#the latte art is so cute omg omg omg omg

[megwuru]

MINECRAFT BG OMGGGG

npt : @littlemissemeritus @egoistars @thebestsetter @choccorin

↳ picrew: one // two

What are you thankful for today? ♡

Tags but no pressure: @antique-remains @misc-magic @oopsiedaisymae @jeschalynn @silverrings-n-prettythings

@lonely-north-star @featheredcrowbones @arvandus @thebellearchives + anyone else reading this!

[tabe4]

Sure did go out with a bang, little guy

x

[nonymous06]

HIIIIII :))

if ur taking requests maybe can u draw Lindsay x Izzy? ty :)

I love ur art sm it tastes like a latte /pos

I've never actually heard of this pairing before but omg it's so cute

Also the fact that lindsay has wide set eyes in my designs is a fact very near and dear to my heart

[mintypsii]

HIIIII I JUST WANTED TO SAY YOUR SANUSO FANFIC WITH THE LATTE ART IS THE FIRST ONE PIECE FANFIC I’VE READ DESPITE BEING IN THE FANDOM FOR A YEAR AND I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I LOVE IT SO SO MUCH AND IT’S SO SO CUTE AND IT MAKES ME GIGGLE WHENEVER I THINK ABOUT IT

HHI OMG. YOU HABE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THIS MADE ME AAAUHGHVJDJDJ THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! 💖💥💖🔥🙏💥🙏💖‼️💖💖💖💖AAAGHHHHH I WAS SO SCARED TO POST IT SINCE IM NOT VERY CONFIDENT IN MY WRITING BUT IM REAAALLLLYYY GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT WWNWNDHGF CUZ I DEF ENJOYED WRITING IT LOL!!! and woah no way it was your first op fic IM RELIEVED THAT I WASNT A BAD INTRODUCTION TO OP FANFICTION 😭😭😭💥💥💥 here's a lil concept doodle i did of em that i cleaned up for u 🫶🫶

[lovings4turn]

I'm so jealous, I wish I could do latte art!! You responded to one of my thoughts with "Jack is so bad for see you do something and just being like 'ok I do this now'" and it haunts me omg it's so beautiful! If I was in an old Hollywood film I would dramatically lay myself across a couch and need to fan myself it makes me weak. He starts wearing a scrunchie on his wrist for you and knows just how high and tight you like ponytails. He loves doing your hair for you because he loves taking care of you, but also being a professional athlete in a sport that is so rough/violent he loves being able to do something delicate with his hands.

i will say i'm not the most masterful but i'm having fun which is all that matters !!! and oh my gosh nonnie love i'm so glad you enjoyed that lovely - honestly that ask made me dizzy it was so cute !!! 'in a sport that is so rough/violent he loves being able to do something delicate with his hands' oh nonnie i will SOB—

but oh my god you're so right- he definitely keeps a hair tie on him at all times , just in case you ever forget one !!! after time , he's learned just how you like your ponytails too , whether you prefer them low and loose or high and tight , and he'll try his hardest to tie it up absolutely perfectly for you if you give him the chance !!

[javierpena-inatacvest]

Hello lovely,

Congrats on the awesome milestone! It’s of no surprise, when you’re a gem and your writing is amazing!!

Can I please request a moodboard?

I’m thinking of a magical accident, a fateful meet of kinds; bumping into one of Pedro’s characters over coffee or a misplaced coffee order and the rest is history? (I.e. idiots to lovers, book lovers, art lovers, archives and libraries aesthetic)

Could be Oberon back in the day, Whiskey out on the ranch, Mr Ben at the university, Pike at the local cafe. I’ll let you decide.

But of course, pls don’t stop the writing either.

TYSM and congrats again 🥳😘 xxx

Omg, hi sweet friend!!! Thank you so so much!! 🥺💕🫶🏻 This is such a cute idea!! I've been on a big Frankie kick lately, and I love the idea of you and Frankie accidentally grabbing each other's coffee orders and how sweet and bashful he would be trying to switch with you, and you can't help but fall head over heels for him immediately 🥺😩

I Love You A Latte- Meet Cute w/ Frankie Morales at the Coffee Shop

part of madeline's 1.5K celebration!! 🥳

[atrirose]

what do your moots remind you of!!

omg i have done this before for a event it was so much fun OMG LOVE U FOR ASKING ME THIS MWAH

@odxrilove : peachy pink colour, miffy, long voice notes, hamsters, lilies, bows, hoshi, purple skies, foam on coffee, perfumes, doves, perfect outfits, soft hums, moon, bonfires.

@hoonvrs : the colour black, cats, pretty eyes, poetry, khol, watches, milk bread, candid pictures, musk, sunghoon, honey, vinyls, silver lines.

@boyfhee : blue, coffee dates, long and deep conversation, lipgloss, early sunrise view, cute stationery, jay, lily of the valley.

@lilacnini : baby blue, refreshing water, iced coffee, long walks, thrift shopping, daisies, nayeon, raspberries, line art, starry nights, muji pens.

@isoobie : dark red, yunjin, smoothies, curls, jasmines, cherries, chai lattes, heeseung, chocolate chips, evening strolls, autum air, silk robes.

@okwonyo : reddish pink, pilates princess, dupe lip glow, matcha latte, highlighters, wonyoung, pink orchids, sugar, vanilla, laces

@bywons : beige, brownies, coffee beans, late night calls, stars, jungwon, ysl, apple bloom, music notes, leopard, jhumaks, love letters.

@wonryllis : black swans, jungkook, cyber punk, watermelons, jellies, mini skirts, blueberry muffins, handwritten notes, anklets, oreo.

@goldenhypen : light blue and beige combination, golden retrievers, jake, hot chocolate, messy keys, milk tea, high ponytails, fireflies, magnolia, a flower crown, hallway crushes.

@jangwonie : sage green, fairies, hydrangeas, matcha, italy, pistachio ice cream, garden walks, sunoo (esp blonde), sun kissed, glitter, california, sundress, sticky notes.

@junityy : pink, peonies, miss dior, nostalgia, glowing stream of water, green smoothies, dainty jewelry, pocky, scented candles, jake, fresh flowers, pretty mugs, cozy days, gossip girls.

[songbirdseung]

matchy matchy / lee heeseung

You know Hansel and Gretel, the classic fairytale. You know the breadcrumb trail. This part of the story could be compared to the way you and heeseung drop hints about your secret relationship to your fans. Just like how the breadcrumbs were eaten by the birds.

Right in this moment, you felt like you were living a double life. The 'hannah montana' of your generation. You kept a secret to pretty much everyone in your life. It was easy to hide and joke around about, cause who in the world would believe you were dating lee heeseung of enhypen.

Blending in was not exactly blending in for you. Easily, no one would think twice about your photocard dangling on the side of your bag, your matching purple hair with your boyfriend, and the jokes you make about being delusional. Yes, you were an idol under HYBE, but you still were a fangirl at the end of the day, so it made your job easier.

The beloved second half, heeseung. He didn't have to do much either, all he needed to do was think before speaking, joke around with fans, keep them thinking that he was single. Of course, you'd be slightly jealous but cringe at the same time when you see new content of him flirting with fans.

But at the end of the day, you win.

Cause right now, you were laying in a hotel room in Japan. Heeseung's arms gladly wrapped around you and you both watch a movie. "Aren't you tired of hiding?" Heeseung looks down at you, laying on his chest. You look back up at him and smile before saying "No matter what the circumstances, as long as I get to be with you. I'd love it" The statement sounded better in your head, so you cringed right after you said it. You two share a laugh and continue your focus on the film that was playing.

The rest of the night, you two stay unaware of what is happening between your fandoms. All because the similarities and the timeframe of you and heeseung's post on social media. Each of your fans go detective and try to piece together the evidence. Some have come to believe it, some don't.

(a/n: the following accounts are fake and made up, but if you so happen to have that handle...cool)

@/EnhyFam_123 Hey guys, I've been scrolling through Y/N's Instagram lately, and I couldn't help but notice something interesting. 🕵️‍♀️ Do you remember Heeseung's post from a month ago where he's holding a cup of coffee with a cute heart-shaped latte art? Well, guess what? Y/N just posted a similar coffee pic with heart latte art today! Coincidence or something more? 🤔

@/InSomnias4YnH OMG, you won't believe this, but I think I've stumbled upon a clue! 🕵️‍♂️ Y/N and Heeseung both posted pictures of them hanging out at the same amusement park last weekend. Y/N captioned it "Fun day out," while Heeseung said, "Rollercoaster adventures!" Could they have been on a secret date? Check it out and let me know what you think!

