I sit back in my seat, my shoulders falling away from my ears as I finally allow myself to relax. Being a professional athlete means that Maki understands what it means to be in the public eye. He understands the highs and lows of being semi-famous. I don’t have to hide myself from him, he’ll get it. I didn’t realize how much that would mean to me until right this second, having another person who shares this type of life, even if our circles are so drastically different.
“I’ll admit, I don’t really know much about sports in general. It might be hard to believe but I don’t get out that much. My entirejob is based around me staying in my room and being on my computer,” I say with a little bit of a chuckle.
“That’s not hard to believe,” Maki says right away and if it was coming from anyone else, I’d think they were teasing me. “If you’re interested in learning anything about volleyball, I’m happy to help. I don’t think there’s anything I love more than volleyball.”
Maki is blunt, never mincing words. To some people, it could come off as rude, but I think I like it. There’s no trying to read between the lines with him. He just says exactly what he means. It’s kind of refreshing.
“I wouldn’t mind learning more about it, especially if it’s something you’re passionate about. I think it’s really fun to hear someone talk about the things they love, you know? That excitement is often really infectious.”
“I feel the same,” Maki says, nodding his head. “I might not always understand or even enjoy what the other person is explaining, but people’s passions are a universal language, in a way. It’s exciting becausethey’reexcited.”
“Exactly!” The grin on my face isn’t forced. I’m not putting on a show for chat or the cameras. I’m just having a good time with an incredibly handsome man. “I think I’d really like to come see you play sometime, Maki.”
“I’d like that,” he says right away. “I can get you tickets to our next home game, if you’d be interested.”
“Oh! Very much so!”
Maki gives me a small smile, one that leaves my stomach swooping violently. He’s got a really beautiful smile, though he doesn’t hand it over freely. I suddenly have the urge to learn exactly how to keep that look on his face.
“Here you go,” our waitress says, passing plates out. Normally, our milkshakes would come out first but because it’s a bit busy tonight, they come out with our food. No biggie.
“Thank you!”
Holding out my hand, I tug on the thread of magic I have within myself, using it to tug the ketchup across the table and into my hand. Maki’s eyes widen, staring at what just happened.
“Sorry,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck with my free hand. “I’m a witch. I’m so used to my roommates seeing me do stuff like that, I forgot it can be kinda startling when it happens out of nowhere.
“That’s alright,” Maki murmurs. “That makes things a little easier. I was wondering how to ask about your species without it coming across as blunt or rude.”
I squirt the ketchup onto my plate. Then I watch as Maki takes a fry from his plate, dipping it into his milkshake. He doesn’t seem like the type to do something like that and I can’t help but find it amusing. Dare I admit, I find this man adorable despite his straightforwardness and size. Big men can be adorable, damnit!
“Yeah, I’m a witch. I don’t have much magic but the little bit I have is in the telekinesis field.”
“Interesting,” Maki says, nodding his head. He picks up his fork, starting to eat his broccoli. I take a big bite of my burger, just barely keeping a moan of pleasure at bay. Fuck, this food is decicous. I love eating here. “I’m an undine.”
I take my time chewing and swallowing before answering. “I’m not very versed in undine,” I confess softly. “By your pointed ears, I would guess you’re in the fae family, right?”
“That is correct. Undine are considered sea fae, born from the water. We have a few rare qualities to us. One of them is very important for me to share.”
His voice is so serious. I nod my head, gesturing for him to go on. “Let’s hear it, Maki.”
He nods his head once, setting his fork down. “When an undine is in a romantic relationship, it is imperative their partner not be unfaithful. If they are, their heart will stop.”
My eyes widen at his words. “Oh,” I breathe out. “Fuck, that must feel like a lot of responsibility, huh? Of course, if that were to ever happen, it wouldn’t be your fault! But at the same time, I can totally see someone taking that onto their own shoulders.” I shake my head. “Sorry, thinking out loud. I do that sometimes. Just kinda blurt out whatever comes into my mind.”
“It’s okay,” he says, his lips perking up at the edges ever so slightly. “And you are correct. It can be a lot, which is why I’m telling you this up front, just in case.”
Just in case.
Just in case of what?
“We also bond with our mates in a very deliberate and unique way, but we don’t have to talk about that right now. Bonding isn’t a common dinner conversation. At least, I don’t think it is,” he adds on, a little furrow between his thick brows.
Maki pulls out his phone and sets it on the table. I try not to look but can’t help sneaking a peek, watching as he switches over to his notes app. He scrolls through it for a bit before nodding to himself and putting the phone away. He starts eating his burger.
“Is streaming your main job?”
“Yeah, that’s what I do full time,” I tell him between bites. “I know it’s not a conventional job. A lot of people still don’t really understand it. The amount of times I’ve had to tell my parents that I’m doing really well for myself only to have them send me money is far too many times,” I tell him with a chuckle.
