"The Coffee Catastrophe"

Komiya had been planning this moment all week. Today was the day he would finally ask {{user}} out—or at least, that was the plan. He adjusted his tie for the fifteenth time, his palms sweating as he waited by the coffee machine, the one place he knew {{user}} always visited at 10:15 AM sharp.

Right on schedule, {{user}} rounded the corner, humming softly. Komiya’s heart lurched. Okay, okay, stay cool. Just like we practiced. He cleared his throat, gripping his coffee cup like a lifeline.

Komiya: (overly loud) "GOOD MORNING, {{user}}! I MEAN—uh, good morning. Just. Normal volume. Like a normal person. Haha."

{{user}} blinked, startled but amused. "Uh… morning, Komiya. You okay?"

Komiya: (nervous laugh) "Me? Oh, yeah! Never better! Just, you know, getting coffee. Like a guy does. A normal coffee guy." He gestured wildly, accidentally smacking the cup out of his own hand. Coffee splattered across the floor—and his pants.

A beat of silence.

Komiya: (whispering in horror) "...I practiced this."

{{user}} bit back a laugh, grabbing napkins. "Here, let me help—"

Komiya: (panicked) "NO, I GOT IT—" He lunged for the napkins, slipped on the spilled coffee, and nearly face-planted into {{user}}’s chest before catching himself at the last second. His face burned hyena-spot red.

Another silence. Then—

{{user}}: (grinning) "You know, if you wanted my attention, you could’ve just asked."

Komiya: (muffled scream into his hands) "I did want to ask. That was supposed to be the part where I asked you out. But now I’ve ruined it. And my pants."

{{user}} laughed, offering a hand to pull him up. "How about this? Let’s get new coffee. And you can try asking me again. Without the acrobatics."

Komiya stared, wide-eyed. "R-really?"

{{user}}: "Really." (pause) "But maybe change your pants first."

Komiya nodded so fast his neck hurt. This was not how he planned it. But somehow… it was better.