They met at the convenience store, over the last jar of strawberry jam. Their hands met there, on the round metal top, and then their eyes, purple-blue and smoke-gray.
The boy grinned first; the girl wasn't far behind.
"You can have it," they said together.
"Oh, no, I'm so sorry, I don't want to deprieve you! My tomatoes will taste fine without -- I guess I could try blackberry instead, oh, or is there anything called redberry, I wonder... Anyway, please have it."
He laughed. "It's okay, miss, it's not for me. It's for my roommate. He's a grouch without it--"
"Oh, then you definitely must have it!"
"--No, no! For a lady, he'll understand." His grin turned a little more devious. "And if he doesn't, I get to poke fun at him."
"I know!" she exclaimed happily. "I will duel you for it. If I win, you get the jar of strawberry!"
"Duel?" he replied, a little startled.
"Duel!" She nodded firmly. "You may have the choice of weapons. What shall it be, gentleman? Rapier? Or the strength of our fists?"
He blinked at her in shock, and then he didn't mutter and run away -- he laughed, laughed and leaned toward her, and his hand cupped her cheek. It was warm and callused and gentle, cradling her very cautiously.
"Tell you what. I'll let you eat it, if you let me taste it."
Duo's lips tasted of strawberry the rest of the afternoon.