Fanfiction: Cardboard Cups - Interlude//On Some Days - Eiji's Side
Fanfiction: Cardboard Cups - Interlude//On Some Days - Eiji's Side
Synopsis: Fuji's a barista at a tiny coffee shop. Tezuka is worker at an architectural firm. By chance or misfortune, luck or some chaotic scheme against them both, they meet.
In this Interlude: A look at ZukaFuji through the eyes of Fuji's best friend as well as his own life in the cafe.
Genre: Slice of Life/Cafe Story
Rating: PG-13 (maybe higher later)
Word Count: 1781
Warnings: Heartbreak. ._.
Dedication: cleverlilwill, my dearest beta and friend, of whom without I would have never started writing ZukaFuji. ♥
Interlude//On Some Days
[Eiji's Side]
We rule the world together
With out secret codes
And plans we can't remember
- Snow Patrol, Favorite Friend
Friday
Sometimes when Eiji watches them exchange coins for coffee, he wonders.
“Here you go. Just the way you like it.” Fuji added cheekily before handing him the cup.
Tezuka hesitated in saying something but shook his head. “Have a good day.”
“So you'll be late tonight.”
The words had stopped Tezuka dead in his tracks. He turned back to the counter. “How did you-”
“I'll be on the later train too. Later, Tezuka.” He waved a stunned Tezuka out the door.
Eiji glanced over at him from the register and blinked in confusion. “Wait... really, how did you do that?”
“He doesn't like to tell me when he'll be late, even though I don't mind waiting.” Fuji's eyes took a wistful look for a moment before meeting Eiji's eyes. He smiled and turned back to the next customer coming to the counter.
Eiji narrowed his eyes as he focused on Fuji's profile. Fuji still looked like Fuji. The smile painted on his lips was the same he'd seen for years as were the clear hazel brown eyes. But something was different. Something like the way he put the dishes in the dishwasher or wrote the labels for the pastries.
It took Eiji nearly four hours to figure it out, but when he did it hit like a ton of bricks.
"Fujiko-chan..." Eiji gasped and dropped a stack of cups in the process. "I think... you're smitten!"
“You're funny, Eiji” was the only response he got.
Eiji wasn't a romantic. He was far from it, actually. Realities and fantasies were two different things and he knew from experience how much of a risk romance was.
But that didn't mean he didn't want Fuji to fall in love.
* * *
Two years ago
“Aru...?” Eiji tilted his head at the new employee, who in turn smiled and tilted his head in the other direction. “Who are you? When did you get here?”
“Oishi hired me yesterday. I guess we're working together.”
Huh. Oishi hadn't mentioned this to him before, hiring cute new baristas for his ever-failing cafe.
“Fuji.”
“Eh? Oh... It's Eiji. Welcome to the - hey!” Eiji squeaked when Fuji turned his nose like a key. He rubbed with with a sour face. “What did you do that for?”
“Eiji's cute” was all Fuji had said before taking his first customer.
Fuji was less cute and more pretty, when Eiji thought about it. A lithe figure, an inch or so shorter than him, and the most intense eyes he'd ever seen crinkled in a perpetual smile. And watching him work, his fingers glided effortlessly over the machines without thought.
But it was the cute comment that later made Eiji follow him behind the 'Employee's Only' door just to watch him read. Without so much as a glance to the man perched on the couch next to him, Fuji began to read out loud all of the worlds and all of the adventures the little prince went on, even though Eiji didn't understand French. He heard meaning in Fuji's voice.
Ever since, he'd fallen into step with Fuji Syuusuke.
* * *
Despite their personalities, it was Oishi that still believed in fairytales.
He bashfully told him one day that “It sounds stupid, but I wouldn't mind being someone's prince.”
“Oishi.” Eiji had chided, tsk tsking as they put the dishes into the dishwasher. “You're already a prince. My prince!”
“Am I really Eiji?”
“Mmhmm!”
Oishi had laughed and put his arm around him. They giggled all the way back to the cafe. It had piqued Fuji's curiosity.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Eh?” Eiji grinned from ear to ear and watched Oishi ask a pair of customers how they liked their orders as he rounded the tables. “Nothing. Nothing.”
Fuji had waited for all but fifteen minutes before he whispered “It doesn't sound like nothing, Eiji.”
* * *
Saturday
Eiji waited for Fuji to come in on Saturday and was sorely disappointed when Oishi told him he'd given him the day off. What was he supposed to do?
“Maybe your job, Eiji?” Oishi lightly nudged his side. “You know, what I'm paying you for? Besides he's not coming in all weekend.”
“All weekend?” Eiji's face soured, then brightened. “It probably means he went on a trip, right? Do you think he went back to Chiba to visit his family?”
