Chapter Text
“Oh my god, it’s finally here!” Lance exclaimed excitedly as he stopped in his tracks and began jumping up and down. Pidge was walking beside him and rolled their eyes at Lance’s giddy excitement, trying to keep a warm smile from their face.
It was October 1st, and the local cafe, “The Five Lions", had a big sign planted on the sidewalk, with fall-themed art surrounding the big text; Pumpkin spice is back in town!
“I’m sure you’ve religiously stalked their Instagram page and lured me to go on an “early autumn themed walk in the slight breeze surrounded by falling leaves” - as you so poetically texted me - so we could accidently walk past The Five Lions." Pidge explained, while Lance theatrically inspected his nails, before he even more dramatically moved his hand over his chest in a show of offence.
“How dare you accuse me of such trickery?” Lance's shocked voice was almost convincing, if it wasn’t for the giant smirk he couldn't keep down.
Pidge simply sighed while they let themself be dragged into the cafe. Once inside, they left Lance to order while they snagged a spot. This place was bound to be filled with fall obsessed girls any minute now, with their thick scarfs and knee high boots, even though it was still 15 degrees celsius outside.
Lance walked up to the counter, waiting in line behind one other person. He knew Pidge's order - a caramel latte, extra espresso shot - and he himself would finally get to indulge in his favorite seasonal beverage.
The person before him finished paying for their order and stepped to the side. That’s when Lance saw him. A black haired angel. The barista behind the counter was picking up the coins the previous customer had paid with, pushing coin after coin into his palm.
Lance couldn't help himself, he stared so intensely at the other man that he felt his eyes widen. His eyes tracked upwards from the barista's hands towards his chest, hiding behind a black apron and a red t-shirt. What wasn't hiding behind any piece of fabric, however, were his biceps. They filled out the short sleeves of the red shirt stunningly well, like it was tailored to him specifically, highlighting the toned muscle stretching underneath his pale skin.
Lance’s eyes finally traveled to study his face more closely, having only noticed the black locks cut into a mullet at first sight. His furrowed brows were the same shade as his hair, with a piercing through his left one. His angular nose suited the shape of his face, but Lance got stuck on his lips, with his tongue sticking just so slightly out in concentration as he hurriedly picked up all of the coins. Their fullness left Lance breathless and immovable for a second, (or perhaps a few seconds), long enough for the barista to wave a hand in front of his face to snap him back to reality.
“What can I get you today?” The barista asked with a neutral but tired voice, waiting for Lance's order with a straight smile on his face. Lance opened his mouth to speak, but found himself scrambling to form any type of words.
“Ahem, uh, Keith!” Lance finally managed to stutter out, as he’d been looking around to find something to ground himself, he took notice of the name badge the barista was wearing. He had not meant to say it out loud though.
The barista - Keith - looked confused for a second, before evidently remembering his name badge, judging by how his expression returned to the awkward customer service smile. Lance continued staring for another second before using all of his energy to focus.
“That’s a beautiful name!” Was what Lance decided was the natural thing to say to the barista taking his order. He noticed Keith's brows furrowing a bit in confusion before he let out a small, dry chuckle.
“Oh, thanks.” Keith replied while scratching the back of his head, effectively ruffling the black hair at the top, which made them look even softer than before.
Lance let out a small laugh with him, licking his lips as he looked slightly down at the shorter man. He couldn't be more than five centimeters taller, but still.
“Soo, I guess I should order and not just stand here talking all day.” Lance said jokingly, as Keith moved the hand from his hair to the Ipad mounted on the counter, while biting his lip. Lance had to bite down on his own bottom lip to be able to focus on actually ordering, and not staring at Keith’s beautiful lips all day.
“I’ll start with a caramel latte, with an extra shot of espresso.” he began, while Keith nodded along as he pressed the Ipad to register the order. “And then... I’ll have a pumpkin spice latte, with extra marshmallows on top, please!” Lance ended his order with a cheerful smile, but that smile was definitely not returned to him by the barista. Keith looked at him with a deadpan stare. His glaring eyes could only be described as the feeling of being disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised.
At this point, Lance panicked. He didn't know what overcame him, but he had a strong feeling of not wanting to disappoint the cool barista, with his eyebrow piercing and big biceps.
