A Cup of Lust, Beauty and Affairs
Summary:Taichi, a photographer and artist fascinated by the beauty of the world, becomes captivated by the beauty of a customer at his parent's coffee shop. Innocent desires soon blaze into an unforgettable, insatiable affair. (Taito)
D-Angel: It is done, I have finally re-written this chapter (after losing it when my laptop died). Thanks for being patient with me, I know a few people have been waiting for months. This is a very significant chapter and I wanted to make sure it was near enough perfect, although I can't say much for any spelling or grammar errors I may have made, lol. Still, sit back and enjoy, I'll be waiting at the end ;)
Rating: T
Important Note: I'm dedicating this chapter to one of my childhood music idols, Michael Jackson, whom as you are probably aware, passed away on the 25th June 2009. Despite living a troubled life, he shared with us his gift of music, which I believe will never be forgotten and hopefully will be cherished in generations to come.
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Chapter 4 Heated Confession
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'Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, with open arms and open eyes, yeah'
"Tai! Why didn't you say he was hot hot?" Mimi exclaimed, admiring the pictures of Yamato I had just placed on the outdoor table at our usual café hangout spot.
"Are you sure he's been flirting with you Tai, I mean, look at him!"
Thanks Mimi, I thought.
"These are really good photos though; I can see the chemistry between you two, the way he looks into the lens, and how you capture his sexiness!" Mimi beamed like a proud mother, praising her child for drawing a pretty picture.
"His girlfriend must be amazingly beautiful," Mimi continued to coo as she curled her slim fingers around the glass in front of her.
"She's ok," I responded, but lacking the enthusiasm I had planned on using. Although Mimi could be ditzy, when it came to reading body language she was always quick to catch on, some sort of sixth sense if you will.
"Coming from a gay guy's perspective?" She said as she arched an eyebrow, or more so tried. She looked more like she had something in her eye.
"That, was mean." I pouted as Mimi delicately sipped on her banana and strawberry smoothie through a fluorescent pink straw. I poked my tongue out at her. "Can't you trust an artist's opinion?"
Mimi suddenly looked more offended than I was.
"I only meant you're bound to be biased if you prefer boys..." She started to protest.
"I know Meems, but that doesn't mean I don't know if a girl is attractive or not, I do have an eye for beauty," I made a point of reminding her. Mimi had nothing to say to that, aware of the countless times I had complemented her on her appearance.
"Ishida-san and his fiancée, are they all loved up?" Mimi asked after a few moments of silence, her hazelnut eyes twinkling in excitement; probably at the thought of a Prince Charming style Yamato eloping into the horizon with the glamorous version of Cinderella. I was more than ready to break that illusion for her.
"Not exactly."
I told her about how Yamato concealed his wedding ring whenever he caught me staring at it, how Sora had called him into the kitchen for a private chat just before dinner, and how the conversation at the dinner had practically died the moment I asked them when they planned to get married.
"Oh. Sounds like they're on the rocks," Mimi sighed as she tapped her fingernails against the table, "I guess every couple has dirty laundry."
Perhaps Mimi was right. After replaying my very first visit to his and Sora's apartment, I realized that they had barely interacted in the way that I thought couples usually did. There had been no chemistry between them whatsoever, though maybe it was because they had passed the lusty honeymoon stage of their relationship.
"Such a shame. He is such a hottie," Mimi cooed dreamily as she gazed down at the photo version of Yamato, his shirt hanging off one shoulder as he pouted at the camera. That picture happened to be one of my favourites. "I bet you've touched yourself to these photos."
I literally spat out a mouthful of my drink. A couple in their mid-thirties shot looks of disgust my way, but I pretended that I hadn't seen them. Mimi innocently fluttered her eyelashes and twiddled the straw for her smoothie between her fingers, before finishing off what was left in her glass.
"I've gotta go, sweetie," Mimi sighed as she peered at her watch. She picked the photos up and slid them into a folder poking out from her giant designer bag. Standing to her feet, Mimi made sure to smooth down her short leather skirt before she professionally coated her lips in a fresh layer of lipstick, without getting a spec on her teeth or upper lip, like my little sister often did.
With a small smile I climbed to my feet.
"Don't get involved." Mimi glared at me sternly, clearly mistaking my grin for perverted thoughts of Yamato I figured.
"I won't! Stop worrying," I groaned. Mimi looked at me through narrow eyes before she leant forwards and planted a sticky lipstick kiss on my cheek. I was quick to use the back of my hand to wipe away the evidence while she smirked, knowing all too well I disliked it when she did that.
"Good, because Ishida is bad!" Mimi made a point to warn me before smiling sweetly. "Take care, hun."
I watched as she trotted away from the table, wiggling her hips as she went, gaining the attention of almost every guy that were in a ten metre radius from her. I shook my head before I turned around, walking away from table and the couple who were still glaring at me.
Of course, Mimi couldn't stop me from thinking about Yamato. There was no harm in that. In reality though she was right, Ishida was bad. And the embarrassing truth was I had touched myself to those pictures.
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I watched the ceiling fan spin above me lazily after dropping my sketch book onto the floor. It was too hot to draw, and despite the mild cold breeze emitting from above me, beads of sweat were pooling together on my forehead. I toyed with the idea of having an ice cold shower as I swept the back of my hand against my sweaty forehead. It was slightly more dignifying than crawling over the kitchen and sticking my head in the fridge. It was when I started to sit up that my landline phone decided to ring. I groaned, stretching as far as I could to reach the shrilling object.
