A Mission With Jasmine Tea (A NorRay fanfic)

Talking Can Tell You A Lot

Ray let out a sigh into the cold air as he walked out of his apartment, his scarf loose around his neck and his headphones in. He walked down the stairs and continued down the road, the early morning letting him walk on the empty street. The sun hadn't risen yet, letting him see the very few stars in the sky.

He submitted his essay and he didn't have any more pending work, he could relax for about a day or two before his next class. He turned into the cafe's street, but that didn't mean work wouldn't prevent that. Maybe he could ask mama for a day or two off. He played with the idea for a bit as he walked to the cafe's closed doors and got the keys from his coat pocket, no he shouldn't- not only would Emma have more workload, he knew damn well that she would take on the workload even if it was at the expense of  her own health.

A tap on his shoulder and Ray turned so quick his vision swayed a bit. Norman stood next to him, a small but playful smile on his lips. Ray sighed heavily, he paused the music on his phone and took out his headphones "Don't ever do that. I would have hit you." he warned, glaring at the other. Norman raised his hands up in a 'I surrender' pose "Sorry, sorry, I'll make sure not to ever do that again." but the laugh in his voice said otherwise.

Ray shook his head, with the doors unlocked he pushed them open "What are you even doing here?" he asked as he switched the lights and heater on. He turned and Norman still stood outside the doors- almost like he didn't know what to do with himself - Ray rolled his eyes and motioned for the other to come in (and if there was a smile playing on his lips? well, no one would need to know). Norman walked in, closing the glass doors behind him, and his shoulders sagged in relief as the warmth began enveloping him.

"I just finished my morning jog and was heading home." Norman walked over and stood closer to the heater, a sigh leaving his lips. Taking a closer look at the other he could see that his nose, cheeks, and the tips of his ears were pink, almost a feverish red. Norman's lips looked chapped and- Ray turned away "You jog? Didn't take you as the type." he said and began taking the chairs off from the table, he heard Norman snort "I can see why you would think that, but I do." Ray turned as the other was rubbing his hands together and watched as he shuddered.

Ray sighed softly but a smile tugged at his lips "Here." He said, extending his scarf towards Norman. Norman blinked but slowly took the scarf from his hand, once the scarf was out of his hand Ray finished setting down the last chairs "I'm gonna go get something in the back," he said over his shoulder as he walked behind the counter "I'll be back." he heard confirmation from the other and continued on his way.

Ray shut the door behind him and sighed heavily, he rubbed his face. He shook his head and grabbed a cloth from the kitchen; soaking it in a bit of water before wringing it, he stood as he looked at the clean cups in the cabinet before scowling.

As he walked into the café, Norman still stood by the heater but Ray's scarf was wrapped tightly around his neck and the bottom half of his face. "Here," he walked up to the other and handed him a glass of water "its not your usual order but its something you obviously need." Norman looked at the glass surprised before grinning and taking the glass from the raven, their fingers brushing, Ray turned towards the tables and began wiping them down, making sure to avoid looking Norman in the eye. His fingers burned and it wasn't from the heat in the room.

"Thank you." Ray turned to the other and Norman was looking at him, the corners of his eyes wrinkled and the smile on his lips soft, his cheeks were still pink and Ray could feel his own reddening . He held the now half empty glass as if it was something precious and not just some glass from the kitchen. Ray clicked his tongue and walked towards the other, he flicked the others forehead "You don't need to thank me you idiot, your Emma's friend and by extension, that makes you mine." The implications were clear but he didn't want to think about what his words could also mean.