Take Me Places (finale)

 

                                                        

I decided to post the whole story! It hasn’t been proof read but I hope you’ll enjoy the ending anyway  🌺

Chapter 1: Wataru

The plane had a disgusting odor, as Wataru stepped on, like newly applied car wax. He scrunched up his face and attempted to shove his way through the crowed plane aisle to get to his seat. "I swear I'd never do this for fun if this wasn't my job" he thought as he flopped down into the window seat. Looking through the sad excuse of a window, he sighed as he saw all the other planes taking off. "What I wouldn't give just to stay home..." He sighed again and pulled his headphones over his ears, turned up the music to the maximum volume. He closed his eyes in the hopes that he'd be able to fall asleep and wake up when the flight was over, though those dreams were short lived as a flustered looking flight attendant came up to him. "Excuse me, sir?" Her chubby cheeked face turned crimson as Wataru openly glared at her through his light green eyes, “I’m sorry sir, but you’re going to have to turn off your music until we’re fully in the air.” She smiled nervously as he removed them reluctantly. "Thank you sir, I hope you enjoy your flight!" Her light blue skirt fluttered as she turned around and continued down the aisle.

“Idiot," Wataru thought as he slowly slid his headphones back over his ears, "How can anyone be enjoy being in a plane, all the noise and these stupid people everywhere?" He tugged his beanie over his head; he pulled his headphones back over his ears and closed his eyes once again: "Why did things have to turn out like this?" And he let himself be carried off by sleep. 

After about two hours, Wataru grudgingly opened his eyes, his legs were aching from sitting in the same position and his head was pounding because he'd fallen asleep with his music volume to the max. He let out a low moan as he stretched himself out as much as he could in his seat and then prodded awake the man next to him muttering  "Gotta pee…”

 "Oh, sure,” The man groggily stood up and Wataru slid out of his seat, he grunted his thanks to the man before he walked down the narrow airplane aisle and entered bathroom.

"It's good to get up once a while," he thought as he examined his tired looking face in the minuscule bathroom mirror. His normally tan skin looked pasty and pale in the bathrooms florescent lighting. "I look like a mess,” he groaned, splashing water on his face, he took off his gray beanie and combed through his thick blond hair with his fingers; he traced the bags under his eyes and grimaced. "This trip is destroying my looks and we haven't even landed yet, why’d I even agree to go to New York anyway?" He slapped his hand against the bathroom cabin wall, and sighed.

A light "knock-knock" came from the door, "Sir, are you alright in there? Do you need some assistance?" asked a worried stewardess. Wataru rolled his eyes in disbelief and opened the door to the bathroom; the stewardess hurriedly stepped backwards to avoid getting hit. "I'm fine, now go away” he gnarled, pulling the door shut again once more and preceded to take his time cleaning himself up. Two minutes later another knock came on the door as he was readjusting his pants. His face twisted with annoyance as he pulled open the door only to hiss "GO AWAY!" into the face of the most handsome men he'd ever seen in his life. The man was wearing a black suit and had a musky fragrance, smooth alabaster/ivory skin, hair black as night that graciously arranged to frame his rectangular face, his cheekbones were well defined and his mouth was well rounded, but stern. Though, what really took Wataru's breath away were his stormy gray eyes. It felt as though he could drown in them. His face turned crimson as the man before him took a step back, "Oh," said the man, "I'm terribly sorry, I'll wait until you're done…" he blushed a bit as he ran his hand through his hair and glanced at the floor.

"No, no, no," Wataru shook his hands in the air, making the man look even more uncomfortable "I'm sorry, it's because, you see uh, I thought you were the stewardess and-" As Wataru glanced once more at the man once more and saw how flustered he looked so, clasped his hands together and bowed "Anyway, I'm terribly sorry!" the man relaxed a bit as he watched Wataru stand up straight again and offered him his hand.

"It's quite alright," the corner of the man's lips twitched lightly as he held back a smile "It's good to be, 'woken up' after such a boring and tiresome flight, my name's Amamiya, Nakahashi" He released Wataru's hand and really smiled this time. Wataru felt his throat close up with nervousness, Amamiya-san's face could probably light up the entire world with it's beauty.

"I'm, uh, I'm" Wataru swallowed deeply "Fuyori Wataru, it's nice to meet you Amamiya-san?" he smiled at Amamiya-san tentatively.

"Please call me Nakahashi."

A silence fell over the two of them as Wataru realized that Nakahashi-san was still waiting to use the bathroom.

"Oh, well it was nice to meet you!"  He blushed again, as he step sided past Nakahashi-san taking one last subtle inhale of his musky scent before speeding back to his seat.

Once he'd sat down he couldn't help but daydream about the possibilities between Nakahashi and him if they hadn't met on a plane, which after they’d left they'd probably never see each other ever again. Wataru let out a weary sigh and attempted to suppress all of his thoughts concerning his future Nakahashi-san as he drifted back to sleep.

Chapter 2: Stormy Eyes

Nakahashi brushed back his hair in bewilderment as he returned to his seat; he’d never been so drawn in by a person in his life! “I practically stalked him with my eyes when I was walking back,” tapping himself on the forehead, slumping down into his chair in first class, he murmured “Idiot. You’re too old for this.” Remarking a flighty stewardess coming his way he waved her over, “Would it be possible to have a glass of wine?”

Batting her eyelashes, she leaned on the corner of his seat and hushed, “Of course sir, one moment please” before walking back to the helm of the plane; Nakahashi couldn’t help but noticing her awkward hip bounces as she tried to draw his attention. “Women truly don’t change from one country to the other do they?” frowning he closed his eyes. His thoughts drifted back to “…Wataru…that’s right, his name was Wataru” repeating his name he traced his lips with his fingertips, imagining the feel of Wataru’s lips on his own, the gaze of those grassy green eyes meeting his own, the touch of his hands running through Wataru’s hay colored hair—“Whoa, get a hold of yourself you old uncle, he’s just a kid, he’d never like an old man like you. Never mind the obvious age difference.” After turning thirty-two in the past year, Nakahashi was finally experiencing the fatigue that came with age and had even more difficulty completing his growing workload. “Being a company’s vice president isn’t so bad, but my silly ambition to become president might kill me!” Loosening his tie, he leaned back into his seat; his transfer from Okinawa to New York was really wearing him down. Popping open his travel kit, he twisted open an Advil bottle and swallowed two pills; he’d grown tired of working in Tokyo and his divorce was a perfect excuse to transfer. Unfortunately at the time all that had been running through his head was “If you get out of Japan maybe you can start over again, get a new wife and family, and get rid of all the strange feelings you have!” but then again at the time he hadn’t realized how difficult starting anew might be, “Well at least that means there’s a chance I might meet Wataru again…” Realizing where his train of thought was taking him once again he tsked himself as he crossed his arms. “What am I a pervert? What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just stop thinking about him? I can’t be interested in him, we just met in front of an airplane bathroom!” He raked his hands through his hair once more “It’s these kinds of feelings that made me lose my wife and here they come again! Why can’t I just stop these feelings completely and do my work in peace!” The stewardess came back and tapped him on the arm, her manicured nails pulling him out of his thoughts.

“Here you are sir, and I’ve given you and extra packet of pretzels courtesy of our airline, I hope you enjoy the rest of your flight.” She smiled and as she turned to walk away, she looked back at him “I’m Natasha, if you need anything else please, don’t hesitate to ask.” She then winked, and flounced her way back down the aisle. His face twisted in disinterest, even with the aid of the Advil, he slowly felt his headache returning. “Darn it, when well this flight be over?” he thought as he struggled to get comfortable in his seat.

Chapter 3: Wataru

A year had passed since Wataru had landed in the busy city of New York and started working as a professional photographer. After arriving he’d installed himself in a loft in the Dumbo district of Brooklyn and started working for his new agency, “Picture That!” Shaking his head as he climbed out of bed, he strode over to his mirror proudly admiring his newly acquired features; within the year, his hair had grown longer, his muscles were thicker but his physique was still lean, his eyes, surprisingly enough had also changed into a more oval shape which only made his green eyes more seductive, so now instead of looking like a young adolescent fresh off the plane, he'd grown into a mature twenty seven year old looking man. Slamming his bedroom door open Wataru laughed out loud as he threw himself down on his couch, "Which picture did they use from me today?" he smirked while flipping through one of the many newspapers. He’d known a great success since he’d arrived in New York and his artworks were being published in every magazine, heck, half of the fashion industry wanted him as a full time photographer! As it was a Friday morning he searched for his most recent photographic conquests in the business section of the New York Times, he happened upon an article concerning a very popular clothing company's grand opening. The article read:

YOKOHAMA THREADS MAKES A COMEBACK!

"Yokohama Thread's makes a stunning grand opening on 5th avenue after the company’s last store burnt down, toasting all its merchandise to a crisp! With a new company president, Nakahashi, Amamiya the companies stocks have skyrocketed and sales have never been better! With it’s newly added teen section and it’s refreshingly new architecture style, people have just been flooding into the store non-stop! After receiving over $70000 on it’s initial reconstruction plan in a day the investors within the company are certainly getting what they paid for! One of their sponsors, Mr. Evan Green was kind enough to spare a moment of his day to tell us a little more about the future project ideas of the company---“

“Blah, blah, blah, blah, expanding in size, hoping to add another section by next fall,” Drawing out every syllable he skimmed through the rest of the article to find his picture, but his eyes wouldn’t let him focus on his art as they kept drawing him back to two words within the article.

“Amamiya...Nakahashi?”  Flicking back his newspaper, he stared at the article blankly, “Where have I heard that name before?”  Furrowing his eyebrows and frowning, he wondered where it was he’d heard the name before…“Oh well,” he shrugged and sipped his coffee “if he’s that important I’ll meet him at tonight’s opening party.” He smirked, folded the newspaper, and contentedly threw it against his coffee table. He got up from the couch and mussed his wavy bed head hair “Alright, time to move out.” Pulling off his pajama top, he strode back into his room and tugged open his wardrobe, “Right, so today you’re shooting the grand opening of Yokohama Threads new store, you want to look laid back but,” Wataru gleamed, pulling out a dark red long sleeved shirt and a sleeveless vest, “Classy.” Rummaging around the rest of the room he managed to find a pair of black skinny jeans, a matching striped red tie, a couple of varying leather bracelets, and his own addition to fashion, his mark, and his constant accessory, his gray beanie.  Sprinkling himself lightly with cologne, he brushed his teeth, smoothed down his hair poking out from under his hat, stuck a piece of buttered bread in his mouth, grabbed his camera bag and keys and, slamming his apartment door shut with his foot, ran hurriedly out of his loft. His face was lit up with excitement as he raced to begin his day with his usual goal in mind, “I’m going to be even more creative today than yesterday!”

Chapter 4: Nakahashi

Blinds drawn, lights out, a glass of alka seltzer and Advil on his right, arms covering his head, Nakahashi rested his head on his desk. After pulling three all nighters in a row while sorting last minute files for today’s grand opening, he’d gone a little over board in his little celebration last night. No one had drunk as much as he had, his friends couldn’t stop him, and now he was paying for it ten fold. His headed throbbed as three light taps came from the door, he moaned in pain as his secretary tried to tiptoe his way towards him.

“Sir…” Stevens stood in front of his desk, he usual dark green suit and black tie perfectly in position, his hair swept back, and with his young face it turned into a rather dorky looking bowl cut. He’d hired the kid as a favor to his old neighbor and he seemed to be doing well except for his incorrigible shyness when it came to speaking with him, “Excuse me, President Amamiya, Sir,” He timidly tapped his arm. “Probably checking to see if I’m not dead, poor kids, stuck working for an grouch like me.” Nakahashi thought. “Hmmm?”

“You have a call on line one from Mr. Green, Sir…” Nakahashi could hear the boy pulling at the edges of his suite readjusting his shirt subtly, the obvious anxiety in his voice as he stood before the president of one of the largest fashion companies in the world and he chuckled softly.  He urged his mouth to at least crook in the same sense of a smile at the boy, but it seemed that it only scared the poor squirt more. He sighed and recalled that he wasn’t presently living through one of his best moments, “Thank you Stevens, I’ll pick up, I apologize for my appearance, please transfer the call to line 4”

“Y-Yes Sir!” Stevens stammered as he attempted to hurriedly walk out of his boss’s darkened office, but it became more of a stumble when Nakahashi called out before he could reach the door “And while you’re at it Stevens, bring me a coffee!”

“O-of course Sir!” He bowed and shut the door softly behind him as he left, an audible sigh of relief following his escape. Nakahashi grinned as he quickly took a swig of Alka seltzer and his two Advil then picked up his phone on line 4.

“Amommyiyyaaaaa! My Japanese protégée! Welcome back to the real world! How was the rest of night?” Evan’s smug voice hit his pounding headache like flaming projectiles. They had been friends since university and they were about the same age, now is business partner and best friend, Evan’s loud voice mocked him through the phone.

“First of all Evan Green, you know for a fact I’m hung over you lousy excuse for a best friend, abandoning me completely out of my mind in front of a bar at the mercy of New York City the night before our company’s grand opening, without a way to get home just because you wanted to chase after some chick leading you on.” Evan’s hearty and well amused laughter was extremely nerve wracking through the phone, “I swear to you the next time we go out you’re paying for psychological damage if that happens again!”

Nakahashi gritted his teeth as Evan’s laughter turned into one of wild cackling, he could just imagine the tears of amusement falling down his angular face.

“What are you even saying? I paid for your taxi home! Come on, don’t tell I’m not a great buddy I made sure you were safe on your way home before I left with Janice!”

Nakahashi scoffed, “Yeah, only after you found me completely passed out in the alley beside the bar!”

Nakahashi pulled the phone away from his ear, Evan’s laugh couldn’t get any louder and Nakahashi could hear him gasping for air between his cackles. “I’ll hang up this phone if this is all you’ve called me for, I have other more important calls waiting,” he twiddled his pen around in his finger. “ I don’t really, they’re all just people calling to congratulate me before the actual opening this afternoon, but that doesn’t mean I have all morning to waste you, and the girl you took home, her name was Jenny not Janice.”

Evan’s sarcastic gasp echoed through the receiver and his laughter died down, “Who cares, she’s one girl of many that I’ll never remember.”

“You’re an enemy to woman kind everywhere, you know that?” Nakahashi imagined Evan’s sly grin on the other end of the phone line and groaned as Evan was chuckling again.

“Come on Miya, bare with me, I’ll settle down in a couple of years, then you’ll see.”

“Right, now was there a point to this ridiculous call?”

“Oh, that’s right!” Evan exclaimed, Nakahashi swiveled in his chair as he buzzed Stevens, who peeked in, he motioned for more Advil and the boy nodded and closed the door “Guess who managed to snag the best and most popular photographer in New York, for someone who’s been calling me a jerk all morning?”

Nakahashi scratched his head; as far as he was concerned he’d hire at least a hundred photographers why would one make a difference?

“You?”

“BINGO!”

“OW, DAMN IT EVANS KEEP IT DOWN!”  He rubbed his ears, Stevens stepped in and placed a saucer of tea with two more Advil on the side next to him, Nakahashi nodded gratefully, “ What’s so special about this photographer anyway? And how’d you manage to snag him if no one else could?”

Evan tsked him, “Now, now, I didn’t embezzle any money in hiring him-“

“So what did you promise him?” An unusual silence, “Evan Green, what did you promise him?”

“…I gave him access to tonight’s exclusive opening party.”

“Evan.”

“Amamiya.”

“It’s supposed to be for business partners and close friends and family! What are we going to do if he shows up and is some sort of commoner? It’s not really a party then is it?”

“I know, oi Miya, I’m not stupid, but I’m telling you his work is worth it he has an extraordinary talent with a camera, his photos will be hung all around and will mark our company’s history!” Evan’s loud pleas were finally starting to get the best of his pounding headache.

“Fine, fine, he can come, but you’re responsible for any indiscretions caused by him”

“Egg-cellant.”

“What?”

“It’s a breakfast pun, did you know I’m starving?”

“You’re an idiot.”

“I know, but at least I got you to watch my little rich boy back!”

Nakahashi chuckled, “Yeah, you loser of course you do.”

“Alright, old man I’m going to go to the kitchen and as for some eggs, I’ll see you at the opening in three hours.”

“Three hours—ITS 1 PM HOW LONG WAS I ASLEEP?“ Nakahashi jerked up from his chair and saw his mounting collection of paperwork to be done before the ceremony “ARGH, STEVENS WHAT IS THIS? WHY DIDN’T YOU WAKE ME UP!” He could hear stacks of papers falling from the young boys desk outside his office and then the shuffling of adolescent feet shuffling across the office as they ran away from their desk. Nakahashi recoiled from his outburst his head throbbing in pain.

Evan’s cackles emerged once more “Alright Amamiya, I’ll leave you to your work,” Nakahashi’s groans were drowned out by Evan’s insolent laughter “Oh, and the photographers name is Wataru Fuyori, make sure to put him on the list.”

