The Cocoa Conspiracy

by EvelynHail

I weave my way through the mid-afternoon crowd of the Iron City. It has become second nature to me, flowing through the people with ease, a talent I have developed living here my whole life.

But today I find myself nearly bumping into everyone more often than usual.

The reason for my clumsiness is twofold. I am both excited and running late to see someone special to me.

I smile as I round a familiar corner, knowing that there are only a few dozen more steps before I see her again.

I pause before Doctor Ido's Clinic and breathe a small sigh of relief.

Fireflies take flight in my belly, and the feeling intensifies as my eyes meet the clinic's sign.

Before long, I stand just outside, catching my breath.

I take a brief moment to straighten my unruly hair so that I don't look disheveled or messy to her.

Then I make sure my trusty knapsack hasn't been skilfully snatched on the way here.

Thankfully, it hasn't.

With a grin, I rush up the stairs. When I finally tap my knuckles against the clinic door, the sound echoes in the familiar open space beyond.

My anticipation rises ever so slightly.

I expect to see Doctor Ido himself.

The legendary finder of the unexpected gems hiding in the junkyard, peeking out from the heaps of trash covering our world.

A rebuilder of impressive technology from the discarded items of the ancients.

Without any warning, the door is flung open and I feel a pair of smooth, metallic arms wrap around me, cocooning me in a loving, welcoming embrace.

One I'd been looking forward to for what seems like forever.

"Hey, silly," she whispers.

I turn Alita around to face her and find myself hopelessly lost in those big, beautiful eyes of hers.

As I wrap my arms around her, I see she is wearing a yellow floral dress.

A mutual sigh and a kiss on the forehead are shared, as I speak.

"Hey. I'm sorry I'm late. And you look beautiful in that dress."

"You are always late, Hugo." She pouts. "But it's okay. You are not that late."

"I didn't worry you, did I?" I tease.

She rolls her eyes in a very humanlike fashion and then snuggles into the fabric of my shirt, as she finds bliss within my embrace.

Her answer is muffled: "A little."

I rest my chin on the top of her head as I breathe in her faint, citrusy scent.

I can't help but find all of it so endearing and adorable. The affection, the gentleness, the fact she was worried about me—all of it.

It's that very side of Alita that entrances me.

Yes, she may have a cyborg body composed of nanomachines.

She may be a remnant of a lost civilization, salvaged under life-threatening circumstances.

But it's her humane side that made me fall for her in the first place.

We have been together for quite a while now, but moments like these are the moments in which I fall in love with her all over again.

They are treasured, and I wish they would last forever, as all good things should.

I find myself remembering the reason for the lateness.

"Oh, I almost forgot your surprise!" I take a step back, smacking my forehead.

She grumbles slightly as I pull out of our embrace.

I dangle my knapsack into view.

A one-hundred-watt childlike smile instant-replaces the disappointed pout.

"What is it?!"

A conniving grin spreads on my face.

"Ugh. Come on!" She grabs my hand and leads me up the staircase.

It doesn't take long before we arrive at Alita's bedroom door.

She pushes it open with her free hand and guides me to the bed as she ushers me to sit down.

Her excitement is evident and infectious.

The early-afternoon sun rays cascade through the window behind her, bathing the room in a pleasant and warming atmosphere.

"Okay. What's this surprise?"

"Well, if I told you that..." I tease with a smirk. "It wouldn't be a surprise anymore, would it?"

Alita giggles lightly as she leans forward and playfully gives my shoulder a not-so-gentle shove.

"You! Come on, no more teasing. Show me."

"Alright, alright." I rub a painful spot. I keep forgetting she can pack quite a punch, even if I had seen her transform from this soulful, gentle girl into a weapon before.

I unhook my knapsack from around my shoulder and place it on my lap. Unzipping it, I reach inside and pull out a series of objects wrapped somewhat hastily in the multicolored paper.

Four, to be exact.

I count them under my breath and lay them out in between the two of us in a somewhat neat little line.

"Argh, I forgot to label them. Wait."

She tilts her head as she watches me pick them up. My brow is furrowed in concentration, as I close my eyes and take in the scent.

I hear Alita chuckle and remember she had always been fond of the face I make when I am focusing on something.

"Hmm... no," I open my eyes and put the wrapping back in line before grabbing another one, repeating the process.

