Lev calmed his heart to a slow but intense thrumming, he swore he could hear the blood being pumped and released echo in his ears. He relayed the order to the server with the addition of an apricot Danish for... for papa. It is confirmed, he didn't correct me. He is a father, he is someone's husband... someone else's husband. Of course, he would be, he is a beautiful man. A beautiful, smart, hard-working man... Yaku-san, you... I can never call you mine?
Lev looked at their table, specifically at Yaku with a pleading expression of denial. He wanted to break down, he wanted to breathe and let out heavy sobs. He wanted to hide, but most of all, he wished his reunion with the man he loved hadn't been like this. He had imagined hugging him immediately, having regretted not doing so when they were young. He wanted to tease him and he planned to be forward. He had resolved his worries about being together and was prepared to give up everything if accepted.
However, he is the owner. He can't just walk out to go and cry, because when he comes back, it will be evident he cried. Lev steadied his thoughts. He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. He put his gentle smile back on and tried to be happy for his senpai.
Morisuke sat facing the counter and he had each child on either side of him. He had questions running through his mind. Why did Lev look like he was about to cry? Why did he look as if he was desperate to stop himself from crying? Did he not want Yaku to see him? Oh, gods, was this place supposed to be a secret from Yaku? Shit. Was Lev doing the same thing as he was doing these past five years? Did Lev not want Morisuke to find out about this place? Oh, fuck. That's gonna be messed as fuck.
He had his chin propped over his palm as he watched the younger and taller man get busy behind the counter. Yeah, he really did look hotter than he ever did in high school. Now, he had those muscles under that shirt. Mmmmm... Yummy... "No, Morisuke. Bad. We do not sexualize the man we love," said the part of Morisuke that was respectful and logical.
Morisuke just chuckled inwardly as he ignored that part of him and continued to stare at Lev. He didn't look so lanky now. Plus, he was not in uniform anymore. And the cute face he had in high school had changed into sharper features, making him handsome in every beauty standard there is. Morisuke, you are a sinful man who does not deserve forgiveness.
"Sensei..." Kou leaned against Yaku and looked up at him. He had never seen their sensei look so interested in someone before. Plus the cafe mister had looked like he was about to cry. Kou had watched enough TV drama to know how ex-partners reacted when they suddenly saw each other to know. "Who is that mister? Is he your ex-boyfriend?"
Morisuke's elbow slipped from the table and almost had him slamming his chin against the edge of it. His eyes were as wide as saucers when he turned to look at the boy. "What?!" Surprise was an understatement for what he was feeling. His chest threatened to rupture under the intense pressure of the heart it hid. His cheeks flooded with blood and his lower lip trembled.
Yaku's volume had startled Lev, as well as some other customers. Lev looked at Yaku with concern and saw such shock on his face, it was almost funny to Lev. He nearly let out a chuckle. Lev walked over to their table. As the owner, he needed to check on his customers.
"Is everything alright?" Luckily for everyone involved, the server stepped up delivering their order.
Yaku immediately looked up at Lev and the server and smiled, his face was already burning like hell. "Y-yeah, e-everything is fine. Nothing to worry about," he told them and cleared his throat.
"Kou-chan asked Papa if you are his ex-boyfend," Mori explained helpfully with an angelic smile, already drooling over the thought of hot choco and cimanon bun honey. If the cafe mister was Yaku-sensei's ex-boyfend, then that would be amazing. Yaku-sensei is beautiful and the cafe mister was handsome. Hmmm... But why would they break up? Did the cafe mister cheat on sensei? Mori looked at Yaku-sensei and then at the cafe mister, Mr. Lev. Ah... Yaku-sensei will be the bride?
Lev's eyes widened, and that's when it happened, his eyes betrayed him. A tear from each eye rolled down. Lev took in a deep breath and quickly used his hands to wipe up his face into his hair, down the back of his head, and rested them on his shoulders.
"Ah, no. I am not. No worries little ones, your papa is safe. I'm just an old schoolmate." Sadly. Lev completely missed the reasoning why the child would even ask about Yaku being with another boy.
