#lewnolo

It's ugly, I know</3

BACK WITH MORE GHOSTMUSIC SKETCHES

It was a few weeks later, and Manolo was serving food and drinks to the patrons of the Café Calavera. He sat down some plates of sweet treats, pre-made by Lewis, on the table. “So, that’s six Classy red cookies, and two Red Velvet cake milkshakes. Will that be all for you today?” Manolo asked the couple in front of him, fighting to ignore his envy of their love.

“No, this is everything we want.” The young male skeleton said. He picked up a cookie and fed it to his girlfriend, who giggled and then did the same for him. Manolo walked over and went over to Manny, letting his smile fall.

“They’re so in love it hurts to look at them…” Manolo said softly.

Manny looked at Manolo with a hint of pity in his eyes. “Sorry about that pal… Uh, so… Lewis spent the day with you yesterday, right? What did the two of you do?” Manny asked him to try and change the subject to take Manolo’s mind off of his pain.

Manolo smiled a bit. “Well, he helped me clean up my apartment, dragged him to the store, baked treats for me, and… We cuddled for a bit.” Manolo blushed a bit at the last bit as he remembered yesterday. Manolo rolled his eyes when he heard Jack gasp softly.

“So are you and Lewis-” Before Jack can finish, Manolo interrupted.

“No, we’re not dating. We just… Enjoyed some shared time together.” Manolo defented.

“Sounds like a date to me~” Jack sing-songed. Manolo rolled his eyes a bit.

“It wasn’t a date. Besides, why would he even want to date me? He’s so… Sweet, and adorable. He deserves someone full of love… Not me.” Manolo said, his voice becoming sadder and quieter as he spoke.He lightly hugged himself, knowing he had gained some trust issues and a bit of a temper after being murdered by the one he once loved with all his heart. Manny and Jack looked at each other, silently talking to each other about how to help Manolo.

“Manolo, I… Understand your heart still hurts from what Maria did to you, but… Maybe Lewis can help with that. Having a bit of a temper and some trust problems doesn’t make you a bad person.” Jack patted his shoulder, causing the younger skeleton to sigh.

“If you say so Jack…” Manolo muttered softly. He remembered when he first came to the land of the dead, how he would drink, cry, and then fight with random people.

Manolo hiccuped softly as he took another swig of the whole bottle of tequila. He slammed it down on the table and sobbed. “She killed me! I gave that woman years of my life, I tried so hard! I-I was even gonna FORGIVE her for cheating on me! B-but she just killed me!” He began to sob again, when he felt someone touch his shoulder. He turned around and decked him in the face. “Don’t touch me!”

He sighed and rubbed his face to shake off the drunken memory of starting a bar fight here… Again. He sighed and watched Lewis go around taking orders with a warm smile in his eyes. Manolo developed a soft smile as he watched him.

Lewis saw him watching him. He turned to Manolo and waved a bit. He then got back to work, walking over to a dirty table and cleaning it. Manolo watched him with a soft blush, watching as he bent over to better reach the other side of the table. Manolo licked his boney lips as he stared at Lewis’s shapely ass. “His figure is great! Nice wide hips, broad shoulders and chest, strong body… Not to mention is sweet, gentle, but no bullshit taking personality, I can’t help but wonder what he would be like in bed under someone…” Manolo chuckled softly as he imagined it.

“Well Manolo, I sure boner what you’re thinking about! Yohohoho!~” Brook punned softly as he stared at Manolo, who glanced down and blushed brightly at the sight of his own hard-on.

“I’m going on break…” Manolo walked away to the break room, and shut and locked the door behind himself. “Why here, of all times?! Ok, just, calm down… Ice, I need ice.” Manolo walked over to the fridge, opened it, and took some ice. He stuffed it in his pants. “GAH!!” Manolo waited for a while, and felt his boner die. He took out what ice hadn’t melted, and put it in the sink. He sighed, took off his pants and boxers, and stuffed them in the dryer. He turned it on and waited for a while. He picked up his guitar to both hide his shame and entertain himself. He hummed along as he strummed a few random melodies as they popped into his head until his pants and boxers were dry. After about fifteen minutes, he pulled them out and put them back on. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. “I won’t live that down for a while…” He looked at the time and saw it was about time for his afternoon show. He sighed, and grabbed his guitar. He left the break room and went to the stage. He sat down on his stool with his guitar, and looked out at all the people in the room and smiled. He began to play a soft love song, and smiled at everyone.

Wise men say only fools rush in But I can't help falling in love with you

Manolo looked over at Lewis and saw him watching, blushing softly at the light shining in his glowing pink eyes.

Oh, shall I stay? Would it be a sin Oh, if I can't help falling in love with you?

Memories of the day before flashed in Manolo’s mind, making him smile a bit as he thought of Lewis.

Like a river flows Surely to the sea Darling, so it goes Some things are meant to be He looked over at the young couple he served not too long ago. He watched as they held each other in a love filled embrace and he looked down at his guitar.

Take my hand, take my whole life too Oh, for I can't help falling in love with you

A memory of Maria standing over him with a knife, the pain he felt in that moment, hit his heart… But then another memory flashes before his mind's eye, and he sees an image of Lewis in a cute and frilly pink apron stirring up some brownie mix.

