[PROMPT] Diligence Ch.4

“Another delivery?!” Tsubaki exclaimed as he looked over the burlap sack of coffee beans at his feet. Their nutty aroma is still potent even through the sack. Tsubaki had grown a comfortable habit of visiting the Embassy every week, despite the rather long commute. Even then, he still wished Primrose took into account his dislike of interacting with people. The gardens were easier.

“Oh, quit your whining, Tsubaki.” Primrose tuts, holding a finger up as if to shush Tsubaki. He gives Tsubaki an annoyed huff before gesturing to the pound of coffee beans beside him. “While coffee is not normally grown in the Heavenly Meadows, I have made an… exception, for a friend. You will deliver this to her today.”

While Prim may seem outwardly annoyed at the idea of coffee being grown in the Meadow, Tusbaki had gotten to know Prim well enough he could hear the slight fondness that crept into voice as he spoke. With a hum, and a cheeky grin, Tsubaki leaned forward a bit. Feeling playful, he decided to press Prim about his friend.

“Is that so?” Tsubaki spoke, a teasing flit in his voice. There was a quiet, unspoken implication in his voice. Of course, it wasn’t a serious implication, Tsubaki just wanted to be playful. “What’s this friend of yours like?” 

“I beg your pardon?” That made Prim stiffen, pale cheeks flushing with an embarrassed blush. Obviously, the uptight cherubun was still not used to the implication being made about him. Pale hands straighten the ruffles on his neck as he levies a glare at Tsubaki and an accusatory point. “I will have you know, Tsubaki, that me and Beanny are merely just friends!”

“Alright, alright, I’m just messing with you, Prim. Chill.” The envy bun can’t help the giggles as Primrose gets a bit louder. Holding up his hands, the smaller man concurs with his teasing, not wanting to genuinely upset the other. “Seriously though, tell me about her. Last time I did a delivery for you I was ushered into a stranger's den.” 

“Ahem.” Prim clears his throat, taking a moment to let himself calm down. The pinkish hue slowly fades from his pale cheeks, a hand coming up to brush aside a stray bit of blonde hair. “Beanny is an… interesting sort. She’s rather eccentric, likes to think outside the box… They have a fascination with the properties of how some Ambrosia - and alcohol - can change one’s appearance.” Prim coughs out the part about alcohol. “So after incessantly begging me to grow coffee in her garden, I relented. Now they brew drinks for both sinful and saintly alike.”

Tsubaki hums at the lengthy explanation on Beanny. She seems interesting, even if the idea of having to meet someone new still made Tsubaki’s skin crawl. His fingers fidgeted with his turquoise necklace. “She seems interesting, I can tell you care about her.” Tsubaki teases, giving Prim a gentle nudge. “I’ll get these to her then.” 

With that, Tsubaki lugs the sack of beans over his shoulder. Letting out a huff as at least twenty pounds of beans settle on his shoulder. The nutty smell fills his nose, as the scratchy burlap rubs against the skin of his neck. Using his free hand, Tsubaki gives Primrose a wave and goes on his way.

The usual nerves find their way crawling up Tsubaki’s skin as he leaves the Embassy and goes into the city. Even after these past few weeks of breaking out of his comfort zones, Tsubaki still struggled with his fear of people. It wasn’t as bad now, yet it still lingered. If someone looked at him for a beat too long or tried to chat, he ducked his head and started to walk slightly faster.  Thankfully, Beanny’s place wasn’t far off, at least compared to his last delivery. As he walked into the place, a bell chimed signaling his arrival. As he walked in, he was greeted by the Cherubun at the counter, Beanny, he assumed.

That assumption was proven true rather quickly, her hands clap together as she hurries from behind her spot at the counter and grabs the bag of beans with ease. “Ah! They’re here! Thank you, thank you!” Beanny exclaims with the utmost enthusiasm as she tosses the beans onto the counter and gives it a good smell, clapping her hands at the fresh scent.

Tsubaki lets out a nervous, but amused, chuckle as Beanny does her thing. His fingers now free to fiddle with his necklace. “You’re welcome.” He murmurs quietly.

Once Beanny seems content with the sack of coffee beans, her attention turns to Tsubaki. It seems like they’ve entered customer service mode as her settles on the small of his back and ushers him into a seat. “Come, come. Have a seat, peruse the menu!” Beanny says in a sing-song tone as she sets the menu down in front of Tsubaki.

“O-oh! Okay!” Tsubaki follows along with a squeak, letting the cherubun all but shove him into a booth and takes the menu with one hand. The other hand was still preoccupied with the contact-warmed turquoise. He doesn’t notice the way Beanny has taken a keen interest in the way he fidgets, too distracted with the menu. Tsubaki was a bit famished after lugging the coffee here, a little late and snack wouldn’t hurt, right?

When he goes to turn and give Beanny his order, he stiffens, as her fingers brush against the ones playing with his necklace. “May I?” She asks, with a swallow he nods, placing the pendant in her hands. Beanny hovers a bit closer, humming to herself as she admires the stone her customer seems so attached to. “It’s pretty. Where did you get it?” 

Tsubaki’s head tilted as Beanny asked, briefly thinking about the best way to describe his relationship with Swain. They never really used labels, but they were exclusively each others. “O-oh, my husband gave it to me. He wears a similar one.” Tsubaki explains quietly, thinking about how husband fits Swain the most.

“Husband, hm?” Beanny gives a curious look to Tsubaki. Her fingers swipe over the stone, giving an interesting hum.

“Yeah, husband…” Tsubaki replied meekly, hands now idly curling around a red tuft of his bangs. While monogamy was rare, Tsubaki and Swain were some of the small population who participated in the concept. Neither feeling comfortable sleeping with others, unless they both were involved, then again, that was rare for them. “I know it’s weird, a succubun in a closed relationship…” He gives an awkward chuckle as he speaks.

Now content with her examination of the envy bun’s necklace, Beanny lets it fall back against his chest. “It’s sweet. I can tell you care for this husband of yours.” She hums, giving him a smile. There’s a short lived silence that settles over them as Beanny once again points at the menu. “What would you like?” She’s back in customer service mode.

“O-oh! Uh, the chocolate latte and a piece of strawberry shortcake please.” Tsubaki murmurs as he hands the menu back to her.

It didn’t take long for Beanny to come back with the order. Placing it in front of Tsubaki before taking a seat on the opposite side of the both. Given that it was a slow day, a little chit chat with Prim’s delivery boy wouldn’t hurt. The topics go between relationships, to food, to Prim. Tsubaki doesn’t seem to mind the eccentric Cherubun the more he gets to know them, plus she does make a very good cup of coffee.

When finished, Tsubaki makes sure to stack his cup and plate, passing off a handful of carats to Beanny, covering both the cost and a hefty tip. They exchange their thank yous and goodbyes before Tsubaki is off back to the Embassy. He’ll have to bring Swain along for a cup of coffee next time they went out to the city together.