sewist | IC Inbox for noctiumrp

Chloe this is Ushijima Wakatoshi. Would you be available for dinner and a walk in the park this evening?

[Yes, he needs manna, but he also wants to connect, and Chloe was very nice in their previous conversation. Ushijima would like to get to know him more.]

Dinner and a walk?

[Why does he think this sounds like a date??? He's getting ahead of himself. It's definitely not one. Nope.]

That sounds nice! I'm free!

Yes, it seemed a pleasant way to pass the evening together. Do you have a preferred restaurant or food you would like to eat?

[This is absolutely 100% a date. Cross fingers that Ushijima says as much at some point during the evening.]

I will pick you up at 6pm, is this acceptable for you?

I'm not picky about food, really! What kind of food do you like?

6 sounds great! I'll make sure to stop working early!

Are you sure? Hayashi rice is my favorite meal. I don't think it would be easy to eat in a park. It is my first time going on a picnic, I am sure I can provide something suitable.

I will try not to keep you too late if I will be interrupting your work.

A picnic. Something easy to eat, then! Sandwiches? Little cakes?

No, it's okay! I got so much work from my post that I've just been busy! I probably need to take a break.

Both of those are good choices, do you have a favorite flavor of sweet?

I am glad, then I will pick you up at your apartment, and we can walk to the park together?

[He believes that is how one does this properly.]

Not really! I like trying new things just as much as eating my favorite things, so maybe get your favorite thing so I can try it?

Yes, I think that sounds lovely! Thank you! I'm excited to see you.

[Definitely can't be a date. But Chloe is suspicious. And nervous. It won't come across in typing, of course!]

I can do that. They have a few popular snacks here that resemble things I'd find in Japan.

I will see you in a few hours. I am looking forward to it.

[Luckily for Chloe, he is also a patient man while he is straightforward. Maybe that will soothe his nerves. Ushijima has an unfamiliar feeling in his stomach at the prospect of this date that he should have said was a date. It's probably nerves, butterflies? He knows he is looking forward to it. He starts on his preparations immediately, heading out for the shops, so he has time to come home, shower, and dress before picking up Chloe.]

That's exciting! The Sage was from Japan! I hope they'll be nice.

Thank you! I'll see you in a little while!

[Chloe has plenty of time to be a nervous wreck in the meantime, wondering if he ought to wear something super nice, since it's just a picnic... Or if maybe he should wear something breezy and casual? He settles on a semi-sheer shirt, worn open over a striped tee, paired with tone-on-tone pinstriped shin-length pants. It seems breezy? For a picnic? He hopes he got it right.

He spends the rest of the time sewing so he won't fixate on the maybe-not-a-date. True to what he said, he stops when an alarm goes off a little before 6, gets dressed, and even finds a cute scarf to pair with the rest of the outfit.]

I will do my best.

[With that, Ushijima will be continuing on his day to get ready. When he arrives at Chloe's door, he is dressed nicely in a simple pair of black slacks with a maroon-colored dress shirt, open at the collar rather than fully buttoned.

In one hand is a bouquet of lilies, the scent reminds him of Chloe, and so Ushijima purchased them for him. Over his other forearm is a basket with a blanket secured to the top. It seems when he said picnic, he took it seriously. Ushijima has done his research for this.

The spiker gives a short knock on the door and waits with his typical calm expression on his face. For the first time in his life, Ushijima might be a little nervous. He is not inexperienced entirely, but things like this are still new to him.]

[Chloe bounces up from the couch when he hears the knock, gives himself a little pep talk, and crosses to the door. He'll be fine. It's just a picnic. It's not a date. No one would want to date him anyway! So it can't be!

There's a whole host of nervous things running through his head, but when he opens the door the absolute first thing he thinks is...]

Oh.

[...this is a date. And he brought him flowers. And Chloe is dressed completely wrong. His eyes go wide at the flowers, and the handsomeness, and the... everything, and he feels his mind start racing.]

Um. I'm... I need to change? I think? You look... so handsome...

[He reaches out for the flowers and shoves his face into them to smell them, then reaches for Ushijima's arm to try to pull him inside so he can shut the door and go change into something nicer.]

