A loud crash downstairs jolted you awake. You groaned, feeling stiff, a little cold, and still tired. The clock on your phone said it was a bit after 11 in the morning. You'd gotten a few hours of sleep in at least. You snagged a large tee shirt off the floor and threw it on. It hit about mid thigh, long enough to cover yourself, but you added a pair of shorts for good measure.

You opened the door and squinted around the corner at the stairs. The muffled sounds of cursing could be heard down towards the kitchen. You debated going back to bed but curiosity got the best of you. You padded down the stairs and turned to the kitchen, observing from the entrance.

The floor was covered in glass and what you assumed was pancake mix. Katakuri was looking down at the mess while pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance, some of it had splattered across his boots and jeans.

You felt the corners of your lips tug up into a slight smile. "Way to ruin a good mixing bowl."

He jumped lightly at the sound of your voice. "I didn't mean to wake you. It slipped out of my hands."

You went further in the kitchen to grab the broom, careful to walk around the glass with bare feet.

"Don't." Katakuri shook his head. "I'll get it."

You weren't in the mood to argue, so you stepped back and watched as he swept up the stray shards of glass and tried to mop up the pancake mix. He was struggling, like he'd never had to clean up a mess before.

You went to the living room and slid on a pair of sneakers before coming back to the kitchen and grabbing a rag. "You're covering the whole floor in pancake mix, scoot over."

He quietly obliged, stepping back so you could reach the worst part of the mess. In a couple minutes you had cleaned up the floor, no sign of the prior mess to be seen. "I'm guessing you haven't cleaned up much messes like this in the past?" You cleaned off your hands, noticing a small cut in one of your fingers from a stray piece of glass.

"We grew up with maids taking care of everything for us, cooking and cleaning included." He folded his arms over his chest and watched you clean up the cut. It was bleeding slightly, but not enough to worry about it. "Need a bandaid?"

"Nah it's fine." It had almost stopped. "You know, I've never seen you actually use the kitchen before."

"There's no decent place in town for breakfast."

You nodded, unsure if you wanted to further the conversation or not. The tension from the night before was still there. You'd thought about what he said before you went to bed, about working on your relationship with him. "I think there's a new diner on Main Street in town. They may be decent." You busied yourself with wiping off the counters that were also somehow covered in the mix.

Katakuri hummed to himself. "Its a bit late for breakfast at this point."

You glanced at the stove clock, it was just after noon now. "I bet they have lunch options."

You were met with silence.

"Okay look." The counters now clean, you tossed the rag in the sink and turned to face him. "I'm still not feeling so great about last night but I thought about what you said." You mimicked Katakuri, arms crossed, back against the counter. "We have the whole weekend with no plans as far as I know so I'm willing to get over it if you're willing to work with me on... this." you motioned to him and yourself, no sure what exactly you two were.

"I can do that." He was hard to read, especially with the scarf covering half his face. "So a lunch date then?"

"I wouldn't call it a date, but sure. Let me get changed and then I'll be ready."

"I might as well do the same, there's no saving these pants today." The pancake mix had dried into the jeans. They definitely would need a good wash.

After some time you were both ready to go. Katakuri had on a fresh pair of blue jeans and a simple red tee shirt. He usually didn't dress so casually, mostly because of work, but he looked good. The shirt hugged his well defined muscles and the color looked nice on him. You almost matched him, wearing jeans as well but with a black tank top and (f/c) light flannel on top. You'd kept the sneakers from earlier.

He looked you up and down.

"What? Do I look funny?"

"No. That color looks nice on you."

The compliment surprised you. "Oh, okay."

He raised an eyebrow at you but said nothing.

"Sorry, I guess thank you would have been the proper response." You felt your cheeks start to heat up as a blush formed.

"Don't worry about it." There was the slightest hint of amusement in his voice as he walked you to the car.

----

"So how'd you hear about this place again?" Katakuri asked.

Both of you ended up getting breakfast, even if it was technically too late in the day for it. He finally got the pancakes he wanted though funny enough you never saw him take off his scarf to eat them or even take a bite for that matter. You got yourself (f/f) and it was the best you'd probably ever had. All in all, the food was amazing.

"Local news online or something like that. Saw it last night actually."

"Mhmm, your lack of sleep paid off."

"I guess it did." You'd relaxed more after eating, no longer thinking about the night before.

You looked out the window beside you and eyed the antique store across the street. Antiques always interested you but you didn't have the courage to ask to check out the store. It's not something you'd been able to do in the past and old habits die hard.

"Antiques huh?" Katakuri wondered, his gaze having followed your own to the shop.

"Oh, I was just zoning out."

"You've been looking over there the whole time. We can go check it out." He got up to pay at the front. "Let's go."

"Wait, we don't have to!"

"What if I wanted to see what they have?" He paid for the food and started to leave, you following close behind.

"I don't think you do."

