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“Itchy, are you even paying attention?”
Doze’s voice cut through the buzz of other thoughts and mental images that had been going through Itchy’s head. He blinked, shook his head, and gave Doze a bored, sulking stare. “Yeah totally. Uhh… boil water, pour it in a cup, bam ya got tea. Is that the gist, can I teach you how to make a proper drink now?”
They’d been bickering for weeks over which was better - tea or coffee - and neither could or would agree. So Clubs Deuce of all people had come up with the bright idea of them teaching each other how to make their drinks of choice. Granted, it had been in the middle of a shootout so Club’s advice probably should have been taken with a grain of salt, but Clover backed up the idea…
And there they were, trying their damnedest to communicate.
Doze gripped the kettle tighter and took a moment to compose himself. He knew it was a deeper issue than just Itchy being stubborn, no matter how irritating it was to Doze. “Am I the only one that’s making any real effort here?” He asked, brow furrowing in a way that let Itchy know just how disappointed he was in him. “We’re trying to bond, Itchy… this is important. For a healthy relationship.”
Itchy sat up a little straighter and looked away. At least he had the decency to look a little ashamed of himself. Or as ashamed of himself as Itchy was capable of feeling. “Ugh… I knoooow, but… I don’t even like tea an’ you’ve made it for me like a million times–”
“I haven’t. Not for you.” Doze said lightly.
The taller leprechaun paused, expression wavering to one of surprise, then bitter annoyance as he crossed his arms stubbornly over his chest. He sank lower in his seat, crossing a leg over his knee and bouncing his leg a little. A nervous habit that persisted no matter what timeline Itchy was from.
Doze set the kettle aside, and moved to sit next to him, reaching out rounder, softer hands to pull Itchy’s narrower digits from the sleeves of his shirt. “I know you’re not quite like the last Itchy I knew, and I’m not quite like the last Doze you knew. But, this is why it’s important to learn something about each other.” He said softly, affectionately.
His thumbs rubbed soothing circles across the backs of Itchy’s hands, and some of the tension left the other’s shoulders.
For once though, he didn’t talk.
He didn’t interject, as if knowing that Doze had more words he needed to say.
Doze let out a slow breath of relief and continued. “The last you died not too long ago. And I’m guessing from the way you looked at me when we first met, I died not too long ago in your old timeline.” Itchy’s fingers twitched for a moment, a silent confirmation that Doze wasn’t too far off the mark. “So this is a lot of change–”
“It’s not just change, ya know. It’s like…” Itchy bounced his leg a little harder. “I mean, like. You’re just gonna need to redo this again, ya know. Or I’m gonna have to. Eventually.”
“And that’s okay.”
“It’s–”
Doze shushed him, pressing a hand lightly over his mouth to stop whatever negativity was about to come tumbling out of his big mouth. “We’re not talking about eventualities. We’re talking about me teaching you how to make tea, and you teaching me how to make coffee. The way you like it.”
Itchy was quiet for a moment.
His shoulders sagged in defeat, and he swatted Doze’s hands away. “Okay okay okay okay! I get it! Ya big sap… fine.” He dropped his foot flat on the ground and leaned forward, roughly knocking his forehead against Doze’s. It was an unfamiliar gesture, but Doze still smiled and leaned into it slightly, returning the feeling behind it. “Show me how it's made before I die of boredom an’ emotional constipation.”
A heavy sigh of relief escaped Doze as he pulled away.
“Well, you’re already emotionally constipated. So we’re a little late on that one.” Doze teased, earning him a shove and a laugh from Itchy in response. “Now… let’s see. The water should be hot enough, it shouldn’t be boiling after all…”
He began to walk Itchy through the process, remaining patient despite Itchy’s lingering crankiness and his questions. Though, if he was being honest, he was just glad that Itchy had enough interest to even think of genuine questions to ask.
“Isn’t boilin’ water better?”
“No, it isn’t, it’ll ruin the flavor.”
“Why?”
Doze smiled a little, pouring the water over the tea ball full of a bitter black tea and blueberry mix. That should be something Itchy would like… maybe. “Because it’ll burn the leaves and make it bitter.” He replied.
Itchy hummed, frowning and bouncing his leg again, elbow leaning on said leg and cheek pressed against his palm. “What if ya like bitter?” He griped, obviously thinking about coffee and the fact that he liked that bitter.
“Then you should drink coffee.” Doze laughed when Itchy threw his hands into the air, clearly agitated but not seriously so.
Itchy jabbed a finger in his direction, squinting and scowling at him from under the brim of his hardhat like that would make his annoyance even more obvious. “Wasn’t the point of this to show me that tea’s good?! What’s the point of showin’ me how to make it not bitter an’ then tellin’ me to drink coffee!” He complained loudly, leaning back in his seat and slouching in it.
A snort of amusement, and Doze resumed pouring their tea.
“I’m just telling you how I like to make it.” He said, as if he hadn’t said it before and wouldn’t have to say it again. He looked over at Itchy, staring at him in deep thought. While he knew that Itchy liked his coffee black so he could appreciate the roast of the beans and the natural flavor or whatnot, but he didn’t like how tea tasted. He’d probably like it with milk and honey? Or maybe a sugar cube or two?
His fingers tapped lightly against the handle of the kettle, tilting his head.
Itchy fidgeted under his gaze for a moment, face scrunching up further. “What?”
