#rather than boxing them into one medium and then slicing it in half cuz of book bans and shit.

[sea-buns]

Never did I expect myself to be mourning the absence of english essays and writing exams and theatre class critiques. Do you understand how fucking amazing of a grade I could get on an analysis of trauma in Critical Role? On Lou Wilson and Emily Axford's finesse in portraying the heavy expectations and double standards placed on children? On Ylfa Snorgelsson's relationship to death? On the journey of a man's relationship to violence? On an analysis of grief in Dimension 20? On the pitfalls of youth? On the dynamic between humanity and religion? On the journey of self-discovery and acceptance? On love in all its forms? On the nature of choice? On everything Brennan Lee Mulligan has to say about capitalism? On the tragedy of im/mortality? On Gerard and Elody's divorce? On the unfeeling and aimless happenstance of the universe? On the role of fate and destiny? I'm not saying it would be easy. I'm saying can you imagine how fucking cool it would have been to turn in 5 pages about a dnd show, feeling good about it?

[kusunogatari]

[ ObiRyū October | Day Two | Café ] [ @abyssaldespair ] [ Uchiha Obito, Suigin Ryū, Hatake Kakashi ] [ Drugs, vulgarity ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ Previous || Next ]

“Wait! I’m coming, I’m -!”

Rolling his eyes, Kakashi lays a lazy hand out the driver’s side window of the patrol car, a sighed breath caught in his facemask. “One of these days you’re gonna open the door, and the K9’s gonna be in your seat and you’re gonna ride in the back, Obito.”

Doing his best to maneuver into the front seat, the Uchiha then gives his partner a scowl. “Yeah, right.”

“Don’t test me. I like that dog more than I like you. He, at least, is ready to go when he’s supposed to be.”

“Yeah, well your dog doesn’t have a human’s responsibilities, now does he?” Obito sniffs as he does up his seatbelt. “I’ve got things to do!”

“Yeah, like your job. Which you are consistently late for. The only reason Fugaku hasn’t fired your ass is because you’re an Uchiha. Family business, and all.”

“Tch, you act like I’m one of those typical Uchiha who praise the ground he walks on and are just so devoted to the force,” Obito mutters as they pull away from the curb. “The world is a terrible place, and I joined cuz I thought I’d actually make a difference. But cops can be just as crooked as the people they arrest…”

“Says the cop who has a pain pill addiction and smokes illegally,” Kakashi rebukes, checking his mirror to make a turn. “You don’t even drive.”

“Hey, that lets me function! And you know I’m half-blind in one eye!”

“Which makes me wonder how you’re a cop in the first place - don’t you need to see to aim if it comes to it?”

“I can see fine, it just...takes me a second,” is the pouting reply he gets. “...I’m not a model cop. I get it. You don’t have to rub it in my face, Kakashi. Just cuz I’m not mister perfect like you seem to be. But I’m still trying. I want things to get better. But the longer I work at this, the more I realize it’s not as easy as just throwing badge-bearing, gun-wielding ‘good guys’ at a problem and calling it good.”

That earns a glance. “...you’re a real downer today, you know that?”

“Hey, you needled me first. You earned this.”

“Let’s just get you some coffee and breakfast and see what that does for your mood, all right? I don’t need you whining all day.”

“M’not whining,” Obito insists as they park alongside a new curb just outside a small café. Given the morning hour, it looks pretty busy, people eager to get the exact same thing they’re looking for. “...do we have time to sit, or is this an order-and-run sort of thing?”

“Well, you cost us like ten minutes, so sitting might not work unless you wanna choke it all down,” Kakashi retorts as they leave the car behind.

“But I hate eating in the car! You always turn too sharp and make me spill my coffee!”

“Then get better at holding onto it. Or invest in a lid, like a normal person.”

The pair continue to bicker as they make their way in, ending up a few spots back in line. The place is pretty packed, but most seem to just get their goods and go, probably also on their way to work. Deciding to ignore Kakashi for the moment, Obito takes a moment to look around. Though also a sit-down sort of place, the morning crowd seems more like the coffee shop sort: getting their caffeine and baked goods to fuel up for the work day. It’s a cozy place, like most cafés seem to be. If only he could be in a better mood to appreciate it.

