flameinthedarkness

What he do? What he do?! Idia can't even bring his hands up as he normally would in front of his chest, Cater's too close to do that, they trapped more around his stomach as Idia squeezes one hand tightly with the other, his brain still catching up to what is going on. Somewhere he will register that Cater had done something nice for him, had tried to save them both from being school gossip.

But it's all overwhelmed by how close Cater is to him. Like super close. Sure they had sat next to each other before, but this was... different. Very different.

It's such a trope! Idia's mind screaming at him of all the manga and anime scenes he had seen like this before. What they always led to. And for his brain to calm the fuck down! It's not like that! Real life didn't work like that! Squeezing his eyes closed again and trying real hard to ignore that blush that was spreading over it, ignoring his face heating up and no doubt his hair changing along with it.

"I-I-It's ok..." He manages to get out as a whisper. Gods, don't look at him while he's like this, Cater!

This is dangerous. Sirens are going off inside of him, telling him to back off--not just because he's set up an uncomfortable situation that's way beyond where the two of them are in their "first date" experimental status but because of what it could lead to. His emotions are messy underneath his carefree surface. He doesn't want something when he knows it's just going to end.

But that's the thing. He wants it. He wants Idia even if it's a bad idea to want him. Cater can't miss the way that Idia's flushed--they're pressed too close together, and the pink flooding his hair lights up the space around him in an even more romantic lighting than its natural blue.

All he can hear is his heart beating in his ears. He gulps down a knot in his throat. Step back, he tells himself, but his feet and hands stay firmly planted where they are, and he can't look away. But if he goes for it, really takes a risk and misreads the energy that's stacking up like a falling block puzzle...

It'll be game over, right?

"Tell me not to kiss you right now," he finds himself saying, voice a whisper.

He's not moving. Cater's not moving! Idia still so aware of the other teen's arms either side of him, his body just too close but not fully against him. Very very conscious of that lack of space between them, his own breath still hitched and a bit fast from this all happening so fast, a shake to his hands. Just what is going on? Why wasn't he moving? Was he... was he...? No no, not possible. It doesn't happen irl! And even if it did... how does Idia handle this?! Why would it happen to him?!

Idia's breath does start to even back out the longer they stay that way, some of that tension leaving his body, not feeling at risk at all. Confused? Yes. But not panicked. Eventually peeking his eyes open to confirm what he felt, that Cater was still there, staring at him, that gaze only making more of that pink stain his hair. And any questioning on just what is happening, if Cater was as aware as he was at this all, of what to do, is answered with that.

And that... Idia letting out a short, breathy, but shaky laugh, his own voice soft as he answers. "That's not fair. That's too smooth." It's totally a line right out of a romance manga or something. No fair, Cater, no fair.

Cater blinks when Idia answers him--and it isn't the rejection he was expecting. He isn't shoving him away and telling him to fuck off, or asking what his problem is, or...

"Pfft!" The tension breaks a little bit, the somewhat intense look on Cater's face cracking into a slight, gentle smile. In that moment, he forgets all the things he's scared about. Idia is such a goof. A goof that he's realizing more and more as this day goes on that he's absolutely attracted to.

Idia didn't tell him not to do it, and so Cater leans in, pressing his lips to Idia's smartass mouth.

He... he doesn't know what to think or... if to even think. It would be so easy to overthink this all, to stress out about screwing this up, if they should even be doing this or... so many other things. But... he's not. Not right in this moment. Not questioning if this is smart or a good idea. Because he knows one thing from how the date had gone so far, from their time hanging out, both irl and online;

That he wanted this.

Ducking his head down just enough to match their heights better, a bit hesitant as Cater's lips touched his, a jolt of worry going through him. And quickly forgotten with that kiss. That was so much nicer than he imagined. Seen plenty of it via media, had wondered about it, then dismissed it as not something for him. Not going to happen. But it was.

Idia reaches a hand out, catching the front of Cater's coat with his fingertips, holding it and pulling on it, as if Cater's going to step back and away from him after this, not wanting to lose it just yet.

Even as he initiates the kiss, there’s a part of him expecting—maybe even hoping that Idia will pull away from him. Will tell him to stop. It would be the excuse he needs to hide away, back in the familiar reassurance of his loneliness.

Just him and himself.

But Idia meets him the rest of the way and he forgets about his apprehension in that moment. It isn’t his first kiss but it feels new just the same—he’s never cared about it like this before, wanted it so badly. When he feels Idia’s fingers pulling him in by his coat his own hands move away from the wall of the photo booth. One finds the drawstring of his hoodie, fingers tangling in it as the other tentatively reaches for Idia’s face, cupping his cheek.

