THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

[bitemark]

IL MATTINO

Il Mattino is an Italian cafe sidled between a bookstore and a jewelry boutique in small but popular business district, just a downhill walk from the local non-denominational Christian church and residential area. The ocean is less than a ten minute drive away and within view in the distance. The area is cool even when the sun is at its apex at noon with a tinge of sea salt in the breeze.

The cafe itself is medium-sized with plenty of light let in with the large storefront windows. The decor is simple, but accented with key decor with wheat centerpieces and plants. There are some trinkets that are displayed that may look out of place, like atop the charging counter there's a sliding puzzle painted in pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, and all shades in between.

The cafe specializes in coffee and brunch, though pastries are sourced from local Italian bakeries in downtown Little Italy.

While the establishment has two floors, the cafe takes up the ground floor. There is a yard for some reason, but that's because there are four dogs. They're kept separate from the cafe to make sure patrons are not disturbed, but people are free to go outside to pet them. Reviews have mentioned the owner lives on the second floor and the dogs' names are Harold, Olive, Vera, and Rocco.

DRINKS ✦ FOOD ✦ all sorts of pastries available

Comments

[obdure]

[ HELLO, it is some early morning and most of the customers are here for to-go orders before they buzz off to work. Not many people stay, only a few are seated and chatting over some paninis or whatever menu I used.

There are also few staff for the morning—a blond girl with a pixie cut, a large burly blond man, then himself in stark difference TO THESE EVIL BLONDS.

He gets to deliver Adolphe's order and this would be where he says enjoy your morning, but... It hits him when he sees him. ]

Do I... Know you?

[ What is this feeling? He has never seen this man in his life. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Blonds are evil. Adolphe stopped by this cafe because he was on his way somewhere, but barely had enough sleep and he didn't want to take chances falling asleep while driving, so he made a quick stop here. He ordered coffee, and while waiting, he tried his best not to fall asleep after dozing off six times. He's exhausted.

That's why he gives Jacopo a flat look when he asks that. ]

It's too early for this kind of flirting to your customers, isn't it.

[ He doesn't even want to be flirted with!! ]

[obdure]

You—[ Instantly, he feels a flare and his eyebrows knit, but he stiffens. A not customer-friendly tone.

Fuck. He can't be rude to a customer, but alongside the shock of accusation is an incredible fluster where his cheeks color a bit. He is both embarrassed and offended. Calm down. ]

That... No. I—you. [ FORM A SENTENCE, YOU ARE NOT THE ONE DOZING OFF, is what how he berates himself. ] I am serious that you look familiar. It isn't flirting—I wasn't.

[ GET IT TOGETHER, BEARZATTI. However, how dare Adolphe IMPLY he is trying to flirt. Calm down. ]

Sorry for having mistaken you. I did mean it genuinely, no ulterior motives.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe squints, staring at Jacopo's face, looks down, looks back up again and takes a sip of his coffee. ]

... Okay? I've never seen you before and I'm not particularly well known for anything.

[ k ]

[obdure]

[ How is it they have only exchanged a couple of lines and he's already annoyed with this man. The coffee is very good aside from the awful company. ]

... Yes, and I apologized, so you didn't need to explain yourself. You look homely, so it would be easy to mistake you for someone. Again, I'm sorry.

[ OKAY. CALLS SOMEONE EASILY FORGETTABLE BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER GUY. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe will make a note that the coffee is really good and suits his tastes well and he considers coming back in the future... but then he looks at Jacopo and wants to take back his thoughts. Adolphe isn't particularly offended by those words, but he's annoyed by how Jacopo says them.

But he won't nag about it because service industry is difficult, and as much as he wants to make Jacopo's life harder at the moment, he doesn't and lets it go. ]

Okay, fine. Stop apologizing and go back. I also want to order a recommended pastry.

[obdure]

[ Imagine never coming back and this PSL ends. Jacopo truly has a way with words? In bad ways, he knows.

Adolphe SHOULD complain, so it is gracious he lets it go. It doesn't help that Jacopo kind of has a defensive air about him when he didn't at the first question he asked. It does loosen, much like his expression, when Adolphe asks for a recommended pastry.

BUT IT ALSO IS SOUR because he's like "GO BACK." He gets it. HE GETS IT. He fumbled. Goodbye, he won't be talking to you anymore once he goes fetch a pastry. He will be back. ]

This is a moroccan black olive chocolate croissant. [ It's like a large ass croissant because we are in america. Bi-colored with black strip that winds with the croissant layers. It is warmed up, toasty, and comes with a serrated bread knife. ] Moroccan dry cured black Beldi olives play beautifully with Valrhona dark chocolate and a hint of buckwheat. Finished with a light brushing of walnut oil.

I'd actually like to hear your thoughts on it since it's experimental.

[chrysanths]

[ Jacopo has a way with words. Sometimes they're bad, but sometimes they're absolutely heart-stopping in more ways than one.

Which is why when Jacopo brings out the croissant, Adolphe just stares at this and feels (and looks) a little overwhelmed, then looks up at the man. ]

... Hold on. How much does this cost?

