bakerstreet | Coffee shops, but it's not an AU.

[[OoC: Open to canonmates and cross-canon/assumed cr, gen or shippy, first date or established relationship! If you're unsure, feel free to PM me and we can discuss details!]]

Edited 2021-05-30 03:49 (UTC)

[This is Yamaguchi’s favourite café. The atmosphere isn’t too noisy, but has just enough background noise that it isn’t eerily quiet. And it smells absolutely divine, and they roast their coffee beans just the way he likes them. Usually, it’s a haven that makes his worries melt away. But he still keeps checking his appearance in his phone camera and sighing in dismay.

He got his hair cut yesterday, at a different place than he usually goes, because the usual place is closed for renovations. And he had half-heartedly tried to explain how his hair is crazy thick and has a mind of its own, but it was no use—a stylist unused to its many perils inevitably cut Yamaguchi’s hair too short. And now he has cowlicks sticking up all over the place.

Right on the day that he finally gets to see his favourite person in the world for the first time in months. He takes a big gulp of black coffee and tries to focus on the pleasant bitterness to wash the apprehension away.

Why did he show up early, anyway? He could have spent a few more minutes in front of the mirror trying to tame this mess instead of sitting here fretting. But, well, too late for that now. All he can really do is tap his foot nervously and wait.]

[It's difficult, going to college in Tokyo. Not unmanageable. But Tsukki misses things he did not expect. Quiet mornings. The corner convenience store. Even the Monster Duo's bickering.

One he did expect?

Yamaguchi. It's still strange. Turning to make some witty remark, and no one's there. There's texts and video of course, but it isn't the same as seeing him sitting there.

Here.

And maybe there's a sunbeam or maybe not but suddenly things feel... brighter. Tsukki grins.]

Hey.

What happened to your hair?

[Tsukki's own has grown out of the butchered bangs, brushing the top of his ears.]

[He groans and leans back in his seat, tipping his face up towards the ceiling for a moment.]

I had someone new cut my hair, and he had no idea what he was up against. If this doesn't grow out fast, I'm gonna die.

[Huh. Well, a second ago, he felt like this was the end of the world. But leave it to Tsukishima to drag his worries out into the open right off the bat, so Yamaguchi can move past it as fast as it takes him to face forward again and fully register the fact that Tsukishima is right here with him. Finally! He grins, and his shoulders relax. Hair is just hair. What does that matter when he gets to spend time with his best friend?]

You don't look as tired as I thought you would. Are you blackmailing someone to do your assignments for you?

Well, I'll come to your funeral.

[With Yamaguchi, better to deal with issues head-on. Before they get their claws in. The cut doesn't look bad, really. Just different. In a way that doesn't seem intentional.

Tsukki pulls a face.]

Tch. Like I'd trust anyone with my lab work?

[He snickers, relaxing more and more into their usual pattern by the moment.]

It must just be that big city magic, then! You look good. [...He clears his throat as soon as the awkwardness of letting a compliment hang like that catches up to him, and he glances over at the counter.]

Um, you wanna get something to eat? I've only had coffee.

Shut up, Yamaguchi. I do not.

[It's - nice of Yamaguchi to say, but Tsukki's pants are too short (someday he will stop growing) and this is his last clean shirt. Technically. It doesn't smell or have stains. The last time it saw a washer, though?

Who knows.

Anyway - ]

Food's good.

[He's hungry all the time now. Still weird. Like his metabolism's making up for hibernating.]

Sorry, Tsukki!

[No he's not. And he was talking less about the outfit than about the reassuring lack of dark circles under Tsukishima's eyes. But anyway, food! Yamaguchi grins and pushes to his feet.]

Okay, let me grab us something! My treat.

[He knows Tsukishima's taste in food well enough to trust himself to trot up to the counter himself, and come back with sandwiches for both of them. All of his fatigue is wearing off before he even bites into the food, somehow. He hasn't felt this cheerful and energised in a while now.]

[No. Yamaguchi's not. Maybe never has been, even when they were smaller. It's an odd way to check in. But it's theirs.

Tsukki devours half the sandwich before remembering to talk.]

Thank you. It's good.

Do they have desserts here too?

You think I would invite you anywhere that didn't have cake?

[He watches Tsukishima fondly between bites of his own food. It's comforting to see him demonstrating a healthy appetite, after spending years of their friendship quietly fretting over Tsukishima not eating nearly enough.]

I know what you're about.

