Author's Note

The first in my Onoda and Midosuji collection. There will be mainly AU's in this about the two. I'll try my best to write them in character!

In which Onoda is a part timer worker in a coffee shop and Midousuji is a regular. Cuteness ensues.

Sadly, there are no bicycles in this and Midousuji is a toned down version of his usual giant lizard self.

Please leave a review or suggestions for other one shots!

Part One

Onoda's buying habits had gotten out of hand, so he decided to get a part time job to each extra spending money. The only store hiring near his school was a small coffee shop run by a foreigner. When he had dropped by to inquire about openings, a tall, blonde woman gave him a look over then declared him cute in a heavy accent. That meant he was hired according to the cashier. His new boss was an eccentric.

Over all it wasn't a bad job. The café was relaxing and quiet. The owner, her name was Lee, moved to Japan seven years ago for unknown reasons. She made the best cup of coffee Onoda had ever tasted and her baked goods were heavenly. Maybe it was his height or his glasses, Lee-san doted on him.

The hours were good too. He worked on the weekends and whenever Lee-san called for help. And when he was at work, it didn't feel like work. The café was small enough that crowds stayed manageable.

So for a few weeks, Onoda's part time job went without a hitch.

Onoda was manning the register when a dark shadow fell over him. Surprised he looked up to see a tall young man looming over the counter. He didn't look too happy.

"W-what can I get you sir?" It wasn't his fault that he stuttered; anyone would have with those deep black eyes staring at you. The teeth baring grimace was just strange.

"I want a café latte. And a croissant."

"That'll be 6.50, sir." The tall boy was about to give Onoda his money when the owner cut in with a happy shout of greeting.

"Midou-kun! It's been too long. Where you been boy?" Onoda looked at Lee with shock. How could she be so friendly with someone who looked so scary? Then again Lee wasn't a pushover unlike him.

"Owner-san, I've been busy." His reply was almost rude sounding but the jovial older woman only laughed and bade him try to come more often.

More often? Onoda wasn't so sure if giant men with blonde Mohawks should be encouraged to visit quaint coffee shops more often. Lee was too friendly!

When he carried the tray over to 'Mido-kun's' table, he tripped over nothing. Onoda was used to his clumsy behavior but wasn't used to managing a tray while falling; he spilled the café latte onto the table. Apologizing profusely Onoda hurried off to replace the drink after attempting to wipe up the coffee from the table and long legs. Luckily, the coffee wasn't very hot since the owner knew 'Mido-kun' liked lukewarm drinks. He didn't notice the stricken look on the taller boys face.

When Lee went out to carry a new drink to 'Mido-kun', she sure did.

Unbeknownst to both boys, Lee started to scheme.

Mido-kun, or as he now knew him Midousuji-san, was a regular at the café and had become one of Lee's favorites. Like Onoda, she doted on the tall boy and was forever chatting at him. Onoda was sure that Midousuji would snap one day but it never happened. He would only look at Lee with droopy, slightly disinterested eyes and complain about her being gross. Whatever that meant. Midousuji was slightly less scary in his eyes.

Every time he came in, he ordered a café latte. Then he would go sit at his table and pull out a text book or homework. The café was a good place for studying since it was so quiet. Onoda would bring over his order and wipe down tables or stand behind the counter thinking about that new anime he wanted to watch.

He didn't know that Midousuji would look at him from the corner of his round eyes. Or that he only came when Onoda was working. Or that he wasn't as scary as he looked.

Only Lee knew that. And she was determined to get Onoda to realize it.

Lee-san left early one night. She claimed that her friend was meeting her for drinks. Onoda was too happy to let her go. Lee always closed shop and sent him home instead. It was only fair.

Midousuji was the last one in the café, as usual. He watched as Onoda swept the floor, cleaned the fancy coffee machine Lee ran, and took the money out of the till then into the back room.

Onoda had honestly forgotten that Midousuji was there until he saw him waiting by the front door.

"Ah, Midousuji-san. You didn't have to wait! I'm fine!" That was up for debate. The day someone didn't watch over him, he would trip and knock himself out.

Midousuji just stared at him and muttered about how gross it was to forget people were there.

