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 Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 8:42 pm
It wasn't often that Chase had to go into his coffee shop, Just Add Coffee, to do anything outside of managerial tasks that came with owning a small business. Money, accounting things, schedules, and generally making sure that the place was intact and that his employees weren't destroying the store. Unfortunately, his manager of the night had called with an emergency and well, it meant that the tall, lanky man had to step in and throw his apron back on.
He hadn't really done barista work since before he bought the place out, but it was like riding a bicycle and wasn't something you could ever quite forget. He had a new hire on shift, who'd really only been trained on the cash register and was struggling to pick up the mechanics of barring so, Chase was picking up their slack.
As it were, Chase was the only one behind the counter managing both the till while making drinks because he'd sent the newbie to clean the restrooms. He managed to do the little designs he'd come to enjoy when he was merely employed and had not owned the place, while still delivering drinks in a timely manner. It left him with a swell of pride curling in his chest, if only because it'd been so long since he'd been behind the counter and little flecks of joy were surfacing.
It made him think of simpler times and nostalgia was a terrible beast for the man.
He'd just slid a drink across the counter to the woman waiting patiently for it, flashing her what he hoped was a charming smile before his attention was drawn to the next customer who was waiting patiently to be helped.
"Oh, sorry," he mumbled, drying his hands on the black of his apron that rested over a white v-neck that seemed to hug his lean frame and the dark skinny jeans. "I didn't realize you were there, what can I get for you?" He asked, running a hand through the pink tuft of his fauxhawk as he offered them a weak smile.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 9:40 pm
He had never been to the coffee shop before, though he'd passed it a few times. Auguste, ever the explorer, had glanced in the windows once or twice on his way elsewhere, but had yet to have had a moment's time to actually step inside and see if it was any good.
But it was late, now; and Auguste had been at dance practice for the past several hours. Rehearsal had run late, and his weariness was beginning to show in the dark circles under his eyes, the slowness to his steps, though Auguste didn't really want to go back home yet. It was a rather pleasant night outside; he'd taken a walk instead, and had somehow wound up Just Add Coffee without having intended to do so.
He peered curiously through the door, then stepped inside, his bag slung over one slender shoulder. Auguste made his way to the end of the line; there was only one woman in front of him, and his eyes flickered up to the board behind the counter where the choices were listed.
Engrossed in reading, he almost didn't hear being asked a question until, delayed, the words finally reached him. Auguste jolted a little, a light flush touching his pale cheeks.
"Sorry," he said, and offered a small smile to the man, his gave lingering on the sweep of his hair before they came to rest on a handsome, young face that was, perhaps, a few years older than himself, if Auguste were to have guessed.
"I...I've never been here before," he admitted, a little ruefully. "Do you have any recommendations?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 6:53 pm
The benefit to Just Add Coffee was that it was open late into the night, breeching into early morning territory with only a few hours between when they were closed and when they were open. The original owners had wanted to stay open to cater to those night owls or students who were cramming that needed a space that wasn't their homes. Chase had aimed to honor the brothers by maintaining the hours they'd originally opened with.
Late hours meant that Chase, and his employees, often worked odd hours and saw a ranged assortment of customers.
As it was, the boy across from him was one of the most normal looking of his customers, even if the bags beneath his eyes gave way to his weariness. "Not a problem, we like newbies," Chase replied with a low and raspy voice. He was friendly in tone and even in his demeanor, years of practice slipping over him easily. Work at the coffee shop was the only time he seemed to revert to Chase Black, the bright eyed rebel king.
Still, there was a line of tension in his shoulders that showed with the way he stood, even as he propped his elbows on the counter and leaned toward Auguste. "That depends, you a tea drinker or a coffee type of guy? And then, comes the second most important question. You want hot, iced, or something blended?" If there was a chance he was gonna surprise the guy with a drink, he needed to at least know if he was going to steam milk or not. "Also need to know if there are any allergies or milk preferences. If you want a surprise, I'm sure I can whip something out." There was a pause and a leveled stare as Chase tried to get a read on his customer.
