icarusalsoflew | 003. and in every raindrop... // open post.

That's good. Your mother and Hunter Leitman seemed pretty busy down there.

[Them and a notable number of other operatives. There was always a sizable group that dedicated themselves, every August 18, to helping everyone else do what mattered the most.]

[ He's running his hand through his hair as he smiles your way. ]

Yeah, it was pretty amazing to watch. [ And then help out some. ] Cindy was upstairs manning J's network for a bit while J and Dad were out back helping out with the bikes. [ His father at work was always a treat. That his health was way better now than he and his sister could have ever hoped for made it much more of a pleasure to watch. ] Mom commandeered the kitchen.

But you've tried her cooking.

I have. Now I know where you get your amazing skills from.

[Among other things.

Yes, he's letting that thought come out, in a way, in the look on his face. The one that tells you that he's thinking about something, making connections, and amusing himself with them.]

What? [ He cants his head in response, brows lifting just a bit as he leans over.

He knows that look. And he knows that smile. ]

[He'll just put out his cigarette now, and stand up.]

Shall we?

[Heh.]

[ You're terrible. But he loves you anyway.

Josh kills his cigarette at that, before leaning over to land a kiss on your mouth. ] Let's go.

[ Watami's on the sixth floor, and you'll note that when you get there, all Josh has to do is smile at the girl up front and she ends up greeting him by name and adding that your table is ready at the back. ]

[...Okay yeah, he is definitely noting that down. Cue him giving you a look at that, excited and curious and touched and approving all at once.]

You really know how to make a boy feel special.

[Murmuring that as you're both heading into the restaurant. It's been ages since anyone's done something like this for him.]

[ Forget holding your hand, that's his arm.coming around your waist as he sneaks a kiss by your ear when he leads you inside. ]

You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that. [ He's saying that with a soft look your way. You'll also be able to tell that with each step closer to the area reserved just for the two of you, this one's looking a little bit more nervous.

Once the girl leaves you both, Josh quietly guides you inside and this is what you see:

The private room is simple and sparse with the exception of the long, low table capable of fitting a group of ten. Either side shows only a cushion each, however, leaving space for the ikebana arrangements that you would distinctly know, since you have been here before, are not a thing at this restaurant.

There is higanbana arranged among bare branches, and large fishbowls with tiny blue flowers floating amongst lavender scented-candles.

As for your boy, he's watching you with quiet and waiting eyes as he closes the door behind him.

He might also sound like a kid on his first date -- which this kind of is? ] I wasn't sure when we'd actually get time out like today again -- so I just -- I wanted to make our first date special--

[ --yeah, he's so nervous, and yes, he's stammering a little. Dear God, he really hopes that you like it??? ]

[Wow.

Okay.

Just... wow.

That pretty much sums up the look on this one's face as he's taking in the room before him. Then he's catching your nervousness, your good intent stuttering out between the syllables of your worry.

How he responds? Simple: by smiling, and leaning in to kiss you full on the mouth, low and sweet.]

Thank you. This is beautiful.

[Murmuring that over your lips once he's broken away.]

[ His hands are coming up and catching yours and he'll be smiling at you like you just made his day ( which you have. )

He's also finding his words again. ]

Happy... anniversary?

[ Yes. God. He knows he's being cheesy. ] And two days.

[Give him a moment...

Oh. Well, that has him grinning at you.]

You're such a sap.

[And he really, really doesn't mind. Not at all.]

[ And he's going to throw a line he learned from you -- sort of. ]

You love me anyway.

[ Canting his head towards the table now. ]

Let's eat?

Let's.

[It's going to be impossible to stop him from looking as happy as he feels right now, so he's not even going to bother to try as he sits down across of you.]

Should I thank Jessie for teaching you decadence?

Him, and a couple of other people.

[ Because the folks over at Rhiannon know how to live it up. There is also Gabriel. And Brianna. And Kaz. And the fact that now that he has cash to spare and a job that he likes? Yeah, he can afford to spend and not worry. ]

I hear the sashimi is great?

It's some of the best in the city, actually.

[And pausing a bit to thank the nice waitress that comes over with an ashtray. It's lovely how the Vigil made Metro Manila a lot more like Japan: now you can smoke inside restaurants.]

The only place that has establishments that could top this one is Little Tokyo.

[ He's passing an order for you both to the same waitress just then, and smiling his thank you before she heads off. ]

That's in Makati, right?

[ He vaguely remembers it, from the walks he used to take with Rethe back when... well, months ago. ]

Yeah. We can go there sometime. Maybe for another date.

[Because he is starting to like the idea of dates.]

[ And you're getting a quiet smile from this one just as the waitress comes back to give you your drinks. ]

I'd like that. Very much.

Thought you would. There are a lot of other places to check out in this city too.

[Saying that as he leans back and takes a moment, yet again, to admire his surroundings.]

We have time.

[Either they really do, or they'll make sure they do. It'll all work out somehow.]

We do.

[ He says that softly as he's following the way your eyes fall towards the room's set-up. He'd been worried that maybe it would seem a little much, but the look on your face earlier had been totally worth it.

That is, of course, when the food finally arrives. ]

[And it looks marvelous. Yes, the Blade King is a Keeper of the Vigil and therefore used to roughing it out or having very little to go around on the battlefield.

This is not the battlefield, and the Blade King also happens to be Hikaru Shinta, a Bladian. Bladians are all about drive, and sucking out the marrow from the bones of life whenever they can. The long and short of it? They know how to enjoy themselves, and appreciate it when somebody indulges them.]

You know, making sure that Japanese food down here was up to snuff was a bit of a long-term project for my Whisperers for a very long time.

[ He's enjoying a cigarette in time to enjoying the amount of sashimi he decided to indulge in because wow hell yeah, this is really good stuff. ]

So, the food here back in 2012 wasn't as excellent as this?

[ It tastes autentic, okay. And he can actually say he's had authentic thanks to that little trip you guys had with the Hounds down to Ebi-san's little restaurant in Ginza. ]

Food down here has always been great in general, but my country's stuff could have been worlds better.

[Oh, that reminds him.]

You have been trying more Filipino stuff, right?

[ He nods. ]

Here and there. If not at the Great Hall then when I'm at Ateneo.

[ It's cafeteria food, but he did note that most were treated like home-cooked meals. ] But if you have places you want to suggest, I am totally game.

[ Grinning at you now, as he takes a sip from his drink. ]

What I'm thinking about isn't so much of a place as it is a road trip.

[Work with him here. He's gone places, done shit, and is amazingly familiar with the Philippines. This country became his second home in so many ways, and also served as his safe place for a long time.]

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