Page 30 of Gratification in Gluttony (Passing Through Cafe #2)

Chapter thirty

Denys

As it turned out, open mic night was a booming success. The cafe was still bustling, even after all the acts had finished. Tad read one of her short stories, though read was putting it mildly. It was a very immersive experience, much to everyone’s horror. She acted out every part as she read it, which made the graphic sex scene very uncomfortable to watch.

Even Bob did an interpretive dance—according to Glyma, at least. To Toni, it looked like Bob just skittered around in a circle for a minute and half until he laid down and went to sleep. Glyma was very proud.

After the last customer was ushered from the building at half past nine, only the crew remained. The weekend workers cleaned up as everyone gathered around the connected tables to keep the party going. Toni leaned back in his chair and curled Jude’s hair around his fingers as he chatted animatedly with Oliver.

Using Rusty’s cards—except the purple three of keys because Gem refused to give it back—they dealt out a human game Oliver swore up and down was legitimately called Bullshit. It was reminiscent of a demon game of similar strategy called Liar, Liar, though there was less physical violence involved.

“We need all the cards,” Rusty said, in a final attempt at getting the purple three of keys back.

“I told you, I’m keeping it as a souvenir,” Gem said, shoving it deep into his back pocket.

“A souvenir of what?” Rusty demanded.

“Of the night you touched my ass,” Gem said haughtily, and Rusty threw up his paws in frustration.

“For the last time, I didn’t touch your ass!”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” Jude muttered under his breath, and Oliver snickered.

“What’s the lady dothing?” Toni asked, but Jude didn’t answer; he simply chuckled and leaned in to peck Toni’s cheek.

“You are bullshitting,” Zef said after Tad took her turn, and she glowered up at the Mantodea as she gathered the small pile of cards into her webbed hands.

Since Zef’s expression hardly ever changed in general, they quickly took the lead. Liel was too competitive, so he gave himself away more often than not, and Gem tended to giggle every time he tried to lie. Oliver’s neck would flush red when he cheated, and though Toni was normally very good at these types of games, Jude somehow knew every fucking time.

“Three eights,” Toni said casually, sending Jude a wink.

His human arched an eyebrow and stared him down. Toni didn’t look away, keeping his expression neutral. Jude’s brow furrowed, then he grinned.

“Bullshit,” he said confidently.

“Fuck!” Toni cried as he raked the cards in. “I don’t know how you’re doing it. As a player in this game, I am very unhappy with you. As your boyfriend, I’m proud and a little turned on.”

“Inside thoughts, Toni,” Oliver whined.

“I don’t know why you’re complaining,” Gem pouted as he held his cards in numerous hands. “I’m literally holding half the deck.”

“It’s because you literally laugh every time you lie,” Rusty said.

“I do not! Two nines,” Gem said, slapping the cards in the center of the table as he released a choked giggle. “Damn it!”

“Three tens,” Rusty said with a chuckle at Gem’s expense.

“Bullshit,” Gem accused, and Rusty flipped over the cards revealing three tens. “Fuck me!”

“Hard pass,” Rusty said.

Jude knocked Oliver’s elbow. “The lady be dothing, again.”

“The lady do be dothing,” Oliver agreed.

“Seriously, what the fuck are you talking about?” Toni demanded.

“Nothing,” the humans said simultaneously.

“Nine twelves,” Tad said, and Liel crowed in triumph.

“Bull-fucking-shit, Tad!”

“Read ’em and weep, bitch,” she said, revealing nine twelves.

Liel bared his sharp teeth. “First off, you’re supposed to be laying elevens. Secondly, there’s only eight twelves in the deck.”

“But she did not lie,” Zef said.

“She’s adding cards! That’s still cheating,” Liel insisted.

“Prove it,” Tad hissed.

“I mean, technically, she still laid the number of cards she claimed,” Oliver said unhelpfully, and Toni could tell by his shit-eating grin that he was only agreeing with Zef and Tad to annoy Liel.

Liel shook his head. “I am not taking those cards.”

“It’s just a game, babe. Stop being so intense.” Oliver poked Liel’s side, making the Gymnot snarl a warning. “Have you noticed that you’re losing? I noticed. You’re losing by, like, a lot.”

With a dangerous smile, Liel patted Oliver’s cheek sharply. “And you’ll be losing later, when I don’t fuck you for a week.”

Turning to the group, Oliver placed his hands on the table and said somberly, “Listen, guys, I don’t think Liel should have to take those cards. Tad’s clearly cheating.”