[The first thing Ushijima thinks is that Chloe looks fantastic. The wizard knows how to dress in a way that compliments not only his appearance but his personality.]

Why? You look very nice in what you are wearing. Thank you, I hoped you'd like it.

[It is charming how Chloe buries his face in the flowers to smell them. When he grabs Ushijima's arm, the volleyball player allows himself to be pulled inside.]

The lady at the flower shop said they should go in water. She trimmed the ends so that you would not have to. The scent of them reminded me of you

[Chloe hurries the flowers over to the sink so he can get some water and put them in a pitcher until he can go get a vase later.]

They're so beautiful... [He blushes as he looks at them.]

Thank you so much. Nobody's ever bought me a whole bouquet like this!

[He could just... evaporate right now. This is so so so much, and he doesn't know what to do with himself.]

I just... I didn't realize it was a date? So I didn't dress up very much.

[Ushijima had not considered that he might not own a vase, or it's likely they would have come in one.]

I am glad you like them. [Ushijima notes that the faint blush compliments Chloe, perhaps it's the color of his hair.]

I thought to gift you some thread but was not sure the kind.

[Hopefully, he does not, Ushijima would like to continue this date with Chloe not in puddle form if possible.]

I should have said that. My apologies. I like your outfit. It is suitable for a picnic in the park.

[He may be a bit overdressed, but it was this or his volleyball clothes and those were too casual.]

[It's not like Chloe's the sort to expect lovely flowers from someone. But he cheerfully puts them in water in a pitcher and takes another lingering look at them before making a quick decision. He pulls one single fully bloomed lily from the bunch and finds some kitchen scissors, then cuts the bloom carefully from the stem before neatly tying the short remaining stem into his scarf, like a little scarf pin of sorts.]

There. Perfect now!

[If Ushijima likes the outfit, that's what matters, right? He approves, and Chloe is doing his best to take that to heart.]

I... I guess I'm ready to go now!

[Why are there ten billion butterflies fluttering to life in his stomach, and why is his heart pounding so loud he can hear it? It's not weird to just go for a walk, and a picnic. It's not weird to call it a date! He's just... He feels special already, and he's not sure he deserves that much kindness from this guy.

But he swallows his fear and manages a small, but brilliant smile.]

Um... Do you want to hold hands?

[He's cute, the care he takes with the flowers. The act of pinning one on his scarf adds an endearing touch to the entire scene, and Ushijima is content to stand there, watching him.]

It is. Their blooms compliment you.

[He nods, he was prepared to hold his hand out, offering the gesture before Chloe even asked. Till he is hit with a small, brilliant smile that gives his heart a few skips, somehow that smile feels like it's meant just for him, and there is a warmth that spreads through him.

He may not mean to be, but Chloe is mesmerizing at that moment. A dazzling sunflower and Ushijima is charmed. The question does get in him to move. He holds his hand out to Chloe.]

Yes, I would.

[He moves closer and timidly takes his hand, looking up into his eyes for a moment.]

You're really nice, you know...

[Without another thought, he goes up on his tiptoes and presses a soft, fleeting kiss to Ushijima's cheek.]

Thanks again for the flowers. I'm really happy!

[Then he's leading him outside so he can lock the door and they can head off.]

[Ushijima feels happy, pleasant anticipation fill him when Chloe takes his hand. An observant young man who does not hesitate when his mind is set. He has a whimsical moment where he feels like this is the start of something significant for him.]

Really? My bluntness bothers people sometimes.

[But he is not changing. Ushijima will never be a wordsmith or use them for anything less than to express what he means concisely.

Except, part of him feels anything but concise when that warmth spreads, his fingers curl to hold Chloe's a little tighter. He likes how it feels, knowing he made Chloe happy.]

You're welcome. Knowing that makes me glad I did it.

[Once the door is locked, he slides fingers to lock through Chloe's as they walk to the park.]

How is your sewing coming?

[Chloe shakes his head, and blushes faintly as their fingers interlock. It's... intimate, he supposes is the right word. It feels really nice.]

You being blunt doesn't bother me. I guess on the surface it's a little intimidating, but you're not a mean person or you'd say mean things to me. Then I'd be really sad.

