Dinner for Two (Phae)

[Junpei]

Junpei carefully opened the door to the very nice and very expensive Japanese restraunt called Sakura's. Junpei had eaten here once before and the food then had been the best he had ever had, ever. The restraunt itself was done in a modern, yet classic finish, with shoji screens to mark private dining areas and a large grill in the center for large parties. Junpei had ordered one of the private room where they would be able to sit and eat at their leisure. With very few people here and a peaceful staff the place was perfect for sitting and talking, or going on a romantic date, like Junpei was doing now.

"Taltos party?"

"Yes that's us."

Junpei said as a girl, probably chinese, dressed in a red and gold china dress bowed and then led them to a room. The room Junpei had asked for was modeled after a Japanese inn room, with a low tale, sitting pillows, and plenty of room to sit and relax. With hadn crafted care the room was perfect for a sushi dinner and Junpei knew it. Esorting the two of them to the room the woman slipped open the screen to the room and instructed both to take off their shoes and then sit. Junpei did as told and slipped off his dress shoes, setting them next to the door. Waiting for his date to do so Junpei quickly ordered two glasses of green tea and a small appitizer of shrimp rolls. Nodding the waitress ran off to place the order, leaving the two alone in the room as she slid the screen closed.

Junpei sat down at the table in a cross legged fashion, and waited for Phae to join him, he was ure she would have a more difficult time with this, so he was ready to show her anything.

[Phae]

Having never been in a japanese restaurant before this was all new to her. She took in the scene but it was the room where they were seen to that took her breath away. It was subtle in it's beauty and therefore made it even more beautiful. She listened to the woman and slipped her shoes off and set the right next to Junpei's the size difference made her smile.

She turned and watched Junpei sit down and she went and knelt down by the table across from him. She splayed her dress around her so it wouldn't get wrinkled and it covered her completly.

"It's so lovely here." she said excitedly. "Amazing..do you come here often?" she looked up her blue eyes melting in the gray pools they met.

[Junpei]

"Heh, with the price, I can't afford to, but on special occasions I liek to come here. Right now this tops my list of special occasions."

Junpei gave her a quick smile and then looked over as the woman returned with their food and drink. The food was simple, just shrimp rolel din seaweed and rice, with a bit of cucumber with the shrimp. The green tea was being served from a traditional pot with two small cups to accompany it. After setting the food and drink down the girl quickly bowed and then left, closing the door behind her. Junpei first poured the tea into cups and then smiled over at Phea. Grabbing a pair of chopsticks that came with the food Junpei positioned them so hi pinky and ring finger held one stick and his other three held the other. Grabbing a shrimp roll up carefully he bit down on the whoel thing and closed his eyes, savoring the taste. It had been so long since he was here that the food tasted better than last time it seemed. Chewing and swallowing the delicious tidbit of food Junpei opened his eye snad sighed.

"The food here is so incredible, I really need to learn how to cook like this."

[Phae]

Phae sat back and watched the woman who brought them their food. She smelled the herbs in the tea and closed her eyes for a moment taking in the scent. She opened her eyes once more and looked at the small shrimp rolls on the platter before her. She looked for any utensils but seeing non frowned. Chopsticks.

Chopsticks! Chopsticks! Oh crap I don't know how to use chopsticks. She bit her lower lip and blushed. Looking up at Junpei who was not remarking on how wonderful the food was she smiled.

"Would you mind...ummm." she broke off chewing her lip nervously. "I have never used chopsticks before." she blushed and looked away feeling inadequate over something so trivial.

[Junpei]

Junpei had wondered if this would coe up and sure enough it did. Standing up he moved over and sat down next to her, picking up her set he placed his hadn over hers, smiling.

"It's really easy once you train your muscles to hold them."

Junpei let his fingers slip over hers and rest in place over them, then he guided her fingers into the correct position to hodl the chopsticks, taking careful time. Finishing up he smiled and looked over at her.

"See, not that hard once you get the right position down. My advise, just try to get the food for now, you can worry about etticuit and style latter."

Junpei let her hand, lightly brushing his fingers over the back of her hand as he did, he loved how soft her skin felt to his touch. Sure he didn't have calloused hands like most men his age, but he did have several scars on his palm that left soft white lines across it, and consequently a calloused feel to them. Still sitting beside her he grabbed his own chopsticks and grabbed another shrim roll, taking it in one bite again.

