Chapter Text
As hot, bitter liquid made its way down your throat, you grimaced. You put the disposable cup down on the dark colored table and looked towards the counter where the dark-haired barista that had completely botched your drink stood behind the register. You should’ve just made it yourself, but he’d offered to make it for you while you started off your break. He didn’t put nearly as much sweetener in it as you liked, but you didn’t want to say anything to him. It was nice enough for him to offer to do that, but coffee was your thing , and you had a long day of uni after this, so it was just a little disappointing. Nevertheless, you continued to drink the coffee, returning your attention to your phone and scrolling through your various social media accounts. It was still much too early for the majority of your friend group to be up, so your notifications were relatively dry.
You eyed your wrist, checking that the two words hadn’t changed underneath your white sleeve. You sighed in relief when you realized the generic phrase hadn’t changed.
When it first appeared, you were extremely confused. There were plenty of people you’d said “good morning” to on a daily basis. At work, on the walk to school, during your classes… it could be anyone. It appeared a couple of months ago after you’d woken up. You had screamed for an entire minute straight until your mother came hurriedly, looking disheveled and exhausted. You showed her your wrist, and the look on her face as she saw it made you want to hide it away forever. The ensuing conversation had you reeling, and your mother's face looked more forlorn than ever. Even when you told her that you were going to challenge it - because love was not a priority of yours - that look stayed on her face.
You coughed slightly, your taste buds still not accumulating to the the bitter taste of the drink. You looked at your coworker again - Sasuke - as he continued to take orders, his face just as sharp as the drink he’d made you. You figured you’d have to tell him to relax when you went back.
You spent the rest of your break mindlessly clicking on stupid videos and articles until your fifteen minutes were up. You tossed your empty cup in the recycling can and then went behind the counter. “Hey,” you whispered to Sasuke as you took your place next to him, relieving your manager from his workload as you immediately got to work on fixing the drinks. “You look like you smelled something foul. Try smiling, Sasu,” you advised him, gently elbowing his side. He gave you a look before he visibly relaxed, tension leaving his body and his facial expression normalizing.
The tall, silver-haired man gave you a pat on the back as he handed you a drink to finish up. You sighed as you pumped some vanilla in the already light colored liquid and put a lid on it, pushing a straw in and reading the name before calling it.
“Itachi, I have your vanilla cold brew!” You called. The tall black-haired regular - that you’d only recently learned was Sasuke’s older brother - approached, wearing a suit just as dark as the color of his hair. He was talking on his cell-phone, but he took it from his ear as he came to the counter. He gave you a soft smile, reaching for the drink as you went to give it to him.
“Perfect as always,” he spoke, his low voice as smooth as silk.
“Thank you, Itachi. Have a wonderful day! ” You spoke as he took a step backwards.
“You as well, (Name).” Your eyes almost widened at the way your name sounded from his lips, but quickly regained your composure.
“Thanks!”
He settled for smiling once again before he left. He gave Sasuke a wave as he exited, and the younger brother averted his eyes from him. Sasuke walked over to you as you started to fix the drinks again.
“(Name), we need to switch,” he spoke, his voice unnaturally snappish - even for him. You knew this meant he was losing his patience, so you handed him the drink you were working on without another word. You quickly maneuvered around your manager to set to the register and began taking orders.
11 o’clock came faster than anticipated. None of you had been looking at the time, so when you finally managed to take a breath, you were immediately filled with panic. The next shift hadn’t arrived yet, and it was already 15 minutes after. “Sasu!” You nearly yelled. “We’re gonna be late!” Sasuke looked down at his watch as he put the lid on a drink.
“Damn it,” he murmured. “Where is that idiot?!”
“Watch it, Sasuke. We can’t have people hearing you,” your manager spoke lowly, passing off another drink to him.
“Sorry Kakashi.” Sasuke called out the names of the next two orders and then went to call out the next order.
“It’s alright,” Kakashi spoke, “The two of you can head out. I’m sure Naruto won’t be-“
As if on cue, a blur of blonde hair zoomed into the cafe doors. “Shi- Oh, dam- crap!” The blonde yelled as he hurried to the entrance behind the counter. “I’m sorry guys! I overslept!” Sasuke rolled his eyes and removed his apron. You followed suit, but he took it off your hands.
