A/N: So, I pondered for a while how these two would work in a pairing and came up with a few ideas. And, as I do, I did a big ol' search to see if anyone else had written stories for them. Which they haven't, surprisingly.

Coffee was hardly a peculiar beverage first thing in the morning, and certainly not the way the sniper made it, yet Jill found herself staring – albeit not at the act itself. She expected him to choose black and bitter, not two sugars with plenty of milk. Even after months of spending time in one another's company, the woman continued to be perplexed by his many little quirks.

Cup to his lips, he immediately froze upon catching those pale optics observing his actions, before turning to face her. Probably wants me to spit everywhere. Determined as when on the battlefield, the man refused to be discouraged from drinking.

Valentine's voice filled the silence. "So, you're a milky boy?"

Piers began spluttering and lowered the beverage, struggling to recall how to breathe and swallow correctly. Her wolfish grin didn't help in the slightest. "What's wrong with you?"

She released a chuckle, causing him to scowl. True to form, he became defensive, which always occurred whenever her mischievous side reared its head. The male could be too staid sometimes, although most of that likely came from enjoying the attention and coercing her into making fun of him.

"I like my coffee sweet and light…so what?"

Just like you, Jill thought, although stopped herself short of speaking it aloud. "Just amused."

"Why?"

"You act all mature, years beyond your age. Then suddenly do something like a kid."

If anything, Nivans grew more defensive. "Plenty of adults have coffee this way."

A slim, dark eyebrow rose. Is he actually taking this seriously? "Relax. I'm teasing." Based on said disposition, it appeared she struck a nerve, although that wouldn't change matters. "Now you just look old."

"Gee, thanks."

"Oh, come on. I wanted to compliment you. Can't do that when you're brooding."

"I don't brood."

"Uh-huh."

He swallowed, before squinting. "What compliment?"

"About your age," Jill responded, receiving a snort in response. "You don't want one?"

The sniper was doing his best to act disinterested and continue pouting, even averting his eyes, based on the assumption that coffee was far more fascinating. Yet curiosity wouldn't be denied. Daring a quick glance towards the brunette, he found her mouth curved into a victorious smirk. Damn it. "Fine, tell me."

She approached, hand outstretched to fiddle with a tuft of his fringe, causing his cheeks to flush a light shade of pink. "You're an old soul in a young man's body."

"Wait. You still making fun of me?"

"No." Valentine pitched forward and pressed a kiss to the male's cheek; the latter's countenance only darkened to beetroot. "I like you as you are. Don't change."

Mood lightening, a smirk crept across his lips and an arm looped around her back to pull his comrade closer into an awkward embrace. "You think I'd change?"

"Nope, and that's what I like about you."

With a free hand, Piers lifted the mug to his lips and sipped. Her words seemed something worth toasting, even if only with coffee.