[Gift] How Ione gained a Partner

If anyone asked Ione how they got into a relationship with Varrik especially when they were quite different, Ione would look fairly annoyed while Limon easily intervened with "Oh yeah that was kind of a slow burn. Cute through!" that easily had the taller doll lightly smacking the back of her head with a soft yet sharp "Shush, woman."

Really, if this story is to be told it has to go back to the day Limon brought Varrik in along with Viscili and Vadim to Ione's cafe; Daily Grind.

Ione had made decision to send few employees home as they were in a particular good mood that day and thus would manage just fine with a small crew. They were manning the register and bar while their remaining employees took their break. The bell rang as door opened, Ione glanced up only to raise an eyebrow at the three men flanking Limon, one her height and other two towering over her. Before Limon could even open her mouth, Ione injected with a plain
"Do I even want to know where the hell you found those three?"
"Nope~!"
Ione stared at their long time best friend then sighed rather deeply in a way Limon knew she was being called 'you fucking idiot'.

"My usual please. I'll let them order in a bit!" Limon paid and one of employees who was returning from lunch break quickly jumped on to get started. Ione glanced at the grumpy crystal greed, the greed with skeletal hand and the half naked scarred gluttony. Where the ever loving fuck did their best friend find those three?

"Varrik. You go first." The grumpy crystal greed told the scarred gluttony who moved forward and promptly made an order fitting for a gluttony. Limon had to hide her grin at how bemused Ione seemed to be. After he paid, Ione glanced to the employee nearby who promptly ran into the kitchen.

"Vadim." The other greed moved forward and placed a far simpler order. It was swiftly paid for then the crystal greed who Ione pegged as the boss moved forward. He stared up at them, narrowing his eyes and Ione could just hear Limon hiding her amusement nearby while chatting up the taller buns. Honestly, that woman!

Somehow it did not surprise Ione when the crystal greed ordered the least sweetest of three blends on offer today. Soon, the trio were sitting down and Ione was bringing them their orders with Limon hovering nearby. Ione soon returned to deal with new customers.
It was not long before the crystal greed was returning the drained mug to the counter. Looks Ione dead in the eyes.
"Do you craft your own coffee beans? And do you serve drip coffee?"
"I do." Ione rather plainly confirms before raising an eyebrow at how Varrik swore under his breath as he passed a very satisfied Limon a rather large bag of carats.
"Told you Viscili would enjoy the coffee here!"

"....You bet against Limon? Rookie mistake." Ione addressed Varrik rather blandly and Limon had to turn away to muffle her laughter. It was rather easy for the citrus lust to tell that Ione was secretly finding this hilarious.

".....I will...keep that in mind." Varrik nodded, his pride somewhat wounded from losing the bet to Limon.

It did not take long for the trio to quickly become regulars at Daily Grind, often preferring either early hours in morning or the late hours in evening as it was more quieter in the cafe. Ione easily sold several bags of coffee blends to Viscili to take home and even got set up with an acquaintance of his for their group; even finding out about The Syndicate and shrugging with a simple "As long as there's no scuffles in here I really don't care who visit or buy my products." Varrik was one of the best customers, often ordering large amount of food and always getting the new specials to the point where whenever Ione spotted them outside; they would get his dish ready swiftly before he could even place his order. The same went for Viscili and Vadim. Ione quite enjoyed getting Varrik's quiet comments on the new specials. The two tall dolls would often step in to deal with rowdy customers if Ione and their employees were having difficult time which Ione highly appreciated it.

Ione remembers a specific moment where Varrik had come in on his own and they had swiftly fixed him a bowl of the newest special: a chili. He had stared at the bowl then blurted out
"I think I love you."
Ione, seeing the statement for what it was; appreciation for their food and their thoughtfulness for him, had stared at him for a moment before turning away with a soft hmph
"Just making things easier on ourselves since you're here so often."

With his repeated visits, gruffy demeanor, straightforward few words and love for food; it was no wonder Ione eventually began to develop feelings for him. One evening after the trio had left and Ione had closed up did they slump over a counter, head in hands and muttering curses as Limon stared at them with broom in hand. Then. She bent over, holding onto broom for support as she began to cackle at the mini crisis Ione was having. She had figured out what was going on and had began to manipulate situations before Ione even realized their own feelings.

"Oh be quiet, you!" Ione snapped, cheeks impressive shade of red as Limon wiped tears from her eyes "Or I will cut your supply off, Limon!"
"You would not dare!" She giggled.
She lasted only two more days after this conversation to get banned from Daily Grind. A ban that Ione regretted almost instantly because it caused Varrik to visit far more often with orders for Limon. Ione tried so hard to keep their composure but their poker face when it came to their romantic feelings were HORRID. A bit of stutter, pinkening cheeks, overly generosity and refusal to make eye contact let on their feelings to the observant eyes around them. Yet it was not dared to be brought up for fear of Ione's wrath and threats of ban from the cafe.
At one point Viscili had gone to them for a refill and to speak quietly

"You know you can tell him to fuck off right?" He then paused at how Ione had reacted, a slightly recoil, a quiet 'excuse me?' and quick glare.
"...........Oh.... I see." He sighed and left with his coffee refill. Ione had then noticed that Varrik had stopped coming by the cafe for a while and Limon could tell that they were saddened. Always on subtle look out for the gruff glutton. At a point they had began to retreat to the kitchen more often and that had her frowning in concern.

