Chapter Text
Bitter coffee
Chapter 1: Truly Remember
The house creaked, accompanied by a pitiful silence. It was long and loud. At least to Choco Coffee. He’d been wide awake for as long as he could remember. Staring at his water stained ceiling. He really needed to fix that damn roof. The deafening hum in his ears gave him a borderline migraine. After more hours than Choco lost count of, there was slight shuffling. Panicked shuffling.
A door creaked open before there was loud gagging. Choco hunched over his toilet and heaved. Damn it, dammit all.
He vomited into the cold porcelain bowl, it was only bile. To much of Choco’s dismay, it was typically bile.
Choco Coffee trembled as he clung onto the side of the bowl. He leaned his head onto the edge of the bowl. He was tired, eyes heavy.
As the sun started to rise, two birds started chirping. Two beautiful songs clashed, ruining one another. A Mourning Dove and a Northern Magpie. Nagging each other. The bickering only got louder and whiny.
Choco woke up with a groan. He could barely move. His body felt like it was a stiff board. His body burned. He sat up lazily and sighed. He didn’t remember falling asleep in his bed. The realization came and went, like a sharp pain.
After a few moments of Choco psyching himself up, he managed to stand up. The mirror next to his bed didn’t help his confidence one bit. His clothes were disheveled and he looked like he'd been in the ringer a few times. He paused. He could’ve sworn he’d looked fine before falling asleep. He scoffed before he rolled his eyes and hummed. He needed to stop sleeping in his work clothes.
He continued to hum as he walked to his closet. He got a fresh turtle neck on before he pulled down his slacks. As he was about to put on a new pair, he froze. His bony thighs and hips were covered in bruises. Choco gently probed at one in his inner thigh; he recoiled.
“Clumsy piece of shit,” Choco chuckled as he quickly got his pants on. He didn’t need to look anymore.
He hastily got on his trench coat and long boots before he hesitated. Didn’t he lock the door last night? Maybe not, he lives a good bit away from any civilization.
He walked out the door to the dirt path that connected his house to the citadel. There was bits and pieces of snow everywhere. Those birds were still fighting, but not as much. More calmer.
Choco stuffed his hands into his pockets and tried to drown out the annoying noise. Everything ached, but he always slept wrong.
The walk was only about 12 minutes. Nothing too bad. Occasionally, there were footprints leading to his house, maybe the mail came early?
He got to the citadel door and knocked, “Let me in”
No response.
“Let me in please.” Choco hummed while knocking again, this time with more force.
The door opened to Salted Caramel, with her signature salty face on her.
“You’re early.” Caramel huffed while crossing her arms, already sick of Choco.
“Wow. No ‘hi’? Not even a ‘hello’?” Choco playfully chuckled before smirking at Caramel. “Well, I felt like gracing you with my presence a bit earlier than usual. Hold your praise.”
Caramel gave him a blank stare before letting him in.
Choco walked in before looking around. He wasn’t on ground duty, he was just roaming around the halls today. Lucky him.
“You know what you’re supposed to do today, correct?” Caramel checked her watch.
He nodded, “Of course!.” Choco shifted around a bit while smirking. His thighs burn.
“Good, don’t forget to do your report after.”
“Yes Carmine.”
“Don’t call me that,” Caramel took a good long look at Choco. His fidgeting, him shifting his weight. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Ha! Of course I have! You think your mighty second watcher didn’t have time for the most important meal of the day? I’m almost offended, surely you know me better than that!”
Caramel just stared again, expression not changing. She pulled out a wrapped bagel after she dug into her coat pocket. She tossed it to him before turning her back to him.
“Yeah, you’re right. I know you better than that.” Caramel walked away to her station.
Choco held the bagel tightly and didn’t look up. Bold of her to assume he needed this. But damnit, he felt faint.
Choco walked around with the bagel in his pocket. He gagged at the thought of eating anything right now.
Hall work was slow. Just make sure no unauthorized people are roaming the halls. Simple enough. Problem being that the halls were long and bland with the occasional painting.
The walls were tall with greyish muted purple walls. The matching long windows were covered in sheer white curtains. The ink-wash paintings depict snowy landscapes and nearby mountain ranges, accompanied with small potted cacao trees along the wall. The trees were few and far between. They were wilting, they were tired.
Choco looked at them with an unreadable expression. He should water them later, they needed nutrients to survive. It was part of his duties today anyway. They’re the king’s pride and joy after all.
He continued to walk, eventually getting to the end of the front hall. He should continue moving, but he wanted to see a friend
At the end of the hall, there was a massive door. He knocked once before entering.
“Fudge! I’m here!” Choco called out while looking around, finding Fudge fixing his collar.
Fudge was a tall and lanky young man with black hair in a tight bun. He squinted at Choco, “What are you doing here?” he hums while putting on his glasses.
“Just thought I’d stop by. Figured you’d be lonely, I have hall duty anyway.”
Fudge rolled his eyes, “Of course. What did you do this time? You don’t get hall duty unless you irritate Salted Caramel.”
Choco gasped, putting a hand on his chest. “ Woah, didn't take you for someone who jumps to conclusions! What if she just felt nice and decided to give me a break?”
Fudge chucked a bit, “I’m sure she’s on a nice streak today, huh?” He got his shawl on before sighing. Fudge was setting up a few things; books, incense, and paper.
“Is there a service later?” Choco watched him set up from afar.
“Yeah, in 30 minutes. Take it you’re not going?”
