Chapter Text
Suo Wei sighs with relief as he finishes the last task on his closing list for the coffee shop. He’s exhausted from a full day of classes, and he honestly shouldn’t have taken on more hours at work. Money has just been tight and he can’t stomach the idea of running out again and having to–he shakes his head. If it comes to that, it’ll be fine. Last time was just a one time occurrence.
The client took things too far. Suo Wei still has a soft, purple bruise around his neck the shape of a hand print. Fingers laced like a necklace that he covers with makeup.
The night is dark and the lamplight isn’t bright enough for Suo Wei’s liking. He could call a taxi, but he’s low on funds and the thought of wasting money when he could spend it on something like food or his upcoming heating bill seems silly. The bills pile up every day and even though Xiao Shuai offers time and time again to let him move into the spare room in his clinic, Suo Wei doesn’t want to take advantage of his kindness. His apartment isn’t that bad. Sure, it’s in the seedier part of town, but that doesn’t mean it’s not safe. The neighborhood looks out for each other. He just knows not to walk by himself at night. Though, tonight will have to be an exception.
He locks up the store and thinks about calling Hao Yu. Most clients are gentle and kind and though Suo Wei uses sex work to pay for his college, he finds he doesn’t have many issues with the people he services. Except Hao Yu.
He sighs and kicks at a rock on the street. Hao Yu pays so well. Maybe one more time wouldn’t hurt. To get him through until the next paycheck from the coffee shop.
Hao Yu picks up on the first ring. “I knew you’d call.” Suo Wei fights the ice cold chill that runs through his veins.
“Black coffee.” The voice says with indifference.
Suo Wei looks up to meet dark, brooding eyes and his heart stutters at the intensity of them. It takes Suo Wei a minute to process what is said because the man before him is gorgeous, unfairly so.
“Sure, sir, what size?”
“Medium.”
The man leans in to inspect the pastries on the side and Suo Wei stills at his scent, a mixture of damp, sweet earth after a storm and a hint of smoke laced with the crackle of fire. His mouth waters.
Shaking his head, he inwardly curses. What is coming over him? He’s slept with enough men to not have their scents magnify his instincts like this. In fact, most alphas propel him. In his nightly work, they are the most aggressive and clingy. The harder to get rid of and the most difficult to set boundaries with.
“Name?”
“Chi Cheng.” His voice is smooth and intoxicating and Suo Wei writes the characters with shaky hands. He sets the cup down and passes it to his coworker.
“Anything else, sir?”
“What’s your favorite pastry?”
The question throws him off guard. “Um, what?”
“Which do you like best?” He says slowly then points at the case of desserts.
“Oh,” he pauses. “I like the orange cranberry muffins.”
He nods. “I’ll have one of those.”
“Sure thing.” He reaches over and wraps the pastry and slips it into the bag.
“Here you go.” He types onto the register. Chi Cheng’s heated gaze never leaves him, making him feel warm, his cheeks flaming under the attention. “That’ll be 78.85 yuan.”
Chi Cheng swipes his card and as Suo Wei reaches out to hand him the pastry, Chi Cheng shakes his head and wraps his fingers around Suo Wei’s wrist. His gasp is audible and Chi Cheng’s smirk is taunting. “It’s for you.”
He strolls over to the next counter to grab his coffee. He lifts it in mock salute toward Suo Wei as he waltzes out the door.
His coworker blurts next to him, “Yeah, he was totally hitting on you.”
The next day, Chi Cheng returns. This time with a book and an intent to stay in the coffee shop to read and, apparently, lurk. Suo Wei thinks that Chi Cheng believes he’s deceptive, but he can feel his presence like a thunderstorm, lightning cracking in the distance and the humidity spiking with the approaching downpour.
He decides to be bold.
Brewing up a medium black coffee is child’s play and he sets it in front of Chi Cheng with a flourish.
“On the house” he says with a smile, but Chi Cheng eyes latch onto it, lingering on his lips and Suo Wei swallows thickly.
His gaze flickers back to Suo Wei and his lips lift, innocent and full of arrogance, and Suo Wei doesn’t know if he wants to give him an uppercut or a blow job.
“Who’s the mystery guy that keeps staring at you?” Xiao Shuai asks as he glances over at Chi Cheng who diverts his gaze when Suo Wei looks up.
“Will you cut it out? You’re so obvious,” he snaps. Lowering his voice, he says, “He’s come every day for the last week. Sits in that same chair. Orders the same coffee.” He sighs and looks back over Xiao Shuai’s shoulder. Chi Cheng watches the pedestrians outside but there’s no doubting the smirk on his lips. He knows they’re talking about him.
“He likes you.”
“He probably wants to fuck me. That’s all.”
“Same thing,” Xiao Shuai shrugs.
Suo Wei rolls his eyes.
Xiao Shuai grins, suddenly, a devious thing, as he leans in closer and brushes a stray hair that dropped across Suo Wei’s forehead behind his ear.
“What are you doing?”
“Making him jealous.”
“ Xiao Shuai ,” Suo Wei is about to turn to look at Chi Cheng, but Xiao Shuai grips his chin between his thumb and forefinger.
“Let me work my magic.” Suo Wei shoves him off and his friend pouts. “You’re no fun.”
He darts his eyes to Chi Cheng’s table, and sees it’s absent. Then he turns back to Xiao Shuai to find his friend gone too. In his place is Chi Cheng, eyes slightly narrowed. “Is that your boyfriend?”
Suo Wei sends nonverbal blessings onto Xiao Shuai’s house for years to come. “Why do you ask?”
“Why don’t you answer my question directly?” He leans in and Suo Wei drifts toward him, resting his elbows across the counter..
They are inches apart and he feels daring. Foolish, rather, but he can’t seem to care. “What if he is?”
“Then, give me a night to change your mind.”
“About?”
“Who you should be dating.”
“You got his number?!” Xiao Shuai shouts. And Suo Wei covers his hand with his mouth. He’s visiting Suo Wei at work again and he definitely doesn’t want his coworkers to overhear.
“Yes,” he hisses. “Now be quiet.”
“This is gold. Can I be your best man at your wedding?”
“You’re ridiculous.” Suo Wei scoffs.