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When they finally settled on a date, Sonny insisted on picking Claude up himself. Given his unpredictable duties and Claude’s packed schedule, they could only manage to set it for well past midnight ensuring Claude’s assignments were done and he didn’t have any classes the next few days.
𝜗𝜚
As the clock crept closer to the hour, Sonny pulled up to Claude’s dorm on his sleek, customized motorcycle. Dressed in his biker gear—helmet, vest, gloves—he cut a striking figure under the soft glow of the streetlamp.
Sonny leaned casually against his bike, pretending to be relaxed, but his nerves betrayed him. Every so often he adjusted his gloves or shifted his stance, eyes glued to the dorm entrance. Then, finally, the moment he's been waiting for... a familiar silhouette with fluffy hair emerging into the night.
And that was where Sonny’s composure crumbled entirely.
Claude stepped out, dressed in sleek tech-wear, a black-on-black ensemble with clean lines, layered textures, and reflective accents that caught the faint light. The look was bold yet effortlessly casual, and worlds away from the cutesy maid uniform he wore during his shift. His brain short-circuited, trying to reconcile this new image of Claude with the one he’d grown used to.
Claude noticed Sonny’s reaction immediately, with a confident smirk made a deliberate show of looking him up and down, his gaze lingering on the motorcycle. “Nice ride,” he said, his tone teasing as he whistled low.
Sonny blinked, caught off guard, before fumbling for a response. “Oh, uh… yeah, thanks. Designed it myself, actually,” gave the bike a quick pat. He hastily scrambled to fetch the spare helmet from his bike’s compartment. “Here!”
Claude took the helmet with an appreciative nod, but not before giving Sonny a quick once-over.
Sonny, meanwhile, was still trying not to stare as Claude adjusted the strap under his chin, “You, uh, you look… different,” Sonny managed to stammer.
“Good different or bad different?” Claude asked, clearly enjoying how flustered Sonny was. Couldn't be Claude, nope.
“Good. Definitely good,” Sonny blurted, then quickly turned his attention to starting the bike, hoping to distract himself. “Okay, hop on and hold tight!”
“Yes, officer,” Claude quipped with a grin as he climbed onto the bike. Once Claude settled behind him, his arms wrapped snugly around Sonny’s waist, and Sonny swore he could feel his heart hammering through his jacket.
“This okay?” Claude asked, his voice soft but with a teasing edge, as if he already knew the effect he was having. “Perfect,” Sonny muttered, kicking the bike into gear. He could feel the warmth of Claude’s hands against him, even through the layers of fabric.
𝜗𝜚
Their ride was aimless, the quiet hum of the motorcycle filling the spaces between them. They weaved through empty streets, passing glowing signs and late-night diners. The occasional gust of wind tugged at their clothes, but the city was theirs for the night, and neither of them was in any hurry.
Eventually, they pulled into the parking lot of a 24/7 diner. The neon sign flickered slightly, and the smell of coffee and grease hit them as soon as they stepped inside. They slid into a booth, chatting and bantering between bites of burgers and fries, the atmosphere easy and filled with warmth. The laughter came easy, and the hours slipped by without them noticing.
𝜗𝜚
After leaving the diner, they found themselves climbing up to a high vantage point overlooking the city. The cityscape stretched out before them, a sea of light that twinkled like stars mirrored above them. The distant hum of the city felt miles away, leaving only the quiet between them.
Sonny leaned against the bike while Claude stood nearby, his hair tousled from the ride, some strands sticking up in ridiculous directions under the soft glow of the moonlight. Claude didn’t seem to mind, though. he stood there, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, a soft smile playing on his lips as he took in the view.
Sonny, however, was staring at something else entirely. The dimple that appeared when Claude smiled, the faint pink still dusting his cheeks from the cold, the way his eyes sparkled faintly under the stars. Gosh was he infatuated.
The city lights danced faintly in the reflection of Claude’s eyes as he stared out over the horizon, his expression soft and unguarded, like he was lost in a world of his own. His breath fogged faintly in the chill air, the pink in his cheeks deepened by the cold.
“Oh, look,” Claude murmured suddenly, pointing toward the sky, “that one’s really bright.” His voice carried a quiet excitement, almost childlike, as if spotting something magical. He turned slightly, glancing back at Sonny to share the moment.
But what he found wasn’t Sonny looking at the stars. No, Sonny’s gaze was entirely on him, unwavering and intent, his eyes soft with something that made Claude’s stomach flip.
