High fiving Asahi as the tall boy climbed into the van and buckled his own belt, Daichi made a note to start teaching Nishinoya belt safety. He knew how to do it, but after a stint of unbuckling his belt before the car had fully stopped, Daichi had (figuratively) beaten it from him. But now that he was a little older it was probably time for the boy to start learning to do up and undo his own belt.
"Thanks for tonight, Asahi seems to be warming up to you more now." And it only took cake Daichi thought quietly to himself, sliding the door closed before walking Suga to the driver's seat.
"It only took a couple of months. I didn't realise I was that scary." Laughing as he hopped in the front seat, Suga lowered the window before continuing their conversation.
"Oh he gets like that with everyone. Kudos to you for breaking through it. My place next time?"
The alternating play dates had been a resounding success with lots of smiles and fun each Thursday had become a day socialising and dinner.
"You work on Fridays right?" Thinking over his seclude, his sleepy brain barely firing, Daichi nodded.
"Yes nine am to one pm. Need something fixed?"
"Oh no no," looking a little out of place, the dark haired man was almost certain his friend was a little embarrassed. "Nothing like that," he finally said, gripping the steering wheel. "I was just wondering if you maybe wanted to go for coffee or something after work?" Nodding as he thought about the timing, Daichi hummed as he summed up the trip from the garage to the day care and then on to where ever Suga had in mind.
"Yeah, that sounds great, say around two fifteen? I'll swing by and pick up the pups if you want." Looking a little flustered, Suga's knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel tighter.
"If you want, I just kind of thought it could be an adult only thing. But we can take the boys too," He added quickly, suddenly not looking so sure. Trying not to look too surprised Daichi shrugged.
"No that sounds fine, it'll be good to have a chat without having to be super cat like concious of everything." Laughing a little to break the tension, Suga turned on the car and nodded.
"That was the plan, so I'll text you the place's address?"
"Yup, sounds good." Smiling like it was no big deal, Daichi waved his friend and his small family off before turning and walking back to the house. A date with Suga. He couldn't wait.
He was late, so very very late. But once Ukai had found out he was going somewhere that didn't involve kids or work, he'd badgered him for details. In the end, he'd just admitted he was off to see someone for coffee but that was only after the older man had twisted his arm and kept him after his shift change.
He's going to think I'm standing him up. Glancing at the dashboard clock and his fifteen minute lack in timing, Daichi swore. What if he got there and Suga wasn't there? Now that would be incredibly awkward, or if he was but he was upset or pissed off. Pushing the worst case scenario form his mind, the tall man took a deep breath and tried to relax. This wasn't a big deal, it was just coffee with a friend, he'd had coffees with Suga before, plenty of them and this was no different. Except that it was. But why? Because the other man had insisted on not having the kids around or because going out for coffee with someone was a date like activity.
Following the directions to the cafe with a tired sigh, Daichi knew he was being stupid. There he was again assuming that just because the guy was gay he immediately wanted to date him or something. Laying down the logic in his mind before parking the car and scouting out the cafe, Daichi suddenly wasn't so sure once he caught sight of Suga.
He'd admitted before that the man was attractive, but now sitting quietly, cross legged on a comfy looking stool. Mug of coffee in front of him as he scrolled through his phone, Suga looked beautiful. Straightening his shirt as he approached, Daichi wished he'd dressed up more. His cleanly pressed T-shirt and jeans didn't quite hold up to the neat button down shirt and scarf set that Saga was sporting.
Looking up from his phone, Suga scanned the room before his eyes fell on Daichi standing stiffly in the doorway.
"Sorry I'm late,"the taller man apologised, working his way through the maze of tables and chairs to sit down opposite him. "The boss was running me raggered." Pocketing his phone, Suga smiled sympathetically.
"I don't envy answering to a boss, but the health cover would be nice." Snorting as he picked up the menu and scanned the drinks and lunch specials, Daichi sighed.
"What health cover? Part timer here, I get next to nothing. Kenma gets more then I do." He glanced over his shoulder at the counter. "It must be nice being your own boss."
After some inquiry, Daichi had discovered Suga worked primarily from home, breaking down websites and address for companies internationally and making a killing doing so. On wondering why he'd even put the kids in childcare, Daichi's own question had been answered itself as Kageyama had slipped on the floor, red face but not crying and ran to his father, huffing unhappily until the other man picked him. No tears, no words, just silence. Playing with kids their own age was important, it was what all the therapists and books had said about Nishinoya, a proverb that was thankfully coming true.