Kakashi goes first, putting in his order as Obito stands idly, hands in his pockets. Staring at a picture on the wall, it takes him a moment to realize it’s his turn.

“Sir…?”

“Heh?” Turning to the counter, he balks for a moment. “Oh, uh...sorry. I’ll have, er…” He should have been looking at the menu… “A medium black coffee, and...a croissant, please.”

“Sure! Do you want any butter or jam?”

At the question, Obito finally gets a good look at the lady behind the register. Like Kakashi, her hair is extremely pale, tied up in a wavy tail behind her head. A heart-shaped face sports grey eyes and a smile. Something about it makes him hesitate for a long moment.

“...uh…”

“Any day now, Obito,” Kakashi calls from the other end, picking up his order.

Scowling at him, Obito then manages to reply, “No thanks…”

“All right!” she chirps, gloved hands moving to bag up his food. Shuffling aside and out of the way, he watches her from the corner of his good eye. There’s a certain sort of...bounce to her actions, clearly energized and happy to be doing what she’s doing. Coffee is poured into a cup, complete with a lid. 

Handing over his money, there’s a hint of a jump as their hands brush. “...thanks.”

“Sure! Have a nice day, sir,” she replies, giving him another smile.

Lost for a moment, Obito eventually follows as Kakashi heads back toward the car.

“What was that all about?”

“Heh?”

Settling into his seat, Kakashi nods back toward the building. “You were even more spacey than usual.”

“...dunno,” Obito admits, setting his food on his lap and keeping his coffee in hand. There’s a furtive sip through the lid. “...coffee’s good.”

“Maybe we’ll give this one another visit, then.”

Quiet while they eat, Obito picks at his croissant, feeling oddly...distracted. He thinks back to the server girl. There wasn’t much remarkable about her, except her hair. Otherwise she just seemed like your typical waitress...right?

They get through a day’s shift, Kakashi dropping Obito back off at his apartment building. “Maybe tomorrow you can get here on time, and we can actually sit and eat our breakfast, huh?”

“Yeah, yeah…” Waving his partner off, Obito trudges inside, sighing once he makes it into his apartment. Another day, another vague feeling of being...unfulfilled. Seems he always feels this way after a shift.

But this time, there’s something...else alongside it. But he can’t quite figure it out…

Come morning, he finds himself awake before his alarm, staring up at the ceiling blankly before hauling himself up and going about his routine.

For the first time in...a very long while, he stands out on the curb before Kakashi even shows up.

“...the hell’s gotten into you?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” is the answer Obito goes with, shuffling into his seat and just...sitting quietly.

Kakashi gives him a questioning look, but...doesn’t ask.

After a short drive, they pull up to the same little place as the day before. And like before, it’s busy. Another long wait in line, Kakashi taking the lead as always...and then it’s Obito’s turn.

The same cheery face from yesterday gives him a smile. “Back again?” she asks with a hint of a laugh.

...she remembers him? Well...then again, he has a rather distinctive face, he can’t help but think with a mental scowl. “Uh, yeah...coffee was pretty good.”

“I’m glad you liked it! Same thing as yesterday, or do you want something different…?”

“How about...black coffee, and a slice of apple pie.”

“Ooh, good choice! I just baked them this morning!”

“...you did?”

“Mhm!” The woman’s expression turns a bit coy. “Do you want it warmed up with some ice cream…? Or maybe caramel sauce?”

That makes him balk. “Er...not for breakfast, no. But...warmed up would be nice.”

“All right! I’ll get those right out to you, sir.”

Left in a bit of a lurch as she gets to work, Obito then notices that Kakashi’s picked a place to sit while they wait, sliding into the booth on the other side.

“Friendly little thing, isn’t she?”

“Yeah…”

Chin leaned in a hand, Kakashi perks a brow at him. “...I think she likes you.”

“What?!”

“I saw her grinning at you.”

“You...you said it yourself, she’s just...friendly,” Obito counters, unable to process such an idea. “No, she’s just...doing her job.”

