recolle | (Closed) Let's see where this goes...

While Iwai was sitting in his car debating his choices, Fai was busy in his apartment fussing over... everything. It was in his nature to worry about most things anyway, whether he bothered to show that worry or not, but what if something went wrong on the date? What if this whole thing crashed and burned? What if Iwai wasn't really expecting him to cross-dress??

But Jirou had insisted that Fai should dress in a way that would make him happy, so that's what he'd done. The skirt was super cute and showed off both Fai's tiny waist and long legs--and the heels would make him taller than Iwai, but only by those few inches. Bless dating guys his height or taller! His hair was done up in a high ponytail and tasteful amounts of jewelry and makeup left him pretty much indistinguishable from a woman, except maybe the slightly broader shoulders and the aforementioned height. Overall he was very pleased with how well the outfit had come together. Except now he was worrying about the state of the apartment, so here was Fai in his cute date outfit fussing over the pillows on the couch, the books he'd left lying around--

He almost appeared out of breath when he answered the door, although it wasn't from exertion so much as nervous energy. Most of that evaporated the second he spotted Iwai looking like that.

The grin made it pretty obvious he approved.

"Hey, come on in! Do you want some coffee or something before we leave?"

He had that ever present candy in his mouth and the stick definitely dropped to show his jaw had gone slack even if his mouth hadn't opened. Damn. Fai looked good. He hadn't been sure if he was going to see guy clothes or girl clothes but had been sure the guy would look great no matter what.

Obviously he hadn't been wrong.

"Maybe if things go well I can see if that'll earn me a coffee afterward." It was a pretty bold thing to say but he felt like maybe Fai would be okay with it. He offered him a little smile then cocked his head someone.

"Lookin' good."

Seriously. This was like he somehow managed a date with a model or something.

Fai definitely loved that reaction just as much as he'd enjoyed it the last time, at the tailor's shop... except that he could feel his face flushing and dammit that wasn't supposed to happen! It was his job to make everyone else blush!

Still, Fai continued to smile, that smile even turning a bit wry after a moment. "Oh yeah? You really think you can earn a whole coffee, huh? This is going to have to be a pretty amazing date~"

He laughed and nodded back toward the rest of his apartment. "Just let me grab the last of my things then! You're welcome to come in and say hi to the kitties if you want! Just be careful of cat hair--there's a lint roller on the table by the door if you need it!"

And with that, Fai scurried off to collect his purse and whatever other very-last-minute accessories he needed, leaving Iwai to figure out whether he was coming in or not.

Coming in, he closed the door behind him. It wasn't long before he'd found the cats. He was even playing with them using the wrapper for his candy. The crinkling could be a lot of fun for cats in his experience and he chuckled softly as he crouched there watching them while he waited for Fai.

What? He liked animals, okay. They were the ones always guaranteed to not hate him for his past or think their reputation was going south by knowing him.

It was nice.

All Fai really had to do was grab the cute little clutch purse he'd picked out earlier and check his makeup one last time. The weather in the city was still nice enough that he didn't think he'd really need a jacket at all. He spent a minute or two in front of the mirror making sure everything was perfect (although really, it had already been enough to impress Iwai, so why was he still fussing?), took a deep breath, and made his way back out to the living room.

...where Iwai was already playing with the cats. Who seemed to love the attention and were happily playing along with their new friend.

Fai folded his arms across the back of the chair in front of him, once again trying and failing to be hopelessly charmed by a man who was sweet, and incredibly attractive, and loved cats. Judging by the look on his face it was a losing battle.

"I see my mistake now~!" he chirped, grinning. "If I keep inviting you in I'm going to lose you to the kitties before we've even really started dating!"

"Something about if I want you then I have to accept the cats too, right?"

He threw a smile over his shoulder then gave both the cats one last quick scratch before putting the wrapper back in his pocket. Standing up, he went over to Fai, rather pleased that this sounded like the guy already wanted more dates and real dating in the future before they'd even had this first one. It was a good sign he was doing something right.

"You ready?"

