The Bartender
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Disclaimer: I claim no rights to anything connected to any fandom mentioned in this story. I don't own the characters from any fandom featuring in this story.
Warnings: AU, slash, explicit content, violence, blood, multi-crossover
Special thanks to Goldpen for beta-ing this story! You are an amazing, amazing person!
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"Is this the place?" Tony asked, and Bruce nodded. The two were standing in front of a wooden doorway. It was 6:30 in the morning, and Tony had decided to follow his friend and colleague to visit the small Café that attracted Bruce's attention a few days back.
In all honesty Tony just couldn't see what was so special about the place. Two old street lamps stood on either side of the door, faintly lighting the heavy looking wooden entrance. A small sign was above the door.
Starborn Café.
"Yeah," Bruce said. "The Other Guy felt restless the other day when I passed beside the door." Tony hummed and pursed his lips.
"It doesn't say if it's open or not." Tony murmured and Bruce looked at his wristwatch.
"Maybe we should-…"
"No time like right away!" Tony grabbed Bruce's arm and pulled him along. The moment they entered the shop they were enveloped in warmth, and their mouths watered at the delicious scents that floated in the air. They walked deeper into the Café and looked around in wonder.
The Café looked homey. There were round tea tables all around the room, with comfy looking armchairs around them, varying from two to four per table. There were four fireplaces, two on each side of the room, and a bar in the very back.
"Seems they aren't-…"
"Good morning." Both jumped around when someone spoke from behind them only to gape. The man speaking stood at 6'1 with an elegant, lithe build. A thick braid of raven strands fell over his shoulder, and playful bangs fell into his slightly tanned face, accenting almond shaped, slightly slanted eyes of a vibrant emerald.
"G-good morning." Bruce stuttered out and the man blinked and tilted his head to the side slightly. "Are you open?"
"Always." The man answered. His voice was a suiting baritone; a heady combination of velvet and warm chocolate, with a low undertone that resembled a pleased purr. "I am Haruven Sigurdsson. Welcome to Starborn Café." He bowed his head at them, and Bruce and Tony exchanged a small confused glance. "Please, take a seat." Haruven showed them over to a table for two beside the fireplace and the two took seats. They frowned when they realized Haruven disappeared, only to jump in their places a moment later when the waiter appeared practically out of nowhere.
"Here you go. The first drink is on the house." The two looked down at the drinks he placed on the table between them.
"But we didn't even-…"
"Relax." Haruven spoke and bowed his head at them as he stepped away from the table. "I'm sure you will enjoy your drinks." Tony looked at the dark liquid in doubt while Bruce tentatively picked his cup up and took a sniff, barely containing a moan of appreciation. Both missed a small pleased smile that appeared on Haruven's face.
"Excuse me." He said, and left the two alone. Bruce took a sip, and moaned lowly.
"This is great." He murmured. Tony raised an eyebrow before he took his own cup. His eyes widened when the bitter-sweet aroma of coffee filled his mouth, sending a wave of warmth down his body. He shivered and took another sip.
"I must admit this is the best coffee I've ever drank. I have to ask Mr. Sigurdsson if they deliver." Bruce chuckled.
"I doubt it. I have no doubt though that Pepper won't mind coming here to bringing you some each morning, if you don't have time to come." Tony chuckled lowly, and his eyes shone at the mention of his wife. Bruce smiled wistfully, and continued to enjoy his drink. Both shivered when a wave of warmth passed over them and the door opened to admit an elderly man inside.
"Ah, Mr. Alfred! It's been a while!" Haruven again seemed to appear out of nowhere, and Mr. Alfred smiled at him while Tony's eyes widened.
"That is Bruce Wayne's butler." He hissed to Bruce who raised an eyebrow.
"I heard Mr. Wayne was in town." He whispered back.
"Young master Haruven." Alfred's lips tilted up into a grandfatherly smile and he hugged Haruven warmly. The young waiter returned the hug and kissed the old butler's cheek. "I am happy to see you in good health."
"I was happy to hear you were in town." Haruven answered and stepped away from Alfred. "Please take a seat. I'll be right back with your drink." Albert gave Haruven a grandfatherly smile, and nodded his head. While Haruven walked to behind the bar, Alfred took a seat in front of the fireplace beside Bruce and Tony.
Haruven was there a second later. He placed a see through cup in front of Alfred. His drink was a strange, mysterious, mercury color, and the scent that drifted over to the two Avengers reminded them of cream and mint.