“Wait, Wataru Fuyori, I’ve heard of him before…”

“Of course you have he’s famous! I have to go otherwise Cook’s going to yell at me! Have fun!” The line cut off as Evan hung up, but Nakahashi just let the phone sit on his desk. “Wataru Fuyori…I’ve heard that name somewhere before, not from the magazines but…where?” Nakahashi frowned; he didn’t have time to think about the name now. He groaned and dropped a stack of paperwork in front of himself. “I swear, when I think I did this to myself I have to wonder about my mental health!” He then hung up the phone and began to fill out his forms. “I don’t know if three hours let alone three days will be enough for this! Someone save me!”

Chapter 5: Wataru Fuyori

“Excuse me, I’m sorry, if I could just get to the front!” Wataru coughed as he was finally able to breach through the mob of people forming in front of the new Yokohama Thread Store. It had taken him a half an hour just to push his way through the crowd all the way from his bus stop two blocks away. His company had called him suddenly as he was getting off the bus and told him that they’d sent Miles, his photo development partner along with an album they needed him to authorize before they sent it to the printers, “Is this really the time and place to call me out for minor working details? That stupid company of mine!”  He swore once again as he skimmed the crowd for the top of Mile’s head, even if African man was someone who stood out with his ridiculous height and loud voice, but this crowd was just too much!  “Humph, forget about meeting up with him, the ceremonies about to start and I have to take my place, I’ll find him later.” Turning back towards the gated area of the makeshift podium, he went and showed his “back stage” access to the guard and made his way to the isolated photographer section.

“Fuyori? Wataru Fuyori?”

“Yes?”

The man walking towards him smiled, wearing a black trimmed suit with matching shoes, a light blue tie and glasses, the guy reeked of a high society bourgeois. Wataru grasped the man’s outstretched hand and caught a whiff of extremely potent but excellently chosen cologne.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you I’m Evan Green,” He released his steel tight grasp on Wataru’s hand.

“I’m pretty sure he’s broken at least four of my fingers! He was too close to breaking my tools of trade!” Wataru thought as he rubbed his hands and ground his teeth together to keep him from yelping in pain.

“The pleasure’s all mine, I want to thank you again for offering me this wonderful opportunity and-“

“Oh, no that’s where I have to stop and thank you,” Mr. Green his smile growing even wider, Wataru was even sure that he’d vaguely seen the face of a grinning fox in his light hazel eyes, “I’m so glad that you were available at the last second and were willing to come through this large crowd in order to get here! I apologize that I wasn’t able to find the subventions to fund your whole team.”

“Yeah right you creepy fox-man, you’re lucky that I like parties you big ol’ cheapo.” Wataru grinned back at him devilishly, “Oh, no Mr. Green I’m afraid you’re apologizing for nothing, I was glad to come - never mind the team, and your pay is it’s own benefit even if it’s not necessarily direct cash.”

Evan saw the wicked gleam in Wataru’s cat like eyes and right away this new feisty little cat would make the perfect addition to the Yokohama Thread family. Evan’s sinister sniggers filled the air as he clapped Wataru on the back.

“Please, call me Evan,” Wataru buckled under the larger man’s whack on the back and ended up being bent over out of breath, “Welcome to the family Fuyori-san.” Wataru glanced up in surprise as Evan’s greeted him in Japanese.

“Why, t-thanks I look forward to working with you…” He replied in Japanese as well. This was the first time anyone from America had even uttered a word in his native tongue other than cheesy anime catchphrases or silly songs.

Evan’s eyes lit with amusement as he watched Wataru’s confused gaze fall on his mouth, he seemed to be verifying if what’d he’d heard was true.

“A friend of mine that I used to go to school with got tired of speaking English with me, so he forced me to learn Japanese,” Pushing his glasses, Evan’s began emitting some sort of strange ‘cool guy’ aura, and switched back to English, “What you’re hearing is the practiced result of 4 years of nagging and hard work.”

“Oh, I see well that’s very impressive Mr. Green-“

Evan frowned, his cheery disposition turning somewhat haunting while he quickly corrected Wataru, “Evan.”

“Evan, right my apologies.”

“Right then, now that the introductions have been done,” His lips crooking into a small smile, and light humor returning, “I leave you to your work, I can’t wait to see the results.” He waved as he began to saunter away, “Make sure to get good shots of our president, he gets very touchy about pictures.” Wataru lost sight of him, as he was lost in the large crowd.

“Maybe he’s not as bad as I thought…” Wataru smirked as he scratched his head, and stuck out his tongue in his direction, “Still a bit weird though.”

An upbeat music suddenly filled the air through the over speakers overhead, the music riveted the street and sunshine bounced off the shimmering silver walls of the new Yokohama building.  The blowing wind matched the force of the chattering crowd as the unveiling began.

“Right, time to get ready!” Wataru quickly set up his camera and placed himself directly in front of the president’s podium and focused his camera. Loud cheers filled the air, the speakers boomed, “NOW PRESENTING YOKOHAMA THREAD’S NEW ESTABLISHMENT, EVERYONE PLEASE WELCOME OUR COMPANIES NEW PRESIDENT MR. NAKAHASHI!” A tall man walked on to the stage and waved at the crowd, his bright smile warmed the crowd, and Wataru hastily adjusted his camera focus just as the president’s face came into full view. His camera shutter clicked wildly taking as many shots of the man as possible. Fingers nimbly adjusting the light settings, he tried to get one close of shot of the president. Wataru’s gaze finally took in the face of the man who was standing behind the podium, arms stiffening, he moved the camera aside he absorbed the president with his eyes. His breath completely taken away by him, stunningly good-looking, his handsome features had refined themselves in the passing year. Even his eyes had changed, instead of a storm they now caged in a whirling tempest. His eyes widen in astonishment, lips barely moving, the next almost winded eight syllables fell out of his mouth like heavy stones, softly murmuring the name of the man with tempest’s eyes that he’d longed for 3 months after he’d gotten off the plane that had brought him here. “Naka…hashi…Ama…miya?”

Chapter 6:  Nakahashi

Besides almost passing out from exhaustion while exiting the podium, the opening ceremony had gone off without a hitch; he’d made his opening speech, waved and had leaving the stand for the next speaker, blowing kisses. “Now, all that’s left is tonight’s party.” Nakahashi thought as he stepped out of the shower. Ruffling with his head with his towel, his black hair dripped water everywhere. He lounged on his sofa a towel wrapped around his waist.  “Ahhhh…” he moaned, “there’s no way in hell I’m going to make in through tonight.” Covering his face he groaned, he’d tried taking a nap several times but sleep wouldn’t wash over him like it usually did.  “Ok! Think positive Amamiya, its only one night, you’ll say hi to some people, greet some wives, accept a bouquet, look over photos…” he groaned once again, “Shoot, I forgot to inspect the Fuyori kid before the ceremony, I have no idea what he’s like! He might be a liability to the evening.” Slamming his fist on the counter he swore. “I never should’ve let Evan make such a ridiculous bargain! All of our backers are going to be at that party tonight!” Shaking his head he paced around his kitchen. 1No, no, no, calm down Nakahashi, you’re a full fledged business man, you can organize a whole company in two minutes flat! You can deal with a stupid kid…or wait.” Stopping in his tracks he grinned, “No, you, you can deal with a kid no problem, but EVAN IS THE ONE WHO’S GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIM, HA!” Howling with laughter he snatched his cell phone and flipped it open. Fingers tapping away furiously, he texted Evan:

‘Oi, Evan…you’re the one who’s responsible for the kid, I don’t want see him, AT ALL during the evening. If you fail, I’ll kick you off the board of directors. Good luck!’

Exhaling he felt his shoulders drop and his calm returned; not only had he gotten his vengeance on Evan, he’d gotten rid of dealing with the kid. A wave of drowsiness engulfed him. He yawned loudly, “I could use with a nap…” glancing at the clock mounted on his wall, 5 o’clock, “I’ve got time, three hours should be enough to get my face back to normal.”  His cell phone vibrated suddenly, it’s screen flashing rapidly as texts from Evan began flooding in.

‘Aww, come Miya don’t do this to me! All of the belles of the world are going to flooding into that party, don’t stick me with the kid I’m begging you!’

‘Miya, I know you’re there answer me!’

‘I’m sorry I left you the other day! REALLY SORRY! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME WITH THE KID!’

‘You’ll see his photos were really well done! Plus he seems like an extremely well behaved guy! He doesn’t need a guardian!’

‘You rotten jerk; you’re doing this on purpose. There’s no way I’m taking care of that kid’

‘OI, MIYA ANSWER ME’

‘手名輪　あなた輪　大機だい！I’M EVEN WRITING IN YOUR STUPID LANGUAGE ANSWER ME’

Nakahashi’s grin was ear to ear; he closed his bedroom door on his friend’s distressed messages. “Ahh, victory the sweetest platter served by text.” Donning a pale blue pajama after setting his alarm clock for 8:30 he slid into bed.

“Tonight will be just fine.”  He murmured into his pillow before a warm feeling washed over as he fell asleep.

Chapter 7: Wataru

“Wataru? Are you alright man?” Miles jabbed him in the ribs bringing him back to reality. After the ceremony was done he’d tottered mindlessly into a café where Miles had found him after searching for 2 whole hours and they were now heading back to the office in a cab.

“Yeah, no, I’m totally fine…”

Miles’s long dreads bobbed along with his head, leaning forward he tried to meet Wataru’s distracted gaze, obvious concern etched the contours of his angular face.

“Wataru, you’re not sick or anything right? ” Miles brought his hand up to forehead, and Wataru nudged it off.

“I’m totally fine!”

“Well then start acting like it,” Miles leaned back into his seat and crossed his arms, “You’re really starting to freak me out.”

“Huh?” Wataru’s confused regard fell on him and then went right back to being completely zoned out again.

“See? That’s what I’m talking about!” Miles frown as he pulled on Wataru’s cheeks, the cabbie staring at them with curiosity scoffed from the front seat; they were acting like a mother and son.

“What!”

“Wataru, you’ve been staring into space since I found you!” Miles sighed, “Wataru, I found you as you were about spill coffee all over your camera, it's like a child to you! I’ve never seen you this dazed!”

“I’m not dazed, I’m just thinking…there’s nothing wrong with that.” Wataru huffed; he slid down as much as he could so his knees were hitting the chair in front, and stretched his beanie down over his eyes. He couldn’t help it, seeing Nakahashi-san again was…incredible. His cheeks turned red as they burned with anticipation. Tonight he’d see him again, he’d definitely be at the party, “I wonder if he even remembers me… I’d totally forgotten about him months ago until now…what should I do when I see him?”

Miles patted him on the head lightly and said “Don’t worry man, I’m sure what ever it is that you’re worrying about will turn out fine in the end.” Wataru peeked up at him from under his beanie, lips quivering and eyes beginning to tear up, he yanked at his friends t-shirt and hugged him. Miles though initially shocked at such an obvious sign of affection from his friend shrugged and hugged him back.

“ I’m so nervous…what should I do, Miles. It’s been months!” He cried into his friend’s shirt, excitement was out weighed by his frustration at his own reaction; the fear of potential rejection was completely overriding his brain and the outcome, an even heavier flow of tears. 

“Oh, I see,” Miles a deep throated chuckle erupting from his mouth, his dark face lit with delight, here was one of the most confident people he knew, crying, over a girl, “Is there someone you like coming to visit you here from Japan? An old fling?”

Wataru stopped his hiccupped crying momentarily and feebly replied “Sort of, I guess you could say I haven’t seen them in a while…and they are from Japan…”

Turning his head back into the crook of his friends arm “But he’s not my girlfriend and he’s most definitely not a girl.” Recalling Nakahashi’s eyes, Wataru felt his face grow warm yet again.

“Well, if they’re here today, why don’t you invite them to the Yokohama party? Your invite did say you could bring someone.”

“They’re, they’re already going to be there…”

“Oh really? A wealthy girlfriend then, and you’re going to see each other tonight? ” Miles wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, they looked like dancing caterpillars. Wataru smacked him in the gut, giggling as his friend struggled to suck air back into his lungs.

“Shut up you perverted Rasta,” Miles’s annoyed look, penetrated through his turmoil of emotions, making him beam, his stuck out his tongue, “All that teasing, you definitely had it coming.”

The taxi pulled over next to their office, Wataru jumped out and Miles paid the driver, together they walked into the large red building and went all the way up to the fourth floor. Entering the office all one could see were stacks and stacks of paper, piled up, fluttering in the air (people dropped their piles very often), and scattered on the floor. This, was PictureThat! one of the top photography agencies in New York City let alone America and here it was looking like a pig’s pen.

“What’s going on in here?” Wataru watched with annoyance as an intern knocked over one of his many framed paintings on the wall.

“Just ignore it, unlike you a lot of the photographers don’t get their work done before the deadline and have to rush their photo developments in order to get their albums done. It’s been like this since last month after you left for paid vacation.” Miles answered signing them both into the company attendance book.

“Oh.”

“Either way, we’re not even going near that section of the office,” Hitching his arm under Wataru’s, Miles directed them towards the editing room “ Since you already took the photos today we can go directly to editing!”

Sitting themselves down in one of the larger editing cubicles, Wataru uploaded all of the photos from the opening ceremony on the computer.

“Wow, you took some top quality one’s today…” Rubbing his chin Miles scrutinized the photos in detail, “Especially of President what’s his name, Nakakna-“

“Nakahashi…” Wataru’s eyes were glued on the screen, hundreds of pictures of Nakahashi, all of them flooding in to the computer system, each and every one capturing his face, his eyes, the sway of his hair in the wind—

“Wataru? Earth to Wataru, anyone there?” His partner waved his hand in front of Wataru’s face snapping him back into reality.

“Sorry, I was just looking at the…” His eyes unfocused and Wataru lost himself once more in his dream world.

Miles followed his gaze to the computer screen where his friend’s eyes traced every aspect of the president’s angular face, lingering on the man’s eyes. He smirked, stroking his chin, “So, this is the cute Japanese girlfriend we were talking about earlier…hmm, interesting…”

“Look Fuyori, you have less than two hours to get you ready and then present these photos to,” roughly pressing his fingers against the computer screen Miles tapped the image of Nakahashi “That guy right there,” Pulling down on his partner’s ear gently, he watched Wataru’s gaze shift and refocus on him, his face turning a bright crimson red, beaming Miles ruffled his hair through his beanie “So, would you mind getting it together?”

Chapter 8: Nakahashi

“A-MA-MI-YA!” Evan leaned over into the driver’s section of his limo and leaned down on the car horn, “Lets go! Come on, you slept all afternoon! You’re going to make us late to the party of the century!” “Honestly, sitting here in this limo and wrinkling my favorite Ralph Lauren suit with your awkward secretary isn’t all I have to do with my time!” Outside of Nakahashi’s apartment Stevens and Evan waited impatiently in his private white stretch limo.

“April 7th 2010, 8:30 pm,” Nakahashi muttered sliding into the gaudily white stretch limo. Wearing a black custom made Anderson & Sheppard suit, with matching loafers, his hair was fashionably combed so that his bangs hung stylishly not quite covering up his eyes; he truly was a sight for sore eyes.

“Eh? What? Speak up.” Evan said handing a matching glass of Armand de Brignac.

“Today is April 7th 2010 and it is exactly 8:30 pm.” Nakahashi slamming the door shut, downed the entire glass of champagne in one go, his eyes gleaming, his laughter echoed throughout the limo, Evan’s annoyed face and Stevens confused stare watched him.

“A-are you alright Sir? I have a bottle of Advil here if you need it!” Stevens reached his hand into a little satchel he was carrying and fished out the bottle of painkillers.

“Don’t worry about him squirt,” Evans scoffed, “The old man must’ve downed a bit to much of the liquid courage before coming here. Just be prepared to take him home tonight before he makes a fool of himself.” Sipping his champagne, Evan didn’t feel Nakahashi’s heated glare until the man slid right up to him and whacked him behind the head.

“Ow! Damn it! Now you’ve done it, the champagne is all over the upholstery!” Splotches of champagne sunk into the cracks in Evan’s seat. Evan wiped excess champagne dribble on his chin and dabbed at his golden tie with a cloth napkin. He looked like a frivolous swan in his white suit and the tie wasn't helping, “No wonder women love him,” thought Nakahashi, “He looks good but he’s got the mind of an idiot that they can manipulate freely without worry.”

“No, I’m not laughing because I’m in a state of intoxication you idiot,” His frown transforming into a content grin, Nakahashi pulled his arms over his styled hair and leaned back into his seat, “No, I’m laughing because I’m HAPPY.”

“Well of course you are,” Evan grumbled, “You’ll be spending the evening with beautiful women while I,” Deciding that he’d just have to change ties, tossed his tie and wet napkin into Nakahashi’s lap, “have to babysit.”

Steven’s muffled giggle from the isolated corner of the seating area mixed in with Nakahashi’s boisterous laughter, piqued Evan snarled “Alright fine! I’ll bite! What’re you so happy about you ridiculous grandpa?”

“First of all,” Nakahashi flicked his friend’s nose, “We’re the same age, if I’m a grandfather you must be a grandmother, second of all, I’m happy because today I officially become President of Yokohama Threads!”