“Hah, just kidding! I just want a- uhm, regular old coffee.” As he began his lie, he saw Keith noticeably exhaling and his shoulders relaxing. That’s when Lance knew he had to fully commit - why not try to get on his good side - since he’d already begun.
“Those white girl, pumpkin spice lattes, annoy me!” Lance continued while laughing, trying to sell his lie as best as he could.
“I’m in love.” Keith joked back, but Lance's heart skipped a bit, as if the barista actually meant it. Lance smiled even wider to conceal his nervousness. “Name?” Keith asked with a small smile.
Lance tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear - he really needed to get a haircut - and fluttered his eyelashes at Keith. He was cute, and Lance was not afraid to shoot his shot. Especially not now, after abstaining from his favorite seasonal beverage in order to impress Keith. He licked his lips while putting on a slightly sultry expression, before giving the barista his answer.
“Señor Awesome." And with a wink, Lance effectively made Keith's eyes widen, as he stared at him in disbelief.
Keith opened his mouth, but no words escaped. Lance kept his flirty smirk while waiting for the other man to regain his composure. The red flush rising to Keith's neck made Lance sure he made him flustered with his spectacular moves. Keith's adams apple moved up and down, before he simply turned the Ipad around without speaking, giving Lance the option to pay.
Lance tapped his card and paid for the two drinks, and Keith handed him a paper receipt, his dark eyes still not meeting Lance's light ones. Lance grabbed the receipt from him, their fingers touching ever so slightly, a touch neither would’ve noticed if it weren't for the heightened tension between them.
With a dry cough, Keith told him his order would be ready in about five minutes, still not meeting Lance's gaze. Lance wanted to say something more, to lighten the mood, but Keith's back was turned before he had time to part his lips. He watched the barista pull out two paper cups and prepare the drinks, as he started his walk of shame towards Pidge.
“Dude, you good?” Pidge asked as Lance - with dragging feet and a giant frown on his face - was clearly distraught.
“I think I embarrassed myself while flirting with the barista…” Lance confessed and slumped into the sofa Pidge had saved for them.
“Oh Lance…”
The two friends waited, with the sound of coffee grinders and various chatter, before a familiar voice called out a very unique name.
“Señor… awesome?” A cringing Keith called out the name Lance had so stupidly given him. Pidge turned their head fully towards the esteemed ‘Señor awesome’, with wide eyes and a mouth left agape in pure shock. Lance let out a big sigh before getting up to get their drinks.
Within a time span of five minutes, Lance began his second walk of shame. After staring at his feet, Lance looked up as he grabbed his and Pidge’s hot beverages from the counter and saw Keith glancing at him from the corner of his eyes. As soon as the barista got caught, he turned his head to stare right down at the counter he was cleaning.
Lance was just about to turn around and walk back to Pidge, as he felt a sudden spark of adrenaline fill him up. He already embarrassed himself, so why not give it one last shot? With a guy this handsome right in front of him, Lance couldn’t possibly give up now.
“Keith!” He called out for the second time that day, a name he had never once said before, but it was already beginning to feel like it belonged on his tongue.
The barista turned to him with a shy look, like he had been the one who embarrassed himself earlier.
“Could I get your… number?” Lance forced the last word out of his mouth, the adrenaline giving him the last push he needed.
The worst thing that could happen is that Keith says no, Lance thought. And he’d already made a fool of himself, so it’s not like he could make it worse by asking for the guy's number, right?
“Oh.” Keith said, eyes widened and eyebrows raised, while meeting Lance's face head on. A few quiet seconds passed between them, both staring at the other, before Lance couldn't stand the tension any longer.
“Sorry! I’m so sorry, that’s not appropriate. Again, so sorr-” Lance's rambling got interrupted by Keith stepping forward towards the blabbering customer.
“It’s okay, I- I can write it down on your cup?” Keith asked, looking at the nervous man in front of him with an unsure and awkward expression.
Lance stood frozen with his mouth open for just a second, before he sprung to action. He set down Pidge's drink on a table behind him - the couple seated there confused by the sudden intrusion - and placed his own back on the counter where he’d taken it from, right in front of Keith.
He stood in silence as he watched Keith write down his number with a black sharpie, right underneath “Señor Awesome”. Lance forced himself not to cringe at the sight of that name.