Maybe Idia will panic about this later. Or even once the kiss ends. He's not sure. No clue how he'll react. But he's also not thinking about that right now. Or thinking about anything right now. Fingers tightening against Cater's coat as he moved in closer to Idia, other hand moving up to touch the wrist of Cater's hand that held him, head tilting just enough to keep that kiss going. Nothing planned about this, no trying to figure out what is happening or how to do it. Just reacting.

Cater sighs softly into Idia's mouth as the kiss continues, their bodies acting on instinct and brains in sleep mode. That hand on his wrist feels stabilizing, Idia's thin fingers so distinct against his skin. For someone who can't stand the taste of sweetness, he doesn't mind this--it's soft and warm and he doesn't feel the need to push for anything further. It's not like going through motions, something he'd do at a party just because it's a thing to do.

Gentle kiss rolls into gentle kiss and Cater doesn't have it in his mind to go anywhere, has forgotten exactly where they are. It's the most relaxed he can remember feeling in ages, so it's hard not to want to chase that feeling...

...when a voice clears through a speaker hidden in the photo booth that neither of them had taken the time to scope out before things got heated. The employee sounds positively tired.

"Hey, kids, if you're not going to take any photos I'm going to have to ask you to clear out before I call security."

Any chance to lose himself in that...

Get fully shattered by that interruption. Jettisoning Idia out of that blissful fogginess that was clouding his mind as he threw himself backwards from Cater, or as much as the space would allow him, which isn't enough. Hands coming up to cover his face as he turns into the corner, muffled cries behind his hands at being discovered, that hair still pink but for a very different reason now.

OMFG! NNNOOOOO! Just NOOOO! GODS this is so embarrassing!

He needs to get out of here, getting out to Cater in a panicked tone, "Let's go! Let's go!" Anywhere! Anywhere but here! A hand dropping from his face to grab at Cater's sleeve, tugging it to urge him to move, Idia's face bright red at being discovered.

This is it. This is how he dies. Cater would've shrieked if Idia's panicked reaction didn't give him the clarity he needs to take control of the situation. Not that it's much control, mind you, but enough that as Idia grabs his sleeve Cater assents wordlessly, looping their arms together and hauling ass out of the booth.

And out of the arcade, no looking back.

His feet are ahead of his brain, speed walking them through the mingling teenagers and down the road, keeping at that adrenaline-fueled pace up until they reach an area that's quiet. There's not much here but some less popular, niche stores. It's about as private as they can probably get outside of a bathroom stall--which they're definitely not going to go make out in.

Not--not that they're going to just suddenly start kissing again. Agh!

Finding an empty bench, Cater flops into it, face a vibrant red. What does he even say to follow up everything that just happened?

"Fuck."

It's a start.

Since the ground isn't just opening up to swallow him up as they rush out, Idia's free hand is still covering his face, thumb trying to tug the edge of his hood further on his face to hide it, but since it's not his normal hoodie he can't hide in it as easily as normal. He's greatly regretting not having it now. Or a mask. Or anything to help cover his face and hair.

That was so embarrassing! The kiss still not really registering to Idia, too caught up in being seen and knowing someone had been watching them.

He can never go back to this arcade ever again.

He's blindly trailing alongside Cater, so glad he was there to stop Idia from just racing out and getting lost while in a panic. Once at that bench he sits and just collapses to the side, or as much as the bench would allow, both hands trying to hold his hoodie edges over his face, hands covering what couldn't be hidden behind fabric. His face is so hot, his hair so pink. He hates how much it shows on him.

Cater finally speaking just gets a wail of a whine back at first, Idia still trying to remain 'hidden' as much as possible, some time passing... before... "OMG..." Whispered out.

Cater takes a deep breath, but it does absolutely nothing to stop the incessant pounding of his heart as the adrenaline of being caught wears off and the shakes set in. All of that blissful lack of thought is getting bowled over by the many, many ideas of just how badly this could go wrong.

"OMFG," he agrees, leaning forward over his knees as he covers his own face. But they can't just leave it at that. They can't. They've absolutely and irrevocably gone past the point of just scrapping this whole date thing and pretending it never happened and going back to just being gaming buddies and classmates.