“Ha, whipped,” Toni said, pantomiming cracking a whip.

“Anyway,” Oliver drawled reproachfully as he pulled out his phone and scrolled through it. “Toni, Bryce texted me.”

“Who’s Bryce?” Toni asked.

“The vet who stopped by my parents’ place,” Oliver said, and Toni hummed vaguely.

“Right. Big guy. Dark hair?”

“He is an animal healer,” Zef said absently, antennas quivering. “Utterly fascinating.”

Oliver furrowed his brow at Zef before shaking his head. “Uh, yeah. Him. He’s doing a study abroad program here in the Pentagram, and he needs a place to stay for, like, nine months. He asked if I knew of anything, but I’m not well-connected. I figured you probably know a guy.”

Steepling his fingers, Toni nodded sagely. “I know many people. I can put some feelers out for him.”

“That would be great, thanks,” Oliver said.

“I have an extra bedroom,” Zef said without looking up from their cards. Their lower hands folded demurely on the table, but one thumb was drumming a disjointed rhythm. “The human may stay in it if he is willing and able to contribute to the household costs and tasks.”

Toni leaned forward. “Denys moved out?”

“Who’s Denys?” Nearly everyone at the table asked.

“Yes, they moved out a few weeks ago,” Zef said in their eerily calm voice. “So, my second bedroom is now vacant, should the animal healer have need of it. It is in Envy; is that a convenient location?”

Oliver shrugged. “I don’t think he’s picky. He got a last-minute spot in the program, so I was getting a lot of desperation vibes from the texts.”

Dipping their chin, Zef turned their attention back to their cards. “Ah, well, extend the offer. You may also share my contact information should he have questions about the room.”

Toni rapped his knuckles on the table to get Zef’s attention. “Hey, Zef, why did Denys move out?”

“Who’s Denys?” everyone asked again.

“Denys,” Toni said, gesturing at Zef. “Denys!”

“You can keep repeating their name all night,” Gem said. “But it’s not answering our question.”

“Denys is my old roommate,” Zef said, and that brought Toni up short.

“Your roommate?” he asked, and Zef cocked their head at him.

“Yes, you know they were my roommate.”

“Yeah, but they were also—like, they were also your—you know?”

Everyone was staring at Toni now like he’d lost his mind.

“I do not understand,” Zef said.

Okay, maybe Toni was crazy because he’d spent the last two years under the impression that Zef and Denys were, like, an item. Romantic partners, or whatever. But judging from Zef’s bewildered expression, Toni started to doubt.

“Can you humor me for a moment?” He flattened his cards on the table. “Tell us all about Denys.”

“Why?” they asked dubiously.

“I would love to hear all about your friendship and roommate-ness with Denys. And no one else knew about them, so just tell us.”

Toni propped his chin on his folded hands as everyone turned their attention to Zef. Their wings buzzed, antennas twitching in agitation.

“We were friends for a long time,” Zef said carefully, lower hands starting to fidget. “They expressed interest in a romantic connection at one point, but I did not return the affections. We agreed to remain friends, then I invited them to move in with me as they were in need of accommodations.”

“Very mindful,” Toni said. “Very kind.”

“And then they did move in, and it was very pleasant. We shared common interests such as documentary films and historical festivals. We also had a common friend group, so it was nice having someone to attend social events with.”

“Of course, makes perfect sense,” Toni said.

“And while we sometimes disagreed, we got along very well. They were clean and quiet. They paid their rent on time. Sometimes, they would sit next to me on the couch while we watched documentaries, and I did not despise when our thighs touched.”

Toni nodded. “That’s great. We all know that doesn’t happen a lot for you.”

“Yes, they were a wonderful friend and roommate. They even invited me to take part in their sister’s wedding festivities. I was in the pictures and everything.” Zef smiled minutely. “It is a fond memory; I was very grateful to be included.”

Their smile fell. “But then, they started wanting more physical affection and asking about sharing a bedroom, which I did not understand. We had two bedrooms; there was no need to share. And I would not be comfortable sharing a bed with them. It was not the answer they desired.”

Judging from the expressions on everyone else’s faces, Toni was not crazy for making the assumptions he had. Validation!

“Why did they move out?” Tad asked. “Did they screw you over? Do I need to take care of them? Because you know I will.”

