je_united gift fic for lalois 

Title: How to make love happen – in 5 steps
Pairing: Kamiki Ryunosuke/Nishikido Ryo
Rating: R-ish
Warnings: Basically some swearing and sexual contents
Summary: Kamiki finds himself working Johnny’s idols time and time again – still he doesn’t seem to find the moment to come forth with his feelings to the man he cares for. When a new chance arises, though, he decides to take it.
Notes: Dear lalois , I really hope you will enjoy this. It might not be the pairing you would have expected, but I was honestly so happy to see a Kamiki related pairing in your list, so I decided to pick it, since I adore this guy to boots. So I’m hoping you will be happy receiving a rare pair. Please enjoy.



Step 1: Let him know you exist


Kamiki looked at the cast list in disbelief. It wasn’t the first time he was facing the situation. He also understood that it was bound to happen again. Those Johnny’s idol guys were practically everywhere. For the most part he couldn’t care less. Shooting with Sakurai Sho had been a nice enough thing. Sho had been a kind senpai and his acting had actually surprised Kamiki. Sho was able to let go of all restraints with the clap of a take.


As far as Kamiki was concerned he wasn’t exactly keen on working with Johnny’s idols. He disliked the way the mere name of the agency could make an entire career. His current problem was an entirely different one, though. The person being the main actor of the series he’d be acting in wasn’t simply a Johnny’s idol. Not only was he a respected actor, but he was… downright gorgeous. Kamiki did not easily get infatuated with male celebrities. With that man it was different, though. Nishikido Ryo. Definitely a guy’s wet dream. And yet so much more. Kamiki wasn’t sure how he should approach the other man. He kept acting out their first meeting in his head over and over, thinking about what to say, contemplating if he should prepare a small gift, or maybe provide a little snack for a small break. He spent hours preparing for their first encounter.


However, their first meeting didn’t go anything like Kamiki had imagined. The cast hadn’t even been called in, but Kamiki wanted to have a look around the set and get accustomed to the crew and stuff like that. Just as he was about to get going again he turned around a particularly narrow corner and
BAM!!!
He ran into his very wet nightmare. With a still pain-stricken face Kamiki looked around, trying to see what he had bumped into, only to find that he wasn’t facing a something, but a someone. And not just anyone.


“Oh dear, sorry,” Ryo laughed, looking embarrassed. “I didn’t see you there. Guess the aisles are still pretty packed.”


“Er…” was the only thing Kamiki could stutter.


He merely stared at Ryo, not believing they were actually face to face. His mouth kept moving, but no words came out. Kamiki felt stupid beyond words, but he simply was not able to form a coherent sentence. Panicking, he began to gasp, looking around the room nervously.


“Oh dear,” Ryo said worriedly. “Did I hurt you?”


Finally catching up a bit, Kamiki shook his head.


“No, I…” he said carefully. “I think it’s okay.”


“That’s what people will say, but they don’t notice they’re hurt. You should sit down for a moment.”


“It’s really fine,” Kamiki said, managing a shy smile.


“How about we both sit down for a minute?” Ryo suggested.


Kamiki nodded his head at that. “Okay,” he agreed.


He was still incredibly nervous. Well, he hadn’t thought he’d meet Ryo in such a way. But since they were there, he knew he should at least try to make a good impression. They sat down at a small sofa in the corner. About three seconds later Ryo jumped back up, though.


“Just a minute, I’ll be right back,” he promised.


Kamiki kept sitting there, looking after the man. He wasn’t checking out the small but neat ass, of course, he was merely trying to see where Ryo was going. At some point Ryo was out of his view, though, but only for about a minute. When the man returned, he had two cans in his hands. As he seated himself again he handed one can to Kamiki.


“There you go,” he offered with a bright smile.


Fuck, that smile. Kamiki thought Ryo must have charmed him somehow. It was just too stunning.


“Thank you,” Kamiki muttered helplessly.


He found it hard to look directly at Ryo. He didn’t know what to say, or what to do. Needing to relief some of the tension, he started to play with the cold can in his hands.


“Well, the least I can do after running into you like that,” Ryo stated.


“It’s not that big a deal,” Kamiki told him.


“Good,” Ryo sighed in relief. “Wouldn’t want to make a bad impression even before the first day.”


The slightly mischievous look on Ryo’s face made Kamiki’s heart skip a beat.


“Well, it’s a bit late now,” Ryo continued, “but… I’m Nishikido Ryo. Nice meeting you.”


Kamiki chuckled nervously. “Nice meeting you too.”


“And… you are…?” Ryo asked straight-forward.


Kamiki gaped at the other man in disbelief.


