marlowemuses | we'll meet and it'll be cute

It had been a long time since Huaisang felt hope.

He was long past believing in love, past believing that he would ever find someone really special. Even though he didn't want to settle, he also didn't want to be alone. So he felt eternally caught in the search, putting up with shitty men (and, occasionally, women) because his heart couldn't stop yearning for romance, even though he had been alone for long enough that he was starting to feel like he was the problem.

He was trying not to get his hopes up too high for this new guy. Sure, he was hot and seemed charming in their text interactions, but Huaisang was waiting to find out what was horribly wrong with him--or, more likely, just exhaustingly mediocre.

But he was trying to put in an effort anyway, because he always wanted to offer an earnest effort even if he didn't dare hope.

So he dressed as a version of himself that he thought would be most easily accepted, in a fashionable shirt and slacks, his hair swept back from his face and pinned in a way that was, for him, quite minimalist.

As he entered the restaurant, he found a blond man waiting for him at the host stand, and he stopped short in surprise as he stared up at him. Usually, the men he dated were much less attractive than their pictures. Their photos were always chosen with flattering lighting, flattering angles, and Huaisang didn't want to be so shallow as to rule someone out when he wasn't sure if he was getting the right impression from an unclear photo. As he looked up at the man in front of him, he was stunned to realize he was significantly more handsome and more muscular than Huaisang had expected. Cheeks flooding with color and eyes wide, Huaisang blinked in surprise, finding himself momentarily at a loss for words.

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Nanami, in his opinion, did not know how to date. He'd been nagged at recently by his seniors to find someone that would suit him and when he pointed out their own single status, he was yelled at that he was the most eligible of them all so he had to find love first to prove they could. He didn't exactly believe that but he wasn't in a place to argue.

So, it was as he was at another izakaya with Gojo, Shoko, Ijichi, and Utahime that they all sort of... ganged up on him and forced him to sign up for a dating app. Ridiculous. But they put together his profile, added his pictures, and made him promise he would at least go out on one date. Nanami did not want to waste anyone's time with his complete lack of charisma though so he was careful as he went through the profiles and got a few pings in response to his approving swipes.

It took some time for him to decide to message Huaisang. The other man was... pretty. Seemed outgoing in a way Nanami wasn't, and while he wouldn't say he was his type (Nanami did not actually know what his type was), he did feel a pull towards the other man that had him replying to his messages. He kind of expected him to give up on him though, because he felt like all his responses to Huaisang's questions were boring and useless. Yet, the conversation continued — up till Huaisang even asking Nanami out for a real meal.

He must be much braver than him, Nanami thought.

So, he agreed and they decided on details, which was much easier for Nanami to do, and then eventually came the day to meet. Nanami was dressed in something pretty mild and he hoped wasn't too boring for Huaisang and he waited for the man at the host stand, only arriving about five minutes before him.

One date, he promised the others. He could do one date. He wouldn't fuck this up.

Huaisang seemed a bit surprised to see him when he walked in though and Nanami figured it was because it wasn't often you saw a natural blond like himself in Japan. It made him vaguely self-conscious for a moment before he cleared his throat and asked, for clarity. "Nie-san?"

Huaisang's surprise softened into a smile at Nanami's hesitation or uncertainty. An anxious part of his mind whispered that it was because Nanami was displeased by what he saw, but Huaisang pushed that worry away for now, determined to start the date with optimism. Maybe Nanami was just nervous. "Please call me Huaisang," he asked, with a shy dip of his head. "I know it's informal, but Nie-san just makes me think that people are talking about my brother. It's lovely to meet you. I hope I didn't make you wait too long."

The host beckoned for them to follow, so Huaisang trotted promptly after him, suddenly caught up in anxieties about whether he should precede Nanami to the table or try to walk beside him. Such details had never seemed to matter before, but now Huaisang felt shy with the worry that someone this handsome wouldn't be attracted to him.

Nanami was definitely... nervous? Which was strange, he wasn't typically so but they had gotten along so well via messages that he was actually... weirdly hopeful for this to work out alright? He wanted to get to know Huaisang now that they were in person and wanted to enjoy his company. He was pretty and smart and bold and Nanami was attracted to him.

Ha... how long has it been since Nanami's been attracted to anyone? What a surprise this is.

