irl things

[fluorite]

[ because sometimes things happen and you can't help it

there's untagged nsfw please beware and DON'T LOOK AT ME ]

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sometime right before 2.5

[fluorite]

[ "Then I guess I'll see you later."

That's the last thing Fai said to Yael online, and he part of him was afraid that Yael wouldn't actually follow through on texting him. But he did just fifteen minutes later, and here Yuui is, standing right outside the coffee shop a few doors down from his apartment building. He could've given Yael his full address, but safety first and all that. It gives Yael the chance to dip if he decides he can't do this too.

He fiddles with the sleeves of his jumper, so nervous that he feels painfully restricted in an outfit he wears just fine every day, as he looks out for anyone that might look similar to Yael. ]

[weaseled]

[A coffee shop... It shouldn't surprise him that Fai would rather meet publicly than invite him to his place — safety first, or whatever — but it does make him a touch apprehensive about the meeting to come.

Regardless, he pushes through that apprehension to step into the coffee shop and take a look around. His injury has healed to the point that he can get around with a cane rather than a pair of crutches, and if that doesn't give him away, his bulky frame surely will. Dressed in a nondescript black v neck and grey jeans, Yael tucks his sunglasses into the neck of his shirt and looks for Fai, and when he finds him...

...Well. That's certainly him, but the digital world hardly does the man justice. Yael is calm and composed on the surface, but his nerves are alight just beneath his skin as he makes his way over to Fai's table and sits down across from him.]

Sorry to keep you waiting. Traffic.

[fluorite]

[ He recognizes Yael in an instant. Even before he walked in the door, Yuui could tell it was him. His breath hitches, and he tries to keep his cool even as Yael sits right in front of him. He's handsome, especially in real life, and it makes his heart beat wildly in his chest.

Smiling, he gives Yael a shrug. ]

There's always traffic, isn't there? [ He really isn't bothered, is what he means. ] Are you hungry? This place has good sandwiches, so I thought we could grab something to eat before heading to my place.

[ That's where they can talk about the more personal things, he figures. ]

[weaseled]

[...Ah, so Fai does intend to take him home. That makes something prickle beneath Yael's skin, but blessedly, it isn't anxiety. The fluttering in his stomach makes it impossible to think about eating, but Yael dully nods anyway, reaching for one of the paper menus stacked along the side of the table.]

Mm. Not feeling that much like eating, but I'll take your recommendation.

[Just. Don't mind the way he steals glances at your pretty face when he's sure you won't catch him, Fai.]

[fluorite]

[ He leans forward on the table, feeling like less of a nervous wreck now that he’s had Yael in his presence for more than ten seconds. It’s easier to steal glances when he’s closer, right? ]

They have a delicious grilled cheese here. I think they use three cheese. Or, you could have a pastry. Either way, you need to eat.

[ Maybe if Yael has something in his stomach, he’ll feel a bit better. That’s his logic. ]

[weaseled]

[Seeing Fai lighten up does wonders for his nerves, as it turns out, but Yael is still on guard. He's always been slow to warm up, but Fai knows this about him. He trusts he won't be put off by his current disposition, considering he called him out here because of it.

It's thin, but Yael smiles, lightly swatting Fai's head with the menu.]

Alright, mom. If you insist, I'll try it.

[fluorite]

Hehe. Good boy.

[ He catches that menu, giving Yael a little thwack too before he stands up to make his way over to the counter and place an order. As he leaves, he briefly puts a hand on Yael’s shoulder.

It takes Yuui a few minutes to return, but when he does, it’s with a glass of water and a coffee in both hands. He sets the water down in front of Yael. ]

It’s a little late, but I could use a little pick me up.

[weaseled]

[Ah, damn. Fai's a sneaky one, going up there so he can pay for both of their meals before Yael can offer to do it himself. When he returns to his seat, a gentle bonk on the head is waiting for him.]

Let me pay, you goon. I'm not some invalid you have to coddle.

[His tone, at least, is edging on playful.]

[fluorite]

[ Wow!!! He shakes his head with that little bonk, but the look on his face is smug. ]

I invited you out, you weirdo. Of course I’m paying. Should I slap you so you feel better about it?

[weaseled]

I didn't agree to you paying for me, fool. I'll get you back.

