Work Text:
Arthur rubbed his hands, trying to get some heat back to them.
Writing on such cold days was quite a pain, but he was determined to finish this soon.
What he truly wanted was to seek you out for warmth, but you were working, and a break now would run a little too long for both of you. Once he gave in to temptation, he wouldn’t be able to let you go anytime soon.
So he tried to persevere, despite the numbing cold.
But you were always so good at showing up at the best moments when he was working, this time carrying a steaming hot cup, a little bigger than the usual coffee cups you used to bring.
The scent was a little of coffee, a little of cocoa, with a bit of cinnamon and ginger. It was quite an interesting, but also surprising mix.
“What did you bring me, luv?” He asked, feigning ignorance.
“Try it out and tell me yourself.” You offered the cup to him, but despite the challenging words, your voice was quiet, and you avoided his gaze, face flushed.
“Is this some kind of trap?” He asked teasingly. “It was really you who made this?”
“Of course I…”” You looked up at him as you raised your voice, and he grinned, watching your eyes widen as you realized all he wanted was to get you to look at him. “Stop fooling around. I didn’t come here to interrupt your work. I just thought you could use something warm.”
“And just in time. You always seem to know when I need it.” He picked up the cup from you and took a sip.
It tasted like it smelled, a mix of hot cocoa and coffee, with some spice. Less sweet than your usual cocoa recipes. Although Arthur usually preferred his coffee black, he didn’t mind this unusual pairing in these winter months. There was a surprising harmony to the blend of such different drinks. Unexpected and not exactly his go-to drink on a normal day, but he enjoyed it anyway. Maybe he could make it a drink for the both of you.
“So… How does it taste?” You asked shyly as he took another sip.
“Care to find out?”
“I have to get back to work, Arthur.”
“C’mon, luv,” Arthur reached out to you, giving his best pleading look, “let me at least spend my break with you.”
You sighed, and Arthur smiled. You couldn’t resist him because he knew all you wanted was to stay with him, too. In fact, he clearly noticed you were getting tired and a little cold, even if you were bearing it just fine for now.
“Fine. Just a few minutes.”
Arthur moved to sit on the bed, and you followed, snuggling to his side.
“You always try to say no, but you wanted a break too, didn’t you?”
“I could use one with you.” He handed you the cup, and you took a long sip. “This isn’t bad.” You took another sip.
“Did you notice we were drinking from the same spot, luv?” He asked, and you froze, gulping hard, and he chuckled. “What was it that the kids called it… an indirect kiss?”
He smiled as you turned bright red. Who would have guessed you would get this shy over something so little? Still, that was the effect he was expecting.
“W-Where did that come from?” You stuttered, gulping again.
“I was wondering how could a child of mine be so innocent to get flustered over something like this. I guess she had someone to take after.”
“That’s not it!” You protested. “It’s just… I had no idea you knew of something like that, and you brought it up out of nowhere and… wait! You know about Alice?”
“She came here to ask for advice earlier.”
“And you’re okay with our little girl having a crush like that?”
“It’s just a crush. But when I’m done here, I’ll find out who she was with and make sure that was nothing more than an isolated incident.”
He was okay with his youngest girl having a crush - besides, when she was a little older, he wouldn’t mind her choosing a partner from the mansion’s kids, like her siblings - but she was too young for anything beyond that
You laughed, but he noticed you were fidgeting a little.
“What are you hiding, luv? Do you know of something?”
“It happened while I was preparing the drinks. Alice was helping. She wanted another opinion on her own recipe. Kiyo just made a misplaced comment...” You hugged Arthur, almost as if you could predict he would be tempted to solve it right away. He had to take his earlier thoughts back. He wasn’t okay with his little girl being that close with Dazai’s son, of all people. “But you know how he is. I’m sure he was just teasing, and she overreacted to something pretty normal to do with a friend.”
Arthur knew you were just trying to reassure him, but the way you laughed wasn’t helping.
“Since when are they friends?”
“Arthur!” You called him out, still laughing. “Deep breath and get back to work, okay? I’ll bring you another cup since this one is cold already. Then you can rest and think about it with a clear head.”
You kissed him, and Arthur allowed himself to calm down. Overreacting like that wasn’t like him; he’d just been caught by surprise for once.
“Will you help me clear my head after I’m done, luv?” He asked in a whisper.
“As soon as I’m done with work.” You kissed him again. “I’m sure both of us will need some more warming up by then.”