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It was early in the morning when Hung and Aak entered the headquarters of their agency, grocery bags in hand. Their boss requested a few things from the grocery store before they got to the office. "Good morning, Mr. Lee!"
"Ah, good morning, you two. I didn't think you'd both be here this early," The detective greeted them from the kitchen, putting on an apron from a nearby coat rack. "Did you bring what I asked?"
"Mhm, everything on the list is here," Hung replied, setting the grocery bags on the kitchen counter. The bags had ingredients like flour and sugar, and when he sent the list to the two over text, they immediately guessed they would be baking treats today.
Lee sighed with relief, tying his hair into a small ponytail. "I can't thank you two enough. Today's quite an important day, and I need a bit of help baking these chocolate chip cookies."
While the other two were busy getting everything ready for baking, Aak glared at his boss with a bit of skepticism. Something was off about him today. He actually suspected something was going on ever since the Lung first reached out to them early in the morning, and he couldn't help but ask about it now.
"Hey, Mr. Lee… Do you have a crush?"
The question caught the other two off-guard. A crush? It was out of pocket for him to ask such a thing, and the Feline knew that himself. But he felt like it made sense, oddly enough.
"Eh? What made you think that?"
"I dunno, you've just kinda acted weird nowadays. You visit Rhodes Island more often than not, and you’re more eager to join in on their missions. And today’s the Day of Hearts, lots of couples give each other gifts like these. Why else would you wanna bake cookies this time around?" He's also never called to ask them to fetch anything for him personally, let alone at 5 AM. Usually, when he does it's for a mission from the agency. But the detective scoffed.
"Come on, that's ridiculous. I just wanted to bake some treats for you because I appreciate you guys," Lee lied as naturally as he breathed. "And besides, I'm not interested in anyone in particular; I'm far too busy for that sort of thing."
Hung set a sack of flour on the counter. "That is really kind of you, sir, but… remember the Pasta Incident?"
…Oh. Right.
Ever since the Pasta Incident, the LDA made sure the defender didn’t consume any cocoa-related substances of any kind. What happened in the Pasta Incident? Well… they all agreed to never bring it up again.
There's no point in coming up with another lie; at that point, he'd just be making excuses. And either way, they wouldn't buy it. "Fine, you got me. These cookies are for a… certain someone." The Lung sighed in defeat as Aak smugly grinned at him from across the counter. "But it's just a gift to a friend. I'm not going to say who it is."
That friend happens to be a certain vanguard he first met at Rhodes Island, codenamed Saileach. Lee ‘coincidentally’ got assigned for a mission with her, and they got along well from there, having long, insightful conversations far after the mission’s over. And they still chat in between shifts at work, whether through text or simply in person. Lee prefers the latter.
They surprisingly worked well together on the battlefield too; his wits and her strength made for a good match, taking care of hostile enemies with ease and little to no casualties. He still remembers the many times his ass was saved by her during the battle thanks to her support. Not that he wasn’t grateful for it, of course.
And yet even after all that, the thought of her lingered in his mind for a while. To the point where it developed into more of an… admiration for the vanguard. Or at least that’s what he wants to believe. He didn’t want to consider it a ‘crush’ or whatever the kids call it these days. Despite that, right now he’s baking cookies for someone he met only a few months ago just because he ‘admires her as a friend’. And there aren’t that many people he gives that much regard to just as friends.
"You could have just said so, sir. It's fine! We can still help you bake the cookies. Right, Aak?" Hung turned to the Feline, who shrugged in response.
"Yeah, sure. I'm just surprised Uncle Lee would actually fall for someone." It wouldn't be the first time, but it had been a while. And it's not like he'd blatantly admit it.
"Alright, alright, enough of that. When we're done with all this, I'll make proper treats for all of us to enjoy. No chocolate whatsoever. Now, can you two pass me the eggs?"
It didn’t take the three of them long to get everything done; After all, they were just baking chocolate chip cookies. It was a simple recipe, yet its simplicity is what makes it such a beloved treat. Bits of flour dusted the counter space, and the scent of vanilla and cocoa wafted through the kitchen, blending together to make a delightful aroma.
"If you don't mind me asking, sir. Who's this friend of yours like?" Hung asked, cleaning up the leftover ingredients as they were waiting for the last batch of cookies to be done in the oven.
Lee glanced at the Perro and smirked. Where's the harm in satisfying their curiosity?
"What is there to say? They're just another operator I met back at Rhodes," He put down the mixing bowl he was holding on the counter. "Kind, inspirational, and a pretty good fighter." not to mention quite the beauty to behold.
"And, well… They're very delightful to be around. Anyone would be fortunate to know them, really..." Were his cheeks getting red?