Fai laughed at that, trying to ignore the renewed flush on his face at the words 'if I want you'. This was getting to be a bad habit, this blushing thing, and the fact that Iwai was able to cause it so easily.... "Well, I'm sure they're the closest thing I'll probably ever have to kids, so I guess that's true~!"

When Iwai came closer, Fai left his clutch on the back of the chair for a moment and moved over to stand in front of him, to brush his hands lightly over the other man's shirt, over his shoulders. It was... mostly to straighten his cute date outfit and not because Fai wanted to run his hands over Iwai's shoulders.

Mostly.

"There, I think we're ready~"

He let himself be straightened out, even though he was sure he looked fine. Iwai smiled at him patiently then actually went to rest his arm around Fai's waist while they headed out. Honestly it was something he liked about the culture here. Touching someone you were interested in like this wasn't weird or frowned upon.

Either that or maybe he'd just gotten used to Recolle and adapted to it compared to his life in Japan.

Whatever the case was, he found he liked having a hand on Fai like this while he walked him out to his car. Not that his car was anything impressive. But hey the black leather interior was super nice. Really his car was a lot like him. Not trying to impress anyone but it sure had some nice qualities to it.

It was a good thing Iwai was leading--and driving--because Fai's thoughts all kind of scattered as soon as that warm hand rested on his waist. It was such a little gesture, nothing other guys hadn't done before over the years, but it had been a long time since any of that--aside from one very bad idea--and the closeness to Iwai that it necessitated might just make that blush on Fai's face permanent.

Some part of him really wanted to tease Iwai about being such a softie when he normally came across as such a grump, but the rest of him was enjoying this way too much to allow that.

Fai didn't usually judge people by their cars, so there was nothing for Iwai to worry about. Besides, if he'd been turned off by appearances why would he have ever befriended the grump he was going out on a date with now? Iwai was attractive, absolutely, but usually so surly that most people probably never saw past it. Which was a real shame, given what a sweetie the guy really was.

"Oh, I forgot to ask the last time you were here--do you not have any pets? You seem to really like cats!"

"Animals are honest about what they want and they ain't gonna care what kind of a background you got. Thought about getting a pet once but figured maybe I'd be bad at it."

And honestly he'd been paranoid for the longest time that he'd have to up and leave without warning. He hadn't wanted to do that to an animal. Really it was why he was still single at forty-five too.

But here he was trying for this. Some part of him wondering why Fai wanted to try for a guy like him.

"You've got nice cats though," he said as he started driving them to the restaurant.

"Ah, now you're starting to sound like me." Fai had always worried about people finding out about his own past, but what did Iwai have to worry about? The blond gave him a thoughtful look as they pulled out of the parking lot, though after a moment it melted back into a warm, friendly smile. Whatever it was, what did it matter to Fai? Iwai didn't care about the parts of Fai's past he'd heard, and Fai couldn't imagine that anything Iwai had done or been a part of would change his mind about Iwai.

...possibly short of actually being a serial killer, but Fai somehow doubted his own judgment was that bad. Notoriously bad, but maybe not that bad.

"Aw, I don't think you'd be bad at it at all!" he chided gently. "I know you work at the shop a lot, but cats are pretty independent. As long as you make sure they have what they need before you leave for the day, and give them love when you get home, what else could go wrong?"

Or you could just share my cats. The thought flickered through Fai's head and instantly renewed that blush, causing him to turn his head to look out the passenger window to hide it.

"Sure seems like it." Not that he elaborated on that. Partly because he was driving and partly because he wasn't sure if his past was good first date material. Especially not when combining it with his past life meant that he just was something of a failure all over the place.

Seriously, what was he doing here...

But he gave a soft laugh soon after that thought. "You looking to get me a cat I should know about?"

See? He could do this teasing thing too. Just in his own way.

"Hmm, I might have something in mind~" Fai glanced back at Iwai, that teasing tone back in his voice now that he'd had a moment to hide his blush and compose himself.

(But it was probably a good thing that Iwai had never heard Fai's old stage name. Ahem.)

"I might have to see your apartment first, though," he continued, smiling mischievously. "You already said your place isn't as nice as my tiny little apartment, so I might have to check it out and judge whether it's an acceptable home for a cat."