“Mhm, of course not.” Choco smirked.
Fudge hummed in response while continuing to put everything in its place, “Almost everyone goes except you.”
“Eh, it’s boring anyway, all you do is rant. Doesn’t it get boring being head priest? I mean… you hold service every two days, you organize most events, you even run a scripture study! And I’ve never once heard you complain!”
“Nope. It's my job, just like how you should be doing yours.” he glanced at Choco playfully, his gaze lasting a few moments too long.*
“Ugh, fine. I’ll take the hint.” Choco crossed his arms before walking to the door.
“Don’t forget to water those trees!”
“I know!” Choco left the room, rolling his eyes at the reminder.
He hated these stupid halls; he always felt like they were watching while making him suffocate.
He wished he hadn’t shown up early; that usually means more work for him. He didn’t necessarily mind work, but it was really boring. He always wondered why fudge loved his job so much. Fudge isn’t even that devoted to the religion, why was he playing a big lie? At least choco can admit that it’s a fake.
As far as he’s concerned, anything that relates to a few years ago is a lie.
The past was a lie.
Chapter 2: Tasatsu
Oolong Tea was drinking water while he stared out the open window.
A crisp breeze entered through the window. He believed it was 6 o’clock, as the sun was slowly rising. He has an hour before he has to get ready for work. Oolong and Choco Coffee were assigned forest duty today, since Tea Leaf was on medical leave. Oolong was excited, today was an easy day! Just walk around the forest and look busy, simple enough.
He continued to drink his water before Oolong noticed a lonely Mourning Dove in a nest. It stared at him with its black beady eyes until it looked away and decided to let out a quiet song.
The muted beige bird stopped before it snuggled into itself. The small thing fell asleep.
Oolong finished his glass and went to go fix his hair.
He walked up the stairs and entered his bedroom. He stood at his mirror before tying his hair in a low ponytail. His hair was long and yellowish muted gray with the occasional dark brown streak. He needed to look presentable! He was the renowned 2nd Watcher and he wanted to impress Choco of course.
Ahh, his heart fluttered at the thought of the younger 3rd Watcher. Choco was such a sweetheart, what’s not to adore?
He hummed with joy while he went to his closet. He took out his slacks and his black button up from his closet before he got them on. He should be wearing his uniform, but he didn’t feel like it. And Choco liked it when Oolong didn't wear it.
Gods, he was devoted to Choco, wasn’t he? Well, even if it isn’t meant to be, the least Oolong can do is be a good friend. Just to help out the younger one a bit, despite his doubts on it actually helping.
Oolong finished putting on his pants before he grabbed his belt. He put it on and slid his sheathed sword in between the belt and his pants. He didn’t think he needed his heavy sword, but it was better safe than sorry. Besides, what if his darling needed protecting? Nah, Choco was capable enough, he was sure of it.
He got on his boots and coat before he went back down stairs. He walked to the kitchen and grabbed two bagels. He doubted Choco would eat anything this morning. Oolong stuffed one in his mouth while he wrapped the other. He loved cinnamon bagels, he just hoped Choco was the same.
He put the wrapped bagel in his slack pockets before he grabbed his watch from the kitchen counter and glanced at it. Almost 30 minutes had passed already, he swooned too much over Choco. Oolong was hopeless.
As he fixed his watch on his wrist, he looked out the window again. That poor bird looked dead; luckily it wasn’t. The sun went to hide behind the clouds, the tiny thing was probably cold.
Oolong shook his head as he put on his hair clip as well. A gift from choco; a jade butterfly that adorned the silver clip. A gift that solidified their friendship. He takes it everywhere now; maybe because he’s desperate for validation? Whatever, it was a small gift anyway. He should really get something for Choco, probably that stupid trench coat he really wants.
He got on his boots before leaving his house. He had 20 minutes to meet up with Choco.
The cool icy breeze hit Oolong like a truck. Damnit, he forgot his coat. He was way too focused on getting Choco one when he can’t remember his own coat.
He ran back inside, grabbed his coat from the dining room table and ran out the door. He hoped he locked the door, because he wasn’t going back to check. He just had to live in the middle of nowhere, huh? But then again, 12 minutes away from the citadel wasn’t too bad.
Oolong sped walked the entire way to the citadel gates, where he saw Choco waiting patiently.
Choco had long dark brown hair in a high bun, his messy and uneven bangs covering most of his gauze covered face. He was wearing his uniform with a shawl that the Head Priest, Marocchino, gave him. Choco had his bow and quiver at his hip. He was awkwardly fidgeting with his gloves with an unreadable expression. He looked up and beamed the moment he saw Oolong.
“Len! Are you excited for today?” Choco immediately met Oolong halfway. He looked like an eager puppy.
Oolong nodded while digging into his pocket, “yeah! Oh and here!” He tossed Choco the bagel. “Figured you didn’t have time to eat this morning? Was it because you woke up late?” He teased slightly.
Choco caught it with a small noise, “Ah.. Thank you…” He mumbled while now fidgeting with the wrapped baked goods. His happy expression changed into something unsure.
It took awhile for Oolong to notice since he was too busy fantasizing about Choco. But when he did notice, he immediately tried to reassure Choco. For what? He wasn’t really sure, Choco was hard to read.
“Hey, it’s cinnamon flavored." He got close and put a hand on his shoulder. Choco reacted with a harsh flinch and pulled away. Oolong sighed, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and continued, “I remember you telling me that you liked cinnamon stuff, right?”