They stood there for a moment, neither saying anything, the quiet stretching out between them. Sonny didn’t falter, even when Claude’s eyes met his fully, curiosity flickering in their depths.
Claude’s lips quirked, trying to break the tension. “Got something on my face?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sonny didn’t even hesitate. “Yeah,” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting into a crooked grin, “Cuteness.”
The word hung in the air. Claude’s breath caught, his eyes widening a fraction before he quickly looked away, his ears turning a telltale shade of red. “You!” he spluttered, his voice slightly higher than he intended, burying his face in the collar of his jacket.
Sonny chuckled, low and warm, the sound filling the space between them. “What?” he teased, the grin on his face refusing to fade, “Just stating the facts.”
Claude muttered something under his breath, too quiet for Sonny to catch, but the flustered look on his face was all the response Sonny needed.
After a beat, Sonny stepped up beside Claude, leaning casually against the railing. His hands draped over the edge, fingers brushing lightly against the cool metal. The two of them stood there, shoulder to shoulder, as the city below stretched out endlessly before them.
Sonny let his shoulder bump lightly against Claude’s, a subtle nudge that didn’t break the quiet but still made his presence known. He glanced sidelong, catching the way Claude’s hair fell messily across his forehead, the tousled strands somehow framing his sharp features in a way that felt almost unfair. The cold had painted Claude’s nose a soft red, and Sonny’s chest squeezed at how absurdly endearing it was.
Claude shifted slightly, his breath fogging as he exhaled, his gaze sweeping over the cityscape. “It’s kinda surreal, isn’t it?” he murmured, voice quiet but steady. “All those lights, all those people down there… and here we are, just watching.”
Sonny hummed in agreement, though his eyes didn’t leave Claude. “Yeah,” he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that wasn’t about the view, “Surreal.”
Claude tilted his head, catching the tone, but he didn’t look at Sonny just yet. Instead, he traced the outline of the skyline with his eyes, fingers curling loosely around the railing. “You always like places like this? Quiet.”
“Depends,” Sonny admitted, leaning a little closer, his arm brushing against Claude’s. “Think it’s the company that makes it worth it.”
Claude finally turned to face him, his expression a mix of surprise and something softer. His lips parted slightly, but whatever he was about to say seemed to vanish when he caught the way sonny was looking at him.
“You’re laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?” Claude said, his tone trying for teasing but falling short, his voice too unsteady.
Sonny grinned, unrepentant. “Am I? Or am I just being honest?”
Claude rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched upward despite himself. He looked back out at the view, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You’re something else, you know that?”
“Yeah, well,” Sonny said, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful, “...you’re not exactly what I expected either.”
Claude glanced at him, a brow raised. “Oh? And what did you expect?”
Sonny shrugged, the movement casual, though his words carried a deeper weight. “Not this. Not… you.”
The quiet settled again, but it wasn’t heavy, it was warm, the kind that felt like breathing in a shared rhythm.
Sonny’s fingers tapped lightly against the railing before he spoke again, his voice low. “Claude.”
“Hm?” Claude turned toward him, the motion slow, as if drawn by the sound of his name.
Sonny didn’t falter this time. He leaned in, closing the space between them, his movements deliberate but unhurried. One hand came up to rest lightly on the railing beside Claude, boxing him in without pressing too close.
Claude’s back met the railing, his breath hitching slightly as he looked up at Sonny. Sonny’s figure blocking out his sight, he can only see him. Only him. His warmth radiating against the chill of the night air.
Sonny leaned in slightly, his voice low and careful. “Can I—?”
Claude froze. His face flushed a deep red, his lips parting as if to answer, though no words came out. Instead, his hands twitched at his sides, clenching and unclenching as his gaze darted between Sonny’s face and the distance between them, faltering on his lips.
“I-I think… um…” Claude stammered, his voice barely audible, as though his thoughts were tripping over each other.
Sonny pulled back just a fraction, enough to give Claude room to breathe, though his heart hammered in his chest. “Hey, it’s okay,” he murmured, but his own cheeks burned now, the vulnerability of the moment pressing on him.
Claude’s fingers hesitated before reaching out, clutching at the edges of Sonny’s jacket. He didn’t know what to say, how to articulate the swirling mess of wanting but also not knowing. Only that he didn’t want Sonny to step away.