“Go clock us both out. I got the aprons,” he spoke. You nodded and walked over to the machine at the farthest end of the counter and typed both of your birthdays in, and punched in your passwords. Sasuke emerged from the back of the cafe with two backpacks in hand. You thanked him and the two of you hurried out. The door swung open before either of you could get to it, and your eyes momentarily widened before you saw Sakura’s pink hair come into view.
“I-I am so sorry you two!”
Sasuke rolled his eyes. “Get out of the way, Sakura.”
It was like she was frozen in place. You grit your teeth. “I-!”
“Please move, Sakura. We need to get to class!” You exclaimed, your lack of patience turning your tone hostile. She winced and shimmied out of the way, and Sasuke trudged by her first. You shot her an apologetic look, knowing she was hopelessly infatuated with him.
Maybe he was her soulmate..? That could be why Sasuke was so cold to her. Maybe he was trying to deny his fate.
You jogged to catch up to Sasuke’s fast paced steps, falling in with him and resolving yourself to ask the question that had plagued your mind all morning. “Hey, Sasu?”
“What?” He responded gruffly, clearly annoyed at having to leave so late for school.
“How come your brother knows my name?” He narrowed his eyes at you, tilting his head and giving you a look that made you feel idiotic.
“You have a name tag on your apron, idiot.” His expression switched to a bemused look at your exasperated face.
“I can’t believe I forgot that,” you murmured to yourself. Sasuke caught it anyways.
“You’ve worked there for how long and you still forgot?” Sasuke asked with a scoff.
You nibbled on the inside of your cheek and winced at the sound of a car honking loudly at the one in front of it. The streets were emptier than normal when you two would walk to school - probably because you were both so late. A twinge of annoyance ate at you, but you did your best to shove it back down.
Neither you or Sasuke had time to change, so you’d be going to school in your uniforms. It was less than ideal, honestly, but it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. You’d also be at least ten minutes late for your first class, and so would he. You were internally berating yourself for not accepting your mother's offer to take her car this morning.
If only Sasuke had a car…
You sighed. You knew it would be awhile before he’d be able to get a car. From what he’d told you, he’d just moved to this part of Konohagakure because his parents sent him off to live with his older brother. They said it would be good for their relationship. You couldn’t remember exactly what Sasuke had told you. You knew they were a well off family, but you assumed they wanted to teach Sasuke humility… or something like that. He often acted spoiled, so it wouldn’t surprise you if that was the reason. It was interesting though; to you, Itachi seemed well-adjusted… well, that you’ve seen. Typically, it was Kakashi or Sasuke that interacted with him. You were usually in the station that Kakashi had been in this morning, but it was so hectic without a fourth person (Sai was supposed to come in, but he’d called out sick) that you’d just done what was needed.
You and Sasuke continued to practically run to class, conversation dwindling in the process. As the two of you reached the entrance doors to the main hallways, you exchanged your goodbyes and headed off to class. Iruka thankfully let your tardiness slide, and for the rest of the day you were attentive and social - as usual.
Your mom picked you up, as she did daily, at 6:30PM. She was as prompt as ever. When you hopped in the passenger side of the beat down 99’ Civic, she gave you a bright smile and patted your hand after you buckled in.
“Hi honey,” she greeted.
“Hi mom!” You responded, closing the door. She asked how your day was as she tightened her ponytail and pulled off. “It was alright,” you sighed. “I was late to school though because Naruto and Sakura weren’t on time and Sai called out.” Your mom clicked her tongue.
“That Naruto. He should really try to be on time more than twice a week,” she spoke, speeding up.
You sighed, resting your head against the belt. “Yeah…”
You and your mother made relaxed conversation and then made dinner together when you got home. You took a shower and then started in on your homework, and eventually, you collapsed - completely exhausted from a full day. You woke up the next morning, starting your morning routine reluctantly. Your mom drove you to work as per usual, and you and Sasuke opened up the restaurant. Kakashi was a bit late himself, also typical, but seeing as he was the owner, you both swallowed any complaints. The busy morning passed quickly, and as soon as you knew it, it was your “lunch” time.
You took one of the bags you’d packed and started in on it, slightly rolling up your sleeves as you did so. You were mid-bite when you noticed the black scrawl had changed.
Your heart nearly stopped when you read what it had changed to.
Have a wonderful day!