Stevens blushing in the corner adjusting his glasses, squeaked, “E-excuse me President Nakahashi, um Sir? Maybe I’ve been misinformed but I believe that you’ve been the president of the company for almost a year now…”

Nakahashi’s gentle smile turned to the young man and chuckled, “I know that Stevens, but what I meant was, in all the time I was working for Yokohama Threads I’ve never made a public appearance, this is the first time I’ll be known out rightly as the official president of this company.”

“Oi, I really do think you had a bit to much to drink before getting in.”

Nakahashi made a swipe at Evan once again but Evan ducked and stuck out his tongue at Nakahashi’s agitated expression and poured himself another drink.

“Don’t drink too much Mr. Green, remember you’re looking after a child this evening!”

Evan growled from the rim of his glass and downed it just as quickly as he had  the past two, “All the more reason for me to be drinking now rather than later.”

They all laughed and the driver pulled up to the Plaza Hotel, the amount of cars and lights surrounding the whole event were ridiculous, the minute Nakahashi stepped foot out of the car the reporters were on him like flies on sugar. They bombarded him with questions as the hired security escorted him and his company through the excited mass of people.

“Mr. Nakahashi could you tell us about your plans in the future?”

“What’s it like to be the president of one of the most successful companies--"

“Mr. Nakahashi we love you! Please turn this way for a photo!”

Smiling gratefully and waving at the crowd, they made their way inside the dining hall.

“Well that was ridiculous.” Evan loosened his tie and handed it to one of the maids, “Please have that brought to Suite C, thank you.” He winked at the astonished maid watching her scamper off clutching his tie.

“You’re never going to get it back you know. There are fans that like to dress up as maids and steal personal items like that.” Nakahashi remarked.

“It's fine, it’s a ruined tie anyway.” Evan shrugged, “I’m going to find the kid, be back in ten.”

The ballroom was immense in size: golden walls with beautiful decorations varying in   forest greens, auburn reds, and caramel brown hues, it was magnificent sight to behold the architecture was monumental! Arches on the ceiling and white marble columns lined with dusty golden curtains lead to different areas of the dining hall. The orchestra and a crystal chandelier also made wonderful adornments to the hall that was starting to look like a royal palace.

“Sir, please be sure to find Mr. Fuyori and make sure you authorize the album he makes before partaking in too many of this evenings festivities.” Stevens shifted his feet, he looked like a scrawny kid in this crowd, with his black bow tie and over sized gray suit. Nakahashi followed his gaze to a group of well-known secretaries chatting and he patted the boy on the head.

“Get going before I find some work for you to do.”

“Thank you Sir!”

Grinning as he watched his secretary being embraced warmly by the others in the group, he felt a bit of his nervousness fall away. “Maybe I should’ve had more to drink after all,” he thought as he began to make his formal rounds to all of his clients and partners.  Hours later a drunken Evan called him over.

“Oi, President Sir!” Evan waved to him; Nakahashi excused himself from his conversation and walked over to the column where Evan waited alone.

“You said ten minutes you liar, where’s Fuyori?” Nakahashi glanced at his friend, “Did you even find him before you started drinking?”

“Oh knock it off he’s right—“ Evan whirled around and looked behind him, “Well, he was right here…”

“What does he look like?” An exasperated Nakahashi sighed, scanning the crowd for some who looked like a photographer.

“A little bit like…oh!” Evan’s squinted eyes spotted a hand poking out from behind the column, “There he is!” Evan tugged him out from behind his hiding spot roughly and swung his arms around the kids shoulder beaming like they were the best of friends.

Nakahashi did a once over of the young man’s clothes before looking at his face noting that he was, wearing a classical Yokohama suit; perfect for the man’s lean yet muscled frame, a black tie, some black dress shoes and some leather bracelets that surrounded his wrists making his fingers look long and elegant. Judging him to be dressed well enough for the occasion he extended his arm to shake hands with his new part time employee.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, thank you for aiding my com-pa-ny…” Nakahashi’s words stumbled out as he paused observing the photographers face. Meeting the tentative regard of the young man’s soft, passionate light green eyes, his golden hair, his blushing heart shaped face, his thin yet enticingly well shaped lips that emitted a light fragrance of a fruity alcohol. “That would explain the blushing…wait…blushing?” Searching his memory, he divulged the origin for the warm emotions that he had for the young man and the recollection of a first encounter months ago came rushing back to him as he finally recognized the person before him.

“Good evening,” Wataru bowed and grasped his hand, his blush becoming an even deeper shade of red, “My name is Wataru Fuyori, I look forward to working with you.”

Chapter 9: Wataru

Yanking on the hand, Mr. Evans had tugged Wataru to stand right next to him just as he was going to make a run for it. Wataru and Miles had arrived at the party shortly after it began, entering through the side doors as low class guests, but were immediately separated after a young lady asked Miles for a turn on the dance floor. Waiting for his partner to come back proved to be a longer charge than he’d anticipated. His impatience was getting the better of him and so he decided to wander around the hotel a bit. He walked through the long hallways admiring the hotel’s beautiful interior and art collection until he came across Mr. Evans chatting up a maid in the corridor, who readily abandoned his clearly annoyed female companion for the strikingly well dressed Wataru’s company. They returned to the party mingling with the crowd, they consumed numerous extravagant drinks being distributed throughout the ballroom by elegant waiters and waitresses, occasionally rejecting dance offers from young ladies whom Evans deemed to be to young to humor and. Mr. Evan’s mood grew merrier by the minute as dozens of beautiful women flocked over to him, not to mention with every sip of alcohol he took he became less and less focused on his mission of helping him find Nakahashi. It’d taken Mr. Evans around three hours to figure out that he’d been leaning against a wall totally heated and tipsy, that he needed to bring him to see his boss.

“You! There! Kid!” He grinned releasing his serpent like grip on his female entourage, much to their disappointment. “WE,” jabbing his finger into his chest, “that is to say me and you, you and I, need to go find my dearest supervising grandpa! ‘Cause you have something to show him right? Right?” Pulling on the satchel he had on his waist, Wataru bobbed his head up and down. He felt his body leaning precariously forward as he was tugged along by the drunken man’s tight grip.

They’d staggered the ballroom for 20 minutes before Mr. Evans spotted Nakahashi talking to a group of people. Wataru’s fixated gaze fell on the President’s white smile, his lips curved into a polite smile that lit up the conversers' faces as they all laughed and spoke together. “Charismatic and gorgeous…wow.”

“There he is, wait here for a second I’ll go get him.” He patted the young photographers head and stumbling more and more with each step made his way towards Nakahashi.

“Wait, he’s coming here…to see me?”  Wataru blushed, intertwining his fingers he imagined the sensation he’d feel when their hands met for a second time. “Maybe he’ll remember me by the feel of my hands and say my name just like the first time we met. Or we’ll both feel those special sparks they talk about when they come in movies.”  Giggling at the frivolity of his thoughts he took a bashful glance in Evan’s direction, he’d already starting talking with Nakahashi.

“Wait! He’s coming? Over here?” Slipping behind the column he caught a glimpse of his bleary eyes and flushed face in one of the many mirrors hung throughout the hall “Why’d I drink so much! I look like an idiot with my face like this! A stupid youngster who’s totally out of his league! Shoot!” Covering his face with his hands he hesitated, the thought of making a break for it became more and more enticing. “It's not like I’d have anything more to lose, all I’d have to do is find Miles and have him give him the photos for me! It’s no big deal!”  There was a clear get away path between a cluster of gossiping old ladies to his right where he could easily sneak out of the room through one of the archway exits. “Alright, let’s do this, ready, set, g-“

Suddenly he felt the tight grip of Mr. Evans brusquely yanking him out of hiding and placing directly in front of the President of Yokohama Threads. Evan draped his arm over his shoulder nonchalantly.  “Amamiya Nakahashi…” He felt his cheeks redden as the president gave him a once over. Shrugging off Evan’s arm, Wataru bowed his head and took the initiative to shake hands with the president and introduced himself.

He swallowed hard, face flaming red, voice trembling and hands beginning to feel a little sweaty from the president’s strong hands he managed to get out, “My name is Wataru Fuyori, I look forward to working with you.”

“Naka, you look like you’ve seen a ghost, are you alright?” Evan released his monstrous hand from Wataru’s shoulders and lightly tapped spaced out President’s face.

The president’s stood before him frozen his eyes had widened, lips parted slightly he muttered something under his breath.

“What didja say? Come on Naka, speak up!”

Nakahashi shook his head, refocusing his attention he smiled gently “I look forward to working with you as well, I hope we work well together.” Bowing his head, “ I understand you have some pictures to show me.” He tilted his head towards the rest of the crowded dance room, “ And I think we’d be better off viewing them in a more private place, please follow me to the study.”

Wataru nodded timidly and held tightly to his satchel strap making his way towards the exit of the ballroom. Evan began to follow suit, but Nakahashi stopped him with a wave of his hand.

“Evan, if I leave somebody has to stay here and take care of the ladies while I’m gone,” Nakahashi smiled, a evident chill rippled through Evan’s body at his superiors chilly glare, “You could do that for me right?”

“I-I, uh…Definitely!” Evan’s eyes joyfully lit up, staggering towards a group of young women who’d all been waiting their turn to talk with Nakahashi, he called  “Ladies, Ladies, I’m afraid to inform you that our most competent president, has a short meeting to attend to, allow me to entertain your beautiful minds instead.” Then he vanished within the clump of chattering ladies.

Silently making their way to the top floor of the hotel in the elevator, Nakahashi opened the door to a large office space a little ways down the corridor, inviting Wataru in by holding the door open. The space was huge, and a large window allowed them to see the whole of Manhattan in one frame, the towering edifices glistened with the reflections of all the lights on in the thousands of tiny apartments as people settled in for the evening. “Truly the city that never sleeps.” Wataru thought as he stood motionless and mesmerized before the window. He barely heard the door click closed behind him as Nakahashi came in.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Nakahashi said seating himself in front of the large desk on the far side of the room.

“Hmm? Yeah…” Wataru whispered, he snapped out of his daze as he heard the president’s deep chuckle echo throughout the office, “Oops, sorry!” He hurriedly took a seat in front of Nakahashi and removed all the folders he needed from his satchel of he of the shoots he’d taken previously that day.  Spreading them out on the desk he separated the photos into three piles.

“These one’s are of the crowd, these one’s are of the building and basic landscape, and this last pile…well it’s supposed to be the pile with pictures of all the speakers, but…” Squirming a bit in his chair he spread out the photos of the third pile individually in front of him, “They’re mostly just of you.” Few of the photo’s actually depicted anyone else other than Nakahashi, feeling somewhat embarrassed he watched silently as Nakahashi observed each picture from the third pile slowly. Whereas for the pictures of other people he muttered his approval and complimented them with a light nod or gesture, his face was completely unreadable as he picked up his own photos. His face reddened a bit and he’d cover his mouth with his hands like he was trying to conceal a frown, “Or a smile for all we know,” Wataru bit his lips nervously as the president picked through the photos, yelp when he selected one photo and abruptly stood up.

“This one,” Nakahashi turned the photo towards Wataru, “it’s amazing, how’d you manage to get my eyes to sparkle like that?”

“What?” Puzzled Wataru stood and examined the picture, “I don’t know, haven’t they always been like that: silver, stormy, captivating, etc. what’s the problem---oh…umm…”

Nakahashi gapped at him incredulously, shoving his chair from behind his desk he rushed over to stand beside Wataru and grabbed both of his hands.

“So, you do remember?” Nakahashi’s eyes bore into his, and drowning sensation that Wataru had fantasized about for months finally rippled through his body. It was magnetizing the more he stared the more he wanted to lean forward and cling to him, at the same time his embarrassment was doubled considering he was already drunk and the heat of their hands touching was truly making him lose his mind. “You remember me from the plane don’t you? We met in front of the bathroom didn't we? Fuyori-san?”

“I, uh, I just…” Wataru’s eyes began to water heavily and tears poured out little by little. “Jeez, his eyes are silver they’re like a werewolf…magicallll”

“Fuyori!”

“I, guh, muu---“ Losing control of his neck Wataru felt his body fall forward as the world started to spin around him. “Maybe he’s an angel or something fallen from heaven cursed to seduce humanity for eternity? Hehe.”

“Fuyori are you alright? Are you sick? Hold on, I’ll get you some water!” Feeling his legs fall from underneath him, he fell down on top of a surprised Nakahashi who was already struggling to keep him standing

“Why are you spinning Nakahashi-kun I thought we were frie—“ Then suddenly everything was black.

Chapter 10: …

Wataru passed out, his hat sliding off his head, fell letting his full body fall on top of Nakahashi who was already struggling to keep even half of him up.

“No, no, no, no.” Heaving Wataru’s body up onto his shoulders he could he carried him over to the couch in the center of the office and laid him down.  Wataru’s head lolled sideway’s hanging off the couch while Nakahashi tried to get the bottom half of Wataru’s body to stay still on the couch instead of drooping off. Nakahashi swore, with a final pull he dragged Wataru’s torso up onto the couch he managed to get his body to stay completely on the couch.

“We definitely don’t want you to catch a cold and have a hangover at them same time.” He said taking off his suit jacket and draping it gently over Wataru’s shoulders. “There, now don’t move.”

Shaking his head, Nakahashi raked his fingers through his hair, “I knew I’d get stuck with the kid, so much for counting on Evan.” Picking up the hotel phone on his desk, he dialed for room service. A bored woman’s voice responded on the other end.

“Good evening, Ritz Hotel operator, my name is Amanda how may I be of service to you this evening?”

“Good evening, this is Amamiya Nakahashi from office and suite 1-C,” loosening his tie, he slumped down into his black desk chair and began to swivel from side to side, “In my office, there is a guest who is…asleep on my couch-“

“Would you like me to dial for security sir?”

“Oh no, it’s nothing like that!”

“Then how may I be of assistance?”

“Umm, Could you please send somebody up to…” Lowering his voice and he coughed lightly, “move him to my suite?”

“I’m sorry sir, could you please repeat that?”

“…Would it be possible for him to be moved to my suite?”

“Of course sir, and might I ask if you need us to prepare your suite for your guest? Will another towel be necessary? Or a late changing of your sheets?”

“No!” He cried, his fingers white from his tight clutch on the receiver, “No, that shall not be necessary, just please have someone up as quickly as possible.”

“Yes sir, someone will be up to help you shortly.”

“Thank you.” Dropping the receiver back in its holder he tentatively ambled back to Wataru.

“What’ve I gotten myself into?”  Bending down, he gently brushed aside the golden hair covering his face and studied Wataru’s features intently, and watched Wataru’s mouth open and close slightly with each breath he took, “He’s so relaxed…“I feel like some sort of pervert…”

Nakahashi yelped and fell backwards as Wataru groaned and nudging his head forward so that their faces were almost touching. Wataru’s mouth quirked into a smile and relaxed completely snuggling the suit and bringing it up to his face and nuzzling it like a child nuzzles their favorite toy, mumbled, “Naka-kun, smell good…” and returned to his comatose like slumber.

“Naka-kun?” Nakahashi stared at the drooling golden haired Adonis snoring away on his couch, “Nakahashi-kun?” “Is he dreaming about me?” Blushing intensely he moved back to his previous position and whispered into his ear, “Say it again. Say Naka-kun again.” Leaning in once again he traced Wataru’s light pink lips with his finger and though they were gathering drool at their corners, they seemed just as inviting as before.

“Say my name please…” Closing his eyes, Nakahashi tenderly kissed Wataru’s forehead, his eyelids and slowly moved down to the nape of his neck, he paused at the lips waiting for to see if there’d be any response to his affections, but Wataru remained in his comatose slumber.

“If there is a god, please let him forgive me for all this.”  Nakahashi thought as he pressed his lips softly against Wataru’s, they were soft and tasted sweetly of wine.  The sensation of their lips meeting was euphoric and stroked a fire deep within the pits of Nakahashi’s stomach. Wataru stirred a bit, and without waking his mouth began to move along in unison with the movements of Nakahashi’s. Tilting Wataru’s chin up and his placing his hands on either side of Wataru’s shoulders, Nakahashi deepened the kiss much to Wataru’s apparent pleasure. Then, Nakahashi’s mind went blank, the tingling from their feeling completely scorched on the inside he was surprised to find that Wataru’s kiss, even while asleep, was incredibly passionate and “effective”, with each subconscious moan and mumbled syllable of his name Nakahashi grew bolder in their embrace. He almost neglected to here the knocks at his door as the room service had arrived. Ending their kiss, Nakahashi pulled back and smiled crookedly as Wataru frowned his lips pursuing and un-pursing searching for the source of the heat that had enveloped them moments ago.

“Naka, where’d you go?” He heard Wataru mutter, as he stood up to go open the door, his face burned as he bent over and gave Wataru’s lip one final peck, ruffled his hair and whispered “I’m right here, you stupid kid, you just sleep.”

