FIC: Matter of Time - TutixNagayan - PG
Title: Matter of Time
Author: Innusiq
Rating: PG - totally work safe
Pairing(s): TutixNagayan
Summary: First Date
Notes: I originally planned on participating in the 30_dates challenge community, but instead decided to just use the prompts and work at my own pace.
Takashi hums to himself as he makes his way across town on the slush covered and crowded sidewalks of downtown Tokyo. His feet are cold in his pointed, black boots that really weren't made for winter weather trekking, but the rest of his outerwear more than makes up for his less than stellar choice in footwear. A grey knitted hat is securely pulled down over his ears, and his not so matching black and white striped scarf is wrapped around his neck more than once. His coal, woolen, knee-length coat is buttoned up over layers of two miss-matched sweaters (one a deep plum and the other a warm orange), a black, short-sleeved button-down that isn't buttoned at all, and a pink long-sleeved T-shirt. His gloved hands adjust the strap of the messenger bag hanging across his chest as his steps pick up, because no matter how many layers he is wearing, it is still pretty damn cold.
He is exhausted down to the last brain cell left functioning after yet another grueling practice, but beyond exhaustion and his body's need for sleep, his stomach has voiced a louder protest than his tired and aching muscles and joints. Earlier when Tuti suggested grabbing a bite to eat after rehearsals, Takashi readily accepted, much to his stomach's pleasure, rather than choosing to head straight home. After all, there is nothing waiting for him in his cupboards, and while he expects to be weaseled into paying despite the fact it is Tuti who asked him to dinner, Takashi really doesn't care, especially when his stomach growls noisily again in protest of the day's demanding work and lack of sufficient nutrients.
The restaurant Tuti suggested they meet at comes into view as he rounds the block, and at the same time Takashi not only feels but also hears his stomach growl again. He silently hopes someone from their party has already secured a table because he has no interest in waiting longer than necessary to be fed. He really isn't in the mood for socializing with the rest of the cast after spending the entire day with them, but he has priorities, or more importantly his stomach is demanding to be the priority, so he makes the sacrifice to socialize (and feed his stomach), which will be quickly followed by a sincere apology and excuse to leave the gathering early for some much needed sleep.
When he enters the Italian restaurant, there is already a line of patrons waiting to be seated, but he doesn't see Tuti or any of their other cast members, which offers a glimmer of hope to his starved stomach. Takashi barely gets a chance to scan the crowded restaurant before he spots Tuti waving him down on the other side of the dinning area. Takashi notes the restaurant is a bit classier than the establishments they normally patronize after practice, but he isn't complaining because at this point, food is food. He makes his way swiftly through the other tables of customers, but when their table finally comes into view he stops short, and senses his last functioning brain cell finally fizzle out.
Tuti smiles at him. It's not a goofy smile. It's not a joking smile. It's not even a confident smile. It is both serious and nervous, and Tuti's lips quiver, trying to hold it in place. Takashi realizes something is not quite right by the difficulty he is having in maintaining eye contact with his friend.
"Tuti?"
Tuti shakes his head, smiling a little more easily, and gestures to the only other seat at the table. "Sit. Sit. Sit."
Takashi follows the insistent order while pulling off his hat, unwrapping his scarf and removing his gloves, stuffing all in his bag before removing that as well and settling it on the floor next to his chair. Before he can ask any further questions, Tuti is speaking again.
"How's everything going? Do you think you're ready for opening day?"
Tuti is referring to his additional practice in getting the character of Fuji down as his own for the next musical. While it is normal and expected that the cast not only learn their own character's musical numbers but also every musical number, being able to act and sing and be Fuji is far different than simply memorizing lyrics. Add to that the fact that the character shift from Kikumaru to Fuji wasn't a planned change but a change caused by a freak and unexpected accident, it's no wonder he is not just physically exhausted, but mentally as well.
"I have to be whether I am or not," Takashi replies, finally settling in his seat after removing his coat.
"True, but that doesn't really answer my question."
His tired sigh is hardly contained, and he rubs his eyes before responding. "I'm ready."
Takashi knows he doesn't sound convincing, but one look at Tuti and he also knows that his friend understands and won't push the matter any further, thankfully.
