***

Context: You work as a barista at a downtown cafe, and have seen all sorts of customers come and go. A famous author showing up was one thing, but when he gently explained that he has photophobia, you made it your mission to make sure he felt welcome. Today is just another day for him to visit and banter.

Setting: A small cafe

Tags: [M4A][Famous Author Speaker][Barista Listener][Photophobia/Disability][Cute][Wholesome][Flirting][Spicy][Icelandic Term of Endearment][Confession][Kisses][Reverse Comfort]

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***

[Scene opens in a dark cafe, early in the morning]

[SFX: A phone ringing]

[You hurry to the cafe phone and answer it, still midway through your opening duties]

[Pause?]

[A familiar deep but soft voice greets you]

“Good morning. How is my favorite barista?”

[Pause]

[He laughs]

“I told you… you don’t need to call me Mr. Sigurðsson. Anders is fine. I just wanted to make sure it was still alright for me to come in. I don’t want to waste your time any more than I usually do, haha.”

[Pause]

“Wonderful. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Hopefully, the paparazzi will be more merciful this time.”

[Pause]

[He pauses and then laughs]

“You bought a nicer bat, hm? Hehe, oh, I do love you. I-I, uh, You… y-your… feistiness! Y-Yes. Mmhm… Bye.”

**[Very brief time jump to fifteen minutes later]*\*

[A limo pulls up outside and a tall, very pale man steps out, holding an umbrella over his head. You meet him at the door and let him in]

“Thank you, Elskan. Oh, haha, sorry. Old habits. I keep forgetting I don’t live in Iceland anymore.”

[Pause]

“I would love my usual, thank you. I’m sure you’re looking forward to spending your shift catching up on shows, hm?”

[SFX: Ceramic glasses clacking and coffee being poured followed by typing]

“Thank you, dear. I’m hoping to actually make some progress on this novel today, hmhm. You know us writers - constantly fretting about getting things done while doing nothing. Hm?”

[Pause]

“Oh, no, everything is fine. It’s nice and dark here, the windows have the blackout curtains up. As always, you’ve gone above and beyond to accommodate a silly old writer with photophobia. I know I pay a premium, but it’s incredibly small compared to every other cafe around… It’s quite nice of you. Especially with how hard you fought the owner on allowing me…”

[He smiles shyly]

“You’re very sweet. I’ll try to keep quiet so you can enjoy your little scream compilations.”

[Pause]

“Perfectly cut, of course, of course. You’re adorable.”

[...]

[You both blush]

“I-I, uh… a-ahem. I-I best get to work. You know how deadlines are, haha.”

[Long Pause]

[SFX: Typing and just general ambiance for a bit]

[After a while, you go and deliver his usual breakfast, pausing as you see him looking pained]

[Pause?]

“Sorry… Bit of a migraine setting in… I thought I avoided the sun well enough, but I guess not. Sorry, love, I don’t mean to be a bother… Oh? Where are you going?”

[SFX: Footsteps hurrying off and then returning]

“Ah… migraine medication? You… Y-You brought this just for me…?”

[Pause]

“...why?”

[Long Pause]

[Anders sits and nods, appraising you with a neutral expression]

“I see… Your mother had photophobia as well. Hmhm, that explains quite a bit. Thank you, Elskan. It’s very appreciated.”

[He downs the pills with a groan and a shudder]

“Eugh. Wish they weren’t large enough to choke a horse. I do appreciate it though, truly. The doctor said I should try these fancy UV-blocking glasses but, ah… Well, as you can see as I don them now… Eheheh, yes. They don’t sit very comfortably atop my already, as you would call them, “thicc” spectacles, hmhm. ”

[Pause?]

“Ah-? W-What am I writing about this time? Aha, well, um… my publisher really wanted me to…try my hand at a romance this time. So, that’s what I’m doing. Yep. Romance. Very easy, very straightforward. Lots of dialogue, a bit of angst, some… a-ahem…spice.”

[Pause]

“Hey, don’t you give me that smile, Elskan. I’m perfectly capable of writing smut, thank you. It will be immensely titillating!”

[You grin at him and he flushes, looking away]

“P-Please don’t tease like that… It’d be incredibly inappropriate if I… “asked you for tips”. And yes, I do realize the double entendre. Hmph. I think you just like teasing me. Then again, you tease everyone that comes into your little shop and I am the only one here, so I suppose I should just expect an extra harsh tease or two, hm?”

[He smiles and shrugs helplessly]

“My head is feeling a little better, yes. Thank you. I, ah… should get back to it”

**[Time transition to an hour or so later]*\*

[After a while, you see him stand and wander to the back, presumably to use the restroom. You give it a minute and then sneak a peek at his laptop screen]

[Note: Text from Anders’s writing is italicized]

The barista moves about the shop, cleaning, dusting, and generally trying to pass the time. They don’t know it, but the way their lips gently part when they focus, the way their nose wrinkles when they tease… it set his soul aflame, each and every time they met. Where his mind felt muted, blanketed in a lonely life spent making others feel loved, it grew sharp around them. His mind began to wander from page to person, to focus obsessively, thirsty for inspiration.

He began to daydream when he shouldn’t. Began to think about how he might kiss them, push them onto the counter and profess his love and desire, to run his hands under their shirt and

[It cuts off there]

[You jump as Anders clears his throat and hurriedly back off]

“Hmhm… You know, I usually love giving you sneak peeks of my work, dear. This is, ah… not something I… really wanted you to see… You wouldn’t believe me if I said the character being a barista was just a coincidence, would you?”

[Pause]

“Damn. Worth a shot… I, ah…”

[Pause?]

[His face turns scarlet]

“A-Am I going to push you onto the counter or not? Elskan!!!”

[Pause]

[He giggles, almost nervous]

“You’re an absolute hellcat! You don’t want a sweet confession? A kiss?”

[You grab his shirt and kiss him as he protests and stumbles]

“O-Oh.”

[Pause]

“You… knew I loved you already? T-Then why didn’t you say anything?!”

[Pause]

[He blinks and then laughs, holding his head]

“Not as good writing material?! Oh, that is IT! Come here, you!”

[Good to his word, he does push you onto the counter and his kiss knocks the wind out of you]

“Mmh… Hmhm, sassy little brat. You have two minutes to cancel any bookings and to close down.”

[Pause?]

“What happens when two minutes is up? You’re going to help me finish this scene.”

[The End?]