˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗ say it, and i'm yours ...
❝ you call the shots, babe. i just wanna be yours. ❞
character(s): chouka aikawa, jason day-fujiwara
genre: fluffy asl ! these two are simply too cute like i love them bad !!
warnings: none !
word count: 3.6k
summary: in which—after a year of pining after each other—jason and chouka share how they truly feel on the rooftop of their favorite restaurant.
a/n: first chouka fic we cheer ! anyways, this one explains how they got together and it's just so so cute like her and jason are my babies ! like truly the best couple EVER they mean the world to me,,, this one is sickeningly sweet so prepare urselfs BMSMDMS hope y'all enjoy <33
Beverly Hills. 7 o’clock. Friday.
Friday evenings are usually when Chouka sets up to film, aided by a social media team fit for an influencer of her caliber. After two hours of reciting scripts and hashing out orders, the redhead resigns herself to a night of hedonism, from a bubble bath paired with her favorite Ladurée macarons (strawberry and pistachio) to binge-watching Sex and the City for the fifth time and sipping on a freshly made rose latte, curled up on her couch with her two beloved pets.
Normally, Chouka’s Friday evenings would be devoid of interruptions (minus a last minute business call or an invitation to some sort of social event). This time, however, the sound of her doorbell ringing immediately got her attention. No one comes to her door after 6 o’clock (truthfully, she despises being bothered after then), and unless it was one of her staff coming back to collect a forgotten item, who else was at her door?
Chouka’s Bichon Frisé, Rosie, began barking as soon as she heard the door, filling the redhead’s high ceilings with echoey, high pitched yips. Chouka herself looked over the back of her couch, furrowing her eyebrows in both confusion and curiosity. Her maid rushed to get the door, and with its creaking came a very familiar voice.
Chouka perked up the second she heard said voice, and it would be wrong to say that she didn’t realize what she was doing. She was a bit lovestruck, yes, but she certainly wasn’t stupid. She knew exactly why she had gotten so excited.
It was Jason.
“Good evening, mademoiselle.” Jason said, a charming smile on his face as he filled Chouka’s house with his equally charming English accent. A smile mirroring Jason’s own brightened Chouka’s usually icy demeanor the second she laid eyes on him.
“Good evening, monsieur.” She responded, the poshness of her voice carrying an underlying cheeky tone, one that was reserved solely for the people that she truly took a liking to. “What brings you to my house at 7 o’clock in the evening?”
Jason’s smile somehow widened further at the fact that Chouka decided to humor his charmingly goofy way of speaking. “Was thinking of you, and I wanted to see you. That’s pretty much it.”
Chouka’s eyes widened ever so slightly at his response, and she almost started blushing. It’s not every day that someone confessed so brazenly at spontaneously showing up at someone’s home because they wanted to see them, let alone to thinking of them. Chouka herself wouldn’t even do such a thing, preferring to dance around her reasons rather than admit them outright. It was either due to her sense of pride, or due to the fact that she was too “posh” to be that direct (under certain circumstances). Jason, however, was neither. The “posh” did apply to him, yes, and that was one of the reasons why Chouka was drawn to him in the first place. At a glance, the 24-year-old was everything you could ask for. Kind and compassionate, tall and handsome, and practically perfect. He shared Chouka’s icy demeanor, although he was a bit more approachable than she was, and if you checked a dictionary for the word “cool,” Jason’s name would be there.
However, Chouka soon learned that Jason was a goofball, and he was probably the friendliest person she ever met. She didn’t sense a hint of hesitation when he first came up to her two years ago. He was outspoken and out there and completely unafraid to speak his mind. He cared for her and made her laugh and he was just… great.
Chouka had to hypothetically smack herself to snap out of it.
“I appreciate your company, then.” The 21-year-old said with a laugh. That’s when she noticed what was in Jason’s hands. It was a white bag, with “Dior” printed across it in a pretty, shining shade of gold. He also happened to be cradling a bouquet of roses in his arm; her favorite flower. And they were pink, too; her favorite color.
“Are those for me?” Chouka asked, raising a single eyebrow. Almost immediately, Jason hummed. Yet again, he didn’t hesitate.