"Not that I mind having dinner with you, because I was just thinking while on my way that I wasn't in the mood to deal with the normal after practice antics, but where is everyone?"
Tuti looks at him for a moment before becoming very interesting in his own menu. "Everyone?"
Takashi stares at Tuti, who is pretty much avoiding looking at him, and tilts his head to the side in consideration. "Yes, everyone. You know, Moriyama, Kime, Abe, and anyone else you can round up for a far too late night. Everyone."
"Ah," Tuti begins, looking up and scratching the back of his head, and there is a contemplative look in Tuti's eyes before his friend continues. "It's just us."
Takashi smiles. "Yes, I can see that. Wasn't the rest of the normal group available? I can't imagine everyone had plans tonight."
Takashi looks back down at his menu, stomach rumbling a little louder and more frequently since sitting down, and he almost doesn't hear Tuti's reply. Takashi looks up sharply. Had the rest of the group been present, the noise level would have been so high that he wouldn't have heard what Tuti said, but he did, and what Takashi heard now has him curious.
"Excuse me?"
"I didn't ask anyone else," Tuti repeats exactly what Takashi thought he heard, but then adds, "I only asked you."
There's something about that last bit that sticks in Takashi's head as if this is something different, something special, something he never expected, but he's afraid to hope, to wish, to possibly dream. It's not like they've never gone out to dinner before, just the two of them, but the nervous edge to everything Tuti says and every movement his friend makes signals the change that is about to happen.
Takashi is no longer curious, but a little nervous as well.
"Would either of you care for anything to drink?"
Neither of them looks up to acknowledge their waiter, but Tuti gives a wave and says, "Just a few minutes," and the waiter leaves.
"Explain," Takashi orders, sitting back in his chair.
"Is it so unheard of that I might just want to have dinner with you?"
"No," Takashi replies, pursing his lips in thought and further taking in of their surroundings. Just about every table in view seats a couple, either young or old, and it makes his heart skip a beat at the implications. When he finally takes in the effort put forth in Tuti's appearance, Takashi has to swallow the lump in his throat before speaking again. "So, is this like... a date?"
He expects a loud and out of place laugh, a typical response from Tuti for such a ridiculous question, but it doesn't come. What does come instead is a slight blush on the not easily embarrassed man's cheeks. When Tuti does speak, the words are definitely not what he expects.
"Yes?"
"Yes?" Takashi repeats Tuti's uncertain response as a question of his own, because this is definitely not how he ever expected their first official date to begin.
"No?"
"No? What? Wait... Tuti..."
"Okay, okay, okay," Tuti interrupts, hands raised halting his words. "Sorry, I'm really bad at this. What I mean is... honestly, yes, this is kind of like a date... I hope."
"Kind of like a date," Takashi repeats, teasing. "But not a real date?"
Tuti's eyes widen and the color drains from his face. "No! No, no, this is a date, a real date."
"Good, because if that's the case, there is no way I am paying for dinner tonight," Takashi replies, and smiles sweetly before looking back down at the menu in front of him.
"Huh?"
He is barely able to contain his laughter, but thankfully he's saved by their waiter's return. Takashi doesn't give Tuti a chance to send the man away again; he is starving after all, and places his order quickly. He's not even sure what it is he's ordered, but he does know the description sounded delicious and it's the most expensive selection on the menu.
"Tuti?" Takashi says, gesturing with his head toward Tuti's menu and then the waiter standing patiently by their table. "Your order."
Tuti flushes again, a sight Takashi enjoys seeing, and quickly places his own order. Tuti quietly thanks their waiter after handing over the menus, and a silence settles over the table that is only interrupted by the murmurs of the other patrons and faint kitchen noises.
"You know," Takashi begins, tracing an invisible pattern on the table. "You could have just asked me out. It's not like I would have said no, and I think we are both well aware of that."
When he looks up with his eyes alone, Tuti is looking back at him with a relieved and almost embarrassed smile, but Tuti nods, because it's the truth. There is something that just seemed to click between them upon first meeting, something that to this day Takashi is unable put to words, but he can't deny the connection they both feel, and how right it is that Tuti is the one sitting across the table from him now.
This date, their first of hopefully many to come, was inevitable. It was only a matter of time, and who would have the courage to make the first move.
