#oc cain

You noticed how he hasn't let go of your hand yet. You told him that it's no issue and you're interested in getting to know him better. He's so much different compared to Cain, you don't think he can even hurt a fly.

His eyes glimmered and his grin got even wider. "Really!? Oh, that's wonderful!" Abel finally let go of your hand to excitedly clap his own. This eccentric man then lightly bounced on the spot.

"T-then um, can I have your number... please?" He looked at you with puppy eyes that are impossible to resist. You ended up exchanging contacts with Abel, all the while, he's acting like he has won the lottery.

It absolutely feels flattering that you're such a prize to Abel, that he's literally gyrating in excitement.

"T-thank you! Can I um... go on a date with you today? I-I mean, after your shift of course, whenever that may be..." He mumbled at the end, but you could tell that he was holding his breath, waiting for your verdict.

Ah, what the hell. Sure.

You nodded, and told him that you're going to finish your shift in the afternoon. There should be plenty of time for you and Abel to get acquainted.

Abel lets out a gleeful gasp. "Thank you! I promise, you won't regret it!"

He then bowed deeply, his chestnut hair fluttering in the air and concealing his eyes. You simply scratched the back of your head in confusion and slight embarrassment.

"I-I'll get ready, see you later!" Before you could return the sentiment, Abel was gone. He pranced out of the cafe at the speed of light.

You took a deep breath and exhaled with a shake of the head.

--

Your shift has gone by smoothly. As smooth as it can be, there are still some customers who annoy you, but it's considered a mild day.

You admit that you're a little excited for this spontaneous date with some stranger. He's kind and meek; you somehow crave that softness right now. You wonder why.

Hanging up your apron, you grab your belongings before leaving the cafe from the front entrance. Customers are still pouring in as it's just mid-afternoon.

You fished your phone out and checked if Abel had sent any texts. None so far.

Perhaps he chickened out. Sighing, you began walking to your bus stop. You weren't too disappointed because you didn't expect much. It was just a fun, random event to spice your life up a bit. You would rather have this than another Cain in your life.

"W-wait!" You heard the tapping of feet. Turning around, you saw Abel running after you, dressed up all nice in his brown, cozy, oversized woolly sweater, a pair of ironed khaki pants, and new white shoes. A bouquet of roses in one arm, and a heart-shaped chocolate box in the other, he rushed towards you excitedly.

Perhaps a bit too excitedly, as he tripped on his own ankles. His entire frame was thrown forward like a rag doll. You winced when he hit the hard ground with a loud thud, petals spilling around him, and the box was flung a distance away from his once-iron grip. You're sure that he has taken a great deal of damage from that- physically and socially, as he had landed flat on his face.

Abel let out a pained groan as he weakly scraped himself off the floor, hands trembling as he pushed himself up. You saw a splotch of scarlet on the area where his face was stamped.

You approached him and asked if he was okay.

"I-I'm sorry... U-um..." He tried adjusting his glasses, but the frame is bent. It's a miracle that his lenses didn't shatter and blind him. Abel's nose was dripping with blood, and his face was as red as his nasal discharge. He tried looking up at you, only to show that his doe-like brown eyes were watery. Abel was absolutely humiliated and crushed that your second impression of him was this foolish accident.

You stared at him, as he stared back, starting to sniffle. You thought that it was due to his injury, but you thought wrong.

"I-I'm really sorry... That was so e-embarrassing-- I didn't mean to-- U-um..." His voice was wavering as more tears welled in his eyes, blurring his vision and threatening to spill over. Abel's chin was wrinkled as he tried not to cry pathetically in front of you.

What the hell is up with this guy?

You immediately assured him that it was no issue and tried your best to comfort him. To which Abel found some solace and relief. To try and bring the attention elsewhere, you gathered the roses and the box, with the intent of handing them back to him.

He's finally on his feet, smoothing his clothes and inspecting his glasses. You tried pushing the items onto his arms, which took him by surprise, and started another blubbering cascade.

"O-oh! These are actually for y-you... Unless you don't want t-them? I mean, I-I should have asked if you liked roses or chocolate... I'm so sorry--"

You cut him off, saying that the flowers are beautiful, and whatever chocolate may be in that box is your favourite. Never mind that, is Abel actually fine? You asked him if he's okay. To which, he bashfully looked away. It's a bit funny that he's acting so shyly with blood crusted on his lower face.

"Yes... I-I'm okay." He gulped, and he momentarily closed his eyes before speaking. "E-even better now, that I get to s-see my beautiful date." Abel then looked at you expectedly.

Awkward silence hung over the two of you. It probably got unbearable for him, as Abel then covered his face with his sleeved hands.

"Ah! That must have been so corny! I'm s-sorry! I just really, really like you!"