Iwai snorted then. "Oh it's acceptable. Just not exciting."

Just a small loft apartment that had next to no decorations to it. He'd never bothered to personalize the place really. If anything he figured it probably looked like a bachelor cave than anything else. The worst part was that he'd had the place for years now and had just been fine with leaving it that way too.

"We can go to my place next time if you really wanna see it though."

"What, you don't have a fancy bachelor pad for impressing all the pretty boys? I'm shocked, Iwai!" Fai winked. He wasn't actually shocked at all, of course, knowing how much of a hermit Iwai was, but apparently the switch inside him had flipped from flustered blushing to aggressive flirting. Luckily, Fai could do aggressive flirting with his eyes closed.

(It didn't escape him that somehow they'd both already decided on more dates without even completing this first one, without even really discussing the possibility. So far he was perfectly okay with this conclusion though.)

"Yep, I think that would be for the best," he replied matter-of-factly, nodding. "I need to judge things for myself. Maybe you just need a drag queen's eye to help you spiff the place up a bit!"

"You'd be the first in years to even step foot in the place," he admitted. Hermit to the max. There were few that could keep up with his amount of practice at it. "Never tend to bring anyone over honestly."

Iwai shrugged because it had never been a big deal to him. He had comfortable furniture so he'd never bothered to go beyond that point.

Turning onto the road that would take them the rest of the way, he glanced over at Fai before looking back to the road again. "So we'll see what you make of it next time."

"Hyuu, that's a long time to be by yourself." Fai well knew that Iwai didn't tend to go out, either, so if he never had anyone over.... "I knew you were a hermit, but I didn't know it was this bad! You shouldn't shut yourself away like that! People need to know what a sweetheart you are~!"

Fai reached over to poke at Iwai's side playfully, that mischievous smile already back on his face. "Maybe I should invite everyone over for dinner some night so I can introduce you to all my friends! You'd really like them, I have excellent taste in friends! Case in point--!" He poked Iwai again gently, indicating that he was one of the friends that demonstrated Fai's excellent taste.

(Of course taste in boyfriends was another matter entirely, but this probably wasn't a good time to bring that up.)

"Or is introducing you to my friends moving too fast? Is that more of an 'after the second date' kind of thing~?"

"Oi, oi. I'm driving." He gave a snort all the same though. Him? Sweet? Not even close. Iwai had accepted ages ago that he was something of an asshole and that he'd just have to live his life that way. Maybe he wasn't he worst person ever but he sure wasn't good or anything. Not with his past.

Or his former past.

Parking the car, he smiled at Fai. "Make you a deal. We make it through this date then we see if you still want to introduce me to your friends. Gotta see if you'd wanna have more than just a date with me, after all."

Damn. He really did want more with this guy though. But was he even boyfriend material? Well, might as well at least get through this date first.

Getting out of the car, he went around to go to where Fai was so he could wrap his arm around him again as they walked inside to get a table. A nice two person one where they could look at each other. Good for conversations and all that. Iwai approved of it anyway.

"Hmm~ I suppose that's a deal." Fai grinned, the teasing lilt of his voice now a permanent fixture. "I mean, I guess I don't want to introduce you to my friends if it turns out you chew with your mouth open or something like that! How embarrassing~"

Fai was plenty used to wearing skirts, especially short skirts to show off his long legs, so he was well practiced at keeping his knees together when getting out of the car so as not to unnecessarily flash anyone. He spent a few moments smoothing his skirt down with light sweeps of his free hand, the one not holding his clutch, so by the time Iwai had rounded the car and wrapped his arm around Fai again it still came as a surprise. A very nice surprise.

(He could really get used to having Iwai's arm around him like this.)

He couldn't help but wonder, as they made their way into the restaurant, how they looked to other people. Did they look like they were on a first date? Iwai looked calm and collected, as usual. He didn't even look quite as grumpy as usual, after that smile in the car. So apparently it was only Fai that looked like a blushing, grinning idiot.

