᯽𝑆𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦..᯽ @mocha-mori - Tumblr Blog

Knock knock

Mocha bounced excitedly outside Noah's front door. He wasn't kidding when he was going to ask Noah about having any weapons earlier.

Right after the cafe was closed up for the day he asked to come over. But didn't explain why. It'd probably be a bit too complex for texting to explain anyways.

Other than the potential weapon, seeing his boyfriend was of course, always a treat.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

That must be Mocha.

A smile formed on Noah's face. He looked forward to seeing them especially since he's been too busy to do much of anything with his boyfriend for a while now.

They brisked over to the door, unlocking and opening it. He was all the more happier to see that the theory of his visitor being Mocha was correct.

"Hey," there was a bit of enthusiasm in his voice as he gave Mocha a quick kiss, "long time no see! Care to tell me why you've graced me with your presence on this fine evening?"

Mocha swiftly returned the kiss. "Well.... I wanted to ask you a weird question. But I also still wanna hang out with you a bit-" he smiled innocently.

"if that's alright with you?"

"That's perfectly fine to me. Come on in," he retreated back into his house to let Mocha inside.

Noah was happy to see Mocha, but he couldn't help but be stuck on wondering just how weird his question could even be.

"What is it that you wanted to ask me?"

Mocha waited till the door was shut, he looked at the windows suspiciously before starting in a hushed tone. "Shikuro visited me today at work. We talked for a bit, I even learned that he's staying with Stein now."

He sat down. "But then he asked about the robbery. A-and eventually they told me that he had actually spoken to someone about it, and said they had it covered for me!" mocha smiled brightly

"but then he offered something to me! He offered to take me outside! Outside the dome! I'd-"

"WOAH woah woah woah, what?!" Noah's face was full of concern and even surprise. "Outside of the dome?"

Is Shikuro crazy?!

He was immediately reminded of his last Wasteland expedition with Shikuro, the image of the terrifying and towering centipede-like creature was something he would never forget. There was no way that Mocha would be able to stand a chance against something like that! And if not a centipede monster then the dangerous heat or something else would surely get to him first!

Mocha felt his cheeks heat up with embarrassment. "I know I know it's-"...."illegal- and Shikuro did warn me about a little danger."

He took a deep breath "but he said that it'd be a place to teach me some self defense- and stuff."

"after the ah- night I got caught after curfew and inspected I thought- maybe it'd be a smart idea to take what I can."

Mocha started to fizzle out, getting quieter. "And so- I wanted to ask if you had any idea where to get a weapon to start with- or.. Something.."

He unintentionally gave a guilty look to Noah. He didn't like worrying him so much.

"I was gonna bring a first aid kit-"

Noah couldn't deny that self defense would do good for Mocha. But he still chose to hold his ground. Even if he felt a bit sorry for Mocha thanks to their pitiful and guilty look. This was for the best.

"Mocha, there are other ways to learn than trying to get yourself killed! Trust me, the Wastelands are very dangerous and it's best that you stay away from outside the dome."

We don't need an unnecessary casualty.

Mocha listened to Noah very seriously, taking an mental note of every word. He knew how much Noah cared for him, he loved that.

"I hear you-.."

He'd already thought of trying to get professional lessons in the city but they all seemed.... A little out of reach for him right now.

"Can-... Can we compromise on this?" he was grasping at straws now.

"What if you came with me and Shikuro?"

Noah couldn't seem to find it in himself to completely understand.

"Why are you even this determined to go outside of the dome?"

While asking he wondered if he should tell Mocha he's been outside the city before.

Mocha thought for a second. "I just.... I want to be able to experience something like this." it's hard to put it in words. "I-In my own lenses. And not 100% someone else's, and definitely not some-" he hushed himself "half assed authority that allows its police to assault people in the streets without proper cause, a-and drop my c-cafe without a second thought!"

The second part got a little heated there.

"Sorry- I've been thinking a lot these past nights."

... Too much

"Haven't you ever wondered what's really out there?"

He understood how Mocha felt. After he was nearly killed by a stranger all those years ago and had to be hospitalized afterward he wanted to learn how to be more than capable of self defense. It's why he knows how to protect himself to this day.

However, he didn't learn outside of the dome. Mocha didn't have to either. But it seems that he wouldn't be getting his way, something that was bothering him all too much in this situation. Can't Mocha see just how dangerous it was?!

When Mocha asked if he ever wondered what was really out there several memories came into his mind. Which he figured would probably help him prove his point.

"Mocha, listen," his voice then lowered, "I've been out there. I saw the Wastelands, and believe me when I say that it can be dangerous."

He didn't like to look back on memories of the past.

"It nearly took my life, it nearly took Shikuro's, it took my father's life, and by god it'll try to take yours too!" Every word was more firm than the last.

Then came another worrying thought into his mind. That Mocha would just go out to the Wastelands anyways. Which made him consider the compromise Mocha mentioned earlier.

He let out a sigh, "Listen... If you're so determined to go out there I'll take your compromise and go with you. I'll assist you in any way possible. And I mean this from the bottom of my heart: Don't say I didn't warn you."

Mocha went pale, he had no idea Noah was outside the dome before.

His mind was swarming with thoughts. Doubling back to many things Noah said. Specifically how his dad died out in the wastes.

Everything he only made him take things even more seriously. So much so he was starting to regret his decision, but felt paralyzed enough that he felt he couldn't just back out of it now.

Is this really good idea? No. Did I vastly overstep? Most likely. Should I still do this? I don't know anymore.

Shikuro used to live out there for fucks sake, he'd know his way around wouldn't he?...

But I still really want to do this..

Mocha couldn't speak for the longest time.

I'm hurting Noah by doing it.

He held his head in his hands "I'm sorry.."

Knock knock

Mocha bounced excitedly outside Noah's front door. He wasn't kidding when he was going to ask Noah about having any weapons earlier.

Right after the cafe was closed up for the day he asked to come over. But didn't explain why. It'd probably be a bit too complex for texting to explain anyways.

Other than the potential weapon, seeing his boyfriend was of course, always a treat.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

That must be Mocha.

A smile formed on Noah's face. He looked forward to seeing them especially since he's been too busy to do much of anything with his boyfriend for a while now.

They brisked over to the door, unlocking and opening it. He was all the more happier to see that the theory of his visitor being Mocha was correct.

