Private Finished Sweet As It Can Be

Charlie seemed to be in a constant state of blushing, she normally blushed really easily but all the casual compliments from Eein would've made anyone flustered. Charlie didn't know how to react to compliments, and she was just blushing while looking down at her cake.
"I-I'm, um, g-glad you a-are en-enjoying yo-yourself...I-I'm..ha-having fun t-too."
Charlie said, her voice a bit muttery, and ate another piece of cake. The piece was almost half gone, Charlie was eating a bit fast since she really liked the taste.

The way Eein was able to so easily flatter Charlie accidentally and make her flustered beyond her means seemed like a superpower at this point. He left her speechless, and all Charlie could do for a moment was blush and look flabbergasted.
"N-no one h-has e-ever...s-said th-that to m-me..."
Charlie finally said, meaning the part where she was allegedly fun to hang out with. Charlie's brain simply refused to believe it. She wasn't fun, she was awkward and annoying and tolerable at best. Charlie looked down, now feeling a bit sad, but she kept on blushing. It really was stuck on her face now.
"Y-you d-don't need to f-force yo-yourself to...fl-flatter me, I kn-know...h-how I re-really am."
Charlie said, her voice a bit quieter now.

To Eein complimenting the abundance of berries in the muffins, something that had been a mistake originally, Charlie didn't comment on aside from a nod, and a small happy smile on her face. She was a bit glad she had made that mistake.

Charlie had noticed the fact that Eein said what he wanted even before they were properly acquainted. It was something Charlie respected, although she preferred to not hurt anyone's feelings, even if that meant lying or sugarcoating things. But the fact that he probably meant everything he said was even worse than flattery, because it meant that Eein didn't have any ulterior motives, and that made Charlie feel even more flustered. She stopped trying not to blush and just nodded a bit, staring nervously at the cake that was almost gone. She kept eating it without even noticing, that was how nervous Charlie was.
"Yo-you're not me-mean. Y-you ha-haven't b-been me-mean to me e-even on-once."
Not even when he found out about Charlie's secret. Eein was a good person, and when he looked at him as she said it her eyes were serious and genuine. Well, for a moment they were, but Charlie quickly averted her gaze out of embarrassment.

Eein was grumpy? That made Charlie look at him for a second, slightly baffled. Eein wasn't grumpy at all, he had been just polite and kind and respectful, if he was truly grumpy he wouldn't act that way. Angus was grumpy and it showed, but Eein was just a nice person. But then again he could've been pretending and acting properly for Charlie's sake, since she probably didn't seem like a person who could handle grumpy people.
Well, Eein would probably be surprised. But Charlie appreciated him being civil for her. Or he was just exaggerating.
"A-and I'm an a-anxious, aw-awkward b-bear. A-and I st-still l-like your co-company, j-just li-like you li-like m-mine."
Charlie said, and even cracked a small smile, glancing at Eein. She was getting bit braver with her words.
Nevermind, right after saying those words Charlie felt incredibly embarrassed and she felt like she wanted to hide under the table. But she merely covered her face with her hands for a moment, accidentally getting some chocolate cake on her nose from the fork she was still holding.

To cheer someone up was something Charlie rarely managed to do, and this time she hadn't even tried. So when Eein thanked her she felt at a loss for words, glancing around a few times. Finally she managed to nod at Eein nervously and speak.
"I-I'm ha-happy I was a-able to he-help."
She said, her voice a bit quiet and she fidgeted shyly, swiping some hair off her face.

Charlie had been way too distracted to even notice the cake on her nose, and when Eein pointed it out she blinked and blushed. Charlie quickly pulled out a tissue from her bag and wiped her nose, making sure she got it all. Charlie glanced shyly at Eein and nodded.
"Th-thank you..."

Treat exchanges didn't sound like a bad idea, and although Charlie had decided to try baking in order to thank Eein she really did have interest in the skill. After all, it would save money and time if Charlie could make her own sweets.
"Th-that m-might be n-nice. I co-could u-use the pr-practice."
Charlie said with a small smile and blush, looking at Eein from over her glasses. She absently pushed them up since they had slipped.

"M-me? Um..."
Charlie pondered for a moment, she had been planning to finish up her latest book review today, the deadline was in four days and Charlie didn't like cutting it close. She was afraid to say that to Eein, he might think it's weird or lame. So Charlie decided to take out most of the details.
"I w-was just go-going to st-stop by the li-library la-later t-today."
Charlie explained, but she still had to answer Eein's question, which she did while blushing.
"I co-could w-walk with y-ypu for a wh-while."
Charlie's stomach experienced a strange sensation that she had only had few times in her life. For a moment Charlie had a confused frown, not understanding why she felt them.

Charlie was genuinely surprised that Eein liked the library and reading, he hadn't seemed like the type to like those things. But thinking that was rude and small-minded of Charlie, and she felt ashamed. Well, ashamed and happy, of course. She loved books and reading, and if Eein did too then she could talk about it to him.
"Y-yeah, su-sure, l-let's go."
Charlie said with a smile, trying not to seem too excited, and she stood up, putting the now empty container in her bag. She'd wash it and return it to Eein later.

Eein was visibly excited, it was touching yet confusing that someone was excited to spend time with Charlie. That had almost never happened before. But Charlie listened with a small smile, nodding when Eein asked if she liked coffee, already ready to go. So when Eein apologized for getting ahead of himself Charlie blinked as well, and shook her head.
"N-no, I w-would e-enjoy the co-company, th-thank you."
Charlie said, blushing a little, she actually meant what she said. Usually Charlie preferred to be alone, but Eein was nice, so going to the library with him could be even fun. And now she wanted to see that cafe.