“Do not be silly, Tad,” Zef said with a dismissive wave of their hand. “It was nothing like that. They simply, out of the blue, requested me to partner with them in procreation and the raising of young. I told them I had no interest in such things, especially with them. They grew irrationally upset; there were so many tears.”

Gem looked like he was ready to explode, and he was only holding back because his lowest hand was clutching Toni’s thigh, nails digging in painfully. Willow was physically covering her mouth, like it was the only thing keeping her quiet. Even Quin and Glyma were grimacing.

“So, just to sum up,” Toni said casually. “Denys liked you. You said, ‘Sorry, no thanks.’ Then you said, ‘How about you move in with me?’ They do, and you live together for two years, enjoying common interests, hanging out with common friends, and attending family events together.

“Then they start wanting affection and sharing a bed and having children with you. And when you didn’t want those things, they were very sad, and they moved out. Does that about cover it?”

Zef cocked their head, wings buzzing as they, seemingly, cataloged Toni’s words. Then they nodded. “Yes.”

“And you were just roommates,” Toni said.

Again, they said, “Yes.”

“Makes perfect sense.” Toni leaned back in his chair. “Sorry the roommate thing didn’t work out, though.”

“As am I,” Zef said sadly. “Though the last two months were not as pleasant. They started to make me feel uncomfortable, so perhaps it is good that we parted ways. Anyway, I must use the restroom.” They stood abruptly and disappeared down the hall.

The second the bathroom door shut, Gem hissed, “Oh my gods, they were dating Denys and they didn’t even know it!”

“We have to tell them, right?” Oliver said.

“I don’t think that would be beneficial,” Quin said.

“Zef would be mortified,” Willow said.

“And they’d probably feel really bad,” Jude said.

“Yes, for inadvertently leading Denys on for two years,” Liel said.

“Hey, we don’t know that’s what happened,” Toni said in defense of his friend. “Denys was a Rhopa, so there was clearly a cultural difference, and things get lost in translation all the time.”

“Especially with Zef,” Glyma said. “They don’t always pick up on things.”

“Not unless they’re clearly stated,” Rusty said.

“And it seems like Denys made a lot of assumptions if they thought Zef was gonna be down for popping out eggs on a random Tuesday,” Toni said.

“Zef lays eggs?” Jude asked.

“Yeah, and they can do it all by themself,” Oliver said with a snicker. “Isn’t that wild?”

The sound of a toilet flushing reached Toni’s ears and he said, “They’re coming back. Listen, we can never, ever tell them, okay? They’ll be so upset, and if I ever see Zef cry, I’m pretty sure it’ll kill me or something.”

“So, we take it to the grave,” Tad said somberly.

“Just like a Hellahoola,” Rusty said in a haunted voice.

“Agreed,” Glyma said, and one by one, they went around the table, each making a vow of silence.

“They can never know,” Toni said, and everyone nodded. Then Zef appeared from the hallway, and Toni said, “’ey, Zeffie! You’re back.”

Slowing their walk, Zef scrutinized the group, everyone smiling a little too widely. “This is a very strange energy,” they said as they slowly sat back down.

“I’m just happy that Bryce can stay with you.” Oliver’s eyes widened as he pulled out his phone and started typing furiously. “I’m just gonna make it super clear to him that you’re only inviting him to live with you as a roommate and maybe future friend. Nothing more than that, though. Like no unspoken relationship or—ow!”

Bending over, Oliver rubbed at his leg where Jude had kicked him. And Liel had kicked him. And honestly, Toni had kicked him too.

As the young closing crew bid Glyma farewell, the Sypent who enjoyed hitting on Toni hovered behind Tad, their keen eyes watching as they all resumed the game. “What are you playing?” they asked in their posh Pride accent.

“It’s called Bullshit, and you have to lie.” Brandishing his many, many cards, Gem scrunched up his face. “I’m clearly very bad. You wanna play? You can take half my cards!”

The Sypent tilted their head in a curious, yet somehow haughty manner. “I do not know the rules.”

“It’s super easy,” Oliver said, rubbing his thumb over the back of Liel’s neck. “Like you literally just have to lie about what cards you’re playing.”

“Have a seat, Cya,” Glyma said. “Join us.”

After a moment of hesitation, the Sypent—Cya—retrieved a chair and scooted it between Toni and Gem, lowering themself into it elegantly. Gem immediately handed them half of his cards, explaining the rules in a rush. Toni shifted a little closer to Jude, just to make sure Cya didn’t get any ideas.

