Cream Bun
It had been two weeks since Kakashi had insisted on walking Onyx home, and the two had been getting along wonderfully since. Every day Onyx would send treats to him in the morning when Shizune came for their coffees and every day Kakashi would come back hours later to thank her for it. They would chat as if they’d known each other for years as Onyx made his coffees for him, Kakashi would sometimes leave extra tips for her, and Onyx would give him extra treats. Onyx had never really had a friend before, so this newfound friendship with the Hokage was taking some getting used to but Onyx was happy.
Onyx woke up just past eight in the morning, sighing as she sat up but didn’t move. After a few moments of sitting there motionless, Onyx fell back into the bed and closed her eyes. A few minutes passed and Onyx shot up out of bed, remembering she’d forgotten to inform her new friend about today.
She quickly dressed in a long-sleeve pale orange top and a pair of long black overalls that she totally didn’t trip over while trying to get into. Paired with her usual black boots and a chain belt. She decided to leave her hair down and got to work on her usual eyeliner. Too lazy to deal with her contacts, Onyx grabbed her glasses and ran out the door heading for the café.
By this time Shizune would have already passed the café to find it unopened and moved on, disappointing both Kakashi and Shikamaru in the process. Onyx rushed to unlock the door and threw her bag on the island counter. Onyx turned the machine on and prepared three cups and got to work on the coffees.
Once they were finished Onyx rushed out the door, making sure the lock it tight and raced toward the Hokage tower. Onyx bypassed the shinobi inside who all recognized her and didn’t bother telling her she wasn’t meant to be there. She went straight for Kakashi’s office, hurriedly knocking on the door.
Kakashi looked up from his desk and tilted his head as he looked over to Shizune and Shikamaru. The two shrugged and Shikamaru called for whoever had knocked to enter. The door opened and Onyx stepped through with a tray of three cups in hand.
“I thought you might want these…” Onyx said quietly as she awkwardly stood in the doorway.
“Oh, thank god,” Shikamaru expressed with a dramatic relieved sigh as he trotted up and took the tray from Onyx.
“I do apologize for not warning you that the café would be closed today,” Onyx said rubbing the back of her neck with her left hand, “unfortunately I won’t be around to deliver you any more coffee today, but Rubus Café is a good alternative,” Onyx suggested as she turned around ready to leave.
“Thank you, Onyx,” Shikamaru and Shizune sang in unison. Kakashi stood up and followed Onyx outside, holding a finger up to his advisers saying he’d just be a second.
“Are you really depriving me of your perfect coffee making skills for the whole day?” Kakashi whined as Onyx attempted to flee. “Onyyyyx,” Kakashi whined some more grabbing her arm to pull Onyx back toward him.
“Oh really,” Kakashi said, “how am I to be so lucky to have the greatest barista in Konoha personally delivering me coffee on this fine morning?” he sang stepping closer and using his grip on her arm to spin Onyx as he stepped around them, he smiled brightly at the laugh he earned in return.
“I’m late Kakashi, I really have to go,” Onyx insisted, “I will be opening late tomorrow but I’ll bring you your 11.30 coffee,” Onyx stepped out of Kakashi’s grip.
“Promise?” Kakashi whined again. Onyx’s returning smile was wide and sparkling.
“Promise,” Onyx confirmed, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” the barista turned away and headed for the exit, looking over her shoulder to give Kakashi a smile before disappearing down the hall. Kakashi sighed once she was out of sight, leaning on the door frame.
“Not crushing on anyone huh,” Kakashi flinched, jumping backward as Shikamaru appeared at his side. “Sure,” the Nara man rolled his eyes with a knowing grin before fading into the office. Kakashi scoffed, following after his adviser and slumping into his chair. Shizune threw him a similar smile and continued with her work, Kakashi rolled his eyes at them as he took a sip of his perfect coffee, forcing his attention back on his own work.
Kakashi spent the day hyperfocus on his work, speeding through it and finishing all his work before five. Kakashi left early and made his way home, he went the long way passing by the still closed café and Onyx’s apartment barely ten minutes down the road. The scent of rain overwhelmed Kakashi’s senses and water began trickling down from the sky, Onyx’s scent.
*
“As promised,” Shikamaru cheered as Onyx entered the Hokage’s office with three coffees in hand. Shizune took the tray and handed the coffees out, thanking Onyx as she went. Onyx hadn’t baked anything yesterday or this morning so unfortunately Shizune didn’t get her caramel slice. Onyx apologized and handed over a piece of rocky road instead, hoping it was satisfactory. The barista got a forced smile from the woman, which left a sour feeling in Onyx’s stomach.
“We missed you yesterday, Rubus café is good, but nothing compared to your coffee Onyx,” Shikamaru said as he enjoyed his coffee. Humming contently as he practically hugged his warm paper cup.
“Apologies, Lord Nara,” Onyx said, “Next time I’ll be sure you warn you ahead of time.” Onyx bowed and made for the door, Kakashi followed.