"You seem like a sweets person." Chase himself was a sweets person and felt like he could accurately gage when someone else was also a sweets person.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 9:29 pm
He was still dressed in his dancing clothes, which consisted of an oversized sweatshirt that hung off of one bare shoulder and a pair of leggings, Auguste's hair twisted into a loose braid that fell most of the way down his back. He possibly could have changed into something more presentable, but had lacked the desire to, and besides, he was comfortable in these.
The man behind the counter had a pleasant voice, deeper and rougher than Auguste would have expected. He gave him a small smile, gaze flicking over his face, the stiffness of his shoulders, curiosity beginning to blossom, small and bright, in his chest.
"Tea, mostly," said Auguste, and then added, "Something blended would be lovely, I think."
His accent was softer than his parents' had been, smoothed out by his years in the States. Auguste gave a shake of his head that caused a few white strands of his hair to fall free from the messy braid. "No allergies or preferences," he said, and the flush on his cheeks deepened a little as he smiled, giving a small laugh.
"I do very much like sweets," said Auguste. "So you are right."
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 11:49 am
While it was rare for Chase to leave his house in anything less than business casual, or even the simple way he was dressed presently, he never thought twice about other people's attire. It wasn't something he cared to nitpick or judge and besides, it was interesting what types of outfits people came in with. Though, on the rare occasions the man was there he mostly saw students slipping in to do homework wearing whatever had been easiest to just toss on. Or, like Auguste, they came in after dance practice or whatever sport-related thing they did.
If he appreciated the nice curve of an exposed shoulder and collarbone, he kept it well hidden.
"I don't have many teas that work well blended, but if you don't mind being surprised I've got something in mind." A drink had popped into his head as he waited for the dancer to reply, letting his whiskey colored gaze drape casually over his petite form. "The accent, it's nice. Where's it from?" Chase had always been a charmer, before chaos had stripped him of such. Splintered reflections of who he used to be surfacing while he was in his work element.
"I'm assuming that DC hasn't been your whole life?" He asked, pulling away from the counter to start pulling the ingredients he needed and dumping them into the blender pitcher. He figured that his company would let him make what he wanted, so he just started.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:37 pm
The man behind the counter was tall - though really, to Auguste, most people were. He had to look up to see his face, but considering that it was a rather nice face, he didn't mind so much. It was late, and he was tired, but he was also glad for good company, even if that company was only the man giving him a drink.
"I don't mind being surprised," said Auguste, and then smiled a little bit more broadly, his cheeks pinking in pleasure. "Ah, south of France, though it's been a while since I've been there."
He shifted slightly to the side to watch as the man worked, Auguste's gaze roaming briefly around the place before they returned back to where they'd originally been. "No, only the past two or three years," he said, and there was a note of fondness in his voice. "Admittedly, I rather like it here than France."
Away from the others, and away from his parents. Auguste absently threaded fingers through the tail end of his braid.
"Have you?" he asked, and then added quickly, "Been in DC your whole life, I mean?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 3:15 pm
It was easy for Chase to forget how tall he was until he was paying attention and from his side of the counter, everyone else seemed smaller. So, it didn't even occur to him that he had a good five inches on his companion. There was no one else waiting in line as he worked so he didn't seem to be in any particular hurry.
Auguste seemed interesting in his dancer wear and accent. Chase liked interesting.
South of France, he was told and a brow arched immediately, head lifting from where he'd been focusing, lid to the blender snapping into place as he hit the button and closed the cover to mute the sound. "Ah - " a pause and a serious look of concentration while he tried to remember what little french he knew. "- parlez-vous français?" he said finally, the words coming out slightly more clunky than he had intended. Ever since he'd stopped working for the technology tycoon that had employed both him and his father his language skills had diminished.
