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Hizashi walked into the restaurant, his favorite date outfit on, trying to find a familiar face in the sea of people, all dressed fancier than him.
It had been ages since he’d gone on a date with a dating app match. Usually he had better luck, or at least he had time to be more active on the dating front. This was the first guy in ages that wasn’t super creepy right from the start, seemed to be able to have some intellectual conversations and was decently looking, so he wanted to give it a shot.
Hizashi took off his leather jacket, revealing the button-up and tight, black jeans that he was wearing, his hair in a carefully adjusted braid.
He looked good, right? he kept telling himself. He deserved to go on nice dates, to meet interesting people who were also interested in him! Even as it had been months since he'd even gotten laid, he didn't want to become too desperate.
He liked to date casually, to meet new people, some more and some less his type and taste, to hear people's life stories and experiences. Though, what he really wanted was to find love and be able to settle down with someone that he grew to love more than anything.
But maybe he just had to admit that he'd never find a perfect match on an app.
“Yamada, right?” A voice came from behind him. Hizashi turned abruptly, coming to stare at the man he luckily recognized from his pictures.
“Yeah, that’s me! Nice to meet you, Chisaki.”
He was at least the same person as in his pictures. He was shorter than Hizashi though, with a skinny body and a stern face, wearing a fitted dark green suit jacket over a black button-up. He was quite handsome, not half-bad, but Hizashi wondered if his bad jokes could make that serious face even crack a smile.
Meeting someone for the first time was always scary, no matter how many times Hizashi had done it. He always worried that he would ruin the first encounter with his nervous laughter and awkward jokes, though maybe he needed to find that someone who didn't mind it, and was able to pull out Hizashi's true self from under his nervousness.
“Glad you made it, finally. I ordered some drinks for us.” The man took Hizashi’s coat, almost shoving it to a young waitress at the door. He escorted Hizashi to their table at the back of the big restaurant, a reserved table with Chisaki’s name on it.
The restaurant was really nice, almost fancy.The lighting was quite low in the big hall, full of clothed tables and people enjoying their wines and expensive meals. The restaurant was on the highest floor, and of course their table was next to a big window, overlooking the city lights of Musutafu somewhere below them. Hizashi felt a bit out of place.
He would have preferred a casual, relaxed first date with jokes and laughter, rather than sitting stiffly and acting snobby, as the other customers seemed to be. It wasn’t the best environment to really get the right impression of what someone was truly like.
Nevertheless, Chisaki had insisted he choose the restaurant, and Hizashi liked determined, strong-willed men. If there was going to be a second date, maybe he could take the man to a karaoke next, to see him really let loose.
So, Hizashi sat at the table, bringing the glass of red wine on his side to his lips.
Chisaki cleared his throat. “I would like to propose a toast first, if that is alright.”
“Oh, sure!” Hizashi lowered his glass, seeing Chisaki narrow his eyes at the gesture.
“I’m happy that you agreed to meet with me here. I hope you have a pleasant evening, and enjoy the company.” The other man lifted his glass as well, as Hizashi went to clink them together with a wide smile. “You won’t say anything?”
“Oh! Umm.. thanks for inviting me, this restaurant looks really nice! If each visit wouldn't cost half my rent, I'd probably come again!” Hizashi joked. “And let’s just relax, not take the night too seriously! I'm looking forward to getting to know you.” Hizashi smiled reassuringly.
“I see.” The man sipped on his wine, unenthusiastic of Hizashi’s speech it seemed.
Hizashi cursed himself for trying to joke so early on! He knew he had quite a handful personality, as some of his previous dates had kindly pointed out, only adding to Hizashi's nervousness and insecurities about himself. At some point, he just really wanted to find someone who he felt easy with, who didn’t make him so self-conscious.
Like Chisaki right now, clearly taking a closer look at all of Hizashi’s piercings and jewellery.
“So, do you often go on dates?” Hizashi tried to start the conversation.
“Not quite. I am a very busy man, with my own company, and I rarely find people I’m actually interested in.”
“So, I’m lucky then?” Hizashi joked with a wink, trying how his flirts worked on the man.
“You could consider yourself that.” The man breezed past the advances with an attitude cold enough to make Hizashi’s dick have frostbite. Arrogance was such a turn-off for him..
Well, you couldn’t win every time. The man had been interested enough to invite Hizashi here with him, maybe he just needed some time to warm up to Hizashi’s personality.
