Work Text:
"I can't believe she's late to the meeting SHE suggested!
The cafe was full of cookies, multiple voices and laughs were in the air. Usually, when someone decided to come there, they brought a companion along. An acquaintance, a classmate, a friend or a... Lover. Arriving here alone was like making a fool out of yourself. That's why imagine how nervous Pastel Meringue Cookie must've been, feeling everyone's gaze on him just because he sat by himself at a table, waiting for a certain someone who was already seven minutes late.
"I'm not sitting there like an idiot for more than the next five minutes" He thought to himself as he nervously tapped his foot on the ground "It's not my fault she can't keep a promise!"
You may wonder how did it even come to this... Well, it all started with a message.
(CURRANT CREAM COOKIE & PASTEL MERINGUE COOKIE'S PRIVATE CHAT)
Black n white: Ay Meri
Black n white: You got time today?
Meri: When tf did you change my nickname
Meri: Also, no
Meri: I'm busy, and as far as I'm aware, you should be too
Black n white: One must take breaks from the job sometimes, y'know?
Meri: What do you want?
Black n white: Can we go out today?
Black n white: I mean
Black n white: As in hang out
Black n white: Y'know, go somewhere together and do what friends do
Meri: I know what a "hangout" means, Currant Cream
Meri: But didn't I tell you that messy and noisy things don't fit my aesthetic?
Black n white: Oh C'MON MAN
Black n white: It's not like we're going on a date or something
Black n white: Is 4PM alright?
Meri: I'm busy at 4, if you really want to meet up so badly, then make it be at 5
Black n white: Can't you just
Black n white: Do whatever you need to do at 4... At 5?
Meri: I suppose it wouldn't be much of a bother... It is decided then
Black n white: YASSSS
Black n white: [Insert "YIPEEE" GIF]
And so, it was 4:08 PM and Currant Cream still hasn't shown up, which was very rude of her. Why did Pastel Meringue even consider a meeting with her in the first place? He knew it'd end up like this sooner or later, after all she's so unorganized and so is her schedule. So messy and not elegant at all... Such a disgrace for fashion!
The curious looks everyone around kept giving him did not help either, they only made everything worse. If this drags on longer, he's just going to walk out of this stupid cafe and never talk to that noisy, annoying girl ever agai
"Sorry, I'm late!"
That voice, that hair... Yep, it was none other than Currant Cream Cookie in all her glory. Though... Did she really have to announce her presence so loudly? Doesn't she know that Pastel Meringue has eyes to see her walking in?
As soon as she noticed him sitting at a table, she rushed over to him and called out "Meri!" as if he still hasn't noticed her arrival. Quite the opposite, even a blind person would realize she entered the cafe. Well, that's just Currant Cream for you an unnecessarily loud and unorganized fashion designer. Meringue momentarily didn't know whether he preferred to run or stay (or hide from embarrassment).
The girl took a seat across from him and chuckled in a "Hehe, whoops, sorry. My bad" manner. It did not help.
"So, why did you want to meet up?"
"Hm? Can't someone ask a friend to hang out with them?"
"Describing our relationship as 'friends' isn't necessarily accurate. Neighbors or acquaintances would be better" Pastel Meringue pointed out "By the way, I already ordered us something to eat beforehand. After all, since you were late, it is only logical if you lose some benefits, such as ordering something yourself"
"Whuh? Well, I think it does make sense, but..."
"Don't worry" The boy interrupted "I didn't order anything you'd particularly dislike. Something more... Preference neutral, since I don't know much about what sweets you like"
"Wow, he really treats this hangout seriously, huh...?"
Needless to say, Currant Cream Cookie was impressed. How did Pastel Meringue manage to plan everything so well? Though, lack of freedom in choosing what to order was kinda sad. But she couldn't complain, after all it was her who was late. To a meeting she asked for, mind you.
"Uh... Sorry for being late. I hope my super sweet and friendly neighbor isn't mad at me?"
Of course he wasn't mad, not necessarily. Frustrated? Maybe, but not angry. Anger was not cute, and anything that wasn't adorable was under NO CIRCUMSTANCES welcome with him. No exceptions.
"I'm not mad, just kind of..." Disappointed? Was this the right word? Why would he even be disappointed about Currant Cream being late at their meeting? What was the correct word to describe what he felt then? "... Irritated"
"Ah, that's the case. By the way, when's our order gonna...?"
"Do I know? Maybe we should inform the waiter about your arrival and that they can now "
"Here's your order" The waiter walked up to their table and placed two plates and two cups of tea on it, each for one cookie.
