Author Note: I spent an embarrassing amount of time researching the location for this chapter. Yes it's a real place, and if I'm ever in Vegas I'm eating there, all because of this dang fic.

The following week was Nejire's first date with Hawks. He wanted to keep the details a surprise, but he let on that he made a dinner reservation somewhere fancy, and that she should come hungry. He offered to pick her up, but Toga urged Nejire to meet him there instead, so she didn't feel obligated.

He didn't even tell Nejire the address until the morning of the date. She immediately looked it up on street view maps, but what came up appeared to be a very mediocre shopping center. Nejire partially worried this was some kind of prank. She had picked out a nice dress to wear, a soft teal in a flowy fabric, with a low neckline.

"You look hot," Toga said, as Nejire touched up her makeup yet again. "Remember to text me if you need an out."

"Don't worry, I will." Whenever one of them needed to escape a bad date, the other would call with a made-up emergency. Nejire had interrupted Toga's dates a few times, sobbing dramatically about a pretend breakup or dead relative.

"Have fun." Toga winked mischievously. "Let me know if I shouldn't wait up."

When the uber pulled up to the shopping center, between a hair salon and a massage parlor, Nejire almost told the driver to take her home. Instead, she pulled out her phone and called Hawks.

He answered right away. "Are you here?"

"Yes, are you?"

"I'm standing outside. Wait, are you in a tan car?"

"I am." Then she spotted him, and hung up the phone.

Hawks opened the car door and held out his hand for her. He was wearing a red button down shirt with a pinstripe vest and dress pants. As Nejire got out, he looked her over with a soft smile. Before he let go of her hand, he kissed the back of her knuckles, sending a shiver up her back.

The uber driver pulled away, and Nejire told herself there was no turning back. She looked around. "So where's this fancy restaurant?"

Hawks winked. "It's hidden." He offered Nejire his arm, and she gave him a teasing pout before she accepted. He led the way past a few of the shops to an unmarked glass door. There was nothing indicating that it was a restaurant, or even a place of business.

He opened the door and ushered Nejire inside. The place was tiny, and instead of individual tables, there was just one long table with a dozen chairs. A few people were already seated, but Nejire didn't see any food.

She frowned in confusion. "Hawks, what on earth?"

"Trust me," he grinned, "and call me Keigo, please." He led her to one end of the table. Nejire tried to get the seat to his right, so her good side was facing him, but he had already pulled out the chair on the left for her, so she accepted. He sat down and gazed at her. "You look absolutely stunning."

"So do you."

One of the staff came over to greet them. "Welcome back, sir. Are you having the usual?"

"No, actually we'll both be having the full course, and a bottle of Shichida, please."

Nejire stared at him as the waiter left. "So, you've never been here before either?

He laughed. "Is it that obvious?" A waiter brought over a large carafe and two empty glasses, and Keigo poured a drink for each of them.

Nejire swirled the liquid in her glass; it smelled fruity. "Should we toast to something?"

Keigo raised an eyebrow. "We definitely should; but what?"

"How about… new beginnings? Is that too cheesy?"

He tapped his glass against hers. "To new beginnings." They both drank to it.

The chef came out, and to Nejire's delight, they got to watch the food being prepared right before them. As they served the tiny, ornate appetizers, Nejire's eyes grew wide. "Is this real sushi?"

Keigo smiled. "Only the best."

"It's almost too pretty to eat." She looked around, but there were no chopsticks in sight.

"Here, try it like this." Keigo tipped his head back, and dropped the entire piece into his mouth.

Nejire copied him, then laughed when she could barely chew, and hid behind her hand.

"It's good, right?" he asked, his mouth full.

"Mm-hm," she agreed. A waiter switched their empty plates for the first course; a bite-sized nigiri adorned with greens. As soon as they finished that, there was already more food; sashimi with rice. Nejire looked at Keigo. "Um, how many courses are there?"

"Ten; not including the appetizer or dessert."

Her eyes grew wide. "Twelve courses?"

"I did tell you to come hungry."

"No kidding." She took a sip of her drink as the waiter placed a square platter before them with dozen various bite-sized foods.

Keigo lit up. "These are my favorite," he said excitedly as he picked one up and held it out to Nejire. "You have to try this one." She blushed, but let him feed it to her. He waited eagerly for her reaction. "Well?"

Nejire nodded and gave him a thumbs up. Then she closed her eyes as she chewed, savoring the complex flavor. "That is amazing," she told him. "I haven't had decent sushi since I left New York, but this might be the best I've ever tried."

"New York?" He looked surprised.

"Oh, yeah," She laughed. "That's where I went to school."