@/HONEY10_Heart Okay, fam, this is getting TOO SUSPICIOUS! 🧐 Heeseung posted a selfie last week wearing a blue hoodie, and guess what? Y/N just shared a selfie today in a BLUE hoodie too! 💙 It's not just any hoodie; it's the same shade! Are they sharing clothes or sharing their hearts?

@/YnHeeShipper4Eva Guys, let's not forget about that mysterious photo challenge Heeseung started a while back, where he shared pictures of his favorite spots in town. Y/N just posted a pic of one of those EXACT spots today! Coincidence? I think not! 😲 Is this a subtle way of confirming their relationship or just pure coincidence? Share your thoughts!

@/HesitatedHeeStan I can't help but notice that Y/N and Heeseung have been wearing matching bracelets lately. They both posted about them separately, but I have a feeling they might be sharing something more than just jewelry! Is it time to ship them officially? 🚢

@/YnHee_Heartbeats Okay, I've seen Y/N and Heeseung's posts from the past few months, and I swear their captions seem like they're finishing each other's sentences! Heeseung posted, "Lost in the music 🎶," and Y/N followed up with, "Found in your smile 😊." Is this a hidden love story playing out on our feeds?

@/EnhaYnLove4Eternity Guys, it's official! I'm convinced that Y/N and Heeseung are dating! 🥰 I've seen so many similarities in their posts, and they keep dropping hints like breadcrumbs. It's not just one thing; it's the whole package! Their matching outfits, shared locations, and synchronized captions… It's a love story in the making! ❤️ #EnhaYnForever

@/CuriousKpopStan I don't know about you all, but my heart is doing somersaults over Y/N and Heeseung's possible relationship! 💞 From the subtle hints to the uncanny timing of their posts, it's hard to deny something's going on. 🙌 #YnHeeLove

@/YnHeeDenier_99 Okay, folks, let's not jump to conclusions here. Just because Y/N and Heeseung have similar posts doesn't mean they're dating. Maybe they just have the same taste in coffee and hoodies, right? ☕️👕 I mean, come on, it's all just coincidences!

@/SkepticalStan_27 I'm sorry, but I refuse to believe they're dating just because they went to the same amusement park. 🙅‍♂️ Lots of people go there! It doesn't mean Y/N and Heeseung are secretly in love. Let's be rational about this, folks.

@/HeeYnFriendzone Guys, I've been thinking. Maybe Y/N and Heeseung are just really good friends who happen to have similar interests. People can be friends without it being romantic, right? 🤷‍♀️ I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but let's not get carried away.

@/JustBFFsYnHee I hate to break it to you all, but matching bracelets don't automatically mean they're dating. Maybe they got those bracelets together as a friendship thing or a symbol of their bond as colleagues. Let's not make assumptions. 😐

@/YnHeePlatonicShips Honestly, I think some fans are reading way too much into this. Y/N and Heeseung are professionals who work together, and they probably hang out as friends. We should respect their privacy and not speculate about their personal lives.

@/NotBuyingIt_YnHee I can't help but roll my eyes at the idea of Y/N and Heeseung dating just because of similar captions. Maybe they both read a book or watched a movie that inspired those words. It doesn't automatically mean they're romantically involved! 😒

@/RealisticStan_123 Let's not forget that Y/N and Heeseung are in the entertainment industry. Their job involves creating hype and intrigue. They might be doing this on purpose to keep fans guessing. Don't fall for it too easily, folks! 🤨

@/ChillOut_YnHeeFans I'm not trying to be a buzzkill, but we should all take a step back and relax. Jumping to conclusions and making up stories can put unnecessary pressure on idols. Let's enjoy their music and performances without getting too invested in their personal lives. 🎶🤷‍♂️

You both are only made aware when you two simultaneously receive a text from your managers at the same time.

"Heeseung, Check SNS, your fans are going crazy"

"y/n, you got some explaining to do"

"It's up to you guys if you wanna tell everyone, we'll have a company meeting after ya'll come back from Japan"

They found themselves in a cozy hotel room, far away from the public eye, where they could finally discuss their next steps. Heeseung reclined on the plush bed, his laptop resting on his lap, while Y/N perched beside him, scrolling through their phones.

"Let's see what they're saying." Heeseung says and pulls you closer.

Y/N opened Instagram, and they both leaned in to examine the posts from fans.

Post 1: @EnhyFam_123 "OMG, look at Y/N's latte art! Same as Heeseung's from last month! Is it a coincidence? I think not! 🙈❤️ #EnhaYnLove"

Post 2: @YnHeeLove4Eternity "I'm CONVINCED! Matching bracelets, shared locations, synchronized captions… It's a love story, guys! 😍 #YnHee"

"Seems like they've got their detective hats on." Hee says

They continued scrolling through more posts, some excitedly shipping them, while others remained skeptical.

Post 3: @JustBFFsYnHee "Matching bracelets? Come on, people! They're probably just really good friends! 🤷‍♀️ #FriendshipGoals"

Post 4: @RealisticStan_123 "Let's not forget they're in showbiz. They could be playing it up for publicity. 🎤📸 #KpopMystery"

They continued scrolling, reading comments and reactions to the various posts. Some fans were excitedly discussing their supposed relationship, while others were analyzing every detail, trying to debunk it.

Post 5: @ChillOut_YnHeeFans "Guys, let's remember they're entitled to their privacy. Enjoy their music, not their personal lives! 🎶🤐 #RespectBoundaries"

"Some fans have the right idea." you pause from scrolling and look at heeseung.

As they reached the end of their social media dive, Heeseung closed his laptop, and Y/N set aside their phone. Then, out of nowhere, Heeseung grabs his phone and opens up weverse.

"What are you doing?" you start to panic and hide when you see that he's about to press the live button.

"Going live, what else?" he chuckles and waits for fans to arrive.

Your heart races as the number of viewers starts to climb rapidly, and the comments section fills with emojis, greetings, and excited messages from fans.

Heeseung smiles at the camera. "Hey, everyone! Surprise live session today. I've got someone special here with me, but I'm not revealing who just yet. Stay tuned!"

The chat explodes with speculation and curiosity, but Heeseung keeps engene guessing.

You watch from your hiding spot, feeling the intensity of the moment. This was it; there was no turning back now.

"Alright, alright, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Drumroll, please!"

Heeseung's fingers hover over the screen, and with a dramatic flourish, he pans the camera to reveal you, hiding behind a curtain, a playful grin on your face.

"Ta-da! Look who's here! It's Y/N!"

The chat erupts with emojis, greetings, and an outpouring of love and excitement.

You shyly wave and greet engene "Hey, everyone! It's nice to finally meet you all. Heeseung and I wanted to chat with you and clear up some rumors."

"That's right. There have been a lot of speculations lately, and we wanted to address them ourselves." Heeseung sets the phone down where both of you are in frame.

The questions from fans start pouring in, ranging from the nature of their relationship to their favorite memories together. As they answer, you can't help but feel a sense of relief. Sharing their story with their fans was important, and it felt good to have their support.

The next hour flies by as you and Heeseung engage with your fans, sharing stories, laughs, and even some exciting news about upcoming projects. The atmosphere in the live session is filled with warmth and positivity, and you're overwhelmed by the love and support from your fans.

As the live session comes to a close, Heeseung reaches out and takes your hand, squeezing it gently.

"Thank you all for joining us today and for your unwavering support. We appreciate each and every one of you." Heeseung says.

Then you smile as you reply with "Yes, thank you for being so understanding and respectful. We're grateful for this wonderful community."

The chat fills with hearts and words of encouragement as the live session ends. You and Heeseung share a heartfelt moment, knowing that you've taken a big step in your relationship by sharing it with your fans.

"Now, we deal with the company and leave the aftermath to the side"

[boyfriendstevie]

Also okay, this is a sep thought from my jealous thots that is so incredibly self-indulgent that it has just sat in my daydream brain folder but I saw this post recently about how Steve gets up to drive Robin to school and then basically has two hours before Family Video opens at 10am.

