The afternoon rush at Café Bean had finally died down, giving Ashley time to notice the little things – like how Lucien used her flower pen for every order, carefully tucking it back into his chest pocket between customers. The daisy bobbed cheerfully with his movements, somehow making his precise routine seem softer.

"Your pen is so cute!" a customer exclaimed as Lucien took her order. "It really suits you!"

He blushed, fingers brushing the flower almost protectively. "Thank you. It was... it was a gift from someone special."

The woman smiled warmly. "She must really know you well."

“Alright guys, I’m heading out!” Jason said as he smiled brightly and waved. Jason was the new barista that Lucien’s parents hired. He has a burst of energy that is so different from Lucien’s and even though the two are different, they work well together. Ashley even noticed Jason able to make Lucien laugh at some work joke. That was pretty rare considering Lucien usually took his work very seriously. Jason wasn’t bad looking either. Same height as Lucien, almonde shaped green eyes, toned skin, black curly hair. He was cute she must admit. No art boy but still cute.

Ashley pretended to be busy wiping tables, hiding her smile as Lucien's fumbled to take compliments.

"The morning rush was intense today," she said later, helping him restock cups. "But you handled Mrs. Henderson's impossible coffee order perfectly."

"Seven ice cubes, not six, not eight," he quoted with a small smile. "Though she did compliment the flower pen. Said it added a 'whimsical touch' to her morning routine."

"See? You're becoming the café's favorite barista."

"Only because you helped me." He arranged the cups with precision. "Before, I could barely look at customers. Now..." He gestured at the nearly empty café. "It feels almost natural."

"You did that yourself, Lucien. I just witnessed it."

He shook his head. "You did more than witness. You..." He paused, measuring his words like he measured coffee beans. "You made it safe to try."

As closing time approached, they fell into their usual cleanup routine. Ashley noticed how Lucien had started humming softly while he worked – something he never used to do. He seemed more present lately, less likely to retreat into himself.

"You seem different," she observed, helping him arrange tomorrow's pastry displays. "More comfortable."

"Things have been... changing. In a good way." The flower pen bobbed as he adjusted a row of muffins. "How about you? How are things with... everything?"

"Really good, actually." She leaned against the counter, watching him measure the exact space between croissants. "You know Arek? The one I did a project with?"

"The one who skips classes?"

"Used to skip classes," she corrected. "He's changed so much. His grades are up, he's actually participating – he even volunteers now. Last week he helped design posters for the freshman orientation."

"Sounds like someone helped him find a reason to care."

"I just... saw past the act, I guess. Sometimes people just need that."

"That's what makes you special," Lucien said softly, still focused on the pastries. "You see people – really see them."

"What do you mean?"

He took a deep breath, like he was gathering courage. "You have this... way about you. This ability to look at someone and see who they could be, not just who they are. And it makes them want to be better."

She watched his hands tremble slightly as he arranged the last pastry. "Lucien..."

"You did it with me," he continued, words coming faster now. "That first day you started working here, when I could barely speak to customers... you didn't laugh or get impatient. You just... stayed. Made jokes about picky coffee orders. Shared your color-coding systems."

The flower pen bobbed as he turned to face her fully. "You make people feel safe. Like they matter. Like being themselves is enough." His eyes met hers, intense despite his flushed cheeks. "The way you notice things – like how I arrange cups by size and temperature, or how certain sounds make me anxious. You never made me feel weird about it. You just... adapted. Started warning me before dropping things, moving louder customers to different tables..."

He stepped closer, hands shaking but voice growing stronger. "I've never met anyone like you, Ashley. The way you care about people, the way you listen, the way you make everything brighter just by existing. I think... I think I'm—"

The café door chimed.

Arek stood in the doorway, holding a bouquet of wildflowers that looked like they'd been carefully selected rather than store-bought. Each flower seemed chosen with artistic intention – blues and purples with tiny spots of yellow, like a painting come to life. His usual confident smirk was replaced with something almost nervous.

"We're closed," Lucien said quietly, his voice barely steady.

"I know, but..." Arek stepped forward, running his free hand through his already messy hair. "I was hoping to catch you before you left, Ashley."

She stared at the bouquet, then at Arek, then back at the flowers. "Is this real? They smell nice. Is this really for me? Like all mine? You chose these for me? I’ve never gotten… or—.. are you joking with me? Is this a joke?"

"Only if you want it to be." His smirk returned, but his eyes were serious. "But I was kind of hoping you'd let me take you on a real date. One without hot sauce dares or party games – though I reserve the right to defend your honor from any spicy condiments that might appear."

"You..." She looked from the flowers to Arek, "You actually want to go on a date? With me?"

"No, with the muffins. I heard they're excellent conversationalists." He grinned, then softened. "Of course with you. Ever since the project... hell, maybe even before that. When you'd try to talk to me and I'd pretend not to care." He shifted the flowers nervously. "Unless I completely misread everything and you don't—"

"Yes."

The word hung in the air. Behind her, something clattered sharply in the pastry case.

"Yes?" Arek's whole face lit up, making him look younger somehow.

"Yes." She took the flowers, unable to stop her own smile. "I'd love to go on a date with you. And I expect at least one philosophical discussion about pastries now."

"I can prepare a whole thesis on the existential implications of croissants."

The sound of the back door closing made her turn. Lucien was gone, the flower pen lying abandoned on the counter beside a perfectly arranged row of pastries.

“Lucien?” 

"Is he okay?" Arek asked softly as Ashley went to grab the flower pen that Luicen left behind. Staring at it with soft eyes.