A/N: Hi, Evil Icing – I'm so psyched to be your Valentine! When I was matched with you, I already had this idea in mind, and it's been fun keeping it secret until today. We share a love for the same characters, so you were a joy to write for. I hope you like it, and thanks for reading!

Happy Valentine's Day!

~1~

The Witch impatiently drummed her fingers on the table, glowering at the clock. Every rap sent ripples through the cold cups of tea. Her foot clicked in time with the minute hand growing steadily closer to quarter after. Molly was late.

This had been happening more and more often lately, and Vivi was growing concerned. She'd never show it, but she feared her friend would stand her up for good. At the rate her tardiness was heading, that could be any day now. There was a time that the farmer was over at her cottage constantly, but now it felt like she barely got to see her anymore. Molly was sure to say she was just busy this time of year with the harvests coming in, but Vivi knew she'd only keep getting busier. And then she'd forget all about the poor little witch in the forest.

The door opened, startling her into attention, and in came said farmer. She stomped the mud from her boots, grinning wide and holding a plate of cookies. "Hey, Vivi! Sorry, I'm late!"

"Hmph," the Witch responded with a haughty roll of her shoulders. She crossed her arms as she watched Molly remove her jacket and approach the table. "About time you showed up. Let me guess - busy again?"

"I said I was…" Molly frowned, looking hurt and equally as guilty as her sentence trailed off. She shrugged, setting the cookies down and taking her usual seat. "You're right – busy is my only excuse. I'm really sorry you were waiting on me."

Vivi spryly leapt to her feet and turned on her heel, taking the teapot and cups with her. She enjoyed the sincere apology, feeling vindicated. She looked over her shoulder with a rising smirk. "Well, lucky for you, I'm a gracious witch, and reheating tea isn't rocket science. What kind of cookies are they?"

The sunlight returned to her face as she beamed in relief and joy. She proudly unwrapped them from the foil cover, revealing a chocolate-y scent. "They're pumpkin chocolate chip! I made them just for you. I hope you like them!"

Giddy to give them a try, Vivi snapped her fingers to light the stove and left the kettle on. She hurried to the table, leaning over the edge in reach, and snatched up one of the little morsels. She popped the cookie in her mouth, not bothering to hide how eager she was to taste them as she chewed. Molly watched in anticipation for her verdict. "Hm… a little salty… the chocolate's a good touch… and the pumpkin is subtle but flavorful. Eh, they're just okay."

"Ugh!" Molly gasped, insulted. She totally deflated as Vivi snickered and went back to the kitchen. "All of that for just okay? You're a harsh critic. Next time, I'll make you eat your words!"

"Most folks have the good sense not to threaten a witch," Vivi warned in teasing. She carefully carried the teapot back over and filled their fresh cups to the brim with steaming dark tea.

Molly watched her, happy as a clam. "Sure, but that's what best friends are for."

Vivi couldn't hide the smile on her face as she sat back down, a little bashful. Molly was really frank with her feelings, and it was something the Witch was still getting used to. For the better part of a year, the farmer had been visiting her almost every single day, and a part of her that was long walled off was coming into the light. She really enjoyed Molly's company. Vivi wondered if she'd ever be able to wrangle her pride and say that. Or say how happy she was to be considered somebody's best friend.

Ah, it helps she's rather dim. Vivi thought, looking fondly over her teacup at her friend shoveling two cookies into her mouth at once. Molly was more or less a glorified pet – a few cards short of a deck as it were – so she wasn't bound to be insulted by Vivi's lack of affection towards her. The Witch could just keep pushing her bad attitude, and Molly would only laugh and let it go. She was loyal to a fault. Vivi was grateful for that. She never forced things, so their friendship was fun and light-hearted. With Vivi's wit and Molly's tenacity, they were a perfect pair.

Her teacup clanked loudly as it struck the porcelain dish. Molly looked up in surprise at the noise, and Vivi asked, aghast: "What is that?"

Molly looked down where the other girl was gaping and found the ring wrapped around her finger. It was brilliantly blue lapis lazuli with silver trimmings. It was a little gaudy to some, but Molly hardly supposed it was anything to shout over. She cocked her head to the side, a couple crumbs spilling from her lips. "Oh? My ring? I just got it – do you like it?"

"Where on earth did it come from?" The Witch insisted, not taking her eyes off of it.

"I picked it out at the Accessory Shop in the Garmon District. They re-opened earlier this year, and I was in the neighborhood, and it caught my eye. I thought it was cute," Molly said as she fiddled with it, rolling it around her finger. She spoke of the big, tacky ring like it was dear to her.

Vivi's prickled temper quickly dissipated as relief washed over her. "Good gracious, I thought that was an engagement ring."