[It's not that he didn't eat. It was all the hovering. Nosy brothers. Nosy older teammates. Small wonder Tsukki didn't stick around for seconds.]

Yup. I'm only here for the cake.

[He smirks. Turning it only a little dirty. He's allowed some innuendo, right? Like. Once a year or so.]

[He just kinds of stares for a moment, lips parted slightly. He... imagined that, right? He’s definitely reading into this too much. So maybe he should, like... close his mouth, and do something about how he suddenly feels a little flushed.]

I’ll just, uh. I’ll go... yeah, desserts.

[He hasn’t even finished his sandwich, but it’s fine. Dessert is more of a Tsukki thing—Yamaguchi will get him strawberry shortcake, and then a slice of whatever looks the least sugary for himself, and then he’ll eat two bites of it and pawn the rest off on Tsukishima anyway. It’s a system that’s worked for them for a long time, and the familiarity of picking out the right items and carrying them back to the table helps him calm down a little.]

[Look.

Sometimes teasing your first crush and (somehow) still best friend is necessary. The blush is cute. Tsukki would rather die than say so, but awards himself a mental point anyway.]

Thanks.

[Whatever sweets put in front of him will quickly disappear.]

So, where else did you want to go today?

[Dean preferred for shipping but OTA otherwise for gen. Canon, cross canon, assumed CR, etc. all welcome.]

Pardon...d'you mind if I sit here for a second?

[The relatively young woman with the English accent seems a bit disheveled: hair pulled back haphazardly, one button on her jumper is misaligned, her barely closed crossbody bag and she's holding a shoe sealed in a plastic bag.]

Promise I'm not, like, exceptionally weird or anything, just need a sec to catch my breath.

[And look, the quiet bloke in the trenchcoat seems like the least probable serial killer in her estimation. That's a joke in her head but even she doesn't really laugh at it. People coming and going are couples, sets of friends, and those on-the-go business types who don't give a single fuck about friendships.

Molly just wants 5 seconds of peace without being stared at.]

I think I've seen you here before. I'm Molly.

How, uh...how's your morning?

[ He's late, and no one should be surprised.

He's supposed to meet Cas bright and early, 8am, but Dean isn't particularly what anyone would call an early riser, and when the alarm had gone off, he'd accidentally shut it off.

So now he looks like an asshole, because he's late.

They're meeting to case the place across the street, see what's up with a bunch of dudes disappearing in broad daylight, but just judging from what they've read in the papers, the guys have all been dicks anyway so really, it could be considered just desserts but oh nooo, that's not now they operate.

Dean comes barreling in through the door, skidding to a stop in front of the table where Cas is sitting, panting, just a little. ]

Sorry, I know, I know.

[Castiel is hardly surprised when Dean runs late. He's used to 'Winchester time,' as he refers to it, by now. In fact, Dean arriving early or exactly on time would be the truly surprising thing, especially given that they're meeting so early in the morning. He expected some delay or other, when it comes to Dean.

Castiel is also used to waiting; as an angel around since the dawn of Creation, he's rather used to waiting.

When Dean skids to a stop just in front of him, Castiel tilts his head, glancing up and watching Dean, concerned with the way he pants. He wonders if the monster they're hunting was chasing Dean. His entire expression furrows in confusion.]

Dean, are you alright? Were you being followed?

What? No, I'm fine.

[ He settles into the chair across from Cas, spreading his arms a little because hey, he's here, he's ready to do whatever it is....Cas invited him here to do. Nevermind that he's out of breath and a little sweaty. ]

So. What's up?

Alright, if you're sure.

[He can't help but worry, just in case. You never know which monsters might be lurking nearby, afterall, and given that Dean is Dean, Castiel can't be sure that he didn't catch some wayward monster's attention along the way.

He nods and visibly relaxes a bit himself.]

I thought we could...have coffee together. Or, well, you have coffee, at least, I don't technically eat or drink. This café comes highly recommended from what I've read of the reviews.

[He smiles knowingly in Dean's direction.]

I've heard particularly nice things about their bacon.

[ It definitely wouldn't be the first time a monster interrupted Dean trying to do something he enjoys. He expects it.

But this time, nothing comes crashing through the door, no spirit appears behind him ready to flay him alive, no demons are working the counter. It's just the two of them for now, sitting in a little coffee shop, enjoying each others company. ]

You sure know me well. [ Better than most people - not that Dean particularly allows anyone in. Sam is an exception, obviously, and Cas is apparently becoming one, as well. ]

I do love coffee and bacon.

