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.
D-Angel: Hey guys! Hope you're well :) Before we start, I've got two bits of good news: the first being that my computer is now all fixed and running like a beast, so no more having to use my slow-ass netbook for writing :) The second thing is that I have managed to land a job in the wonderful world of book publishing, which has always been one of my life goals on par to writing for living, so yey! Things are goooood! Anyways, enough of me, time to address my lovelys who reviewed le story recently ;)
PinkBrideGoneBad: Two for the price of one / Buy one get one free; they're my favourite kind of deals too, haha.
Pied Piper: Aw, I'm glad I brightened your day! Feeling stressed out and being near tears is never nice :( Sadly, there's not much fluff at all in this chapter... Sorry!
Caliboy: I've learnt a lot over the years about keeping my wonderful readers (such as yourself) engaged :) I can only hope to keep improving as I near my thirties (I shudder to think I'm closer to thirty than twenty now... Where have the years gone?).
brandon54877: Yes indeed, Cup of Lust is a lot different than NiF and Bed Full of Mems... a lot more poetic and dramatic I feel, and, as you mentioned, has that element of reality. I love writing it :D Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter and what's left to come.
Inuyashagirl312: Sorry the baby wasn't Izzy's... Honestly, it was going to be his, but I changed things around last minute as I thought I was being too George R.R. Martin-like and introducing too many "new" characters to the story!
DarkMetalAngel of Destruction: Thank you :) Here's a not so distant future chapter for you to enjoy!
Well, that's all for now... You know the drill!
Chapter 21 Reprimanded
'On the way to a life that made sense, To what this is...'
I first met Mimi during junior high school. She became a cheerleader on the football team about a year or two before I quit the team. Most the other players commented that she was cute; I thought she was too, just not in the same way they did.
One evening, after practise, I left the locker room and noticed her loitering around outside, running her fingers through her hair. At first I smiled at her, assuming she was waiting for one of the other guys to come out, but then, as I was about to walk past, she said my name.
"Everything ok, Mimi-chan?" I asked, adjusting my sports bag across my shoulder, noticing that her cheeks were glowing scarlet. Clenching her eyes shut, she took a deep breath.
"I really like you."
For a moment, I was stunned. Out of all the other guys on the team, she had picked me. It was flattering, considering how attractive some of them were, but unfortunately for her, I wasn't her Mister Right.
I stood there for felt like an eternity, my eyes blinking rapidly as I tried to find the right words to respond with.
"I like boys," I blurted out. And with that, she became the first person I came out to.
I waited for her to apologise and run away, but instead she shrugged off the embarrassment and asked if I wanted to go shopping with her. That was the start of our beautiful friendship. For a while I even used to joke that she was the girl who turned me gay, much to her annoyance.
Isamu transferred to our school at the start of my senior year. I fancied him instantly, but quickly found out he was straight when I tried to kiss him in the art supply cupboard. He had previously gone to an all boys school, so I had made assumptions.
Because Isamu had lacked interaction with girls, he was painfully shy around them- especially Mimi. I knew he fancied her, but she always seemed to be dating someone whenever he was single, and vice versa.
By the time we had all left school, Isamu had pursued starting his own business and Mimi had focused on getting a job as a magazine journalist. The last time we had all met up, they had barely spoken; their lives and interests were just so different. This was why her revelation was a complete and utter shock. I couldn't imagine Isamu comfortably interacting with someone else's child, let alone having one of his own. He'd almost burst into tears when one of his client's children accidentally spilt a glass of orange juice down his brand new designer suit.
Mimi slumped down onto her sofa and pulled her hair back into a messy ponytail, securing it loosely with the hair band wrapped around her wrist. "I did meet up with Koushrio, but I never slept with him. He's still the sweetest guy ever, but you were right, he's not my type."
"Then what did happen?" I asked, sitting down next to her.
"We had a drink, talked a bit about school. That was it really."
"No, I mean, how did you end up sleeping with Isamu?"
Mimi laced her fingers together as she stared straight ahead at the blank television screen.
"A few nights later, I was out on another date at Zaru, only the guy never showed up." A scowl fell across Mimi's brow; no doubt she had given him a piece of her mind. "I bumped into Isamu as I was leaving, he was with this gorgeous tall woman called Nami who was clinging onto his arm like velcro."