"Thank you very much"
Four chocolate flavored cupcakes with light blue & white mixed frosting, two per plate, and black tea with two spoons of sugar. These sure are preference neutral, not gonna lie... After all, most people like chocolate, and even if they do not, they don't hate it. It just exists for them - something edible, not exactly tasty, but not poisonous either. Can be consumed without causing damage, so why bother complaining? Thoughts about the taste don't have to be said out loud, you can keep your complains to yourself.
Currant Cream didn't dislike chocolate, she quite liked it. These were no ordinary cupcakes, though, as she started to notice. They had sprinkles on the frosting, and while there was seemingly nothing unusual about them... They were black, purple, red and white. The colors she usually wore.
Such attention to details... She was touched by it. Did Pastel Meringue Cookie ask for those sprinkles just for her...? Well, she knew that he wasn't fond of her, but on the other hand, specifically choosing matching colors for her food was very like him, so... She couldn't exclude that possibility. Especially that sprinkles on Meringue's chocolate cupcakes were light pink, yellow, blue and white. Exactly his color palette.
"What are you staring at?" He noticed that Currant Cream has been quiet for a while.
"The sprinkles... They're matching my colors!" She said with a bright smile "Did you choose these specifically? Awe, thank you, Meri! That's so sweet of you!"
Pastel Meringue coughed into his fist and turned his head away, possibly to hide the light red blush tinting his cheeks. Why did that girl had to make such a big deal out of everything? These were just sprinkles, for goodness sake! No need to look that deep into this...
Even though she was right, the choice of colors was intentional. If there was something Meringue loved more than cute things, it'd be paying attention to details. That's why he just couldn't let the sprinkles have random colors and, since he's quite well-known, the shopkeeper agreed on his request.
"Well, it's only right if that 'outing' of ours is pleasant for both of us. And I figured you'd be happy with the trinket of a special sprinkle color choice. Besides, the tiny shapes those sugary decorations make are cute, just as most small things. This way, we both are satisfied, there's nothing more to it"
God, why did it feel so weird to say that?
"Wow, that was... Surprisingly nice of him" Currant Cream Cookie thought, amazed. Still, the cheerful smile on her face only widened.
If things continued to go this way, they might become friends before they know it! She knew he's not a rude guy, just... One with a specific personality.
"Gee, what a gentleman! Well, I'm glad you're happy too, kind sir. We should enjoy this 'very professional' meeting of ours!" She commented playfully before taking a bite of her cupcake.
"Heh, good manners are the base of everything! Learn them, and maybe one day your fashion sense will become tolerable" Pastel Meringue Cookie responded, god knows if it was supposed to be a tease or an insult (or a secret third option). Currant Cream raised a brow and took a sip of her tea.
"You're on it again, Meri? How long are you going to offend my fashion style?"
"Until it's not as awful as it is currently. It's a painful sight to one's eyes"
"The heck you're talking about? I've got a lotta clients!"
"Great, looks like poor taste in clothing spreads like a disease... Perhaps I should invest in some special protection measures"
Currant Cream crossed her arms with a slight pout, to not seem unprofessional or however her neighbor tended to describe her, and looked at her plate.
"Now that was just straight up " She paused when she heard a faint chuckle coming from the boy sitting across from her "What's so funny?"
Upon the realization, he straightened up and cleared his throat. God damnit, what's gotten into him today? He shouldn't be laughing because of someone like Currant Cream Cookie, this- this unorganized punk! Maybe the face she just made was kinda funny, but that shouldn't have...
Though... Even though she probably knew he was laughing at her...
She... Didn't seem to mind. She really didn't. 'Unprofessional'... Pastel Meringue wasn't at work right now, he didn't have to act professional. He could just enjoy this hangout instead of taking it so seriously, right?
"Pardon, I uh- I..." Another giggle, how unprofessional of him "...You said we should enjoy ourselves, right? Well, if someone makes a funny face, it's logical if their companion laughs. I hope that's not rude of me to say. I'm... Enjoying myself, I think. I guess it's not that bad here... With you... O-Or forget that last part! This outing is nice"
Now it was Currant Cream Cookie's turn to blush ever so slightly.
"You really think so?"
"Better take the compliment before I change my mind"
"Awe, thanks, Meri!"
"But that still doesn't mean I don't think your fashion sense is trash"
"No problem, bestie! Not everyone enjoys everything"
"Bestie"..….