You let your shoulders sag. Abel is definitely a peculiar man. Wanting to put him out of his misery (his incessant self-deprecating mumbling), you told him that you think that it was nice and you think he's a swell man. Abel, too, looked handsome in your eyes.

"Really!?" His eyes sparkled, and you swear you could see an invisible tail wagging behind him. "T-thanks! I think you're beautiful too! W-wait, I said that already, I'm sorry..."

You asked him where he is planning to take you, choosing to ignore his last self-bashing.

"R-right! The date... Um... I was thinking that we could eat at t-this nice restaurant just around the corner..." He took out a packet of facial tissues from his pocket and began cleaning himself up.

"A-and then there's this bookstore nearby that just opened, I heard that they have all kinds of collections-- a-ah, unless you're not interested in that?" Abel eyed you nervously, almost expecting you to berate him in the middle of the street.

You told him that his plans are wonderful and that you can't wait to get started. Which made him break out into a wide, gleeful grin.

"O-okay! Shall we...?" He brought his hand near yours, trying to hold it. "U-um, I can carry the flowers and chocolates... I can also carry your b-bag, it looks heavy..."

You took up on his offer, letting him hold everything for you. In exchange, you held onto his arm. Which made him widen his eyes and flush the tip of his ears until they almost appeared to glow.

His spectacles crooked, the skin under his nose stained, yet he has this dreamy yet cautious smile on his boyish face.

You and Abel began walking to the restaurant, and you think that he might be a little concussed as he's slightly stumbling on his steps.

"W-what's your favourite colour? I-I like purple, because I like lavender. I also like the smell of lavender, it's so soothing!" You didn't miss the fact that he was anxiously biting his lower lip in anticipation of your response.

Abel can really use a masterclass in small talk. Nonetheless, you decided to humor him and say what your favourite colour is, and why it came to be.

"That's cool!" He beamed. "I had a bike in that colour once! I loved that bike; I never went to class late because of it!"

Okay... well. You guess you can see how this is going to be a long date.

You decided to continue the conversation by adding to it, relating to the last topic that Abel brought up. It was definitely intriguing how he could drag the chat all over the place. He's awfully awkward yet charming at the same time; you don't think he runs out of stuff to talk about with his fascinating ability to just... conceptually connect things. Albeit quite immaturely and innocently.

Eventually, you two reached the restaurant. But by then, you knew an awful lot about him, including the fact that he likes purple because it reminds him of lavender, which he likes the smell of. He had a bike in your favourite colour, and he uses it to get to school.

He liked science-- especially talking about plants, animals, and he has a pet lamb named Aries. His uncle is a shepherd, so that's where he got the lamb. Abel thinks his uncle can be a little rude sometimes, but he means well, because his uncle always feeds Abel and his family delicious food whenever they come to visit. He likes the blueberries his uncle gives him because they're fun to eat. Abel would fling them in the air and try to catch them with his mouth-- and that reminded him of basketball. But he dislikes basketball, because his peers would hurl sports balls at him to try and hurt him during middle school and up to high school.

It was a lot. You felt like you knew everything about him, at the same time, nothing about him. You're happy that he lost the stutter during his conversational flow, though.

You and he got seated by the hostess. Abel picked the menu up, and so did you, perusing through the items and contemplating what to order.

"O-oh um..." You were a little disappointed that his speech got its stammer back.

"Please f-feel free to get anything you want... It's all on me." He smiled before shyly hiding behind his own menu.

You shrugged before ordering what you would order in a typical Italian restaurant. The waiter nodded and scribbled your choice down.

"I-I'd like the um... Carbonara please. A-and a Tiramisu to share with m-my date... If that's okay with you! Unless you like another--" You cut him off and said that it was fine. The waiter did not give a damn; he merely took your orders and left with the menu tucked under his arm.

It took a second or two of silence before Abel started talking.

"W-what do you think about the Carbonara and Tiramisu? I like Carbonara because it's really creamy and smooth. Tiramisu is also creamy and smooth... and cold! I like cold desserts, like ice cream... what's your favourite ice-cream flavour? Mine is vanilla, because it's tasty and safe..."

You smiled, but sighed inwardly. Well. You can't say that he's a bad communicator; you guess.

---

Okay, you did not expect him to be a chatterbox. You had the feeling that he didn't have a lot of people to talk to if he's talking like this.

It's not that he only talks about himself. He did ask a bunch of questions to get to know you, but it felt... inconsequential. Very basic, seemingly shallow questions. During that entire three hours, you never once asked him a question, because he simply revealed whatever he wanted to reveal-- which is an information overload by most people's standards.

