Julian Devorak Coffe Shop AU

The Beginning

MC's POV

Morning breeze bit at my cheeks, it was early November and you could feel it in the air, I tugged my hat further down my ears.
Since moving into my new job I had become a frequent at the cafe on the corner of the road. It was close by, but still held a far-off, fairytale-like quality to it with it's topaz-blue facades and wide windows lined with flower boxes- that now, admittedly, started looking a bit dismal moving into the chillier months.
I pushed at the heavy door, sighing into the welcoming warmth, the bell ringing behind me.
I smiled slightly at the sight of a familiar face, a barista I had often been served by. He was quite handsome, the first time we met -if you can call it meeting- I had been a little taken aback and became a bit flustered. He was taller than most and lanky, his hair fell in messy, auburn curls over one of his eyes -which was covered by a patch. He's worn it ever since I first saw him, at first I assumed he was fixing a lazy eye but the process seems to have taken a while.
As usual, he bore a charismatic grin and was chatting away to an older man eating jam on toast. He noticed me come in, waiting for me to reach the counter before speaking.
"Another early riser," he laughed. "Let me guess...hazelnut latte?"
I nodded back, smiling. "Please."
He turned away, over confident as ever, and burnt his hand on the milk steamer. A yelp escaped his lips, but he laughed it off, shaking his head.
"Just you today?" I asked, uncomfortable in the silence.
He continued with the coffee. "Not really, boss is in -of course." He turned his head back to me, grinning mischievously. "Sister too, but she's out the back at the moment."
Not really knowing what to do with this information, I hummed an approval.
He swept towards the other end of the counter, pressing the lid onto the takeaway cup.
I handed him the money, which he pinged into the till.
"I never caught your name," he said leaning against the counter top.
"It's Y/n." I gestured towards his name badge, "Julian, right?"
"Don't wear it out!"
I stood shifting my weight, not too fond of going back into the cold but not knowing how I'd find an excuse to stay in -having ordered a takeaway and all.
Julian didn't move either, the old man crunched happily away at his toast.
I looked up to meet his gaze, he had been watching me quizzically, as if he was waiting for me to make a complaint. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.
"Old boy Tom over there has some good stories if you want to stay and listen?"
I smiled, feeling the flush rise in my cheeks. "Sure."