“Everyone, this is Cya,” Glyma made introductions as Gem took his turn. “Cya, this is, well, everyone. You know Gem and Toni. Zef works in the kitchen with Toni, and Rusty and Oliver work the front with Gem. Willow bakes with me, and Tad is our dishwasher extraordinaire.”

“Better fucking believe it,” Tad said as she slapped what had to have been fifteen cards onto the table. “Six fives.”

“That is clearly more than six cards,” Liel lamented quietly.

“Then call bullshit,” Oliver whispered.

“I would, but I am afraid of her,” Liel whispered back.

“Welcome to the club,” Oliver muttered. “We’re all afraid of her.”

“And this is Oliver’s boyfriend, Liel. He works in Greed. And Jude, Oliver’s best friend and Toni’s boyfriend,” Glyma finished.

Cya offered a subtle nod in acknowledgment but didn’t say anything. Toni didn’t know if it was the Pride ego or the fact that they were nineteen surrounded by adults that had stolen their tongue. But since he wasn’t going to beef with a literal child, he let the slight slide.

When it was their turn, Cya placed two cards on the table and said, “One four and one eight.”

“No, it has to be the same number,” Gem corrected gently.

“Oh.” Cya’s cheeks dusted with a light blush as they exchanged their cards. “Two fourteens.”

“But it has to go in succession,” Gem said, grimacing. “I don’t think I explained it very well. I’m sorry. So, Toni laid tens, which means you have to lay elevens.”

“But I do not have an eleven,” Cya said, somewhat broodily.

“Okay, well, that’s when you lie and say that you do anyway,” Gem said encouragingly.

Cya slid one card toward the middle, “One eleven.”

“Bullshit,” Rusty said, and the Sypent reared back in offense.

“I beg your pardon?”

“No, that’s the game,” Gem said in a rush. “So, you said you don’t have an eleven, and because we know you’re lying, Rusty called bullshit. It means, as a penalty for not lying well, you have to take the cards from the middle.”

With a smug smirk, Cya reached a thin fingered hand and flipped over the card, revealing an eleven. Toni laughed, pointing a finger at Rusty.

“Damn it,” the Pyclon grumbled as he raked in the cards.

“Wow, well done. That was really good,” Gem said.

“I know,” Cya said, with a flip of their long hair.

“Oh, they are gonna be insufferable,” Toni mumbled in Jude’s ear, and his human laughed, pressing a kiss to his biceps right above his upper fin.

“They’re a kid. Don’t pick fights with kids,” Jude said sternly.

And because Toni was a smart man, he said, “Yes, dear.”

When Zef won—unsurprisingly—everyone stood and rearranged the tables and chairs back to the original placements. They offered to clean the floors, but Glyma shook her head.

“You’ve all done enough. Head on home,” she said, and they all gathered their belongings.

“Oh no,” Gem lamented as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his shorts and patted down the material. “My card’s gone.”

“What card?” Toni asked absently as he helped Jude shrug into his jacket.

“The card from the trick. The Rusty-touched-my-ass card.” Gem spun in a circle, then ducked under the tables, looking genuinely upset. “I think it fell out of my pocket, and then Bob probably stole it, that thieving little monster.”

“Honestly, that sounds like something to celebrate,” Toni said, oomphing when Jude smacked him in the stomach. “Ow.”

“I’m sure it’ll turn up,” Jude said, and Gem nodded miserably.

“I guess.”

“The train to Lust leaves in three minutes,” Rusty said, scrolling through the travel app on his phone.

Gem ducked his head into his hoodie, finagling all six arms through the sleeves before tucking his lowest hands into the front pocket, smoothing down his hair with his upper hands, and grabbing Rusty by the wrist with a middle hand. “Well, let’s go! I’m not waiting for the next one.”

With a yelp of surprise, Rusty stumbled after the Araknis, pulling his wrist free with an indiscernible grumble that made Gem laugh. Standing in the open doorway, Toni watched their silhouettes fade until they disappeared into the train station.

Zef and Oliver were hunched over their phones, exchanging Bryce’s information so Zef could arrange a walk-through of their place. Tad was telling Cya about the time she dropped acid and woke up three days later with her picture on the human’s FBI Most Wanted list. Willow, tucked under Krul’s thick arm, bid them all farewell and headed across the teal sand to the station.

Taking Toni’s hand, Jude twined their fingers and squeezed. “Ready to go home?”

Toni’s chest was full to bursting as he nodded. “Yeah, bitesize, let’s go home.”