"What, is it too strange for a guy to like antiques?"

"No-"

"Then let's see what's there. You said it yourself, it's not like we have any plans this weekend anyway." He cut you off with logic you couldn't argue. Katakuri held the door to the store open for you. "Come on."

You gave in. It's not like you could deny wanting to go in anyway and this place was full to the brim with all kinds of interesting things. Soon you were oogling most of the items you came across. Everything from old film cameras to still functioning arcade machines and old kitchen tools. Katakuri moseyed behind you, taking in the sight of you enjoying yourself for the first time around him.

The shop even had a downstairs that was half filled with old books, some even had leather bindings. The other half had a mix of random knick knacks, record players, and one item in particular that caught your attention. It was a world globe set in a wooden stand. The globe itself was slightly yellowed, showing signs of aging. You stepped closer to it for a better look and noticed the different countries and states were made with different colored stones. Nothing exactly precious, mostly things like onyx, tigers eye, and quartz crystals but the array of colors was amazing, even if it was dull with age.

"That's an interesting globe. I don't think I've seen anything like it." Katakuri leaned over your shoulder to look at it.

"Yeah, it's kinda nifty." You tried to act like you weren't super interested in it.

"Nifty? I haven't heard someone say that in ages."

"It's a fun word to say." You hesitantly left the globe and turned your attention to some fancy looking wine glasses nearby. You loved it but you weren't about to suggest buying it.

Katakuri picked up a leather bound book, examining it. "Never heard of words being described as fun."

"You haven't found one you like then."

"A word I like?"

"Yep."

"I guess I'll have to think about that." He held on to the book, tucking it under an arm. "I think that's everything here, ready to go?"

"Sure." It hurt a little leaving the globe behind as you two went up to pay for the book but you told yourself it was just a material thing. Nothing you couldn't live without.

"Are we all set?" The lady behind the counter chirped happily.

"Yes." Katakuri handed the book over. "I had a question though. Can I have someone pick up another item here if I pay for it now? It won't fit in my car." You stared at him, puzzled. All he wanted was the book you thought.

"Sure can! All we need is their name so we can ensure the right person is getting it."

"Perfect, here's the tag for it." He handed over a price tag you didn't notice he had before.

"Ohhhh that globe downstairs huh? That just came in this morning, I thought it would go fast! It sure is pretty, isn't it?" She kept up the small talk.

Your eyes widened in surprise as they met Katakuri's. "When did you...."

"You're not good at hiding things. It's obvious you wanted it. I grabbed it when you were trying to act uninterested."

He left the employee with Cracker's name and info so the brother could pick up the globe later.

As the two of you walked back to the car, a question burned away at you. "Why'd you get it?"

"Ever since we've been living together you haven't asked for one thing."

"I asked for the fish."

He gave you a look that said, 'is that really going to be your argument?' before continuing. "You haven't asked for anything besides that. Consider it an apology for before anyway." He slid into the driver's seat while you hopped in the passenger side. "It can't be easy having to suddenly move in with a stranger and have to call him your husband. And it doesn't make it any easier when he says things without thinking. So," he sighed. "I'm sorry for last night, I haven't been thinking about how all this affects you."

Your throat tightened at his apology. He'd never been so straightforward, or nice for that matter, about anything so far and you weren't prepared for it. He turned the car on but waited for you to say something before moving. You ran a hand through your hair before shaking your head.

"Don't worry about it, I've already forgotten about it. And it's not like I wasn't raised to eventually land in this kind of situation. But thank you." You weren't going to cry in front of him but the emotions from the day before and lack of proper sleep were making things difficult.

"It doesn't make it okay though. I care for my family, Mama included, but some of the things she does benefits no one but herself and the rest of us have to deal with the consequences. It's expected of us but it shouldn't be expected of you."

Yep. There it is. So much for not crying. The most annoying man in your life to date also somehow became the nicest in a single day. You tried to casually wipe away the tears only to have more take their place. Of course Katakuri noticed. He glanced at you and back at the road as he started the drive home.

"Shit, sorry. So much for a date." You could feel him grimace under the scarf.

"No it's fine." You said between sad sniffles while wiping away more tears. "I'm just tired is all and the globe is a really nice gift. I've never actually gotten one before."

"You've never been given something before, seriously?"

"My parents are pretty strict about a lot of things, so no. It wasn't like them to do 'presents' or things like that. They thought it'd spoil me."

"I'm starting to think your parents are worse than Mama."

You choked out a laugh. "Yeah, I don't miss them. Is that bad?"

"No, I don't think it is." He reached over and gave your shoulder a light squeeze. The touch was awkward on his part. He wasn't sure if you'd be okay with it. But you couldn't deny the small gesture felt good.

(A/n)

Just a heads up, updates may possibly be a little slower. I've got a bit of school work and my husband got me monster Hunter Iceborne so you bet your sweet ass I'm putting hours into that.