Keith handed Lance his cup of black coffee, and looked at Lance like he was searching for something. Although Lance was happy that everything had worked out in his favour - well, except for the lack of pumpkin spice in his drink - he also wanted to jump in the nearest river from the sheer amount of nerves flowing through his whole body.
“I’ll see you around, Keith!” Lance finished with a wink, and turned to grab Pidge's drink from behind him. He sat down on the sofa once again, placed so that their backs were towards the barista's working area. With a big sigh, Lance took a sip of his drink, but immediately grimaced at the bitter taste.
“Did the barista put something in your drink?” Pidge asked, their face painted with confusion and slight concern, Lance loves pumpkin spice latte…
“Nothing inside my drink. On the outside, though.” Lance said with a smirk, has he spun the paper cup in his hands to show off the number written down.
Pidge raised their eyebrows in surprise, but then began nodding slowly in approval. “Wow, I'm actually impressed. You managed to get his number after asking him to call you ‘Señor Awesome’? Either you're really smooth, or he’s just as dorky as you.”
“I’m not dorky! Besides, I'm not the one wearing a t-shirt with an alien cat!” Lance shot back. Neither of them could contain their laughter, as Lance leant his head down on the sofa's back cushion, with Pidge kicking his leg gently.
…
Later that night, after taking a cold shower to try and reset his nervous system, Lance was ready to text Keith.
Well, almost.
Sharpshooter: Pidge!!!
Sharpshooter: where are you in my time of need…
Pigeon: what!?!??!?!
Sharpshooter: what do I text him :3
Pigeon: …
Sharpshooter: heeeeeeeeeeeeelp
Pigeon: just do what u usually do?
Sharpshooter: but i dont want to embarrass myself again..
Pigeon: i honestly dont think thats even possible
Pigeon: besides, he already gave u his number, so its really on him now. he knows what he got himself in to when he gave his number to “señor awesome”
Sharpshooter: ughhhh dont remind me
Sharpshooter: FINE
Sharpshooter: i’ll use my immaculate skills then, but i’ll blame YOU if he blocks me
Pigeon: -_-
Lance took his giant mug out of his cabinet to prepare some hot chocolate. It’s the least he could treat himself with after missing out on the premier day of pumpkin spice latte season.
Milk, cacao powder, sugar, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, cinnamon and cardamon. Lance prepared by putting all of the ingredients he needed on the counter. But before he measured the milk to pour in the pot, he took his phone from his pockets and stared at the saved number there.
His bottom lip was between his teeth, nervously chewing while thinking of what the first message he sends should be.
Lance: (Draft) heyyyy :)
Lance: (Draft) hiiii keith, it’s lance from the five lions :3
Lance: (Draft) hey keith, señor awesome is ready for another drink ;)
“Ugh!” Lance groaned in annoyance. This wasn't his first time texting someone whose number he’d asked for, and he never overthinks as much as he’s doing now. Lance stared accusingly at his phone, he had thrown it on the counter, but the mere presence of it in his line of sight made him even more nervous.
A sudden ping made Lance’s heart skip a beat and he hurriedly picked his phone back up. The light from the screen glowed gently on his face, displaying a message from Pidge asking him how it's going. Lance sighed and shook his head to himself, standing there alone in the kitchen of his loft.
Ignoring his friend's message, Lance took a deep breath and returned to create a message between him and Keith.
Lance: (Draft) Hey Keith! It’s Lance, from earlier today at The Five Lions :)
Inhale…
Exhale…
*Sent*
Lance slammed his phone - screen down - on the counter. One of Lance's hands automatically moved to cover his mouth. He dragged the hand down over his chin harshly and grunted loudly, trying to let out the nerves. His lips pressed together as he tried to stop his overthinking. This really shouldn't be so hard.
“Okay, okay. No big deal, just, a casual message.” Lance whispered out loud to himself, into the silence of the night. He hurriedly picked up the carton of milk to begin making his beverage. If he’s going to wait for a reply, he can't just sit around and stare at his phone, or else he’d go crazy.
He moved through the kitchen with ease, putting each ingredient back as he went. While stirring the milk filled pot on the stove, mixing the cacao and sugar into the liquid, he heard another ping. Lance didn’t dare to pick up his phone to check who texted him.