"Nope, not that one either. Sorry about this, Alita."

"Don't worry, sweetie." The cyber girl says with a soft tone and a smile to reassure me. "But what are..."

"A-ha! Found it!" I proclaim as I hold it up for her to see. "This one, I'll save for last. I'm curious to see what you think of it."

Alita watches with a raised eyebrow as I put the wrapped item behind me. "O...kay. What are these, anyway?"

"One of your two favorite things."

Her eyes widen in realization. "Chocolate?" She asks with clear giddiness, her smile bright as the sun. "But how did you..."

With glee and excitement, her hand lingers over the wrapped chocolate, not sure which one to go for. She picks the blue one and unwraps it to reveal a perfect cuboid. She wastes no time in taking a tentative bite out of it just as I finish my answer.

"I made it myself. 'T was a genuine cocoa conspiracy."

Her eyes meet mine as my words hit her, and I am sure she is about to start telling me I didn't have to go through all this trouble for her but then she shakes her head.

The added ingredient to the chocolate must have hit her taste buds, not expecting the extra element at all.

Her eyebrows knit together as she tries to place the exact ingredient.

"Hmm..."

"Do you like it?" I ask.

Sometimes I am not sure whether the look on her face means whether she likes it or not.

She crunches her nose and does a little head shake. "It tastes kinda spicy."

"Ah. That'll be the chili-flavored chocolate."

I take the opportunity to explain that I've been wanting to try a new hobby of late. Baking was considered at first but I decided on making chocolate instead. Mostly because it was her favorite thing in the world, and it was hard to come by.

Plus, I wanted to see the look on Alita's face when I reveal said hobby to her.

It was so worth the wait.

I had been saving up to get the trays, flavorings, and a book about the subject, just to make sure I get things right.

I go on to explain that each small bar is a different flavor or kind of chocolate I was thinking of making. And of course, there was only one person I could think of to taste-test them.

Visibly touched, Alita's smile grows as she speaks.

"So this is why you were late today?"

"Yeah. I got an idea for a new recipe I thought you'd like and I had to wait for it to set and harden."

"Thank you so much!" She squeals, her lips parting in a wide grin.

"Don't thank me just yet. You've got three more bars to try."

Alita takes a bite of the next one, wrapped in light purple, even insisting that I try some myself.

I do so and I find that we don't share each other's thoughts on this one: white. She loves the taste, unlike me, but remarks she had no idea the chocolate could be that color.

After this, she unwraps the bar in the dark purple paper and by now I am pretty sure I know which one it is likely to be.

Regardless, I await her reaction and opinion as she bites off a small piece and begins to chew.

Her face displays a mood of concentration and deep thought as if recalling something. It must taste familiar. Perhaps she's had this kind of chocolate before?

Alita sees the look of anticipation I'm giving her.

"And that one?" I ask.

Alita sighs through her nose and her gaze falls to the ground. Immediately, I worry that it's disappointing. She then looks at me sheepishly and speaks up.

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course. You can tell me anything."

"It tastes like toothpaste."

"..."

It takes me a moment to realize what she said, and when I do, I burst out laughing.

Of all the things I expected her to say about that particular chocolate, I did not, in my wildest dreams, expect her to say that.

My beloved cyborg is confused at first but can't help the small smile on her face at the sight of my elation.

"What's so funny, silly?" She asks as she hands me the chocolate that incited my laughter.

"You said it tastes like toothpaste," I explain as I sniff the cuboid. "That's because it's made from the mint."

"Oh?! Well, that explains it, I guess."

"I just didn't think you'd put it that way. As if my day wasn't made enough." With that, I take a small bite of the mint chocolate. The taste is strong and lingers ever so slightly on my tongue. "Yeah, you're right. It does taste like toothpaste. Reminder to self: dial down the mint next time."

Alita giggles as she reaches for the final, yellow-wrapped chocolate on the line between us.

Her lips pull into an impish, and yet adorable grin as she looks at me, then the chocolate, then back to me again.

"Why don't we try something different?"

"I'm listening..." My reply is cautious.

"Up until now, I've tried the chocolate first, then you'd try it after me. Why don't we each get a piece and try it at the same time?"

"You mean, feed each other a piece?"

