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The first time Carlos walks into the café, Jannik barely spares him a glance.
Not because he’s rude—he’s just busy. The morning rush is brutal, and he’s focused on getting through the lineup of exhausted commuters who need their caffeine before they can function. The guy in front of him—smiling way too much for this hour—orders a caffè crema and watches him with unsettling levels of interest while he makes it.
“You’re really good at that,” the guy says, leaning against the counter.
Jannik gives him a blank stare, then sets the cup in front of him. “It’s my job.”
Instead of looking put off, the guy laughs. “Right. Thanks, man. By the way, I’m Carlos.”
Jannik nods once, already moving on to the next order. Carlos lingers for a second like he’s waiting for something, but when Jannik doesn’t offer anything else, he leaves.
—
Carlos comes back the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that.
He’s always smiling. Always striking up conversation. Always ordering a caffè crema and drinking it in the café rather than taking it to go, even though most people rush in and out.
Jannik doesn’t think much of it. The café is good. The best in the neighborhood, actually. It makes sense that people would come back. Carlos just happens to be particularly enthusiastic about his caffeine intake.
“You know,” Carlos says one morning, elbows propped up on the counter, “I don’t even like coffee that much.”
Jannik raises an eyebrow. “Then why do you come here every day?”
Carlos grins. “Because of you.”
Jannik blinks. “Because I make good coffee.”
Carlos opens his mouth, pauses, then sighs dramatically. “Yeah, Jannik. Because you make good coffee.”
—
At this point, the entire café has caught on. Jannik’s coworkers—Lorenzo, Matteo, and Flavio—exchange knowing looks whenever Carlos walks in. Regulars whisper about how obvious it is. Even Jannik’s boss, an older Italian woman with a sharp eye for these things, keeps watching the interactions like she’s witnessing the slowest realization in human history.
And yet, Jannik remains entirely oblivious.
Carlos, however, does not give up. He starts ordering pastries he clearly doesn’t like, just because Jannik recommended them. He conveniently "forgets" his umbrella on rainy days so he has an excuse to come back. He asks for an extra napkin and doodles little hearts on it before leaving it behind, just to see if Jannik will notice.
“You ever go out with customers?” Carlos asks one afternoon, leaning across the counter with his usual grin.
“No. That’s unprofessional.”
Carlos’ smile falters for half a second before he bounces back. “What about outside of work?”
“I work six days a week.”
Carlos perks up. “Okay, but the seventh day—”
“Is for rest.”
Carlos squints. “Like the Lord?”
“Sure.”
Jannik turns back to the espresso machine, completely missing the way Carlos drops his head onto the counter with a groan. A second later, a dish towel hits Jannik in the shoulder. He looks up to see Lorenzo glaring at him.
“For the love of God, Jannik, he’s into you.”
Jannik frowns. “What? No, he just likes the coffee.”
Matteo groans. “Jannik, he treks 45 minutes out of his way just to get coffee from you.”
Jannik stares at him, processing that information. He turns to Carlos, who watches with an amused, slightly hopeful expression.
“…You don’t even live near here?”
Carlos grins. “Nope.”
Jannik furrows his brows. “So you—”
“Yeah.”
“Oh.”
Carlos raises an eyebrow. “Finally catching on?”
Flavio shakes his head. “I swear, this has been painful to watch.”
—
Jannik starts paying more attention after that. He notices the way Carlos’ eyes soften when they talk, the way his fingers always brush the counter just a little too close to Jannik’s hand. He notices how Carlos sits in the same seat every time, positioned perfectly to watch him work. He notices how, on days Carlos doesn’t come in, the café feels a little emptier.
One Saturday, Jannik has a rare day off and takes a walk through the city. He doesn’t expect to run into Carlos, but there he is, standing in line at a gelato shop, looking down at his phone. Before Jannik can think better of it, he walks over.
Carlos looks up and immediately brightens. “Jannik!”
Jannik nods, glancing at the shop. “Didn’t take you for a gelato guy.”
Carlos grins. “Didn’t take you for someone who exists outside the café.”
Jannik rolls his eyes, but when Carlos moves to the front of the line, he turns and asks, “Want to get some with me?”
Something twists in Jannik’s chest, unfamiliar but not unwelcome. He hesitates, then nods. “Yeah. Sure.”
Carlos’ grin is brilliant.