Even now, even though he's freaking out, Cater still wants to chase the feeling of Idia's lips on its own. His brain is stumbling over itself, a hamster wheel of panic being cut in with the occasional image of Idia's blushing face. Him saying that was too smooth.

Criminy. He has to say something, doesn't he? Otherwise they're both just going to expire here.

It feels like it's been an hour when he finally manages, in a small voice, "...I'm sorry. N-Not about kissing you. I'm not sorry that we kissed. Just, you know, doing it there. I really got ahead of myself. I didn't think about where we were at all."

...oh yeah, back to reality, can't hide forever, can he? Not that he really is, just lying on the bench like a fool. Ssiiiigghhh, Idia letting out one more huff behind his hands... before forcing himself to rock upwards into a sitting position, a few deep breaths as he runs his hand through his hair, shaking that pink away.

Fuck... just... fuck, rubbing a palm over his face as he pushes that blush away. What the hell was all of that, brain wanting to pull it apart and examine everything which happened... but distracted as Cater starts rambling, eyes shifting to the side to gaze at him as he spoke. Well, more vomited those words out at this point. What had happened had... well... been a thing. Not a bad thing, Idia has to admit to himself. Surprised, sure. Really tropey but... not bad. Confusing though. Something to unpack later. But for right now...

Idia reaching a hand out to gently place on Cater's head, a light brush of his fingers over his hair. "It's fine, chill. I highly doubt you organized that all. And if so, it was a fucking stupid plan." Just the situation getting away from them, panicking and... well... yeah.

"It's fine, really." Idia continued, fingers gently combing over his hair before realizing he was doing that, wondering if Cater might see that as him babying him or something and not like it, Idia moving to pull his hand back.

So much for being way too smooth. The Cater that sits here now can barely string together a well-thought sentence. But the hand in his hair is soothing, patronizing as it might be in a different situation, so when Idia removes it he instinctively reaches up to capture it, bringing it down and holding on with both hands.

What am I doing?

Either way, he doesn't let go. He keeps it caged between his palms, taking another deep breath.

"I just wish...if it had been somewhere else, we wouldn't have had to stop like that."

Idia freezes for a moment as Cater takes his hand... then relaxes, shifting his grip just enough so he can curl the tip of a finger or two against Cater's fingers. He's not sure what to do in this situation, has no clue at all, it's not like he's even been remotely close to being in a situation like this before.

Instead... he's just typical Idia, saying what comes to his mind and not realizing how it might not fit. "You're concern out of this all was not getting to make out longer?" The tone to it dry, but in a way Cater should be used to this being part of Idia's humor, his 'wtf is wrong with you' tone.

"Seriously, what you hoping for? Dry humping me or something? Sudden find someone who wants to use the photobooth and, hey! Two guys making out there. WTF." A little much but... he's hoping he gets a laugh from Cater at this, that will help break him out of this all by being super ridiculous.

It does work...at least, at first. He chuckles a slight "heh" when Idia asks about his concern, and even from his position Idia will be able to see his mouth curl up into a bit of a smile...but then the rest of the joking wipes it away again. He goes quiet, frowning hard as he looks at their joined hands.

It's not an angry frown so much as a thoughtful one. He's upset, kind of, but not really at Idia or even himself.

"Nothing," he says in a murmur. "I just really like you."

Ah.

Idia still for a moment, before moving to lean back against the bench, mindful not to shift his hand too much from Cater's grasp, but just... needing a moment to breath. And think. Mumbling out, "A lot has happened today..."

He's not sure what he's thinking. Needs time to process it, try and fit it into his world, but... "All I know is... I've liked today. Like, really liked today. More than I think I have ever liked a day. Even with all the down bits like me having a mental break down and us making a run for it. I'm... happy." A soft but dark 'heh' added to that. "Not used to being happy..." Idia admits.

Then a few more moments to think over what Cater said specifically, how it would slot into... well, everything. And finding that... "I like you too. Like... even agreeing to this date... I, ah, wasn't sure what the hell to think about it. It's all new to me. Didn't want to think too hard how it would go, just... see what would happen. But... during it..." Gods, it's so hard to work out his own thoughts on this. And this isn't even taking into account trying to work out his emotions on this all yet. That would be a fall down in bed and scream into a pillow thing to come later.

"I... really like doing this all with you. I really like spending the time with you, and... I, ah," Those nerves starting to spark up again, despite the fact he's already said it but... saying it again, like this... it's tough, a hand coming up to his face, needing something to hide behind. "I, ah... really like you..."

And now they're two idiots sitting on a bench, holding hands, not looking at each other.

