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// Sodium (Sassaflash) 
// Story: Little Thoughts 
// by paperhearts 
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Sassaflash pulled her gaze from the newspaper, and scowled at the mug of coffee opposite.  Steamy coils framed Caramel's empty chair; Sassaflash sighed, then glanced at the counter before tilting the salt shaker over the mug.  Finally, her stomach unknotted.

It was one of those silly couple-y traditions.  The first time, Sassaflash had mistaken the salt for sugar, the second time she did it on purpose because she was mad at him.  Every anniversary of their first date—the same teahouse, the same prank.

Sassaflash swallowed, then reached towards the mug.  She had always wondered just how bad it tasted.  Nuzzling the fragile warmth, she closed her eyes and drank deep.

She gagged. Tears burned her eyes.  How could Caramel always laugh after drinking that?

Because he was perfect.

Perfect.

The taste faded.  The tears didn't.  Thankful she couldn't see, Sassaflash turned back to the marriage announcements in the paper.