Work Text:
30th of January, 2026
9:27am
"I apologise for being so late! I had to take Manfred to the vets before I came here."
Arendil looks up from his menu at the mention of his favourite feline. "Manfred is at the vets? Is he alright?"
Emmrich sets himself down across from Arendil, sighing in relief. "Yes, do not fret. It is just for a medical exam and a claw trim. I would do it myself but it is a hopeless battle. Manfred seems to have such a strong fear of sharp objects. I have to take him to the vet so they can put him to sleep as they do the procedure." The Professor explains with a shake of his head. "I will be picking him up when we finish meeting up with Lucanis. I'm curious as to why he recommended taking us to this place."
Arendil snorts. "Of course it was Lucanis. Other than my bakery, he adores the coffee here. Andoral's Breath, I believe. I tried it once with him but it wasn't for me. Too strong. I prefer coffee with a sweet taste."
"Just like the baker you are?" Emmrich cannot help but tease and feel his heart swell at the smile he gets in return.
"I'm often told I'm as sweet as my desserts." Arendil simply shrugs, looking back down at his menu. "If you want some recommendations, I would suggest either the lavender cream latte or the strawberry hot chocolate."
The Professor raises an eyebrow. "Are those suggestions or are they your favourites?"
Arendil simply smiles, not giving him a verbal answer.
Ding!
The baker blinks, puzzled as he quickly places his menu down and fishes for his phone. When he manages to pull it out and check the notification, he deflates. "Oh for Maker's sake…"
"Whatever is the matter?" Emmrich asks, concern in his voice.
"Lucanis has cancelled on us. Apparently Davrin caught food poisoning from their outing last night and is now puking his guts up." Arendil quickly types out a reply, annoyed at the situation but also being sympathetic. "Well, I'm sad I won't see Lucanis until next week now, but I hope Davrin gets better soon. Food poisoning is not fun."
"Indeed. I hope he recovers soon. Well, let's not let this little hiccup ruin this. We're still here so let's make the most of it, right?" Emmrich asks, secretly hoping that Arendil will agree to stay.
His wish is granted by Arendil nodding with a smile.
"Yeah, if I know Lucanis, he'll pop into my bakery at some point for a coffee. As much as he loves this place, he comes for my coffee more than he comes here." The baker chuckles. "Well then, let's not waste any time. Order what you want, I'll pay."
The Professor immediately goes to argue but one look from the sweet baker has him biting his tongue. It satisfies Arendil, who gives him a warm smile.
When a waiter walks over to take their order, they both agree on a lavender latte and a slice of Victoria Sponge Cake each. Their menus are taken away and now it was just a waiting game.
"So, how are your classes going?" Arendil asks, starting a conversation.
Emmrich chuckles, his hazel eyes lighting up. "Oh, they're going wonderfully. The students really are interested in my work and their enthusiasm to learn is truly astounding! The students here in Arlathan are much more excited to learn than the ones back in Nevarra."
"Well, what your teaching is standard in Nevarra, right? Arlathan is not known for their studies of the dead and their history. This is all new, so of course, people are going to be interested." Arendil explains, tilting his head as he speaks. "I'm certainly curious about Nevarra and the cultures you follow. I know Grave Gold is one, right?"
Emmrich straightens himself, his excitement clear. "It is! My, I'm delighted that you have some knowledge about my home and my culture." The Professor chuckles at his own eagerness, telling himself to calm down. "Grave Gold is what Nevarran's wear to take to our own grave. Each piece has a sentimental meaning behind it, and everyone's Grave Gold is different."
"So, is it alright for me to ask about yours?" Arendil questions, watching with a racing heart as Emmrich's eyes seem to light up even more.
"Of course! Ask away!" The Professor exclaims, reaching out his hands to present his many rings to the baker.
Emerald eyes scan over each individual piece until they land on a large ring with a ruby welded into the centre. "What's the story behind that one?"
"Ah. That belonged to my father." Emmrich lifts his hand up, his hazel eyes tracing over the last memento belonging to his own father. "I lost both of my parents in the aftermath of an earthquake. This was the only thing of my father that I was permitted to keep."
"They didn't let you keep anything else?" Arendil asks, bewildered by the statement.
Emmrich shakes his head. "A Nevarran is buried in what they own. I was only given his ring because it was in his will. I was allowed to keep my mother's recipe book too, but all of her Grave Gold was buried with her."
The sweet baker looks down at the table, seeming to be regretting bringing the situation up. "I-I'm sorry for your loss, Emmrich. For what it's worth, I think your parents were amazing people, because they raised you right."
Emmrich's pale skin lights up with a bright red flush, but he smiles widely at the compliment. "Thank you, Arendil." He looks at the man, tracking over every individual freckle that speckles over golden skin. With a deep breath, he opens his mouth to speak, ready to ask Arendil to-
"Your orders!"
Two mugs and two plates are set down before them, cutting the conversation short.
They thank the waiter and dig in, talking about things happening around Emmrich's campus and Arendil's bakery.
The meal ends with the two of them waving goodbye and heading in different directions.
—
Across the café…
"Really!? You used me as an alibi?!" Davrin hisses, glaring at Lucanis.