Keigo nodded as he ate another piece. "What brought you out here, of all places?"

"Well…" Nejire didn't want to ruin the mood. "I needed a fresh start."

"Lucky for me, you came here." He raised his glass. "New beginnings, right?"

"Exactly." She tapped her glass to his, and they both drank.

After the final course was cleared away, Keigo walked Nejire outside. "I didn't realize you were so new to the city. I could show you around some time."

"How about now? It's still early." Technically it wasn't, since the sky was dark, but Nejire wasn't ready to go home.

Keigo's eyes sparkled. "Do you mean it? Don't tease me." He reminded her of a kid eager to open presents.

"Sure," she giggled. "Let's go."

He hailed a cab, and before Nejire knew it they were on the Las Vegas Strip. Keigo pointed out dozens of places as they passed, rattling off trivia about what celebrities had performed at each one.

Then he turned to Nejire, his eyes wide. "Do you want to see the best view in the city?"

It felt like a truly important question, one she couldn't answer flippantly. "Yes," she whispered.

He told the driver where to drop them off. From the bustling sidewalk, Keigo took her inside one of the casinos, but he ushered her right past the main attractions. He led her down a bare hallway and through a door marked Employees Only. His excitement was contagious, and Nejire laughed as he hurried them along. "Are we allowed back here?"

"Don't worry, no one cares."

They went up a service elevator, and soon they were stepping out onto the roof of the building. Up here, it wasn't loud or hectic. It was peaceful and still, and you could see the lights from the street below stretching out in each direction.

"This is beautiful," Nejire said.

"I thought you might like it."

She gave him a sly grin. "Do you bring all your dates up here?"

"Yeah." Keigo teased back. "That would be just you."

"No way." She looked him over, trying to imagine how someone like him wasn't drowning in women; and men, too, for that matter.

He seemed embarrassed. "I told you, I don't have much of a life outside work."

Nejire was distracted by the stunning view. "How did you ever find this place?"

"Luck, I suppose."

She turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"Eh… it's kind of a depressing story. I don't want to ruin our night."

"You won't ruin it. Tell me."

"If you insist." He gazed out across the sky. "My dad used to come to the casinos here to gamble. Kids aren't allowed, so he made me stay hidden. I would sneak around and go wherever no one noticed me. One day, I found my way up here, and I was hooked."

"I can see why."

"You haven't seen the best part yet."

Nejire smiled at him curiously. Keigo held out his hand, and she took it. Pulling her close, he walked them a little further out, towards the edge. The wind was stronger there, and it whipped their hair around. Nejire ducked her head and clung to Keigo. She gasped as the air currents snaked around them. Though her feet were still on the ground, she felt weightless.

Keigo raised his voice over the wind. "Open your eyes!"

Nejire did, and her breath caught at the sight of the twinkling lights below. "This is incredible," she shouted over the roar.

"Doesn't it feel like flying?"

"It really does!" Nejire's hair blew into her eyes, and she grabbed Keigo tighter. He eased them back away from the edge, and Nejire tried to smooth down her hair. "Thank you for showing me this place," she said, quieter now.

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I'm glad I could share it with you." Nejire found her gaze drawn to his lips. Before she could make a move, he leaned in to kiss her. She pulled him closer as she kissed him back, her hands tugging at his shirt collar. After a moment, he drew back to look into her eyes. "Is this alright? I don't mean to rush you."

Nejire answered by kissing him again, more urgently. Keigo ran his hands gently down her back, and she pressed her body against his. He kissed along her cheek to her earlobe, and she grasped at his hair, tugging softly. "Keigo, take me home."

He pulled away, flustered. "Sorry, yeah, of course. I didn't mean to go so fast."

"No," she giggled. "Keigo, I want you to take me home… with you." In case he still didn't get it, Nejire ran her fingers along his belt.

"Oh!" He got the hint, and his worry turned to delight. "Let's go then; my place isn't far!"

Nejire laughed as Keigo dragged her back to the elevator. As the doors slid shut, he took her in his arms, kissing her passionately until the doors opened again at the bottom. They hurried outside, where he hailed another cab. They could barely keep their hands off each other during the short drive.

His place was in a high-rise in the middle of the city. When he opened the door to his apartment, Nejire's eyes were immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased a breathtaking view of the night sky. She took off her shoes and dropped her bag on the floor, looking around. Keigo soon joined her, pulling her in for another kiss. She circled her arms around his shoulders. Then he picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his hips as he carried her to his bed.

