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Michizou had heard all kinds of rumors about Port M Café.
That it was one of the Mafia's fronts, that only criminals frequented it, that the owner had a strange fondness towards little girls, and once he heard a group of teenagers saying they witnessed an odd group of people chanting and dancing around a fire on the abandoned neighboring building.
He knew that last one was true; after Gin's brother broke up with his ass of an ex-boyfriend, Chuuya bought the most expensive bottle of vodka he could afford, and they drunk it. He didn't remember much from that night, but they all woke up with a killer headache in the building next to the café.
Regarding the rumor about Mori, he didn't want to think much about it. They all offered to call the police or report him, but Elise always said it wasn't necessary. Once they did, and nothing came out of it.
And, about the criminals, well, he knew of four or five ex-convicts that were regulars, and his drug-dealer stopped by once in a while. There was also the guy who always showed up with a futon and did suspicious things on his computer. Every day, the doctor of a clinic nearby came to wake herself up with seven espresso shots, but Yosano was an honest doctor with an actual degree, that she ran her clinic unlicensed were baseless rumors. Gin once got in a knife fight with a guy who wouldn't leave a trembling woman with glasses, and Michizou had been in holding several times. Sometimes, they saw the suspect of 312 cases of extortion who also happened to be Akutagawa's ex-boyfriend. Michizou spat in his coffee every time he showed up.
However, they also had decent customers. Kenji, the middle-schooler that always ordered hot chocolate, had never done anything wrong in his life. Atsushi who always ordered the cheapest thing they had, the brooding fellow that was constantly dragged by the short man with beautiful eyes and made the unfortunate guy pay for all the pastries he ordered. Chuuya, their most loyal regular and someone who had too much money to spend, and the attractive redhead who recently started to show up past midnight and always doodled on the napkins.
With all the unflattering things people spread lately, Michizou wondered why the redhead even entered that first night. He appeared looking like death and, despite the falling snow outside, the guy ordered an iced coffee to go and left as promptly as he arrived. He didn't pronounce a single word, let alone thanked him. Michizou didn't think much of it; it wasn't his job to worry about every idiot that passed through the glass door in front of him.
Then he came again and ordered the same thing, except this time he stayed. The guy sat on the table furthest to the counter and stared out the window, occasionally taking a sip of his iced coffee. When he finished the drink, he ordered another one and a piece of chocolate cake.
When he took a bite of the cake his eyes lit up. It was a delightful view, truly distinctive from his absent, sleepy gaze. He'd thank his brother for teaching him how to bake later.
During the next thirty minutes, he wore the second brightest smile Michizou had ever seen (the first one being Kenji's). The barista looked away before it became too obvious he was staring and busied himself with cleaning the already pristine tables.
After he finished his second drink, he got up and politely thanked him and apologized. Supposedly, he didn't feel entirely alright during his last visit. He blamed it on too many sleepless nights. And, frankly, with those dark circles, there was no way Michizou wouldn't believe him.
The redhead came again three days later looking well-rested and cheerful, but still after midnight. Michizou asked about that, and the redhead said he had just woken up after almost two days of sleeping. He didn't inquire any further; however much he slept was his own business. That night he changed his order to a cappuccino but kept the chocolate cake.
While the redhead indulged in the cake and drink, he checked his phone and left a comment on one of Gin's most recent picture.
You look like shit <3
Gin threw a plastic spoon at him from the kitchen and mumbled a thank you. He almost didn't hear them due to that damn face mask, why did they use it even when they weren't using the kitchen? Whatever, it didn't concern him.
He scrolled past Atsushi's seven pictures of Akutagawa's cat fast enough to barely see the little beast. Did he not know he could post several pictures instead of cluttering his feed like that? Also, what was his fascination with Rashomon? That ugly cat loved nobody and only got pity likes.
He stopped scrolling when he saw Makioka had a new post. He smiled as he saw the many doodles on a piece of paper. He loved Makioka's art; he had a very messy and rough style, and he never used black. The caption read ‘finally done with commissions, now I can sleep!!! Have this doodles while I take a 24hr nap’ along with no more than ten heart emojis.
From Makioka, Michizou would take anything.
He double tapped the screen before reaching more pictures of Rashomon.
