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Really? I bet you'll think my sister's really pretty then, she has them too. Not glasses but the same hair and eyes.

You should come over then!! Unless you wanna meet in public first, hahaha, since you don't know me yet.

I’m sure she’s pretty too!

It’s not that I don’t trust you, but meeting in public might be nice to start? Are you hungry or anything?

[Oh. So that compliment was very specifically for him, not just about his features in general.

Oh boy, he definitely wants to meet Atsushi asap.]

Sure, you can show me your favorite place to eat here! And your favorite meal since I don't know my way around the food here yet. And how to eat it... Japan's complicated.

I can definitely do that!

How about we meet at [insert address of restaurant in the first episode of BSD] at around 2 pm? If that works!

I’ll wait outside for you.

K I'll see you then Atsushi!

[Stephen arrives just a couple of minutes late - he got distracted several times on the way, as is his wont, but was so excited about this meeting that it didn't take him long to get back on track. He's in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, his hair slightly damp from several passes with a wet comb to try and flatten it out. Why does he still try when it never works...

When he recognizes Atsushi from the selfie, his whole face lights up with a beaming smile.]

Atsushi! Hi!

[at-SOO-shee. He tried.]

Edited 2018-06-18 19:38 (UTC)

[Atsushi probably should’ve changed into something more casual, but his usual ADA outfit works well enough for a first meeting, right? Hopefully, anyway...he really needs more outfits...

When Stephen arrives Atsushi is almost blinded by that big, bright smile, and he returns it with a warm, welcoming one of his own. He goes to bow but ends up sticking his hand out for a handshake at the last second to try and make Stephen feel more at home.]

Oh! You pretty much got my name right! It’s At-sushi, but I’m really not picky.

[He’s totally blushing just the tiniest bit.]

Actually, have you had sushi before? They have some here, if you’d like to try it.

[Atsushi really is pretty in person, and even more striking with his iridescent eyes and silvery hair - oh, and Stephen didn't even notice one thing about it!]

You've got a stripe. [His smile softens as he reaches out to separate that thin strip of black hair from the rest, then smooth his thumb over it.] Did you do this yourself, or is it natural because you're part tiger? It looks wicked cool...

[Okay, okay, focus. They're here to get food, not stand around so that Stephen can admire Atsushi all day. He lets go of Atsushi's hair and is about to answer when he's suddenly hit with Atsushi's worst fear, and it really does feel like a hit right between the eyes.

Why is it so much stronger than most other fears? It doesn't even seem very likely.]

Nah, but it's mostly fish and whatnot, right? I bet I'll like it fine if you tell me what kinds are best. [Stephen's a bit subdued, but still cheerful.]

[Atsushi blinks a few times before he realizes that Stephen is reaching out to touch him, and he fights the urge to flinch, immediately feeling guilty for it.

But he soon relaxes when he realizes that it’s nothing but a harmless inspection, though there’s definitely a pinkish tint to his cheeks now.]

O-oh, thank you...and it’s natural. I’m not sure if it’s because of the tiger or what.

[They should head into the restaurant, but Atsushi is flustered enough that he just kinda stands there for a moment.]

Yes! I’m happy to explain anything about the dishes, or anything else!

[He's so sweet and shy in person. Stephen wasn't sure how to take Atsushi's shocked reaction to every single compliment he gave, but now he can guess that the reactions must have been as flustered as they were surprised.

And he's blushing so much. Every time his cheeks get a bit pinker, Stephen's heartbeat speeds up in response because it's that much more evidence that Atsushi really does like him. This has to be the fastest Stephen's ever developed a crush in his whole life and every second of it is more thrilling than the last.]

It'll work better if we go in. [Now Stephen's cheeks are just as pink, and he makes no move to enter either.]

[Oh no, Atsushi made him blush...he thinks, anyway! Which is surprising, because since when is he cute or flirty enough to make anyone blush? Unless Stephen is embarrassed on Atsushi’s behalf...

Yeah, it’s time to go inside before he says something wrong and ruins this before it even begins...

Whatever “it” is.]

Ah, um, ready to go inside?

[He’ll just...pry himself from his spot and open the door. That’s a good first step, right? And of course he’ll hold it open for Stephen, because Atsushi truly is a gentleman.

If everything goes smoothly he’ll order some chazuke and whatever Stephen wants, because Dazai was at least generous enough to foot the bill for real this time. He must really be set on recruiting Stephen into the ADA...

All throughout dinner Atsushi will blush and fidget at prolonged eye contact, or heaven forbid, a brush of skin under the table. He really hopes he’s not ruining this!!]

Edited 2018-06-19 00:32 (UTC)

[Stephen's knees knock against Atsushi's several times because he's just as fidgety, though in his case it's because of nervous energy and excitement rather than shyness. Similarly, his cheeks often flood with colour when Atsushi does something extra-cute, but Atsushi will probably notice that he's not flustered at all when he blushes. If the two of them were puppies, Stephen would be the one charging forward to bite at a new person's pant legs while Atsushi hung back with uncertain but eager whimpers.

And most shockingly of all, Stephen does manage to behave. He doesn't need extra entertainment from strangers or distractions to hold his focus because Atsushi both has and offers everything he needs for the time being. In fact, he doesn't want the meeting to end yet when they leave.]

Thanks, Atsushi, that was so good! I've mostly been eating fast food since I got here, but the burgers aren't the same... [He stops quite suddenly in his tracks and turns to grab Atsushi's forearm, his grip light but insistent.] Will you come over to my place now? Carrie won't be home yet, so it won't matter if you're too shy to meet another new person today. Please?

