if this were a movie ( closed )

[eyescar]

WHO: Yuji and Raidou
WHAT: Apparently... They're going on a date...
WHERE: In the town, baby
WHEN: After the Synder mingle
WARNINGS: N/A

[ Yuji hadn't gone into the mingle thinking it was actually for dating.

His view of it had been a way to make friends, that throwing them a heart was just saying that he wanted to talk, but now... Now he's accidentally found himself going out with Raidou? It's not as if the idea upsets him, since he thinks Raidou is a good guy, and they really do get along with one another, but he's never dated anyone before. No one's ever been interested! So he doesn't really know what he's supposed to do, a little nervous and impossibly sheepish.

He's glad he decided to get the style upgrade, so at least he looks a little more put together for the date that might not end up being a date. If it turns into two friends hanging out, that's fine too, but he wishes a little bit that they'd been able to make a decision about it.

Hovering awkwardly in the common room, Yuji shifts from one foot to the other. There must be somewhere to go see a film in the city, but he hadn't managed to track anything specific down, so he really hopes Raidou doesn't mind watching something together in his room...

He's so unprepared, huh... ]

Comments

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou is normally a very punctual person, but he ends up running just a few minutes behind. He isn't used to this either; before arriving here, he barely had a chance to make friends, let alone had time to entertain the idea of dates. Not even to get into the idea of being from 1922 and how culturally everything was so different.

What do people do on dates? What does he wear? (No one wears hats anymore?!) Movies seemed like a popular choice, and they were planning on doing that anyway. It's no different than a normal hangout session, right? You know, that other thing he only began experiencing for the first time two months ago. Nothing to be nervous about. Right.

After spending a little longer fiddling with his style chip and panicking about whether or not he might be ruining things between the two of them, he finds Yuji in the commons, slipping in quietly as ever. As typical of him, he's dressed in all dark colors, but... no hat.
He was willing to try it and regrets it already, feeling strangely exposed. He looks similarly nervous and sheepish.]

Hi. Sorry to keep you waiting.

[eyescar]

[ Maybe he should’ve paid more attention to the shojo manga the girls in middle school were reading, then he might have some idea what to do right now. Shifting from one foot to the other, he tugs at his clothes absently - he’s gone for a plain shirt and a decent looking jacket, a pair of jeans under it. He looks more put together than normal, right?

Is it better than his normal hoodie? He’s trying… Raidou always looks pretty formal and serious, so…

At least he doesn’t jump when he hears the other guy, lifting his hand into a little wave. It’s odd to see him without the hat, but it suits him? It’s nice, thinking that both of them are taking this seriously despite how embarrassed they were by it.

Kinda cute. ]

Hey, it’s fine! I haven’t been here long. You look nice!

[ Nailed it. ]

I didn’t get a chance to see what was showing, so we can pick when we get there?

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou fiddles with the cuffs of his own black peacoat.]

Thank you. You, as well.

[Unfortunately he sounds as formal as ever. Maybe someday he'll loosen up, when he's not so nervous. Maybe.]

That's fine. I'll trust your judgement on which one to see. [Yuji knows way more about movies than he does.] Shall we?

[eyescar]

Better than a hoodie, right?

[ Oh, nailed it. He’s glad he went a little more formal, but not weirdly so.

Nodding, he turns to lead them towards the city, crossing his arms behind his head. Should he be holding Raidou’s hand? Isn’t that what people do on dates?

Does that happen later? He has no idea. ]

Hey, did you manage to give out all your chocolate?

[the_fourteenth]

[He smiles at that.] It looks sharp.

[Raidou is having a similar thought, but doesn't know either. Wouldn't that be too forward? It felt like it, but he also knew how laughably out of fashion he was in this time, or even compared to Yuji's.

But he's thinking about it.]

Oh, ah, yes, I did. Most people seemed fairly ready to exchange, since we had to. But I still did notice a few poor souls stuck in their rooms.

[eyescar]

They really want us to be a big team, don’t they?

[ It makes sense, in a way. They’ll work better together if they’re bonding, maybe fight better or take more risks. At the same time, though, it’ll make things worse if people get hurt, won’t it?

Fighting curses had been fun, a little competitive too, at first. Now… It’s all different.

Sighing, he shakes his head and tries to focus on the positives for now. He can worry later. ]

Well, yours was a real gift, just so you know. I did that before they told us we had to.

[the_fourteenth]

They do, but I'm not sure all the forced interactions are the way to go about it.

[Still, after the kaiju battle, Raidou felt like everyone pulled together pretty well. It gave him more hope for future fights.

He smiles warmly at that.]

I appreciate it. I wish I had more notice of this holiday, I would have been more prepared.

[He could always try to make it up, right. After a beat, he looks back at Yuji.]

Do you like coffee?

[eyescar]

At least you’ll know for next year? If we’re all still here, anyway.

[ It’s not that Yuji doesn’t want to go home, it’s just… He really is happy here. Isn’t that okay?

Is he allowed to be?

Too big a question for right now. ]

Sure, I liked the coffee you made before. I know it wasn’t with the fancy machine, though. Why, do you want to get some?

[ They can definitely stop at a cafe, or maybe there’s one in the film place… ]

[the_fourteenth]

I hope so. And in better shape than this year, if we have anything to say about it.

[Because the city is still in really rough shape after the last attack.]

I wouldn't ever turn down coffee. But, I have that fancy press, and I haven't had much of a chance to use it for anyone else. Much better than any of the stuff I have to make en masse in a hurry.

[eyescar]

I’m still working with the firefighters and we’re trying to help out.

