Scenario: SHINee, waiters, cafe, LETS GO

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Can I please get a decaf caramel machiatto, and a red velvet cupcake please?”

You smiled and bowed at the male student taking your order, before taking the change in your hand. You dropped it in the tip cup immediately, knowing that this wasn’t exactly the best paying job having worked there before. He smiled back at you, and told you to wait at the far end of the counter. 

Truth was that he wasn’t just a male student, his name was Taemin. You knew because your peers in psychology lectures would tease him, saying he was friendless, homosexual, and that made him a horrible person. They were the horrible ones in your eyes though, he seemed fine. 

As for friends, he did have them. That tight knit group of 5 worked and played together, and every else in between. They all worked at the cafe for heaven’s sake. Slowly, after many all nighters filled with coffee, you’d grown to know them all by name. Taemin though, he intrigued you the most still. 

“One decaf caramel machiatto?” 

“That’s me!” You raised your right hand as if in class, “Thank you”

The leader of the gang Onew nudged Taemin who was working on another order, nodding towards you. The more stylish one of the five boys, Key, was handing over your drink meanwhile.

“Don’t forget a sleeve, it’s hot” Taemin practically threw one at you, tripping over his own legs, “Sorry! Oh my g- Sorry!” 

Half of your drink now was on you top, totally showing off your now very obvious black bra. It was close to midnight, so not many were at the cafe, but still you were flustered and grabbed for napkins. The last boy Minho had been cleaning tables, so he rushed over to the scene with a towel in hand. He was the only one that you really talked to and personally knew. 

“Sorry about Taemin; he’s everywhere. He’s a total screw up”

“I-I don’t think so” you said, still feeling awkward in your wet shirt

You patiently waited again for a new drink, Onew insisting they make you another one. Taemin avoided the end of the counter though, choosing to put away the few baked goods left over from the day. It wasn’t his fault, it was an accident. Hopefully his friends didn’t tease him too badly, he was the youngest so he got enough abuse. 

“Here’s you drink again, sorry about earlier” Jonghyun gracefully pushed it towards you, “You’re one of our regulars, so I hope you won’t take it out on the business. We’ll make sure Taemin isn’t so-“

“It’s ok, really” You nodded, biting your lip while holding back a small grin, “He’s ok, really” 

You were at the door of the cafe, having just had a quick chat with Minho about your day in classes. About to leave Taemin came speed walking towards you,

“Don’t forget, it’s hot”

He slipped a cardboard sleeve into your hand, implying that you should put it around the cup. It was odd that he was so persistent, there was even a little crazy glint in his eyes behind the long hair when he handed it over. Must be tired, that’s all. 

With a nod, you put it on and left. 

The coffee didn’t even last the walk back to campus though, it was empty halfway through the 20 minute walk. The cup was dead weight in your bare hands, too tired to care where you threw it. Suddenly though, you stopped. The sleeve was still on it. 

And something was on the sleeve.

“Thanks for standing up for me. Let’s talk sometime, just us. See you soon”

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