He was prattling on and on about everything, anything, and nothing. You actually wanted to peruse the bookshelves in that bookstore, but he was just serving you yappuchinos after yappuchinos. Holy shit, was it draining. Yet you can't bring yourself to tell him to stop, let alone to shut the fuck up. There were times when you just wanted to be left alone, looking at a book that intrigued you.

But Abel is just going on and on and on about... you're not even sure what anymore. You just know that his questions did irritate you to no end at one point because you can barely concentrate on the words in your hand. He didn't seem to get the hint, though. Abel appeared oblivious to the fact that you're replying to him with one word or dismissive hums.

He genuinely appears to enjoy himself and your presence. And you felt bad if you were the reason for making him tense up again. So, you just... played along.

Your people-pleasing habits know no bounds. As it turns out, Abel doesn't drive. You don't think he could with his glasses so bent out of shape from his splat. You thought that he would just let you go for today when you made your way to the bus stop, but you thought wrong.

He kept talking, quite like he was in some sort of a trance, as he didn't realize that he got on the bus with you. And from earlier yakking, the direction of his home is the complete opposite of yours.

When you pointed that out to him, he jolted as if he woke up from some deep hypnosis. However, the bus was already in motion by the time he realized.

"I-it's okay, I'd like to a-accompany you home-- If that's okay with you! I-If you're uncomfortable with that, I can get off at the next stop... gosh, I-I don't mean to sound like a creep, I just um..."

You brushed it off. Telling that it's fine. You appreciate the company anyway, since it's getting late and dark.

That seemed to soothe him for a bit. You thought that perhaps he would be a little quieter on the bus. As no one was talking and only the rumble of the bus's engine could be heard.

The glow from the receding sun illuminated his eyes, making them appear beautifully golden. Abel is by no means ugly; he's quite the looker with his soft boy aesthetic and vibe. His fluffy brown hair further exaggerates his gentle yet dorky nature.

You were about to zone out staring at his features, until he caught you, and instead of being flustered like what you expected...

"...I really like sunsets. They remind me of mangoes. Do you like mangoes? They're really tasty, especially when they're frozen!"

You exhaled from your nose forcefully as you replied with a neutral comment.

And so, the eternal yap continues. Garnering a couple of strange looks from other passengers as he was the only one making that much fucking noise in the otherwise relatively quiet vehicle.

You were checking the time on your phone and looking outside, feeling like today's ride is longer than you're used to.

You wonder if this was how Cain felt about you, and that's why he would lash out the way he did whenever you expressed curiosity about his life. You guess his reactions made sense, what you wouldn't give to just... escape from this noisy puppydog of a man. You really don't want to hurt his feelings, but you're just so exhausted.

If Cain were here, Abel would have his skull caved in all the fucking way.

...Hey, that thought sounds familiar, as if you read it in some book, somewhere...

Wait, why are you thinking about Cain anyway? He's out of your life; he shouldn't take residence in your mind anymore. Weren't those two years of bullying in your own home enough?

You saw some familiar landmarks and drove your finger against the "stop here" button harder than you ever had in your life. Thank god, you're finally free... You think.

You thanked the bus driver, and so did Abel. He trailed behind you, starting up his chatter engine half a minute later. Never stopping, even as you reached the front of your apartment, right on the doorstep.

You interjected and told him that it was a long day and that you were going to retire for the evening.

Abel is back to his sweet, blushy self. "O-oh..." He shuffled his feet coyly before parting his plump lips to speak again.

"I really had a great time and um... I really want to see you again..."

He handed you your rose bouquet and box of chocolates. Your eyes flicker towards the bloodstain on the hem of his sleeve.

"Can we please have another date? I-I mean, I'm okay with whenever, I can go on another one tomorrow-- that is, if you want! I don't want to pressure you into--"

Tired, you simply said yes. Whatever. You just need him to piss off for today, and you can deal with the mess tomorrow.

"U-umm, does that mean I'm your b-boyfriend now?" His gaze was hopeful with a tinge of desperation and fear.

Uh... you weren't sure what to say about that. So you didn't speak up, but you gave him a tentative nod alongside a shrug. That was enough to have relief wash over him and to let himself finally relax.

"Can I... Can I please give you a kiss?" Abel asked, his voice just above a whisper as he bashfully fidgeted with his fingers.

Sure. Why the hell not--

You were surprised at how quick he went ahead and pressed his soft lips on your forehead. He pulled away as fast as he dove in.

"OKAYSEEYOUTOMORROWIREALLYLIKEYOUTHANKSFORTODAY!" He shouted out as he bolted away. You caught that he was covering his face while running, huh. That shy?

You couldn't really process what he just blurted out; it was energetic and garbled. But you think he's just saying goodbye.

You shook your head and began unlocking your front door.

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