yanderebitchclub | ( catchall ) even now i still dream of you

[ okay good, because izumi doesn't do well with sweets. a blush creeps up his face traitorously at the compliment, and he throws sandalphon a little pout; izumi would've worn something more suited to his tastes, but he can't really get them with sandalphon's salary, but of course he'd look good in his owner's terribly plain outfit anyway. even if it overwhelmingly smells of him.

ugh, get a grip. ]

Th-Thanks... I guess.

[ but he shouldn't hold up the line, so he digs in his pocket to bring out some money and -

fuck

he forgot the money, didn't he. of course he did. he sheepishly looks back at sandalphon, his eyes pleading. please cover this for him, he'll pay you back at home, ]

[To say the look in Sandalphon's eyes is sadistic is to do it injustice. This is something Izumi might not know, because he rarely brings this mood home with him, but Sandalphon has a reputation: without a doubt, he is the meanest barista in the country. Stores in other towns hear his name and tremble, because he's managed to do what they can't: tell off customers and keep his job based solely on how good he is at it.

But just as the temptation to torment his cat a bit reaches its peak, it subsides just as quickly, and Sandalphon continues speaking as though he weren't just sizing Izumi up like a piece of meat.]

It looks like the person before you offered to pay for the next person in line. Would you like to take them up on that?

[He's already punching it in. He'll just put it on Lucio's tab.]

I'll need a name for the drink, as well.

[He's already writing on the cup though, that devilish smirk back on his face as he does.]

[ what's with that weird, sexy look in sandalphon's eyes just now... it's something that izumi hasn't seen before in all the months he's been staying in his house. is he being smug that his own cat is penniless and has to rely on him in this situation? fuck off with that! he can do whatever he want!

well, except he can't, because cats are still bound to masters in this society. this sucks, but two can play that game.

so he smiles. ]

It's so nice of that gentleman to offer something like that to me. I'll take him up on that offer, then.

[ and smiles even more widely. ]

The name's Sanchan, by the way.

[The nickname is enough to throw Sandalphon off, and he gives the crowd in the cafe a quick scan, somewhat alarmed. Izumi wins this round.

But it's alright, because there are no himbos in sight. Lucio's ears are terrifyingly good, and if he heard someone else saying that name, there's no way he wouldn't show up to see what was going on...]

...Sanchan, is it...doesn't that sound like something you'd name an animal? Like a pet?

[He's not stupid enough to contribute to Izumi getting caught, so aside from saying this just to test the waters and perhaps startle him a bit, Sandalphon doesn't let the conversation linger here:]

Though actually, I'm occasionally called that sometimes, too...since we have the same name, I'll make your drink to my own exacting standards.

[Though he was going to do that in the first place. If Izumi risked this much just to come to his cafe, then it must be for his coffee, right? And even if he'd be okay with receiving it from someone else, Sandalphon wouldn't feel right letting someone else make it for him in the first place. Izumi is his cat, after all; he should be the one to take care of him, even if he's doing something as reckless as this.

When he hands the cup over, it says, in writing small enough to be covered by a hand, located near the decaf checkbox, "Don't expect any sleep tonight!" Just vague enough that he can say Izumi ordered an absurd amount of caffeine in his drink and it's a joke between friends, but pointed enough that Izumi should know to expect some...well, perhaps not punishment, because Sandalphon's actually quite enjoying this, but it's not quite a reward either. Mostly, he wants to see if he can get Izumi to make that pleading look one more time...]

...Here you are, Sanchan. A flat white, made with our special house blend. And...

[He carefully slides a vanilla bean scone on a napkin toward him, too. Izumi doesn't usually eat sweet things, but these are small enough that maybe it's fine? But for all that Sandalphon's trying to pass this off as just another customer...it's still Izumi, and he can't help but want to spoil him a bit with whatever treats he can find for him.]

