God bless the fluff week! I've had quite a difficult time recently, and fluff is really what I needed to lift my mood. Thanks to you, participants!

Sooo, now about this little piece of mine: last night I had a bout of insomnia, and having read all these cute pieces about Naru and Mai somehow led me to think about writing one, too. So here I am, well it may be a crappy one but I enjoyed doing it nonetheless, hope it will entertain you too.

Disclaimer: of course, I don't own Ghost Hunt (even if I really wish I did)

Oliver Davis loved drinking tea. For evident and perfectly understandable reasons.

First of all, he was an Englishman, and tea was that make his adoptive country go round. People there considered it panaceas, and always found an excuse to sip some, whatever the time of the day, the season or the mood. You just couldn't avoid tea in England, and he had learned to welcome it since his childhood years.

Second, tea was a reliable source of caffeine, which helpfully increased his ability to stay in a concentrated state anytime, and particularly when working on cases (and looking after idiots who always manage to get into trouble, especially brown-haired, cinnamon-eyed high schoolers, but that was getting off track). Moreover tea contained tanins and several antioxidants, which were proven to be good for the health.

And last, tea, when made the adequate way (understand, the way he likes it), had a wonderful relaxing warmth and a delicious taste.

When he came to Japan, he had been glad to find that people there were also adamant about their tea. It had given him an excuse to ask for it every hour without getting any suspicion in return. He had kept his true identity undercover without losing the opportunity of drinking his precious black liquid. That his young assistant learned to prepare exactly according to his requirements.

Yes, the tea made by Mai was really enjoyable. The taste of the beverage itself wasn't anything exceptional, but somehow, she always managed to add an atmosphere to it. When she was in a happy mood and came beaming into his office, tray in hands, the cup would taste like sunshine, or summer, warming his insides like anything else. When she was angry at him because of his teasing, it would get a heating, spicy feeling (he particularly liked this one, and the lovely shades of red she sported when he pushed her buttons, but that was getting off tracks again). When she was annoyed (at him, mostly), he could detect bitterness, when she was sad, he could swear it was slightly salty. With her, every day had a new flavor.

He wondered if her tea would taste the same after his return, in a few days. Right now, the steaming cup of earl grey in his hands, courtesy of his mother, had the suitable warmth and color. But somehow, he missed the personal touch Mai was always able to add. No, to be perfectly honest with himself, which he took pride to be most of the time, he missed the girl.

Yes, he missed that idiot, kind and easy-to-tease girl. Who was unluckily in love with his dead brother. The thought had saddened him, irked him to no end, angered him, even. As long as he could remember, Gene had always been the object of the affection of the girls, to their mutual satisfaction. He hated the fuss silly hormonal female teenagers made around them, and Gene gladly kept them at bay for him, flirting with ease, leaving him in a quiet and welcomed shadow. And he had never wished it to be otherwise. Until this fateful day. « He always saved me », Mai had said, tears in her eyes, but how hadn't she realized that he had, too? That he had always watched her, looked out for her, rescued her on a regular basis, if not emotionally, physically at least? Damnit, after this disastrous confession he had even comforted her, baiting her with sarcastic comments to angry her, so that she could bounce back to her combattive optimistic self again. He had gone as far as hiding his own shock and disappointment for her sake.

Oliver sighed dejectedly in his cup. He could never be Gene, openly kind and full of sweet smiles. He couldn't afford to be too compassionate, his paranormal skills prevented him to do so. He couldn't lose his temper. He couldn't let the distress of other affect him too much. He couldn't lower his guard for too long. His own kindness was shown in subtle ways, that very few people were able to detect. He thought Mai was one of them. Well, deep down, he knew she was. Oliver Davis, no, Naru as she had dubbed him, was willing to let her have a glimpse of his damaged soul. Maybe, with time, she would learn to appreciate his roundabout ways of caring. Maybe, she would understand that his affection wasn't a fleeting feeling, but a profound and unwavering emotion. That he wasn't flirtatious ans sociable, like Gene, but that he was serious about everything he thought was worth it. And worth it, she definitely was.

He would come back, and take as much time as necessary to regain her trust and build a healthy relationship. Whatever it may be, friendship or more, he was willing to take. He wouldn't be anything else than himself though, with flaws and all. But maybe, one day, it will be enough for her. Be it in years, he didn't care. They were both young, time wasn't an issue.

-Mai, Tea!

He liked how the phrase rolled on his tongue, and he liked even more the steaming porcelain cup coming as a result. Said Mai stomped rather angrily in his office, shoving less than delicately the offending piece of furniture on his desk.

- Naru, you slave driver! The last one was only half an hour ago! Let me at least enough time to sit down once in a while!

- Mai, I pay you for making me tea. You have no ground for complaining.

She grumbled something under her breath, her complexion getting redder and her eyes taking a fiery glow while glaring at him.

Naru took a sip of her tea, and couldn't help but smirk. Spicy. Excellent.

When he had come back a few months ago, he had been pleased to find out that things between them hadn't changed much. The tea hadn't lost his taste. Mai was still her bubbly happy self. He had returned to his secretive self again. Their friendship, as far as one could call that their relationship, hasn't been really damaged. Compassionate and kind as she was, Mai had easily forgiven him, and her happiness to see him again when he had returned had seem genuine. She still trusted him, in spite of all his previous lies. And amazingly enough, so did the rest of the team. He had surprised himself feeling relieved to find everyone greeting him like nothing had happened. Like he was welcomed. And more disturbing for him, he felt good being back, it was like... coming home.

Without the burden of searching for his dead brother and lying to his coworkers and, dare he say, friends (although he would never say that out loud for the idiots to hear), the atmosphere was lighter. Social interactions that he used to loath suddenly didn't seem so irritating. Well, he was still a narcissistic workaholic, an idiot scientist, but felt now enough at ease to try to open up a little. Just a little. And just to Mai.

Mai, speaking of who, was glaring at him furiously, still waiting for him to show some manners and thank her. She always did, although she knew perfectly well that she would end up disappointed by his lack of reaction and gratitude.

Just for once, he thought, he should bend his rules for her. It could be a good start to show her some unknown bits of himself, so she could understand him better. And maybe, then...He decided to give it a try, and cleared his throat as he addressed his assistant.

- Mai, he warned in a low tone, I will only say it once, so listen closely.

Mai's features rapidly changed from irritated to curious, then to triumphant. She was obviously expecting his thanks, and she leaned a little to hear him better, grinning.

- Yes, Naru?

He sighed softly, and said, with the slightest unease:

- Your tea is delicious, really. I mean it.

That wasn't the "thank you" she probably wanted to hear, but Mai reacted satisfactorily nonetheless. She almost let the tray slip in her hand in surprise, mouth slightly open, eyes wide.

- I...I'm glad you like it, she said, stuttering a bit, suddenly all shyness.

He watched with masked satisfaction her cheeks becoming bright red under the praise. And when he leveled his gaze to meet hers, his heart made an alien little leapt of joy. She was addressing him, him, not Gene or anyone else, a wonderful smile adorned with sparkling eyes, radiating gratefulness. A smile telling him that he was someone important to her. Important enough that a few words from his mouth could still brighten her day.

Yes, he though smugly, it was definitely a good start. And softening a little wasn't an unpleasant experience after all.

His gaze following her small frame as she left his office, he began to wonder what kind of reaction he could elicit from her next time. Soon enough, he would thank her, or tell her something pleasant just for the sake of seeing this smile again. He couldn't wait to ask for another cup of tea. He was sure the next one would taste like summer.