Curious Coffee

The next few days went by nicely. Kakashi took it upon himself to make a change to the schedule and take the second coffee order himself instead of sending someone else to do it. People all had their own jobs to do after all, and Kakashi believed he deserved at least a ten minutes break through the day. And he’s the Hokage, so who’s gonna stop him. Roughly around 11.15 he would saunter up to the café and take his time chatting with the cute barista who seemed to purposely take her time making his coffees before he reluctantly forced himself to return to his Hokage work. He was usually unable to take the tea order at five, sometimes he was able to get his work done early and would catch Onyx just before she closed but usually had to send someone else. Much to his disappointment. 

Kakashi learnt that Onyx was an avid reader and while she hadn’t read his favourites, she was willing to try them. Which was more than anyone else he’s suggested them to. Onyx’s favourites were young adult fantasy books. Turns out she’s partial to books about dark and broody powerful men, Kakashi’s returning grin had her hiding behind the coffee machine. She had recommended a new series for Kakashi to read, claiming it was basically porn so he’d enjoy it.   

A week and a half went by and Kakashi found himself ready to do some more snooping as his coffee that morning had been under frothed. He sauntered up to the counter, hands in his pockets and found Onyx with her glasses on once again and her deep green hair lazily tied back. Kakashi watched as Onyx wiped her brow, leaving a smudge of icing sugar in its wake. Kakashi couldn’t help but huff a laugh at the sight.  

“Onyx,” Kakashi sang, “what’s wrong?” he said, getting straight to the point and leaning on the counter next to the machine. Onyx raised an eyebrow at him in question as she worked on what looked like cream buns. She placed the shaker of icing sugar down and moved to the fridge as Kakashi spoke, “my cappuccino this morning had slightly less froth. You’re upset.” 

“You know it really freaks me out when you do that,” Onyx replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips as she placed the tray of cream buns into the fridge. Kakashi just smiled his signature closed eye smile in return, Onyx rolled her eyes fighting a grin as she moved to start making his coffees. 

“Is it about your mother again?” Kakashi said quietly, flinching at the dagger-like glare he got in return. “Apologies, I don’t mean to pry,” he stated, putting his hands up in defeat. 

“Yes, you do,” Onyx said as she prepared Shizune’s latte. “But yes, it is,” she said with an exhausted sigh. A sound Kakashi noted often meant the mother was involved. And a sound he hated hearing from his favourite barista.  

“Still pushing the blind date?” 

“Actually, she interrupted my closing last night after you left and practically forced this guy on me,” she stated, her voice rising slightly, “who was clearly not interested.” Onyx swirled the milk jug and poured the milk, creating a beautifully detailed leaf. “This guy,” she laughed, which Kakashi found to be her ‘I’m about to implode’ laugh. “Not only was he one of the spoiled rich boys who’s only marrying to find someone to replace his mother.” 

“Gross,” Kakashi added. 

“But he was also twice my age.” Onyx moved on to the milk for Shikamaru’s latte as she finished her rant and her voice fell, “my mother then went on to say, ‘why do you insist on destroying our lives, your father would hate the person you are today.” Onyx’s voice was quiet and Kakashi barely heard them, but his eye twitched as her words sank in. Onyx continued working in silence as Kakashi took his time admiring her. Not everyone can withstand a statement like that thrown at them, especially by their own mother. 

“You are worth so much more than what she views you as.” Kakashi breathed, Onyx turned her eyes to him, her cheeks flushing as Kakashi’s soft eyes didn’t break from hers. Onyx didn’t look away, getting lost in his sparkling eyes, she turned her head to face him, and he leaned further over the counter. Onyx’s and Kakashi’s eyes both went wide as the wand began to screech in the milk jug, startling both of them out of their trance. Onyx cleared her throat and finished with the latte, moving on to Kakashi’s cappuccino. Kakashi watched in silence as Onyx worked her magic, making the greatest coffee he’s ever tasted. He didn’t move from where he lent over the counter, from there he could smell how Onyx’s scent of rain mixed with the smell of brewed coffee. 

“I’m sure your father would be very proud of you Onyx,” Kakashi whispered as the barista passed over the three coffees. Their eyes met again, and Onyx offered the man a soft smile as she took the payment and stared after him as he left. Offering a wave as he turned around to look back at the café. At her.  

* 

That evening Kakashi announced that all the work was done, and everyone was free to go, he and Shikamaru were strolling down the streets of Konoha. Slowly walking the streets and admiring the darkening sky. 