[chrysanths]

[ The days pass without much meaning. Adolphe gets a lot of rest. He continues to sleep until noon and when he wakes, he's in a bit of a daze. It's weird to continue to oversleep, but he supposes Jacopo doesn't say anything so that he can finally catch up on his terrible sleep debt.

He thinks he's had enough time on the bed, so when Jacopo returns home that night and they watch another episode of Vincenzo, he eventually opens the conversation. ]

I think I've gotten enough rest, so you can take your bed back now. You're starting to look worse than I ever did.

[obdure]

[ They are eating chips as they watch the show, I decided. The dogs are behaved... They will not try to eat... Even though sometimes they give Adolphe begging eyes.

Jacopo was going to talk more about the synergy between Vincenzo and Chayoung, but instead Adolphe shoots him with this conversation. ]

Way to start a topic with saying I look like shit.

[ MY GOD ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe opens his mouth, closes it, and reopens it: ]

Sorry, but it's something I wanted to bring up for a while. You can take the bed for yourself now.

[obdure]

You're not even going to soften the blow...!

[ Adolphe really said sorry, you still look like shit, then continued. ]

[chrysanths]

It won't change what I said.

[ He also thinks Jacopo can take it, so he's not that worried about that. ]

[obdure]

... It's not because I'm sleeping on the couch.

[ The battle begins. ]

[chrysanths]

No, but it would help if you slept on the bed. I sometimes find you in weird positions on the couch at night.

[ When he sometimes gets up for water or something. ]

[obdure]

What?

[ HELP he's a bit flustered actually ]

Just because you caught me like that for two Sundays doesn't mean anything.

[obdure]

[ There was a little party at the cafe to celebrate one year anniversary since they've opened. It was hosted after hours for the staff and some local investors. Adolphe was invited for the sake of Jacopo wanting to socialize him, but... Genuinely also wanted him to be there. Hopefully, he didn't mind, and Jacopo would check in on him to see how he is, always a watchful eye even when he isn't right beside him and mingling with others.

There was some catering with tasty food, very friendly and casual chatting, but then a lot....... Of drinking. Mostly between Jacopo and Gratien, an employee. This is what happens when you get goaded into a contest despite being the owner.

Anyway, whether they're about to head up or they're upstairs at home, Jacopo is getting comfortable on floor like a lazy dog once Adolphe leaves him for even a second. The dogs (they've already been fed) are likely swarming him if they're upstairs, too. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe didn't mind being there, though he mostly kept to himself and didn't initiate any conversations. He didn't feel like he had to—for one, people kept trying to talk to him first and when the novelty of a new person wore off, he ate some food and watched others. Despite seeming aloof, he was having an enjoyable time in his own muted way.

But when Jacopo gets sloshed, Adolphe does his best to get him upstairs after cleaning up the remnants of the party. He designated himself to be the sober one, but he's still teetering on being tipsy. It's fine.

Then he sees Jacopo getting comfortable on the floor.

...

Maybe it's not fine, actually. ]

Jacopo, you can't sleep on the floor...

[ He comes back after getting a glass of water. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo drank a copious amount of alcohol to win the competition and despite high tolerance he's finally paying for it. Why did he do that.......

The dogs make way for Adolphe, but Jacopo is on the floor, blearily opening his eyes and looking up at him. were you always this tall......??? he thinks to himself while on the floor ]

M'not sleeping.

[ However. Doesn't get up. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Jacopo got so baited... Adolphe sighs, petting one of the dogs that's the closest to him before lowering himself to grab at Jacopo's hand with his good one. ]

You will eventually if you stay on the floor. Come on. Get up.

[obdure]

[ Rocco licks Adolphe's hand after the pet, but the dogs just stay around though not in the way.

Thank you for helping him. He does try to like... At least maybe sit up on the floor to meet Adolphe's gaze. Slow blink as his brain buffers and loads. ]

I think I'm in love with you, Adolphe.

[ He meant to ask if the water is for him. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Okay.

Adolphe wondered if he misheard that because he drank and... no, that's a pitiful excuse. He's sure he heard that right, but also. ]

What?

1/2

[obdure]

[ Wow. Alcohol really unlocks something in his neurotic brain where all of the emotions he had kept in check starts flooding. Inhibitions loose, sincerity comes easier.

He grips onto Adolphe's hand. ]

I want...

[ Have you ever been looked at with so much adoration only meant for you— ]

[obdure]

[ But then he sobers up INCREDIBLY fast as he realizes what he said earlier and lets go. ]

I'll call myself a hotel to stay.

[ Stands up abruptly which isn't the best idea considering he wobbles to stay balanced and fishes for his phone while heading back to the foyer. ]

[chrysanths]

[ OKAY

Adolphe grabs onto Jacopo's shoulders to gently bit firmly seat him down on the couch. He does this despite the glass of water on one of his hands. Sorry about the extra sudden movement. ]

Stop that.

[ Though he's slightly red in the face as he sighs. It's fine. Don't look at him. It was really that look from earlier. ]

Stay put. Here. Drink some water.