“I really did miss you yesterday,” Kakashi said, his voice low as he closed the door to his office so they could speak privately. Kakashi intended to be home early tonight but suddenly felt a change of plans coming on. He now intended on getting compensation for his lack of Nyx coffee.
“Now now, what can you do to make it up to me?” Kakashi teased with a thinking hand on his chin and a quirked eyebrow. Onyx scoffed at the man and playfully nudged him with an astonished expression.
“Make it up to you,” Onyx laughed, “I just gave you free coffee and treats.”
“But Onyyyx, I was soooooo lonely and severely coffee deprived,” Kakashi leaned forward, getting in Onyx’s personal space. Onyx turned away making an ‘uh huh’ sound moving further down the hall.
“Hey now,” Kakashi said following after her, “I was thinking…” he expressed.
“Oof,” she said, earning a side-eye from the Hokage. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking,” he repeated, “there’s a movie adaptation of one of those books you're so obsessed with,” Kakashi noted the intrigued look the barista threw at him. “The book was actually pretty good.”
“You sound surprised,” she said, “I have excellent taste. You’re talking about Maze? I saw the movie last year.”
“Yes, but I haven’t,” Kakashi countered, “and I also haven’t seen its sequels, so I was thinking we could chill out with some of your amazing tea and watch said movies?” Onyx stopped and turned to face the Hokage with a raised eyebrow.
“A movie night?” Kakashi hummed his confirmation and nudged Onyx with his shoulder, quietly encouraging her approval.
“Alright,” Onyx said stepping into Kakashi’s space, “I close at 5.30,” she said grinning up at him, Kakashi stared down at his barista in wonder. “Meet me there,” Onyx ordered, lifting herself onto her tiptoes and nearing Kakashi’s face.
“Kakashi,” Onyx whispered with a grin before turning away and skipping down the hall. Kakashi released the breath he’d been holding on to for far too long. He sensed another presence to his right; the younger man stared after the barista and clicked his tongue. Shikamaru looked up at the Hokage with a sympathetic expression as if he hadn’t called it.
"I am so screwed."
“Yeah,” Nara said, “you are.”
*
Just as planned Kakashi fidgeted awkwardly as he nervously waited outside Nyx café at five-thirty. He’d been waiting there for roughly fifteen minutes and was beginning to think Onyx had either forgotten or was hiding from him. That is until he heard a crash from inside the café and a following string of curse words Kakashi hadn’t heard in the same sentence before. Finally, Onyx emerged and locked the door behind her before moving toward Kakashi who was visibly trying to stifle a laugh. His barista was covered head to toe in coffee grinds, chocolate powder, icing sugar, cream and milk stains, there was also cream in her hair. Kakashi blinked at her.
“Don’t,” Onyx said as she came to a stop in front of Kakashi, who was very obviously biting back laughter. “Not a word Hokage, it’s been a day.” Onyx brushed Kakashi off and continued on, stomping toward her apartment, Kakashi stayed silent as he shuffled after her. Onyx used the walk back to her apartment to steady her breathing and calm her unimaginable rage. Once they arrived Onyx led Kakashi into the building and up three flights of stairs, she took the keys from her bag to unlock the door.
“So as anyone would upon finding a small child attempting to climb a counter window and being unable to get its parent to do anything,” Onyx finally spoke up after ten minutes of quiet breathing exercises. “I grabbed the thing and put it back on the ground safely so it wouldn’t hurt itself.”
“As any decent person would,” Kakashi chimed in as Onyx kicked the door open. Thoroughly enjoying the use of the word ‘thing’ when referring to the child.
“Then its mother just goes off,” she said dramatically rolling her eyes, “ how dare you touch my son. He’s a child he doesn’t know any better. If he wants to climb, he can climb.” Kakashi’s eyes widened at the high pitched, downright demonic impression.
“Wow,” Kakashi exclaimed stepping into the apartment, “So does this story have something to do with the cream in your hair?”
“A grown adult woman threw a CREAM BUN AT ME!” Kakashi laughed abruptly as Onyx ranted on about the cream bun, glaring at the Hokage in the process. “I mean COME ON! A FUCKING CREAM BUN! That child almost knocked over a jug of BOILING HOT WATER AND SHE THREW A CREAM BUN AT ME FOR SAVING HER SPAWNLING FROM A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL.” Kakashi stayed by the door trying to keep his laughter contained and just in case the barista started throwing things.
Kakashi looked around at Onyx’s apartment, from the door. A soft-looking grey couch with a matching armchair sat in front of a low black glass coffee table. Onyx threw her bag and keys onto the kitchen island and moved toward one of the doors on the other side of the room.
“I need a shower, get the cream outa my hair,” Onyx huffed, “just chill on the couch, I won’t be long.” Onyx disappeared behind a door only to remerge holding a pile of folded clothes and a towel before disappearing again behind a different door. Moments later Kakashi heard the sound of running water coming from the room. Kakashi did as told and took a seat on the couch, relaxing into the soft cushions and patiently waiting for Onyx.
