Warnings: Mild Slash (Finn Bálor/Hideo Itami), Mild Profanity, Fluff. (a continuation of the tale started in Xmas Carols: Chapter 22 O Christmas Tree)
Finn's nervous, which is ridiculous, but he is, and there's nothing much he can do about it. It's Thursday, their first date since their talk, and he's unreasonably nervous. He's perfectly aware that it's ridiculous to be nervous about this, they've been on plenty of dates, but this is the first one where they're a couple. There's been no real change in how their everyday lives go, not really at least. They train, they workout, they eat, they sleep, and nothing is different, but there's a different edge to their interactions. There's a heat in their touches, a lingering in their glances at each other, something that stirs a fire in pit of Finn's stomach. It's not something he thinks anyone's really noticed, no one outside of their circle of friends anyway, because their friends know that something's changed. The smirk on Sami's face on Monday morning left Finn in no doubt that the difference in his relationship with Hideo has been noted by him.
After a day of training, they're getting ready to head home then out for their first as an officially unofficial couple. Hideo's just dressed from the shower, his hair still damp despite the thorough towel scrubbing he's giving it. Finn's debating showering at home against showering at the performance centre, at least that's the excuse he'd offer if anyone asked why he's leaning against a locker grinning at Hideo attempting to dry his hair.
"So, I can collect on my bet with Sami then?" Kevin's voice is a surprise, and Hideo does nothing more than laugh at him, peeking at him from under the towel. "I won right?"
"Ah... You won." Hideo nods in agreement with Kevin's question, and Finn glances between them, unsure what the exact details of this bet was. Hideo flops down onto a bench, the towel still around his neck, and starts pulling on his shoes.
"I will share my spoils with you my friend." Kevin sits down by Hideo, and plucks the towel out of the way before slinging his arm around Hideo's shoulders.
"I look forward to it. Saturday, yes?" Hideo's grinning at Kevin, looking unreasonably amused with the sly grin on Kevin's face. Finn has to admit that he's never certain what to make of their friendship. From almost out of nowhere Hideo and Kevin have become surprisingly close. It's probably the shared woes of both having English as a second language, and a strange fondness for pandas. Kevin might not have been his first choice of friends for Hideo, but they seem to get on well, and Hideo looks happy, which is the most important thing.
"Do I get to know what this bet is?" Finn decides he'll shower at home. They've hung around here long enough, and the water pressure is better in their little flat.
"A very simple bet." Kevin smiles genially. "Sami and I were betting on whether you two would be together-together before Mania. I said yes, Sami said no, and I'm not above cheating." Kevin laughs, and Hideo rolls his eyes, smiling up at Finn.
"The prize is Canadian candy. I have never tried." Hideo's smile is infectiously big, all Finn does is stare at him slightly incredulously.
"Wait... You were in on this?" Finn's staring at Hideo feeling slightly stung, and more than a little offended at their relationship being the subject of a childish bet.
"A little..." Hideo looks mildly uncomfortable under Finn's stare. Kevin fidgets slightly, and stands, moving to a position between Finn and Hideo, almost hovering protectively over Hideo like an older brother over his younger sibling.
"We just had a little chat after the whole you two not talking to each other thing of last week... Four days of furtive glances, and sullen silence was enough for me." Kevin offers gently, and Finn meets Hideo's eyes over his shoulder.
"Ah." It was helpful, he gave good advice, don't be angry. Hideo glances away, and Finn laughs slightly. He's not entirely sure he approves of this bet, but whatever it was Kevin said to Hideo did make things better between the two of them. Speaking to Kevin also explains why Hideo was so very calm about everyone descending on their house last Saturday morning. Hideo had probably either been told, or suspected that something was up, so when the others arrived it hadn't been too great of a surprise.
"So you had faith in my seductive abilities then, huh Kev?" Finn grins, deciding that he can think this through some more later. He might even broach the topic of conversation with Hideo later tonight. It seems like the sort of thing they should talk about, and as they're going on a date, they should use that time to have deep meaningful conversations that aren't about rabbits or horseracing.