I just opened a bakery that opens earlier than the other cafes around. I open at 8am and everyone else in the area opens at 10am. I've had several customers come in mentioning how nice it is to be able to get something on their way to work finally.

IMAGINE STEVE!! stumbling upon this new little bakery that opens JUST as he finishes dropping off Robin. Him needing coffee because he wakes up at 6 so he can get ready to drive Robin to school at 7, and finding the surprisingly young and very cute owner who spends forever chatting with him because no one really comes in until 9:30 anyway. Her practicing her latte art on him because she bakes well but they don't teach you how to make foam leaves in pastry school, so he gets a lot of pumpkins (blobs). Him sitting on her little bench for customers just chatting and then dramatically going "Oh this is the BEST cookie I've ever had" when ever a customer walks in until he has to leave for his shift 🥰

(These delusions are what get me through my 14 hour work days, don't open a business lmao)

omg jazz ok first of all, good for you!!! that’s so cool & i wish you all the best!!! secondly, steve would totally be your first AND most loyal customer. he comes by literally every day, tries something new every day. he also always has some stupid baking or pastry or coffee related pun bc he’s a big time dork. he comes by every single day, even when he doesn’t need to be up early, even when he’s not dropping robin off. and when you finally start dating, he gets up early in the morning to help you open and do some baking bc he’s an angel

[kkotda]

koi!! how are you!! am here with some flowers and sparkles to brighten up the season!! ✨💐 i hope you’re having a wonderful weekend 🥺

and i am curious!! (again 🤭) if you were to receive/give a gift from/to your fave/s, what would it be!! 🥺

miss sel literally have i told you how much i love you GIVE ME A CHANCE PLEASE (jk... unless???) I CAN MAKE YOU HAPPIER (i'm sorry mr. sel's bf pt 2) BUT THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS CAN I MAKE YOU SOME CHOCO CHIP COOKIES DO YOU LIKE COFFEE I WILL LEARN LATTE ART FOR YOU OH MY GOODNESS

ty for the flowers they're going in a vase rn and then i'll dry them and keep them forever (🍮 here's some custard in the hopes that you like custard ;-;)

BUT please always your curiosity is my favorite thing!! anyways hmmm if i were to receive a gift from ken- WAIT I JUST HAD THE GREATEST THOUGHT idk how much you know about tot (tears of themis) but omg marius (in my head he's early 20's because i said so!!!) would so do that trend of pics where you thought your gf was etc + your fav pic of her BUT HE WOULD PAINT THEM INSTEAD CAN YOU IMAGINE RECEIVING PORTRAITS i know i would be too embarrassed to look at them BUT PORTRAITS PORTRAITS NOT PICTURES BUT PORTRAITS (he's an insane art kid LOL)

but they're both extremely rich and like ceo's and whatnot so me trying to buy them gifts might backfire because i'll try to surprise one with something that ik they wanted JUST FOR THEM TO HAVE BOUGHT IT ALREADY </3 so i like to do the diy stuff! getting creative making scrapbooks or folding like origami stuff i love that stuff and it makes me so happy being able to like do something for them (I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DO THE PAPER FLOWER BOUQUETS THAT IS SO CUTE)

as for kenma, i think he would buy literally anything and everything that he thinks i would like or reminded him of me :,3 coming home to a mountain of shopping bags and boxes and he's just sitting like i got a little something for you and i'm like LITTLE???? lol

WHAT ABOUT YOU??? iwa and gojo better bring their a+ game otherwise i'm outgifting them >:3

[wolfytae-exe]

my day is going fine, thank you! i managed to go to a cute cafe with my friends, and then bought some cute book marks and exchanged a book series with a friend!

boy bsf + mutual pining is literally my weakness!! i haven't seen a lot of idol x fan that's non-smut ngl, but that would be a really cute trope to read!

the slight angst but almost like a hurt/comfort type of fic! when it's executed right and it has a hold on my emotions then that's definitely bound to make a lasting expression ^^

i'm very much with the whole boy bsf with mutual pining, BUT recently i can't stop thinking about slow burn acquaintance to potential lovers. like they don't feel it yet, but eventually they'll figure out they're each other's person ;–;

another q! what's your favorite thing to cook!! i've seen a few of your foodie posts :3

-🫧

omg i haven’t hit up a cute cafe in so long i need to get a pretty latte with foam art and good vibes STAT

I absolutely love hurt/comfort and slight angst where it’s so bittersweet and even with a good ending you’re still sniffling and clenching your chest from the pain before.

all the other things are just little add-ons to the angst i love oh so much BUT SLOWBURN ACQUAINTANCE TO LOVERS OH MY GOD (something similar in the works don’t count on it cause idk how to finish fics as yall can see, sorry about that btw)

BUT OH MY GOD I LOVE SLOW BURN SAPPY MELODRAMATIC FICS HEHEHE GIVE ME FICS THAT SCREAM REALITY AND IM JUMPING ON IT LIKE A RABBIT

also an answer to your second question I LOVE making steaks, pastas, and specifically chicken marsala (it always turns out so so tasty)

[fxllfaiiry]

i need to rant about my work crush real quick and need someone to feed my delusions :-))) i work as a barista at this little cafe and me and i can’t tell if my coworker has a crush on me too or if he’s just being nice…for example i was joking about him buying me a wendys cherry coke to bring to a work party and he literally showed up to the party with a giant wendys cherry coke for me, he sends me pics of new shoes he bought, he asks if i wanna share a snack with him during our shift and when i ask what he’s gonna buy to eat he says “i was just gonna get whatever you wanted”, when he said he was gonna call in sick to his shift the next day he was like “wait are you working tomorrow” and when i said yes he was like “oh okay never mind then”, i said in a group chat with him in it that i wasn’t able to make it to a get together someone was having and he texted me separately asking why i wasn’t going with one of these “-_-“. and then the other night he texted me photos of tattoos he wants to get and asked if i liked them…and THEN i have this bit going where i’ll always comment on his bereals when they’re of his latte art and be like “i actually made that” and i posted one of my latte art on my close friends and he replied to the story being like “i actually think i did that” like work crushes make me so delusional but also i can’t HELP IT

I think he likes you!! I don't blame you at all for thinking that cuz lemme be honest with u, if a guy was acting this nice towards me, my delusional ass would definitely start to become... delusional 💀 also the banter?? OMG yes, yes!! and him getting u a cherry coke, asking for your opinion on little things and coming to his shift just cause you are (that's what I got from this) is such a big sign to me fr. plus the whole sharing snacks thing is so cute to me 🫶

[zhongrin]

yeah pretty much considering how they only show that soft side towards me hehe <//3 aaaanyways! i just love watching dad's lil quirks and habits. actually- has he showcased any dragon hoarding to you? fhshd in a sense, haitham kind of reminds me of dad? i think it's just the fiddling with technology and plus both are rlly intelligent men. HAHFHWHB VENTI WOULD THO HE'D HAVE THE REMAINING 6REEZE BE KAZU'S WINGMEN (rip kuni tho :p) ~Lycoris

stoic men who become mush when it comes to the ones they love... hehe.... my favorite trope.... <3

archons don't even ask. i just let your dad store my accessories because he kept stealing the shinies whenever i leave them out in the open. and don't even get started on his pretty rocks collection. he's a hoarder through and through lol

yk what, you're absolutely right lol zhongli is worse with technology compared to haitham but they are both quite the intelligent type, i suppose. i might have a little preference towards intelligent men after all.......

kuni does not consent to become anyone's wingman lmao... he'll desperately need a wingman when he crushes on someone tho lbrh-

i would 100% keep bringing ayato boba and offer him some massages when he insists that i refrain from working more lol and even if he doesn't want to be disturbed i can always go to ayaya and thoma for odd jobs to do >:))

OMG YES FOAM ANIMALSSSSSS they're so cute and jiggly hahaha that and lots of latte art. and they gotta be perfect!!! cause he adores seeing your eyes light up when you see the cute visuals of your drink/snacks <3

i don't remember if we talked about it before but i remember talking about this topic with someone 🤔 HELP HSKDJSLDJS IT WOULD LOOK SO FUNNY FOR ME bc i'm merely 165cm so if i kabedon zhongli or al haitham my face would literally be at their chest hahahahahah i'll just go ahead and bury my face to their chest ig

i feel like zhongli will find it endearing and get a chuckle out of it. he'd give me a headpat and pull me to a hug and if he's in a teasing mood he might whisper some sweet nothings right into my ears hslajdlsjd

meanwhile al haitham would be so smug about it lmao "hmm. are you sure you're tall enough for this?" BITCH-

[daddydindjarin]

Omg my favorite honey I definitely think you and Javi G would be a dream!!!

