Can I get a fluffy one shot for Francis x Nacha for tnmn
Of course you can!!! Thank you so much for sending this request in, I apologise if this was short, I hope you enjoy nonetheless and have a marvellous rest of the week!!!!❤️🌺
Nacha had stepped outside to water the flowers she hanged around her porch, when she spotted a familiar man in the stairwell.
“Francis!” she called, watering can in one hand.
“Mmm...” the milkman tipped his hat as he rotated his head,“Nacha?”
“Helloooo!” the curly haired lady beamed brightly, waving energetically,“Is your shift over?”
“Mmm yes. I’ve come in now.”
“Well, why don’t you stay over for a bit? Come in, I’ve just finished cooking stir fry!” Nacha gestured welcomingly.
Francis’ eyes slid from the stairs to her door,"Oh... Are you sure? I don't want to burden you, mmm.."
"No no, it isn't a burden at all! Please come in!" she insisted.
After a second of thinking, Francis would walk down the second floor to the fourth apartment, leaving his shoes outside. Nacha would go ahead, setting the watering can back in the storage room and headed into the kitchen to make sure everything was ready for dinner. Anastacha was on the couch, watching the black and white screen.
She briefly looked up and waved,“Mmm hi dad, or whatever.”
Francis waved back,“Hello Anastacha... Are you well?”
His daughter nodded,“Mmm.. Mhm.”
Nacha had set the napkin across Francis’ lap, to Francis’ awkward surprise at being back in this kitchen, and had poured him a glass of water by the steaming bowl of stir fry she served him. The milkman let the aroma of spice and noodles rest in his nose. It was a breath of all things good in life with more vibrancy in his eyes. The hot flavour of the homemade meal sitting in front of him had swept a kind of delight from the past, when those eye bags weren’t so predominant.
“Mmm thanks…” Francis murmured in a lighter tone, picking up his utensils and began eating. Oh. It was a slice of paradise laughing on his tongue. This meal... This warm meal... He couldn’t be more thankful for Nacha, or her inviting speciality in cooking.
“How is it? I hope you’re enjoying it!” the cheerful woman asked, digging in her own plate like it was a common dish. He couldn’t comprehend how easily someone could chew and move on to the next bite with food like this. Maybe he was the weird one and Nacha was the normal one. How generous one’s reality is when this is the norm.
“Mm...it’s delicious, Nacha. Thank you for this meal.”
“Of course, Francis!” Nacha chirped, pleased to hear he enjoyed it,“You’re always so tired... How many hours do you sleep?”
Francis swallowed the bit of food he was chewing,“Well… I sleep at eleven, and have to be up again around four.”
Nacha’s pair of rare eyes widened in disbelief,“So early! And you're out all day, aren't you?"
"Mhm... I rarely have time to eat. I just have pre made meals." Francis didn’t know that answer would send Nacha in a rant.
"Pre made meals every day? Be careful with what you eat, Francis! Supermarkets tend to put a lot of processed ingredients to make the food appear and taste fresh for a long time! And yes, it’s cheaper and quicker, but it's unhealthy to have everyday!" did the steam come from the food or passion?
Her voice was still as cheerful, even with the undertones of concern,"Mmmm I'm aware... I just don't have the time to cook." Francis wished that it had boiled some motivation in him.
"Yes yes I know, you can't be blamed, it's not your fault. Your schedule is very packed so it's an easy convenience to rely on pre made meals." Nacha’s response was sympathetic,"I'm not going to tell you what to do, so instead I'll make a suggestion!” she didn’t make it until she had another bite,“Why not spend your dinners here?"
Francis’ eyebrow lifted. That wasn’t what he had in mind. Although, now that he thought of it, it was just like her to ask. Always generous, always wanting to help.
So that’s why he couldn’t,"Oh no, I possibly couldn't... I mean, I know it's standard, but I feel no better than a leech. And it’s quite a scandal for a woman to cook for a man she's not married to."
"Ohh you worry too much about that! It's not scandalous and you wouldn't be leeching, Francis darling! I'm used to cooking large meals everyday, it's not a problem! Besides, dear Anastacha gets full quite easily, so she doesn't eat a lot. You would actually be doing me a favour!" Nacha’s ability to elaborate was very inspiring,"Even if you don't want to physically come in, eat at the table, I could always give you some food containers to take back!"
Yet Francis didn’t want to be a bother,"I'm really going to have to deny... You are a phenomenal woman, Nacha-"
"No no! I will not let sweet talk get you off the hook! I really don’t understand you.” Nacha tossed her cutlery down with gentle chagrin,“What benefit do you gain from rejecting the chance to eat at least one fresh meal everyday?”
Francis’ hand froze in the middle of swirling his next bite,"I think I should be asking that…what benefit do you gain from cooking for me?”
“Why do I need a benefit? Can’t I do something good for someone without expecting something in return?” she asked, picking up her cutlery again.
“Mmm...” she meant well, he know she did; the reason sounded so...conforming,”It’s always women who place anyone else's needs before their own. But why? You work hard enough, you shouldn't have to feed me because you feel guilty."
“It’s not guilt, it’s care!” Nacha’s voice could never project frustration, which was an adorable testament to how compassion was the bane of her existence,“I care about you, Francis, not just as a neighbour or the father of our child or former partner. I care about you as a person.”
Now he really couldn’t focus on eating. A person huh? He hasn’t heard anyone call him that in a while. He was used to working like a dog, taking the harsh heat like a man should, so to hear that was moving.
So moving, he finally gave in,“Mmmm... Very well.”
Nacha clapped her hands victoriously,“Oh! I’m so happy to hear that, Francis! It’ll be such fun! We can talk and catch up about so many things, we can try different recipes, I could even teach you, well, maybe not, since I don’t want to exhaust you even more than you already are! Oh maybe we could even spend breakfast together, I mean, I’m not sure about your off days-“
Always generous. He was happy that she was the mother of his child. He was happy he was on such good terms with her in general. As if under a spell, Francis rose from his seat, slowly approaching her obliviously chattering being, leaning in and
He pulled away at the silence and snapped his head away in shame.
Why did he do that? Did all this exhaustion really block his senses? He’s probably made her so much more uncomfortable than it needed to be. Oh God. She won’t be able to see him the same way again. Why did he do that? He didn’t even ask or-
A soft pair of lips brushed his cheek.
A shock rattled his being. He hadn’t even seen the blush on her face until he shyly looked at her again and was met with relief. The smile across her freckled cheeks. She wasn’t offended or uncomfortable at all.
“You’re so shy, Francis!” Nacha commented, brushing her hand against his arm,”I love surprises such as this. Any woman would be so fortunate to have you as their lady!”
A butterfly of hope flapped its wings within his chest. Was it possible they could...?
“Sit back down, we still have lots to talk and finish!“ she gestured, pointing to his vacant seat with a fork.
A tiny happiness sliced onto the corner of his lips. Yes, that sounded delightful.