—
That night, as Jannik lies in bed, staring at the ceiling, doubt creeps in.
Carlos is sunshine—bright, warm, effortless. He moves through the world with an easy confidence Jannik could never hope to match. And sure, Carlos flirts, but maybe that’s just who he is. Maybe he’s like this with everyone, and Jannik is just another face in the café. Maybe Carlos deserves someone who can meet him where he stands, someone who doesn’t hesitate, someone who doesn’t doubt.
Jannik presses the heels of his hands against his eyes. It’s stupid. He’s being stupid.
Still, the thought lingers.
So the next morning, when Carlos walks in, Jannik hands him his usual caffè crema. But he doesn’t say anything extra. He doesn’t linger. He keeps his distance, just in case.
Carlos notices. His smile dims just a fraction before he takes the cup and settles into his usual seat.
Jannik busies himself with the next order, ignoring the way his chest aches.
Because if there’s one thing he’s sure of, it’s this: Carlos deserves the world.
And Jannik isn’t sure he’s worthy of being in it.
—
Carlos doesn’t give up.
If Jannik starts keeping his distance, Carlos simply closes it. If Jannik hesitates, Carlos presses forward, undeterred. It becomes a game of persistence—one that Carlos is determined to win.
“Good morning, Jannik,” Carlos greets as he slides up to the counter, warm and familiar.
Jannik nods. “Caffè crema?”
Carlos smirks. “You know me so well.”
Jannik bites back a smile. “It’s the same thing you order every day.”
Carlos leans in just slightly. “Or maybe you just pay attention.”
Jannik’s ears burn. He shoves the cup across the counter without another word. Carlos takes it, sipping with a grin that says he knows exactly what he’s doing.
Jannik wonders how much longer he can hold out.
—
The next time Carlos walks in, there’s a new kind of determination in his step. Jannik can tell right away—there’s something decisive about the way he approaches the counter, something settled in the way he looks at Jannik, warm and unwavering.
Jannik hands him his usual order, but Carlos doesn’t take it immediately. Instead, he rests his arms on the counter and tilts his head slightly, watching him.
“Go out with me.”
Jannik freezes. “What?”
Carlos chuckles. “You heard me.”
Jannik stares at him, heartbeat in his throat. “Carlos—”
Carlos shakes his head, smiling but firm. “No more excuses. No more dodging. Just you and me. One night.”
Jannik exhales, mind racing. It would be easy to say no. To push Carlos away like he has been doing, to spare himself the inevitable disappointment. But Carlos is right here, looking at him like he’s something worth chasing. Worth waiting for.
Jannik swallows. “Okay.”
Carlos blinks. “Yeah?”
Jannik nods, avoiding his gaze. “Yeah.”
Carlos’ face splits into the brightest smile Jannik has ever seen. “Great. Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up.”
Jannik can only nod as Carlos grabs his coffee and walks out, practically bouncing.
—
That night, Jannik lies in bed, staring at the ceiling.
This is a mistake, isn’t it?
Carlos is—everything. He’s warmth and light, effortless charm, someone who deserves the best in the world. Jannik doesn’t know how to be that. He doesn’t know how to be wanted in the way Carlos seems to want him.
Doubt coils in his stomach. Maybe Carlos will realize it, too. Maybe halfway through the date, he’ll see Jannik for what he really is—awkward, guarded, too closed off for someone as open as him.
But then Jannik remembers the way Carlos looked at him today, steady and sure. How he never gave up, never let Jannik’s deflections push him away. How he keeps showing up, every single day.
Jannik presses a hand over his face and exhales slowly.
Maybe. Just maybe.
He lets himself hope.
—
The next morning, Carlos walks in with an extra bounce in his step. Jannik notices immediately. He’s always noticed Carlos, but today, it’s impossible to ignore him.
“Morning, Jannik.” Carlos’ voice is bright, teasing, like they share a secret only he knows.
Jannik nods, keeping his expression neutral. “Caffè crema?”
Carlos hums. “Mm, you already know. You take such good care of me.”
Jannik’s fingers fumble slightly on the espresso machine. He shoots Carlos a flat look. “It’s literally my job.”
Carlos leans onto the counter, chin propped on his hand. “That doesn’t make it any less special.”
Jannik shoves the cup toward him a little too quickly. “Take your coffee.”
Carlos grins. “You know, for a barista, you’re very bad at taking compliments.”
