the last week. She had given a different name every time Hunter had taken her order, it made Hunter wonder a lot, especially about if any of the names she had given were her actual name. When she came in seemed to vary, which kept Hunter on his toes. In fact, he had almost felt a twinge of disappointment at the fact that he had the weekend off from work.
Now he was back to work and back on his toes.
"No, I don't think so, at least not that I can remember," Luz shrugged, this convinced Hunter that she had not been in, because he knew that there was no way someone couldn't remember her.
The day had gone by slowly, usually when he had company the day went by faster.
But he had stayed on his toes for the length of his shift, waiting. He tried his best to stifle the feeling that grew in his chest as the day dragged on and she hadn't showed up. Feeling disappointed a certain regular hadn't showed up felt silly, if you could even call someone a regular after barely a week.
The rain that had been merely a drizzle when he came into work that morning hammering against the windows of the quaint café as the day turned towards its end. The air smelled of petrichor once Hunter finally excited the shop for the day. The chill in the air of the fast approaching fall surrounded him as he hastily made his way home.
—
"So Harvey today huh? Interesting choice…" he remarked as he placed the cup on the counter in front of her. She had kept Hunter company the whole time he was working on her order, as it had become a part of their odd routines together.
"Hey! That happens to be my dad's name," Harvey exclaimed, leaning over the counter to push Hunter's shoulder playfully.
"Revealing your father's name before your own? Interesting," he raised his eyebrows.
"He doesn't have to be all mysterious like me. Also, who knows.. Maybe I'm making that up too," she winked, before picking up the cup and turning to go to her usual spot.
—
The bell rang, and Hunter's head snapped towards the door like usual, the dull ache in his neck scolding him as he did. This time however it was not in vain, because it was indeed her that walked in through the doors, warm sunlight following her, turning the previously gray day around. Their eyes met, she smiled at him, Hunter couldn't stop himself from smiling back.
"You have got to ask that girl out!" Luz rolled her eyes.
"I'm tired of you moping around on the days she's not here, don't get me wrong I love your usual 'I hate everything' vibe, but the moping is just tragic," she elaborated.
"I don't mope!" Hunter said through his teeth, as she was within earshot now.
"Hi!" Hunter said once she stood before him at the counter.
"Well if it isn't my favorite barista!" she exclaimed, starting off their usual banter.
"In the flesh," Hunter said with a flourish of his hands.
"What can I get you today, mystery girl?" He said,
"Any recommendations from the expert?" She answered, lengthening their daily interaction, which Hunter appreciated.
"If you're into pumpkin spice related drinks we're starting those as of today."
"Interesting.." she said, with overly animated contemplation.
"I will have to get a pumpkin spice latte then," she concluded.
"One pumpkin spice latte for…"
"Thérèse," she, Thérèse supplied.
It was clear that it was a more busy hour so Thérèse stepped back from the counter, instead of keeping up their chatter, as she had already kept up the line.
Luz, who had been working on drinks during their interaction, raised her forehead at the interaction as if proving a point.
"Shut up," Hunter grumbled through his grin.
—
She came up to the counter as Hunter was working on another order. He finished off the iced latte he was currently working on, and called out the corresponding name before turning to her.
"Who am I serving today?"
"I was thinking Hannah sounds good for today," she, Hannah, responded thoughtfully.
"Interesting.. Pretty normal that one, running out of the unconventional ones?" Hunter asked.
"There are a lot of names out there honey," Hannah said, Hunter knew the "honey" was probably all just a part of the banter, but it still made his heart flutter.
"I mean you have been getting quite creative lately. I've gotta say, Bertha has to be the best one yet. You definitely look like Bertha!" they let out a collective giggle at the last comment.
"Bertha was indeed a stroke of genius," Hannah admitted as she dusted imaginary dust off her shoulders.
The bell of the door rang as another customer entered the shop, which reminded him he was actually at work.
"What will you be having today," he asked, shaking himself back to reality and away from the daydream-like state.
"Surprise me," she winked. Surprise her? Hunter's mind went blank. When he had just about convinced himself this coffee shop didn't actually serve anything her first order popped into his mind. A chai latte. He got to work making the order as Luz handled the next customer.
