The Five Dates of Ryoda
Pairing: Ryoda
Disclaimer: Don't own them
Rating: PG
Genre: Romantic (comedy? maybe) little bit of angst
Summary: Ryo was in love with Tatsuya, however, given their past history, Tatsuya never thought about him that way so as a compromise he gives Ryo 5 chances to convince him and prove that he loves Tatsuya, but will it work in the end?
AN: This is dedicated to ring_rie who requested this MONTHS ago and I'm really, really late on this so I'm so sorry. It accidentally got archived on my computer and I found it about a week ago. Anyways I really hope you like this!
Ueda found himself face palming at the absurd situation he found himself. There was Ryo, the self-proclaimed ‘sexy Osaka man’ bowed in front of him holding his hands out with a letter clasped between them. Hesitantly Ueda pried the paper out of Ryo’s fingers and unfolded the crinkled paper.
Dear Tatsuya-
I’m sorry I’ve been a jackass and made fun of you throughout the years, but I actually do like you so please accept my feelings.
Ryo Nishikido a.k.a. the Sexy Osaka Man
Ueda scrutinized the note and when he read ‘jackass’ he became suspicious. “Kanjani wrote this for you, didn’t they?”
Ryo flushed as he realized that he had been caught and stood up straight. “How’d you know?” he asked as Tatsuya quirked an eyebrow skeptically.
“You’d never call yourself a jackass.” Ryo snatched the letter back from Tatsuya and reread the letter swearing as he read over that part. Tatsuya started to leave, but Ryo held him back. “Wait, I’m sorry I didn’t write it, but it’s true, I do like you.”
“You like me.” Tatsuya repeated. “You the person who tormented me during our junior years and constantly reminded me of all of my shortcomings and called me ‘fishlips’.”
“When you put it like that, it doesn’t sound great, but I really do like you and I’m hoping that you could return my feelings.” Despite the failed attempt at writing the letter, Tatsuya saw sincerity in Ryo’s eyes.
To be honest he wasn’t sure what to do. He wasn’t in love with Ryo, but he didn’t hate him either. "I don’t have the same feelings for you that you have for me, but I’ll give you a chance.” Ryo had looked downcast when Tatsuya had said that he couldn’t reciprocate his feelings, but perked up when Ryo heard that Tatsuya would give him a chance.
Out of excitement he reached up and kissed Tatsuya smack on the lips. “Five dates, that’s all I’m asking for.” He ran out the rooftop door will Tatsuya stood their stunned at Ryo’s brazenness. When the door opened up, Tatsuya swore that he saw a sliver of Yoko’s face watching the entire exchange.
“What the hell just happened?” Tatsuya wondered aloud as he made his way back down to the KAT-TUN dressing room.
The next day, Ryo greeted him with a bunch of flowers and waited for him after work. “You look nice today.” Tatsuya narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “Thanks. I’m not a girl.” Tatsuya said glaring at the flowers to which Ryo hurriedly tossed them in the nearest trash can.
“So where are we going?” Tatsuya asked.
“I was thinking a restaurant.” Ryo said and looked down shyly.
“Really, you couldn’t be more creative?” Tatsuya asked teasingly and Ryo flushed a bright red.
“If you don’t like that idea, we could always go somewhere else.” Ryo said embarrassed that his idea was being rejected.
“I’m just kidding.” Tatsuya looked over to Ryo and smiled. “A dinner would be great.” Ryo smiled back and felt his heart flutter seeing the smile that the man he loved had and moreover it was directed at him. Ryo took him to an Italian restaurant tucked away in a corner of Tokyo that very few people knew about.
“I’ve never been here before.” Tatsuya said as the entered the restaurant, “It’s adorable.” With the red and white checkered tablecloths on each table, Tatsuya felt as though they had been transported to a New York pizzeria with the casual décor and the friendly atmosphere. They were ushered to a table in the sparsely populated restaurant and Tatsuya poured over the menu. Ryo surreptitiously snuck glances at Tatsuya and seeing him so closely he noticed how his eyelashes fluttered as he blinked and how his eyes scanned the menu determinedly.
“Is there something on my face?” Tatsuya asked when he caught Ryo staring at him.
“No, sorry.” Ryo looked down and suddenly found his menu incredibly interesting.
After they ordered, they found themselves consumed in animated conversation and though Tatsuya would never admit it he found himself enjoying it.
“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tatsuya said as he waved goodbye awkwardly to Ryo.
“Wait, let me walk you home.” Ryo announced and walked along side Tatsuya until they arrived at his apartment which conveniently was nearby. As they stood on the porch step, Tatsuya fished out a key.
“Well, goodnight.” He said and motioned to enter the apartment until Ryo’s arm jutted out and he stopped him.
“Wait,” Tatsuya saw Ryo lean forward and gently put a hand on his shoulder. He closed his eyes and pursed his lips and waited until they made contact with Tatsuya’s own. But instead, they made contact with something else. Ryo, confused, opened his eyes and saw that instead of Tatsuya’s lips pressing against his, it was his finger.