Of course they were given menus and told the specials before they were left to their own devices. Iwai took that as a chance to just...get a moment to look at Fai. The guy looked genuinely happy to be on a date with someone like him. It was kind of amazing really. Here he was a hermit who was in his mid-forties and hadn't been on a date in ages. Fai was gorgeous enough to have anyone but he was here with him.

Shit how did he get this lucky?

Well, whoever out there thought he was good enough to be with this guy must know something? Hopefully. Damn he was sure he was going to mess this up as soon as Fai learned about his past.

"Wanna order some wine?" It was the first thing he thought of to say here.

Fai didn't notice right away that he was being stared at. He was reading the menu, trying to decide what sounded classy without being stuffy, and what wouldn't look like way too much food for a first date. (Should he just... order a salad??) It was only as he was opening his mouth to ask Iwai if he wanted help with the names of any of the food (since Fai was French and all) when he noticed Iwai just... looking at him.

How. How on Earth was one adorable hermit, whom Fai had known for a while already and loved to tease, suddenly able to fluster him so damn easily?

"Ah, sure, that sounds great! Do you want to pick it out?" Guys usually loved to get to do that on dates, although Fai wasn't sure how much of a drinker Iwai was compared to himself. But at least the offer had been made. "I'll just have to remember not to have too much! I tend to get, um--"

Stupid. Handsy. Slutty?

"--affectionate when I get tipsy~" Maaaybe not the best idea for a first date.

"I'll tell you now that you're probably going to be better at it than me. I don't know wines that well."

He had no problem admitting that. Fai should know he was getting a guy who didn't come from a classy background, didn't know all that stuff. Sure he was in a place where he could treat a date right but that didn't mean he was an expert at things like picking a wine. Iwai wasn't even ashamed of letting Fai pick it if he really wanted to.

Taking the wrapper out of his coat, he politely put his candy in it so he could have it for later. Even classless him knew that you didn't suck on a lollipop in a restaurant. He could have that later.

"I'll make sure you're okay if you get tipsy though. Just have a good time, Fai."

"No problem! Besides, I'm French. It's my job to know wine~" Fai winked.

The wine list was surprisingly robust for being a casual little French place, but then again as Fai had said--it was French. Wine was kind of a big thing. Fai did indeed know wines quite well, he knew what he liked and he knew what would impress, and it took only a brief glance at the list to select the winner.

"A bottle of Valpolicella Ripasso, s'il vous plaît." The waiter nodded and scurried off to comply, and Fai smiled over at Iwai. "You'll like it, I promise." It was almost as good as the Amarone, which was the best on the list, but it also cost about three times less than the Amarone. And since they were on a casual date, maaaybe making Iwai spend $60 on a bottle of wine might not be a solid choice.

"Oh, I'm already having a good time!" Fai grinned. "But that's really sweet of you. I just don't want to drink too much and spend the last half of our first date trying to crawl into your lap! Maybe not the best impression to make~"

He snorted softly at that. Okay yeah. Maybe they should wait until a future date before Fai was all up on his lap. Which meant he was once again thinking there would be future dates. Which meant at some point he needed to come clean about himself.

Was he leading the guy on having him like him at all when he had a past like this?

Iwai gave the guy a smile then looked over the menu. He wasn't French but the Japanese and the French got along famously. Enough so that he'd had French food before. He knew he liked the bouillabaisse too. But hell he just kind of had a thing for seafood since it was one of the ways he could remember where he came from.

Though that beef bourguignon was looking good too. Maybe he'd settle for that one.

"So you were born in France then? I'd noticed that accent already."

"Mmhmm." Fai looked up from the menu and nodded, smiling. "Yep, I'm actually French! I didn't move to the States until I was nine. Thankfully I knew enough English to get by, but I like to think I've improved a little since I've been here~"

He'd finally decided what he wanted to order anyway, so he closed the menu and folded his forearms over it on the tabletop so he could look at Iwai instead of the menu. "What about you? Are you from Japan, or just your family?"

Most of the Japanese Fai knew in the city had actually been born there and had immigrated to the States, but Jirou had thrown that assumption for a loop, so Fai figured it was a legitimate question.

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