"You?" Kevin laughs as he moves to collect his own bag. "You not so much." He smirks at Finn, and leaves the locker room after giving Hideo a friendly clap on the shoulder.
"I'm not sure you two joining forces is a good thing." Finn mumbles, hefting his bag. Hideo smiles at him, and quickly glances around the empty locker room. His hand rises slightly, tentatively reaching for Finn's cheek.
"You tell me I should make friends, and when I do, you complain." His fingers curve to the shape of Finn's face, and his lips very gently brush Finn's own. "You are never happy." He breaks the brief contact quickly, and grabs his bag. "We should leave. You will take much time in the shower."
"I can wash quickly." Finn gripes, his fingers twitching slightly. He'd like to hold Hideo's hand, but clandestine pecks in the locker room, and strolling hand in hand through the entire performance centre are two different things.
"You can?" Hideo laughs, turning to look at Finn. "I bet you that you cannot." He smirks, and Finn's eyes narrow.
"What's the prize?" Finn leans a little closer, his tone dropping slightly so that he's talking with almost a low purr into Hideo's ear.
"The prize?" Hideo's voice is far softer, far more wispy than Finn had expected, and he's more than pleased with being able to cause that reaction so easily. "I will think on what I will take for winning this bet." He chuckles, and slips into the driver's side of the car. "You have ten minutes when we get home."
"Ten? Just to shower, right? Not to get dressed too... Ten-"
"Ten minutes is more than enough for someone to get ready, Finn." Hideo says firmly, and Finn rolls his eyes. He's not sure that ten minutes is long enough to get ready to his normal level of prepared, but he's trying to prove a point to Hideo, so he'll manage somehow. He's not sure how Hideo has managed to master the art of getting ready so quickly, but if he can do it, Finn can too.
"Ten minutes?" Finn asks as he wanders out of his bedroom, fiddling with his hair slightly. It's not lying right, and it's annoying him immensely. Hideo comes over to him, and ruffles his hair slightly, a smile on his lips.
"Eleven. I win." His smile grows into a smirk, and Finn bites back a sigh. He was sure he'd been quick enough, but perhaps not.
"You got changed?" Finn gestures to the far nicer outfit Hideo's wearing, a button down shirt, and some plain trousers. It's a far more dressed-up than a trip to the cinema needs, not that Finn's complaining, if Hideo wants to wear thin trousers that hug the curve of his ass, Finn doesn't mind in the least.
"Ah." Hideo nods, and steps away from Finn. "Come, we leave now." He takes Finn's hand and leads him over to the door, then starts pulling his shoes on.
"It's a bit early isn't it?" Finn mutters as he stuffs his feet into his shoes, lacing them up quickly. "The films never start till about eight... It's only after six."
"We are not going to the cinema, at least I don't think we are." Hideo's grinning, and Finn narrows his eyes slightly, suddenly feeling underdressed for whatever Hideo has planned. "You are plenty dressed, Finn. We will be late if we do not leave now."
"You sure? Where are we going?" Finn asks, and Hideo does nothing but shake his head. "Surprise?"
"Ah." Yes, now stop asking me questions. "Come, I will drive." Hideo leads the way to the car, with Finn trailing along behind him.
The trip to their destination is spent with Finn fiddling with the stereo, and Hideo singing along badly with whatever happens to come on, regardless of his knowing the words of the song. He's not a bad singer, and possesses all the enthusiasm of a drunk salary-man in a karaoke bar. It's a charming habit, and one Finn is sometimes drawn into, the impromptu duet of some hair metal Finn barely remembered from his youth was vastly entertaining, something that Finn wouldn't mind doing again. He might have to try to find a karaoke bar some time soon. He thinks a good karaoke session would with their friends would be good fun.
They pull up in front of a restaurant, something small, family-run and by the sea. Hideo's wearing an unreasonably huge grin as he gets out of the car, coming around to open Finn's door. There's a silly part of him that's bristling at the show of chivalry, but a there's a larger part that's amused by the mild flourish Hideo gives as he pulls the door open.
