#mangaworm

As the sun finally dips below the Winter Haven skyline, Milo practically trips over himself in order to get to his computer as soon as possible. Luckily, for the sake of his skin and the steaming cup of coffee in hand, he doesn’t actually trip, but catches himself right before sitting down in his computer chair. He sighs in relief as the mug ultimately sits undamaged on the desk beside the keyboard. With that minor wave of anxiety quickly passing, the college student hurries to log on to what has quickly  become his favorite website: dateavampire.com, constantly glancing at the clock in the corner of his computer screen. Hopefully he’ll make it on before-- ah-ha! As promised, exactly 20 minutes after sundown, a window appears, alerting him to someone attempting to contact him through the website. Of course, Milo clicks the “ok” button and beams brightly as the always lovely sight of the handsome blonde male appears before him. Aaah, Lucian… simply spotting the supposed vampire on his screen sends his heart fluttering in his rib cage and brings a goofy smile to his face. He waves while Lucian fumbles with the device, mumbling something about no sound coming through. Right as Milo moves his hands towards the keyboard, the “vampire” gasps in pleasant surprise when he finally figures it out. The college student couldn’t help but smile and hum in amusement.

“Hi there, did you sleep well?” He asks, tilting his head curiously to the side with that somewhat silly smile at the corner of his lips. Regardless whether he believed Lucien to really be a vampire or not, Milo can tell that the gorgeous man before him just woke up not too long ago: his movements are slightly lethargic and he occasionally yawns. Plus, the “viscount’s” typically picture perfect golden locks look ever so slightly disheveled, which is definitely noticeable when compared to the usual perfection. If Milo attempted a call merely 20 minutes after waking up, someone might mistake him for a monstrous creature of the night.. He cannot help but feel a little jealous, but not that much. Upon hearing Milo’s question, Lucien’s lips curl up into a heart-melting smile as he nods his head slightly in response.

“I did indeed. Although, I do wish I could have woken from my slumber earlier so that we may talk longer. You only have a few hours until you must retire for sleep, no?” He smiles somewhat sadly now: the corners of his mouth drop subtly, as if the thought of not being able to talk to Milo for long upset him. Much to his surprise, the young man suddenly chuckles and shakes his head, which only confuses the blonde male beyond the screen.

“Not tonight. I’ve gotta upload my photos onto my computer and start on an assignment due Monday. Although, I doubt I’ll be concentrating too much on that part.” Milo cuts himself off with a nervous chuckle in order to keep himself from babbling on more than he already did. Lucien raises both brows in surprise, certainly not expecting this kind of behavior from the young man he has acquainted himself with.

“How do you plan on staying awake longer than you do already? You look absolutely exhausted at the end of our conversations most nights.” His lifted brows now furrow in concern. While he has not been human in quite some time, he is still certain that humans need a decent amount of sleep. However, Milo seems to not share these same concerns as he reaches off-screen and returns with a cup in his hand; the words ‘World’s Biggest Nerd’ face Lucien, but he has absolutely no idea what that means.

“Waaaaaaaaaay ahead of you. I made some coffee. So, I can actually stay awake this time.” Milo grins, obviously quite proud of his own plan and takes a drink from the coffee mug. A content sigh escapes him as he sets the ceramic cup back down once more. When he turns his gaze back to the computer, he spots Lucien simply blinking in confusion. Could it be… has Lucien never heard of coffee before? Damn, Milo has to admit: Lucien must be a talented actor for sure if he can fake not knowing what coffee is! That, or Lucien was born and raised under a rock and completely deprived of the caffeinated life blood known as coffee, which should be a crime in and of itself! Whatever the case may be, Milo decides to just go along with it, his eyes widening in horror at the thought of someone never trying coffee before in their whole life. “You…. you do know what coffee is… right?” Milo still asks, holding the mug out for Lucien to see inside. Perhaps it would jog his memory. Still very much confused, the “viscount” shakes his head.