Chouka didn’t have to ask how Jason knew roses were her favorite flower. For one, Rose was one of her middle names. They were just intrinsically linked with her very being. And two, a year and a half ago, she and Jason had a rather deep conversation about Japanese flower language, where they both asked each other about their favorite flowers. In Chouka’s opinion, that was one of the best conversations she’s ever had with, well… anyone. Never in a million years did she think that she could have such an insightful conversation about flowers with a person, but of course, Jason was there to prove her wrong. The color was easy to explain, too, as pink was also a core part of Chouka’s identity. It was everywhere on her, from her clothes to her car to her house itself.
Chouka didn’t have to ask how he knew she liked Dior, either, as he went straight into explaining. “I thought of you while buying this, too.” He said, holding up the bag. “It was pink, of course, and I thought you’d like what I chose. Feel free to tell me if I’m wrong.”
The pink-clad girl let a giggle escape her lips, and as Jason walked over to take a seat next to her, she turned back towards her television. “I assure you,” Chouka said. “Whatever you chose, I’ll be fine with it.”
Jason hummed, smiling at her words. Nothing made him feel so warm inside other than Chouka’s voice. “Then here you go.” He spoke, handing her the shopping bag first. Chouka took it into her perfectly manicured hand, and swiftly placed it next to her once Jason held out the bouquet. She cradled it in her arms, and sighed almost dreamily at the flowers’ sweet and earthy smell. “I hope you like it.”
The girl turned to pick up the bag again, setting it in her lap. Softly undoing the delicate white ribbon perched on top, she set it to the side and pushed open the bag. It felt like it was her birthday, even though it was over a month away, but that was the best part. It didn’t need to be her birthday for Jason to spontaneously shower her in gifts. In fact, Chouka remembered exactly when he started doing such a thing. It was six months ago, and it all started with a necklace from Cartier. It had a sparkling C-shaped charm hanging from its pretty rose gold chain, and although it most likely stood for the brand’s name, Jason thought it stood for Chouka. Her name. Even then, he was thinking of her.
Pushing the white paper to the side to reveal what was inside, Chouka let out a soft, barely audible gasp at what she saw. It was a pink Lady Dior, shiny and brand new. The redhead had so many of them that it was hard to count, and Jason just gave her another.
Chouka pulled the handbag out, handling it so delicately that it could’ve been glass. “Thank you for what’s most likely my fourth one.” She finally said with a laugh, her voice coated in a peculiar kind of softness. “I love it.”
She couldn’t see Jason’s adorably elated look because of how she was still gazing at the handbag in her hands, turning it over multiple times and admiring the pink leather. The smile that had practically split his face open made his face so bright that it nearly rivaled Chouka’s TV screen. “I’m glad you do, Chou.” He said, that same softness that was in Chouka’s voice appearing in his own.
“Come here.” The 21-year-old cheekily said, pulling Jason into an abrupt hug. The boy in question let out a soft oof at the sudden contact, but he was quick to return the hug regardless, tightly wrapping his arms around Chouka’s midsection and softly resting his chin on her head. Like he’d done for the last two years. “You’re the best friend anyone could ever ask for, Jace.”
Jason hummed once again, but there was an underlying feeling of hurt that neither of them caught onto. Unbeknownst to the both of them, they both wanted to be more than just friends.
Ever since they first became friends, Jason and Chouka were practically inseparable, so of course the former didn’t want to leave after seeing the latter open her gift. That “wouldn’t be fun” according to him. So, for the next thirty minutes, they sat and watched the rest of Sex and the City’s second season, laughing over the snide commentary that each of them would make. Jason himself was surprisingly invested, but it wasn’t unusual for him. Whatever Chouka was interested in, he was, too. However, he also had an idea.
“You know, Chou,” He started. The girl in question looked over after hearing her nickname. “While I was driving here, I was really craving sushi. So, you want to go out and get some?”
A smile spread across Chouka’s face for what was probably the eightieth time that night. He always had something like this up his sleeve. Usually she wouldn’t go out this late; it was nearly 9 o’clock, anyways. However, it was Jason, so she just couldn’t resist.
“That doesn’t sound too bad. That gives me a chance to use this, too.” She replied, gesturing to her new Lady Dior that she had gingerly placed back into its original bag. “Where are we going, exactly?”
Jason grinned. It was the type of cheeky grin that screamed ‘I’m plotting something.’ Stretching his arms, the boy stood up from the couch, holding out his hands for Chouka to take. She did exactly that, using his toned arms to pull herself up. “You’ll find out.” He simply answered, which made Chouka raise a single eyebrow.
“It sounds like you’re planning to kill me, Jace.” The redhead said, her voice playfully deadpan.