"Hey," there was a bit of enthusiasm in his voice as he gave Mocha a quick kiss, "long time no see! Care to tell me why you've graced me with your presence on this fine evening?"

Mocha swiftly returned the kiss. "Well.... I wanted to ask you a weird question. But I also still wanna hang out with you a bit-" he smiled innocently.

"if that's alright with you?"

"That's perfectly fine to me. Come on in," he retreated back into his house to let Mocha inside.

Noah was happy to see Mocha, but he couldn't help but be stuck on wondering just how weird his question could even be.

"What is it that you wanted to ask me?"

Mocha waited till the door was shut, he looked at the windows suspiciously before starting in a hushed tone. "Shikuro visited me today at work. We talked for a bit, I even learned that he's staying with Stein now."

He sat down. "But then he asked about the robbery. A-and eventually they told me that he had actually spoken to someone about it, and said they had it covered for me!" mocha smiled brightly

"but then he offered something to me! He offered to take me outside! Outside the dome! I'd-"

"WOAH woah woah woah, what?!" Noah's face was full of concern and even surprise. "Outside of the dome?"

Is Shikuro crazy?!

He was immediately reminded of his last Wasteland expedition with Shikuro, the image of the terrifying and towering centipede-like creature was something he would never forget. There was no way that Mocha would be able to stand a chance against something like that! And if not a centipede monster then the dangerous heat or something else would surely get to him first!

Mocha felt his cheeks heat up with embarrassment. "I know I know it's-"...."illegal- and Shikuro did warn me about a little danger."

He took a deep breath "but he said that it'd be a place to teach me some self defense- and stuff."

"after the ah- night I got caught after curfew and inspected I thought- maybe it'd be a smart idea to take what I can."

Mocha started to fizzle out, getting quieter. "And so- I wanted to ask if you had any idea where to get a weapon to start with- or.. Something.."

He unintentionally gave a guilty look to Noah. He didn't like worrying him so much.

"I was gonna bring a first aid kit-"

Noah couldn't deny that self defense would do good for Mocha. But he still chose to hold his ground. Even if he felt a bit sorry for Mocha thanks to their pitiful and guilty look. This was for the best.

"Mocha, there are other ways to learn than trying to get yourself killed! Trust me, the Wastelands are very dangerous and it's best that you stay away from outside the dome."

We don't need an unnecessary casualty.

Mocha listened to Noah very seriously, taking an mental note of every word. He knew how much Noah cared for him, he loved that.

"I hear you-.."

He'd already thought of trying to get professional lessons in the city but they all seemed.... A little out of reach for him right now.

"Can-... Can we compromise on this?" he was grasping at straws now.

"What if you came with me and Shikuro?"

Noah couldn't seem to find it in himself to completely understand.

"Why are you even this determined to go outside of the dome?"

While asking he wondered if he should tell Mocha he's been outside the city before.

Mocha thought for a second. "I just.... I want to be able to experience something like this." it's hard to put it in words. "I-In my own lenses. And not 100% someone else's, and definitely not some-" he hushed himself "half assed authority that allows its police to assault people in the streets without proper cause, a-and drop my c-cafe without a second thought!"

The second part got a little heated there.

"Sorry- I've been thinking a lot these past nights."

... Too much

"Haven't you ever wondered what's really out there?"

Knock knock

Mocha bounced excitedly outside Noah's front door. He wasn't kidding when he was going to ask Noah about having any weapons earlier.

Right after the cafe was closed up for the day he asked to come over. But didn't explain why. It'd probably be a bit too complex for texting to explain anyways.

Other than the potential weapon, seeing his boyfriend was of course, always a treat.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

That must be Mocha.

A smile formed on Noah's face. He looked forward to seeing them especially since he's been too busy to do much of anything with his boyfriend for a while now.

They brisked over to the door, unlocking and opening it. He was all the more happier to see that the theory of his visitor being Mocha was correct.

"Hey," there was a bit of enthusiasm in his voice as he gave Mocha a quick kiss, "long time no see! Care to tell me why you've graced me with your presence on this fine evening?"

Mocha swiftly returned the kiss. "Well.... I wanted to ask you a weird question. But I also still wanna hang out with you a bit-" he smiled innocently.

"if that's alright with you?"

"That's perfectly fine to me. Come on in," he retreated back into his house to let Mocha inside.

Noah was happy to see Mocha, but he couldn't help but be stuck on wondering just how weird his question could even be.

"What is it that you wanted to ask me?"

Mocha waited till the door was shut, he looked at the windows suspiciously before starting in a hushed tone. "Shikuro visited me today at work. We talked for a bit, I even learned that he's staying with Stein now."

He sat down. "But then he asked about the robbery. A-and eventually they told me that he had actually spoken to someone about it, and said they had it covered for me!" mocha smiled brightly

"but then he offered something to me! He offered to take me outside! Outside the dome! I'd-"

"WOAH woah woah woah, what?!" Noah's face was full of concern and even surprise. "Outside of the dome?"

Is Shikuro crazy?!

He was immediately reminded of his last Wasteland expedition with Shikuro, the image of the terrifying and towering centipede-like creature was something he would never forget. There was no way that Mocha would be able to stand a chance against something like that! And if not a centipede monster then the dangerous heat or something else would surely get to him first!

Mocha felt his cheeks heat up with embarrassment. "I know I know it's-"...."illegal- and Shikuro did warn me about a little danger."

He took a deep breath "but he said that it'd be a place to teach me some self defense- and stuff."

"after the ah- night I got caught after curfew and inspected I thought- maybe it'd be a smart idea to take what I can."

Mocha started to fizzle out, getting quieter. "And so- I wanted to ask if you had any idea where to get a weapon to start with- or.. Something.."

He unintentionally gave a guilty look to Noah. He didn't like worrying him so much.

"I was gonna bring a first aid kit-"

Noah couldn't deny that self defense would do good for Mocha. But he still chose to hold his ground. Even if he felt a bit sorry for Mocha thanks to their pitiful and guilty look. This was for the best.

"Mocha, there are other ways to learn than trying to get yourself killed! Trust me, the Wastelands are very dangerous and it's best that you stay away from outside the dome."

We don't need an unnecessary casualty.

Mocha listened to Noah very seriously, taking an mental note of every word. He knew how much Noah cared for him, he loved that.

"I hear you-.."

