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Ingo took a deep breath, fixing his tie and adjusting his hat.
It was just a date. With Yukinori. A week into the relationship. Dating him. He could handle that. Yeah.
He brushed himself off, took another breath, and knocked on Yukinori's door.
Yukinori was quick to answer, already dressed for the occasion.
"Good evening." He greeted.
"Hello, Yukinori. Ready to go?" Ingo replied, putting on the best smile he could manage through his inner whirlwind of nervousness.
"Yes." Yukinori nodded, stepping outside and closing his door behind him.
With that, they both began walking. Ingo was restless- Subtly fidgeting with his gloves, doing his best to make sure every aspect of his outfit was absolutely perfect. He wanted this to go well, so, so badly.
Yukinori picked up on all of it, since it was incredibly obvious, but wanted to let him feel secretive.
Once they reached the diner, Ingo held the door open. "After you."
Yuki nodded his head in thanks and stepped inside.
"I reserved a window seat, where the lighting is best." Ingo spoke, trying to fill the silence to keep Yukinori interested.
"How thoughtful of you." The other replied, following beside Ingo as he led him to the booth.
They both sat down, across from each other, naturally. Yukinori brushed himself off and picked up a menu, skimming the options. Ingo did the same, if only to hide the bright red blush on his face.
It was going well. Sure, it was only a few minutes in, but he COULD have fumbled within that time frame. He was doing good, as far as he was concerned.
The two ordered, got their food, and Ingo finally tried normal conversation over the table.
"The weather tonight is nice." Well, as normal as Mr. Freakout could manage.
"It is, yes. Very good observation." Yuki replied with a tiny bit of playful sarcasm. It was immensely fun to watch Ingo reach for anything he could to move this date along. It was pitiful, but an endearing kind of pitiful.
A long, horrid pause.
"Chandelure missed you."
"Did she?"
"Indeed."
"I supposed I missed her too."
Ingo awkwardly poked at his food, desperate to do something with himself.
"You look lovely tonight." He tried. It was another reach for conversation, but also a genuine compliment. Yukinori always managed to look his best, but seeing him dressed up just for him.. Oh, he was such a lovestruck fool.
"Thank you. Your uniform looks nice as well, dear. Familiar." Yuki replied. His neutral expression didn't seem all too touched, but he was more inwardly appreciative of Ingo's sweet words. Ingo was a fool, but a fool he tolerated and actually enjoyed being around.
"You're very sweet."
"A-Ah.. Thank you, Yukinori..."
"You can call me Yuki. We aren't just acquaintances anymore, darling."
"R-Right..."
Yukinori hummed, smiling ever-so-faintly. "You're rather flustered tonight, aren't you?" He commented, tilting his head slightly.
Oh, so he was overheating now. Ingo could feel the steam radiating off his face, mouth twitching as he desperately tried to maintain his expression. "A-Ah, well.. I aim to please you tonight. I want this to go well."
"It is going well. I find it sweet that you try so hard to make things just right. I like that you're so thoughtful. Devoted, I may even say."
Ingo replied with a weak whine, tapping his finger on the table. "You flatter me..."
"It's honest truth, dear."
"Oh, goodness gracious..." Ingo fanned his face, biting his lip and glancing away to give himself some respite from Yuki's onslaught of sudden praises.
"You're extra sheepish today." Yuki commented, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"I am.. Unused to this, still..." Ingo mumbled in return, clearing his throat and hesitantly meeting Yuki's eyes again. "It's only been a week. I may be in over my head with this early outing."
"You're doing well, I'd say. You haven't passed out or run out in a fit of sheer embarrassment. That's an accomplishment, is it not?"
Ingo nodded, pulling the brim of his hat down over his face in a vain attempt to cover his vibrant red flush. "I-It is indeed..."
"After this, I think it would be nice if we took a stroll. Unless you have other ideas." Yuki offered.
"I would like that, yes..." Ingo nodded quickly. He'd say yes to anything if Yukinori offered- Within reason, of course, but that man was always thinking within reason so it really was just the former statement.
"Perhaps we should finish eating and do just that, then." Yukinori declared, finally paying some attention to his own order. He had been a bit distracted by observing Ingo's flustered mannerisms. "Force no haste, however."
"Yes, we should." Ingo agreed, finally composing himself enough not to stutter and stammer like a schoolboy. "Let us enjoy this meal and enjoy each other, hm?"
"Mmhm." Yuki hummed.
The pair did just that. They ate in silence, the quiet interrupted by the occasional comment or attempt at small talk that Ingo offered. Once finished, the two cleaned themselves up, Ingo paid the check after insisting on chivalry, and they stood.
Ingo led Yuki to the door, and then out into the comfortable night air.
Yuki nodded silently toward the park, to which Ingo nodded in acknowledgement.
And with that, they started off again, walking close as Ingo slowly intertwined his fingers with Yuki's, to no protest from the willing latter.
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