Kota had been pacing back and forth across the small living room for the last forty minutes like a caged animal. The black button-up felt suddenly too tight around his chest, the gray slacks a little warm against his thighs. Every few steps he checked the clock on the wall, then his phone, then the clock again.
2:58.
2:59.
3:00.
His heart was doing this annoying little flip every time he thought about tonight.
A real date. With Theo. His boyfriend. The word still sounded foreign in his head, but it kept bringing a stupid half-smile to his face anyway.
His phone buzzed on the coffee table. He practically dove for it, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process. The screen lit up with Theo's name.
Theo: Ready yet, darling? (´ω｀) I'm leaving now~
Kota's thumbs flew across the screen, but before he could finish typing, the phone started ringing. He answered instantly, voice coming out a little too fast.
"Hey—uh, yeah. I'm ready. Been ready. What's up?"
Theo's voice came through soft and a little shy, that polished British lilt wrapping around every word. "I'm on my way to pick you up right now. The date spot is top secret, so don't even try guessing. Just… be downstairs in a few minutes, okay? And Kota?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't be late." There was a tiny, playful pause. "Or I might have to punish my boyfriend."
Kota let out a low chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'll be right down. See you soon."
He hung up, heart hammering harder than it had any right to. He gave himself one last look in the hallway mirror, collar straight, sleeves rolled once, sneakers clean, then stepped out of the apartment, locking the door behind him.
The hallway smelled like old carpet and someone's dinner cooking further down. He took the stairs two at a time, trying to burn off some of the nervous energy crackling under his skin.
Halfway down the last flight, someone came around the corner too fast and slammed straight into him. Kota stumbled back a step, catching the guy by the shoulders on instinct so neither of them went down.
"Whoa, easy," Kota said, steadying him. "You alright?"
The guy was a twink, slim, hairless arms, greasy blond hair falling into his face, big nose, sunken eyes. Not the usual hyper-feminine femboy type that filled the building. He looked like he'd been living off energy drinks and paranoia. His hands fluttered uselessly as he tried to pull away, face turning bright red.
"I—uhh—umm—sorry—didn't see—fuck—I mean, I was just—uhhh—" His voice cracked. He couldn't even form a full sentence. Up close like this, the twink's mind was a screaming storm.
Holy fucking shit. It's him. Kota. Up close. Those shoulders,wide as fuck. How does someone even get shoulders like that? And that stupid kind smile… stop smiling at me like that, you asshole. God, his cologne… it's all over me now. And that chest… I can see the outline of his pecs through the shirt. Fuck. His cock. I saw it wrecking those two yesterday. That monster swinging between his legs while he pounded them senseless. Why does he have to look like this? I hate him. I hate how hot he is. I should've stayed hidden longer. Why did I come out today? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. My hands are shaking. He's touching me. His hands are on my shoulders. Warm. Strong. I want to— no. Run. Just run.
The twink's face burned hotter. "S-sorry, man, I was… distracted. Late for… uh… janitor stuff. Yeah. Gotta go—"
He yanked himself free, nearly tripping again, and bolted down the stairs like the building was on fire, greasy hair flying behind him.
Kota stared after him for a second, eyebrows raised. "Weird dude," he muttered, shrugging it off. He continued down the stairs and pushed through the front doors into the afternoon light.
Parked right out front was Theo's super expensive 2044 white McLaren. The thing still looked ridiculous every time Kota saw it—low, sleek, screaming money in a world that had mostly stopped caring about flashy cars.
Theo rolled the passenger window down and gave a sheepish little wave, blond hair falling perfectly around his face.
Kota walked over, opened the door, and slid into the buttery leather seat. The car smelled like expensive cologne and new leather. Before he could even buckle up, Theo leaned over and wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug. The principal's body was warm, trembling just slightly with nerves.
"I still don't really know how to act," Theo admitted quietly against Kota's shoulder, voice muffled. "I've never dated anyone before. Never had a boyfriend. I keep thinking I'm going to do something stupid and ruin it."
Kota hugged him back, one big hand rubbing slow circles between Theo's shoulder blades. "You're alright, Theo. We're both figuring this out. Just… be you. That's plenty."
Theo pulled back just enough to look at him, cheeks already pink. "You're forgetting something."
Kota blinked. "Oh—right." He leaned in quickly and pressed their lips together in a soft, lingering kiss. Theo froze completely, eyes wide, then turned an even deeper shade of red as he pulled back.
"You— you can't just do that without warning me first!" Theo squeaked, faking anger even as his hands stayed fisted in Kota's shirt. "My heart isn't ready for surprise boyfriend kisses in my own car! What if I had crashed from the shock? irresponsible. Absolutely irresponsible behavior from my boyfriend."
He was clearly fighting a smile, lips twitching as he tried to maintain the tsundere act. "You're going to give me a heart attack before we even reach the restaurant. I demand at least three seconds warning next time. Minimum."
Kota chuckled, settling back into the seat as Theo started the engine. The McLaren purred to life with a low, expensive growl. "Noted. Three-second warning. Got it."
Theo glanced over, still blushing furiously, one hand on the wheel while the other reached over to squeeze Kota's thigh. "Good. Now… are you ready for a proper date, darling? Because I have plans. And I'm not letting you escape until I've spoiled you rotten."
The car pulled smoothly away from the curb, carrying both of them toward whatever secret spot Theo had chosen, the late afternoon sun painting the white hood in warm gold. Kota leaned back, letting himself relax for the first time all day. Whatever happened tonight, he was exactly where he wanted to be.
Theo kept one hand on the wheel, the other occasionally drifting over to rest on Kota's leg like he needed constant reassurance that this was real.
"I spent all morning picking the place. It's small, private, excellent reviews. They have this chocolate soufflé that's supposed to be life-changing. I thought… maybe after dinner we could take a walk somewhere quiet. If you want. No pressure. I just… I really want this to be perfect."
Kota smiled, covering Theo's hand with his own. "It already is. Stop stressing."
"I can't help it," Theo huffed, though his fingers laced with Kota's. "This is my first boyfriend. I have standards to uphold. And expectations. Mostly my own. You're going to be sick of me by next week."
"Highly doubt that."
The drive continued with Theo chattering nervously—about the restaurant, about work, about how Elliot had bullied him into the outfit, and Kota listening, occasionally squeezing his hand. The nerves between them slowly melted into something warmer, sweeter.
A real date.
Their date.
And for once, the world outside the expensive car felt far away.