Chapter Text
It had been less than a week since his and Jesse’s first date, and Hanzo was already surprised with how seamlessly Jesse had fit into his life. The date itself had ended unexpectedly, but they had managed to see each other a few times since: the two had shared a casual dinner on Sunday, and Jesse visited as usual on Tuesday. He had actually cooked Hanzo lunch and brought it to the shop that day, which had surprised Hanzo greatly -- Jesse was an excellent cook, but explained that he rarely bothered just for himself.
Conversation between them was pleasant and easy, the silences comfortable. Their texting quickly went from date planning to occasional to conversations throughout the day. Still, they were taking things slow -- what things, exactly, they had yet to get around to talking about.
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The back door to the shop opened, and Hanzo looked up from his after-hours inventory to find his brother making a beeline for the set of cabinets where he was working. Genji had that look about him - the one that had meant he had something serious on his mind even back when they were teenagers - so Hanzo was immediately on edge.
"Yes?" he asked tentatively as Genji made a show of casually leaning against the wall next to him.
"Do you and Jesse have any plans for Independence Day?" Genji spoke in Japanese, side-eyeing his brother while pretending to examine his nails, and alarms started going off in Hanzo's head. He hadn't thought Independence Day was a couple's holiday -- not that he and Jesse were explicitly a couple, but the possibility was there. Had he been wrong? Was there some other important happening on July 4th he had somehow forgotten?
"No?" Hanzo slowly closed the bottom cabinet where he had been counting empty gift tins and stood from his crouch. "Should we?"
Genji's face fell and he suddenly looked nervous. More alarm bells.
"So ... you have not talked about it at all? Perhaps doing something? Indoors? Or out of town?"
Hanzo shook his head and his brother heaved a sigh with a muttered "Damn him."
"Why do you not sit down and tell me what I am obviously missing?" Hanzo was already halfway to the seating area, stopping to drop his notepad on the counter, freshen his own too-cool cup of tea, and pour Genji a cup as well.
Genji sat, nodding when his brother set the tea in front of him and sipping it in silence, prominent brows furrowed. "It is ... just not a good day for Jesse," he said finally. "You mentioned being up in British Columbia last July, so you probably do not know just how intense the fireworks can get, even if they are not legal here."
Hanzo narrowed his eyes, not catching what this had to do with Jesse for a moment before sudden realization hit. "I have seen him…” here be paused, searching for the best word, “startle, I suppose, at loud noises, so I see how that would be a problem.”
That was an understatement: shortly after leaving the restaurant where they had eaten dinner last week, a car had blown a tire not far from them. In less than a second, Jesse had taken stock of their surroundings, grabbed Hanzo, and pulled him into the inset doorway of a closed bank, shielding Hanzo from the perceived danger as he reached for a weapon that wasn’t there. Oakley had started to nudge Jesse to get him out of his own head before Hanzo was even sure what was going on, but Jesse had been mortally embarrassed no matter how much Hanzo had insisted that everything was okay. It had put a bit of a damper on the evening, and Hanzo had made sure to suggest their next date before parting so that Jesse wouldn’t think he had been scared off.
“What does he usually do?" Hanzo asked slowly, his mouth a thin line.
"It depends. A couple of times he has headed out of town when he had the time and money to arrange it, but usually someone stays with him and we will try to drown it out with loud music or a movie or something. The first year I knew him ..." Genji trailed off, his jaw tight as he stared ahead. "I never want to see that again."
After a moment, he sighed and took a sip of his tea. "Fareeha just messaged me to tell me she has to work that night, and she will probably be busy running around citing people who are setting things off. I know he is not planning to go out of town at this point, and Zen and I are going to be in Boston that weekend for a convention."
"Why would he not mention this to me?" Hanzo's chest felt tight, and he knew the distress was clear on his face and in his voice. "What if you had not told me? He could have been alone all night because I would not have known and we had not planned anything."
"It’s just the way he is," Genji answered with a shrug and a shake of his head. "He is very self-conscious about these things, and probably thinks they are going to scare you away." He pinned Hanzo with a sharp look. "I know they will not, but I also know he he does not want you to see him like that. Especially when this is all so new between you."