[ he'd thought up that nickname in the fly, but to be honest, izumi has always wanted to call his owner that. but sandalphon didn't even give one to his pet, so why even bother? but the look in sandalphon's face right now makes him feel like he won this weird battle they had.

izumi watches sandalphon work on his order, mesmerized at the sight of sandalphon mixing and blending the ingredients in a cup after he busies himself with the coffee maker. it reminds him of how he's taken sandalphon's morning coffee for granted, because now he's rather liked it if his owner makes coffees for him and him alone, without everyone in this coffeeshop breathe down his neck. he startles a little when sandalphon hands his order over, raising a brow at the free scone, and looks up at him with a bit of rosy cheeks. ]

...Thank you.

[ there's that meek voice again before he scuttles away, making room for the next customer who'd definitely just saw them eyefucking each other at the counter. so did halluel and malluel, who'd pull sandy aside and ask him about the cutie at the counter just now.

he finds an empty booth far, far away from the counters and quickly claims it, only seeing that note just now. if izumi's only pink in the cheeks earlier on, he's blushing furiously at the thought, looking up to stare at sandalphon from his seat with knitted brows. what the hell?! he can't just say that to his pet, even if he's a customer! even if there's probably nothing going on between them and that this is just a precaution because coffee can fuck up his sleeping schedule! nothing more!

and yet... he wants to dream, as he takes his first sip of the flat white and humming happily at how great it tastes. sandalphon truly knows what he wants, after all. ]

[As Izumi watches the coffee machines, he'll be able to watch Sandalphon answer Halluel & Malluel and then turn a bright shade of red himself before shooing his coworkers off to take care of the customers in line. He glances over at Izumi's table and immediately looks away once their eyes meet, huffing stubbornly.

He circles around the cafe, visiting some customers at the table, before finally making his way to Izumi's, ducking into the booth and letting his work persona loosen just a bit, giving him a quiet smile. He'd thought about scolding him for sneaking out, but it's been so nice to see him that it doesn't matter anymore.]

It's time for my break, so I thought I'd stop by.

...Do you like it?

[It has less milk than a latte, after all, and Sandalphon wasn't about to put the kid gloves on and sweeten a drink he gave to Izumi just because he's his cat.]

[ izumi takes one more sip of the drink, licking his lips. ] I wouldn't mind you making it at home sometime, at least.

[ and that's the closest thing izumi can utter as a compliment. it tastes different, yet familiar at the same time, and he relishes in the warm feeling in his stomach that's not just cause by the coffee. ]

Were you surprised, though? About me dropping by.

[ guilt suddenly washes over him as he looks away for a moment, taking the vanilla scone and nibbling it. it's a perfect complement to the drink as well; sandalphon really is that good with his job that izumi's now wondering why he isn't getting paid more. ]

...If you're angry at me, I understand. I'll go when I'm done.

[Sandalphon switches sides in the booth, sliding in next to Izumi and reaching under his hat, behind his head, to gently scratch at the base of his ears.]

I'm not angry. If I were, I'd have just told you to get out because you didn't have any money. You're being careful, and...you should be allowed to do whatever you want, even if I'm not there.

[He pulls his hand back; too much tousling and the hat might come off and give Izumi away.]

So I can't be mad at you for wanting something that should be yours to begin with. I'd prefer that you sneak to places I am like this, so you have me as an excuse if you get caught, but...

[Sandalphon sighs, leaning back against the booth.]

...As long as I know where you are, and as long as you're careful...until you can go wherever you want by yourself, you've got my permission to leave the house.

[He'd hate to make Izumi feel trapped in his own home. He'd hate that more than anything.]

[ the headpat is more than welcome, and if they were at home, izumi would've snuggled on top of sandalphon and purr to his heart's content. but they're in a booth where anyone can see them, so he's doing all he can not to drop his guard. ]

...Don't worry. I've made up my mind about staying with you.

[ even if his conflicted feelings towards his master are unfounded. despite all the touch and caresses and longing looks from afar. ]

So. What do you mean by this little note here, maaaster?

[ yeah, he's not dropping it anytime soon. like is it about the coffee or... whatever sandalphon has in mind when they get home later? ]

[Sandalphon flushes a faint red, as he usually does, over being called "master" in such a teasing tone. He knows Izumi does it to fluster him, but that doesn't seem to stop the actual flustering from happening.]

It's...