He would be so sincere and loving and give you the world!! I also without a doubt know he would be your biggest fan and just off anything you created! From your art to your writing or even a cute little doodle you drew he is just sobbing so proud and in awe of you

So yeah team Javi G for sure 😌💌✨

Frankie looking a little heart doodle I drew on his Starbucks cup (which is a cinnamon dolce latte no one can convince me otherwise).

THIS IS SO SWEET AND I WOULD CRY AS SOON AS THIS BOY STARTED CRYING. Lol we’d be a MESS!

Thank you for pairing me! 😭😭😭

Tell me who you pair me with!

[elixirfromthestars]

This was so cute omg!! 🥹💕💕 I absolutely love how descriptive you were throughout the fic like it brought the cafe to life and I was so here for it!!! I’m literally going to go to a cafe tomorrow because the way you were so detailed with those pastries has me craving something sweet 🥐🤎 If I splurge on sweet treats tomorrow I blame you entirely 😌❤️

I’m so in love with the idea of Bucky’s parents owning a coffee shop, like I don’t remember the last time I’ve read a fic where his parents are just living a cute little life 🥺💖 And the fact that he put his sister’s dreams over his AHHH 😭❤️❤️ You have me crying over here 🥺 I just know Bucky was and is the best brother ever 🥺🥺

I loved the title of this fic and how it went perfectly with his latte art specialty 💗 It was so fitting!!! 🤎 I also loved that in this little world Bucky is still good friends with Yori 🫶🏼✨

My favorite part of their dynamic was how observant they were of each other!! But especially how much attention Bucky paid to every little detail about the reader 🥺❤️ Her schedule, making sure she eats, coming in early and on his days off, and worrying about her because he can notice instantly when something’s wrong 🥺❤️❤️❤️ And the way it distracted him like my poor boy was going through it being concerned for the reader, it was sweet!!! 🤭💗💗

Your mouth falls open as you take a glance down into the cup. In the creamy white foam, a delicate rose is perfectly etched, its petals spiraling gracefully outward. Surrounding the rose are tiny, intricate hearts, floating around the bloom. The detail is so mesmerizing that all you can do is stare at it.

^ Are you kidding me?!?!?! 😭💗💗💗 Could he get even more perfect?? And with the added revelation that he learned it for the reader!!!! 💞💞💞 It’s too cute 🥹💖

Thank you so much for joining my writing challenge!! ☺️🫶🏼✨ Barista Bucky will now forever live in my heart 🥰❤️✨

Latte (He)art

Pairing: Barista!Bucky x Coworker!College!Reader

Summary: Your sweet coworker at the café you work at part time is the only thing able to brighten your day. So it’s only practical that he always ends up in the same shift as you.

Word Count: 7.8k

Warnings: Reader having College stress; mentions of a single mother (not reader); some coffee is spilled; Bucky is a sweetheart; Bucky is worried

Author’s Note: This little piece is written for @elixirfromthestars writing challenge. I actually planned to write this a month earlier but life got in between lol. Here it is now. I dearly hope you enjoy what I made of your lovely prompt.

🤎Coffee Cup🤎 “So we’re swapping our cups, and after a while, we’re swapping a glance. And I can think nothing better than starting the year with a drop of romance.” -Anthony Lazaro

Masterlist

The windows of the coffee shop receive more of your attention than the assortment of pastries you’re supposed to prepare to showcase behind the counter.

It’s fifteen minutes before Bucky’s shift starts and your belly flutters at the thought of seeing him again.

The early morning sun filters through the windows, offering a soft glow that casts warm beams of light to sweep across the floor and catch the glistening frosting on the cinnamon rolls. Their sweet, spiced aroma laced with hints of vanilla and brown sugar wafts through the air.

However, your gaze is more drawn to the street outside, scanning the road for a short mop of chestnut hair.

You like to snag shifts before the classes of your day start, relishing in the early morning hours and being satisfied with getting some work done before studying. But in the two and a half months since you started working at ‘Barnes Brown Beans’, you had come to recognize Bucky seems to prefer working in the morning as well. So, he actually may be the main reason.

Also, you’re usually, coincidentally - or so you tell yourself - paired with him anyway.

You’re grateful for this job. The shop’s close proximity to your university makes it an easy commute and the wages are fair. That’s a blessing in itself. But more than that, it was George and Winifred Barnes, the owners, who initially made it easy for you to love this job.

Winifred had greeted you with sweet enthusiasm at your job interview for a part-time job, making you instantly feel more at ease. After asking a few routine questions and warmly assuring you that the position was yours, she shifted the conversation to your studies with genuine interest and asked if you were good with balancing work and university life - a mother's worries.

It didn’t take long for her to start gushing about her children. She explained to you how her son, Bucky, had been helping out at the coffee shop ever since high school. Instead of pursuing college, like many of his peers and his best friend Steve, he chose to stay in New York to help manage the family business. “I’m sure you two will get along well” she had said with a kind of knowing grin you couldn’t make sense of.

She even shared with you that his little sister, Rebecca, always had a burning passion for studying architecture abroad. Unfortunately, the Barnes simply couldn’t afford a college education for both children, so Bucky decided to step up, taking on more responsibility at the shop so his parents wouldn’t be overwhelmed and relieving them of some stressful work, allowing his sister to follow her dreams.

She spoke with so much love and gratitude she held for her son, it almost made you tear up. She mentioned that Bucky never once showed resentment or regret for the path he chose.

Instead, he took pride in his role, and you could see it too. During your brief time working with him, you noticed how he carried himself with a quiet determination. There is genuine joy in the way he treats customers, always kind and attentive, and he always puts so much care into every small detail of his work.

He also loves to tell you about the exams his sister passed, and the friends she made; pride in her success evident when he speaks about her.

You admire him. He’s selfless, hardworking, and full of heart.

So it’s just logical that his parents gave him so much responsibility early on and made him part of the management.

You don’t mind that one second though, because he takes his authority incredibly seriously and usually shows up for his shifts earlier than he needs to.

It’s why your gaze is drawn to the panes of glass at the front once again.

You got in at 7 today, getting enthusiastically greeted by George - as he told you to call him on your first day - and tasked with the usual morning routine. So, as he disappeared into the small office room at the back of the shop, you had started prepping the food equipment and putting it on display.

The shop wouldn’t open until 8, so you still had some time to breathe before the morning rush would start, but you always feel some kind of gratitude at the way George lets you handle yourself at the front while waiting for Bucky to arrive at 7:30 to help out.

Admittedly, you didn’t get that much done yet, caused by the thought of seeing Bucky walk in through the door at any minute.

You saw him just 4 days ago at your last shift, but the giddy anticipation is all the same and you only have three and a half hours with him today before you have to leave for your classes.

The buttery, sweet, and slightly nutty smell of the freshly baked croissants you’re currently rearranging wafts from the trays and reaches your nostrils, but gets ignored the second you hear keys jiggling outside, and your attention snaps to the door.

“Morning doll!”

Bucky’s smooth voice comes through the door with him, cheerful as always as he greets you with a charming smile, and your chest flutters. A rush of cool air hits your exposed skin from outside, but his grin is warming you back up quickly.

You fumble with the croissant in your hand, but recover in time and throw him a smile of your own, hoping you’re able to mask the excitement you tried to hold in all morning.

“Morning, Bucky,” you greet him back sweetly, turning your attention back to the pastries, pretending to focus on your task at hand.

Out of the corner of your eye, you watch as Bucky pulls off his coat and then makes his way over to you, hovering over your shoulder, while putting on his apron. You try to hide the way your hands get a little clammy in the see-through gloves you’re wearing while touching the food.

You tend to the fruit danishes, their glossy, golden crust filled with rich cream cheese and topped with plump raspberries, blueberries, and apricots.

Carefully placing each in its designated spot, you only manage to breathe a little easier when you feel Bucky move over to the coffee machines, their steady hum filling the quiet space as Bucky busies himself.

“Smells amazing, doll,” he calls over his shoulder and you can hear the grin in his voice.

