| "Two karei?" The server returned and smiled a waitressy sort of smile, bending gently to set a plate before each of the men. Jin swallowed and smiled and said thanks. Hwoarang's eyes were clouded, and shifted to stare after the waitress somewhat blankly. When he gave an uninspired reach for the chopsticks, turning to assess his karei, his words came in the deliberate guise of an afterthought. " . . . me too." But Hwoarang wasn't ready to embellish with what he still didn't understand, so he muted himself with a portion of the fish, chewing with savoring procrastination. Kazama's face had been lowered towards the chopsticks and he had just set his hand upon them when Hwoarang had spoken. He was very still for several counts and then only his eyes moved, in the direction of Hwoarang. "...What?" He closed his fingers about the chopsticks and lifted his chin. The enzymes in saliva had long reduced the seafood in Hwoarang's mouth to simplified molecular form, but he still swallowed with a reluctant effort. His slanted gaze narrowed a quarter more as he raised it, addressing the other teenager's anticipating face. "I like hanging out with you .. too. You're .. " Each word was a trial against instincts, and he found it a task to prevent stuttering awkwardly. " .. pretty cool, Jin." Glistening with moisture from the food, lips curved in a weak smile of reinforcement. Jin met Hwoarang's glance long enough to say that he got it, that he understood and it was cool, and then he had to lower his eyes to his meal for fear that they might say too much. "Oh." He lifted a piece of fish, chewed, and didn't taste it. He did, however, smile simply as he took his second bite. "Cool." It was the most delicious thing Jin'd ever tasted. /Cool. Yeah - everything ... / Hwoarang assured himself, was simple and cool. Utilizing Jin's deference to study him that much longer, Hwoarang felt more entitled the feelings of ease he experienced in Jin's company - an experience rare and significant to him. He stopped short of responding, however, placing his faith in the smile on the other's masticating mouth. He continued to eat as well, polishing off his portion in a matter of minutes. To Jin, at least, it was not an uncomfortable silence. He ate as calmly as he did almost everything else, also finishing off his water at one point. The server traded his glass for a fresh one quickly. (Since their last visit, word had spread among the waitstaff about a certain handsome young patron who apparently tipped quite generously.) Jin was finished when his plate and the second glass were both empty and he once more settled back against the seat, head and stomach both pleasantly full. "...Want to catch a game of pool?" "Why not .. ?" Hwoarang agreed. Leaving a quarter of the brew unimbibed, he rose from his chair and reached backward, hand weaning a money clip of his tight pants pocket. " .. you any good?" The Mishima heir might have detected traces of the Korean's fondness for intense competition in Hwoarang's query, and the particular way a corner of his mouth rose, tugging his lips in a haughty, slanted crescent. "We can make it interesting," Hwoarang continued. "How about a bet? I win, you teach me that .. uppercut thing. You win, you .. what do you want?" "I'll think about it." Hwoarang grinned. Even if he lost, what would Kazama Jin possibly ask for that matter'd? |