[ The amount this boy can lift is both horrifying and helpful.

His smile settles into something softer. This is all kinda… Cute… ]

Is it in your room? We can go there after the movie for coffee?

[the_fourteenth]

[It is, isn't it. He's starting to feel more relaxed by the time they arrive at the theater.]

It is. And I'd be glad to.

[Raidou stops to look at the movie posters outside. He's not heard of any of them, so it's all the same to him. He turns to Yuji.]

What do you think?

[eyescar]

That sounds great!

[ Stepping up to the posters, he peers at them all as if it's the most important decision in the world. He doesn't recognise any of them, and he looks from poster to poster before he nods.

Then, he points at one - looks like a kind of cutesy comedy thing. ]

How about this one?

[the_fourteenth]

Sure. [Something light is probably a good idea. When they get inside, it's Raidou who approaches the booth and gets the tickets. He feels like he's the reason this whole silly thing happened, so it can be his treat.

He also lingers while walking past the snack booth. Even Raidou with his sweet tooth is a little candied out thanks to LILITH's latest stunt.]

... We should get popcorn, right?

Date Part 2: The Revenge

[the_fourteenth]

[A few nights later, Raidou will meet Yuji at the skating rink. He's already there a few nights a week already, taking advantage before it soon closes for the season. He's been enjoying his new hobby, and it's much better when he has someone to bring out there with him.

Not that he's one for showing off much, but he does have one thing he wants to show Yuji that he's been practicing. He'd been watching other people on the rink occasionally do jumps, and wanted to try it himself. While his form is far from perfect, he does manage to do a single toe loop and sticks the landing. It even gets a smattering of applause from others out on the rink, much to his embarrassment.

Once they're done in the ice, there's a nearby booth for snacks and warm drinks, where Raidou will grab the two of them hot chocolate - his treat, since he was the one who had asked for them to come here.]

So, did you enjoy it out there?

[eyescar]

[ Yuji wasn't terrible at the ice skating, but it was clear to them who out of himself and Raidou is the better skater, and it definitely isn't him. He's better than he thought he would be, given how much his balance has developed since becoming a sorcerer, but he's nowhere near proficient - and his partner seems as though he's been practising, which is really cool to see.

He kind of likes it when Raidou shows off a little bit.

He does protest a little at Raidou getting them hot chocolates, since he had said they were his treat, but he accepts and starts to scan for something else that he can offer instead. He wants to make this date just as good as their first one, even if the notion of multiple dates is making his cheeks go a little red.

Blaming it on the cold is an option, isn't it? ]

Yeah! I don't think I've ever had much of a chance to go skating before, so this was fun! I didn't realise you were so good at it, Johei.

[the_fourteenth]

It's been a long time since I'd done it before I arrived here. I'm glad I decided to give it another try.

[He pulls the brim of his hat down a bit in reaction to the compliment, though.]

Thanks... I've been coming here a lot since we arrived. Ah, I owe Bakugo a second race. He wasn't too happy that I won our first one.

[eyescar]

You beat him? I bet he was furious! I can see him exploding about it.

[ Yuji can admit to liking to tease Bakugo just a little bit, to see if he'll pop, so... Sipping his hot chocolate, he reaches out, almost idly, to try and take Raidou's hand. Sly, subtle, and painfully obvious. ]

You looked cool.

[the_fourteenth]

[He grins a little. Even Raidou can't help but tease that guy too.]

He did. That's why we have to do another one now.

[Raidou let's his hand be taken, wrapping his fingers around Yuji's, gave reddening even more. He doesn't know what to do with compliments.]

A-Ah, did I? Thanks...

[He's trying, though.]

[eyescar]

You did! I was impressed.

[ Woah, they're holding hands... It feels good, and Yuji squeezes - gently, mindful of his strength. ]

I hope you can teach me more in the future.

[the_fourteenth]

You did pretty good out there.

[Yuji was pretty athletic too though, so Raidou figured this would be a good thing to try with him.

Don't worry, he's tougher than he looks.]

I'd be happy to come back again before it closes for the spring, if you like. I suppose I'll have to find something else to do once the warm weather arrives.

[eyescar]

Yeah? I guess it was something I could get good at if I tried.

[ Because he gets good at most sport related things with a bit of practice. He just doesn't get that kind of downtime these days. ]

We could have a picnic?

[the_fourteenth]

I bet you could. I'll be racing you next.

[Honestly he'd love that. Same with the suggestion of a picnic, too. He could make something nice for that...]

Yeah? That'd be great. Once spring gets here, I'd like to venture out of the city a little. I don't know if there is much out there, but I'd like to find out. Maybe we could find a nice spot out there.

[eyescar]

The last one we had was nice. Maybe I can make the food next time.

[ Yuji turns to look at him, and he just looks... Fond. Really fond. ]

I'd like to go and see. I've explored a bit around the city, but there must be something cool outside, too.

[the_fourteenth]

Sure. I'd love to see what you'd make.

[Raidou looks much the same at Yuji, his expression warms, in that subtle Raidou way. The idea of spending more time with Yuji brightens those cold gray eyes.]

That's what I was wondering. Maybe there's not much out there, but whatever it is, I'd like to find out. I think it'd be fun either way.

[He'll be pretty happy to find all those cat colours out there, that's for sure.]

[eyescar]

Yeah! It could be an adventure! I can pack us some food, and we can just go. I don't think they'd care too much as long as we came back?

[ He hums, thoughtful, absently squeezing Raidou's hand and leaning a little closer. Invading personal space is second nature to Yuji now. ]

And another date for us.