"Yeah! I saw it in a movie once and... I want to try it. With you." She smiles at me with that incredible sparkle I love so much. Then she tucks a few strands of her hair behind her ear. "But only if that's okay with you. I mean..."

My heart lifts within my chest at the marvel that this loveable cyborg sat before me.

The smile pulling at the corners of my lips grows, as I lean forward and our eyes meet. A small flush of color comes to her cheeks.

My fingers gently wrap around the back of her hand, my thumb lightly and affectionately brushing her knuckles. Every intricate detail of her berserker body's hand traces into my mind. I know she can feel every minute detail of what she comes into contact with. She feels me just as much, if not more than I ever could feel her.

The raw emotion, the deep well it springs from is what I convey not only through my touch but through my words, too.

"Alita, I'd love that."

She smiles at me as I reach over with my other hand and snap off a piece of chocolate, the sound breaking this tiny but lovely, intimate silence between us.

Alita snaps off a piece of chocolate herself and we both raise our pieces at head height to each other.

Anticipating what comes next.

"Ready?" She asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod and in almost perfect synchronization, I place the chocolate within her waiting mouth, her warm breath tickling the very tip of my finger and thumb.

She does the same for me, and we both let out a hum of satisfaction and approval.

"Best one yet..." Alita states, clearly overcome with the taste. "What's this flavor called?"

"Err... Belg-ium?" It's all I can mutter as a subtle feeling of bliss comes over me.

I am not sure if it's because of the chocolate itself, the intimate way in which I partook of it, or both.

"Definitely keep that recipe."

"I will," I say as something catches my eye. An amused smile pulls at my lips. The corner of her mouth is slightly smeared with melted chocolate. "You've, uh, got some chocolate right here."

Tapping the corner of my mouth shows her where. But then an idea comes to mind. An opportunity to tease her.

"Oh." She replies with slight embarrassment as she reaches up to take care of it. "Sorry."

"Don't be. Allow me..." I smirk and lean forward again as I lightly lick my thumb and reach forward. My thumb dabs and wipes away the small stain from her face, as I take the opportunity to brush one finger against her cheek.

She leans ever so slightly into my touch.

"Oh wait, you said no teasing. My bad..." I withdraw my hand.

My dear cyborg reaches forward and takes my hand in both of hers with an impish smile.

Her eyes don't leave mine for a second and she brings my hand to her lips, removing what little chocolate is left there on my thumb. The combined sensation of her smooth hands and supple lips makes my hairs stand on end, in a good way.

She then releases my hand from hers with a triumphant smirk and eyes sparkling with a sense of victory.

"Gotcha," she says with a provocative tone.

For a moment I find myself lost for words before I manage to scramble some together and mutter them under my breath.

"Well played."

"Will you make me some more Belg-ium chocolate, sometime?"

"Of course. Anything for you."

Alita leans forward and captures my lips in a kiss so sweet that easily surpasses all the four chocolates we tasted. One of her hands rests on my cheek while the other is placed on my knee. As the kiss deepens we both savor the lingering chocolate and find ourselves lost in one another.

Eventually, I become aware of the lateness of the day, and despite how much I don't want to, I must head home.

Alita protests, as she always does, asking me to stay just a little bit longer, but knows I need to get back before it gets too dark.

I tell her that all the chocolates I brought are hers and hers alone but I also advise her to take it slow and not wolf down the whole lot in one night.

She laughs it off and promises she won't, although I am not sure the white chocolate will see the light of day.

We slowly make our way down the clinic's staircase hand-in-hand as I adjust the straps of my knapsack.

"Can I come to see you tomorrow, too?" She asks. "We could play Motorball with the gang, and... I don't know, just hang out after that."

"Of course. You're always welcome, anytime."

"I know. I just like to hear you say it."

"Then I'll say it as many times as I can."

"Good," she mutters and closes the gap between us, kissing me goodbye even though we will be seeing each other soon.

In both her mind and mine, any time apart is too long.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," I whisper, just loud enough for her to hear.

"I can't wait." She smiles at me and gives my palm a loving squeeze.

I reluctantly let go of her hand and turn away as I head off into the streets of Iron City.

The sun has almost completely disappeared over the horizon, bathing the sky in atmospheric colors.

The crowd has thinned, as it always does at this time of the day.

I turn around and see Alita waving me farewell.

I wave back before disappearing down an alley, grinning like a fool.

Tomorrow.