“...mhm,” Kakashi replies as she makes her way to their table with a tray.

“All right, here you go! Two black coffees, one meat and cheese biscuit, and...a slice of apple pie!”

They both give their thanks as she sets the cups and plates atop the table, then hugging the tray to her chest. “So, mind giving me a verdict on the pie?”

“...uh…” A little flustered at being watched, Obito manages to cut off a bite, taking it into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully. Instantly, he brightens. It’s sweet, but also tangy with cinnamon and nutmeg…! “S’really good!” he says without thinking, mouth still full and loosing a few flakes of crust with his words out onto the table. Color quickly builds in his cheeks, turning aside and wiping at his chin with a napkin.

Rather than offended, the waitress ducks behind her tray with a chime-like giggle. “I’m glad!” she manages to reply between bursts of laughter. “But I’ll leave you to it - enjoy your food!”

“Thanks,” Kakashi offers as she leaves before looking to Obito flatly. “Nice going.”

Mouth now empty, Obito spins back around, still pink. “I wasn’t thinking, okay?!”

“Obviously. But do you need any more proof? Asking you about the pie, getting all giggly...she’s into you, man.”

Expression strained, Obito has no retort, instead shoving more pie into his mouth to avoid talking. It...is really good pie. Maybe he’ll get another piece to go…

They manage to finish before needing to head out, and Kakashi heads back to the car. Obito, however, turns back toward the counter. “I’ll be there in a second!”

“Where are you -?” Sighing as Obito ignores him, Kakashi goes to wait in the car, a hint of knowing in his expression.

Waiting in line for a moment, Obito then gives a sheepish grin when it’s his turn...again. “Hey…”

“Hey! Need something else?”

“I was wondering if I could...get another slice of pie to go?”

“Of course!” Beaming, the waitress puts it into a custom cardboard box, taking a moment to scribble on it and putting it into a bag. Exchanging it for his money, she offers, “There you go! I take it that means you liked it?”

“Yeah! It - it’s really good, heh. I’ll save this one for after dinner…!”

Her cheeks go a light shade of rosy pink, clearly flattered. “I’m glad! Have a nice day, sir.”

“It’s, uh...it’s Obito. My name, I-I mean.”

“Oh! Well, I’m Ryū. Guess I’ll...see you tomorrow?”

“Probably!”

The pair then jolt as - for just a moment - the patrol car’s siren goes off. Flushing with a scowl in frustrated embarrassment, Obito mutters something under his breath as Ryū laughs into a hand.

“I...think your partner is ready to go,” she offers, smiling with a glint in her eyes.

“Yeah, he gets...impatient. Thanks for the pie, miss - er, Ryū.”

“You’re welcome!” She gives a little wave as he moves back outside, hunched a bit as people stare given his uniform (and Kakashi’s noise making).

“Was that really necessary?!” Obito hisses as he slides back into the car.

“You were taking too long,” is the cool response he gets.

“Tch...you’re an asshole.”

“Thank you.” Pulling away from the curb, Kakashi glances as the bag. “...go back for more?”

“...it’s good pie. For my dinner.”

“Uh huh.”

Deciding to double check, Obito unfolds the top, peering down at the box...and balking.

“...what? She give you the wrong thing?”

“N...no…”

“What’s wrong?”

“...nothing,” Obito mumbles, rolling the top back down and staring out the window to try and hide the flush in his cheeks.

Atop the box is a little scribbled smiley face...along with a set of digits that are quite obviously a phone number alongside her name. He’s...never gotten someone’s number before. What’s he supposed to do, just...call her? But he barely even knows her! He only just learned her name, for crying out loud!

Maybe...maybe he’ll just send her a text. A really...general one. Later, when Kakashi’s not looking. The last thing he needs is his partner giving him crap.

“...so, is that gonna be our regular morning pitstop from now on?” Kakashi then asks, giving a knowing glance to the passenger seat.

“...sure.”

     Day two! With an extremely cliché plot that I thought up a while ago that just so happened to fit this prompt xD Cop!Obito getting his morning coffee...with a lil somethin' sweet on the side, hehe ;3      Anywho, not much else to say, really! Thanks for reading~