“Not to my current knowledge, I am afraid…” Lucien scowls for a moment but ultimately smiles at Milo’s shocked expression. It was too precious, but he was not about to say that out loud. “Although, it seems to be something you enjoy, and is quite popular, considering your reaction and questions…” He observes, providing a starting point for the young man to begin his inevitable explanation. While Milo seems quite determined to learn as much as he could about Lucien, that much obvious to the blond from the insistence of the young man’s questions in their previous conversations, the viscount finds himself delighted by Milo’s plethora of expressions and animated explanations about things the college student probably thought mundane or normal. Could anyone truly blame Lucien for jumping on the opportunity when it presented itself? Besides, he truly wishes to know more about not only this “modern” world, but, right now, specifically this miracle liquid that Milo alluded to helping the young man stay awake rather than falling asleep around his usual time. It sounds more like some sort of medicinal draught than a pleasant beverage. Yet, the student before him seems to be doing just that: contently sipping away at the drink, which he barely catches a glance at, aside from that first look Milo gave him. It almost appears to be the same color of the photographer’s hair, perhaps a little darker? Certainly not a color that Lucien typically associates with beverages.

To the vampire’s relief and mild excitement, Milo lights up and laughs that beautiful, melodious laugh so unique to the young man. English, unfortunately, lacks the words to truly describe it in its entirety. “Well, you’re definitely not wrong, on either account. It just so happens to be the lifeblood of every college student ever…” Milo pauses and suddenly laughs again, as if only now catching onto his particular word choice. “Not literally, of course! But, we drink enough of it that it very well may be true! From all of the late night and all night studying, it’s practically a necessity. It’s got lots of caffeine which keeps us alert and wide awake. Plus, I think it actually tastes good, given enough cream and sugar.” He chuckles and looks at the cup again with a warm smile. “TT also calls it a ‘hug in a mug,’ especially if you’re just enjoying it rather than needing the coffee to stay conscious…” He trails off and spontaneously blushes faintly, setting the mug down and chuckling awkwardly out of embarrassment. “I kinda rambled a little bit there… Sorry about that…”

Lucien hums and smiles in mild amusement with a shake of his head. “No need to apologize, Milo. I was enjoying your explanation, especially when you called it… oh, what was it… something about a hug in the cup?”

“Hug in a mug, but really? You don’t mind it?” “Mind it? I told you before, Milo: you don’t have to hide anything or change how you act around me. Just be yourself.” Lucien reassures the young man with a stunning smile. However, the vampire begins to pout, somewhat, even without realizing it, his bottom lip becoming subtly more noticeable to Milo as the viscount slumps his shoulders. “Even so, I highly doubt that anyone here knows how to make coffee. Some are even older than I, and the rest are far too busy with their modern lives.” Lucien sighs softly. “So, it seems I will not be able to partake of this warm embrace in a cup anytime soon… how unfortunate.” The viscount tilts his head slightly with the sad pout only increasing.

Really? No one where Lucien lived knew how to make coffee? Milo almost couldn’t believe it! Then again, most people his age don’t make their own either; they simply go to the nearest coffee shop and have it made for--

Ah ha! That’s it! A coffee shop!

Lucien still has some hesitations about his ‘ability to adapt to the modern world,’ (which Milo suspected simply meant that Lucien wasn’t allowed to go to “clients’” homes, or he simply didn’t feel ready to go to Milo’s apartment) so the college student doesn’t want to push that issue or even bring it up. However, that doesn’t mean he couldn’t make an offer for a compromise of sorts. It couldn’t hurt to ask, anyway, right?

“You are thinking rather intently on something… Is everything alright?” The velvety voice pulls Milo back from his waffling thoughts. Returning to the present moment of reality, the young man blinks rapidly as a sheepish grin curls at the edges of his lips and an embarrassed chuckle escapes his throat. He reaches up to scratch the back of his head.

“Well, I don’t know if I would say anything is wrong, but… I suppose you could say that I am… debating something, but I don’t know if I should ask. I… I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or anything.” “Uncomfortable? Sweet Milo, I doubt that your words in any form could make me uncomfortable, save for you telling me that you do not wish to speak with me any longer… Although, that would trouble me more than make me--”

“No! No… that’s not it at all, not in the slightest!” Milo panics and shakes his head while his hands flail about. After the momentary freak out, Milo sighs with defeat. “Well… I was going to ask if… if you heard of the historical district? If you have ever been there? I… I know you said you don’t get out because of the--”

“Is there something in this ‘historical district’ that you wish to show me?” Lucien tilts his head slightly with a charming heart-melting smile. How could Milo possibly withstand such an expression? It is impossible!

