Table for Two, Please.
Deskunte warrior Dabura takes you on a first date.
Rating: Teen and Up Tags: Fluff, first date, hand-holding, Dabura x Reader. Word count: 853
“I really wasn’t expecting this, sir. If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t even realize that the Deskunte knew what a ‘date’ was.”
The words slip out as we walk down the street. Dabura - THE Dabura - is walking beside me. Well, he is walking. I am basically jogging. It is hard to keep up with his long strides, and I can tell that he’s already slowed down so much for me.
“I didn’t. I told Yuka I intended to begin the Deskunte mating ritual with you. She suggested a ‘date’ first.
“Oh…” I murmur.
Heat floods my face. My heart thumps in my chest, and my fingers curl tighter into my palms. Have my fists been like this ever since we left my apartment?
“Your body tells me something is wrong.”
Dabura stops and turns to face me. He doesn’t touch me, but he does step closer. A little bit too close. My heart beats even faster.
“N-no.”
The word comes out too fast. His gaze sweeps over me - quick at first, then slower. A soft smile appears before he speaks.
“That… isn’t quite true,” he says, gently taking my right hand and turning it upward in his palm.
I freeze.
His thumb presses lightly against my fingers, opening them one by one. A faint frown forms between his eyes, so I look down to where his gaze is at.
“I’m sorry. I do this a lot when I’m nervous. I just need to wash my hands when we get to the restaurant.”
The explanation rushes out before I can help it, but he doesn’t look at me. He stares at the crescent reds on my palm, where my nails dug enough to draw blood.
“I don’t want to see you harmed.” His gaze holds mine, calm but firm.
“I’m not harmed, I promise. It’s just…”
The words start to come out, but the feeling on my hand stops me. There’s a slight tingle where Dabura slowly drags his thumb across my palm. My eyes widen at the sight.
“You… healed me. Thank you.”
Dabura bows as I thank him.
“Tsurugi said you might enjoy ‘hand holding’ after dinner, if the date goes well. Should we hold hands now to prevent you from accidentally cutting yourself again?”
Dabura says and places my palm against his, winding our fingers together. He looks me in the eye, silently waiting for an answer.
“Okay.”
I reply, more breath than word.
“You may release my hand if it makes you uncomfortable,” he adds.
Dabura lowers our arms and we continue walking. My mind is fixed on his hand in mine. His skin is so soft. A warrior like him should have calluses, scars - something. But there are none. Only tattoos. Horizontal and vertical lines run across his arms, climbing toward his neck. A few even circle his throat. And his face… fewer tattoos there, only around his third eye and nose, but his cheekbones could cut diamonds if he tried hard enough. He smiles at me.
Fuck.
I’m staring.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t stare.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll make sure you don’t hit anything while you’re distracted.”
A chuckle escapes me.
“I think you’re doing pretty great for your first earthling date.”
I choose my words carefully. I don’t want to sound too eager, but my body betrays me anyway so I might as well own my awkwardness.
“What are we going to do?”
“Both Yuka and Tsurugi said food, so I’m taking you to dinner first. They couldn’t decide what to do after, but said we should end with eating dessert at the Kamo River.”
I watch him as he speaks. His gaze stays fixed ahead. He shifts my hand to his other one, and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me to the side ever so gently.
“Pole.”
He explains and gently puts me back.
“Is there something you’d like to do after dinner?”
“The lanterns should be out in Gion tonight. We could stop by on the way to the river and grab some ice cream!”
The words come out with a big smile. I love summer nights in Kyoto.
“That seems enjoyable,” he says, looking ahead as he guides us through the streets. He takes occasional looks at me at his side. And true to his word, he helped me dodge every single obstacle while I was distracted watching him.
“Can I ask you a question?”
I ask as he opens the door of the restaurant and motions for me to walk in first.
“Of course.”
Dabura says and closes the door behind us, stopping in front of me in the almost empty restaurant.
“What is the Deskunte mating ritual?”
I ask, looking down at the ground. I can feel the heat starting to fill my cheeks again. A soft laugh leaves his lips. I look up and he has a smirk on his face. His demeanor is so mellow that it looks kind of eerie.
“That’s a topic for another date,” he says, taking my hand and walking us up to the front.
“Table for two, please.”
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