Julian Devorak Coffe Shop AU

(Re)meeting Asra

Julian sashayed into the shop with the level of theatrics I'd grown used to, the chime of the bell caused Salim to glance up from his book. He did a double take before slowly putting it down and patiently waiting to be introduced. I'd noticed a certain interest woven into his expression that he typically didn't take in the usual customer, but Julian isn't our usual customer- I know that for sure.
He nodded approvingly at  the shop, not noticing the quiet Salim in the corner.
"I like it here, looks good." He smiled stupidly, I knew what was to follow. "As do the staff."
He fired finger guns in my direction,I suddenly took great interest in anything but the other people in the room, avoided any form of eye contact with Salim, cringing slightly.
"My shift isn't over, you know."
"I know, I know, just thought I'd stop by early, distract you a bit."
"Well you're certainly distracting Salim."
Julian whipped his head round and I laughed at the horror striking him as he realised we were not alone.
Salim, however, didn't seem distrubed or shaken the same way Julian had. He, very much like his child, carried an aura of calm with him, second hand embarrassment rarely breaking his friendly disposition. "You studied at the university, right?" He asked from his chair.
Julian was as red as his hair at this point, "yes, I still am- getting a doctorate."
He smiled and nodded and I started to thread the invisible string somehow connecting the two.
"You're not working there anymore?"
"Oh no," Salim said, "you can only take so much."
Julian nodded, thoughtfully, but not how I'd known him to be thoughtful before. Knowingly was probably a better way of putting it.
There was a rustling of beads.
"Y/N?" Asra emerged with an armful of small boxes (that, may I mention, had previously been contained in one larger box) and spilled them across the counter.
"Asra!"  I scolded as one fell to the ground, others dangerously close to a similar fate.
"They're all tea, it's okay. If you could just-"
He cut himself off as he met eyes with Julian, who stood like a deer in headlights.
The atmosphere changed and the sudden sense of history struck me. Oh dear.
"You two alright?" I laughed, trying my best to play off whatever it was that had silenced the shop.
Asra hummed a response but its incentive wasn't clear.
"What's...going on?" I tried to say in my most natural and nonchalant voice, "you okay?"

Let's cut to whenever later. Julian had never seemed so uncomfortable, his hands folded neatly in front of him and his back so straight and stiff it looked almost brittle- like a single tap would shatter him. Asra was the complete opposite, as if he'd ran into a friendly acquaintance. They're the one that gave me the rundown while Julian turned a sickly shade of green.
"Oh." Was my response to the whole story, which felt like a mammoth understatement. "So you two were a thing?"
Stating the obvious, my number one talent.
"Sorta."
"Yes."
Julian glanced quizzically at Asra, then hurriedly shifted his attention to the carpet.
"Oh." I repeated, the next question felt like a mandatory pleasantry and was aimed at Asra, "you don't mind us being..." I trailed off, gesturing to the perspiring man sitting across from him.
Faust caught my eye, watching with keen interest as if she understood what was going on better than I did, her tongue flicking like she was spilling secrets. We'd often joked about the snakes gossiping, but in this moment it almost felt true.
He (Asra) reached out to take my hand, which I offered on auto pilot, "of course not." They said giving my fingers a small squeeze like I was in need of comforting. It didn't go entirely unappreciated- God, I hope I didn't look like Julian, he certainly wasn't shatter resistant by this point, he probably could have done with some air.
I squeezed Asra's hand in return, smiling but knowing it didn't reach my eyes; despite his response, a ball of lead-heavy guilt sat in my stomach.

We decided that was a good enough history lesson for the day and I excused myself to finish up on some chores.
As Julian and I were about to leave, Asra pulled me aside.
"You alright?" I asked, "are you sure you're okay with this?"
He smiled softly and my heart melted slightly- they'd been my best friend for as long as I could remember, I'd never want to be the reason he's uncomfortable.
"Of course, I just wanted to tell you I'm happy for you both. I hope it goes well for you."
I gave him a tight "good night" hug, the familiar smell of tea and cardamom taking a weight off of my shoulders.
"Love you, Asra."
"Love you too, Y/N."
I had a Julian to see to and something was telling me he was more in need of a hug than I was. I ruffled Asra's hair which he returned as usual and I felt immediately better about the whole everything-thing. I called my goodbye across the shop, waiting until I heard Aisha reply before departing.

"Hey, you never told me you had a dog!"

Hi everyone, sorry for taking so long to update and sorry for the low quality chapter- I was listening to Copacabana on a loop while writing this which I imagine has the same effect on me as drugs would.
Hope you're all well and fighting the good fight and thank you for being so patient.