Man, that's... [Well, he supposed from Kyouya, that should definitely count as a compliment and for a second he does feel a tinge of warmth in his face at the thought - any little slip on Kyouya's part he'll take, but it's overshadowed by the inescapable flare of jealousy.
[Of course it's totally irrational. Mukuro of ALL people. There's not even a chance there'd be anything other than blood lust between them, but... well he knows Kyouya enough to realize that's where it starts and after Bel the last time he was here -- and how unlikely had that been, and yet it had tormented Dino endlessly.
[Well he would have to learn from his past mistakes. He was older now. Well, maybe not technically, between the timelines and leaving and returning to Somarium, but maybe it was safe to say Dino was wiser. It was silly to get carried away over something like that, especially a casual mention, so Dino decided to laugh it off after a pause]
Well I'm glad to hear it. I mean the part about being less annoying, ahahaha. Not the auction.
[Dino had made the reservation first, called for a car to come round later. Then he cleaned himself up too, washing his hair, but gave up on styling it. Instead he took more care with his clothes, foregoing the usual loose khakis and t-shirt for an open-collared button-down, the sleeves rolled up, loose tie, and a pair of slacks. It still wasn't quite formal and it probably woudn't have passed Romario's inspection, but Dino thought it was fine for a nice dinner out and a date with Kyouya. Too overdressed and he might get suspicious.
[So Dino showed up outside the familiar screened door, rapping with the back of his hand while checking the time on his Dreamberry. The car should be waiting outside. Good. Still time to spare too]
[Dino flashed a grin at the compliment. Well, maybe it was another one of those comments meant to be insulting coming from Hibari, but if he chose to be flattered, where was the harm in it? Dino thought it was a good thing]
I tried.
Ready to go? [He asked, even though the question was kind of rhetorical, seeing Hibari close the door after him. He looked dressed and ready. Dino couldn't help resting a hand at his lower back, meaning to lead him outside to the car before he realized what he was doing and tried to cover the slip up with a sheepish smile, extending his arm as if gesturing toward the hall was his original intention] Ahahaha, after you.
[Hibari had a verbal response to Dino's words but they are lost under the pleasant warmth of Dino's hand against his back. A warmth he wants to deny.
But can't.
Instead he scoffs, swallowing any outward response to that touch which lingers even as he cuts Dino with a sharp gaze showing that he knew he had not intended to point down that hall and Hibari knew it. He turns and begins to head toward the front of the onsen.]
[Rubbing at the nape of his neck where the skin was warm and slightly damp, Dino followed after Hibari. Man, he meant this to go so smoothly but already he felt like an insecure kid and that just wasn't like him.
[Funny how a boy so many years his junior - a kid he had an advantage over in age and experience, among other things, still made him feel like this. But then even when they were together before, Dino remembered, there was an unpredictable element to Hibari, always that untamed side that he couldn't control, or wholly possess. Even though Dino liked to think they had an understanding and certainly Hibari had spoken of his feelings, well, he just didn't know when things might fall apart or when he might break free, and it was even less certain now from the beginning again.
[Dino had thought the pursuit would be exciting and certainly it was, but it was also pretty terrifying, because he was such an unpredictable guy! What if he did throw him over this time? What if it didn't work out? The closer they came, the more Dino found himself freezing up with concern that he might not be so lucky, that he might mess things up this time.
[Reborn would call him a coward for that kind of thinking. Hell, so would Kyouya. He really should stop thinking like a scared teenager and remember who he was, the Tenth Cavallone boss and almost mid-way through his twenties. He shouldn't be paralyzed by the thought that a troublesome middle schooler might reject him and focus on making sure he didn't.
[Dino fell too far behind while he was lost in thought and tripped in the hallway trying to catch up to him quickly. Once he closed the distance between them, his footing was sure again and Dino stepped outside after Hibari to the open evening air and the hum of the car waiting outside.
[Stepping around him, Dino moved to open the back door for Hibari, grinning as he stepped back] After you. [He repeated, the wind tossing his hair haphazardly across his eyes as he waited for Hibari to get in]
What are you daydreaming about? [Hibari seemed all irritation and confidence on the surface, inside however the young man was anything but. Dino had the upper hand of experience, for Hibari, this was all knew, all unexpected.