“You… You don’t even know my name?” he suddenly burst out. “I mean, seriously, I’ll be your co-actor for this and we start shooting next week. You haven’t even had a look at the cast list yet?! Are you fucking serious? Honestly, I don’t expect you to do actual research on my person, even though that’s been done by one of your senpai when we worked together, but I realize that’s not common practice. But you have to actually ask my name? That’s… unbelievable.”


Kamiki felt quite shocked at his own reaction and he could see in Ryo’s face that he felt similarly. Just fantastic. After trying to map things out so carefully, he busted it after all on the very first encounter. Kamiki closed his eyes in shame, wishing he could disappear through a hole in the ground.


“Wow,” Ryo dragged out. “I… I’m really sorry.”


Kamiki perked up at that. Had Ryo just apologized to him?


“You’re absolutely right,” Ryo told him. “I was very inconsiderate. My apologies. If you will tell me your name anyway, I promise I’ll do my research and I’ll be perfectly up to date by the time we start shooting. I’m really sorry.”


Kamiki just blinked at him for a moment. He hadn’t expected such a reaction. He had not only scolded his elder, but actually degraded him. Even so Ryo was apologizing, showing true remorse. He was an awesome guy, after all.


“Kamiki Ryunosuke,” Kamiki said readily.


“Well, I’m really happy to meet you,” Ryo told him. “And I hope I can make up for that rather pitiful introduction when we meet again.”


Kamiki smiled at that. “I will happily see what you come up with.”


“Well, then I’m gonna give it my very best to make you like me,” Ryo decided.


Nothing much you need to do, Kamiki thought. “You’d better,” was what he said out loud.


Ryo chuckled at that and gave him an encouraging smile. They kept sitting together in comfortable silence, both of them drinking the sodas Ryo had organized for them. In the end it was a good first encounter Kamiki decided. No matter how you looked at it, there was no way Ryo would forget him or his name ever again.


Step 2: Forge a set-up


Two years had gone by again. A bit more, actually. Kamiki thought it was quite amazing how time would just fly by without you noticing it at all. When thinking about it, it was also quite amazing that it had taken so long for a new opportunity to present itself. After his project with Ryo, Kamiki had turned towards a number of other activities, which had been fun and exciting. It also felt good to be back in the game again, though. Moreover, after losing track of Ryo, here Kamiki had his go at a second chance. While they weren’t all constantly working together, all Johnny’s idols were connected somehow. Kamiki felt a bit bad for trying to exploit his co-actor, but his longing was so strong, he decided he had to give it a shot.


Kamiki was altogether enjoying his second round of co-acting with Sakurai Sho. The man was pleasant to be around, always professional and also always full of encouragement and words of motivation should they be needed. He was sure that the man would want to help him out. So Kamiki decided to dive in when they were sitting together leisurely during lunch break.


“This is nice,” Kamiki stated. When Sho blinked at him, he smiled. “Eating together like this,” he explained.


“I enjoy it too,” Sho agreed. “Eating by yourself is no fun, right?”


“I enjoy good company,” Kamiki nodded. “However, it seems that not a lot of people feel that way. As a matter of fact, I have found that only Johnny’s idols do this kind of thing.”


“Oh, really?” Sho asked. “Well, we often work with juniors from the agency, so maybe it’s something we’re used to more than others,” he mused. “It has just become a habit. Well, of course, I also think it’s fun getting to know your co-actors over small meals or conversations.”


“I think so too,” Kamiki smiled. “When I suggest eating together to other co-actors, they will look at me like they think it’s weird. Cast dinner and stuff like that is common, of course. But having private lunch together, or going for a stroll…it’s not something people will happily agree to.”


“I think that’s a shame,” Sho stated. “People should be more accepting.”


“Well, it’s part of the reason I enjoy working with you or guys from your agency. You’re open-minded and you’re always fun to be around.”


Sho laughed at that. “You think so? Well, I don’t think about these things too much. You haven’t been very lucky, though, looking for this kind of interaction. If I’m not mistaken, my person aside, you’ve only co-starred with Nishikido-kun.”


“You know this?” Kamiki asked, astonished.


“It might sound weird to you, but I try to keep track of these things,” Sho told him. “It can be important, after all.”


“There are things that you can’t say?” Kamiki guessed.


“That can be true,” Sho admitted. “It’s also possible that there are things that I should not hear.”


“Do you gossip?” Kamiki asked, his heart racing.


Sho laughed at that. “I know way too little to be able to do that.”


“Really?” Kamiki asked, honestly surprised. “I thought you were super popular.”