He'd already thought of trying to get professional lessons in the city but they all seemed.... A little out of reach for him right now.

"Can-... Can we compromise on this?" he was grasping at straws now.

"What if you came with me and Shikuro?"

Knock knock

Mocha bounced excitedly outside Noah's front door. He wasn't kidding when he was going to ask Noah about having any weapons earlier.

Right after the cafe was closed up for the day he asked to come over. But didn't explain why. It'd probably be a bit too complex for texting to explain anyways.

Other than the potential weapon, seeing his boyfriend was of course, always a treat.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

That must be Mocha.

A smile formed on Noah's face. He looked forward to seeing them especially since he's been too busy to do much of anything with his boyfriend for a while now.

They brisked over to the door, unlocking and opening it. He was all the more happier to see that the theory of his visitor being Mocha was correct.

"Hey," there was a bit of enthusiasm in his voice as he gave Mocha a quick kiss, "long time no see! Care to tell me why you've graced me with your presence on this fine evening?"

Mocha swiftly returned the kiss. "Well.... I wanted to ask you a weird question. But I also still wanna hang out with you a bit-" he smiled innocently.

"if that's alright with you?"

"That's perfectly fine to me. Come on in," he retreated back into his house to let Mocha inside.

Noah was happy to see Mocha, but he couldn't help but be stuck on wondering just how weird his question could even be.

"What is it that you wanted to ask me?"

Mocha waited till the door was shut, he looked at the windows suspiciously before starting in a hushed tone. "Shikuro visited me today at work. We talked for a bit, I even learned that he's staying with Stein now."

He sat down. "But then he asked about the robbery. A-and eventually they told me that he had actually spoken to someone about it, and said they had it covered for me!" mocha smiled brightly

"but then he offered something to me! He offered to take me outside! Outside the dome! I'd-"

"WOAH woah woah woah, what?!" Noah's face was full of concern and even surprise. "Outside of the dome?"

Is Shikuro crazy?!

He was immediately reminded of his last Wasteland expedition with Shikuro, the image of the terrifying and towering centipede-like creature was something he would never forget. There was no way that Mocha would be able to stand a chance against something like that! And if not a centipede monster then the dangerous heat or something else would surely get to him first!

Mocha felt his cheeks heat up with embarrassment. "I know I know it's-"...."illegal- and Shikuro did warn me about a little danger."

He took a deep breath "but he said that it'd be a place to teach me some self defense- and stuff."

"after the ah- night I got caught after curfew and inspected I thought- maybe it'd be a smart idea to take what I can."

Mocha started to fizzle out, getting quieter. "And so- I wanted to ask if you had any idea where to get a weapon to start with- or.. Something.."

He unintentionally gave a guilty look to Noah. He didn't like worrying him so much.

"I was gonna bring a first aid kit-"

Knock knock

Mocha bounced excitedly outside Noah's front door. He wasn't kidding when he was going to ask Noah about having any weapons earlier.

Right after the cafe was closed up for the day he asked to come over. But didn't explain why. It'd probably be a bit too complex for texting to explain anyways.

Other than the potential weapon, seeing his boyfriend was of course, always a treat.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

That must be Mocha.

A smile formed on Noah's face. He looked forward to seeing them especially since he's been too busy to do much of anything with his boyfriend for a while now.

They brisked over to the door, unlocking and opening it. He was all the more happier to see that the theory of his visitor being Mocha was correct.

"Hey," there was a bit of enthusiasm in his voice as he gave Mocha a quick kiss, "long time no see! Care to tell me why you've graced me with your presence on this fine evening?"

Mocha swiftly returned the kiss. "Well.... I wanted to ask you a weird question. But I also still wanna hang out with you a bit-" he smiled innocently.

"if that's alright with you?"

"That's perfectly fine to me. Come on in," he retreated back into his house to let Mocha inside.

Noah was happy to see Mocha, but he couldn't help but be stuck on wondering just how weird his question could even be.

"What is it that you wanted to ask me?"

Mocha waited till the door was shut, he looked at the windows suspiciously before starting in a hushed tone. "Shikuro visited me today at work. We talked for a bit, I even learned that he's staying with Stein now."

He sat down. "But then he asked about the robbery. A-and eventually they told me that he had actually spoken to someone about it, and said they had it covered for me!" mocha smiled brightly

"but then he offered something to me! He offered to take me outside! Outside the dome! I'd-"

Knock knock

Mocha bounced excitedly outside Noah's front door. He wasn't kidding when he was going to ask Noah about having any weapons earlier.

Right after the cafe was closed up for the day he asked to come over. But didn't explain why. It'd probably be a bit too complex for texting to explain anyways.

Other than the potential weapon, seeing his boyfriend was of course, always a treat.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

That must be Mocha.

A smile formed on Noah's face. He looked forward to seeing them especially since he's been too busy to do much of anything with his boyfriend for a while now.

They brisked over to the door, unlocking and opening it. He was all the more happier to see that the theory of his visitor being Mocha was correct.

"Hey," there was a bit of enthusiasm in his voice as he gave Mocha a quick kiss, "long time no see! Care to tell me why you've graced me with your presence on this fine evening?"

Mocha swiftly returned the kiss. "Well.... I wanted to ask you a weird question. But I also still wanna hang out with you a bit-" he smiled innocently.

"if that's alright with you?"

Knock knock

Mocha bounced excitedly outside Noah's front door. He wasn't kidding when he was going to ask Noah about having any weapons earlier.

Right after the cafe was closed up for the day he asked to come over. But didn't explain why. It'd probably be a bit too complex for texting to explain anyways.

Other than the potential weapon, seeing his boyfriend was of course, always a treat.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

It had been around two weeks since the death of Procyon, and a little longer since Shikuro's last meeting with the horrid man. Since then, life had been going pretty well for him.

Stein's lab was becoming a little more comfortable as time passed. He wasn't entirely used to staying somewhere that wasn't full of sand or rough cement yet, but he was getting there.

He still spied the occasional raccoon, but he brushed it off easily enough. The creature were probably just going by habit now that their master was dead. He wouldn't let it bother him.

He had more important things to bother with. For instance, he hadn't seen Mocha since the robbery of his café. It seemed important to check in on his friend after all thst had happened.

"Hey, Mocha!" He walked into the building one calm afternoon. "How's it going?"