There were times he got such a tight feeling in his throat all he could think was that he wanted to run, yet, somehow he kept being drawn back to this man. So much that his pulse jumped just a little as opened the door and the wind blew his hair in front of his eyes.
He did his best to cover it, slipped into the car without so much as waiting for an answer and settled in the seat, Dino could answer when he got in...]
[Dino's smile turned sheepish at the question, but he tried to simply laugh it off and climb into the car after him, pulling the door shut after he'd folded his legs inside. There was some distracted fussing with the end of his tie where Dino rumpled the fabric between his fingers, wondering if he'd gone too far even wearing one, which led to loosening the knot even more, pulling it further from his throat.
[Then the car pulled away from the onsen, heading for the restaurant in Somni. Dino watched the shadows surrounding the traditional building disappear behind the trees through the tinted glass. Heading down the paved road to the city, the tires rolled in a smooth, relaxing rhythm. It wasn't a very long ride by any means, but Dino always preferred the short drive to walking, especially when they were chauffeured. Reminded him of being home with his men and heading back after a long day.
[Of course he still had family here. They were just centered around the onsen and his job didn't require a commute. All the more reason to savor the occasional evening out.
[Dino turned his cheek away from the window and shifted to get more comfortable in the seat, glancing across at Hibari with a warm smile]
[As Dino was setting to answer him Hibari leans across the seat and smooths out the tie, always so klutzy Cavallone, you can't even dress up properly, he scoffs.
Eyes however widen at the answer and he sits back immediately, folding his arms and glaring at Dino as he flashes that warm smile.]
That is a ridiculous answer....
[And why did it make him feel warmer, make his heart beat just a little faster. That this man would be with him and still thinking of him.
[Dino's eyes widened in the dark interior of the car when Hibari leaned forward, though to his credit he didn't flinch or draw back in the moments before the boy's intention became clear and he moved to adjust the abused tie. Dino recovered from the surprise and smiled distractedly, though it turned wry when Hibari spoke again, denying that little lapse in warmth as quickly as he gave into it. Oh, well.
[Baby steps, right?]
You think so?
Haha, well. [Dino flipped the end of the tie and shrugged a shoulder, slumping back against the leather seat. It's called romancing you, he'd like to point out, but that was probably wasted breath on such a troublesome guy.
[Then again, when had that ever stopped Dino?]
It's true. [Dino added with a wink, still folding the edge of the tie between his fingers]
[The dark interior of the car covers that his skin turns just a bit duskier at that wink and comment. He refuses to acknowledge the warmth it all washes over him.]
Now you are just saying ridiculous things.
[This was a date, Hibari knew it, even if getting him to say it outloud was not going to happen. It had not been said that he and Dino were together, no discussion had been had. And Hibari has a small inkling, it may come tonight....
[Dino chuckled a bit from his throat, resting his neck back against the seat and smiling distractedly towards the front of the car] So cruel.
[But if it bothered him, Dino didn't let on, stretching out his legs as much as the car's interior would allow and draping one arm across the back of the seat between them. It probably wouldn't be much longer of a drive now. Somarium seemed a whole lot smaller by car, which was a good thing in a rush, but kind of bittersweet too once you gauged its size. Being stuck in a dream world for years could drive you mad. Maybe it would have been worse on Dino without his friends, without his newfound Family, and certainly without Hibari]
I thought I was being pretty cool about it.[Dino said with a flash of a goofy smile, a street lamp cutting through the darkness as they passed] Ahaha...I guess I made a mess of things last time. Well, and technically the time before that. Reborn used to get on me about my sense of timing.
[Dino said with a little wince, mussing the hair against the back of his neck with clumsy fingers] But I think some things are worth rushing into. If you wait too long, you'll miss the right opportunity and find yourself even worse off, you know? [It's pretty much a rhetorical question, especially since Dino is still staring off with a thoughtful frown, not looking over yet or pausing for acknowledgement; not really giving the younger man a chance to tell him to shut up either. He's kind of thinking out loud, to a point]
That's why at first I thought maybe it would be for the best to hold back and give it some time, think about what you want and what it would be like if the tables were turned. Ahahaha... [And Dino can't help smirking a bit at that because all right, it's hard to imagine even in a dream world, returning with no memory of his previous time in Somarium and actually being pursued by Hibari without some very strong influence involved, like some of the strange events that happened here. Even then... that was a stretch]
But even though I held back, I want you to know it's never been half-hearted. [Trying to hold back and occasionally giving in, Dino could see where that might be confusing and give mixed signals, but he really wasn't that kind of guy and he didn't think Hibari would tolerate him for long if he was, which is why he stopped knotting his hair and looked over at the guardian, eyes warm and soft even in shadow] I love you.