Somehow, this is the last thing that he could've possibly expected. Not just the length of the response that Idia gives him but what he finally says after the whole explanation. He likes him, too.

So, they like each other. Really like each other. Like-like each other, one might say.

He gulps, feeling a tremor starting in one of his legs as nervous energy threatens to overtake him. God, what is this mood? It feels like he should be saying something like Kyaaa~! Idia-kun has a crush on me~! except that would just be some bullshit he'd say if he didn't care. If he wanted to turn it all into some big joke. After all of this...he can't even remotely stomach the idea. He'd hate himself more than he already does.

Cater clears his throat. "So," he finally manages, "maybe we could...keep dating? Would that be okay with you?"

"I mean... we'll have to find a new spot to go to. Donno if I can face going to that arcade again, ah, after that..." He kinda stands out after all... but that's a round about way of saying, "Yeah, ah, yeah, I'd like to... as long as you're still having fun with, ah, with me..."

Give him a moment.

To settle in.

Then, "OMG... does that mean we're boyfriends?" What? Just... what?

When he really goes out and puts it in those terms, Cater can't help the awkward laugh that escapes him. He looks up at Idia, still halfway hiding but sheepish now, a sparkle of excitement in his eyes. "I guess it does, huh? Relationship status: it's complicated? JK."

Okay, Seven, he's breaking out in a big, happy grin even if he's still somewhere stuck between mortified at the arcade debacle and jittery with the fear of all the baggage that comes with attachments.

Him. A boyfriend. Idia Shroud, his boyfriend!?

"...please don't ask me for photos for magicam... yet, at least..." Idia's not sure he can take that quite yet.

This is all so sudden... but it's nice to see Cater smile like that, Idia finding himself smiling a little bit back at him.

"So... think you can stomach ramen still? Or too much after... that?"

"Are you kidding? I always have the stomach for ramen: the l33test of all foods." Squeezing Idia's hand, he hoists himself to his feet with a more energetic breath, making to pull Idia up as well. "You're going to love this place. Aside from being able to make it crazy spicy for me, they're also super small and have this little tucked away table."

Yeah, he's feeling a bit more like himself. Maybe for now, he doesn't have to worry about tomorrow or the next day. He can just...live in the moment. With Idia.

"And since you're paying, I can definitely return the favor by holding off on pics."

It doesn't take much for Idia to be pulled up, though he does move to aid in that as Cater tugs on his hand, letting out a 'pfftt' at that, "You're so lame." But it's said with a smile as he listens to the description of the place. "No photo booth to make out in?" Because it's still mortifying enough that the only way to cope with it is to laugh about it.

"Yeah, I am, so go wild. And, well, I don't mind if it's food photos just... yeah, not yet with, ah, with me..." Would he ever feel comfortable with photos of himself? Ehh... Idia's not sure, but... well, he'll see. He'll have to see how he feels about all of this still, so no promises for the future when he's still trying to wrap his head around the present.

Walking hand-in-hand feels even stranger, now, but Cater finds himself starting to grin like a drunkard as it all settles in. Wow. What a day. What a date--and it isn't even over yet. "Already reminiscing, are you?"

Is he ever going to stop blushing? He's not sure, but...it's nice. He feels warm, he feels like he's walking on air. His body stays all but glued to Idia's side as he directs them toward the restaurant in question. It's clearly a family-run business, a blink-and-you-miss it kind of building with no fanfare.

Also, it smells amazing inside. The cook greets them from behind the main counter and tells them to pick any table. Cater snags a menu for them to share, just in case, but he definitely knows what he's ordering as he takes the two of them to the table in question.

"Prepare to have the best thing you've ever tasted." A pause before adding, "Aside from me, of course."

"Pfft, shut up."

Oh. Oh, this is cool. Like, not some big place but totally a hidden local thing. That makes it kind of cooler, and more unexpected, Idia quiet as Cater got them sorted, and given the chance takes the seat the feels the most 'back to the wall' he can of the options. Once seated Idia tries not to fiddle too much, linking his fingers together over and over, not at full nerves but a low scale of them. Or he had been until Cater spoke.

"OMG... why are you like this?" But don't change, Cater, he's, well, he's discovering he really likes that. Gods... really likes him. He had said that, hadn't he? A touch of that pink returning to the ends of his hair before Idia gives a shake of his head. Focus! "Um, lets see..." It trailing off as he leans over to look at the menu. "I donno if I'll be able to eat a full bowl..."

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