“Welcome to High Spec. I am your waiter for tonight. If you have any questions, I’d be glad to answer. Since your party has arrived, would you like to take a look at our appetizers?”
Hizashi turned to answer the waiter, putting on a friendly smile for the hardworking staff as always. But when he took a look at the man standing next to their table, he managed to perfectly sip his drink right into his nose.
“Yamada, please.” Chisaki whispered as Hizashi covered his mouth and coughed a few times. “There is no need, I have chosen the Escargots a la Bourguignonne for us.”
The waiter nodded, turning back to Hizashi. “Are you alright, sir?”
Oh, wow, Hizashi would definitely become a regular here.
The most gorgeous man he had ever seen stood before him. His hair was pitch-black, right past his shoulders but the top was tied back, displaying a pale face and a clean stubble. The man’s eyes were dark as he stared concerned at Hizashi, though a hint of tiredness in them.
“S-Sorry, I think I got wine in my nose.” Hizashi coughed once more, already embarrassing himself in front of his date and the handsome mystery waiter. He was probably blushing, but felt a bit better when he saw the waiter snort with laughter at his comment. Chisaki seemed to only roll his eyes.
“I’ll bring you the menus shortly. Please, feel free to have some water in the meantime.” The waiter smiled, clearly jabbing Hizashi for the scene he had made.
Wow. Why weren’t guys like him on dating apps? Or why did they keep swiping left on him?
As the waiter walked off from their table, Hizashi continued staring after him, almost unable to tear his eyes off. The man was made to wear black straight pants (his backside was what Hizashi mostly found himself getting distracted on), a white, almost too tight button-up with his sleeves rolled halfway.
He felt kind of guilty for it, but he’d change his date to that man in a heartbeat.
“Do you know that man?” Chisaki suddenly asked, forcing Hizashi to face him again. His date just lifted his brow in question.
“No, actually. I guess he looked a bit familiar, but I was mistaken..” Hizashi lied. Well, he did look familiar- right out of Hizashi’s dreams.
Chisaki let the topic go and continued rolling the wine glass in his fingers.
“So, you own your own company?” Hizashi tried to break the ice again.
"Yes, indeed, the Shie Hassaikai. I’m sure you’ve heard of the most successful law firm in Musutafu-“ Chisaki seemed very happy to start rambling about his job, not sparing any details as they waited for the appetizers.
Hizashi listened and asked a few questions when he managed to interrupt the man, but after a while he found his eyes traveling back to their waiter.
The man walked across the dining hall with food in his arms, took orders, made some drinks at the bar and occasionally disappeared into the kitchen. Once or twice, Hizashi thought he was caught staring and had to quickly turn his head away, back to Chisaki who didn’t seem to even notice his wandering eyes. When Hizashi soon glanced at the employee again, the man was back at work, swiping down tables with his oh, so muscular arms and smiled reservedly at other guests. Hizashi was almost jealous..
“I wonder how long one appetizer can take.” Chisaki soon complained, huffing on his seat.
Before Hizashi got to say anything encouraging, he shut his mouth and straightened his back as the waiter headed back to their table.
He introduced the dishes with fancy French words and Hizashi was sure his eyes were gleaming, his ears eating the low bass up.
“Ah, bon appetit.” Chisaki announced ceremoniously.
Hizashi took his own utensils in his hands, still giving a last smile to the waiter as he told them to enjoy the meal.
Hizashi put his fork into his mouth, and immediately his focus was back on their table- more specifically, on his plate.
“Oh, this is- a very, um.. unique taste. What were these again?” Hizashi tried to stay polite and well-mannered. But it felt like something was crawling in his mouth.
“The Escargots, as I ordered. It is snails, in French.” Chisaki took a bit of his own plateful and hummed with interest. “Perhaps a bit too salty.”
“S-snails?” Hizashi whimpered. “You know that I’m afraid of bugs.” He tried to keep his voice low, but he couldn’t stop his whole body from shivering.
“Afraid of-? Yamada, these are dead.” Chisaki laughed briefly, no humor in his voice.
“It also includes eating them!” Hizashi placed a hand in front of his mouth. He knew he was in a fine restaurant, but he really just wanted to puke the disgusting slime out of his mouth. After a short fight, he managed to not throw up all over the table, but swallowed the first and last serving of snails he’d ever have.
“This is fine-dining.” Chisaki insisted with wide eyes. Like that would make the snails less.. buggy.
