After defeating Jericho's team at Forbidden Door, something settles in Hook. He feels a little less angry, a little less like he's spiraling close to the point of no return. Things grow even better when he, Joe and Shibata continue to win against the Gates of Agony that Wednesday. It's always been kind of amusing to get the upperhand on Cage, just because he always acts like this is the time he's going to get the best of Hook, and he always fails.
But while things are going good for him, Orange isn't having the same kind of luck. He's the one untethered now, especially after what Trent and Statlander did. And Chuck's surgery. And losing to Sabre. He does have his own trios team now, Mark Briscoe and Kyle O'Reilly supporting him when they can, the three of them bonding over their own losses, but Hook knows that trust is slow growing, especially after a betrayal like what Orange experienced. Even more so when Roddy, Taven and Bennett keep coming around, trying to get Kyle back on their side, and everyone knows all too well what they're capable of.
It's a lot to think about, and Hook just wants both of them to be able to relax and enjoy the holiday. After arriving back at the apartment, he's not surprised to find Orange sprawled out on the couch, listlessly watching a movie. He smiles a little and glances at the clock before planting himself at Orange's side, stretching out over him.
"Hello," Orange says, hands instinctively wrapping around him to keep him from sliding back off.
"Hello," Hook echoes, nuzzling into him.
"Missed you," Orange mumbles. He'd just stayed home after losing at Forbidden Door, letting Hook go on to Chicago by himself.
"Missed you too," Hook says into his throat. "Hey." He sits up after a couple of minutes and kisses Orange quickly. "Got an idea."
"Oh," Orange says, blinking up at him. "Why am I suddenly concerned?"
Hook smirks at him.
-x
They walk hand in hand down the street, Hook knowing where they're heading while Orange is absolutely, one hundred percent lost. "I don't know what's happening," he admits as Hook hikes his backpack up higher, squeezing Orange's hand.
"You will soon," he says, lips twitching upwards as they walk down another block and then Hook turns right, Orange immediately stopping. Hook turns to him and chuckles. "Welcome to Gantry Plaza State Park," he tells him. "A really good spot to watch the fireworks tonight."
Orange frowns and looks around. "Oh."
Hook gives him a minute, rubbing his knuckles. "If you want to go home and watch them on TV, that's fine. I understand. I just... I don't know, wanted to surprise you, I guess."
Orange exhales slowly, his eyes trailing back over towards Hook. "You definitely did that."
Hook looks a little guilty. "Sorry," he says. "I know you don't really like surprises. Just thought it might do some good for us to get out of the apartment for awhile."
"No, it's fine," Orange decides after a few moments. "I. Um. We can stay," he finally says.
Hook's face lights up, his grin overwhelming everything, Orange's gaze immediately resting on his dimples. "Yeah? Um, there is one more thing-"
"Hello, Hook," Shibata's translator voice greets them and Orange exhales, glancing over. It's not just Shibata though, Joe is also standing behind him, his brows furrowed as he looks the place over.
Orange glances back at Hook, brows lifted in a really? kind of expression.
"I was thinking about inviting O'Reilly and Mark Briscoe too," Hook murmurs. "But I thought Mark might try to bring all of his kids and the... entire clan, or whatever, so I left it with these two. Unless you want-"
"No, no," Orange hastens to cut him off. "It's fine. This is fine. What... uh, what are we doing exactly?"
Hook smiles and glances over at the other two. "Bring anything?" he asks, digging around in his backpack and pulling out containers of food. Probably from Mrs. Senerchia, Orange guesses, watching as he and Shibata begin setting up a picnic.
"I have brought Onigirazu," Shibata says. "And sake."
This attracts Hooks' attention, his eyes lighting up, and Orange laughs quietly at him. "I didn't bring anything," he admits, feeling Joe watching him.
"You weren't expected to," Hook says with a shrug. "This was a surprise for you. I brought enough food for everyone anyway."
"I brought myself and my delightful company," Joe says, and Hook rolls his eyes.
"Of course, bro," he says dryly, dropping a stack of plates down next to the food. "Well, help yourselves before the bugs get it."
They do, the four of them taking turns at serving themselves- although Joe does lightly swat at Hook's hand when he tries to take the last of the Onigirazu that Joe appears to prefer- and Hook stares at him before looking pointedly at Joe's plate which already has three of them stacked on it. Joe huffs, then shrugs, letting him have it.
Orange adjusts his sunglasses, sitting back against the chair he'd selected as his own and eats quietly, watching the others. Joe and Hook are discussing random things- it sounds like Hook is still failing to convince Joe about the history of lacrosse, although by now Orange thinks Joe's just doing it to rile Hook up, the perplexed aggravation on Hook's face becoming funnier the longer is goes on.