Oh, like a river flows Surely to the sea Darling, so it goes Some things are meant to be

Manolo blushes a bit more when it dawns on him that he’s definitely having deeper feelings for Lewis than just friendship, and can’t help the smile that lands on his face at the idea.

Oh, take my hand, take my whole life too For I can't help falling in love with you Oh, ooh, oh, for I, I can't help falling in love with you

Sadness hits his heart as he realizes Lewis likely doesn’t feel the same and probably still loves Vivi, and sighs as he finishes the song. He stands up and smiles at the crowd. “¡Muchos gracias! Esta canción fue para todos los amantes que veo aquí esta noche, ¡espero que se sientan felices el uno con el otro por toda la eternidad!” Manolo got off stage with a sad smile.

“Manolo, that was amazing! You always sing so great!” Lewis praised him, a warm smile shining brightly in his glowing pink eyes.

Manolo smiled softly at Lewis. “Thank you Lewis… I’m sure you sing well too.” He said softly, causing Lewis to blush softly.

“I guess, but… Well, I only sing for special people…” Lewis said softly, looking away from Manolo. He shook his head softly. “Come on, let me make you something.” He led Manolo to a table and sat him down. He left, and came back with a plate of cookie sandwiches. He put it down in front of Manolo. “They’re the same cookies I made yesterday.” He then put down an ice cold soda. Lewis smiled at Manolo with his eyes, and then walked away.

Manolo watched him leave and smiled. “Yeah, I’m definitely in love again…” He muttered softly as he watched Lewis attend another table.

“Are you sure you’re in love with him?” Someone asked him, Manolo turned around and chuckled, seeing that it was Joaquin.

“Yes, I’m sure. He’s… Different. What I feel for him from what I felt with Maria is different. With Maria, it was hot and burning, but with Lewis, it’s… Warm, but passionate. He’s… Precious, to me.” Manolo explained to his oldest friend, watching as he took a cookie from the plate.

“Well, he’s hot. You should make a move before someone else does.” Joaquin warned him. He rolled his eyes good naturedly when Manolo shot him a light glare.

“I doubt it, something tells me Lewis doesn’t give his heart, let alone his body, to anyone easily… Also, I can’t just ‘Make a move’ on him, as you said… I have to earn it, make sure he feels completely safe around me, and ask him gently. I don’t wanna speed things along like I did with Maria…” Manolo explained softly as he watched Lewis clean up another table whose tenets left.

Joaquin nodded in understanding. “Yeah, take it slow, but not too slow or else he might lose interest in you, assuming he has any… Maybe take him somewhere nice to hang out? You know, like a date, but not exactly.”  

Manolo hummed softly. “Maybe… But what if he thinks it’s a date and he leaves?”

Joaquin shrugged as he munched on a cookie. “Beg him to stay?” He said through a mouth full of cookies, making Manolo sigh.

“That’s… Alright, I’ll give it a try.” Manolo stopped himself from being rude. He took a cookie and began to eat it quietly. He looked around, and saw people talking, eating, and drinking with smiles. It made him smile softly at the sight of all the joy. He continued to eat his cookie, when Lewis placed a cup near Joaquin.

“Hello again! I’ve seen you around here a lot, but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten your name. May I know what it is?” Lewis asked him gently.

Joaquin smirked. “My name is Joaquin, but you can call me the man of your dreams~” He shot Lewis a wink.

Lewis laughed softly. “Well Joaquin, you’re quite forward, but… I don’t think you’re quite the person I dream of…” He poured Joaquin some water. “Manolo, do you need a refill of anything?” Lewis asked Manolo softly, a barely noticeable blush dusting his cheekbones.

Manolo stopped glaring at Joaquin to turn his attention to Lewis. “No thank you.” He smiled at Lewis warmly, a few loose strands of his hair framing his boney face.

Lewis smiled gently at him with his eyes. “That’s good. Call me over if you need anything.” He walked away, letting his hips sway a bit more than usual.

Manolo watched Lewis walk away until he heard Joaquin chuckle. “Manolo, he likes you. He would have at least blushed when I flirted with him.” He said as he took a sip of water.

Manolo shook his head. “No, he… Was most likely referring to the woman he loves, Vivi. He's still in love with her from what I know…” He said softly as he watched Lewis serve another couple.

Joaquin chuckled. “If you think so…” He ate another cookie, and then got up. “I’m going over to the bar to drink, see you later.” Joaquin walked away and sat down at the bar.

Manolo looked at him and sighed softly, glad his friendship lasted as long as it has. He felt guilt eat at his heart as he remembered how he used to hook up with Joaquin, only to break it off when Joaquin wanted something more…

Manolo was holding Joaquin closely in his arms, humming softly in the warmth of the afterglow. “...Hey, Manolo?” Joaquin softly softly, causing Manolo to open his eyes and smile warmly at him.

“Yes, Joaquin?” He gently ran his hand through Joaquin’s hair to soothe him.

“I… I want to be more than this. I want to go on dates and stuff, like a real couple…” Joaquin confessed softly as he blushed.