He laid her down, still kissing her as his hands skimmed over her body. Nejire sighed at his touch, soft and warm through the thin fabric of her dress. Then he slid his hand up under the dress, between her legs, rubbing her through the fabric of her panties. Nejire moaned against his mouth, and he kissed her more deeply.

After a moment she grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "Help me take this off," she said. Keigo unzipped the back of the dress and Nejire tugged it down, tossing it to the floor.

Nejire unbuttoned his shirt as he trailed his hands over her bare skin, skimming over the scars on her chest and stomach. "You're so perfect," he whispered. He hooked his fingers in the waist of her panties.

"Wait," she said. "You're still wearing too many clothes."

"Easily remedied." He quickly took off his vest and shirt, then dropped his pants.

Nejire giggled. "That was fast."

Keigo cringed. "Ooh, that's not what I was going for." That made Nejire laugh, which turned to a gasp as he pulled her panties down and off. Slowly, he ran his hands up her legs. She opened herself to him as he moved in closer, his eyes bright and hungry. Keigo circled his fingers over her entrance for a moment as she held tightly to his shoulders. She let out a shuddering breath as he slipped two fingers inside her.

Nejire let her head fall back as he began to move his fingers. "Yes," she sighed. His touch was perfect. While he kept up the steady motion of his hand, she pulled him down for another kiss. She licked into his mouth, and he plunged his tongue into hers. Their kisses became more frantic, until she pulled back in desperation. "Please, Keigo, I'm ready." When he withdrew his fingers, she cried out at the loss of his touch.

"One second," he promised, and disappeared to another room, returning with a condom packet. "Ta-da!" He held it up triumphantly as he rejoined her. "I was afraid I might not have any. I thought about buying some but didn't want to jinx it."

Nejire had to giggle. "Well, come on then," she told him. He sat next to her on the bed, tearing open the packet and rolling on the condom. Before he could make a move, Nejire climbed onto his lap, pushing him onto his back.

They both let out a gasp as she eased down over his length. "Nejire," he whispered, gazing up at her reverently. Then she started to move, and he let out a long sigh of pleasure. He let her be in control, his hands resting lightly at her waist, his mouth open slightly as he panted.

Nejire was overwhelmed at the way he felt inside her, and the look on his face as his eyes traveled over her body in awe. As the pleasure built, she began to move more urgently, wanting to feel every inch of him.

Before long, Keigo's restraint began to slip, and he began to thrust up into her. She held onto his shoulders as their rhythm became more erratic. Nejire could feel herself getting closer. Then Keigo's pace faltered, and he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, clenching his jaw as his hands tightened on her hips.

Nejire hesitated. "Are you okay?"

"Never better." Keigo let out a shaky breath. "You just feel so damn good."

Her ego swelled. "What can I do?"

Keigo shook his head, his mouth tight. Then he motioned for her to get up, and they both hissed as their bodies parted. Nejire knelt beside him as he pushed up to one elbow, rubbing his hand over his face sheepishly. "Sorry. Give me a sec."

"That's alright," she assured him. "I'm glad you like it."

"You have no idea." He gazed into her eyes. "Nejire, I want you to enjoy this as much as I am. Tell me what you like."

She thought for a second. Then she tapped her finger on the left side of her neck. "You could kiss me here."

Keigo sat up, placing a tender, open-mouthed kiss where she had pointed. "Right here?" When she sighed, he ran his tongue over the spot. Nejire moaned softly, and he kissed her neck again, smiling against her skin. "What else? Show me."

Nejire took his hand and brought it to her breast. He caressed her gently, then rolled her nipple between his fingers. She arched into him with a gasp. "Yes," she sighed. Keigo kept licking and kissing her neck while teasing her breasts with his hand. "So good," she whispered.

"What else?" he asked, the words hot against her throat. She directed his other hand between her legs, and he stroked his fingers over her slick folds. "Like that?"

"Just like that." Before long she was digging her nails desperately into his shoulders. "Keigo," she begged. "I need you."

He eased Nejire onto her back, positioning himself over her. Then he slid into her, and she cried out at the sensation. She wrapped her legs around him as he began to move. He placed a kiss on her forehead, then another on her nose. "How's this?" he asked, his voice rough.

"Amazing," she said. "Don't stop."

"Believe me, I won't." Nejire laughed breathlessly, and Keigo kissed her. "Oh, that smile." His words made her stomach flutter.

Keigo began to move faster, and Nejire dug her fingers into his back. She whimpered as he hit the most delicious spots inside her. "Yes," she panted. "Right there!"

Soon his pace became more frantic. "Nejire," he groaned. "Come for me, please." Then she did, clinging tight to him as her body trembled with wave after wave of pleasure. With a desperate cry, Keigo came too, his muscles clenching as he thrust one last time.

