Overthink101 said:

Hm...

Trying to decide how mean I should be with July by Noah Cyrus...

I think I'll be ever so slightly nice, haha.

Coffee Dates

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Characters: Akira and Revan. Ingall, Garvin, and Nico mentioned.

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TWs: Nope! Wholesomeness, lol

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Notes: Akira and Revan’s short story. Basically just when Akira first decides to make an effort (with some encouragement from Nico) with Revan to actually strengthen their relationship. Enjoy! :)

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“I don' know what I'm suppose’ ta do, Nico. I mean, I feel like everyone's bonded on some level ‘cept me and Revan, but… Fuck if I know how ta talk with ‘im! The only time I ever say shit is when it's time to re-dye our hair, an’ even that's awkward ‘nough right now.”

Nico raised an eyebrow and Akira had half the mind to grimace at the half-amused, half-annoyed expression on their partners face, an unusual occurrence for Nico. “Well… you could try asking him out! You know, like I told you to months ago?”

Akira sighed, running a hand through their hair in frustration. “An’ ask him where? An’ what if he says no? He’s always busy anyway, why would he wanna waste his time havin’ an awkward conversation with me?”

Nico’s eyes softened and she smiled, reaching up to tap Akira’s temple lightly. “Trust me, he won't turn you down. I think you underestimate how he feels about you, Riri.” The stood and stretched, pausing to grin down at Aki once more. “As for where to take him? Just… find a place you think he'll enjoy, you're very good at that. And tonight should be good. Me and Vinny were going to hang out with Rosy anyway, and I believe Angel mentioned something about a baking session with Sunny, so we won't be in your way.”

Sighing, Kira nodded slowly, letting their hand drop into their lap again as they began mentally skimming through any memories that may provide them with some place Revan may enjoy… if they could even figure out how the fuck they were supposed to ask him out in the first place. “Right…”

Nico snickered and placed a kiss on their forehead. “You'll be fine, I promise. Now, I'm going to get ready to go, you two have fun!”

With that, she disappeared, leaving Akira sitting alone in the small library and frustratedly rejecting place after place because, “The hell does Revan even like?! God, why’s this so complicated? Had no trouble askin’ Nico or Garvin out (though, admittedly, they'd never really officially asked Garvin out, they just kinda ended up going places together and coming to the conclusion that it was probably a date much later on)! Even Ingall was easy enough to figure out!”

So why was it so hard to figure out a good thing to do with Revan?

Letting out another long breath, Akira switched up their tactic, beginning to mentally list the things they knew Revan enjoyed (which happened to be a very small list at the moment).

Work (allegedly), Nico being his lovable (mildly idiotic) self, and coffee… wait-

Coffee!

Of course, it was so fucking obvious!

Jumping up, Akira hurried out of the room, determined not to let their sudden burst of energized confidence leave before they managed to ask Revan out.

—

Luckily for them, Revan was easy to find, sitting at his desk and typing on his laptop.

“Revan!” The word came out louder than Akira intended and they flinched a little, ready to apologize before Revan simply hummed in response, not even startled enough to look up, apparently. “Ummm…”

And just like that, their courage dissipated and they were left forgetting with their shirt like a nervous child. “Can ya… look at me for a second, maybe?”

There was a slightly pause, but then, Revan swiveled his seat around to look at them, pushing up his glasses before crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. His expression was unreadable, making Akira’s nerves spike even more.

Which was stupid. They were supposed to be the strong one, they certainly shouldn't be nervous about asking a simple question.

Yet, here they were.

“Yes?”

“Uh, sorry fer… uh… interrupin’ ya or whatever, I just had a question…” Revan stayed silent, tilting his head slightly and Akira took a moment to take a breath and nod to themself slightly. If he said no, that was no big deal, it was probably just because they'd interrupted him… or because he hated them… But, either way, at least they'd have their answer, right? And then they could adjust how they acted from there. How much they avoided Revan from then on. “Well, I was wonderin’... Ya know, everyone else’s kinda… I guess, done somethin’ together an’, well, I guess I was just wonderin’ if maybe you'd wanna… I don't know, get coffee with me or somethin’? I know a good spot, but, uh, I mean, I completely understand if ya don't want to. Or… or if yet busy or somethin’, I-”

“Sure.”

They froze, blinking a bit as they processed what had just been said. “I- What?”

“Sure. I have a few hours at the moment.”

“Oh…” For a moment, Akira was simply speechless, not having expected a positive response… and then they were panicking a little internally because they probably should have asked Nico about what kind of flowers Revan liked and picked up a bouquet, and they probably should have gone shopping (or shoplifting) to get a better outfit than just their standard, messy look, and they definitely should have prepared more for what to talk about. God, they were bad about this. “Oh, great, yeah, good! Uhhh, well, um, when do you want to go?”

Revan shrugged, and, if Akira didn't know better, they could have swore they saw the faintest smirk tug his lips upward. “Right now is fine. As long as you really know where we're going?”

And then he was standing and Akira was nodding quickly and trying to force down their nerves and replace their usual smile. Because they were a mess right now.

“‘Course I do! Let's go!”

That was a little better, though still slightly shaky, unfortunately. But Revan was nodding and watching them, waiting for them to take the lead, so they started moving, because staying still wouldn't help anything.