"Ahaha, no!" Molly giggled at her misunderstanding. She took up another cookie, chewing it thoughtfully. Each bite got slower than the last as her brow wrinkled, and she stared off into space. She swallowed. "Well… would it be so bad if it was?"

"What?" Vivi flatly asked.

Molly corrected herself, stumbling over her words as she tried to get her point across. A dark blush had made its way all over her face up to her ears. "I mean, if I got married someday! Not today, not soon or anything, sheesh. But like… if I got married… when I got married… I'd want you to be there. Would you be there, Vivi?"

Leave her hut? Feh, not on her life! Vivi wanted to say. She would've said it if it was a year ago, but now she was not so sure. If Molly got married… If Molly got married. The idea of it was… was…

Awful! Vivi's face paled as her panic grew. If Molly got married, she'd be holed up at home. Being someone's wife and a mother to their little gremlins. Her busy life would only get busier, and with a schedule so jam packed as it was, Vivi would be lucky to ever see the farmer again. And here she was worrying over her being late for their afternoon tea. The situation was much more dire if a romance ever came to light.

"Vivi? You in there?" Molly was asking as the Witch had grown silent, lost to her thoughts.

Vivi came to with a jolt. She hadn't realized she'd snapped the cookie in her hand in two. She ate one of the halves with a sneakily growing confidence as she disguised her recent horror. "Yes, yes, I'm here – just thinking. I know you don't often see someone's mind at work; must be a treat for you."

"But what about my question?" Molly persisted with a slight pout. "Would you be in my wedding someday? It wouldn't be the same without you."

The Witch rubbed her stinging nose as tears watered in her eyes. Damn idiot always saying straight-forward, embarrassing things. She sighed and sat back in her chair, finishing her snack. "Sure, of course, whatever. What brings this up anyways? It's clear you've thought this through before."

Molly suspiciously sipped her tea in silence, looking off at the ceiling.

Vivi pointed an accusing finger. "There's already a somebody, isn't there?! That's why you're late all of the time! You've got a boyfriend!"

"Aaahh, don't say it like it's a bad thing!" Molly whined, setting her cup down and covering her ears to muffle the witch's screeching.

"He gave you that ring, didn't he?" Vivi guessed.

She had guessed right – or almost. Molly said as much as she sighed in defeat and looked at the ring in the safety of her lap under the table. She had a little, goofy smile. "No… but he made it."

Vivi made a faux gagging sound like she was going to vomit. It made Molly giggle and perk right back up. The Witch grabbed their tea things and set them on a tray to carry back to the sink, grumbling all the while. "Humans make such useless attachments… clinging to sentiment… foolishness is what it is."

"Oh, Vivi, I wish you'd find somebody," Molly propped her elbows up and held her chin in her hands. She felt a little blue her closest friend couldn't share this same happiness. She wistfully dreamed of a universe where she could. "Maybe if you'd come with me to town every now and again, you might. Come to think of it, there's rather an alarming amount of single guys around here. The odds are definitely in your favor."

"Ha! I wouldn't visit that rock and stone conglomeration if my life depended on it," the Witch declared a little meanly. In the quiet that followed, she stared at the dishes she had gathered in the sink. Her magic could have easily washed them, but she desired something to keep her busy and focused on cleaning them by hand. She dipped the sponge and scrubbed. "No… here in the forest is where I belong. You know why I can't leave."

Molly was saddened at her friend's defeat, but she wasn't the type to let that kind of negativity fester. She ran up behind the Witch and hugged her tight, giddy as a puppy. Distracted by the onslaught, Molly easily swiped the sponge. She nudged her with her hip to bump her aside, so she could stand at the sink, too. "I'll just have to convince you then! One way or another, you'll come visit my house. 'Til then, I'll just have to keep coming back for tea."

The Witch wanted to stay mad, but she just couldn't. Not against a powerhouse like Molly. Vivi was lucky to have a friend like her. She understood her sourness, and she could always cheer her up. The thought of her time with her being compromised by some schmuck came bubbling back, and her fiery temper cooled to a calm knowingness as she schemed. Whoever he is… he thinks he's the luckiest guy in the world. But I'll teach him what happens when you mess with my Molly.

Vivi bumped Molly's hip back with her own and took up the washed teacup to dry it. The girls chuckled at each other's stubbornness and enjoyed the remaining afternoon tea time they both loved sharing so much.

The Witch was smiling more brightly than ever. Unbeknownst to the farmer, she already hatched a plan to protect this friendship she cherished. Molly was her friend first. She wasn't about to lose her to some ordinary guy. Some Mr. Nobody. It would be quite simple for someone of Vivi's caliber. After all, she had said it herself. Most folks have the good sense not to threaten a witch!