(I love coffee shop AU's okay! I daydream about them, but I'm too much of an introvert to leave my house to live out the fantasy. 💀 Also, this is set during Christmas time. Cause I intended it to be posted a few days before the holiday, but got busy and forgot to write anything. Which is why it's late.)

Anyway, on with the story.
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Harley Keener had enjoyed living in New York for the past three years, but still had his Tennessee roots planted in him like a tree. He'd like to say he knew the city well, although certain people and their accents were... incoherent to say the least. But if he said that to their faces, he'd probably get in a screaming match with them. So he steered clear, almost four months ago he got a job as a barista at a coffee shop. To be fair the reason he wanted the job was for the free coffee once a month, and a little spending money as he was in school.

He'd seen just about every New Yorker come through these parts, young and old, short and tall, easy to spell names and those with any variation of Ashley. You name em', he never expected his mystery customer he got on a slow Saturday morning. The young man quietly sauntered up to the counter, pushing the rim of his glasses up to fit his nose, scanned the menu and ordered his drink of choice, Harley noted it was something not many people wanted. "Alright, I'll get that ready for you." Harley told him.

He watched as the customer sat down in a nearby booth, Harley had no idea what was so entrancing and enticing about him. But he wanted to know everything about him, not in a stalker kind of way, but in a possible 'Hey I think you're cool. Maybe we could talk?' He needed to refine that bit, but other than that he was set. While his coworker Kate was busy with another customer, he worked on the drink for the dark chocolate haired young man.

Harley finished making the beverage and made his way over to the table where the man was sitting. He noticed he had textbooks sprawled out on the wooden surface, taking a glance at one of the covers. "Lemme guess your professor's a nightmare?" He guessed. At the sudden sound of someone talking, the mystery youngster jumped, startled.

"Oh I'm sorry, didn't mean to scare ya." Harley said.

His customer looked up, fixing his glasses atop the brim of his nose. "It's alright, I guess I zoned out. And yeah, this course work is kicking my butt."

"Well, I'm sure you'd like this. So here ya go, one hot chocolate with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon." The barista said, handing over the delicate drink.

"Thank you..." The young man trailed off, wanting to say more. While taking a sip, admiring the delicious rich chocolate drink hitting his taste buds.

Harley seemed to know, and he pointed at his name tag, "Harley. The name's Harley."

The other smiled, "Thank you Harley, I'm Peter."

"No problem darlin'" He replied, before turning on his heels and walking back behind the counter.

Kate chuckled, acquainted with Harley's ideal romantic fantasy, "Oh you're down bad."

He really was, which meant major trouble. Harley shook his head, "Oh screw off Bishop." As the girl walked off cackling.

After some hours, customers came and went, judging by the glistening snow fall, little flakes sticking to the front window, the sun setting, it was getting late, and Peter was still sitting at his booth. Kate went to the back room while Harley went up to Peter, seeing him jotting down things in a notebook. "Hey, we've gotta close up the shop. It's getting late."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I got so caught studying." Peter responded, but Harley waved him off.

Harley inquired, "Do you need help gettin' home? Cause in this weather, it's not safe to drive."

"I uh, usually take the subway. Don't worry, I'll be fine." Peter replied. Harley wasn't comfortable with that answer, the idea of this five foot something thin young dude walking down to a subway station and waiting for transportation made him feel uneasy.

"Darlin, it's cold, and walkin' in that wouldn't be pleasant. Heck, you'd probably catch a cold. So I'll make you an offer you can't refuse." Harley suggested.

Peter observed with a smile, choosing to entertain the dirty blond's idea. "And what would that be, kind barista?"

"I'll ride the subway with ya and help you get to your place. We can talk, get to know each other, then I'll be on my merry way. And if you hate it, your next drink is on me." Harley offered, Peter pondered for a moment, deciding that it wasn't worth arguing so began to gather his stuff while Kate and Harley worked together to close up the shop.

The two walked to the nearest station and got down to the platform, waiting for a train. Making small talk, then the all but infamous question arose. "So what are your plans for Christmas?" Harley questioned.

Peter blew out a puff of air, watching as it disappeared, "I've gotta visit my parents, but I'm dreading it."

Harley raised an eyebrow, "Why's that? If you don't mind me asking."

Peter curled a strand of hair behind his ear, "My Mom and Dad are the type of parents who already have their kids' lives planned out. My job options are: doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Luckily I like engineering, but if I didn't, I'd be forced to choose it."

Peter specified, "Every time I go home it's a nightmare, they're incredibly condescending, and make me feel like I'm never good enough. No matter what I do."

"Ah that sucks, if you wanted to switch your major why couldn't you do it?" Harley queried.

"They're paying for my entire tuition, I've got a part time job, but it wouldn't be able to cover the rest of three years." Harley nodded in understanding.

Peter sighed, "I honestly am glad I live here, the thought of going to college near my parents fills me with so much anxiety. But I don't feel fully free, I'm just waiting out the next few years till I graduate."

Harley listened intently, wishing he could do something to help Peter, and even though they just met a few hours ago, he wanted to do anything just to make him smile. So he came up with an idea, in which he gave Peter his number. Telling him he could text and call whenever he needed, and over time the two became close. Peter came to the shop every Friday, ordering his hot chocolate and studying.

Harley got to learn every quirk Peter had, like the way he bit his lower lip when he was concentrating, how he rambled about physics, or how he made science puns that Harley would laugh at. Peter told him he was the only one who would genuinely laugh. Peter noticed little things about Harley too, the way he dealt with rude customers he puts on his southern charm. His accent strengthened and the customer would detract from the situation.

It was quite hilarious when he told those stories, Harley also had a habit of coming up with "interesting" curse words that didn't make sense. Peter deciphered them like codes, and when Harley would have to work on his car in his garage, every swear in the book would come out of his mouth. He was like a southern sailor, especially when grease and oil spurt out all over him.

Peter had a laughing fit when that would occur. Twenty four hours before Peter's trip, he and Harley spent the day together, they grabbed lunch and ate in his dorm room, where Harley met Peter's roommate Ned. He was nice, mostly clacking away writing assignments on his computer, but Harley liked him. They talked all through the night, in person and on the phone, until Harley had to drop Peter off at the airport.

The two stood at the gate only having a few minutes to say goodbye, the crowd of people in their own worlds, but there were Harley and Peter, standing in front of each other, talking amongst themselves. Making plans for when Peter got back, A flight attendant announced the plane was boarding soon, making anyone in the vicinity aware of when takeoff was due. Peter gripped his carryon handle, "Thanks for seeing me off."

Harley shoved his hands in his pockets, "No problem darlin, I'll be sure to pick you up when you get back."

Peter gazed at the taller man, a smile creeping its way onto his face, "Why do you call me darlin'?" He asked.

Harley's face began to flush, "Southern hospitality?" But Peter didn't believe it, Harley could sense it.

"Well then, I guess I could return some hospitality back." Peter replied, leaning up and planting a small kiss to Harley's cheek. He stepped back, avoiding Harley's eyes out of a mix of fear and anxiety.

Harley beamed, "I appreciate your hospitality, when you get back, maybe we can do something?"

Peter nodded his head, "Yeah, I'd like that. I hope you get to have Christmas with your family as well."

"Don't worry Peter, I'm leaving in a few days and will be back a little bit before you." Harley answered. The final call for the plane boarding tore their attention away, and Peter had to go. He headed over to the door as others were walking through. He gave a wave towards Harley and soon was gone, then Harley was off, back to his dorm.

Man, he was smitten, he was falling hard. Kate was right, as usual when it came to his crushes, he was down bad.
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The End of Chapter 220