It took Varrik several weeks to return to the cafe but he was notable more withdrawn and gruffy. Of course he treated Ione to his rough grin whenever he was fed more delicious food but it was evident that he had distanced himself and it bothered Ione deeply. When it continued over next few visits, Ione had enough and it was rather obvious. When the cafe closed, Varrik asked Vadim to escort Viscili outside. Ione did notice Viscili shoot Varrik a look that basically said 'Do not fuck this up for me' as Vadim escorted him out. The moment the door closed behind the pair, Ione immediately launched into questioning Varrik

"What is going on with you? You have been avoiding the cafe last few weeks, and treated me far colder than usual! Did I do something to upset you or what? Spit it out." They were rather displeased and it was rather evident that this had been bothering the smaller glutton for a while. There was just a hint of hurt to their voice.
"Viscili is not.. good at seeing flirting. But if he thought he needed to keep you safe from me there is a reason." Was his response and Ione stared at him for several moments before snapping
"And you assumed it was better to keep distance instead of trying to have words with me?" they scowled before it dawned on them that Viscili may have assumed that Varrik had been making them uncomfortable and added rather dryly "You would have tossed out if you made me uncomfortable in any capacity."

".....Givin people space to recover seems to be a good idea?" Varrik shrugged. "Guess I should have known Limon would make good on the threat. Sorry about my actions."

A vein popped on Ione's cheek
"I'm not exactly good with romance. Not my forte. Especially not sexual matters, that's more Limon's territory. I don't develop feelings quite easily in case you hadn't noticed so that rather stung when you pulled away"
There is a long pause before
"....and what the fuck did that bimbo threaten you with?"

Varrik paused as he recalled the very same words Limon had threatened them during one of their spars. It had been rather creative.

"She threatened that she would threaten to find ways to poison my food so I would have a upset stomach, to increase the aphrodisiac in her food so I would have overactive sex life to point where I get BURNT OUT, get me banned from everywhere I love to visit because she has connections and isn't afraid to use them, and to kick his ass in spar"

Ione stared as they listened to him recount her threat then facepalmed
"That fucking citrus."
"She's a good lassie.. But she does get creative. I'm not any good at romance, but movies sometime? Can just be in my den." Varrik grinned while eying up and down Ione.
Ione quite hated that Varrik's actions flustered them quite a bit.
"Pick a time and day. Can be tonight if you're daring."
"Tonight. My den. I'll walk you there after full close? ..... Need any help?"

Viscili and Vadim seemed to relax with ease once they noted through the window to see the pair working together to clean the cafe before departing with them. Ione did end up falling fast asleep against Varrik while watching the movie and Varik wrapped an arm around them to keep close as he dozed off.

In the morning Ione woke up to see their position, turned crimson red and retreated to kitchen after carefully removing themselves from him. Ione got the coffee brewing with the largest maker then began to make breakfast when two buns wandered in; Viscili and one of few Ione had banned from their cafe. They stared at Ione as they muttered greetings while getting breakfast ready.
Strong arms wrapped around Ione's waist and Ione stiffened in surprise before relaxing as Varrik nuzzled against their neck with a soft "Smells good." Ione shot Varrik a look when he spat out his coffee into his mug in surprise and the other bun promptly retreated from kitchen. They grumbled to themselves as they finished up the cooking before muttering to Varrik to get off so they can get plates ready and bring to eat with him.

Ione had gotten used to Varrik's snuggles and cuddles fairly quickly but his nips had taken them a bit longer to get used to. Ione had loudly protested from day one of being picked up but had eventually caved in as it was evident that he was never going to put them down.
The pair had discussions about Varrik's partners as well as friends with benefits. Limon had been brought up and Ione had smiled slightly
"As long as I know and have given consent I am fine with it. She is my most dearest friend and excellent about boundaries. I don't see any issues with this."

The rumours of their relationship had spread like fire around Syndicate and Ione had gotten questioned quite frequently at first during their hours at Daily Grind yet they were able to deflect easily by redirecting them to their cafe orders or threats to ban from cafe. Limon and Ione had several discussions about Varrik but easily avoided the topic of sex as Ione was rather private about it and Limon did not want to upset them.

Ione had easily given Varrik a room at their burrow for whenever he wanted to stay over or needed space from Syndicate.
Ione did not care that others were surprised upon finding out about their relationship because Ione and Varrik are quite happy together.

Whenever Ione visited Syndicate, they could be easily found either in kitchen cooking up something or in Varrik's lap working on something or lounging nearby whenever his lap is occupied by someone else.
To Ione he was a treasure to keep.
Of course the pair had their own secrets and their personal issues & trauma to work through that they did not discuss with the other but they would get through them when and if they arose.