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That the streetrat didn’t know what actual good food was, was sad in itself no matter how often Vasili thought about it. It was one of the sadder things he had heard in his life so far. And by now the corpo heir was determined to change that. Of course only in his own interest. Because it was obvious that Vasili gained something when Hiro finally got to taste expensive, real good food … he wasn’t too sure what exactly he gained. But he would gain something… it was obvious right? If the streetrat, he hung around with because he had connections with the Tyger Claws, was experiencing good food helped Vasili because ….if Hiro...when… their business relationship what this totally only was ...and...the food... Okay, Vasili wasn’t exactly too sure how it would help him but he was sure that there was some sort of reason. Why else would he do it? Not because he suddenly had a heart for random streetrats he met. Or because he liked him. Vasili only spent his time with Hiro because he wanted to get closer to the Tyger Claws in hopes that it would help him with Wakako so she would give the teen better gigs, give him the chance to prove himself. You could see that’s all it was in the end: a business relationship.
But before he could even think of taking Hiro anywhere some changes needed to be done. Mainly: Hiro needed new clothes. His tank tops and sweatpants might work on the streets but there wasn’t a chance that they would get into an even remotely fancy restaurant with Hiro looking like this.
“I don’t need new clothes!”
“Yes, you do.”
They were walking down the streets. Vasili knew where he wanted to go: Jinguji. They would find something there. Something fitting.
“When would I even wear those clothes again?!”
“Whe-...” Vasili stopped himself, bit his tongue. When I take you out the next time. That’s what he had wanted to say instinctively before his brain had quickly saved him. This was just one business meeting between the teens just to let Hiro experience something nice. No need to repeat that ever again. So Vasili just shrugged: “How would I know?”
They walked in silence for a moment.
“I can wear another tank top. A better one.”
Vasili rolled his eyes at this protest and just shook his head: “Tank tops are not allowed in those restaurants. You will not die if you wear a suit or just a suit shirt for a few hours.” He turned towards the other, stared at him. And with the look Hiro gave him, he wasn’t too sure if the other wouldn’t die on the very spot Vasili would force him to wear something fancy. “Hiro”, he sighed and had to hold back to not just grab the other and drag him behind himself into the store. “We will get you new clothes or you will never get to taste the dumb food… I am sure they also have great desserts.” That seemed to be enough of an argument as the streetrat at least nodded and stopped his protests for the moment.
Shopping itself though was … it wasn’t exactly what Vasili had expected. It wasn’t a drag, it wasn’t exhausting, but it still felt a little odd. Perhaps it was because Hiro looked a little bit out of place in the store. So much that Vasili almost regretted making the other one do it but Hiro didn’t seem too phased by the looks of the employees that eyed the teens very suspiciously as they walked around, looking at displayed clothing, discussing whether or not it would suit the upcoming situation. But Vasili didn’t like the looks at all. The young Cromwell was this close to making a scene. And it was probably only because none of the employees had the nerve to address why they were staring like this that he didn’t. So he just glared at them very annoyed as soon as they came near.
“This one!”
Hiro’s voice caused Vasili to turn away from the seller nearby. “Mh?” It took him a moment to fully take in what Hiro was presenting to him. A suit shirt. So far so good. But oh god, it was so colourful. Way too colourful. “No.”
“What?! Why?”
“Why does it have to have more than two colours at once?”
Hiro turned the shirt. Obviously, he wasn’t really seeing why Vasili was complaining. “I like it. I’ll wear it.”
“No. You will not.” Vasili shook his head.
“Yes, I will.”
“No. Just pick a different one. A less flashy one!”
For a moment they stared at each other. None of them was blinking, as if it meant instant defeat in this little debate.
“Well fine then!” Hiro pushed the shirt into Vasili’s hands and walked off, looking for more while the teen just stood there, waiting for him and occasionally mustering the shirt he was holding. Why did Hiro even choose it? It was so damn bright and colourful, no one in their right mind would choose it. Sure, it would be good enough to get into a restaurant, it was still the kind of shirt that screamed ‘expensive’ but it was so ugly. Also sure, that was very subjective. But Vasili felt like it was best to tone Hiro a little bit down. Just a little bit. When he heard footsteps getting closer again, Vasili looked up. Hiro was holding a few more shirts and as soon as Vasili saw the mischievous grin on the other’s face, he knew that the streetrat was up to something.