"A chai latte for Hannah!" Hunter yelled. She strode up to the counter to pick up her chai latte, nodding approvingly.
"Good choice."
Which coaxed a smile to spread across Hunter's lips, Hannah averted her eyes, focusing intently the golden necklace around her neck.
"So… When's your break?" Hannah asked, fiddling with the pendant of her necklace. Hunter glanced at the clock that hung behind him.
"In about an hour," he concluded.
"Come sit with me then?" Hannah suggested, letting go of her necklace, but still looking down, now into her latte.
"Sure," he nodded slowly, trying to hide just how excited this proposal made him.
"It's a date then," Hannah said as she turned to walk over to her usual spot in the cafe. A date? Hunter stood there frozen, a date as in a date or as in the expression?
"Told you she likes you!" Luz teased once Hannah was out of earshot, poking her elbow at Hunter's side.
"We don't know for sure she meant a date date, maybe she meant the expression 'Oh it's a date', like to confirm an appointment you know?" Hunter rambled, he moved away from the counter to sit down on the chair that stood leaned against the wall the clock hung.
"Really? Did you not see how nervous she was?" Luz remarked, before going on, "That girl is usually the embodiment of confidence, she meant what she said dude."
The next hour of work had to be the slowest hour of work Hunter had ever experienced. Every time he looked at the clock it hadn't even been 5 minutes since the last time he checked, to make matters even worse they had barely had any customers in the time since Hannah made her order and proposal. Hunter tried making himself busy by clearing some tables and washing up. Still barely any time had passed.
"Just take an early break since it's so quiet now anyways," Luz groaned, clearly tired of watching him desperately trying to get time to move faster. He loosened his apron and lifted it above his head before Luz had any time to change her mind. He went over to the staff fridge where they kept their lunches, before heading over to where Hannah sat. Hannah waved as he approached her, he smiled in return. Now that he was up close he got a better look at the stickers that were spread all over her laptop, it was mostly covered in nature themed stickers with flowers and different crystals, with the exception of one sticker that read "black girl magic".
"I brought my lunch if that's alright," he shook his lunchbox and smiled sheepishly.
"Of course," she pushed her books and her laptop to the other side of the table to make room for him. He placed down his lunchbox and sat down on the chair next to the sofa Hannah was sitting on. They were both silent, and once Hunter decided to say something, so did Hannah, their words crashing together; which resulted in both of them erupting into laughter. This seemed to resolve any tension that had been between the two of them.
"So.. What are you working on?" Hunter asked, once the laughter had settled.
"Just schoolwork, reading for lectures and the like," Hannah explained.
"I'm guessing you're in lectures on the days you're not here then?" he asked.
"You notice when I'm not here?"
"It's hard not to," he confessed, poking at the salad in front of him.
"Your assumption is correct. You know, we should really find another place to meet, going to a cafe this often isn't the kindest to a student's economy," she admitted, leaning closer to him. The last comment caught him off guard, he had never considered that she came to the cafe so often because she wanted to see him. He had just assumed she really liked their coffee, so she just had to keep coming back, for the coffee. But she had been coming back.. for him?
"I have to admit, having someone as pretty as you in the cafe isn't the best for my concentration.." Hunter said with hesitance, trying to mask the earnest comment as banter by poking Hannah's waist with his elbow. Hannah giggled. Being so close to her quickened his heartbeat, and he exited Hannah's personal space just as quickly as he had entered it, not wanting to overstep any boundaries.
"Although I think it'll be a bit hard meeting outside of the cafe when I don't even know what your name is," Hunter said, carefully, hoping he hadn't crossed any further boundaries.
"I'll give you the next name in advance, how about that?" Hannah put her hand over Hunter's free hand. His face warmed up at the touch.
Throughout their little date they had ended up sitting next to each other, inching closer and closer to each other, thighs touching. And when Hunter's break had ended so had their date, as well as the quietness of the day, the rush of people seemed to be endless. Despite the rush Hunter noticed as Hannah left, not only did he notice, he also noticed how she left a book behind.
