Not Acid Nor Alkaline ~ Sleep Token FF ~

24.Taking A Break

While I had been taking a shower he had ordered some breakfast for us. Then he had taken a shower right after me before the food would arrive.

He came outside right when the doorbell was ringing, he covered his wet hair with the hood of his sweater and walked downstairs to get the food just wearing socks on his feet. This man really hated shoes.

I had sorted out where the plates and cuttlery were stored and placed everything on the table.

I didn't even hear how he had already been back, when an arm was wrapped around me from behin and a little kiss was placed at my neck.

He put the paperbag on a chair and handed me the first things.
'You know that you don't have to bribe me with food?', I chuckled when he handed me another box.
'But I need to make sure you eat enough before you're heading off to work.', he replied and finally the bag was empty.

We sat down and enjoyed the food. He had ordered omelette, scones, beans and porridge with fresh fruits.

After breakfast we cleaned everything together hand in hand.
'How long do you work today?', he asked me while I dried the cleaned plates. 'I am working til 7 pm.', I anwered him. 'And what are you up to today?'

'Same as usual when you're not here I am making music.', he shrugged. 'This afternoon I have a meeting, so I'm not here. Is this ok for you?' He looked sorry to tell me this.
I shook my head. 'Sure it's fine. I mean, I like being with you, but still both of us have an own life. I don't even have enough stuff with me for another night.' I smiled at the tall man in front of me that had been looking slightly insecure with hands in his pockets.

As soon as I had mentioned the last part his position changed and he grinned. 'You can just walk around naked, I don't mind.' I really had to laugh about him in this moment. Sometimes he just started being kinky out of nowhere and it always suprised me.
'I can see you mighr prefer this idea, but this is not happening. You already want it the easy way, don't you?', I winked at him biting my lip. 'And now I better pack my stuff and head off to work.' I pushed myself off from the table I had been leaning on.

He just followed me the first metres until he sat down at the piano. His eyes kept following me, I didn't even need to actually see it, but I felt his eyes on my body.
'We're still seeing each other Saturday, right?', he asked pressing 2 or 3 keys on the piano. It seemed to be a simple habit not really intended.

'Of course! Why won't I?', I grabbed my things and stuffed them in the bag. I turned around and my frowning turned into a little grin. 'Now I want to see you even more.'
My words didn't fail to lighten up his mood.

'Nevertheless I need to leave now. I will text you later, ok? Or you can come over at about 4 pm. I might be able to take a little break with you then.', I began and walked up to him.
He turned a little more and pulled me onto his lap.

I gasped being unprepared for this.
'That sounds excellent. I can arrange that.', he placed a little kiss on my lips. 'Have a calm shift, darling.' The second kiss was more intense. His tongue played softly with mine, making it hard for me to leave.
'See you later.', I whispered against his lips and got up and grabbed my bag walking to the door. I turned around and with another smile I left.

I walked across the road and opened the door of the Starbucks cafe. Quickly the co-workers of the earlier shift and I greeted each other, before I  went to the back to change clothes and brushed my hair
I was putting my hair up in a bun when the door opened another time.
'Hey. You're doing the shift with me?', I greeted Matt and was suprised about him being here.

'Hey. Yeah, Rachel is ill, so I fill in today.', he explained. Damn, I needed to text Vessel we needed holding back. I was sure Matt knew from Abby that I was dating him, so as soon as he'd see us he'd know about his identity.
'So, how are you? Abby told me you're dating this cultist?', Matt asked me casually while putting on the apron.
'Matt, this has nothing to do with a cult and I really don't want to talk about it right now. I need to go to the bathroom real quick before our shift starts.', I tried to find an excuse and left with my phone.

I quickly texted Vessel about the little problem we got. But at least I was happy we'd see each other for a few minutes and Vessel came out of his appartment for a bit.

The shift was busy today, so Matt and I hadn't much time to talk with each other. Here and there I asked about him and Abby. Luckily he didn't ask again about Vessel.

A few minutes before 4 pm, the door opened and I looked into the direction. I smiled, but tried not to be too suspicious.
'Hey, haven't seen you in a while. The same as usual?', I asked with my typical service voice.
'Hey, yes, the same as usual. Maybe another muffin, they were delectable last time.', without others to notice he winked at me.

'Sure, if you like, I'd join you again? I could use a little break actually.', I said and turned around to Matt. 'You mind me taking a break after this costumer?'
'Yes, all good.', he shortly returned and so I started making two moccha instead of one and got some muffins for us. 'It's on me now. Just find a table for us.', I mumbled to him still standing in line. And so he did without further discussion.
'I never saw him around when you're not here as well.', Matt noticed.
I shrugged. 'Just a coincidence. So, coffee is ready. I'll head over to him. Some little chat about good old times.'
I tried sounding absolute undescripted.

I sat down next to him instead of sitting on the opposite.
'How was your day so far?', he asked me as I sat down after putting off the apron.
'Lovely, I had a wonderful, tasty breakfast in the best company that could be existing.', I began telling him with a mockingly grin. 'Apart from that, busy and uneventful. And yours?'

He chuckled over my words. 'What a coincidence I started my day with a beautiful, young lady who joined me for breakfast. After that I worked on some instrumental parts.'
How bad I wanted to kiss him in this moment, yet we were observed by my co-worker who seemed to be very interested into our little talk.

'Do you have any plans for Friday afternoon?', I asked him taking a sip of the hot drink in front of me.
'Actually yes. I am sorry. But you could stay at my place on Saturday.', he answered, mumbling the last bit.
I nodded. 'That would be lovely.'

I looked at my phone just to check for the time. Just 5 more minutes until my break ended.
'I am sorry, but I need to work in a bit.', I said looking sad.
'Don't worry. I am fully aware about this. But you can text me whenever you want and I am sure I might be able to come by at your next shift.', he tried to cheer me up and winked at me again.

'I am taking this offer into cosideration.', I chuckled. 'Thank you for joining me in my break.'
I slightly bit my lip, I wanted to kiss him, but it was no option here while we were closely watched my Matt.
I took a last sip before both of us stood  up. We hugged tightly, maybe even a second to long for a usual hug.
'See you', I mumbled next to his ear.
'See you, Em.', he returned and left. I took the plates and mugs and brought them back to the dishwasher.
I got my apron back on again and went to clean the table real quick.
Now weren't a lot of customers in the cafe. 'So, this was your former classmate, right? Does your masked lover know about him?', Matt asked me.

I felt the anger in me. If we weren't at work, I would have been a lot louder.
'Matt, the man you call my lover, has a name. Please call him Vessel, ok? It isn't so hard to remember instead of giving him unpleasant nicknames. And why does it even interest you what I am telling Vessel and who I am meeting? You are my friend as well as Abby is. Stop talking into my love life, I am not doing it as well with yours.'
With my last words I turned around and filled the last spots inside the dishwasher and started it, before I glady began cleaning the tables and floor. I didn't care for Matt's answer and I didn't want to continue this discussion at all in this moment.