Huaisang's worries about preceding or walking beside Nanami are quickly soothed by Nanami, hopefully, because as they walk, Nanami lifts a hand to hover over the small of Huaisang's back, gently encouraging him to walk ahead of him as the space narrows between tables as they follow the host. He'll keep his hand there as they move through the restaurant and when they're at their table — a nice two person table by the window of the restaurant — Nanami feels more secure.

"Huaisang-san," Still so unfailingly polite, "I didn't wait too long. I'm really happy to see you." Nanami says this as they walk and when they stop by their table, he drops his hand and waits for the host to leave before moving to pull out the chair for Huaisang. He gestures for the other man to sit, wanting to make a good impression on him.

And hopefully he does sit, which will lead Nanami to moving to sit across from him, nerves bundling in his chest but also... contentment. He's excited to... get to know Huaisang? Huh.

Huaisang glances up at him in pleased surprise at the touch, smiling brightly for a moment in thanks before returning his attention to their route. It’s such a nice feeling to be guided like that, warm and protective, and Huaisang blushes as Nanami pulls out the chair for him.

“Thank you,” Huaisang murmurs, taking a moment to smooth his napkin over his lap while he recovers from how his heart was fluttering. “You’re so gallant. It’s nice.”

He picks up his menu, starting to chatter pleasantly about the restaurant’s specialties and the chef’s areas of expertise, asking about Nanami’s preferences and making a few recommendations accordingly. Huaisang loves food and restaurants, and he wants to make sure that Nanami has a good experience. He wants to please and impress him, but he also just… wants to see joy on Nanami’s face, and wants to bring him pleasure.

“What do you like to do outside of work?” Huaisang asks once they’ve ordered, watching Nanami with a smile. He’s so handsome that Huaisang wants to just stare.

There's a slightly shy ducking of his head when Huaisang calls him gallant. He's not trying to be, he would still treat Huaisang like this even if they were together five years from now, ten, twenty, but he also wants to make sure Huaisang feels like he's being treated special by Nanami even now when they're just meeting. It's the right thing to do, in his opinion.

So, when they both sit and start to talk, Nanami listens attentively to Huaisang's thoughts and his knowledge of the restaurant. When he asks after Nanami's preferences, he gives it (garlic dishes are his favorite, closely followed by bread dishes). It's nice to see they really do have food in common as something both of them enjoy and he's thinking as much when Huaisang pivots and asks him about his life outside of work.

"Ah," Nanami starts, thinking about it. "I promise I'm not copying your answer but I also like to visit different restaurants and try out their food. I think that's one of my more fulfilling hobbies. Otherwise, I like to read and to cook. Coming home after work to a good book and a good meal is something I enjoy a lot."

A pause, he tries to consider what else he can say. But there isn't much. He lifts his shoulder in a shrug. "I'm kind of boring that way."

“I don’t think it’s boring to like comfort,” Huaisang says, smile warm and sweet, wanting to set Nanami at ease. "I'm a homebody myself. I love books--especially poetry. And, uh--romance." The spicier the better. "And I paint. It's my primary hobby."

Reaching into the little bag at his side, Huaisang draws one of his fans out of its silk pouch and unfurls it to show the little painted mountain scene on the paper. It's not as good as the master artist's work on his favorite fan, but he's proud of his own painting.

Romance, huh? Nanami raises an eyebrow when Huaisang mentions it but he doesn't say anything else. It's nice to know what you like but it does give him a picture of Huaisang as someone who wants a idyllic storybook romance. Can Nanami give him that? Can he... sweep him off his feet? He has no idea. Ah, geez.

But when he explains the rest and pulls out his fan, Nanami does look surprised. Wow. That's more talent than Nanami was expecting. His mouth parts a little in surprise before he looks back up at Huaisang and gives a small smile.

"It's beautiful, truly. You have a lot of talent, Huaisang-san."

And just then is when the waiter arrives to take their orders. Nanami will order something to his preferences, as well as a basket of bread with butter, and a bottle of wine for them to share. He'll ask Huaisang over his wine preferences before he orders though, of course.

"Thank you." Huaisang blushes and ducks his head with pleasure at that praise, keeping his head bowed for a moment over the fan, proud of his work and taking a moment for picturesque, shy preening over those compliments before he slips the fan away again. "That's kind of you to say."

Huaisang allows Nanami to see to the ordering, only giving a shake of his head and a smile when asked about his preferences. "Oh, I'll drink anything. Whatever suits you is just fine."

we'll meet and it'll be cute

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