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It was nine-thirty in the morning. It wasn't too early, and it wasn't too late. He did have breakfast in his stomach to ease the nerves but while walking on the street the knot formed bigger and bigger each time he saw his reflection.
He didn't feel as ready for this as he looked like. Well, just a tiny bit.
Niko always looked confident, he didn't talk much, he observed his surroundings and he made decisions that he knew will lead to something great or big. His emotions and thoughts were running the devilish circles in him and felt more like a seesaw.
Ups and downs equally with a steady rhythm that sometimes was sudden when the person on the other end just hopped off. It never was rushed or scary like a roller coaster and he never felt like barfing from the butterflies. No, he had knots and curling guts inside that hit his throat from under sipping up the saliva like a sponge making his throat dry like the Sahara desert.
Stopping at the station he checked himself for the last time in his phone's front camera. It might have been mirrored but it was good enough to fix the few strings of brown hair that didn't stay in place. It looked shorter, it didn't cover his teal-blue eyes as much as usual. It wasn't cut only styled differently by his sister.
There was no way on earth that he would be told by his parents his going on a date.
With his teammate.
Who is... a guy...
Yeah, no chance. Hell would break loose, not because they would be against it, but because the guessing game of 'which lucky man is the Niko lottery winner' would start. No, that is the absolute worst that he wants. So he only told his older sister, who styled his hair, gathered the lazy dirty-white shirt, the knee-length short jeans, and some ankle socks (god they itched so badly) with some Converse and a red-grey gradient hood in case he wants to fidget with something because he wasn't allowed to touch his hear much.
He was never on a date before. Was it a date? Yes, yes it was! The dumb assumption he was asked out directly like this.;
"Niko, would you go on a date with me?"
Just a blink and he agreed to a café date with his teammate.
Watching the nose of his shoe he swung on his feet knocking his heels like Dorothy if he might get home. Did it look silly? Yes. Did he feel more nervous than a kid on their first day of school? A hundred per cent.
"Sorry! Did you wait a lot?" looking up at the voice at first he thought his date arrived. But it was a different male running up to a girl. Seemed cute, looked normal, and they can't get judging looks just by standing next to each other.
That's the other problem. People around them. He doesn't want to listen to hateful comments, toxic whispers and venom-spitting words.
His eyes followed a couple with a daze he felt fingers trailing from his wrist into his palm. Small buckets of roses bloomed on his cheeks as he looked down. He quickly recognized the dark-blue trainers, the lucky pair of striped socks.
"Hi!" finally facing the shining sky-blue orbs Niko swallowed thickly trying to gather the pieces of his brain together.
"Hey!" stuttering the one-syllable word with a higher tone than intended he watched Isagi smile on the scene.
"Did you wait a lot? The train was a bit off with time." starting with his walks one hand slipped out of the other as he lead the way. Following right behind Niko just shook his head in silence.
Did they look weird? Did anyone see their hands touching? Did people hear him being so nervous? Did Isagi notice how nervous he was? Were things going good or bad? Was it too early to decide? Was it too late?!
💮
Arriving at the café the front was almost fully glass, with vines and huge plants in basket pots. It looked cosy and comforting it felt like a warm welcome already, on the front glass next to the door there were tiny cat faces and silhouettes of kittens playing or just sleeping and sitting. Adorable. Peaking in, to Niko's surprise instead of the guests you saw different bookshelves, the counter area, and the cat trees and beds where there were some resting or just empty with toys laying around. On the door under the open sign, there was a polite warning about closing the door because of the animals.
Forming a small 'O' in surprise he walked in right behind the taller. There were even slippers for change to make it even feel like a home.
"You don't have to change it if you think it is weird." Isagi smiled as he watched the mute male who couldn't decide where to look. The place felt nice it looked incredible and very unique to the eye. He was in cafés, and cat cafés as well before but this was entirely different. "It's kind of an eye candy, many foreigners come here." explaining in a very short and direct phrase he watched the shorter nod as they changed shoes.
It was definitely something new and extraordinary.
He didn't walk right beside his date, but he was following him very close. Staying back a few steps the teal eyes watched other walk up to one of the baristas and ask about their reservations. This was the moment when Niko decided to actually look at what Isagi wore. Sure he had his lucky striped socks on, He had dim blue jeans and a black shirt with blue and white flannel over it. His eye also caught the silver-ish watch with the thin black leather straps. He looked very fashionable like he was also helped by somebody, considering they were an only child either a friend or parent. Did he tell his parents he asked a boy out on a date? But if it was a friend are they part of the soccer team and this whole thing isn't much of a secret at all? If so, then why did Isagi ask him out the way he did? Staying back in the lockers and whispering making sure it's between them?
Swallowing his own saliva he felt a buzz in his pocket. Getting out his phone he read the short text that he received.
You can do it baby brother! If you guys kiss make sure not to try to open your mouth too big!
Also, tell me how was the café, I want to go there with the girls if it's super cute!
Good luck, and tell me EVERYTHING!
Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes. He can do it, it's fine. It's just a simple and short date, an hour above a tea or some hot drink and they walk a little and Isagi goes back home. Simple and short.