Author: Innusiq
Rating: PG - totally work safe
Pairing(s): TutixNagayan
Summary: First Date
Notes: I originally planned on participating in the 30_dates challenge community, but instead decided to just use the prompts and work at my own pace.
Takashi hums to himself as he makes his way across town on the slush covered and crowded sidewalks of downtown Tokyo. His feet are cold in his pointed, black boots that really weren't made for winter weather trekking, but the rest of his outerwear more than makes up for his less than stellar choice in footwear. A grey knitted hat is securely pulled down over his ears, and his not so matching black and white striped scarf is wrapped around his neck more than once. His coal, woolen, knee-length coat is buttoned up over layers of two miss-matched sweaters (one a deep plum and the other a warm orange), a black, short-sleeved button-down that isn't buttoned at all, and a pink long-sleeved T-shirt. His gloved hands adjust the strap of the messenger bag hanging across his chest as his steps pick up, because no matter how many layers he is wearing, it is still pretty damn cold.
He is exhausted down to the last brain cell left functioning after yet another grueling practice, but beyond exhaustion and his body's need for sleep, his stomach has voiced a louder protest than his tired and aching muscles and joints. Earlier when Tuti suggested grabbing a bite to eat after rehearsals, Takashi readily accepted, much to his stomach's pleasure, rather than choosing to head straight home. After all, there is nothing waiting for him in his cupboards, and while he expects to be weaseled into paying despite the fact it is Tuti who asked him to dinner, Takashi really doesn't care, especially when his stomach growls noisily again in protest of the day's demanding work and lack of sufficient nutrients.
The restaurant Tuti suggested they meet at comes into view as he rounds the block, and at the same time Takashi not only feels but also hears his stomach growl again. He silently hopes someone from their party has already secured a table because he has no interest in waiting longer than necessary to be fed. He really isn't in the mood for socializing with the rest of the cast after spending the entire day with them, but he has priorities, or more importantly his stomach is demanding to be the priority, so he makes the sacrifice to socialize (and feed his stomach), which will be quickly followed by a sincere apology and excuse to leave the gathering early for some much needed sleep.
When he enters the Italian restaurant, there is already a line of patrons waiting to be seated, but he doesn't see Tuti or any of their other cast members, which offers a glimmer of hope to his starved stomach. Takashi barely gets a chance to scan the crowded restaurant before he spots Tuti waving him down on the other side of the dinning area. Takashi notes the restaurant is a bit classier than the establishments they normally patronize after practice, but he isn't complaining because at this point, food is food. He makes his way swiftly through the other tables of customers, but when their table finally comes into view he stops short, and senses his last functioning brain cell finally fizzle out.
Tuti smiles at him. It's not a goofy smile. It's not a joking smile. It's not even a confident smile. It is both serious and nervous, and Tuti's lips quiver, trying to hold it in place. Takashi realizes something is not quite right by the difficulty he is having in maintaining eye contact with his friend.
"Tuti?"
Tuti shakes his head, smiling a little more easily, and gestures to the only other seat at the table. "Sit. Sit. Sit."
Takashi follows the insistent order while pulling off his hat, unwrapping his scarf and removing his gloves, stuffing all in his bag before removing that as well and settling it on the floor next to his chair. Before he can ask any further questions, Tuti is speaking again.
"How's everything going? Do you think you're ready for opening day?"
Tuti is referring to his additional practice in getting the character of Fuji down as his own for the next musical. While it is normal and expected that the cast not only learn their own character's musical numbers but also every musical number, being able to act and sing and be Fuji is far different than simply memorizing lyrics. Add to that the fact that the character shift from Kikumaru to Fuji wasn't a planned change but a change caused by a freak and unexpected accident, it's no wonder he is not just physically exhausted, but mentally as well.
"I have to be whether I am or not," Takashi replies, finally settling in his seat after removing his coat.
"True, but that doesn't really answer my question."
His tired sigh is hardly contained, and he rubs his eyes before responding. "I'm ready."
Takashi knows he doesn't sound convincing, but one look at Tuti and he also knows that his friend understands and won't push the matter any further, thankfully.