Opening the door, he watched the room service guys to enter and quietly lift Wataru, who was still clutching his suit like a newborn and carry him with ease all the way to his suite where they let his body fall gently into canopy bed, his head placed comfortably against the goose feathered pillows. Tipping the men, he thanked them for their help and shut the door behind them leaning against the door, he remembered that he still had a party to attend, glancing at the now snoring body on his bed, he smirked and shrugged “I’ll see you around anyway Wata-kun. Sleep tight.” Quickly straightening his hair and tie in the bathroom, he grabbed as spare suit from his drawer and left shutting the door quietly behind him.

Sunlight drifted in through the partially opened curtains, turning back and forth in the snug bed he was sleeping in, Wataru realized he wouldn’t be going back to sleep anytime soon, sitting up he stretched in the bed and rubbed his eyes vigorously.  Still wearing the clothes he’d had on since the night before, he found himself surrounded by piles of beautiful decorative pillows and soft green comforter sheets, sliding of the large canopy and admired the large room. The theme was obviously green in the bedroom as everything in the room from the pale olive wall color to the dark forest green of the carpeted floor varied in shades of green. There were two additional rooms; one was a sort of dining room with white walls inscribed with golden ivy vines where a large television was hung up on the wall in front of the table and at the end of the table there were large pale yellow curtains that covered a huge door leading to balcony. The other room, was obviously a bathroom but it had a large Jacuzzi bathtub with a whirling water switch and a “step-in” shower where a glass screen had been fit to have a TV built into it’s wall. “Who watches television when they shower? Jeez, what a waste of a television.” The rest of the bathroom was pretty standard but they cream colored ceramic tiles really made it look dazzling.

“That being said…” Striding back into the dining hall and examining the extravagant room, “Why am I in here?” A light tapping at the door disrupted his thoughts.

“Ex-cu-se me, Mr. Fu –yo-ri?” Inquired the maid, when he opened the door she pronounced every syllable then looked up at him and beamed.

“Does she think I’m some sort of illiterate idiot because I have an Asian name?”

“Yes, that would be me? Are you here to clean the sheets?”  Spitting out every syllable just as slowly.

She cringed, her hands began to tremble as his light green eyes shot daggers at her, “Yes, well um, no, I’m not here to clean, I mean I am, but…” Taking the small envelope she’d been holding out with her trembling hand, he watched with amusement as she hurried back down the hall with her giant yellow cleaning cart.

Chuckling, he closed the door to the room, he went out to sit on the balcony. It wasps beautiful and captivating as the view from Nakahashi’s office but , as he dangled his legs through the black iron rails that were preventing from falling off and feeling that warm summer breeze flowing thorough his hair, he decided that the balcony was ten times better.  Ripping open the envelope, it read:

Dear Fuyori-san,

I’m afraid last night you had a bit of a mishap in regards to maintaining your conscience state  while presenting your photos to me. I hope it wasn’t to bold of me, but I had you placed in my suite and you spent the night there. I’m sorry I cannot be present to review the photos with you this morning, but as you know today is the second day of our new store’s grand opening campaign, so I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone our next meeting until next time. I hope we can continue to work well together, feel free to contact me anytime and I’ll have my secretary arrange a meeting for just the two of us. Till then airplane boy, I look forward to our next meeting.

Best regards, President Nakahashi Amamiya (the one with silver eyes)

Crumpling up the paper in embarrassed frustration and throwing it back into the apartment he stuck his head in between the rails and pouted. “What on earth did I do after that? I can’t even remember!” His brain boiled trying to recall what happened after he’d let slip his “airplane boy”, identity he smacked himself in the forehead, “What was I thinking! How could I get so drunk?” Pulling his head out from between the rails he slid his feet back onto the balcony and went inside. Sitting on the couch in the living room he grabbed his satchel and rifled through the bag till he found his cell phone.  “Hopefully Miles is awake by now.”

 

To: Miles                                      

4/8/2013    11:44

Subject: Come and get me you unfaithful ass

Message:

You left me all alone last night, when you told me you wouldn’t. See if I ever invite you out ever again, pssh, some date you were. Anyway, come and get me, I’m still in the hotel and I’m hung over, and you’re the one nursing me back to health. All of this is your fault. Be here in 20, I’ll be waiting.

Wataru (your jilted lover) (4/8/2013    11:44am)

Leaning backwards letting his head hit the base of the bed, Wataru closed his eyes and let out and exasperated breath. He thought of Nakahashi’s surprised face after he’d supposedly passed out, “If I’d fallen on the floor I’d probably have some bruises or something right? But, nothing hurts…did he catch me?” Redressing himself in the couch, he imagined Nakahashi carrying him into the suite and placing him gently on the plush bed, his lips began to tingle intensely, picturing the older man slightly bent over him and leaning over his body to kiss him gently, the faint smell of tobacco and a faint musk filling nostrils as he felt Nakahashi’s lips move down from his mouth to graze over the sensitive spots around the nape of his neck.  Letting his mind wander, he felt Nakahashi’s hands moving up and down his skin and his silvered eyed gaze lit up with passion as he also became aroused.

“Humm—Wait!” “Why on earth am I getting turned on here? What’s wrong with me?”  He opened his eyes and put his head between his knees, “That’s right Wataru, Nakahashi is a BUSINESS PARTNER! Aha ahahahaha!” Body shaking and eyebrows furrowed together, his erratic laughter filled the air with self-inflicted tension. “What on earth is wrong with me?”  Head hung over in despair he checked his phone. He had one new message from Miles:

To: Wata-melon                                                     4/8/2013    11:53

Subject: RE: Come and get me you unfaithful ass

Message:

OH DEAREST LOVER FORGIVE ME, *leans you backwards like that move in the tango, leans in real close and whispers* I’m sorry my love, I shall never leave you again.  Just kidding, and fine I’ll come save you from your dungeon. Which by the way, totally isn’t a dungeon cause you’re in one of the finest rooms in the Ritz. Jeez, you should be grateful that I lost you! I’ll be there in five, get your dress on my lady I don’t want to open the door to see you in an indecent state.

 

To: Miles                                                              4/8/2013    11:52

Subject: RE: Come and get me you unfaithful ass

Message:

*Waits patiently in tower for absolutely brain dead prince “charming” to come get her with his dashing blue horse (aka your ugly stinking Prius)* You’re late enough as it is, no need for the snaky role play. Besides, who’s indecent? I’m totally dressed, and how do you know that I’m in Nakahashi’s suite?

Wataru (you hung-over and totally annoyed princess)

To: Wata-melon                                                     4/8/2013    12:04

Subject: RE: Come and get me you unfaithful ass

Message:

A prince is never late, his princess is simply early. I got an email from his secretary this morning; I was able to get back home last night to check it. It basically says, that the photo presentation was disturbed due to very vague reasons. But wow, you’re telling me he got you up to his suite? Jeez, I know you’re in love with him but you were pretty easy weren’t you? How much did you actually drink last night? Did you get to confess?

Miles (I’m in on my way to your room)

To:Miles                                                              4/8/2013    12:06

Subject: RE: Come and get me you unfaithful ass

Message:

WHAT ON EARTH DO YO…

Three knocks on the door, letting Miles in, Wataru deleted the unfinished text message. Miles stood in the doorway, casual his denim jeans and white t-shirt totally contrasting with the intricate and elegant design of the room. Sweeping off his black fedora, Miles bowed and took his hand, “Your prince has arrived my lady,” he smirked as Wataru whacked him, “So? How was it?”

“I have no idea how you found out about my feelings for Nakahashi and I don’t particularly care, but--“

“I may or may not have witnessed your absolutely horridly red colored,” Miles tapped his cheeks and Wataru felt his own heat up, “and stuttered introduction to the president. Put anyone else in front of Nakahashi, sure they’d be nervous but they wouldn’t be blushing like a bride on her wedding day at every word he’d said. Plus you said someone from your country was going to be at that party, Nakahashi was the only Japanese guy that I’d seen in the ballroom that wasn’t completely irrelevant or in a couple so, put two and two together and it was pretty obvious that he’s that old Japanese girlfriend you were talking about.” He shrugged nonchalantly and grinned at his own cleverness.

“If you’re talking about sex,” Wataru continued glaring at him, hearing Mile’s laugh while he grabbed his satchel and scanned the room for any other forgotten objects, “there wasn’t any because, one I didn’t get to confess, two Nakahashi would never do something like that because he’s probably straight, and three.,” Whacking Miles again roughly with his arm, “Because I passed out!” He picked his beanie up off the bedroom floor and continued his room check.

Miles’s knees buckled as he began laughing, tears had even managed to find their way to the corners of his eyes and dribble down his cheeks, he repeatedly hit his thigh, his laughter grew softer and softer as he lost his breathe. Wataru rolled his eyes and went to check in the other rooms for stuff he’d forgotten.

“Oh, my, goodness, you are such a kid!” Wiping away the remainders Miles stood up and walked over to the bed, he quirked his eyebrow as he picked up a black suit coat that was mixed up in the jumble of sheets around the bed. A smug crooked smile stretched across his face, “No sex, huh? You’re sure about that?”

“Of course I’m sure you dolt, you think I wouldn’t notice if I had-“ Striding back into the bedroom he stopped in his tracks as he saw the coat, “Is that yours?”

Miles shook his head, his eyes glowing even brighter with obvious and devious amusement.

“Didn’t think so…” He mumbled softly snatching the coat out Miles’s hands, “Get your grubby mitts off of it, I have to return this, it looks really expensive…” He slid the cloth around in his fingers, forgetting Miles’s cocky smile and hesitantly sniffed it. Indulging in the feel and the scent of the coat, Wataru distinguished the traces of Nakahashi’s smoky fragrance mixed with light hints of alcohol that lingered on the fabric making him recall his morning daydream. His face heated up with embarrassment and frustration when he saw Miles stifling a chuckle with his elbow.  He threw a pillow and knocked his friend’s fedora right off his head.

“Let’s just go!” Tugging his beanie over his disheveled bed-head with one hand, clutching the coat tightly against his chest he stalked out of the room.

“You are so flipping weird, you’re like what stalkers are before they become stalkers in the first place.” Miles called, chuckling while he shook his head slowly, closing the door to the suite and followed his flustered friend down the hall.

“Oh shut up already you lousy prince and take me home. I need an Advil, your disgusting laughter has plagued me with a serious headache.”

“As my lady wishes.” Miles snickered as Wataru’s loud and annoyed groan echoed through the hallways.

“You and your stupid role playing I swear.”

“I only do it with those I love most,” He pulled Wataru closer by draping his arms around his shoulder, “Right, princess-san?”

“That’s 姫様 to you peasant.” Both of them grinning they checked out of the hotel, each of them cracking a silly royalty joke here and there while Miles drove him home. After walking up four flights of dirtied warehouse stairs with a wicked hangover, Wataru opened to doors to his loft, took off his shoes, dropped his satchel next to his own couch and with the suit coat in hand plopped down onto his bed. “At least I’ll get to see him again…” He thought bringing the coat back up to his nose and inhaling. “Next time I won’t mess up…I can’t wait to see you again Nakahashi…” Closing his eyes he pulled his blankets around him and slept.

Chapter 12: …

Wataru’s smile shone brightly in the sunlight his laughter making the flowers flair up around them, the grass was green and comfortable, and pink cherry blossom petals rained down from the trees above, isolated on an old country field in his hometown Nakahashi served Wataru some tea and fed him little Japanese pastries. With every bite the cute blond took, Nakahashi thought he kept getting more and more adorable.

“Naka-kun, I love you!” Wataru smiled and leaned forward so that Nakahashi could kiss the crumbs that he’d purposefully left on his lips. Their lips met and the scenery changed they were exiting a haunted house ride at a carnival and Wataru’s light mossy green eyes were filled with tears, “Naka-kun, that was so scary! I was so glad that you were there to protect me from all those scary monsters!” Nakahashi pulled him into his arms and kissed the top of Wataru’s head as the young man nuzzled himself against his chest. He held him close and Wataru looked up at him his wide eyes now dazed; he leaned up and kissed him

“I’d never let anything happen to you Fuyori-san.” Nakahashi whispered into his ear softly, breaking their kiss momentarily. Another scene change, and now they were lying in his apartment kissing on his couch as they “watched” a horror movie. This time Wataru seemed distracted and Nakahashi stopped, concern filled his voice as his partner shifted underneath him with unease, “What’s wrong Fuyori? Did I do something wrong?”

Wataru slid out from under him and tapped his lips lightly, reaching up he pull his hand tenderly through his black hair “No, I mean, it’s nothing Naka-kun just my name…” Wataru shifted positions and was now straddling him.

“Hmm? What about it?” Caressing his face with his two hands he felt Wataru push his cheeks against the warmth of his palms.

“My name, you always call me, Fuyori-san like we’re back in Japan.” He blushed his face heating up and buried his head in the nape of his neck, “Can’t we call each other by our first names instead?”

He grabbed Wataru’s chin with index finger and thumb and pecked him lightly on the lips, watching as Wataru’s eyes opened and looked at him expectantly.

“Alright, then from on I’ll call you Wataru-“

“Wata-kun!” Eyes brimming with happiness Wataru threw his arms around Nakahashi and locked lips with him excitement guiding their embrace; scene change they were now in a bed---

“Sir?” Stevens tapped him lightly rousing him from his nap; imprints of folders lined his crumpled face. “Sir, do you just want to take the day off? You seem exhausted and you’ve been working non-stop for a week…all of your appointments were cancelled today, because you wouldn’t wake up earlier, so you’re basically free to-- ”

“Wataru? Where’d you go?” He mumbled disoriented, squinted and his eyes focused on a dark green suit, then he the outline distinguished his secretary’s face, “Stevens? What on earth are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be…at work?” He sat up, his desk and his piles of paperwork were amassed around him, and he realized he’d fallen asleep for the fourth time that day while working, “I fell asleep again, didn’t I?”  Stevens nodded tentatively as he pulled off a paperclip stuck to his forehead. He let out an exasperated breath and massaged his temples. “Stevens?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Please arrange an appointment with my masseuse, I’ll need at least an hour, and as for the meetings, ” Stevens opened his agenda and hastily started writing in the rescheduled appointments and when he was about to shut the books and go back to his desk, Nakahashi added “Oh, and Stevens?”

“Yes, Sir?”

“Please bring me some coffee and arrange a meeting with Mr. Fuyori from the photography company it’s urgent. Have him meet me at that restaurant I like, you know…what’s the name?” He waved his hand in the air and prompted Stevens to flip through his agenda.

“Uh, that would be Aureole? Right?”

“Yes that one, please make reservations for two tonight if at all possible.”

“Alright Sir, but what if Mr. Fuyori isn’t available?” He pushed his glasses up, and clearly puzzled he thought, “Mr. Nakahashi only takes his high class female business associates to Aureole…why on earth would he want to take a young man from a photography company there?”

Nakahashi let his head fall and hit the desk with a loud “bang”, Waving his hand towards the door and with a tired voice muttered, “Please just figure something out Stevens, I just need to meet with him soon.”

“Alright, I’ll let you know by the end of today if he’ll accompany you this evening to Aureole…” Stevens grasped the doorknob to go back to his office but hesitantly turn around, “Sir,” he beseeched, “If you’re not feeling well enough to work right now, please consider taking a quick repose on your couch? I’m sure it’ll do you some good.” Closing the door lightly he hurried out of the office.

“The problem isn’t falling asleep it’s staying awake.” Nakahashi thought as he began filing through the hundreds of documents on his desk, he groaned and began stacking and reviewing the papers. About thirteen project proposals later; in his boredom he let his thoughts drifted once again to Wataru. “I’ve never been bored at work before, what’s happening to me?” Throwing his pen down he stared out his window in frustration; even the beautiful scenery couldn’t calm him. “I should just tell him how he makes me feel at least that way if my advances disgusted him, he could get away from me before I put myself in a coma because of my desire for him.” He stacked his completed work and handed it to Stevens who came back in with a coffee and an appointment slip from his masseuse and confirmed appointments for three rescheduled meetings.

“Nothing from Fuyori?” He asked burning himself lightly with the scorching beverage.

The secretary picked up the papers he’d stacked for him and scuttled towards the door, “I haven’t called him yet sir, it’s taken me two and a half hours just to re-arrange your agenda, please be patient.”

“I’d like to know within the next hour please.”

“Yes, sir.” Tittering and tottering he made his way through the door and barely managed to close it behind him. The clatter of scattered papers falling from the other side of the door was unmistakable as well as one or two swears following from his usually mild mannered assistant. Nakahashi chuckled and felt himself relax a bit. He’d waited two weeks for Wataru to call, drop by, or at least leave a message, he’d even called his company’s office to schedule a meeting only to be told that Wataru had been sick and was going to take some time off.  “They said he’d be back this week, but the kid hasn’t so much come out from underneath his rock of a hiding place since our meeting…” He frowned and singling out a project proposal and stamped it with his “REJECTED” stamp. “He still has my coat, I mean, I left it there so he’d have to bring it back! I mean I guess I wasn’t too clear about that, but you’d think,” He tossed another file into the garbage angrily and busily started signing un-finalized contracts, “That he’d at least say thank you for it!”  He began slamming down the “REJECTED” stamp on some of his proposals so hard that on one of the forms that the ink began to bleed through the paper. Swearing loudly he tossed the form into his growing re-print pile, letting out a frustrated growl, swerving himself in his chair and slapping his hands over his face, “Why couldn’t he have just been fully awake during that damned kiss? I wouldn’t have to feel like a stupid elementary kid who’s pining after some other stupid kid anymore!” A long sling of swears followed suit before he saw a trembling Stevens gaping at him in the doorway.