You let out a soft laugh, glancing at him briefly before putting your head back around. “Didn’t make them, Bucky,” you explain, tone playful but modest.

Brewing coffee and clinking mugs are the only sounds you hear before Bucky’s hum reaches your ears. “Maybe you should,” he states, teasing laced with a hint of sincerity. “Bet they’d be gone in seconds.”

You’re grateful that Bucky isn’t in your line of sight because you feel heat creeping up your neck, coloring your cheeks. Your laugh is a little breathless, a little more insecure than you intended.

A few weeks ago you had casually mentioned your love for baking when Bucky had asked about your hobbies, and ever since he loved to bring it up every once in a while.

“I don’t know about that.” You try for nonchalance, but the blush doesn’t leave your face.

“Gotta give yourself more credit, doll,” he replies easily, his words wrapped in that effortless charm of his. You hear some more clinking of cups as he makes one for himself, just like every day. “Want coffee?”

He asks every time. You decline, like every time. Though he never fails to ask.

And it never fails to make your morning feel just a little bit brighter.

****

Watching Bucky create his latte art has become one of the highlights of your day. There is something mesmerizing in the way he moves, pouring the steamed milk with such precision and focus as if each cup would get graded by an artist.

You’ve noticed how much care he puts into it, the way he pauses before finishing, always needing it to be perfect.

You can tell when Bucky isn’t quite satisfied, like right now, as he holds up the cup that looks flawless to you. But there is a twitch of his mouth, a slight hesitation in his hand as if he’s debating whether to start over or risk making it worse with one more pour.

It’s adorable, really. To you, they all look perfect, but he holds himself to a standard that’s somehow both admirable and endearing.

Today, Bucky was the one already there when you arrived at 8 am, along with the first customers of the day.

The scent of fresh coffee had filled the air as you stepped inside, a soft murmur of conversation around you setting the tone for the morning rush.

He was stationed behind the counter, together with one of your coworkers, Peter. It didn’t escape your notice that Bucky caught your eye immediately, flashing you that warm, easy smile even before acknowledging Mr. Nakajima, a frequent visitor.

It was a small gesture but it excited you nonetheless.

Mr. Nakajima, or Yori as you’d heard Bucky call him, now sits in his usual corner, peacefully sipping his tea; his quiet presence a constant in the shop.

The older man always seems content to watch the people go in and out of the shop, observing the ebb and flow of the crowd, wrinkled hands wrapped around his cup as if savoring the warmth.

Bucky often took time to sit with him when things were slow, sharing long and comfortable conversations that seemed to be meaningful. There is something about the way Bucky treats Yori that tugs at your heart.

It seems, that right now Bucky is comfortable with leaving Peter and you to attend to the ebbing crowd as he makes his way to Yori's table and slowly lowers himself in front of him.

You deliberately turn away although there isn’t much to do for you right now since the morning rush is over and Peter attends to the only customer in the shop right now. So, you mindlessly wipe down the counter, not because you’re not interested, but if you spend any more attention on the guy you might get overwhelmed by the awe he arises in you.

The way Bucky smiles when he talks to the old man, the way his face lights up with that blinding, heart-stopping grin - it has a dizzying effect on you. And the laugh he lets slip every so often, low and full of warmth, makes it hard to concentrate on any coffee orders.

Bucky stays at Yori's table for a while. Every now and then you make out his face turning in your direction, lingering a little but you stay focused on your work.

“Y/n?”

The sound of Peters's voice makes your head snap over to him, blinking in expectation.

“Sorry, uh, you seemed a little distracted for a sec,” Peter says with a shy laugh, scratching the back of his neck, eyes flickering not so subtly over to Bucky.

Alright, maybe you have looked a few times. Whatever.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you mumble, doing your best to ignore the knowing grin spreading across Peter's face. Thankfully, a girl around your age approaches the counter, saving you from the growing awkwardness. You flash her a smile and focus on her order.

More customers start to stream in, the café again beginning to buzz with activity. Bucky, noticing the crowd building up, excuses himself from Yori’s table with a friendly pat on the old man’s shoulder. He steps back behind the counter, his easygoing demeanor never faltering as he joins in beside you. You share a quick smile.

Working with Bucky always makes it fun in some sense, time slipping by too quickly. Before you know it, it’s time for you to head out for your first class of the day.

You step away from the counter, untie your apron, and grab your things, already feeling reluctant to leave Bucky’s side.

“Already time to go?” Bucky asks, turned in your direction, his voice carrying that familiar deep drawl. There’s a slight disappointment laced in his tone, that doesn’t escape you.

“Yeah,” you sigh, “first class is-“

“History,” he finishes for you, without missing a beat.“I remember.”

You hadn’t expected him to recall such a small detail about your schedule, surprise registering on your face. But you quickly push out a smile, nodding at him, your heart doing a little somersault.

“Hold on,” he insists quietly, already moving to snap up a to-go bag and carefully placing a croissant inside. With a casual grin, he holds it out for you to take. “On the house.”

This isn’t the first time Bucky has given you something to go, insisting you take it as a gift. But it never gets easier to accept his small acts of kindness. You hesitate, not making a move to take the bag and Bucky’s smirk only deepens, playing the same game you’ve had before.

“Take it, doll,” he drawls, dangling the bag in front of your face with a playful glint in his eye. “Can’t let you go to class hungry, now can I?”

You can’t help but roll your eyes with a smile tugging at your lips, and snatch the bag from his hand with mock annoyance. “Fine, but this is the last time,” you warn, rather weakly it seems, considering the way Bucky leans against the counter with his arms crossed, smirking at you in an amused manner.

“You know it’s not. Can’t fault me for taking care of you, doll. You haven’t eaten anything all morning.”

His words are casual, but the way he says it, the unspoken concern that lingers, makes giddy warmth rise in your stomach, spreading to your face and heating your skin.

You hope it’s not that obvious, so you just sigh again, dramatically, and exaggerate an eye roll as Bucky lets another cup get filled with coffee, eyes remaining on you, a chuckle fleeing his lips.

You make your way to the door of the shop, knowing you’d just pay him back by slipping some money into the tip jar when you’re in earlier than him.

“And no leaving dollars in the tip jar, sweetheart,” Bucky calls out behind you, the smug amusement clear in his voice. “Ma told me about that.”

Busted.

You turn you head with a faux helpless look, which only sends him into a fit of laughter, the sound rich and full, echoing through the shop, and your heart bursts, ignoring the people standing in the line wearing looks between confusion and annoyance. Laughing quietly yourself, you let the warmth of the moment fill you up, then quickly slip out the door before the flustered grin on your face can betray you any further.

With the door closed, the sounds of the café seal off behind you and you find yourself lingering just a second longer than the last time.

****

“Girl, I’m telling you, that’s nothing! I accidentally made a girl’s latte with cow's milk although she’d ordered oat. Chased her down the street like a lunatic, I mean she could have had an allergy and whatnot. Turns out it was just a preference and she didn’t mind. Talk about embarrassing.”

You chuckle along to Gina’s story, dusting the cappuccino in front of you with a sprinkle of cinnamon, scents mingling together.

Regina - or Gina as she prefers - is always someone you enjoy working with together. She’s incredibly open-minded and carries that vibrant energy you need to get through the day. She’s got a few years on you but never fails to make you laugh.

While brewing coffee and selling them, she loves to tell you about her little boy, Nikita. You’ve seen pictures of him on her phone and he’s adorable with puffy cheeks, dark curls, and dark green eyes. He must have those from his father.

You know she is a single mother and you admire the way she takes it with pride, finding peace in her situation and insisting that she and Nikita are better off without his father.

You’ve also come to find out that 'Barnes Brown Beans' wasn’t the only job she had but that George and Winifred are so much fairer than her other boss, being supportive and trying to give her shifts that accommodate her schedule so she could pick up Nikita from kindergarden early enough to still have time with him every day.

Another thing that makes this job so valuable.

Earlier was a brief lull in the crowd, allowing you and her to chat. The conversation had drifted into the realm of embarrassing work stories. You shared one of your own, recalling how, in your first week, you had prepared a to-go coffee. You felt that nervousness that comes with starting a new job and as you tried to slide the cup over the counter to the customer, your aim had been far too enthusiastic. The cup sailed past the edge, spinning gracefully through the air before landing in the trash bin.

