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]

[ 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.

[obdure]

[ DON'T LOOK AT YOU? Don't look at him, either. His face is a lot redder than before, but he's forced down on the couch when he had wanted to leave through the door.

He's not sure if his head is spinning from suddenly standing up to being forced back down or from the insane thing he just said. Very tempting to make another try to leave, but...

Downs the whole cup of water. Will this fix him? Seconds later, he's thinking about bolting again. It did not fix him. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He studies Jacopo's expression for a bit, as much as he can in those few seconds before going to retrieve a plastic bag. Here's your barf bag.

But did he leave when Adolphe left to go get it. ]

[obdure]

[ He is very flustered and purposely rubs the bottom half of his face to cover some of it.

Thank you for the bag. He hasn't left. He's still here. ]

[chrysanths]

[ The fact that Jacopo is still flustered is mentally taking him out. Just a bit! Adolphe tries not to look at Jacopo's face for too long, but he eventually has to. He can be a rude shit, but look... sometimes you need to look at someone when you talk to them. ]

... Do you want to wash up and go to bed? I have a feeling that you'll need the rest more than I do.

[ aka the bed is yours, don't fight him on this, etc ]

[obdure]

[ SHOULD HE NOT BE FLUSTERED? He's going through an emotional rollercoaster wondering if this is just an awful nightmare. He covers the lower half of his face first, only showing familiar knitted eyebrows that tell there's definitely a scowl here... Cheeks and ears still visible and bloomed red in color.

His face feels hot, so he ends up covering his whole face with his hand. What was the point of looking at him while talking to him now? ]

I can still check into a 24/7 motel.

[ Sure, he was a bit drowsy earlier, but now he's so wired. It would be impossible to sleep. ]

[chrysanths]

[ The redder Jacopo gets, the more Adolphe thinks that... it's really endearing. He snaps out of it when Jacopo mentions the motel though and he just. Sighs. ]

Enough. Go to your room.

[ You're grounded. Dogs, please help him. ]

[obdure]

[ Normally, he'd give an irritated look and a small bite back of a response to being scolded like a child, but instead he sulks. Like a child, a disheartened one with many worries at that.

All the dogs are gathered here today, sensing they're needed, and look up at Adolphe while Vera noses Jacopo a bit. What do you need them to do?

By the way, instead of going to his room he starts getting comfortable on the couch and also faces his back toward them. The role reversal. ]

[chrysanths]

... Jacopo.

[ He sounds so exasperated. ]

[obdure]

[ Small muffled "g'night" in response because he has pressed his face into the back cushion, hoping he will stop being red.

The dogs watch this like what will happen? Where are we sleeping? Olive will take the plastic bag to put it on the coffee table, though. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe frowns and watches Jacopo's back for a moment before standing to pick Jacopo up bridal style. ]

Okay, everyone. Follow me.

[ To the dogs. Jacopo doesn't get a say. ]

[obdure]

[ Oh, he squirms a bit before grabbing onto his shirt or shoulder because suddenly he doesn't want to fall. It's the image of a cat who is ready to angrily yowl. ]

Adolphe.

[ WITH SUCH KILLING INTENT, but the dogs all softly bark happily as they follow!! ]

[chrysanths]

Jacopo.

[ He replies very evenly as he goes inside the bedroom and places Jacopo on the bed and puts the blanket over him. Do not attempt to escape. ]

Good night.

[obdure]

I'd rather you carry me like a sack of potatoes.

[ Grumbled quietly as he's carried in, looking away the whole time. Embarrassing.

Tucked in, he just glares at him... Then bundles into a ball with the blanket. Rocco and Vera hop onto the bed, leaving the two dogs looking up at Adolphe expectantly. ]

[chrysanths]

I'll keep that in mind for next time.

[ He says quite dryly, wondering if this would help Jacopo feel less embarrassed. He thinks that but he reaches over to gently pat Jacopo's head with his good hand, then proceeds to pet the other dogs too.

He is going to tidy up the living room and go to sleep on the couch. Adolphe thinks that Jacopo didn't mean to blurt that out, so he will leave the decision of what to do about it to Jacopo the next day. ]

[obdure]

[ He tenses at the sudden touch because obviously he can't see, but instantly melts after. It's easier to accept when he can't see him and vice versa. Here's to whatever attempts to sleeping he'll try tonight.

Harold and Olive whine a bit that Adolphe isn't joining, but they understand the mood is weird. They follow him along the house and sleep with him near the couch when he finally rests.

Morning comes... It is Sunday... And obviously Jacopo is going to sleep in quite late, but Rocco and Vera nudges the door open to greet everyone else in the living room. Bork bork. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe gets up at a normal time unlike other mornings and gets off the couch to feed the dogs. Breakfast time. Then he stretches and does his morning routine quietly despite the slight hangover that he feels. He readies a cup so that Jacopo can drink more water when he wakes up.

It's a peaceful morning. ]