The Coffee Chronicles: The Test

A/N: Shoutout to BlakeGatomon (tumblr)/ Rogue-Scholar07 (here)/ Underground madwoman (IRL)! So I took your idea and fit it into my season one madness that is this story set and decided to make mini- series of sorts. So this one's for you!

. . .

When I slide into the stool next to Usagi without a single protest I can't help but inwardly smile. I know it's not like we've been at each other's throats like we used to-but it's the thought that allows warmth to radiate through my veins. Progress is a godsend. "Coffe-"

A white mug slides in front of my torso before I can even finish my request. Motoki catches my eye from across the counter, offering me a crooked smile before wordlessly wiping down the counter in the opposite direction. I guess sometime I really am that predictable. Huh.

"You know,I have no idea how you drink that stuff everyday."

I flinch when I realize I only caught the last half of her sentence. But I got the gist of it and that's what matters. To say I was unprepared would be a complete understatement. My fingers curl around the heated porcelain of the coffee mug as I try to configure my answer. It's a question I'm used to- but today...I feel as if I should answer with something more than my feeble answer about the taste. Something... bolder. "Odango, have you ever had coffee?"

She stops and I can practically hear the smile drop from her lips. "Uh...Well...no?"

Turning, a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. This game is pretty fun. "When you are you to judge what I drink?" The blonde's cheeks flush red and her eyes go deer-like as my question registers in her head. Looks like I win the battle today. I bring the cup to my lips for a victory sip but my attempt is thwarted as a pair of dainty hands tug the drink away. "H-hey!"

Hot liquid sloshes over the lip onto both of our thighs and hands. But neither of us jump or flinch or curse. Instead our eyes meet in an unwavering standoff as the tables turn. Usagi slowly brings the cup to her own lips, never breaking eye contact.

She takes a small slurp and I hold my breath. Is she really doing this? No time for stupid questions. Of course she is.

Sputtered coughs and quick gags shake me from my thoughts and my breath is released in a quick huff. It takes me approximately one second to fully realize that she's choking. Not allowing myself to think things over I tug the mug from her hands and pull her to her feet. One hand keeping her hands raised above her head, the other planted firmly at her waist to prevent falling. "Usagi! Usagi! Are you okay?"

The whole arcade goes silence in the midst of our scene. Motoki rushes over, a glass of water once poised in his hand tumbles to the ground shattering in a puddled mess. "Usagi-chan?"

And as quick as her choking started it stops. Her coughing fit ceases and a regular breathing pattern begins to establish itself. "Yo-You tricked me," she gasps out, wriggling out of my fingertips, nearly falling to her butt. "You did that on purpose! Jerk!" Usagi pushes me back and looks down to her soiled outfit in frustration.

"Wa-Wait!" The plea flies from my mouth before I can stop it. But everything is happening so fast. Even Motoki is standing on the sidelines with a gaping mouth in confusion.

The blonde pauses in the midst of collecting her things from the counter. Her lips purse in annoyance and she looks at me through narrow eyes. I don't know why but she's pissed at me. It was just a cup of coffee she stole from me. "What?" She snaps.

She actually stopped. My fists, sticky from the spilt beverage, curl tightly at my sides. I never thought I would make it this far. I never do. "Let me make it up to you. Please."

"Why should I trust you?"

Even though I can see Motoki trying to signal me to stop and even though I can feel the eyes of the other arcade patrons trying to predict my actions I stand up a little straighter and clear out my throat. It's all or nothing. "I would never hurt you on purpose, Usagi-san. Never."

. . .

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Sorry I've been inactive. School was a lot of work this past semester. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things, I promise!