AN: This story can be found on Wattpad under the same name!
Characters are from the webcomic A Matter of Life and Death by The Snipster on
CHECK OUT THE COMIC HERE! : /episode/174809
Ship: Life x Death
Days where the clouds were white and fluffy made the wind seem noticeable and the trees rustle as the clouds helped some sun coverage.
Des smiled as he welcomed another customer into his quaint shop, one of the waitresses taking the customers order and retreating to the counter and spouting out the order with a soft tone. Des loved his job, allowing him to work hard and make some of the best lattes and cappuccinos in the entire town. Sure, he didn't have many days off but he never had to worry if he would be home or not since his home was right above the cafe.
Though Des was well known among the town, most women and men visited the cafe just to be in his presence and experience how smooth his coffee flavors were. Beside's this, he was a rather quiet individual who was very sweet and kind once you got to know him. Other than that, he was someone you could easily vent to as he would ask if he could be an ear to those who needed it.
Like usual, he would make the coffee and give the waitress the ore before watching how the customer reacted, as it was always a good reaction. As the day passed, Des found himself starting to close up shop while those who worked helped before leaving to see their friends, families or beds. Once they left, Des made a few last preparations for the next day and grabbed his cardigan and headed out to the grocery shop down the street where he would purchase a few things to cook for the night.
Des entered the store and looked at a few veggies and meats he could use as he tried to ignore eyes on him. As he was rather tall, it wasn't uncommon to feel people staring, but it was worst when girls and guys stared and whispered about how pretty he was or how lovely he looked. Sure, he didn't mind that people loved how he looked, it just bothered him when they were obvious. Des soon found what he was looking for and set them in his basket before bumping into something, or more like someone of a smaller stature than him.
"O-Oh, I'm sorry." Des turned to see who he had bumped into and saw an unfamiliar face greet him.
"Who, human giraffe..." The man said as he looked up at him, his emerald green eyes wide.
"That's rather rude to say to someone you've just met, don't you think?" Des frowned, wondering if he was really sorry for bumping into him in the first place.
"Oh, uhm sorry." The man said, looking away slightly.
Des sighed and told him not to worry about it before turning and leaving to pay for the few things he had picked out and then left the store. He had never spoken to someone as blunt as him, nor had he seen him around town before. Des figured that he was someone who was staying the night because of the air and scenery and brushed it off. Des entered the shop's front door and locked it up quietly before going into the back and walking up the stairs that led to the upper level where he was housed.
Des cooked then ate his food before finding himself a bit lonely as he let his mind wander. Sure, he knew he did that to himself as he hated taking on relationships, especially taking on some with guys who were very popular with ladies. As he finished, he cleaned and made sure things around his house didn't look cluttered before taking a shower and heading to bed with thoughts filling his head, some about how the day was and others about the man he hand bumped into at the store. He liked how his caramel skin looked and how his voice was smooth. His eyes were very bright even if they were indoors.
The next morning he opened the shop at normal hours and already had a few customers who wanted the usual, which he served himself as only one other waitress was there to help. Around nine, the other waitresses and barista showed, starting to serve those who ordered and making Des's work easier. Around lunch, however, Des welcomed someone who had walked in and saw it was the man who looked upset.
"He seems upset, boss." Spoke the barista who looked worried.
"I'll bring him his order..." Des spoke, seeing a waitress taking down his order on her notepad.
As he made a coffee and prepared a piece of cheesecake, he made them look pretty as he made sure they also tasted good. Des placed them on one of the silver trays before walking over to the man's table.
"You seem bothered, may I take a seat...?" Des asked, looking down at the man who looked surprised as he looked up. "Hi."
"You're... The guy from last night! Why're you-" The man asked as Des set the tray down softly.
"Yes, the "human giraffe". I'm the owner of this shop." Des proclaimed softly.
"Uh, sorry for calling you that. I tend to speak my mind. I'm Leo Spindler." Leo held out his hand and Des took it, the two shaking hands before Leo nodded for Des to take a seat.
"That's okay. I get remarks like that all the time. I'm Des Aeva." Des smiled softly. "You, you're new here, I presume?"
"Wow, does word spread that quickly?" Leo asked, rubbing the back of his neck before smiling. "Yeah, I'm working as a wildlife preserve. I was working as a tour guide but complications."