[He looks forward, smiling as he follows along.]

It's going good! I'm making some outfits for the concert coming up, and I have to finish yours, too.

[He's pretty sure he's going to scrap his concept for Ushijima's after this, though.]

[It is intimate, sweet, a gentle gesture from a guy who probably does not appear gentle. But something in Chloe softens him, and Ushijima is not questioning it. Not with how pleasant it feels. The words leave a comfortable feeling. It's like being seen, understood, and accepted all in one.]

I wouldn't feel good if I made you sad.

[Ushijima can't help but glance at the smile before turning his eyes to where they are heading.]

There's a concert? That's good for business. They can showcase your work while performing. There's no rush on mine. I am not a performer.

[When they enter the park, he keeps the pace leisurely, it is a stroll after all. But, he knows where they are headed in the end. Ushijima scouted ahead while he was out getting picnic supplies.]

[Chloe blushes faintly. He hopes Ushijima is the kind of person who'll never make him sad.]

Mm, yep! I'm making... four outfits! Three of them match a little bit because they're for a group and one is just on its own, but it's a lot of embroidery! I hope he likes it... Well, I hope they all do.

[He keeps a gentle hold on his hand as they walk.]

It'd be nice if I could get a job with a shop here so I can work on my sewing skills more. Someday, I'll make outfits for royalty... That's my dream. Well... [A giggle.] One of my dreams!

[Ushijima can't help but notice that blush. Part of him wants to touch it, but that's probably too forward for a first date, so he holds back. He is the kind who will do his best to never make Chloe sad. He'll never lie to him but he will always try to be his best self with Chloe.]

That is a lot of outfits at once. Have you thought of selling your work? [It makes sense to him. Chloe enjoys it, and he can make a living, something the volleyball player intended to do back home. Here he is taking time considering his options.

The park is peaceful. Bird sounds he does not recognize, trees not quite like he is used to in Japan but beautiful. And the company could not be better. When they approach a fountain, he moves them toward it. It's got beautiful gem and stonework he thinks an artistic type like Chloe would enjoy.]

Then you could begin fulfilling your dream, make outfits for anyone you want. [He does not smile brightly or often, but the giggle softens the lines of his face, has his lips forming a small smile.]

I'd like to hear the rest of your dreams. All I've ever dreamt of doing is playing volleyball.

[Chloe tries not to be too excited as they go along, but he can't help swinging their hands just a little as he constantly observes the park around them.]

I'm going to someday, I hope! I want to make amazing things for all kinds of people. [A little sheepish grin. He looks up to Ushijima, who is just... so tall. And so handsome.] My other dreams... I want to be beautiful inside and out, someday! That's something I'm working on. It was easier with Rustica around. He'll always praise my work and tell me I'm kind when I'm being hard on myself or saying things that don't make sense.

[His voice drops for a second, trailing on a little laugh.] Honestly, I don't like myself very much. But sometimes I make beautiful things, so I think... if I make more, then I'll just become like them. That's how I see it. I hope your dream can still come true here, too. Even if it's hard...

[His head raises.]

Oh! That fountain's so pretty!!

[Ushijima remains observant of his date more than their surroundings. As beautiful as the park is, the way he swings their joined hands and looks around as if he's never seen a park is charming. And Ushijima is fully under the spell the wizard is casting without being aware of it.]

I believe selling them through the network is wise until you can afford to purchase a store. [Oh, his heart jumps a little surprising him when Chloe looks up and meets his eyes as Ushijima watches Chloe. His brow furrows as he lets Chloe continue, even as he immediately in his mind disagrees with the wizard's opinion of himself. He could let it go. Many people would and focus on the comment about the fountain. Instead, Ushijima brings Chloe to a stop in front of the fountain.]

Yes, it is. So are you, outside you are a handsome man and inside you are kind and concerned for others, this makes a person beautiful. No matter what you make, you are gorgeous.

[It's quite a long verbal "tirade" for Ushijima, delivered in that clear, confident voice of his. He adds after.]

I will; a dream is like a seed. You have to cultivate it with hard work.

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