Chapter 4: Delicious Vagary | Bendy/Reader

(ft. Sammy and Henry)

⦁ "I. Love. Coffee." - Joey Drew would say.

Looking out into the distance, Joey would always seek a better future. A life of success, of fortune and most importantly - a future with coffee. "I don't deny myself. I drink coffee everyday"

The manager of Joey Drew Studio walked in circles, within his eyes ambition and determination shone brighter than any star. The scent of the rich dark coffee beans would bring him a fleeting expression on his face that showed malcontent, yet soon he was smiling broadly once more just by remembering the warm coffee he had earlier this morning - "Just think about how perfect coffee is. The warm, tasty drink. The steam rising up from the mug. Coffee brings us joy but also energy. It makes us productive, restless and full of life."

Mr Drew started to speak with such devotion, that no man on earth can outstand his raw spirit and love for Coffee. "So no more. No more shall you all wait, my dear friends. Today is the day - in which we all shall share the joy and blessing of having a BRAND NEW coffee machine. An automatic coffee-maker that will finally fulfill our desires of having a fresh, warm cup of coffee during work time!"

With an awe-inspiring statement, Joey's majestic speech came to an end before he turned to his crew. To his dumbfounded silent crew.

Silence.

"What."

Joey's enthusiasm began to fade away, losing his spark of hope. He thought that his fellow employees were listening to him with admiration and praise, instead he was met with confused faces of still half-asleep workers. "...Coffee machine. We... we have now a coffee machine, everyone. C'mon have some excitement. Is no one going to appreciate my effort for affording you all a new kitchen area in the break rooms?"

The employees sat in the auditorium, silent, while listening to their boss' weird mumbo-jumbo. Obviously, no one was interested. Until Norman Polk stood up from his seat in the back and called on : "Hey, Mr Drew! If you're telling us about 'new machinery' - why won't you tells us about that Ink Machine that got built on top of everyone's head, huh? Got an explanation for that?"

"Yeah! Exactly!" - people started to cheer in, demanding an answer from their manager.

"Oh, right." - the man slumped his shoulder, now grunting in irritation. Throughout several months, Drew Studio was going through heavy renovation. A renovation so complex and messy, that several times during work time, the employees were forced to get out of their working station and wait until their departments is done with remodeling. The Ink Machine was built, being now the core of resources, the animators will no longer ran out of ink! Except, there are now huge pipes that rumbled and leaked everywhere. "So... as many of you have noticed we have a new Ink produced machine on the first floor-"

"Yeah Yeah, we know, a leaking loud machine that spits ink everywhere - Joey, explain why we need it!" - Norman kicked in once again, rushing Drew to spill out the truth.

"It's a Machine that will finally help our production - it's fast, it's our core source of Ink and energy, and our work will be reduced by about 40% percent!"

The crowd was silent once more, trying to comprehend if Joey'd words were any convincing to them. From the other corner of the auditorium, a young man was leaning on the wall, his face held obvious dissatisfaction. Sammy Lawrence was ready to strike with more questions : "Excuse me, but - How can you reassure us that this Machine won't be leaking? What if one of the departments got flooded?"

"Well," - Joey wondered "we'll have to come up with a pumping mechanism, which will help us drain the ink. Though I hope there will be no need for it yet... Any more questions?"

The crew sat in the auditorium, murmuring to each other. Norman was unconvinced with Joey's excuses, Sammy was complaining, Susie was boringly fixing her nails while Henry and (Y/n) listened with concern. Joey Drew gave the employees a minute to discuss between each other, seeing their calculating gazes judging and disapproving. "Yes, sir, we have a quest-"

"No more questions? Good! Now back to work."

⦁ "It seems that Joey is ready to knock off some walls to bring in more inventions."

Henry, and his dear co-workers, all sat in the breakrooms drinking coffee from the new Coffee-maker. It was a small time off in which the employees took an interruption from their work and paused for a moment of fresh air or relaxed in the breakrooms. Campbell, Lawrence, Polk and Connor were all present with Henry - discussing about today's meeting.

"It is odd of him, I must say. I just hope he won't throw some of his... 'inventions' anywhere near my office." - Sammy Lawrence added in, pulling out his usual "Don Pepin" cigars before turning to Tom Connor "Got a lighter?"

"But Mr Drew is a man of ideas! His projects never failed to impress me, I'm sure he knows what his doing - um, Sammy, You think the Machine might interfere with recording sessions?" - the young Campbell couldn't hold still as she needed to insert her remarks whenever Samuel spoke. But unfortunately, Lawrence would only brush her off.

Henry listened carefully, not interfering much during their discussions. He approached the group with two coffee mugs - one for him, and the other for Miss (L/n). Except he noticed that (Y/n) wasn't present in the room at all - "Hey, guys, have you seen (Y/n)? I made her some coffee."

In the far reaches of the Animation Studio, a lonesome Ink Demon and his female creator sat together. (Y/n) stealthy sneaked away from her co-workers, who started to gather up and chat during break times. Like rebellious children, (Y/n) and Bendy would meetup in the basement away from prying eyes and completely wash away the world around them. Staying together during work time when the workshop thrived with people was risky, but as long as they were behind closed doors and quiet - they'd be fine.

