Chapter Text
my heart melted in the heat
Art by the amazing Xeorio!
####
"Miles!"
The harsh, and unfairly loud voice of his manager, Mr. Richards, boomed through the little coffee shop.
Miles looked up, accidentally drawing a wonky line straight through the latte art he was busy pouring for a customer.
A little startled, and very annoyed, he saw the manager in question walking up to his counter.
Miles grumbled under his breath. He'd been in the middle of pouring an otherwise very pretty and intricate design on top of the cup of steaming, foamy latte.
He'd worked at the coffee shop which his manager in all his pompous and narcissistic glory had named Rich's Beans for almost two years now, and he'd never gotten used to his imposing and unpleasant demeanor.
Now, deep into a chilling winter, there was only 6 months left of his college degree and then he'd be out of there. He wouldn't miss it in the slightest, and he'd be wasting no time looking back over his shoulder. No, Miles couldn't wait to slam the door on his way out.
But even if Miles didn't particularly care much for his job, he took it seriously. It was still his livelihood, his means of paying for rent and food, college and cigarettes and pints on a night out, and he always tried his hardest to do a good job.
He couldn't stand the half-assed effort and laziness most of his colleagues put into their work, and he'd be damned if he didn't strive to do his utmost, even if he was just a barista in a dingy coffee shop in the most worn down part of town.
No, he was a model employee. Miles worked hard, for his own sake and sanity more than anything, and did everything he could to make a visit to Rich's Beans a pleasant experience for their customers, even if he was the only one putting in any real effort. Besides, the pay sucked, and the extra tips from happy customers was where it was at. And Miles made sure his tip jar was always overflowing. He was an excellent barista and with his friendliness and eagerness to help, he usually secured an extra dollar or two, and managed to send the customers on their way with a blinding smile and a wish for them to return soon.
He'd worked it out, cracked the code. He'd found his way through this shitty job and now the end was finally in sight. There was light at the end of the tunnel.
Only half a year remained. Once summer rolled around he'd be done with school, with this job, and he'd be on his way into his next adventure and not looking back.
Until then he just had to deal with this shitty job, the annoyance of lazy coworkers and the bullheaded interruptions of his manager. He could deal.
"Come here!" said manager ordered with no care for the customers waiting in line, as he walked behind the counter and into the back room, demanding his presence.
Miles sent the customer in front of his counter an apologetic smile as he unceremoniously dumped the milk on top of the cup and quickly put on the topper and the cardboard sleeve.
"So sorry about that. Here, have a cookie on the house, my treat."
He held out the big jar of chocolate chip cookies, trying to keep up a polite smile. The customer gratefully took one and grabbed his coffee, dumping a bill in the jar on his way before hurrying out.
"Thanks, buddy. Bye now!"
"Have a nice day!" Miles called, his smile immediately dropping as the door closed behind the customer.
Miles sighed and wiped his hands on his apron before walking out back to find Mr. Richards impatiently tapping his foot on the hard linoleum floor.
"What the hell took you so long?" he barked before plucking a toothpick from his pocket.
He stuck it inside his mouth, prodding mercilessly at whatever sorry remains still littered around in there from his lunch. Miles could've gagged
"I was busy with a customer, I apologize," Miles huffed, trying his hardest to sound polite, forever grateful that his manager'd never been too keen on sarcasm.
Miles would've been out a job long ago.
He cleared his throat and tried to plaster on a sickeningly pleasant smile.
"What do I owe the honor this fine Wednesday afternoon?"
"Don't be smart with me, boy."
Mr. Richards pocketed the poor piece of wood, licking and smacking his teeth.
"Listen. I've got a new recruit for you. New hire. He'll be here tomorrow for his first shift and it's your job to teach him the ropes. Follow his every move, adjust your shifts to match his. Make him your shadow. Got it?"
Miles sighed.
"Sure. Any experience?"
"None, so he's cheap. Fresh outta school by the looks of him. Skittish little thing."
Miles sighed and held back an eye roll.
It wasn't the first time he'd had to train new hires and he assumed it wouldn't be the last one, either. They usually didn't stick around very long, those young people straight out of high school.
And it wasn't that he didn't want new colleagues. It was fun meeting new people and he liked making friends. And god knew they could use more hands at the coffee shop as it was, but it was such a hassle.
New people fumbling with the machinery, too shy to talk to customers, halting the queues, forgetting orders and mucking it all up. They were always slow and clumsy, the lot of them. Most of the time it was simply quicker and much easier just doing the job himself.
Training the new hires took a shitton of work and it wasn't even like it paid him any extra! His manager just dumped it on him and expected him to be happy about it.
Miles groaned inwardly.
"Alright. Fine. I'll be here first thing in the morning to get him started then."
"Good. He's a student like you, another youngster desperate for a job. A little timid and useless by the looks of it, but he could start right away. Teach him everything you know and pick up his slack. Got it?"
"Yeah, got it."
Miles had to keep his eyes from rolling to the back of his head. Great. Another snotty brat to clean up after.