Manolo sat up in the bed, and looked down at Joaquin. “I… I’m sorry, but… I don’t feel that way about you Joaquin, you’re important to me, but… I don’t feel any romantic feelings towards you…” He gently reminded him. Joaquin sighed and turned away from him.

“...Get out of my apartment.” He ordered Manolo softly, trying to fight back his tears.

Manolo gently kissed his cheek. “Come on, we should try and talk about thi-” He was cut off when he was slapped hard by Joaquin. He looked down at his friend in shock.

“I SAID GET OUT!!” Joaquin shouted at him, his orange eyes filled with unshed tears. Manolo scoffed.

“Fine, I’ll get out. But understand this, we are no longer doing this. No more hookups, no more quickes when we hangout, and no more making out when one of us feels frisky. Call me later…” Manolo got out of the bed and put on his clothes, he stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door shut in his rage, ignoring the brokenhearted sobs…

He sighed and rubbed his cheek, remembering how he ignored Joaquin crying. He shook himself out of the more painful memories, and went back to his plate of cookies and ate them quietly. He munched on them as he thought about places to take Lewis. “He likes baking, right? Maybe an old fashioned bakery with me paying for everything would be nice… And maybe walking over to that park he sometimes goes to… Wait, what about taking him on a picnic? No, that definitely sounds way too much like a date… Yeah, just going to the bakery and then the park should be enough…” His thoughts were interrupted by a commotion. He turned his head in confusion.

Lewis had punched someone. The skeleton on the ground was a few inches shorter than Manolo himself, had small green irises, his bones were completely white, and like some of them, had a mouth that had teeth inside. He had shaggy brown hair that was greasy, and was wearing a light tan hoodie with jeans. “Don’t grab my ass!” Lewis shouted at him. The guy groaned and sat up.

“Fuck man, maybe you shouldn’t have gotten a  butt job if you didn’t want to be grobed! Plastic ass bitch…” The skeleton grumbled as Lewis crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

“I’m not plastic. Everything on my body is completely natural. Now I suggest you get out of here before I beat the crap out of you.” Lewis told him coldly. He pointed at the door as he glared at him. The skeleton walked out the door, passing by Manolo.

“What a fucking bitch…” Manolo reached his leg out and tripped him when he heard what he said. He stood up and glared down at him.

“Would you like to say that again?” He asked him, his orange eyes glowing in a menacing way.

“N-no! I-I’m sorry man!” The green eyed skeleton said as he rattled with fear. Manolo rolled his eyes and pointed to the door.

“If I ever see you in here again, I’m going to hurt you. Now go.” He commanded, and couldn’t help the chuckle as he watched him run out the door like a scared cat. Manolo sat down and went back to eating his cookies. He watched as everything went back to normal, and it made him smile a bit. He leaned back in his chair, and ate his cookies in peace, his drink being refilled by Lewis every now and again. Manolo soon finished his treats and drink, and took it all to the kitchen. He hummed softly as he washed the dishes, taking care to make sure each dish was cleaned properly. He smiled as one of the deadbeats floated over to him. He chuckled as the little thing perched on his head.

“Well hello there, enjoying the view?” Manolo asked the small ghost-like creature.

“Purr” Came the soft reply as he felt it nuzzle into his hair. Manolo chuckled softly. He fed the little thing a tiny treat with a warm smile. “You sure are cute…”

Manolo continued to clean dishes, and once down, dried them, and put them away. He then went back out, and began to take orders. As he fell into the motions, he lost track of time, and soon, it was time to close. Manolo hung up his apron and picked up his guitar. He looked at Lewis and chuckled. “Do you wear anything other than suits?” He asked him softly with mirth in his eyes.

Lewis nodded. “I do, actually… I could wear another outfit I have tomorrow if you wanna see it?” Lewis offered him gently.

Manolo blushed a bit and nodded. “Actually, yeah, it would be nice to see you in something a little more casual.”

Lewis smiled at him with his eyes. “Alright, something other than a suit is what I’ll wear tomorrow.” Lewis walked over to the front door, and held it open for Manolo. Manolo walked through with a smile. Lewis closed and locked the door, and then they both walked down the path that takes them out of the strange land that Manny made a long time ago. “Do you know how Manny connected whatever this place is to all other planes of well… Death?” Lewis asked Manolo softly, knowing very well Manny would never give him a straight answer.

Manolo hummed softly and shrugged. “All I know for sure is that Manny is pretty much a reaper and has a lot of power. That’s pretty much it.” Manolo explained. They soon arrived at a fork in the road, one path covered in marigolds leading to the land of the remembered, and another path that was of a gray mist with dead ground under it. Manolo turned to Lewis with a smile. “Well, we part ways here. Um… Say, this weekend, on our days off, if you’re not busy… I know this nice bakery, and I was wondering if maybe you want to go with me? Everything is on me, of course.” Manolo asked Lewis softly.

Lewis blushed a bit and smiled with his eyes. “I would love to go! I’ll make sure to wear something nice for it.” He hugged Manolo, something they started doing when Lewis first came to this realm. “See you tomorrow.” He pulled away and walked down the path that leads to his home.

S...stop