"Hey, baby," Anzu greeted as she stood aside, allowing me into her apartment. I followed her into the kitchen and watched as she grabbed two mugs from the cupboard, poured some coffee, and handed one to me.
"Yeesh, I think you're addicted to caffeine, Anzu." I teased.
She shot me a dirty look.
"How are things going, Yugi?"
"Oh, you know - I can't complain." I shrugged, blowing at the liquid. "The shop is smooth and steady, unless you're counting Jou. He knocked down a whole display yesterday. How about you?"
"Nothing to report. College is still stressful, dance class is still full of women who'd rather play on their phones than actually work. Same ol' same." She set her mug down, eyes growing mischievous. "But enough about me. I am so super interested about how things are going between you and Yami." She waggled her eyebrows. "Anything to report...?"
"Not anything like you're thinking."
"So, no babe stuff?" She questioned. "Not even any heavy make out sessions...?"
"Nope. Not unless you're counting the time we kissed before I asked him and he turned me down."
"No, I'm not counting that one."
"Then, no. We're taking it slow."
"Ugh, too slow." She complained.
"Perhaps." I stared at my mug, frowning. "I just...I know he's trying his best not to fuck up, and I don't want to pressure him. I can wait until we're both ready."
"But you are. Ready, I mean."
I groaned, throwing my head back.
"Oh, God - I am. Waiting sucks."
"Wow...Yami is actually taking it slow and being considerate of another. Who would have thought?" She grinned. "How many dates have you guys been on now?"
"Like I'm actually counting." I said - but in all honesty, I had been. "Um...I guess it's been five?"
She whistled.
"Impressive."
"For him, anyway."
"It feels like just yesterday I was yelling at him to stop being an idiot."
"I never got the chance to thank you for that, by the way."
"It was my absolute pleasure." She replied, eyes glittering. "So, what's you're next date plans?"
"What is this? Twenty Questions?" I asked, raising my eyebrow. She just stared at me expectantly. "Well...I'm going over to his place tonight."
"And?" She was eager.
"And...I don't know. I want to make him dinner. So I'm going to."
"God, you two completely skipped over the honeymoon phase and went right into the old, married couple phase." She taunted. "Boooring."
"Come on, Anzu." I tried not to whine. "I really want this to work out."
"Well, regardless, I'm happy for you. Seriously." She took my hands in hers. "You really like him, don't you?"
I gnawed at my lower lip, pretending to debate about it. But there was no questioning the truth; the answer was the most crystal-clear thing on my mind. She didn't seem to be fooled by my mock pensiveness, either. Finally, I let out a long stream of air, staring at the ceiling.
"Yeah, Anzu. I really do."