[He'd intended it with all the innuendo Izumi is implying, but all of a sudden it feels like if he says it out loud, he'd be breaking some unwritten rule between them. If he admits that it's flirting...if he admits that any of this is flirting...]

...Well, what did you think it meant? What kind of things are you imagining to make you ask that kind of question?

[He leans in just a bit too close...so close that he could answer more definitively if he just leaned in a bit more. The smirk is back, but only because this is the only way he knows how to avoid saying that this is flirting without shutting down the possibility.]

[ and now it's izumi's turn to be flustered. he didn't expect sandalphon to take the bait that easily, nor reel izumi in with a smirk that's - totally sexy on him, not gonna lie, and with how close they are in proximity, it feels as though izumi has forgotten to breathe.

but he can't let sandalphon win. not yet. so he smiles back, leans even closer to sandalphon to whisper in his ear. ]

Do you really want to know what's on my mind right now?

[ because he's internally screaming right now. but aside from that, he'd be lying if he said that he hadn't entertained the thoughts of him and his master going all the way, testing the limits of their relationship. he isn't stupid, sandalphon has two functioning eyes and can be just as attracted to him like any other guy out there - but this feels different, somehow. ]

Because I'm thinking about--

[ the front doors of the coffeeshop is then thrown open, and another white-haired blue-eyed bastard waltzes in before izumi can tease his master over. he'd almost jumped into the air in fright, but he hides behind sandalphon's back anyway, peeking over his shoulder and hissing under his breath. like what the fuck? why's that guy doing here? and did he plan to barge in the middle of all this?! ]

[The look of utter disgust on Sandalphon's face when he glances over at the door couldn't be any clearer. His least favorite customer...Lucio. And it's too late to avoid his gaze, because the moment he catches sight of his favorite barista, Lucio smiles and waves. Sandalphon's eyes simply narrow a bit more in response as he gently rubs at the small of Izumi's back to get him to calm down a bit.]

Of all the times...I'm on break, you shameless waste of space.

[As evidenced by the fact that he's huddled together in a booth with another man. Actually, this gives Sandalphon something of an idea...]

Incidentally, my boyfriend stopped by to visit me. I'll entertain you another day, so leave us be.

[He barely finishes his sentence before he leans in to kiss Izumi, his free hand sliding back behind his head to hold the hat in place just in case his ears jump and jostle it. Dating between cats and their masters is normal, but Izumi's gone to such lengths to hide it, after all...and he'd still have to explain how Izumi got here unattended, besides.

Much as he'd like to, Sandalphon knows better than to push his luck, and the kiss is over relatively quickly. Just enough to get Lucio to excuse himself, looking a bit like he's just been stabbed.]

...Sorry about that, Izumi.

[He murmurs as soon as Lucio's far enough away not to overhear them. He'll apologize as many times as it takes if he's mad about his first kiss being like this...though as far as Sandalphon himself is concerned, there's no one else he'd have rather shared his own with.]

[ the kiss was over before izumi's mind even registered it, looking a little dazed when sandalphon pulls away to shoo lucio off. he feels as though his entire body is burning, from his lips to his cheeks to even his crotch, and he silently curses himself for already being so turned on from their constant flirting in such a secluded location. if sandalphon hadn't held onto his cap, izumi would've been exposed for what he is, too.

give him a moment to recompose himself, and: ]

What... was that for?

[ he can feel himself getting mad, for some reason. ]

Did you kiss me just so you can drive him off? You can do better than that! That was my first kiss, moron!

[ he still couldn't bring himself to believe it - that sandalphon actually likes him with no strings attached. also yeah, he could've timed this better and now izumi wants to disappear under the table and everything. ]

[A part of him had been expecting this kind of reaction. It's only normal to be angry at someone who's taken your first kiss for such a petty thing. But even so—he'd meant every second of it, and Sandalphon feels himself getting defensive.]

I...no! Do you really take me for the kind of person who...

[He stops mid-question, already knowing that the answer to it is yes.]

...I-It was mine too, you know! I wouldn't have just given it to anyone! I'm not that desperate! If I...there were other ways I could've gotten rid of him, but I...

