coffee shop au. i realize i've not touched this in 500+ years, but i should be writing more after playing through the series again.

"Just an espresso." He spoke without looking up from his phone, finishing up an email to his co-worker. "Actually, add a bagel. Plain."

If she looked irked, she didn't show it. Instead, she punched in the order and took his card when he offered it to her. "Would you like your receipt?"

His email being finished, he switched to sending a text to one of his friends while he answered no. The rosette's eye twitched slightly, crumpling up the receipt she had printed out before tossing it away, not bothering to say thank you.

This was the fourth time the silver haired man had come into the shop this week, ordering the same exact espresso with the same exact bagel, and every single time he had not looked up from his phone when ordering. Claire knew she may not have looked the friendliest, but it didn't mean that she didn't deserve to be looked in the eye. Especially when she was in charge of his coffee and bagel.

The time that he usually came in was when the coffee shop wasn't especially busy. The morning rush had come and gone by then, so it was usually just Claire and rude phone boy. Seeing as the he obviously was in no rush, as he had casually taken a seat at one of the tables and set up his laptop, she took her time with his order.

"Espresso and plain bagel," she said as she set the items down onto his table, careful to not disturb his workspace.

Again, he didn't look up towards her when he gave his thanks.

She almost turned away and went on with her day.

A hand came down on the screen of his laptop, bringing it down to meet the keyboard with a thunk. He looked up in surprise, green eyes meeting blue. "Listen, I know I'm just the girl who makes your coffee, but I'd appreciate it if you'd look me in the eye when you're ordering, or at least give me some of your damn attention," his cheeks were beginning to flush, she noticed. She calmed her tone down as she finished, "I could have put something in your coffee by now, you know. A laxative would have been really something to see."

The man cleared his throat, and almost looked away. Almost. "I – Okay. You're completely right, I'm just," he chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck, "You're really pretty. And intimidating. But mostly pretty. It's hard to talk to you without coming off as a dork. I'm sorry."

Claire raised an eyebrow at that. She hadn't expected him to be so honest with her. "A dork is better than a guy who doesn't tip their waitresses."

He laughed again, and she found herself liking the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. "Right. Um, I could make it up to you," he took a moment to glance towards her nametag, "Claire. If you want?"

The rosette thought for a second, pondering his offer. He was cute. And he apologized. She pointed towards his bagel, "I know a place that has way better bagels than this place. I'm free this Friday, ah…"

"Hope," he replied quickly, extending his hand to shake.

"Hope." she took it, a half smile forming on her lips. "I also expect a tip."