He was lost, again, and no matter what the cell phone in his hand told him he felt all turned around and while the phone said one thing the streets were in a language he didn’t know and this they said something else entirely. He had gone out to find a cafe, as he was unsure of what else to do with his free time as there was nothing to do at home. It was a Sunday and he didn’t have a job, yet, and he wanted to get a hot drink. Standing in place he turned right and looked about before turning left and sighing again. He was standing on a street corner absolutely lost and it showed on his face.
Biting down on the left corner of his bottom lip Seung could feel his frustration mounting as he considered just turning back the way he’d come, that he was sure he could figure out, and heading back home and making some kind of tea; despite tea not really being his thing. It was cool out though and he did want a hot cup of coffee or some form of drink containing espresso. Draped about his neck was a thin white cord that split at some point and ended in tiny earbuds, he’d taken them out of his ears when he’d started to get really lost about ten minutes ago. He’d figured he was doing just fine with his cell phones gps till then but it seemed he hadn’t been, considering how lost he was.
Ignoring some old woman passing by him, staring at him as if she disapproved of something, he chose to try again with his phone as he spoke into the phone where he was looking to go. His english however was butchered and that was likely the cause for the issue, what he was saying wasn’t being heard correctly.
Naoki did not especially like this city. He didn’t especially dislike it either, but aside from a few interesting people sprinkled here and there to sketch, this place wasn’t nearly as fascinating at his brother had made it sound when he’d sat him down to have the Destiny City chat with him. Terrorists everywhere, all these crazy people in insane costumes, be careful, don’t trust anyone, this wasn’t like home, blah blah blah blah - Tatsu had sort of lost him after costumed terrorists to be honest, and Nao was still sort of hoping against hope that he’d find a way to stumble into one of them somewhere. Or better yet, catch them unawares, maybe get some new inspiration.
Really, it wasn’t so different from the last city they’d lived in. A little dirty, a little worn down, but it didn’t feel like he heard ambulances or anything like that any more than he did at the last place - there were a few interesting hole in the wall type shops scattered like breadcrumbs through the city, at least, and that’s what he’d devoted his Sunday afternoon to. His sketchbook was tucked in a bag at his side just in case, because really, you never knew - and his phone was also silenced, shoved into the bottom of his bag. Nao didn’t need to, or want to, know where he was going. He’d take what thrills he could find.
Although it wasn’t really much of a thrill to have a man about twice his size (why were so many people in this city so big? - or hell, this country) bumped him hard out of the way on his pursuit of whatever. It didn’t matter what, it’d never matter what. What did matter was he got all but shoved onto some sap on the corner, his hood knocked clear off his head. “Ah - sorry, “ he spat out in thickly accented English, and the inflection was just completely off.
Startled out of his pursuit of finding the cafe that was supposed to be near his home, he was pretty sure he wasn’t that close to home now and had passed many cafe’s, he nearly toppled as someone was shoved into him.
The first thing he noticed was two hair colors and then that the person was very short, not that it was odd for people to be shorter than he was. His sister and cousin were both shorter as was his mother, such was the fate of many women where he was from.
“I’m sorry.” His own English was accented heavily and slowly spoken, as if he were thinking about them even as he spoke them - and he was. He was recalling lessons from classes in years past. Today he’d gone out without a hoodie, though he was wondering if that was such a smart idea seeing as he’d been out so long, as he was left in a loose t-shirt with some bad english written across it and a sleeveless zip up garment over it. Neither item was thick or warm and both were more for fashion than anything else.
Naoki was quick to back up a step or two, because he was not about to stay pressed up against someone he didn’t know on a street corner. He didn’t even get that close to his friends, not like he had many. - did he even had any? - it all really depended on the definition of ‘friend’ they decided to opt with.
Details. Petty details.
The first thing he noticed, point blank, wasn’t the hair or the outfit or anything like that - it was that the guy he’d bumped into was definitely not caucasian, and the accent perhaps belied that he was not a born and bred American either. Adjusting his bag on his shoulder, and his glasses - which were by no means necessary, simply a fashion choice - slipped down the bridge of his nose. He pushed them back up with his middle finger, eyes intensely blue today thanks to the contacts and all but staring holes in the guy he’d bumped into.