[This would be so much simpler if he could just talk about his feelings like a normal person, but of course he can't.]

...No. Never mind. You're right. I shouldn't have done that.

[The hand on Izumi's lower back stays where it is, despite the tension between them; in spite of it, Sandalphon still wants to touch him.]

[ the hand on his lower back is reassuring in a way; it just means that sandalphon doesn't want to part from him after all that. it means that maybe he does genuinely like izumi as more than a pet if he's holding him like this in such a public location. but izumi doesn't want to be seen like this by so many people, especially his competition. he can't help but feel bad for lucio for a little bit too... just a tad.

he purses his lips, and then, avoiding sandalphon's gaze: ]

Can... Can I take this coffee to go? I'll wait for you at home instead.

[ before they both fuck up more than they already did. ]

[It's a good thing Izumi's looking away, because Sandalphon would never forgive himself if he let him see the sheer panic on his face. He wouldn't blame Izumi if he just turned tail and ran away from home after this.]

...Of course. Be careful on the way home.

[But if that happens, this is his own fault. Sandalphon slides out of the booth, giving Izumi a gentle pat on the head, and gets ready to get back to work. He glances back at him one more time, but...staring would probably hurt his pride, wouldn't it? It's best to just leave him alone, then.

...When he gets home, hours later, he stands outside the door of his apartment for several long moments. He's got to apologize...he's been rehearsing it all day in his head, and now it's time to do it for real. Finally, he opens the door, calling out.]

Izumi...I'm home.

[And then he waits.]

[ izumi did wait as soon as he got home, as soon as he changed out of sandalphon's clothes into his own loose-fitting ones. all while he's pondering over what had just happened at the shop earlier because who wouldn't overthink about something like that? it actually made him so tired just thinking about it that he passed out on the couch, only waking up when sandalphon had arrived home.

he stretches, tail curling, and he sits up and peeks at sandalphon from his place on the couch like some guilty child who's awaiting punishment. he dimly remembers the coffee he'd brought home, now cold on the coffeetable, and his heart sinks at not being able to drink it properly after coming all that way to visit his owner and watch him in his element.

anything he'd say right now might make things worse, so izumi opts to stare at sandalphon from afar, blue eyes glinting with... anticipation? because his lips still tingle at being kissed, and he's wondering if sandalphon would taste like the works he has to make every single day. ]

[The relief on Sandalphon's face should be obvious even from a distance. He barely remembers to take his shoes off and doesn't bother taking his jacket off at all as he rushes over to Izumi. Thank goodness he's here...thank goodness he hasn't run off, even if Sandalphon would have deserved it if he had.]

Izumi...

[He pulls him into a tight hug. Everything he wanted to say has vanished from his mind, even after going over it for hours while he made coffee. He's just so happy to see him, so sorry for everything...and before he even knows it, he's loosened his embrace just enough to kiss Izumi again—this time, with all the feelings he's been grappling with, with no audience to make a point to. It's just the two of them, the same as always, and still, Sandalphon wants to kiss him like this.

He has for quite some time, truthfully. He can explain himself later, but for now...for now, he only wants this. He only wants Izumi.]

[ the moment sandalphon rushes in to embrace him, that was izumi's breaking point. because after all that, sandalphon only wanted to hold him all this time despite izumi's outburst from the shop, and it only made izumi realize that maybe he should stop holding back from his own feelings too. especially when his owner made it crystal-clear with a kiss that sealed the deal.

so he kisses back, enthusiastically so, scrambling onto his owner's lap as if they'd done this before. they're both new to this kissing too and it's painfully obvious, and izumi pulls away to breath for a moment and to stare at sandalphon with bright eyes and even pinker cheeks.

he really is handsome like this. and it's something that izumi wants all to himself, as shallow and selfish as that sounds. even so, his lips curve into a smile, soft and warm. ]

...Welcome home.

Edited 2020-01-25 23:55 (UTC)

[Sandalphon can't help the tender, loving smile that blooms on his face in response to Izumi's quiet words. It's the kind of expression he's always been so careful to hide whenever he felt it tugging at the corners of his mouth, one too soft and good for someone as jaded as himself. But how could he do anything but smile, when the object of his affections returned a kiss from him?]