Nakahashi drew a deep breath and fiddled with his tie, “What is it Stevens?” he grunted, looking down and aimlessly shifting his papers around his desk.

Stevens’s loud gulp could be heard from the other side of the room, he pointed to the phone and squeaked, “Line two sir, there’s Miss Patrica Lo’ffet, and umm…” he hesitated hearing his boss’s exasperated moan, “Sir?”

“Yes? What else Stevens?”

Smiling tentatively, he shuffled over to Nakahashi’s desk and placed an appointment card in his hand, “You have reservations for two tonight at Aureole, and Mr. Fuyori will be meeting you there at 7:30.”  Bowing lightly he hurried back out of the office, closing the door with a tiny *click * behind him.

Nakahashi stared the little white card blankly for a moment and then felt himself light up and fill with warmth, “He said yes…it’s…a date…sort of. Kind of.” He picked up the card and held it against his chest and sighed softly, closing his eyes “Maybe it wasn’t a date or a meeting but it was something…it was going to happen…tonight!”

“Shoot! I’ve got to finish this work!” Flustered he began to sort out his piles again and straighten up his desk, checking off appointments, files to be sent to the printing company and circled the people he needed to call in his agenda, “I still have to figure out what I’m going to wear and what scent I’m going to put on and…” Face steaming he stopped, he leaned his head against his hand and thought, “Wait, I’m not a girl…what on earth am I saying…” Hearing Stevens chuckling softly on the other side of the door he jerked off his shoe and threw it, it hit the door with a loud *smack* and Stevens yelped, there was a thud once again the sound of a knocked over paperwork resounded from beyond his end of the door.

Nakahashi got up from his desk and opened the double-fogged glass doors to see Stevens groaning and rubbing his behind while he got up from the floor.

“Now, now Stevens.” Nakahashi mocked with a sly smile from his doorway, “One mustn’t take such breaks with all the work we have to do. Please do hurry and clean up this unsavory mess.”

Stevens glared at him and Nakahashi snickered loudly retreating to his office, watching his secretary pick up all the papers with an almost sadistic pleasure through an open door, “That’ll teach you to eavesdrop you little mouse.”  He thought and calmly began finalizing his work. “Till tonight Wataru.”

Chapter 13: Wataru

His trembling hands clutched his cell-phone. He verified that there had indeed been a call five minutes ago where he’d been invited by Nakahashi’s secretary to a special business dinner in one of the finest restaurants in New York City. He gulped loudly, running his fingers through his bed head, glancing down at his ratty white t-shirt and boxers. “This is a dream…there’s no way this is actually happening.” Quickly checking the time on his cell, 4:37, he threw his phone on his wreck of a bed. Stripping, while trying to run into the bathroom he tripped several times before he was able to limp into the small walk in shower. Washing his hair with the sweetest smelling shampoo he could find and scrubbing every inch of his body twice over, he stepped out with his skin glowing a lightly red hue and feeling almost raw. “I wonder if he’ll notice,” he thought, mindlessly plastering himself with a cherry blossom smelling lotion. Wrapping a towel around his waist he dried his hair and spiked it. “I look like a kid.” He scrunched his face with disgust and mused his hair rapidly letting fall around his forehead, “Something’s missing…” Stepping out of the bathroom he opened the draw next to his bed dug out his gray beanie, standing in the doorway of the bathroom he looked in the mirror; patting his hair down flat he shoved his beanie on his head, positioning his bangs so they stuck out in an orderly fashion from under his hat he smiled, “There perfect. He’ll probably think it’s a refreshing younger style! He might even think its attract-…” Wataru gave his head a light slap, “No! Focus!” Pulling on a pair of random boxers and swinging open his wooden wardrobe, he hurriedly began sifting his hands through his numerous suit and tie ensembles, “It’s just a business meeting, just a place for two professionals to meet and discuss business, right? Or maybe it’s something else?” His daydreams popping up, he gripped his suits and pulled them off their hangers, they clumped together at the bottom of the already cluttered wardrobe, “It’s for business, and don’t you dare think otherwise!”  His frog shaped clock’s blinking lime green lights flashed the time, quarter past six, “Forget the suit Wataru!” He growled in annoyance at the wrinkled mass in his closet he’d created. Agitatedly he yanked out a pair of black skinny jeans, a gray short-sleeved vest with black buttons, and a long sleeved white button up shirt, pulling them on quickly he rolled the cuffs of the white shirt up to his elbows.  “Ok, and a tie to stay classy.”  He thought as he knotted a diagonally striped black and white tie around his neck. Throwing the files with the pictures in them, grabbing his keys, cell phone, wallet - he raced out the door to his loft and practically leaped into the taxi waiting for him below. After reciting the address of the restaurant from the piece of paper Stevens had faxed him to the cabbie, Wataru sank back into his seat. His heart racing as they drove over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, the city glittered, the gaggles of people walking around on the streets made the entire borough seem like a crowded party, lights flashed brightly as they maneuvered their way through the myriad streets of Manhattan. Pulling up to a brownstone with an iron gate surrounding it, with a chic heading “AUREOLE” whose letters shone silver, Wataru paid the cabbie and stepped out of the taxi. Looking in through the large glass window, Wataru admired the beautiful and modern styled restaurant, it screamed high class only and its extravagant decor with all its fashioned wood and sculpted iron would probably make any interior designer pass out in awe. Suddenly turning around at the sound of his taxi’s tires as they screeched away from the curb made him uneasy, “Stevens said to go in ahead of Nakahashi if I didn’t see him walking in because otherwise I’d look silly just waiting outside but,” Turning back around to look into what he had thought had been elegance and beauty, Wataru gulped uncomfortably at the sight of the restaurant, “Did he want me to go in ahead because he didn’t want to risk being seen with me?”  He eyed the people sitting inside, their outfits all fit within the black tie dress code perfectly without exception, glancing down at his casual dress he felt a creeping unease, looking again he saw the men in suits laughing at their glamorously gowned female companions in conversation, “There’s probably not two men eating together casually in that restaurant.” He thought, and dismay washed over his entire being. He couldn’t go in there, not with all those people, let alone couples, who’d probably all stare him down, a silly misplaced commoner, Wataru felt his hands tremble against his satchel, which hung on his waist, what would he say to Nakahashi? Maybe Nakahashi would call him foolish and just tell him not to bother with the whole dinner in general and leave him there without a second thought; or maybe he’d make him eat in there anyway because he couldn’t digest anything that his rich palette was used to. “What am I even doing here?” Taking a final glance at the fancy eatery, he crossed to the other side of the street and paced indecisively, “If I leave now Nakahashi’ll probably be insulted, heck he might not even speak to me again!” Squatting down on the steps of another brownstone he leaned his head against the iron railings. “But if I stay, I might embarrass him in front of a whole restaurant of people who might be important clients or friends of his.” Sighing despairingly he watched as a sleek black Porsche parked itself in front of Aureole. A familiar silhouette stepped out and Wataru saw a finely dressed Nakahashi stepping out of his car taking a worried glance at his silver wristwatch and scanning the sidewalk. “Is he looking for me?” Tentatively standing up Wataru slipped behind the cover of a car and watched as Nakahashi paced earnestly in front of Aureole, then stop, open his car door and pull out a bouquet flowers, stare at them, shake his head and then shove them back onto his car seat. “Did he buy me roses? Don’t you buy roses for your girlfriend? Is someone else supposed to be coming? No, Steven’s said a private meeting so…Oh my god. No way.” Wataru grinned and barely contained his laughter as he watched Nakahashi brush the pollen from his suit. “We’re both men, but he bought me roses!” He slid down against the car to the hard concrete sidewalk, “He bought me roses…” Clutching his satchel to his chest he felt his face heat up, and he giggled,  “Amamiya Nakahashi, the president of one of the largest international fashion companies in the world bought me flowers. He’s now worriedly walking in front of a restaurant we’re supposed to be eating at together like a nervous teenage boy waiting for his first date to begin…” He stood up abruptly and waited to cross the street, “And even though I’m a man he seems to like me enough to buy me flowers. I shouldn’t be this nervous, I’ve been gay my entire life and for the first time, the supposedly straight guy I’ve liked is attempting to make the first move.” Standing on the corner, a Rred light, time seems suspended and with every step that follows across the black pavement Wataru feltels his heart beat faster and faster, “Who am I to stick him up on the first date.”  A couple more steps and he’d be face to face with Amamiya Nakahashi, President of Yokohama Threads, a dashing bachelor who’d been sought after by hundreds of wealthy heiresses for years now, the man who’d been kind enough to buy him flowers, the guy who was attempting to spoil him with lavish foods and the one who cared for him when he was completely out of it.  Tapping on his shoulder he smiled widely as Nakahashi turned around and smiled back at him nervously his face turning slightly red as his eyes flitted between his car seat and Wataru.

“Sorry I was late, I-I umm, let’s go inside shall we?” His shy smile amused Wataru as he pulled open the door for Wataru. 

“Thanks.” Wataru stepped into the reception area and standing next to Nakahashi he smiled to himself and thought, “He’s the guy I love.” 

Chapter 14: Nakahashi

Stretching out his arms Nakahashi let out a relieved sigh, he’d completed the urgent half of his work load, “Which makes the rest of my evening a bit less stressful,” he thought kicking off his shoes and loosening his tie gruffly, “Well now all that’s left is dinner, let’s see before I go …” Picking up a pad and pencil he wrote out a basic itinerary for his soiree with Wataru; a calm and beautiful dinner at Aureole, and maybe afterwards they could go for a stroll in Central Park, or a drive to BAM to see a movie or… He threw the notepad into the trashcan next to his desk, “These are all things I’d do with a woman…there’s no way Wataru would want to do all these things with me. What am I even trying to do? He thinks this is a business meeting, not a date.” Pulling his hands behind his head he swiveled around in his black chair to stare out the window. Night time brought the city aliveto life, the crowded streets flocking with tourists and common citizens cramming themselves into the numerous boutiques and eateries that were littered throughout the city each with a smile as their faced as they gazed in awe at the sight of beautifulmesmerizing  lights onf Times Square. 

“I’d love to see him looking at this, he’d go nuts at this, Times Square at night with a full bird’s eye view on the whole thing…” murmured Nakahashi, standing up to press his hand against the glass. The realization hit him like a lighting bolt, “Times Square…at night! Crap, I almost forgot about Wataru!” He tightened his tie once again, quickly slipped on his suit’s coat and wedging his feet into his shoes.

“Stevens I’ve left all the paper work on the table! I’ll be leaving now!” called Nakahashi as he stuffed the rest of the uincompleted forms into his briefcase; flipping out his cell phone he checked the time and groaned, “Shoot, five fifteen, I don’t even have time to change!”  Pressing on the elevator button earnestly he paced in front of the elevator doors. “I really don’t have time for this!” he muttered and turned to take the staircase leading him down to the parking lot. Practically out of breath from sprinting he slid into his Porsche, throwing his briefcase in the back seat he rammed his key into the ignition and sped out of the garage; which was pointless as the moment he exited the garage he was met by some serious traffic.

After pulling out of the swarm of cars that had been encircling him for the past hour he drove through the smaller streets after deciding to follow the instructions his GPS was giving him. “Leave it to you Amamiya Nakahashi, leave it to you to forget about something you’ve been daydreaming about all day, and leave it to you to forget about New York City’s rush hour times!”  He banged his head against the steering wheel, “He might even be ticked that I’m this late.” Nakahashi gazed at all of the small stores he kept driving by their multi-colored awnings blending together as they zipped by.  Halting at yet another red light he noticed a white and lavender striped awning sticking out, it was a flower shop; with hundreds of colorful flowers poking out of decorative pots and vases in the store front, the petals of older wilting flowers scattered on the pavement, intricate flower arrangements filled top shelves in the flower shop display window and a large bunch of roses caught his attention. “Six thirty four…I have some time to take a quick look if I hurry…” Hhe thought, indicating left and double parking in front of the shop. Ducking inside he swept aside the ivy vines that were dangling down from the doorframe; he heard the tinkle of chimes and the door behind him clicked softly, keeping an eye on his car out front he walked up to the glass counter and dinged the little bell.

“Hello? I’m here to ask about the roses in the front display?” 

A small sweet faced, wiry woman with mousey brown hair poked her head out from behind the leaves of some sort of red-berried bush, “Yes? Would you like to see them?” 

Nakahashi nodded fervently, “Please.” 

 The woman smiled politely and dusted the dirt off her gloves on her brown apron, “Just one second,” she stepped on a little step ladder and took the roses from their perch, handing them to Nakahashi, “Here you go.” 

He took them carefully making sure they were de-thorned before taking them, “Fuyori would definitely love these.” Rubbing and smoothing out the waxy petals between his fingers, their opened buds the color of bright cherry red made them “pop”, and their aroma was sweet and pungent. 

“I’ll take them,” Gently placing them on the counter he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. “And would it possible to wrap them? I’ll just carry the vase.” 

 “Is it a special occasion?” Inquired the woman, breaking his moment of admiration for the flowers. “Usually husbands only buy those kinds of roses when it’s an anniversary,” then she winked, “Or if they’re in big trouble.” Sliding behind the counter to sit on a little stool she leaned on her palms and tapped in the total on the register.

“What?” She giggled softly at his raised eyebrows, taking the money he held out to her.

“The roses? I mean these are for that someone you’re datingspecial right? I mean if you don’t mind me asking.”  There was a loud tearing noise as she ripped the white wrapping paper off its roller with a great tug. 

 “No…I don’t mind you asking,” Nakahashi shrugged scratching his head, “There not for my wife, I’m not married. And I don’t have a girlfriend either.” 

“Oh is that so? So why the extravagant, expensive flowers?” Placing each stem with precision she pulled the paper over them and formed a cone. Taping the gift-wrap closed, she gently strung a pink ribbon around the bouquet end and knotted it in a flower shape. Turning towards him she handed him a large bag with the vase in it and laid the flowers in his cradled arms. 

Nakahashi smiled thinly, “Now, that I do mind answering and I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut our little conversation short, but I’m already late and I’m double parked.” 

The woman laughed, “ Alright well, I wish you the best luck, have a nice night and do come again!” She waved lightly and he left. 

“Like hell I’ll come again you noisy florist,” he grumbled placing the roses in the front seat and the vase on the car floor. Stepping back into the car, he indicated and pulled out of the bike lane.  The roses jostled around in the passenger’s seat, Nakahashi eyes shifted from the road to them, and he scoffed,  “Why would it be weird for me to buy flowers for Wataru? So, what if we’re men? If I wanted to congratulate another male co-worker I’d buy him flowers too!”  “Except I don’t have these kinds of feelings for another co-worker…whatever this kind of feeling is.” He drummed on the steering wheel; “Being attracted to a man…I know that women are just not an option for me at this point, but a man?”  “Oh, Miya how the mighty have fallen.”  He thought, glaring at the roses as he parked in front of Aureole, he stared at the flowers, the anticipationattention he’d had to given to them tohad made Wataru had completely evaporated, “I mean I could just give them to him as ato say congratulations on the good work he’s done. Right? No big deal, and no need to waste them.” Picking them up he held them in front of his face loosely by the end of their stems and let them fall back on the passenger’s seat with a thud, a cloud of their aroma washing over him. “Forget it.” Opening the door he got of his car, “And as predicted I’m late.” Pushing back his sleeve he checked the time on his watch, “ 7:27, wow almost a half an hour late: congratulations Nakahashi you’re an idiot.” Scanning the block he saw no sign of Wataru, “Steven’s probably told him to go in…but he doesn’t know that the reservation name is under the company’s name, so he couldn’t have gone inside.” The street was practically empty, Nakahashi pouted “Maybe he didn’t see me and decided to just go home.” Turning to his car he opened the door to the passengers seat and pulled out the roses, “Maybe he would’ve accepted them as an I’m sorry for being this late,” Brushing back his hair he looked around once again, Wataru was definitely gone. Throwing the roses back on the car seat he shut the door gently, and stared at the restaurant, it’s usual elegance was lost on him as a sense of loneliness swept over him. Then he felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around “Wataru, he came!” He smiled and felt his face heat up, all of those ridiculous thoughts that had clouded his head seemed silly and irrelevant now that Wataru was standing before him. “Give him the roses! Or, wait it’ll be weird if I take them out now, right?” “Sorry I was late, I-I umm, let’s go inside shall we?”  Holding the door open, Wataru went through before him and he heard a light chuckle escaping Wataru’s lips, “Well at least he thinks I’m funny.”  Giving the hostess the company’s name, she led them to a secluded table in the front of the restaurant.  She pulled back their chairs and seated the both of them quickly, saying that their waiter would be with them momentarily and promptly left. Nakahashi stared down at his utensils and fidgeted nervously in his seat, the sounds of clinking pans and plates barely interrupted the heavy silence that had cloaked fell over their table. Nakahashi looked up and met Wataru’s gaze, his gently smiling face light up by the soft glow of the restaurants dimmed light fixtures. Nakahashi quietly sucked in a breath breaking eye contact, “This isn’t the first date/business meeting you’ve ever been on Amamiya, man up!” 