“I know, I’m really sorry. I just.. I can’t eat any more. I’m sure it’s really good, but I can’t-“
Chisaki huffed once more, apparently accepting Hizashi’s reasons, calling the waiter back up with a flick of his wrist.
“Is there a problem?” The waiter lifted his brows.
“Yes, please, can you return Yamada-san’s plate. It wasn’t to his taste.” Chisaki spoke strictly.
The waiter turned to look at him, questioning what he should do.
“No, I’m sure it’s excellent." Hizashi denied, an embarrassed blush on his face. "It’s just- Me and the French cuisine haven’t become too familiar with each other yet.” He grinned shyly.
The waiter luckily smiled back. “I understand. Would you like to order something else?” He asked from Hizashi.
“Um-“
“Yes, if you would hurry up and bring us the menus, finally. Thank you.” Chisaki interrupted, swiping his own mouth. Hizashi smiled awkwardly again, watching the waiter nod to Chisaki’s request and return to the bar.
“I'm sorry for that. I guess this isn’t really my usual scene, ya dig?”
“No, I guess it really isn’t.” The man stated matter-of-factly.
Hizashi laughed awkwardly to save himself. “Oh, would you like to hear about my job?” He grinned brightly, trying another approach.
“Well, I’m not too interested in radio. But I do know a few people in the industry, for example..” He started again, and at least the topic was a hit closer to something Hizashi was also interested in.
After the menus were brought to their table, Chisaki tried to recommend some dishes to Hizashi but the blond declined the gesture politely. Chisaki ordered duck in the end, and Hizashi stumbled on the Italian name of the pasta he ordered, and the waiter corrected him with an amused chuckle.
At least someone was enjoying his mishaps.
When they had ordered, Hizashi left the table for the bathroom.
Without thinking, his eyes darted over the staff in the dining hall, trying to find their very own waiter. He was already disappointed when he didn’t see the man, until Hizashi almost walked straight into him, coming from around a corner.
“Oh, sorry!” Hizashi couldn’t contain his excitement, or the wide grin on his face. "Hey!"
“Excuse me. Were you looking for me?” The man was a bit shorter than Hizashi, just perfectly so that Hizashi could crowd him in the narrow hallway, if he wanted to. He really wanted to, but he was still on a date- with someone else.
“Oh, not exactly. I was just going to the bathroom.” Hizashi smiled.
“I see.” The man looked away, now noticing how close they had stayed after the almost-collision. He cleared his throat. “I apologize for the appetizers. I didn’t know your partner didn’t ask for your opinion on them.” The man gave him a lopsided smile.
“It’s perfectly fine! Oh, and he’s not my partner- it’s just our first date.” Hizashi rubbed the back of his neck. “And I should’ve noticed what I was eating, I even speak some French!” He joked again. It was strange, he didn’t know anything about this waiter, but still he felt more relaxed with him than with his own date. He liked to make the man smile with his jokes, and noticed how his nerves had almost fully calmed down from talking to him.
“And still you didn’t notice there were snails on your plate?” The man raised an eyebrow, smirking with a wide grin.
“I guess I was distracted.” Hizashi looked at his own shoes, feeling his ears warm from the confession. “Um, you don’t have a name tag.”
The man huffed, turning to leave. “Aizawa. And apparently, you’re Yamada-san, right?”
“Yup! Just Yamada is fine, though.” Hizashi nodded, as they went their different ways. Hizashi felt butterflies in his stomach, one’s that weren’t caused by the date, or the thought of eating snails again.
The main courses arrived quickly, and this time Hizashi actually looked at what he was eating. And at that moment, he really didn’t even mind paying for the overly priced experience of eating well-prepared food.
“Wow, this is delicious!” Hizashi praised.
“The duck’s a bit dry.” Chisaki wrinkled his nose but continued eating. “Definitely not like the one I had in Hong Kong. I should actually tell you a funny story about it..”
Hizashi listened, trying to find the joke. He couldn’t.
As they kept eating their dishes, Chisaki jumped from topic to another, not even needing Hizashi’s half of the conversation to do so. He didn’t ask much about Hizashi’s life- mostly just made sure if Hizashi had visited the places he described or had heard of the people he met, possibly just to brag.
Hizashi found himself once again distracted from the monotone voice. A little hum every now and then seemed to be enough for Chisaki not to notice.
He looked out the window, into the busy street that was somewhere way below them. He leaned on his hand, as his eyes wandered the dining hall again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the more interesting man in the restaurant.
