Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“the coffee pot is filled.” Gwen said, very matter-or-fact.

“It is.” Alice responded in the same monotone voice.

Gwen didn’t know what to say, sure she had asked Alice to refill up the pot when she noticed it was empty as Alice was the primary coffee addict of the office, but after several spats she had almost given up. She knew, or at least she thought that Alice genuinely hated her, but after the coffee she had gotten for her…
Well she didn’t know quite what to do about her.
Gwen turned, coffee in hand facing Alice,

“Thank you, Alice. That was… very considerate of you.”

Alice turned away slightly, since when had she gotten a new blush? The one she was wearing today was far more pigmented, was it like that earlier?-

“Youre welcome your majesty.”

Chapter Text

Gwen had stopped by the OIAR break room on her way out the previous night. As per usual she was the last one to leave, wanting to refill her thermos with fresh coffee, it wasn’t like she was going to get any sleep anyways.

The coffee pot sat empty, she hadn’t seen it like that for a while.

With an exasperated sigh, she opened to cabinet to find the coffee bag.

It was empty.

The other cabinet also came up empty, so did the drawers and cupboards. In the trash was an empty coffee bean package, she would certainly have to tell Lena about this.

-

Gwen left her flat 15 minutes early than her usual time. Despite her insistence, Lena said that its was “Unlikely they would be able to restock for a day or two” and Gwen was certainly not about to buy a new package for work.

And so she left 15 minutes earlier the her usual time to stop for coffee and still get to work 15 minutes before everyone else, perfect.

What about Alice? the little voice in her head nagged. Really, what about Alice?

Gwen was still waiting in line while she debated with herself.

Its true that Alice didn’t know that they had run out of coffee, she didnt have to think about Celia as she was a tea enthusiast and Sam had also turned to drinking tea since the OIAR coffee wasn’t working for him-

but what about Alice? Dealing with an uncaffeinated Alice was the last thing Gwen wanted to deal with…

And besides, it might be… nice, to get Alice a coffee, for reasons unknown to her she blushed at the thought.

“What can I get for you today?” said the barista, interrupting her train of thought,

“Oh yes, i’ll have a mocha and…”

What in earth would Alice like? Probably something sugary, she seemed like the type…

“And the sweetest coffee you make.”

“…Ok, would another Mocha with extra sugar work?” The barista looked quite confused.

“Yep, lots of sugar.” What on earth was she doing.

—

lots. of. sugar.

what on earth was she thinking?? She saw the barista make that coffee, staring silently as she watched him put at least 10 tablespoons of sugar. Hopefully Alice liked her coffee candy mountain flavor.

—-
Gwen found Alice in the break room doing exactly what she though she would be doing, cursing and opening ever drawer and cabinet looking for the missing coffee.

“Alice,”

Alice jumped, very much unaware that Gwen was right behind her in the doorway.

“jeeeesus Gwen! You near gave me a heart attack!”

Well if i didnt give her a heart attack this coffee certainly will, Gwen thought, it was to late to turn back now.

Gwen extended her hand with Alices coffee,

“Coffee ran out yesterday.” not elaborating any further.

“Oh, well thanks?” Alice accepted with the faintest hesitation.

“You’re welcome, I- I hope you like it.” not daring to meet Alices eye as she hurriedly left the break room to her desk, catching Alice’s coughing,

“GWEN! WHAT THE FU-“