Regular World! AU

After only a week at the coffeeshop, Magnus knew the regulars.

There was Beth, who came in every morning with her knitting bag, staying well after Magnus' shift was over.

Charles came in every two days like clockwork, always at five am.

Sue came in for a small decaf, double sugar, Monday through Friday, before her shift at the diner down the street at 12:30 am.

Then there was Alexander, who never spoke. He made his appearance and Magnus rang him up and made his coffee, and left him to surf the web on his Macbook.

Magnus worked the night-shift, to pay the bills while he spent the rest of his time at university.

His sleep schedule was hellish, to say the least.

When he wasn't in class and not on shift, he was in his apartment, passed out on the couch or his bed (depending on how far he made it).

Besides his hectic schedule, Magnus worked the night-shift because the pay was substantially better.

And it was nice. It was almost always quiet in the 24/7 cafe and the smell of coffee and the occasional cup kept him awake. He could study behind the counter, writing essays on his laptop hidden behind the espresso machine.

Jazz played on the speakers overhead as Magnus scrubbed down the menu boards for the night. He'd chalk tomorrow's menu on as soon as the baker and chef came in around 5 am and decided what could be whipped together from the day's fresh produce.

He was only two hours into his ten hour shift, which made it a little after midnight.

Sue would be here any minute.

Magnus set aside his cloth, climbing down from his ladder. They were running low on decaf beans.

He pushed open the swinging door to the back, searching around dry storage for a sealed bag of coffee beans. He found it fast enough and returned to the front.

Alexander was standing in front of the register, leaning on it. He looked tireder than usual and he was in a suit, which was different from usual.

Then there was the fact that he was here far too early.

"Long day?" Magnus asked, pulling a large paper cup out. Alexander nodded, staying silent otherwise.

Magnus started pouring milk into the steam cup, but kept his focus on Alexander, rather than his job.

Alexander pushed his hand through his hair, making a mess of what would have otherwise been straight perfection.

Magnus put the paper cup under the espresso dispenser, watching the concentrated coffee pour, then drip into the cup.

"Still want two pumps of caramel?"

Alexander nodded.

"You know, it tastes even better if you add a shot of vanilla," Magnus said. Alexander looked up, shrugging with his hands.

"On the house," Magnus added. No one was going to miss an ounce of vanilla syrup.

He dumped everything together, adding the caramel and vanilla.

Then he slipped the Sharpie out of the pocket of his apron, scrawling Alexander and then, because it felt right, You look nice tonight.

He handed Alexander the cup, it's message barely visible under the sleeve. He took Alexander's $3.89 in the form of a $10 bill. The change was exchanged but Alexander dumped the $6.11 into the tip jar, as he always did.

It was a high price to pay for a cup of coffee and a compliment.

...........

Alexander had always enjoyed the coffee shop's atmosphere.

It was routine and his life needed routine. There was always a different show, every night. Some good, most bad. But if he didn't write his reviews within a few hours, he'd forget the show and the review would ultimately be a disaster.

His editor happened to agree.

He agreed so much that he paid for Alec's nightly excursion, adding $300 to his paycheck every month.

Otherwise, as a dramatic reviewer, he wouldn't be able to afford it.

His days consisted of a noon alarm clock. Then managing his work email, reading the comments on his article on the online edition of the New York Times, making breakfast (if he was feeling ambitious), and then going to the Times to spend a few hours sitting at a desk. Then he went to a play, taking notes in a black composition notebook in the darkness of the theater.

Then he took the subway to the only 24 hour coffee shop in Manhattan.

For the longest time, Melinda was the night barista but a week ago she was joined by Magnus then she was no more.

Alec didn't know why she left, and honestly he didn't care.

But she taught Magnus his routine, and that was what mattered to him.

He sat at his usual table, pulling his laptop and notes out.

He glanced up as his laptop powered on. Magnus was on a ladder, wiping the chalk off the specials board.

They were the only souls in the shop.

Alec's fingers idly twisted the sleeve on the cup. He'd yet to taste the new concoction.

But he had to give it to Magnus: he was brave to suggest a change in Alec's routine.

And Alec was. . . Well, he had accepted the change, surprising himself.

Was there really a word for that?

The door opened and a rush of cold hit Alec's back.

People did come in when Alec was in the coffee shop, but it was rare.

"Good morning, Sue," Magnus cheered. Hearing the barista's voice distracted Alec. He watched as the girl in a stereotypical waitress' uniform walked up towards the counter.

"Mornin', Magnus." Magnus punched a button on the espresso machine and it started vibrating, taking in beans.

They didn't speak until Magnus asked for her money and she obliged.

Then Sue was gone.

Alec watched her go then looked back to his work.

But his eyes didn't catch on the laptop. Instead he was making eye contact with Magnus.

He looked away, shyly.

Then he got to work.

