One Shots!

Pudding Cup and Police Hat | Coffee Talk

  (Humanized + new OI continuity/AU)

"Here's your coffee, sir," the barista smiled as she handed Police Hat a warm cup of coffee. He gripped the cardboard insulator and smiled back, saying his thanks.

Police Hat turned to leave and let his gaze wander around the cafe. He brought the drink to his mouth, and the coffee's warm aroma seeped into his nose, anticipating the sweet sensation of caramel and hazelnut and freshly brewed coffee steaming on his tongue. The patrons right now were mostly students having after-school hangouts, but others had laptops and paper spread out next to them, or were simply on their phones by themselves. Police Hat tipped his cup gently upwards, and the coffee inched closer and closer to his slightly parted lips.

He almost didn’t see her. And when he did, he nearly choked on his drink.

She sat by herself at a table close to the corner, with an open binder in front of her and a drink beside her. Over a plain cream-colored shirt, she wore a dark blue jacket with similar jeans. Her hair was the same as he remembered it: short, but with a slight fluff, and so softly blond it almost looked white. Her golden hazel eyes stared intently at her papers, completely unaware he stopped to stare.

Some psychic force compelled him to walk over. Another whispered to walk away. It wasn't until another person brushed past him that he loosely gathered his wits and, partly to get out of the way, silently walked to her table, apprehensiveness attempting to smother his quickening heartbeat. He hadn't talked to her in a year. What would he even say? What would she think when she saw him? Would she narrow her eyes with resentment? Widen them in surprise?

Maybe…even be a little glad to see him?

He'd barely opened his mouth before he noticed the earbuds in her ears. She wouldn't even hear him.

Maybe he shouldn't disturb her.

As Police Hat turned to leave, Pudding Cup flicked her gaze upwards and they briefly made eye contact. She blinked, and slightly narrowed her eyes as if thinking of something to say. 

She looked away.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Silence. The chatter of patrons and soft clack of cups on tables echoed dully around them.

"Could I sit here?"

More silence. Police Hat looked out the window at people walking by.

"...Knock yourself out."

Police Hat set his coffee down and pulled out a chair, and sat across from Pudding Cup as she returned to her work. Police Hat scanned his eyes over the papers: they looked to be physics equations.

"What's that for?"

"College stuff. Studying for a test."

"College?"

"Yeah. Went back after the season was canceled."

Police Hat felt as if he were walking on eggshells. "You…dropped out?"

"Being a reality show contestant is tough," Pudding Cup waved her pencil at Police Hat, "pretty sure the only reason you kept your job is because you're a try-hard."

"I– No!" he sputtered. "My supervisors were very generous and flexible with my hours and duties."

"Mmmhm. Whatever you say."

She was teasing, but there wasn't a hint of a mischievous smile on her face. Police Hat averted his eyes and silently drummed his fingers on the table.

"What major?"