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They entered in a tea and coffee place where James greeted the girl in the entrance in her language, and Michael nodded at her with a smile. They walked in an open terrace with a few wooden tables; the sun was already lowering and there were Christmas lights all over the place, making it look very comfy and dreamlike. There were also some warm colored fabrics hanging from tree to tree, it smelled of incense and there was Zither music plating in the background. "This is one of my favorite places", said James as Michael looked around him with big eyes, his senses trying to absorb everything. "It's beautiful", he said turning to look at James, who smiled proudly and directed them both at what seemed was the table he usually sat on.
"What do you feel like drinking?" asked James, obviously excited about showing him a bit of his own India; "I'm not sure, I'd usually drink coffee at this time", he said, and James commented quickly, "oh, you drink coffee at tea time? Are you a radical, or what?" he asked jokingly, and Michael laughed, "you respect tea time after so many years?" he asked with a little raise of his eyebrows. James chuckled, "my grandparents do. I lived in Scotland just for six years so I know the traditions mostly because of them", he said with a little shrug. Michael nodded, "I see. Well, yes, I usually drink coffee at tea time, but I do want to try something different here, so I'll just ask for what you think is the best they have". James squinted thoughtfully with a little smile, "that's a big responsibility, but I'll take it", he said teasingly. Michael chuckled, "thank you, I trust in your decision. So you lived 6 years in Scotland and you've been here for 20?" asked Michael, who was a little relieved when he did the math because James looked actually younger than that; "yes, and yes, I'm 26 –answered James with a little nod of his head- I just turned 26, actually, in April". Michael raised his eyebrows, "oh, I turned 30 this April, too".
James was about to say something but was interrupted by a young girl who came to their table with a couple of menus, "hello James", she said with a little smile, then turned to look at Michael and smiled at him too. "Oh, hello Anya, how are you? –said James merrily- Anya, this is Michael, Michael, this is Anya" he added turning to each of them, and they shook hands with bright smiles, "you know what, darling, don't leave the menus, we know what we want already", said James when Anya placed the menus on the table, "oh, okay", she answered with a thick Indian accent; "it's gonna be a Chai and a Peppermint tea, and coconut biscuits, please", he said looking at her, and Michael wondered how she didn't melt right in her place; "you want milk for the Chai?", she asked, and James smiled at her knowingly, "yes, please", he answered, and she nodded happily and went away. James chuckled, "I come here too often for her to not know by heart that I always ask for milk on my Chai", he said with a soft laugh, and Michael chuckled too, "she looks very sweet", he said, and James nodded, "yes, she's very sweet, actually, we've all loved her since day one" he said with a smile.
"So you know the place since it opened?" asked Michael. "Yeah, the owner has been my yoga teacher for years, and when he changed his studio location to this one –he pointed at the little building where the kitchen was- which is on the second floor right there, he decided to open a café too, since the space was perfect for it… this was about five years ago", he said, and Michael raised his eyebrows excitedly, "you practice yoga? That's so cool, I actually wanted to ask you if you knew a place, I'm very interested on learning", he said, and James smiled brightly, "really? That's great! I know a lot of places, but this one's the best –he said with a little chuckle- you can come with me to class next week, if you want", he added with a little coquettish smile. Michael smiled back, "thank you, I'd love that. Although if you've been practicing it for more than five years, I'm pretty sure we won't be on the same class or level", he said, and James shook his head, "don't worry, some classes are multi-level and some are for beginners or advanced levels, so we can come together to a couple classes and if you like it you can stay at the beginners class. Actually I teach that class sometimes", he said, and Michael felt his lower stomach jolt at picturing James in all those intricate yoga positions; "you do? Then you must be very good", he said with a lower tone that wasn't too intentional. "I don't know – said James with a little blush- I've been practicing it for 10 years and my teacher trusts me, I guess". Michael nodded, "also your career must help", he said, and James smiled, "yes, I think so too. It helps me understand the body's healing ways in a more complete way".
Michael smiled and sighed a little; he admired James already even if he didn't know too much about him yet, but he found him interesting and noble, and way too charming. Anya came in that moment and served the beverages and biscuits; "thank you, Anya", said Michael, and James smiled at him beautifully, and so did she; "you're welcome, enjoy" she said gleefully and retired with a little bow of her head. "So, which one's yours?" asked Michael, looking at the two cups, "well, mine's the Peppermint one, I want you to try the Chai –said James, adding milk to Michael's cup and placing it in front of him, then added one sugar- here you go" he said, and Michael adored how he just took power of Michael's tea as if they had known each other for years, without pretenses or worries. "Thank you, it smells great", said Michael, and took a sip of it before a warm moan escaped from him, "God", he said softly and closed his eyes a second. It was delicious; it didn't taste like any Chai he had tasted back in England. "I know, right?" said James proudly, and started sipping on his own cup. They tried the biscuits, which were delightful, too, and Michael thought for a second of his life three days ago, back in his flat with dark coffee and dull biscuits. Okay, the dark coffee and the biscuits were all right, to be fair, but it didn't compare to this experience, much less the company.
