[closed for 1foxgiven] Don't Bring Around a Cloud (to Rain on My Parade)

[azuhi]

To say that Asahi is looking forward to his date with Kita is a severe understatement. It's not as if they have anything particularly special planned, beyond a walk through the local public gardens and lunch in the park, but that's more than enough for Asahi to enjoy the time spent with a man he is really growing to cherish.

And then he wakes up on Saturday morning, excited for their plans, only to look out the window and be met with dark grey skies. An alert on his phone clues Asahi in to a monsoon warning for later that afternoon, and he fidgets with it as he crafts a text to Kita:

It looks like we might need to change our plans...

Comments

[1foxgiven]

A prompt response chimes on Asahi's phone.

I just saw the weather report.

What would you like to do instead?

Because - Clearly - The day is still going to be spent together. Rain won't change that.

[azuhi]

Instead. Asahi releases the breath he was holding, relieved that Kita still wants to see him. Which may be silly, because it's not like Kita brought the rain on, but part of him still can't help but worry.

You could come over to my apartment? Or I could come to yours, if you'd rather not get wet in the rain!

Whatever is best for you

[1foxgiven]

I'm happy to host

If you don't mind giving me an hour?

I haven't cleaned yet

This morning, anyway. The grout is in a pretty shocking state!

[azuhi]

Take your time!! I just woke up, anyways.

In spite of his name, Asahi is not much of a morning person. He still needs a shower and breakfast, too.

Is noon okay?

[1foxgiven]

That's perfect.

Is there something you'd like to do together?

For most people, this could be a pretty scandalous opening.

Kita's preoccupied, though. Too busy sorting through his scrub brushes. There should be time for a proper deep clean of the bathroom...

[azuhi]

Asahi isn't really thinking about anything scandalous, though what he is thinking of still brings warmth to his cheeks. Images from romantic comedies come to mind, of couples cuddled up on the couch, sharing blankets, watching movies or getting to know each other over steaming mugs of tea.

The domesticity of it might be sickening to some, but it just fills Asahi with yearning.

Anything you want to do is fine by me. Please don't go to too much trouble!

[1foxgiven]

I will go to the normal amount of trouble. :)

See you at Noon!

Right. The regular bathroom procedure, then.

That leaves time for some 'Hosting' chores instead. Touches to make the place cozy. Blankets in the dryer, finding candles, that sort of thing.

[azuhi]

Considering it's Kita, even the "normal" amount is probably way too much trouble for Asahi's sake, but that's part of what makes him so endearing, truly. And maybe someday, Asahi will be brave enough to say that to his face.

But for this morning, he just texts back, I'll see you then.

He takes a long shower, taking extra care to make sure he's clean as can be. While he isn't expecting them to get up to anything sexual, he's not going to show up unprepared, either. Asahi also puts a lot of effort in his hair, conditioning it so it'll be sleek and shiny, then figuring out some kind of half-french braid that gives way to soft waves over his shoulder.

Asahi's breakfast is a quick egg and rice bowl with some frozen veggies tossed in, and after he finishes eating and having his coffee, he brushes his teeth twice. It's only after that that he feels ready to head out, giving himself enough time to get to Kita's place even though it's already raining.

In the end, Asahi's there shortly before noon, and he hesitates, wondering whether it's okay to knock early or if he should give Kita all the time he promised, so he wouldn't be catching him off guard. Though Asahi didn't see any lightning, a thunder clap startled him and prompted his decision to knock on Kita's door at 11:42 AM.

[1foxgiven]

The door swings open promptly.

"Asahi! Come in, dry off."

A towel is already being wrapped around his shoulders. Still warm from the laundry basket, chasing away any trace of the storm.

"There," smiles Kita. "Much better."

[azuhi]

Kita's so quick to answer, Asahi wonders if he's been standing there waiting for him. And if so, for how long? He's already so early!

"Thank you," he says quickly, grateful for the warm towel against his neck. He leaves his closed umbrella in the entryway, and then kicks off his shoes there as well. Asahi sighs softly as he wipes one end of the towel against his cheek, where the wind whipped a bit of rain on his face. "Thank you, Shinsuke. I hope you haven't been waiting too long..?"

[1foxgiven]

There's something so appealing at seeing this. Asahi softly disheveled from the rain, a tendril curling against his cheek. Reaching up, Kita brushes it back.

"Oh - No - I just wanted to be ready."

[azuhi]

Asahi feels himself warming up inside at the tenderness of Kita's touch, his voice, the look on his face. It's a good feeling, after being out in the rain.

