Flower-Boy (Cactus X Reader)

2 - towards the coffee shop - 2

Today is a rare day, you neither have work nor class! Though, you still decide to walk the usual route; passing by a coffee shop that was recently opened. 

"Café Hoqsou" Was the name of the humble coffee shop; the outside was structured with stable, sturdy golden brown maple wood. With a raven black metal rimming the doors and elongated windows, and an ashy grey brick to build the foundation of the café. It had an atmosphere that reminded you of the pastries your mother used to bake on the rainy Friday nights.

The thought made you feel nostalgic, wanting to eat the flaky yet sweet pastries that they'd make. 

The rings of the chimes when you opened the door startled you, but it feels strangely familiar. This is something that doesn't go back in your memory though, as it just recently opened; yet it strikes feelings of comfort and warmth. Maybe something you used to hear on summer mornings when the wind blew softly on the trees around your home.

"Welcome! the menu is on the counter and you can ring the bell when you'd like to order!" The lady behind the counter had trimmed, fluffed up chestnut hair, to the length of their neck, with a contrast of a pink strand on the left side of their face. It matched with her bronzed, toned skin which lacked any impurities. She was wearing a black thick apron over top of the white button-up and black denim jeans.

She walks away to the back of the counters, seeming to tidy up the supplies, getting prepared for the rest of the day.

Mocha, macchiato, cappuccino, caffè latte, espresso, There are so many options to get...

You take a glance over at the display cases of the desserts and pastries, including Tres Leches, Arroz con Leche, Arequipe, Conchas, and lots more Colombian desserts you couldn't name from the top of your head. 

so many options to decide...

ding! you wrung the bell, indicating you're ready to order.

A lengthy pale man with fluffy jet-ink hair and sliver white locks covering the front walks towards the counter sluggishly, with the same thick black apron covering his body. His eyes were coated similarly to the colour of amethyst, looking lazily down towards you.

"Hey, how can I help you?" he spoke with a monotone voice, yet still keeping the tone of professionalism.

"Can I get a medium mocha topped with whipped cream with a medium latte also topped with whipped cream?" you spoke with a stern yet slightly shaky voice.

"is that all?" you can hear the clacking of the keys of the cash register clearly echoing the isolated cafe,  almost over the soft but gentle tunes humming in the background. 

You give it some thought as you look over the other various Colombian desserts displayed behind the glass window. All of which has flakes of pastry on the bottom of the pans, still a bit steamy and fresh.

"Can I also get two Conchas, one chocolate, and one coffee?"

"Is that all?" he repeated himself while adding more orders onto the list."

"Yeah, that's all thank you."

The purple-eyed man heads over to the pastry display case, while also signaling to the brunette to make the coffee on the order. 

"Have you ever heard of tiramisu before?" He leaned down to look for the conchas to pack up, keeping his focus on the inside."

"Tira- what-"

"I'll get you one on the house.  And you can share it with whoever you're meeting up with too." He grabs a box and picks up a small rectangular cake frosted with white icing.

you felt flabbergasted, taken aback by the sudden kindness the man is showing. 

"Oh no, it's fine-" 

"Take it, you're our first customer since our opening today. Everyone should be able to enjoy a tiramisu at least once in their life as well." the man places the box of pastries onto the counter, as the brunette who was handling the second half of the order hands the carton of bervages to you.

"no I seriously can't take this-" you try to use body language to indicate you didn't need it, waving your hands nervously.

"take it" his voice grows to be more firm and steady.

"I can't"

"just. take. it."

gulp. you slightly start to hover over the box, realizing you can't do anything to get out of this situation.

"fine, you win." an audible sigh leaves your mouth. gaining a steady but light grip, you carry the box with two hands as the carton with the drinks is placed on top. "but I'll definitely come back another time to pay you back!"

"Well the point of business is to lure back customers to come back again and again" he lets out a light chuckle as he waves towards you.  "come again!"

you'd encounter the chimes as you exit the coffee shop; with a slightly annoyed face, you ponder on the interaction you had with the stoic barista. if you had to be honest, though his kindness is appreciated, it frustrated you a bit. Though this isn't close to a disliking, more of a silly interaction that got you slightly railed up. Though this can't be the highlight of the day, as it only just started. After all, you have someone you've been wanting to see for the last few days.

you arrive in front of the florist shop from before. it looks a lot more tidy and slick from the last you took a glimpse at it. the weeds disappeared as well as the old creaking of the door. New, marble-like pillars were in the middle of being put in place, as the exterior walls have been repainted.

stepping in, you spot exactly who you expected to be here. The freckled brunette dusts the upper part of the shops, barely being supported on the ladder. You admire how the sun reflects off the slightly muscular forearms of the man, as shown from the rolled-up sleeves. how his hair fluffs up like a small cloud closer to earth, gently bouncing with every slight tilt he made. speaking of tilt his body is starting to tilt over...?!

Hastily, you start running towards him, while dropping the items you were certainly holding. The panic in his eyes are starting to grow as he realizes the situation he's in. As if it played in slow motion, you barely were able to get under him.

THUD. the sudden weight change in your arms from less than a pound of food to a whole person startles you, to the point where you feel yourself plumping towards the ground.

An overwhelming amount of pain washes you as you bite your lip to surpress the agony you feel on your upper back and head.

Oh shit- you slightly start panicking from what you've just done.

"Crap- I'm sorry cactus I just did that without thinking and I-" you fumble over your words as you try to lift him off of you. "I didn't want you to take such a harsh fall that you could've seriously injured yourself but my body ended up moving and-"

"The real question is are you alright?" Cactus has moved himself beside you as you attempt to sit up, not without the heavy feeling of dizziness pulling you down.

"I-I'm fine." You grunt a bit, rubbing your hand on your head. "But are you okay?"

you look towards the treats from the local cafe from earlier, letting out a small gasp, cactus looks into the direction you're looking.

"Lets get that cleaned up."

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1233 words