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: Hey you guys, hope you're doing well! I've unfortunately had a spot of bad luck this month… I managed to break my ankle (slipped over on some gravel in the road after getting out my car - which I'd only had for five days, lol) almost two weeks ago now, so since I'm currently house-bound I've had no excuse not to do any writing for once!
As always with this fic, let me firstly respond to the sexy people who reviewed the previous chapter;
angel bunny - Thanks for your patience, hope you enjoy it!
Angelfish369 - Yama's past is definitely a mystery, but all will be revealed. There's a little insight into it during this chapter, but I won't spoil anything for you ;) Maybe I should give Sora someone? She's getting a bit left out, haha.
Dark Sorcerer of Fire- Aww, you're so sweet :D I really hope you enjoy this chapter, I know it's been a while since the last update… My fault for juggling three different stories at once ;)
addictedtowolfsbane - Thanks! Read on and enjoy.
Krad - Oh Kraddy! You know I can't resist writing such yummy scenes ;)
bed of nails and sandpaper - To be honest, you're probably right about the rating thing. I'll crank it up soon, but I guess I'll just need to write a filthy scene to baptise the change ;) I'm happy you're enjoying the story so far! I hope I can answer your questions over the upcoming chapters :)
babier - Here's another chapter to feed your addiction!
PinkBrideGoneBad - Don't worry about the late review ;) If anything it helped motivate me to get this chapter finished (that and having a broken ankle!).
So, that's everyone… All that's left for me to say is read on and have fun!
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Chapter 10 - A Sprinkle of Reality
'In the silence of your room, In the darkness of your dreams, You must only think of me, There can be no in-between'
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Breathing in the pine-scented October air, I glanced apprehensively at the shop across the road from me. The Broken String had been around since I was a teenager, yet somehow I had never set foot in the shop- potentially because, although I was a keen fan of music like most people in the world, I never had an interest in exploring my own creativity in that department.
I was eager to see Yamato in his workplace. He'd effectively seen me in mine, so it seemed reasonable, although he had never proposed the idea before nor had I ever encouraged it. Also I quite liked the idea of sneaking in a quick kiss with him in a secluded part of the store.
Quickly crossing over the deserted road, I approached to the glass panelled door and pulled it open and stepped into what I could only describe as an urban fantasy world.
I was instantly captivated by two things. The first was that the shop was somehow a lot more spacious on the inside than it appeared from the outside, seemingly stretching for miles on end, with various musical instruments and gadgets spread about to fill the void. One of the most beautiful piano melodies playing in the background, which I'd ever heard, was the other thing which enthralled me as I walked on ahead. The tune was soft and gentle, yet somewhat reminiscent.
Wanting to discover the source of the apparent talent. I drifted towards the centre of the shop, following my ears until I reached a young dark haired guy with glasses who was perched on a stool by one of the electric pianos. I watched in awe as his fingers fluently gliding up and down the keys, like a tailor weaving silk. Each note he played seemed to tug at my heartstrings.
I stood there watching the talented musician until he became aware of my presence and smoothly finished off the section he was playing.
"That was incredible," I said as I rested my hand against the edge of the piano he was sat at. "Something you wrote?"
"Ludovico, he's an Italian composer," the young man responded after shaking his head. His eyes then focused on my hand which was touching the piano. A small twitch in his lips suggested he didn't want it there, as if viewing me as a child with grubby fingers.
"Can I assist you with anything?"
My brow furrowed, until I quickly realised what he was asking. I'd almost forgotten that I was stood in a shop.
"Oh, no, I was just listening to you play."
He seemed taken aback by my selflessness, his lips parted as he made a small 'oh' sound. His pupils dilated as they met my gaze and his shoulders drooped down into a far less rigid position. No doubt he was experiencing the wondrous sensation of being complimented for doing something he enjoyed and was obviously talented at.
"Do you play anything?"
Grimacing, I shook my head.
"I wish," I said, before flashing him a friendly smile, "I'm practically tone death!"
He laughed politely but kept his thoughtful eyes pinned on me, probably wondering why I was in a music shop when I didn't have a trace of musical talent or any knowledge in musical culture.
"Have we met before?"
"No I don't think so…" I'd definitely hadn't met him anywhere before as far as I could remember. "What's your name?"
He tapped his index finger against the name badge on his shirt
"Ma-ko-to, Shin Makoto."
"Oh, right. I'm..."
"Taichi?" I turned my head, Yamato was stood behind me; the irritation lingering in his smoky voice was not difficult to detect.
"Hey Yamato, I thought I'd come see you," I said, fighting to urge to kiss him in front of Makoto. "Was hoping I'd catch you playing with your guitar."
Makoto swiftly rose from his stool. A soft sigh escaped from Yamato's parted lips.
"Keep an eye out for customers, Matt, I'm going out back for a bit."
Before Makoto strolled off he peered over at me then gave Yamato an interesting look, one which seemed to give the impression he knew exactly who I was and that he wasn't my greatest fan.
