Originally posted to 'Rougescribe,' but has been moved here. Gift fic for Termitate on Tumblr.
Pairing: LokexGray (slight NatsuxLucy if you squint reaaaaally hard.)
Alternate Universe

"I wasn't aware society had such opinions on slushie etiquette."

He tried to sound serious. He really did, but the amusement bubbled through him with an unceasing tenacity that curled the ends of his mouth until Loke couldn't contain his chuckles. It was usual to come meet Gray for hanging out on the random days they weren't working, but he hadn't expected their recent jaunt out into public to be at a small, quaint little cafe tucked between a Hot Topic and Forever 21.

Gray didn't seem to find the humor in the location, or the need to explain why this was the agreed meet up spot. Instead, he'd beaten Loke there by about twenty minutes and had already secured himself a seat off in the corner, straw to his strawberry banana slush a permanent fixture in his mouth. So what if he had made a comment towards how almost, childlike, Gray had looked at that moment. Not for one moment did he ever expect the words that had been been replied.

'Slushies aren't just for kids, screw society.'

Loke's laughter only spurred Gray on, eyes sliding across the table, towards his- …overly dressed friend. "Glad you're amused. What's the deal with that get up? You just get done with a shoot or something?"

"Ah-hah!" He sat down in a grand flourish, one arm raised as if spelling his words out into the air like some dramatic story teller. "My day off does not mean I should slack in my looks! What would the lady's say? My next day of slavery to the Camera is tomorrow, I was actually-"

"Ugh," Gray rolled his eyes, resuming his slow slurping on his cold drink, "Spare me, I don't need another story about your recent skirt chasing."

"Rude! What if it was something entirely different?" Loke defended, one hand to his chest in mock offense.

Gray snorted, but looked humored all the same, "I'll believe that when pig's fly."

Another mock gasp of insult followed and Loke swiped the drink from Gray's hand without a second thought. "You are banned from your rebellion against society!" Ignoring the protests of the dark-haired male, he promptly stuck the straw in his mouth and sipped it. Wait, did he just taste tapioca pearls? That was a surprise, not that he was complaining. Tasted well enough!

Actually, he was surprised Gray did little to stop the theft besides halfheartedly complain. The model wasn't entirely sure how to take that, but accepted the win all the same. Head tilted to the side, he considered Gray's sudden need to meet up- to relax he had said, escape some stress for awhile. He could understand that, but his surly friend wasn't often to admit when he needed a break from those things.

"So-" He hedged, placing the Slushie down - but far enough to keep Gray from snatching it back-, "Something troubling you?"

"No." The reply was quick: too quick. Loke's eyes narrowed and Gray quickly averted his gaze off to the nearby order counter. A few seconds ticked by and Loke's gaze only grew more intense with every passing second. "... maybe."

Loke leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other with his ankle upon his knee. The off-balanced chair squeaked against the floor from the sudden change, but he paid it no mind. (Though he'd feel horrible later once he noticed the scuff marks it caused upon the floor: oops.) Progress! Now to tear the rest of Gray's thoughts out of his mouth. "Well, if you called me, then it must be dire. In need of pick up lines?"

He knew the answer before it came out of Gray's mouth, "What the- are you crazy? No!" His eyes finally met Loke's once again, sheer exasperation pulling at his features. "Why did I even bother messaging you? God… no, just- look-" He nudged his head back in the direction of the cafe counters, lips tightening into a frown.

The object of interest had Loke's own mouth thinning out: a blonde girl, dressed cutely enough in her white apron and green uniform. An employee. She was bustling away at a nearby stand, pouring milk into what he'd assume was a latte for her latest customer. The barista? She had a nice figure to her, one that he could certainly appreciate, and the low whistle beneath his breath gave it away in seconds.

Gray was not amused. "I didn't point her out for you to ogle her, man."

"Casually enjoying good aesthetic." Loke replied offhandedly, gaze turning away from the girl to meet Gray's dour expression. "Are you sure you're not needing a good pick up line? She's cute."

"If by cute, you mean, possible gold digger, then sure." Loke's aghast expression must have been appalled enough to spur Gray to continue. "She's been spending a lot of time with Natsu and I haven't figured out her angle."

This only raised Loke's confusion, a strange twist in his gut that felt like a knife. "... now I know Natsu isn't that ugly, but you can't be worried he's a rival can you-?" Gray's expression grew darker, foot snapping out to strike against Loke's shin. "Ow! I was kidding!"

He knew better than to think those two ever held some rivalry against each other when it came to romance. In fact, he doubted either of them knew a thing about dating in the first place. Natsu was focused in his own world, his own career, and … probably the most dense person Loke had ever met in terms of social interactions with women. While Gray just never seemed to notice them asides from being friendly enough to accidentally give them the wrong idea before dismissing their attempts at dating without blinking.

No, if Gray was worrying about some girl spending time with one of their best friends, then it had to be something else; especially considering their work relationship. Natsu's ability in the ring had gained him quite the following recently. "He's not been spending money on her, has he?"

"Not that I've seen, but I hear she's studying to be a journalist."

Oh, so that was it- "He should raise your salary, a Manager shouldn't be worrying about this on off hours."

"Just because he's off doesn't mean I am." Gray muttered, bitterness lacing his tone. "Sure, I don't have to run around badgering him to hit the gym, but I ain't dealing with dumb reporters in the future if I can help it."

