Title: Coffee and Camera (one-shot)
Pairing: TaNaka
Genre: AU, fluff and a little smut
Rating: NC-17 (just to be safe)
Disclaimer: I don’t these boys… I wish I did though…
Summary: Maru works in a coffee shop and Koki is a stalker… NAAAHH!!!! Read and find out. (^_^)
A/N: I’ve got so little time yet I laze around to update my multi-chaps when I get the chance. Instead, I ramble in one-shots and drabbles this past months… am I a loser or what? Also, I tried a different style in writing this fic. I wanna know what you think.


He looks down on the tiled floor and crumples the edge of his royal blue apron as the old woman kept repeating words that are bruising his dignity. He bites his lower lip taking each insult and silently wishes that the ground would break open and swallow him whole. Away from the woman in front of him, away from the pitiful stares he’s receiving right now. Another man in a clad suit comes and tries to downplay the commotion. He bows in apology in behalf of his ‘careless’ crew and makes amends to end the argument. The old lady refuses, instead, just throws more insults then takes a remarkable leave out of the establishment.

Koki watches the old woman walk away and thinks painfully why there are still evil people in the world, why they find enjoyment in upsetting other people. He puts his attention back to the poor fellow who is now being scolded for the second time around. Koki stares intently and feels a sudden pain t the pit of his stomach when he realizes that the poor guy is already close to crying. He feels his chest tighten when the guy gulped, trying to hold back the tears. Koki looks away. He finishes his coffee, grabs his camera and makes his own leave.

~**~

Koki puffs out another smoke, leaning on the post with the bus stop sign. He cleans the lens of is camera with the hem of his shirt until another figure stands beside him. From his peripheral view, the man seemed familiar so he looks up and finally sees a familiar face. The other man looks at him too before turning his eyes back on the empty street.

“Oh, it’s you…” Koki stands up straight and the other guy gives him a second look. “This morning, in the coffee shop.” Koki says further when the other just blinked at him.

“You were there?” He finally turns to Koki with full attention. “Hmmm… I’m sorry about that commotion a while ago.” He says sadly and bowls a little.

“Eh? You don’t have to apologize to me.” Koki briefly waves him off. “I bet… you were just in deep thoughts a while ago, weren’t you?”  He drops his cigarette on the sidewalk, stepping on it until the light died out.

“No sir… Just really clumsy.” He laughs quietly, shy of the admission.

The bus arrives and they make their way inside. The young man sits by the window and Koki hesitates for a moment. “Do you mind?” he asks and the other just shakes his head so Koki makes himself comfortable beside him.

“Here.” Koki takes out a white handkerchief from his left pocket and offers it to the man beside him.

“Sir?” he asks in confusion of the other man’s actions.

“You don’t have to call me ‘Sir’. My name is Tanaka Koki.” He tells him with a smile.

“But you’re a customer.” He turns his gaze on the ground.

“When we’re in the coffee shop, yes. But now we are not. You know, you are too polite and too kind, that’s why some sadistic people take advantage.” Koki then places his hanky on the other’s open palm. “Go ahead.” He smiles kindly before transferring on a seat three rows behind him.

The young man looks outside through the window, spreads the hanky before letting his tears meet the piece of cloth.

~**~

/>The next morning, Koki sits quietly on his usual spot, spreading pictures taken from the day before as he waits for his order.

“Here’s your caramel cappuccino, Sir.”  

Koki smiles at that familiar voice, now more cheerful than yesterday. He looks up to see a matching smiling face.

“Seems like you slept well last night.”

“I did, Sir. I feel better now. And thanks for this. I must admit that it helped.” He fishes out the white hanky from the pocket of his apron and rests it on a space at the corner of the table. “Don’t worry, I washed it already. Thanks again.” He bows one last time and turns to leave.
 
“You are most welcome, Nakamaru-chan.” Koki acknowledges and Nakamaru pauses halfway, turning back at him.

“I don’t remember giving you my name, Sir.”

