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noxsspace · 2 months ago

Text

Don’t Be a Stranger

summary: Joel meets someone at a coffee shop he’d never been to—and he decides that it’s his favorite place to be.

tags: slow burn, eventual romance, eventual smut, coffee shop meeting, Joel loves coffee, soft Joel, parent Joel (Sarah is alive!!) Ellie and Sarah are friends, Joel is bad at feelings, no outbreak

ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/65384158/chapters/168253165

a/n: i know i have to continue my other series’s, but this was calling me (i need happy soft Joel)

———

“You got your stuff?” Joel asked Sarah, who was devouring her breakfast. Plate of eggs and bacon, shoveling it into her mouth with urgency. She was cutting it close, school would start soon and she wasn’t even out the door. She blamed Joel for sleeping in, but she got herself and made the both of them breakfast before he even walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“Mmph,” she nodded, finishing the last bit of food on her plate. Joel kept his plate in his hand while he walked, eating almost as fast as his daughter.

She rushed to put her plate in the sink and grabbed her backpack, urging Joel to hurry. He did the same, gathering his wallet and phone when she pointed at his shirt.

”Inside out,” she said, then crossing her arms. He sighed and fixed it while she threw the backpack around her shoulders, stepping over to the front door waiting not-so patiently.

Joel and her were out the door in seconds, him loading up his truck with his box and a spare jacket. With a sigh, he pulled his door open, the creak making him wince, and he started up the engine, quickly taking off down the street. He’d drop her off at school, then would have to hurry to the site where his coworkers would be waiting. He cursed himself for oversleeping, ignoring the blare of his alarm that seemed to taunt him.

“Gonna have to turn the volume up on the alarm, Dad,” Sarah commented side eyeing him. “Gettin’ old.”

He rolled his eyes. “Shut up, not that old,” he murmured. His hand was on the wheel with his other arm occupying the edge of the window, rolled down to let a nice warm breeze in.

“I even knocked on your door, you didn’t wake up,” Sarah sighed. She rested her chin in her hand while staring out the open window, admiring the way the sun hit the windows of the houses, the trees rustling in the wind. It was a nice day, only to be wasted going to school.

“Late night,” Joel replied.

“I know, you didn’t come home at the usual time,” she remarked. “Woke up hearing you walk in the door, thought it was an intruder.”

Joel side-eyed her comment, knowing what was coming next.

“But then I saw it was you, and figured you were too old to be breakin’ in,” Sarah finished with a smugness Joel remembers seeing in himself, her eyebrows raised to put emphasis on her sass. Joel had been the same way with Tommy, always pointing accusations his way with a quick wit he didn’t have much anymore. Not due to age, though.

Joel rolled his eyes. This was something that would stick with her the rest of her life—something he’d just have to endure. It was warming, but damn, her words were sharp and she knew how to use them. He wondered if some of the kids at school were just as snarky as she could be.

Soon enough they pulled into the school parking lot where Joel then ushered her out of the truck, a quick ‘love you’ before the door shut and the tires squealed as he drove off.

He checked his watch instinctively, but then remembered, it was frozen in time. He sighed and pulled out his phone, seeing the time in the corner of the screen.

Shockingly, he had about ten minutes to spare, and figured he might as well get coffee that he missed earlier. Even if he ended up being a few minutes late, it wasn’t the end of the world. Not like anyone else liked to do any work anyways. Besides, he hadn’t had time to make his usual coffee, but it was mostly because he forgot. He was too busy rushing Sarah to school. He never gets coffee anywhere else, but his morning was already off to an amazing start, he figured, might as well just try. He was too damn tired to even care at this point.

As if he conjured it, he noticed a small shop just up the road, their sign hanging off the side of the building with the highlighted words Caffeinated, a coffee cup lit up right under. He stopped at the shop, seeing that it guaranteed a straight shot to the site, which eased his anxiety. He parked his truck in a free spot, eyeing the number of cars that lined the lot. Busy, but should make it in time. It was only a coffee.

He walked through the door and was met with a couple people in line, and sighed. The bustling workers by the register and displays and loud conversations rang in his ears, and he immediately had a sense to turn back—but someone caught his eye, noticeable as the brightest smile in the room, at least, from what he saw. The woman seemed happy despite the rush of people, catering to each and every persons needs, something he rarely saw nowadays.