...I've wanted to do that for a long time. I'm...sorry for taking so long.

[He isn't the brightest when it comes to social situations and cues, but even he had been acutely aware of the tension building between the two of them for some time now. Dodged glances, more daring intrusions into personal space...all of it unspoken, wonderful, and terrifying.

But as much as he'd enjoyed the dangerous waltz they'd been performing together, this is better. Having Izumi settled into his lap like this, feeling his lips against his own...it's all so much better than he could have ever even imagined.

He pulls Izumi back in to kiss him again, still just as clumsy as the first. It's still not enough, he hasn't had enough of him—and so he gently cups Izumi's cheek in his hand and nips at his bottom lip, trying to coax his mouth open, praying he isn't biting too hard. They'll need plenty of practice with this, between their combined lack of experience, and now is as good a time as any to start.]

[ izumi lets out a soft, surprised sound at the sudden forwardness of sandalphon's kiss, but in truth he's been wanting to this for a long time too. he's been aware of how they've been acting towards each other lately, but he chose to suppress all that because the very thought of going that far with his owner is too absurd. but now...

he opens up and lets him in, sliding his tongue against his as they deepen the kiss. he's feeling a bit heady from this alone, tail curling behind him as he tightens his grip on sandalphon's shoulders, not planning to let him go for a while longer. ]

...I'm sorry too. [ a gentle apology in between kisses, for taking just as long to admit it. hate how it took lucio's sudden appearance to have them crave for each other like this, though. ]

[Sandalphon wasn't sure what he expected, but finding out Izumi's tongue is just as scratchy as a regular cat's is...well, all he really knows for now is he doesn't hate it. And he'll have plenty of opportunities to get used to it, besides, if this budding relationship of theirs stays solid.

His first instinct is to apologize again for...well, anything, really, or to say that Izumi doesn't need to, but he does worry about beginning an insecurity feedback loop. Lord knows he's not the most confident of people and he knows Izumi struggles too, for all that he projects an immovable personality. So although there are plenty of things he'd like to apologize for...for being haughty when he had no money, for making things awkward, for cheapening his first kiss like that...

...Though that last one in particular does still clutch at his heart, he puts them out of his mind for now. They can come later, when Izumi isn't so close to him, when he's more than mere inches from kissing distance.

For now, the only thing he wants to give Izumi is more kisses, as many as he'll accept from him. He leans back in to capture Izumi's lips once more, already hungry for more, as though he's making up for lost time. How long ago could their relationship have first taken this step? How much time has he wasted on his own insecurities...?

...thinking about that can come later, too. But for now, all Sandalphon wants to think about is Izumi.]

[ izumi doesn't want to disappoint his owner too, especially with how he's trying so hard to kiss as properly as he can, but it's not as though izumi's had some experience either. he's pretty, and could easily settle with anyone who's richer than his current owner if he wanted to, but...

in the end, izumi cares less and less about that as he cares more and more about him. he'd apologize too, for taking this long to realize it, but it seems that sandalphon's not done making up for lost time either. a low purr rumbles from izumi's throat before he pulls away to breathe, a trail of drool connecting their lips together. ]

I... Was this really your first time...?

[ either that or izumi's just that weak. he licks his lips, the subtle taste of coffee shared between them. it's so easy to get lost in one another now, but someone's got to get a grip on reality first before they both really lose it. ]

Mmn...?

[The question is enough to stop Sandalphon for going in for another kiss, at least; the glassy, faraway look in his eyes betrays his desire to do so, though.]

It was. I'm not very social, as you know, so I've just never...am I not any good at this?

[He'll get better, Izumi, he swears,]

I didn't say that.

[ though izumi was a little overwhelmed from all the kissing already... maybe that was just him? ugh, he really has it bad. ]

But I don't get it. You can have any human you meet at work, yet...

[ he opts to just. curl up on sandalphon's lap, making himself comfortable on top of him as he leans his head on his chest, relishing on the fact that he can feel his owner's heart race from here. ]

( catchall ) even now i still dream of you

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