[Castiel finds that he really enjoys this little nook of a café so far, at least. To him, it seems to represent his favorite aspects of humanity from what he's observed of humans, people connecting with one another, catching up, getting together, and overall bonding over food and drink that he can, at least, appreciate the smell of, even if he cannot fully appreciate the taste.

He grins, pleased, when Dean mentions that him knowing him well. Dean is his best friend, the person he's closest with. He feels for him stronger than anyone else he knows, fond, protective, and endeared to him in a way he's never been close with anyone else before.]

I think they have quite the menu, from what I could see of it. Here.

[He pushes the menu towards Dean, to give him the chance to order what he likes.]

[ A high schooler who looks like he could be a member of the yakuza gang around the corner. What's a guy, who's surly face makes it seems like he's about to get in a brawl with the next person who looks at him the wrong way, doing at a cute little cafe? More over, he's making a face as if he's about to challenge the menu card to a fight. He's muttering to himself.

~~What cake to get... he loves sweets. This big selection is making it impossible to choose.~~

(Not really aiming for ships, Juza is definitely here for the food. But maybe he got set up and doesn't know it, or you're just wondering, like, what the hell is this gangster-guy doing here.) ]

[ all banri wanted was to try out this new cafe in town for the coffee as he usually does to keep tabs on the best ones in town, but considers immediately crossing it out of his list after he places his order and looks for a place to sit only to find juza also here, staring at the menu with that grumpy face of his. geh.

there's not really any empty seats around so he ends up with no choice but to walk over to where juza is, huffing a laugh. ]

What's the matter? Can't read?

[ He's deep in though, alright, since it's a new cafe he doesn't know the menu. He has to figure out what's good. Maybe the chiffon chocolate cake, or the fruit tart, or a cream slice... It doesn't really matter, Banri is the last person Juza wants to see here no matter what he gets. The way his grips goes down on the menu, he might squeeze some cream right out of it.

He doesn't look up, that taunt's like water off a duck's back, but like hell is he gonna share a table with Settsu. Tch. ]

Seat's taken.

Edited 2021-05-31 12:02 (UTC)

Huh!? There's no way this seat's taken! Who'd want to come along with you here!?

[ as he says this he places his coffee down on the table and sits across from him, defiantly. hmph! ]

[ Shoulda put his foot around the chair quickly enough... he's not gonna get to enjoy any cake like this. But that glaring look's finally directed at someone. Ugh. ]

The hell's with you!? Don't see anyone wanting to hang around you, either.

That's just 'cause I didn't invite anyone.

[ obviously!!! he scoffs, looking at the menu in his hand and the page he's looking at. ]

Ooh. You here for the desserts, huh. That makes sense.

So?

[ Although he's irritated now, Juza doesn't have the heart to close the page on all these cakes. He was really looking forward to it. ]

Ain't sharing... [ Also obviously! ]

I don't want your sugary crap. I'm just here for this.

[ he lifts his coffee cup as he says so. ]

Aren't you gonna order one, too?

Ha!?

[ Don't go insulting cake over coffee. No way, Juza's face says... just as much as he'd object to anything coming out of Settsu's mouth, on principle. ]

It's gonna ruin the flavors.

It's gonna enhance it! Come on you coward, I'll get one for ya.

[ so before juza can object, he calls over a waitress and orders two lattes, a sugary one for juza although he doesn't expect juza to know what it tastes like since he he never drinks coffee. juza is free to order his pastries, too.

banri looks smug by the end, too. ]

[[ lbr he's most likely the owner of the cafe and the barista too. open to canonmates and crosscanon, and shippy things. ]]

[ welcome to starbucks! would you like a venti? ]

Coffee shops, but it's not an AU.

Chongyun || Genshin Impact || OTA

Toge Inumaki || Jujutsu Kaisen || OTA

M'ahina Molkoh | FFXIV OC | ota

[closed, for @saltinourstars]

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Castiel | Supernatural | OTA

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Juza Hyodo | A3! | ota

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jyn erso || rogue one || ota

cassian andor || rogue one || ota

rey || star wars || ota

ben solo || star wars || ota

bodhi rook || rogue one || ota

rose tico || star wars || ota

sandalphon | granblue fantasy | OTA

venti | genshin impact

chiaki nanami | super dangan ronpa 2 | m/f

rinoa heartilly | ffviii | m/f

machi kuragi | fruits basket | m/f

Maria Hill | MCU | F/M (30+)

Lt. Ford Brody | Godzilla