The corner of my lip twitched in amusement. Tall and gorgeous may have sounded like a vague description to most, but it was more than what Isamu had told me about Nami.
"When I explained the situation to him, he asked if I fancied joining them for a drink." A small smirk spread across Mimi's face when she added, "Nami's face was like thunder, even before I accepted his offer."
Mimi revealed that they chatted mostly about school and their careers, while Nami spent most the time on her phone and occasionally leaning over to kiss Isamu, by means of marking her territory.
"When it was time to leave, Isamu wanted to make sure we both got back safely, so we all shared a taxi," Mimi explained, as she fiddled with the ends of her dressing gown belt. "Nami was dropped off first; she invited him in, but Isamu told her that he had jujitsu training in the morning. He promised to make it up to her though."
Apparently, the journey to Mimi's flat was quiet without Nami in the car. Mimi caught Isamu glancing over at her a few times, although every time she tried to catch his eyes, he looked away.
"When we got to mine, I asked if he wanted to come in for a coffee."
"Coffee?" I raised an eyebrow; Mimi had never been the biggest fan of coffee- she was more of a hot chocolate kind of girl. I was pretty certain she didn't have anything coffee related in her flat.
"I was just being polite." A defensive glimmer shining in her eyes as she glared over at me and my arched eyebrow. "I didn't think that he would accept the offer, let alone kiss me as we were heading up the stairwell…"
Mimi crossed her arms over her stomach and sighed deeply. "I was too terrified to tell you the truth. Isamu's one of your best friends, and I know you've always had a soft spot for him. That's why I lied. Stupid, I know."
Fighting back a frown, I rubbed my thumbs against my temples in a circular motion. In the space of half an hour, Mimi had altered a reality I had once believed was true. Although she had never directly confessed that the baby belonged to Koushiro, I still wished she'd told me the truth from the start, instead of leading me to conclude that he was the father. Then again, it was hypocritical of me considering I hadn't been particularly honest with her either. She still wasn't aware that I had slept with Takumi, let alone that Yamato and I were an official couple.
"I didn't expect things to end up like this."
Neither did I, but I knew there was no point dwelling on how things had happened; the future was far more important.
"What now then?" I asked as I ran my thumb across the stubble on my chin. "Are you gonna tell him?"
"He kinda already knows."
My lips parted in surprise.
"Well, I think… I phoned him this morning, left a voicemail." Mimi closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, as if she regretted the decision. As she continued to talk, my stomach twisted into knots- knowing Isamu, he either on his way over, or packing his suitcase in preparation to leave the country. I couldn't begin to imagine how anxious Mimi was feeling.
"He's probably still with that Nami girl," Mimi said, bitterness seeping from her voice.
"I doubt it," I replied, recalling his irritation when he had received a call from her when we were at SuperDeluxe the other week. "It didn't seem serious between them."
A small flame of hope lit up in Mimi's eyes, only to burn out as the doorbell chimed. She grabbed onto my arm, her fingertips digging deep into my skin.
"It'll be fine," I promised, although honestly, I was scared too. Every fibre of my body was trembling as I helped Mimi to her feet. She followed closely behind as I headed over to the front door and tugged it open.
Isamu stood with both hands tucked in the pockets of his black pea coat, which was dotted with small freckles of ice. He stepped past me, fear present in his eyes as they met mine momentarily, his mouth a thin straight line. Part of me wanted to punch him in the face for knocking Mimi up, but my rational side was quick to remind me that she was just as responsible as he was, and now they had to deal with the consequences.
My heart was drumming furiously against my chest as I closed the door behind me. This drama was between them, and as much as I wanted to be there to help, I knew it wouldn't be right to stay and listen. That still didn't stop the uncertainty of what was going to happen next from stinging clear.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
New Year's Eve crept up quickly, despite the lack of Yamato. Hikari, Miyako and her boyfriend, Ken, were my only guests- not like I minded; I anticipated Yamato would be joining us before long after all. He had confirmed he would be back for the celebrations when I had messaged him the other day.
Dancing into the kitchen to pour myself out another glass of red wine, buzzing already from the atmosphere and alcohol, I recalled my last New Year's Eve party where Mimi and I had gone through quite a few bottles of wine, and then proceeded to sing karaoke until the crack of dawn.
