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Madeleine was never a fan of coffee, lattes were an exception, but he preferred tea much more. After his mission was over, he realized that he had developed feelings for his colleague, Espresso.
He loved the mages dark skin, his eyes that had unique slits like that of a cat, and Espressos soft looking hair. He decided that he needed to get the mages attention, Madeleine already knew Espresso a bit, he knew how the mage felt about certain things and where he resided. But he wanted to get to know him even more before Espresso departures to the Vanilla Kingdom.
Madeleine would start to intrude on what seemed to be Espressos break time away from his laboratory and the institute. He’d stop by a cafe and sit alone drinking a cup of espresso. It seemed that even in the process of moving out of the Crème Republic Espresso still had time to have a cup of coffee.
The paladin would start to sit with him, ordering a cup of espresso for himself. Madeleine really didn’t exactly love the taste of coffee, it was too bitter, but he did anything to be able to spend some time with Espresso.
After a while Espresso learned to tolerate the paladin a bit, the knight would help Espresso with supplies and boxes that he would have to bring to the Vanilla Kingdom eventually, following the mage around like a clingy puppy. Madeleine was closer to Espresso, but it was still difficult to tell what the mage was thinking when he always looked so well reserved.
The mage seemed annoyed at first, Madeleine was the polar opposite from him, Espresso was trying to avoid him like the plague but the paladin just seemed to gravitate towards him. Espresso started loosen up a bit the more they conversed, curious about what went on inside the paladins head other than his huge ego. Their mission was over, so what did Madeleine want?
What Madeleine didn’t know was that behind Espressos cold attitude and annoyance, the mage had also caught feelings for him. But unlike Madeleine who wanted to pursue him, the mage was trying to make his feelings disappear, thinking to himself about how someone as sweet as Madeleine would love him back after being so cold towards him for so long, but those feelings the mage felt never left.
One morning, Espresso was the one to initiate conversation. “Madeleine, why do you continue to order espresso? I can tell you hate it.” Madeleine stays quiet for a moment but then replies. “I guess…I’m trying to impress you?” Espresso hummed “I’m more impressed by the fact you haven’t spat it out yet…But, why would you try to impress me?”
Madeleines cheeks are a rosy pink by now, “I..I like you Espresso. Like a lot. I love everything about you. The cent of coffee that radiates from you, your gorgeous eyes, how incredibly smart you are, I love you so much. And if I’m going to spend the rest of my life with anyone I want that someone to be you.”
Espresso is still staring at Madeleine with wide eyes, the taller man is now staring down at his coffee. “Madeleine…” Madeleine looks back up at Espresso who’s face is now a dark shade of red, “I’ve, started to take a liking to you too believe it or not. I can’t seem to loose feelings for you no matter what. I’m horrible to you, but still you decide to talk to me...You’re an idiot, but oddly enough, I love you for that.”
Both men sit in silence. Espresso breaks the silence, “So, now what? You know I’m moving to the Vanilla Kingdom soon right?” Madeleine looks into the mages eyes, “Let me come along with you, I’d love to help you when you get there, after all, I did say I wanted to travel more. And after that, let me take you out on a date, a real one!” The paladin exclaims loudly. Espresso chuckles a bit, “of course, I’d love to.”