Sho’s posture turned a bit defensive, he drew back on himself and looked averted his eyes.


“You know, these days…” He trailed off, trying to find the right words. “I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining. However, I find that there is a number of people seeking me out for the boost of their popularity, which they know they will receive. I understand that promoting our Juniors is part of our job and I do it happily. I have to admit, though, that it’s not a nice feeling, knowing that they aren’t being genuine when they come up to you or are talking to you enthusiastically.”


Kamiki felt a surge of guilt rushing through his body. In the end, he was doing the same thing, wanting to talk to Sho in order to extract information on someone else entirely.


“I’m sorry,” he muttered.


“It’s not your fault,” Sho told him.


“No,” Kamiki sighed. “It is.”


Sho frowned. “What are you talking about?”


Kamiki looked at him with guilt in his eyes. “I was really happy when I got to work together with you again, you know. But first and foremost I thought it was cool, because…”


“Because…?” Sho tried to encourage him.


“Because you know him,” Kamiki mumbled silently.


“Him?” Sho mused. “Who is him?”


“Ni-Nishikido-kun,” Kamiki admitted. “Plus, I’ve heard that you’re the go-to guy when you want to have… certain information on agency guys.”


Sho considered the younger man thoughtfully. “Nishikido-kun, huh. I’ve got to admit that I did not expect that.”


“I’m sorry,” Kamiki burst out. “I… I wanted to coax information from you. I’m just like those guys you were talking about. I wasn’t being genuine. I wanted…”


“Now, now,” Sho stopped him. “You… Do you not like sitting together and chatting?”


“Of course, I do,” Kamiki insisted.


“Well, then I think your interest in me is genuine enough. Even though I understand it that your interest in Nishikido-kun is bigger?”


Kamiki blushed at that. “I… Can you tell me something? Like, if he’s in a relationship right now? Is he… interested in someone like me in the first place?”


Sho looked at Kamiki for a while, his eyes unreadable. Kamiki waited, wondering what Sho would tell him. Silence stretched between them and Kamiki could feel anticipation rising within his body. Even so he waited patiently.


“Was it different?” Sho finally asked. “Working with Nishikido-kun?”


Kamiki looked at him rather confused, but also slightly embarrassed. “It was,” he stated vaguely. “Of course, I mean… everybody’s different.”


Sho chuckled. “That much would be true. It’s okay,” he told the younger man. “If you like him better.”


“It’s not like that,” Kamiki denied quickly – too quickly, he realized just a second too late.


“Oh, no?” Sho asked, giving him a mischievous look. “Then what’s that about asking me whether he’s dating someone?”


“I didn’t…” Kamiki stuttered. “I just… made conversation.”


“Is that so?” Sho asked skeptically. “Well, you weren’t asking about my love life. Anyway, I can’t tell you if he’s single right now. Last thing I heard he broke up with that song writer guy, Saito-san, but it’s been a while now.”


“So you know something, after all,” Kamiki stated.


“It was a pretty big deal,” Sho remembered. “Everybody was talking about it. There were rumors of the guy being abusive. But well, I don’t know. You know how these things work. I heard what someone told a friend, who heard it from someone else – that kind of thing. So, no judging.”


“I see,” Kamiki said, nodding thoughtfully. “That means Nishikido-kun doesn’t mind an age gap.”


Sho gave the younger man an annoyed look. “That’s what you get out of that?”


“You said not to judge,” Kamiki told him. “So I won’t. I’m just using whatever valid information you’re giving me.”


“So you want to date Nishikido-kun, after all,” Sho concluded.


“Well…” Kamiki mumbled, his cheeks turning slightly pink. “I’ve been thinking about it.”


“Then why didn’t you ask him?” Sho wanted to know.


“It’s…” the younger man began, but then shook his head and started over, “I don’t know how to say it. It’s like… you know, when we were working together… we spent a lot of time together. We would rehearse lines together, he would invite me out for dinner. He even had me join in on his birthday celebration. It’s was… natural being together. To be quite honest, I was unaware of how attached I was growing to him. Only when we were done filming and it just… stopped… I realized that I miss… well, everything. Being together, his gentle gestures, his kind eyes, his raspy voice… I understood too late – and then I was reluctant. I mean, it’s stupid, right? Being this close and never doing anything and then, weeks after last seeing him just calling and saying `you know, I missed you, I think I like you, wanna go on a date?´ - that’s just…”


Sho couldn’t help chuckling.


“I’m sorry,” he apologized immediately. “You’re just… so young. I don’t mean that in a bad way at all, really. It’s very refreshing. And cute, actually. If I could see it in any way, I’d go on a date with you, no matter when you called.”