They'd had their fair share of kids straight out of high school working at the coffee shop, with no experience in life or otherwise. Spoiled kids with no sense of work ethic or discipline.
Safe to say they hadn't lasted long.
And here was another one. Miles sighed.
He assumed it would be only a matter of weeks before he'd need to train the next new hire when this one inevitably quit.
"Now go serve customers, the coffee doesn't pour itself. I'm outta here. Make sure you teach him right! I can't afford to keep hiring these useless suckers! We need this one to last. Or it's on you, you hear?"
Miles nodded dutifully.
Fuck, he couldn't wait to get out of here.
"Yes. Of course. Bye."
Miles sighed and grumbled all the way back to his counter, plastering on another sickeningly pleasant smile as he greeted the next customer.
Only 6 months and then he could quit this stupid job. He'd have his degree and he could finally move on with his life.
####
Miles turned up early the next morning and began prepping the shop for opening time.
He was in the middle of pulling down the chairs from on top of the tables when he heard the bell above the door ringing behind him, alerting him of a customer turning up too early.
"I'm sorry, we're not open yet," he said quickly and turned around to face a young guy standing in the doorway.
"Sorry, erm, I'm not– uh, sorry, I'm Alex?"
Miles just stared. He was too tired for this and it was too early.
The guy fumbled with his thick, knitted mittens between his hands, one foot in the door and the rest of him outside in the cold.
Miles paused, holding the chair midair as he stared at the guy, transfixed for a moment.
He looked awfully unsure of himself, standing there halfway in through the door, like he wasn't quite sure if he should just bolt already.
Miles couldn't help but notice he looked kinda cute.
He had a beanie pulled over his longish brown hair, long ends curling out at the bottom, messy and ruffled from the harsh January winds. His nose was red from the cold walk over, and he had a big colorful scarf wrapped around his neck with the long ends hanging down his chest.
Miles just kept looking. He was only human, after all.
The guy had a narrow chin, sharp jaw, a big nose squashed right in the middle and high cheekbones which were tinted pink from the cold.
Still clutching the chair in his hands, Miles paused for a moment as he reached his eyes. They were big and brown. Framed by dark lashes. And so pretty that Miles nearly did a double take.
The guy opened his mouth and spoke once more, pulling Miles from his thoughts.
"Um, I'm the new guy? I was supposed to start today?"
Miles blinked for a second and then it dawned on him.
"Oh! Right!"
"Isn't this the right place? Rich's– um, the coffee shop? I'm– erm, sorry, has there been a mistake? You obviously weren't expecting–"
Miles blinked again, trying to regain his footing. And when it dawned on him, way too many words came out way too quickly all at once.
"Sorry! Sorry! Yes, come on in, this is the right place! Sorry, I must be half asleep still!"
Miles blushed furiously and finally put down the chair, feeling like a complete idiot. He brushed off his hands on his apron before walking over and reaching out a hand for the new guy in greeting.
He tried to arrange his features in a polite smile.
"Hello, I'm Miles."
"Alex," the guy said, shaking Miles' hand.
"And um, welcome! I work here, one of the main baristas, and um, I'm supposed to like, train you and stuff. Teach you the ropes of this place. Sorry, I didn't think you– um, I was just in my head for a moment. And eh, don't worry about the job, it's not too difficult, you just have to find your own ways of doing things and then it's not so bad, and–"
Miles realized he was still clutching his new colleague's hand in his as he rambled on, and he quickly pulled it back, once again feeling a blush rise in his cheeks.
He felt so dumb. His manager had already told him Alex would be here this morning, and yet here he was, forgetting himself and stumbling over his words just because some pretty guy had walked through the doors.
He usually wasn't so easy to wind up, his feathers not so easily ruffled, but he couldn't help it. There was just something about this new guy and his messy hair and his pretty eyes that had caught him off guard. What a great first impression he was making.
In his defense, Alex looked a little befuddled himself as his hand dropped. He quickly returned to fiddling with his mittens.
"Thanks, um," Alex said, "how do we– I mean, where do we begin?"
Miles cleared his throat. He had to get back on track.
He had to remember this guy was young, straight out of high school, and judging by what his manager'd said, inexperienced and probably equally as awkward as Miles'd been back then. He must have just started school this summer. And he looked like he was barely past 18. Miles had to pull himself together.
He had a job to do.
"Um, why don't you just put your stuff down here for starters, and then I'll give you the grand tour? We've still got a bit of time to go before we open and customers start coming in."
He motioned towards one of the chairs behind the counter and Alex quickly disposed of his coat, scarf, hat and mittens.
Miles couldn't help but notice how nicely Alex's dark gray knitted sweater fitted snugly on his slender figure, or the way his jeans clung to his thighs.
His hair was even fluffier once the beanie was off, and it curled endearingly around his ears. Alex quickly ran a hand through it, trying to arrange it back into some resemblance of order with very little success.
Miles caught himself wanting to run his fingers through the messy strands himself, wondering if it might be as soft to the touch as it looked.
He quickly shoved that thought way down.
What was wrong with him? It wasn't right to ogle a new colleague, no matter how cute they looked!
