EXO STORIES

Coffee {ChanBaek}

Chanyeol always orders the same coffee at his friend Sehun's workplace. Usually, he would be the one serving him, until one day a small blonde boy starts working there. And that boy always makes sure to add an extra shot of caramel extract.

-

Chanyeol strolled into the cafe, grinning as he spotted his hot to-go coffee adorned with the usual caramel syrup resting on the counter. "Thanks, Sehun."

Sehun hummed in response, busy with dishwashing duties. Chanyeol left some money on the counter, grabbed his drink, and bid farewell to Sehun as he headed to work.

It was his daily routine. Rise, breakfast, and then off to the regular cafe for his cherished caramel coffee fix. Without it, mornings felt lacking in energy. Sehun always prepped it, aware that Chanyeol would pay and dash. They shared brief conversations, usually due to Chanyeol's rush, yet sometimes they talked about what kept them busy.

He grew used to the routine of finding his coffee ready every morning. The next morning, Chanyeol walked to the cafe again. Scrolling through his phone, he opened the door, heading inside and to the counter. He was about to grab his drink, only to feel...nothing. 

Looking up from his surprise, he found an unfamiliar employee emerging from storage, offering a smile. "Can I help you?"

Confused, Chanyeol wondered if Sehun had the day off. Wasn't he there every morning?

The employee started to shift awkwardly from the silence, "Sir?" Chanyeol was snapped out of his thoughts and cleared his throat, "One caramel coffee, please." 

The employee nodded and went to prepare the drink. Only then did Chanyeol realize the newcomer—a blonde, shorter boy, likely older. He sneakily glanced at the nametag: Baekhyun. A nice name.

Baekhyun returned with the coffee, smiling. "Here you go, sir. That will be 4.60."

Chanyeol paid and thanked him before leaving.

This was the first time something like this happened and he wasn't sure whether he liked it or not. Sipping his drink, he noticed an extra dose of caramel. Chanyeol didn't mind, it only made the flavour sweeter.

The next day, he saw the same person talking with Sehun. Chanyeol chuckled and approached. No coffee on the counter this time, but he understood.

Sehun noticed and apologized with a smile. "I forgot your coffee. I'll make it now."

Chanyeol smiled. "No rush, I'm not in a hurry."

Sehun nodded and went to make his drink. Meanwhile, Baekhyun recognized the male as the awkward customer from yesterday and kept his gaze on the cups. He was snapped out of it however when he heard Chanyeol talking to him. 

"New here? I haven't seen you before." Baekhyun shyly nodded. Sehun soon handed over the coffee. "Here's the usual, with extra caramel to make up for it."

Chanyeol chuckled. "You were busy, I get it." Sehun grinned, waving him off as he left. Baekhyun traced the cup. "The usual, huh?"

For the next couple of times, Chanyeol came to see Baekhyun more often than Sehun. He would order the usual, take his drink and leave, and Chanyeol always noticed the extra scoop of caramel extract. Eventually, Baekhyun began preparing the coffee in advance, making him able to go and leave quickly. Chanyeol thanked him for that and the two would have some small talk once in a while. He noticed how he started to enjoy seeing the male more, the talks they had and the occasional laughs. He could never pinpoint why exactly he liked it.

Neither did he know that Baekhyun felt the same thing, only he knew what it was, a small crush he developed over time. At first, he tended to be shy around the taller male but soon he opened up, loving everything about him more and more. So that's why he decided to toughen up and ask him on a date today.

Baekhyun stood at the counter, nervously holding the drink as Sehun, aware of his crush, grinned from a distance. Baekhyun felt like he could explode any minute from the nervousness, increasing when he heard the bell ring and the familiar male entering the cafe. 

Chanyeol smiled and took the coffee, thanking him and about to head out. Baekhyun hesitantly called out, "Wait!" 

The tall man turned curiously. "What's up?"

Do you wanna go on a date, 

Baekhyun wanted to ask, but the words stuck. He just shook his head. "Never mind, it's nothing."

Chanyeol hummed and waved, leaving the cafe. Baekhyun wanted to punch himself. He could've confessed right then and there, but of course, he had to be nervous! 

Sehun walked up and patted his back, "Better luck next time." 

Baekhyun sighed, facing Sehun. "I can't confess. Every time I try, it just... gets lost. I can't say it."

Sehun frowned and nodded. He knew Baekhyun was too nervous to. 

"I think I might have an idea." 

It certainly made the shorter male curious.

After Sehun's explanation, Baekhyun felt more confident. The next time Chanyeol visited, Baekhyun, more assured this time, handed him the cup and waved as he left. Chanyeol, preoccupied, didn't notice the writing on the cup as he hurried away. Finishing his drink, he was about to grow it away, when he glanced at the cup and spotted the black writing.  

With a black marker, large letters were scrawled across the side. Chanyeol read it, blushed, and read it again. 'Do you want to go on a date?' Baekhyun had written that, implying... he wanted a date... with him? Chanyeol's heart fluttered, now certain of his feelings. He turned, unconcerned about being late. He had a date to claim.