“So, while we’re waiting,” Wataru placed several photos on the table and slid them towards Nakahashi, “I have the portfolio of photos from the opening ceremony, if you’d like to examine them?” His face reddened, and smiling bashfully he added, “Thoroughly this time, I mean.”  Their eyes met, Wataru’s bright grassy irises flooded him with the sensation of warmth and comfort; Nakahashi felt his previous unease melt away, and replaced it with his usual composed playful demeanor. 

“Thoroughly?” The curve of Nakahashi’s lips twitched as he tried to conceal his evident delight at the boy’s embarrassment, picking up two photos of himself, flicking the corner of one the photos he exclaimed, “They’re great, there’s nothing to examine, please feel free to choose whichever print you believe will look the best,”. Slipping the photo’s back in the portfolio, Nakahashi motioned for Wataru to lean forward with a flick of his finger, leaning over the table till their faces were almost touching, Nakahashi whispered into Wataru’s ear brushing the lobe with his lips lightly, “Airplane boy.” 

Nakahashi stifled his laughter as he watched Wataru’s reaction, it was priceless, his gray beanie had almost fallen off as he’d pushed back his chair and slapped his two hands over his ear, now blushing furiously and glaring at Nakahashi. 

 “Welcome to Aureole, my name is Gabriel and I’ll be you’re server this evening,” An African American man in a black and white waiter’s uniform walked up to their table, completely un-phased by the scene occurring before him, he flashed them each a phony smile, and handed them each a menu., “Before you take a look at our wine list and menu would you like to know the specials of this evening?” 

“That won’t be necessary for me,” said Nakahashi passing the menu back to the waiter, “I’ll have the grilled salmon with a side of sautéed peppers, and a glass of Pinot Noire, and that’ll be it for me. Fuyori what would you like?” Face apparently scrunched up in confusion, Wataru shot him a pleading look from behind his menu. “My companion will have the same as me. Thank you very much.” 

“I’ll have someone bring over your wine, if there is anything else I can get you, please don’t hesitate to wave me over.” Gabriel flashed his pearly whites at them once more, spun around on his heel leaving them alone once again. 

“You remembered me…” muttered Wataru as soon as Gabriel was out of earshot.

“Hmm…you’re right, I suppose I did.” Leaning on the table with his head propped up in his palm, Nakahashi cocked his head to the side and narrowed his gaze, “Then again, we’re both guilty in that aspect.”  

“But I was going to tell you, that’s not fair!” 

“What’s not fair?”

“You pretended not to know me, you got to tease me and call me airplane boy, you know my first name and yet you call me Fuyori,” Wataru scrunched up his nose, “Which I hate, by the way, and you had to see me in the worst state! It’s not fair!” 

“Fu-“ Wataru glared at himNakahashi and he grinned, “Wataru-san, if I’d just come out and said, oh! You’re that guy from the airplane, it would’ve been strange and it certainly wouldn’t have had as much of an impact or pleasant aftermath.” 

“Forget the aftermath! Do you realize how worried I was because I thought you’d forgotten about me? Any normal person would’ve said something sooner!” 

“Wataru, no offense we met in front of a bathroom, our circumstances are pretty…unique. Especially at this point, where now we work together.” 

Wataru winced, his confusion visibly hurt about, “That’s how you felt about our meeting?” 

Nakahashi sighed, “No obviously not, I’d never take someone who meant nothing to me to this particular restaurant.”  

“I guess not…” Taking off his beanie, Wataru traced the edges of the crystalline wine glass in front of him. 

“So, it should be obvious that our first meeting didn’t mean nothing to me.”

“Alright,” Wataru cheeks glowed bright pink, trying to hide histhe joy that Nakahashi’s words had, had brought toon him. hHe bowed his head forward allowing several stray strands of his hair to cover his eyes, “Hey, does that mean you’re going to stop calling me airplane boy?”

Nakahashi beamed; stretching his arm across the table he pushed back the hair from Wataru’s face and titled his head till their eyes were staring directly into each other’s eyes,  “Not possible. Never.” The tension was rising…sweetly.

A waiter approached their table, Nakahashi saw him and scoffed leaning back into his own chair., iInto each of their glasses a dark red wine was poured, the red liquid flowed into the crystal glasses and shimmered blood red, “A beautiful combination with the yellow lighting and iron décor,” thought Nakahashi as the waiter wiped the bottle placed in an ice box next to the their table, partially bowed and left. Nakahashi raised his glass and took a leisurely sip from his glass, his eyes never leaving Wataru’s. He watched as Wataru took his glass, jostled it taking in the round and fruity strong alcoholic aroma and take a tentative sip, his eyes widening slowly at the rich aftertaste.

“It’s really good.”

“It’s my favorite.”  Nakahashi confirmed with a smile “Chateauneuf du Pape”. Once again a heavy silence fell over their table, Wataru cupped his glass tightly with his two hands, looking down at the silverware in front of him. A table swarming with chattering women across the room from them erupted in laughter, whilst the restaurant remained calmhushed and collectedelegant. The discomfort apparent in his sullen face, Nakahashi pursed his lips together. 

“Hey, Wataru?” 

“Yes?” Wataru met his eyes quickly, his expression changing immediately, his forced smile burned through Nakshashi’s retinas and he felt his heart clench with sadness.  The attitude Wataru had had when they’d first walked in had completely dissipated.  “He’s pretending to like this place, because I forced him to come, but it’s definitely way out of his comfort zone.” 

“Let’s just go.” 

“What?” 

“Let’s just go! I’ll pay, and have them give it to whoever orders it next for free, it’ll be a random act of kindness per let’s say,” Nakahashi beamed slyly at Wataru’s confused face, a waved a waiter over. 

“Yes, sir?”

“Check please.” 

The waiter looked at the empty table and raised an eyebrow, “Sir, if it’s the service that’s bothering you, please allow me to-“ 

“No, it’s not the service, we’re just not hungry anymore.” He downed the last of the wine in his glass, “So the check if you’d please.” 

“Alright, and the order you placed sir?” 

“Please offer it to the next person who orders it, and tell them it was gratis on my part.” 

“Yes Sir, one moment please.” Taking a mini tablet out of his apron pocket, he tapped in their order, “Credit or cash sir?” 

“Credit.” Handing him a silverblack credit card the waiter swiped it on the attachable appliance that hung from the top of his ipad. 

“Thank you for you patronage we hope to see you again.”

Nakahashi grabbed Wataru by the hand and lead him hurriedly out of the restaurant. Unlocking his car door with the click of a button on his keys, he quickly hid the roses in the back seat and then held open the door for Wataru, who thanked him with a nod and a confused look.  Nakahashi quickly slid into the drivers seat and put the keys in the ignition. 

“That place didn’t look too good, do you have anywhere else in mind we could go?” He asked grinning from ear to ear. 

“That was a five star restaurant Mr. Smiley, it must’ve taken a lot of time to get those reservations and you want to go somewhere else?” 

Adjusting his rearview mirror, Nakahashi shrugged, “Eh, that place was getting loud and I’ve eaten there too often.” Placing the car in reverse he pulled out of his spot, drove up to the red light, and without taking his eyes of the road, ruffled Wataru’s hair reassuringly  “Now, I’m hungry and you’re hungry, so let’s hear about that restaurant of yours shall we?” 

Wataru stared at him, momentarily speechless and cracked a small smile; taking his beanie out of his pocket he swatted away Nakahashi’s hand and tugged the gray hat over his head. 

“Turn left over there and take the bridge we’re going to downtown Brooklyn.” 

“You go there often?”

“No, well yes, I live there.”

 Nakahashi’s smile faded, his lightly flushed face barely visible in the dark that came with the evening, “ We’re going to your house?” 

Wataru smiled coyly and winked, “No, but we’re going to a little eatery two blocks away,” nudging him lightly he whispered into his ear, “But you might be able to see itmy place if you get lucky.”  Hearing Nakahashi’s audible gulp, Wataru broke out in laughter. All of the tension from Aureole was gone. Nakahashi, though still quite a bit flustered, relaxed in his seat and watched out of the corner of his eye with endearment, the object of his affection had begun to feel more comfortable in his environment and he couldn’t ask for moree. Nakahashi sighed, shaking his head and thought, “And here I thought I was hard to please. Look at what you’ve done kid.”  Wataru wiped away the tears that were gliding their way down his cheeks and Nakahashi felt his heart swell. “Still, when you think about it. Seeing someone you, love, cry tears of joy, it’s probably the most gratifying thing in the world.” His eyebrows furrowed together in annoyance, “Love? Remember where that got you last time Amamiya. StayRemain careful.” 

Wataru’s finger was suddenly smoothing out the creases between his eyebrows, “Don’t do that,” he scolded, “the wrinkles will stay and you’ll look like an old man in no time.” 

Nakahashi looked at him, and Wataru looked at him, after a moment of awkward staring their laughter echoed throughout the car Wataru’s smile continuously warming his heart, Nakahashi couldn’t help but hear a voice in his head screaming, “Stay cautious!” 

After about two an hours of small talk and playful banter later, they were seated and eating in one of the smallest restaurants Nakahashi had ever seen. It was built in the interior of an old warehouse, the lights were fitted to shine a dim blue and there were pool tables set up at the far end of the restaurant. They were sitting next to the bar in the designated dining spot a little ways off from the dance floor. The cram of all the people within the eatery was ridiculous, but welcoming. “It’s just a nice place to hang out,” scanning the crowd he noticed that most of the patrons of this particular food joint were people of his age, “I mean, if you’re a normal 33 year old person that is and not responsible for a large company that would crumble in your absence…” Nakahashi rolled his eyes at his thoughts; taking a large bite of his sandwich, he practically choked when Wataru tried to do the same and ended up with sauce dribbling down his chin and his cheeks stuffed with food. 

Forcing the food to go down, heNakahashi joked, “You look like a squirrel!” 

Wataru’s bulging face almost burst as he tried to make a smile but ended up letting more sauce fall out and glide down his chin.  

“Oh my god, you’re a child.” Nakahashi grabbed his napkin and dabbed the accumulating mess that was forming on Wataru’s shirt. Wataru chewed slowly and swallowed the bite, staying perfectly still and watching as Nakahashi dabbed at his shirt. 

“Hey Nakahashi…” 

“Yes?” 

“Want to come over to my place tonight?” 

Chapter 15:…

Nakahashi froze, looking up from the mess on Wataru’s shirt he sat back down in his chair maintaining eye contact. Wataru shook his head and waved his hands in front of him, “No, I mean, because we’ve been drinking and you…you probably sh-shouldn’t drive and I mean I’m just…uh…” His face turned cherry red, standing up abruptly he muttered, “I’m going to the bathroom I’ll be right back.” 

Pushing his way through the crowded dance floor, Wataru made his way to the bathroom and locked himself inside. The smell of cleaning products burned his nostrils a little., Llooking at himself in the mirror, he brushed the little white spots on his vest where the sauce had fallen and felt his pulse speed up.  “Why’d I ask him to come up? Everything was going so well!” Feeling his eyes well up with tears he sat on the toilet and putting his head between his hands, “Deep breaths Wata, deep breaths, you can’t come out of here crying or with red eyes. Or anything, just let this be a normal date.” Closing his eyes, he thought about the entire night, how Nakahashi was like his knight in shinning armor and saved him from his own anxiety in Aureole and how’d they’d basically spent the night, joking and basically telling each other that they loved each other and felt a special connection between the two of them. “But then I had to go and ruin it. Maybe I misinterpreted everything…” Pulling his feet up onto the seat as well he squeezed his knees to his chest tightly murmuring, “Maybe, it was just my imagination, I mean someone who’s interested in the other person, would be ecstatic about going to their house right? Especially guys!”   He heard the break in his breathing and the light taste of salted water in his mouth and felt his body quake as he cried softly. “I just want him to like me…” 

A loud rap came on the door and someone yelled, “Hurry up in there!” 

“I’ll be out in a second!” He sniffed, slowly getting up and wiping away the tear marks from his face with his shirt. “My face is a mess again. Just like last time except less red.” Quickly splashing his face with water, he unlocked the door and stepped out of the bathroom letting the guy who was waiting shove his way past him. Looking over at their table, Wataru couldn’t see Nakahashi, “Did he leave?” 

Scanning the dozens of people crowding the dance floor he caught sight of Nakahashi’s back tucking his card into his back pocket as he left the restaurant. 

“Nakahashi?” Mouthed Wataru, he shoved his way through the jumble of people, their pungent aroma slamming the roof of his nose, he thought over and over“Nakahashi wait. Wait for me please.” Running out of the bar he ran over to where Nakahashi had parked his car; in the spot there was now an old Toyota.  “How do you even walk that fast!” he yelled at the Toyota, slamming the door with his palm, “Ow! Damn it!” Clutching his burning palm he felt his eyes swell with tears again, “I thought we were having fun…” he hiccupped dragging his feet back to the restaurant, he walked around the block, “Where’d you go?”  Sitting down on the bench outside of the restaurant he swiped away with his tears roughly, “Why am I even crying, it’s my fault that he left anyway.” “Who invites someone they’ve practically just met to their apartments anyways? Serial killers, that’s who. Plus,” he let out a scornful chuckle, “ He probably thought I was joking about it in the car, he didn’t think I’d actually go through with it. Right? I mean who would!” Laughter transforming slowly into low monotone sobs he gazed at the red walls of the buildings around him. Vision blurring, an onslaught of tears overtook him and a wave of despair overtook him. A group of people with the guy who’d gone to bathroom after him walked out of the bar, eyeing him awkwardly as they crossed the street. Wataru could hear the man’s friends laughter at his snide comment, “I think maybe his boyfriend broke up with him. Talk about manning up.” 

“Oh shut up!” Wataru screamed at them, voice cracking he watched them scurry off giggling, and screaming insults like “Fag!” and “Weirdo!” at him. “Jerks…” he thought, Face now streaked with tears and body shuddering as his hiccups ransacked his posture, he covered his face with his hands and sobbed softly, “Amamiya tell me, please, where on earth did you go?” 

“Well, they weren’t very nice were they?”  Wataru looked up, Nakahashi stood before him twirling his keys, and smoking a cigarette. His stormy eyes were glittering with anger looking after the crowd of people. “You ok?” Wataru nodded, Nakahashi’s eyes had no sooner started glowing with mirth from anger as he watched Wataru’s body shake at the strength of his hiccups and his tear streaked face burn red. “I went to move the car, we were in a no parking zone and obviously,” taking the cigarette out of his mouth he crushed it under his feet. “To buy cigarettes.”  Nakahashi ruffled his through his beanie,  “And even if I had left, there’s no need to cry, we’re working together now. We would’ve seen each other on Monday, I didn’t think you liked me sothat much airplane boy,” Nakahashi joked, but his smile faded as without saying a word, Wataru stood up grabbed Nakahashi’s suit front and clung to him tightly, his tears leaving wet marks on Nakahashi’s shirt. 

Nakahashi sighed and wrapped his arms around Wataru and hesitantly pressed a kiss against Wataru’s forehead. Pulling on his lapels even tighter, Wataru leaned up and kissed him lightly on the lips. Nakahashi looked back at him, silver eyes and mouth agape with astonishment, but the expression disappeared when Wataru kissed him again. 

“Take me with you.” 

“I promise I will next time. I’ll take you everywhere you need to go.” Nakahashi smiled down at Wataru gently, tightening his embrace. Wataru sniffled once again and leaned into kiss Nakahashi once more, but before he could, Nakahashi blocked his lips with his fingers and shook his head at the sudden reappearance of teas gathering the corner of Wataru’s eyes. 

“I do like kissing you, but right now,” Wiping away the two tears that were already sliding down his cheeks, Nakahashi gave him a little peck in between the bridge of his eyebrows, “You’re kisses are too salty.”  

Laughing softly as he pressed his head against Nakahashi’s chest, Wataru closed his eyes, he let out a relieved sigh. He felt so young…Upon opening he his eyes and looking around he noticed some people staring at them.  His face burned with embarrassment and he let go of Nakahashi. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing,” Wataru said, glaring at the unwelcome onlookers briefly he grabbed Nakahashi’s hand and pulled him towards him. 

“Remember what I said about how you might get lucky and get to see my apartment?”  Even in the cover of night, the pink glow that Nakahashi’s cheeks were emitting was so evident that Wataru couldn’t contain a smug grin. 

“Oh shut up.” Nakahashi grumbled.

“Pssh, I didn’t say anything Señnor Blush,” Giving his hand a little squeeze, Wataru winked making Nakahashi groaned and roll his eyes, Wataru laughed, “Come on I’ll show you how to get to my place.” 