“Oh… Your nameplate just told me.” Koki smiles proudly. Maru looks at himself and finds his nameplate pinned on his left chest. He blinks, thinking if he could get any more stupid.

“Anyway, I have to go back to work.” He finally excuses himself. Koki watches his retreating back and mentally slaps himself for thinking that Maru’s rear is somehow attractive.

~**~

That same evening, Koki patiently waits at the bus stop until Maru is off with work.

“You’re here again?” Maru asks when he reaches the bus stop.

“I regularly take the bus.” Koki reasons out in such normalcy.

“I do too, Sir. But it was only yesterday that I saw you here. I’ve been taking the bus for a year now.”

“I said Koki is fine Nakamaru-chan.” Koki corrects him and Maru quirks his lips in hesitation.

“Well then, Yuichi would be fine too, Koki-kun.”

“Yuichi… I like that better. Going back, Yu-chan, I just had a change in my workshift. That’s why you haven’t seen me in the past. I used to take the morning bus.”

“Sou ka…” Maru nods before curiosity takes over. “Where do you work, Koki-kun?”

“Over that building.” Koki points with his mouth to a high-rise establishment with a sign saying:  TOP READS PUBLICATIONS.

“Wow… you belong to the highest-selling magazine publication?” Maru can’t help but stare at him. The man looks so simple to be working in such a company. “Ah!” he suddenly exclaims with excitement. “You’re a photographer there!”

“Well, not really. Actually, I work as a graphics artist.”

“Oh…” Maru frowns at his misinterpretation. “So what’s with that camera then?”

“This?” Koki raises his camera a bit. “Ah, well actually, this is just more of my hobby… out of passion… I guess. Don’t tell me you’ve mistaken me as a professional.”

Maru pouts and Koki laughs slightly at the other’s expression. “Yuichi, that face was just adorable.” Koki remarks but the honking of the coming is too loud so Maru barely hears anything from what Koki said.

~**~

Eventually, things become a habit. Koki’s morning coffee is always served with a sweet smile and his photos of the most random things always get words of praise from a guy who seems to be easily amused with the simplest of things. And he decides that one Nakamaru Yuichi is enough to complete his day.

During evenings, Maru gets off from work and Koki is there waiting for him at the bus stop. They ride the bus together and Koki tells him of the silly stuff that happen in his workplace and Maru laughs like there is no tomorrow.

“You are really funny, Koki-kun.” Maru tells him one time as he brings up his dainty hands to massage his tired jaws and cheeks.

“If that’s what you think then I’m glad that I am because you’re really cute when you laugh like that.” Koki admits and instantly, three other people in the almost empty bus look at them in horror.

Maru blushes madly and thinks that he should’ve just kept his mouth shut while Koki is still pondering if he said it out too loud.

~**~

When Maru gets a couple of days off from work, Koki is not quite sure why he decides to skip work too. He calls his boss and lies to him that he is sick just to take Maru out to ‘fun’ places which happen to be the usual dating spots for lovers. And Koki is even more confused why he dragged Maru in such places. But his confusion gets replaced with undeniable anxiety when Maru’s hands brush against his as they walk side by side in the public park.

Unfortunately, the weather spoils the ‘fun’. They return earlier than planned and Koki asks Maru to just stay in his place instead of battling the heavy rain alone on his way home. When Maru agrees, Koki is more than happy.

From the bus stop, they take a dead run to Koki’s apartment. If it’s not as heavy as it is, Koki could’ve liked the idea of holding Maru’s hand under the rain but it’s the kind of rain that could get someone sick so Koki abandons the thought and saves the romantic idea for a more appropriate time.

Dripping clothes were hung to dry and Maru’s laughter fills the kitchen as he makes fun of himself… of how he looks in Koki’s baggy clothes and that another one of himself can still fit in it. Koki laughs in much amusement as he rummages his fridge for anything they can eat. Curse the damn weather. Koki initially planned to take Maru to a friend’s place for dinner but it would be shameful to enter a fine-dining restaurant with them looking like wet puppies. Soon, Maru finds a pack of pasta in the cupboard and they end up eating tuna spaghetti in pesto sauce.