"Well, you sure sound like you’ve got a pretty nice ‘friend’ there, boss." Aak commented, when a sudden ‘ding’ rang from the oven.
The final batch of cookies were done, so when they got the tray out of the oven, Lee let the Feline try a cookie. It was a little hot to the touch, but nevertheless, he gave a thumbs up as he munched on the cookie with glee and no regard to how the cookie was. The cookies were ready, and they were good to go.
By the time they got to the landship, many of the operators there were in the Valentine's spirit. Most are in pairs, either as lovers or friends, or as merely acquaintances and coworkers getting work done around the ship. There were some who were all by themselves doing whatever to start their day, whether they liked it or not, and even friend groups just simply hanging out. Nevertheless, love is in the air like a leaf dancing through the wind.
“What’s even the point of the Day of Hearts? It just gives a buncha couples an excuse to act all lovey dovey in public!”
“Well, it isn’t just about couples, Aak. People celebrate this day by giving love to their friends and family too!”
“You can do that any other day of the week! Why does there have to be a special day for something as stupid as that?!”
As the two were having a definitely calm conversation, Lee was busy guiding them through the main deck of the landship, paying almost no mind to their banter. He clutched the box of cookies in his arm, perhaps a bit too tightly. Much to his dismay, he started to get nervous the longer he navigated through the ship with his agents, but his calm exterior made it seem otherwise. That is, until he found exactly who he was looking for in the midst of the crowd.
Her long golden hair shines through the light above, as if heaven itself bestowed grace upon her. Like a campfire in the midst of winter, her smile could warm even the coldest of hearts. Even from afar, her presence was enough to put the detective at ease. The Vouivre turned around to find him looking straight at her and waved. Wait, is she walking towards him-
“Yo, boss!" He took a second to realize Aak was calling him. "Hung and I will be heading over to the Doctor's office. I think they might be calling us in for another mission."
"Ah, right, of course, go on ahead." Lee dismissed the harmacist, barely paying attention to him. Before he could leave his boss alone though, there was one thing he wanted to say to him first.
"Also, uhh, Uncle Lee?"
“Yes?”
"Good luck with the lady." The operator smirked, getting a confused glance from the detective. "That Saileach chick is pretty lucky for a guy like you to go after her." Aak then swiftly scurried off before the Lung could even process what he'd just said.
Wait a minute. How’d he know who-
"Good morning, Lee! Didn’t think I’d see you here today."
"O-oh, Janie! Yes, it’s quite lovely to see you this time around too.” He cleared his throat in an attempt to maintain his demeanor. Jeez, has it always been this hot in here?
She turned to gaze off into the distance. “A lot of the operators really enjoy this time of year, huh?”
“Well, I suppose so. Love is something not everyone can receive, so you give and cherish it every chance you get.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” The Vouivre smiled.
Lee then recalled why he came on the ship in the first place; the gift. “Speaking of, I actually have this for you.”
He handed the box of cookies to the vanguard, who was delightfully taken aback. “Chocolate chip. I do hope you enjoy it.”
“For me? I… I really appreciate it. Thank you.” Her soft expression was enough to fluster the detective, if just a little bit.
Janie remembered one more thing. “Oh, that reminds me; the cooking club made treats for everyone on the ship, but I was worried you weren’t coming since I thought you’d be busy. So I brought you this.” She reached inside the satchel she was wearing and took out a light pink pouch, tied with a golden ribbon. “They’re strawberry sugar cookies. I hope you like it.”
As she handed the pouch to him, his heart skipped a beat. He didn’t expect her to give him a gift in return, but he was thankful for her consideration.
"Well, a little bit of sugar never hurt anybody. I'm sure they'll taste wonderful made from you."
The compliment made the Vouivre blush. "You're too kind, Lee."
And you're too pretty, he wanted to say. But not a single word came out of his mouth.
Before either of them could say anything else, the moment was interrupted when a distant voice called for them. “Hey, Saileach! We need a little help carrying these boxes over here!”
"Ah- I’ll be right there! I’m so sorry, but I have to go. You have my deepest gratitude."
Lee simply nodded. “And so do you, my dear.”
And just like that, Janie was off to deliver the rest of the treats to other Rhodes Island operators, leaving the detective to be in his lonesome.
Lee figured he should head off to work as well. As he went on his way, he couldn’t help but grin. He merely wanted to see her as a friend, and yet his heart yearns for her more. He doesn’t understand why, but he just felt more comfortable around her. It made him want to stick around longer, but he digresses.
He tried a cookie from the pouch, and his gaze softened.
It tasted as sweet as her.