"Well she's not reporting anything now," Loke answered, looking back towards the blonde, barely registering the sound of Gray's chair moving or the slight tilt of the table grazing his knee. "So why are we here? I didn't think spying was your thing." When he turned back, the Slushie was back in the Coach's hand and his jaw dropped. "H-hey!"

"Use your own money and get your own, moocher." Another offended gasp. He deserved it, but that didn't change anything in Loke's mind. He gave an audibly loud sip that ran until air and slush made a loud sound across the room and set the empty cup back down in satisfaction. "I'm trying to figure out how to ask her what her intentions are and see for myself if she's lying or not."

"Well, you could probably start with not stalking her to her work. Lady's freak out about that sort of thing."

"-... shit, is that how this looks? Natsu told me about it and I wanted to try it for myself!"

Loke groaned, rubbing his temples with one hand as he resisted the urge to slam his head against the table. "You both are hopeless. Does Natsu even KNOW you're here?"

"Of course not! You think he'd be happy to know I'm considering interrogating one of his friends?" The question was rhetorical, and both boys stared at the other as if trying to outdo the other on making a misconstrued point. Loke's expression, however, seemed to win the day as Gray cleared his throat, suddenly sheepish. "Look, tell me how to do this before I make her think I'm some creep."

Loke wasn't even sure if he even COULD manage to salvage this situation. Though he made it a point to no longer watch her. Better to let her think they were just two guys hanging out rather than discussing possible ways to find out if she was after an up and coming Boxers' secrets for a good grade. He sighed, watching Gray silently as the other fidgeted in his seat, looking more and more like a child caught stealing cookies by the second.

Cute was the random thoughts that passed through his mind, but he quashed it down before it could fester. Leaning across the table, he grabbed the empty cup, and tossed it to the nearby trash. He needed to not think beyond the situation at hand today.

"First, see about getting another one of these to-go." He said after a few seconds, "That way you have an actual excuse to go back up there. While she's making it, strike up conversation- could just be a random statement over the fact this place seems to tie two completely different cliques together all under one roof." Gray didn't seem to understand that he was referring to the shops right outside and shook his head.

"RANDOM things. Nothing to make her think you're taking an interest in her looks or her job, or she'll think you're trying to flirt with her. Actually, with your luck, she'll still think it, but that's your problem. Before you get the drink just be honest and tell her you know Natsu and wanted to see for yourself if he'd actually managed to make a friend who doesn't have a Y Chromosome, okay? You won't learn anything by trying to question her anyway. Just be friendly and see what happens, yeah?" And as a second thought, he added, "Do NOT try and see if she'll speak with you after work hours. That will definitely freak her out and see you creepy. And DON'T visit more than once a week."

"You're starting to sound like I'm trying to get her to agree to a date or something." Gray interjected.

Loke snapped his fingers and continued. "Dating, friendship, gaining information? It all looks the same when trying to strike up a conversation with a woman whose on the clock and unable to be rude without risking her job. I'm being serious here!"

A groan of frustration escaped Gray and he practically jumped from his seat as if he couldn't get away from the lecture as soon as possible. "Got it, I'll give it a shot! Just stand by in case I screw this up!"

Oh, he had a terrible, dreadful feeling that this entire idea was a screw up, but he chose to keep those thoughts to himself as Gray sauntered off up to the counter. He couldn't hear from that distance, but he could at least gauge the issue from the girl's expressions. All things considered, this had been a good table to sit at for getting a good look of the counter. He'd have to tease Gray for his stalking abilities later.

Wondering if he should, perhaps, get himself a drink to avoid looking too out of place (considering he was still dressed in a silk button up and black slacks-)- the model pulled out his wallet to peruse the contents for spare change. He was just about to start counting quarters when a sudden tap on his shoulder brought his attention back up. Surprised to find himself facing an elderly lady, smiling softly and cheeks flushed from… happiness?

To say he was confused was an understatement, but he pulled out his best sunshine smile and greeted her. "Hello, Ma'am, is there an issue?" Why else would she be tapping his shoulder? Wait, she wasn't a fan of his photographs was she?

"Oh, young man, I just wanted to tell you how much joy it brings me to see two young men, unafraid to show their love with each other out in the open. It brings me some hope for the future." A twinkle in her eye, strangely knowing, and she winked. "You have a good day now!"

Flabbergasted, Loke didn't care his jaw dropped open wide enough to catch flies. He was just stunned. That woman… thought they were on a date? He suddenly felt a strange heat spread across his face and he struggled to unbutton the collar to enjoy some cooler air. Considering the secluded table, the fact they'd shared a drink and his well-dressed appearance….

"Uhh- th-thanks?" He muttered, voice a little hollow- but the woman was already walking away, seeming to not hear him.

Why had he chose to dress like this on his day off? Hadn't Gray asked him that? Palms grew sweaty as he glanced back towards the counter. The talk with the blonde seemed to be going well enough so far, but he couldn't quite keep his focus on her- eyes staring at Gray as he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

Friends for years and for what? Gray didn't notice those subtle things anyway. Swallowing thickly, he cleared his throat and resumed checking his wallet.

Pig's might be flying, but that didn't mean he had to admit to it.

Thanks for reading! Reviews would be appreciated!