Hizashi found him once again, this time at the bar. And already looking at him.
Well, both of them were looking at him, the purple-haired woman beside Aizawa, as well as the man himself. They were leaned close, the woman's hand in front of her mouth, clearly whispering something.
When they noticed Hizashi’s shift in attention, they both turned their backs to him in hurry. Hizashi couldn’t look away now, way too intrigued, as the woman walked away, leaving Aizawa with his back to Hizashi.
The waiter turned back around slowly, clearly flustered when he saw that Hizashi’s eyes were still on him.
Hizashi couldn’t help but smile at him, to reassure that he didn't mind- Aizawa wasn’t the only one staring.. Hizashi even glanced at his date and rolled his eyes to show his boredom to the man at the bar, earning him a shy smile back from Aizawa.
After that, Hizashi found the strength in him to return his attention to Chisaki’s story.
As the couple finished their food, Hizashi found himself waiting more and more for the date to end.
He definitely wasn’t clicking with this guy, and frankly, his arrogance and self-centered attitude didn’t really give Hizashi the feeling that he wanted to get to know him better either. Usually Hizashi might give even the possibly-just-slow-to-warm-up types a second chance, but tonight he just wanted to give the man a clean, well-mannered rejection, hoping that Chisaki would understand.
He actually hoped to get a chance to talk to the handsome waiter afterwards. It was always possible that he had just read the situation wrong, nor did he think it was polite to flirt with someone while they were working, but maybe he could always voice his interest, leave his number and let Aizawa decide if he wanted to see Hizashi actually flirt with him.
But only after his date. God, that made Hizashi sound so bad..
Hizashi hadn’t even noticed that Chisaki had pulled his phone out, staring at the screen as it rang in his hand.
“Yamada, I need to take this. I’ll be back soon.” Chisaki got up from the table before Hizashi managed to answer him.
Hizashi sighed, turning back to the window to find something more interesting to do. But it wasn’t found in the window.
“Have you been enjoying your night?” The already familiar voice came from his right.
Hizashi turned back, having to look slightly up to Aizawa from the table. He grinned widely at the sight of their waiter, and the man smiled back to him fondly, lifting their empty plates to his arms.
“Well, at least the food has been good.”
The waiter chuckled. “You don’t come here often, do you?”
Hizashi leaned on his hand. “Not really.” He grinned. “I prefer different kinds of places for a first date, like karaoke, cozy bars or movies.” He sighed again, kind of hoping he had stayed home tonight, with the cheap wine and an interesting movie, instead of overpriced prosecco and a boring storyteller.
“I can understand.” The man smiled. “If I wasn’t trained to work here, I’d be completely lost. Believe it or not, I don’t dress this good outside of work. Enjoy it while you can.” He smirked.
Hizashi gave him a bright laugh. “Now I’m curious to see what you'd look like in sweatpants and a hoodie.” Hizashi raised his brow, getting dangerously close to a flirtatious tone in his voice.
“It’s not that great of a sight, to be honest.”
“I’d like it.” Hizashi answered, more softly than he intended. Their eyes met, despite the height difference between them, and all the noise around them disappeared. Hizashi stared into those tired, deep eyes, trying to interpret the feelings in them: surprise, uncertainty, affection?
There were no distractions when he was in Aizawa’s presence.
“Shouldn’t you be working?” Chisaki’s voice broke their stare as Aizawa straightened his back.
“Excuse me.” The waiter turned his back and escaped to the bar as fast as he could, a bit of red in his ears.
“Unbelievable.” Chisaki huffed under his breath. “I’m guessing the night is done.” He spoke with a cold, toneless voice.
Hizashi felt a sense of relief. He had hoped that his date would notice their clear lack of chemistry, and-
“So do you prefer to top or bottom?”
Hizashi’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“I admit it, this night has not been very interesting for me. At least we could get some fun out of it. I brought you here, fed you this fine food- it’s the least you could do, right?” He dared to place a hand on top of Hizashi’s in a touch that felt freezing and burning at the same time, like it was making Hizashi’s skin crumble underneath.
Before Hizashi could even voice his frustration, the growing anger and disbelief that were threatening to break lose from his throat, a shattering of a glass turned both of their attention to the waiter who had been on his way to their table with more water.
“I-I’m sorry.” Aizawa started gathering the pieces of glass from the floor, as Hizashi jumped up from his seat.
