Read 'Em and Weep

English/Italian. Psych major. Musically inclined (singing, dancing, guitar). Gambling addict. Lover of expensive coffee. Reluctant heir to the family restaurant business. Loving older brother to an adorable little sister. Quite gay.

[alexdavidemarshall]

halifadventures‌:

A mess. Raymond was, very clearly, a mess. How on earth could he just admit something like this out loud? Of course Alex would want to see the drawings and of course Ray would end up sharing them, but how on earth was he going to explain the level of detail and overall softness of them? Anyone who knew the slightest bit about art would tell there was actual love and dedication poured into those.

If it wasn’t obvious he was crushing on Alex now, it would be the second he shared that sketchbook… And yet he was eager to do it.

“I don’t think I could explain half the embarrassing things I’ve just said even if I wanted to so I’ll definitely leave it at you finding it fascinating and try not to dwell on how mesmerizing I think you are. Which is probably the most compromising thing I’ve said so far and I kinda wanna crawl back down the hole I came out of, but I’m a serious coffee professional so I’ll deliver your drink before my imminent doom.”

His words were rushed, of course. He didn’t mean to be that much of a mess, but there was just too much too feel, too fast for him to process. Which wasn’t entirely a bad thing, because that rush of feelings also made him bold instead of shy. Clumsy too, but bold nonetheless.

“Tell you what, cute-tall-amazing-muffin-of-muffinness, I’ll serve your drink and… Well, my break starts in like 5 minutes. If you don’t mind waiting a bit, I’ll definitely join you and share all my artistic endeavours involving that face of yours-”

“Have you been sampling the coffee in between customers,” Alex said with a chuckle as the adorable barista continued to ramble on, clearly missing a filter. He wasn’t going to complain. Sure, he kinda worried that this lack of filter might not go over so well with other people, but at the moment, he found it quite endearing. Alex just hoped the boy didn’t say anything actually compromising for his own sake. The psych major in him wondered if there was some kind of disorder going on there or if Ray was just an incredibly flustered guy. That didn’t matter at the moment, however. “Ah yes. Very serious,” he replied with a charming smile.

“Oh? That sounds amazing. In that case how about I go sit back down over there,” he gestured to the tall table near the window where his laptop was currently sitting, “and you take care of these lovely people behind me first. Then you can bring me your delicious coffee, your art, and your adorable self. Sound good?”

[alexdavidemarshall]

halifadventures‌:

Ray couldn’t be happier to be having an actual good day. On a bad day, this conversation would be a total waste, and he didn’t even want to think on what would happen if this happened during an episode… Oh god.

But that was a concern for another day. Today he was serving his favorite patron and, with no line behind him, he could take his sweet time with small talk.

“Just keep smiling and that will be tip enough for this gypsy heart of mine. Not that I’m gypsy, of course. Just quoting Shakira… Which is not to say I’m latino either…. And of course I’m sure! Or- Well—- I could always make a better one, a decent one, in an actual piece of paper. I may or may not have my sketchbook in my bag and may or may not have already done it in the past. I also may or may not be a fool for admitting that out loud.”

Was he being too bold? Definitely. He was simply really bad at keeping his emotions in, for better or worse. If anything, he was glad nothing more compromising had left his lips yet.

“Oh, I know your name is Alex. I’ve served you before. I love how it feels in my hand when I write it.”

Compromising like that.

“One non-compromising caramel machiato coming right up. And a vanilla for this muffing! aaaaaand a muzzle for me because holy shit do I embarrass myself.”

“Well, I may or may not have observed you looking my way more than a few times while doodling away in that sketchbook of yours. You looked very intense. Almost passionate. Would it be asking too much to see one of your sketches? I’d love to see what I could’ve inspired. If you don’t wish to, that is fine. I know some people find their sketchbooks to be sacred.”

“How it feels in your hand when you write it? That’s a new one. Very poetic way of putting it. Is that an artist thing?” He mused. “ In any case, I do remember you serving me, and you have very lovely handwriting.”

Alex had to contain himself lest he burst out laughing. “Has anyone told you how utterly adorable you are when you talk like that? You are a very fascinating specimen, Ray.”

[alexdavidemarshall]

halifadventures‌:

“Aaaaaand if you look to your right you will find someone completely making a fool out of himself, yay,” he added, still in the same breath as he tried not to be too awkward about this. Oh, the perks of extroversion.

“Well, first of all, my distinguished and not-at-all-favorite-but-totally-favorite client, I would definitely recommend the caramel machiatto for this cold winter afternoon, followed by a very delicious and bombastical vanilla muffin just out of the oven. And if you’re feeling extra risky today, you can also take your napkin-portrait for no additional cost.”

He made a small pause, if only to breathe again.

“Portrait which is by no means too handsome to be you. If anything, your napkinly charm is nothing compared to the real deal with that amused smile that probably means you’re judging me and I’ll just stop talking and take your order now.”

“Distinguished and not-at-all-favorite-but-totally-favorite, huh? I am flattered. Are you fishing for a bigger tip? Because if you are, it’s totally working,” he joked. Alex was always a generous tipper anyway, but he was tempted to add more this time. “Well, that sounds absolutely amazing. I will take that. Biggest you’ve got for the drink. I need the energy.” He said with a charming smile. “As for the napkin, are you sure? Because I’d love that as well. I’ve, um, noticed that you seem to be drawing a lot in your spare time. If this is the kind of work you put on napkins, I can only imagine what you do on paper.”

“Ah, thank you so much. And no. Not judging you at all. Or, at least, no more than I do anyone else. I’m more of an observer. I reserve my my judgmental self for my idiot friend. Alex, by the way. My name, not his.

[alexdavidemarshall]

halifadventures‌:

@melissasmusings

“I mean, I could try to pretend I wasn’t drawing you in a napkin just now but that would be a blatant lie and I definitely don’t do lies because lies are bad and ruin ships and I’ve spent enough time in AO3 to know better than to 3 unnecessary chapters of angst when I could just solve everything by admitting I’m in love with Castiel but too afraid of homosexuality to function and-”

He had to stop himself to breathe and fix the mess he had just made.

“F-fanfiction. I was- I was talking about fanfict- Hi! I’m Ray. Can I get your order?”

“Well, if that is supposed to be me, I’m afraid you’ve drawn my nose far too small and me far too handsome.” Alex couldn’t help but chuckle a little at the barista’s ramblings. He wasn’t entirely sure what the boy was going on about, of course, but it was endearing nonetheless. 

“I figured as much,” he replied. While not well-versed in the world of fandom himself, he still understood the concept of fanfiction. “Hmm. I’m not sure. What would you recommend? By the way, were you talking about yourself or someone else in this fanfiction?”