They weren't something he liked to flaunt, if only because it made him seem pretentious but Auguste's accent was strong enough that Chase had decided this was an occasion to dust off his skills.
"France has it's perks but, in my personal opinion, there are more beautiful places in Europe." His personal favorites rested in Germany. "Born and raised," he admitted with a shrug, turning his back on Auguste so that he could finish the drink, pouring the purplely-pink liquid into a clear cup and topping it with whip cream and some cinnamon-sugar topping before snapping the dome lid over it and presenting it to his customer.
"If you don't like it I'll make you something else. It's got a hint of coffee in it, but nothing too strong. Just enough to give you that caffeine boost." He was sure that the coffee taste would be masked by the blackberries that had been blended in with the white chocolate syrup. It was one of his preferred frozen drinks.
"DC is home but I've traveled with family and for business." Not that either of them were particularly exciting ventures.
Perhaps, if the war ever ended he would take off out of the states and do some exploring in other countries but, not for the first time, Chase was hit with the recognition that the likelihood of him surviving was slim and the idea brushed aside.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 3:58 pm
Auguste had stepped closer to the counter, and now he leaned against it, trying to make sure he wasn't knocking anything over or getting in the way. The place was quiet and deserted, the only sounds that of the man moving around, the click of a blender, the snap of a lid.
The French, however, even slightly awkward, made a bright smile blossom across Auguste's face, lighting it up entirely.
"Oui, je parle français," he said with a laugh, sounding utterly pleased. "Not many speak it here, but that's okay, I don't mind. There are many beautiful places in Europe," Auguste added, a little wistfully. "I should have liked to visit Italy before I moved here, but perhaps I will go back again one day."
Or at least, a trip to Europe itself, rather than France. Auguste had little intention of meeting with his parents.
The drink was held out to him and Auguste gave it a curious look, reaching out to accept it. "It's pretty!" he said with a smile, and shifted his bag to the ground momentarily, the movement making his too large sweater slide a little. Auguste brought the drink to his lips and took a tentative sip through the straw.
His eyes lit up immediately.
"Oh!" he said, and took another sip. "This is...absolutely wonderful. It's delicious!"
Auguste turned to smile at the man over his drink. "Thank you," he said sincerely, "I think this is just what I needed. It's really, really good."
Another sip was taken, and then Auguste said, "Have you ever been to France during your travels?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:34 pm
The reaction Auguste gave him made Chase grin and he noted that french was a good thing for him to use if the boy ever returned. "I must admit," he grinned a bit sheepishly, palms resting against the counter as he leaned into it, "I'm really rusty."
It'd been a while since he'd had a reason to utilize the multiple languages that he'd been forced to learn at his fancy boarding school and then after when he'd been forced into his father's job.
"I could use a good tutor," he commented casually, eyebrows lifting as he regarded Auguste curiously. If it was a subtle invitation for the dancer to offer his services, Chase didn't comment. If his gaze shifted from Auguste's pleased expression to the shoulder that became more exposed with the movement, he hid it well. Though the slight movement of his tongue running along his teeth might have given him away, if Auguste was paying attention.
"It's one of my favorites, it seemed like you," he replied, as though it was no big deal and really, it wasn't. Coffee was his career now, he hoped that he knew how to make a good drink by now. Chase had turned away again, to clean up the dishes he'd used while crafting the drink, head turning with a slight hum when the question was asked.
"Once, on business. Seemed like a lovely enough country but - " he paused, setting the pitcher on the rack to dry. "- Don't get me wrong, there are just lovelier places in Europe to visit." He had a special fondness for New Amsterdam. "It's been a while, I'd like to go back if time permits."
He settled across from the white-haired boy again, elbows propped on the counter and fingers laced together. "I'm Chase by the way."
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 10:52 pm
Auguste's expression shifted a little, and a light laugh escaped his throat, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"Well, I know we've only just gotten acquainted, but I'd be glad to teach you - or rather, remind you, if you'd like!" he said, smiling across the counter. He had not seen the slight shift of the man's mouth, his eyes crinkling as he took another swallow of the drink that he had been given. It wasn't strong, or overpowering, but a perfect blend of all the ingredients.