“Let me help!”
“No, it’s fine.” Hizashi could see Aizawa glance at their still touching hands. There was a tension in his voice, his clenched jaw trapping his lower lip behind his teeth.
“This is unacceptable.” Chisaki spoke, disbelievingly. “How is it possible for you to mess everything up? You’ve ruined this night!”
Hearing his date’s words, Hizashi turned back to Chisaki, surprised that his eyes weren’t focused on him- but on Aizawa.
“You have been a terrible waiter- unprofessional, slow and tardy. You’ve been embarrassing us for the whole night!” Chisaki lifted himself from the table, taking a step towards Aizawa who’s eyes widened as he listened to the complaint.
Fortunately, Hizashi was faster, pushing Chisaki back from his shoulder. “Woah, woah, take it easy, Chisaki.” Hizashi furrowed his brows, not happy that Chisaki was clearly tearing down his frustration on the staff.
“I won’t be treated like this. I want to speak to the manager.”
“That’s enough.” Hizashi interrupted, his voice pissed off and loud. “Aizawa hasn’t done anything wrong tonight.”
“Aizawa?” Anger flashed in Chisaki’s eyes. “Oh my God, I see it now. He has been flirting with you all night, hasn't he? Trying to humiliate me in front of this crowd!”
“Stop that, he hasn’t-“
“I think you had some class, Yamada! And to think you have this poor taste!” Chisaki whined dramatically, possibly trying to seem like the victim, possibly just serious.
“Well, he did come here with you.” Aizawa spoke from behind Hizashi’s back, smirking at the dressed-up man. Hizashi couldn’t help covering his mouth, bursting into a chuckle underneath it.
“That’s it. I won’t stand this-“ Chisaki came a step closer, but was stopped by a guard that had appeared next to them.
“I think it’s time for you to go.” The purple-haired woman spoke behind the guard, winking at Hizashi and Aizawa, and walking the outraged date out.
Aizawa apologized to the other guests staring at them in the hall. Hizashi gathered his things and followed Aizawa, as he gestured to the bar.
“Seems that I’ll be paying.” Hizashi smiled sadly. He really wanted to go home now, the night officially ruined and his ego irreplaceably humiliated from ever coming to this restaurant again- or meeting Aizawa.
“The man paid quite a generous fee for the reservation. I think it’ll just about cut the costs, if I round it up from my pay.” The waiter smiled back tiredly, tapping on the machine.
“You don’t have to do that!” Hizashi leaned over the bar.
“I want to.” Aizawa turned to him. “I do feel partly responsible for ruining your date, or at least interrupting it.”
“Honestly, I think you saved me.” Hizashi smiled a bit wider. “I don’t know if I dare to go on a date in a while after that..” Hizashi sighed to himself.
“How about a drink?”
“Wh-Huh?!”
“I mean, I get off work in a half an hour. I could repay you with a drink, if you’d like. I don’t want to lose a paying customer.” He smirked.
“Oh..” Just a customer, then? “I don’t’ know..”
“I’m joking. I’m- obviously interested in you, and I’d really like to get to know you better. You seem very fun at dates.”
Hizashi laughed genuinely this time, not holding back like he had the whole night with Chisaki.
“Would you really?" He asked quietly. "I feel like I've embarrassed myself tonight, and I was already rejected once today. Don't know how good of an impression that gives of me. ”
“Oh, please.” Aizawa rolled his eyes. “A rejection from him is complimentary to you. My impression of you-” Aizawa leaned on his arms. "- is that you just need the right person that can really appreciate all the great things there is about you. And I'm eager to learn more."
Hizashi leaned in a little more over the bar, almost too excited and happy to stay in his seat. “I’d really like that, then. I want to end this night on a good note. And I really like you.” He smiled fondly. “Maybe not to a restaurant, though. I already ate today.” He grinned.
Aizawa laughed with a deep chuckle, almost making Hizashi throw himself at the man right there. But he wanted more. Aizawa didn’t feel like a one-night hook-up, or a short fling, but something actually special and meaningful. He couldn’t wait to see where it would take him.
“Maybe to a karaoke like you wanted?” Aizawa leaned in too, their faces not too far from each other. Still, it didn’t feel sexual- there was obvious tension, but it was affectionate, loving.
“Oh, finally! A man to my taste!” Hizashi laughed.
At home tonight, Hizashi would definitely be deleting his dating app for good.