Work Text:
Once more you looked at the text message, making sure it was free of mistakes and all okay to send.
[Me]: Good afternoon! How are you today? Listen, I was wondering… My company hosts the annual Christmas ball in three weeks, and well, as you can guess I don’t have anyone to go with. So I thought that, since we were considering an actual meeting, maybe I could invite you as my date? It’s okay if you say no, I’m just throwing an idea :)
Your phone landed on a coffee table, and with a huff, you leaned on the couch in your apartment. It’s been a few weeks since you started using that dating app your friend recommended to you, and almost since the beginning, you stumbled upon this Tobi guy. Your interest was similar, age about the same, vague description of his eyes, hair, and height. The only thing that was bothering you a bit - the profile picture didn’t show his face at all, only some mask (clearly, picture from some Halloween party). Yet despite that, you decided to give it a shot, and you were actually surprised to receive a message that you two were matched and open for conversation.
At first, he was pretty shy about sharing something beyond what he had in his profile, and for your question about some photos, your only answer was: “don’t get this wrong, I just need to trust you first”.
You patiently waited for it. After all, it was only a stupid app, you could uninstall it and cut the contact at any time. Yet something about this guy was alluring. Maybe he was just a nice man, respectful and interesting to talk to, or maybe it was this thin veil of mystery when he refused to show his face like in some fairy tale.
The buzz of your phone dragged you out of your thoughts.
[Tobi]: Hey there.
[Tobi]: I’m fine,
[Tobi]: How are you?
[Tobi]: Your question…
[Tobi]: It would involve a lot of people around
[Tobi]: Right?
[Me]: I’m fine too, thanks :) And yes. Kinda. We have like 150 people in the facility, plus the pairs… Yeah, it can be quite a bunch.
[Tobi]: Oh hell no
[Tobi]: I mean...
[Tobi]: I’m just afraid I’m not a good company for such a big event
[Tobi]: I will think about it
[Tobi]: Okay?
[Tobi]: It’s just that I’m not a big fan of crowds :/
[Me]: No worries, it’s perfectly fine! It’s just an idea. Idk if I will even go honestly. Take your time, and I’ll accept whatever answer ;)
[Tobi]: Okay
[Tobi]: Thank you for your understanding
[Tobi]: But…
[Tobi]: Since you’ve mentioned meeting…
[Tobi]: How about we indeed finally meet?
For a second, your heart started to beat faster. So for now no for accompany you to the ball but… Okay for a meeting. Involuntarily, you smiled at the screen, excitement grew in your chest only to be torn down a bit by the next message.
[Tobi]: Ugh…
[Tobi]: Sorry
[Tobi]: I don’t want to impose anything
Apparently, the break between his and your message was too long, and the guy started to either grow impatient or started to worry that he crossed the line. Your fingers swiftly tapped the answer;
[Me]: No, no! You are not! I was the one who offered the ball thing ;) But I’d be up to meet you anyway!
[Tobi]: Really?
[Tobi]: Holy shit
[Tobi]: I mean
[Tobi]: Thakast si wsmsn
[Tobi]: That’s so awesome*
[Tobi]: Do you have any place in mind?
That was a tough question. Since the whole COVID pandemic started, you had few opportunities to go anywhere and thus meet new people or potential date material, and from Facebook and other social media, you knew already that few of your favorite places had to be shut down for good.
[Me]: Not really. Depends on what you want to do. I wouldn’t mind keeping it simple for the first time. Like tea or coffee?
[Tobi]: What about hot chocolate?
[Tobi]: I know this old little cafe
[Tobi]: They have great chocolate
[Tobi]: Tomorrow?
[Tobi]: Noon?
Your phone buzzed again, receiving a link with a location. A small cafe located in an old tenement, near the marketplace that held the Christmas fair. The inside looked welcoming in pictures posted on google maps.
[Me]: Oh that sounds perfect!
[Me]: So… It’s a date
[Tobi]: It is
[Tobi]: I need to pinch myself
[Tobi]: Hahaha
[Tobi]: Anyway
[Tobi]: I need to get back to work
[Tobi]: See you tomorrow :D
[Me]: Can’t wait ;)
Only by late evening, you realized one thing - something that stopped bothering you some time ago already, and up until now, you didn’t think of it as a problem. Yet, you had no idea what Tobi looked like. Was he tall? Short? What were his eyes like? Was his voice nice? Why was he hiding behind the screen? Was something not right with him? All questions you had at the beginning, all hesitancy you had and that faded away during the past few weeks, now hit you with twice the force.