"It's wonderful," said Auguste truthfully. "It's exactly what I usually like, you read me well."
He glanced around and then slid carefully onto one of the stools, getting himself situated, his hands in his lap, the drink held between loose fingers. Auguste crossed his ankles and let out a small sigh that was almost wistful in nature.
"I'd like to go all over Europe again, someday," he said. "Perhaps in the future both of us will be fortunate enough to fulfill our dreams."
His gaze flickered over the strong lines of the man's face as he leaned in front of him, and there was something strangely appealing about him; oddly curious. Those eyes of his - of Chase's, he knew his name now - were an amber color that matched well with his dark hair and strong build.
"Auguste," said Auguste, flushing a little with pleasure. "My name is Auguste. Is this - " He gestured around at the place. "Is this your store, then?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 5:13 pm
"I wouldn't mind," he agreed casually, when Auguste bought the bait. Chase was charming, knew how to work his customers so that they continued to come back to his shop instead of the other coffee hotspots that lit up the city. "I haven't had much of a chance to practice any of the languages I know." A subtle hint that his knowledge and proficiency extended past just French.
"You make it easy," he shrugged, brushing aside the compliment like it was no big deal. If the man didn't know how to read people he wouldn't have gotten half as far in life as he had. "Soft features, quiet voice. A little timid because you're shy but you're also curious," he listed off all things he'd gotten from his first impression of Auguste.
"Find a good travel partner, make it memorable," he suggested, the conversation shifting smoothly. "Check out Amsterdam, it's lovely." It was one of the few places that Chase had been able to roam freely the last time he'd left on a business trip. He'd do it all again if he got the chance because the canal was gorgeous and history paved the streets.
"Auguste," Chase repeated slowly, like he was tasting each syllable in his mouth before repeating once more. "Auguste." There was a slight nod when he stood up just enough to extend his hand out towards the boy. "Yeah, I used to work here part time a few years ago and the previous owners had some health issues and - well let's just say I'm a bleeding heart who bought it without second thought. I like it. Feels quaint, personal."
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:01 pm
Auguste couldn't help the little tug of curiosity, his fingers wrapping around the cup in his hands. "You speak more than one language?" he asked, head tilting a little to the side, a stray strand of hair falling across his forehead. "Really? Which languages?"
His interest was wholly genuine, his expression open enough to show that it was not just polite conversation. Learning about people, after all, was something that Auguste was eager about, especially new people -
- and it seemed, on this night, he was not the only one.
Auguste felt his eyes widen, his mouth falling open slightly, and a pale pink flush began to spread across his faintly freckled cheeks. For a few seconds, he could do nothing but stare and then his countenance shifted, his lips pressing together, a look of pleasure on Auguste's face.
"You're not wrong," he said softly, and he could feel the temperature of his drink seeping into his palms.
Soft features. Quiet voice. The words rang in Auguste's face as he raised his drink and took another sip, the taste of it sweet on his tongue. He made a mental note to remember Amsterdam, then heard the quiet syllables of his own name on the man's - Chase's - lips, Auguste listening to the way it was tested, tasted.
He reached out his own hand, wrapped slender fingers around larger, more work roughened ones, and gave it a little shake.
"It's a pleasure to meet you...Chase," said Auguste, and he was doing the same thing, mulling over the way it sounded to his own ears. He let out a small laugh, glancing around the little coffee shop before let his gaze flicker back to Chase.
"It's lovely in here," he said truthfully. "It feels...very warm and inviting."
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:40 pm
He should have expected the question and Chase had to think about the languages he knew. There were many, in all honesty, if he counted the ones he only knew enough of. "Spanish, German, a bit of Mandarin and light Cantonese, the bare basics of Korean. French, obviously, Russian used to be a favorite, great for business - " he stopped to think about what else he might know. "Ah - there's Japanese too but that was one of my worst ones. Always needed a translator to speak for me because while I could understand it, I couldn't - " he sighed, shrugging.
