Free! Iwatobi Swim Club Ship One-shots

Hiyori and Ikuya: A Cafe Date

Note: I don't know exactly how a cat cafe works, I've never been to one, but this is sort of how I imagine one.

"You'd better not be taking me to an escape room to make out again." Kirishima Ikuya says dryly, staring ahead as he and his boyfriend walk down the streets of Tokyo.

Toono Hiyori laughs. "No, no, we're going somewhere different today."

"Good. I don't feel like being pinned against a bookshelf that slides away to reveal a secret room." He rolls his eyes.

Hiyori laughs again and squeezes his boyfriend's hand. "I think you'll really like this place. It's new for both of us."

"If you say so."

The couple keeps walking for a few minutes, until Hiyori suddenly stops.

"We're here!!!" He exclaims.

Ikuya looks up at the sign of the building they are outside. "A cat cafe? What does that even mean?"

Hiyori pulls Ikuya's hand towards the door. "Come on, you'll love it! I promise!"

He throws open the door, and a chorus of meows echo through the air. Ikuya sighs.

"Come on, darling, this will be fun!" Hiyori continues to pull Ikuya's hand, and he leads the blue-haired boy towards a table along the far wall. Hiyori slides into a seat on one side of the booth, and Ikuya sits down across from him.

"What would you like, my love?"

"Tea."

"Sounds good! I'll get the same."

Hiyori waves a waiter over to their table, and once they've ordered, Hiyori pulls Ikuya over to the cats.

"Look at them! There's so many!" Hiyori gushes.

Ikuya looks around at all the cats. A small black kitten rubs up against his leg and looks up at him with golden eyes. Ikuya smiles down at the cat and bends down to pet it. Another kitten, this one a creamy white, comes over to him. Ikuya pets this cat as well. A third kitten comes over, and he lets out a small laugh.

"I think they like you." Hiyori laughs as well. "I mean, who wouldn't?"

Ikuya sits down in the pile of cats. He gently picks up the black and cream kittens, putting one in each hand. The third kitten, a muted orange colour, climbs over his legs.

"Stop! That tickles." Ikuya says to the cat.

Hiyori smiles widely, soaking in every second of his boyfriend's rare happiness.

Hiyori pulls out his phone and snaps a picture of Ikuya with the kittens.

"Did you take a photo?" Ikuya asks, his smile fading.

Hiyori nods.

"Delete it."

"Why? It's so cute! I love your smile."

"I don't." Ikuya mutters. "I don't want people to see that side of me."

"What, the side that is full of joy and not worrying for once? The side that is quite frankly adorable?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then can I keep the photo if I don't post it?"

Ikuya hesitates, then sighs. "Sure."

Hiyori smiles. "Yay! I'm setting this as my wallpaper."

Ikuya rolls his eyes in amusement at his boyfriend, then shifts his attention back to the cats. A few more have now sat themselves on his legs.

Ikuya puts the ones in his hands down, and they go over to greet Hiyori. Hiyori smiles and bends down to pet them.

"Can I get a picture of both of us?" Hiyori asks.

"Do you promise not to post it?"

"Yes, I promise."

"Then yes."

Hiyori laughs. "Perfect. Smile!"

He holds his phone out in one hand to take the photo, and holds a kitten in the other hand. Ikuya holds up a kitten as well, and kisses Hiyori's cheek as the other boy snaps the photo.

Hiyori's eyes widen in surprise. "Wh-what was that for???"

He touches the spot on his cheek where Ikuya's lips had touched. Ikuya ignores him and pets his kitten, hiding a small smirk. Hiyori looks back at the photo, blushing.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Ikuya asks, holding one of the kittens up to Hiyori. Hiyori can't help but laugh, and he pets Ikuya's cat.

A few moments later, the waiter tells them that he's brought their drinks, and the couple reluctantly leave the cats, heading back to their table. They drink their tea and Hiyori raves about how cute the cats are. Ikuya listens to him ramble with a small smile on his face.
They spend the rest of the afternoon at the cafe, talking, laughing, and playing with all the cats.