"I'm guessing you saw how people treat the wildlife here?" Des asked, seeing his frustration returning.
"It's frustration to see people not respect the wildlife as if it's an inconvenience to them! They can't just leave, it would impact the ecosystem and set off the balance..." Leo sighed, taking a sip of the coffee he ordered and being happily surprised. "Wow, this is amazing!"
"Thank you, made it myself." Des smiled, seeing Leo enjoy it with the cheesecake before smiling.
"No wonder people recommended me to this place... You said your name was Des?" Leo asked, seeing Des nod. "You know you are very famous among young men and women I meet? A lot of people are infatuated with you?"
"Ah, yeah. It's quite bothersome though. A lot of them just stare at me, even if I'm not working..." Des sighed.
"A lot say 'Tall, pale, cute yet exudes a mysterious aura. Exotic. Big round amber eyes, slender delicate frame.' I've never seen so many say a single name in one morning." Leo mocked.
"It's not funny, be serious!" Des felt his cheeks darken, looking away.
"Hahaha! Calm down, I'm just teasing you a bit." Leo chuckled.
"You don't have to make fun of my masculinity... I've had enough people do that." Des sighed.
"Does it bother you, when people use your personality to undermine your masculinity...?" Leo asked, serious and genuine at the same time before smiling reassuringly. "I kind of understand. I don't do anything, and I get called a gangster on a daily basis just because of my tattoos."
Des and Leo spoke more, Des revealing why he was so on edge about the subject and seeing Leo understand from his own standpoint. As the two talked, one of the waitresses walked to Des and told him that a man was at the counter for Des.
"Okay, enjoy the coffee Leo, I'll be back in a few minute's." Des stood and followed the waitress to the shorter man who looked very wealthy and very stubborn.
"Des, I thought you were avoiding me." The man spoke.
"I have a shop to run, sir..." Des replied, not wanting to deal with suitors at the moment.
"You know, I haven't been able to get you out of my head... Not until you said yes." The man stated, wanting to be with Des badly.
"Sir, this is the third time you've asked, I cannot accept your offer." Des bluntly turned him down.
"Why?! Is there something you don't like about me?! If you have anyone on your mind, I can fill that gap for you!" The man exclaimed, drawing the attention of many in the cafe, even Leo's.
"You're being very loud and disturbing my customers, I'll have to ask you to leave..." Des looked down at the man who looked desperate.
"Not until you give me a chance!" The man sounded irritated.
"What's the matter, love? What is taking you so long? Is he bothering you?" Leo slipped beside Des, curling his arm around his waist and pulling him close. He gave a look to Des, telling him to play along and seeing Des catch the hint.
"Who are you? You never told me you had anyone!" The man scoffed.
"Why, I'm Leo. I'm his most significant other. His boyfriend. Whatever word you'd like to call me. I just moved into town to be much closer to him than before." Leo smirked.
"W-what?! Rediculous! You never said anything about having a boyfriend!" The man hissed.
"That's because I do not feel inclined to broadcast my love to the world. I don't really like the gossip. But yes, Leo has been my boyfriend for at least a year now." Des smiled, pulling Leo closer as Leo nuzzled into his neck. "Now, if you'd excuse us, we'd like to continue our 'date.'"
As Des and Leo walked back to their table, the man was outraged and left the cafe, slamming the door before the cafe went back to being calm and soft. After a moment or two after Des and Leo took a seat, they bursted into laughter, trying not to be too loud before Des looked at Leo with concerned eyes.
"Okay, but seriously. We have to keep this charade up or people with smell a rat. Also, I'm sorry you're involved in this, but you jumped in all on your own." Des sighed and sat back in his chair slightly.
"I know, I know. We'll just have to keep this up until it blows over, but at least I get a friend in the end so win-win." Leo smiled.
"You're too optimistic." Des smiled.
"Oh, shit. I have to get back to work. I'll talk tomorrow, and if there are any more suitors then we'll find a way to scare them off." Leo stood, setting the money on the table.
"I'm always at the cafe, so drop by anytime." Des spoke.
The two waved their goodbyes and Leo left, Des feeling the area of his neck where he felt Leo nuzzle into and tried not to blush too much as he had felt where Leo's lips had touched his collarbone. He softly cursed, wondering who would do that so someone they had just met.