@mocha-mori

Mochas turned around and instantly gave a warm smile. "Shikuro! Fantastic timing. I'm doing alright. How about you."

Without a beat Mocha reached into where he displayed all the warm food and fished out a fresh sandwich, placing it on the counter.

"Well..." Shikuro thought back to the rather brutal events of the past weeks. He knew he should probably tell Mocha about what happened regarding the thieves that stole from his store, but perhaps not now.

It could wait until after the sandwich his friend had so generously offered, after all. He walked up to the counter and tore into it viciously.

Bread was a lot softer and easier to eat than giant bug meat, but that afforded it no mercy.

"I've been...busy, let's say." He said, wiping his mouth and licking his fingers. Mocha made a damn good sandwich. "Dealing with some personal stuff. But it's been alright. This scientist dude, Stein, he's been letting me crash with him for a while."

"Nice to see this place up and running." He looked around the café. "I'd heard there was a break in a while ago, but I had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down." He grinned. Mocha didn't seem like the kind of person to be slowed down by such an incident. He was hardly a warrior, but Shikuro saw in him a different strength.

Still, he had to bring it up somehow. It was very much the Centimax in the room.

@mocha-mori

He listened intensely, smiling at the fact that Shikuro had somewhere secure to sleep and go back to now.

But then he cringed 'i had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down.' yikes if only he knew how many meals he skipped this week. Getting robbed was expensive.

Mocha coughed "aw thank you so much.. But honestly it truly has slowed me down a bit." he thought for a moment, he really wanted to talk to someone about how frustrating the whole ordeal has been to someone. Noah was of course of the list to do so with but he hadn't had the chance.

"the- the city police refuse to investigate the robbery. They won't even- even give me any options of what to do. I've called and asked so many times! And I don't have insurance so- I- I'm not getting anything back from this." mocha immediately regretting opening his mouth at all when he looked at shikuro.

"sorry- woah- I didn't mean to put you in the position to listen to all my worries and woes." he chuckled, trying to abort the subject as a whole.

"It's fantastic you're staying with Stein, I've met him once or twice now. They seem cool. I'm happy for you."

He smiled again. Swallowing down a lump of bottled emotions.

"Don't worry about it!" Shikuro reassured him. "You've had to bear me getting all emotional before, it's no big deal." He said, thinking in particular about their conversation on the blackout regarding Noah.

"Father used to say woes of another's heart weakened one's own resolve, but honestly? Starting to think he was full of shit." He laughed, presenting it as something of a joke. The sentiment was genuine though.

Mocha, Noah, Stein, Lysander. The people of the city slowly taught him the value of caring deeply. Perhaps that was the strength he saw in Mocha - a strength of heart.

"Listen, about the police thing..." He hesitated. How best to approach what had happened during his forced hunt? Probably better not to dwell on the grotesque details.

"I spoke to someone about it, and I managed to...persuade someone to handle it." He explained cautiously. "You won't have to worry about those people any more, I promise. And if anything else comes up, lemme know." He offered. Under better circumstances, beating up some assholes harassing his friends might actually be fun.

"I don't have much, but..." Shikuro pulled out a small amount of cash from his back pocket. "Here. It's not much, but it'll at least cover the sandwich hopefully."

@mocha-mori

Mocha held the cash in his hands, feeling pathetic for a moment. So many people who needed help themself had helped him so many times.

Mocosa, Noah, Arc, and now Shikuro.

He looked at the money again, thinking for a moment. Instead of pathetic he felt happy. Happy to have such a supportive circle of friends that are willing enough to help him when they know he needed it.

It never mattered how little help it was, he needed it nonetheless.

"Thank you so much Shikuro- you have no idea how much this all means to me." Mocha made quick work wiping a tear from his cheek.

"If you ever need anything from me let me know. I owe you a favor."

It felt like a huge weight lifted off his back.

"You serious?" Shikuro chuckled with warm amusement. "If anything, I owe you. You're always willing to put up with me. That means a lot."

"Don't worry about owing me anything." He said. "I don't really know what I'd do with any money aside from spendin' it here, and I don't really see the point in owning much stuff. Old habit, I guess. Gotta be able to travel light outside."

"If you want, I could show you sometime." He offered, the thought passing through his head. "It's a bit dangerous, but not so bad once you're used to it. Hell, maybe you could learn a trick or two the next time some assholes make the mistake of messing with you."

@mocha-mori

Mocha froze. Thinking back to when he was out past curfew and Noah had to come save him. But the thought of going outside was- insane if anything! His entire life, from childhood he had been told to stay away from the outside. To be honest he didn't exactly know what was out there though.

The adventure excited him a bit though. Whatever's out there can't be so scary right?

"Yeah-... Yeah! That sounds exciting. I could use a bit of defense practice. Thank you so much! I didn't even know there was a way out of Firmamento."

A chance to learn and live a little. Why not?

"Legally, most people don't." Shikuro explained. "This city wants to keep people in, so only a few people are ever let out. My people were mostly exiles from the city, or descendents of them. We'd salvage things out there in exchange for supplies and our silence." He couldn't help but let out a frustrated sigh at that.

This city gave his tribe barely anything and forced them to never be able to ask for more, whilst at the same time forcing its rejects onto them. It was a messed up system, one he felt only got worse the more he stayed here.

"The gates are usually shut, but I happen to know a few spots here and there where someone can squeeze through. Thought about trying to tell someone, maybe get some supplies for the tip, but I decided against it. Glad I did." He smirked. "I'll show y you sometime later." His expression turned serious suddenly.

"But be careful. The things outside that dome are really dangerous. Stay close to me and you'll probably be fine. If anything gets too much, yell. And be sure to bring some stuff. A knife or some kind of weapon and a first aid kit would be good."

@mocha-mori

Mocha was incredibly intrigued by everything he was saying, hanging off every word.

But he didn't take the fact that shikuro himself believed the said 'things' outside the dome were dangerous. In fact it made him a little nervous.

He spoke in a hushed tone "Oh I have a med kit at home! I can bring that. I uh- don't have any weapons though. Unless a kitchen knife counts" he laughed.

Maybe I can ask Noah if he has any?

"But yes! I absolutely would like to go with you."

It had been around two weeks since the death of Procyon, and a little longer since Shikuro's last meeting with the horrid man. Since then, life had been going pretty well for him.

