Disclaimer: Elderburn Week Day 3: Coffee Shop AU. I was a little liberal with that interpretation.
Yang brushed a leaf from her hair as she stepped into the little coffee shop across the street from her apartment. Unlike her sister, she didn't really like caffeinated beverages all that much, but this little shop also had a really delicious line of muffins and a special protein shake that she would actually consider killing for, if she was completely honest. After busting her butt for an hour at the gym around the corner, nothing felt quite as good as sitting outside on the patio, letting her hair air dry as she enjoyed her reward before heading back to her apartment. Aside from the chance to people watch and enjoy the outdoors, it gave her some much needed time to clear her mind.
About three years ago, her sister posted a video online, one taken very sneakily from the door of her bedroom as Yang raged over a lopsided multiplayer match in a first person shooter game. Between the two of them, Ruby had more technical proficiency in video games overall, but her elder sister could be stubborn and very creative when it came to coming up with ways of venting her frustration. Apparently, that combination appealed to many people and, before they really knew it, the sisters had a thriving gaming channel. Sometimes, it was Yang raging over a game or Ruby doing a speed run, and they'd even gotten to a point where they had reviews and demos and the like. On the upside: a steady gig they both enjoyed. Downside though? A lot of time spent indoors, which sometimes chaffed at the elder of the two. Given something to fiddle with, Ruby could stay inside for days, but Yang absolutely needed a breath of fresh air, hence her morning trips to the gym and the coffee house before heading back to the apartment and sitting down to record for a few hours.
Heading up to the counter, she checked her watch and grinned a little wider when the door chimed behind her, a sure sign that the woman who seemed to have a similar morning schedule had arrived right on time.
At first, Yang hadn't noticed. More interested in her reward, she hadn't thought to notice who ordered after her, but after a month or two, it occurred to her that the same voice placed the same order almost every day, and she'd snuck a few peeks at who seemed to always be behind her in line. The woman was tall, probably a little older than herself with white hair pulled into a tight bun and sharp blue eyes, always dressed in a crisp suit of white or some shade of blue, and ordered a grande mocha latte with an extra shot of espresso to go every day in a crisp, precise tone that brooked no room for argument. If Yang had to guess, she probably worked as a lawyer or an executive at some big name company, because for as often as they both frequented the coffee shop, she couldn't be convinced that she'd ever seen the woman wear the same suit twice, and they definitely didn't look like the bargain ones the sisters would occasionally wear to online media conventions and the like.
But aside from all that, she'd taken notice of one aspect in particular: the woman was drop dead gorgeous. Like, ethereal beauty wrapped in a satin glove, or one of those famous depictions of an ancient Goddess, maybe even a Maiden herself.
Yang hadn't done anything with the information, though. A pretty lady stands behind her in line every day. What, was she supposed to turn around and strike up a conversation?
… actually, that sounded like a neat idea. Worst that could happen would be a few awkwardly exchanged lines and an uncomfortable silence, then they could go back to just standing in line together tomorrow like nothing happened.
Turning around, Yang prepared to deliver the best pick-up line she could, about to let it fly from her tongue when she stopped short. Behind her stood not a tall woman with piercing blue eyes and a resting bitch face but a dude about her height with shaggy grey hair and a raised brow.
"What? I got something on my face?"
"Nah, man," she said, laughing lightly. "Just wanted to say that's a killer hoodie."
The men looked down and then smiled. "Hey, thanks. Got it from that thrift shop down the street."
"It looks good on you," she replied, turning back forward and thankful that the heat didn't start rising in her cheeks until after she'd faced the counter again. Of course the one morning she decided to try striking up a conversation with the woman, she wouldn't be there. Typical Xiao Long luck at work, she thought to herself as a self depreciating smile claimed her lips. Ah, well. Regardless of her lack of initiating a conversation with the person she wanted to, Yang proceeded to wait her turn and order her usual muffin and protein shake as always, waiting by the counter afterward and glancing at the door occasionally. The woman had to be coming through soon, probably just running a little late. It happened to everyone, so why not her?