“I…” Claude’s voice broke off, his gaze flickering down. “Sorry, I just—this is… um…”
Sonny exhaled softly, a mix of nerves and understanding, before dropping his forehead against Claude’s shoulder. The scent of Claude’s jacket was faintly warm, comforting, and despite the awkwardness, he found himself relaxing into the embrace.
Claude blinked, startled, before his arms slowly wrapped around Sonny’s back, his fingers settling against the nape of Sonny’s neck. They brushed over his hair in soft, tentative motions, soothing despite how red Claude’s face still was.
“Just stay like this…” Claude mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. “Sorry, I don’t—”
“Don’t apologize,” Sonny cut him off, his voice muffled against Claude’s jacket. He turned his head slightly, his breath fanning Claude's neck. “I can wait as long as you need.”
Claude’s chest tightened at the softness in Sonny’s voice, the sincerity threading through every word. His fingers continued their slow, almost nervous strokes through Sonny’s hair, grounding them both.
“Thanks,” Claude finally said, his voice steadier now but still quiet.
Sonny lifted his head just enough to look up at Claude, his expression soft but still tinged with flustered warmth. “You don’t have to rush anything.”
Claude’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. “Okay,” he whispered. “But… this is nice.”
“Yeah,” Sonny agreed, leaning into the touch for just a moment longer before they eased back, their shoulders still brushing.
Claude shifted slightly, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his jacket as he leaned against the railing. His gaze flitted between the view of the city and Sonny’s face before finally settling on the latter.
"What are we?" Claude asked softly, his voice carrying a mix of nervousness and resolve. He let out a quiet laugh, more self-conscious than amused. "Hah, not to be cliche, I just... need some certainty."
Sonny blinked, caught off guard for a moment, before his expression softened. He took a step closer, his hands sliding into his pockets as he let the words settle between them.
"Well," he started, his voice steady but warm, "If you haven’t seen how I am with you, you should know." His lips curved into a small, self-deprecating smile, but there was no hesitation in his tone.
"But if we really need to explicitly define it…," he paused, his eyes searching Claude’s, the vulnerability there unmistakable. "I think I would like a repeat of today."
He took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering as he continued. "I’d like to have your days. As much as you’d give me."
For a moment, he hesitated, as though the weight of his own words had caught him off kilter. Then, with a quiet determination, he leaned in slightly, his voice softer but no less sincere. "How about you, Claude?"
Claude didn't realized how he held his own breath, his heart stumbling over itself as Sonny’s gaze pinned him in place. He opened his mouth to speak, only to find himself momentarily speechless, the raw honesty in Sonny’s words throwing him off balance.
Finally, he swallowed, his voice coming out quieter than he intended but no less certain. "I think…" he took a step closer. "I think I’d like that too."
The tension between them dissolved into something softer, steadier, as Claude’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "So… yeah. Let’s do that. Let’s see how much of my days you can handle."
Sonny chuckled, the sound low and warm as his shoulders relaxed. His eyes sparkled mischievously as he tilted his head, leaning just slightly closer. “Is that a challenge?” he asked, his voice teasing but tinged with sincerity. “Because I can do challenge. What do I win?”
Claude raised a brow, his lips quirking up into a playful smile as he tapped his finger against his own nose. “Well… me,” he said, pointing to himself, the gesture casual but undeniably endearing.
For a moment, Sonny just stared, his heart giving a traitorous flutter at how effortlessly cute Claude could be. Before he could overthink it, he gently took Claude’s hands in his own.
The move made Claude blink, startled, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he let Sonny guide him closer, his breath caught softly as Sonny leaned in, their foreheads almost touching.
“Then I won’t lose,” Sonny murmured, his voice quieter now, more earnest. And before Claude could respond, Sonny tilted his head and nuzzled their noses together in a sweet, featherlight gesture.
The warmth of it spread through Claude like wildfire, leaving him momentarily stunned, his cheeks flushing pink as his eyes fluttered shut for just a moment. When he opened them again, Sonny was still there, close enough that Claude could see every fleck of color in his eyes, feel every ounce of the affection in his touch.
“Bold move,” Claude said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, but his lips curved into a smile that was equal parts amused and bashful.
“Had to be,” Sonny replied, grinning. “I really don’t want to lose this one.”
Claude laughed, the sound quiet but warm, his fingers curling slightly against Sonny’s. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“Impossibly charming?” Sonny teased, his grin widening, and Claude couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
“Don’t push your luck,” Claude muttered, but there was no heat behind it, just the soft, unguarded affection that lingered between them.