Stein's lab was becoming a little more comfortable as time passed. He wasn't entirely used to staying somewhere that wasn't full of sand or rough cement yet, but he was getting there.

He still spied the occasional raccoon, but he brushed it off easily enough. The creature were probably just going by habit now that their master was dead. He wouldn't let it bother him.

He had more important things to bother with. For instance, he hadn't seen Mocha since the robbery of his café. It seemed important to check in on his friend after all thst had happened.

"Hey, Mocha!" He walked into the building one calm afternoon. "How's it going?"

@mocha-mori

Mochas turned around and instantly gave a warm smile. "Shikuro! Fantastic timing. I'm doing alright. How about you."

Without a beat Mocha reached into where he displayed all the warm food and fished out a fresh sandwich, placing it on the counter.

"Well..." Shikuro thought back to the rather brutal events of the past weeks. He knew he should probably tell Mocha about what happened regarding the thieves that stole from his store, but perhaps not now.

It could wait until after the sandwich his friend had so generously offered, after all. He walked up to the counter and tore into it viciously.

Bread was a lot softer and easier to eat than giant bug meat, but that afforded it no mercy.

"I've been...busy, let's say." He said, wiping his mouth and licking his fingers. Mocha made a damn good sandwich. "Dealing with some personal stuff. But it's been alright. This scientist dude, Stein, he's been letting me crash with him for a while."

"Nice to see this place up and running." He looked around the café. "I'd heard there was a break in a while ago, but I had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down." He grinned. Mocha didn't seem like the kind of person to be slowed down by such an incident. He was hardly a warrior, but Shikuro saw in him a different strength.

Still, he had to bring it up somehow. It was very much the Centimax in the room.

@mocha-mori

He listened intensely, smiling at the fact that Shikuro had somewhere secure to sleep and go back to now.

But then he cringed 'i had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down.' yikes if only he knew how many meals he skipped this week. Getting robbed was expensive.

Mocha coughed "aw thank you so much.. But honestly it truly has slowed me down a bit." he thought for a moment, he really wanted to talk to someone about how frustrating the whole ordeal has been to someone. Noah was of course of the list to do so with but he hadn't had the chance.

"the- the city police refuse to investigate the robbery. They won't even- even give me any options of what to do. I've called and asked so many times! And I don't have insurance so- I- I'm not getting anything back from this." mocha immediately regretting opening his mouth at all when he looked at shikuro.

"sorry- woah- I didn't mean to put you in the position to listen to all my worries and woes." he chuckled, trying to abort the subject as a whole.

"It's fantastic you're staying with Stein, I've met him once or twice now. They seem cool. I'm happy for you."

He smiled again. Swallowing down a lump of bottled emotions.

"Don't worry about it!" Shikuro reassured him. "You've had to bear me getting all emotional before, it's no big deal." He said, thinking in particular about their conversation on the blackout regarding Noah.

"Father used to say woes of another's heart weakened one's own resolve, but honestly? Starting to think he was full of shit." He laughed, presenting it as something of a joke. The sentiment was genuine though.

Mocha, Noah, Stein, Lysander. The people of the city slowly taught him the value of caring deeply. Perhaps that was the strength he saw in Mocha - a strength of heart.

"Listen, about the police thing..." He hesitated. How best to approach what had happened during his forced hunt? Probably better not to dwell on the grotesque details.

"I spoke to someone about it, and I managed to...persuade someone to handle it." He explained cautiously. "You won't have to worry about those people any more, I promise. And if anything else comes up, lemme know." He offered. Under better circumstances, beating up some assholes harassing his friends might actually be fun.

"I don't have much, but..." Shikuro pulled out a small amount of cash from his back pocket. "Here. It's not much, but it'll at least cover the sandwich hopefully."

@mocha-mori

Mocha held the cash in his hands, feeling pathetic for a moment. So many people who needed help themself had helped him so many times.

Mocosa, Noah, Arc, and now Shikuro.

He looked at the money again, thinking for a moment. Instead of pathetic he felt happy. Happy to have such a supportive circle of friends that are willing enough to help him when they know he needed it.

It never mattered how little help it was, he needed it nonetheless.

"Thank you so much Shikuro- you have no idea how much this all means to me." Mocha made quick work wiping a tear from his cheek.

"If you ever need anything from me let me know. I owe you a favor."

It felt like a huge weight lifted off his back.

"You serious?" Shikuro chuckled with warm amusement. "If anything, I owe you. You're always willing to put up with me. That means a lot."

"Don't worry about owing me anything." He said. "I don't really know what I'd do with any money aside from spendin' it here, and I don't really see the point in owning much stuff. Old habit, I guess. Gotta be able to travel light outside."

"If you want, I could show you sometime." He offered, the thought passing through his head. "It's a bit dangerous, but not so bad once you're used to it. Hell, maybe you could learn a trick or two the next time some assholes make the mistake of messing with you."

@mocha-mori

Mocha froze. Thinking back to when he was out past curfew and Noah had to come save him. But the thought of going outside was- insane if anything! His entire life, from childhood he had been told to stay away from the outside. To be honest he didn't exactly know what was out there though.

The adventure excited him a bit though. Whatever's out there can't be so scary right?

"Yeah-... Yeah! That sounds exciting. I could use a bit of defense practice. Thank you so much! I didn't even know there was a way out of Firmamento."

A chance to learn and live a little. Why not?

It had been around two weeks since the death of Procyon, and a little longer since Shikuro's last meeting with the horrid man. Since then, life had been going pretty well for him.

Stein's lab was becoming a little more comfortable as time passed. He wasn't entirely used to staying somewhere that wasn't full of sand or rough cement yet, but he was getting there.

He still spied the occasional raccoon, but he brushed it off easily enough. The creature were probably just going by habit now that their master was dead. He wouldn't let it bother him.

He had more important things to bother with. For instance, he hadn't seen Mocha since the robbery of his café. It seemed important to check in on his friend after all thst had happened.

"Hey, Mocha!" He walked into the building one calm afternoon. "How's it going?"

@mocha-mori

Mochas turned around and instantly gave a warm smile. "Shikuro! Fantastic timing. I'm doing alright. How about you."

Without a beat Mocha reached into where he displayed all the warm food and fished out a fresh sandwich, placing it on the counter.