I'm begging you stop it with pictures of that damn cat!
He pocketed his phone after locking it. If he saw that fucking monster one more time, he wouldn't be able to sleep.
A cold sensation ran up his spine; he couldn't even think about her nasty face. He looked up and saw the redhead passed out on the table. He jumped over the counter and knocked the box with tips.
"Shit," he hissed. He'd worry about that later. First came the redhead, he looked well, what happened?
He tapped his shoulder. "Are you alive?"
With his head buried between his crossed arms, he couldn't check if he was breathing let alone feel for a pulse on his neck.
"Five more minutes, Naomi," the redhead mumbled.
Oh, thank God he was alive. Wait, who was Naomi? He stopped that train of thought; he didn't care.
If he was breathing, he figured everything was okay. He'd eventually wake up.
Except he didn't. The motherfucker didn't even flinch when he took his plate and cup and was wiping his table or when Gin blasted their loud music as they cleaned the kitchen. They also laid an empty cake box on his head and took a picture with him.
Gin left first, leaving the task of waking the redhead to Michizou. They even dared to pull down their face mask and stick their tongue out as they walked past the big windows. Michizou maturely flipped them off.
"Hey, dude," he lightly pushed the redhead. "It's been more than five minutes, rise and shine."
He didn't move an inch. He took a deep breath; dumping a glass of water on him wasn't only against the café's policy, it'd make a mess he'd have to clean up.
Michizou leaned over and let out a small puff of air against the redhead's pierced ear. It startled him enough to get up. He covered his ear as if he expected more of that. Was it that easy?
"What? Where-"
"Port M café, you fell asleep, but we're closing so scram."
The redhead blushed and looked away. "I'm sorry for staying so late."
If Michizou thought he looked cute he'd never tell anyone.
"It's not like I can throw you out if we're still open," he responded as he wrapped his scarf around his neck.
The redhead walked outside and, after turning the lights off, Michizou followed. He took his coat before heading out and locked up. He hid the keys in the fake brick on the wall. "Don't tell anyone," he said to the redhead, who trembled from the cold. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he lied. Not only was it snowing, but he also had his arms wrapped around himself and Michizou could hear the faint chattering of his teeth, which he was trying -and failing- to hide. "I just forgot my coat, but don't worry, I live near."
"You're trembling like a leaf, Red," he said. He pointed to the left. "You going this way?"
"Huh?" hazel eyes followed his finger to one of the exits of the dingy alley the café grazed with its existence. "Uh, no I'm going the opposite way."
GOOD, Michizou thought. He didn't know what possessed him at that moment, but he put his coat on the redhead's shoulders. He had his jacket, so he wasn't as uncovered as the other. Michizou wanted to kick himself, what now? He only saw one possible course of action, and it was walking away. He waved without looking back. "Good night, Red."
He felt like an idiot.
"I'm Tanizaki Junichiro," he heard from behind him.
Michizou stopped; the only thing he could think about was how pretty his name was. He turned and dedicated him a smile. "I'm Tachihara Michizou."
He could've sworn he saw Tanizaki blush before he turned around and left.
Tanizaki didn't show up for the next day. He wouldn't care if the asshole didn't have his only coat and it had gotten exponentially colder with each passing hour.
It took two days for the redhead to show up looking in perfect shape. He had a red sweater wrapped around his hips and Michizou's coat neatly folded in his hands. Fucking finally.
"I'm truly sorry for not giving it back for so long," he said as he extended the coat towards Michizou, who took it and placed it behind the counter.
He wanted to be mad. He could feel himself getting sick, and it was all Tanizaki's fault. "It's no big deal," he said for reasons he didn't know himself. "And don't you apologize a lot to me?"
Tanizaki looked as surprised as Michizou felt. He opened his mouth, surely to apologize once again, but noticed how that would make Michizou right. Michizou smirked when he shut it. "A 'thank you for not letting me freeze to death' would be nice, y'know?"
"I wouldn't have frozen to death," Tanizaki countered.
With a sigh, Michizou looked away. "Cappuccino and chocolate cake?"
"Yes, please," he said laying the exact amount of money on the counter, which made everything easier on Michizou. If Mori wasn't there, he could break protocol once or twice without the world coming to an end.