Kamiki blushed again. “T-thanks. I guess. You can’t see it, though.”


Sho gave him an embarrassed smile. “I see that you’re an attractive young man. I have to admit, though, that I would feel extremely awkward – with you being so young. I’d honestly be wondering if you have any experience at all.”


Kamiki’s face turned bright red at that. “Sakurai-kun, what…?! I… O-of course, I do. I mean, I’m not that young.”


“Of course not,” Sho nodded. “My apologies. But see, I just feel out of your generation. So, as far as I’m concerned, I’d be flattered, but I couldn’t see myself dating you – or any guy this young. Nishikido-kun might feel different about it. Dating an older man himself, he might be able to relate to what you’re seeing in it.”


“What about love knows no age?” Kamiki asked.


Sho smiled at him genuinely. “Again, so young.”


Kamiki shot him a glare. “I’m not a stupid kid, you know.”


“I had no intention of insinuating that,” Sho assured him. “However, I remember how it feels to be so young. And I know the things that I have learned along the way. But I don’t want to lecture you. You’ll walk your own path and you might experience things that are very different from what I’ve heard and seen. So, just do as you see fit. I want to give you one piece of advice, though. They are not my words, but I find them very true: In the end, the only things you will regret are the ones you did not do. So, don’t let a fear of rejection, or awkwardness hold you back. If you want to make a move, go ahead and do it. Nothing you haven’t gained yet can be lost.”


Sho gave him an encouraging smile and Kamiki felt truly thankful. In that moment he decided not only to take up Sho’s advice, but to also make sure he wouldn’t lose track of Sho again either. He was such a neat guy and such a compassionate elder, he wanted to forge a stronger bond with him, even after their co-starring ended.


“Sho-kun,” Kamiki said, trying to sound as thankful as possible, “you are truly amazing. I won’t let any fear get to me, I promise. And if you will let me, I’ll rely on you, whatever the outcome.”


They smiled at each other and Sho gave him one strong nod, making Kamiki feel so much stronger than before.


Step 3: Be confident!


It’s not a very demanding task to find out what a Johnny’s idol is doing. Anyone can get all kinds of information easily. It can be more of a task to be able to visit the venues you will find your person of interest at. Luckily, when you’re being a celebrity yourself, things are a lot easier. It seemed a bit unfair to Kamiki when thinking about it. Just because you were a celebrity, that didn’t mean you couldn’t be a mad fan of someone else. Then again, he would not complain about that very striking advantage.


Kamiki found several pairs of curious eyes following him as he made his way through the set-up of the filming location. Ryo was doing a CM that day and Kamiki had thought that it would be the least “suspicious” if he showed up there. He was surprised at the size of the set. It was an outdoor setting. Well, kind of. Strictly spoken they were underground, but it was a public location. It took Kamiki a while to locate Ryo on the venue, he was walking up and down a certain area, most probably pre-mapping a lane he had to walk along during the filming. They spotted each other almost in the same instant. When Ryo saw Kamiki he perked up and walked right over to greet him.


“Hey,” Kamiki said casually. “Ah, Sakurai-kun says hi.”


“Oh,” Ryo made. “That’s… unexpected,” he said simply, leaving it open whether he meant Sho sending him a greeting, or Kamiki showing up at his set.


“I guess,” Kamiki admitted. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come by like this.”


“No, no,” Ryo said immediately. “It’s… cool.” He looked around the set for a moment. “It seems I still have some time to go. Want to sit down and catch up a bit?”


“I’d like that a lot,” Kamiki agreed.


“Alright,” Ryo nodded. “I’ll just get us some drinks. You can sit down over there.”


Ryo pointed towards a small area that had a few small tables arranged with papers, magazines and some snacks. Kamiki nodded and walked over to make himself comfortable on a chair. When he tried to spot Ryo he found the man was out of sight, but he waited patiently, of course, even though his nerves were getting to him. What should he say? How should he approach the other man? Should he do it, after all? He could still argue he had just come by on a hunch. But then, he had come to try to accomplish something. It wouldn’t be any good if he simply let the opportunity go to waste, especially since Ryo had accepted him so willingly. He didn’t have much more time to contemplate things further anyway, because there came Ryo strolling back, two cans in hand.


“Thanks,” Kamiki muttered as he accepted his drink.


The can was warm and as he looked, he found it was black coffee. Kamiki smiled, remembering how Ryo had asked him about his morning routine once and he had readily related that black coffee was the only thing he would accept, no matter what.


“You still remember that?” he asked, at awe with how considerate Ryo was.


Ryo chuckled. “You were so passionate about your coffee, it would be hard to forget.”