"Well..." Shikuro thought back to the rather brutal events of the past weeks. He knew he should probably tell Mocha about what happened regarding the thieves that stole from his store, but perhaps not now.

It could wait until after the sandwich his friend had so generously offered, after all. He walked up to the counter and tore into it viciously.

Bread was a lot softer and easier to eat than giant bug meat, but that afforded it no mercy.

"I've been...busy, let's say." He said, wiping his mouth and licking his fingers. Mocha made a damn good sandwich. "Dealing with some personal stuff. But it's been alright. This scientist dude, Stein, he's been letting me crash with him for a while."

"Nice to see this place up and running." He looked around the café. "I'd heard there was a break in a while ago, but I had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down." He grinned. Mocha didn't seem like the kind of person to be slowed down by such an incident. He was hardly a warrior, but Shikuro saw in him a different strength.

Still, he had to bring it up somehow. It was very much the Centimax in the room.

@mocha-mori

He listened intensely, smiling at the fact that Shikuro had somewhere secure to sleep and go back to now.

But then he cringed 'i had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down.' yikes if only he knew how many meals he skipped this week. Getting robbed was expensive.

Mocha coughed "aw thank you so much.. But honestly it truly has slowed me down a bit." he thought for a moment, he really wanted to talk to someone about how frustrating the whole ordeal has been to someone. Noah was of course of the list to do so with but he hadn't had the chance.

"the- the city police refuse to investigate the robbery. They won't even- even give me any options of what to do. I've called and asked so many times! And I don't have insurance so- I- I'm not getting anything back from this." mocha immediately regretting opening his mouth at all when he looked at shikuro.

"sorry- woah- I didn't mean to put you in the position to listen to all my worries and woes." he chuckled, trying to abort the subject as a whole.

"It's fantastic you're staying with Stein, I've met him once or twice now. They seem cool. I'm happy for you."

He smiled again. Swallowing down a lump of bottled emotions.

"Don't worry about it!" Shikuro reassured him. "You've had to bear me getting all emotional before, it's no big deal." He said, thinking in particular about their conversation on the blackout regarding Noah.

"Father used to say woes of another's heart weakened one's own resolve, but honestly? Starting to think he was full of shit." He laughed, presenting it as something of a joke. The sentiment was genuine though.

Mocha, Noah, Stein, Lysander. The people of the city slowly taught him the value of caring deeply. Perhaps that was the strength he saw in Mocha - a strength of heart.

"Listen, about the police thing..." He hesitated. How best to approach what had happened during his forced hunt? Probably better not to dwell on the grotesque details.

"I spoke to someone about it, and I managed to...persuade someone to handle it." He explained cautiously. "You won't have to worry about those people any more, I promise. And if anything else comes up, lemme know." He offered. Under better circumstances, beating up some assholes harassing his friends might actually be fun.

"I don't have much, but..." Shikuro pulled out a small amount of cash from his back pocket. "Here. It's not much, but it'll at least cover the sandwich hopefully."

@mocha-mori

Mocha held the cash in his hands, feeling pathetic for a moment. So many people who needed help themself had helped him so many times.

Mocosa, Noah, Arc, and now Shikuro.

He looked at the money again, thinking for a moment. Instead of pathetic he felt happy. Happy to have such a supportive circle of friends that are willing enough to help him when they know he needed it.

It never mattered how little help it was, he needed it nonetheless.

"Thank you so much Shikuro- you have no idea how much this all means to me." Mocha made quick work wiping a tear from his cheek.

"If you ever need anything from me let me know. I owe you a favor."

It felt like a huge weight lifted off his back.

It had been around two weeks since the death of Procyon, and a little longer since Shikuro's last meeting with the horrid man. Since then, life had been going pretty well for him.

Stein's lab was becoming a little more comfortable as time passed. He wasn't entirely used to staying somewhere that wasn't full of sand or rough cement yet, but he was getting there.

He still spied the occasional raccoon, but he brushed it off easily enough. The creature were probably just going by habit now that their master was dead. He wouldn't let it bother him.

He had more important things to bother with. For instance, he hadn't seen Mocha since the robbery of his café. It seemed important to check in on his friend after all thst had happened.

"Hey, Mocha!" He walked into the building one calm afternoon. "How's it going?"

@mocha-mori

Mochas turned around and instantly gave a warm smile. "Shikuro! Fantastic timing. I'm doing alright. How about you."

Without a beat Mocha reached into where he displayed all the warm food and fished out a fresh sandwich, placing it on the counter.

"Well..." Shikuro thought back to the rather brutal events of the past weeks. He knew he should probably tell Mocha about what happened regarding the thieves that stole from his store, but perhaps not now.

It could wait until after the sandwich his friend had so generously offered, after all. He walked up to the counter and tore into it viciously.

Bread was a lot softer and easier to eat than giant bug meat, but that afforded it no mercy.

"I've been...busy, let's say." He said, wiping his mouth and licking his fingers. Mocha made a damn good sandwich. "Dealing with some personal stuff. But it's been alright. This scientist dude, Stein, he's been letting me crash with him for a while."

"Nice to see this place up and running." He looked around the café. "I'd heard there was a break in a while ago, but I had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down." He grinned. Mocha didn't seem like the kind of person to be slowed down by such an incident. He was hardly a warrior, but Shikuro saw in him a different strength.

Still, he had to bring it up somehow. It was very much the Centimax in the room.

@mocha-mori

He listened intensely, smiling at the fact that Shikuro had somewhere secure to sleep and go back to now.

But then he cringed 'i had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down.' yikes if only he knew how many meals he skipped this week. Getting robbed was expensive.

Mocha coughed "aw thank you so much.. But honestly it truly has slowed me down a bit." he thought for a moment, he really wanted to talk to someone about how frustrating the whole ordeal has been to someone. Noah was of course of the list to do so with but he hadn't had the chance.

"the- the city police refuse to investigate the robbery. They won't even- even give me any options of what to do. I've called and asked so many times! And I don't have insurance so- I- I'm not getting anything back from this." mocha immediately regretting opening his mouth at all when he looked at shikuro.

"sorry- woah- I didn't mean to put you in the position to listen to all my worries and woes." he chuckled, trying to abort the subject as a whole.

"It's fantastic you're staying with Stein, I've met him once or twice now. They seem cool. I'm happy for you."

He smiled again. Swallowing down a lump of bottled emotions.