“So,” Shikamaru started, “just out of curiosity, is it Onyx you’re crushing on or another customer?” Kakashi’s head snapped toward him and he tripped on a small stone. Keeping himself upright Kakashi managed to squeak out an offended, I don’t know what you mean. 

“Please, you practically sprint out of the office and down the streets every day, you take your sweet time while you are there, and when you get back you always have the biggest grin on your face.” 

“You know you kinda freak me out when you do that,” Kakashi stated. 

“I’ve heard people say the same about you,” Shikamaru replied nudging the older man with his elbow. “I spend every day with you, you can’t hide things from me.” 

“There’s no crush,” Kakashi countered, “I’m... trying to make a new friend. In case you haven’t noticed, all my friends are dead.” Shikamaru couldn’t help the loud laugh that escaped him. “Well, I suppose not all of them,” the Hokage said eyeing the young strategist who offered a pleased grin in return.  

“I’ll see you in the morning Kakashi,” Shikamaru said beginning to wander off toward his apartment, “don’t pine too much, we have lots of work to do tomorrow.” And with that Shikamaru disappeared, racing home before someone gets mad. Kakashi usually took a different route home to get home as fast as possible but came this way because he was walking with Shikamaru towards his home. He kept walking, he meant to walk straight past the café so as to not interrupt Onyx while she worked to close the cafe, no doubt also wanting to get home as soon as possible. 

“Why won’t you just give him another chance! He’ll make you a good husband.” Kakashi’s attention turned to the loud woman standing outside the café window counter. He kept walking but slowed his pace, to totally not snoop. “He’s a good man, Bell!” Kakashi heard the loud returning groan from inside the café he recognized as Onyx’s frustrated groan. Bell? Has this woman mistaken Onyx for someone else? 

“Mother please, I have work to do.” Onyx tried, to no avail. Mother, so she hadn’t mistaken Onyx for someone else. A childhood nickname perhaps. The woman only yelled some more and Onyx sighed, giving up on her cleaning as her mother pulled the rag out of her hand to get her attention. Eyes roaming away from her mother as the brown-haired woman ranted, Onyx noted Kakashi watching from across the street.  

“Bell it’s time for you to move on with your life, sell the shop and settle down.” Kakashi moved closer to the commotion, eyebrows furrowed. “Bell-” Kakashi snorted as he watched Onyx slam the window doors in her mother's face.  

“Listen to me Bell!” 

“Stop calling me that!” 

“It’s your name sweetheart,” Onyx shut the café lights off and locked herself inside.  

“I believe her name is Onyx,” Kakashi said right as the woman lifted a fist to bang on the window. “And she has work to do.” 

“Lord Hokage,” the woman said with a bow of her head, “this is family business, sir,” she stated bluntly and moved for the door. She pulled out a key Kakashi can only assume she did not have permission to have or use, and unlocked the door. As she grabbed the handle Kakashi put his hand against the door, using his strength to keep it shut as she pulled at the handle. Kakashi could hear the faint breathing sounds of Onyx on the other side of the door, heavy, shaking breathing. She’s panicking. 

“Onyx has work to do, and she’s had a long day, you can continue this conversation another day,” Kakashi said calmly, stepping around the woman to cover the door with his larger frame. 

“Her name is Bell,” the woman spat. Something in his mind snapped. It’s been a very long day filled with never-ending paperwork and idiotic Genin and incompetent shinobi. He was frustrated and tired and pissed off. Kakashi could have resolved the situation calmly and rationally.  

He did not do this. 

“Alright,” he said, grabbing the woman’s arm and forcing her away from the café and into the street. “You need to leave, now,” Kakashi ordered, his eyes hard and voice stern. The woman tried to step around him, but he blocked her. Putting his hands in his pockets in an effort not to smack her, he stepped into to path and as she tried to get around him again. “Now!” he shouted. The woman scoffed at him but did as he ordered her and left, disappearing into the night. 

“I could’ve handled that,” Kakashi heard the small voice from behind the door, he backed up to lean against the now locked door as she did on the other side. 