Oishi simply shrugged but it was clear he was thinking about it. “I doubt it, Eiji. Chiba for a day and a half?”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” Eiji slumped against the counter. “But this isn't just about me, Oishi. What am I gonna tell Eight-Thirty if his favorite barista isn't serving him his coffee?” Somehow, Eiji handing him a cardboard cup and telling him to have a nice day just felt off on so many levels. Besides, he couldn't make the coffee the way Tezuka liked it, apparently.
“Tezuka?” Oishi raised an eyebrow and nodded his head to the clock. Eiji looked up an balked when it read very clearly that it was already nine.
* * *
If Oishi could believe in fairytales, Eiji could still have nightmares. His nightmares weren't like the ones he had when he was a kid. Those monsters he could contend with. It was the monsters that grew and grew when 'nothings' became 'somethings' and Eiji's heart hammered so hard his chest hurt.
On those nights, Eiji would huddle under his blanket clinging to the light of his phone. He'd swear he never meant to call him, but Fuji always picked up.
They'd spend hours not saying a thing until Eiji's soft snores were all Fuji heard.
* * *
If Eiji slipped plexiglass between them, would they notice? Would they continue their day without touching as if nothing was between them? Would they still reach out for each other, curl their fingers on the 'what-if' possibility that their fingers would entwine through solid? Knock once, knock twice, and maybe break through it?
Or would they just leave fingerprints and puffs of hot air, slowly drag their fingers across the glass in one last effort before walking away?
Eiji, for Fuji's sake, didn't want the latter to happen.
* * *
Sunday
Sunday came and went without a hitch, save for a brief appearance of Kabaji. But even Eiji was getting used to him stalking him around the counter until Oishi reminded him that he was not his boss.
Eiji sighed and tapped his fingers on the counter to the same pattern as the rain falling outside, watching the people outside the shop look up and wonder 'Has this really been here all this time? How did I miss it?' before coming in. He pulled on his brightest smile and served them the new special blend and two crepes before sneaking one of his own.
Now that he thought about it, he and Fuji hadn't played the 'guess who's coming into the store' game for over three weeks now. Eiji didn't mind.
* * *
Sometimes, Eiji was terribly shy. And Fuji knew this. He knew.
These were the days that they'd go into the back room during their break and Eiji would bury himself into Fuji's neck until the coffee scent of Timeless faded and all he could smell were apples. These were the days when Eiji's kitten mouth would turn downwards slightly until Fuji flicked his nose.
One day, he'd tell Oishi exactly how he felt. He'd barge into his office and say “Oishi! Here I am! Everything you want and need standing right in front of you! Have at it!” And he would stand on his desk and kick all the papers away, jump into Oishi's lap and kiss him in all the ways he knew how to say I love you I love you I love you!
But for now, Fuji's shoulder was comfortable enough. And Eiji appreciated that Fuji didn't mention the sneaky, little tears that had leaked after he'd fallen asleep.
* * *
Monday
Somehow, on this day, Eiji had gotten to work exactly at 7:00 for early morning setup. And it was at 7:02 that the bells on the door chimed that a visitor was there.
“Fuji!” Eiji vaulted over the counter and wrapped his arms around the smaller man, not caring that Fuji wasn't (or rather couldn't with his arms pressed against his sides) hugging him back. Either way, he could still smell the familiar scent of apples that clung to Fuji's skin just as tightly as Eiji's embrace. “I missed you! Where have you been all weekend? Did you do anything fun on your time off? Did you go to Chiba to visit your family? Did you get me a gift? Did you see Sae-”
“What did I do this weekend...?” Fuji feigned ignorance and only continued when Eiji mewled. “I think I went camping with Tezuka.”
“Eh? You what?” Eiji made the mistake of letting go of Fuji, thus allowing him to happily walk away from him and through the 'Employee's Only' door with his head thrown back in laughter.
Eiji twitched his nose as he processed this new information. Tezuka? Fuji? Camping, far away from the city lights, under a blanket of stars where no one could bother them? The images came one after the other: Tezuka, pitching a tent that constantly collapsed and Fuji trying to make a fire. Both giving up to share a sleeping bag (because Fuji somehow forgot his). The intimacy...
Did they hug? Did they kiss? Did...did Fuji...did they...
Hang on. Didn't it rain this weekend? How could they possibly -
Next thing he knew he was speeding after the sound of Fuji's snickering. “Fuji! Fujiko, wait! Wait! WAIT!”
* * *
A/N: Interludes will always be shorter than the chapters and take on more of an introspective look which is a fancy way of saying "Kam gets to play with words, html, and chapter formatting". Out of the three Interludes I know I have planned, this one is nicknamed the 'Love' Interlude, because I used that word so much in it. XD
And Dream Pair friendship? It's just love. ^^
Part V//come and rest your bones with me">
Synopsis: Fuji's a barista at a tiny coffee shop. Tezuka is worker at an architectural firm. By chance or misfortune, luck or some chaotic scheme against them both, they meet.
