These Streets | Kino x Reader

7

You step inside the bar; slow jazz music is playing and the lights are dim.

You can't help but cringe at the overly-romantic setting.

Still, a small part of you is a little giddy over his choice of venue for your date. If it was a date.

A hostess smiles at you and guides you over to where Kino is sitting, swirling a small glass of orange liquid.

It was orange juice.

You can't help but laugh. "Why did you suggest a bar if you don't like drinking?!" You ask between breaths as you try to control your laughter.

"It's not that I don't like drinking Kitten, I just have to keep my body in good condition for my performances. Besides, I'm not sure you're ready to meet drunk Kino yet." He replies with a wink.

His choice of words makes you blush. Such an innocent word said in such a husky tone shouldn't make you feel this way.

"I mean I did just say drinks, I never specified alcohol." You retort, pouting. "And as I've said before, you're accountable for your actions no matter what state you're in." You continue, crossing your arms.

"I know I know," He replies, smiling. "I just meant that I get really hyper and cutesy when I get drunk. I wouldn't want you to think I was a loser." He finishes, rubbing the back of his neck, a small flush creeping its way up his face.

This boy was giving you whiplash from the speed at which he changes his moods.

"Well, maybe I really want to meet drunk Kino then." You say, grinning at his uncomfortableness.

The flush that was in his cheeks has spread to his entire face and ears.

"No, no I don't think so, he's nowhere near as much fun as cool Kino." He mumbles.

You can't help but wonder who told him that being cute wasn't as much fun as being suave and cool.

Shaking your head, you decide to change the subject.

"In any case, are you really not going to drink? Should we go somewhere else?" You ask.

"Let's stay here for a bit, I can have one drink and then we'll decide where to go next." He says, regaining his composure.

You agree and start flicking through the bar menu, internally gawping at the prices. There's no way you can afford even a glass of water at this place.

Swallowing, you take a deep breath and turn on your most charming smile.

"Kino, are we splitting equally 50/50 or are we each paying for our own drinks?" You purr, trying not to gag at your own obvious attempt to not pay.

"Darling please, this is a date, it would be rude if I didn't pay. Just enjoy yourself. I picked this place because I'm happy to pay and wanted to treat you." He answers, a small but genuine smile on his face, his eyes twinkling with something you can't quite place.

Now it's your turn to blush uncontrollably.

It was a date.

You didn't think it was possible for someone to be so sweet.

Although you were a little uncomfortable that he had taken your financial situation into account when picking a date location, it occurs to you that he wasn't throwing his wealth around like he was when you first met him.

He was just trying to take you somewhere nice that you wouldn't normally go to.

After ordering drinks and settling down you turn your attention back to the admittedly handsome man in front of you.

"So, have you found anywhere nice on your walks recently?" You ask, approaching the topic with caution, remembering his shutdown the last time it was brought up.

"I have actually, if you like I can show you after this?" He asks in response. You can feel the sparks of excitement flicker off him like a candlelight.

"Sure, I'd love to." You reply. The smile that was lingering in the corners of his lips now spreads and lights up his face.

It's contagious and you find yourself smiling back at him.

The two of you chat for a while about school, how your course is going and his and a whole host of other topics.

Careful to avoid family or monetary issues, as family makes Kino sad and money makes you uncomfortable.

You try to stay in the happiest topic of conversation possible, for as long as possible.

Before you realise it, your drinks have been finished for ages and Kino has subtly paid the bill without you noticing.

"Shall we?" He asks, offering you his arm.

You take it, with a small smile. He leads you down narrow streets that seem impossible to follow and you're sure you could never retrace your steps without his help.

After a short while the landscape changes from built up city buildings to more residential areas, trees and patches of green.

He leads you to an old children's park, with a small slide and a set of swings.

You look at him, a little confused but mostly intrigued as he holds one of the swings steady for you so you can get on.

He then sits on the other one, gently swinging himself.

"It's normally full of families during the day," He says, looking at his shoes. "I guess not right now as it's late."

"Well yeah I hope most kids would be asleep by now." You laugh, scuffing your shoes into the dirt.

"It's nice to see them having fun." He smiles wistfully. "It must be such a simple time."

"Yeah..." You trail off. You weren't expecting him to get so emotional after just one drink.

You decide to try and turn the atmosphere around. Slowly you get off your swing and sneak up behind Kino, which wasn't hard as he seemed deep in thought. Or his shoes were just really interesting.

You begin to softly push him on the swing, following his earlier rhythm.

He looks behind at you, a smile beginning to show. He then breaks out into the cheesiest grin and near screams "PUSH MEEEEEE!!" in the most childlike tone of voice you've ever heard.

Laughing and slightly startled you start pushing him in earnest. It is harder than you thought, but you try your best with a little help from Kino as he uses his feet to push himself higher.

You run across to your swing and start pushing yourself, swinging higher and higher, to match him.

Your swings sync up and it's just the two of you swinging, in a park at night, looking up at the sky and at each other.

You wish you could stay like this with him, swinging back and forth.

But all things that go up must come down.

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A/N

Hello lovelies! Another slow chapter, but an important one.

I am super emotionally exhausted as I broke up with my boyfriend of 3 years this week.

So romance writing was never going to be my forte right now.

Thank you for reading this while I put myself back together!

It'll get better I promise!!

Stay Hydrated

-Wren