"Okay so... the thing is..." Yoichi walked back to his date with sad eyes. "We kind of don't have a table anymore..." he chuckled nervously.
"What why?" tilting his head in question Ikki looked towards the counter looking at the server then back at the male. "Did something happen?"
"No-no! They are just overbooked a bit, and since we are a bit late..." shaking his head he shrugged a little. "But it's okay, we go somewhere else." he smiled with a tint of hope yet his eyes still looked sad. Obviously, it wasn't something he planned or thought forward. There was a second of silence and pressured eye contact. His eyes widened when he saw the teal-blue eyes squint and look behind him once more, just in a blink of an eye Niko was at the counter talking with the barista. No voices were raised or arguments were heard, no yelling, no slapping on the table. Nothing. But the small defender walked back with a half smile. "What did you do?"
"Got us a table?" curving one of his brows they giggled together as they walked to one of the tables close to the wall, pictures of cats and their new owners were hanging signed by the people and paw prints carved into the frame. Niko smiled at Isagi's brightened expression. It was clear he did want to be here more than him, sure they go somewhere else or date at another time, but he was quick to see Yoichi wanted to be here. Reading through the menu he decided on the 'White-Creamed Paw-uchino' and his date choose the 'Cat Grass Tea'. While waiting he watched the sky-blue eyes look around with a joyful and child-like shine in them. It was adorable.
They had small chats about studies, and plans about football, talking about the future visions that they thought or dreamed including the sport. It was wonderful, it made both of their hearts fuzzy and warm like being wrapped in a soft blanket on a cold night. Feels great, feels like something that was needed just for the perfect sleep to have the best dreams.
"Your orders." the girl smiled placing down both drinks. With a small thanks both watched the girl walk away. From outside someone would've assumed they were checking her out, but in reality, both wondered how nobody told her about her bra being open and clearly visible.
"Wouldn't it be correct telling her?" Niko whispered looking at the other from the corner of his eye.
"It would, but if we do we will be called perverts cause we are guys." Isagi answered looking back from his corner. Silence. Good silence. Lips slowly curling up they chuckled and laughed before turning to their drinks. "Whoa, so I ordered green tea with grass sprinkled on it." rolling his eyes he laughed at what was in front of him in the cat-head-shaped cup. "Darn it I thought it is something cool." with a hearty giggle he looked at the other. "Yours look so cute! The cream on top is shaped like a sleeping fluffy cat! And the cup is like a bed!"
"Yeah, it's a bit over the top for me." shaking his head he fixed his hair. "I think if I drink from it my hair drinks too." with a silly joke he looked up at the other. "Wanna switch?"
"Sure." with a shrug he reached forward changing the drinks.
From there on their date went on like nothing had happened. They talked about sweet memories, hobbies next to school, and personal bits and pieces. Like Isagi loves kintsuba and he can eat as much as he wants without gaining a single weight, his favourite movie is 'My neighbour Totoro' and he finds people's thighs their most appealing body part. Niko also told that his favourite manga is 'Banana Fish', his favourite animal is a ferret and he wants to own one very badly and that his favourite thing about others were their eyes. Why?
"Because eyes are the representation of a person" he answered while they stood up. Just like in minutes that one hour rushed by so quickly that they almost didn't want to leave. "Sorry if I am not so though guy type that I like body parts." rolling his eyes jokingly they paid the bill together. While leaving they playfully pushed each other gently.
Before actually going back to the station they decided to take a quick walk into one of the convenience stores so the other has some snacks on the bus and train.
They chatted about everything at this point, they held hands like it was some casual action between them. If Yoichi pulled one way Ikki went after him and vice-versa. Standing in line Niko showed some cute pictures of ferrets that he wanted as pets, mostly to convince Isagi they were cute, and because he didn't want to see any more close-ups of the Japanese spiny lobster that the taller liked, because it had a 'funny form'. It might taste good, but it looks terrifying when uncooked.
"Mommy, why are they holding hands?" the tiny voiced question rang in Niko's ear. He quickly realized how it all looked and pulling his hand away he reached for his wallet paying for the bag of salty snacks, walking up ahead he waited outside hands showed in his pockets and holding the plastic bag tightly. He totally forgot that to others it was abnormal, that they are not supposed to do this out in public.
Idiot...
His lips formed into a thin line, and his heart shrank in his chest, beating slowly trying to stop the blood flow. He wanted to hide underground probably ten or twelve feet deep so nobody can hear him screaming. But the day was so nice, so good. He felt okay, he felt confident, like really confident not just in some pretend and play way.
"You okay?" Yoichi asked trying to hold his hand again, but the shorter stepped away. "Hey, what it is now? You seemed so chill until moments ago."
"You know if you wanted to go the cat café because you planned on it anyway and it was here you could've just said so." the sour words rolled down Ikki's tongue easily. He wanted this to be a date, and he did, but who is trying to fool? They were guys. "You didn't have to call it a date. I wouldn't have told it to anyone."
"What? This is stupid, if I wanted to go there alone I would've!" Isagi argued in a low tone walking after the shorter one who headed towards the station. "I wanted to go there with you! That's why I asked you out!" he talked normally again only to receive a shush from the front.
