Chester smells like honey and cigarettes and it's addicting.

——

Boring party with a bunch of drunk assholes. This definitely wasn't what Mike had planned when he agreed to go out with Brad. He didn't even know why he had accepted in the first place. Okay, that's a lie, he knew exactly why he had accepted. Because Bradford fucking Delson was a pushy ass bastard.

His friend was so, so invested in getting him out of the couch, and he had all of the arguments. He turned his deep eyes to Mike's and said that he wouldn't leave his side, he said that they would have fun and drink and maybe even find a hookup for the night. But Brad had lied about not leaving Mike. As soon as he had found a pretty girl he had thrown his Brad wink and his Brad charm her way, and of course, left Mike behind without even looking back. And that was why he was now standing alone in the balcony of the two story house of whoever was throwing this stupid party.

He sighed as he looked at the beer bottle in his hand. That was so pathetic. He should just head home already. There, the brooding was getting back. That was exactly why Brad wanted him to go out a little. To stop the brooding. But well... it seemed to follow the half Asian wherever he went. He looked up at the almost starless sky and gulped down his flat beer with a grimace. This guy couldn't even buy good quality drinks, for Christ's sake!

He placed the bottle down and hugged himself, feeling chills run down his spine as the cold autumn breeze hit his skin. His yellow "The Shining" long sleeved wasn't enough to keep him warm. He should just go home. Yeah, that was the new plan, he would tap Brad on the shoulder and tell him he was done for the night... or maybe not even warn Brad and just vanish. No, that would be rude. He was already moving away from the stone vintage balustrade when he heard something.

"Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."

Mike frowned. He knew those words... that was Romeo and Juliet, but who the fuck was reciting Shakespeare in the middle of the night. The dude must be drunk, but Mike looked down anyway, seeing a guy with a brown fluffy Mohawk and a burning cigarette between his fingers as he smiled slyly. He was looking directly at the half Asian and he didn't seem to be drunk. So Mike panicked. He panicked because, 1) the guy was seriously hot, 2) he was expecting an answer and 3) Mike didn't know what to say back.

He dug his memory, trying to think of a quote to say back and thankfully he didn't have to remember one, because as the guy took a drag of his cancer stick, he went back to reciting. "See how he leans his cheek upon his hand, Oh that I were a glove upon that hand that I

might touch that cheek!" And Mike blushed, only then noticing that he had been supporting his face on his hand. The guy chuckled and threw his cigarette to the ground before stepping on it. "May I be your Romeo for the night?" He asked, one hand on his hair and the other reaching for Mike, as if to take his hand, even from 10 feet away.

The half Asian froze even more. He wanted to say yes and fucking jump right there into the other man's arms, but that wouldn't be a good idea. He wanted to scream at him that he would be his for as long as he wanted, but that also wouldn't be a good idea, so instead he only nodded briefly and watched as the other man smiled.

"Come down. I'll be right here." He winked and Mike basically sprinted off inside, trying hard not to bump into people as he went down the stairs and finally, he was out. And he was facing the hot guy. And he was even hotter right now. Mike could see clearly his sharp jawline and his black gauges, he could see his black and white striped V-neck and the tattoo peeking underneath it - a rose - and he could smell him. He could smell the nicotine from the cigarette he was just smoking and something else. Something sweet... like honey. Yes, honey! Such a weird combination but such an addicting scent.

Personally, Mike hated the smell of cigarettes. They made him sick. But this guy... he didn't smell bad. His cigarette breath just made Mike want him even more, and that was probably because of the honey. Either way, Mike was enticed by the other guy, completely.

"Hey, Juliet. What's your real name?" The guy smiled, not moving, not touching Mike.

"Mike. I'm Mike." The half Asian found himself blurting out.

"I'm Chester. But you can call me Romeo if you'd like." He winked and finally took Mike by the hand, dragging him away from that place.

They were just walking in silence. Chester seemed to know where he was taking Mike. Maybe he knew whoever was throwing the party. It was too quiet so Mike decided to say something. "I see you're the charmer type." He commented, quickly gazing at the other, only to see a small smile.

"Not really. I don't do that unless I see someone special." He stopped his tracks and looked at the other closely, his hand letting go of Mike's as he placed it on his cheek. "I don't need to be a glove to touch your cheek now." He said and his eyes hadn't left Mike's. And the half Asian was hypnotized by those orbs.

"You don't." He whispered and he knew what was coming. So he closed his eyes and leaned forward. Lips crashed together, Mike's plump ones against Chester's thin ones, and oh, how they fit perfectly together. Not long after, they were parting and Chester was diving in again, both hands now on the half Asian's face as he sucked on his bottom lip before peeking his tongue out and waiting for Mike's permission to invade his mouth, which was happily granted and soon their kisses became a sloppy mess.

Mike was sighing and moaning and just sinking in the taste of the other's mouth. Honey and cigarettes. That was the best fucking taste ever, as weird as it sounds. He dove his hands into the brunette's fluffy messy hair and pulled at it lightly, deepening their kisses and contently submitting to Chester's control.

Until they parted. Lips swollen and red. Breathless.

"You taste like honey and cigarettes." Mike blurted out, his hands still at Chester's nape, caressing the hair that was there as he smiled.

"Is that good?" He asked with a sly grin.

"That's fucking great."

••

They had spent the night together, kissing, flirting, but mostly, talking. Mike was enchanted to say the least. He would've thought that Chester was just another dumbass that would want to fuck and then never look at Mike again, but he was the exact opposite. So kind, patient, and concerned for the half Asian. He was always asking if what they were doing was okay, even if it was just a peck on the neck.