You hoped that perhaps nobody really saw what happened besides the slightly perturbed man in front of you. But since you shared this shift with Bucky and he always seems to have an eye on you, of course, he was a witness. You remember the way his laugh had erupted, uncontainable, filling the air behind the counter. He had leaned against it for support while you stood there, cheeks burning.

He didn’t make you feel bad though, helping you remake the coffee and almost sheepishly adding that the same thing happened to him once. Only, in his case, it was a porcelain cup. And it didn’t land in the bin. The image of it crashing to the floor, shattering into tiny pieces as coffee splattered everywhere, was enough to make you feel a little less embarrassed.

“Something funny?”

The familiar voice catches you off guard and you look up from the register. Sure enough, Bucky is strolling up to the counter, hands casually tucked into his jacket pockets and that handsome grin on his face that always causes your stomach to do flips.

“Bucky?” you ask, a soft, confused laugh escaping you. You feel your heart jump in excitement and try to tone it down. He wasn’t supposed to come in for a few more hours, and you had already resigned yourself to the disappointment of missing him today. You’d seen the shift schedule last week and the realization was like a cloud casting a shadow over your mood.

So, seeing him standing in front of you only makes a smile stretch wide without even thinking.

“I think you’re a little early,” you assess, voice light as you ring up the girl standing at the counter. Handing her the cappuccino, you glance back at him, the small transaction barely registering as your attention stays fixed on Bucky.

His grin only widens as he shrugs with a kind of faux nonchalance, letting his gaze sweep across the room. His smile stays in place, even as he steps aside for a middle-aged man approaching you.

“Couldn’t stay away,” he teases with that signature edge of playfulness that always gets to you.

As you start to prepare the man’s coffee, you can feel Bucky’s gaze on you, watching your every move. It’s a weight you’ve grown fond of - his silent observation that makes you more aware of yourself, in a good way.

You flash him a quick smile before refocusing.

“Also had to know how that exam went,” he adds casually, leaning in just a little, but you’re aware of that curiosity his voice always carries when he asks you about college. Or anything about your life, really.

You huff out a small laugh, ringing up the man’s order and sliding his coffee across the counter before turning your full attention back to Bucky. “Wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be,” you answer him, a hint of relief in your tone since you had been stressing about this exam for weeks. “I think I did okay.”

Bucky leans against the counter now, propping himself up in that relaxed way of his, eyes never leaving yours. You’re glad you get to talk to him, glad that Gina attends to the only current customer right now and you have a second with Bucky, but the unknown power his gaze holds over you threatens to overwhelm you.

“What’d I tell ya, doll? Of course, you did great. Smartest girl I know.”

You snort, but your heart races. He always seems so sure of your success, having this confidence in you, that you feel you lack sometimes and it makes warmth pool in your gut. “Well I guess I’ll have to thank you, then,” you reply, smile present and voice light but the gratitude is real.

His scent - a mix of something warm and clean, almost earthy, and his cologne - cuts through the usual aroma of coffee beans and pastries. It’s grounding and you have to remind yourself to focus as you move toward the coffee machines.

“Do you want coffee?” you throw over your shoulder, fingers already hovering over the buttons.

Bucky straightens up in your peripherals and you make out the shake of his head with that soft smile on his face. “Don’t wanna keep you from work. I’ll make it myself, thanks doll!”

The door to the café swings open and three girls walk in together, laughter filling the room as they make their way over to you. Bucky’s movements snap your head back to him as he casually slips behind the counter, stepping up to the coffee machines and you head back to the register, keeping awareness of his presence as always.

Since Bucky’s shift doesn’t start yet, he stays lingering behind the counter and engages in conversation with Gina when he notices you getting busy again. From where you stand you can hear snippets of their conversation - Bucky asking about Nikita and when he gets to see him again.

You never realized they are that close but the thought of Bucky caring about that little boy instantly heats your skin. There’s a softness to imagining him in that role, and you can easily picture how good he must be with kids.

After all, you’ve seen it before - the way his face lights up when he catches sight of children toddling along beside their parents, the way he bends down to their height, engages them in little conversations that always leave them giggling or grinning from ear to ear. It’s endearing and really no wonder that every child he talks to seems to adore him.

But what really tugs at your heart, what causes a flutter deep in your chest, is the subtle way Bucky’s attention keeps drifting back to you.

Even in the middle of his chat with Gina, you can feel his gaze lingering on you. There is a quiet fondness in the way he watches you go about your work, always wearing that soft expression.

It’s not like he’s checking if you’re doing your job right - nothing about it feels critical or scrutinizing. Instead, it’s as if he’s simply enjoying observing you, absorbing the way you move through your tasks, as though he’s eager to learn all the little details that make up your routine.

And surprisingly, it doesn’t make you as nervous as you might have believed. If anything, there is something soothing about his attention, like a silent reassurance you never knew you needed.

Occasionally, throughout your shift, Bucky strikes up conversations with familiar customers - frequent flyers whose names he already knows by heart. You catch bits and pieces of their easy small talk, but even then, his eyes always find their way back to you.

And every time you meet them, your heart swells with hope that perhaps the reason he came in early for his shift might be you.

****

Your week has been nothing short of overwhelming and frustrating - packed with assignments, papers to write, and facts to memorize. To top it off, a fellow student had yelled at you for breaking his pen, and you still remember that disappointed glint in your professor's eyes after failing to give him satisfying answers in class.

It feels like you are constantly juggling everything at once, and somehow, the balance has tipped entirely.

Sleep has become a rare luxury, replaced by caffeine-fueled study sessions that stretch into the early hours of the morning.

As you walk to the café for your afternoon shift, a heavy sigh escapes your lips, the exhaustion settling in your bones.

You rarely work afternoon shifts, but this one fits perfectly behind your friday classes and you have been too swamped the rest of the week to pick up any shifts at all.

Your pace is slower than usual, feet dragging slightly on the pavement. There is no real need to hurry today. Normally, your steps would quicken as you approached the café, that familiar, sweet sign with its three big B’s always managing to lift your mood.

But today the excitement isn’t there. Not when you know Bucky has the day off. Without him there, the urgency to get to work just isn’t the same.

But, thinking about it, it might be for the best that Bucky is not around today. You can’t imagine you look all that appealing right now, with dark bags under your eyes - the kind that no amount of concealer could hide. Your skin has that worn-out, dull shimmer to it - the kind that no amount of caffeine could mask.

You catch a glimpse of your reflection in a shop window as you pass and wince slightly. The fatigue shows in your features, and for a moment, you’re thankful that this day won’t include the possibility of Bucky catching sight of you in this state.

You’re partly relieved to have a shift where you can simply focus on getting through it without feeling self-conscious. There is no need to hide how utterly drained you feel because you really couldn’t care less how your appearance would affect your customers. You just need to make it through these few hours, go home, and hopefully, finally get some rest.

You pull open the door, gathering what little composure you can muster. The all-known blend of rich coffee, baked pastries, and warm, cozy air greets you as always, along with the chatter from the packed room. It’s busy, as expected for this time of day, but the environment surprisingly helps ground you as you weave your way through the crowd, slipping between patrons.

Your eyes catch Winifred at the back, her beaming smile a quick but comforting sight before she disappears behind the office door with a wave.

Side-stepping two men chatting near the line, you get a clearer view of the counter and freeze - feet refusing to continue.

Thanks to the work schedule you know who your coworkers are today. Peter was assigned, as well as Wanda, a nice, but slightly odd girl with a thick accent and laser-like focus on her task.

You had prepared for them both. But it isn’t Wanda standing next to Peter behind the counter.

It’s Bucky.

Your heart jumps into your throat and you’re not sure if it’s because of the surprise of seeing him or because of how unprepared you feel in this exact moment. You didn’t even check your hair in a car window before entering.

He’s here - on his supposed day off - laughing with a guy on the other side of the counter as he works the espresso machine, his movements smooth and practiced; no surprise there. His presence is so casual and effortless that you find yourself thinking your tired eyes might have looked at the wrong day on the schedule and perhaps you aren’t even supposed to work today. Though Winifred wasn’t at all surprised to see you.

Your head spins at the simple thought and yet a ripple of warmth shoots through you at the sight of him, making you momentarily forget just how drained you are.

While every fiber of your being wants to feel self-conscious about your tired eyes and the imperfections on your skin, craving to stay hidden between the line of people, the longer you watch him work, it gets overtaken by something else.