"Thank you," he says seriously, his voice low and deep. A little husky. Kita brings that out in him.

"I'm happy to be here. I was worried I wouldn't get to see you."

[1foxgiven]

The low tone thrums. Winding into Kita's head, down his spine.

"And here you are."

And if that isn't a cue for a kiss, nothing is!

[azuhi]

Asahi's breathing quickens, and he shyly tucks some loose hair behind his ear. He smiles at Kita, but makes no moves towards a kiss or anything else. He just relishes in the warmth of acceptance and belonging, the way Kita makes him feel entirely wanted.

"I hope it's not too much of an intrusion. Since you weren't expecting to have me over.."

Because the last thing Asahi wants is to push Kita too far, too fast. To be too much of an invasive presence.

[1foxgiven]

...It would have been nice to get a kiss, but Kita feels the moment pass. Oh well. They're both still fumbling. Trying to figure out the shape of whatever this will become. It's fine.

He leads the way to the living room.

"Not at all. I have a few things we can try!"

A "Few" is five board games and two puzzles, arranged on a kotatsu. Candles glow around the room. Gold chasing back the gray chaos outside.

[azuhi]

Asahi follows Kita into his place, and blinks as the light changes when they enter the living room. The candlelight glow is warm and beckoning, and Asahi gasps at the soft shadows cast over everything.

His gaze lands on the pile of games and puzzles, and he smiles. "Oh! I haven't done a puzzle in a long time. Can I look at the ones you have?"

[1foxgiven]

"Of course."

Moving the games away, Kita presents their options.

"I've finished this one of London before. The other is new - It's a map of Middle Earth."

[azuhi]

"Middle Earth?" Asahi repeats, kneeling in front of the kotatsu to get a closer look at the puzzle box. "Do you like fantasy, Shinsuke? I've only seen the movies, but they were really good."

[1foxgiven]

"They were, weren't they?

A quick smile flicks and Kita begins unpacking the box.

Decision made.

"Tolkien's my favorite. He puts so much thought into the details, like you could walk right into one of the Hobbit holes. I know it isn't real. But the feeling of it..."

He begins sorting out the edge pieces.

[azuhi]

Asahi listens as Kita describes what he loves about the genre. He helps with the sorting, too, though the gentle passion in Kita's voice is much more intriguing and draws his attention like a moth to a flame. It's a good thing sorting out edges pieces doesn't require too much focus.

"Maybe I should make time to read those books after all," he says softly, with a little laughter in his voice. "You've convinced me."

[1foxgiven]

"Have I?"

That actually gets Kita to look up. Eyebrows high.

He wasn't trying to convert anyone. Only explain. There's a glimmer of joy from it, though. That Asahi would offer. Sound genuinely interested. Just because Kita likes them so much.

He likes this boy.

So, so much.

"Well - I could lend them to you? Unless you like audiobooks. They're good for long runs."

Very, very long runs!

He certainly doesn't expect Asahi to get through the trilogy in one night. Or even one. Not until the end of the year, if we're honest.

[azuhi]

Asahi feels a bit sheepish, under the surprised and hopeful look Kita is giving him. But he truly means it, so he nods.

"I've never really listened to an audiobook before. But maybe I could give it a try? I usually listen to shorter things..." He trails off, shyly rubbing his neck. "Actually, I really like guided meditations. But the way you describe his writing, I think it would be nice to listen to it."

[1foxgiven]

"Meditative... That's a good word. There's a lot of battles, but also a lot of time just traveling through Middle Earth."

You take every step with the party. Each field and road building into a journey. Pieces of a puzzle, if you will. Becoming a whole.

"Do you see any corners yet?"

[azuhi]

He nods along, excited at the thought. Beyond poetry collections, Asahi had never considered listening to any audiobooks. In hindsight, it seems like something he should have considered a lot sooner.

When Kita asks about the corner pieces, it does remind Asahi that there's a point to the task he's been absently doing. He pushes three corner pieces towards the center of the table.

"I haven't found the last one yet-- have you?"

And NOW I want to send them to Ren Faire halp.

[1foxgiven]

"Not yet, it's in here somewhere..."

Kita puts the corners into a bag. Keeps sorting through the edge pieces.

"He also wrote The Hobbit, if you want something shorter to try. But the movies are terrible. I really wouldn't recommend those."

Strong words, especially from Kita. It's the most dislike he's ever expressed about... anything?

At least around Asahi.