"Are you okay?" he panted.

"I'm good," she beamed. "Are you?"

"Yeah. I can't believe how lucky I am." He gave her a soft kiss.

As they both tried to slow their breathing, Nejire couldn't stop smiling.

After a moment, Keigo got up to throw away the condom, but to Nejire's relief, he immediately returned to her side. He pulled her into his arms and she curled up against him. Then he took her hand and brought it to his mouth, slowly kissing each of her fingers, then her palm. Nejire started to giggle, and Keigo squeezed her tighter to himself, chuckling softly.

When he lay back again, Nejire rested her head on his bicep, gazing at him. "That was incredible."

"Yeah, we're pretty damn good together." Keigo kissed the side of her forehead. "We have to do that again, and soon."

"I agree," Nejire smiled, then kissed his shoulder, along the edge of his tattoo.

He let out a long, slow breath. "You've really got me… I don't know, off my game. I can't think of the right word for it."

Nejire gave a thoughtful hum. "I feel different with you, too. I feel… safe."

Keigo smiled. "Yeah, me too." Then he scrunched up his nose. "I don't mean physically safe. No offense, but you couldn't fight a wet noodle."

Nejire laughed along with him. Then he stroked her cheek, looking into her eyes. He pulled her closer to kiss her lips again. He traced his fingers over the right side of her face, the scarred side, and Nejire flinched, pulling away.

"Hey, come back." Keigo's expression was tender, but serious, as he looked into Nejire's eyes. "There's no need to hide. It's just me."

She stopped resisting. Keigo kissed her right cheek, directly on the worst part of the scars. "Beautiful." Nejire closed her eyes, frowning. Gently, he kissed along her jawline to her neck. "So lovely." Nejire's eyes burned with tears. Keigo brushed her hair aside to slowly kiss the scars down her neck, then he moved to her collarbone, placing tender kisses on the scar there. "Perfect."

Keigo slowly kissed his way back up, and brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. Then he froze in place, distracted. "Is that your phone?"

"What?" Nejire sat up. On the floor, muffled inside her bag, her phone was ringing. She jumped up. "Oh no!"

"Everything okay?"

"I was supposed to check in with my roommate."

Keigo nodded. "You'd better answer, then!"

As he slid out of bed, his back to Nejire, she let her eyes roam over his body, including the ornate tattoo on his back. Then she answered the call. "Hey Toga, I'm here, sorry!"

"Finally," Toga said. "I've been texting you. How's it going?"

"It's going great," Nejire answered softly.

"Are you gonna go for it?"

Keigo cleared his throat to get Nejire's attention, offering her a bottle of water and a t-shirt.

She lowered the phone. "Thank you. Where's your bathroom?" He pointed, and she hurried over, shutting the door behind her. She put on the soft, faded shirt, then brought the phone up to her ear again. "Toga?"

"Yeah."

"So… we already did."

Toga let out a loud whoop. "That's my girl! How was it?"

In the mirror, Nejire saw the dopey smile on her own face. "Amazing," she whispered.

"You gonna go for round two?"

Nejire giggled. "Maybe."

"I'm so proud. Go get you some!"

That made Nejire laugh harder, and she clapped her hand over her mouth. "Toga!"

"Have fun; I'll see you tomorrow!" Toga hung up.

Nejire opened the water bottle Keigo had brought her and took a sip; she hadn't realized how thirsty she was. She smiled again. The drink and shirt may have been small gestures, but it showed Keigo's thoughtfulness.

She looked closer at her reflection. Maybe it was her good mood, or just the lighting, but for once she thought she looked amazing. She ran her fingers over the scars on her cheek and neck where Keigo had kissed, and her stomach fluttered.

While she used the toilet, Nejire glanced over the texts that Toga had sent. The last few, sent right after they had spoken, were just rows of emojis, mostly fruits and vegetables with water splashes.

When Nejire came out of the bathroom, Keigo was dressed in boxer shorts. He turned to smile at her. "Hey, my shirt looks great on you. By the way, I definitely wasn't listening outside the door to hear what you said about me."

Nejire blushed. "All good things, don't worry."

Keigo took her in his arms. "Only good? I'd better step it up, then." Nejire laughed, and Keigo cupped her face in his hand. "I want to give you more reasons to smile like this."

Her breath caught in her throat again. She wasn't used to being showered with so many compliments.

"Nejire, I'm not ready to let go of you. Would you stay with me tonight?"

Of course she did.

Author Note: When I started writing this fic I did not plan for Hawks to be in it at all, and I certainly did not intend for them to get together. But after I wrote it, now I ship it.