And you tried, you really tried not to ask him about that, but in the morning, the first message after the “good morning” you got used to wishing each other every day, was “how I will know that it’s you?”. There was some time before he answered and you started to think if you didn’t cross some sort of line. But your phone spawned a notification, and the message said “I’m sure you will”. Well, that didn’t sound enigmatic, not at all…
The place looked even better than in pictures, having some cozy atmosphere, with a lot of trinkets here and there, and fairy lights hanging in every window and under the ceiling, inviting people to stay a bit longer during the snowy or rainy day. The chair you’ve chosen was insanely soft, letting you sink in the cushion the moment you nested yourself in it; you’d only need some beverage and blanket to fall into a deep sleep, not able to be awakened for weeks probably. Since your date was 10 minutes already, you started to study the menu very thoroughly looking for something interesting to pick, and it was a challenge - the number of types of chocolate you could pick was insane - dark, milk, white, with alcohol, fruits or various spices… But also to accompany the choco beverage there was an option to order something mainly sweet, and also mostly chocolatey. A perfect place for someone with a never-ending sweet tooth.
You were patient, trying so hard not to pick up your phone and write down annoyed questions where he is and why is he late, but finally, when the urge won and you reached to your purse to grab your phone and scoff at the man, you’ve heard a low, and a bit raspy voice.
“Uhm… (Y/n)...?”
That was enough to send shivers down your spine, even before you looked up at the owner of such a voice. You smiled and lifted your head to see the stranger, and you had to try hard not to drop that smile in favor of a surprised grimace.
If you’d say that the first thing that caught your attention in the man standing in front of you were the black messy hair, cheerful, and honest eyes, or the fact that he was much taller than you - you’d be a liar. The first, the most noticeable thing in the figure was one gigantic scar, covering half of his face, part of the neck, and surely more of his body.
“I- Y-yeah-” You stuttered before you let out some coherent sentence. “You must be Tobi...”
“I don’t know if I must be, but that’s how some people call me.” He smiled at you, making the long ridges on his cheek move and highlight in the vague light from the lampshade. “Did you order or…?”
“No, I’ve been waiting for… You.”
“Oh, yes, I’m so sorry for being late,” the man rubbed the nape of his neck with a wide grin and closed eyes, “a black cat crossed my path and I didn’t want to risk it. Not on such a day. Soooo… What would you like to drink? I’m gonna just order along with mine.”
Your eyebrows furrowed, hearing the excuse but that was all the comment you had for it. Maybe it was ridiculous but sounded honest and... Quite funny. “Ummm… I was thinking- Maybe the gingerbread one? I don’t really know what to order.”
“The gingerbread one is their holiday special, and it’s amazing, trust me. I’ll be right back then.” He smiled again and moved to the other room.
Well, now that was… unexpected. If not for that scar on his face he would probably be quite a handsome one, and you’ve learned more than once in your life that appearances can be deceiving - in both, good and bad ways. Besides, it wasn’t bothering that much, you were only curious about what would have happened to leave such a mark on the man’s body, and what you’ve feared was that you won’t be able to look away from the damaged skin, imagining hundreds of ways to make it happen, instead of focusing on the real cause of you being here - Tobi himself.
But unfortunately, you knew yourself too well.
He came back with two steaming cups filled with hot chocolate - yours, a gingerbread flavored, smelling heavily with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and other spices, while his had this strong smell of a mint and garnished with peppermint candies, and fresh green stems.
You started talking, or rather - he started, blabbing out about the place, the weather, how happy he was to have you here, dropping hints of his friends and private life here and there. And you… You just couldn’t take your eyes away from his face, the patches of damaged tissue moving along with his sharp jaw, corner of shapely lips, muscles on his cheek, and the thin line of an eyebrow. You just… Couldn't stop yourself from taking the conversation in your hands and asking him what had happened, answering his question with mumbled words and barely coherent sentences.
