Answering the call on his phone the brunette sighed. "Hey, Mello." Listening for a moment to the budding rant on the other end. "Mello. It's fine. He's been a complete gentleman. I didn't realize he lived in a one bedroom, though." Another flurry of ranting came from the phone's speaker, causing Light to pull the device away from his ear momentarily. "No, no! Nothing like that! He has this weird loft thing which is set up as a bedroom. It's like an open concept second floor? Yes. That is where he is staying. He gave me his room, which is freaking huge! I've never been in a bedroom this large, it's the size of my living room at home."
A soft knock was heard from the door. "Ah, hang on, Mello, he's knocking at the door." Tipping the phone away from his lips Light called out to the door. "Come in."
The door cracked open slowly. Beyond peeked his face into the room and spoke quietly after glancing at the cellular phone. "I'm going to go pick up some groceries. I have next to nothing to cook or even snack on. I'll be back in a bit."
Uncurling himself from the soft burgundy throw that was in the room before he arrived. "Oh! I'll go with you!" Turning his attention back to the phone call. "Hey, I gotta let you go." Another muffled budding rant came through the phone. "Okaaayy, bye Mellooooo!" Light ended the call as louder complaints came through the phone.
The raven chuckled as Light fretted on what to bring. "Should I bring my wallet? It's not like I have money anyway…"
Light stared at the motorbike with exasperation. "How… is that going to work?"
The brunette clutched the helmet that was shoved into his direction. "They deliver. Have you ever ridden?" Light shook his head timidly. "You'll have to hang on… uhm, to me." The younger man smirked slightly at the soft hue of a blush on the raven. "Just, hang on, and don't think too much about it."
Clumsily climbing onto the back of the bike, Light settled himself a comfortable distance away from Beyond. "Is this alright?"
A low chuckle was heard before the raven's deep voice murmured. "We'll find out." The bike started, startling Light slightly. 'Oh! Louder than expected!' The bike lunged forward causing Light to yelp slightly and cling to Beyond.
Rolling his ruby eyes while the bike was in motion; he moved the younger male's hands to around his own waist. The brunette snapped his eyes shut and tried to hide his face in B's back. Beyond chuckled when he felt Light's head lift to look around. "It's not so bad! See?"
After a short while of riding, Light felt more comfortable and started to actually take the sights in. 'It is more freeing than just riding in a car. It's so natural for him.' Light could feel a blush creeping along his cheeks thinking about Beyond in a leather jacket riding through the night.
Just as he started to get comfortable, they arrived at a grocery store. Removing themselves from the bike, Light blushed a little while handing the helmet back. "Sorry. I didn't mean to cling to you."
The raven smirked and strapped the helmet to the bike. "I didn't mind. It was your first time, just judging by the adorable yelp."
"Adorable?"
Beyond paused for a moment in thought. "Did I say that? I'm fairly certain I didn't." He continued to walk into the store and pulled his phone out. A small smile cracked against Light's plush lips as he followed the raven into the store.
While walking the aisles occasionally scanning items to be purchased. Light people watched in mild contentment. "You never told me about your ex?"
Beyond glanced up from comparing two cans of food. "Why the sudden interest?"
The brunette sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Because, conveniently, he's also doing some grocery shopping... And walking up to the store."
Blinking several times in confusion, before coming to the same realization, he set both cans down. "Well, humans are creatures of habit. We would often go grocery shopping on Saturday evenings. Guess neither of us were willing to break the habit." Lifting his sanguine eyes towards the door Beyond smirked and pulled Light close by the hips and whispered on Light's lips. "It does however, put us in an awkward position, thanks to your performance earlier."
Feeling his entire face flush, Light's lips quivered slightly. 'Being this close to him… what would kissing him be like? Would it be like a firework.? Like Sayu described… or… would it be more subtle, like electricity; which is how Matusada described it. Or… would it be like mom described it… a growing warmth. I think… I want to try.' Snapping himself out of the trance like state, Light put forth his best effort in "communicating with his eyes"; or whatever it was Sayu said. The brunette could feel a small explosion on elation in his chest when the gaze of the chef wavered slightly and seemed to lean a little closer. Light could feel his pulse quicken and his heart beat harder. Only to have it all crumble at the sound of what he has decided as a nasally glass shattering.
"Eww. Get a room." Alex sneered as he stomped passed them.
A bashful chuckle came from the back of Beyond's throat. "Sorry. I guess I got lost in your eyes again. Got a little carried away, apologies." The raven quickly retreated and continued silently scanning items.
Feeling saddened at the coldness of how easily he was able to turn away; Light bit his lip and delved into his mind. 'He turned away so quickly. Yet I'm still suffocated by his scent. He can nonchalantly pull me in so close; not even knowing, I've never even been kissed. I need to distance myself… He's way out of my league. What was I even thinking? We couldn't be anything other than what we are… Chef and Stage. How humiliating.'
Feeling a warmth on his hand Light glanced up from his musings. 'Hand… he's holding my hand?! What?! Why is he staring at me like that? What is that stare? Pity? Probably.' Watching the older man Light startled when he smiled. "I'm sorry. I'm complicated. There's a lot of things I should say, I lot more that I can't. I.. I've learned that people don't normally care for what's going on in my head. So… don't stand there so conflicted anymore. Just ask, but maybe not where Alex can hear us, okay?"
Light nodded quietly. "Then… I have some things I want to ask you when we go back to your place."
