And you decided whether you saw beauty or destruction

I care only for who you really are

(Famous music star and person who doesn't know them)

Connor liked the quaint, small-ish, almost hidden coffee shop close to his home, for the most part. As a famous punk star, there weren't many places he could go without being swarmed by fans, but the Cedar café was a safe place.

There was a single tiny problem, the cute barista who had learned Connor's order by heart, the one that Connor possibly had a massive crush on, had absolutely no idea who Connor was.

When he had stepped foot on the café for the first time, the barista had simply looked at him, then quickly back down, no high pitched screaming, no wordless pointing, no fainting, but also no frown or crass words. He didn't ask any questions unless they had to do with the order, gave him a customer service smile, and prepared his drink, and Connor was intrigued.

It took three days, the barista, Evan as his tag claimed, had learned Connor's order by the third day; for Connor to realize that Evan actually didn't know who he was. That was ok, more than ok; Connor came here mostly because the people who frequented it were all too old to know him, nothing else.

Only the more he went, the more comfortable Evan seemed to become around him, actually striking small chat with him as he brewed, or making jokes, and lately, asking questions; Connor was a very weak, very gay guy, and Evan was charming as fuck. Connor answered most of his questions, which all helped further cement the fact that Evan had no idea who Connor was, and got to ask quite a few too, which was a good reward.

He learned that Evan was working on the shop so he could afford college, he was a senior on Environmental Science, and knew far more about trees than anyone else Connor had ever talked with, he also had a small collection of succulents in his apartment, all named; Evan has a total of two friends, one he's known since forever whom, to Connor's opinion, was an asshole until recently, and the other one is more a friend by proxy, but Connor still likes them better. Connor doesn't have many friends himself, so this is nice, and new, and only worsens his budding crush on Evan, but he thinks he'll survive.

The whole Evan not knowing thing only became a problem when one of Evan's two friends comes over to the café when Connor is there, it's a short-ish guy with glasses and short hair; the moment he enters the café his eyes land on Connor, who's standing near the counter, and he freezes in his spot. All at once dread fills Connor, because out of all the ways for Evan to find out he's famous, this it possibly the worst.
"Holly shit, you're Connor Murphy"
"You know him?"
"Evan, he's famous"

Connor doesn't stay to see the aftermath.

Later, once he's gotten home, he remembers that Evan gave him his email address, and writes down a lack luster apology.

To Evan:

I will start, first, by apologizing, I never meant for you to find out this way, but understand that I wasn't hiding it, I did want to tell you, so many times, but I was scared. I was terrified that if you found out everything we've built in this time would've crashed and burned, and I guess I was right.

I won't blame you if you never talk to me again, if you change your schedule so you don't even have to see me, but I wanted to explain, even if you never read it.

I'm surrounded by people who either put me in a pedestal like some sort of god, who cling onto the idea of me like lifeline, or people who have nothing but harsh words on my actions, who desiccate every mistake I make like I don't already do that myself, and always seem to know what hurts worst. And I could've only hoped you were somewhere in between.

And when I realized you didn't know but still wanted to talk to me, wanted to get to know me, I was happy... that's what I feared most, ruining that. Call me selfish or whatever.

I didn't mean to make you think it was all an act, because the truth is none of it was, in fact, I don't think I've ever shown so much of myself to anyone else, you pierced through my walls like they were made of paper, and I could only watch mesmerized as you didn't even notice what you were doing.

So, there you have it, do with it whatever you want, I just needed to write it.

C.M.

It takes him a week before he chances going to the café again, it still is the best place for him to calmly take a coffee; he's surprised when Evan is on the counter, he's even more surprised when the moment he lays eyes on him he jumps said counter and marches towards him. Connor is frozen in place, thinking everything he could've done to prevent this, now he has to face his mistakes.

He expects Evan to scream at him, to punch him in the face, he'd deserve both; instead he's pulled into warm arms that hold him tight.
"You absolute moron"

It's murmured against his neck, where Evan has hidden his face, and sends shivers down his spine, Evan then pulls away enough to lock eyes with him.

"If you ever disappear like that on me again I swear..."

"I... that's what you're angry at?"

"I read your email"

Connor wasn't expecting Evan to forgive him; Evan must notice his disbelief because he smiles softer.

"It doesn't have to change anything, I mean, you're still you right?"

"Yeah"

Evan gives a solid nod, then, he flushes, a much more timid smile taking over his features.

"I was going to ask you something that day, before you ran away"

Connor nods, words dying before they reach his lips, overwhelmed by relief.

"Would you like to go out with me?"

All at once his voice returns.

"Yes"

Evan beams at him.