"Anyway, enough about me. Tell me about you, mystery man. You're from London, and you're 30, and what else?", he asked with bright eyes, and Michael chuckled; "well. I'm actually not from London, I'm from Ireland, but I lived in London for a long time –he said, then took another sip of his tea- I studied Business, mostly because of my dad who always dreamed of me as a businessman, and I didn't have the heart to not do what he wanted when I decided on my BA… I was too young, I guess. Anyway, I've worked in a big corporation for years… until I realized, or accepted, that it wasn't what I wanted, at all", James nodded sympathetically, and they shared a little smile "Anyway, I've always loved photography, I studied it too when I was younger and have taken courses and workshops, since it has always been my hobby, and I've finally decided that I want to pursue a career on photography instead of business", he said, then took a biscuit and gave a bite, thoughtfully. James smiled brightly, "and now you're here. I understand, and I think it's great that you decided to do something about it, it requires a lot of bravery to change your career to pursue your dreams", he said, and Michael felt his heart go a little warmer, "thank you, that's very sweet. I don't know if it was brave or silly but that's what I did –he said with a little chuckle- and I decided on coming to India to breathe a different air, and take pictures for my portfolio, make it more solid. My biggest dream is to work for National Geographic", he said, and James nodded, "that's great, it's a beautiful job –he paused for a moment and looked at his fingers- I… yeah, India is the perfect place for that", he added, and Michael smiled, but noticed the slight change in James' tone, but he didn't understand the reason.
"India seems like the perfect place for everything though, I've only been here for two days and I'm already in love", he said with a small but charming smile, being intentionally ambiguous. James looked up at him with a slight raise of his eyebrow, sighed a little and smiled, "it makes me happy to hear that", he said with a soft voice, and Michael could see a glimpse in his eyes, making them look bluer, gorgeous. They talked about different things during that afternoon, and it felt like they had known each other longer than two days; the conversation was easy and fun, they made each other laugh and threw a few flirtatious smiles or glimpses once in a while at each other. When they asked for the bill, James gestured on taking his wallet out and Michael placed his hand on top of James' hand for a second, "please, allow me", he said, and saw James blush and nod with a sweet smile, "thank you", he said, to which Michael shook his head with a smile of his own, "it's my pleasure", he answered.
After they left the café, they went to a small supermarket for Michael to buy the things he needed, and then they drove back to Michael's house. During the ride, Michael realized how James was much more relaxed as he held Michael's sides, and he even placed his chin on Michael's shoulder blade for a second, with the excuse of telling him something, and it made Michael smile and his stomach rumble again, like more than once that evening.
"I had a great time, thank you so much, James", said Michael as he offered his hand for James to come down the Vespa, which James accepted eagerly; "no, thank you", he said a bit bashfully, standing right in front of Michael's taller figure. He looked at James' beautiful features and felt his mouth water dangerously as James licked his lower lip innocently, or maybe not so innocently, he'd never know, but he looked gorgeous and way too kissable for his own good. The soft, warm air brushed against their skin and ruffled James' hair, a strand staying on his cheek, and Michael removed it softly without realizing when he did, until his hand was there and James' eyes went slightly bigger. He brushed his thumb against his cheek, and they both held their breath for a moment; "I'm sorry", he said after a second and removed his hand with a bright blush, and James smiled sweetly, "no, don't be", he said, giving a reassuring stroke to Michael's arm.
He'd never felt such a strong chemistry with someone so quickly, he felt vulnerable under this man's look, as if those beautiful eyes could see right into his soul and accepted him just as he was, and Michael was willing to dive into those deep blue waters every second of every day. He wished to kiss James, and the way he was looking at him at that moment didn't help at all; he could read James' expression, and he knew he wanted Michael to kiss him too, but Michael knew he should wait, so he would. "Can I have your number?" asked Michael in a soft voice, not fully wanting to interrupt the tranquility of their shared longing stare, but knowing he had to. And he really did want James' number. "Yes, of course", answered James like coming out of a trance, and took his wallet out to hand him his card, "here", he said, taking Michael's hand and opening it carefully, then placing the card on his palm, "don't lose it", he added with a little teasing smile, taking one tiny step closer and looking up at him, only making Michael realize how their height difference was so deliciously perfect he could die right there. He chuckled, "I'd lose the keys to the flat before losing your number", he said, his full flirting mode on, and James' flirtatious smile grew bigger. "I… don't have a phone – he added when he remembered this little detail- but I'll get one tomorrow, probably. I'll let you know as soon as I do", he said, and James chuckled, "please do".
Michael turned to look at the Vespa and sighed, "I should probably think about acquiring some way of transportation, too", he said, and James nodded, "I know a guy who sells these babies. I'll give you his contact when you call me", he said with a playful smirk, "perfect, that way I can pick you up and drive you home next time", said Michael. James nodded and smiled brightly, "sounds like a plan. Good night, foreigner", he said, standing on his tiptoes and kissing Michael's cheek, placing his hand on his arm. Michael gasped softly and felt his stomach throw a party and his skin tingle at the contact, "good night, rescuer", he said softly, gaining a beautiful smile from James right before he got on the bike and they both waved at each other good-bye. Michael stood there watching him go and enjoying the warm breeze, then went inside the house, took the stairs and turned the lights of his flat, placing all the things he bought on the small table. It was a beautiful little home, and the whole situation made him feel a warmness in his heart that he couldn't really put a name to, but it was the most refreshing feeling he had had for a long time.