"Sure," Yamato responded in a quiet voice. I noticed his skin was slightly clammy- a few small beads of perspiration had gathered on his forehead- funny since it wasn't exactly sweltering in the store. He tugged at the neck of his shirt, despite it wasn't even buttoned all the way up to the top.
"Is Makoto your boss?" I asked, concerned I had somehow got him into trouble.
"His father owns the store," Yamato clarified. My voice had seemed to knock him out of his apprehensive stance. Although what he had said didn't particularly answer my question, but I understood what he was implying. This guy held some importance, both in this store and in his life. My point was proven when he indiscreetly stared across the store, watching carefully as Makoto disappeared behind a door with a sign that read 'staff only'
"Yamato." I said his name firmly, irritated that he wasn't even looking in my direction. He turned his head to me and sighed once again.
"I should have told you not to visit me at work."
"Why? You've seen where I've work…"
"That's a lot different, Tai."
"I can't see how."
"I'll call you when my shift is over," Yamato said, his eyes barely displaying the smallest fleck of warmth I was used to from him. It was more than apparent I wasn't welcome there, so I left soon after he had glided away to a teenage customer, who was browsing the guitar section, and instantly phoned Mimi.
"And he called him 'Matt'! I mean, what the hell? What kind of nickname is that?"
I could hear the sound of fingers clacking against keyboard keys, clearly Mimi was risking her job to console me.
"Sounds like they're close."
My heart skipped an actual beat as I shut my car door after slipping into the driver's seat.
"You don't think they, you know…?"
"Honestly? I think you're heading into dangerous territory. As much as you'd probably hate to, I'd suggest you start backing off, now."
"But Mimi..." My left hand gripped the steering wheel tightly.
"Tai, I know there's usually no convincing you but for once take my advice! I've gotta go anyways sweetie, still at work. I'll talk to you later!"
Mimi disconnected the call before I even had the chance to say goodbye, or to tell her that cutting ties with Yamato wouldn't be easy. Then again, with Makoto now in the picture, I figured things were not going to get any simpler if I continued seeing Yamato. Makoto had suspected who I was from the instance he saw me, and I realised, like Mimi, he did not approve of my involvement with Yamato at all.
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That night I buzzed Yamato into my building complex and waited for him to come upstairs walk through my unlocked apartment door. I felt possessive, fuelled by a conjunction of wine, rage and desire. I grabbed him by his wrist and forcefully tugged him into the living room, and up against my body in just a flutter of a camera shutter.
"You've been drinking," he panted against my cheek as my lips brushed across his stubbly jaw line.
"Only a glass of wine," I lied, my fingers undoing the toggles of his coat. "I saved some for you."
"I'm not here to drink."
"Oh?" Raising an eyebrow suggestively I reached into his half open coat, and searched for the zipper on his jeans. His hands pressed into my chest and pushed me away from him.
"I'm not here for that either. I owe you an explanation, that's why you wanted me to come over, right?"
I scratched the crown of my head.
"I guess…"
I hadn't cracked open the wine straight away, I'd immersed myself in some painting and ignored the phone calls Mimi made to me once she had finished work. When three hours had passed since Yamato had finished his shift I caved in and text him, telling him he should come over. He'd responded minutes later, saying he was on his way. I'd downed three glasses wine to help calm my nerves. It hadn't practically helped. I felt uneasy as Yamato folded his coat and placed it over the back of the sofa before he sat down.
"Did you want a drink?" I asked, eyes darting towards the kitchen where I had left the open bottle of white wine I'd been drinking from.
"No thanks."
I remained standing between him and the coffee table. My mind felt heavy. This talk was something I hadn't prepared myself for; I was still frustrated with the way Yamato had coldly treated me back at The Broken String. That icy attitude of his was becoming an alarmingly recurring occurrence.
"There's history with you and Makoto, isn't there?" The words spilled out from my mouth quickly; an edge of bitterness surrounded each syllable in the last two words.
"You're right," Yamato said after a strained pause of silence, "Makoto's one of my best friends. I've known him since I started junior high. He was a member of The Wolves, and a band we started together before that. Sora's good friends with him too. He's told me there's not a lot incentive to keep him from telling her about you…."
It explained why Makoto had abruptly walked off upon realising who I was; I imagined he'd taken Yamato aside for a 'chat' soon after I had left.
"How did he find out about us?" I sat down besides him on the sofa, my arm accidentally brushing against his as I shifted my weight and settled into a comfortable position.
"I can't keep anything hidden from him." Yamato folded his arms across his chest. "I should have told you really, about not coming to the music store. Makoto doesn't approve of you…us…" He paused then corrected himself again. "Of what I'm doing. He wanted me to break it off with you. I told him a few days ago that I'd finished things with you, but now he knows I lied…"
Yamato was moments away from crying. Despite his eyes were deprived of tears, his body was trembling and his voice had become strained; the classic tell-tale signs of someone on the verge of a breakdown. I rested my hand on Yamato's thigh to try and comfort him, but immediately withdrew it when he flinched in response.