The word document stayed blank for a long time, as Alec sipped his coffee and stared at his notes, scrawled in the dark of theater.

As he set the cup down, after a taste of super sweet caffeine, the sleeve slipped, revealing not only his name but a message.

Alec pulled the sleeve off.

You look nice tonight.

His breath caught in his throat and he looked up. Magnus' back was to him.

He watched Magnus clean behind the counter for a few moments, the time passing immeasurably.

When Magnus turned around, Alec's eyes flew to the screen.

You look nice tonight?

Well, he was wearing a suit, something he treated himself to every Saturday night. Magnus had only worked one other Saturday so he probably didn't notice.

Was that it? A suit?

This was horrid, Alec decided.

His work wasn't getting done here and he was certain Magnus' gaze was burning him alive.

.............

Flirting with Alexander had been risky.

He could cost the shop, which didn't get much business at night, a loyal customer.

A loyal customer that Magnus happened to like.

But he was back the next night, at his regular time.

"Vanilla?" Magnus asked. Alec nodded. There was less exhaustion in his eyes tonight and he was back in his regular slacks and polo.

"I'm glad you liked it," Magnus said.

A smile twinged at Alec's lips.

He was obviously shy; Magnus had never heard him speak.

As the milk steamed, Magnus wrote Alexander and a phone number onto the cup.

Magnus got his tip and a smile.

..........

Magnus had given him his number.

And Alec had no idea what compelled him to text the number while he was still in the coffee shop.

But if he waited, he knew he'd never text him.

You: Hi?

Alec watched the counter. A textbook was open in the space near the cash register. Magnus was following the text with a highlighter. Then his face lit up as he pulled out his phone.

Alec looked back at his laptop. He'd gone to see a musical tonight and it had been horrible. The lead was singing on a register far too high for his ability and the poor girl playing the love interest had had a costume malfunction paired with a poor makeup artist.

That was just the beginning of his review. The plot and orchestra were also going to be ripped apart.

His phone buzzed on the table top.

Magnus: Hi

You: How are you?

Alec set the phone aside and tried to write his first paragraph.

Yes, he would write his first paragraph before looking at Magnus' response.

Alec furiously typed a rough paragraph as his phone buzzed.

Was it good? Eh. Was it his best? No.

Magnus: Excellent. How are you?

You: I'm doing alright.

Magnus: What are you doing on that laptop?

You: Writing

Magnus was going to want more than just that.

He wanted a conversation.

He wanted the beginning of a commitment and Alec wasn't sure he wanted commitment.

That'd involve change.

Another paragraph, he decided.

His phone buzzed as he filled in his skeleton of a paragraph with vivid adjectives.

Magnus: What do you write?

You: Play reviews.

Magnus: That explains the suit. And the odd work hours.

You: And what are you studying?

Magnus: Econ 1200

You: Hard?

Magnus: Tedious.

You: I completely understand.

Magnus: Any plays I should see?

You: Not this one

Magnus: Bad?

You: Worse.

Alec picked up his notepad, hiding it from Magnus behind his laptop.

His thoughts didn't connect like usual.

The words that were so easily written were gone tonight.

All because of Magnus.

You: So what is your major?

Magnus: Major in business, minor in design.

You: Fashion or studio design?

Magnus: Fashion.

Alec looked up. He could see Magnus as being well-dressed outside of his work uniform.

You: So you're 22?

Magnus: 23. I took the gap year.

You: And did what?

Magnus: Long story

Work took priority.

Work had always taken priority.

Work would continue to take priority, despite his growing feelings for Magnus.

You: Tomorrow night?

Magnus: Are you leaving?

They looked up from their phones at the same time.

Alec nodded slightly, sending Magnus a farewell.

"Shame," Magnus called.

Alec tried to keep his face stoic.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Magnus said.

Alec nodded, blinking understandingly.

It was goodbye for tonight.

...........

Magnus had reread his texts with Alexander before falling asleep on his couch.

When he woke up at one for his statistics class, there was a text waiting.

Alexander: Do you ever not work?

You: not really :(

Alexander: Oh.

You: Why?

Alexander: I wanted to take you to a show.

You: I could always ask for a night off. . . Or even a later shift.

Alexander: There's no pressure though.

You: I want to though.

Alexander: Just tell me what date works for you.

You: I'll talk to my boss.

Alexander: Excellent.

Magnus was ecstatic now. To see Alexander. To go see a play with him. To make something more of their relationship.

Statistics was about to be the hardest class he ever went to.

...........

Monday night went as usual as far as ordering and drink-making went.

Alec checked his phone as his laptop powered on.

But Magnus hadn't sent anything.

You: Story?

Magnus: About my gap year?

You: Yes. I need to know.

Magnus: I can't text it all

You: Then come here

The sudden bravery that texting had given him was incredible.

This was the most flirting Alec had ever done. And it had all been electronic.