That same old lightness that seems to follow him wherever he goes and sticks to you when you’re near enough, soaking into your veins and filling them with energy. You can practically feel them fizzle.

You would have liked to linger in this moment just a little longer, but it’s cut short abruptly when he spots you. His polite smile brightens instantly, eyebrows moving up slightly as his eyes lighten up.

You flash him a smile in return, though you can feel it wobble at the edges, probably more sheepish than anything else. Maybe it even comes off as a grimace with the exhaustion weighing on you, but you quickly break eye contact and resume walking.

For a moment, you make out Bucky’s hand pausing mid-motion, hovering above the counter before he slides a to-go cup to the waiting guy on the other side.

Passing by, you can feel his gaze trailing after you, burning softly against your skin, a quiet but intense presence that follows you even when you’re not looking.

You busy yourself with dialing in for the shift, wrapping your apron around your waist, doing your best to shake off the fatigue and the flutter that Bucky’s unexpected presence elicits in you.

From behind you, you catch the sound of his voice, though it sounds a little distracted, asking the next customer to repeat their order.

You glance back, quickly greeting Peter as you pass, but your focus is drawn to the pastry case, where a small woman waits for service. You keep your hands moving, bagging up her choice of pastries - two croissants and four scones - but make out Bucky’s head turning in your direction a few times.

You steal a glance at him from the corner of your eye, noticing the slight furrow in his brow as he works. He’s a little slower now, less sure in his movements than when you first walked in. It’s subtle, but you can tell his focus is slipping. Something about his energy has shifted.

Minutes pass and the three of you stay busy with the steady stream of customers. You remain behind the pastry case, preparing the treats for the eager crowd. In between transactions, you notice Bucky taking a step in your direction, hesitating each time like he wants to step closer but keeps pulling himself back at the last second.

He returns to the register every time, tending to the next person in line, but there is an urgency in his movements now. His hands got quicker again, fingers tapping impatiently against the counter as he waits for the coffee to brew and his gaze falls back to you every so often but you avoid it.

Another few minutes tick by and you begin to settle into the rhythm of the shift when a sudden shout rings out from the front.

Your head snaps up, eyes locking onto the group of people stepping back from the counter hastily, startled by the splash of coffee that arcs through the air.

The cup that had caused the commotion clinks against the counter, slipping in Bucky’s hand and his other one shoots out to hold it steady before it can meet the ground alongside the coffee that was in it moments before.

“Shit, I’m so sorry,” Bucky exclaims, his voice thick with frustration as he shakes his head at himself, wiping the spilled brown liquor from his hands. He quickly puts away the cup and apologizes again to the man it was meant for and the crowd of people who got startled.

The customer, a guy who looks to be in his mid-twenties, holds up his hands in a placating gesture, clearly not bothered by the accident. His jacket sleeve is stained with coffee, but he brushes it off with a casual shrug. “No worries, man, really. Nothing happened, you’re good!”

Bucky doesn’t seem to relax. You can see the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders are still tight as he remakes the drink with stiff, almost mechanical precision. You’ve never seen him so rattled but then again, he has been unfocused ever since he saw you.

Work continues steadily for the next half hour, with the rush of patrons finally starting to taper off. The café gradually empties, the throng thinning out until only a handful of people remain, some of them sitting in booths going on with their conversations.

You catch sight of Bucky leaning in closer to Peter, murmuring something you can’t quite make out. Peter nods, and without another word and a small pat on Peter’s shoulder, Bucky steps back from the counter.

This time, his hesitation is gone as he strides over to you.

He stops beside you, eyes on your profile. “Hey,” he speaks softly, voice low.

You finish helping a boy, thanking him for the tip before turning to Bucky with a small smile.

“Hey,” you reply, voice matching his softness but quieter. You turn your attention to the young girl in front of you, requesting a cookie. Reaching for a bag to tuck the treat inside, you continue the conversation, though your eyes stay focused downward.

“Didn’t expect to see you here today,” you comment, sensing his gaze on you.

“Yeah, uh, I took Wanda’s shift,” Bucky responds, his voice a little more tentative now. You notice him shuffling slightly beside you, standing up straighter.

He offers no further explanation as to why he picked up the shift, and you don’t feel the energy to ask about it. For some reason, the simple act of bagging a cookie while talking to him feels like a juggling act your tired brain isn’t quite up for.

So all you manage is a noncommittal hum in response.

The girl leaves with her cookie and Bucky stays beside you, solid and unyielding in his gaze. It presses on you like a weight as the moments pass.

Your stomach flutters uneasily when you realize there’s no line left to distract you, no excuse to stay busy.

You move automatically, reaching for the paper bags, rearranging them with a bit more force than necessary, trying to give yourself something to focus on, something other than Bucky’s eyes burning into you.

“Are you okay?” he asks finally, slowly and lowly, as if the question is something private meant only for you. It is. You feel the shift in his tone, the way he leans in slightly as if he needs a sincere answer to his sincere question.

It pulls your attention to him and you reluctantly lift your head, your heart twisting at the sight. Bucky gazes down at you with an expression far more serious than you’ve ever seen. His blue eyes, usually filled with a glimmering light when he looks at you, hold an amount of concern that seems to have an impact on his stiff muscles.

“I’m fine, Bucky,” you declare gently, smiling at him in hopes it’ll reassure him, though even before the words have left your lips completely, you felt it wasn’t entirely convincing.

Bucky studies you a moment longer. His eyes trace your features, dark brows hanging low, but you don’t take your words back.

Then, after a pause he lets out a long drawn sigh, hanging his head in defeat. He obviously doesn’t believe you, but he doesn’t push it. The concern in his eyes remains but he lets it go, stepping back from you slowly.

He walks over to the coffee machines, deliberately trying to feign casualness. He grabs a cup and turns the familiar button after checking if Peter needs some help at the register, the whirring sound of brewing coffee filling the brief silence between you.

“You want some coffee?” he asks, like clockwork - just as he does every time you work together.

Without thinking, you open your mouth to decline, as usual. It’s almost muscle memory at this point, your automatic response. But then, mid-through, you pause. Another shot of caffeine can’t hurt. You can use the energy to get home safely without passing out after this shift.

The cup fills, steam rises, and Bucky turns to you when you take too long to answer.

You hesitate for a beat, then shift your gaze away, feeling a little awkward. “Yeah, I’ll take one,” you decide, stepping beside him to grab yourself a cup, eyes not moving to him.

But before you can reach for one, Bucky’s hand wraps gently around your wrist, halting you. The touch is light, but enough to make your pulse quicken. “Hold on,” he remarks, his voice filled with concern rather than confusion. “You never want coffee when I ask.” His intense eyes search your face again.

“If you always expect me to say no, then why do you keep asking?”

Bucky doesn’t respond immediately. He just keeps looking at you, quietly pleading for honesty. “That ain’t the point,” he softy counters but his voice carries insistence. “Something’s wrong.”

You sigh. God, you’re tired. You really need that coffee and you’d certainly feel terrible for getting annoyed at Bucky. He’s just trying to figure you out. He cares. That thought alone presses against the wall you’ve been trying to maintain all day.

Gently, you pull your wrist from his loose grip, and he lets his hand fall back to his side, though his gaze doesn’t waver.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Damn, that came out hollow. “I’m just a little stressed,” you add when he starts to shake his head, “and I could use a cup. It’s just coffee, Bucky.”

You see the muscles in his jaw tighten and his hand comes up to run through his hair.

“It’s not just coffee, darling,” he sighs. There’s a pause in which he assesses you again, then he continues. “Alright. Don’t take this the wrong way, doll. You know you’re a beautiful gal, but… you look like you’re about to drop dead.”

Your eyebrows shoot up. It looks like tiredness comes with an attitude, because your mind foregoes the part where he called you beautiful, only hearing the other side.

“Well.” You draw out the word. “If you don’t want me to drop dead, then let me have some coffee.” There is a bit of edge to your tone you hadn’t exactly intended, but you’re too tired to smooth it out. You also don’t wait for him to respond, quickly reaching for another cup and pressing the button before Bucky can grab your arm again.

Bucky stays quiet for a moment, watching you with those piercing blue eyes that seem to see right through your walls. He doesn’t look angry - just worried.

As the coffee pours you hear him take a breath. “Alright,” Bucky says quietly, almost under his breath. “I’m sorry, Y/n,” he adds after a short pause. Firmness, sincerity, and perhaps an amount of regret are all wrapped in his tone.

