[ 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. ]
[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.]
[ 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.
[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.
[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.
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
[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.
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. ]
[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.
[ Yuui leans forward, one of his hands resting against Yael's wrist to make sure he keeps it steady as he takes a bite. He grins, pulling away as he chews. ]
It's good. Maybe even better than they usually make it.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
It's thin, but Yael smiles, lightly swatting Fai's head with the menu.]
Alright, mom. If you insist, I'll try it.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
Let me pay, you goon. I'm not some invalid you have to coddle.
[His tone, at least, is edging on playful.]
no subject
I invited you out, you weirdo. Of course I’m paying. Should I slap you so you feel better about it?
no subject
[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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[Oh, to be the foam on Fai's latte...]
How's your drink? Smells strong.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
Mm. You're as embarrassing offline as you are on. That's a relief.
[Hehe.]
no subject
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?
no subject
[Fai's attitude, or the sandwich? Either way, Yael's still holding it up to Fai's lips. Go on, then. Eat his cheese.]
no subject
Don't mind if I do~
[ Yuui leans forward, one of his hands resting against Yael's wrist to make sure he keeps it steady as he takes a bite. He grins, pulling away as he chews. ]
It's good. Maybe even better than they usually make it.
no subject
[Yael's feeling well enough to tease, so perhaps a bit of food did the trick after all?
No. The one keeping him calm right now is Fai, and effortlessly at that. This wasn't such a bad idea after all.]
I'll get in trouble of I keep running my mouth. Anyway, thanks for the meal.
no subject
[ He picks up his muffin, taking a bite out of it. As he chews, he gives Yael a long, long look. ]
You're feeling better. I'm really glad.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
i see u, i see what u did
heheheheheHEHEHEHE
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...