It wasn't like him. Miles was a professional. Alex was a new hire, so he was firmly off limits. Not to mention the fact that he was barely more than a kid!
He really had to pull himself together. It wasn't right. Better put a pin in that thought before it could fester even further.
Miles cleared his throat.
"Alright, kid, let's get into it. So, have you got any experience doing this? Working in a café or a shop? Maybe retail, food chains, anything like that? Something after school, maybe?"
Alex blinked for a moment before answering.
"School? Um, no, but before coming here I used to work in the library, but I suppose we weren't really big on beverages. Only the rare cup of tea for the old ladies," Alex offered with a crooked smile, and Miles couldn't help but notice how nice he looked doing that.
He shouldn't notice that.
"So no? I guess. I know how to work a kettle, though. And I drink a lot of coffee myself, if that helps?"
Miles offered a chuckle of his own, compelling his cheeks to stop blushing.
"Sure, that's a good start, at least. And I'll teach you everything you need to know from here on out, kid, so don't worry."
"Sounds good. Thank you. And um, by the way, I’m 22. Not really a kid."
Miles paused for a moment, stunned by the surprising bluntness, one he hadn't expected from the fluffy haired boy. Or guy, rather. He stole another moment to really look at him for an extra minute.
22.
Oh.
Curse his dumb manager.
“Oh, well, that’s good to know. Um, I mean– sorry! Mr. Richards said you looked fresh out of high school, so I just assumed–”
“Yeah, I get that a lot,” Alex chuckled.
He rubbed the back of his neck, and gestured in the general direction of himself.
“It's the baby face thing.”
“Baby? Oh! Right! Yeah, yeah, I can totally see that."
Now Miles really couldn't stop staring.
And feeling a little flustered and very embarrassed, his mouth refused to shut up.
"Total baby. Wait, I mean, like, um, like, you’re kinda little? No, I mean– short! No! Wait– I didn't mean– you're just small –"
Feeling absolutely mortified, his cheeks were flaming hot and he couldn't stop talking!
"Not like that, I mean, you're probably not small- small, I didn't mean like that, just that you're not– like, uh–”
Miles gave up.
"Fuck."
“Relax,” Alex chuckled, putting a quick hand on Miles' shoulder.
"Not the first person to make that mistake. And am I really that tiny? You can't be much taller than me," he offered with a charming tilt of his lips.
His eyes were quickly scanning Miles from head to toe, and Miles' heartbeat picked up.
Had he ever been struck by Cupid this quickly? Why wouldn't his damned pulse calm the fuck down? Why couldn't he stop rambling and surely embarrassing himself in front of his new colleague? Why did a simple look make him this weak in the knees? Yeah, sure Alex was prettier than most people he'd met, but he'd only just met the guy! It was too soon for this!
Miles swallowed, feeling warmth spread from the spot on his shoulder where Alex's fingers were still resting, squeezing him slightly.
"No, no, um, no, you're not. Of course you're not."
####
After that rather embarrassing ordeal, Miles quickly tried to gather himself and get back to work.
He had to put on his big boy pants and be a professional. Alex may be of a socially acceptable dating age, in fact his own age and not just a kid, thank god, but he was still his new colleague. Still firmly off limits.
Now, if someone would kindly inform the rest of his body of that fact, maybe the blush still warming his cheeks and the pounding in his chest would calm down.
"So let me show you where everything is."
He gave Alex the grand tour of the place. He showed him the back room, the storage and the little staff kitchen, which really wasn't more than a kettle for brewing tea and instant coffee, which was frankly a disgrace in a coffee shop of all places. There was also a mini fridge for storing their lunch and a few snacks and drinks.
He showed him the hooks and hangers in the back where Alex could put his coat and scarf in the future. And next to the staff bathroom were their lockers, which held his uniform and where he could store a few personal items and maybe a change of clothes.
Miles gave Alex a moment of privacy to change into the uniform.
Once Alex had gotten dressed and put his clothes safely in his bag to take home, they got to work on loading up the machines.
Miles showed him how to use everything inside the kitchen behind the counter. The coffee grinder, the brewing stations and espresso machines, the milk foamer, the steamers, blenders and whisks, the dish washer and the different bowl cleaners, and Alex soaked up every word. He showed him how to work the cash register, how to restock the snack displays and how to turn on the oven for heating up baked goods.
He also ran through the most basic recipes for drinks, and soon Alex was practicing the brewing and assembly of the assorted array of beverages they had on offer.
Miles couldn't help but cast a few glances at him once in a while as Alex tried to work the machines and pour his first latte.
The tip of his tongue poked out the corner of his mouth in concentration, his dark eyes focused and intense, and Miles couldn't help but find him just a little bit endearing.
He tried not to notice how cute Alex looked with his hair poking out under the uniform mandated cap, and how the apron was tied tightly around his narrow waist, accentuating the shapely curve of his body.
The latte turned out awful when Miles tried it afterwards, and Alex blushed furiously as Miles coughed his way through the first sip.
"Good first try. Bit to work on there," Miles chuckled and Alex sighed and dutifully began cleaning up the machine for the next drink.