Mike was surprised to see how artsy the other man was. They talked the whole night and Mike wanted to spend so much more time with him, but the sun was already rising and as Chester lit another cigarette, he said his goodbye, with yet another Romeo and Juliet quote.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow." And with a last kiss to Mike's lips and a last one to his hand, he walked away, leaving the half Asian stunned.

"Chester! Wait!" He jogged towards the brunette as soon as he broke off his hypnotized state. "You didn't give me your number." He warned the other with a chuckle, pulling out his phone and unlocking it to give it to the brunette.

"No. I don't do that, I'm sorry Mike." Chester said as he put his hands up to reject the other's phone. And there it was, the douche side of the perfect brunette. Mike felt so pathetic for even believing that he could have found someone that would really want something more with him. He felt stupid for even thinking that Chester might be the one for him. He just wanted to disappear. He felt used. And that must have showed in his face because Chester was quick to hold his cheek and plant a tender kiss there. "Hey, don't make that face. I just... you'll think I'm a weirdo but... I believe that, if it's meant to be, we will eventually meet again. I liked you... a lot, Mike, but it's just the way I do things." Mike couldn't help but smile. That made a lot of sense. Even though he didn't wanna risk not seeing the brunette ever again, he had to respect his choices. So he nodded and kissed him one last time. He made sure to taste the honey and cigarettes and mark that flavor into his soul so he would always remember. He kissed him like it was the last time, exploring each corner of his mouth. Then they parted, and Chester went away.

••

A whole month had passed and Mike still couldn't take the honey and cigarettes out of his lips. Nor the image of Chester's smile off his mind. He didn't tell Brad, he knew he would hear shit for not insisting on getting the mysterious man's number, so he had to brood all alone now.

He dreaded going to work because he just felt like he had lost a great chance of finally being happy and having someone. But on the other hand, he couldn't help but be a helpless romantic. Every day in that old library, he expected Chester to walk in, and infest the whole place with his honey and cigarettes smell.

But he didn't. He didn't for a whole month and it was already beginning to get tiring. The half Asian felt stupid for falling into that conversation. Maybe he should've insisted.

And up in a chair, his mind traveled back to the honey, sweet and luscious, and the cigarettes, the bitterness and burnt tobacco, and he wanted it again. The addictive taste Chester left on his lips was...

"Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn." He heard a very familiar voice calling from behind him, interrupting his thoughts, and his heart nearly stopped as he almost fell from the chair, feeling arms encircle him from behind and help him down. Before he could assimilate what was happening he felt that scent. Honey and cigarettes. He felt that scent and he inhaled it like it was his last breath, and he looked down at the arms that still hadn't left his waist and saw just a hint of red and blue flames peeking out of the leather jacket he wore. "I-" Chester started but was immediately cut off as Mike turned in his arms and held his neck, attacking his lips with desperation. The taste was still the same as he sucked into Chester's lip, his hands gripping at his hair and at his shirt. He didn't even care anymore that he was working, he just needed so desperately to feel the brunette's lips on his own again. And then they parted and Mike was hypnotized by those cocoa eyes. He couldn't look away as Chester smiled and caressed his cheek.

"I guess it was worth the wait." Chester winked and squeezed the small love handle on Mike's waist.

"How did you find me?"

"I didn't. Faith did. I was drawn to this store the moment I saw its vintage architecture. And well... who would've known you'd happen to work here." He smiled. "I missed your kisses."

"I missed the honey and cigarettes." Mike smiled. "It's addictive."

"The sweetest honey is loathsome in its own deliciousness. And in the taste destroys the appetite. Therefore, love moderately." He quoted. "I think this one is fitting for the moment?" He smiled before pecking Mike's lips again.

"I wanted to kick your ass for making me wait for so long, you know." Mike poked his chest playfully.

"But you won't, will you?" The brunette smirked.

"No. Instead, I will kiss the hell out of you." And so he did, in the middle of the store, not giving two shits about what his boss would think or do later. Now, he just needed to drown in those kisses.

Chester couldn't stop smiling when they parted. "Can we get out of here?"

"My shift ends in 20." Mike sighed. He wanted to just get out of there in that second.

"I'll wait here." He winked.

He waited the 20 minutes and then Mike was ready to leave, and ironically enough, Chester's black shirt read 'dip me in honey', and the half Asian laughed at that.

"What is it?" Chester smiled, stunned.

"Your shirt. Hell yes I'll dip you in honey." Mike laughed again and took the other's hand, covering his mouth with the other.

"It wasn't planned." Chester joined in the laughter.

••

"Do you really think it's meant to be?" Mike suddenly asked as they sat on a bench, watching as the sky turned pink and purple as the sun was setting.

Chester took the half Asian's hand. "I do. And I hope it is. You're special, you know." He smiled.

"I hope our romance won't end like Romeo and Juliet."

"It won't, honey." He winked and kissed Mike's cheek, warning a smile. "Our romance will be like fucking Han and Leia!" He beamed. "Okay, that was way too nerdy." He laughed as Mike raised one eyebrow at him.

"But I like it. They're like, the best couple in the galaxy." Mike nudged him.

"Maybe we should just write our own love story." He nudged back.

"I would name it Honey & Cigarettes." Mike smiled.

"I like it. A lot." Chester kissed him slowly.

"Me too." Mike kissed him again. "I love it." And yet another kiss.

That was how the story of a weirdo that smelled like honey and cigarettes and recited Romeo and Juliet and a brooding antisocial half Asian, began.

••