Jannik crosses his arms. “If I say thank you, will you stop flirting?”
Carlos pretends to think about it. “No.”
Jannik groans, but Carlos only laughs as he sips his coffee, watching Jannik with the same unwavering focus he always does. It’s infuriating. It’s also—something Jannik might secretly look forward to every morning.
—
That evening, Carlos shows up outside Jannik’s apartment exactly when he promised, looking effortlessly put together in a casual but sharp outfit. Jannik hesitates before stepping outside, his stomach twisting with nerves.
Carlos, however, greets him like they’ve been doing this forever. “You look great.”
Jannik exhales a small laugh. “You say that like I dressed up.”
Carlos grins. “You exist. That’s enough.”
Jannik rolls his eyes, but his face feels warm. He lets Carlos lead him to a small restaurant tucked away down a quiet street, intimate without being too much. The conversation flows—easier than Jannik expected, though he should’ve known better. Carlos has a way of making things feel natural, like Jannik belongs here, with him, in this moment.
Halfway through the meal, Carlos leans forward, eyes soft but intent. “You know, I wasn’t going to give up, right?”
Jannik shifts in his seat. “Yeah?”
Carlos nods. “You’re worth the wait.”
Jannik looks away, swallowing thickly. He doesn’t know how to respond to that. But when Carlos reaches across the table, fingers just barely brushing Jannik’s, he doesn’t pull away.
Maybe, just maybe, he can believe it.
—
The next morning, Jannik walks into the café feeling—lighter. Hopeful, almost. It’s a foreign feeling, but not an unpleasant one.
Unfortunately, his colleagues notice immediately.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Matteo drawls, smirking as he polishes a glass.
Flavio looks up from restocking the pastries. “Oh, I know that look. Someone got lucky.”
Jannik scowls. “I did not—” He cuts himself off, realizing that denying it will only make things worse. “It was just a date.”
Matteo gasps dramatically. “Jannik Sinner went on a date? And survived?”
Flavio grins. “I assume Carlos was involved?”
Jannik huffs, shoving an empty cup into the espresso machine. “None of your business.”
“Oh, it is absolutely our business,” Matteo says, leaning on the counter. “The man has been flirting with you for weeks. You’re the only one who didn’t notice.”
Jannik mutters something under his breath. Flavio pats his shoulder, looking far too pleased. “So? Are we getting a second date?”
Jannik hesitates, glancing toward the door like Carlos might walk in any second. He doesn’t know what’s next. But for the first time in a long time, he thinks he wants to find out.
“…Maybe.”
Matteo and Flavio exchange grins, and Jannik groans. He really should have called in sick today.
—
Carlos does, in fact, walk in not long after, and Jannik is just about ready to disappear into thin air when Matteo, Flavio, and Lorenzo exchange mischievous glances.
“Ah, speak of the devil,” Flavio says loudly.
Carlos blinks at them innocently. “What’s that?”
“Oh, nothing,” Matteo grins. “Just talking about how our dear Jannik finally went on a date.”
Jannik sends him a glare that could curdle milk. “I hate you.”
Carlos, on the other hand, looks delighted. “Oh? And how did that go?”
Flavio smirks. “Well, considering he actually showed up to work smiling for once, I’d say pretty well.”
Lorenzo sighs dramatically. “It’s about time. We were starting to think Jannik was immune to affection.”
Carlos chuckles, leaning on the counter. “Oh, I had a feeling he just needed some persistence.”
Jannik groans, burying his face in his hands as the teasing continues. Carlos, of course, looks thoroughly entertained.
He’s never living this down.
—
He does, in fact, live it down somehow.
After some relentless teasing from Matteo, Flavio, and Lorenzo, they finally take pity on him and clear out, giving Jannik and Carlos some space.
Carlos, still grinning, leans against the counter, his fingers idly tapping the surface. “So, did you survive?”
Jannik huffs. “Barely.”
Carlos chuckles. “You’re handling it well. I half-expected you to disappear into the storage room.”
Jannik snorts despite himself. “I considered it.”
Carlos tilts his head, watching him with that same warm, steady gaze. “So, do I get to take you out again?”
Jannik hesitates, but only for a second. “Yeah.”
Carlos’ smile softens. “Good.”
There’s a comfortable silence between them before Carlos speaks again. “You know, I meant what I said last night.”