I was disappointed that she was unable to make it this time. She had decided to spend New Years with her parents, who had returned from their third holiday that year. She hoped to summon up the courage to tell them about her surprise pregnancy. Isamu was keeping a low profile since finding out he was the father. After their discussion, Mimi had revealed that he was willing to accept responsibility, and promised to respect whatever decision she made in regards to keeping it or not.
Re-filling my glass, I was interrupted from my train of thought when I heard a loud double knock against the front door. Before I could pick up my wineglass, Hikari called out from the living room that she was answering it. My stomach somersaulted; I couldn't wait for her to meet Yamato. My heart was throbbing so hard with excitement; I was worried I'd be unable to contain myself when I saw him.
"Oh, wow!"Hikari gasped loudly. As sexy as Yamato was, her reaction seemed a bit too over the top, particularly since she knew he was my boyfriend. Curious, I peered around the kitchen archway, almost dropping my wine when I saw the four new familiar bodies making themselves comfortable in my flat.
With her eyes sparkling in excitement, Hikari quickly scampered up to me and placed her palm against my chest, forcing me back into the kitchen.
"Tai!" Her voice was meant to be a low drunken whisper, but no doubt everyone in a ten mile radius could still hear her. "Vertical Illusion are in your living room!"
Suddenly, I was sober. Handing her my wineglass, I strolled straight past her, back out into the living room. Kano, the ridiculously tall drummer, and Yuki, the nice-as-pie bassist, were already chatting away to Miyako and Ken.
"Hey, Taichi-san!" Shiro greeted. He was already slouched on the sofa holding a bottle of beer. Trying to bury the annoyance bubbling through my veins, I looked past him and focused my attention on Takumi, who had just hung his coat up, and was wearing a tight-fitting white t-shirt and a pair of dark skinny jeans- an outfit of seduction if I had ever seen one.
"Takumi," I said in my most authoritative voice, "a word, please."
We ended up in the only suitable place that wasn't the balcony: my bedroom. Perhaps it wasn't the smartest of decisions because, as soon as the door closed behind us, Takumi was quick to make his move. As he grabbed onto my wrist and tried to pull me against his body, I quickly pushed him away, an enraged expression fixed on my face.
"No time for a quick one?" He asked, his tongue brushing briefly against his upper lip.
"What are you doing here?" I counter-questioned, hissing at him like a snake cornered by a relentless predator.
"Don't you remember? Come the New Year, you and this flat are mine," he responded, a hint of amusement embracing his suave voice.
I stared at him blankly, unable to grasp where he had gained such a bizarre idea.
"We agreed it that night at the hotel."
"Look, whatever I agreed, don't take it seriously," I was quick to reply. "I was drunk."
"You can still live here, rent free, and, as I promised, I'll keep you well milked," Takumi said, completely disregarding my words of protest. His hand reached out for me again, but I brushed it away.
"I'm with Yamato," I affirmed, hoping this time my words would reach him. This was a true test of my devotion toward Yamato, and I wasn't willing to back down, even for a smoking hot celebrity.
"Oh, so where is he now?" Takumi asked, barely batting an eyelid, much to my frustration. Still, he had a point. I knew I would have stood a better chance at defending our relationship if Yamato was actually at my side. I prayed he would make an entrance any minute now.
Takumi perched himself on the edge of my bed, perhaps anticipating that I would join him as his eyes met mine. Instead, I stayed put, standing close to the door with my arms folded protectively against my chest.
"Was it his mysterious aura that drew you to him?" He finally asked. The clarity of his question hit me straight on. I nodded, there was no denying it. The instance Yamato had set foot into the coffee shop, I'd been attracted to him and the mystique vibe he had given off.
"It's like he's repressing a huge secret, isn't it?"
I wasn't a fool, I was aware that Takumi knew Yamato better than me, and now he was using that knowledge in his favour.
"I can tell you now, he's not. It's all part of his persona, how he keeps people enticed. You'll grow tired of it eventually."
Takumi brushed his fingers through his hair as he stood up, and then walked over to me, an alluring smile playing on his lips. In one sudden motion, his hand landed on the bulge in the front of my trousers.
"Be with me," Takumi urged, his fingers caressing me through the material, his breath hot against my ear. "I won't mess you around."
My mind started to cloud, I was losing grip of all reason and control. Warmth raced through my body at an alarming rate as he continued to rub me. I hated him so much. Fortunately, a gentle tapping against the door snapped me straight out of my trance, just as Takumi started to unfasten my zip.