Blushing, Onoda grabbed his jacket. He stopped when he saw the weather outside. It was pouring rain and Lee had taken the only umbrella in the stand next to the door.

"Here." A black umbrella was thrust under his nose. Midousuji was looking away from him. Was he mad?

"Why don't we share it? I mean, if you're going the same direction as me we can. If not I'll just pick an umbrella up at the gas station." Onoda waved his hands in front of him, a nervous habit. "I live near the library on a hill."

"Fine, I'm going that way," Midousuji held open the door with one hand and used his long limbs to hold out the umbrella in the other. He waited as Onoda locked the front door and then the two set off.

They walked in the heavy rain and through puddles until they reached the bottom of Onoda's drive way. It was almost awkward, both of them not knowing how to talk to the other.

"Well, this is me. Thank you Midousuji-san." He wasn't so bad. Onoda felt guilty for judging him at first glance.

"Whatever. See you Zaku," he called over his shoulder as he continued down the street.

Zaku? Did Midousuji-san like Gundam?

The next day Lee asked about how he got home in the weather with an odd smile on her face.

"Midousuji-san let me share his umbrella since he was going that direction."

"But he lives over by the river? That's the opposite direction of your house!" Lee didn't seem to shocked by that…

"Really? I didn't mean to impose on him! What do I do?"

"Well…I would thank him and I don't know ask if I could do something for him? You know, in return."

That was a good idea! Onoda was sure to follow Lee's advice.

When Midousuji came in and sat down, Onoda steeled himself to show his thankfulness.

"Midousuji-san, I wanted to thank you again! And ask you if there was something I could do to return the favor."

The tall boy was a tad bit shocked by Onoda's bold talk. The bespectacled boy was a shy mess more often than not.

"Don't be gross. I said it was fine."

"But, it was out of your way."

So Owner-san had ratted him out? "Fine, give me your phone."

Was he being robbed? Onoda handed him his phone anyway. Midousuji flipped it open and began typing.

"Here. I'll call you when I think of something. Get back to work." He turned to his book as Onoda chirped an affirmation at him.

The strange feeling the short boy created in his stomach was definitely gross.

Onoda was a simple boy. He was a senior in high school. He wasn't a very good student but wasn't very bad either. He loved anime and shopping in Akihabara. He had never gone out with anyone.

Midousuji was confusing to Onoda. He wasn't simple. He was tall, lanky, and moody. He studied a lot so he must be a good student. His manners and temperament were a complete mystery to Onoda. Some days he would be quiet, others mocking, and sometimes he would seem normal. He was very intimidating.

So when Onoda received a text Thursday night from Midousuji, he had no idea what to expect. Was he calling in his favor?

The text simply read: Meet me in front of the station at five tomorrow.

What did that mean? Onoda could sleep that night imagining all the things the text could mean. Definitely not thinking about how this could be seen as a date.

The next day, he waited at the entrance to the train station near a large flower bed. He spotted Midousuji when a large figure walked among the crowd. He stood out an awful lot.

Midousuji lead him to the train to Akihabara. This was surprising to Onoda. He had never thought that the other boy was an otaku or a anime fan. Why else would they be going to the district?

When they arrived at a theater, one Onoda had gone to often, he looked up at Midousuji.

"There's a new Gundam movie. It'd be gross to go alone or bring a zaku from my class. You like these sorts of things don't you?" He made that weird scowl but Onoda wasn't bothered by that. He was too focused on the fact that he made a friend that enjoyed anime. With sparkles in his eyes, he grabbed Midousuji's hand and led the way to his favorite seats in the screening room.

The movie was good. The pair both enjoyed it and then grabbed something to eat after. Onoda was more comfortable and open with Midousuji then he had ever been. The tall boy just watched as the other ranted about universes and models and mangas. He only interjected with a few grosses.

The next day at work Lee asked him how his Friday was. In the middle of his explanation about the pros and cons of stand-alone films, Midousuji arrived.

When Lee asked him about his week with that sly smile, he simply clacked his teeth. He did give Onoda a long look.

Lee glanced at Onoda and was happy so see a light flush on his cheeks. These two were too cute for their own good.