"Miss (L/n)! You're here," - The Dancing Demon attached himself to her with the kind of heady trance that brings a butterfly to nectar. Meeting (Y/n)'s gaze was just the right blend of shy and sweet. No matter the distance or separation at work, The Toon's attraction to her remains constant.

"Heh, I missed you too, Bendy." - The Lady cupped his round face, noticing that Bendy's appearance was shorter and less monstrous. She really appreciated his efforts. "I have an interesting gift for you."

"Me? Is it more books or drawing albums from you?" - It was quite expected, after all (Y/n) and Bendy would spend hours together reading various literature books or just draw.

"No, In fact, I have something entirely new for you." And so, (Y/n) revealed the lunch box that was behind her back "Food."

In front of Bendy was a plastic box presented with various edibles, more specifically (Y/n)'s homemade (fav-food). The rich aroma of the dish wafted down and beckoned Him. The Inky toon couldn't resist the delightful sensations, but he had to remind himself that humans eat regularly to sustain energy - while he doesn't. "Um, Food..? But Miss (L/n), a creature like me doesn't require food,"

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean you can't just take a bite for a taste!" - Sitting together, (Y/n) scooted closer to her Little Devil Darling and placed the food on his lap. Immediately, The Ink Demon got flustered, feeling (Y/n)'s kneech close to him "Don't worry, give it a try."

Encouraging Bendy once more, The toon couldn't say no to such a heart-melting smile. In Front of him was (Your fav food) carefully wrapped up in napkins ; wide assortment of condiments sprinkled in the perfect amounts mingle to produce a taste unlike any other: salty, peppery, cheesy with a whiff of (nationality) cuisine and much more. Bendy curiously opened his mouth before taking a bite.

"So?"

"It's... odd." Bendy munched on it slowly trying to retake every taste and sensation on his inky tongue. It was weird, to say the least but, he felt very little. "I feel a small taste of... saltiness, warmth in food. But not as strong as you proclaimed it to be. It's almost non existing, but interesting!"

"Huh..." (Y/n)'s over-excitement faded, as she hummed in curiosity. "That's weird, I was sure to pick various seasonings and options so you can feel the difference in food."

"I'm not sure," - indeed, it was Bendy's first time tasting actual food. Both of them didn't know what to expect. But what the Toon realized that it wasn't just him who was curious how humans lives - but (Y/n) was curious how Bendy lives.

"Perhaps Drew was correct, You don't need food. Maybe you don't have sensitive taste buds as humans do."

"But I still find it interesting. I mean, hehe, How do you cook this stuff?"

"Maybe next time i should teach you how to cook something simple." - There's that static again, that giggle in the air that always happened whenever the two of them got within a foot of each other - close to each. A Smile that only Bendy would show to his (Y/n). The Toon knew that (Y/n) doesn't have a lot of time to spend with him, se he tried to make the best of it, by leaning close to her shoulder. "Thank you so much, (Y/n)!"

⦁ "Oh no, It's raining!" - Wally proclaimed rather loudly.

"Huh, that's weird. The forecast on the radio said it'll be sunny all day long." - (Y/n) and Wally stood on the entrance of the Animation Studio, feeling the cold breeze of the rain hitting them hard. It was the end of everyone's shift, but it seems that the way back home won't be easy without taking a shower.

"Indeed..." - Sammy added from behind, as he approached the two. Lawrence, (L/n) and Franks watched the heavy rain wash the heat from today, not sure if they should wait here for the rain to calm down or just go for it. All in all, The young musician couldn't keep his eyes out of (Y/n)'s curved and soft figure that started to shudder out of cold.

"Welp, I don't have an umbrella with me, so I'll just shoot for it." - Wally Franks spoke up once more, before turning to his pals with a thumb up : "But you two - good luck!"

And thus, the goofy janitor ran out as fast as possible into the heavy rain, almost slipping up and immediately getting soaked. (Y/n) and Sammy watched bewilderedly as Franks disappeared. An awkward silence kicked in - despite Samuel's stoic expression, his eyes shyly traveled from (Y/n) back to his own umbrella.

"Miss (L/n), Do you mind If I escort you? I have my umbrella, so I thought... it'll be nice if we-"

"Huh? Oh, That's so kind of you, but you don't have to. I go to a completely different side of the street, and I don't want to bother you-"

"It is absolutely fine by me. I live not too far from here, so It won't be a problem if I tried to help a lady such as yourself."

"Um, alright."

And with that being settled, Lawrence opened his umbrella, before linking his arms gently with Miss (L/n). He brought the lady closer to his body, making sure not a drop of rain would land on her while feeling her elegant form being pressed to him. They walked together under the umbrella silently, rejecting the warm blooming heat on their cheeks.

Just before they took their leave, a lonesome voice actress stood watching them.

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Note : Joey Drew's obsession with coffee was a reference to "Oprah 'I love bread' meme". Apologize if the chapter is rushed, Henry and Susie will be more active in the future.

Btw, have I said Happy Ramadan to yall who are fasting out there? I cheer for ya guys! Cuz I started this story in the beginning of Ramadan 2018.