Leading him through the twist and numerous turns of the Dumbo streets, even stopping to point out some of the older land marks like the cobblestone streets, industrial tracks andor old textile factory, Wataru lead Nakahashi through the maze of identical old historical red bricked warehouse buildings that Dumbo was famous for. Stopping beside a warehouse almost directly under the bridge Wataru pulled a key out of his pocket. The scent of musty old newspaper and garbage upon opening the door made Nakahashi reel back in disgust and cover his mouth with his arm.

“We’re going to my place next time.” He muttered darkly, Wataru beamed at him, pinched his noise and they ran up the next three flights of stairs together, “Don’t worry I promise you that my apartment smells a thousand times better than this. And, ” Hhe added wiggling his fingers, and pulling open the door that lead to the fourth floor, “It also supplies the victims of the awful staircase stench with free red wine.” 

Nakahashi’s face was hidden and the only thing that Wataru saw was his raised eyebrow quirking upward, “Promise?” he panted dropping his arm and leaning forward on his knees to catch his breath. 

“Promise, now come on it’s this way.” The stentch of moldy paper grew weaker the deeper they went into the building.  Walking slowly across the empty “gallery” space that filled most of the building Wataru turned left and stopped in front of a dark red door that’d been decorated with black Japanese proverbs and golden ivy vines. 

“It’sThat’s amazing,” said Nakahashi tracing the letters with his hands, “They let you do this here?” 

“Yeah, the landlord saw I was having a rough time when I first got here and he let me do it.” Wataru put his hand on the door and stared at it nostalgically. 

“Rough time? I thought you were already a big success when you came to New York.” Nakahashi’s concern was audible and his eyebrows furrowed together. 

Smoothing out the wrinkling betweens Nakahashi’s eyebrows, he inched closer to the well dressed man and whispered, “I was already successful, but it was more a rough time in the romantic sense,” Leaning up, and stopping in front of Nakahashi’s lips, he continued, “I met this guy on a plane and I was positive I was never going to see him again and it really got to me.”  

Nakahashi lowered his eyebrows, placing one arm against the door and the other around Wataru’s waist he met Wataru’s gaze and leaning in asked softly, “Oh really?” 

“Yeah, I had some serious feelings for the guy, which was weird cause we only talked for a moment.”

“Like love at first sight?” 

“Yeah, something like that.” 

“So, what would you have wanted to say to the guy, if you’d just had the exact date we’d just had?” 

Wataru leaned in kissing Nakahashi lightly who pushed him lightly against the door, placing his leg between Wataru’s and deepened the kiss., Wataru saw red his ’s thoughts getting completely mangled at the heat building up between the two of them. Breaking the kiss to catch his breath, Wataru panted, “Well, I’d say three things, for one thing, that he’s an incredible kisser,” Nakahashi smirked and placed a kiss on his forehead, “Two, be that as it may, there’s much more fun to be had inside and apartment with a bed than in a hallway where anyone might walk in on us.”

 Nakahashi shrugged, nipping Wataru’s bottom lip and muttered, “Repairable collateral damage.” 

“And the third thing I’d say, you’re going to want to pay attention to this one,” Wataru moaned as Nakahashi kissed the nape of his neck, “Look at me, come help me out here.” Caressing Nakahashi’s face as he looked up, Wataru kissed him softly, holding Nakahashi’s gaze Wataru thought his eyes resembled two hurricanes, “That makes me the calm of the storm.”   Without being released from Nakahashi’s tight embrace, Wataru twisted the door open and in a hushed tone uttered, “I love you.” 

Nakahashi began kissing him unreservedly, his passion causing Wataru’s cheeks to burn and his response was just as enthusiastic. His last thought before closing the door and losing the ability to think was,” I told him! He loves me!”  With that the door shut, and with it’s close, so ended Wataru’s train of thought. 

Chapter 16:…

“I’m leaving now! I’ll see you later Evan!” Called Nakahashi as he shrugged on his coat.

“Have a nice dinner Sir.” Stevens said, waving as Nakahashi dropped all his filled out appointment cards on his desk. 

“Whoa now, Miya-chan,” called Evan from his office “Look I know, Wata-chan is waiting for you but still, you have a dozen other proposals to sign you can’t just leave!” 

Nakahashi patted his briefcase and started speed walking towards the elevator, “I brought some with me, and I have to leave now! I told him I’d pick him up from work and I can’t just leave him there!” 

“Oi, Miya you’ve been seeing each other for athree months now,” Evan complained sticking his head out from his office,  “I’m sure he can wait he’ll understand that it’s work!” 

Nakahashi frowned and rolled his eyes, “Evan maybe you can’t remember what it’s like having an actual date with someone, but you have to be on time. Besides you can sign just as easily as I can as Vice President so please, do your job.” About to step into the elevator Evan called out smugly.

“Is he mad at you?” 

Nakahashi glared at him stepping out again and strode over to Evan where he waved him back into his office and shut the door behind him. Waving at the empty chair in front of his desk Evan threw himself into his own overly large spinning chair. 

“What’s up? Tell Doctor Evan Love about your trouble in paradise.” 

“Oh please, as if you could ever be a doctor.” scoffed Nakahashi 

“Oh, Miya we’re here to talk about your under achievements not mine.” Evan smirked pouring himself a glass of sprite from histhe mini-fridge, “But seriously what’s going on, I thought you two were perfect together and all that romantic junk.” 

“That’s just it.”

“What?”

“We were perfect and one day at dinner he just stared bugging out,” Nakahashi sighed and rested his head on Evan’s desk, “You know he won’t even let me kiss him now.” 

“Oh my god, Wata-chan is putting you through a dry spell? No wonder you’ve had so much energy this week,” crowed Evan, several tears dripped from his eye ducts, “What did you do man?” 

Groaning Nakahashi sat up and pushed his hair back, “That’s just it when I asked him what was up he just said ‘Nothing, nothing’s up’ then he gets this look, like he’s about to cry you know?” 

Evan’s eyebrow quirked up, changing positions he lounged on his desk “What does that mean?” 

“I have no idea,” snapped Nakahashi, “And that’s why I want to be on time to pick him up because tonight I’m going to take him to his favorite restaurant and ask him what is actually going on.” Glancing at his wristwatch, he picked up his briefcase standing up and whacking Evan on the head with a random stack of paperwork he added, “And I’m not going to be late because of you, see you later Evan.” 

Evan laughed and yelled “Good luck!” 

“Thanks I’ll need it…” Thought Nakahashi as the stainless metal doors of the elevator closed on him. 

Parking in front of the “PictureThat!” Nakahashi rushed into the reception and had the receptionist call “Wataru Fuyori” over the intercom. 

Glancing at his watch Nakahashi congratulated himself; “I made it just in time for two thirty.”  Letting himself fall back into one of the chairs in the waiting room Nakahashi waited for Wataru, closing his eyes he dozed off a bit and was awoken by a tall African guy with long dreadlocks.

“You’re Mr. Nakahashi right?” he asked, “I’m Miles, I work with Wataru in film, and Wataruhe told me to tell you to just go home, that he loves you and that he just doesn’t feel up to going out tonight.” 

“What?” 

Miles rolled his eyes and sat down next to Nakahashi, thinking, “Honestly how does Wataru even choose his guys.”  “Look, let me just say that I think you guys are great together,” Miles started. 

“Is he alright?” inquired Nakahashi, worry etched 

“Yeah he’s fine but listen ok? Wataru is someone who needs certainty in his life, he’ll never hand in a project unless he’s one hundred percent sure that the client will love the photo, and on a similar subject,” pointed out Miles, “He didn't even consider telling you who he was for a second until he knew that you remembered who he was. Now, think for a second, Mr. Nakahashi and think real hard, is there anything he’s said that you’ve reciprocated in actions and emotion, but not in word?” 

Nakahashi covered his eyes with his hands and concentrated, “Not that I can remember could you be more specific?” 

“It’s three words, all three of which he told me to tell you in his message, come on hurry up and figure this out, I’m tired of having to comfort him every time he cries about such a trivial thing.” Miles bellowed, massing his temples lightly, “I think I’m actually starting to get migraines.” 

“Three words…three words?” 

“Please tell me you’re not this dense, you’re the President of a company for crying out loud.” 

“Be quiet…three words…three word- Miles, would one of theses words happen to be begin with the letter L?” 

“Oh thank whatever god, he’s getting it.” 

“I love you,” croaked Nakahashi, “Surely he most know that I do, I’ve said it haven't I?” “Did he really say that I’ve never said it before?” 

Miles nodded; taking out a green lollipop from his jeans pocket he stuck it in his mouth, “He just wants you hear you say it. That’s all. Sort of.” 

“Sort of?” 

“Yeah, cause it has to be really special now, like, you might not know it but that boy really is a drama queen.” Miles drawled, shifting the candy around in his mouth as he spoke, “If you want I can help you plan the date, he’s pretty much told me exactly how he wants it to go down.” 

Nakahashi shook his head, “Thanks, but no thanks I think have to do this by myself.” 

“Alright man, whatever floats your boat.” 

Picking up all his things he took out his phone and sent Wataru a text saying that he’d receive his message an that he’d call him as soon as he could and sighed, “Well, I guess I’ll just go home since there’s no point in me staying here, right?” 

“Nope, Wataru hasn’t come upstairs all day just to avoid you, I don’t think he’ll want to come upstairs now.” 

“Right…Well thank you I guess.”

“You can thank me by making your ‘I love you date’ perfect so I don’t have to listen to his whining anymore. See you later Nakahashi.” Miles gave him a salute and left. 

“The perfect date…telling him I love him… ” Walking outside of the building, Nakahashi opened the door to his Porsche, he threw his briefcase and heard and audible crunch. Picking up his bag, he saw the roses he’d bought for Wataru on their first date, picking them up and dusting off the crumbled petals he twirled the dried flowers in his hand, “How’d I even forget they were in here? It’s been a while hasn’t it?” Smiling thinly he thought, “And all the effort I put in getting him to love me is going to crash and burn because I couldn’t man up and tell him I love him.”  

He stared at the roses, “You guys used to be so beautiful, now you’re withering away…” putting them back on the back seat, “Then again, beauty comes with age.”  Suddenly an idea for Wataru’s perfect date stuck him. “Oh he’s going to love that! I really am the best boyfriend ever,” he exclaimed, then thought it over and added, “well minus a few minor things of course but other than that-“ “Why am I trying to justify my actions to myself?” he shook his head and took out his cell. Dialing the number, he waited for Stevens to pick up.

“Welcome to Yokohama Threads Company, I’m afraid Mr. Nakahashi is out at the moment-“ 

“Well he would be out considering I’m him.”

“Oh Sir! It’s you! Did you forget something? Is there a paper that needs correcting? Just give me a moment to, just, find your schedule.” Nakahashi heard Stevens fiddling with the papers he’d left on his desk.

“No Stevens this has nothing to do with work, I need you to do something for me. Just take a note alright?” 

“Umm, alright and which category should I be writing this note for?” 

“Just put it in personal.” 

“Now what exactly would you like me to do?” 

“Order atwo dozen roses wrapped in the nicest gift wrap they have, from, well there’s a flower shop near Aureole if you could find it that’d be great, the woman who works there is pretty nosy so just place the order and hang up.” 

“Do you want me to go pick up the roses for you?”

“No, just have them delivered to the office and I’ll come get them there.” 

“Right, anything else?” 

“Yes one more thing, and Stevens if you don’t want to get involved it’s fine, you’ve been a great assistant to me so far and I haven’t regretted hiring you for a moment. So just let me know if you don’t feel like you can complete this request,” 

“What is it Sir?” 

“I need you,” Nakahashi took in a deep breath and let it out with a large exhale, “I need you to convince Wataru to come over to my place tonight, without letting him know that I want him to come.” 

“I can do that, but Sir?” 

“Yes?”

“Evan and I agree that next time just tell Wataru you love him, and don’t just assume he knows. I’ll have him over for eight o’clock sharp. Good luck Sir.” Then there was a click and Stevens hung up. 

“What Stevens? How’d you know about Wataru…”Annoyed he threw his phone into the back seat and hissed, “Was I the only one who didn’t know about this?”  Rubbing temples he pushed down on the gas pedal, “Whatever Miya, it’s not worth the headache. You’ll make everything right tonight. Hopefully.”  

Chapter 17: Wataru

“You’re really something else you know that?” snorted Miles; slamming the door to the basement he glared at beanie that stuck out from cowering body that was trying to hide itself behind a file cabinet. He pulled the hat off Wataru’s head and smacked it lightly and slumped down in his chair in front of the computer.

“Ow! Why the usagee of violence?” Rubbing his head gently stepping out from his hiding place, he snatched his beanie back from Miles, tugging it back on his head he sighed gloomily and slid his arms around Miles’s shoulders from the back. “Thank you.” 

Miles made a sour face shrugging him off, swiveling around he pulled Wataru over to sit on their desk, “Wataru, you’re my best friend and trust me man, I love you,” 

“I know that Miles, it’s the same for me.” 

“But,” Miles continued rubbing his eyes in frustration, “I just need you to make a decision.”

“What are you talking about?” Forcing a smile Wataru released a small trill of laughter, trying to get up from the desk, which Miles stopped by putting his hand on Wataru’s thigh.

“Wata, you’re always talking about how much you love Nakahashi right?” Miles stared him in the dead in the eye and Wataru felt chills running up and his body, he felt the pitch black eyes strip his entire conscience bare. 

Wataru held Miles’s stern regard and remained speechless, Miles softened his expression, shutting his mouth before he was able to protest, Wataru nodded silently. 

“Then please for the love of all that is good,” Miles smiled thinly and patted Wataru’s leg, “Just let him see you. He loves you and you know it. It’s not good for either of you - let alone for me.”  Wataru sniffled, his eyes were red from all of the crying he’d done that week and his tears were almost painful as one or two fell. Miles rolled his eyes and smiled, “You are such a chick man.” Holding his arms out, Wataru hugged him tightly.

“I swear, I never used to be like this, I feel like I’ve lost all my masculinity between you and him honestly.”  Nodding his head solemnly in agreement, Miles almost fell off his chair with the whack Wataru gave him. “But hitting isn’t allowed you jerk!” Wataru chided sticking out his tongue. Miles grabbed his head and starting cursing softly muttering, “I’m going to get you Fuyori, if it’s the last thing I do. I try to be nice, now look,” Wataru got up and ran into their coat closet, laughing loudly he heard the small “click” of Miles locking him in. 

“Oh come on Miles!” Still laughing somewhat, he leaned against the wall of the closet and slid down, “tsking” he pulled his phone out of his back pocket and unlocked it, “Never leave your victim with a means of outside communication, silly, silly Miles, I am the king of tricksters. Now who do I call to let me out?”  Looking through his co-workers numbers his phone lit up just as he was about to dial his assistant’s number, the screen blinked brightly reading: CALL WAITING (PRIVATE) 

“Probably a client…” he thought as he clicked the answer button, “Hello, this is Wataru Fuyori speaking who’s this?” 

“Hi Wataru!” 

Wataru smiled and put the phone on speaker, “Oh, hey Stevens, it’s been a while hasn't it? We should go out for a drink again soon, then I can tell you more of my secrets.” 

Obviously shaking his head on the other end, Stevens giggled, “That time was because Mr. Nakahashi couldn’t meet you and he didn’t want you to wait for him alone.” He added, “Plus that was like a week ago, come on.” 

Wataru snickered, “Alright, so if you’re not calling to get a drink with me and you’re probably not calling for Miya, what are you calling for?”  There was a brief silence on the other end and Wataru could hear Evan talking to Steven softly, “Are you guys both there?” 

“Yo Wata-chan, how’s it hanging?” Came Evan’s voice as he barked his greeting over Stevens’s protestations.  Wataru placed his phone on the ground and took out his credit card, “Can’t call anyone now.” He thought, jigging the card between the lock and the door. 

“It’s been alright, how can I help you fine gents today?” The sound of paper falling and Evan gaining complete control was evident with Stevens’s voice getting softer and softer while he picked up all the paper. “Don’t pick on him too much Mr. Green. “ 

Evan cackled his laughter almost bursting the speakers on Wataru’s phone, “Right, I’ll try, but you dear Madame, I need your assistance.” 

“Is that so?” 

“Is it true that Nakahashi gave you the key to his apartment about two weeks ago?”

“The night we all went drinking together yeah, why?” 

“Right! Well,” More sounds of shuffling as Stevens tried to grab the phone back from Evan, “I need to go grab a document there for a business meeting tonight and Nakahashi is, well dead, so to speak.”

“Oh okay?” Twisting his card a bit more he heard the sound of the gears in the lock starting to turn as his card forced the lock open. 

“The thing is, you’re the only other person who has a key, so I was thinking, even if you two lovebirds are having a spat,” A loud bang and an “Ow!” came from Stevens came from the other line.  

“That I could open the door for you tonight and leave in time for me to avoid Miya?”