"…You're important to me," Yamato said, the tips of his fingers were now digging into his arms, "but Makoto doesn't understand that. He doesn't know you like I do."
Yamato glanced at me, his eyes briefly shimmered with tears he was quick to wipe away. He needed verbal reassurance from me, yet I couldn't think of anything to say. I knew Mimi was right. I had stepped into dangerous territory. It was unlike me being at a loss for words, but what could I say? I didn't want to finish things with Yamato. I knew I was being selfish and there was even a part of me that felt uncomfortable knowing that I was causing issues for others. Something still made me shamefully enjoy what I had with Yamato, even if it wasn't quite perfect.
It was a really difficult scenario to be in, and at that point I had no real reason to resent Makoto (except that he was blackmailing Yamato). I knew it would've been ridiculous to badmouth him when I was just as involved with the whole situation as Yamato was. And, as much as I disliked it, Makoto was only doing his duty as a friend by warning Yamato of the consequences that would follow if he kept seeing me.
"I'm sorry, for dragging you into all this… I'd better go." Yamato climbed off the sofa and scooped up his coat. The silence had dragged on for far too long, it was no surprise he wanted to leave.
"Stay," I said after standing up and following him as he made his way towards the front door. Yamato stopped in mid-stride and spun back around to face me.
"I don't think that would be a good idea." His tone was distant and somewhat void of direction; something else was playing on his mind.
Deciding I'd have to resort to drastic measures to distract him from reality, I took a step backwards and tugged off my shirt. His eyes widened when I moved back towards him and placed his cold hand against my chest.
"Your heart's racing," he said, tilting his head up and locking eyes with me. I moved my hand away from his and rested it against his grizzly cheek, taking a deep breath in.
"That's because I want you, and I don't care who doesn't like that."
Yamato batted my hand away and turned his back on me. I was convinced that was it;
he would walk away and that would be the last I'd ever see of him. My stomach tightened. I could still taste his minty breath on my tongue, I doubted no amount of wine would wash that away.
I crouched down to retrieve my t-shirt. When I rose to my feet it took a few seconds for my brain to register that Yamato had dropped his coat onto the floor, and that his shirt had followed the same fate. He was as helpless as me when it came to resisting such pleasures in life, and for that I was grateful.
"Was Makoto the guy you lost your virginity to?" It was probably the least appropriate time to ask the question whilst Yamato was unfastening my jeans, but it had been lingering in my mind since Yamato had revealed Makoto had been his best friend since they were twelve or so.
Yamato's voice fluttered daintily against my ear. "No, Makoto's straight. I've never really seen him as more than just a friend either."
A sense of relief washed over me.
"Shame he's straight," I teased as I tugged down Yamato's jeans, along with his briefs, "he's not bad looking."
"Oh?"
"To be honest I'd only use him for his talented fingers."
"Like you're using mine?" Yamato purred. His hands slid into my underwear and grasped my backside. The sudden action and sensation made me gasp out loud.
"No," I murmured, tracing my finger down between his nipples towards his toned stomach, "I'm using you for your entire body."
"I can't argue with that."
The bedroom was too far, the sofa was the only convenient option.
I tugged off my underwear and pinned him down against the sticky leather with my legs straddling his naked hips. I kept still for a moment, savouring the warmth between us and the raw ache of excitement devouring almost every nerve in my body. Then, when it became overwhelming I leant forwards and kissed him, allowing our animal instincts to take over.
"I wish things could be easier," Yamato sighed out as we built up our familiar tantalising rhythm, "no secrecy, no lies… Just this."
"Shh," I soothed, trailing my lips carefully down the side of his neck- something which always made him shudder, and kept him from expelling any more reality-based anxieties.
Yeah, I wanted things to be easier as well.
I wanted him to just be mine.
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Song lyrics (At the beginning of the chapter)
Shakespears Sister - "Stay"
D-Angel: Ack, ok, quite a bit of angst, but also some naughtiness! Always a good way to end a chapter. I'll work on Makoto's character over the next few chapters, don't necessarily want people thinking he's an absolute ass for not wanting Yama to be with Tai! Lol, he has his reasons.
I reckon I'll churn out another story update (not for this fic though) within the next week or so due to my busted fibula (The thin bone in ones ankle). My lower leg will be in its plaster cast (a purple one!) until hopefully only the 19th June. Not allowed to put any weight down on my foot whatsoever in this time and have to keep the leg elevated when I'm sat down (which is pretty much all the time at the moment, lol). Aw well, I'm adapting to it I guess!
But yes, this chapter, hope it was ok. I tried something a little different with my writing style, you may or may have not noticed. I appreciate you guys for reading this, and all the other chapters so far. And as always, your reviews are welcome... just give that little blue button below and a click and write your opinions! Love hearing from you wonderful lot.
Anyways, I'd best finish up here. Once again, thanks for reading. I'll see you all next chapter!
x x x
D-Angel
26/05/12
(Eurovision song contest final tonight! Seriously, if you don't know what this is, please look it up! Lol)