“I would never, Chou.” Jason responded, still smiling. “You know that.”
Chouka rolled her eyes in faux exasperation, all too familiar with her friend’s humor, but it was true. Jason knows that he would die if he ever lost her. But, of course, he wasn’t going to say that out loud just yet.
Within four minutes, the two were at their destination. Living in Los Angeles, it was a perk that everything was so close together. Chouka recognized where they were, but she’d never actually been. Jason, on the other hand, had been here quite a few times, usually with his parents or his large group of friends. It was his favorite. They got a table quicker than most, tucked into the corner of the restaurant and right next to a window. Chouka enjoyed that. She got to observe the streetlights and the groups of people walking down the streets of West Hollywood when waiting got a bit too tedious.
Soon enough, they were chatting over plates of sushi and virgin cocktails (neither of them wanted to get tipsy that night). On their second round of drinks, it became rather quiet, but of course, Jason had another idea.
“You know, it’s nice out.” He said, breaking the silence. “Feel like going to the roof?”
Chouka looked up from her phone, a slightly surprised expression taking shape on her pretty face. That expression turned into a smile, though, and she instantly responded. “So we can get out of this stuffy corner?” She added. “Say less, Jace.”
Jason laughed, of course. The two of them got up at the same time, scooping up their drinks to take with them. Jason held out a hand, and Chouka immediately took it as if it was instinct.
Reaching the rooftop, all the wind was knocked out of both Chouka and Jason’s lungs at the sight of the view. The vast expanse of Los Angeles, dotted in sparkling streetlights that made the city look like it was full of stars. Cars glided across the highways, taking with them people and stories from all different walks of life. Chouka thought that it was always so beautiful, as did Jason. But, to him, nothing was more beautiful than the girl standing right next to him.
Leaning on the railing, Jason turned to look at the girl in question, watching as she took a sip of her drink before copying his movement. Her face was coated in the soft yellow lights beneath them and in the harsh white light above them, and even though the lighting was far from professional, Jason still thought that Chouka looked so pretty. Her unique ginger hair was pulled up in a perfectly curled ponytail, and she was wearing the simplest outfit to ever leave her closet, but she still shined. He never wished that he had his camera with him more than now. However, Jason then realized that his gaze was still lingering on the 21-year-old for longer than he thought, and he had to suppress an awkward cough. He could feel his face begin to heat up.
Jason’s thoughts of Chouka were beginning to drive him crazy. Everyone always said that she was so perfect. So poised. But Jason liked to think that no one believed that more than he did. He was so drawn to her when they first met. He was one of the few people that weren’t afraid to approach her. She was everything he could ever want. He thought they fit together like two puzzle pieces. He wanted to be hers.
But the truth is, he was a coward.
He couldn’t admit that to her. He was always thinking about the ‘what ifs,’ too scared to just tell Chouka how he felt. He didn’t want to ruin what they already had. They’d been so close for so long. It was one thing to be together, but it was another to not be together at all. The last thing he wanted was to lose her, all because he chose to tell her how much he loved her.
Jason looked back down, taking a shaky sip of his drink. But, he couldn’t go on like this. He couldn’t go the rest of his life silently in love with Chouka, refusing to tell her because of something he wasn’t even sure would actually happen. He’d been in love with her for a year, and if he had to go another being just her friend, he’d completely lose it.
“This is driving me insane…” Jason mumbled, but he was loud enough that Chouka heard. As he placed his drink down, the redhead raised an eyebrow.
“Jace?” She asked, obviously concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“A lot. A lot’s wrong.” He answered, running both of his hands through his hair. “For one, I can’t keep living my life being so damn afraid.”
Jason looked up and into Chouka’s eyes, and she looked back. Chouka never broke eye contact, unless Jason happened to stare far too long just to fluster her. She still looked confused, though, wondering what her friend was hinting at. “Jason, what do you mean?” She asked. Her concern was growing by the second.
Jason didn’t bother to answer. “You know, Chouka,” He began, leaning on the cool railing to offer himself some form of comfort. “When we were told that our characters would be getting together, I had never felt so relieved.”
At those words, Chouka could feel the world around her go quiet. Like it was just her and Jason, all alone on a rooftop. Her lips rounded like she wanted to say something, but she couldn’t get anything out. Her words fell out as broken, shocked gasps of air. Jason’s behavior was perplexing. Out of left field. She didn’t like being confused, but she definitely was now.