"Trust me, your only foe here is time adn patience."

[Phae]

Her heart stopped the moment his hand touched hers. And truth was she had to concentrate very hard to remember much less hear what he was saying to her over the drum of her heart.

"Thank you." she whispered swallowing what was in her throat as she concentrated on picking up the shrimp roll. She could only get it an inch or two off the plate before it would fall down once again.

She watched as he ate another roll and was thankful she wasn't very hungry do to her nerves since at this rate it didn't look like she would be eating very much. She bit her lip in concentration and tried again. She laughed as it fell again. Despite the hard work she was having a good time learning something new.

"I think I'm doomed to starve." she said giggleing and looking at him her hair falling across her shoulder.

[Junpei]

Junpei watched as she tried to eat a shrimp roll, and failed. Laughing a bit Junpei picked up another one and held it up, offering it to her. The blush across his nose was evident as he kept the shrimp up. He really hoped she woudl taek it so he wouldn't feel like a complete idiot right now. Sure he wanted her to learn how to use chopsticks, but he didn't want her to starve either.

"Here...."

He didn't say anything else, he was more worried about passing out from embarrasment Wuite literalll he coudl feel his heart skipping beats and going crazy, his head was also spinning, what if she declined him and then hated him, what would he do then? Now his mind was freaking out and not helping matters his heart pounded so hard he was sure she would hear it.

[Phae]

Phae's heart stopped beating at least that's what it felt like to her. She saw that he held the small shrimp roll in his chopsticks offering it to her. Her sapphire eyes looked into his gray ones. So kind and so gentle.

She slowly leaned forward her eyes locked on his and she took a gentle bite out of the shrimp. It was delicious something she had never had before. She chewed slowly savoring the different flavors that filled her mouth. She blinked the slowest blink in her life and sat back up straight.

"That's really wonderful." she whispered staying close to him her heart beating like crazy in her chest. She knew it... a heartattack was coming...it couldn't be helped not with those eyes.

How she wanted to touch him...hold his hand...kiss him. It was so hard not to when she looked at him. His handsome features and kind soul made her want to get closer even more.

[Junpei]

Junpei felt all the air in his lungs let loose as she took the bite, which was none. He just realised he had been holding his breath and took in a slow breath as air returned to his lungs. At least he hadn't passed out, that was always a plus. Bringing the chopsticks back to his own lisp he took the rest of the shrimp roll and chewed it quickly before swallowing. Junpei just nodded at her words and grabbed a second, holding it up liek before, hey if it set teh mood he was willing to do this. He actually enjoyed being able to help her like this, he liked helping her in any way he could.

"Yeah it really is, isn't it?"

His own voice was a wisper as he let her take a second bite and then took the last of the shrimp roll. Holding the shopsticks in place a moment he let the taste linger in his mouth before swallowing. Reaching over with his free hadn he grabbed his tea and took a large drink, trying to clear his throat. His heart was pounding so hard he was having trouble swallowing right now.

"So.. how do you like the tea....?"

Junpei said setting his own down. He woudl wait a whiel before having another roll, but if she still wanted some he had set the chopsticks down right there, all she need do is ask.

[Phae]

Her heart began to slow but only a marginal amount it was still by anyone's rate way fast. She couldn't breath at least not well and her pulse rate was anyone's guess.

"How do you like the tea?" she heard him ask as he put the chopsticks down. She blinked and looked over at her cup lifting it delicatly she took a sip her eyes watching him.

"It very delicious really." she whispered and placing her cup back on the table she began to stare at him once more. She found herself at a loss for words.

"I-I..." she trailed off biting her lower lip. Silently inside she knew she was being idiotic she knew that he was going to think she was strange. Which in her own mind she was at least at this moment.

[Junpei]

Junpei smiled softly as she spoke in nothing above a wisper, to him it was cute, pretty much how he was feeling inside. Raising his hand up he cupped the side of her face and gave her a sweet smile.

"Looks like we're both a bit distracted huh?"