"You're such a gentleman." Finn laughs, attempting to at least act demure as he gets out of the car in a bid to play up to the gentlemanly act."So... By the looks of things we're at a sushi place?"
"Ah, the best place in this city, you will like it." Hideo surprisingly expands on his ah. He offers Finn his arm, and indulging Hideo's chivalrous streak Finn takes it. "It is owned by a couple... One is from Japan, the other is American."
"Ah?" Oh, not what I was expecting. Finn smiles over at Hideo, slipping his hand from where it's resting on Hideo's arm to hold the door to the restaurant open. "After you." Hideo nods, entering the small restaurant calling out the traditional Japanese greeting. A middle-aged Japanese woman is standing behind the counter, a smile on her face. She greets Hideo in rapid Japanese, her words coming far too quickly for Finn to be able to follow.
"Hello again." Another woman appears, a kindly smile on her face as she greets Hideo. "You brought someone new? Is this some kind of deal we're getting with the WWE?" She laughs, and pours out two small cups of tea. "This one here was brought by the Canadians, and now he brings you."
"Really? The Canadians?" Finn asks with a smile, and the woman nods at him. "Big guy and a ginger one?"
"Mmm-hmm." She nods, gesturing to the two teacups. "Sit, sit. I recommend the tuna." Hideo takes a seat at the woman's words, and smirks at Finn, then says something in Japanese to the lady. "Your friend has good taste." The American woman laughs, and Finn glances over at the slight blush on Hideo's cheeks. Friend isn't all they are to each other, not anymore, not for a long time really, not since their first date that was a date he thinks. More customers file into the restaurant, and the Japanese lady serves Finn and Hideo the sushi Hideo had ordered, the two women then proceed to ignore them in favour of dealing with their other customers, only really paying them attention when Hideo makes the request of a bottle of sake, and some more food.
"It is good?" Hideo asks as he pours out a little cup of sake for Finn. The sushi is good, Finn isn't exactly sure what the fish is, but it tastes good, and that's all that really matters.
"Almost as good as back in Japan." Finn grins, and takes the sake bottle from Hideo to pour out a cup for him. "You wanna clink glasses?" He laughs, and for a second Hideo looks confused, then snorts disdainfully, raising his glass. "Cheers." Finn taps his against Hideo's lightly, and shoots the liquor, closing his eyes against the light burning down his throat. "That's as good as in Japan." He mutters, and Hideo laughs pouring a second cup for Finn.
"It is good." He nods. "Though, I think I like the beer in the pub better... It has grown on me?" It's a strange that he made that a question, but Finn supposes that Hideo's checking he's used the idiom correctly.
"Good! I'm glad you like the alcohol of my homeland, even if sake isn't something I'm sold on." Finn laughs. Hideo's eyes narrow, his expression one of concentration as he tries to work out what Finn means by that statement. Finn almost wants to offer an explanation for it, but quickly enough Hideo seems satisfied that he's worked it out, a lazy smile spreading over his lips.
"You just need to drink more." He laughs, and Finn rolls his eyes, pouring a second cup for Hideo, then shooting the one Hideo had poured for him. "See, the second is more easy." Finn nods at Hideo's amused statement, and eats a piece of sushi, considering how to bring up Hideo, Sami and Kevin all finding this place together.
"Maybe, but you're behind now." Finn gestures to Hideo's cup, smirking when he downs it quickly. "When did you find this place?"
"Kevin and Sami, we went together last week when there was trouble with us." Hideo wrinkles his nose as he pours a cup of sake for Finn. "The food is very good. Kevin is very... He is... I do not know how to say it... Like a..." Hideo sighs, and picks up some sushi, popping it into his mouth.
"An interfering old woman?" Finn offers, and Hideo looks at him. "Uh... He wanted to be involved in our business? To help?" Finn isn't sure if the clarification is of any help, because all Hideo does is eat some more, his eyebrows still knit in concentration.