But now Magnus was walking towards him to come sit across from him.

Alec shut his laptop, taking deep breaths.

"Ready?" Magnus asked. Alec took a sip of his coffee, raising his eyebrows in a move he only saw done in the movies.

"Well, I was a stupid high school senior and completely immature," Magnus said. "I didn't know what I wanted to study or where I wanted to go so I decided not to waste my money or time. I was going to see all of New York while living off my savings account."

Alec smirked, unconsciously.

"I avoided work for about a month and then I realized that I had no place to stay and no job. So I found a missions trip to Indonesia. And I went."

"And I guess that made me grow up very fast. I came back, applied to NYU, got in, got a job, and pulled myself together."

This was the part where Alec was supposed to say something.

.........

He didn't say anything.

Alec sat there, a curious expression on his face. But his lips stayed firmly pressed together.

A panic started growing in his eyes and Magnus was sensing his discomfort.

The door opened and Magnus jumped to his feet.

A business lady, with her head and heart in her phone, came walking in, passing Magnus.

He scrambled to catch up with her as she rattled off a complicated drink.

Magnus got to work on the drink but his eyes kept going back to Alec who was typing away furiously on his laptop.

"Excuse me," the woman snapped.

The milk steamer had shut off but Magnus was still staring off at the dining area.

Alec's big blue eyes watched him back.

"I apologize," Magnus said. Customer service had never really been his forte so he couldn't control the attitude in his voice.

Magnus focused on the lady (she also seemed like the type to leave an angry review, specifically mentioning Magnus' name).

When she finally left, Alexander was gone.

And he had never even said goodbye.

...........

Running out on Magnus was probably a bad idea but Alec panicked.

He also panicked on Tuesday night, standing outside on the sidewalk, staring at the place that had become his second home.

It was raining but Alec had a thing against umbrellas, so the rain fell onto him, sliding off his raincoat.

He stared at the cafe, wanting to go in but afraid to.

He and Magnus were moving too quickly.

He feared the changing relationship. He feared the change in routine.

So he changed his routine.

He walked by but he never went inside.

Not on Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or Thursday (despite Magnus' pleading voicemail). Or Friday. Or Saturday.

By Sunday, he stopped walked by, going straight from the playhouses to his apartment.

On Monday, it had been a week and Magnus only sent one text.

Magnus: I have off on Friday/Saturday.

..........

Alexander had gone off the grid too fast for Magnus to handle.

He had pressured Alexander and for that, Magnus was remorseful.

Even if he and Alexander had become nothing, he still would've liked to see him every night.

The coffee shop was much more boring without Alexander.

But he had to move on.

So he stopped texting him.

Everything was boring for a long time. Magnus actually studied and wrote his essays.

It wasn't until 5:30 on Friday morning that Alexander appeared.

Magnus was writing the menu boards using different colors of chalk. It was fun to design a new piece of art every night, even if that art was "Spinach, Egg, and Cheese Souffle" and "Strawberry and Granola Yogurt To-Go."

Business was starting to pick up as early morning commuters made their stops.

The cafe was empty until Alexander walked in. Magnus was cleaning up a chocolate syrup mess on the counter.

When he looked up and saw Alexander, his phone buzzed.

Alexander: I'm sorry.

"That's okay," Magnus breathed. He was just relieved to see him alive. He looked back down at his phone.

Alexander: There's a special performance of The Lion King tonight.

Magnus read the text and nodded.

"Sounds great."

Alexander: I can meet you there or I can come to your place?

"Whichever is easiest," Magnus smiled.

Alexander: I kinda need a place to crash tonight.

"Well, I have a place," Magnus shrugged.

Alexander: Awesome

A sideways grin grew on Alexander's face.

Magnus was certain he had never had this big of a crush on anyone before.

But he loved it.

"I get off in thirty minutes," Magnus said. "Coffee?"

Alexander's shy eyes looked up at him.

But he didn't respond.

Magnus had his realization.

Alexander never spoke. Never once.

His trainer had told him Alexander's nightly drink; he'd never actually ordered it.

As his brain processed all of this, forming a hypothesis, his phone vibrated.

Alexander: I am mute, yes.

"Not a problem," Magnus said. "I've been told I talk enough for two people."

Alexander: I've been told I'm an excellent listener.

..........

A month later, Magnus would sign his first words, much to the surprise of Alec (it was "good morning"), after picking up an extra class at NYU.

Three months later, Magnus would inform Alexander's sister that, he did actually know sign language after she made a few comments to Alec about Magnus' "outlandish" outfit.

After two years of dating, Alexander proposed to Magnus with a message written in Sharpie on a Starbucks coffee cup.

The nine-month engagement resulted in a simple ceremony, officiated in both English and American Sign Language.

Magnus had never been happier with silence.

A/N: This book hit 2K :) Thank you for all the reads, comments, and likes. ~A