Junpei let his hand stay and close his eyes as he took in a deep breath, this was turning out to be more than enough to keep him happy, every moment with this girl was good times. Junpei could still hardly believe they were going out as a couple. Letting his eyes open slowly Junpei leaned in a bit adn kissed her more deeply than he had at any previous time. He didn't much care if somone saw, the waitress would be a good fifteen minutes figuring the couple would chit chat and enjoy tea before the meal.

Once again he was reluctant to pull back but as he did he let his hand follow, his fingers slipping off recutantly. How he longed to do that again, but they would have to eat and talk more, Junpei knew that rushing into something this delicate would mean disaster. He still hoped she would eat more though, after all he wanted her to be able to try a bit of everything and find out what she really liked.

[Phae]

That kiss...the one she was living through right now. Was the single most wonderful moment of her life. It was deeper and filled with more meaning his hand cupping her face making it seem even more romantic. Where was her heart? Well it was in her throat, stomach, rib cage, and gone all together. It was all these.

The kiss broke all to quickly for her own mind but she knew that her self control was only going to hold out so long. Her body was tingling. She opened her sapphire pools and looked up into his gray gaze seeing something there but she wasn't sure what. Her own eyes would read her devotion her feelings. She was falling for him falling fast. Every moment spent in his presence was one that was permanently etched into her memory.

She couldn't take her eyes off of him. This marvel of a human being that had stolen her heart and made her fall so fast. The one that had completed a part of her soul that she hadn't known she was missing. She wanted to tell him wanted to tell him so badly exactly how she felt but it was to soon...wasn't it? She didn't want to push him away but she felt strongly. She opted to keep it in for now. She bit her lip to keep herself from blurting it out.

"Thank you for bringing me." she whispered and took another sip of her tea which was now getting cold but she wasn't tasting it anyway it was all mechanical. "I'm having the most magical time."

[Junpei]

Junpei smiled at her words and leaned in again, so he was close, if he said this any louder than he was planning he might die of heart failure. What he did next he couldn't control, he just knew that it had to be true. Even if it was his first time he knew more than anything that she was someone he needed, someone he had to have right now, someone he had to keep close no matter what.

"Phae.. I.. I.. I love you."

He finally stammered out at nothing more than a feint wisper, he wasn't even sure if she had heard him but he knew in his heart that it was true. The way she was acting around him, the way she made his day brighter, everything about her was setting his mind into overdrive, and his heart on the flatline. He couldn't even feel his heartbeat now, all he could feel warmth, and he knew it was because he was near her. His heart raced but he didn't even notice, right now his eyes were fixed on hers, wondering if she had heard. If she had he knew he would find out soon, but if she hadn't... he didn't know if he could say it again ro any louder.

[Phae]

"Phae...I...I....love you."

Phae's heart broke...not in the sense that she didn't love him but in the sense that those words moved to the very core of her being. Her lower lip trembled of it's own accord.

"Jun...Junpei. I love you so much that it hurts to breath when I look into your eyes. I love you too, Jun." she said choosing to adopt a nickname there and then hoping he didn't mind.

She moved closer to him and touched his face her delicate fingers moving down his face in a soft carress. She leaned over and kissed him gently a soft feather light kiss. But the first time that she had ever kissed him instead of him kissing her. She stayed close not wanting to move away from him. She smiled brightly as a tear of happiness fell from her right eye.

[Junpei]

Junpei felt like the world had just been lifted from his shoulders, rigth now the onyl thing he cared abour was the woman before him, who reached out to carress his face. He leaned slightly into her touch, loving the feel of her skin on his, it was like a drug he couldn't get enough of. She was a drug that he would never want to give up, every time she was near im he felt better. Those two hours without her he had actually been getting twitchy.

The lightest of a kiss sent him over the edge and he had to close his eyes, kissing her back he felt her pull away and he opened his eyes. Right now he was on the edge of jumping up and declaring to the whole world he was the luckiest guy in the world, and that's exactly what he was right now.

The screen opposite them opening snapped Junpei back and he looked over at the waitress who held a large platter in her hands, it was basically a sample of everything the place had to offer. Without a word she put it down, then put down a fresh pot of tea and took the old one. Looking at Phae he smiled and then nodded oevr at the food.

"We had better eat before they think we're just sitting in here drinking tea."

Junpei sat up straight and then scooted towards her, so he was shoulder to shoulder with her.