Chapter 1: One Hell of a First Kiss
Elio looked over at Takahiro as the Japanese man expertly loaded a pistol magazine, and wondered how the hell they’d gotten here. And yet he knew.
Elio stood behind the counter of his parents’ shop, sighing wistfully. Here he was, 23 years old, single, and lonely.
The small bells at the door chimed as a slender Asian man walked in, looking no older than Elio, and perhaps just an inch shorter, making him 5’8” in comparison to Elio’s 5’9” height. He was striking. He wore delicate golden, flat earrings and his face was perfectly clean shaven. His black hair was stark against a matted pearly complexion. Yet as he approached, a tawny sheen on his face made him glow, and Elio couldn’t take his eyes off him.
His black hair lay in smooth layers on top, neat but not rigid, with a few strands rebelling just enough to add charm. Eyes almost as dark as his hair twinkled with delight when they met Elio’s gaze.
“Welcome! What can I do you for?”
The man smiled. “I’m looking for something delicate. A female friend of mine is getting married and I wish to buy her something befitting her beauty.”
“Very well.” Elio stepped out from behind the counter and presented the store to his sole customer. “Finest Italian jewelry at your disposal.”
The man’s eyes roved Elio’s physique, and Elio felt his olive face flush. “And the finest Italian man, I see.” He grinned.
Elio let out a small laugh. “Also at your disposal.”
The man’s smile widened, showing subtle dimples near his bow-shaped lips. He bowed politely from the waist with his hands by his sides. “The name’s Takahiro”
“Japanese?”
“Correct.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Elio, labouring for my parents in their shop. I swear this is child labour but I’m 23, so I can’t sue them over it.”
Takahiro chuckled. “I know what you mean. My parents love to rope me into their business as well.” He paused. “I’m 22.”
The two men continued to size each other up flirtatiously. Upon further observation, Elio noticed that Takahiro’s biceps seemed well-trained and his lean yet muscular pectorals indicated that he took care of his appearance while holding strength, probably in areas one wouldn’t suspect. Elio was mildly more muscular than Takahiro, and he couldn’t help but wonder, in an intimate tackle, who would wind up on top.
“While it’s just us, to be sure that I’m understanding you correctly,” began Elio, “I happen to be gay, and recently came out to my family.” He sighed. “Oh, the loud noises they made, some of approval, some of questioning.” He imitated his parents’ thick Italian accent – while his was mild, he knew he still had one. “A gay Italian, it’s unheard of. We’re proud of you, and we love you, but this is going to cause an uproar with la famiglia. Let us speak to your cousins before you make announcements, we only want them to accept you.”
He laughed, feeling his face flush. “Sorry. It’s easier to confide in strangers.”
“Maybe we don’t have to be strangers for long,” Takahiro offered. “I’m…also gay. And happy you caught my flirt.” He smiled timidly. “It’s unheard of among the Japanese too, to be gay. Everything your parents said, now imagine it in Japanese.” Both men chuckled. “Thankfully, I was born here and not in Japan, and my circle of friends was more than accepting. I don’t know how they’d take it in Japan, and I don’t care. I am who I am and proud of it.”
“Yeah, me too. My cousins in Italy? They can go fuck themselves if they don’t like it. In fact, I’m pretty certain some of them fuck each other.”
Takahiro burst out laughing. “You’re serious?”
“Long story short, my cousin Estrella and my cousin Gian were seen making out one night, plus they’re always making those dirty eyes at each other, eye fucking each other. If they haven’t already jumped into bed together, they will.”
Takahiro seemed amused.
“But enough about that, you came in here for a delicate gift befitting a beautiful friend.”
“Yes.”
Elio showed Takahiro around the shop, presenting some of their finest earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
“That one, with the pink and diamonds on the silver. The whole set.”
Elio arched his eyebrows. That was: earrings, necklace, bracelet, and ankle bracelet. “It doesn’t come cheap.”
“Neither do I.”
“Very well.” Elio suppressed a smirk as he made his sale, catching the flirtatious tone from Takahiro’s words and the glint in his eyes.
As Takahiro made his way to the door, he turned around, taking a few steps backwards. “At what time do you finish work?”
“Shop closes at 5:00. I’ll be out of here by 5:30.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Takahiro bit his lower lip, and then turned and left the shop.
Elio felt his face flush as a grin spread across it. He let out a chuckle. “Sweet!” He’d just made a huge sale and scored himself a hot date.
Takahiro took care of some business he had for his family before getting himself ready for his date. He smiled at himself in the mirror. He was smitten by Elio already. The Italian man’s brown hair was coiffed with side bangs curving to one side lower than the other, making the green in his hazel eyes stand out against the gold. His accent, while very mild, retained his Italian culture.
His wide lips were almost permanently pursed, making them look fuller, and Takahiro looked very much forward to having a taste of them later.
Elio was crude in his expressions, but honest. It enticed Takahiro to make an effort.
He arrived at the shop at 5:30 sharp and waited outside. When Elio stepped out, he paused, and a wide smile spread across his gorgeous face.
“You came.”
“The night’s young, neither of us have come yet.”
It took Elio a moment to register before his face reddened. He breathed out a chuckle, shaking his head. Takahiro grinned at him, offering his arm.
“Oh, so you’re taking the gentleman’s role?” asked Elio.
“For tonight.” Takahiro felt warmth spread throughout his body when Elio looped his arm through his. “You don’t have to try to be macho around me,” Takahiro added. “But I am taking you out tonight, so yes, tonight I get to be the gentleman with you on my arm.”
