Anastasia woke up at her normal, absurdly early time, stretching as she made her way to the kitchen.
Today's coffee choice?
Something blonde, light, and fruity—adding bits of strawberry, making it more fruit than coffee.
She took a sip, nodding in approval, then prepared a second cup before heading toward Malvor's room.
He was still lounging in bed, sheets a tangled mess, looking like he had just barely decided to exist for the day.
She thrust the coffee toward him.
He took a lazy sip—then perked up immediately.
"Annie coffee cake, are you sure you weren't a barista?" he purred, licking his lips."Your coffee is always an experience."
Anastasia snorted, shaking her head.
"I just like my coffee to taste good, that's all."
Malvor took another thoughtful sip, swirling the liquid in his mouth before humming.
"Ah, yes. I taste it now. A hint of care, a whisper of effort, and a dash of you secretly trying to impress me."
She smirked.
"You are so full of yourself."
"And yet, here you are, still bringing me coffee."
Malvor grinned, stretching luxuriously as he cradled his cup.
"Oh yes, Annie sweetheart, please enlighten me."
She took a slow sip of her own drink before replying.
"Because you have the world's most ridiculous coffee bar."
He blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"I assume you like coffee—" she gestured vaguely, "—considering the absurd amount of syrups, beans, and machines you have. So I figure, why not make each cup an experience?"
Another sip. Another smirk.
"For you, my Lord of Chaos."
Malvor paused, staring at her over the rim of his cup.
Then, slowly, he set it down.
A dangerous glint sparked in his golden-tan eyes.
"Annie… did you just admit you put effort into pleasing me?"
She froze, narrowing her eyes.
"It's just coffee, Malvor."
He gasped, pressing a hand to his chest in mock delight.
"Oh, but is it? Or is this the first step toward you adoring me?"
She rolled her eyes and took another very slow, very pointed sip.
"I regret everything."
Malvor just beamed, sipping his coffee like a man victorious.
Malvor tapped his chin, pretending to think deeply.
"What is this now, day five of you bringing me coffee every morning?"
Anastasia froze mid-sip, eyes narrowing.
Damn it.
He beamed, wiggling his brows.
"Oh, Annie, my sweet espresso bean, that's dedication."
"It's just coffee, Malvor."
"Oh, but is it?" he mused, leaning forward."Or is this… affection? A morning ritual? A sign of devotion?"
She groaned, rubbing her temple.
"I regret everything."
"Ah-ah-ah!" he tutted, pointing at her."You can't take it back now. The evidence is clear."
He held up his mug proudly.
"This is proof of your love."
She threw her head back with an exasperated sigh.
"I hope you choke on that proof."
He took a slow, smug sip, grinning over the rim.
"Mmm. Tastes like Annie's suppressed feelings."
Anastasia glared at him over her mug.
"Malvor, my only feelings for you are annoyance, irritation, exasperation, mild secondhand embarrassment, occasional rage, the deep suffering of dealing with an overgrown man-child, and, most importantly, the overwhelming desire to strangle you in your sleep."
Malvor grinned, delighted.
"Oh, Annie, my bitter little coffee bean, those are all just love in disguise."
She stared at him.
Then, very slowly, took a long sip of her coffee.
"I hope your next cup of coffee is terrible."
He gasped, clutching his chest.
"You take that back right now!"
"I order you to never make me bad coffee!"
Anastasia raised a brow, unimpressed.
"You order me?"
Malvor sat up straighter, nodding seriously.
"Yes, I, Malvor, Lord of Chaos, Master of Mischief, and Supreme Connoisseur of Fine Beverages, ORDER you to never make me bad coffee."
She stared at him. Then took the slowest, most dramatic sip of her own coffee.
"Hmm… I don't think that's how this works."
Malvor narrowed his eyes.
"Annie Caffeine Queen, I will smite you if you serve me anything less than perfection."
She rolled her eyes, setting her mug down.
"I'll make you the worst coffee I can think of just to spite you."
His eyes widened in horror.
"You wouldn't dare."
She smirked, leaning in just a little.
"Try me."
Malvor clutched his mug tighter, looking between her smug expression and the perfectly crafted coffee in his hands.
After a long pause, he cleared his throat and took a small, careful sip.
"Annie… dearest, sweetest, most wonderful angel in my life—"
"No."
"—beloved barista of my heart—"
"Absolutely not."
"—I was wrong to question you. Please never betray me like this."
She grinned, victorious.
"That's what I thought."
Malvor threw his hands up in dramatic outrage.
"You know, you really are the worst, most disrespectful mortal I have ever met!"
Anastasia sipped her coffee calmly.
"Oh?"
"No worship! No fear! Nothing!" He gestured wildly at himself."It's like I'm not even a god to you!"
Anastasia blinked at him, then tilted her head, all mock reverence.
"Oh, Malvor, god of me, Lord of Chaos and bullshit… Better?"
He froze, golden-tan eyes blinking once, twice.
Then, slowly, a grin spread across his lips.
"You know what? I actually liked that."
She sighed.
"Of course you did."
"Say it again, Annie, but slower."
She picked up her coffee and left the room.
"Annie!" Malvor shouted after her as she continued walking away, completely unfazed.
She didn't even glance back.
Fine. Fine.
What obnoxious thing could he do to her today?
Swimming had been hilarious—her discomfort, her frustration, the way she had avoided looking at him like he was some kind of forbidden sight.
But then…
That kiss.
Hells above and below, that kiss.
She had kissed him.
Not out of habit.Not out of expectation.But because she had wanted to.
He needed that again.
How to get her to do that again?