Hanzo nodded thoughtfully, brows furrowed as he propped his elbows on the table and threaded his fingers together beneath his chin. He hadn’t mentioned what happened last Thursday to Genji, and did not intend to. "He need not worry about that. I shall have to think on how better to make sure he is aware of it." He huffed and looked up at his brother. "Thank you for telling me about this. It seems that I have some planning to do."
Genji's eyebrows shot toward his hairline at the determined concentration on his brother's face, but he didn't comment.
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“I didn’t think ya liked coffee,” Jesse commented as he and Hanzo stepped out of The Bakery Cafe on Wednesday, drinks and pastries in hand: as much as they loved Lena, Emily, and Mei, they didn’t need that many ears trying to hear their conversation. Not to mention the cooing that always happened when the ladies thought something was cute.
Hanzo just laughed. “It is not that I dislike coffee, just that I prefer tea. However, it feels a bit strange to purchase my own tea from another person’s shop.”
“Didn’ think of it like that,” Jesse answered with a chuckle. “Guess that would be a little weird.” He reminded himself to sip at his Americano after his initial long gulp, trying to make it last until he and Hanzo had meandered down the street to the park at Rose and Cedar. They waited until they had sat down on the little bench under the one big tree before digging out their pastries, Hanzo’s cherry turnover shedding rock sugar onto Jesse’s pork bun, and munched in companionable quiet while Oakley enjoyed a biscuit of her own.
“Always loved this park.” Jesse nursed the dregs of his coffee after finishing his bun. “It’s usually real quiet. Nice place to get out an’ clear your head a bit.”
“I have not really taken the time to explore the outdoors areas of the city,” Hanzo answered, “but it is a pleasant park. The trees here are lovely.”
“Aw, you should see them in fall. We’ll definitely have to come down here at least a few times then. There’s a couple other real nice places in the area we’ll have to tour, too.”
“I would like that.” Hanzo smiled as Jesse regaled him with the finer aspects of San Francisco’s parks, and all of the reasons that Hanzo would love each and every one.
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It was time for Jesse to head off to his shift at Build ‘Em Up Hobbies, and he had just stood to do so, Oakley’s lead in hand, when Hanzo reached a hand out to stop him.
"Wait, Jesse- do you have any plans for this weekend?"
Jesse froze; that was the last question he had wanted to hear. His eyes flicked away in a moment of panic before he slowly brought them back to meet Hanzo's earnest gaze. "Aw, no, darlin'," he answered hesitantly, clearing his throat to try to keep his voice from shaking. "I'm not real big on the holiday."
He looked down and half started to turn away, hoping Hanzo would leave it at that; he was not looking forward to any part of the weekend, and whatever it was he did end up doing, he didn't want to give Hanzo an opportunity to see him break down. Again. That would mean the end of ... whatever this was ... for sure.
Hanzo clearly had other plans. Jesse felt a soft touch on his shoulder as Hanzo dodged around him and bent to catch his gaze, expression warm.
"I am not one for large crowds or noise, but Genji assures me that that is all the city will be over the holiday weekend. Perhaps you would like to join me on a trip out to Half Moon Bay? I have heard it is lovely, and I suspect there will be less fuss with it being a resort town."
Jesse's heart, already pounding in his chest from nerves, sped up for an entirely different reason as relief washed over him. He smiled as he let out the breath he hadn't meant to be holding, and Hanzo's answering smile was bright and beautiful. He was so close, looking up at him, and Jesse had never felt a greater desire to kiss him.
"Yeah darlin', I'd really like that," he answered instead, his voice husky with emotion now that he had found it.
"I am glad." Hanzo's eyes crinkled at the edges as his smile grew wider. "Will you have the full day off on Saturday? I thought we would leave after work on Friday and stay in a hotel that night, but that it might be nice to go sailing Saturday evening so we can watch the fireworks from several miles out."
Jesse sucked in a breath and reached to scratch the back of his neck. He’d never be able to afford the things Hanzo had planned. "I'd love to, I really would, but ..."
"I have already booked a room, and it seems that only the suites with two beds were available. If you don't accompany me, one of them would be wasted," Hanzo prodded gently, but he must have read something in Jesse's expression because he cocked his head to the side, his smile taking on a touch of humor. "If you are concerned about sharing the expense, I will let you buy dinner. I assure you that I got very good rates on everything else."