Tears? Yaku almost stood up to wipe those tears away himself but the kids were unforgiving. That was the moment when he wanted to hang both of them by the feet. Maybe he should have. He was at the brink of tearing up himself.
"You're crying?" Kou asked. There was a boyish smirk on his face, obviously teasing the owner of the cafe. "Why? Did papa reject you? Did you confess and he said no?"
Mori, taking the hint also grinned at Lev and gave a giggle. "Oof... Papa doesn't like tall people. Makes him feel... short."
Yaku, as patient as he was, wanted to just bash the kids' heads together. These kids just... urgh... He glared at the kids who only shrugged nonchalantly. Of course! They know I won't whoop their butts! He looked at Lev, not knowing what to say by now. He took a deep breath. It would be great if the earth to swallow him whole now. Right at this moment. What's the sense of living such a life?
Lev was hurt, he put one arm back down and chuckled rubbing the back of his neck. These little ones go for the throat, just like Yaku-san. "Ah no, there was never a confession. So, no confession, no rejection."
Lev crossed his arms and began to look puzzled after he answered that question. They are too young to understand two boys being together. But they don't seem worried that they are putting their papa with a boy? But I've told them papa is safe... safe from me. Well, in any case, I... I want them to like me and distract them from teasing me any further at least.
Lev smiled and laughed mischievously, "Papa doesn't seem to have gotten any taller since I last saw him either. So he is short, it makes sense he feels short next to someone tall."
Yaku opened his mouth to say something but Kou spoke before he could. "Ah... Cowardice ruined the possibility, huh?" He chuckled and looked at his sensei, loving how the man looked like he was ready to whoop his ass any moment now. It's fun teasing their sensei once in a while. He's cute when he's all red in the face. "My hot choco, please."
Mori, not yet satisfied with what was going on, smiled sweetly at Lev and tilted her head to the side. "Maybe if we like you, we can help you out with Papa. But so far, since you're trying to steal his attention from us..." she showed a thumbs up at Lev only to reverse it.
Lev was taken aback with each blow from these children... were they children or little demons? Absent-mindedly, he placed their orders in front of them "Well, actions have consequences, as does in-action it seems."
Lev smiled but with his mind racing, he missed Mori's offer of wingman, "I'm sure you are the only ones papa will ever truly love the most. So all his attention is safe with you. Please enjoy, my treat, as it has been a pleasure seeing an old friend and meeting his lovely children."
With that Lev bowed and walked away. He is headed back to the kitchen area when the bell above the door rings. "Welcome to the Happy Tiger Cafe!" He said brightly smiling, "Ah! Ryuuki, the usual?"
Ryuuki is a slender and taut man (taller than Yaku), with very striking soft features, full-feathered chestnut hair, and deep blue eyes of a dark ocean. He smiled with a wink at Lev, "Oh, Lev! You take such good care of me."
Yaku was supposed to correct Lev but the half-Russian had bowed and walked away, just in time to greet a gorgeous man who seemed confident enough to flirt with the tall man. His left brow rose up at that. He turned to the kids to distract himself from the unpleasant emotions inside him.
"Of course." Lev prepared the man's usual himself. "A grande Rose tea latte, with a strawberry crumble."
Ryuuki settled up at the register with the server and took his order. He waved to Lev, and winked, "same time tomorrow Sweetie."
With that, the man glided out the door. Lev just shook his head, he is such a flirt. Lev smiled. Seeing Ryuuki cheered him. Six years ago when the cafe opened, his first regular was Ryuuki. He had come in on a very rainy and empty day, he had flirted with Lev that day and every day since, same usual, same wink and 'same time tomorrow, sweetie'. Ryuuki really spread the word about the cafe for Lev and helped his shaky start flourish to what it is now. For that Lev was grateful for the friendship they shared.
Ryuuki had come to mean a lot more to Lev than just a regular and a friend. They'd become close-very close-over the past six years. The server, Tashi, made a comment to Lev and elbowed him in jest, making him blush. He looked up from wiping the tea area and glanced over to Yaku only to let out a sigh and went back to busying himself. I guess it is for the best, though my heart hurts, that love is not the same. I guess this is my sign from the Gods to move on.