“Its probably just Pidge again.” He told himself, and continued stirring while staring intensely at the swirls of milk, cacao and sugar.
Lance finished his drink, spraying whipped cream on top, so much that it almost spilled over the edge of his mug. He placed three mini marshmallows on the whipped cream, and then sprinkled cinnamon and cardamon on top. The hot chocolate filled cup felt warm between his hands, but the whipped cream kept him from burning himself.
He took the mug - and the unchecked phone - to the couch and placed the drink on the coffee table. Another ping escaped the phone, which Lance was still holding upside down. One of them was surely from Keith, right?
With another deep breath, Lance turned the phone around and read the two notifications.
Keith: do you mean señor awesome? :)
Pigeon: Lance????
Lance couldn’t keep his smile down as he read Keith's message. The weight in his chest disappeared in small flutters, the butterflies escaping through his wide grin.
He forced his smile away by pressing his lips together, and shook his head as he responded.
Lance: oh you just had to remind me of that
Keith read his message in a matter of three seconds and responded just as quickly.
Keith: well, thats the name you gave me. how do i know if your real name is señor awesome or Lance?
Keith: there’s simply no way of knowing
Lance: wow
Lance: so you’re cute, funny, AND make delicious coffee
Lance: now i’m the one who’s in love lol
A minute went by with Lance’s message being left on read, and he began to wonder if he moved too fast. Just as he was about to apologise, Keith finally responded.
Keith: I’m glad you liked the coffee :)
Keith: I hope your friend did too
Lance: Pidge is a SUCKER for caramel lattes, so it’s hard to get it wrong
Lance: but yes, they did enjoy it!!
Lance: btw, are you new at the job?
Lance: not that it’s noticeable or anything
Lance: like
Lance: i obviously LOVED the coffee and your barista skills are unmatched
Lance: i just asked because i havent seen you there before
Keith: no worries, i understand what you mean
Keith: I actually just moved to this city, but I worked as a barista in my hometown too
Lance: Ooo nice!
Lance: How are you liking the city? :)
Keith: so far, so good. but god, it’s noticeable how big this place is
Lance: how so?
Keith: the amount of people actually ordering pumpkin spice lattes today, sickens me
Keith: you were like the fifth one in the span of fifteen minutes, thats why i almost crashed out lol
Lance: right lol
Lance: well, you crashing out would’ve been a memorable impression
Keith: not as good as señor awesome tho
Lance: ha ha
Lance: btw, why dont you like the pumpkin spice latte? does it taste weird or something?
Keith: its just the overhype of the whole “fall aesthetic" thing
Keith: like, can we just enjoy things, without letting capitalism overexaggerate everything
Keith: sorry lol, i just had to vent
Lance: i get it lol, capitalism sucks :3
Lance: so, you like the drink, just not the overexaggerating part?
Keith: i havent tried it tbh
Lance: ohh okay
Lance's mouth fell open. Here this guy was, judging him for wanting a seasonal drink. Meanwhile he’s oblivious to the wonderful taste of a pumpkin spice latte, while a cold breeze gently flows past you, a warm cup between your gloved hands, watching the fiery orange and crispy, browned leaves gather on the sidewalk. It was quite frankly insulting, Lance decided, as an all-things-autumn connoisseur.
Ping.
Lance looked down at his phone again and saw the new message from Keith.
Keith: So, got any plans for this upcoming week?
Now was his time to strike, Lance realised. He, Pidge and Allura were planning to go apple picking next week, and Allura said to invite more people to come. That's a perfect, casual first date, as Keith can bring a friend too.
Lance: actually, me and my friends were going to pick some apples next week
Lance: it would be super fun if you wanted to come with!!
Lance: and feel free to bring a friend too, the more the merrier :)
Another minute passed of Lance being left on read. He sipped his hot chocolate, getting whipped cream on his nose. He swiped it off with his thumb and sucked it off, as Keith responded again.
Keith: that sounds fun, i’ll bring my friend Hunk. he loves baking and has been forcing me to pick apples with him some day anyways
Lance: great!! i’ll text you the deets once i know more
Lance: i look forward to seeing you :)
Keith: me too :)