4Chapter 3
Again and again Jonathan returned to Stone Mask.
Again and again Dio spit in his coffee.
It was like clockwork. Every week on a Thursday or Friday, Jonathan would stroll in with his unmatched air of friendliness and enthusiasm, so much so that Dio would not be surprised if flowers bloomed with his every step. He'd then approach the counter and bashfully ask for Dio to recommend him a dessert or some other trifle to go with his drink. After the short exchange, Dio would then complete his ritual of blessing Jonathan with his saliva, he could not even remember how many coffees he spit in in his life.
He now came to see this as a sort of territorial marking thing. Because really. Jonathan was drinking his spit. Almost nothing about that was anything like an indirect kiss, that momentary folly was merely a result of Dio's lack of words. No, what Dio felt for Jonathan was much deeper than anything so silly and romantic. He did not know exactly how to describe it in the end, even with his unmatched cleverness, but Dio did know that he wanted Jonathan. And if all went according to plan, Jonathan would certainly be his.
Today, that is, if Jonathan was predictable and showed up as expected, Dio planned to ask Jonathan out. He still wasn't entirely sure how he was going to go about this, but he assumed it wouldn't be that difficult. Jonathan should be thrilled that someone as sexy and interesting as Dio would even give him the time of day... Actually, when it came down to it Dio felt he would probably be loathe to help Jonathan in any way, but that wasn't necessary for a relationship was it?
Dio lifted his head and he noticed Erina was looking his way. What did that bitch want? She quickly turned away when she realized she had been caught, but the way she began wiping that table down seemed very pointed. Dio took the hint and began occupying himself with cleaning his workspace, as it was the least busy time of day and no customers were waiting for him. The rag glided over the countertop and a tune that had been caught in Dio's head all week found its way to his lips in the form of a cheerful whistle. He circled around his workspace, deftly wiping down all the messy machinery. He was really getting into his own whistling and he began moving his hips in time with the music. He could no longer contain himself and he burst into song.
"If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?" Dio sang out as he whirled around to continue wiping around the pastry case. He then found himself eye to eye with none other than Jonathan.
Abject humiliation. There was no other way to possibly describe what Dio was feeling in that moment when Dio's golden eyes met with Jonathan's azure. The tune immediately died on his lips, the last note tumbling down to fall like a pindrop in the excruciating silence. And then Jonathan began to chuckle. Dio was mortified yet he fought through his inner turmoil and succeeded in keeping his face cool and composed. Despite himself, he could feel his eye twitch. Slowly a smiled formed on Dio's painted lips (Chambord from NYX's Macaron line). He waited patiently for Jonathan's giggle fit to subside before he began to speak.
"What can I do you for today, Jonathan?" Dio purred, not like a pleasant house cat but rather like a grown man purring.
Jonathan let out another small squeak of a laugh one that Dio could easily believe to be a nervous laugh. The rich young man's face was still pleasantly flushed from his laughter and he was slightly out of breath. Dio's stomach twisted itself in knots like it was going for a boyscout badge. He watched as Jonathan's chest rose and fell and strained against his clothes. How did Jonathan even find a sweater vest that fit that barrel chest? Dio licked his lips. If Dio had a body like that, there was no way he'd dress so stuffy, no if he had a body like that he would definitely put it on display like a trophy...
"I'll have the usual coffee. What snack looks good today, Dio?" Jonathan's voice sounded slightly strained; did he realize Dio was staring? Whatever the reason, Jonathan's uncomfortable tone made Dio rethink his first instinct to say Jonathan was the best looking snack in Stone Mask today. Instead he glanced over at the pastry case for some inspiration.
"These scones are new, if you'd like one. They're tart raspberry almond scones, but the creamy sugar glaze balances out the flavor perfectly." Dio licked his lips again and not necessarily because he was enticed by his own pastry description.
Jonathan nodded happily. "Alright, I'll have that then. Thank you so much, Dio!"
Dio grinned at Jonathan wolfishly. He rung him up and gave Jonathan his change, his hand lingering in Jonathan's for a moment too long, and his eyes staring into Jonathan's blue ones in a similarly uncomfortable way.
One polite cough from Jonathan later, and Dio was preparing Jonathan's usual extra special vanilla latte. No matter how many times he did this is was always exhilarating. The steam floating into his face, hot like his passion, and the satisfying smugness of doing something devious that nobody else knew of right in front of their faces. All of it was thrilling, but the thought of marking Jonathan as his was by far the most intoxicating. His salivation at the thought made his job all the easier, the spit falling from lips left them parted. Unconsciously, Dio's head had tilted back slightly and his eyes were half lidded. Jonathan had no clue just how lucky he was to be graced with the attention of a god like Dio.
In fact, he had no clue at all that he was being graced with such attention and Dio felt almost... Angry about it. Of course, spitting in someone's drink probably wasn't something you should share in this society, but Dio could not stand the fact that Jonathan was his and he didn't even know about it. What if that idiot had fallen in love with someone else? Dio grit his teeth together. Jonathan was his, and only his and he would crush anyone that got in the way of that, even Jonathan himself.
A quiet humming from the counter caught Dio's attention and he realized he had been standing there thinking for too long. He loosened his grip on Jonathan's cup, which had crumpled ever so slightly. He was sure Jonathan wouldn't mind but... Dio had an idea. And this time his idea was not spitting in coffee.
