It had been two weeks since Apollo had met the love of his life, and he hadn’t seen him since. He was hopeful, barely.
“Apollo, you have orders piling up,” Heliades had tapped him on the shoulder.
Apollo kept catching himself day dreaming about them meeting. He quickly got back to work, making coffees and teas with the most complex of orders for the demanding tourists. He just kept thinking about those sharp blue eyes that Hyacinthus had. It was his weak spot. He should have known better to cut it off, stop thinking about his new mystery man, but he just couldn’t stop pining.
Heliades tapped him on the shoulder again, which confused him. He had caught up on his orders. But he looked back at her and realized why. Hyacinthus was in line. Apollo quickly stared at Heliades and silently communicated to swap places, she gave a sharp nod.
“Hi there again, same as last time?”
Wow he thought, what a great starting line.
“Oh I didn’t think you’d remember me. Um, sure.”
Apollo fucked up. He stared slightly dejected at the register and then input the order. Now working the register, he realized it was almost the end of his shift. The shop was nearly cleared out, anyone here this late in the morning was staying and had their drinks.
Heliades coughed behind him.
“What?”
She brought the drink to him.
“Take it to him, lover boy.”
He mentally scolded himself for telling Heliades about the situation. He relented and went around the counter, bringing the latte to Hyacinthus.
“Oh thank you, you didn’t have to bring it over.”
Apollo tried to keep his composure.
“It’s fine, the place isn’t as busy right now.”
Hyacinthus sipped his drink and made a weird look. Apollo slowly looked back at Heliades, hoping that she hadn’t messed it up. But when he looked back, she just gave him a weird face and two thumbs-ups.
“You know, you could have just asked,” Hyacinthus interrupted his thought process.
Apollo was perplexed. He looked back at Hyacinthus to see him gesturing at the cup. Written on the cup was, his phone number? How did that…
Oooooooooh. He was going to give Heliades a present after work. Apollo tried to compose himself again, it wasn’t working.
“Thanks though, for the drink. And your number.”
Apollo tried to say something but ended up just mumbling and walking back behind the counter and to the break room. Despite his best efforts, he was still extremely socially anxious. Heliades sneaked a peak into the room.
“Sooooooo…how did it go?”
Apollo stared at her deadpan.
“What do you think?”
“You froze up didn’t you?”
Apollo gave her the middle finger. She responded in kind.
*10 hours later, 9pm*
Apollo was getting ready for bed and feeding his cat, Phoebus. Hyacinthus still hadn’t texted him and he had given up hope. He snuggled up into his favorite blankets and was eating popcorn. He had to emotionally recover from his failure earlier today. He ended up watching a nature documentary on his TV and was drifting off to sleep when his phone pinged. He immediately grabbed at it.
[Text from (***) ***-****]
Hey sorry for not texting earlier, I was caught up with work.
Could it be?
This is Hyacinthus btw.
Oh thank god. His chances weren’t over. Apollo slowly was formulating his response, but before he got the chance Hyacinthus texted again.
It didn’t ever come up but I am non-binary if that changes anything.
Oh interesting.
[Apollo]
Thanks for letting me know, I don’t mind. What pronouns do you use?
[Hyacinthus]
I use they/them pronouns, hbu?
[Apollo]
I use he/they pronouns.
Okay the conversation was going well, here is hoping he doesn’t mess it up.
[Hyacinthus]
Could I interest you in a walk in the park?
Woah, um, they were moving fast. Not that he cared but, usually it didn’t go like this.
[Apollo]
Rn?
[Hyacinthus]
If that works for you?
Apollo suddenly bolted from his couch and started getting ready. Maybe his love life wouldn’t end horribly?