Kai Valentine, Midgar V., Kathy Duncan, and CW Nuriko

“You’re up awfully early,” Duo commented, smiling slightly at the sight of Nuriko, fresh from the shower in his fluffy lavender bathrobe. The brunette Gundam pilot had made himself comfortable at Nuriko’s kitchen table. His beloved Quatre had snuck into Nuriko’s kitchen and was making omlettes. Nuriko, for once, chose not to yell about people being in his kitchen. After all, this wasn’t just any kind of people, it was Quatre. The small blond did have a pleasing tendancy to wash dishes and put things back where they belonged.

“I have a lunch date,” he replied, yawning slightly and leaning backwards.

“A date? That’s terrific, Nuri-chan!” Quatre was smiling dazzlingly as he slid a rather large omlette out of the skillet and onto the plate in front of Duo. “You could use some companionship, I’d say…” he ventured carefully.

Nuriko sighed, pretending to be annoyed, but he knew Quatre was right. He hadn’t been on a real date since… Since Tasuki’s depression had gotten out of control. Nearly four months ago, he reckoned. He was far too young to let himself become a spinster, he had resolved, as broken hearted as he had felt when he finally left Mt. Leikaku for good. Masago, Hotohori, Marron, Mike, Xellos, Tasuki… Nuriko was beginning to wonder if he was cursed.

And then came this morning.

He had been out shopping with Midgar and Usagi, a trying escapade if there ever was one. Midgar had more than a few small fortunes to her name, but she hated clothes. Usagi was the exact opposite. The girls were arguing over a pair of shoes and Nuriko was looking at some mens’ dress shirts; when a sudden, authoritative clearing of a throat behind him made him freeze.

He slowly turned around, and found himself looking at the man’s chest. It was a very nice chest, tapering down into a narrow waist and equally slim hips, but Nuriko decided to tilt his head upwards and take in the rest of this stranger. His breath caught in his throat. His features were almost elfin in their delicate sharpness, with wide, deep-set blue eyes like sapphires set in ivory, and his head was crowned by golden curls that could’ve been wisps of sunlight.

“Why hello there... is there something I can...do for you?” the man asked, bowing regally and plainly checking him out, since he was obviously not a store employee.

Never one to waste an opportunity, Nuriko bowed himself, meeting the man’s eyes with equal approval and plain sexual appraisal. He could feel his cheeks flush slightly, accentuating his soft pink lipstick as he replied boldly, “Nothing I can think of right off, sir, unless you'd like to go for a drink with me this afternoon.”

Nuriko smiled back, hoping the contrast of white teeth and tanned skin was as enticing as Marron had once assured him. “I can't recall the last time I had a drink in such... attractive and intriguing company.”

The man bowed again slightly, arm crossing his chest. “I must confess I find the company I am in to be at least as equally intriguing..and most assuredly more attractive than my own.” He winked.

Nuriko blushed. "Though not nearly so charming, I daresay..." he murmured softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear and letting the tip of his tongue play across his lips. The blond man watched this with rapt attention and his eyes sparkled pleasantly.

"You underestimate your own charms, I percieve."

Nuriko was very impressed. With a man like this, verbal flirting was almost as fun as foreplay, he reflected, supressing a giggle. Instead he coyly let his eyelashes dance down over his large honey-hazel eyes as he grinned. "Flattery will get you everywhere... " he murmured indistinctly.

The blond man smiled widely, gazing over Nuriko's features, murmuring back. "Let's see to getting to those drinks first of all and discuss where flattery will lead from there, ne?" Slowly he stretched his arms over his head, lifting the line of his jacket up from the tops of his thighs to the top of his hips and watching to see how Nuriko would react.

Nuriko flicked his tongue over his lips again, a slight sparkle in his eye. The man dropped his arms casually, grinning. "Is there somewhere in particular you prefer?" he offered.

Nuriko shrugged lightly. "I usually prefer the Jaded Tavern, noisy place and sometimes the service is lacking; but the most interesting sorts of people do pass through occasionally."

"Really? The Jaded Tavern you say...it sounds charming." There was a spark of amused familiarity in his eyes, and Nuriko wondered if they had perhaps seen one another there before. "All right then, I'll buy the first round."

"Smashing." he answered, grinning back, and giving his head a slight shake so his braid would hang behind him.

The blond looked at the two of them in the glass of a window nearby, reflecting seemingly, and grinned ruefully. Nuriko glanced upwards at that smile... It was so nice to be short again, it made him feel sexier for some reason... He wondered how it would feel to run his bare fingers through those glorious, golden curls and kiss those pale pink lips; and the thought made him blush faintly, so he feigned a cough.

"Hmm...perhaps you should know the name of the man buying your drink?" he smiled and dropped another light bow. "I am Jadeite."

Nuriko surprised himself slightly with his response, a small bow of his own and a cheerful, full introduction. "Chou Ryuuen Nuriko."

Jadeite repeated the name slowly, as if tasting it and finding it delicious. "Nuriko......"He smiled. "Well, Nuriko, why don't I hire you a taxi so you might relieve yourself of those packages and I shall meet you at the Tavern in... oh, say an hour or so?"

"Mmm..." Nuriko smiled, liking the way Jadeite's mouth caressed his name.

"Or we could stand here for hours and smile at each other," he offered teasingly.

Nuriko winked. "I've had less interesting evenings..."

"I could think of less interesting things to look at, certainly.....like.....the Mona Lisa perhaps?"

Nuriko chuckled softly. "Or some random piece of divine-inspired scuplture..."

Jadeite smirked softly, which Nuriko answered with a wicked grin.

The cab ride home had only been about three minutes, and the packages seemed to weigh nothing as he toted them up to his apartment. The Jaded Tavern was equally close, so he had decided to grab a quick shower.

"And then I got out and found you," he finished, smiling at Quatre and Duo.

"What the hell are you stting here talking to us for?" Duo laughed, shoving at Nuriko. "Get dressed and get out there, man!"

"But I want an omlette," Nuriko pouted, stealing Duo's plate and digging in with his fork enthusiastically. "You go pick me out an outfit, let me eat before I go."

Quatre giggled. "Go on, koishii. I'll make you another one."

"Oh, all right..." Duo grumbled in fake annoyance as he watch Nuriko mockingly savouring the first few bites of his brunch. He jumped up after a moment, grinning. "I've been given permission to enter the closet! Whoo hoo!" he ran off down the hallway.

"He's going to try on half your clothes, you realize." Quatre giggled, getting up to hang for the kitchen.

"He always does," Nuriko answered, giggling back. "That's how I know I'll look good in what he picks."