In this Interlude: A look at ZukaFuji through the eyes of Fuji's best friend as well as his own life in the cafe.
Genre: Slice of Life/Cafe Story
Rating: PG-13 (maybe higher later)
Word Count: 1781
Warnings: Heartbreak. ._.
Dedication: cleverlilwill, my dearest beta and friend, of whom without I would have never started writing ZukaFuji. ♥
Interlude//On Some Days
[Eiji's Side]
We rule the world together
With out secret codes
And plans we can't remember
- Snow Patrol, Favorite Friend
Friday
Sometimes when Eiji watches them exchange coins for coffee, he wonders.
“Here you go. Just the way you like it.” Fuji added cheekily before handing him the cup.
Tezuka hesitated in saying something but shook his head. “Have a good day.”
“So you'll be late tonight.”
The words had stopped Tezuka dead in his tracks. He turned back to the counter. “How did you-”
“I'll be on the later train too. Later, Tezuka.” He waved a stunned Tezuka out the door.
Eiji glanced over at him from the register and blinked in confusion. “Wait... really, how did you do that?”
“He doesn't like to tell me when he'll be late, even though I don't mind waiting.” Fuji's eyes took a wistful look for a moment before meeting Eiji's eyes. He smiled and turned back to the next customer coming to the counter.
Eiji narrowed his eyes as he focused on Fuji's profile. Fuji still looked like Fuji. The smile painted on his lips was the same he'd seen for years as were the clear hazel brown eyes. But something was different. Something like the way he put the dishes in the dishwasher or wrote the labels for the pastries.
It took Eiji nearly four hours to figure it out, but when he did it hit like a ton of bricks.
"Fujiko-chan..." Eiji gasped and dropped a stack of cups in the process. "I think... you're smitten!"
“You're funny, Eiji” was the only response he got.
Eiji wasn't a romantic. He was far from it, actually. Realities and fantasies were two different things and he knew from experience how much of a risk romance was.
But that didn't mean he didn't want Fuji to fall in love.
* * *
Two years ago
“Aru...?” Eiji tilted his head at the new employee, who in turn smiled and tilted his head in the other direction. “Who are you? When did you get here?”
“Oishi hired me yesterday. I guess we're working together.”
Huh. Oishi hadn't mentioned this to him before, hiring cute new baristas for his ever-failing cafe.
“Fuji.”
“Eh? Oh... It's Eiji. Welcome to the - hey!” Eiji squeaked when Fuji turned his nose like a key. He rubbed with with a sour face. “What did you do that for?”
“Eiji's cute” was all Fuji had said before taking his first customer.
Fuji was less cute and more pretty, when Eiji thought about it. A lithe figure, an inch or so shorter than him, and the most intense eyes he'd ever seen crinkled in a perpetual smile. And watching him work, his fingers glided effortlessly over the machines without thought.
But it was the cute comment that later made Eiji follow him behind the 'Employee's Only' door just to watch him read. Without so much as a glance to the man perched on the couch next to him, Fuji began to read out loud all of the worlds and all of the adventures the little prince went on, even though Eiji didn't understand French. He heard meaning in Fuji's voice.
Ever since, he'd fallen into step with Fuji Syuusuke.
* * *
Despite their personalities, it was Oishi that still believed in fairytales.
He bashfully told him one day that “It sounds stupid, but I wouldn't mind being someone's prince.”
“Oishi.” Eiji had chided, tsk tsking as they put the dishes into the dishwasher. “You're already a prince. My prince!”
“Am I really Eiji?”
“Mmhmm!”
Oishi had laughed and put his arm around him. They giggled all the way back to the cafe. It had piqued Fuji's curiosity.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Eh?” Eiji grinned from ear to ear and watched Oishi ask a pair of customers how they liked their orders as he rounded the tables. “Nothing. Nothing.”
Fuji had waited for all but fifteen minutes before he whispered “It doesn't sound like nothing, Eiji.”
* * *
Saturday
Eiji waited for Fuji to come in on Saturday and was sorely disappointed when Oishi told him he'd given him the day off. What was he supposed to do?
“Maybe your job, Eiji?” Oishi lightly nudged his side. “You know, what I'm paying you for? Besides he's not coming in all weekend.”
“All weekend?” Eiji's face soured, then brightened. “It probably means he went on a trip, right? Do you think he went back to Chiba to visit his family?”