Jannik quirks a brow. “About what?”
Carlos leans in just slightly. “You’re worth it.”
Jannik swallows, feeling something unfamiliar but not unwelcome bloom in his chest. He doesn’t know what to say—so he doesn’t. Instead, he hands Carlos his coffee, fingers lingering just a little longer than necessary.
Carlos takes it with a knowing smile. “See you tomorrow, Jannik.”
Jannik watches him leave, feeling something dangerously close to happiness settle in his chest.
Maybe, just maybe, he’ll let himself have this.
—
Their next date comes naturally. Carlos plans it with the same enthusiasm he brings to everything, and Jannik—against all odds—finds himself looking forward to it.
This time, Carlos takes him to a scenic overlook outside the city, where the skyline twinkles like stars scattered across the earth. The air is crisp, but Carlos is warm beside him.
“You ever just stop and take it in?” Carlos asks, tilting his head toward the horizon.
Jannik shrugs. “I guess.”
Carlos hums. “I feel like you don’t let yourself do that enough.”
Jannik frowns, but before he can say anything, Carlos nudges him gently. “You’re always so serious. I like it, don’t get me wrong. But I hope you know you deserve good things too.”
Jannik’s breath catches. He doesn’t know what to do with words like that—earnest and open, without any expectation attached. So he does the only thing he can think of: he lets himself lean into Carlos’ warmth, just slightly.
Carlos doesn’t push for more. He just smiles, content to let Jannik take things at his own pace.
And, that’s when Jannik decides he will let himself have this.
—
The next morning, Jannik wakes up feeling—lighter. Like something has shifted inside him.
At work, he catches himself glancing at the door, waiting. And when Carlos finally walks in, Jannik does something unexpected.
He smirks. "You’re late."
Carlos stops in his tracks. “What?”
Jannik shrugs, sliding his usual coffee across the counter. “I was starting to think you found a closer coffee shop.”
Carlos blinks. Then, slowly, his face lights up. “Are you flirting with me?”
Jannik tilts his head. “Would it be so bad if I was?”
Carlos recovers quickly, grinning. “Not bad at all. Just—unexpected.”
Jannik leans on the counter slightly, holding Carlos’ gaze. “Maybe I like giving you surprises.”
Carlos looks delighted, like Jannik just handed him the moon. “Well, in that case—how about another surprise? A date? My turn to take you somewhere.”
Carlos pretends to consider it, and Jannik’s heart is thudding out of control waiting for an answer from him. “Okay.”
Jannik lets out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding.
Carlos beams at the prospect of the date, and Jannik can’t help but smile back.
Maybe, just maybe, he’s getting the hang of this.
—
Jannik spends the next day overthinking everything.
He doesn’t know what to pick for their date. Dinner feels too predictable. A walk might be too simple. Then, an idea strikes him—something unexpected, something that might make Carlos laugh.
Karting.
When he suggests it, Carlos looks at him with pure delight. “You want to take me karting?”
Jannik nods, crossing his arms. “What, scared I’ll beat you?”
Carlos throws his head back, laughing. “Oh, it’s on.”
The date is full of laughter, competitive banter, and the occasional dramatic accusation of foul play. Carlos is terrible at keeping a straight face when Jannik smirks at him from the lead, and by the end of the night, they’re both breathless from excitement.
As they take off their helmets, Carlos grins at him. “Best date ever.”
Jannik rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling, too. He’s mentally congratulating himself knowing, he got this one right.
—
After weeks of planning with Jannik's friends, Carlos finally had everything in place. He took Jannik to a quiet little spot by the river, where fairy lights twinkled overhead and a cozy picnic was set up just for them.
Jannik, still not used to grand romantic gestures, felt his heart racing as Carlos took his hands and smiled at him. "Jannik, I think you already know this, but I really, really like you. And I want to be more than just your date to go-karting or the guy who shows up at your café every morning. Will you be my boyfriend?"
Jannik blinked, speechless for a moment. Then, slowly, his lips curled into the softest smile. "Yeah, okay. But only if you keep letting me win at karting."
Carlos laughed, pulling him into a warm embrace. "No promises."
As the city lights reflected on the water and Carlos held him close, Jannik realized something—maybe he did deserve this kind of happiness after all.
"Love isn't something you earn," Carlos whispered against his temple. "It's something you just get to have. And I want to have it with you."