Work Text:
It was a busy night at the Foxhole, the local bar where Andrew Minyard worked as the head bartender. Andrew was mixing drinks with his usual efficiency, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd for any trouble.
Suddenly, a familiar face caught his eye - Neil Josten, the British exchange student who had recently started frequenting the Foxhole. Neil was sitting at the end of the bar, nursing a drink and looking a bit lost.
Andrew made his way over to Neil's end of the bar. "What's wrong, Josten? You look like someone just stole your favorite pen."
Neil looked up, his blue eyes meeting Andrew's hazel eyes. "Oh, it's nothing. Just...Valentine's Day, you know?" He sighed heavily.
Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Not a fan of the holiday?"
"Not really," Neil admitted. "I've never had anyone to celebrate it with."
Andrew considered this for a moment. "Well, you're here now. Let me get you a drink on the house."
Neil's face lit up. "Really? Thanks, Andrew."
As Andrew mixed Neil's drink, he couldn't help but notice how the dim lighting of the bar seemed to make Neil's auburn hair glow. He pushed that thought aside, though. Neil was a customer, nothing more.
When he handed Neil the drink, their fingers brushed briefly, and Andrew felt a spark of electricity. "Enjoy," he said gruffly, trying to ignore the way his heart was racing.
Neil took a sip of the drink, his eyes widening. "Wow, this is amazing. What is it?"
"A Valentine's Day special," Andrew replied. "Strawberry daiquiri, with a twist."
Neil took another sip, his lips curving into a smile. "It's delicious. Thank you, Andrew."
They chatted for a while, the conversation flowing easily between them. Andrew found himself drawn to Neil's wit and intelligence, and the way he seemed to see right through Andrew's carefully constructed facade.
As the night wore on, the bar began to empty out. Andrew noticed that Neil was the only one left. "You know, Josten, you're the last one here. You should probably head home."
Neil looked up at him, his blue eyes shining. "I don't really want to go home. Not yet, anyway."
Andrew felt his heart skip a beat. "Well, in that case, can I get you another drink?"
Neil smiled. "I'd love that."
As Andrew mixed the drink, he couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen next. He knew he should keep his distance, but there was something about Neil that made him want to break all his own rules.
When he handed Neil the drink, their fingers brushed again, and this time, neither of them pulled away. They stood there, lost in each other's eyes, the world around them fading away.
Finally, Neil spoke. "Andrew, I...I really like you. And I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go out with me sometime? Like, on a date?"
Andrew felt a surge of emotions he couldn't quite identify. "I...I'd like that, Josten."
Neil's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Really? That's great!"
They made plans for their date, and as Neil left the bar, Andrew couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Maybe this Valentine's Day wouldn't be so bad after all.