For a few heartbeats, Jesse hesitated, then exhaled heavily and reached forward to pull Hanzo into a hug. He could feel Hanzo stiffen in surprise for an instant before he relaxed against his chest and drew his arms up to return it.
"Thanks, Han," Jesse said into the other man's hair. It smelled faintly of citrus and something herbal. "I- just, thanks."
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The phone rang as Hanzo was packing his bag for the next day, and he barely managed to say hello before his brother's "too casual" voice all but interrupted him.
"So did you figure out what you and Jesse are doing Saturday? You are doing something together, are you not?"
Hanzo heaved a sigh. "Yes, Genji. We are doing something."
"Well, what is it?" Genji asked. Hanzo could hear Zen and what sounded like an entire crowd of people in the background.
"We are leaving for Half Moon Bay after lunch tomorrow, as Jesse is getting off of work early and I am closing the shop, staying in a hotel overnight, and renting a sailboat for Saturday night." Hanzo's brows furrowed as he checked his watch. "Are you calling me from the airport?"
He had to pull the phone away from his ear as a high-pitched titter came across the line, sounding more like a schoolgirl than a man in his thirties. "Yeah, I am," Genji finally answered, still laughing. "And seriously, brother? I expected you guys to catch a movie or find a nice loud concert to go to or something, not a romantic weekend getaway."
"It is not a romantic weekend getaway!" Hanzo spluttered, his face growing hot. "We are not even a couple. I do not think. We have not discussed it."
"You say that now," Genji said, sounding sly. "But I would bet you will be saying something quite different come Monday."
"Genji-" Hanzo intended to be firm with his brother, but was cut off.
"Zen says hello and have a good weekend and I hear our call to board. You and Jesse enjoy each other!"
The phone beeped to indicate the call had ended. Hanzo glowered at it for a moment, then tossed it onto the bed with a huff so that he could resume packing.
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The drive down to Half Moon Bay from San Francisco had been pleasant and scenic, Hanzo and Jesse chatting while Oakley lounged on the black leather back seat of Hanzo's sedan.
It was almost three when they pulled into the valet parking area, and Jesse whistled as he took in the luxurious surroundings. “Fancy,” he commented, stepping out of the car and getting Oakley situated while Hanzo handed his keys to the parking attendant.
The two of them approached the reception counter with their bags and were greeted by a woman who looked to be in her early thirties, sporting a navy blazer and impeccable makeup.
"Good afternoon gentlemen, and welcome to the Grand Oceanic Resort and Spa. Do you have a reservation?"
Hanzo set his bag down next to the counter and pulled out his wallet. "We do, under Hanzo Shimada," he answered, setting his driver's license and a heavy black credit card down next to the reservation confirmation he had drawn from his back pocket.
"Of course, sir," the receptionist chirped, gathering the items and tapping away at the keyboard in front of her. Her brow furrowed after a flurry of clicks, and Hanzo felt a pang of anxiety.
"Is there something wrong?"
"I'm sorry, sir. It seems we've overbooked a bit; that occasionally happens with internet reservations." The receptionist's eyes flicked up to Hanzo's face a few times as she consulted her screen, wearing an apologetic smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. It looked incredibly well-rehearsed. "I don't have the particular room you reserved available, but I can upgrade you to the Grand King Villa at no additional cost."
"You have no double rooms available?" Hanzo asked. "I do not mind paying a difference."
"I'm afraid not, sir. It is a holiday weekend."
Hanzo heaved a sigh and turned to Jesse. "Do you wish to stay here, or ...?"
Jesse drew in a breath and hesitated, face slightly flushed.
"The Villa does include a sleeper sofa," the receptionist added a little too helpfully, her expression expectant as she looked from one man to the other.
"Well, it is a holiday weekend, darlin', like she said," Jesse ventured after a moment. "I suspect we'd fare just about the same anywhere else."
"I could check the availability at the Ritz-Carlton," Hanzo replied, already pulling out his phone.
Jesse's eyes widened and he put his good hand up defensively. "Whoa, there! Now you're gettin' way too fancy on me. This is fine, darlin', we'll work it out."
Hanzo nodded and put his phone away; he had expected that response, really. Otherwise, he would have booked a room at the Ritz-Carlton to begin with.