And with time, the genuine wide smile starts to melt off from the man’s lips, his eyes, initially cheerful and lively, now growing dim and filled with hints of pain. His voice dropped lower too, on the surface sounded like he was getting bored, but under that, there were tones, hinting at the torment screaming from under the masks and walls he managed to put and maintain. And you missed all of the hints, too invested in your little analysis.
You were about to finish your, actually really good and warming, drink when, thanks to your inattention, you knocked over your glass, spilling the lukewarm chocolate. He immediately stood up to aid you, but you only shook your head.
“I’ll um… I’ll be right back, just gonna go to the toilet real quick, clean this up.” You excused yourself without even looking at him, with a clean hand under the other one, catching the sticky drops; but also you had a feeling you needed a little break, to gather your thoughts to make a normal, proper, and certainly filled with something more than curt “yep” and “mhm” or sentences that didn’t even sound like one. Especially that the guy was trying really hard, and was actually nice since the moment he got there. Wait, before even, he was all nice and polite since you two started taking in that stupid date app, not even once tried to push you to do or tell something if you didn’t want to. And here you are, acting like a jerk, acting like a madam that needs only a knight on a white horse, perfect at every aspect. Maybe he wasn’t perfect, but surely he deserved some attention and kindness based on how much he tried, and how nice he was. So what, something happened in his past and he looked like he looked, and there was nothing you’d do about it other than accept the fact and stop being so shallow. One thing that was bothering at first sight, versus countless small but good.
“You damn idiot…” You said straight to your reflection, washing and wiping your hands with the remaining chocolate liquid.
With clean hands you left the bathroom, to find only an empty seat, half-empty cup of chocolate. His coat was missing, and he was gone. You looked around, but you couldn’t find him. The lady at the counter informed you that he left a few moments ago, paying for both of you but she didn’t see in which direction he walked away.
“Shit…” You grabbed your coat and threw it carelessly over your shoulders, and without a word, you stormed outside straight in the cold embrace of snowy noon.
This had to be fate, that you decided to turn towards the old town instead of going to the more modern part of the city. It wasn’t long for you to find Tobi strolling through the street, clearly heading to the same area as you know, where all the fairs and little stalls were. Risking the fall on the slippery sidewalk, you run to the man just as he entered a bit crowded bridge making the passage over the floe-covered river.
“Tobi… Tobi wait, please!” You shouted after him, trying to get his attention.
Hearing your voice echoing in the cold air made him stop. He turned to the source of the sound, and the moment he saw you he sighed deeply. “What?” His voice wasn’t filled with pain or sadness. It was… Dull. And it made you stutter
“I- I’m- Why did- You leave?”
“You were staring. At this,” he made a gesture with a gloved hand, pointing at his face. At his scars.
“I just… Didn’t expect that.” You admitted honestly, not really sure what you should say, that wouldn’t make the situation even worse than it was. You just hoped that you’d have the opportunity to fix this somehow.
“That’s why I don’t show my pictures to anyone anymore.” You shivered unpleasantly, hearing the disappointment and deep pain in his voice seeping with every word. “It’s too hurtful to be rejected right away just because of…” Another sigh, and another hand gesture, pointing at his face, “this.”
“I’m not rejecting you.”
“I’ve seen your look.” Tobi leaned on the stone railing, fixing his gaze on the floe lazily traveling with the stream. “I’ve seen that one too many times.”
“I was a bit surprised, that’s all.” You said softly, taking a step closer. Close enough to almost touch his arm with yours, still looking at the man, cautiously observing his reaction, thinking what your next move should be.
“After that always comes the disgust or fright.”
“I really wasn’t rejecting you.” You let out a long sigh. That guilty feeling felt heavy on your chest. “Or be disgusted, or frightened, or anything.”
“You… Didn’t spill that chocolate on purpose?”
At that moment, it enlightened you, how it has to look in his eyes. Spilling the drink, during the unwanted, disappointing date, to get an excuse to end it, forget it, and never talk to him again. “What- Oh my god, no. No, no.” Your hand darted to grab his shoulder, trying to gently turn him towards you. He didn’t resist. “Tobi… Look at me, please.”
“Tobi is just a nickname my friends attached to me.” His eyes for a moment were still on the flow slowly making its way with the stream, before they turned to you. “It’s easier to use it while someone is on the other side of the screen. I’m Obito.”