[But he could go for a slap too, honestly. Huffing a laugh, Yael takes a sip of his water.]

If you're going to slap me, hit my bad side.

[fluorite]

[ Yuui brings his mug up to his lips as he sips at some of the foam of his latte. ]

If I’m going to the trouble, I’m getting your good side.

[ He winks at Yael before taking a proper sip of his drink. Mmm, nice and warm. ]

[weaseled]

Heh. You say that like I have one.

[Oh, to be the foam on Fai's latte...]

How's your drink? Smells strong.

[fluorite]

And you act like you have a bad side at all.

[ Yuui sets his drink down, licking some of the leftover foam off of his lips. ]

It’s good. Just a regular latte, but the espresso here is bright and fragrant.

[weaseled]

Really? Huh.

[Hard to tell how interested Yael actually is through that flat monotone, but if he didn't care at all, he wouldn't bother asking. As if to test a theory, he reaches his fingers out to Fai's drink.]

Bright and fragrant... All coffee tastes the same to me.

[fluorite]

[ He pillows his cheek in his hand, pushing his drink towards Yael. ]

That’s because no one has made actually good coffee for you, I’m sure. The roast makes a big difference, and so does the amount of time you take to pull an espresso shot.

[weaseled]

Interesting.

[It's impossible to tell if Yael really thinks so, bringing the drink up to his lips and taking a sip before licking the foam off his lips. Hm.]

Not bad, but you must be some kind of addict if you can sleep at night after drinking this.

[fluorite]

[ Yuui does his best not to stare for longer than a split second at Yael's lips, but it feels impossible. ]

I'm a busy man, remember? I have to stay up late pretty often.

[ Especially if he wants to play Fragment, which he honestly only logs in so often because of Yael. ]

[weaseled]

[Caught you peeping, pretty boy. Yael grins, sliding the latte back over to Fai.]

Poor thing. It's a wonder you don't have dark circles.

[There it is, his excuse to stare more at Fai's lovely eyes.]

[fluorite]

Good genetics, probably.

[ He laughs, but the way Yael stares at him doesn't escape his notice.

How could it? Leaning forward again, Yuui tilts his head. ]

Am I pretty enough for you?

[ Sure their last conversation wasn't very easy or even good, but he's not going to let that ruin this either. ]

[weaseled]

Pretty?

[Yael huffs incredulously, as if to say "you're vain enough to ask?"

But that's not what Yael says. Instead, his answer is much more blunt.]

You're beautiful.

[fluorite]

[ That earns Yael a soft, sweet smile, the kind that doesn't translate fully to Fragment despite its advanced technology. He laughs softly to himself, sitting back as one of the baristas brings over their food—a grilled cheese for Yael and a muffin for Fai.

Yuui waits until they're out of earshot before saying more. ]

I was nervous, actually. I thought you might be disappointed, even though I look similar enough to my avatar.

[ Similarities can't fully compare to reality, after all. ]

[weaseled]

[He feels something of a weight lift off his chest, admitting that. Fai is one of the more beautiful people Yael has known, but fiction can't hold a candle to reality. Hearing Fai voice his concerns, Yael can't help a brief chuckle.]

How could I? You look even better in person.

[...]

Geez. Your nervous energy was enough to put me on edge, you know.

[Yeah right. Yael was nervous from the jump.]

[fluorite]

Sure it was. I could tell you were stiff even from outside the cafe.

[ It was pretty obvious, at least in hindsight. At the time, Yuui's own nervousness outweighed any observations he could've made. His shoulders relax as he lets out a sigh. ]

But I'm glad. I was afraid that this would feel awkward.

[ He was scared that little spark wouldn't be there, but Yuui feels it and he thinks that Yael does too. ]

[weaseled]

[In Yael's estimation, there's more than a simple spark burning between them, but he favors taking a bite of his grilled cheese over saying so out loud. It goes without saying, he thinks, grinning as he stretches out his good leg to poke Fai's foot with his own.]

Mm. You're as embarrassing offline as you are on. That's a relief.

[Hehe.]

[fluorite]

[ Yuui sticks his foot out in turn, simply using it as an excuse to touch Yael, obvious in the way he doesn't retreat. ]

Of course I am. If there's anything that's the exact same, it's my attitude~

[ Some things just can't be faked online. He watches as Yael takes a bite. ]

It's good, right?