"Not that I mind having dinner with you, because I was just thinking while on my way that I wasn't in the mood to deal with the normal after practice antics, but where is everyone?"
Tuti looks at him for a moment before becoming very interesting in his own menu. "Everyone?"
Takashi stares at Tuti, who is pretty much avoiding looking at him, and tilts his head to the side in consideration. "Yes, everyone. You know, Moriyama, Kime, Abe, and anyone else you can round up for a far too late night. Everyone."
"Ah," Tuti begins, looking up and scratching the back of his head, and there is a contemplative look in Tuti's eyes before his friend continues. "It's just us."
Takashi smiles. "Yes, I can see that. Wasn't the rest of the normal group available? I can't imagine everyone had plans tonight."
Takashi looks back down at his menu, stomach rumbling a little louder and more frequently since sitting down, and he almost doesn't hear Tuti's reply. Takashi looks up sharply. Had the rest of the group been present, the noise level would have been so high that he wouldn't have heard what Tuti said, but he did, and what Takashi heard now has him curious.
"Excuse me?"
"I didn't ask anyone else," Tuti repeats exactly what Takashi thought he heard, but then adds, "I only asked you."
There's something about that last bit that sticks in Takashi's head as if this is something different, something special, something he never expected, but he's afraid to hope, to wish, to possibly dream. It's not like they've never gone out to dinner before, just the two of them, but the nervous edge to everything Tuti says and every movement his friend makes signals the change that is about to happen.
Takashi is no longer curious, but a little nervous as well.
"Would either of you care for anything to drink?"
Neither of them looks up to acknowledge their waiter, but Tuti gives a wave and says, "Just a few minutes," and the waiter leaves.
"Explain," Takashi orders, sitting back in his chair.
"Is it so unheard of that I might just want to have dinner with you?"
"No," Takashi replies, pursing his lips in thought and further taking in of their surroundings. Just about every table in view seats a couple, either young or old, and it makes his heart skip a beat at the implications. When he finally takes in the effort put forth in Tuti's appearance, Takashi has to swallow the lump in his throat before speaking again. "So, is this like... a date?"
He expects a loud and out of place laugh, a typical response from Tuti for such a ridiculous question, but it doesn't come. What does come instead is a slight blush on the not easily embarrassed man's cheeks. When Tuti does speak, the words are definitely not what he expects.
"Yes?"
"Yes?" Takashi repeats Tuti's uncertain response as a question of his own, because this is definitely not how he ever expected their first official date to begin.
"No?"
"No? What? Wait... Tuti..."
"Okay, okay, okay," Tuti interrupts, hands raised halting his words. "Sorry, I'm really bad at this. What I mean is... honestly, yes, this is kind of like a date... I hope."
"Kind of like a date," Takashi repeats, teasing. "But not a real date?"
Tuti's eyes widen and the color drains from his face. "No! No, no, this is a date, a real date."
"Good, because if that's the case, there is no way I am paying for dinner tonight," Takashi replies, and smiles sweetly before looking back down at the menu in front of him.
"Huh?"
He is barely able to contain his laughter, but thankfully he's saved by their waiter's return. Takashi doesn't give Tuti a chance to send the man away again; he is starving after all, and places his order quickly. He's not even sure what it is he's ordered, but he does know the description sounded delicious and it's the most expensive selection on the menu.
"Tuti?" Takashi says, gesturing with his head toward Tuti's menu and then the waiter standing patiently by their table. "Your order."
Tuti flushes again, a sight Takashi enjoys seeing, and quickly places his own order. Tuti quietly thanks their waiter after handing over the menus, and a silence settles over the table that is only interrupted by the murmurs of the other patrons and faint kitchen noises.
"You know," Takashi begins, tracing an invisible pattern on the table. "You could have just asked me out. It's not like I would have said no, and I think we are both well aware of that."
When he looks up with his eyes alone, Tuti is looking back at him with a relieved and almost embarrassed smile, but Tuti nods, because it's the truth. There is something that just seemed to click between them upon first meeting, something that to this day Takashi is unable put to words, but he can't deny the connection they both feel, and how right it is that Tuti is the one sitting across the table from him now.
This date, their first of hopefully many to come, was inevitable. It was only a matter of time, and who would have the courage to make the first move.