“Sort of… Kind of… okay, yeah…” Milo finally admits with a bashful smile and flushed cheeks. “There’s… there’s a small coffee shop that opened not too long ago right on the edge of the district… I know, it’s a stupid idea. I shouldn’t have even brought it up. Forget I said anything.”

“Nonsense. I think it is a lovely idea. Do you think they are open late?”

Milo stares at the screen for a moment after the “vampire” finishes his question. Lucien… was he actually considering this? Going to a coffee shop… going on a coffee date with Milo? “O-Oh! Yeah, it’s near the campus. Well, close enough that students go from time to time, so it’s open all night, actually.” The young man chuckles, practically giddy at this point. To think that Lucien might actually want to go on a date… with him! That he would actually venture outside… to go to a coffee shop with Milo of all people! Those same thoughts of disbelief whirl about in a continuous cycle, over and over. If he didn’t know better, he might think that he was actually dreaming.

“Great. I do not suppose you could… erm… I assume there is a way to… the address for the coffee shop in question?” Lucien falters, trying to find the words of this modern world he currently lacked. “I am sure Gregoire-- a dear friend of mine-- could assist me with getting there, once I have a location.” He ultimately explains, hoping that would clear up the confusion currently knitting the young man’s brows before him. Fortunately, realization dawns on Milo and the college student quickly types away at the keyboard.

“If Gregoire is the friend that helped you set up your profile on the website, then I’m sure he could help you with this. Of course, there’s always the option of me coming to pick you up from--”

“Trust me, Milo. This is not a place you wish to be. Not all here are as kind and… civilized as Gregoire and myself. Please…” Lucien implores with a sad smile and… something that the college student can only describe as smoldering… puppy eyes. How was Milo supposed to say no to that?

“Oh, alright, but only because you asked nicely.” Milo teases with a soft chuckle before hitting the Enter key. A soft ping pipes up on the blond male’s side soon after, much to the young man’s delight and relief. “Well, that sound tells me you got it, so… when should I expect to see you there? I’m pretty much free every night this week… if you’re not busy. We could always wait until next week if that’s--”

“Milo. It’s okay. If you have no qualms, we could go tomorrow?” Lucien raises a brow, but simply smiles: no expectations or impatience, just a content smile. Milo raises his brows in surprise, certainly not expecting this kind of… immediate response from Lucien.

“T-Tomorrow? Tomorrow would be great! I can work with that. What time do you want to meet up? I know right after sunset wouldn’t be ideal, so how about 8, or 9? Would that work better?” Milo cuts himself short before he could allow himself to continue rambling on. However, Lucien doesn’t seem to mind, or notice the college student’s slight nervous tendencies as he hums thoughtfully, contemplating the young man’s question.

“How about we go with 9, just to ‘be on the safe side,’ no?” He smiles, somewhat proud of attempt at a colloquialism he heard Milo use before. “Nine o’clock it is then. Tell Gregoire not to make you late.”

With the coffee shop being somewhat close to his apartment, Milo simply walks through the historical district, his heart fluttering higher in his chest with every step until it feels lodged in his throat from both the nerves and excitement. Can anyone honestly blame him though? He’s finally going on a date (albeit just a coffee date, but still! It totally counts!) with Lucien! He actually pinches himself a couple of times to make sure this isn’t some kind of elaborate dream as he makes his way over to the edge of the district. The moment he reaches the coffee shop, and holds his hand out to open the door, he hears the engine of an expensive sports car revving right before it speeds off, causing the curious college student to turn away from the door, towards the source of the sound. As he does, his mind goes completely blank at the sight before him: those gorgeous amethyst eyes, that fair skin that nearly looks porcelain beneath the streetlights, accompanied by long flowing locks spun out of gold, or platinum, maybe both, and those lips… those smooth perfect lips now curl up in a bright, but also amused, smile. Milo swears his heart stops right then and there as he lays eyes on the man he has been talking to for months, in the flesh rather than simply through the computer screen: Lucien. If it was somehow possible, he looks even more amazing in person.