He took note of the soft, smooth hands of Auguste's and how they were small against his own. How they were much softer than his own, which were rough and calloused both from his work at the golf club, the coffee shop, and his weapon handling.
"Do I intrigue you Auguste?" He asked curiously, the slightest c**k of his head and those bright gold eyes shifting to meet blue. "I did my best to keep up the atmosphere they set up. They did me a kindness, taking a chance on a boy who'd just turned eighteen and hadn't ever really held a job." It hadn't been the first time that he had to sell himself to someone, but it'd been different with the brothers because they were interested in him. In Chase, in a way that no one had been before - at least in the parental type of way that he'd always craved.
"So, have I impressed you enough to get you to come back?" Was he flirting? It wasn't clear even if there was the slightest upward curl of his lips, the minor arch of a brow when his fingers sunk into the pink of his hair and he tugged back a soft, effortless gesture.
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 8:18 am
Auguste's eyes widened a little. "That's incredible," he breathed, every note of his voice indicating it was not just idle flattery, but genuine admiration. "I thought - I mean, that's much more than just one or two languages, the fact that you know so many is amazing."
He lifted his cup and took another sip, the drink almost half gone now. Auguste felt a smile crinkling his eyes as he looked across the counter at Chase, his fingers curling around the cup. "You're very interesting," he said with a laugh, though there was a faint tinge of pink across his cheeks. "And I think you did...quite a lovely job," he added, in a softer tone. "This is a very lovely place, and it has a wonderful atmosphere."
Auguste shifted slightly on the stool, and he lifted his gaze, his eyes flickering over the movement of Chase's hand, the casual posture. The shop was warm and cozy around him, the smell of coffee and cream a pleasant, welcoming mixture of scents.
"I'd like to come back," said Auguste truthfully, smiling. "I usually go straight home after rehearsal, since it's late; but this is on the way and I've always wanted to come and see it."
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 11:04 am
Chase was a confident man, and he hardly shied away from being complimented, but he feigned humbleness in the wake of Auguste's praise. "I went to a fancy boarding school, had rich demanding parents," he explained with a shrug, tugging on the ends of his styled hair before his hand dropped back onto the counter, long fingers tapping against the finished wood idly. "It helped with business - for the job I had before I decided to just focus time on this place." He seemed to glance around the building with a soft look of fondness. "Spanish gets the most usage, because it's the second most common language that people speak but on the rare occasions we get out of staters? It's nice to be able to make small talk in their preferred language."
He'd always been really good at adapting things to suit the person he was dealing with.
Auguste struck him as someone who needed the other person to have an air of openness because it encouraged him. Left things in his tentative hands, maybe gave him the courage to do things that he might not have otherwise. "I'm flattered," he replied, offering the blue-eyed boy a wink as he pulled back, standing and stretching out his back. He moved to wash his hands at sink at the end of the espresso machines before opening the little fridge that rested beneath and pulling out lemonade, pouring it into a pitcher and steaming it - a loud squeal of a tear filling the shop as he aerated the juice - before setting it to let it reach the temperature he wanted. Meanwhile, he pulled teabags and deposited them in a paper cup, poured a small amount of honey into it and then added hot water.
When the lemonade was done he poured it smoothly into the tea, gave it a stir, then popped a lid on it before coming around the counter to take a seat on a stool beside Auguste. It would be easier, if they were going to continue their conversation. He held the cup almost delicately in work-worn hands when he settled his attention back on freckled skin and soft features. "We're open pretty late, guess you could say it's part of our charm." His thumbs ran along the plastic lid contemplatively.
"You should though," Chase said, a pause stretching between his sentences, "come back that is. I've got a lot of things I can make that I think you'd like."
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