12:30 A.M.
The Twilight Movers Parlor Car was empty, save for the parcels Concord picked up from Rosebelt Station that were bound to their main designated station: Central Station. It wasn't much, given that Rosebelt is situated in a rather rural-ish region so there weren't many establishments nor people to utilize the delivery service, but Chamomile and Concord figured they would take it along on their way.
That would mean extra pay for them too, as they get paid per parcel they manage to deliver during their shift.
"My boots are soaked!" Chamomile complained, shaking out snow lodged into the folds of her boots.
"Hey, don't just take off your boots inside the train…" Concord sighed. "And you're making a mess over the floor, too. Can't you wait until we get back to Central?"
"This is your fault too, you know!"
"I mean, I'm not the one who keeps tripping and slipping over the snow, so how is that my fault?"
"I had to chase you again before you got lost, you absolute child!"
"First, we get called old, and now, I'm a child…"
"Oooooh!"
Millie balled her fists and puffed her cheeks. For someone who was calling another person a child, she looked and acted more like one. In fact, the way her face flared, partnered by her reddish cheeks due to the frigid air outside, made her look like an angry furball creature.
"Fine, I'm sorry."
"Eh?"
Concord stood up and sat beside Chamomile. He inspected her winter boots, pulled out a rather large handkerchief from his pockets, and began drying her damp shoes. "Ah, with the way it's soaked, wearing these is going to be a pain."
"Hey, wait!" Chamomile protested. "Y-You don't have to use your own hanky to dry off my dirty shoes! It'll get soiled!"
"It's fine. I only bring this in case of emergencies."
"Emergencies? Like what?"
"Physical injuries like sprains and such. You'd be surprised how useful a bunch of rags or clothes like these are when the situation calls for it."
The way Concord spoke about first-aid felt like he had some sort of deep knowledge about it. Chamomile would've asked for more, but she noticed a dark expression creep up once he finished talking about injuries.
Concord…?
"There, I did the best I could." The young man set Chamomile's boots beside her. "Do you want me to dry off your feet too?"
"What the—?!" Chamomile blushed. "How can you say that with such a straight face?! Some people would've ought to be reserved or flustered, but you—!"
"I'll take it as a no, then. Still, you ought to take off your socks before we get out. Sure, the parlor car has a heater, but once we step out into Central, where it's an open-air station? Oof."
"I can't walk barefoot out onto the floor, though!"
"Ah, you're right."
"You didn't take that into consideration?!"
Even if they've worked together for two months, Chamomile was amazed at the stark contrast of Concord's ingenuity when the situation called for it, but at the same time, his lack of common sense for things that are obvious.
"Now approaching: Central Station." The intercom of the train announced.
"I see no other choice then."
Concord stood up and stuffed all the parcels from Rosebelt Station into his knapsack. Once everything was secured, he picked up Chamomile's winter boots on one hand.
"Wait, where are you going with my boots?!" Chamomile panicked. She didn't get a response back, and the train finally stopped on the platform. "Concord?!"
"Hang tight."
"Concord, what are you—KYAH!"
The young man carried his companion in a princess carry. Given that he was nearly a foot taller, and his body frame was used to lifting heavy parcels, carrying Chamomile was a cakewalk.
"You said you couldn't walk barefoot, right?" He plainly spoke. "Since it's my fault your shoes got into a wet mess, this is me making it up for it."
"Y-You—!" Chamomile covered her face in embarrassment. Really, the way this young man thinks!
The doors opened, and the two Twilight Movers emerged from their parlor car like a pair of newlyweds exiting the church doors. Even if there weren't too many passengers that travel this late at night, the few commuters are lucky enough to witness the bizarreness of a parcel courier carrying his companion like delicate luggage.
Weirded-out looks turned towards the direction of the two, but Concord did not give a care in the world. He simply walked his regular pace and returned to an area of Central Station where the Twilight Movers has an office and storage space.
Cling~Clang!
The chimes of the door resounded, and the clerk on the main inquiry table turned her head to see who came in.
"Good evening, how may I—" She spoke, then cocked an eyebrow at the bizarre sight."
"Concord?! Why are you carrying Millie like that?" The clerk said.
"She got her boots soaked in the snow."
"Sounds like you two had fun in Rosebelt Station, huh?"
"If you call chasing out after this dingus in the dark and cold 'fun', then you have a twisted sense of entertainment, Erin!" Chamomile piped up, flaring her cheeks again.
"Ha ha ha!" The young lady named Erin, the clerk working the front desk, let out a light laugh. "Just another night for the Central's star couriers, I see."
"Come on," Concord sighed. "Are we really stuck with that title when there's only three or four couriers stationed at Central? The other people must be uncomfortable."
"Well, the others are just sidelining, unlike you two who nearly spend their entire week full-time in the graveyard shift!"
Erin placed her hands on the desk and supported her chin. "Really, why don't you two take a vacation or a break?"
"Well, perhaps I should…" Chamomile pondered. "But I wouldn't know where to go, or what to do!"
"And for me, this is my break." Concord replied dolefully. "Working is what I live for."
"Jeez, workaholics…" Erin tutted and snickered. "Also, until when are you going to carry Millie in your arms? You two are looking more and more like a couple with each passing day."
"Right." Concord nodded, setting Chamomile down on the floor.
"Wait, at least let me sit on—GAH! COLD!"
The moment her damp stockings touched the cold floor, Chamomile pranced around, rushing towards the bench before taking off her socks. "Can't you at least put me in a warm spot first?!"
"My bad."
Yep, they really are like an old married couple. Erin giggled to herself.
"Well," The clerk said."I did prepare some warm cocoa for everyone. Would you all like a mug?"
"Yes! Yes, please!" The young lady immediately perked up.
"No thanks," Concord replied. "I'll have—"
"The usual, of course," Erin nodded. "Really, I don't get why you prefer cold grape soda in this harsh winter."
"It's my favorite. Nothing can top it."
"As you say, Concord."
Erin left, shaking her head with a smile as she went to the office's kitchen to prepare refreshments for her friends.
Concord unloaded the rest of the parcels from Rosebelt and prepared them for receiving, as Chamomile finally dried off her wet footwear.
"Hey, Concord?" She spoke.
"Yes?"
"About taking a break and all…"
Her words softened to a whisper. "Well, there is a place I want to go to, but…"
"Hm? I can't hear you. Speak up."
"Ah! No, it's nothing."
"As you say."
The young man went back to work. Chamomile sighed and bit her lip.
Ah… Why is it so hard to ask you out…?