Love In A Mug

Chapter 5

Naruto had been in such a rush earlier that he hurriedly grabbed something to eat before the influxes of the morning customers came.  In two hours he'd have to leave for a doctors appointment so he thought it best to make a sandwich to take along then he could have time to sit at the park over his lunch break for a little bit before returning to work.

He hated coming to the doctors but it was something that he had to do every three months in order for them to monitor his medication.  He had been dealing with this disease for years.  When he was younger his mother would come along with him, but since he was 22 years old he had been coming on his own for the past four years. 

He was well familiar with the routine so he didn't fret too much.  There had been no significant changes since he had turned 19 but as he got older they were keeping a closer eye on things.

Addison's disease was not as common in males as it was in women and even rare to be diagnosed in the teen years. At 15 precisely for him.  And although it makes him feel not the greatest most of the time he's learned to live with it as positively as possible reminding himself that he could be suffering from something worse.

Sitting on the metal table he decided to play one of his games on his phone while he waited.  The doctor gave a quick tap on the door before entering.  "Well, everything with your blood work looks the same so there's no reason to increase the hormone therapy.  Continue with the daily injections.  Your blood pressure is a little lower than it was three months ago.  Have you been feeling faint?"  She asked concerned.

"About a week ago, I got dizzy at work but I ate a salted soft pretzel and eventually felt better."

"Okay.  Keep an eye on it. Try and take your blood pressure a few times a week.  If the spells become frequent, or you start feeling different, call me."

"Yep, I will." Naruto said hopping off of the bed and grabbing his jacket and backpack off the chair.

"Say hello to your parents for me,"  Shizune said with a smile.

She knew his parents through his grandmother Tsuande who mentored her during her internship and was present for his birth.  She took over the practice when his grandmother retired a few years ago.

"I will. I'm having dinner with them tonight."  On his days off work, he would spend time playing baseball with his friends and then go to his parents for dinner and game night, staying over and coming back the next day sometime in the afternoon.

"Enjoy. I'll see you back in three months."

Saying goodbye, he put on his headphones immediately humming along with the song playing in his ear and opting to stop by the pharmacy after work.  It was a beautiful afternoon and he just wanted to get to the park and eat lunch.

The peace and tranquillity surrounding the park was a warm welcome after a busy morning.  It was the perfect time of the season and the flowers and trees were in full bloom.  He sighed when he looked at his watch, his time at the park ended way too soon but on the upscale the day was almost over.

When he entered the cafe through the kitchen door he saw the stressed looks on some of his co-workers. A quick eye contact with Sasuke told him all he needed to know.  The young raven rolled his eyes and continued taking care of the people in front of him.  Naruto's eyes immediately gaze over to the man sitting in the corner by the window, no longer phased by his brother's shenanigans.

"Ah, Naruto," said Itachi as said blonde reached his table. "Back from your break."

Blue eyes narrow in irritation at the all-amused obsidians.  Itachi placed his phone down in order to give his full attention to the latter.

"What can I get you?" Naruto asked irritation heavy in his voice.  Normally he wouldn't show his agitation with his customers but with this man, he didn't really care.

"Do you need to ask? And would it kill you to smile and show warm customer service?"

Naruto huffed. "I don't know. Would it kill you to have someone else besides me make your coffee for once instead of causing drama?"

Itachi waved his hand in dismissal. "None of them make it to my liking."

"You know your brother works here.  Same training as me.  So he could make your coffee just as well." Naruto points in Sasuke's direction. They both turned to look at him just in time to see him sneeze.

Itachi scuffed. "I know. And you would think being my own flesh and blood he could do it right but he doesn't." 

"You're unbearable." Naruto whispered under his breath.

"What was that?"

Naruto forced a smile on his face. "Your coffee is coming right up." As he turned and walks away uttering the word "cow."

Naruto sighed heavily as he blended the precise amounts of almond and soy milk into the latte machine adding a extra shot of espresso that the older man preferred. 

"Sorry, Naruto. I tried making it but he spit it back into the cup.  Said he'd just wait for you."  Sasuke apologized knowing how picky his brother can be particularly when it came to his drink and food.

"You and I are going to practice some more later.  Honestly, what is he going to do if I'm not here someday?"  He said with a scoff pouring the drink into the large take-out cup then adding some artwork on top with the frothy cream.

"As if that'll ever happen," Anais said with a chuckle. "You never miss work." 

Naruto rolls his eyes. "I have days off you know. You act like the sky will fall or the end of the world will happen or something."  He says sarcastically.

"Uh...he never comes in on those days."  Sniggering when the blonde's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"What the..." he grumbles as he continues to prepare Itachi's order.

Naruto turned to Sasuke who was waiting at the counter for an order. "Sasuke where exactly did your parents find your brother?  Did he come with a receipt?"

Sasuke snorted. "I've been wondering the same thing from the day I learned how to read and write my own name." He said carefully putting the customer's order on his tray and walking away.

"More like when God made this blue and green ball called earth," Naruto mumbled taking the chicken almond salad out of the refrigerator along with an avocado and some butter lettuce to make a sandwich knowing it was one of the raven's favorites.  He added a dill pickle on the side and placed  the meal on the tray.

Naruto casually made his way to Itachi's table and placed his order in front of him. As he turned to walk away, Itachi made a sound to get his attention before he could get too far. "I don't have class until later, I'd like a piece of chocolate cake, please."

Naruto was surprised by the manner of politeness until,  "I hope it's freshly baked."

The blonde took in a deep breath, inwardly counting from ten trying not to grab the drink and dump it in the raven's lap deeming it would be better then screaming in frustration, or doing something that could land him in prison or an asylum.

Then to top his frustration the Uchiha had to comment, "Thanks, princess. I appreciate it." 
Naruto's eye twitched for the umpteenth time hating being called that. It was Itachi's nickname for him.

Naruto huffs and forces a smile. "Fine." He threw his hands up before smacking his hands on his thighs and clapping them together. "As you wish, my Lord."  Glaring at the smirk on the pale face then walking away whilst grumbling under his breath.

Once behind the counter, he disappears into the kitchen where he balls up his apron covering his mouth with it so no one could hear him scream, yelling into the material for a full minute before running his fingers through his hair to get his composure and prepare the mini cake.

His only consolation in dealing with this man was the substantial tip that Itachi would leave for him.