"Would you mind if I gave you something for Master Bruce? I just prepared a fresh portion of his favorite pastries." Alfred smiled and nodded his head.
"No problem at all." Haruven smiled and left again.
"He's an interesting man." Tony muttered while Bruce smirked
"Are you happy that I brought you with me?"
"Sure!" Tony smirked and his eyes glimmered with mischief. "Now I have something to quench my boredom with." Bruce chuckled lowly just as Haruven came back carrying a porcelain cup with a small cap on it and a box.
"Here; it will stay warm for at least a few hours. And this is a new sort of coffee I prepared. I'm sure Master Bruce will like it."
"He liked everything you sent him so far. He's only sorry he doesn't have the time to come himself. He wishes to meet you." Haruven chuckled lowly.
"I don't plan to close this Café any time soon, Mr. Alfred. I'm sure Master Bruce will get his chance to come here personally." Haruven said and placed everything on the tea table. "Send him my regards."
The door opened again and a young couple walked in.
"Hello, Mr. V!" the young man called out while the lady smiled widely.
"Peter! Gwen! I thought you left yesterday!" Haruven greeted the two and shook hands with the both of them.
"Our flight was delayed so we decided to stay another day." Gwen said, and Peter grinned brightly.
"Take a seat. Shall I surprise you again today?"
"Sure." Peter said. Haruven bowed and left, while the two took a seat in a corner.
"How does he do that?" Tony muttered. Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"How does he do what?"
"He seems so friendly and yet professional. And just how does he know what drinks his guests will like?"
"Maybe it's a special power." Bruce teased with a smirk and Tony looked at him with a raised eyebrow. The door opened again just as Haruven served Peter and Gwen.
"Oy, Ven!" the man that entered called out, and Haruven smiled at him welcomingly.
"Sam! I'm surprised to see you here! Don't you have exams?" the tall young man grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head as he followed Haruven over to the bar.
"I decided that I needed a break. Besides, my brother is on his way here, so I decided to meet up with him. He should be here in a week or two." Haruven nodded and placed a strange beer bottle in front of Sam with a beer glass beside it.
"I haven't seen Dean in a year now. Is he still traveling around with Castiel?" Sam snorted and nodded.
"Ever since they got together they're connected at the hip." Haruven chuckled and Sam grinned.
"What about college? How much do you have until you're done?" Haruven asked. "And how did that interview go?" Sam rolled his eyes and huffed.
"Your memory doesn't cease to amaze me, Ven." Haruven's lips tilted into a small, mysterious smile again.
"Call it a gift." He said. "And don't avoid the question."
"They didn't accept me; something about them wanting a younger partner, and a possibility of me getting married." Haruven tsked and shook his head.
"I'm sure you'll find something soon."
"It seems he knows everything about everyone in this room. Everyone here seems to be a regular." Tony murmured, and Bruce shrugged.
"I can see why." He said and finished his coffee. "We should go back to the Tower." He sought out Haruven's eyes and nodded his head. Haruven smiled at Sam before he rounded the bar and walked over.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes. Everything's alright." Tony said as he reached for his wallet, but Haruven stopped him.
"Like I said; the first time is on the house." Haruven's tone and small smile made Tony raise an eyebrow.
"What if we don't come again?"
"Then you hadn't found what you came here looking for." Haruven spoke as Bruce and Tony stood up. He bowed his head at them and smiled. "Have a good day." With that said he walked over to the bar and continued his conversation with Sam.
Bruce and Tony pulled their jackets on and left after they zipped them up. As the door of the Starborn Café closed behind them a wave of warmth passed down their back while the cold of the autumn morning stung their cheeks.
"He is quite the interesting fellow." Tony commented as they walked over to his car. Bruce chuckled as he took a seat and closed the door. He looked at his friend and colleague as Tony closed the door and locked his seatbelt into place.
"I hope you don't intend to go digging for information." Tony scoffed.
"What kind of a man do you hold me for?" Tony asked indignantly, and Bruce rolled his eyes as they made their way to the Avengers Tower.
"You're a man prone to giving in to his curiosity, even though it may be dangerous." Tony scoffed.
"If I didn't consider you a friend I might have gotten offended by that." Bruce snorted.
"You never get offended, Tony."
"Well, one day I just might."
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And so we begin! What is the mystery behind Haruven? Just what kind of place is the Starborn Café?
Find out in the next installment called: 'Balance'