Asking if Suga needed a top up, Daichi order a sweet coffee before returning back to the table. His previous freak out in the car completely put at ease as they fell into a quiet, casual conversation.
"There is a small tournament coming up with the volleyball club, just a kind of fun thing between the kids. Do you think Nishinoya would be up to going?" Humming as he thought over his son's progress during the last couple of weeks, Daichi nodded.
"I think he'd be fine, so long as Asahi is going. When is it?" Biting his lip and looking far too cute for an adult man, Suga was a little unsure.
"Tomorrow." Inhaling quickly through his teeth, Daichi stirred his coffee.
"Damn, I'm heading home tomorrow morning. My mum wants to take the boys for a festival in the town. Sorry, maybe next time." Finishing off his coffee, Suga pushed the cup across the table as a waitress passed.
"No no, that's fine. It was a bit short notice. I was just told before, I'll go scout it out and we'll see for next time."
Pleased he wasn't upset, Daichi sipped his coffee, happy with the sweetness level.
"Good plan, thank you."
Sitting back in his seat with a small smile, Suga watched him drink with an intent, bright stare.
"Thank you for coming out with me today. I get bored at home alone all the time." Leaning forward on his elbows, he tilted his head to the side. "I'm glad for your company. It's hard to find these days." Lowering his cup to look over the rim at the smaller man, Daichi's mind was over analysing Suga's every word. He was just saying what they were both thinking; both just single dads looking for company, with the same likes and interests and the same restrictions due to little ones. That was it.
"Did you want another coffee?" Shaking his head slowly, Suga's smile hadn't swayed, neither had his stance. He looked so at ease, relaxed and soft, and very very appealing. Licking his lips nervously, Daichi squared his shoulders, thinking of nipping this niggling curiosity and paranoia of his in the butt.
"You think very loudly." Blinking in surprise, Daichi pulled a face.
"Yeah? Sorry."
"Don't be." Leaning further across the table, Suga's looked far too pleased with himself. He was either having too much fun watching the other man squirm or he was really was flirting with him.
"Are you flirting with me?" It had to be said, it had to be. He'd been catching himself on every little thing he'd said or done recently. The fear of pushing the other man away or offending him had been at the for front of his mind for a while. And all because of his small insecurities. The minute he got this off his chest and out of the way, the better.
"Yes." Suga hadn't missed a beat. His stance hadn't even changed, even as Daichi's jaw dropped and his cheeks flushed.
"Why?" Laughing at the other man's honest confusion, Suga looked as if he was having way too much fun.
"Because you're nice, friendly, stable. You're good with my kids and can fix cars. You're quite the handsome daddy." Winking scandalously at him, Suga looked a tad flustered as he continued. "You're also trustworthy and kind. They're rare traits in any human." He paused, watching the man opposite him carefully. "Is that okay?"
Unsure how to reply, Daichi could only blink and keep opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Was he okay with being hit on by a gay man? There was a huge part of him screaming yes. Any attention from another human being he didn't feed was very welcome. But did he intend start a relationship with him? He couldn't just say yes and lead him along for the next six months just for the company. And if he said no he was fairly sure Suga would still be his friend, but what if he didn't?
"It's fine." He said slowly, fiddling with his tea spoon. "But I'm not sure..." he trailed off, running a hand over his face in frustration. He wasn't phasing this right. How could he say yes, but then no at the same time. "It's not the gay thing" he said quickly, catching the worry in Suga's warm eyes. "Well maybe just a little, I just mean I'm not sure how to go about this." Groaning, he took a chance and reached out for Suga's hand, feeling the weight in his was comforting and almost natural. "I'm not phasing this right."
"It's alright." Threading his fingers through Daichi's larger hold, Suga gave him a wide smile. "I'm not asking for a commitment or anything." He paused, flicking his hair from his eyes as he shifted in his seat. "I just didn't want to freak you out or anything." Sitting back relaxed and content, Daichi heaved a sigh of relief.
"Not even close. It takes a lot to scare me." Taking a moment to look down at their linked hands, the taller man felt his cheeks flushed. When was the last time he'd held hands with someone? Not since high school that was for sure and Suga's hands were so appealing. He'd noticed that before and now entwined with his own, he felt his heart fluttered a little. There was such a sense of warmth and familiarity with Suga, he was immediately put at ease, even with this grand revelation. In fact, he thought feeling the small rub and tickle of fingers smoothing circles under his wrist, this confirmed his theory as well as boosting his ego. Chubby tummy and screaming brats aside, someone, a very handsome someone was interested in him. Squeezing softly as a shiver of excitement ran through him, Daichi was happy to sit back and enjoy the company of his date.