"Don't worry about it!" Shikuro reassured him. "You've had to bear me getting all emotional before, it's no big deal." He said, thinking in particular about their conversation on the blackout regarding Noah.

"Father used to say woes of another's heart weakened one's own resolve, but honestly? Starting to think he was full of shit." He laughed, presenting it as something of a joke. The sentiment was genuine though.

Mocha, Noah, Stein, Lysander. The people of the city slowly taught him the value of caring deeply. Perhaps that was the strength he saw in Mocha - a strength of heart.

"Listen, about the police thing..." He hesitated. How best to approach what had happened during his forced hunt? Probably better not to dwell on the grotesque details.

"I spoke to someone about it, and I managed to...persuade someone to handle it." He explained cautiously. "You won't have to worry about those people any more, I promise. And if anything else comes up, lemme know." He offered. Under better circumstances, beating up some assholes harassing his friends might actually be fun.

"I don't have much, but..." Shikuro pulled out a small amount of cash from his back pocket. "Here. It's not much, but it'll at least cover the sandwich hopefully."

@mocha-mori

Mocha held the cash in his hands, feeling pathetic for a moment. So many people who needed help themself had helped him so many times.

Mocosa, Noah, Arc, and now Shikuro.

He looked at the money again, thinking for a moment. Instead of pathetic he felt happy. Happy to have such a supportive circle of friends that are willing enough to help him when they know he needed it.

It never mattered how little help it was, he needed it nonetheless.

"Thank you so much Shikuro- you have no idea how much this all means to me." Mocha made quick work wiping a tear from his cheek.

"If you ever need anything from me let me know. I owe you a favor."

It felt like a huge weight lifted off his back.

It had been around two weeks since the death of Procyon, and a little longer since Shikuro's last meeting with the horrid man. Since then, life had been going pretty well for him.

Stein's lab was becoming a little more comfortable as time passed. He wasn't entirely used to staying somewhere that wasn't full of sand or rough cement yet, but he was getting there.

He still spied the occasional raccoon, but he brushed it off easily enough. The creature were probably just going by habit now that their master was dead. He wouldn't let it bother him.

He had more important things to bother with. For instance, he hadn't seen Mocha since the robbery of his café. It seemed important to check in on his friend after all thst had happened.

"Hey, Mocha!" He walked into the building one calm afternoon. "How's it going?"

@mocha-mori

Mochas turned around and instantly gave a warm smile. "Shikuro! Fantastic timing. I'm doing alright. How about you."

Without a beat Mocha reached into where he displayed all the warm food and fished out a fresh sandwich, placing it on the counter.

"Well..." Shikuro thought back to the rather brutal events of the past weeks. He knew he should probably tell Mocha about what happened regarding the thieves that stole from his store, but perhaps not now.

It could wait until after the sandwich his friend had so generously offered, after all. He walked up to the counter and tore into it viciously.

Bread was a lot softer and easier to eat than giant bug meat, but that afforded it no mercy.

"I've been...busy, let's say." He said, wiping his mouth and licking his fingers. Mocha made a damn good sandwich. "Dealing with some personal stuff. But it's been alright. This scientist dude, Stein, he's been letting me crash with him for a while."

"Nice to see this place up and running." He looked around the café. "I'd heard there was a break in a while ago, but I had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down." He grinned. Mocha didn't seem like the kind of person to be slowed down by such an incident. He was hardly a warrior, but Shikuro saw in him a different strength.

Still, he had to bring it up somehow. It was very much the Centimax in the room.

@mocha-mori

He listened intensely, smiling at the fact that Shikuro had somewhere secure to sleep and go back to now.

But then he cringed 'i had a feeling it wouldn't slow you down.' yikes if only he knew how many meals he skipped this week. Getting robbed was expensive.

Mocha coughed "aw thank you so much.. But honestly it truly has slowed me down a bit." he thought for a moment, he really wanted to talk to someone about how frustrating the whole ordeal has been to someone. Noah was of course of the list to do so with but he hadn't had the chance.

"the- the city police refuse to investigate the robbery. They won't even- even give me any options of what to do. I've called and asked so many times! And I don't have insurance so- I- I'm not getting anything back from this." mocha immediately regretting opening his mouth at all when he looked at shikuro.

"sorry- woah- I didn't mean to put you in the position to listen to all my worries and woes." he chuckled, trying to abort the subject as a whole.

"It's fantastic you're staying with Stein, I've met him once or twice now. They seem cool. I'm happy for you."

He smiled again. Swallowing down a lump of bottled emotions.

It had been around two weeks since the death of Procyon, and a little longer since Shikuro's last meeting with the horrid man. Since then, life had been going pretty well for him.

Stein's lab was becoming a little more comfortable as time passed. He wasn't entirely used to staying somewhere that wasn't full of sand or rough cement yet, but he was getting there.

He still spied the occasional raccoon, but he brushed it off easily enough. The creature were probably just going by habit now that their master was dead. He wouldn't let it bother him.

He had more important things to bother with. For instance, he hadn't seen Mocha since the robbery of his café. It seemed important to check in on his friend after all thst had happened.

"Hey, Mocha!" He walked into the building one calm afternoon. "How's it going?"

@mocha-mori

Mochas turned around and instantly gave a warm smile. "Shikuro! Fantastic timing. I'm doing alright. How about you."

Without a beat Mocha reached into where he displayed all the warm food and fished out a fresh sandwich, placing it on the counter.

cypric-rat-hyperfixation

blossom-is-tired-of-bs

@crackerqueen-ineedsleep

He had only nodded and stood up without a word. Red continued to cloud his eyes as they walked by the gossipers table who appeared to dodge eye contact with them like the plague. Mocha inconspicuously gave the two a rude gesture, something he would do only once in a blue moon.

Walking ahead, he stopped to hold the door for Noah and then follow right behind him. Now that he left the restaurant he began go hang his head a bit, clawing at his sides.

'They don't know you, and they don't know him... They were just being pricks. Don't let them get to you.' he told himself that over and over.

But will Noah?... He wondered.

"It'll... Gosh. I-" words couldn't form. What to say? What could you say in this situation?

[@doctor-noah-bright]

Oh my god Mocha needed to calm down. Too excited. So much energy.

He shook his hands, trying to release some of his excitement, which worked until he looked on his phone for the time.