He notices Lucien’s lips moving, but it actually takes him a moment to catch what was being said to him: “I hope you were not waiting long. I know we agreed on nine, but it seems we were both too impatient.” He hums with amusement, as if realizing Milo’s elongated pause was because of him. The college student flushes bright red but smiles widely while nodding in agreement.

“I guess you’re right.” He responds with a sheepish grin before turning back towards the door. “C’mon, might as well head in before it gets too crowded.” Milo holds the door open and looks back at the beautiful man behind him. “Might as well.” Lucien repeats the college student and reaches into his pocket to pull out a pair of sunglasses, earning a quizzical look from the young man before him. “Although it is not daylight, artificial light can become an annoyance, from what Gregoire has said. So, I took this pair of reflective oculars he offered to assist with… potential unpleasantries.” Lucien explains while placing the sunglasses on his face and walking through the opened door. Although Milo stares for a moment, as if uncertain what all to believe in that, he ultimately smiles and nods.

“I guess headaches and stuff would make it difficult to be in a place like this.” The student rationalizes and follows Lucien inside, soon taking the lead towards the front where the menu board sits behind the counter covered with towers of coffee cups next to pots of freshly brewed coffee, and the registers staffed with overly friendly baristas.

“The aroma in here is odd, but intriguing and mostly pleasant. Is that from the coffee?” Lucien inhales as he turns to ask Milo his query. A couple of people wait in line ahead of them, so surely this would be a proper time to converse about it. The earthiness… with the subtlest notes of spices and smoke and… perhaps a touch of chocolate as well? It is quite complex with so many other varying notes, that he has some difficulty identifying all of the distinct fragrances. Some of them he has no name for, because he never smelled them before in his entire life. Milo looks up at him with a curious smile and nods.

“Yeah, that’s probably from the coffee. I bet they get the whole roasted beans sent here, and they grind them on site before brewing. Would explain why the smell is so strong, and possibly why you find it so odd.” He explains, doing his best to give Lucien the benefit of the doubt that the gorgeous blond man never truly experienced coffee before, as mind-blowing a concept as that is.

“They are beans? That are roasted and ground?” Lucien repeats, genuinely intrigued and curious. That certainly explains the subtle smoke, but perhaps the other intricacies are simply part of the coffee’s inherent characteristics? “And… brewed? Like tea, perhaps?” He recognizes the concept, but does not know how that is applied to coffee. Sounds plausible, at least to the ancient viscount anyway, but what did he know? Milo hums thoughtfully before laying his hand flat horizontally midair and teetering it back and forth.

“Somewhat, but rather than a pouch of the ground beans going into the cup, a filter full of the grounds is suspended over the cup, or pitcher in the case of the coffee house, and hot water is slowly poured into the filter. The flavored water steeped with coffee trickles out of the filter with none of the ground beans.” He tries his best to explain and slumps his shoulders in relief when Lucien finally nods in understanding. At last, they make their way to the counter, where Milo orders two simple lattes, something easy, not too crazy, and quick for the baristas to whip up. In a matter of moments, the college student leads them both to a somewhat dimmer table away from the majority of the light and sound. Lucien seems to relax a little as he sits down across from Milo, now curiously inspecting the cup placed before him. He watches Milo take a sip from the plastic lid atop the cup and sighs contently. “Not too bad, if I do say so myself.” Milo remarks. While he prefers to make it himself at home with his specific coffee and cream, he still enjoys the simple warm latte in his hands.

Only after hearing Milo’s comment does Lucien finally decide to try it for himself. He mimicks the same motions that he saw and soon tastes something very similar to the wonderful aroma around them, with a little bit of cow’s milk to lighten up the bitterness. Lucien hums thoughtfully with his brows raised in pleasant surprise. However, after a few quiet moments, the blond glances down at the cup in mild confusion. A slight perplexed frown curls his lips downward as his brows then furrow to further express this lack of understanding.

“Is something wrong? Do you not like it?” Milo asks, absently reaching over to place his hand atop Lucien’s. His warm fingertips brush against shockingly cold knuckles before the “vampire” looks over to him and actually registers the question. Lucien smiles apologetically and shakes his head.

