Chopsticks

~Reid~

Sushi? Why did it have to be sushi?

I looked up at Nolan across the table from me, he looked like he was about to pounce on his spicy tuna rolls.

He took his chopsticks and immediately started eating.

I looked down at my plate of simple California rolls, then to the chopsticks beside me.

What am I supposed to do? I've never used chopsticks before.

I looked back at Nolan and tried to copy his hands.

Nervously, I tried picking up the sushi roll. Except it immediately fell and broke apart on my plate. I bowed my head in embarrassment.

I heard Nolan let out a small laugh.

Damnit, he saw that?

"It's not my fault! I've never used chopsticks before so-"

Nolan shook his head.

"No, no, it's cute," he smiled at me.

My heart leaped in my chest. Was he flirting with me?

"Here..."

Nolan reached across the table, grabbed my chopsticks and placed them correctly in my hand.

"There! And then you just move your pointer finger to grab." He did the same and his chopsticks clinked together.

I looked back over to him, still embarrassed.

"Thanks..."

"Go on, try it," Nolan gestured to my food.

I looked down at my plate and to my surprise, I was able to pick up a roll and put it in my mouth. I was a little shocked by the flavor, it was pretty good.

As I chewed my food I noticed Nolan looking at me with a dopey grin on his face. I gave him a confused look.

He rested his chin on the palm of his hand.

"Y'know, if I knew you didn't know how to use chopsticks, I would've picked a different place for our first date."

My eyes widened and I gasped out of pure shock, causing me to start choking on my food.

Nolan quickly slid me a glass of water while I hacked the food out of my lungs as if I were dying. I took the water and gulped.

"Calm down, Reid. It was just a joke," Nolan chuckled.

That chuckle of his seems so innocent. How could he say something like that so easily? Was it really a joke? Were we on a date? No. No way.

I finally finished coughing up a lung, Nolan seemed to have found it amusing. I shot him a glare.

"Cheeky bastard."

His jaw dropped.

"What!? What did I do!?"

I pointed at him, "you know exactly what you did."

Nolan fell back against the booth, just looking at me with a small, happy grin.

"What?" I asked, curious.

"Nothin'."

~Nolan~

I let it slip, I admit it. I wish this was a date. I wish I was on a date with him so damn bad.

It didn't matter to me that we'd only just met this morning. I liked being around him. He was mysterious, yet genuine. He was honest, yet there's always something on his mind he won't say. His sarcasm is unmatched, and when he smiles...God when he smiles it makes my chest feel light as a feather and my head clears... I'm glad I met him.

I watched as Reid struggled with his chopsticks. The roll would fall back onto the plate every now and then and he'd frown.

But when he finally picked it up and ate it, the proud look in his eyes as he happily chewed was unparalleled to anything else you would find cute in this world.

I think I'm melting.

Once I felt the heat rising in my cheeks I immediately went back to eating my food.

Why do I always have to blush around him? It's embarrassing...

I looked back up to Reid to see him giving me the most condescending grin I've ever seen anyone wear.

He knew I was blushing, and he didn't even have to say a word to tease me about it.

I pointed my chopstick at him.

"Look at me like that again and this chopstick's going up your ass."

Reid smiled, and raised his hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright. Put the weapon down, please."

I lowered the chopstick slowly, suspicion still in my eyes.

After that, we found ourselves sharing stories. His were mainly about Claire. I couldn't help but wonder if they were together, but from what I can tell they really are just friends. He never mentioned any ex's, or any hints towards if he liked guys or not... do I even have a chance?

Every time I tried asking him something about his life he would deflect and somehow turn the question on me. I didn't want to push, so I stopped and answered everything he asked- and he asked a lot. Things like my favorite music artists, my hobbies, where I grew up - though I decided it was best not to get too deep into that last subject.

He actually seemed interested in me. It felt... nice. He never asked me about my sexuality though. To be fair, most people wouldn't. However, I didn't want to just blurt out "by the way, I'm bisexual and I think you're hot as hell and feel like there's something between us. Hope you're not weirded out that we're sharing the damn honeymoon suite for the next week. Anyway, what's your favorite color?"

I internally groaned. What is wrong with me?

Reid waved his hand in front of my face to snap me out of my self pity, as he's had to do quite a few times now.

"You good?"

"Yep!" I put on a smile, "ready to go?"

He nodded.

He paid the check fully by himself even though I insisted we split it.

"You said I had to buy you dinner."

"But I didn't say you couldn't buy, like, half of it?"

He shook his head, then clicked his tongue.

The amount of strength Reid had behind that one tongue click...wow.

"C'mon, let's head back." He nodded me over.

I caught up to him and looked up at the bright sunset.

"Wow, the sun is already starting to set."

I noticed Reid also looking up at the perfectly painted colored sky.

"Yeah, It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I stopped myself, but I was so close to holding his arm as we walked. The fact that I was restraining myself from doing something so simple was excruciating. How would he react if I reached out to hold his arm? Or maybe his hand? Would he pull away? W-

Suddenly Reid grabbed me by the hand and pulled me against his chest. The sound of a car honking as it flew past us followed right after.

My heart rate was erratic. My chin peaked just over his shoulder, if I moved even just a little, my lips would brush against his ear.

"You have to watch where you're walking," Reid mumbled.

I stepped back.

"Well I'm walking with you, so I'm safe, aren't I?"

Did I seriously just say that?

Reid looked down, almost as if he were shy.

"Y-Yeah... I guess."

I beamed a smile, then he punched me on the shoulder.

"O-Ow!"

"But don't go thinking I'll get hit by a car for you. You have to be more careful."

"I will, I will..." I sighed

Once we made it back to the hotel, and were in our suite. The tension in the air was almost suffocating as only one question was on our minds: who was taking the bed?