"I'm just gonna run out real quick," Hunter told his colleague.
"Really?" he heard Luz say behind her as he rushed to the table where Hannah had been a few moments ago. He picked up the book and sprinted out the door.
"Wait!"
The ethereal girl who had stolen his concentration and attention the last two weeks stopped in her tracks and turned around. She was smiling.
"I was hoping you would notice," she remarked.
"You left it on purpose?" he asked, trying to hide the fact that he had gotten a bit out of breath on his short jog.
They had closed the small distance between them, Hannah had taken one of Hunter's hands in hers.
"Didn't feel appropriate kissing you for the first time at your job," Hannah admitted
"Sorry, can I?" she added, a bit more hesitant now. Yes, she was very much allowed to kiss him. All Hunter managed in response was a nod. Hannah placed one hand on the side of Hunter's face, she brushed his hair away from his forehead. The gentle touch made his knees weak. Their eyes met, the sun was hitting Hannah's eyes making them into sparkling gemstones. Hannah leaned down and all of a sudden their lips were connected. He rested his hands on Hannah's shoulders. His heart hastened its beat in his chest and his stomach was doing summersaults, despite his nerves kissing her felt so natural. He couldn't stop himself from smiling against her lips, which in turn made Hannah smile too. Soon enough they were both smiling too much to keep kissing.
"Sorry," Hunter chuckled.
"I'll see you around," Hannah grinned, she leaned in and gave him a quick peck before turning around and walking back in the direction she had been headed.
"Returning the book went well I see," Luz remarked when Hunter returned wearing a shiteating grin.
—
After the events of the previous day Hunter was sure it had all been a dream. He almost convinced himself it was the case when she didn't turn up, but when she arrived the following day all his doubts were cleared. And if he had needed any further proof it had not been a dream she asked him if she wanted to have a lunch date again. The next time they saw each other she asked again, and again and again. Until going on lunch dates had become second nature.
"I'm gonna have to take my coffee to go today," she, Arabella today, said.
"Oh, okay," Hunter said, sounding way more surprised than he had intended.
"But… I have a suggestion to mend the wound," Arabella revealed, her chest raised and her teeth on full display in a blinding smile, the pride her genius idea had produced was adorable.
"Well?" he said, prompting an explanation.
"I would like for you," she pointed at Hunter, "and me," pointing at herself, "to go on a real date!" She finished her proposal with jazz hands.
"A real date?"
"Yes! Outside of the coffee shop and without any mysteries, no more Hannah, Thérèse or…" she paused. "What was my name today again?"
"Arabella," Hunter offered.
"Yes! No more them, just the two of us. Meet me outside of the coffee shop at 3pm on Saturday," she said with a wink.
"Hmm, I don't know if I should be going on a surprise date with someone I just met, Arabella," Hunter said, with feigned contemplation.
"Very funny," Arabella said, accompanied by the roll of her eyes.
"Payback," Hunter gloated.
—
It was colder than what you would expect for a sunny day at 3pm, even though it was fall.
As she approached Hunter she waved enthusiastically, and once she stood in front of him she held out her hand. When he accepted the hand the girl shook it.
"Hi, I'm Willow."
"Oh. Well hi Willow, nice to meet you!" he beamed, moving his hand so their fingers were intertwined. He wanted to repeat the name over and over, as if it was a treasure he had just discovered after years of searching.
"Aren't you going to introduce yourself back?" Willow exclaimed, feigning offense.
"So what's your plan for today then Willow?" Hunter asked, ignoring Willow's question.
"You'll see," she smirked, tugging at Hunter's hand to get him to follow her.
As they were walking along the pavement small raindrops began falling from the sky. The small drops turned to a drizzle as they closed in on a park nearby the coffee shop.
"I'm not so sure my wonderful plan is gonna work out," Willow shot out.
"Why not?"
Willow answered the question by opening her tote bag. It contained a small checkered blanket, baked goods and a thermos.
"A picnic?"
Willow nodded. There was no denying it anymore, Hunter was 100% in love.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Willow said as she opened the door. They had decided to bring the picnic indoors as the rain did not plan on stopping and had been hailing down ever since the first drizzle.