When her order came up, she grabbed it and pushed her way outside, claiming one of the patio tables and sitting down in one of two chairs. In a matter of two minutes, she'd demolished the muffin and sat there, sipping on her shake while taking surreptitious glances up and down the street. Considering their orders were usually ready around the same time, Yang had noticed that she often got into a sleek looking white coupe, occasionally a silver one, and even a blue one every now and again. All of them looked expensive as hell and she mentally chastised herself for actually thinking she could start up a conversation with someone who probably made her yearly income in a manner of weeks.
But… by the time she'd finished her shake, the woman hadn't arrived. Must've been running really late, which had to suck- even if she didn't keep herself on as strict a schedule as the majority of the world, she still had deadlines.
Tapping her finger against the empty cup, Yang came to a decision. It probably wouldn't amount to anything but it would be a nice gesture all the same. So she walked back into the coffee shop and waited in line again, getting up to the counter and giving the slightly surprised barista the order.
"A grande mocha latte with an extra shot of espresso, please," she said, smiling wide. "Uh, to-go."
The barista smirked, amusement shining in amber eyes. "People take days off, you know."
… okay, she really didn't expect to be found out that quickly. "Well, I mean, yeah, but if she's just running late, it'd be nice to help her out."
The woman on the other side of the counter- her nametag read 'Blake', which was probably her name- chuckled, though she tapped in the order all the same. "Are you really expecting a date out of this?"
"No. Honestly, I'll take a 'thank you'." Yang shrugged. "Look, if I was running so far behind that I had the option between ducking in for my morning bright spot or getting to where I need to be, I'd like for some stranger to take pity on me and stand by the curb with a coffee."
"And if she bypasses the place completely?"
"It's the thought that counts?" She shrugged, pulling out her cash while the barista went about making the order. "That's gotta earn me a little karma, right?"
Blake nodded. "You know, it just might."
As she stepped aside to await the cup, Yang shot off a text to her sister, letting her know that she wouldn't be back for a little while. With a rough guess, she figured twenty minutes- or, she supposed, however long it took for the coffee to become too cold to be drinkable- wouldn't be that much of a delay, and all they were doing today would be editing and such.
A few minutes later, Yang went back outside to her little table and waited, the cup sitting in front of her. It wasn't cold enough yet in the year for steam but the brisk wind did send a shiver down her spine. She preferred warmer weather, honestly, and would probably retreat to inside the shop in about a month or so. For now, she could enjoy it.
After about five minutes of waiting, a sleek white coupe pulled up and some part of Yang couldn't believe it, sitting forward in her seat slightly.
It suddenly occurred to her that she hadn't thought of what to say.
Shit.
Go with straight to the point, that usually worked out pretty well for her.
Standing up as she saw the woman she was waiting for exit the parked vehicle, Yang grabbed the cup and took a few steps towards her, clearing her throat.
"Uh, Miss? Here, I got you your coffee. Just how you like it." Welp, that made her sound like a creeper. "I, uh, kinda picked up on it, since you always order after me. Anyway, figured it'd help out if you didn't have to wait for your order, since you're running late and all." She paused, noting the woman had just stared at her thus far. "But… if you'd rather not… accept coffee from a total stranger, ya know, I totally get it-"
"How long have you been waiting?" The woman's voice held a healthy amount of skepticism… but not much 'fuck off' and at least a little bit of genuine curiosity.
"About five minutes," she replied, doing her best not to buckle under the woman's sharp gaze. "I figured, ya know, you probably stopped here because it's on your way to work, and if I just gave it a little time, you'd swing by. I mean, if you really wanted coffee this morning."
With narrowed eyes, the woman accepted the cup… and then brushed past her into the coffee shop anyway.