He shook his head. He needed to get coffee and leave.

The line grew smaller in front of him, and suddenly, the people were gone, and it was his turn. The drink he was parched for was no longer in his mind.

She greeted him, asked what he was in for today, the curiosity in her eyes shimmering when he didn’t respond.

His mind was swarmed, he couldn’t think of what to say, how to say it, what words even were—

“Sir?”

He blinked, feeling his face flush, immediately finding the scramble of words that were so hard to put together. Even then, he couldn’t form a normal sentence. Sarah would laugh in his face if she knew.

“Coffee. Black.” He said, regretting his tone of voice. She didn’t seem to care, but she gave him a look that send his heart pounding. Her eyes never left his while she took his payment, the feeling lost when she walked across the shop to get the coffee going.

He patiently waited at the end of the counter, taking in a deep breath to try and calm his nerves. There was no reason to feel like this.

Within minutes, she returned and held the drink out for him. His fingers barely touched hers while he felt himself smile, causing her to do the same.

“Enjoy your day,” she said, and while she paused for a second, he found the opportunity to say; “Yes ma’am,” hoping she’d see it in his eyes he was capable of manners, of kindness.

It made her laugh, her voice was lilted. Despite the loudness of surrounding conversations, he was able to focus on just her. For a split second he could’ve sworn he saw red on her cheeks, but she turned and waved him off, getting back to the register.

He left the coffee shop and planted his forehead in his palm.

Well, that was stupid.

He took a sip of the piping hot drink, letting out a sigh when his worries were relieved. It was damn good coffee. He wasn’t sure if it was because of his withdrawal, or because of the kindness she seemed to put into it, but his head was fuzzy with the smell of coffee and lightness of her touch it made him want to burn his tongue on the hot liquid.

———

“How was your day, baby girl?” Sarah closed the car door with an exasperated sigh.

“Boring, and everyone in my group is stupid,” she murmured, slouching in the passenger seat. He huffed and smirked, hand on the wheel while he backed out of the parking spot.

“Yeah, well,” he started, recalling his own workday. “People can be stupid, but that’s why you gotta help ‘em out sometimes.”

Sarah hummed in confusion, waiting a beat before responding;

“Isn’t that the teachers job?” Sarah questioned, frowning at him.

His brows knit while he thought about it.

“…Yeah.”

She smirked and rolled her eyes, and suddenly gasped, pulling something from her bag.

“Oh, I made this for you!” she exclaimed, retrieving a mug with a heart carved into the martial, a poorly scribbled ‘best dad’ on the side.

“It’s not perfect, but you could use one. Yknow, to wake your ass up in the morning.” Her smile was wide, proud of her work and retort. She made the coffee mug during an art class, and the clear coat was finally dry to be able to take home and set on his shelf of other mugs.

His heart welled with pride when he glanced over at her work, clearing his throat when his eyes returned to the road in front of him.

“That’s amazing,” he said, “Can tell you worked hard on it.” And she could tell he was happy, making her satisfied in return.

“Although, he began, tilting his head in her direction, as if contemplating her remark. “Not the mug that was the issue,” he said.

“Oh, come on,” Sarah rolled her eyes, putting the gift back in her bag. “Just enjoy the new cup to be added to your collection.”

He laughed a little, turning into their driveway.

“Trust me, I do,” he mumbled. “Always have, always will.”

Sarah got out of the car with a sigh and held her backpack by the handle, waiting for Joel to grab his stuff. He looked down and noticed he kept the coffee cup she gave him, a small bit of residue at the bottom noticeable after taking the cap off. He bit his bottom lip, and took the cup in with him. Best not to leave trash in his truck anyways.

He sighed and grabbed his box of tools, listening to Sarah greet their neighbors.

The steps on his porch where wood was covering cement showed cracks, and he decided to put that on his mental to-do list.

“Go on, kiddo,” Joel told her after opening the door. She mumbled something about how stupid homework was and how it had nothing to do with her assignment, but Joel ignored her. He set the box down and made his way to the kitchen, searching for a glass for some water.