“Precisely, my are you a quick one.” Evans teased from the other end, Wataru grinned at the sound of a “click” giving the door a shove and tumbled out of the closet. “You alright there Princess?” 

Brushing himself off and ignoring the look of startled co-workers, Wataru grabbed his phone from inside the closet and taking the call off speaker. 

“I’m fine, and I’ll help you.”

“Great, I’ll meet you there at-” 

“If,” Wataru interjected, “You stop bullying Stevens and let him do his job.” 

“Deal. See you at his Majesty’s palace in…two hours.” 

“I’ll see you then, now could you please hand the phone back to Stevens?”

There was silence on the other end and suddenly Stevens annoyed voice came back into earshot, “You really are rotten Mr. Green!”

“It’s Evan kid” 

Stevens huffed, taking the receiver from Evan, “Hello? Wataru?” 

“Yes Stevens?” 

“I just called to tell you, or rather ask you not to give up on Mr. Nakahashi yet, he does love you, he’ll say it just give him a chance.” 

“Is that it?”

“Um, yes.” 

“Ok, well I’m at work so I’m going to have to hang up, it was nice talking to you.” 

“Oh but Wa-”

“Bye.” Pushing the end call button so roughly that his screen Wataru exhaled loudly, “Thanks for believing in us guys, but it’s different when you actually get to hear the words from the person you love.”  Massaging his neck he walked slowly back to his office, he shook his head when he heard himself, “That is if I’ll ever get to hear it.” 

An hour later, Wataru stepped out of the subway station. Climbing the stairs the warm night air of summer blew his hat off. Just as he bent down to pick it up, it was swiped up for him, “Hey!” 

“Calm down Princess,” beamed Evan handing Wataru his hat, wearing a white suit and red tie he stood out like a sore thumb in the middle of a commongritty Subway station, “I was just trying to be courteous.” 

Wataru snorted, “Sure you were, here.” Handing Evan the key he saluted him and moved to go back down to the Subway. 

“Oh hey, come on I was joking about the hat!” 

“I know that,” Wataru shrugged, beginning to head back down the stairs, “I just don’t see why I can’t lend you the key and let you go yourself.” 

“You really don’t want to see Amamiya do you?” Evan called, freezing on the fourth step Wataru turned around and just as he was about to snap a retort at Evan, he saw the man’s crestfallen face and heaved a loud sigh.

“Evan, I love him, but I don’t know how he feels, there’s nothing that hurts more.” 

Evan leaned on the railing and held out the key, “Then you’re going to want to keep this.” Tossing him the key he smiled genuinely, “If you want to know just how Nakahashi feels for you, you’ll want to head over to his apartment right now.” 

“What’s at his apartment?” Wataru asked walking slowly back up the stairs, Evan shrugged and winked. 

“I have no idea but I know whatever he has planned was for the eyes of a Princess only.” 

“What he…there aren’t any documents are there?” 

Evan beamed and shook his head and patted Wataru on his head, “No, but there’s definitely something worth hearing over there. Good luck Wataru.” Stretching his arms up he yawned, turning away and walking down the block “Well, there goes my break, back to work.” Continuing down the block, Evan raised his hand without looking back at Wataru hollered, “I hope you two kiss and make up, I was just starting to believe in true love.” 

Wataru stared after Evan, heart pounding in his chest, he played around with the keys in his hand, “It’s now or never isn’t it?” gripping the keys tightly, he nodded and walked towards Nakahashi’s apartment. 

Time seemed to slow down, pbut the closer he got the louder the sound of his heart echoed throughout his body filling his ears with his racing pulse and completely blocking out the sounds of the evening late afternoon bustle of New York City. Stopping in front of the apartment, Wataru froze, squeezing the keys till his fingers were white. Opening the door with a shaky hand he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out, and went in. Stepping into the elevator a small woman with mousey brown hair grinned viciously at him shaking her head she muttered, “Of course, it’s a man.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“Oh, nothing. Have a nice evening.” She said baring her teeth and stepped out of the elevator. 

Riding the elevator up to the 10th floor, when the door to the elevator slid open he stood in front of Nakahashi’s door. Holding the key in front of the keyhole, he couldn’t bring himself to open it, “If I go in there and he tells me that he doesn’t care for me anymore because of how I’ve been acting, there’s no way we’ll ever stay together,” his arm dropped back to his side, key still clenched tightly in his fist, “Then again if I don’t go in and keep acting like I am now…” 

“Oh what’s the point?” He uttered clicking the elevator button to go back downstairs, “If he’s never said he loves me before, why would he say it now?” 

Nakahashi’s door opened behind him, and Nakahashi pulled him inside his apartment’s vestibule just as the elevator arrived at his landing. Nakahashi gawped at Wataru; still holding the arm he’d grabbed to pull him inside he let go, and coughed embarrassedly.  Wataru looked back at him puzzled,  “Were you…were you watching for me from your peephole?” Nakahashi’s face turned bright red, scratching his head he shrugged and motioned for Wataru to take off his shoes and follow him into the living room. Kicking off his shoes and dropping his bag by the door Wataru went into the living room, “What did you…” Completely speechless Wataru covered his mouth in awe. The room was filled with dozens of roses, from colors of red to dark blue they covered every surface in the room, red candles were lit and jasmine incense burned in the kitchen filling the usually modern and empty space with a sense of comfort. Nakahashi ambled forward from behind a large decorated vase and held out a bouquet of beautiful dried red roses. 

Averting his gaze he cleared his throat and hiding his facial expression behind the flowers and stammered, “T-these are the roses I bought for you on what we like to call our first date,” Wataru took the roses from him cradling them gently in his arms, Nakahashi watched him stroke the dusty petals of one of the delicately and continued with a bit more confidence, “ I’ve loved you since you came up to me and re-introduced yourself when you were so adorably drunk on the day of my company’s opening ceremony, as a matter of fact, I’ve probably loved you before that even, I’ve probably been in love with you since you hit me with the bathroom door on the airplane.” 

“I hit you?” giggled Wataru softly, “I’m sorry.” He moved to kiss Nakahashi, but Nakahashi held out his hand and stopped him. 

“No just, wait I’ve got to say this.” Sitting Wataru down on his couch Nakahashi faced him, “You’ve always been the one to make the first move,”

“Except when you stole that semi-asleeppassed out kiss from me apparently.”

Nakahashi cracked a smile; “I said I was sorry for that, now shush this is supposed to be our big moment.” 

“You’re not going me to marry you are you?” 

Nakahashi snorted, “A kid like you, never, now shut up.” Taking Wataru’s hands, Nakahashi’s silver eyes sparkled as they met his regard, “As I was saying, you’ve always been the one who makes the first move, you kissed me first, you remembered me first and you told me you loved me first. However,” Taking a fresh rose kissing it’s bud and sticking it into the dried bouquet delicately, he smiled gently at Wataru, “I’ve loved you more, for every rose in this room I’ve thought about how much I love you and how many times I’ve wanted to say it to you.” Placing his hand over his heart Nakahashi closed his eyes, “This heart has been betrayed by someone I’ve loved once before, but when I see you, it beats so quickly that it makes me believe that I’ll never have to worry about being betrayed by you. So, Wataru Fuyori, as cheesy as this confession may or may not seem, what I really want you to know is, I love you. And that if you’ll have me, I’ll stay with you for as long as you’d like, I’ll take you anywhere you’d like to go, or if the case presents itself, I’ll follow you anywhere. And with that, I’ve just completed the most embarrassing speech I’ve ever said in my life.” 

Shifting his position so his back was against Nakahashi’s chest, Wataru exhaled softly, “You know, that really was the cheesiest thing ever,” Nakahashi chuckled dryly, putting his head in the nape of Wataru’s neck he hugged him closer, “But,” twisting himself so he could kiss Nakahashi gently, he leaned back and grinned from ear to ear, “It was and will always be the most romantic confession I’ve ever heard. Just what you needed to save you from the eternal dog house.” 

“So,” Nakahashi said while grinning between kisses, “does that mean I’m out?”

“You bet.” 

“Great cause these roses cost me a fortune!” Nakahashi teased, sniggckering while Wataru hit him with his couch pillow. The doorbell rang, Nakahashi grinning slyly at Wataru’s skeptical eyebrow raise, “I thought you’d be hungry.” Jogging down the down the hallway he went to open the door, there was a short exchange and he came back holding two warmed plates of yaki udon and shrimp sashimi. 

Wataru laughed as Nakahashi placed the steaming plate of noodles and sushi in front of him,  “Oh, you’re in the mood for Japanese?” 

Nakahashi winked, “No, this is yours, my Japanese is for later.” 

Wataru blushed and threw the pillow at him again, but Nakahashi ducked and it hit the wall with a feathery thud. “Whatever,” he mumbled, bring over a glass of white wine Nakahashi slid back behind Wataru and held him around the waist kissing his neck and watched as Wataru took a bit of large fork full of the noodles. Opening and closing his mouth like a fish and waving his hand in front of his face Wataru let the noodles fall back into the plate, “Hot, they’re really hot, but the sauce is really tasty.” 

“Yeah, my neighbor cooks for Aureole downstairs, he owed me a favor, so I asked him to cook for you.”

“Well that was nice of him,” groaned Wataru, “my tongue is totally burnt to crisp, ouch.” 

“Want me to help you cool it down?” 

“Yeah some water would be great…” Tilting Wataru’s head upward Nakahashi kissed Wataru slowly, refusing to speed up he felt his partner squirm between his legs. Dropping his fork onto the side of the plate Wataru turned around fully and threw his arms around Nakahashi neck forcefully deepening the kiss, whereas their other kisses had been fiery and passionate, this one surpassed all the passion they’d felt in their previous embraces. The slow rhythm testing both of their control, Wataru felt every movement Nakahashi made and went with each one, shifting or leaning back wherever necessary. Eyes fluttering dreamily, Wataru lost himself in their exchange, they’d been kissing for hours as far as he’d known after Nakahashi broke off their kiss leaving them both panting. 

 “Aren’t, aren’t you hungry?” he breathed, pushing back the hair from Wataru’s face, cupping his cheek tenderly. Wataru gave him a peck on the cheek and stood up from the couch walking over to the doorway of Nakahashi’s room licked his lips and grinned slyly., 

“Well, I’ve had my fiull and we all need to eat don’t we?” Flopping down on the bed, Wataru heard Nakahashi groan, as he got up from the couch sauntering over to join Wataru. Kissing his neck and forehead Wataru stopped Nakahashi from kissing him with two fingers and murmured softly into his ear, “I love you.” To which Nakahashi replied by burying his head in the nape of Wataru’s neck and whispering it softly against his skin, “I love you too.” The heat of their exchanges growing to such a height that they finally relinquished their control and let the passion of the moment guide them rest of the night. 

Chapter 19:…

Ivy looked dazzling her dark skin glowing with happiness and beauty, wearing an exquisite ivory mermaid wedding gown designed by Nakahashi himself and Evan wearing his famous white suit with a gold tie, they looked stunning as they stood together looking over their wedding reception. Wataru sauntered over to them from the bar.

“The garden wedding was beautiful, I know you two are going to be very happy together,” Wataru congratulated Evan who was near to bursting with pride, Ivy looked up at him and rolled her eyes. 

“It was all my planning, I don’t know why he looks so darn proud.”  She scoffed; Evan beamed and kissed her lovingly on the cheek.

“It’s because it’s you that I’m proud! I mean look at you! You got me in less than a year and boom one year later you’ve confectioned the most exciting wedding ceremony in New York City! Who wouldn’t be proud to have such a capable prison guard,” he snickered and his wife swatted him in the chest with her bouquet, “I mean beautiful, clever and talented wife.”  

“It's my job to organize events you idiot, of course I’m good at it!” Ivy grumbled, Evan tapped her nose gently and kissed her, a cheer came from some of the tables surrounding the tent. 

“I know that, but you’re good at so many things it’s hard not to just generalize.” 

Wataru laughed, excusing himself from the newly wedded couple’s moment to go over to Nakahashi who was talking with Stevens and a couple of other people, his new assistant, Kouga, standing stiffly next to them all. 

“Hey there,” Wataru said, kissing Nakahashi on the cheek, “How’s business going with your companiey’s new communications coordinator?” He added winking at Stevens who blushed bashfully taking a sip of his champagne. The other men, who’d be speaking with Nakahashi, excused themselves nodding at Wataru respectfully before moving over to another group of people. 

“Honestly? Stevens has been doing great. He’s really grown these past two years hasn’t he?” Nakahashi praised Stevens patting him on the back. 

“Than-thank you Mr. Nakahashi.” Stevens stammered wiping the droplets of champagne that had dropped on his suit. Wataru smiled and placed his arm around Nakahashi’s waist who in turn put his arm over his shoulder holding close. 

“Please allow me.” interjected Kouga, dabbing at Stevens’s chest with a handkerchief, the young man blushed deep red watching the older Japanese man clean his shirt for him. 

“Kouga, you don’t have to do that here, we're at a wedding just relax.” Stevens chided, Kouga adjusted he glasses and looked at Nakahashi, who barely managed to stifle his smile, as he nodded his permission. 

Kouga lips twitched at the edges and he went to stand next to Stevens putting his arm around his shoulder, “Takehank goodness, being an assistant in an office and at a wedding are two completely different things, it was quite difficult.” Stevens leaned into Kouga and handed him a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “And banning inter office relationships in the office was cruel Mr. Nakahashi, now I can’t see Kyle here till closing time.” 

“Wait, Kyle?” Wataru covered his growing smile with his mouth, Stevens pouted his face that had just begun to lose its scarlet undertone flared up again. 

“You big idiot!” 

“What?” Started Kouga, “Oh no, don’t tell me that in all the time you knew Fuyori-san you’ve never told him your first name?” 

“Oh my god, I’d just assumed it was Stevens, but Kyle? That’s priceless!” Wataru knees buckled as his laughter echoed through the wedding tent. 

Stevens huffed and pushed off Kouga’s arm stomping away across the dance floor, leaving Kouga to trail behind him. 

“That wasn’t nice of you, you know. You might yell at Evan for bullying him to much but honestly you’re just as bad.”  Nakahashi reprimanded, pinching Wataru’s nose. Wataru made a pouty looking face and pursed his lips, which Nakahashi snorted at then swiftly kissed, releasing Wataru’s nose. 

“He’ll forgive me eventually.” Wataru quipped, seeing Kouga leading Stevens who was obviously feigning reluctance out of the tent and into the maze of a garden. “Plenty of spots to kiss and make up there.” He thought, chuckling to himself. 

“If every eligible and un-married person could make their way to the center of the room so our darling bride Ivy can throw the bouquet?” Asked the wedding animator waving over all of the female guests to the dance floor. 

“You going to go there too?” joked Nakahashi, who wrapped his arms around his waist from behind resting his head on Wataru’s shoulder. 

“Nah, I couldn’t care less about whether or not we get married next or if we never get married at all.” Wataru sighed placing his hands over Nakahashi’s, and kissed his cheek sweetly. 

“Alright ladies, you know the drill, Ivy will throw the bouquet and one of you will have to catch it. No rough housing is permitted and ladies please, keep the screaming to a minimum.” The animator smiled, her whitened teeth making it even more difficult to look at the war waging on her face between her neon blue eye shadow and cherry red blush.  

Ivy smiled waving at all her invitees before turning around, counting down to three and tossing the bouquet. Several women snatched it out of the air pulling it back forth with such a force that the bouquet slid out of their hands and landed at Wataru’s feet. 

“Well I guess I didn’t need to participate after all.” Picking up the flowers the room filled itself with applause and a few disgruntled protests from the women from the dance floor. Evan took the microphone from Ivy who clapped along with the crowd, blowing Wataru a kissed and raising an eyebrow to Nakahashi, who let go of Wataru to clap along with the rest of the guests.

“Well, that’s it everybody save your dresses and suits, keep them steamed and ironed because soon there’ll be a wedding that’ll draw the attention of Japan and the United States,” joked Evan who winked at the two of them, “Hopefully their wedding will pale in comparison to ours.” Raising his glass of champagne and grabbing Ivy around waist, he yelled, “A toast to all the happy couples present,” twitching his head towards the garden maze, “or currently elsewhere, be they heterosexual or otherwise!” 

“I’ll drink to that!” Called someone from the crowd and the room filled with the sound of laughter and clinking glass. 

“So,” teased Nakahashi, “When’s our wedding going to be?” 

Wataru smirked and sipped his champagne, “Whose talking about weddings when you barely just managed to get me to move in with you?” 

“But hey, if I did decide to ask you to marry me, say soon, what do you think your answer would be?” Nakahashi asked tentatively. 

Wataru rolled his eyes, “Isn’t it obvious?” Nakahashi shook his head and Wataru kissed him, “My answer would be, yes, as long as I can be with you, I’ll always say yes.” 

They laughed and kissed; Nakahashi leaned back and whispered, “I love you,” Into Wataru’s ear.

“Me too.” He responded leaning back into his lover’s arms and watched Evan and Ivy have their first dance as husband and wife.

“We’re next.” Wataru smiled to himself and squeezed Nakahashi’s hand, “And I can’t wait till then.”