"Yep. And our plan clearly didn't work." Lucanis states as he pulls out his phone. "We need to try something else."
Davrin pouts, folding his arms across his chest. "How did they not even see us?"
Lucanis huffs out a laugh as he types. "Because they're so in love with each other that they don't pay attention to their surroundings."
~~
The Set Up Team
Lucanis
Well, the café date was a bust. They used it as a little friendly catch up.
Taash
Me and Harding have an idea. Sending you the details now.
~~
—
February 1st, 2026
12:08pm
"It was nice of Harding to invite us to a pottery class!"
Arendil chuckles at Emmrich's excitement. "Your reaction makes me wonder if you've done this before?"
Emmrich nods. "I have! I did pottery for two years back in Nevarra. It was a little hobby of mine. The place I used to go to went bankrupt a few years ago and I've been too busy to get back into it."
"Well, now you can start again. You'll be better than me at least, I've never done this before." Arendil hesitates when he spots the building in the distance. The last thing he wants to do is make a fool of himself in front of the other man.
Not while his heart is going a million miles an hour.
"Shall we?" Emmrich asks as he holds the door open for the baker.
Unable to refuse, Arendil steps inside and forces his mind to clear of his racing thoughts.
—
13:46pm
Arendil pouts as his clay falls flat for the seventh time in a row. He grumbles under his breath, feeling his patience running thin.
"You need to hold your hands steady." Emmrich's voice comes from behind him as ringed hands gently reach out to cup over his. "Keep your breathing steady and your focus on the clay."
Arendil blushes hard as Emmrich's hands guide his own into moulding the clay into the vase he was trying to make. Over and over, his heart was racing. Emmrich was so close behind him, his breath catching against his neck.
Maker, he was literally pressing against him!
Soon, perhaps too soon, the clay was shaped into the vase he wanted to make. The wheel stops turning but Emmrich doesn't let go. Arendil turns his head, coming face to face with those stunning hazel eyes.
They were so close!
Is that his heart racing, or was that Emmrich's?
One inch closer and he could kiss him.
One lean forward and they will be kissing.
Maker, why does he want to kiss him?!
Emmrich seems to be in his own dilemma, his eyes never leaving Arendil despite his breath hitching slightly. Then, all at once, he leans forward and the baker holds his breath-
"Times up! Take your creations over to the kiln!"
Two bodies spring apart, blushes high on cheeks and hearts stammering to a halt.
Emerald and hazel eyes look away and the moment passes, leaving both men feeling empty.
—
14:05pm
"I'll collect our creations up next week, since you're stuck with afternoon classes for the next five days." Arendil states, turning to face the Professor. "I'll text you when I have them."
Emmrich nods, smiling. It was small but still warm. "Thank you, Arendil. I appreciate it. I shall see you sometime next week then, I'll contact you about what time I'm available."
With that, the Professor waves and scurries off without another word. Arendil sighs, looking down in defeat. He slowly walks home, his heart feeling hollow.
—
Back at the building entrance…
"Dammit!" Harding curses as she watches Arendil and Emmrich walk away from each other. "I thought for sure that would set the wheels in motion!"
Taash is already on their phone, messaging their failure to the others. "Let's hope someone has a better idea than ours. This might be tougher than we thought."
—
7th of February, 2026
Bellara set them up on a romantic pizza date.
Emmrich and Arendil walk away from each other with a friendly wave.
—
11th of February
Davrin sets them up on a movie date.
Emmrich and Arendil walk away with another friendly wave.
—
17th of February, 2026
Neve tries to set them up on an escape room date, hoping the confined space would finally get them to see reason.
Emmrich and Arendil walk away with a certificate showcasing their escape and a friendly wave.
—
21st of February, 2026
Harding tries again with a painting class.
Emmrich and Arendil walk away with a friendly wave.
—
27th of February, 2026
3:23am
Ring ring!
Ring ring!
Emmrich startles awake, quickly reaching for his phone. He was livid, who in their right mind would call him at this time?! Even Manfred looks pissed. He makes out the name through his blurred vision and he huffs in annoyance. He presses the answer button and brings his phone up to his ear.
"Lucanis, you better have a good reason for calling me this early in the morning or I will personally put laxatives in your coffee the next time you come round-"
"Emmrich…"
The tone instantly freezes the blood in the Professors veins.
"Lucanis, what's happened?"
There is nothing but heavy breathing on the other end for a moment before Lucanis speaks again, his voice cracking over his words.
"T-There was an incident…i-in the shopping district."
Emmrich is instantly clambering out of his bed, rushing towards his wardrobe. "Talk to me, Lucanis."
There is a rough sob on the other end of the line before there is the sound of air followed by Davrin's voice coming through.
"A group of vandals were targeting multiple stores. They smashed windows and attempted to rob the cash from the registers."
Emmrich's heart is racing. Fear takes his breath away, tears blur his vision. "Davrin…don't tell me…"
There is silence again, before Davrin speaks. He's definitely crying.
"The leader had a gun."
No.
No!
No, don't say it!
Please, don't say it!
"Get to the hospital, Emmrich."
Please…
The silence feels like it drags on before Davrin says the words that sends Emmrich crashing to his knees.
"Arendil's been shot."