[Atsushi definitely isn’t used to all the attention he’s getting, but for once it’s not the negative kind, so he finds himself enjoying it despite how flustered it makes him. He just can’t believe that he’s interesting enough to capture Stephen’s attention, but he probably shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Once they’ve eaten their fill and paid for their meal Atsushi wonders if it would be polite to simply end things there. He doesn’t want to, but he also doesn’t want this meeting to end...]

You’re welcome! I-

[OH he’s being grabbed. It startles him, but not enough for him to freak out and pull away. He blinks, wide-eyed, as he lets that offer sink in.

Alone? With someone he barely knows? That sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Stephen really doesn’t seem like a bad guy, and it’s not like Atsushi can’t defend himself...

His look of surprise shifts into a nervous little smile, and he nods, allowing Stephen to pull him along if he wants.]

Okay. How do we get there?

Edited 2018-06-19 01:39 (UTC)

[Stephen lights up again when Atsushi finally agrees, and he does end up pulling Atsushi most of the way to his bus stop by the forearm, still with a light and gentle grip. They manage to hop onto a bus without any waiting; seated close enough to Atsushi for their legs to press together from hip to foot when the bus takes a turn, Stephen gives him an apologetic sidelong look.]

I know I'm kind of weird sometimes... I've never been much good at making friends because of it. People say I'm no good at thinking about how my actions affect others. I'm not a weirdo, though, I promise...

[His cheerfulness flags for a moment, mouth pulling into an earnest line.]

I just really like you already. If I do anything wrong, let me know, okay? I wanna make sure I know.

[His blush isn’t going to die down anytime soon...not with Stephen pressed so close...but at least the conversation takes a more serious and less flirtatious tone. It gives him a moment actually breathe and think clearly.

Sort of, his heart is still fluttering a bit when he looks over at Stephen.]

I really don’t think you’re a weirdo or anything, I promise!

[WELL THERE GOES HIS CLEAR HEAD. He sputters and turns cherry red, and it’s getting increasingly tougher to look him in the eye.]

Y-you like me? Like...like like me??

[God he sounds so dumb right now, but he’s just so flustered...]

[Oh no... now Stephen's wondering if he read Atsushi wrong. Reading people isn't exactly his forte, after all. But all the blushing, the fidgeting, the nervous stammer in response to compliments, and the fact that Atsushi called him pretty earlier - surely all that evidence can't just point to friendliness on Atsushi's part.

Then again, Dazai sidled over and bought him dessert out of nowhere, and that was a job offer that read like a pick-up. This could be a massive cultural misunderstanding.]

Man, that was weird too, wasn't it? I thought you like-liked me too but if you don't it's fine I won't get pushy and I don't have to talk about it anymore I don't even have to call you cute or anything if that's better -

[Stop him, Atsushi, or he'll motor mouth like this forever.]

[Oh no, he hadn’t meant to make Stephen think he didn’t like him!! Oh boy, what should he say?? What should he do?? He doesn’t want to ruin this before it even starts!! ]

N-no!!

[Atsushi takes Stephen’s hand in one of his own, panicking too much to be too embarrassed about it.]

I-I do like you...a lot. Even though we just met.

[His face is gonna catch fire...]

I’m just not...used to people being so honest, is all. But it’s not a bad thing!! I’m just trying to get used to it, is all! So please don’t think I don’t like you!

Edited 2018-06-20 01:06 (UTC)

[Well now that Atsushi's holding his hand, he gets to see Stephen full-on blush in response, cheeks nearly the same shade as his eyes as he looks down at their hands and back up. Stephen's far from bashful, so it's not just the hand-holding that's gotten him - it's the fact that Atsushi, who's so nervous and off-balance in the wake of all this attention, is willing to hold his hand.]

'Kay...

[Thank god their stop is next, or else Stephen might have leaned forward and kissed Atsushi right then and there. Instead, he hears his stop announced and shoots up out of his seat as if ejected by force, probably tugging Atsushi to his feet as well with their hands still linked.]

This is us! Let's go! [Unless Atsushi drops Stephen's hand, they'll stay cupped together - without the fingers intertwined, so as casually as hand-holding can be done - while they walk through a somewhat suburban neighborhood with townhouses and squat apartment buildings. Carrie and Stephen live in a tidy (and tiny) rental townhouse with several other matching semi-detached dwellings around it; the inside is a cozy clutter of second-hand furniture, a few personal items that made the long trip like books and pictures, and pet toys everywhere.]

Cujo! I'm home! C'mere, Cujo! [Careful, Atsushi, there is a St Bernard barreling right past its owner and toward you - in a friendly way, but that doesn't make him any lighter or less drooly.] Hey - ! Ahhh, sorry!

[For a moment he thinks he’s done something wrong by holding Stephen’s hand, and he’s about to apologize, but then the bus stops and he’s pulled along with their hands still linked, and he’s instantly relieved. Relieved but still nervous about all this, though it’s definitely not enough to make him change his mind about seeing Stephen’s place. He wants to be friends, after all, and Stephen seems so excited about showing him things, so how could he possibly say no?

He’s actually a bit jealous about how nice, if tiny, Stephen’s place is, because the ADA accommodations, while better than the streets by far, aren’t exactly luxurious. He can relate to living with a girl, though, because as much as he adores Kyouka, it does get a bit awkward having her sleep so close.

He doesn’t have time to look around much before a giant, slobbering pooch is barreling into him, and Atsushi is knocked off his feet and onto his ass as Cujo licks his face in a friendly greeting.]

Haha! It’s nice to meet you too, Cujo!

[He gives Cujo scratches and pets, laughing at just how excited the big pupper is to see him.]

He’s so big!

Edited 2018-06-21 19:59 (UTC)