“Sorry, I don’t kiss on the first date.” It was a blatant lie, but Tatsuya figured it couldn’t hurt. Ryo frowned, but nevertheless stepped away and plastered a smile on his face. “Well, anyways, I had a fun time today, I hope you did too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Ryo waved goodbye and Tatsuya blinked at the complete 180 degree shift that Ryo seemed to have made.
The next day, Tatsuya walked into the dressing room and found a stuffed animal in his area, what the hell. Although, he hated to admit it, it was kind of cute. On the teddy bear’s lap was a note that said.
I love you Tatsuya!!!!
Tatsuya might have found it cute, had it been written in Ryo’s handwriting, except it wasn’t: it was Yoko’s.
Tatsuya, bear in hand, walked to the Kanjani8 dressing room and opened the door. “A bear, really?” Ryo stared blankly at Tatsuya, and Tatsuya tossed the bear to Yoko.
“Don’t make stuff up for him, because it’s not working.” As quickly as he had entered, he left leaving Ryo to question Yoko about what he’d done. It wasn’t like Tatsuya actually minded, and he knew that Ryo probably had no idea that Yoko had plotted something behind his back, but he figured he could ruffle Ryo’s feathers.
After practice was over, Tatsuya saw Ryo waiting for him outside of the KAT-TUN dressing room. “Sorry about Yoko,” Tatsuya shrugged.
“What’s your plan to sweep me off my feet today?” Tatsuya asked sarcastically.
“I’m a little tired, so I was thinking dinner and a movie at my place.”
“Already trying to get me in your bed.” Ryo frowned and blushed, and although Tatsuya knew that he was close to the mark, he had probably taken the joke too far.
“Sorry,” Tatsuya said. They walked uncomfortably in silence until they reached Ryo’s apartment. Ryo led Tatsuya up to his apartment and when he entered, Tatsuya marveled at the place. It wasn’t like he had expected; with Leah Dizon posters all over and tacky decorations, but instead he was pleasantly surprised.
Ryo headed for the kitchen and started making pasta, and Tatsuya found himself joining the other “What can I do to help?” The two ended up cutting vegetables and laughing together, and for the first time, Tatsuya could actually see them together. Over dinner, they talked about the Jimusho and some of their likes and dislikes and after they were done cleaning up they sat down on the couch and watched the movie that Ryo had selected.
At first, they had an obvious distance between them, but throughout the movie, Ryo’s hand slowly wandered towards Tatsuya until their fingers were almost touching. Looking at Ryo’s face that was turned towards the television, Tatsuya saw a blush cover his cheeks and thought He’s shy. Tatsuya smirked and leaned over, pulling Ryo’s face towards him and kiss him squarely on the lips.
“At the pace you’re going, you’re never going to have sex with me,” Tatsuya teased..
Ryo looked at him and leaned in once more for a kiss, playing with Tatsuya’s tongue and exploring the inside of his mouth. At first it was a bit sloppy, but slowly it became passionate, so much so, that Ryo whispered, “Let’s go to the bedroom.”
Ryo led him to the bedroom and Tatsuya hurriedly stripped Ryo of his clothing pressing him against the bed. When Ryo lay there completely exposed with a noticeable erection. Tatsuya pulled back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Are you serious?” Ryo asked incredulously.
“Please, I’m not an easy lay.” Tatsuya smirked and walked out of the apartment leaving Ryo naked and stunned on the bed.
Outside Tatsuya hailed a cab, praying that the driver wouldn’t notice his own erection semi-concealed by his pants and hurried home to relieve himself.
Coincidentally, both groups had the day off the next day so Ryo headed over to Tatsuya’s house early in the morning. He was still a bit pissed off over what had happened the night before, but pushed that aside.
“Come on.” Ryo greeted as they headed to his car. “We’re going to an amusement park today.”
“What are we? Sixteen.” Tatsuya grumbled but nevertheless obliged. When they arrived at the amusement park, they grabbed a map and plotted an itinerary, and neither one noticed the six pairs of eyes that followed their every move.
After a ride on the merry-go-round, Ryo looked a little ill so Tatsuya separated to get him a drink. In line, he soon found himself surrounded by six men. “So what do you think about Ryo?” Hina asked anxiously.
“I think he got sick on the Merry-go-round.” Tatsuya replied dryly.
“Are you going to continue to date him after the five dates are done?” Yasu piped up.
“I don’t know.” It was the truth, though Tatsuya had had a fun time, he couldn’t help but remember all of the things that Ryo had done to him.
“Give him a chance, please, because he really does love you.” That was Yoko.
“I better go back before he begins to wonder where I’m at.” Tatsuya brushed past them after receiving the drink and headed back to Ryo who looked a little less peaked.
“Feeling better?” Tatsuya asked, and offered the bottle of water to Ryo which he gratefully accepted.