Shibata adds a comment here or there but he, like Orange, seems content to sit back, sip his sake, and eat while their conversation volleys back and forth. Orange isn't sure how much time has passed when he realizes dusk is settling in and Hook stands up, starting to collect their trash to take it to one of the nearby cans.
"Come on, guys," Hook says, leading the way through the people milling around, the crowd growing in size the closer they get to the spot Hook has picked for them to watch the fireworks on.
Orange wants to hold Hook's hand again, but he feels weird trying to reach out and grab onto him when they're walking alongside Joe and Shibata, so he continues making his way through the people, growing more and more uncomfortable as he gets jostled more and more. His breath catches when he looks up and realizes he's gotten separated from the others, and although he's an accomplished wrestler who can usually hold his own, he feels oddly small and battered around in this thick crowd of people. "Hook?" he calls out, voice wavering a little. "Hook!"
It's maybe a minute or two that he's trying to find his bearings in this crowd, barely able to push his way forward through it, before he feels a hand wrap around his, pulling him to the side. "Hey, hey, it's ok, I'm here," Hook says, wrapping an arm around him. "Sorry, should've kept closer to you when the crowd's thick like this. Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Orange mumbles, pressing his face into Hook's chest for a minute, catching his breath. "Couldn't see any of you. Kind of freaked out."
"It's ok," Hook says, brushing his fingers through Orange's hair. He looks around, probably trying to find the others, when there's a shift and Shibata is standing next to them, glancing from Orange to Hook. "We need Joe," he says, and Shibata nods, holding his phone up.
It echoes through the crowd, some of the people freezing and looking around in confusion. "We are over here," the translator declares at its loudest volume before Shibata lowers his arm.
Hook winces. "Well, if that doesn't get his attention, nothing will," he mumbles, pushing Orange back to look at him. "You sure you're good?"
"Yeah," Orange says, pressing his face into the warmth of Hook's hands.
The crowd is starting to get thick again, the fireworks really close to starting, when finally Joe's voice cuts through. "Alright, move it or lose it," he snaps, pushing through the crowd until he finally gets shoulder to shoulder with Shibata. "Everyone alright?"
"Yeah, bro," Hook says. "Got separated, and the crowd's kinda overwhelming."
Joe looks around, nonplussed by it all, before looking back at Orange tucked in Hook's arms. He makes a face, then turns back the way he'd come. "Alright, come on," he says, shouldering his way through the crowd, the other three staying close behind him, until the group of them are safely headed back in the direction Hook had been going before Orange lost track of them. "This the place?"
Hook nods, moving until he and Orange both are facing the riverfront, lacing his hands around Orange's waist and keeping him close. "Yep. Thanks, bro."
Joe rolls his eyes at them. "Yeah, yeah," he mumbles. "Getting lost in the crowd..." He shakes his head. "Did you only invite me to get you two safely to a prime spot to watch the fireworks, Hook?"
Hook smirks and presses his face into Orange's hair, not bothering to answer.
Orange leans back into him, watching as the show finally begins, casting light over the rippling water below.
"Tsk, no manners," Joe huffs.
"Yeah, bro, whatever," Hook says. "I'll buy you dessert when this is over with."
Joe pauses, tracing the skyline as more bright colors blast and explode overhead. "I guess you're forgiven," he finally says.
Hook laughs, pressing a kiss to the back of Orange's head. "Of course I am," he says, finding Orange's hand and toying with his fingers. "Having fun?" he asks quietly.
"Yeah," Orange says, lacing his fingers with Hook's and squeezing. "Thanks."
Hook smiles and tilts his head back to watch as fireworks creep higher up in the sky, colorful and bright. "Good."
"Are you going to buy me dessert too?"
Before Hook can even answer, Shibata chimes in as well. "And me? We didn't have any at the picnic."
Hook rolls his eyes. "Yes, yes, I will buy dessert for everyone." He shakes his head.
"Now you know how it feels," Joe cackles, Hook rolling his eyes.
"Whatever you say, bro," Hook mumbles. "Whatever you say."
Orange laughs a little, turning his attention back to the fireworks as Joe and Shibata try to wheedle even more desserts out of Hook during the brief moments of silence.
He's still not in a great headspace, and he's not sure he'll ever entirely be again, but he's glad that Hook's found people that care enough to come watch fireworks with them. It might be a little too optimistic considering everything he's experienced lately, but it gives him hope.