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]

[Maaaybe. He's really enjoying this.]

A camera? The kind with film, or...?

[Digital cameras sure are a wonder to him, but he's intrigued that anyone would have the kind of camera he's more familiar with.]

[eyescar]

A Polaroid one!

[ Yuji mimes taking the photo with his hands. ]

So we can have the photo straight away.

[the_fourteenth]

Really? [He's not sure how that works either, but he's interested. He considers it for a moment. Photos on the wall would be nice...]

We should find some places to take photos of, then. Especially once spring arrives.

[Not that Neo Tokyo is the most picturesque or safest city for a photography journey, but it's also not like these two can't keep themselves safe.]

[eyescar]

Yeah! I wonder if there’ll be a lot of cherry blossoms?

[ Spring already, huh? And it was autumn for him before he got here… ]

Huh, that means it’s going to be my birthday soon too.

[the_fourteenth]

There are a lot of trees at the shrine. If nowhere else, it should look nice up there in another month or two.

[Birthday, huh... He tilts his head thoughtfully.]

When? Do you want to do anything for it? [An idea hits him.]. Ah, that... karaoke, maybe?

[He's heard about it from kids at school, and he knows Yuji mentioned liking it. Just don't expect this deadpan kid to even be able to hold a tune in a bucket.]

[eyescar]

Nah, it’s fine. I’ve never really celebrated it before now, so I don’t need to do anything now.

[ The idea of doing a karaoke evening would be pretty cool, though… Maybe he could organise something when it gets closer? ]

It might be nice just to hang out more, though.

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou nods. He can respect that. It's not like he'd want a big fuss made about his birthday either.

He smiles at that suggestion.]

Of course. We can do that whenever you like.

[eyescar]

I’ll see if the others want to come.

[ Yuji takes another drink of his coffee, humming happily. ]

I want to spend more time with you.

[the_fourteenth]

That'd be great.

[He gets up the courage to lean against Yuji a little when he says that to him.]

... I'd like that too. This was fun.

[eyescar]

[ Oh, hey… Yuji wiggles closer, wrapping his arm around Raidou and holding him a little closer. It’s… Nice. ]

I’ve never been on a date before, so I wasn’t sure how to make it good. I’m glad you’ve had fun.

[the_fourteenth]

[Oh... That is nice.]

Ah, me either... Though I'm sure you guessed it by now.

[Much like here, Narumi back home was encouraging him to make more friends and go on dates, but Raidou was already too married to his job. Things were so different here.

Narumi would be pretty proud of him now, though.]

I never even had the time to think about it back home.

[eyescar]

Tell me about it! There were more important things to worry about.

[ Yuji leans on Raidou with a soft sigh, closing his eyes. It’s comfortable, and he likes it. They’re both warm, and with everything… It’s nice to have something good going on.

He’s happy. This is making him happy. How weird. ]

Do you wanna kiss me, Raidou?

[ And then he goes bright, bright red. ]

Uh, I mean, I was - that’s what happens on dates - we don’t have to!

[the_fourteenth]

[Very weird.

Raidou tenses a bit when he asks that, fingers tightening into his shirt. He very much has been thinking about it, and now he's been given an invitation.

By the time Yuji is done trying to cover his initial question, Raidou is turning to face him. His face is pretty much just as red. Without a word, Raidou takes Yuji by the cheek, and places a gentle kiss on him.

He knows that if he didn't just do it, he never would.]

[eyescar]

[ Oh… Oh!

Yuji’s eyes widen a little and he shifts, leaning in to press back into the kiss. It’s nice, he realises, leaving him a little bit giddy and excited - how long has it been since he did something that other teenagers get to do? Kissing a cute boy…

He likes it.

He puts his coffee down so that it doesn’t spill as he tilts his head in to steal another kiss, since Raidou was brave enough to do it the first time. He’s so happy. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[He took initiative. Be proud! (Maybe those words from his profile been rattling around in his head all day...)

He's very glad Yuji comes back in for another, and he's more enthusiastic this time as well. When they break, Raidou isn't sure what to say, but from the smile on his face, he's definitely enjoying it. His quiet voice is almost a whisper, since he hasn't moved far from Yuji.]

Ah, that's... That was great.

[Good. Very romantic, great job Raidou. Knocked it out of the park.]

[eyescar]

Not bad for a first kiss, hm?

[ And not bad for someone who didn’t think they’d live long enough to have any kind of kisses, let alone two really good ones. He’s happy, startlingly so, and he can feel his cheeks still flushed and warm from it.

He’s a sucker for nice, kind people. Who’d have guessed.

Leaning into Raidou again, he takes his hand and squeezes it. ]

I’d do it again.

[the_fourteenth]

No, not at all.

[Emotions are a tough thing for Raidou. Nervousness is not a usual one, which he's been feeling a lot of tonight. Even now, after that, though it's abating a bit.

Things are different here. So different in so many ways that sometimes Raidou felt so overwhelmed. Maybe not all of them have to be bad, though.

He's glad to have that hand in his again, giving it a squeeze back.]

What's stopping you?

[eyescar]

Nothing is.

[ This feels easy. He’s always felt a pretty good connection with Raidou, someone who understood him and had the same sort of mindset as him - people who want to use their strength to protect others.

He just wishes he could be more confident in his own beliefs these days.

Leaning in, smiling, Yuji kisses him again, lingering this time with his mouth on Raidou’s. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[How nice it was to momentarily forget about the world outside this room, nothing but the two of them. It all seemed unreal. What a day it's been.

Raidou leans into him, that hand threaded with Yuji's clutching tighter, his other hand hesitantly coming up to gingerly take the side of Yuji's face.]

[eyescar]

[ It's instinct more than anything else that has Yuji tilting his head into Raidou's touch, pressing into the kiss a little harder before he leans back, breathing out a sharp, happy noise.

He doesn't move his head away from the gentle touch. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[Is it possible for even someone like Raidou to look happy and scared at the same time? He seems a little like he can't believe he just did that, swallowing and biting his lip nervously. But considering Yuji seems to have enjoyed it, not even moving away from his hand yet...

Sorry, Yuji. He's pretty in to you. After all, who else here gets to call him by his real name?

He's not sure where to go from here. His heart is racing.]

We'll, ah... well do this all again sometime soon, right? [After a beat, he adds:] Let's go ice skating. [See, he can take initiative.]

[eyescar]

[ Yuji is really enjoying this - he likes Raidou, he thinks he's cute, and spending time with him has been... Nice feels like an understatement, but after everything that he has been through over the last few weeks the sweet of nice can't be overstated.

Leaning in, he touches his forehead to Raidou's shoulder, resisting the urge to laugh sheepishly. ]

Yeah, we have to!

[ Wow... Raidou wants to see him again... ]

I'll probably fall over a lot?

[ He'll be good at it, because he's Like That. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[He beams.] Great.

[Still smiling, he shakes his head at that.]

Even if you do, you'll be fine. I'll teach you.

[eyescar]

I'll be a fast learner!

[ He beams, squeezing Raidou's hand again. ]

And you'll let me get you hot chocolate?

[the_fourteenth]

Of course.

[Yuji will quickly learn about Raidou's secret sweet tooth.]

Then, it's a date.