Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The apartment had three rooms. Two and a half, to be a bit more exact.

Cressida insisted on having the small room, which was probably intended to be an office or some kind of storage room, when the building was originally built, but since has been repurposed into a third room.

 - It just feels cozier, and you guys need the space to work out anyway. Not to mention that as far as I can see, I'm the only one with space-saving furniture here.

She was right. She moved there from another tiny apartment, while Kyana and Ione had never lived alone, and had mostly just whatever they could get for the cheapest. And sometimes that meant bulky. Kyana's desk was probably at least twice the size that she actually needed, but it was a hand-me-down, so there was not much to be done about it. Ione's giant wardrobe wouldn't even fit next to her pull-out couch in the small room. Her clothes didn't even fill it halfway, but she got it for basically free, and at least there was also room for her books.

The apartment was pretty barren. The built-in kitchen cabinets were part of the lease, but at least for the first few months they were gonna eat in their rooms, or sitting on the floor, unless they dragged their chairs out of their rooms it seemed. There was really nothing in the unnecessarily big common room aside from the old rug with the very suspicious dark stain.

 - Is there anything in the lease about the rug?

 - If you suggest getting rid of it, I already checked, it was left here by the last tenant, and I think we are allowed to get rid of it. - Cressida was the only one who actually understood the terms of whatever they managed to sign, but the other two kind of trusted that she wouldn't sign anything that fucked her over, and therefore they wouldn't have anything to worry about.

 - I think we should still ask - suggested Ione. It wasn't a bad idea.

Kyana looked down at the rug. Hoping she wasn't about to dispose of the evidence of some horrific crime, she rolled it up and shoved it next to the wall. An awkward silence fell on the apartment. None of them really knew what to do. The moving trucks were still all at least an hour away. Finally, Cressida made an attempt to break the tension. 

 - Do you guys know, how to cook? - they all looked at each other. None of them spoke. - Well, this will... certainly be a culinary adventure. Let's hope none of us set the place ablaze. I still have some vouchers for a few meals at a local dining place, wanna check it out?

Kyana's stomach growled loudly as the only answer. Cressida and Ione laughed and nodded.

 - Let's go then.

Finbar just got done with putting the lunch out. He expected traffic to pick up in the next few days, as the local university's students moved into their dorms and apartments. He smiled at the trio walking in. 

 - Hello, how are you ladies doing? - he looked at Cressida, happily noting that one of his regulars had already returned, and seemed to have two new faces in tow.

 - Hi Finbar. Happy to see you. I was wondering if you still accept these - she had a few of the last semester's vouchers in her hand.

 - Of course. Just don't forget to use them up by the 5th of September, because there will be new ones after that.

 - Great! Can we get three lunches then? What's on the menu?

Chapter Text

Dani was fiddling with a waffle maker. There was literally nothing wrong with it. It should've worked, but it didn't.

 - I can't believe, that you can fix a fucking laser-printer, but a waffle maker is where you run into a wall. You sure, the week and a half of university classes haven't rotted your brain a bit?

 - At least I can fix a laser printer, you greasy idiot...

The door chime interrupted her and stopped whatever roast she was about to give Egan. Roy trotted in with their breakfast.

 - Guess what I got! Finbar had a lot of pastry left over from yesterday, and I got some for free.

 - Oh cool, do you have any of the ones with apricot jam? - the pastries with apricot jam were the best. Almost as good, as the freshly made jalameno paninis she sometimes treated herself to. Really, Dani would've been content with only eating those two things for the rest of her life. Of course, Finbar's cooking was great, but Dani had a particular love for pastries. She knew they were premade and frozen, Finbar has always been open about that. Even if he wasn't, it was pretty easy to figure it out, given that he basically lived behind the counter of that diner.

 - Here you go - Roy tossed her a big paper bag.

 - Thank you.

 - When is your... Khm... Friend coming back to work? - Egan chimed in.

 - Unlike you and I, he comes to work whenever he pleases - she tried to ignore his tone, as she didn't really feel like telling him that neither of them swung that way. For one, it was none of his business, which way Veerle swung, but also... she didn't want to come out to her brothers yet either.

Veerle made his way to the shop, making sure to stop at the Sprite Spring to say hi to Finbar and get a coffee for both him and anyone, who might be on schedule.

 - Hi, Veerle! Haven't seen you around in a while. How are things going?

 - Hi Fin, I've just moved, so I've been busy for a while. I'll probably be around a lot in the next few weeks. Do you know, who's in next door at the moment?

 - Our favorite trio and I think Sadie. Wanna get them a pot of coffee?

 - That would be nice, and I'd also like a lunch menu, please.

 - Coming right up!

 - Thank you. How was the summer in the city?

 - Slow. The last two weeks it picked up a bit, but it's still not quite as busy, as it was in May - that was the answer Veerle expected, but definitely not the one he was looking for.

 - And how are things going with Elyse?

The giant froze for a moment before giving his regular a smile.

 - Elyse has been a bit busy with her new job. She's the private chef of some diplomat, and she's kind of a workaholic.

 - Another thing you two have in common, I see - Veerle smiled.

 - I don't know, what you're talking about. I have every Tuesday afternoon and Saturday off - Finbar joked, putting his order on the counter. - With the student discount that'll be 8 Euros and 50 cents.

 - Thank you. What time do you close today by the way?

 - 9 as usual, why?

 - My brother's coming to town, and I was wondering if you'll still be open. we'll be here around 7:30.

 - Sounds nice. Is he moving here too?

 - No, he's just coming to visit. I'm planning to show him around a bit.

 - Alright. Have a nice day until then. Don't forget to bring my coffee pot back, so I can throw it in the dishwasher.

 - Thanks. You have a nice day too, Finbar.

With that Veerle was out of the little diner. He felt happy, that he'd finally get to introduce Kaleb to his friends. Hoping, that he and Dani would get along, even if just for his sake. The two young engineering students had a lot in common, but they were both very quick to speak and maybe a bit too generous with their lighthearted insults, which worried him a bit. His thoughts were interrupted by a door chime. Was that new?

 - Good morning, everyone! - he called out.

 - Good morning my ass! - Dani shot back, smiling at him. - It's 10:30. And where have you been the last week and a half?

 - I was moving my stuff from across the country.

 - And what about checking in on your friends, huh?

 - I'm sorry. I got you a pot of coffee, though.

Dani gave him a mock glare, put the pot down, and pulled him into a hug. Originally neither of them were hug people, but it kind of became a habit for both.

 - And how's school going?

 - It's already rotted her brain - Egan exclaimed. - She's been working on the same waffle maker all morning, and it's still not functional.

 - Shut up! - Dani grumbled.

 - Why can't you two work in peace? - Sadie asked from behind a pile of boxes. Roy laughed at the suggestion.

 - I think they might just explode if they try - he said, looking at his siblings.

 - Let's have our coffee before it cools down. I know you guys don't like it microwaved either - Veerle suggested before the two could continue their argument.

With a sigh, Dani set the old waffle maker aside and started fiddling with a toaster instead. She didn't even hear Roy approaching her workbench.

 - You might wanna unplug that one before you start taking it apart.

 - I was going to... I just wanted to test if it worked first!

 - Yeah, you were sure going to. How about you take a break before you electrocute yourself?

 - I'm fine.

 - How about you take a look at the updates of the 3D printing program with me? - Veerle chimed in. Dani looked tired and agitated, but he really didn't want her fucking around with electronics

 - Fine... - she sighed. - Show me.