"Lower your voice!" scolding him Niko stopped turning towards him.
"Why? Because us dating is so absurd?" opening his arm in question he watched the teal eyes dart towards the ground. "Are you embarrassed about going out with me or something? Do you fear someone might yell faggot at us? And what then? Why should I hide, why can't they just turn their head away and ignore it? I was holding your hand not making you do nasty stuff! I am sorry if me showing affection is such a bother to other people!"
"Okay, okay I get it just shut your mouth already!" shutting down the other he looked back up into the blue orbs. "Yes, I do fear what people think! I don't want people to get weird with me because I am dating a guy."
"Then why you wanted to stay in the cat café? We could've left."
"Because I wanted to date you!" with a brightly reddened face and roses blooming all over his face Niko yelled with a bit more voice than planned. His hands clenched into fists as he got them out of their hiding place. "I wanted to date too but I don't want people staring at me, at us! I just wanted to have a quiet date!" it was a bold confession, but it was a confession, not about love but about the idea of one being present in the near future maybe.
Waiting with closed eyes he felt a small peck on his forehead through his hair. Slowly opening one eye he peaked up the other, who now was holding his hand while the other had both small shopping bags carried. Isagi watched the flustered face before giving him another kiss on the head. It was innocent, it was something young kids might do. So people could take this how they wish, it's nothing something blatant or shameful. It's nothing yet everything. Muttering something under his nose Niko's lips slowly changed from a thin-lined frown to a curved smile. There were no words said but the air and silence around them were clearly understandable and probably needed. So with this feeling, they continued their walk like this before sitting down on a bench at the station waiting for the bus.
"I thought you buy a snack?" Ikki watches Isagi open a bottle of grapefruit juice. He had a grimace at the view sticking his tongue out in disgust. "Why that? It's nasty! C'mon Isagi it is supposed to be a sweet fruit not a sour one!"
"What? Lemon is sour too and a fruit." trying to prove a point he smiled.
"But you use that to give flavour and seasoning to crabs and lobsters!" he protested watching the others widen their eyes in disbelief. "C'mon! Your favourite animal might look terrifying and like a limp body part, but it is tasty when cooked." he giggled at the gaping mouth as his date couldn't find the words. "Prove me wrong!"
"Prove me wrong, blah, blah blah!" imitating their voice Isagi acted like a child while the teal eyes rolled. "That is how you sound like, an old lady!"
"Excuse you Mr Sour candy!" Niko snatched the bag of candy from Isagi's hands before it got opened. "See this? This is meant to be sour! See that?" pointing at the grapefruit on the bottle Ikki kept smiling. "That is not!"
Silence.
And then healthy joyous warm laughter of the two males echoed through the station earning questioning looks and rolling eyes as people walked passed. Nobody paid attention to them more than zero point two seconds. Inlacing their fingers Isagi kissed the back of Niko's palm making the other go mute and embarrassed. He loved when the other got shy to the point he saw the fingers twitch as he wanted to ruffle his hair to hide under the locks of brown hair. He found it adorable. He also likes it when his brightly flustered face is burned up by the small compliments and sudden actions like this. It was obvious that if Ikki was in peaceful headspace he was more open and himself than usual, and to his luck, Isagi was very much open, kind, caring and childish in general so it seemed easy to ease up next to him.
"So..."
"So?"
"Are we going to go on another date again?" Niko turned away tapping on the wood with his fingertips while still holding the taller's hand.
"Would you like to?" Isagi tilted his head and watched the appearing tiny smile in the corner of the other's mouth as they looked at the ground eyes fixated at the tip of their shoes. "You can go somewhere more quiet and less crowded. But only for an hour because it is two hours to travel for me." he was quick to have an idea about the next plan in his head that he was more than glad to talk about if the other was interested.
"How about we go somewhere where you live next time?" bringing up the option Niko turned his head toward him. "There must be something interesting in Saitama too."
"Well yeah, but it is much louder and more crowded than Karuizawa." he reminded.
"You know when you go more into the Nagano Prefecture area I think they are similar. And also, I think I am fine with it if I am going with you." shrugging Niko gave Isagi a loving smile and he only received a kiss on his forehead again. "It's a date then?"
"Yeah, we talk about every other detail later." Yoichi smiled. Hearing the engine of the bus he looked toward the screen board and let out a bit disappointed sigh. Time really does fly by when you enjoy it the most. Feeling like it took all his willpower he let go of the shorters hand stood and waved goodbye.
There he goes.
Walking onto the bus and leaving.
Niko watched from his seat because he was sure he would go with him just for extra minutes or hours. But he couldn't let that happen. The weekend was ending and both lived far from school. Standing up he knocked down the bag of sour candy and smiled at it. Picking it up he shook his head as his date forgot it. Well, it was his fault too, because he took it away in the first place, but only because Isagi drank that horrible grapefruit juice! Whatever, he sneaks it into the taller's bag before practice. Now he just enjoys the memories and the idea of their second date that might be far but definitely is already written up in their calendars.