Oishi simply shrugged but it was clear he was thinking about it. “I doubt it, Eiji. Chiba for a day and a half?”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” Eiji slumped against the counter. “But this isn't just about me, Oishi. What am I gonna tell Eight-Thirty if his favorite barista isn't serving him his coffee?” Somehow, Eiji handing him a cardboard cup and telling him to have a nice day just felt off on so many levels. Besides, he couldn't make the coffee the way Tezuka liked it, apparently.
“Tezuka?” Oishi raised an eyebrow and nodded his head to the clock. Eiji looked up an balked when it read very clearly that it was already nine.
* * *
If Oishi could believe in fairytales, Eiji could still have nightmares. His nightmares weren't like the ones he had when he was a kid. Those monsters he could contend with. It was the monsters that grew and grew when 'nothings' became 'somethings' and Eiji's heart hammered so hard his chest hurt.
On those nights, Eiji would huddle under his blanket clinging to the light of his phone. He'd swear he never meant to call him, but Fuji always picked up.
They'd spend hours not saying a thing until Eiji's soft snores were all Fuji heard.
* * *
If Eiji slipped plexiglass between them, would they notice? Would they continue their day without touching as if nothing was between them? Would they still reach out for each other, curl their fingers on the 'what-if' possibility that their fingers would entwine through solid? Knock once, knock twice, and maybe break through it?
Or would they just leave fingerprints and puffs of hot air, slowly drag their fingers across the glass in one last effort before walking away?
Eiji, for Fuji's sake, didn't want the latter to happen.
* * *
Sunday
Sunday came and went without a hitch, save for a brief appearance of Kabaji. But even Eiji was getting used to him stalking him around the counter until Oishi reminded him that he was not his boss.
Eiji sighed and tapped his fingers on the counter to the same pattern as the rain falling outside, watching the people outside the shop look up and wonder 'Has this really been here all this time? How did I miss it?' before coming in. He pulled on his brightest smile and served them the new special blend and two crepes before sneaking one of his own.
Now that he thought about it, he and Fuji hadn't played the 'guess who's coming into the store' game for over three weeks now. Eiji didn't mind.
* * *
Sometimes, Eiji was terribly shy. And Fuji knew this. He knew.
These were the days that they'd go into the back room during their break and Eiji would bury himself into Fuji's neck until the coffee scent of Timeless faded and all he could smell were apples. These were the days when Eiji's kitten mouth would turn downwards slightly until Fuji flicked his nose.
One day, he'd tell Oishi exactly how he felt. He'd barge into his office and say “Oishi! Here I am! Everything you want and need standing right in front of you! Have at it!” And he would stand on his desk and kick all the papers away, jump into Oishi's lap and kiss him in all the ways he knew how to say I love you I love you I love you!
But for now, Fuji's shoulder was comfortable enough. And Eiji appreciated that Fuji didn't mention the sneaky, little tears that had leaked after he'd fallen asleep.
* * *
Monday
Somehow, on this day, Eiji had gotten to work exactly at 7:00 for early morning setup. And it was at 7:02 that the bells on the door chimed that a visitor was there.
“Fuji!” Eiji vaulted over the counter and wrapped his arms around the smaller man, not caring that Fuji wasn't (or rather couldn't with his arms pressed against his sides) hugging him back. Either way, he could still smell the familiar scent of apples that clung to Fuji's skin just as tightly as Eiji's embrace. “I missed you! Where have you been all weekend? Did you do anything fun on your time off? Did you go to Chiba to visit your family? Did you get me a gift? Did you see Sae-”
“What did I do this weekend...?” Fuji feigned ignorance and only continued when Eiji mewled. “I think I went camping with Tezuka.”
“Eh? You what?” Eiji made the mistake of letting go of Fuji, thus allowing him to happily walk away from him and through the 'Employee's Only' door with his head thrown back in laughter.
Eiji twitched his nose as he processed this new information. Tezuka? Fuji? Camping, far away from the city lights, under a blanket of stars where no one could bother them? The images came one after the other: Tezuka, pitching a tent that constantly collapsed and Fuji trying to make a fire. Both giving up to share a sleeping bag (because Fuji somehow forgot his). The intimacy...
Did they hug? Did they kiss? Did...did Fuji...did they...
Hang on. Didn't it rain this weekend? How could they possibly -
Next thing he knew he was speeding after the sound of Fuji's snickering. “Fuji! Fujiko, wait! Wait! WAIT!”
* * *
A/N: Interludes will always be shorter than the chapters and take on more of an introspective look which is a fancy way of saying "Kam gets to play with words, html, and chapter formatting". Out of the three Interludes I know I have planned, this one is nicknamed the 'Love' Interlude, because I used that word so much in it. XD
And Dream Pair friendship? It's just love. ^^
Part V//come and rest your bones with me">