“It’s been quite a while, though,” Kamiki mused.


“Well, it seems you found it hard to forget about me too,” Ryo countered, “seeing how you’re here.”


“I never forgot a thing,” Kamiki said honestly.


“Yet you took so long,” Ryo teased.


“You say that like you’ve been waiting for me and I set you up,” Kamiki pouted.


Ryo laughed at that. “Sorry, sorry. Even though, when being truthful, I was waiting. Stupidly, mind you.”


“Why would you wait for me?” Kamiki asked.


“Maybe I thought that…” Ryo broke off, looking at Kamiki a bit helplessly. “I might have been wrong. As far as I’m concerned, I thought we had a strong connection.”


Kamiki stared at Ryo, the confession surprising him big time. So Ryo had held feelings for him too? All that time? But…


“If that’s true,” Kamiki wondered, “then why did you wait? Why didn’t you come to seek me out?”


Ryo gave him an embarrassed smile. Oh god, that smile. How he’d missed it. How it made his heart melt in an instant.


“I said it was stupid,” Ryo said. “Back when we were… working together, I was in a relationship. It wasn’t easy, but I... I wanted it to work. It didn’t and we broke up, but that was quite a while after we had worked together and I assumed you were already way back into your own life and matters. Plus, that relationship was… complicated.”


“So I’ve heard,” Kamiki blurted out.


Ryo frowned at that. “Is that so?”


Kamiki nodded his head. “I heard you… had a rough break-up,” he said carefully.


Ryo looked at him skeptically. “What have you heard and who fed you the information?”


“I wasn’t fed information,” Kamiki told him. “I just… I was nervous… I didn’t know if I should contact you. So I asked… Sakurai-kun…”


Ryo looked surprised. “Sakurai-kun? What do you know… He doesn’t seem the type to spread rumors.”


“He’s not,” Kamiki assured him. “He told me that he heard stuff. But he told me that he had no valid information on anything, so I should… well, basically ask you about it.”


Ryo nodded. “So he is a decent guy, after all.”


“What about your ex, though? Saito-san, right?” Kamiki asked. He wasn’t sure where his sudden surge of courage came from, but he decided to feed on it while he could. “Was he a decent guy?”


Ryo gave a slightly bitter laugh. “If he were in my view, we’d still be together. Mind you, he was never violent towards me. I don’t know who came up with that, but I know it’s a rumor that keeps going around.”


“But there were… difficulties,” Kamiki tried carefully.


“He was being very possessive – to the point where I found myself cut off from my friends,” Ryo related. “At the same time he wasn’t being very… considerate. I can’t deny that he was very demanding – which I didn’t even mind, to be honest. However, the longer we were together the more I understood that while he kept taking from me, more and more, he wasn’t willing to give. When I needed him, when I reached out to him, he kept withdrawing. Our relationship was seriously unbalanced. I know that today. It took me a while to understand, though. And yet more time to find the strength to end it. When you get wound up in such a relationship… It does things to you. Looking back now I can see that I had lost myself somewhere along the way, but I was blind to it at the time. I’d lie if I claimed that the experience left no scars on me – emotionally. Even though I knew what was going on, even though he did not force me into anything, or hurt me purposefully. I guess I sound stupid.”


“No,” Kamiki blurted out. “No, not at all. I mean, I haven’t experienced that kind of thing… Well, with a lover, that is. But for what it’s worth… I… my mom… She’s like that. Not that she… I mean, she’s not a bad person, or anything… just… when I was younger I didn’t understand… she would mainly be around when there was a gain in having me. Other than that she was barely at home. When I started working as an actor, whenever I was on the news, or won a reward, or something like that, she’d call and praise me, or come by to `ask how I was doing´ - and in the same breath asking me for money.”


“Sorry,” Ryo muttered. “Sounds pretty awful.”


Kamiki shrugged. “It’s not all that bad. It’s nice when she fancies me – not that I’m waiting for her to come to see me. It’s okay when she does. I used to get very excited, but today I understand what it’s about, so it’s nothing much.”


“But that’s really sad,” Ryo told him. “I mean, okay, my ex was a dick sometimes. But we were just a couple for a while. We met randomly. Of course, we found interest in each other, but still… family should be different.”


“It’s really okay,” Kamiki assured him. “I have strong back-up when I need it.”


“That’s good,” Ryo smiled.


“So… have you been seeing someone since that break-up?” Kamiki asked.


“As in dating?” Ryo asked. “No… I… I find it difficult to… well, trust, I guess.”


“Makes sense,” Kamiki nodded.


“When being honest I also don’t want to force my problems on someone else,” Ryo muttered.


