Chapter Text
Scott unlocks the doors and walks into the small shop, instinctively a smile tuggs at his lips in time with the bell that dinged when he opens the second set of doors. He never thought he would love that sound as much as he does, especially in the middle of a rush but he can't stop it when he heard the noise in the mornings even if he wants to.
He makes his way behind the counter and through the swinging doors into the small kitchen to start on the pastries that never last through the morning flurry of people. Scott soon falls into the rhythm of the morning he perfected years ago and loses himself in his thoughts.
Lycan Lounge has become a second home for Scott. This little coffee shop with the silly name he owns tucked away from the hustle and bustle of his town, close enough to the university for there to be a steady pace of costumers but far enough to have a sense of solitude about it.
('Co-own Scott!' Allison's voice rings through his thoughts - she hates when he takes credit, but it wasn't his fault it was just easier to say he owned the place rather than co-owned
Technically neither of them actually owned it but that's a whole other argument)
He wouldn't have it any other way really, Allison running a shop with him? Filled a bunch of kids -Derek's frown flashes through his mind at that, Scott just smirks- that are also his friends? How awesome is that.
Scott places the last pan into the oven before he gives the counter a quick wipe and moves out to the front. He's on his own for opening for the next little while. School is starting up and everyone needs their rest for classes, so being the nice boss he is Scott pushed Isaac's shift back an hour.
He doesn't mind really, it was rare that the shop was ever this silent and Scott liked to bask in the reality of it all at during moments like this. His life is pretty good Scott muses, of course it didn't start off like that (when does it ever?). Asshole of a father, complicated divorce, but eventually him and his mom got a stroke of good luck and they ended up with Lycan Lounge. Scott shakes his head slightly and cuts the trip down memory lane short. Today's gonna be a good day he tells himself, no reason to think to much about the negative. He was in a good mood and he was going to stay that way.
Scott finishes setting up the tables with a satisfying final scrap of the chair against the floor as he pushes it in. A quick glance to the clock - 7:02 - tells him that he's still got a half hour before opening and that the pastries should be about finished cooking. He's just about to walk into the back when he hears the door rattle as someone tries to open it.
Must be Isaac, maybe he forgot I pushed his shift. Scott jogged to the back to turn off the oven before going to the door to let Isaac in.
"Isaac I gave you an extra hour rem-" He stops when he notices the boy standing outside the doors wasn't Isaac.
"Hey! Sorry about that, I see your sign now. You're not open until 7:30?" Scott nods dumbly, he doesn't remember seeing this guy around town. Scott's pretty good at remembering costumers and he definitely would remember seeing him around.
He's about Scott's height with shaggy brown hair peaking out from under a dark purple beanie, bright hazel eyes and freckles that rival the number of stars in the sky splattered across his face and neck. He had a loose fitting grey shirt on with light jeans and everything about him just screams I hate mainstream media but the music blaring from his headphones says otherwise.
Forcing his eyes back up Scott fights the colour threatening to spill over on his cheeks and finally formulates a response.
"Yeah not 'till 7:30 but hey tell you what, you're new so I'll let you in a bit early. Boss man doesn't have to know" He flashes a crooked smile at the stranger, hopefully he didn't notice the staring.
"Really?! That's awesome! I'm Stiles by the way!" He thrusts his hand out toward Scott, he shakes it and introduces himself
"This is really cool of you Scott, but what if your boss finds out? I'm all for charitable acts but I don't want you do get in trouble because I can't read a sign dude" Stiles stands in front of the counter giving the shop a once over (and if Scott so happens to be apart of that once over he ignores it).
Scott grabs his apron that hangs near the doors the kitchen and puts it on. It's a muted red with off white lettering on the front spelling out in big bold letters Co-owner. Stiles looks down and nods in understanding, a grin playing on his lips.
"I'm sure he'll be fine with it." Scott says
"Your boss seems like a pretty great guy." The grin had become a bit more playful and something else Scott couldn't quite place (-flirtatious maybe?)
(Scott ignores the little voice in his head).
He shrugs "Sometimes, so what can I get you?"
Stiles scans the menu quickly and settles on a dry latte with an extra shot of espresso and caramel.
"Not a morning person, or do you just really like having the jitters?" Scott's face twists in confusion as he makes the heavily caffeinated drink. Stiles let's out a chuckle that could almost be called a giggle and it nearly makes Scott fumble the drink.
"Coffee's my life source, so it's either have another one in a half hour or load up on caffeine in one go. Also this way is a lot cheaper." Scott nods in understanding and hands Stiles his drink. He takes it in both hands, long fingers wrapping around the red cup as he inhales deeply. Scott watches enthralled at how much Stiles was enjoying the coffee without even tasting it.
"Dude if this tastes half as good as it smells, you're gonna be seeing a lot of me here." He catches Scott's eye and gives him a genuine smile.
Scott returns the smile. "If it's not, it's on the house"
Stiles holds the cup under his nose for a bit longer and then takes a small sip, a low hum of approval settling deep in his throat, Scott has never seen someone so satisfied with coffee. The bell above the door chimes and this seems to break Stiles of whatever coffee induced haze he was in. His eyes fly open and a slight tinge of red appearing on his cheeks as he sets the cup down to dig through his pockets.
Isaac walks in behind Scott and gives a quizzical 'good morning' to Stiles, who was still looking through his pockets. Scott notices the look and waves off Isaac with a quick hello before tuning his attention back to Stiles.
He tries to tell him it's on the house but fumbles over his words. "You don't uh...don't worry about it! I got it."
Stiles stops his movements and looks back up. "Are you sure? I mean you already let me in early..."
Scott could feel Isaac staring at him and he knew once Stiles left there was going to be a million questions and comments he was going to deal with but right now all he could focus on was the quirk of Stiles' lip.
"Yup totally sure. Marketing strategy, now you're gonna have to come back because the service was so excellent."
Stiles let out a chuckle, nodding his head in agreement. "Without a doubt the best service I've had, you might just have a new regular on your hands Scott"
Flashing one last smile and a quick thanks Stiles ducked out of the shop and made his way across the street. Scott saw Isaac moving from the back corner over to wear he was standing, a devilish look plastering itself across his face. He prepares himself for whatever comments he was sure Isaac came up with.
Little shit that he is.
"So..." Isaac drawls out the 'o' and knocks shoulders with Scott. "Can I give free drinks to people I want sleep with or is that an owner only thing?"