“That is not it, Milo. I enjoy it, more so than I initially anticipated I would. However, I do not feel that… feel what you called it last night…” He glances back down at the cup with another confused and disappointed frown. Milo stares dumbfounded for a moment. Was Lucien upset that he didn’t feel the “hug in a mug” that Milo jokingly referred to the previous night? Although he really meant it in jest, the only time Milo feels anything remotely like that is when he makes it himself… and shares it with someone else, like TT or maybe--

“I’m sorry that it doesn’t live up to the expectations I might have accidentally set with my words.” Milo chuckles sheepishly and scratches the back of his head right as a thought dawns on him. “How about I make it up to you tomorrow night, if you’re still free? I have an idea about how to get you your hug in a mug~” Milo beams brightly, actually somewhat proud of this new plan, despite having come up with it less than two minutes ago.

“You do not have to ‘make it up to me,’ Milo. I told you I am enjoying this. But if you still wish to do so, yes, I am ‘free’ tomorrow for whatever you may be scheming.” Lucien responds with a bemused hum as he takes another sip of his coffee.

“Great! It’s a date then, again.” Milo chuckles with a wide grin as he, too, resumes drinking his latte.

Time ticks by slowly as Milo stands near the entrance to the large, well kept, city park: half commonplace park with benches, sparse trees, and a playground, and half partially tamed forest for those who appreciated the wilderness but seldom traveled far enough to actually see it otherwise. Lucien once told him that shapeshifters and werewolves felt more at home there, but Milo doubts that, much like the whole ‘vampire’ thing. Speaking of Lucien, where is that French speaking--

Right as the college student looks around, a vaguely familiar fancy sports car pulls up right next to the curb. The passenger’s side opens, and out steps that drop dead gorgeous man who inexplicably agreed to not one, but two dates with Milo. The young man beams brightly and waves, walking closer to the blond beauty as soon as the car peels off back down the road.

“I apologize for my tardiness… I had to wait for Gregoire to finish a business meeting. I did not wish to inconvenience him more than I probably do.” Lucien explains with an apologetic smile as Milo finally reaches him, although the college student blinks a couple times in confusion before looking down at his watch. A minute. Lucien was upset about being one minute late? It takes everything within Milo not to laugh, considering how sincere Lucien felt about his apology.

“It is alright Lucien, I haven’t been waiting long at all. Shall we?” Milo beans and starts walking toward the park entrance again, but not before something icy envelops his hand. He blinks in confusion as he looks down to find Lucien’s fingers intertwined with his own. His cheeks spontaneously radiate head, and probably turn a nice shade of pink or red by now. However, he says nothing about it and simply gives the “vampire’s” hand a light squeeze before searching for the perfect spot for an impromptu nighttime coffee picnic. It doesn’t take long for him to find a nice clear patch with an amazing view of the stars overhead. Only then does he slide the duffel bag from his shoulder, and unzips it to pull out a simple quilted blanket given to him several christmases ago, by some relative or another. He lays it out flat and sits down, patting the spot next to him to encourage the very confused Lucien to sit down. After he does this, Milo pulls out the other items in his bag: two coffee cups and a tall steel insulated thermos. He hands one of the cups to Lucien and sets the other in his own lap for the moment while opening up the thermos.

“I think I might have it all figured out: it wasn’t made by someone you care for, and who cares for you in return. I made this one, so hopefully this will do the trick.” Milo beams while carefully pouring the steaming hot liquid into Lucien’s mug. He moves on to pour his own as he spots the older man sniffing the contents of the cup and humming thoughtfully. Milo cannot contain the soft chuckle escaping his lips while he recaps the thermos. “Go ahead, it’s not going to bite or anything.” Milo urges with a light tease and another laugh, cradling his much in both hands.

“I never said that it would. I was merely waiting for you, that is all.” Lucien smiles gently before finally bringing the rim of the cup to his lips. He takes a sip and his eyes widen with surprise and delight. As he pulls the cup back, an elated smile brightens his face and the ‘viscount’ nods to himself. “Yes, this is it. This must be what you were referring to: so warm, but not painfully hot. It is… comforting. About the only thing that could compare is an actual hug, no?” He turns towards Milo, who was all smiles and flushed cheeks. The college student carefully sets his coffee up down with a thoughtful hum.