“You’re a good cook.” Koki compliments him after the hearty meal.

“I’m good at a lot of other stuff aside from making coffee.” Maru emphasizes as he cleans the dishes and he can feel that Koki is staring at him from behind.

“I won’t be surprised.” Koki smirks.

~**~

They stay in the living room after dinner and Maru still can’t get over the shirt thing. They both laugh for quite a time until they run out funny things to laugh about and a very awkward silence takes over.

Maru suddenly feels a chill run through his back and he shivers slightly. Koki notices and rushes to his room, coming back with a thick blanket in his hand. He sits dangerously close to Maru and wraps the blanket over the other man. Maru looks at him in an almost painful way and Koki thinks he might melt. There is confusion deep in Maru’s heart that is dying to be answered.

“Koki…” Maru inhales, gathering the courage he has. After months of being around each other, possibly being way too close than normal friends do and maybe even dating exclusively… or maybe just for Nakamaru, things remained undefined and unofficial so Maru thinks that everything has to be cleared NOW.

“Koki… what… what are we?” he finally asks managing not to stutter or jumble the words.

Koki stays silent as he keeps his eyes on Maru. Yet, he doesn’t know how to say it. He was never good in verbalizing his feelings. Not even today. But he fears of losing this someone staring right at him now. So he just decides to put in actions.

Koki leans closer as his hand slips to hold the base of Maru’s neck. Maru closes his eyes in anticipation and soon Koki’s tongue was delving in his mouth. He felt himself being pressed down the couch. Maru opens his eyes; the fear might be showing because Koki seems to understand.

“Do you mind?” Koki asks, a hand moving down to cup his butt and it is all but implied. He shakes his head and closes his eyes again before surrendering to Koki’s touch.

~**~

Maru trembles underneath him and Koki breathes warm into Maru’s neck, but not as warm as Maru’s insides. Koki picks up pace while the loud pouring of the rain outside overpowers Maru’s moans. Soon, Maru screams in a surprising high pitch as his toes curl with Koki’s final thrust. Heavy breaths as their peaks subsided for the last tremors. They squeeze themselves on the couch, keeping each other warm from the cold rainy night.

~**~

The next morning, Maru opens his eyes and gets greeted by the constant rise and fall of Koki’s chest. He unwraps himself from Koki’s embrace and rolls off the couch. He puts Koki’s oversized shirt back on and wanders around the apartment. He enters Koki’s room to have a look and gets a pleasant surprise with what’s inside.

Stuck on the walls of Koki’s room are their pictures, though mostly of himself which were definitely stolen shots. Photos of him while he was cleaning in the shop, while serving to other customers, while laughing with his co-staff. Photos of him while sleeping peacefully in the bus, even the different profiles of his face. All taken magnificently, he even thinks if Photoshop has something to do with them.

He looks at how all the photos covered the walls artistically and then he starts to realize why Koki is not so good with words. Emotions were all found in his photos, enough for him to know that it’s love. He is almost in tears when a pair of familiar arms wraps around him.

“Don’t get mad. I wasn’t stalking. Promise…” Koki whispers softly in his ear and he turns to face him.

Maru gives him a good morning kiss before smiling sweetly. “I don’t mind Koki. I don’t mind.”  
 




___OWARI___




A/N: I tried a different writing style this time… is it good? Please tell me what you think.

And something’s up… Okay… I’m now working on a birthday fic for my one and only Koki… Too early??? Well, I’ll be on hiatus starting on the 3rd of November… I’m starting my internship already so I’ll be VERY VERY busy… plus the sad fact that I’m gonna stay in a friend’s house for my whole internship period so I won’t be able to whore the internet for about a month.

Yes, loser much… I might be a failure on Koki’s birthday… augh… but I’ll still do my best… (^_~) thanks for reading as always.