“
As the other stepped back and he got a better look at him he was surprised, or maybe not with the others accent, to see very Asian features staring back at him - save for the blue eyes. Those were contacts no doubt, as far as he could tell. Surprised by this whole thing he slid his phone into his back pocket and when the other spoke, questioned him, it took a moment before he responded as he got his bearings.
Naoki didn’t exactly beam up at him or anything, and his gaze was no less intent for the confirmation - but he did give a slow nod, the kind of acknowledging gesture spared for someone in the same boat adrift in a sea of a language that was not, and might never be, their own. Even if the other guy hadn’t confirmed Korean, hearing him speak Japanese, Nao would’ve guessed it; the accent was pretty distinct.
“” And just like that he introduced himself with a slight bow of his head, alongside a muttered ‘yoroshiku onegaishimasu’ out of sheer habit. At least it wasn’t completely out of place, here. “
Where the others eyes were no normal color his own were a natural dark brown, almost black, in color and slim as he hadn’t been blessed with wide eyes nor had he gone under the knife for them as so many Koreans did; they were known for it. That wasn’t to say he hadn’t gone under the knife and altered his natural features in a way which was far more permanent than the others contacts - which really did look good on him now that he got to looking at the other more.
Bowing in return, nice and low, he responded in kind.
Pulling out his cell phone he showed it to the other, after unlocking the screen. It was supposed to be a really nice, not too populated, cafe and that was just what he wanted. He knew ordering would be an issue but he didn’t want to deal with a lot of people either. It was a give and take, take less people but give up the chance of anyone understanding him or being able to tell him what was in a drink.
((I figure Seung wears like bb cream and nothing else, at least right now. If anything else he’d use eyeliner at times.))
Violet. Red. Blue. These were some of the many colors of contacts that Naoki had stocked at home, some provided, some purchased, some given to him as gifts. He’d been getting more gifts, lately, since he’d started making more modeling appearances. It was a bit unnerving, really. He didn’t dislike the work or the fringe benefits of it, and he appreciated that people liked him and all, but - things like this. Gifts, from people that had never met him. The same people approaching him on the street and talking to him as though they were friends, and he were not simply the means to advertise an edgy shirt or a pair of shiny new shoes.
See, and moments like this, a chance meeting with a Korean on the street who just happened to recognize him. Naoki fidgeted a bit, and it wasn’t so much about being uncomfortable with attention as - lack of anonymity? Yes, that was it. He still didn’t quite know how to deal with that, how to talk to people like this that approached him on the street. “” His cheeks burned faintly, but he was a little glad for when the other man changed the subject, scooting closer and peering over his arm at the screen.
He pushed his glasses down, this time, peering over the rims to get a better look at the map. “” and he felt the need to put up that disclaimer right off the bat, “
Really, Naoki was almost sure he’d wandered past it now so long ago. He pointed down the road with one painted nail. “
There really hadn’t been a reason for him to do more than mention having seen the other, and knowing who he was, as he’d only seen the others picture from his cousin not that long ago actually. But the other wasn’t working, clearly, and was out and about so he was respectful enough to not bother the other with such things, he’d leave the fangirling to his sister and cousin as well as to concerts that he went to (which he wouldn’t be going to now in this city).
Shifting his phone so the other could see better he smiled at the other. So he was really new to the city, though he didn’t know when the other had arrived. But he was certainly new himself and getting lost seemed like something which he would be doing for a while.
Surprised with the directions, easy to follow and thankfully in a language he knew, he nodded his head to the others question.