Kamiki chuckled. “Sounds a lot like you.”


Ryo blushed, feeling embarrassed.


“I missed that, you know,” Kamiki told him with a smile.


“What?” Ryo blinked.


“The way I can read all of you right from your face,” Kamiki smiled. “You don’t hide a single thing. Even after what happened to you, you’re still open and loving and kind… I think it’s astonishing.”


The blush on Ryo’s face grew darker. “Stop saying stuff like that.”


“Maybe I’m thinking flattery will make you want to date me,” Kamiki suggested playfully.


“I have to admit, I don’t really understand why you want to date me,” Ryo told him. “Not that I’m not flattered, just… You’re so young, sure you can find someone… you have more in common with?”


“I can’t say anything but that I missed being with you. I missed you so much, I thought of you every day…” He sighed. “You’re probably thinking that I sound like an infatuated teenager.”


“There’s nothing wrong with being an infatuated teenager,” Ryo told him with a smile. “In fact, I wish I could let go of at least some of the things I’ve learned and just dive in being carefree.”


“But being carefree gets you hurt,” Kamiki mused.


“You might get hurt either way,” Ryo shrugged. “But I think it’s better not to anticipate it.”


“Just one date,” Kamiki insisted. “Let’s go on one date.”


Ryo was still insecure. “I don’t know… It might not be a good idea. For you.”


“You know, sometimes the ideas that people thought to be awful turned out to provide magnificent results.”


“That’s a beautiful sentiment,” Ryo told him. “Still…”


“Don’t think about it too much,” Kamiki told him. “I mean, I get it, you’re not sure about commitment and you’re worried that I might be troubled, but… you said you wanted to let go of your preoccupation. Well then, give it a go. Not that I want to be bothersome. Just… I mean, if you don’t want to go because you’re not interested, it’s okay to tell me now, then I’ll just go and… well, be embarrassed for the rest of my life. But if you indeed hold an interest in me, I think you should consider giving it a try.”


“You’re an insistent young man,” Ryo chuckled.


“I don’t want to come across as bugging. Just… recently someone told me that… the only things you’ll ever regret are those that you did not do.”


Ryo blinked at that.


“Those aren’t my words, but… I think it’s true. Untouched opportunities are just a shame, don’t you think?”


Ryo gave him a genuine smile and nodded his head. “Yes, I agree. Okay, let’s go. Let’s go on one date.”


Step 4: Charm him


Kamiki was seriously nervous when he approached the rather small crossing which he and Ryo had agreed to meet at. He understood that if the date didn’t go well there wouldn’t be a second one. As far as his experience went first dates tended to be disastrous, though, which was quite a bit of a problem. Usually he’d work through the first date to get things going, but with Ryo it would be his only chance at a hit. And things weren’t exactly starting off very well, seeing how he was a good ten minutes late.


As he arrived and noticed that Ryo wasn’t there he felt relieved. For a second, anyway. Then a firework of possibilities was going off in his head. What if Ryo had backed out and wasn’t coming? What if Ryo had been there, but didn’t see him and thought he’d backed out, so Ryo left again? What if he was at a wrong spot and Ryo was waiting for him somewhere completely different? What if…


“Sorry,” a gasping voice suddenly heaved next to him. When Kamiki jumped around he saw a very remorseful looking Ryo standing in front of him, still catching his breath. “The traffic was mad. We tried a few side lanes, but it was no use, so I decided to run. It seems I’m still late. I’m really sorry.”


“No worries,” Kamiki said quickly.


He felt guilty for not having made such an effort to be on time, but at the same time was reluctant to admit that he hadn’t been on time himself. While he was still debating on what to do Ryo spoke up again.


“I was worried that you might think I’d changed my mind,” he stated.


With Ryo being so honest and open, Kamiki found that he did not want to stand behind.


“The truth is I only just got here myself,” the younger man admitted. “Rush hour seems to be extra long today. I missed a train and was shoved into one going in the wrong direction.”


Ryo laughed at that. “What do you know? It seems we have similar karma. How very interesting.”


Kamiki’s heart made a little flip at that. Rather than arguing that with such a start their date was not exactly meant to go well, Ryo found they had something in common. It was clear that they both wanted their date to go well and just maybe Ryo had high hopes for the development.


“So,” Ryo stated, showing off his good spirits, “where are you taking me today?”


“Well,” Kamiki stated, “since you insisted that I plan the date while you pay for it, which I still find a bit unbalanced, but well, if you’re sure that it makes you happy… I hope you won’t think it’s stupid.”


Ryo chuckled, shaking his head. “Why would I think it’s stupid?”