He turned to see Gin already preparing the coffee. He liked that about them; when they were bored in the kitchen, they'd sometimes get out and help him. He smiled and went to get the piece of cake, only for Gin to extend their arm to stop him, a plate with Tanizaki's usual on their hand.
Michizou's smile spread farther. "Thanks, little lizard," he laughed as he grabbed the cake and dodged Gin's swing with a knife. Plastic, of course.
Or so he hoped.
"Your cake," he said placing the plate on Tanizaki's usual table.
Gin then did the same with the white cup. "And your cappuccino."
They then walked away. Not another word pronounced, and Michizou felt betrayed. Gin never talked to him, they barely mumbled monosyllabic responses once every blue moon, but now they dedicated three words; a complete sentence, to another redhead. Those were two words more than they had said to him in what they had of the month, and it was the mumbled thanks form Tanizaki's third visit.
They'd talk about it later.
"Enjoy," he muttered.
He went behind the counter and got his phone out. It wasn't like there would be anyone else coming. He saw a story Gin posted; it was a video of Tanizaki and Michizou's conversation with 'just kiss already' in rainbow lettering. He scoffed; he would've kissed him already if he wanted to.
He glanced at Tanizaki drawing on a napkin. His pale, smooth skin, his piercings, the bobby pins in his hair, that loose shirt that revealed his collarbones. He'd get sick if he kept going out like that.
He had to admit the redhead was attractive and that he wouldn't mind kissing him. And more than that. Unfortunately, they had an unwritten rule to not sleep with customers. It made things complicated.
A gentle ringtone echoed in the café. Tanizaki reached for his phone. He spoke quietly and, still on the phone, hurried towards the exit.
When he opened the door, he abruptly halted. "Thank you for not letting me freeze to death," he said before he stepped outside.
Michizou smiled, and then frowned. He set his phone on the counter and walked to Tanizaki's table and sat down.
He ate the cake the redhead left behind.
He didn't see him for almost a week. He died of boredom every day without the redhead. Before all the rumors, some people still dared to enter the alley at night, but things were different now. And, since Chuuya was away at some romantic getaway with Akutagawa, both their night regulars were gone. He could sleep on the floor, and no one would care or snitch on him. Maybe Gin would take a video. Their stories consisted of Michizou's shortcomings and mistakes; they filmed two clips of him having Tanizaki's leftovers; one with -indirect kiss- and the other with a rain filter.
He sat on the counter, his back to the door, and checked what was new. More photos of Rashomon. He blocked Atsushi. He groaned at the lovely pictures from Chuuya and Akutagawa's trip; they were both smiling in a way Michizou thought was physically impossible from those two. As it seemed to be a reflex, he stopped scrolling the second he saw Makioka's username.
Michizou saw the picture of a man standing in an alley, the moon shining behind him. He smiled towards someone unseen.
It was nothing like his usual style. It was clean and so damn precise and realistic it scared him. At first, he thought it was a damn photograph, but everyone knew Makioka was a shitty photographer.
It only had two words: Light Snow.
And he panicked; that couldn't be happening.
That was him. That was his band-aid, his boots, his jacket, and his smile. That was the filthy alley he walked every day, and that was the ever-lit white light on the café facade lighting his face. Those were the familiar miscellaneous stains on the pavement whose origins they discussed often, and the bookstore that faced the exit Michizou used. He didn't know there had been a red moon that night. He should've known.
It was absurdly accurate; it didn't matter where he zoomed, he noticed tiny features only someone with a lifetime crossing that dull back street could regard. The fake brick even looked a little loose.
Michizou felt his blood rise to his face once the realization hit him. There was only one person who had seen him like that. And the ass uploaded it for his forty thousand followers. He didn't know how to feel about that.
He had never known happiness like this. But, it would've been nice if Tanizaki had asked him if he could put his face for thousands to see. A simple heads up would've been enough for him. Maybe not for others but for him it was a dream he didn't know he had come true.
It felt strange to think his favorite artist liked his chocolate cake and that he used his coat. He wondered if it'd be wise to inquire about the post. It was clear they had to discuss something about consent, so he'd gently bring it up once Tanizaki was sitting with a nice cup of coffee.