Naoki looked at him with what might have been a hint of mischief in his eyes, although it was really very hard to read him, his face deliberately neutral as he arched a brow. Not because of his contacts, but because he tried to remain aware of himself and his reactions; he’d given people too much fodder to work with in the past. “
Perhaps there was a vague upturn of lips, but it could have just as easily been the shadows of a late afternoon playing off his face as he tilted his head forward. “” Easier said than done; although he was leading Seung to his cafe, he weaved effortlessly in and out of throngs of people. It probably helped that he was short, but there was a certain fluidness to the way that he moved that said he was quite used to slipping past people with minimal resistance. Seung wouldn’t know it, but his art thrived on going unnoticed in spite of his unique style.
(Another reason why the modeling had its perks and detriments.)
In hardly any time at all, though, he was standing there in front of the cafe in question, leaning up against the wall just outside the door frame, hands shoved into his pockets.
Shaking his head he ran his fingers through the fringe of hair, letting some of his hair fall into his left eye so most of it was hidden and the right one only visible.
While Naoki had an easy time moving around people it wasn’t as easy for Seung but he did manage to keep up with the other, even as he dodged people and almost got hit by someone else. These people were in a rush or just didn’t care who they smacked into it seemed. This wasn’t to say the streets of Seoul weren’t busy, they were, but it was still different. This whole city felt different and wrong to him honestly.
When they did arrive outside the cafe he bowed once to the other.
Naoki shrugged idly, answering without looking directly at Seung. “
He could appreciate the gesture, and so he ducked his head in a polite, shallow bow as he stepped into the place. It seemed typical enough, as far as what he’d come to expect from American cafes - especially the trendier ones - a certain kind of warm lighting with darker walls and various bits and bobs of art and paraphernalia on the walls. He could imagine why it probably got good reviews.
“
He was Asian as well and that meant it wasn’t how he behaved, not that he was some blushing virgin or anything extreme like that. Following the other he kept close behind him, as he moved around people with still less grace than the other; something he was a touch envious of.
Seung might have asked in a whisper; Naoki did no such thing when he answered. Odds were no one else here spoke Japanese, and even if they did it wasn’t like he cared if they overheard or not. “” He flashed a half-smile back over his shoulder that was probably playful. Probably. Maybe. “” It really could’ve gone either way from the way he’d said it, and Seung wasn’t wrong. Korea and Japan weren’t like the States. Touches and glances didn’t automatically equate to interest. - all the more reason for him to just point blank ask. Otherwise it was just a game of back and forth, yes or no, maybe, maybe, ******** the shame aspect; if they wanted to find a way to shame him, they’d eventually find a way to do it anyway. Might as well just get it out there and have them recoil than find out later down the line what they were really like.
“
The response the other had for him was unexpected and the result was rather quick. A blush stained his cheeks as he stared down at the other.
Biting down on his bottom lip he nodded after a moment. His sister and his cousin knew but aside from that...no one else knew. He’d never told his friends and certainly not his family! His father had pushed him with school, the only thing he had gotten out of was a cram school (he’d had to study on his own for hours). His father had expectations for him and eventual children were part of that, the whole carry on of the family and name.
Sliding into the bench across from the other Seung ducked his head and stared up at the other.
Taking one of the menus from the table to glance over it he was glad his reading skills were up to par as he decided on what he wanted, something with vanilla and espresso and milk with whip cream.
“
He didn’t push it much further than that; he knew Seung’s type, or people like them. He’d been with them before, ducking into Love Hotels for a quick night, maybe two. Never more. “
With his mind made up, he set the menu down on the table and eyed Seung, running his top teeth over his bottom lip. “
Laughing, a bit embarrassed, he lifted one hand to run his fingers through his hair. Dark eyes focused on the other.
Naoki didn’t even answer the question, am I? Instead, he just laughed softly with him, sinking against his seat, back pressing against it. You would be, though, although he chuckled deeply again, he flashed Seung a look with a sly smile and an arched brow. “
As for the food, Naoki ordered by pointing to the picture until the poor waitress got the point, mumbling out a heavily accented ‘vanilla’ that took about four tries for her to actually hear and then understand. He grumbled once she walked away, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand as he tried to re-focus on the conversation. Even the simplest things could be such a headache. “
Ah-ha~ throwing in the good looking men comment now. Naoki puffed out his chest a bit, a grin lighting his face. “” he teased, crossing his legs beneath the table.
