Simmering Sweetness
...
Momo tried to focus on the coffee machine. But, he was like a magnet for her eyes.
Broad shoulders stretched a collared, button-down shirt. His hair, dark red on the left side (facing her), formed perfectly around his ear. But the auburn strands fell longer over his forehead and temple. The ends dusted the top of a single, dark-colored eyebrow.
When he turned, the man flipped silver-white hair from the right side of his face.
The barista picked up the next cardboard cup - almost the last in line.
'Half-caff latte, extra hot. Trevor. Got it.'
The guy, man, ordering at the register…. Momo dragged her gaze from his angular jaw, his dual-toned hair.
Those heterochromatic eyes.
'One shot decaf.' She watched the dark liquid fill the glass.
The customer's hands came to rest on the counter - near the register. Her friend and coworker, Denki Kaminari, moved away; he grabbed a paper tote bag from the low shelf.
Momo dumped the espresso shot into the waiting cup. She ground the caffeinated beans and tamped the powder into the portafilter. The barista reconnected the handle to the brew head. She set a clean shot glass on the wire grate, then hit the button to pull a second shot.
The man at the counter wore his right shirtsleeve rolled up - his arm bulging beneath the cuff. Well-defined cords of muscle wound from his wrist to his elbow.
Momo forced her eyes away. Again. Instead, she stared at the buzzing, steaming machine in front of her.
'He's beautiful,' she thought for about the hundredth time; Momo let out a small sigh. The barista dumped another shot into the cup. She chased the bitter fluid with heated milk - filling it all the way to the top. 'I wonder what his story is.'
Momo placed the drink on the counter. "Half caff latte for Trevor."
She picked up a rag and wiped down the counter; the barista knocked the puck from the portafilter, and grabbed the next cup.
Black marker scrawled across the cup. It read: 'Someone is watching you smile.'
Momo's heart thudded in her chest. She glanced around.
Denki had left the register. The customer "Sho" (from the name on his orders) no longer appeared…anywhere near the counter. 'Is that his first name? Last? It kinda sounds more like a nickname.'
Momo huffed and looked around for the pest responsible for the note. "Denki?" She ducked her head through the kitchen door.
But, the place was empty.
She turned and approached the register. The early rush had ended; several small groups of people lingered at the eclectic collection of tables.
Along the far wall, another counter stretched several meters. Sets of outlets adorned small "stations" where those seeking free wifi and a temporary workspace could plug in.
In the center of the family-owned coffee bar sat a couple of loveseats and soft chaises - arranged around a group of low tables. 'I don't see him? Did he leave?'
She turned away, leaning back against the countertop. 'He shows up twice a week. Not quite a regular, but. At least, I should see him again.' Momo's gaze fell to the floor.
...
He caught her eye. With his dual-toned coloring, the man seemed a walking, breathing contradiction. His fine features sported a day-old beard. He wore an expensive-label dress shirt with well-worn jeans.
One shirtsleeve loose and rolled up to his elbow; the other, down and buttoned.
The red hair gave him the appearance of being a young man, in his early twenties. The silver-white hair, at first glance, would have given the opposite impression. 'Probably why he flips it back on that side.'
"He's cute. In an interesting way." Mina giggled and leaned back on the counter.
"I wouldn't call him 'cute' exactly. He's striking."
"Hot."
She risked another glance in Sho's direction. He'd turned around; phone held against one ear. Momo took in his tall, lean form…all the way down to the tight curve of his rear. Her heart sped up, and the steam from the coffee machine grew several degrees warmer.
"Can't argue physique-wise. But—"
"Why do you always have to talk like you write dictionaries in your spare time?" Mina whined.
He moved to the end of the counter. Sho stuffed his phone into his front pocket. Glanced around, down the line of the coffee bar. He scowled.
'Everyone's in a hurry.'
The barista finished the cold brew drink off with thick cream; she held her favorite, fall-themed stencil atop his cup - and dusted cinnamon over the foam.
Momo placed the drink, top, and straw on the counter. "Sho?" She scooted it across the formica.
The scowl on his face relented. He met her gaze for a fraction of a second before she looked away.
"Thanks." His voice sounded softer than she expected. The barista glanced at his hands, resting on the countertop. Scars, scaly and red - like the kind caused by burns - marred the flesh of his left wrist; they were just visible beneath the cuff on his sleeve.
A similar grouping of scars caught his temple and extended along his forehead - beneath his striking auburn hair.
"Of-of course." Her voice couldn't rise above a whisper. "H-have a great day."
The man picked up his drink and sipped. Momo turned; she moved back towards her station.
But, something pulled at her. She paused, glanced over her shoulder, and got caught in his gaze. He stared at her, unabashed. A heated intensity burned in that look.
Momo sucked in a breath as her insides liquified into a hot, simmering latte. The kind that was so sweet, it was almost too much.
...
'Dammit. Sometimes, he orders his drink cold. Which would be in a plastic cup. Not this thing.' She shook her head. 'Where the hell is Denki?'
Momo grumbled and went back to her station. She set about cleaning the dishes in the sink. 'I guess if Sho wants his order, he'll just have to come back.'
That thought made her smile.
AN: I may continue this, but it could also slice-of-life like stand on its own. Maybe. I think. I wanted to write more of it during TodoMomo Week, but I spent too much (?) time on my Rivals to Lovers fic that I didn't manage to get anything posted of during the event (sigh).
Anyway! Thanks to everyone who contributed during TdmmWeek 2022! ❤️
And, as always, thank you to all who will read this fic.
Love,
~Rose