"Tai, it's almost quarter to midnight!" Hikari's voice sung out.
Takumi sighed and moved his hand away. My shoulders sagged in relief.
A few minutes later, we were down on the beach preparing the fireworks. Digging my hands into my coat pockets, I soaked in the gentle rhythmic swishing of the sea lapping against the shore, combined with the soft laughter of the company around me. Somehow, it all felt pretty lonely without
Yamato. I checked my phone for the umpteenth time; it was five minutes until midnight. Where the hell was he? Why had his phone been switched off when I tried to call him earlier?
"Where's your camera?" Hikari asked, just as I had slid my phone back into my pocket. I immediately slapped my hand against my forehead. I'd only gone and left it back in the flat.
"I'll go and grab it."
"Don't worry, you can use the one on my phone. It's pretty good," Takumi said as he handed the device it over to me before I could express my concern about breaking it somehow.
Once he'd reassured me it was only one of his spares, I went around and took a few test photos, getting to grips with his fancy camera phone. I managed to get an awesome group shot of the band, and then another with Miyako and Hikari photobombing them.
"One minute!" Hikari announced, bubbling with her usual excitement.
The countdown soon begun. There was the usual panicked scrabble as we lit the fireworks, then shuffled back several feet to witness the display. As bright colours lit up the night sky, cheers and bangs echoed throughout the region. During the fuss, I was more than aware that Takumi was stood closely by my side. As Hikari went snap happy with the camera, Takumi pressed a cold metallic object against my hand; a silver hipflask, I soon realised when I looked down.
"What's in it?" I asked, accepting his offer, running my thumb along the warped metal design.
"Rum. It'll warm you up."
Tugging off the cap, I took a swig, shuddering as the sharp liquid burnt the back of my throat, then handed it back to him. He slid it straight back into his pocket, much to my bemusement, before heading back over to the rest of his band.
Several minutes later, once the foreign fireworks in the distance died down, I placed my fingers inside my mouth and whistled loudly, the only sure way to grab everyone's attention.
"Let's go back upstairs, grab some drinks," I proposed.
Back in the flat, as the others got settled and Hikari sorted out the music, I grabbed a couple more packets of beers from the kitchen and dropped the cans into the makeshift ice-bucket I had set up in the living room (a washing up bowl filled with water and plenty of ice cubes).
As everyone started to chat and dance, I dipped into my bedroom, my phone pressed against my ear, eager for Yamato to pick up. The line was ringing now at least.
Finally, after the eighth ring, Yamato answered.
"Yama? Is that you? I've been trying to get hold of you all day." I did my best to hide the frustration in my voice. "I'm guessing you can't make the party?"
Silence, followed by a strained exhale of breath. I immediately sat down on the edge of my bed.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm sorry, Chi. I need some time off from this."
The line crackled as he spoke, but his message was clear. I bit down on my lip. My stomach suddenly felt empty, like someone had stretched it open, reached in, and pulled everything out.
"That's fine, Yamato. You do what you need to do."
I hung up. I didn't want to hear his response. It didn't matter. It wouldn't change the situation.
I felt strangely light on my feet as I drifted back into the living room. The laughter and music seemed to fade as I robotically made my way into the kitchen, grabbing a beer from the bucket along the way.
I cracked open the can, raising it to my mouth with my quivering hand and tilted my head back as I poured the bitter liquid down my throat like it was water.
"Everything ok?" My sister asked, as she peered round the doorway just as I set the empty can onto the work surface, concern manifesting in her hazel eyes.
"Yeah." I wiped the beer bubbles from my lying lips. "Just heard from Yamato. He can't make it."
"Oh, that's a shame," Hikari said, her mouth scrunching into a small pout. I braved a smile before she could dig any further.
"Come on, let's go dance!" I decided as I scooted towards her, lacing my arm with hers.
After drinking a couple more beers and participating in a bit of terrible dancing, I slumped onto the sofa and ran a hand against my clammy brow. I desperately needed some water and a bit of fresh air.
Scanning the room, Ken was chatting to Yuki and Kano whilst keeping a watchful eye on Miyako, who was still up and dancing with Shiro. I couldn't see where Takumi was. Probably in the bathroom logic dictated.
