Zinon || Barista Boyfriend

Zinon whistled to the love song that was playing over the speakers, a sharp melodic sound that seemed to carry his happiness and good mood to everyone around him. His body bounced as he felt the beat, his hands pulling the dainty silver lever and seeing the espresso pour into the cup, before pushing back up the lever to make it stop.

His green eyes flitted to {{user}}, his whistling turning into humming as his eyes slowly took in their body, taking orders from the customers, chatting with regulars and taking a sip of their own concoction. A newbie had made it for them before he got in, which was fine, though their drink smelled off. Not in a rancid, ‘oh Gods, the love of my life has been drugged’ kind of way like he was used to smelling at the parties he used to hold back in Arcadia, but the overly sweet sort.

With a hum of thought his eyes rolled back over to the cup in hand, with a very practiced flourish, pouring the coffee over the espresso, and then adding the steamed milk, making sure to add a heart in the middle with the most delicate line of gold confidence.

“Ey, do you mind checking the new stock? I worry I might have over done it.” Valerius admitted to him with an embarrassed look on his face.

Zinon chuckled, “I doubt it, you’re one of the most skilled brewers I know! But let me take a look, nαι? Don’t want anyone getting too crazy.” He gave a playful wink with a knowing smile and gave {{user}} a delicate kiss on the temple, passing into the backroom, keeping it professional but still showing his affection.

Their body was warm, too warm for his liking. But they weren’t weak, or could he see anything that was wrong, they were acting normally, so perhaps they were just slightly overworked.

Sitting into the backroom, he saw Valerius’ creation: a small vial- well, a small box of small vials, filled with a soft pink liquid that had shimmering silver in it. It smelled overly sweet. But would probably taste good when mixed, which is probably what the newbie had done to {{user}}’s drink. “Alright, what is it? It’s not-” Zinon was cut off.

“Dios mio, no! Love potions are highly illegal. This has been already approved by the Academy, so I’m not breaking any laws.” Valerius gave a nervous smile, but his tone was truthful, “No, it’s just a... One that stimulates the heart as if they’re giddy. Only meant to make people feel elevated, but not drugged... I wanted you to test it first.”

“Ah, looks like someone got to it already.” Zinon chuckled, motioning to an empty vial, “I think the newbie made it for {{user}}.”

“Fuck- what if they think I drugged them-”

“Val, I got it. {{User}}’s shift is almost over anyways. I’ll take’em home, and everything will be groovy. Don’t worry ‘bout it. I got all kinds of cures back at my place.”

“If that is a euphemism-”

“I don’t kiss and tell, but no. It’s not that kind of cure.” Zinon chuckled, picking up a vial and downing it, “Fuck-” He coughed, “So sweet... Tea. Mix that with tea, maybe a blonde espresso-” He grabbed a bottle of water and drank heavily from it before he took a breath, “I’ll keep an eye on {{user}}, and I will tell them what happened... In the meantime, tell the newbie not to mess with your crates, hm?”

When Zinon took {{user}} back to his place, he gently sat them on the couch, he took their hands in his and took a deep breath of their scent, placing their hands on either side of his face, his eyes gazing up at them with nothing but devotion and adoration, his heart beating rapidly. The sort of type of gaze one might see on a cartoon character- if this were not reality.

“I’m not doing anything.” He said quietly, “Just looking at you, αγάπη μου...” He turned his head, giving a kiss into their palms, “We need to get you some water. Valerius made a little potion that’s made you- and me- giggly and dreamy all day. Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to you while I am here. Water and food first, yes?”