AN: Slice of life: Date night & small introspection (post canon)

"I went to that stupid gala with you and beat off all those gold diggers with stick so now it's my turn!" Akihito waggled a finger at him while glaring suspiciously, as though he was going to forget their agreement.

"Of course. Did you really think I'd go back on my word?" Asami replied. "I have the evening off and it's your choice of dinner on me."

"Good. Now you need to get changed, you can't go to a place where you eat with your fingers in a three piece suit." Akihito turned to rummage around through their wardrobe, apparently set on dressing Asami as though he wasn't perfectly capable of doing so himself. "It's an all you can eat wings buffet near Kou's place. The wings are amazing and they do unlimited drinks and sides too. Ah hah!"

Akihito pulled out a pair of dark jeans triumphantly and thrust them at Asami. He took them without comment and stripped off his suit while his little lover went back to invading the wardrobe. Next a casual shirt was tossed to him and Akihito watched critically as he dressed. He stepped in to roll up his shirt sleeves and made sure he left it untucked, clearly trying to keep it him as casual as possible. He could feel his eyes on him as he moved to put on his watch.

"I don't know why you are so averse to jeans. You look hot as fuck in them and I could only dream of filling them out the way you do. I mean, I thought all the working out would leave your ass looking flat but it's really not. Firm yes, but surprisingly round."

Asami turned back to raise an amused eyebrow at his lover. "If you are done extolling the virtues of my ass…?"

Akihito grinned cheekily and darted forward to land a slap on his ass before dashing out of the bedroom. Asami couldn't help his chuckle at his lover's antics. It had taken a long time before Akihito had been confident enough in himself and in their relationship to start speaking his thoughts aloud and even longer to be able to do so with no trace of embarrassment. But it was truly a delight now that he would speak so his mind freely, almost absently. Akihito had always been like an open book but one could never know exactly what someone else was thinking unless they said it. It was certainly nice now he was open about his appreciation of Asami. He had confessed that he had been worried about stroking Asami's ego if he put his thoughts into words but his lack of 'brain-to-mouth' filter, as he called it, could cut his ego down as easily as it could inflate it.

"We aren't taking the limo," Akihito called from further in the penthouse before appearing with the keys to Asami's favourite red sports car.

"I would have thought you would prefer something less conspicuous."

"You don't down own anything 'less conspicuous'," Akihito replied drily as he handed over the keys. "And that black BMW doesn't count. It's a fancy branded car with suspiciously tinted windows and would only not stand out when parked with a whole bunch of sports cars. And this one is your favourite but you don't get to drive it very often."

Asami smiled as they headed out the door and down to the garage. Typical Akihito, still thinking of him even when it was his day to do what he wanted. Their trip into the suburbs was full of Akihito's animated conversations and arguments over music taste. It was nice to be able to be so relaxed with someone. The enthusiastic blonde practically dragged Asami into the small hole-in the-wall restaurant and proudly announced to the waitress that they had a reservation. It was interesting being the one trailing behind, he was so used to being the person leading and coordinating that it was almost odd to stand back.

They were sat down at a small, two person booth and Akihito immediately ordered the buffets and chose a selection of flavoured wings.

"So they will keep bringing out wings and sides until we are full!" Akihito practically vibrated in his seat as they waited for the food to come out. "They are the best wings as well, just wait till you try them!" Drinks came out to Asami's surprise and he was reminded that everything was included in the buffet price. He could see why this place was a favourite of Akihito's already. Just cooked and burning hot chips and garlic bread were brought out shortly after and Akihito looked like he had gone to heaven.

It was nice for a low priced restaurant. Clean, orderly, and the service prompt. As much as Akihito mocked him for going to all the fancy restaurants that were so expensive there were no prices on the menu, all he really wanted was to make sure he got those three things plus good food. There was no price to good service and good food, especially when money wasn't an object. He didn't have the time nor patience to wait around at a bad restaurant.

When the wings where served, Asami had to admit that his lover was right, the food was excellent. It was messy and greasy, but the wings where hot, crunchy, and came in many delicious flavours. Akihito dug in with a gusto normally reserved only for desert.

"How did you get sauce in your hair?" Asami asked incredulously as they slowed down with the food.

"How are you not messy?" Akihito countered as he brought up sticky fingers to remove it and Asami knocked them away with a small tsk. He removed the offending sauce with a paper towel in a very date-like gesture and was pleased when Akihito didn't try to stop him. The blonde could be a little shy in public still when it came to Asami, but it seemed like he didn't care today. It felt like the date it was supposed to be; just the two of them in a crowd, talking and laughing while they ate. They were rarely so uninterrupted when they went out.

Finally done with having eaten his weight in chicken wings, Akihito leaned back with a groan and rubbed his pouching stomach. "That was so good."

"It was," Asami agreed. Akihito looked at him with a grin that just screamed 'I told you so' but surprisingly he said nothing else. Perhaps he also didn't want to interrupt with warm, soft atmosphere that surrounded them.

There was a commotion at the counter as Asami went to pay and the couple in front of them were throwing profanities at the poor waitress behind the counter. They stormed out without paying as the staff called after them but they left without stopping and the poor girl looked like she was about to cry.

Asami stepped up to the counter and handed over a large bill. "I would like to pay for our table as well as the ones before us that didn't pay."

Her eyes flew wide and she shook her head. "Oh no! You don't have to do that!"

"I insist."

Uncertain and clearly thrown off guard, she muttered something about getting the owner and vanished out the back. Asami briefly contemplated just leaving the bill on the register but she returned very quickly with a stooped old man.

"I wish to pay for my table but also the bill for the table that did not pay. Your service, staff, and food is excellent and deserves the full payment. Please keep the change as well."

"He's pretty stubborn," Akihito piped up in a stage whisper from next to him. "He'll stand here all night if he needs to, I would recommend just doing as he says."

Wordlessly grateful, the owner reluctantly accepted the money with a low bow and many heartfelt thankyous. As they stepped out onto the sidewalk to make their way back to the car, Akihito bumped shoulders with him as he took his hand in his own. Asami glanced to the side to see Akihito staring ahead with a slight blush as he intertwined their fingers even more. He wordlessly squeezed the warm hand in reassurance as they strolled without care, picking up the conversation from where it left off in the restaurant. The statement of affection and ownership from Akihito for all to see left a small smile on his face he couldn't remove even as he scoffed at Akihito's proclamation that he was going to buy Asami a silly printed t-shirt to go with his jeans for next time.

But truthfully, all that Asami cared about was that there would be many more next times.