The sound of the bell surprised him. He looked up to see Tanizaki and a girl with long, black hair holding his arm. He lifted his phone for them to see. "Hey, dipshit, is this me?"
God damn it.
Tanizaki turned red to the tips of his ears and attempted to turn around and leave. Except the girl tightened her grip and pulled him to the counter.
Without letting the boy go the girl bowed. "I'm sorry; I uploaded it to my brother's account. He looked so happy with it but refused to share it, and I got mad about it. I truly am sorry."
She looked up a bit and slowly stood straight again. Tanizaki took a deep breath and took a step forward. "I tried to take it down but everyone was already asking who you were, and since it's so different than my usual works it got more attention than I usually get so I panicked. Naomi convinced me to come here and tell you about it, but I guess you already know."
Now that he knew the context, things appeared more manageable than he formerly thought. "Just tell them who I am, it's not a big deal for me."
Tanizaki's face it up. It was too bright for him to handle.
"Just give me a heads up next time you share such a gorgeous image of me," he teased.
The blush on Tanizaki's face was priceless. Michizou found it adorable how easy he was to tease. He couldn't admire him much; Gin pushed him with their hip and put two pieces of cake and two drinks to go on the counter. Michizou wanted to ask some questions to Tanizaki, and the traitor was giving them the perfect opportunity to flee.
They paid, and Tanizaki was dragged outside before Michizou would say anything. He shouted a quick 'see you tomorrow' before Naomi shut the door.
He couldn't help but smile.
"Disgusting," Gin stated.
"Can't a guy like someone?"
"No."
Now he was even with Tanizaki in words directed at them by Gin.
His phone vibrated. He took it out and stared in awe to the notification.
Holy shit, Makioka was following him! Wait, Makioka was Tanizaki. Holy shit, Tanizaki was following him!
He looked at Gin. "Did you tell him?"
They didn't answer, and he took it as a yes. They probably scribbled it on his cup.
The message was a surprise.
this is ur heads up ;*
hope you have post notifications on
He did. Michizou didn't like that. His phone vibrated.
His heart raced as he tapped on the notification. Sketches of him on a napkin greeted him.
you guys were wondering who the handsome stranger on my last post was and I'm here to clear all doubts. His name is Michizou and he works at a café I love, follow him @michizouhara and give him some love from me <3. Here are some doodles of him, enjoy!
After that, his phone wouldn't stop vibrating. New followers and new likes notifications wouldn't stop cluttering his screen. Some of which were Tanizaki's.
"Bastard!" He shouted at Tanizaki even when he knew he couldn't listen.
He left a comment, locked his phone and dropped it in the fridge in the kitchen. He'd deal with that later. Or not.
The bell rang as he arrived at the counter.
"You'll stay like that forever if you keep frowning."
"Shut the fuck up, Tanizaki, this is your fault." It wasn't, but Michizou was overwhelmed with what was going on. Mostly because Tanizaki's audience was either always awake or from different time zones. "What are you doing here?"
Tanizaki took his phone out and read. "Don’t send people to give me love and do it yourself, coward."
Michizou wanted to die. He lay on the counter and covered his face with his hands. "It was a joke."
He didn't even know if it was a lie or not. He loved Makioka. He was fun and caring, and he danced when he cooked and never let anyone see his face. But now Michizou knew what no other except Naomi knew. He knew Tanizaki worked himself to exhaustion and made poor life choices. He was a scaredy cat and had the most precious smile he had ever seen.
He mentally apologized to Kenji.
Tanizaki sighed and leaned on the counter next to Michizou. "Shifting all their questions to me for a while was a good move."
Michizou smirked. "You do hate dealing with a lot of people at once."
"Naomi did this post too, by the way," he said. "We have the same phone, so sometimes I take hers by accident. That's why I left in such a hurry the other day. She sent a screenshot of your comment."
"Great," he breathed out. He couldn't believe Makioka's sister sent his first message with the artist. "Are you eating here?"
"Here."
He turned to see Gin had already left Tanizaki's order on the counter. Bless their soul, Higuchi must've been extremely busy if Gin wasn't texting her and they were bored enough to help Michizou.