“I’ve had enough of them to know the beginnings of a panic attack,” Kakashi said softly. “Besides she pissed me off.” Kakashi heard a small click and moved as Onyx unlocked the door and pulled it open. Once the door was open Onyx tried to make herself seem as unbothered as possible, leaning on the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest. He’d never seen her without her apron before. He’d never seen her out from behind that counter either. His eyes roamed over her, a red cropped sweater with horizontal black stripes, he’d seen that earlier but didn’t realize it was cropped and he can’t see what they wear beneath the apron. A pair of black high waisted jeans and a thick belt with a connected chain and a pair of black boots. Kakashi moved closer and stopped at the door as Onyx went back inside. He smiled to himself, finding himself admiring her style. 

“Thank you, Lord Hokage,” Onyx mumbled from inside as she continued her work. 

“Kakashi, please,” he said moving to take Onyx’s place and leaning on the door frame. “I hate the whole lord thing, it’s just, Kakashi.” 

“Okay,” Onyx said, coming to stand in front of him. She looked up into his eyes, making Kakashi anxious for some reason, and spoke, “thank you, Kakashi.” She turned away and continued with their work. Kakashi let out a shuddering breath. Onyx whipped over the counters and the machine, locking the cabinets, counting the money and locking the register. Kakashi moved away from the door but didn’t leave, he leaned against the wall beside the counter window outside and waited. 

Onyx finally exited the store and locked the door, jumping slightly as she turned around and found the Hokage still there. He smiled at her, and Onyx offered him a polite smile and nod in return. “Can I walk you home?” He asked, Onyx tilted her head as she stepped into the street. 

“If I’m not mistaken, we are in opposite directions,” Onyx stated politely, she stared at the ground and stood quietly waiting for a reply. 

“Yes,” Kakashi said pushing off the wall, “but if you wouldn’t mind providing me with it, I would like to look at the sky with some good company?” He heard Onyx sigh with a shaky breath as he approached. Kakashi wasn’t sure if Onyx’s way of processing a panic attack was the same or opposite of his, but he knew when he was on the verge of a breakdown, he walked with a friend. It helped calm him, it’s possible that it might agitate Onyx even more but if that happened, he would allow her to deal in her own way. But something in him said he needed to help her. 

“Alright then,” she said turning toward the street, “this way then, Kakashi.” The man sucked in a breath at hearing his name on her lips. The pair began slowly walking down the street toward Onyx’s apartment. 

“Can I ask you something, sir?” Onyx said after a couple of minutes of silence. 

“Shoot,” Kakashi replied, eyes glued on the sky, choosing to let the, sir, go.  

“Why are you doing this?” Kakashi managed to tear his gaze from the stars above them and stared down at Onyx. “I mean, why do you come to pick up the coffees yourself when your advisers are no doubt pissed about it? Why do you take your time chatting with me at the window even after your coffees are made? Why do you insist on sticking your nose into my business? Why do you keep saying those things to me? Why did you insist on walking with me tonight?” Kakashi stared down at her as they continued walking, Onyx was staring straight ahead as she walked, patiently waiting for Kakashi’s answer. 

“Technically that’s five questions,” he finally said. Kakashi smiled as he caught the grin tugging at her lips and a glimmer of amusement in her grey eyes. “I umm,” he started, “I think you are a very interesting person; I enjoy your company” Kakashi watched as Nox turned their gaze to him with a crooked smile on their face. “Not sure if you know this but, most of my friends are dead. I thought maybe it was time to make some more. Is that such a bad thing?” 

“Of course not, I just…” she sighed turning her eyes back to the street ahead. 

 “You just…” Kakashi said in an attempt to get her to finish her sentence. 

“I just don’t really have any friends, I never have. So, it’s… strange to me that the sixth Hokage himself has decided to worm his way into my life.” 

“Really,” Kakashi started, “then why did you willingly tell me all those things, whenever someone was upsetting you?” 

“I don’t know.” She answered, “because you asked, and no one ever cared to do that before, and I suppose you are a good listener.” 

“Told you so,” Kakashi said, Onyx laughed, a joyful and lovely sound as she gazed up at Kakashi. Kakashi returned her laugh refusing to tear his eyes from her. Onyx looked forward a moment then turned her eyes back to him. 

“This is me,” Onyx said quietly as she came to a stop in front of an apartment building, “thank you for walking with me, I enjoyed your company.” 

“I am good company to keep,” Kakashi boasted earning another laugh from Onyx. Kakashi decided then that it was a beautiful sound and he loved to hear it. 

 “Goodnight,” Onyx said, “Kakashi,” she whispered his name and turned her back to him pulling a set of keys from her back pocket, drawing Kakashi’s eyes to a lovely sight. 

“Goodnight Onyx.”