He used your name. You haven’t heard him say your name since the first time working here. And never with that much conviction.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just… worried.” His voice softens even more, it sounds almost pleading and he takes a quick glance back at Peter, who was busy attending to the few patrons mingling about, before refocusing on you, his hand brushing over his hair. “I’ve seen you stressed before. Like when you kept going on about how worried you were for that exam. I watched you go through the stuff you had to learn in your head while remaining so incredibly focused and sweet during work. I admire that, Y/n. I must’ve told you a thousand times you’d ace it, but you wouldn’t believe me.” He chuckles lowly, sheepishly, and he licks his lips, before continuing. His gaze leaves you, mind seemingly far in his memories.

“Or your first day here. You were so nervous about making a mistake. You asked so many questions, were so interested in everything. I kept thinking about you all day. Every day, really.” He took another deep breath. It comes out a little unsteady and his eyes quickly flicker over to you, not quite meeting your own, but still searching your features.

“But this… this is different, and- I don’t know. I don’t like it. Hate it, honestly. Seeing you like this.”

His words hit you deep. The genuine concern and sincerity in his tone make your chest tighten, throat closing up and you feel yourself losing your breath as he takes a small step closer, eyes now fully on yours again. The nerves in his voice that had been there are gone now. Because he’s sure of what he says next. It’s clear in his tone.

“But, sweetheart, even through it all, you still manage to be the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Drop dead gorgeous, honestly.”

You let out a surprised huff of laughter, partly because it’s easier than acknowledging and processing the meaning of his words. Heat creeps up your cheeks and all you feel like doing is bolt out of the door at the other end of the room but your feet are rooted to the spot. Perhaps, the floor would just give away and you’d fall deep down into the unknown.

That still would be kinder than standing in front of Bucky right now after his heavy confessions, feeling too vulnerable under his soft gaze.

You’re not able to meet his eyes, dropping your head. You know he is still looking at you. You don’t have to feel it to know it. That gentle expression, the reassuring smile - like he’s silently conveying that everything’s okay.

“Let me make you feel better, yeah?” Bucky’s voice is barely above a whisper, gentle, yet filled with intent. He gives you a moment, letting his earlier confessions sink in, before taking hold of the now full cup that is meant for you. Your eyes widen slightly when you see him grab the can of freshly steamed milk, an almost eager smile tugging at his lips.

“Are you pulling your latte art on me?” you ask with a light laugh, some of the tension in your chest loosening. There is a little bit of a teasing note in your voice now, your heartbeat beginning to slow.

“Sure am, doll!” Bucky grins proudly, lifting the cup higher. His brow furrows in concentration as he carefully pours the milk with a steady hand, his tongue briefly poking out as he narrows his eyes to get the design just right. You had seen him do this many times before but never for you.

The precision and dedication he’s giving to something as simple as your coffee makes your heart swell. You’re the one watching him now with a soft smile, utterly mesmerized by how serious he’s taking it.

You take a glance at the other cup - the one Bucky had made for himself and an idea hits you. Steam still rises from the liquid inside, the scent of fresh coffee meeting your nose.

You look around the counter, spotting the milk pot Peter had just set down and, without a second thought, you pick up Bucky’s cup, ready to return the favor. You lift the milk and begin to pour.

“What are you doing, doll?” Bucky’s gaze stays fixed on the cup in his hand, but his smile is beaming, curiosity lacing his words.

“I don’t think I need to tell you that,” you retort, your voice playful as you guide the milk with careful precision, weaving your hand in the practiced motions until you’re satisfied with the design.

Bucky’s chuckle is warm and soft and for a moment, it feels like the world shrinks down to just the two of you, the quiet intimacy cutting through the noise of the ebbing café.

Bucky finishes his work and sets the milk pot back down. There is a slight hesitation in his movements as he hands over the cup for you, a touch of nervousness creeping into his stance. You smile up at him and offer the cup in your hand to him. His hands are a little clammy as they touch yours. You swap coffees.

Your mouth falls open as you take a glance down into the cup. In the creamy white foam, a delicate rose is perfectly etched, its petals spiraling gracefully outward. Surrounding the rose are tiny, intricate hearts, floating around the bloom. The detail is so mesmerizing that all you can do is stare at it.

“This is incredible, Bucky,” you breathe out, voice filled with amazement. When you look up, he’s already watching you. He’s breathing deeply and his smile is in place. But there is also something in his eyes he doesn’t try to hold back - pure adoration, shining clearly like he just can’t hide it anymore.

He holds his own cup carefully, as if it’s something precious, something fragile, as if even the tiniest movement would mess up the heart in white swirling in his cup. Though, you feel like the simple heart pales in comparison to the masterpiece he’s created for you.

“It’s beautiful,” you say quietly, a hint of shyness in your tone. You feel a tiny amount of embarrassment but Bucky just keeps smiling, so warm and incredibly fond, that any hint of insecurity melts away.

“Learned it for you,” he admits it softly, his words slipping out like a secret he’s been holding onto for too long. Your heart skips a beat, eyes widening slightly before you look back down at the cup, tracing the design over and over again with your gaze.

“I love it, Bucky. I love these little hearts,” you address admiringly, almost dreamily.

Bucky is beaming above you, and although he shakes his head softly, his smile never leaves his face. He takes in a deep breath, seemingly needing to compose himself and looks down at his own cup, at the heart in it.

“Well,” he vocalizes, affection surrounded by a playful edge, “my heart’s bigger.”

You laugh, rolling your eyes playfully. “Don’t flatter yourself, Barnes. It’s the only thing I know how to do.”

He chuckles, that vibrating sound, that always makes your chest feel lighter. “I can teach you,” he offers, his bright blues looking deeply into your eyes, so full of affection that it makes your breath catch for a second.

And in that second - because that’s all it takes - everything shifts. For the better. Always for the better, because it’s hard to feel anything negative when Bucky smiles at you the way he does.

“you deserve

the kind of love

like hot coffee between your lips

that loves you gently

but makes you bold

and gives you life between the sips”

- a.b.

[gothicastles]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals and followers!

omg hi mere <3 ummm so this is gonna be so basic but here's my list:

1. my kitty cat. my baby boy. my son. light of my eyes. my personal demon and angel. my heart. my little guy. my stinky bestie. my one and only. the jesus to my mary. my old man. my guatoncito. my ray of light. he's like balm to my anxiety and air for my lungs. i love him.

2. books! like not only reading but being surrounded by tons of physical books. i love the smell of ink and pages and spending hours inside bookstores and libraries. also i think books are so pretty and nice to hold, and when they have fancy binding and beautiful covers it's like <3 the best thing ever <3

3. museums. on my trip to the uk we visited 11 museums in total and i've never had so much fun tbh. just being in rooms full of hundreds of years of art and history makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. and like, idk, to be reminded that you're part of such a rich interconnected web that involves all humanity is so inspiring and comforting. and it reminds you why art is so crucial to us and why we've felt the need to make it since the beginning of time. (also why AI art is so dull and souless. all my homies hate AI).

4. beverages !!!!!! one thing about me is i love a beverage. in the store you'll always find me in the beverage aisle searching for a new little drink to try out. and if it comes in a cute bottle with a fun design, even better. every morning before going to uni i'll get myself one of my fave drinks, and if i don't, i'll literally turn into a werewolf and start eating people. this is real, it really happens. some of my faves are chai latte, peach and apple juice, lemonade, homemade smoothies, and iced tea. you'll always find me with a beverage in hand. i can't study or concentrate in class if i don't have something to drink lmao. strangely, i've always hated coffee and also i don't drink alcohol so i'm sorry i can't recommend good booze xd.

5. my friends. nothing special but i adore my friends to death and i love spending time with them. without fail, i always come back home after hanging out with my buddies feeling light, hapy and loved. i have extremely supportive and non-judgemental friends and i feel so lucky every day that i get to spend my time with them. i can simply be myself knowing i won't be criticized. and we all have so much in common it's insane!!! i always think that if i only had a day left to live, i'd be more than content to just have all my friends in a room to just... be with them. exist alongside them. time spent with them is time spent well, always. sometimes i feel like my friends are my life's biggest gift and miracle and after having had the chance to meet them in this lifetime i don't have anything else to ask the universe for.