"Ignore the dishes," she said as Hunter stepped inside. He shrugged off his coat, which was now soaking wet, and put it on the coat stand that was next to the door. Once he had removed his shoes he had time to take in the apartment he had stepped inside. The layout was what you would expect from a studio apartment and the decor was what you would expect from Willow. The ceiling had fairy lights draped from every corner, and greenery filled every nook and cranny. The windowsills were filled with small crystals as well as an incense holder. The walls had various botanical posters plastered across them, and where there weren't posters there were pictures of friends and family. Hunter stepped closer to one of the pictures, it was Willow and an older man who looked east asian. He assumed it was Willow and her dad, he felt a twinge in his heart as he studied the photo, they were both smiling broadly and hugging.
"Is this the Harvey?" he decided to ask, to distract himself from what he suspected was jealousy. Willow giggled.
"Nope, that's my other dad, can't believe that's one of the names you remember."
"Well, it was kinda hard to forget that name in particular, considering you revealed that it was actually your dad's name, and how it's not really a common name for girls," he stated.
"Fair point," Willow said. He turned back to studying the various photos, trying to take in any additional information he could learn about this girl. He had learned quite a bit of superficial details during the time they had known each other, but he could never get enough of Willow.
"Can you help me with the blanket?" Willow asked, holding up the picnic blanket from her bag. Hunter strode across the floor and took hold of two of the corners of the blanket and helped her lay it out on the floor.
"I probably should have checked the weather report for today," Willow said with a sheepish grin, as she sat down on the blanket, Hunter sat down next to her. They sat close enough to one another that he could smell the familiar smell of Willow's perfume, the scent of vanilla as sweet as her with a hint of citrus, mixed with the faint smell of incense that hung carefully in the room.
"Don't worry about it Willow, picnics are great both outside and inside," he pressed Willow's hand, which made her smile. Willow let go to rummage through her bag, she pulled out one thing after another and placed two mugs down on the blanket next to the thermos.
"So I wanted to make you a drink since you've been mixing up coffees for me for quite some time, but I figured coffee is your territory so I made hot chocolate," Willow lifted up the thermos and wiggled it carefully, she grinned proudly.
"You're adorable, can I kiss-"
Willow put her lips against his before he could finish his question. Hunter deepened the kiss, he heard the quiet thud of Willow putting the thermos down next to them, she put her newly freed hand in Hunter's hair. In return he put his hands on the sides of her face, cupping it gently. His heart hammered along to the rhythm of the rain hitting the window panes. Their tongues met and as they did the kiss hastened, and became more urgent. He attempted to take a deep breath. He slid one of his hands down to Willow's back, caressing it. His body was striving to convince him he was on a rollercoaster. They broke apart once they both realized it was not possible to breathe properly at the pace they were going.
"I'll take that as a yes," Hunter said out of breath. Willow chuckled.
"So… Hot chocolate?" he asked nonchalantly. Hunter picked up one of the mugs, Willow hastily grabbed it from him.
"Wrong mug," she shrugged, as Hunter stared at her blankly.
"Someone's possessive of their mugs," Hunter joked, letting out an uncomfortable chuckle.
"Sorry.. Listen, I can't seem to get enough of you," Willow explained, she picked up the mug that Hunter had not touched, and tipped it towards him so he could see the inside of the mug. "Do you want to be my boyfriend?" was scribbled in the bottom.
"Sorry, it was a stupid idea," Willow murmered.
"Did you make this yourself?" Hunter finally managed to say. Willow nodded hesitantly.
"I had no idea my girlfriend was such a dork, no wonder you kept giving me fake names, couldn't let me know Willow was a dork," he said, poking at Willow's side with his fingers. Willow erupted into giggles, Hunter stopped poking her, and rested his forehead against his girlfriend's.
"What does the other mug say anyways?"
Willow picked it up and tipped it towards him, it was a heart. Hunter leaned in to kiss her, it wasn't a very long lived kiss, but they still managed to slip in some tongue and lose their breaths.
"So… hot chocolate?" Hunter finally said. And they both laughed.