After an uncomfortable ride back to the apartment Light let out a soft sigh as he waited for the door to be unlocked. "I guess I should give you the second copy of the key. That why you can come and go as you please…" Beyond shifted a glance to the brunette. "I… uhm, well, it was nice grocery shopping with someone else again. Thanks for coming. The order will be ready in about an hour." Vermilion eyes down casted as Light brushed passed him into the apartment. "Yep… I fucked up somewhere…"
Starting for his room Light hand his hand caught, a timid request followed. "Hey. I… don't understand what happened, will you please talk to me?"
Amber eyes inspected the other's hand. "It's not important. I'll get over it. I'm just being sensitive… you… you didn't do anything wrong… I just need to learn that I can't always have what I want."
"What… what do you want?"
A frustrated answer retuned. "You. I want you. I don't know if it's admiration, or the way your face lights up when you figure something out, or your calculating gaze when you're thinking or observing me, it might even be as primal as your scent… Maybe it's something as shallow as the way the rays of the sun dance in your ember eyes. It could even be as childish as trying to understand the looming darkness you seem to carry. And being here with you, like actually physically with you, does not make this infatuation any easier to deal with. So. I don't know. Is it attraction, admiration, gratitude? You tell me?!"
The raven released the former's hand. "I… would like to think you're not confused with gratitude or admiration. I'd like to believe that if I am to be pursued, it's because you're legitimately attracted to me… even though… it would be unethical."
"Are you kidding me? Of course you're attractive!" Unable to decipher if his face was flushing out of frustration or sexual tension, he continued. "Everything about you is. Your work ethic, your crooked smirk, those lips that chastise my for even dreaming of them, your passion for your coworkers and your kitchen, everything! There isn't a single thing about you that I don't find attractive! I even think your foul temper is sexy! It's me whose trying to stray out of my lane, pursuing someone like you!"
Beyond scoffed in frustration before raising his voice slightly. "Me?! Out of your league?! Have you looked in a fucking mirror recently?! Your eyes are fucking mesmerizing, your voice is even harmonious! You have this aura around you; it's confident but humble, do you understand how undeniably attractive that is?! You're just so innocent, and there's a part of me that was to destroy that in the worst way! But I can't ever act on that, you think being here with me is torture?! Try dragging me unconscious into your home and staying a gentleman! You are perfect in near every attribute!"
Light growled out slightly before shouting back. "Oh! Innocence?! You think?! I've never even had my first kiss! And why is it unethical?! Huh?! Why?! It's not like I'm competing with anyone, there isn't another stage here with me, it's not like it's a competition for the position! I already have it! It's not like it's a competition for your attention, aside from you staff, I'm the only one! So! You! Tell! Me! Why is that unethical for you to act on it, we're both consenting adults!"
The raven opened his mouth to refute the question, but came up with nothing; his voice falling to a timid inquisition. "You… you've never had your first kiss? How have you not?"
Ruffling his chestnut hair in moderate annoyance Light sighed out. "I've never been attracted to anyone before you. Never. Not once. Not even a mentorship attraction with any instructor, never a physical attraction to anyone around me, and never to anyone whose ever done anything nice for me…" The brunette could feel an uncontrollable chuckle tickle the back of his throat. "Well. I guess that clears the air…" Light recoiled slightly when he noticed Beyond had stepped closer. His pulse quickened when the raven stood in front of him, seemingly inspecting him.
"Will… uhm, can… No, do you want…" The ravened chef seemed to have reached a stalemate in his mind. Light leaned in slightly to see if he could make out a complete question. "How much do you like me?" Beyond bit his lower lip before rolling it out of his teeth. "No. That's not what I want to ask," the older male sighed and leaned closer to Light. "Do you like me enough, for me to be a little selfish with you?"
The younger man took a shaky breath before silently nodding hesitantly. Beyond betrayed a pearly smile as he caressed Light's cheeks with the pad of his thumbs while huskily whispering. "Good." Light could practically hear his heart racing as the gap closed in between their bodies.
Glancing his resplendent eyes upwards towards the other, Light felt as if he was being set ablaze when his golden eyes met a smoldering stare of ruby. 'His hands are so warm, I can feel his other fingers had curled around my jaw, I feel so hot…' He couldn't help but dart his amber eyes away from the seething stare beneath onyx bangs, but found himself being pulled into the embrace.
Snapping his eyes shut in a momentary decision, Light could fell a warmth on his lips and a subtle tug on his bottom lip. Beckoning his lips to part. Light instinctively responded, parting his lips slightly. The brunette let out a quiet moan from the back of his throat when he felt warmth of the raven's tongue embrace his own. The brunette arched his back to bring himself closer to the older man while grasping at Beyond's shirt to pull him even closer, if it were possible. Shuddering slightly as he felt the warm hands travel further down his sides, trailing to his lower back, Light attempted to press against Beyond as much as possible, feeling the pressure on his back pulling him in even tighter.
It wasn't a firework… nor a bolt of electricity… not even a quiet heat… it was a tidal wave of emotions, threading to drag him into the depths of the ocean. Gripping the collar of the eccentric man's shirt Light pulled the kiss in tighter. His own body betraying him and writhing at the slightest caress.
A loud knock was heard at the door, surprising the brunette to attempt to hide in the other's embrace. A deep, sensual chuckle was heard as warm arms wrapped around him protectively. "I think that would be our groceries…"