Yang's shoulders fell, a frown turning the corners of her lips down.
Well.. she'd tried, at least. Probably wouldn't be able to look the woman in the eyes ever again but… hey, it wasn't like they'd had any interaction prior to this.
She probably should just walk across the street and go home. Considering how awkward just giving the woman coffee was, sitting at a table when she came back out would probably be ten times worse… but at the same time, she really didn't want to walk into the apartment and be confronted with her sister's perpetual cheer just yet.
So she went back to her little table and sat down, lolling her head back and closing her eyes. Maybe if she just feigned being lost in her own world, she could avoid any further awkwardness.
A few customers came and went from the coffee shop and just as she prepared to get up and start her day, someone cleared their throat.
"Is this seat taken?"
Lilac eyes opened wide, surprised to find the woman standing beside the table carrying what appeared to be the same cup she'd given her… plus another. "Huh?" Blue eyes fell on the vacant seat. "Oh! No, go for it! Have a seat!" Sitting up properly, Yang watched as the new cup was set in front of her and the woman gracefully lowered herself into the extra chair. "I, uh, kinda thought, ya know, you'd head out… pretty immediately."
"Today's my day off," she said, taking a sip- and, from how far back she tipped the cup, it certainly wasn't her first.
"Uh… really?" Although it probably wasn't entirely polite, her gaze flicked over the woman's form. With a crisp suit and the tight bun, it… really didn't seem that way. "You, uh, look like you do every day. No offense."
"What's wrong with that?" White brows furrowed, and it kinda looked like the woman was pouting just a little. Okay 'pouting' wasn't the right word; she just seemed genuinely confused by the words. "Should I not look presentable when I go out in public?"
"I mean, yeah, sure, if that' what you want." Yang tilted her head slightly. "But doesn't it hurt, having your hair pulled up like that all the time?"
"Isn't it frustrating, having the wind always blowing your hair everywhere?"
She laughed, caught a little off guard by the quick retort. "Well, fair enough. Things can get pretty hairy on a windy day." Yang's lips pulled into a slightly wider smile at the woman's unexpected chuckle, an idea coming to her. "But, check this out!" She reached into the pocket of her jeans, pulling out the hair tie she used in the gym. It was still a little damp from sweat but worked to pull her bountiful mane up into a messy ponytail. Once finished, she flashed a smile. "See? I can change things up."
The woman watched her for a moment before reaching up to pull out some unseen pin- and she almost couldn't believe it was that easy- which allowed her bun to to come undone, a shake of her head sending long white waves cascading over her shoulders. "There. Now are you willing to believe me?"
"Uh huh," she replied a little dumbly, surprised at how much less severe the woman's countenance appeared now that she had her hair down. "I'm, uh, Yang, by the way. Yang Xiao Long."
"A pleasure to meet you," the woman replied, offering her hand. "My name is Winter Schnee. And, if you're willing to try it, I think you might rather like that." Her gaze darted down to the untouched coffee cup. "It's chai tea. Not heavy on the caffeine but a good flavor."
"Huh. Alright, I've got some time to kill." She reached over and picked up the cup. "So… what is it you do? If you don't mind the question, of course."
Ruby called her an hour later, wondering what held her up- not upset, of course, but just unused to her sister getting so thoroughly distracted- and Yang blushed a little at the realization that they'd gotten so caught up in chatting, she hadn't even noticed how long ago they'd finished their drinks. When she hung up, promising she'd be there soon, Winter offered an apology that didn't sound quite sincere.
"I didn't mean to keep you from anything important."
"Nah, it's fine." She drummed her fingers against the table. "Ya know, I'd ask for us to chat in the mornings more often, but you seem pretty busy-"
"Honestly, I arrived about an hour and a half early for work every day," the other woman said, a smile curling her lips. "I think I can spare half an hour here and there."
"Well, alright then." Yang chuckled. "It's a date!"
"And one I look forward to."