Mao Mao's Valentine's 2020 ♡

First Date

Word Count: 995

Warnings: None

"Fine," With the constant onslaught she'd received for what felt like a life time and a half, Zu pinched the bridge of her nose and waved Mao off just like that, "One date Sheriff. And I cannot stress enough that is is a one time thing and-"

"Yes! I win!" Mao clasped his paws around Zu's hand and attempted to bring it to his lips without asking.

That left a sour taste in Zu's mouth and she glared at the Sheriff, "This is not a win I swear I won't-"

Of course getting the Queen to rip her hand from his touch and scowl still didn't dampen Mao's spirit, "Come to the coffee shop on the east side of town at six o'clock!"

"Mao-" Zu looked at him confused at those instructions, "That place closes at three you can't-"

"Muffin's owes me a favor for getting Pinkie out of the air ducts in the coffee shop," His explanation sounded ridiculous but Zu had heard worse from the sheriff.

Sighing heavily the Queen really had caved, "Fine, I'll see you then."

Certainly when she came to the place in question Zu saw the low warm lights still on inside Muffin's quaint little coffee shop. Not a soul seemed to be in there. Mao included. When Zu came up to the door though she saw a pile of rose petals that looked exactly like someone tried to spread them romantically but quit five seconds into it and through them on the ground in a last minute ditch attempt. It did bring a little smirk to the Queen's lips but she didn't linger. Finding that in fact the door was unlocked. Allowing herself in as Mao had told her to.

Inside was illuminated with candles on the back bar, lights lowered and matching rose petals that at least were leading up to one table in the middle of the room. Everything else had been pulled away to leave the lone table at the center of attention.

Closing the door slowly Zu stepped towards the table looking around if anything was even around, "...Mao? Muffins? Is anyone even-"

"My Queen~" Out of the shadows Mao stepped away from the wall. Dashing in his white suit that certainly surprised the lioness as she didn't think he'd clean up so nicely. But Zu kept that in on the back burner as she approached him. Mao bowed, taking the Queen's hand in his and laying a kiss a top of it, "You look beautiful my queen."

"Mao," Zu rolled her eyes fighting the shiver to her cream colored fur the moment he kissed her hand, "I told you nothing so fancy. I'm not-"

"Please, take a seat," Mao interrupted her just to pull the bigger of the two chairs out. Beckoning her to be sat at his motion. The chill he'd given her gone in a moment when Mao returned to this stuffy act that he forced onto her simply because she was Queen. This was going exactly how she'd expected it would go.

Precise and perfect nothing seemed out of place. It was so stuffy and claustrophobic Zu kept glancing at the clock hidden in the shadows. Waiting, praying this would end sooner than Mao droning on like he knew how she should act and be treated. None of this was what Zu wanted.

Rounding the evening off with dinner. Mao at least didn't seem opposed to desert. Zu couldn't complain at least she'd get some icecream out of this horrible date. When she went to dive in and finish this icecream like she wanted to finish this date. Mao let out a ghastly screech across the table making Zu drop her spoon without thought looking up at what was wrong.

"Mao what the-" Zu jumped to he must have caught his sleeve on fire over the candle on the table or maybe bit his tongue. But the cause of that horrible wail was the dumbest thing in the world. Smeared on his white tux was the smallest wad of chocolate icecream that could have been blotted off but apparent frantic wiping had forced the icecream stain to turn into a giant smear all over his jacket lapel.

"It's ruined! All of it ruined!" Mao slammed his head against the table in exaggerated anguish.

Sure she'd hated the date but really this wasn't necessary, "Mao it's ok, really it's a little stain we could get it cleaned it's not big-"

"This is all ruined! I couldn't even put on a half way decent date! You hate the candles you've been wrinkling your nose since you came in! You hardly looked at the flower petals! And now your desert is ruined because I can't even eat icecream right! You were right I didn't deserve a date, not with the Queen of all people."

"Mao," Zu's harsh tone snapped Mao's green eyes up at her. Instead of scowling like she had been the rest of the night. The sheriff realized she was trying to hide the goofiest smile in the world. Immediately he felt his heart flutter into his throat seeing that smile but contained it as Zu spoke up, "None of this is ruined."

"W-What-" He sat back up wiping at his eyes staring at her confused, "But I couldn't-"

Clearing her throat loudly Zu took a big wad of half melted icecream and without hesitation smeared it half way down her blouse. Even though it was nearly white as well. She didn't stop until she was doused in more icecream than he was, smiling the entire time at him, "I told you I didn't want anything fancy." The queen got herself up from the table and came over to Mao. Who was still awe struck looking at her as Zu stopped a moment and leaned down to kiss the top of his head between his big radar ears, "C'mon lets get out of here and make it a real first date."