[Fanfic] [RivaMika Week 5] Cinnamon

Title: Cinnamon (RivaMika Week Cycle 5)
Author: Vianna Orchidia / Annasthacy Chashyme
Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin
Characters: Levi, Mikasa Ackerman
Rating: K+
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: Shingeki no Kyojin and all its characters are property of Isayama Hajime. I do not own and I do not gain any profit from this work.
Warning: AU; Levi as the owner of a tea cafe, Mikasa as the administrator who actually runs it. Originally posted on tumblr.

He handed her a cup of tea along with a small plate of bite-sized rolls.

It’s almost midnight, but both of them were still wide awake, busy with their own businesses with occasional flying remarks between them, giving the air of comfortable silence. It had become some kind of ritual of them: Levi would fumble around with his teacups and kettles and measuring devices to make new tea recipes, while Mikasa would sit on one of the bar stools with documents and a calculator in hand. He would slide a cup of tea to her without a word, and she would immediately drink it slowly, then give comments about the flavor or suggestions for side dishes that go along with the tea.

Tonight was no exception to such ritual. Mikasa picked the cup carefully. “What is it this time?”

“Cinnamon.”

A thin eyebrow curved up. “Cinnamon?” It was unusual, she thought. She did not say anything else, though, knowing the talk-less-do-more attitude of her partner, and brought the rim of teacup to her lips. A sip and she was trying to contain her smile. The mild spiciness accompanied with a rush of sweet left a tingling aftertaste on her tongue. Besides, the flavor was quite strong, unlike his usual creations, which let her know he must be trudging outside his safe zone. “It’s cinnamon all right,” she simply stated.

“And I’m a clean freak,” he retorted back. She could tell the older man was getting antsy from the clipped tone he used. Levi frowned at the girl. “Seriously, how was it?”

“It was good. Young, over-energetic teenagers will like it.”

Levi actually exhaled, seemingly relieved. “And why is that?” he stepped out of the counter to sit on the bar stool next her her. Propping one of his elbow on the smooth surface, he let his body slouch a bit while facing her way.

Taking another sip from her teacup, Mikasa smiled to herself. “I just know, Owner. Or do you doubt  the foresight of this cafe manager of yours? Not that I’m trying to remind you that I practically pulled this cafe out from the mud and made it run smoothly again.” That she did, and she liked to gloat only to tip him off, because before she appeared he did not care about the administration or management shits about running a cafe.

“So you saved my ass, girl, so what?” Already getting used to the way she smiled smugly, he smirked. “But no, this cinnamon tea is not going to be on the menu.”

Mikasa let out a startled gasp. “What? Why?”

“It’s a special flavor. Only for you.”