AU: Haunted Hero

Context: Sabre and Time are enjoying their calmer, less intense lives in the village. Right now, they're testing out some more new product in their cafe, and it's another after-hours night where Green visits. Takes place a little while before the drama XD

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[3rd Person POV]

The stars glittered in the sky above as Green Steve walked through the village street. It was a bit chilly, but he had a scarf and a jacket to keep him warm.

He soon reaches his destination, and opens the door to Sabre and Time's cafe. Sabre looks up from the counter and greets him with a smile, then turns for a moment to knock on the kitchen's door. Seconds later, Time opens it and sees their guest, and also smiles.

"Hey Green! How was it today?" Time asks, stepping up to the counter and leaning on it, standing next to Sabre.

Green Steve sits at his usual table next to the counter, and turns in his chair to face the two.

"It was great. Although it's upsetting that I have so many clients, they're all showing great progress." He replies. "Suggesting those clubs to them really helped. Some of them even found other people that went through similar situations as they did, and having someone there that understands what they went through is helping them connect with people."

"Glad we could help them too." Sabre says. "Is there anything you want today?"

"Hmmm... is it too late to order a latte?"

"I'm making it decaf. It's late."

"Heh, of course. Can I have caramel with vanilla cream?"

"Yeah. Just in time for me to use the last of the caramel, so you're getting extra."

"Aw, thanks!"

Sabre makes the drink as the three of them talk, all topics about town and people they've made friends with and happenings they've heard of. As Sabre hands Green his drink, another topic starts.

"Y'know schools are starting to teach about the battles you guys have fought in?" Green asks, taking a sip.

"Wait, really?" Time replies, standing up straight. "No way, you're joking with us."

"I'm not! Some of my friends have kids, and apparently all of them can't stop talking about how cool you guys are!" Green laughs.

"Man, shut up." Sabre says with a smile, his face turning a little red.

"I'm serious, guys. And hey, they've been saying a history project is coming up, so you better be prepared for a flock if kids asking you questions soon."

"Oh Origin, I feel old now." Time laughs, shaking his head. "Has it really been that long since we were on the front lines?"

"Gonna be sixteen years since I arrived in this world in four months." Sabre says quietly, still smiling. He's started cleaning up the counter. "Thirteen since the wars ended in a few more."

"Now I feel old." Green says.

"Hey, should we do something since it'll be the anniversary or your arrival?" Time grins, looking at Sabre.

"Noooo, don't." Sabre laughs. "You better not. Not like last year."

"Why not?" Time and Green ask at the same time.

"It's nothing special, no need to make a big deal out of it!"

"Nothing special? Sabre." Green replies, giving him a look. "Of course it's special! It's the day you came here, and you proceeded to make this world a better place for years to come."

"I still don't think stumbling into a world of consequences because I followed a ghost into a tomb is something to be celebrated." Sabre jokingly rolls his eyes, but since it can't be seen he exaggerates the movement.

"Sabre, it is something special to be celebrated." Time adds.

"Yeah? Why?"

"Because it's the day my dearest friend became a part of this Realm."

"Oh- hush."

Sabre playfully shoves him, and Time laughs. Green joins in. After a few minutes, they calm down and Green asks a question.

"Hey, do you guys ever miss... I dunno, the excitement of being heroes?" He says, his drink now half empty.

"Nope."

"Not really."

"Wow, no hesitation." Green chuckles. "But I get it. How come, though?"

"Fighting just was never really my thing." Time replies. "Yeah I'm pretty powerful and I was good at it, but that didn't mean that I liked anything about it. I prefer the life I'm living now... I like baking for everyone, and getting to spend days just relaxing in the house, and reading new books, and getting to know everyone, and just... this is much more enjoyable. It's... me."

"Same here, mostly." Sabre says. "A lot of my people were warriors, and I was no different. I fought to protect, and that's it. Not for glory or action or anything. I... love my new life here. I don't need to hold a sword to be somebody. It's less fast-paced and more cozy, it's getting to experience things I couldn't as a warrior, it's seeing the area around me grow as I do. It's just so wonderful, and instead of being drained and hurt by what I do, I look forward to it every day. I spent so long being strong, but now I can just rest. So much better than the constant chaos and anxiety."

"Amen to that." Time adds, chuckling.

"Fair. After everything you guys have been through, you deserve a peaceful life." Green smiles.

Sabre then puts down the cloth he was using to clean the counter and brightens up.

"Oh, I just remembered! I wanted to try making something from my world, would you guys like to be the first to try it?" He asks. "It's nothing complicated, just a treat people used to make at fairs."

"Ooh, sounds interesting." Green says.

"Sure, why not." Time agrees.

Sabre smiles and walks into the kitchen for a moment, and the other two can hear him open and close the fridge. He then walks back in holding a plate with three rounded chocolate triangles with skewering sticks poking out of the bottom, like oversized lollipops.

"What's this?" Time asks as Sabre places the plate down in the counter between them.

"It's pumpkin pie slices put on a stick and covered in a thick layer of chocolate." Sabre explains. "There's usually more stuff out on top of the chocolate, but I wanted to keep it simple for the first pass."

"Who the heck came up with that??"

"Probably crazy people. Hand me one." Green says, reaching for the sweets.

Sabre hands him one of the pie pops, and he takes a bite. There's a few seconds of silence as he tastes it.

"...Holy cow, they knew what they were doing." Green says, smiling widely. "I take it back, they weren't crazy."

"What? Blasphemy. Let me try." Time says, taking one from the plate.

He tries one too, and his expression changes from suspicion to surprise. He leans on the counter with one hand, staring at the candy combination.

"...Wow." He says, glancing up at Sabre. "Your people had very... creative ways of being unhealthy."

Sabre bursts out laughing.

"Glad you like them!" He says. "So, what do you think about putting these on the menu?"

"Nope. Ours."

"Yeah, business secret."

"Guys!"