That... What was that feeling? Relief that she wasn't mad at him for multiple valid reasons? Joy, because she considered them best friends, though if it was for Pastel, he wouldn't say that to her even through a message, let alone in person? Whatever this was, he thought it's better to not think about it too much, because he felt like he had an idea where this was going, and he could not bring himself to accept it.
That's why he avoided answering and started eating the cupcakes on his plate, sipping on the tea from time to time. It'd be better to not wonder about what the hell was going on in his head at the moment. Not wonder about the fact that they looked like they were on a date. Worst thing of all - it did seem like they were two people that went out on a date.
Maybe that's what it was in reality? A date? But wouldn't that mean...
Pastel Meringue nearly choked on the tea he was drinking. He just told himself to not think about this situation, and yet he couldn't stop himself from doing exactly that.
"Don't wonder about the hangout, don't try to analyze why did she invite you here and absolutely do NOT question your feelings for her" He repeated in his head.
Then, he felt someone's gaze on him. He lifted his head up just to see those deep, pretty red eyes staring at him. Currant Cream finished her food and her tea, so she had nothing left to do than wait for him to finish eating too. Though, seeing her looking at him was not only confusing as hell, but also... Kind of nice? Pastel Meringue was used to being noticed by lots of people, after all his fashion sense was loved worldwide, but this was a special kind of acknowledgement.
Especially that Currant Cream's gaze was so tender and friendly... One couldn't help but melt under it. Not Pastel Meringue Cookie, though... Somehow.
"What are you staring at?" He asked, not really expecting an answer. This question was simply supposed to break the silence before it got too awkward.
"At you, I think that's obvious?" The girl responded, tilting her head "S-Sorry if I made you uncomfortable or something, I "
"Don't apologize, you don't have anything to be sorry for" Yet another surprising thing "I, too, tend to space out sometimes, so... It's okay I guess...?"
And now they both didn't know what to say, cheeks tinted red. How do people usually break awkward silence? They could end their outing and get back to work, but none of them decided on it, choosing to stay seated. Was this the moment when one notices that their hangout looks and feels like a date? No, they both noticed it a while ago.
Then, perhaps... Breaking the silence by one complimenting the other?
"It was very nice to spend time with you today, Meri. Just what I needed to find new ideas and regain motivation!" Currant Cream said cheerfully, to which Pastel Meringue nodded.
"Yes, it was quite pleasant. I suppose you're not as insufferable as I thought you were"
"You thought I'm insufferable?" She was aware that Pastel Meringue didn't mean every insult he threw at her, so she didn't get offended "Aww, that's better than calling me awful, that's progress!"
"You're... Decent. Tolerable" The boy crossed his arms on his chest "And kind of adorable"
"Sorry, what was that last bit? I didn't hear you clearly" Currant Cream said with a smirk.
"I've said what I've said"
"I listen to loud music too much, my hearing ain't the best! C'mon, Meri!"
"Witches, you really are insufferable. I said you're cute, but just a bit! Here, happy now?"
"Hehe, heard it the first time! Just wanted to make sure I'm not imagining things"
Pastel Meringue Cookie sighed with defeat, but then, after a few seconds, a light chuckle escaped him. Gosh, Currant Cream Cookie was the most impossible person to put up with, and yet being around her felt so right. So good. It's like he didn't have to be professional around her, didn't need to worry. He could just... Relax.
"Oh crap, we've been sitting here for almost an hour now!" The girl noticed "Damn it, I completely forgot you were supposed to go back to work at 5, Meri... I guess we should go now..."
"Work can wait" The other cookie responded.
"Wh Huh?"
"While I enjoy my job as a fashion designer, and I believe you like yours too, I believe you once said that it's important for one to take breaks" He said with a hint of uncertainty, for he tried to recall if the girl actually said that to him or was he just making things up for the sake of an excuse "So we can spend a little more time on our hangout, though, maybe not at the cafe?"
Currant Cream was left speechless for a while, but as soon as her brain processed what has she just heard, she smiled excitedly, sparkles of joy shining in her eyes.
"I know where we can go!" She exclaimed, standing up "Remember that mall nearby I told you about? They've got lotta cool shops there!"
"Splendid! Let's go then, shall we?"
They both left and headed to the said mall, Currant Cream leading the way. Perhaps, this was a date after all. Maybe it was about time to consider the possibility of them becoming friends, or something more later on. One thing was certain, though.
They both visited each other at work and invited one another over for movie nights (Currant Cream was usually the one to invite Pastel Meringue) after that.
Maybe them becoming a couple wasn't so unlikely to happen?
After all, opposites attract, they say.