—

The walk to the cafe was awkward and tense, mostly composed of silence and Revan typing on his phone, and, despite only being about fifteen minutes, it felt like absolute ages as Akira tried to come up with a good plan on what to talk about. Maybe they should go somewhere afterwards? There was a nice bookshop just next door to the cafe… not that Akira knew if Revan even really like reading. They definitely should have paid more attention.

At least the walk was good enough for helping them get their composure again, and, when they finally arrived, they at least managed to step forward and open the door for Revan, who shoved his phone in his pocket and looked briefly amused as he stepped inside.

The cafe was small but cozy and not overcrowded. Not many people knew about it, with it being tucked into a small corner on the outskirts of town, but Akira enjoyed it for that reason. It was never too busy and always quiet, a nice place to come and read or wind down. Not to mention it was run by the sweetest old lady Akira had ever met and they hands-down had the best tea they'd ever tasted. And it was decorated beautifully. Really, it was one of Akira's favorite places to go… they just hoped Revan ended up liking it the same.

They lead the way to the counter and smiled at Holly, a young waitress, waived happily to them.

“Akira! Nice to see you again! Mrs. Julia's in the back, but I'll let her know your here, she'll be very excited to know her favorite customer’s back!”

Akira grinned and waved back, feeling a bit of their nerves die as the approached the counter. “Evenin’, Holly. Good ta be back.”

“Oh, and you brought company! Some of your partners?”

Their face flushed slightly, but they found themself hesitating at the question. They'd never really put a label on things, at least, not with Revan, so, was-

“Yes. Revan, nice to meet you.”

They glanced over in surprise to find Revan holding his standard business smile as he extended a hand to Holly, who shook enthusiastically, but he nodded ever so slightly in Akira’s direction, causing their face to flush even more as they returned their attention to Holly.

“Oh, good, I was wondering when Aki would finally bring one of you by! Okay, okay, what can I get you? You're about to experience the best beverage you've ever had! And that's a promise!”

She grinned and Revan answered relatively quickly. “A large black coffee, please. Hot.” He paused as Holly nodded and punched it into the cash register.

“Anything else?”

Revan’s eyes trailed to the pastries displayed before he shrugged slightly. “Some lemon bread, please.”

Holly’s smile brightened even further at that. “Good choice! And the usual for you, Akira?”

“Ya know it!”

“Great! Let's see-”

“Is that Akira I see? I thought I heard a familiar voice! Oh, and you've got a date! How sweet, dear! Holly, I know you're not charging our most prized guest for their things when they're on a date!”

Holly snickered and Akira smiled lightly as an older woman came into view, brushing a strand of gray hair out of her face as she hobbled around the counter to pat Akira's hand and then extend a hand to Revan, who accepted the handshake with ease.

“Oh, it's really no problem, Mrs. Julia, I can pay!”

“Oh, no, no, no! You've practically been keeping this place afloat for the past year, deary, a free treat now and then is the least we can do for you!”

“But-”

“Hey, hey, you know not to argue with Mrs. Julia, Aki, you haven't won yet!” Holly chimed in, chuckling as she poured Revan's coffee and handed it over. “Go sit down, I'll bring you the rest of your things!”

“Yes, go enjoy your date, dear. You have fun and come back to visit us again, yes?”

Akira sighed. “Sure, Mrs. Julia.”

The old woman beamed. “Good. Now, I have to go to shop, so I'll see you later.”

“Goodbye, Mrs. Julia.”

Shaking their head slightly, Akira turned back to Revan and rubbed the back of their neck somewhat nervously, flashing a smile. “Right, guess we should sit then!”

Revan raised an eyebrow again and nodded and the two headed to the back corner, finding a comfortable spot by a window to sit. For a couple of minutes, awkward silence spanned, only to eventually be broken by Holly walking over to place the rest of the ordered items on the table.

“Okay, a hot chai tea latte, a blueberry muffin, and lemon bread! Enjoy you two!”

“Thanks, Holly.”

The waitress walked away and Akira paused again before finally letting their shoulders drop and looking back to Revan helplessly.

“Sorry, I really don't know what I'm doing.”

At that, they were surprised to find a slight smile touching Revan's lips. “That makes two of us.”

They chuckled slightly. “Okay, well, uh… I guess tell me something about yerself? People do that on dates, right?”

Revan hummed. “What do you want to know?”

“Well, uh, do you ‘ave a favorite flower?”

A slight pause, then, “Maybe Jasiones.”

They nodded, making a quick mental note. “How ‘bout color an’ animal.”

“Purple and cats.” This reply was quicker and Revan followed it by taking another sip of coffee before adding. “And you?”

Akira grinned. “Also purple. Though I like royal blue as well. And probably lions. I like lions a lot. Oh, do ya like ta read?”

Revan nodded. “Yes, sometimes.”

At that, the last bit of tension seemed to fall away and Akira's smile widened. “Great. There's a bookshop next door, if ya wanna go when we're done? They have a cat named Whiskers there too.”

“Why not.” Revan smiled slightly in response and Akira's heart melted a little.

After that, everything seemed to flow easier. Conversation held and steadily felt more natural.

Apparently, Nico had been correct. Which Akira shouldn't be surprised about, they guessed, Nico had a tendency to be correct when it came to their partners and their emotional reactions. At least, the positive ones.

Even so, Akira was pleasantly surprised that, maybe Revan really didn't mind their company as much as they thought he did.