“Oh. I was just thinking.” Milk and honey it was. It was the safest bet. He finished making their cups, explaining what he was doing while Itchy watched him skeptically.
When the tea was finished, Doze wasn’t really sure if he was making the right choice. Itchy was so fussy and contrary… but he hoped that even he would be able to appreciate the attempt.
He knew by heart the amount of time needed to let the tea bloom, though he'd be lying if he said he wasn't just a bit thrown off by the feeling of Itchy's gaze burrowing holes into his back. He wasn't used to being observed, especially not by Itchy. It made him a bit self-conscious if he was being honest.
But he had to set an example.
Be the mature one. Make the first step forward when it came to trying to understand him.
The cups clattered lightly on the saucers as Doze served their tea with a smile on his face. "I hope yours is to your liking." Doze said lightly as he returned to his seat.
Itchy squinted at the steaming cup in front of him, leaning forward to sniff at it. It was herbal and had a hint of fruit though he couldn't tell what kind it was. He just knew that he didn't like it. Scrunching up his face, he pushed himself back and away from the cup with a loud, "Ech! Smells fuckin' nasty! What kinda shit is this?"
"It's black tea with blue berries, milk and honey. Quit complaining and just try it." Doze scolded, squinting at him while bringing his own cup to his mouth. "Just take a sip at least."
"Ugh… do I have to?"
"Didn't we just have a very emotional moment not too long ago, talking about–"
Itchy threw his hands up in Doze's direction, looking away from him. "I know, I know! Bonding or whatever! I get it! Ugh!" He glared at the cup in front of him. Picking it up, he glanced over at Doze, noting the way he was holding it with his pinkie out a little and his other hand holding the saucer. "... Do I gotta hold my finger out all fruity an' stuff like you?"
Doze snorted a little into his cup.
"Oh yes," he said teasingly. "It’s integral to the experience.”
It definitely wasn’t and he knew for a fact that Itchy wasn’t sure if he was being truthful or not. In the end, Doze got to see Itchy stick his finger out as far as he could. He snorted into his tea, having to close his eyes to avoid laughing out loud at how much Itchy was straining himself just to keep his finger out. He cracked an eye open to watch Itchy though, curious and anxious about his reaction.
The cup was brought to Itchy’s mouth and he sniffed its contents again before grimacing hard.
But, much to Doze’s surprise, he took a sip.
It was noisy, more like a slurp than a sip, but it was something. And he didn’t spit it out. He frowned at its contents, took a second sip, and his hackles lowered and his pinkie relaxed and for once, he looked thoughtful. “... I don’t hate it.” Were the words that broke the silence between them, and Doze felt a bit silly for feeling so emotional over that simple phrase.
Itchy, no matter what timeline he was from, was always headstrong and stubborn and too contrary to even give things he didn’t like a fair shake. And yet, there he was, admitting that he didn’t hate something.
He even took a second and a third sip, each less hesitant than the last.
“Oh. Well, I’m glad.” Doze said, careful not to sprinkle on too much enthusiasm, as if his excitement would just make Itchy want to be contrary just because. “Is it sweet enough?”
“It’s okay. It’s still… herby. I feel like I’m sippin’ at a spice rack, but like, not a bad one.”
He had no idea if Itchy even knew what a spice rack looked like with that comparison. “I’ll add more paprika next time.” Doze snorted.
Itchy stuck his tongue out at him, kicking his leg out to hit Doze’s calf. “You know what I mean!” He whined.
“No, I don’t. It doesn’t taste anything like the things you’d find on a spice rack. I think you’re just saying things because you think you sound smart.” Doze gave him a teasing smile. “But it just makes you sound dumber.”
Itchy’s face burned, and he sank low in his seat, grumbling as he propped his legs up on the table and continued sipping at his tea. “Oh shut the fuck up, I’m a goddamn genius and you’re just jealous my brain’s so fuckin’ big an’ sexy.”
Doze smiled softly. “Oh yes, I’m so jealous.”
Itchy snorted, his expression lightening. “... Hey. When I’m done with this one, could, uh.” He rubbed at his neck a little, taking another drink and averting his gaze. “... could you get me a second cup? More honey this time though.”
He was stunned silent for a moment, staring at Itchy with wide eyes for a moment. The fact that he liked it enough to want a second cup… actually, he wasn’t sure if Itchy liked it. But he wanted to try it with more honey. He was trying it. And he was continuing to try it.
“... O-of course.” Doze stammered, face reddening.
They drank their tea in silence, the only sound being the clattering of cups when Doze got them refills. When he returned with Itchy’s new cup, he shifted his chair closer, letting their shoulders touch. Itchy didn’t complain, just took a sip and nodded a bit.
“More honey’s the way to go.” He sniffed. “Gets rid of that… herby… flowery taste.”
“You mean the thing that makes it taste like tea?”
Itchy bumped his shoulder against Doze’s, squinting at him from the corners of his eyes. “Oh shuddap, like you don’t take your coffee with a fuck ton of flavored creamer to cover up the coffee taste.” He huffed, shaking his head.
Doze laughed. He really couldn’t argue with that. “You have me there. I guess we’re even then.”
“Damn right we are.”
For the moment, it felt… good. Serene even. Drinking tea with the ones they cared about the most, even though Itchy wasn’t tea’s biggest fan. But they had plenty of time to find teas and coffee blends that each other liked. And now they had the patience and open-minds to try.
And that was one hell of a good start.