Soft Drops
Chapter Two: Do you like tea? Because I like 'U'!
No more, no more! she thought. She guffawed loudly, clutching her sides. "Gods, Inigo, gods! No more, please!" For Naga's sake, this boy was too much! She continued to laugh, doubling over in mock pain.
Inigo stood, earnestly dumbfounded by her strange behavior. "I don't think I said anything that hilarious yet."
"No, no, you haven't—but those god awful lines—in Naga's name, what field did you till those from?" She guffawed again, stomping the ground in succession. "'Do you like tea? Because I like 'U'!'" she imitated mockingly.
Inigo blushed heavily. "It's an alphabet joke! Girls love puns. It's a known fact!" he exclaimed indignantly.
She shook her head again, still shaken with laughter. Her voice trembled: "W-well. Inigo, hah, my answer is s-still the same: no." She tried to muffle her voice with the glove of her fist. She failed miserably.
"I, I see how it is," he huffed. "I had never been so—so disrespected!" he exclaimed. Robin paid him no mind, trying to calm herself. When he received no further reply, he said, "Well, I'll just… head back then."
She looked up, about to call him back for another round, before seeing his slumped shoulders. She wondered, was she too harsh on him? She shook her head. Inigo was an adult, not some child. He wouldn't take it to heart.
Or, well, that's what she thought initially.
"Are you sulking?"
Inigo yelped, startled, looking up. He flushed in embarrassment. Robin quirked an eyebrow, and leaned closer. He turned his head down, looking everywhere but her.
"What gave you that idea? I'm a man, and men don't sulk," he said. A small pout formed on the edge of his lips.
"Because a mature adult wouldn't be hiding in a barrel like some craven," she deadpanned. She rolled her eyes and tipped the barrel over. Inigo yelped, scrambling out of the hole, only to land chin first on the ground.
"Be gentle, Robin!" He rubbed his chin painfully, as he staggered to his feet.
Robin let out a small sigh. "Honestly, Inigo, were you really that affected by what I said earlier? Enough to go run and hide in a barrel at first sight of me?"
"… I haven't a clue what you're referring to."
"The whole 'puns' business." He coughed in his fist at that moment.
"Er, yes, I did a bit of reflection on that part…"
"And found that, in fact, not every girl loves puns?" she teased lightly. He pouted again. Robin held a hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the oncoming laughter.
"Agh, hurry up and laugh will you? My pride's already been wounded," he groaned, covering his face in shame.
She smiled. "Honestly, Inigo, you can be such a child." He started at her response. Before he could respond; however, she took his hand. "Although I suppose it was rather… insensitive of me." She coughed, still trying to cover her laughter. Closing her eyes, she mocked a bow. "Ahem, would you do me the honor of dining with me this afternoon, my lord?"
He stared blankly at her. She cracked one eye open. "Am I doing it right?"
He broke into a fever then—cheeks flushed so red, why, they reminded her of a baby's bottom (or maybe Chrom's apple—wait, she swore she would never remember that). "W-what, with me? I don't, I just—this is just so sudden—!" He stammered and waved his other hand wildly. His eyes shone brightly, like a child who was duped so many times, only to finally regain hope at the end of a long spiritual journey. Vaguely, Robin imagined him as a puppy—ears propped and tail wagging excitedly all the while.
"This afternoon, truly? You're not jesting, are you?" he asked rapidly.
"Of course not, I'm a lady of honor, after all." She grinned. "Ah, but before that, I'll need to get a few things organized." She dropped his hand; he was visibly disappointed. "I'll drop by afterwards."
"Oh, but before that," she turned one last time, a mischievous grin forming. "Do you like tea? Because I like 'U'!" She took off, laughing. She heard Inigo shout after her, no doubt embarrassed beyond the heavens that she wasn't letting his blunder go any time soon. No doubt he would sulk for the rest of the morning.
Ah, well, he would forgive her by the end of the day, like he always did.
A/N: Let's face it. This was coming. Someone's gotta say something about his stupid one-liners and puns.
I like teasing Inigo. He's so cute and such a dork too. Honestly, his pick-ups lines are so terrible (hello, Gerome supports!)—I just had to use it at least once.
As always, feedback is appreciated!