“Obito…” You rolled the new name on your tongue, getting used to it. “I like it, that’s a nice name,” you smiled, hoping that you look honest. ”Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to look like I was avoiding you, or I was having any bad intentions. The chocolate was an accident, and the fact I was staring... I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, it’s wasn’t my goal at any point.” You moved your hand up, from his arm to his scarred cheek, wanting to grant some comforting gesture, but you stopped in the mid-air, not sure if you should, and if he would like it anyway. Especially now. “Can I touch... You?”
His eyes narrowed, “you mean my scars.”
“Well still…” Your head fell to the side, letting some lone hair follow that move. “You.”
Hesitantly and clearly having some heavy thoughts in his head, the man nodded slowly after a short while. The moment your fingertips touched the scarred skin, he squeezed his eyes shut, torn if he should lean into the touch and accept it as much as he wanted to, or just stay like this, unsure and terrified to move and break the touch he craved so badly.
You, on the other hand, had another urge to do something else. The skin under your fingers felt different, but not terrible. You wouldn’t mind touching it, you just could get used to it over time. That’s when you noticed the little ridge on the lower lip, and the first thought that popped into your mind was to kiss him. And fighting that urge was futile. Well, that would either make things worse, and end the day with a disaster, or be a start to fixing things that you’ve screwed.
And you were willing to try to fix it.
“Does it hurts?” You asked, as softly as you could.
“Depends on a day,” he breathed out, almost whispering. His eyes still closed, cheek trembling under the touch. “W-when weather changes rapidly.”
“And when I touch you?” You moved, just a little step closer ostensibly looking a bit closer at the imperfection.
“N-no. It’s actually nice- I- It’s- Uhm…-” a small, sheepish smile bloomed on the man’s lips, and you were not sure if he was aware of your move. If not - better for you.
Standing on your tiptoes to reach him, you only pressed your lips to his, not taking it any further, waiting for any reaction from the man, still holding your palm against the man’s face. And it came pretty quick - when the initial amusement passed, and his breath started to norm, he cupped your hand with his, pressing it just slightly more, while the other gently settled on your waist hidden under the unbuttoned coat. You waited for more, but he didn’t move any further, keeping you in the sheepish, but still incredibly warm kiss. Finally, you decided to part away from a man, because clearly, none of you have the courage to take a step forward. But it was a start.
“I- I’m…-”
“Don’t you dare to say that you’re sorry,” he interrupted you. The playful bright sparks started to dance in his eyes, bringing the same look he had back in the cafe before things started to crumble.
“Pffft. I’m definitely not sorry.” You laughed, brushing your thumb over his cheek before you took away your hand. “So… If you want to, we could continue the date. We could go and attend the fair, and maybe have some dinner in the evening? My treat?”
He blushed, and you were sure it wasn’t the effect of a cold or recent kiss. “I- I’d like that. You don’t have to pay, it’s fine.” With a wide grin, he grabbed the flap of your coat; a few fast moves later, your coat was buttoned up and your scarf was wrapped neatly around your neck. “You’ll get cold.”
“Well, I’m much warmer now.” You couldn’t help but snicker, hoping that he’ll understand the little innuendo in your words, and the deepening blush pointed that he did. “But, if you’re so concerned... How about we grab another drink first? It’s still early, dreadfully cold, and it will keep us warm for a while.”
“Another chocolate? Wow, that’s some spoiling right here…” For a split second, he looked away. He didn’t want to go back in there, you just knew it. “I don’t know if…”
“Alright, so…” Now you interrupted him, not letting him spiral into that thoughts again, “I know a place with great tea, the green one is to die for. How about it? Tea, fair, dinner, and then we’ll see what’s next?” You asked, and only after you realized how you had to sound for the man. “Do I sound desperate?”
“Maybe a bit. Strange but it’s… Weirdly nice.” Again, he rubbed the nape of his neck, closing his eyes and putting on that wide grin. “So, lead the way.”
You nodded and grabbed Obito’s arm, sliding your hand under it, gently guiding him with you, not minding the curious and stealthy looks from the people around. Obito smiled in return, pulling you a bit closer into his warmth, focusing on you, like everyone around miraculously stopped existing.
Yes. A good start. For both of you.