Orter's eyes narrowed as soon as you appeared before him in the hallway of the Police Academy.
"Say no more. I'm well aware that you're ecstatic to see me. I'm delighted to see you too," you greeted him with unmatched enthusiasm.
The only response he could provide was a sigh of vexation.
Beside him stood Alex Elliot, known for his strong sense of justice and someone you had grown quite close to.
"Y/N, how do you always manage to appear around the hall at just the right time with lunch for Orter?" Alex questioned.
"If you weren't aware, teleportation magic exists."
"But that's an advanced spell... and you're a first-year."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Let me offer you some words of wisdom, Alex." You pointed a finger at his face, "For the pursuit of love, no spell is too complex."
"Did you learn that spell just to pop over to the Police Academy every day?"
"Of course. How else would I be able to travel wherever I need to? I'll have you know that I'm currently in the process of learning a healing spell as well in the event he gets injured. Look at how caring and thoughtful I am," you said, swelled with a sense of pride.
"That aside... did you also prepare lunch for me this time?" Alex asked eagerly, his mouth already watering at the thought of your cooking.
You feigned a thoughtful look. "Hmm, let's see... is your name Orter Mádl?"
"That's playing favorites!" he protested.
"I'm kidding. Here's your share as well. Knowing your appetite, I made sure to make your portion bigger," you said, handing him a generously filled lunchbox.
"If it weren't clear as day to everyone that you were pursuing Orter, I would definitely ask for your hand in marriage," he declared, half-joking.
"See how he's much more honest than you, Orter? You should take notes," you said, turning to Orter with a smug smile.
"Taking notes would suggest a level of interest that doesn't exist," he retorted, adjusting his glasses.
"Well then, let's not keep the food waiting," you said, unfazed by his blunt comment.
The three of you made your way to the cafeteria and sat at an empty table.
"Mmmmmm! Good eats!!" Alex exclaimed as he began devouring the lunch you made.
"I'm glad at least one person appreciates my cooking," you said, glancing at Orter. "A word of acknowledgement would be nice."
"The meal is edible," he responded impassively.
"Is that what you would considered praise? You could stand to improve."
He took a deep breath before replying. "It's more than merely edible - it's acceptable."
"I knew it was delicious! After all, I made it," you beamed, choosing to take his words as a compliment.
How you always managed to misconstrue his words, he would never know.
"I'll let you in on a little secret since I like you so much. This particular recipe uses a secret ingredient that makes the food so delicious."
"Curious to know what it is? I don't mind telling you~" you teased, leaning in closer.
"I don't care," he replied flatly, his gaze fixed on his meal.
"The secret ingredient is love!"
"Stop disrupting my lunch," he said, his patience wearing thin.
His words fell on deaf ears as you ignored him and continued, "They say that love is the hardest ingredient of all to add, so now you know how much effort I put into making these delicious lunches for you everyday."
"Your efforts were unsolicited."
"But you still enjoy them, right? Then that's all that matters."
"Where did you get the impression that I find them enjoyable? My only concern is that they're nourishing and edible."
"If you date me, I'll cook nourishing and edible meals like this for you everyday~"
"Consider that fantasy dispelled. Such a thing won't occur in this lifetime."
Your smile widened. "So there's a chance in another life? If that's the case, then I'll traverse the realm to find you again."
The furrow in Orter's brow deepened, and he closed his eyes with a sigh before continuing, "Allow me to rephrase since it appears you don't understand. There is no chance of it happening."
But your grin remained, as bright as ever. "Well, I'm an optimist at heart, so I have hope."
True to routine, the back-and-forth between you two continued on until the lunch break was nearing its end.
"Thanks for the grub today," Alex said.
"No problem. I'm considering trying out some new recipes. Maybe I'll slip a few Cupid gummies into Orter's lunchbox next time," you mused.
If Orter weren't an emotionless machine, you'd figure you would see a vein appearing on his face right now.
"Penal code, Article 33290 - Tampering with another's food, carries a fine of 10,000 lond or a maximum sentence of 15 years!" Alex recited with a hint of mock severity.
"Wait, wait, wait! It was only a joke, I swear!" you quickly said, raising both hands in defense. "I can't afford the fine or imprisonment! How will I prepare your meals everyday if I'm stuck behind bars?"
"As courtesy for today, I'll overlook it just this once," Alex replied, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile.
"Perhaps I'll sneak chocolate cavities or a fight candy in yours," you muttered under your breath, loud enough for him to hear.
The bell's chime echoed through the halls, signaling the end of the lunch break.
As you prepared to return to the main building of Easton Academy, there was one last thing you needed to do.
"Before I leave, I have something special for you," you announced, turning towards Orter.
Orter braced himself, for experience had taught him to expect nothing good from you.
Rummaging through your robes, you appeared to struggle to find what you were looking for.
Finally, with a triumph smile, you pulled out...
A finger heart.
"See ya!" With a wave, you disappeared in a flash of green flames.
Watching you vanish, Alex turned to Orter with a raised eyebrow. "Orter, did you cast some kind of charm spell? Y/N is quite taken with you."
He didn't know how to cast one, nor did he recall ever doing so, but now he was starting to wonder.
For reasons unknown to him, his mood was slightly elevated for the rest of the day.
Trying to find out the exact cause seemed futile, so he chose to simply let it be.
And so began the series of exchanges that would gradually kindle Orter's affection for a certain mage.
.
.
.Alone in his dorm room after school, Orter couldn't help but replay the scene of you making the finger heart. Despite his attempts to dismiss it, the image stubbornly stuck in his head. He begrudgingly acknowledged the cuteness of the gesture, though he'd never confess it aloud - it would be as likely as hell freezing over.
A/N - I think I almost gave up writing this. Maybe I'll rewrite this another day if I'm discontented
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Secret Archives | Orter Mádl x flirty!Reader
FanfictionHere contains archives of Orter's youth ... Cover art belongs to @odayakao on Twitter