“Well, it’s something some friends of mine have been doing lately,” he explained. “A lot of the girls have been going coffee shop hopping and they keep going on about how awesome it is. Well, most of us aren’t exactly… well, coffee shops aren’t exactly the thing we enjoy most. Instead, some of my friends have come up with snack bar hopping.”


Ryo nodded his head, a bright smile on his lips. “Sounds interesting. So, we’re gonna visit several bars and try the snacks there?”


“Basically,” Kamiki confirmed. “Well, I tried to pick the bars in a way that will allow us some nice views as we walk along.”


“Wow, you’re good at this,” Ryo told him. “I’m glad you’re the one planning out the date. Had I done it, I probably would have spotted out one secluded place with lots of meat and drinks and that would have been it.”


“Doesn’t sound like too bad a plan,” Kamiki told him.


“Not overly creative, though,” Ryo argued.


“Yeah, well, I guess I’m trying to impress you,” Kamiki admitted. “But don’t get too excited before we even get going. For all you know, I could have done a lousy job, picking out spots and places.”


“Nah, I don’t think so,” Ryo told him. “So, where are we gonna start?”


“Right over there,” Kamiki said pointing at a small restaurant just a few meters into a side lane.


They walked in together and the owner was already awaiting them. It was a small Okonomiyaki place and ingredients had been bought on Kamiki’s request, giving them a nice variety of options to choose from. They agreed on two small variations and enjoyed sitting together as the owner prepared their food. The chatted lightly, thinking up weird food combinations for a next time.


When they were done Ryo paid for the food and they headed off down the main road. They weren’t exactly in a too central area, but the neighborhood was nice, with a number of older buildings giving off a historic feeling. They strode along, having a look at one or two shops and Kamiki learned that Ryo was interested in arts a lot. At the back of his head he was even making mental notes on what Ryo liked best, thinking a nice piece would make an awesome birthday present.


Their second stop for the night was a soba store. They had an unusually large choice of sauce and broth and a beer menu that made Ryo gawk, with brands from all over the world. They chose their snacks and some drinks and Kamiki found himself marveling at how easily they could agree on almost everything. They kept sitting there for a rather long while, ordering a second round of noodles and two more beers.


“Sorry,” Ryo said, not sounding sorry at all, “I’m meddling with your date plans, making you linger.”


“It’s okay,” Kamiki told him. “We don’t have to visit all the places. It’s fine to just do what we feel like doing.”


“Hm, I wonder if you’re solely talking about dinner here,” Ryo said suggestively.


Kamiki blushed at that. “I didn’t… I just wanted to say…”


Ryo laughed at that. “It’s interesting to see you flustered for a change.”


“I just don’t want you to think that I’m only out for… well, bed room activities.”


“”I’m not thinking that,” Ryo assured him. “I do hope, though, that you have them in mind as well. A little bit.”


“Well… a little bit,” Kamiki admitted.


They kept going down the lane, moving towards more a central area. The streets were still not too crowded, allowing them a lot of room. Even so, they moved closer together, their arms brushing occasionally as they crossed a small bridge, getting a nice view of water glittering with hundreds of light reflections. They chatted when they felt like it, but kept falling into comfortable silence occasionally. After a few more minutes of walking, they hit their next stop. It was a tiny shop that sold a special meat bowl. They got back into their routine, ordering a small dish, having fun trying some side snacks and sauces and, as before, Ryo paid before they moved along.


The following walk was rather long. Not all of it could be considered scenic, but it allowed them some privacy, before they hit the outline of Ginza. The glittering lights were an almost drastic change, but it also gave off a familiar feeling, which was nice. They moved along, finally wearing hats and masks in order to be able to remain undetected. Their next stop was an actual Izakaya, with an incredibly large snack menu. There were two private booths and the two of them were seated in one of them.


They kept sitting and eating and chatting and drinking and they lost track of time, but it really didn’t matter. They both had their good share of alcohol, getting more daring by the minute. After a while they had ceased to hide their obvious attraction towards each other, seeking body contact in teasing touches and even playful pecks.


It was only reluctantly that Ryo called stops on their little party and Kamiki, if equally reluctantly, agreed. It would have been a waste to just get pissed drunk and end up half-unconscious in a taxi back home and then vomiting through half of the night. They were both slightly shaky as it was when they got back out onto the street.


“So, do you have another stop, or do we finish here?” Ryo asked.


“It depends,” Kamiki told him.


“On what?” Ryo wanted to know.