“Much, thanks. How embarrassing is it that I got sick on the merry-go-round?”
“Very,” Tatsuya smirked and seeing Ryo’s crestfallen face, he added, “but I think it’s kind of cute too.” They went on a few more rides until it became sunset and Ryo suggested, “What about one last ride on the Ferris wheel?” The line wasn’t that long, and Tatsuya knew that it was the quintessential romantic spot in an amusement park. They entered the little cabin and sat down next to each other. When the Ferris wheel lurched forward, Tatsuya jumped and reached for Ryo’s hand. Ryo chuckled but gently held it in his own. When they got to the top, Ryo leaned forward and gently, timidly kissed Tatsuya and Tatsuya kissed him back. Unlike their first kiss, it wasn’t passionate or aggressive, but sweet and tender.
“I love you, Tatsuya.” Ryo confessed and hearing the words from his mouth, not from a letter that Yoko probably wrote, Tatsuya knew that he was telling the truth.
“I know.” He replied. They continued to kiss until the ride ended and it stopped.
“Tomorrow, my place?” Tatsuya asked and Ryo beamed like Tatsuya had never seen before.
“I’ll be there.”
The next day, as Tatsuya was walking through the Jimusho he overheard a conversation that Ryo was having with Pi.
“Are you serious? You want to date Tatsuya?” Hearing his name, Tatsuya stilled and hid behind the door.
“Yeah, Pi. I really like him.” Ryo said, and hearing that brought a smile to Tatsuya’s face.
“But he loves Gackt, is a little weird, and frankly I don’t think that you two are compatible.”
The smile was wiped off Tatsuya’s face.
“We have a lot in common.” Ryo said.
“But for each thing you have in common, there are fifteen other things about you two that are different.” Tatsuya knew that Pi had a point. That was the reason that they had fought so much as Juniors: because they were so inherently different. He left saddened by what Pi said but figured that he’d talk it over with Ryo at his place.
Waiting for Ryo, he remembered their countless fights over nothing and everything and realized that though they had commonalities, they had too many differences.
Ryo came over and seeing the look on Tatsuya’s face made him freeze.
“What’s going on?” Ryo asked cautiously.
“I think we should stop this.”
“What?! Why?! You promise five dates and this is only the fourth.”
“I overheard your conversation with Pi, today.” Tatsuya said sadly.
“I’m really sorry about what he said about you.” Ryo apologized, but in Tatsuya’s mind there was nothing to apologize for.
“He’s right though. We are just too different people. Do you remember when we were Juniors how we would fight every time we saw each other, it just proves how different we are.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ryo nearly exploded. “We were teenagers, we were immature, I liked to pick fights with you. But we’re adults now, we’ve changed, we’ve grown up.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want us to go back to that. I don’t want us to end up hating each other because I really like you.”
“You like me but you don’t love me.” Ryo said and stood up. “Forget it, don’t worry about the fifth date, just forget about all of it.” But as the days passed, Tatsuya couldn’t forget about it; or rather, he just didn’t want to.
He’d pass Ryo in the hall and all he wanted to do was hug him and cheer him up but he couldn’t. Seeing Ryo depressed made his heart ache, but he was paralyzed because they were just too different of people for it to work. But he knew what he was feeling: love.
“You look depressed.” Kame told him one day at work.
“I fell in love with someone, but we are completely two different people and I just don’t think it would work out.”
“Sometimes different people get along better than people who are similar. Look at me and Koki, who would’ve guessed that we’d ever be together, but even though we are different, above all else we love each other.”
“So you think that I should give it a try?” Tatsuya asked.
“I think if you love him like you say you do you’ll regret it if you don’t.” Tatsuya smiled, the first genuine smile in a few days and thanked Kame.
He hurried out to a nearby store and bought a few things and rushed back to the Jimusho praying that Ryo hadn’t left yet.
He headed straight for the Kanjani8 dressing room and smiled when he realized that nobody was there. He found Ryo’s jacket and quietly placed the bouquet of flowers on the table in front of it and fluffed the stuffed bear up. In the bear’s hands he put the handwritten note and hid outside until Kanjani finished their practice.
“He totally stole my ideas!” Tatsuya heard Yoko yell. And after a few minutes he heard footsteps pounding outside. Peering from his hiding place he saw it was Ryo and came out looking at him nervously.
“So how about our fifth date?” Tatsuya smiled, but his nerves showed.
“And a sixth? And a seventh?” Ryo asked cautiously to which Tatsuya could only nod.
“If you want.”
“Was it true what you said in the letter?” Tatsuya smiled and nodded. “I love you, and I know that we are different, but I love you regardless.”
“It’s kind of lame confessing in a letter.” Ryo teased as he embraced Tatsuya.
“You did it first.” Tatsuya retorted as smiled as he reached up to kiss Ryo, knowing that this fifth date would definitely not be their last.
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AN: Please drop a comment and if there is anything you'd like to read please let me know in my request post.