5:00 pm! The time Noah and Mocha set up to have a date at one of the better restaurants in the city! Noah even offered to make a reservation, god he scored the best boyfriend ever.

Mocha had taken a while to figure out what to wear, but settled on a loose black sweater over a white button up, by far the second fanciest thing he's worn.

"I-I need to be calm. Natural, even- I'm not overly excited for this at all." He whispered to himself, smiling the whole time.

[@doctor-noah-bright]

Noah may not be expressing it fully on the outside, but he was far too excited for the date. To be more specific, his and Mocha's 2nd date.

It's only our 2nd... Geeze, I really got to take them out more.

Bright wanted to impress Mocha. Show him just how much he wants to make this night special for them both. So thats why he dressed as fancy for tonight. A long, dark blazer on top of a deep maroon button up, which was loose at the top. He also decided to wear black heels, which gave him extra height.

He saw Mocha after quite a bit of walking and was already feeling smitten for the guy all over again. After some silent mental preparation, Noah finally approached Mocha.

His excitement doubled seeing his one and only boyfriend. "Hi!!" he was smiling so much.

Mocha had looked Noah up and down, taking the outfit in completely. The more he thought about Noah right now the more a red blush completely took over his face. "h-holy..", the catboy squeaked.

"y-you look r-really hot-"

With the heels Mocha even had to actually tilt his head up a bit to look Noah in the eyes. It felt like he was crushing on him all over again.

At this point pretty much nothing could bring Mocha down.

They said nothing. All Noah showed was a smile.

He took a few steps towards Mocha and wrapped their arms around him. Quickly going in for a semi long kiss. His goal? To charm his catboy further.

"I could say the same for you~"

Now he had a smirk on his face. What a bastard.

Noah's goal of impressing and charming Mocha seemed to work, maybe too well judging by the fact Mocha felt himself go weak in knees, actually swooning over the rat. Oh jeez he was purring too.

After a moment, Mocha had a absolute revelation. 'FUCK I LITERALLY FORGOT WE'RE IN PUBLIC'

He straightened himself up immediately, however his excitement for dinner hadn't wavered a bit. "W-we should get to the restaurant! Don't wanna end up late!!" Mocha nervously laughed, picking up Noah's hand.

Noah's smirk was now a bit wider, a glint of mischief in his eyes. He knew that he succeeded, which made him feel a bit proud.

"Right... Let us hurry along, my dear~" He gave Mocha's hand a gentle squeeze, taking the lead in their trip to the restaurant.

The two love sick idiots talked pretty much the entire way to the dates actual location. It didn't take too long until the blinding aroma of delicious food could be smelled coming from the restaurant.

Mocha hadn't had food this fancy in a long while.. Just a whiff of whatever was cooking inside made his stomach growl with anticipation.

He smiled eagerly, following closely beside Noah into the building. With just how starved Mocha was for a extremely decent meal he hadn't noticed the turn of heads everyone seemed to make in unison, looking directly at Doctor Noah Bright.

It didn't take long for chatter to begin again. As Noah and Mocha were seated in the corner of the restaurant, and immediately given menus.

Mocha skimmed through the menu many times, looking through all the absolutely divine looking meals he could get. "How do I choose-" he jokingly laughed.

He smiled, watching Mocha look through the menu about a dozen times or more. The date has only started yet it already felt perfect. Absolutely perfect.

He didn't have an answer in mind. Maybe because he was too busy admiring how lovely Mocha looked.

"Take all the time you need," he said before switching focus to his own menu.

Mocha only nodded in reply, continuing to debate between ordering one of two meals. It was a very serious ordeal after all.

"Hmm... I think-" he pointed at the menu, "I think I'll try this fried cod." they purred happily. "I remember having fish once as a kid when my neighbors had a cook out with my family, i-it was probably the best thing i'd tasted in a while!"

Mocha had looked back at Noah while the rat was still seemingly simping, and smirked. "Now how about you, Sugar?~"

"Huh?" Noah looked back at Mocha. Oh god he was simping again. Why was his boyfriend so gosh darn adorable?

"I'll uhm... I'll just have what you're having!" Noah said, secretly admiring how good Mocha looked tonight.

Very soon after, a server had come to their table and the gays got their orders taken.

Mocha began talking once more. "My old neighbors used to have this big dog when I was a kid. I'd have to ask my Momma for its name but whenever my family would eat at their house the dog would scare me so much my dad would have to pick me up and put me on his shoulders!" he laughed, reminiscing on his childhood. "I'm still afraid of dogs if I'm being honest-" mocha confessed.

He took a second and looked at Noah, not being able to stop a smile, and a purr from cracking through. "You're staring."

It took a second for Noah to register.

"O-Oh!" He didn't know what to do at first other than let out a nervous chuckle. "I... I was?"

Play it cool, Noah..

They got an idea and smirked. Saying, "I'm sorry, dear. I just can't help but admire your beauty~"

At first Noah didn't understand what was wrong. He was immediately about to ask but the words couldn't come out of his mouth when he started to also listen in on the conversation nearby. Fans such as them weren't an uncommon occurrence. But it was still extremely bothersome. Especially right now, hearing them referring to Mocha as the 'skinny guy'.

Noah felt dread when they made their way over to him and Mocha's table. This was the last thing he wanted to deal with right now. They couldn't help but feel a bit awkward as he tried to figure out what to say to them when they asked for an autograph. What he also couldn't help was continuously get reminded of their gossiping. Not to mention how they referred to Mocha...

Well... Would it really be all that bad if I said no? Just this once?

"My apologies you two, I'm not signing autographs at this time. I hope you can understand."

They stood there silent for a moment, stunned. "Well. Then- a-ah-"

They shuffled a bit, not knowing what to say before the other one stepped in to take over the most awkward conversation in firmamento. "We-.. We're sorry Mr. Bright. Have a uhm- good.. dinner." and with that the two slumped back to their seats.

Mocha fidgeted a bit. "Is... Well- how.. How normal is that for you?"

It's Dr. Bright to you...

He didn't say it out loud though. But oh my god was it tempting to do so. It annoyed him even further just restraining himself.

Thankfully, he had someone else to focus on.

"I wouldn't say extremely often," Noah replied. Though he didn't say never. There were plenty of times in the past where someone would want his autograph and he'd try his best to provide it whenever he was able to. However in this case he did not give them what they wanted.