So he is cautious.

Judging by the smell (and Tsukki didn't feel any traces of chemicals from the liquid on the flask), there was fresh water and nothing else. The glass poured by the waiter remained untouched at the same time.

It's understandable, of course. Nearly every poison was no threat to Tsukki. The virus in his blood turned everything, except from some substances into simple elements. Kentaro didn't have that advantage and taking in account that liquids suck in the system way too faster than food, disregard them was a simple precaution measure.

The restaurant wasn't something extremely luxurious. But it had style and the style suited Kentaro.

The owner, obviously, had a tender love with motorbikes. Or, to be fare, he loved to decompose them. The handles were made out of throttle sticks, the sinks in bathroom - out of the old wheels. There were smudges all over the walls like they were splattered with oil. 

There were a lot of leather as well - the seating spaces, the menus were covered in it. The smell of leather and metal make Tsukki feel like was back in the garage his dad had once, but the whole atmosphere reminded more about a private club where everyone speaks the language known only by members.

No surprise the menu had steaks made in every way possible.

"How long are you dating?"

"I'm not gonna discuss my private life with you."

While he, Ran and a couple of vampires Ran invited discussed the questions Tsukki should ask and how he should behave on the date, they created the whole biography of his non-existent girlfriend. Tsukki tried to remember everything, but there was still a chance he might slip up, so he was determined to avoid the topic as much as possible.

"I'm just trying to weight up my chances. If you're a thing for a long time, it's gonna be hard to interfere." Kentaro suddenly squinted the eyes and stared at Tsukki. "But you're here. So I will look on the bright side."

"Don't you ever do that? I have an impression, you got your way in any situation," Tsukki didn't miss a tiniest scowl, immediately brushed away by the wide smile.

"What can I say? I know how to make lemonade out of lemons. Do you?"

Tsukki felt he was scrutinized and tried to keep poker face. "Not all the time. But I like to say the glass is half full. If there's something I can do, I try to do my best."

"So why did you agree to meet up with me?"

Tsukki shifted and looked down. "I'm not really a social butterfly. So I thought maybe I should go out more, chat with some new people, make some new friends." He threw the hand at Kentaro, "And then you showed up."

"Right time, right places, huh? And why did you decide that? To go more social, I mean."

If only Tsukki could blush! But the vampire metabolism stripped him of this opportunity so he tried his best to look flustered.

"My girlfriend convinced me," he admitts, fidgeting trying to look uncomfortable. In some way it was partially true as he didn't come for this date willingly. And though Ran wasn't his boyfriend (girlfriend even less so), he definitely made a push.

"Are you so easy to bend?" The deeper tone in Kentaro's voice didn't escape Tsukki's ears. He smirks in his mind.

"Only if there's something worthy to bend for," Tsukki winks, feeling like he finally falls into a flow, where the nervousness isn't guiding every word.

The waiter brings them starters and they go on with conversation.

"So, what do you do? I kinda had a feeling you don't really belong that party."

"I'm a software engineer."

"Ooooh, tell me about it." Kentaro was animated by the information.

"Well, I studied computer science in Tokyo University. Graduated five years ago. Worked for a company for two years, but then decided to go freelance. Do that ever since." Since I became a vampire. Since my life became much better in one way and absolutely trashed in another.

What Tsukki told, wasn't a lie. He was coding software for a couple of projects right now. As vampires don't need a lot of time to sleep and have higher resistance to usual office tiredness, it makes them nearly perfect for such jobs. If only they didn't need to resist an urge to crush the throat of the nearest coworker. Remote work is such a blessing!

"Don't you get tired of working at home?" Kentaro looked amused.

"It's more convenient for me, I guess. What about you? Looks like you're more outgoing person, so I suppose you don't stay at home for about 90 percent of time like I do."

"You're right. Wanna make a guess?"

Now Tsukki felt a twinge of interest. He never thought of how it is - living a life of a vampire hunter. Where Kentaro gets money from? Killing vampires doubtfully brings you tons of them. Yet, there was Yohji Yamamoto's shirt on his shoulders, his shoes were definitely hand-crafted, the same Tsukki could say about massive silver rings on Kentaro's fingers.

Kyoushi observed how Tsukki studied him with a lazy smile. He even stretched shoulders and tapped on the glass like a male bird showing off.