He found himself alone in the dimly lit room with the sun beginning to set through the dirty window. Another thing on his list, he supposes.

Really, anything to keep his mind of her.

He never felt so drawn to a person before. He kept replaying the moment in his head, the color of her eyes when the light hit them just right, the way she looked up at him and felt her skin in the brief moment he retrieved the cup—he felt so stupid.

No way in hell would he normally be so caught up in feelings like this, it hadn’t happened in a long while and he didn’t expect it to ever happen again. Tommy tried to set him up with a woman before, told him he needed someone to love, someone to love him, especially after Sarah’s mother. He told Tommy to butt out of his life, to focus on his own women, his own relationship. Tommy had laughed and smacked his brother’s shoulder, saying he’d find love at some point in life, just a matter of when. Joel had rolled his eyes and kept any mention or thought of love buried deep down, determined to make sure it never surfaces.

He decided he just needed to keep busy, maybe he wasn’t working enough, he wasn’t keeping his mind active.

Maybe he was just bored.

He sighed and set the glass on the counter, and stepped into the living room to sit on the couch. He ordered a pizza for him and Sarah, in which came about thirty minutes later. He tipped the driver and took the boxes into the living room, setting them on the coffee table. Sarah came, grabbing a slice while telling him they had to watch a new episode of her favorite show, and so they did. She eventually fell asleep and he carried her to her room, settling her in her bed before walking back down the steps to sit back on the couch.

He certainly felt exhausted, but the crave that plucked at his heart made him want to run, to see her, to just get her name. If he couldn’t sleep, he might as well keeping thinking, and he couldn’t help but think about her.

He figured, if he sees her one more time, he could put an end to the nagging persistence.

———

The morning comes and he’s startled by Sarah banging on his door, and he realizes that yet again, he’s slept through his alarm. He swore, pulling the sheets off and grasping for his shirt, slipping it over his head while he made his way through the second story hallway to the stairs.

Downstairs, Sarah was still in pajamas, and his breakfast was on the table along with hers, a couple glasses of orange juice to accompany it. He wasn’t sure if he was seeing right.

He adjusted his shirt and looked down at his watch, remembered the stopped hands, and instead glanced at the clock on the stove, rubbing his eyes to see that the time showed 6:23 AM.

God damn.

He looked back at Sarah, confusion flashing across his face.

She looked pleased with herself, putting the carton of juice back into the fridge and closing it, hands on her hips.

“Woke you before your alarm, figured now you can take your time.” She smiled at him and then walked over to sit at the table, gesturing to his seat across from hers.

He sat with a yawn, blinking several times to try to grasp his bearings. “Woke me almost forty minutes before we both usually get up,” he grumbled, though he wasn’t upset. She had taken the time yet again to cook, something he wasn’t the greatest at, but still, something that he usually did. Maybe it was because of his cooking that she decided to take on the role, but regardless, it was a nice gesture.

“You’re welcome,” Sarah said in a taunting voice, then took a sip of her drink.

“Yeah, yeah,” he smiled at her. He was grateful, and she could tell.

They ate, this time without time threatening them, and it was comfortable. That is, until Sarah pointed to the cup on his counter.

“When did you get coffee?” She asked, taking a bite into her eggs. He looked up to see the cardboard cup, on the counter for all to see, and he mentally kicked himself in the ass.

“Oh, uh, yesterday,” he said. She raised a brow.

“Before work?” She questioned. He gave her a look that said ‘why are you asking’ and ate his food.

“Just saying, never seen you get coffee there before, let alone go anywhere for coffee in general.”

He hummed in response, glancing at the small logo on the white cup. He usually makes coffee, he has a to-go mug he uses religiously, mostly because no one makes it exactly how he does, despite it being black coffee every single time. Never tastes right anywhere else, he had said countless times, to Sarah, to Tommy, but they all looked at him crazy. Coffee is coffee, they all said before. Sure, he’s drank hotel coffee, work coffee, really any time of coffee just to get him through the day, but he complained about the taste each time.

“Tryin’ new things,” he murmured. She smiled, though suspicious.

“Let’s go there,” she announced. “Before school, I want to try their coffee.”