[Hibari had been silent through it all, his heart thumps in his ears, white noise nearly drowns the other out. Yet he hears every word, this is it, this is the talk.
Hibari tried not to look at him, but he was not one to hesitate and so in the end by the time those eyes were wearing that expression and those words were uttered his eyes were staring directly into Dino's.
His throat closes, Hibari has not a single word he can say as those three words seem to echo through his mind over and over again.
I love you...
What does he say, what does he do? Hibari has never in his life been in this situation and his fingers tighten into fists.
Words?
Where are they, he has none. He can not say that back, those words, they give so much power. Finally Hibari goes on impulse and instinct.
He leans in, kissing Dino hard and fast before he pulls away with a scoff.]
[Dino's mouth curved after the kiss and the scoff, no point denying it. But that didn't exactly sound like Hibari minded, so his simple smile deepened to a full-blown grin and he decided to assume this was Hibari's way of accepting his confession.
[A violent response would have been a clear no, right? So a kiss and a slight reprimand gave him hope
[Dino was going to tease Don't you love that about me too, Kyouya? but decided rather than push him too far, he leaned back in and stole his own kiss, not as hurried or as hard, snagging Hibari's lower lip and tugging on it before taking his mouth]
[A violent response would have been expected...a few months ago. It was a slow moving process, but Hibari had come to need Dino, even if he would not admit that out loud.
It does show in the way he does not pull away but instead after only a few seconds of hesitation leans into the kiss, returning it in kind once Dino settles on taking his mouth.
Hands go to the older man's chest, that hold between pulling him closer or pushing him away.]
[It's been too long, according to Dino, since he last got the chance to be close to Hibari like this, and he can't possibly miss the chance when it presents itself, even if it is in the back of a hired car almost to their destination in Somni. He groans against Hibari's mouth in relief and pleasure, instantly carried away by the younger man's encouragement - the fact that he hasn't thrown him off or taken a swing, the indecisive hands against his chest. It's enough, it's more than enough, and Dino kisses back fervently while the car slows and takes an aimless tour around the restaurant.
[Clearly the driver has enough tact to realize they were preoccupied. Later Dino would really have to tip him extra for that, but right now he's too busy kissing Hibari, shoving his fingers into the boy's dark hair and tangling around the ends, attempting to draw him closer]
[It was an indicator if there ever was one of how he felt. That for those few moments he lets Dino hold him, kisses the other back with the same sense of need he can feel coming from the older male.
All while in a car, where he knew that at least one other was aware of what was going on.
He finally pulls his lips away with a heavy breath, a hand immediately pressing to Dino's mouth.]
Mm? [Dino murmured behind the palm standing between his lips and Hibari's mouth, eyes blinking into clarity when the moment ended too soon and he was staring back at Hibari's face in shadow. What was that about? Too much? Embarrassment? It was hard to say.
[After a pause, Dino slid back in the seat and gave Hibari enough space so that the hand-barrier wouldn't be necessary, though he couldn't do much to hide the disappoint.
[But feeling the car slowing, Dino did look distractedly out the window and realized where they were and forced a goofy smile] We're here. Good thing I called ahead, huh? [And the driver pulled up to the restaurant this time, parking the car out front]
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Voice
[Of course it's totally irrational. Mukuro of ALL people. There's not even a chance there'd be anything other than blood lust between them, but... well he knows Kyouya enough to realize that's where it starts and after Bel the last time he was here -- and how unlikely had that been, and yet it had tormented Dino endlessly.
[Well he would have to learn from his past mistakes. He was older now. Well, maybe not technically, between the timelines and leaving and returning to Somarium, but maybe it was safe to say Dino was wiser. It was silly to get carried away over something like that, especially a casual mention, so Dino decided to laugh it off after a pause]
Well I'm glad to hear it. I mean the part about being less annoying, ahahaha. Not the auction.
Re: Voice
I will see you at eight.
