and they were roommates,

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FROM THIS THREAD.

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[selfconcept]

[ Hien, completely oblivious as to what Haiga would be nervous about even after this: ]

Sure. What place did you have in mind?

[ He's just thinking that wherever Haiga wants/needs to go is what's making him nervous. ]

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[ hien’s reply is so quick and casual that it takes haiga a solid minute to catch on.

… … … ]

Wait - really?! Yes??

[selfconcept]

... Yeah?

[ Hien's confusion is obvious despite his lack of expression. ]

Why are you surprised? Isn't this pretty much a date as it is? We're going on two outings in a row.

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No, this is the date.

[ but he sounds confused as he says it. lunch, just the two of them, with him paying?? it was kinda sneaky obvious, and he was working up to asking for real - but wait why did hien say yes? what ]

But I mean - if tomorrow works too, yeah let’s do it. As many as you wanna go on. I’m, uh. I. I want that.

I like you.

[selfconcept]

I like you too.

[ Though Haiga might want to check with Hien as to what sort of "like" he might be talking about, because while it can be hard to tell due to his usual chill attitude, he really thinks of a date as a casual outing between friends. And like? Yeah, he likes his roommate. Haiga is cute and Hien feels endeared to him, but to raise that to a romantic relationship? It's hard to tell.

He continues to drive. ]

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[ aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

he covers his face and sighs. with that response? he figured. there were moments he thought, ‘maybe. maybe he sees me. maybe he sees my feelings.’

maybe, maybe, maybe.

he’s not gonna give up, but he does wonder if he has to overshare to clue hien in on his feelings. he’s definitely not the type of give up; once he fixates on an idea - on a person - his mind has a hard time letting go. stubborn or just stupid, yeah that’s him. ]

I guess I’m glad you do. Take it easy on my poor heart though, won’t you?

[selfconcept]

[ There might as well be a question mark floating above Hien's head at what Haiga says as he parks. ]

I don't think I'm doing anything to warrant that...?

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[ his pretty senpai is definitely a heartbreaker… thinks haiga, oblivious heartbreaker.

but he is very, very pretty and right now? very cute.

haiga quickly glances around as he unbuckles his seatbelt. it’s clear so here goes nothing. the kiss itself is silent as he breaks into hien’s bubble and closes the distance between them. it’s quick, just a firm undeniably press of lips. his heart is thundering. he can hardly hear his own murmured confession. ]

I like you.

[ then he escapes from the car. okbye. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien is quiet after that kiss. He really should have seen it coming, but he didn't and now he's paying for it. Even after long Haiga escapes from the car, Hien sits there, wondering what just happened.

But did Haiga consider that they'll be stuck together as they eat?

Hien turns the car off and gets out, and then leads Haiga into the restaurant building, if he's still outside. He doesn't say anything, but he looks very obviously dazed. ]

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[ “but what if gay thoughts”
“and also what if hien wants to top”
“can you kiss and still be roommates, what if you can’t”
“asking for myself and my annoying horny brain”



he sure did because while hien was sleeping peacefully, this was his brain all night.

he follows hien silently because he’s still paying for this date. he doesn’t think he’s ever seen hien this dazed, nothing outside of waking up at least. he didn’t get an immediate answer to his confession, which sits heavy in his stomach, but he tells himself it’s early yet. it’s not over until - well.

and if anything, his senpai is kind. hopefully the rejection isn’t too brutal. ]

Sorry. I should have asked first.

[selfconcept]

[ i'm losing it... someone help this boy

They get to a table and Hien sits on a cushion seat, waiting for Haiga to sit. Once he does... ]

Asked what? If I liked you? I already said that I did. I didn't think you'd suddenly kiss me though...

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[ it’s terminal, he’s done for

also hien your priorities,,, ]

Asked if I could kiss you…

[ the last part gets lower as the server welcomes them once haiga sits across from hien. he orders a coffee for hien and a water for him to start while making what he hopes is a normal i-didn’t-just-kiss-my-roommate face. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien thinks Haiga's reaction is cute and oh. The coffee... well, alright. That's fine too. ]

I like assertion. I was just surprised, but I guess you knew me well enough that I wouldn't suddenly ditch you out here and leave with my car.

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I had hope in my heart. But you still could.

[ there’s still the drive home. ]

It’s just… you’re always warm - to me. [ not just the way he makes haiga feel, but he thinks the older man is a soft person in general. ] You’d feel bad. You’re too kind.

[selfconcept]

Of course I would feel bad.

[ He sighs, not sure about how to feel regarding being so predictable. ]

It's not like you deserve having that being done to you either. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if something bad happened to you because of me.

/2

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[ he’s happy to hear that. damn, this heart feels tender. ]

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[ then he snaps out of it and gives the server an bashful smile when she brings their drinks. give them a few more minutes, he asks her. ]

That wouldn’t happen because even if you accidentally drove off, you’d come back. See, this. [ he gestures to all of hien. ] This is why I want to kiss you all the time.

[selfconcept]

[ ...

Hien blankly stares at Haiga for a second but it changes. ]

I think... that's just called being a decent human being...?

[ There's a look of Concern at Haiga's way. ]

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[ see? this.

this thing that hien does. he’s not a lyricist; he can’t describe it well. but haiga meets his gaze head on. ]

I’m not arguing there.

[ he taps the menu in front of hien. ]

I’m just saying that’s how it is.

[selfconcept]

[ He sighs and doesn't even spare the menu a glance. ]

Carbonara. That's what I came here for, so that's what I'm gonna eat.

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It’s real good. Some friends from the club invited me here a couple of weeks ago and I thought you’d like it, too.

[ is it annoying if he has what hien’s having? maybe he’ll go for spaghetti. ]

[selfconcept]

[ He wouldn't care if Haiga had the same thing. Food is food. You eat what you want. ]

... I hope it's not too expensive.

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[ but what if hien wants to try multiple dishes? he's getting ahead of himself, but - just in case. blame his brain. ]

I can afford this much.

[ he flags down the server to order: carbonara for hien, spaghetti for himself. when she leaves, he grins at hien. ]

My part-time job's going pretty well. Just help yourself to whatever you want.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien will always want to try multiple dishes, but he figures he can come back here at any time if he wants to eat. No big deal. And he doesn't want to empty Haiga's wallet... ]

What's your part-time job, anyway?

[biconfused]

Taniguchi’s. It’s a liquor store. I do mostly stocking and heavy lifting - stuff like that.

[ but no drinking.

and when they settle into conversation like this, it feels like it always does: companionable, a little special. he relaxes slightly. ]

It’s nice to have the extra income, and I’ve just been saving until… I got the courage to ask you out.

[ more like he couldn’t hold it in anymore. ]