"Cupid." He says with a triumphant look on his face. "Sami said this to me, and I researched. I think it is accurate."
"I can see him in the robe." Finn laughs, and Hideo almost chokes on the food he'd just put in his mouth. "He'd look wonderful. When did you two become so friendly?"
"English is not his first language. He remembers his mistakes." Hideo looks slightly uncomfortable for a few seconds, and busies himself with pouring the sake, for Finn first, then himself. "There are occasions when I feel..." The pause is almost too long to be comfortable, and as ever Finn wants to offer some help, some advice on what he thinks the word Hideo is looking could be, but he waits, more interested in what Hideo will come up with than what he could offer to him. "Inadequate." An awkward smile flits over Hideo's lips. "You all speak very good English, and I am... I do not understand it. It is frustrating to me." He scrubs a hand through his hair, and glances away, his lips set in a hard little line. "Sometimes I do not like to talk to you because I know the words are not enough. They do not say my means well." Hideo scowls and shakes his head. "I cannot express my meaning clearly." He corrects himself, looking at Finn almost as if he wants approval.
"I understand you." Finn offers, tentatively setting his hand on the table, palm up, offering Hideo reassurance if he'll take it.
"You do not count." Hideo laughs. "We are a couple. It is your job to know my means, my meaning."
"Gerunds... They're tricky, but you're getting better." Finn smiles.
"Ah." Better is not good, and therefore not enough. Hideo glances at Finn's hand, still on the table, the palm still offered upwards, and ignores it in favour of shooting some sake. "I will work harder."
"Use it more. The more you talk to the guys, the better your English will be." Finn smiles slightly, and Hideo looks at him. There's something fragile in Hideo's expression, something startlingly vulnerable in his eyes, and Finn's heart clenches. "I had thought Adrian would be a better conversation partner for you." Finn smiles softly, and Hideo laughs, finally resting his hand in Finn's, their fingers entwining.
"I like the Canada accent better." Hideo shrugs, and Finn laughs softly. "It's is soft... Though, I like Irish English best." There's a hint of a blush on Hideo's cheeks, and for a few seconds all Finn can do is sit there feeling at once flattered and utterly charmed.
"Good." Finn says finally, squeezing Hideo's fingers tightly.
The rest of dinner has a much lighter conversation, more focussed on the weekend's plans for watching kid's TV. Finn managed to learn from Hideo, that Kevin had managed to find some French Canadian kids' shows with Japanese subtitles. It seems that the alliance of Itami and Owens might prove to be more than the other three can manage. Hideo seems to be sticking with Ultraman, and in all honesty, Finn is no closer to deciding what he should show everyone as his contribution to the nostalgia kick. Hideo had assured him that it didn't much matter; he intended to buy beer from the pub, so anything with bright colours would be fine with him. The thought of adding alcohol to the trip down memory lane is one that appeals to Finn, so he's not going to complain about Hideo's decision there. Once they finish eating, paying and leaving the restaurant, Hideo leads the way down to the beach, starting to walk alongside the sea.
"So..." Finn nudges Hideo's shoulder as they walk along the shore. Hideo glances over; his cheeks are tinged red from the cool breeze, and the warm sake they'd drunk with the sushi. The contented smile on his lips robs Finn of his words.
"Ah?" What? You can't just say so and not follow it up. Hideo's smile falters slightly, and Finn makes a quick grab for his hand, squeezing it lightly.
"So, what we gonna do now?" It's not a great question, but Finn isn't sure what he was going to ask in the first place, he'd simply felt like he should break the silence somehow. In all honesty, he'd be pretty content to keep walking along with beach with Hideo, but that doesn't sound too exciting. It'd be nice, but not exciting.
"Go home?" Hideo offers, stopping in his tracks. He looks mildly put out, as though he'd not really considered much other than having a nice little, slightly tipsy stroll along the beach.
"Or we could watch the sunset?" Finn flops to the sand, reaching up to Hideo. He sits down by Finn, their shoulders brushing slightly. "C'mere, I'll snuggle you." Finn wraps an arm around Hideo's shoulder, grinning when his head rests against Finn's.
