[ME7] - Black and Blue

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji was caught aback by that. "Made?" He asked, curiosity piqued. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that there is a tailor on hand for the Crane. Color me green with envy, Asahina-san."

[Asahina Hinata]

He grinned over the rim of his teacup.

"Oh yes, we have our stoc . . .stoi . . . sta . . . . our very good Couturier-samaaa machine!"

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji blinked. Slowly taking in the moment. More entranced by Hinata's charming grin than the words.

"Truly the Crane showing why they are the forefront of fashion and the courts. I will have to take note then, of all the details on you." Yuji returned the grin, before drinking again from the tea.

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh I just like cute clothes. I mean we all wear them on stage, but I'm the only one of the boys who wears these kind of things off stage. Although I think Tomo-kun might want to but he tries to copy Naz-kun."

He put one hand over his mouth.

"Ooopsie, I wasn't supposed to say that. Tomo-kun will be so upset with me if it gets out."

[Susumu Yuji]

"Well, you have exquisite taste, Asahina-san. And wear them very well." The admission was a little louder than Yuji had anticipated, but he didn't let that show on his face. "I get the desire to... copy what someone does while wishing you could do your own thing." A hint of some kinship to that thought.

He smiled at Hinata, the sudden realization on his face absolutely precious. "Don't worry. That will not move past these lips. All we talked about was cute clothing and how stylish you are."

[Asahina Hinata]

Hinata grinned, bouncing around on the sofa enough to need to readjust his shorts again. Which in turn caused a little blush and a period of hiding behind his teacup.

"Naz-kun is very stylish, so I can see why Tomo-kun copies him, but Ki-kun and Yuta-kun manage their own styles that are different to mine when we're not on stage. Susumu-samaaaaa is very kind to say my style is good."

[Susumu Yuji]

The blush was noted... and enjoyed. Yuji couldn't help but steal a glance as Hinata adjusted, before refocusing on the other man's face.

"The vibrancy of your style us very different to what Ibsaw growing up. Even in the Susumu school on Whispers, uniforms were austere. While I try to stay up on fashion, I still default to differing shades of black." The man chuckled, sipping from his tea.

"I like black, though. Which is fine. But it means when I'm looking for style I focus on cut, and material."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh school on Harusame was like that. I never really liked the robes but it wasn't until I joined Usagi Drop! that I was allowed to wear things like this!"

Clothes adjusted safely, he could pick up his teacup again. A mental note to not wear the sailor suit when expecting to sit on the low sofas was registered . . . and then immediately forgotten.

[Susumu Yuji]

"A bit of freedom when we finally get out of our supervised schooling. And we can become ourselves." The words were spoken softly, accompanied by closed eyes and a sincere smile. His hands clasped around the tea cup, bringing it up to his lips, looking to Hinata, enjoying his company. There was something about just talking with an ally, without pretense and schemes.

"If you ever get to expand your tour dates, you should see if you can visit some of the Spider worlds. They could use a bit of brightness, sometime."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh that would be a great idea. I'll have to ask Doji-samaaa when I get back home. I'm sure the other boys will be thrilled!!!"

Yes, Naz-kun will absolutely love going into Yakumo territory . . .

[Susumu Yuji]

"I'm glad to hear it! Maybe I'll be able to request leave of duties, and take the family home to Whispers to see a performance there." Yuji pondered on that, letting the teacup rest gently in his hands on his lap.

"What are you looking forward to, from this season? Personally, I mean. I'd like to get to know you better as a friend, Asahina-san. Not just as clan allies."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Well it's the first time I've been at a Winter season without the other Drop! boys. Naz-kun was away last year, but I was still with the other three. So this is the first time I've had to explore a city on my own and see the sights, the foods, the people. I just want to see what I can here and spend time with people I like."

He grinned across the low table.

[Susumu Yuji]

That comment, the grin, it caught Yuji's ears and eyes. Now was his turn to flush slightly, though he quickly passed it on to his own smile.

"Have you found... people you like, Asahina-san?" There was something to the way Yuji asked, leaning in slightly, before sipping from his tea again.

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh loads of people!!!!"

There was that happy smile again.

"Honestly, everyone has been so friendly to me here. Even the Lion and Unicorn and Crab, and they're not supposed to be our friends."

Any extra meaning was lost.

[Susumu Yuji]

"Ah." He composed himself, keeping his eyes on Hinata. The smile was infectious, and Yuji couldn't help but feel himself somewhat off balance, but enjoying it.

"You're very easy to get along with, Asahina-san. I'm not surprised you can make friends with anyone." His red eyes looking to Hinata's own.

This isn't like you, being so... passive.

The teacup was set down

"I... like you, Asahina-san."

[Asahina Hinata]

Hinata watched the cup go down. There was a series of memories for him of serious things being said after tea cups were set down like that. Usually involving him being reprimanded for something he's done . . . or not done . . . or not even thought of.

This was different.

"Oh. . . . . OH!"

That kind of bluntness usually came in a much more private setting. He mentally tallied how many people had seen the Susumu come in.

"Oh too many people . . . . "

He blinked.

"Sorry, Susumu-samaaaa just thinking out loud. Thank you. I like you too!!!"

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji was aware of how public they were. "I wanted to tell you, before the season ended. Regret is a sin, after all." He looked to Hinata's features, taking them all in, as if committing them to memory.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You've nothing to apologize for. It was a bit more truthful than what were supposed to say. Not like parties with masks, or little quiet dinners."

[Asahina Hinata]

Hinata seriously wasn't one for regrets in any way even if they weren't sins. With his attention span he would have to remember more things to have regrets about them.

"Oh yes . . no masks here! Quiet little dinners can be fun!"

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji nodded at that. Finding himself refreshed simply being with Hinata. He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes for a long moment. "They are, and they're rare here, unless you set them up yourself. The Scorpion prefer the garish and the outlandish, so everything is over saturated and designed to keep you unaware of time. Unaware of what is being pried."

They opened again.

"Before the season ends, I'd like to take you to dinner. If you'd like."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Well it's certainly colourful but too much red and not enough blue . . . and . . . oh . . . "

The Spider went quiet so so did the Crane.

"Dinner? Oh, I'd love to."