“Fancy. Most guys I’ve been with just… Well, before I knew myself enough to know what I wanted in a man.”
“And what do you want in a man?” inquired Takahiro, as they walked at a fair but casual pace.
Elio considered him with a sideways glance. “Someone I can rely on, someone I can trust, someone who has my back and won’t be afraid to call out my bullshit, you know?”
Takahiro nodded, smirking. “Then we already have something in common.”
Elio smiled again. “Oh, and I’m Italian, being macho is built-in. But you’re right. It’s not macho macho, just a tad macho.”
Takahiro laughed. He changed the subject. “I didn’t know if you liked sushi, so I’ve made a reservation at a Japanese restaurant that serves many different types of dishes.”
“Sounds great. And when I take you out, I’m taking you to the best Italian restaurant in the city. My friend owns it. But it really is the best.”
Takahiro felt his face flush. “Already talking about a second date.”
“Well, assuming we enjoy this one, of course.”
“Assuming we do.”
When they arrived at the restaurant, they were greeted by the hostess. She led them to a private chambre whose floors were tatami, and the room was separated by futuma sliding doors.
“So we just sit on our knees?”
“Correct. Or cross-legged if you prefer.”
During the meal, Takahiro had to show Elio how to use chop sticks. He was very awkward in the way he held them, but he got there in the end. Just like he’d found a comfortable sitting position.
They talked about all sorts, from Elio’s shop and the hotel business where Takahiro worked most days to their coming out stories, enjoying each other’s company before heading out to meander through a nearby park.
They had also exchanged phone numbers halfway though the meal, knowing already they wanted that second date Elio had promised at the start of their evening.
The park was peaceful, dark, offering much privacy. Nightly creatures roamed, crickets sang their mating songs. How fitting it all was.
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been on an actual date like this,” Elio mused after a few moments of silence.
“Not ever?”
Elio shrugged. “High school dates at the dance were one thing, but then it was mostly hookups at parties and hanging out. Never an actual date-date.”
Takahiro smiled and stopped walking. “Then I’m glad to be your first date-date.” He took Elio’s hand in his and rubbed his thumb over his knuckles. “I’d like to see you again after tonight. I…really like you, Elio.”
He could feel something blooming in his heart that alluded to more than mere attraction, more than mere desire, but an unsatiated need to delve into this man’s soul and to bare his own before him.
“I like you too, Takahiro.”
An invisible clench squeezed sweetly and released with relief.
Takahiro leaned in tentatively, his face an inch away from Elio’s. Elio closed the distance, gently pressing his lips to him. Takahiro pulled Elio closer with a hand on his back, and opened his mouth to take in his full lips.
Elio’s hand came up to Takahiro’s arm as he pressed his face to deepen the kiss. His tongue slinked its way into Takahiro’s mouth, catching him unawares and enticing him to do the same. The two were now kissing impassioned, taking mouthfuls of each other’s lips.
It lasted a long time. It caused a stir inside Takahiro’s abdomen. It was perfect.
He angled his face, as did Elio, to breathe through his nose, not wanting to part lips just yet. The heated exchange turned languid, as both savoured the other.
When they finally pulled away, they were breathless.
“Wow, that’s one hell of a first kiss,” breathed Elio.
Takahiro beamed at him, his hand cupping his cheek.
From the corner of his eye he saw movement, and he slowly turned his head ever slightly. He clocked the four men shadowing them before Elio did. Elio’s body stiffened.
“Come, let’s move out of the park.” Takahiro steered Elio away from the men.
“You noticed them, yes?” Elio asked under his breath as they hurried towards the street well-lit by street lamps. “You think it’s because we’re gay?”
Takahiro started to shake his head before he shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. They won’t stand a chance against me,” he declared.
“If they’re dangerous, though,” began Elio.
Takahiro stopped and looked Elio straight in the eyes. “Being what I am comes with perks.”
“You mean being Japanese?”
“Uh, yes,” Takahiro caught himself, his heart beating hard in his chest. “I know karate and martial arts. Those men don’t stand a chance against me if they even try to get near me.”
Elio smiled. “Then I feel safer already.”
They resumed walking.
“I hope so. I’ll protect you, Elio, from anyone.” The conviction in Takahiro’s voice surprised him.
Elio gave a sideways glance before chuckling.
After a while more of walking and chatting, they came to an intersection.
“This is where we decide…to either part ways for the night or not to. I don’t know what you prefer. Taking things slow or taking things fast.”
Elio contemplated. “I am tempted to take things fast.”
That quickened Takahiro’s heart. He was ready to devour this gorgeous man standing before him.
“But perhaps for tonight, we can take things slow,” he completed.
Takahiro felt a twinge of disappointment, but at the same time excitement. “I understand.” He couldn’t hide the dejection from his voice.
Elio chuckled and cupped his face. “Don’t sound so glum. There’s a reason for it.” Elio stepped closer, his lips brushing Takahiro’s. “I want you to taste Italian food before you taste me, because I’ll taste so fucking good, I’m the only Italian food you’ll ever want to eat.”
Takahiro’s breath hitched, his face was hot, and his heart raced. He also felt his reaction in his groin. “Elio,” he whispered, tightening his hold on his arm. His mouth hung ajar and he contemplated ripping this man’s clothes off right here.
Elio pulled away enough to brush a tender kiss to Takahiro’s cheek before taking a few steps back. He grinned, biting his lower lip.
“Look forward to my turn being the gentleman taking you out.” With that, and a bounce in his step, Elio turned and walked away.
Takahiro placed a hand on his heart and leaned against a stop sign to steady himself. He chuckled. Oh, he was smitten.