"Does the sunset look like this in Ireland?" He asks, and Finn laughs slightly. Sunsets are rather like the moon, pretty much the same all over, but the view in Ireland is very different to Florida. "It is not the same in Tokyo... There are many buildings, and lights... We do not get to see the sun like this." Hideo murmurs, snuggling a little closer to Finn.
"That's for sure. Tokyo isn't much like here at all. Sometimes I miss it." Finn strokes Hideo's shoulder, and kisses his hair lightly. "In Ireland... Where I grew there were some sunsets like this... Not exactly like this, but you know."
"Ah." They were beautiful, and you could see the colours for miles? The question hidden in Hideo's simple ah makes Finn smile, and he nods, his smile growing when Hideo moves slightly, his hand coming to rest on Finn cheek. The touch he uses to encourage Finn to turn to him is light and gentle, more of an encouragement than a guiding gesture.
"Hello." Finn can feel a very stupid smile on his lips as he turns to Hideo. He moves his hand from his shoulder to tangle in his hair. Hideo leans forward, and Finn meets his kiss easily. He enjoys kissing Hideo far more than he should, enjoys just kissing far more than he ever has. There's a part of him that thinks he'd almost be content to do nothing but kiss Hideo forevermore.
"I think you will have to drive home." Hideo says as he breaks the kiss. There's a slightly silly grin on his lips, and the flush on his cheeks is far darker than it was. "Sake is too much." He chuckles, and nuzzles against Finn. "Finn?"
"Hmm?" Finn tilts Hideo's face up to him, caught by the utterly content look on his face. "What is it?"
"Tonight... You had a nice time, yes?" Hideo sounds slightly unsure, and Finn laughs softly, delicately taking another kiss from Hideo. "That is a yes?"
"That's a big yes. This was a good date." Finn presses a kiss to Hideo's lips, a light, barely there peck rather than the long, deep kisses they're shared so far on this beach.
"I... I have a thing to ask." Hideo looks like he's steeling himself for a fight, and Finn isn't sure why, because in that moment he's pretty sure he'd agree to anything Hideo asked of him.
"A thing? That's ambiguous." Finn laughs, and Hideo shakes his head, the unofficial I don't know that word look on his face. "Not clear... I don't know what you mean by thing."
"Thing is meant to be unclear." Hideo laughs, flopping back in the sand, the silly smile from earlier on his lips once more. "Sleep with me tonight." He says suddenly, his eyes focussed on the darkening sky. "We shared your bed once, and now I want to share mine." He sounds at once nervous, and demanding. It's a tone that Finn's sure should be impossible to manage, but Hideo has pulled it off admirably.
"Share your bed? I can do that." Finn lies back in the sand with him, his arm snaking under Hideo's shoulders to pull his closer. "You gonna be little spoon again?"
"What?" Hideo turns to lie on his side, his face pressed against Finn's shoulder to muffle the soft laughter that comes from Hideo. "No spoons in bed."
"Big spoon, little spoon... It's a... Jesus... I was lying behind you in my bed, so you were the little spoon." Finn isn't how better to explain it than that, and Hideo starts all but giggling, clearly the cutlery analogy amusing far more than it should.
"Your language is very stupid." He laughs, slipping from Finn's arms and standing once more. "Home?" He offers a hand down to Finn.
"Home." Finn accepts it, and lets Hideo pull him to his feet, not resisting in the least when Hideo pulls him closer for a kiss, though he does break that kiss quickly. He wants to get home as soon as possible; he's a bed to share and an analogy to prove the worth of.
Many thanks for the lovely and glorious reviews: kathy. dietrich. 98, Brokenspell77, Ms. nogimmicksneeded, Chang-Tong, kiss316,InYourHonour, little1389, dashingjetblack, Jack the Sinister Jack the Just, and Sara.
My blood was stolen by the medical examiners today... I wrote fluff instead of really paying attention to the exmas I was grading... I am a terrible teacher...
Thank you, please review.