His hands found their place against Sonny’s chest, he didn’t pull away just yet. Instead, he let himself melt further into the embrace, letting the warmth of Sonny’s presence wrap around him completely. The quiet settled between them again, easy and comforting, until Sonny tilted his head, nuzzling further into Claude’s fluffy hair.
“Stop acting like a dog,” came Claude’s muffled voice, barely audible against Sonny’s jacket.
Sonny smirked, his reply soft but teasing. “Maybe I am... for you.”
That did it. Claude let out a frustrated noise and finally broke the embrace, stepping back just enough to deliver a solid punch to Sonny’s chest-not hard enough to hurt.
“Dude, it’s only been the first date!” his face was beet red, his words stumbling out as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.
Sonny winced dramatically, clutching his chest like he’d been mortally wounded. “Why are you dude-ing me right now?” he pouted and whined, his lips jutting out in exaggerated offense.
Claude crossed his arms, trying to look stern but failing miserably as his cheeks burned brighter. “Because you’re being ridiculous!”
“Ridiculously into you,” Sonny shot back without missing a beat, his grin returning full force.
“Oh my god!” Claude groaned again, turning away in an attempt to hide his face. But even as he did, Sonny caught the faintest twitch of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Sometimes,” Claude muttered, “I want to punch you.”
Sonny spread his arms wide, a teasing grin on his face. “Didn’t you do that earlier? I mean go on. I was trained to take a hit, you know. Part of the job.”
Claude rolled his eyes but didn’t move to punch him. Instead, he stepped forward with a dramatic huff, grumpily slumping into Sonny’s embrace.
Why is it that he always ends up here, in his arms? No matter how many times he tells himself he won’t give in to Sonny’s shameless teasing or that annoyingly charmi- no! His stupid grin. He always folds.
His hands followed suit, thumping lightly against Sonny’s chest in a series of soft, almost playful knocks. Thump. Thump. Thump. Each tap was weak, more affectionate than any real attempt at a punch.
Sonny chuckled, his arms instinctively wrapping around Claude, holding him steady as he leaned into him. “You want to know something?” he murmured, resting his chin lightly against the top of Claude’s fluffy hair.
“Don’t start.” Claude shot back, his voice still muffled but laced with amusement.
Sonny let out a low laugh, squeezing him just slightly. “You’re too cute when you’re mad, you know that?”
Claude exasperated once again. “You’re insufferable,” he muttered, but the way his arms shifted to curl around Sonny’s waist gave away just how little he meant it.
“And yet, here you are,” Sonny teased, his voice light and teasing, but there was a softness to it, an undercurrent of something deeper. Claude didn’t answer immediately, his cheek now resting against Sonny’s chest as he closed his eyes.
“Yeah,” he murmured eventually, the word barely audible but full of unspoken sentiment. “Here I am.”
𝜗𝜚
They arrived at Claude’s dorm, the night still clinging to the quiet air between them. The hum of their earlier conversations had settled into something softer, something neither of them wanted to break.
Claude said goodbye first after returning the helmet, a quiet, “Thanks for today,” slipping out, his voice soft and sincere. He looked like he wanted to say more but he shifted his weight, clearly ready to step ahead and end the night, yet there was a faint hesitation in his movements.
As Claude started to step ahead, Sonny reached out, his hand brushing lightly against Claude’s arm. “Hold up,” he said, his tone casual but his expression firm. “I’m walking you to your door.”
Claude blinked, caught off guard. “It’s not that far,” he protested, gesturing toward the building just a few steps away. “I’ll be fine.”
“Still,” Sonny said with a small shrug, his lips curling into a grin that was somehow both sheepish and stubborn. “Humor me.”
Claude sighed, a hint of exasperation in the sound, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Okay,” he didn’t argue further.
Together, they walked to Claude’s door, number 221, Claude had mentioned, their steps slowing as they neared. When they finally stopped, Claude fished out his keys, his fingers brushing over the metal as he glanced back at sonny.
“Happy now?” Claude asked, his voice tinged with amusement, though there was an undeniable warmth in his gaze.
Sonny leaned against the wall beside the door, arms crossed casually but his eyes soft. “Very,” he said simply, his grin widening. “Just wanted to make sure you got here safe. I know I’m off duty... but when it comes to you, it’s 24/7.”
Claude rolled his eyes, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh. “If you’re always on duty for me, that just means you’re going to be a full-time problem in my life.”
Sonny grinned, leaning in slightly as if to emphasize his point. “I don’t mind being your problem,” he said, his tone teasing but warm. “In fact, I’d say it’s a pretty sweet gig.”