He looked around the room admiring Onyx’s décor. A few shelves and plant stands scattered around, books filled the shelves with bookmarks and crystals decorating the bookshelves. Many different plants adorn the plant stands, as well as the few hangings from the ceiling. Onyx also had a few sets of curtain lights hanging on the walls, one over a large moon tapestry. Kakashi sat still on the couch, doing his snooping from afar, finding new and interesting information about his friend.
There were three photo frames, one on a plant stand, one on the wall and one on the coffee table. The one on the wall was a picture of a small child with long, black fluffy hair and grey eyes, and a man with brown fluffy hair and matching grey eyes. The two were playing in the sand by a lake, both laughing and smiling brightly. The photo on the plant stand was a young child, obviously Onyx, tying a shining new shinobi headband around her head and the same man from the previous photo knelt beside her smiling. The photo on the wall was similar to two of Kakashi’s own, three young shinobi and a jounin standing above them. Kakashi didn’t recognize the other genin in the photo, or the jounin but Onyx seemed happy. All the time Kakashi spent with Onyx he’d never seen that particular smile.
A few minutes passed and Onyx emerged from the bathroom, hair still wet and moved to flop onto the couch next to Kakashi. She appeared wearing a very comfortable looking pair of pyjamas, a pair of black shorts and a long sleeve dark blue button-up shirt.
“This is a nice place, very comfortable, maybe a little too many plants,” Kakashi said as Onyx relaxed into the couch letting out a scoff in the process.
“One can never have too many plants,” Onyx huffed, “so, Maze?”
“Maze,” Kakashi hummed, looking toward the tv set similar to his own. Onyx hopped up from the couch and opened a drawer under to tv, pulling out the entire Maze series and plonking them onto the coffee table.
“How about you set that up, while I make tea.” Kakashi cheered at thought of Nyx tea and eagerly stood from the couch moving to do as he was told.
Onyx returned with the tea, the pair settled in comfortably and pressed play on the action-romance Kakashi had chosen. Onyx let herself relax and let the stress and chaos of the day leave her body and she focused on the movie. Kakashi also let himself relax to the sound of Onyx’s breathing as he fought to focus his attention on the movie.
Onyx grey eyes sparkled, totally engrossed in the film. She had seen the series as they came out last year but this was one of the very few movie adaptations that didn’t completely stray from the books and she could watch the series over and over again. Watching the movie now with the Hokage next to her she realized the main love interest reminded her of the silver-haired man. Sexy and brooding all the time, compassionate with several truckloads of trauma. Onyx didn’t know Kakashi before recently, but almost the whole village knew his story or at least fragments of his story and Onyx had always respected him for that. They worked together a few times years earlier but not enough to interact outside of work hours. It was nice to get to know him now, to have a friend who might relate to her and to who she could relate. To have a friend in general.
Onyx was half asleep by the time the movie finished, but she refused to go to bed, demanding they watch the second movie. “Don’t go yet,” Onyx said, “another movie, then we go to bed?” her head tilted to the side and sleepy grey eyes made it impossible for him to refuse. Okay, demand may not be the right word but his inability to refuse made it feel like a demand.
“Okay, one more movie.”
It wasn’t long before they were both asleep on the couch, the chaos of the week draining them both to exhaustion. Kakashi let sleep overcome him as he felt calm and at ease around Onyx and her home. Kakashi slumped into the couch, lying further down he was pulled into a peaceful sleep.
*
Onyx rubbed her eye as she decided she didn’t feel like losing a fight with her bladder tonight. Onyx fell back down as they tried to push themselves up, their head hitting something hard. Onyx blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dark. The barista found herself stuck between the back of the couch and a hard body; Onyx’s head had been peacefully lying on the man's stomach while their legs tangled together. Onyx stared up at the sleeping Hokage and grumbled as she accepted the fact she really needed to pee, so Onyx forced herself up and to the bathroom.
When Onyx returned Kakashi’s eyes were slightly open as he tried and failed to fight off the sleep. Onyx smiled at him, also trying and failing to fight off a laugh.
“It’s fine, go back to sleep Kakashi,” she said, moving toward the other door Kakashi could only guess was her bedroom.
“Wait,” Kakashi mumbled, “cold,” Onyx moved back to him with a snort, picking up the blanket on the armchair on the way, intending to cover the man with it. Before she had the chance to spread the blanket over him, Kakashi grabbed her arm and pulled her down onto the couch. Onyx went down with a squeak and found herself in the same position she woke up in, stuck between Kakashi and the back of the couch, head on his stomach. Kakashi lazily pulled Onyx up further, so she was laying more toward his chest than he was fast asleep again. The barista tried waking him as she was now stuck with Kakashi’s arm around her, but he just grumbled refusing to wake. After a while Onyx grumbled and accepted their fate, relaxing into the warmth of Kakashi and falling back asleep.