"I think you work in some kind of creative industry. Fashion, music, film making. Maybe a talent hunter?" Tsukki blurted the last word out before he could stop himself.

Something flashed in Kentaro's eyes. But he definitely was more profound in managing his face than Tsukki. He quickly threw up the brows, hiding the first emotion under a similar one.

"Not bad," Kentaro nodded.

"Was I right?"

"Not really," looking how eager smile fading off Tsukki's face, Kentaro rushed to reassure him, "I do have a lot of interest in fashion and music, you were close here. But they're my hobbies, not the profession. I'm a financial trader."

Tsukki's mouth formed a surprised "Oh", making Kentaro laugh.

"It's not what you expected? Did I disappoint you?"

"No-no-no!" Tsukki shook the head, making big eyes.  "You just... Don't look like one. I mean- " He waved the hand, "No suit and tie, all... Brutal."

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing." Kentaro smirked on Tsukki, like he wanted to reassure him. "Anyway, I don't have to sit in the office. I work remotely, just like you. So there's no dress code."

Tsukki nodded in agreement. "How did you choose it?"

"It was easy for me. My dad and mom started to teach me when I was three."

Tsukki felt chill running down the spine. He remembered Ran told him Kentaro was trained since childhood. "They made me manage my pocket money and each time I chose my stocks wisely, they doubled the profit. I got pretty fast that it gives you a lot of freedom and opportunities to choose nearly everything. When they passed away, I was left with pretty decent amount of money on the bank account and knowledge how to make more. Never stopped doing that."

Tsukki felt his throat constricting. Parents topic wasn't easy for him, so he was amazed Kentaro speaks of their death quite lightly.

"Did they- oh, sorry." His voice harsh, he stopped himself.

"I'm okay with that. They never lead a quiet life, loved the risk and it finally got them. I guess, I kinda inherited the same lifestyle." Kentaro didn't show any sign of discomfort, but Tsukki still opted for dropping the topic.

"Are you an adrenaline junkie? Or?.."

"Kinda." Kentaro twitched his palm, like he wanted to wave the thought out, but extended the movement and his hair nearly brushed Tsukki's shoulders when he swiftly leaned in.

"What do you like, Tsukki? Any addictions I should be aware of?"

Tsukki lowered the gaze, sighed out and pulled himself together.

"Yes"

He paused, trying to sound as dramatic as possible.

"I'm Tsukishima and I'm an alcoholic."

Kentaro's laugh makes people look at them.

"Please, tell me that's not true, I hate drinking."

Well, Tsukki was dependent on the certain kind of liquid. And though he was suspicious Kentaro knows of it, he didn't feel like sharing it out.

"I guess the only thing I can't live without is my work. That's why it's hard to get me out as well."

"But what do you do for fun? It's hard to imagine you take mind off things by coding a different project." Kentaro raised the brow.

"I play games and meeting with my s..." Tsukki nearly told 'sire', but managed to twist it into "Sport partner."

"Oh, really? What kind of sport?" Kentaro seemed agitated. No wonder - giving his occupation, he sure tried every way and every sport possible to keep the form on the top. In his lifestyle every pound of the weight he gained might change the trajectory and the force of his punches and kicks and could cost him more than time spent in gym.

"Golf." When Tsukki sees how the crinkle visits for the split of the second space between Kentaro's brows, he thinks he got it right. The other choice was running, but there was a chance Kentaro could ask to join. But golf is boring. Golf isn't for everyone - Tsukki only mentioned it because Ran's friend owns the golf club. As for Tsukki - he's been there, knows a thing or two: how to hold the golf club, how the holes are set, a couple of swings. He knows enough to fool someone who is totally clueless and, luckily, Kentaro is one. Besides, the idea of it surely isn't attractive to him. But Tsukki pushes:
"Wanna join us?" and laughs when Kentaro quickly, like the dog trying to get the water out of the ear, shakes the head.

"Not a fan?" Tsukki smirks, teasing.

"I prefer something more... Active," Kentaro admits.

"Such as?"

"Martial arts, kickboxing, running."

"I see," Tsukki runs the gaze over Kentaro's body, "I see it pays off, you look amazing," he adds and notices, to his surprise, pink spots creeps upon Kentaro's cheeks. "What? I think you pretty much used to compliments."

"Uhm, yeah. But not from the people who I really like and want to talk into relationship."