“I think it started the moment we filmed our first scene together.” Jason continued. “But the longer we had to sit in front of the cameras like that, and the longer we actually got to know each other, the more those feelings grew. I started feeling things I’d never felt before, but I got so scared. I knew I wanted more, but the last thing I wanted to do was ruin what we already had. And because of that, Chou, I thanked God every day that I got so many chances to work with you. That we got to be together and enjoy each other’s company. That I got to hold you like the world was ending and kiss you ten times over every time we messed up a scene, all without the fear of tearing us apart because it was just our job.”
Jason had to take a breath, and Chouka had to take time to process what she just heard. She knew blood was rushing to her face, and she desperately wanted to say something, but she also knew that Jason wasn’t done. So, she stayed silent, watching as the man across from her ran his hands over his face.
“But I didn’t want it to be just our job, Chou.” Jason continued. “I couldn’t admit that, though, because I’m stupid and a coward. I know my fears were valid, but God, it was eating me up inside that I couldn’t be yours beyond a script.”
“Jace—” Chouka started to say, but she was cut off by the same man she was trying to reach. Once Jason began spilling his guts, he didn’t stop.
“So, I’m going to stop being so fucking scared and I’m going to stop beating around the bush.” He said. He held onto the railing so hard that it could have snapped clean in half. He internally prayed, hoping that this wouldn’t go terribly wrong. “I… I’m painfully aware of how hopeless of a romantic I am, but I don’t want it to be hopeless anymore.”
For the first time in a long time, Chouka’s heart rate sped up in a way that she enjoyed. It was the kind of anticipation that she liked.
“I am so in love with you, Chou. Nothing makes me happier than you do. You’re incredible and I love you and if you’ll let me…” Jason trailed off, taking a breath. This was it. He could only hope and hope and hope again at this point.
“I want to be your boyfriend.”
It took everything in Chouka to not melt into a puddle on the floor. Hearing all of that, she felt a bittersweet warmth in her chest. It was so tragically hilarious that she felt the exact same way. That she would wonder every day if Jason liked her beyond their friendship, to the point that she would drive herself up the wall. That if what they felt on set was truly real, or if it was just an unfortunate byproduct of their line of work. That there was truly a future for them as lovers and not as friends. Not as co-workers who needed to smooch on camera a couple of times. There were so many times when Chouka caught Jason staring at her from across a room, and she would shamelessly stare back. So many times when they would act closer than friends should. Despite their intelligence, they could be so unbearably stupid sometimes.
Chouka sighed, exasperated but relieved all at once. “Come here.” She said, pulling Jason by the collar and into a kiss that both of them had wanted for so long.
As if they had been together for a lifetime, Jason’s hands immediately found their way to Chouka’s waist. The kiss was soft but desperate. Gentle but needy. Reserved but fervent. All at the same time. They kissed like the entire world simply didn’t exist, like there wasn’t an entire restaurant’s worth of people beneath their feet. Like it was just the two of them, finally together and so in love.
They pulled away after a while, resigning to staring into each other’s eyes like they’ve always done. Like they had galaxies swimming in each of their differing shades of brown.
“I could never leave you, Jason.” Chouka said, still panting. One of her hands was resting on the boy’s cheek, tracing soft circles on one of his high cheekbones with her thumb. “And it’s the most idiotic thing because… I felt the same way. I was terrified and so unbearably worried if you even liked me more than a friend and… it was all so stupid and stressful and I distracted myself for days on end thinking about nothing but you.”
Jason smiled, although this one didn’t quite reach his dark brown eyes. He rested his forehead on Chouka’s. He couldn’t bear to look away from her, even for a second. “It’s reassuring, then.” He said. “Knowing that I wasn’t alone in that.”
Chouka giggled, moving her other hand upwards. “Say it again, Jace.” She breathed out, her hands cradling each side of Jason’s handsome face. “Say it, and I’m yours forever.”
Jason smiled, pulling her just a smidge closer. He knew exactly what she wanted him to say. Three words. Eight letters. And of course, there was no hesitation. “I love you.” He said. Immediately, Chouka smiled, wider than she ever had the entire day.
“I love you, too.” She responded, tears of pure elation behind her words. Jason almost began crying himself, pulling her into another kiss. This time, it was nothing but soft, sealing the deal for the both of them.
One thing was for sure, they were each other’s. Now and forever.