“Why are you like this?” Claude muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair as he turned back to his door. The words came out sharp, but his lips quirked up ever so slightly. Fingers brushing over the keys as if he is stalling for time, before glancing back.
“Thanks for tonight,” Claude said, in a quieter voice.
Sonny straightened slightly, the teasing in his expression softening as he caught the genuine tone in Claude’s words. “Anytime.”
Claude paused for a moment, his hand resting lightly on the doorframe. “You should get going. Get some rest.” he said in a more soothing voice, his gaze flicked away as he said the last thing. “See ya, dude.”
The pout was immediate, Sonny’s expression shifting as if he’d just been deeply wronged. “Seriously?!” he whined, the corners of his mouth tugging down in mock indignation.
Claude tilted his head, the smallest of smirks appearing before he turned toward the door. But before he stepped inside, he looked back over his shoulder, his tone light but quick, as if he couldn’t let himself think twice. “Good night, boyfie.”
And then he bolted.
The door slammed shut behind him, the sound almost too loud in the stillness of the hallway. Claude leaned back against it, his breathing uneven as he slid down to sit on the floor. His face was burning, his hands flying up to cover it as he groaned into his palms.
“Boyfie?” he muttered, his voice muffled. “What am I, fifteen?”
But even as he cringed at himself, there was no denying the flutter in his chest. It was corny, juvenile, and so very unlike him, but he couldn’t help it. Maybe he was that sappy when it came to Sonny.
It was so freeing to be with him. No walls, no filters. He could just be himself. With Sonny, the weight of expectations didn’t matter, the need to keep up appearances faded into the background. He didn’t have to measure his words or second-guess his actions. He could just exist, and somehow, that was enough.
He buried his head in his lap, the faint warmth of a lingering blush spreading across his cheeks as the events of the night replayed in his head like a favorite scene in a movie. Every word, every glance, every touch
It all came rushing back, leaving him both flustered and giddy. A groan escaped him muffled against his knees, though it lacked any real frustration. How did this guy manage to turn his world upside down so effortlessly?
Outside, Sonny stood rooted in place, his brain processing at a snail’s pace. The word hung in the air, echoing over and over until it clicked, and a grin broke across his face.
“Boyfie,” he murmured, testing it out like it was some kind of treasure.
He shook his head, running a hand through his hair, but the grin didn’t fade. With one last glance at the door, he turned to leave, his steps lighter than they’d been in weeks. Exhaustion could wait right now, he felt like he could float.
Unable to contain himself, Sonny pumped his fists in the air as if he’d just won something, a quiet “Yes!” slipping out. His cheeks flushed slightly at his own theatrics, but he didn’t care. This was a win, and he was going to savor it.
𝜗𝜚
The next day, the café was its usual mix of soft chatter and clinking dishes, the morning crowd filling the space with an easy buzz. Claude was behind the counter, his hands moving expertly as he adjusted a steaming espresso machine.
The bell above the door jingled and Claude barely glanced up until a familiar voice rang out, sing-song and entirely too loud.
“Good morning, boyfie~!”
Claude froze, the espresso cup in his hand tilting dangerously close to spilling. His head snapped up, his wide eyes locking onto Sonny, who was standing just inside the door with a grin so smug it should have been illegal.
“What…” Claude’s voice came out in a strangled croak. He straightened, the cup now safely set on the counter as his brain scrambled for a response. “What did you just…”
“Boyfie,” Sonny repeated cheerfully, strolling up to the counter with all the confidence in the world. He leaned his elbows against it, his grin only widening. “Too soon? Or should I say it louder?”
“Don’t you dare.” Claude’s ears were burning, his mortification visible in the way he hunched slightly behind the counter. “You’re the worst.”
“Aww, c’mon,” Sonny teased, tilting his head. “You’re the one who said it first, remember?”
“I wasn’t thinking straight!” Claude hissed, his voice low but laced with panic as he glanced around to see if anyone else had caught on. Thankfully, the other customers seemed oblivious, too preoccupied with the other maids, but the heat crawling up his neck didn’t subside.
“Well,” Sonny said, leaning closer and dropping his voice just enough that only Claude could hear. “Understandable because you were thinking about me, right?”
Claude groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I’m going to ban you from this place,” he muttered, though there was no real bite in his words.
“Good luck with that,” Sonny replied, his grin unwavering. “Like you said... I’m your problem now. 24/7.”