Teasing the Tsundere

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"So," Orion began, his voice low as he closed the gap between them once more. "Who should I take out for lunch?" He was provoking her, and she knew it.

But then, Orion had never been one to shy away from a challenge. On the contrary, he thrived on it, his life's philosophy about doubling back. And seeing Tatsumaki so adorably jealous, he couldn't help but push her buttons just a little more.

Tatsumaki huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "You can take out whoever you want, Orion," she grumbled, her voice thick with feigned indifference. But Orion could hear the slight hitch in her voice, the unspoken 'but take me out'.

"Alright," he said, a soft chuckle rumbling from his chest. "Then I choose you." His voice was firm, the glint in his eyes challenging as he stared down at Tatsumaki.

Her eyes widened, and she sputtered, her cheeks flaring a brilliant red. "What?" she squeaked, her voice barely audible.

But before she could protest, Orion was pressing her back against the wall, his arms on either side of her, caging her in. "You heard me, Tatsu," he said, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I choose you." The words hung heavy in the air between them, the silence of the room broken only by their shallow breaths.

For a moment, Tatsumaki was silent, her gaze flickering between Orion's eyes and his lips. And then, slowly, she nodded, her face a burning red.

"Fine," she mumbled, her gaze dropping to the floor. "But I'm choosing the place."

Orion chuckled, nodding as he pulled away from her. "Deal."

The stairs creaked gently as Tatsumaki retreated, her small form disappearing behind a corner. "Wait here," she commanded, her tone biting. "I need to change."

Orion nodded, finding himself a spot on a nearby couch. His mind was a whirl of thoughts, anticipation bubbling inside him. The prospect of spending more time with Tatsumaki, of seeing her in a different light, was intriguing to him. As he waited, his eyes idly scanned the room, taking in the mundane details of Tatsumaki's living space. It was surprisingly neat, a testament to her disciplined personality.

After what felt like an eternity, Tatsumaki finally descended the stairs. Orion's breath hitched in his throat as he took in her appearance. She was dressed in a deep emerald gown that hugged her petite frame perfectly. The elegant outfit emphasized her curves, and the color matched her vibrant green hair flawlessly.

"I don't have anything else to wear," she muttered, her gaze shifting away from his.

Orion couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "You look beautiful, Tatsu," he said, his voice sincere. She flushed a deep red at his words, her fists clenching at her sides.

"Whatever," she mumbled, crossing her arms defensively over her chest. "We're going to a place I know. It's nothing fancy, but..."

"But?"

Tatsumaki bit her lower lip, her gaze fixed on the floor. "I... heard it's good," she finished lamely, her cheeks flushing.

Orion watched her with amusement. "Lead the way," he replied, standing and extending his hand toward her.

With a quick glance, Tatsumaki reluctantly took his hand. She led him outside, her grip on his hand surprisingly firm. He couldn't help but notice how well their hands fit together.

Tatsumaki led Orion to a small, quaint café hidden in a quiet street of the city, nestled amidst a maze of tall buildings. The façade was unassuming, blending in perfectly with its surroundings. A charming little sign displayed the café's name: "Petit Paradis." As they stepped through the entrance, Orion was immediately hit by the rich aroma of coffee and baked goods, and a soft melody that filled the air.

From the outside, it seemed like a pretty basic café, but once inside, it was a whole different story. The warm, golden glow of the lights illuminated the room, reflecting off the tasteful, vintage-themed decor. Small, intimate booths lined the walls, while tables adorned with small vases of fresh flowers occupied the center. Orion could see why Tatsumaki chose this place. Despite her claim of it being a simple café, the place emanated an unassuming romantic vibe.

"Not bad, Tatsu. Are you sure you didn't plan this?" Orion joked, his eyes roaming around the café.

"I... didn't!" she mumbled, her face burning red. "I just... heard it was good."

"You have great taste," he complimented, a teasing grin playing on his lips. He watched as Tatsumaki's face turned even redder, her eyes looking anywhere but at him. Orion knew he was pushing her boundaries, but he couldn't resist. He lived by doubling back, after all.

Not waiting for her response, Orion picked a booth by the window, a somewhat private spot away from the crowd. He held the seat for Tatsumaki, a gesture that seemed to catch her off guard. She looked at him for a moment, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something, but then she only nodded, a flustered smile tugging at her lips as she slid into the booth.

As they settled down, a waitress came to take their order. Orion ordered a coffee for himself and asked Tatsumaki what she'd like.

"An iced green tea," she responded, not looking up from the menu.

Tatsumaki sipped her iced green tea, her gaze flicking up to catch Orion's stare. She rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance, but the small smile playing at the corners of her lips gave away her amusement.

"Stop staring like a love-struck fool, will you?" she muttered, her cheeks flushing pink. She could feel the heat of his gaze even behind her lowered lashes.

Orion chuckled, leaning back against the seat, his fingers idly playing with the handle of his coffee cup. "Can't help it, Tatsu," he said, his voice dropping low, a teasing lilt making her heart flutter. "You have a certain charm about you, you know."

Tatsumaki huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. She wasn't sure how to respond to that. His easygoing nature was disarming, and for a moment, she found herself lost for words. But then, she remembered who she was – Tatsumaki, the renowned Tsundere – and straightened up, her eyes flashing with a mischievous glint. She would give as good as she got.

"Oh, really? Do I now?" she retorted, her lips curving into a smirk. "Didn't know you were such a romantic, Orion. Do you say that to all the girls you date?"

His lips twitched into an amused grin at her fiery response. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes locked onto hers. "Just the special ones," he said, his tone sincere yet playful.

Tatsumaki felt a rush of heat creep up her cheeks, but she kept her cool, her smirk unwavering. "I see," she said, her voice steady. "Well, Orion, I hope you know that flattery won't get you anywhere with me."

Orion laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh that made her heart skip a beat. "I have no doubt about that, Tatsu," he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "But it doesn't hurt to try, does it?"

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