Voice
[WELL, he'll choose to believe the former, smiling against the Dreamberry again]
Yeah? Great.
I'm looking forward to it.
Action because we know he hangs up rude like.
Though, listening as he knew tripping steps would be heard soon.]
Action
[So Dino showed up outside the familiar screened door, rapping with the back of his hand while checking the time on his Dreamberry. The car should be waiting outside. Good. Still time to spare too]
Re: Action
If he felt his heart quicken when he pushed back the screen he denied.
Covered it with a scoff as he steps out he door and slides it shut behind him. ]
You do know how to be on time....
Action
I tried.
Ready to go? [He asked, even though the question was kind of rhetorical, seeing Hibari close the door after him. He looked dressed and ready. Dino couldn't help resting a hand at his lower back, meaning to lead him outside to the car before he realized what he was doing and tried to cover the slip up with a sheepish smile, extending his arm as if gesturing toward the hall was his original intention] Ahahaha, after you.
Re: Action
But can't.
Instead he scoffs, swallowing any outward response to that touch which lingers even as he cuts Dino with a sharp gaze showing that he knew he had not intended to point down that hall and Hibari knew it. He turns and begins to head toward the front of the onsen.]
Action
[Funny how a boy so many years his junior - a kid he had an advantage over in age and experience, among other things, still made him feel like this. But then even when they were together before, Dino remembered, there was an unpredictable element to Hibari, always that untamed side that he couldn't control, or wholly possess. Even though Dino liked to think they had an understanding and certainly Hibari had spoken of his feelings, well, he just didn't know when things might fall apart or when he might break free, and it was even less certain now from the beginning again.
[Dino had thought the pursuit would be exciting and certainly it was, but it was also pretty terrifying, because he was such an unpredictable guy! What if he did throw him over this time? What if it didn't work out? The closer they came, the more Dino found himself freezing up with concern that he might not be so lucky, that he might mess things up this time.
[Reborn would call him a coward for that kind of thinking. Hell, so would Kyouya. He really should stop thinking like a scared teenager and remember who he was, the Tenth Cavallone boss and almost mid-way through his twenties. He shouldn't be paralyzed by the thought that a troublesome middle schooler might reject him and focus on making sure he didn't.
[Dino fell too far behind while he was lost in thought and tripped in the hallway trying to catch up to him quickly. Once he closed the distance between them, his footing was sure again and Dino stepped outside after Hibari to the open evening air and the hum of the car waiting outside.
[Stepping around him, Dino moved to open the back door for Hibari, grinning as he stepped back] After you. [He repeated, the wind tossing his hair haphazardly across his eyes as he waited for Hibari to get in]
Re: Action
There were times he got such a tight feeling in his throat all he could think was that he wanted to run, yet, somehow he kept being drawn back to this man. So much that his pulse jumped just a little as opened the door and the wind blew his hair in front of his eyes.
He did his best to cover it, slipped into the car without so much as waiting for an answer and settled in the seat, Dino could answer when he got in...]
Action
[Then the car pulled away from the onsen, heading for the restaurant in Somni. Dino watched the shadows surrounding the traditional building disappear behind the trees through the tinted glass. Heading down the paved road to the city, the tires rolled in a smooth, relaxing rhythm. It wasn't a very long ride by any means, but Dino always preferred the short drive to walking, especially when they were chauffeured. Reminded him of being home with his men and heading back after a long day.
[Of course he still had family here. They were just centered around the onsen and his job didn't require a commute. All the more reason to savor the occasional evening out.
[Dino turned his cheek away from the window and shifted to get more comfortable in the seat, glancing across at Hibari with a warm smile]
I was thinking about you.
Re: Action
[As Dino was setting to answer him Hibari leans across the seat and smooths out the tie, always so klutzy Cavallone, you can't even dress up properly, he scoffs.
Eyes however widen at the answer and he sits back immediately, folding his arms and glaring at Dino as he flashes that warm smile.]
That is a ridiculous answer....
[And why did it make him feel warmer, make his heart beat just a little faster. That this man would be with him and still thinking of him.
Dino was always thinking of him....
He was always so kind.]
Action
[Baby steps, right?]
You think so?
Haha, well. [Dino flipped the end of the tie and shrugged a shoulder, slumping back against the leather seat. It's called romancing you, he'd like to point out, but that was probably wasted breath on such a troublesome guy.