My phone buzzed. I sneaked a quick glance at the display. A message from Yamato. I quickly darted into my bedroom to read it. Hoping so hard that he had changed his mind, that he still wanted to be with me.
Thanks for understanding.
I glared at the screen, then tossed my phone onto the mattress. It bounced straight off and fell onto the floor on the opposite side with a loud clatter. Frowning, I snatched my hoodie from the foot off my bed, throwing the garment on before leaving the room, heading to my one area of solitude.
I stepped out onto the balcony. The icy air instantly cooled me down as I approached the railings and peered out to the sea. The soothing slosh of the water lapping against the sand reminded me of the night on the beach and the first kiss I had shared with Yamato.
I need some time off from this... What did that even mean? I should have asked him. My hand instinctively dipped into my pocket, only to be reminded that I had left my phone in the bedroom. Hopefully it was still functioning despite falling off my bed. Then again, it was practically a brick, so chances were it had survived the plummet.
The balcony door slid open just as I turned to face it. Takumi stepped out dressed just in his t-shirt and jeans. Exhaling, I spun back to face the railings, maybe hoping that, if I ignored him, he would go away.
"Did he dump you?" Takumi asked outright, moments after joining my side. I slowly turned my head, lips curling into a scowl as I was confronted by the amused smirk on his face. At the same time, a familiar pang of excitement shot down my spine. Now that Yamato had ditched me, and the alcohol had well and truly absorbed into my system, he looked so appealing.
I'm not sure what possessed me as I firmly grabbed hold of his forearm, pulling his body against mine. Our faces barely inches apart, my lips were drawn to his, like the waves to the shore. My hand slid underneath his t-shirt, tracing against the warmth of his toned flesh, his hard rock abs.
"Fuck," Takumi moaned against my mouth as I pushed him up against the railings. He hadn't quite anticipated I would jump him like that; he had always made the first move before, but now, I could barely control myself. I craved the comfort of someone, and the feeling of being wanted.
His hand was suddenly tugging at the zip of jeans. Reality hit home. Terrified, I pushed away from him, the spell temporarily broken as our heavy breathing hung in the air.
Takumi ran his tongue against his upper lip. "Sweet."
I shook my head. "I'm going back inside."
"No," Takumi affirmed, this time he grabbed onto my arm. I flinched.
"Takumi..."
"I know what you want," Takumi spoke confidently, his eyes locking with mine. "Yamato's indecision killed our relationship, just like it's killed yours. You deserve more. We both deserve more."
I wanted to question him. Find out what his words meant. Learn the truth of what had exactly gone on between him and Yamato.
"I'll make you forget all about him," Takumi vowed. His hand slipped down from my forearm, to my hand. The questions vanished from my mind instantaneously. I had lost the battle. Without realising, he had chiseled away at my guard and weakened it to the point where I could no longer think rationally.
I Ignored the stares as he led me back into the flat, and into my bedroom. What followed was a surreal blur.
My clothes were off. Legs up in the air, his hands holding on tightly. My upper body dangled partly off the edge of the bed as he glided in and out of me. The puzzling upside down view of the window made it feel like I had stepped into an alternative reality. Growing hot and dizzy, I closed my eyes. The taste of rum heavy on my numb lips.
That was the final moment I remembered from that night.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Song lyrics (At the beginning of the chapter)
Straylight Run - "I'd be Lying"
D-Angel: Yet another chapter ending where Tai passes out in the presence of Takumi. Oh dear. Hikari finally made an appearance as well, lol.
Believe it or not, I originally wrote quite a dark ending for this chapter, but my boyfriend suggested I should change it (he doesn't usually read my stuff, but I made him look over this chapter for me as I wasn't sure on the ending either). If you can hazard a guess to how it originally ended, kudos to you, and cookies too! :)
Oh, and BTW, Digimon frickin' 15th anniversary reboot! I'm so excited for this xD Basically, if you haven't heard this somehow, they're launching a new Digimon series next year staring all the frickin' original Digi-Destined, only now, Tai and Yama are like 17 or 18, so it's literally gonna be 'Digimon: The High School Days'. Sqweee! I can't wait!
Anyways, I will love and leave you all before I get too over-excited! I will try my best to get the next chapter out either around Christmas time, or shortly after ;)
See ya next chapter!
D-Angel
22/11/14
2nd Revision uploaded on 30/05/17