“On what you want to do,” the other man explained. “Down that lane there are several opportunities. There’s a karaoke bar at which I’ve reserved a booth. Then there’s… a hotel. And over there’s a taxi lot. So, we can grab a cab. Or we can hit the karaoke bar. Or we can… indulge in bed time activities.”


“And I get to decide?” Ryo asked playfully. “What if you don’t like my choice?”


“Well, first off, I’ve picked them, because I’ll enjoy anything. Plus, throughout the night I’ve found your choices more than enticing, so I’ll happily go along.”


Step 5: Make him yours


Nishikido Ryo was not an easy lay and Kamiki knew that much. He wasn’t exactly an easy guy himself. So, really, Kamiki had no regrets about the choices he had made for that evening. Or letting Ryo make the decision of how they wanted their night to finish. He would have enjoyed any outcome.


He had to admit, though, that the slick skin he felt rubbing against his, the hot breath that tickled his ear, the silent mewls Ryo kept giving whenever he hit an overly sensitive spot, the tight slick heat, the pushing, thrusting, harder, faster – damn, he hadn’t fucked so good in a long while.


“Yeah, more,” Ryo moaned, moving against him insistently.


“Close,” Kamiki gasped, his hips picking up pace.


His movements lost grace and their act turned the kind of ugly it just did when you were close to orgasming. Ryo jerked himself off forcefully in hopes of coming before Kamiki would stop fucking him. He was close enough and it really took just a few good strokes for him to start twitching all over, releasing and making Kamiki moan at the sensation and come only moments later.


A rather awkward silence filled the room as both of them tried to catch their breaths. It was uncomfortable, though, and soon there was the sound of rustling sheets as they arranged themselves into a more comfortable position. Kamiki felt like he was in heaven and since Ryo did not complain in any way, he decided to stay right where he was, cock deep inside his lover, bodies pressed together tightly. Kamiki’s lips found Ryo’s neck and gave it a number of loving pecks, while Ryo’s hands caressed his back in loving strokes.


They remained like that for a long while, wanting to prolong the experience, appreciating the connection building between them. When Ryo’s nose softly nudged Kamiki’s cheek, he turned his head, just to have his lips captured in the most passionate kiss. He hummed in pleasure, engaging in the lip-lock in pure joy. The longer it kept going, the slower it turned, leaving them kissing lazily, but lovingly for many long minutes. When they finally came up for some air, they looked at each other, smiling blissfully. Still neither of them spoke, but words weren’t really needed between them then and there.


They took a few more minutes to grace a few spots on each other’s bodies that they lived in particular, before they finally decided it was time to detach – at least a bit. Kamiki pulled out carefully. The sight that greeted him wasn’t the most appealing. Well, they hadn’t exactly planned this, so there had been no major preparations, but he merely shrugged it off, deciding to take the condom off right in the bathroom over the toilet and turning it inside out to avoid the sticky mess on the outside. He awkwardly climbed off the bed, trying not to hit anything as he made his way to the bathroom and Ryo actually laughed lightly at his display. Not that he minded much. Ryo had not laughed when he had fucked him, after all. Plus, the other had to get cleaned up himself as well.


Sure enough, just a few moments later Ryo came in as well. Before doing anything else, he went right for Kamiki’s ass.


“This is going to be next, you know,” he said playfully.


“Whenever you’re ready, old man,” Kamiki teased right back.


“You should not challenge me,” Ryo warned him. “I might be more than you can handle.”


“Can’t wait to find out,” Kamiki decided.


They took a long shower together, taking their time to discover yet more unfamiliar territory on each other’s bodies, but staying away from things that would get them too worked up. They might want another go that night, but they both absolutely needed a break.


A good fifteen minutes later they were back in bed, clean and cuddled together under a fresh blanket.


“So,” Ryo muttered, as he lazily stroked through Kamiki’s hair, “when’s our next date?”


“Oh?” Kamiki made, turning his head to show him a grin. “No more pre-occupations?”


“Many,” Ryo admitted. “But for now I’ll put them aside. And I won’t be displeased if I don’t ever have to look at them again.”


“I will show each and everyone to you,” Kamiki told him. “Right to your face. And then I’m gonna shred them to pieces, one by one.”


Ryo gave him one of those smiles that made his knees go weak and leaned in for another kiss. Kamiki met him happily and they kissed for a while. When they parted this time, Kamiki moved them to arrange them into a comfortable sleeping position.


“How about next Thursday,” he said against Ryo’s shoulder. “It’s my day off. You can come by. I can cook.”


“Sounds awesome,” Ryo decided, his arms tightening around Kamiki’s form.


With plans of a nice romantic dinner together Kamiki closed his eyes, hoping that his dreams would be at least half as awesome as his life was in that moment.