He followed Tanizaki to his usual table, set his order and proceded to sit in front of the redhead. "Last time you left before we could talk."
A faint blush dusted Tanizaki's cheeks. "What is there to talk about?"
"Don't play dumb, why did you draw me?"
And several times, at that. Tanizaki took a sip of his coffee. Michizou ached to slap it off his hands, but that'd make Gin mad, so he gave up on that.
Michizou had been following Makioka ever since Akutagawa showed him one of his works; he recognized the bridge, it was the one where he accompanied Gin to one of their knife fights. It was a beautiful bridge, so for Makioka to draw it collapsing was strange. It was mayhem, and Michizou loved it. "It's the bridge where Gin almost kills Dazai in that knife fight," Akutagawa had said. Michizou wondered why they were still dating if he had declared that with the warmest smile he had ever seen on Akutagawa. They laughed it off and went back to whatever they were doing. They were probably on their way to another knife fight, which was what he usually did with Akutagawa.
He was crossing the bridge when he remembered about Makioka. At that moment he didn't even know his name, so he had to call Akutagawa. Once home, he somehow ended up at Makioka's first picture, and he prayed he didn't like every single post. Every piece captivated him, so colorful and sharp; he couldn't help but smile at his phone. Ever since his brother left to study abroad, he had felt so lonely, but Makioka's art made his chest feel warm and caused happiness that he hadn't felt in so long.
He left a comment asking why he decided the bridge needed to collapse, and he answered too quickly for Michizou to mentally prepare himself. He confessed one of his friends almost got killed in a knife fight. It was hilarious to Michizou, but he responded something sensible.
Makioka drew on paper, and had shared his studio, he interacted with his followers, and his voice was the most beautiful sound Michizou had ever heard.
So maybe he had a crush on Makioka, sue him. And to see him in person and thinking about kissing him and worrying about him when he didn't know it was Makioka maybe did things to your thoughts. Like, perhaps it was destiny or another sappy thing related.
"Well, I was afraid I'd forget that image one day," Tanizaki reached towards Michizou, linking their fingers together. Michizou forgot how to breathe. "I didn't want that, I wanted to look at your smile every day."
Shit, Michizou wasn't ready for that. For a second he couldn't move. When he regained the ability to manage his limbs, he covered his face with one hand; he wouldn't be surprised if steam were coming out of his head. Holy fuck, he couldn't believe he said that. He felt Tanizaki loosen the grip on his fingers. Michizou didn't allow him to let go. He took Tanizaki's hand between his and brought it to his forehead to cover his face; he wouldn't let Tanizaki see him blushing like that. He wouldn't give him the right.
"Isn't it weird?"
"No," Michizou let go of Tanizaki's hand and finally looked at him. "There's nothing weird about this so shut up."
The surprised look on his face caught Michizou off guard. He cursed him for always looking so pretty.
"You didn't let me finish," he laughed. "I've actually been following you on my personal account for a while now. You like everything I post, your comments always make me smile, and you take good pictures. When I walked in and saw you I got so nervous I got out as soon as I could, for some reason I didn't want you to see me like that."
That bastard Gin was most likely recording everything and would definitely say something like 'just kiss already' or 'get a room'. He let the thought sink in, he didn't want that. Michizou wanted to kiss Tanizaki.
He took Tanizaki's shirt in his hands and pulled him into a kiss. If Gin was recording, which he knew they were, he'd give them a fucking show. When Tanizaki cupped his face to deepen the kiss, he freed one hand from the fabric of Tanizaki's shirt and flipped Gin off. He'd say he could stay like that forever, but the table was stabbing his thighs. He could just, get on the table and keep making out, but Mori followed Gin so maybe not just yet.
Michizou broke the kiss gasping for air. "Go out with me," he breathed out.
"Only if you pay," Tanizaki teased.
He let himself fall on the chair and smirked. "Deal, but only if you pay next time."
A glint of something Michizou wasn't sure he liked or not displayed itself in Tanizaki's eyes. "You're already thinking of next time?"
Crossing his arms, he raised an eyebrow. "You got a problem with that, Red?"
"Not at all, Ginger."
"Oh my god, just get out of here already."
That left them tied, with Gin having directed nine words to each of them.
They both laughed, that wasn't such a bad idea.