His type. That was funny. He chuckled lightly and rested his elbow on the table, chin on his hand. “
Shaking his head at the others question, even as he watched the waitress approach.
After Naoki placed his order he did the same thing and like the other he did have to repeat himself a few times before the waitress to get the idea dn write it down. He really needed to work on social english, not what was taught in books and needed for business. It would help a great deal.
“
Company. “
He just snickered at the secretive business. “
“
Nodding his head once he focused on the next thing the other said, they were here for similar reasons?
He’d been working with someone who worked at the school so he could adjust to the language thing, and the changes in measurement system since they didn’t use the same system here. He wasn’t noticeably getting better yet but it would take time, and a lot of it, for him to get better with the language here. It would come, in time, as he knew he needed to learn English in order to survive in this new city. He’d wind up fluent in three languages if he had it his way, as he planned to further his skills with the Japanese language also, not that they were bad per-say. But they were rusty and accented, as he was sure the other could tell.
Pulling out his phone he unlocked the screen and offered it to the other.
As drinks came he took his, giving a very short bow of thanks before his attention was back on the other. Somehow it felt like his offer of a coffee to the other, as a thank you for helping him find this place, was turning into a lot more and he wouldn’t be surprised if somehow things ended in something like a kiss or more...
That made Naoki laugh. “
Rusty and accented though his words might be, Naoki couldn’t really complain. It beat heavily accented ‘kawaii’ being flung his way - again, not that he disliked his fans. Quite the opposite. Sometimes they were just a little… feely was all. After all, unless he said so, there was boundaries he wished people would abide by. But it seemed to be an American thing, and even if it made him uncomfortable sometimes, it beat the oppressiveness back home.
If Seung had said anything out loud about how ‘forward’ that was, rest assured Naoki would’ve laughed even harder. Their definitions of ‘forward’ were pretty drastically different, after all. “” he chimed out playfully, plugging his number in real quick and passing it back to him.
For all his fidgeting, he was sort of surprised Seung answered him so easily. But he couldn’t really complain. “
That went both ways. And he gave a somewhat sly smile as he began to dig into his ice cream.
Another sip from his drink was taken as he ducked his head to cover up the flush to his cheeks. When he did look up he tossed his head, his hair moving out of his way a bit, as he answered the other.
Watching the other dig into his ice cream he took another sip from his drink and leaned back in his seat relaxed here and talking, despite what they were conversing about.
Naoki would’ve loved to show Seung how wrong he was about that; maybe sometime. “, “ he admitted honestly, with a light shrug of his shoulders. “
His face split into a grin. “
Leave it to Naoki to delicately dance around the issue, huh?
Startled as the other leaned right across the table, his cheeks already a nice shade of red, he leaned back for a moment before dark eyes went wide as he had to swallow before he could even manage an answer to the other.
Did he want to take the other to bed? Hell, he was attractive and he really did find the idea appealing - very appealing. Obviously judging by the conversation Naoki was interested and who was he to deny the mutual want? He had no plans for the rest of the day so that left him hours to do as he pleased, including spending time with Naoki.
Leaning forward finally, decision made, he reached out with one hand to touch the others cheek, gently cupping the others face, and gave his answer. Yes, he interested in taking the other to bed.
Naoki took quiet pleasure in watching the range of emotions dance across Seung’s face, from flustered to accepting; well yes, he did enjoy getting a rise out of people, thanks for noticing.
He felt heat lace through him when that hand came to touch his cheek. It was soft, the tell-tale sign of a man who took care of himself. “” he remarked deliberately dryly, a brow arching and a bit of a playful grin on his face. “
He tilted his head and pressed his lips to the other man’s fingertips, chuckling. “
Laughing he nodded his head.
His parents would both be at work and he felt he was safe enough to bring the other home, his cousin and sister were likely to be out and if not well..the two girls would not be getting through his locked bedroom door.
Waiting for the other to finish up he stood, stretched, and offered a hand out to the other.
frayedflower