Of course, the other clothes that Hiro picked were worse. One was totally see-through, the others the most horrendous colour combinations he had ever seen in his life. They were weirdly designed and Vasili couldn’t help but wonder why something like this even made it into a store. It had been a discussion, seemingly taking forever until they had it pinned down to one decision. One decision that Hiro was currently trying on.
Vasili was teetering on his feet. “Hiro”, he snarled and rolled his eyes. “How long could it possibly take you to try on one shirt?”
Hiro was mumbling something about great things needing time, ending in a rant about how much better the other, flashier shirts would look on him. Until after some time, with one great movement, Hiro pulled back the curtain and stepped outside in a somewhat dramatic pose. With a snort, Vasili rolled his eyes.
“Better?! Toned down enough for you?”, Hiro said with a mocking tone.
Vasili just wanted to answer something witty but as he mustered Hiro closer the words got stuck in his throat. He’d expect that Hiro would look odd in one of the shirts. Because it wasn’t the kind of clothing he’d wear usually. His own clothes suited him well, Hiro just was the type to wear casual clothing and he looked fine with those. But formal clothing? Wouldn’t surprise Vasili if it looked weird on Hiro. That was fine. Hiro didn’t have to be a model just to get into a restaurant. They wanted to go for food, right? Not for looking good. Perhaps it was because of his low expectations that Vasili actually looked surprised and baffled as he looked at Hiro. It really did suit him. He looked good in the dark reddish shirt with a few black accents and Vasili could swear that it was a little bit glittering as well. He wanted to say something snarly, wanted to comment on the glitter, how Hiro still managed to look a little extra even after Vasili tried his best to tone him down. Apparently, he had failed. But he wasn’t sure in what way…. for a moment he stared, he felt himself blushing, his ears getting a little warm. He looks good in the clothes. The thought echoed a few times through Vasili’s head and at first, he didn’t even fully realise it. His mouth opened, ready to say anything, but he just couldn’t produce any sounds. His cheeks flushed a little more as he realised how stupid he must look right now. It probably was only a few seconds but it felt like minutes that he was staring like an idiot. Hiro must have realised. Quickly, he looked down on his feet, avoiding looking at Hiro directly. He pressed his lips together. “I think it should be okay”, he pressed.
Oh man, he felt like an absolute idiot right now. Come on, Vasili, it was still Hiro. Loudmouth, Hiro. Streetrat, Hiro. Hiro that he could bait with sweets and food and who he only took out for food because he pitied him. Get yourself together. It is just a shirt! he told himself. No need to act like a fool. And if he didn’t look too much at Hiro, he should be fine, right? Right?
Maybe Vasili hadn’t thought this fully through. The idea to avoid looking at Hiro worked in the store and on their way to the restaurant but as soon as they were seated he saw the flaw in his logic. They had to sit in front of each other. Of course, they did. And therefore, Vasili had to look at Hiro. At first, he tried to just look at something behind Hiro, avoiding looking at him directly. Or he stared at Hiro directly. He knew Hiro’s face. His face didn’t make him blush. Normally. Today perhaps a little bit. But in the end, that didn’t work out too well. He felt the constant flush in his cheeks and ears, he must be red by now. And if he was lucky, he wasn’t red like a tomato but it was just a slight blush. Vasili really hoped it was the latter. While he was so focused not to show any of those embarrassing feelings that made his heart pound like crazy in his chest and almost let his fingers tremble, he had a real hard time actually enjoying the food, the restaurant, this whole visit in general. He hardly got anything down, was staring a lot on the plate in front of him but every time he dared a short glance in Hiro’s direction he felt his heart flutter and he was almost certain the streetrat was enjoying himself and the food as well. And that alone let Vasili break into a small, shy smile.