He rummaged around in his apron pocket for the sharpie he used when Stone Mask was particularly busy and he needed to write orders on cups as both he and Erina were working behind the counter. His fingers found the cool marker and he seized it with glee. Deftly he scrawled on Jonathan's latte in his most gorgeous lettering:
"❤ ❤ Be mine ❤ Call me 520-867-5309 ❤ ❤"
Dio was very proud of his aptitude for drawing hearts, he thought the way he drew them turned them into a very refined symbol. They were perhaps so stylish that for a second Dio considered adding them into his daily wardrobe. But this wasn't the time or place to be contemplating fashion, he had a man to capture.
Dio grabbed the scone, remembering at the last second the entirety of Jonathan's order, and approached the register. Jonathan was his usual smiling self and then his eyes fell on the heart adorned cup. His eyes bulged, bright cornflowers bursting from his sockets. Jonathan was white as a sheet, a ghostly pale tone that Dio had never expected to see from Jonathan's sunny, tanned complexion. His eyes would not look away from the coffee in Dio's perfectly manicured hand.
"Jonathan-" Dio began. Jonathan's eyes flew to Dio's face.
"Jojo!" Jonathan blurted, interrupting Dio. At the puzzled look on Dio's face he continued "Uh, Jojo, my name is- call me Jojo..." Jonathan's eyes had left Dio's and he was currently fiddling with his wallet. A blush had bloomed beautifully on his face.
"Jojo..." Dio said softly to himself, trying out the nickname for the first time.
Jonathan jumped ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly, but Dio's hungry eyes caught every quivering movement.
"R-right, Jojo is me!" Jojo's awkward laughter transformed into a small coughing fit. His hand rubbed the back of his neck.
"Uh um. Anyways. I'm uh- my break is almost over and I'm kinda running late! I'll, uh, I'll call you!" Jojo's hand reached for the latte and pastry bag and brushed against Dio's fingers and he recoiled back as if from a flame. He coughed sheepishly, and his eyes flit up towards Dio's once again. Dio smiled as kindly as he could manage, which made him look like a velociraptor. Jojo's face grew even redder if that was possible and he stammered another quick goodbye and grabbed his order.
Dio watched Jojo's hurried escape avidly, his eyes lingering on Jojo's big round juicy ass.
"Jojo..." He breathed, savoring the syllables on his lips. He chuckled to himself. That went better than expected.
Finally, Dio pulled his eyes away from where Jonathan had been, and he found himself looking straight into the horrified, pale face of one Erina Pendleton.
"Kars! I regret everything I've done!"
Dio was in Kars's office with Erina as she had reported seeing him spit in a customer's coffee. Kars's office was a relatively dark room, but it was covered floor to ceiling with all types of plants, vines, and even a large fish tank which provided most of the illumination in the room. In Dio's opinion, it was much more fitting for a zoo exhibit than coffee house manager's office, and right in the center behind a large bamboo desk sat the main zoological attraction. Kars was an extremely large, intimidating man with a piercing red glare, perfect eyeshadow and even more perfect luscious flowing violet hair. Dio had always greatly admired him save for one thing. He had a penchant for wearing almost no clothing save for a black silky loincloth and, today, a periwinkle tie plastered with images of kittens playing with colorful yarn. It rested against his muscular, oiled chest daintily. And all Dio could think was what the fuck.
Kars had not stopped glaring at him, and Dio figured he should continue to make his case.
"Being born so poor gave me these stupid ambitions! I've been foolish, trying to spit in the customer who helped me's drink, and take his money!" Dio willed the tears to fall from golden eyes, and as they trailed hotly down his face he sang triumph in his head.
"As proof of that I have come back to your office to surrender myself! I could have escaped but I want to atone for my crimes!" Dio missed the perplexed look Kars and Erina shared with one another at his last statement as he was too proud of his own clever ruse.
Erina saw it as her chance to speak up.
"Mr. Kars... Be careful! Don't trust this guy!" Her voice had an odd inflection to it, almost as if she was reading somebody else's lines.
"What?!" Dio yelled in disbelief at her exclamation. Erina shrunk back in fear.
Kars stood suddenly, his height towering in the cramped room.
"That's enough." He said with an absolute air of finality as he turned his gaze to Dio. His maroon eyes said it all. Kars disliked humanity, but at this point he considered Dio even less than humanity, less than all things in fact, nothing so dignified as even the sludge that snails were busy munching on in the fish tank behind him.
Dio felt like a paper bag.
"You're fired." Kars said in his deep, dangerous voice and Dio merely nodded and got up.
He collected his stuff and left. One of the best jobs he had ever had. It wasn't until the door closed behind him and he was alone in the alleyway that the spell was broken, and anger began to flood through Dio in burning waves.
Absolutely none of this was his fault no, no it was- an image of Kars, intimidating and powerful, flashed into his mind and he shuddered and shook it away. No this wasn't Kars's fault this was... Jonathan's! All of this was clearly Jonathan's fault! If he hadn't been so aggravating, so tempting and delicious, then none of this would have happened and Dio would still have a job. Oh, Jonathan would soon learn the consequences of messing with Dio. He would surely get his revenge.
"Jojo will pay." Dio spat vehemently. Overcome with his hatred, Dio suddenly felt the urge to yell.
"JOJOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" He howled viciously and startled a cat from its hiding place in the alley.
Yes... Jojo would pay for this dearly, his rival, his nemesis. Dio kicked a box out of the way from under his feet. But first... Dio needed to go apply at the McDonald's down the street.
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