[Then again, when had that ever stopped Dino?]
It's true. [Dino added with a wink, still folding the edge of the tie between his fingers]
Re: Action
Now you are just saying ridiculous things.
[This was a date, Hibari knew it, even if getting him to say it outloud was not going to happen. It had not been said that he and Dino were together, no discussion had been had. And Hibari has a small inkling, it may come tonight....
Was he ready for it?]<./smalL>
Action
[But if it bothered him, Dino didn't let on, stretching out his legs as much as the car's interior would allow and draping one arm across the back of the seat between them. It probably wouldn't be much longer of a drive now. Somarium seemed a whole lot smaller by car, which was a good thing in a rush, but kind of bittersweet too once you gauged its size. Being stuck in a dream world for years could drive you mad. Maybe it would have been worse on Dino without his friends, without his newfound Family, and certainly without Hibari]
I thought I was being pretty cool about it.[Dino said with a flash of a goofy smile, a street lamp cutting through the darkness as they passed] Ahaha...I guess I made a mess of things last time. Well, and technically the time before that. Reborn used to get on me about my sense of timing.
[Dino said with a little wince, mussing the hair against the back of his neck with clumsy fingers] But I think some things are worth rushing into. If you wait too long, you'll miss the right opportunity and find yourself even worse off, you know? [It's pretty much a rhetorical question, especially since Dino is still staring off with a thoughtful frown, not looking over yet or pausing for acknowledgement; not really giving the younger man a chance to tell him to shut up either. He's kind of thinking out loud, to a point]
That's why at first I thought maybe it would be for the best to hold back and give it some time, think about what you want and what it would be like if the tables were turned. Ahahaha... [And Dino can't help smirking a bit at that because all right, it's hard to imagine even in a dream world, returning with no memory of his previous time in Somarium and actually being pursued by Hibari without some very strong influence involved, like some of the strange events that happened here. Even then... that was a stretch]
But even though I held back, I want you to know it's never been half-hearted. [Trying to hold back and occasionally giving in, Dino could see where that might be confusing and give mixed signals, but he really wasn't that kind of guy and he didn't think Hibari would tolerate him for long if he was, which is why he stopped knotting his hair and looked over at the guardian, eyes warm and soft even in shadow] I love you.
Re: Action
Hibari tried not to look at him, but he was not one to hesitate and so in the end by the time those eyes were wearing that expression and those words were uttered his eyes were staring directly into Dino's.
His throat closes, Hibari has not a single word he can say as those three words seem to echo through his mind over and over again.
I love you...
What does he say, what does he do? Hibari has never in his life been in this situation and his fingers tighten into fists.
Words?
Where are they, he has none. He can not say that back, those words, they give so much power. Finally Hibari goes on impulse and instinct.
He leans in, kissing Dino hard and fast before he pulls away with a scoff.]
You're always saying embarrassing things....
Action
[A violent response would have been a clear no, right? So a kiss and a slight reprimand gave him hope
[Dino was going to tease Don't you love that about me too, Kyouya? but decided rather than push him too far, he leaned back in and stole his own kiss, not as hurried or as hard, snagging Hibari's lower lip and tugging on it before taking his mouth]
Re: Action
It does show in the way he does not pull away but instead after only a few seconds of hesitation leans into the kiss, returning it in kind once Dino settles on taking his mouth.
Hands go to the older man's chest, that hold between pulling him closer or pushing him away.]
Action
[Clearly the driver has enough tact to realize they were preoccupied. Later Dino would really have to tip him extra for that, but right now he's too busy kissing Hibari, shoving his fingers into the boy's dark hair and tangling around the ends, attempting to draw him closer]
Re: Action
All while in a car, where he knew that at least one other was aware of what was going on.
He finally pulls his lips away with a heavy breath, a hand immediately pressing to Dino's mouth.]
Action
[After a pause, Dino slid back in the seat and gave Hibari enough space so that the hand-barrier wouldn't be necessary, though he couldn't do much to hide the disappoint.
[But feeling the car slowing, Dino did look distractedly out the window and realized where they were and forced a goofy smile] We're here. Good thing I called ahead, huh? [And the driver pulled up to the restaurant this time, parking the car out front]