Joel’s hand waved over the food she made, the drinks she had poured.

“We got ourselves a high quality breakfast here,” he remarked.

“I said coffee,” she said, tone all-knowing. “None of this is coffee.”

“I’ll make you some if you’re that desperate,” he replied.

“I want to try that coffee,” she pointed at the counter.

He rolled his eyes. She could tell something was up, there was a reason he was keeping her away, as to why he accidentally left the cup out.

It truly was an accident.

“Fine, get dressed.” He sighed and stood, grabbing both their now empty plates and setting them in the sink.

Sarah smiled a victorious grin, walking upstairs to get ready.

Joel shook his head and sighed. What if she isn’t there today? Or if she is, what if she isn’t the one that will serve them coffee? The one that doesn’t make it?

He didn’t want to go back.

“Let’s go!” Sarah said, her backpack on her shoulders. “Surely they’re open, right?” She asked.

He pondered the time, coming to the realization he didn’t catch their hours.

“Not sure, we’ll go find out.”

Sarah nodded and followed him out the door.

The drive there was pleasant, the sun was rising and the weather was just as nice as the day before, if not better.

“So, what’s her name,” Sarah’s words prodded his head, and he cursed himself for not getting her name.

Sarah laughed. “You didn’t even read her name tag?”

He huffed. “Not sure she was even wearing one,” he grumbled.

Sarah snorted and went back to looking out the window, leaving Joel to realize all of his stupid mistakes.

Hadn’t gotten her name, the hours of the shop, hell, he didn’t even read the menu. What if the didn’t serve black coffee? No, that would be stupid to think. He was losing it.

He brought his hand up to wipe his thoughts away, moving his fingers through his hair.

When they arrived, the shop was noticeably more empty than expected, making him wonder if they were too early. He didn’t recognize the cars, but the again, he hadn’t paid attention to much.

To his surprise, the shop was open, had been for about an hour or so now, and Sarah eagerly walked in. There was no line, and Joel stayed right behind her while telling her to figure out what she wants.

He glanced up causally, taking this time to look around. The decor was obviously coffee related, dim lights that gave the place a cozy feel. He eyed the display that showcased breakfast sandwiches, deserts, and pastries. Sarah gasped and pointed at one of the small breakfast cakes.

“We have to try that one!” She said.

“We just had breakfast, yknow,” Joel reminded her.

“Oh, hello again.”

He looked up and was met with the kind smile he saw yesterday. It was almost startling, as he hadn’t heard her walk up to the counter. She greeted Sarah, who then nudged Joel.

“Dad,” she whispered.

“Hello,” Joel said, giving her a small smile. The woman laughed lightly.

“So good you had to come back, right?” She teased.

Wow, his heart couldn’t take that.

“Damn right,” he replied, diverting his attention to the display instead. The way she stared at him sent a warmth flushing through his face.

“Uh, we’ll take a couple of these,” he pointed at the desert Sarah wanted. “And one—“

“Two,” Sarah told him.

“Sorry—two black coffees.” He gave her a look, and she crossed her arms.

“Whole reason we came here, right?” Sarah taunted him quietly.

“Oh, shut it.” He couldn’t help it; he laughed.

The barista winked at him, telling him the order will be done soon. He wasn’t exactly nervous, but he felt a sort of comfort that radiated from the woman’s presence. He wanted to talk to her, to get to know her. He wanted to ask her what her favorite type of coffee was.

They waited at the end of the counter, where they were greeted with their cakes and coffees.

“Never got your name,” the woman said. “I usually know all my regulars.” She used the word on purpose, it seems, saying he was bound to show up again—and she wasn’t wrong.

He felt his hand scratch the back of his head instinctively.

“Ah, sorry, Joel,” he said. His eyes were locked with hers. Her dark hair was pulled back with a clip, a few single strands covering the side of her face.

“This is my daughter, Sarah.”

The barista said something to her, but Sarah made a disgusted noise after trying her coffee.

She then looked back up at him, and gave him her name.

l“See you again soon, Joel,” She said, and it wasn’t a ‘I hope to’, but a definitive, ‘see you again,’ and his heart fluttered.