"Yagami residence," I managed to speak in an upbeat tone, "Taichi speaking."
"Taichi, its Yamato. I'm outside your apartment block," he explained in a soft voice. My stomach instantly tightened with knots of anxiety, and I was curious why he was waiting downstairs, so I told him to stay put and that I would be down as quickly as possible.
After placing the phone back into its charger I jumped to my feet, grabbing my t-shirt from the arm of my sofa before snatching my keys from the coffee table. I dashed down the stairs and saw him standing by the other side of the door, twirling his car keys around his index finger. He stopped when he noticed me, smiling politely as I stepped forwards and pushed the door open.
"Hey," I said as I waved at him. He moved towards me and closed the distance between us by pulling me into a hug, burying his head into my shoulder for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled against my shoulder bone. I wasn't quite sure what he was apologising for, but with his arms wrapped tightly around me the reason didn't seem to matter. He wasn't wearing any aftershave as far as I could tell, but he still smelt good, an intriguing mix of rose petals and peaches. It was hard not to get excited but I knew I had to behave, so I broke our embrace.
"Wanna go for a walk?" Yamato looked at me with a glimmer of hope in his wild blue eyes. Despite circumstances, I couldn't deny his request; I wanted to find out why he had come to visit me so late at night. I was certain Sora would have not approved, considering it was nearing on 11pm.
We ended up strolling across the beach, enjoying the sound of our footwear crunching against the delicate grains of sand. The air was not as humid outside thanks to the cool wind blowing in from the seafront, but I could still feel my neck and the palm of hands start to turn clammy, especially with Yamato walking so close by my side that his arm was rubbing against mine.
When Yamato asked if we could sit down, I didn't hesitate to say yes. I had always enjoyed sitting on the sands, watching the waves curl as they crashed onto the shore, leaving glittery froth in their wake. However, with Yamato by my side, the beauty of the waves, the sea, the stars, appeared to amplify.
It took a few minutes, but Yamato managed to answer the first question that was lingering on my mind without me even having to utter a single sound.
"I had to see you again," he explained sheepishly, gazing down at his battered trainers, "that's why I'm here."
"Oh."
My heart fluttered against my stomach, and my cheeks grew warm. I was flattered that a guy like him had such a keen interest in me. Even previous boyfriends had never made me feel so, unique and wanted.
"So, aside from all your arty stuff what else do you get up to?" Yamato asked as he ran his fingers along the sand, weaving small subconscious patterns across the delicate canvas. It was fascinating to watch, although I realised that it would have been impolite of me to just stare and not answer his question.
"Well, I sometimes play football, but not as much as I used to. I guess I enjoy nights out clubbing too, although I think I'm getting a little too old for it." I laughed gently, alongside him, willing myself to try and relax. He was just a friend. Still, I wished I had downed a glass of wine or two before I had rushed down to meet up. I took a calming breath in, absorbing the fresh sea air as best I could.
"What about you? Do you do much, aside your music stuff?" I didn't ask just out of politeness, I was curious what the enigmatic musician got up to when he wasn't scribbling down song lyrics, or strumming on his guitar.
"Aside hunting for cute guys to pick up, not much," he chuckled as he pulled his knees up against his chest. He looked vulnerable in that position, like a child curled up on the sofa watching television. It made me want to snuggle up beside him; but instead I pouted at his comment, and tore my gaze away from his good looks.
"I'm joking," Yamato tapped me playfully on my shoulder with his knuckles, causing me to shiver unwillingly. Any form of contact he made with me seemed to have that same effect, and it had reached the point where it was more than dangerous. As the minutes continued to roll by, I knew he was staring at me, perhaps unnerved that for once I was being quiet.
"Taichi-san?"
"Hmm?" I replied absent-mindedly as I stared up at the pale moon. It was such a beautiful night and I was itching to go grab my camera.
"I've found what I'm looking for." He spoke clearly, without a trace of apprehension, which is what happened to throw me back.
"Eh?"
He had thrown one of the world's biggest hints in my face, yet it took me one or two seconds after I spoke to realise what he was confessing. There was nothing I could do to prevent his actions. He had made the next move in our game, and now we were both dangerously close to breaking the rules. I could no longer control the moment.
"When I said you were cute," Yamato whispered as he shuffled closer to me, "I wasn't lying."
One of Yamato's hands gently touched my cheek before he tilted my head towards his. I held my breath in anticipation, preparing for what was about to happen. Nothing else seemed to matter the moment his mouth closed around mine. There was no other sound, just the relaxing sloshing of waves crashing against the sand, and my thoughts only concerned him. I wrapped my arm around his slim waist as the kiss was deepened, his tongue now dancing passionately with my own.
The moment was perfect and despite being quite cliché, it was dangerously risky and thrilling. We stayed there for quite some time, holding, and occasionally kissing one another while we sat in a comfortable silence. That was the beginning of our affair. I felt no guilt whatsoever, to begin with. Kissing was satisfying enough, at first; there was no need for any heavy petting or sex in general.
However, engaged or not, Yamato was addictive, and I knew I would want more.
Song lyrics (At the beginning of the chapter)
Incubus - 'Drive'
D-Angel: Oh yes, things are most certainly heating up. Did you guys enjoy? I really enjoyed writing this chapter, although it feels shorter than some of the others. I will try my very best to get the next chapter up within the next month, and hopefully I'll have found a job by then! Hoorah for being an unemployed (almost) graduate.
Thanks for reading, reviews are welcome as always!
See ya next chapter!
D-Angel
27/06/09
(Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson)