AN: Hi! I would like to officially thank everybody who has reviewed/followed/favorited this story! Each message I get makes me very happy ^_^ and the last ones about the Cosima POV were all very helpful.
Hands crossed in front of her chest Delphine stands with Scott watching Cosima try to make changes on the menu. "You do realize it would be more reasonable to have Delphine or I doing this," Scott says. His eyes focused on Cosima's feet. Said feet were standing on the back counter. In mismatched socks as she leans forward on her toes. Delphine couldn't decide if she preferred Cosima standing on the counter in socks or wished she was still wearing her shoes. Cosima's earlier response, however, as she kicked her boots off was, 'Hey if I'm going to be unsanitary I'm going to be unsanitary with clean socks and not dirty shoes.' Delphine, displeased with the lack of safety slippery socks are providing Cosima, just wishes she'd come down already. "I was quicker. And it's my handwriting up here anyways. We can't mess with the flow of the board. Unless one of you wants to rewrite the whole menu, I'm making the changes. Thank you very much."
"No one is going to complain about the handwriting on the menu," Scott retorts.
"How do you know? I would." Grinning Cosima caps the marker then slides it into her pocket. Turning around she motions like she's about to jump down. Delphine quickly moves her body in the way. Giving Cosima a slight glare she proclaims, "You are not jumping down from there. You are not slipping and breaking your skull open in front of me." She raises her hand up to Cosima. "Aaw nice to know you care," Cosima says smiling brighter. She grabs Delphine's hand. Then jumps down with the blondes' help. Feet striking the ground with a thump. Hesitating too long to be smooth Delphine replies, "I-I just don't want to have to clean up the blood."
"That's what Scott's here for," Cosima laughs. Bending down she slips her shoes back on. Scott walks by her and gives her a hard enough nudge that she loses balance for a second. "Or maybe I'll let you lie there. Soaking up your own blood." He grins. Walking over to the front of the shop. "I will remember that next time you text me exclaiming that genetic sequences and markers have your brain spilling out from your ears. I will respond 'What do you want me to do about it? Guess I'll just have to let your shirt soak up the brain matter,'" Cosima grins. She wipes down the spot she was standing on before heading for the back room. Delphine watches them. Noting their good-natured yet, pretty mean banter. She briefly wonders how long they've been friends. Standing by the counter she waits for something to do. The commotion of multiple items hitting the floor disrupts the silence that claimed the store. Delphine was barely able to conceal her squeak of shock. An, "Oh, shit," carries from the back room.
"Are you okay Cosima?" Delphine calls. She takes a few steps towards her. Cosima's head pops into view, "I'm fine. Totally fine. Don't worry about it. Wanna go turn on the radio for me?"
"Um, okay," Delphine replies. Her eyes squint in suspicion. Feet carry her a few steps closer. Cosima waves her hands, shooing Delphine away. "I've got it, I've got it. Go…be busy." With a final, calculating look Delphine turns away from Cosima. Walking back to the counter. She walks behind it where the controls for the radio lie. A few more items go clattering onto the floor. "Cosima did you knock the shelf down again?" Scott asks barely containing his laugh. He tried to peek into the room but a surprisingly bare arm shot out, almost smacking him in the face. "Noooo. Of course not. Go…go help Delphine," Cosima rushes retreating into the room after slamming the door shut. Scott moseys over to Delphine. "She's really stubborn today. It's so early, it couldn't have been Sarah. She only knocks that shelf down when some one teases her about being short. She refuses to ask me for help, so she can prove them wrong. Then kaboom. Messy storage closet," he pauses to chuckle, "Wait. Just wait until she comes out." Scott crosses his arms, watching the door.
Delphine returns her focus to the radio. A thin finger pushes the black power button in. The words and beat of a pop song fills the shop with noise. "Alright, who's ready for another morning of labor," Cosima say enthusiastically. The door slams open behind her. She strides to the counter, bag of plastic cups in her arms. Standing next to Delphine she opens the bag and begins to put them in their proper place. Scott can't control the grin on his face as he says, "Hey, you know Cosima, if you're too short to reach something you can ask for our help." Head snaps into his direction. Dreads smacking Cosima in the face. "Don't be a bitch. I'm not short." The next handful of cups land in place with a little more force than the last. "I'm vertically challenged." Delphine covers her mouth to hide the chuckle that slips out. Cosima's eyes shoot back to her. "Both of you just you wait. Imma get you back when you least expect it," Cosima retorts looking up. Mischievous grin growing on her face.
-FLC-
After finally getting the shop open and ready it wasn't long before customers made their way into the shop. A fairly good amount of them too. Currently Scott was making a drink while Cosima was taking the next girl's order. When Cosima was done Delphine would get the next one. At the moment, Delphine was leaning against the back counter. With one elbow resting on it, the other hand was in her pocket. Resting on her phone. Fighting the urge to pull it out. Fighting the urge to read the message again. Maybe if she just checked one more time (just once more) Stéphane's last message wouldn't be there. Sighing her eyes watch Cosima. Delphine was losing her ability to hope that the break up hadn't happened. Unable to trick herself into thinking that the text was a fluke. Her eyes trailed up and down Cosima's body without her brain's permission. Cosima was leaning forward on the counter as she talked to the customer. Shirt ridding up just a hair. (A torturous hair)
Cosima let's out a laugh as she turns around. With a shake of her head Delphine tries to fling her inappropriate thoughts away. Refusing to acknowledge the release of pressure of teeth from her bottom lip. Delphine's eyes catch Cosima's. Hazel eyes brightening as if Delphine had been the one to make her smile. "All yours," Cosima mouths as the next customer walks up to the counter. Delphine smiles at the customer and asks for what they would like. As she listens and taps their order into the register she soon feels the familiar burn of a gaze on her back. Cosima's eyes returning the favor, studying Delphine just as hard as Delphine had her. If only Delphine could master remaining unaffected by Cosima's observation. Or at least master seeming unaffected. Only little smirks and winks revealed when Cosima knew Delphine's eyes had lingered too long. Keep it together Delphine. It's just Cosima. This is nothing new. Just Cosima. "Merde. I'm sorry. Can you repeat that?" Delphine asks as she deletes her mistake from the register.
"Yeah, um, can I have the raspberry sweet tea with an oatmeal cookie?"
"Yes, of course. And you said medium, correct?"
"Yeah."
"Would you like ice?"
"Yes please."
"Right. Okay," Delphine put all her focus in not messing up again, "That will be $2.50 please." The girl gave her a five. Delphine opened the register preparing to count the change. With a grin Cosima slinked behind her towards the pastries. Delphine froze. On both passes Cosima brushed her back. First graze more deliberate than the second. But the second trailed longer. Delphine forgot how to breathe for a moment. All attention on the tingles swimming up her spine to her (presumably functioning) brain. With barely concealed chuckles Cosima mutters low enough that only Delphine hears, "Who needs help now." Changing her face, feigning a look of concern, she adds, "The change is 2.50, you know?"
"Oui. Yes. Yes, I know," Delphine cleared her throat before stuttering into action. Cheeks no doubt pink. She just barely stops herself from throwing the change at the girl. Delphine quickly grabbed a cup. Turning on her heel, she faced the machine. She put the cup under it. Flipped the little lever. Watched as the liquid fell free. Sputtering and splashing as it started to fill the cup. Just Cosima. Just Cosima. I don't. I don't feel anything. I have Stép—no. No, I don't. Baise. With shallow breaths Delphine turns back around putting the lid on the cup. A quick sigh of relief escapes her mouth when she sees Cosima is helping the next customer instead of torturing her with her gaze. Or her smile. Delphine offers a "Have a pleasant day" to the back of her customer's head. Small pout on her lips Delphine returns to the back counter.
She watches Scott scuttle to the back room. When he disappears through the door her eyes glance towards Cosima. Who was humming to herself. Snippets of the hums being heard between blasts of the espresso machine. Pale fingers strummed against the counter. Light clicking of her nails occasionally disrupting the thump of fingers. Thoughts flashed back and forth through her mind. Cosima. Good thoughts. Cosima. Bad thoughts. Cosima. Back and Forth. She tried tried to keep her eyes from following Cosima's legs. Cosima's hips. Cosima's arms. Cosima's hands. Cosima's fingers. Cosima. Delphine's chest fills with air as she takes a deep breath. C'est moi. I need help.