Two months later.
Seri pulled off his scarf and shrugged out of his coat as he walked down the warm hallway into The Banana Hammock. The bar was crowded with people celebrating the beginning of the weekend, but the tables on the other side of the room were almost deserted. Seri glanced towards the bar, where he could just see the top of Richard’s head above the press of people as he poured drinks.
Seri felt a rush of happy butterflies in his stomach. If he was being honest with himself, Seri was a little surprised at how disappointed he felt when he learned he wouldn’t be able to share dinner with Richard that night. Richard had slipped him a hurried note late in the afternoon, explaining that his friend needed him to fill in at The Banana Hammock again and that he’d meet with Seri after his shift ended.
To cover his disappointment, Seri had decided to get started on some of his work scheduled for Monday. He had only realized this was a mistake when the ache in his back encouraged him to check the clock and he discovered he had worked until almost 10pm.
The late hour combined with his hunger was all the excuse Seri needed to head over to The Banana Hammock. If he couldn’t have dinner with Richard, he could at least have dinner near him.
Seri sat at a table in the corner and a tall man with short black hair and angular features stepped up to the table.
“Good evening sir. We’re still serving our dinner special tonight, if you’re interested.”
“Yes, please, that sounds-”
“Seri! Seri!” Richard’s happy call cut through the general babble around the bar, and Seri looked up to see Richard happily waving from across the room. The man looked up in surprise, then turned back to Seri with a smile.
“Ah, I see. So, you’re the Seri Richard’s been going on about.”
Seri nodded sheepishly and gave Richard a small wave back.
“Yeah, uh, that’s me.”
“Wonderful to meet you!” The man shook Seri’s hand in both of his own. “My name is Taichi, I’m the owner here.”
Seri’s eyes widened, his own smile growing. “Oh! Then I’ve heard a lot about you too. You and Richard grew up together, right?”
Taichi nodded. “One day, when I was little, I ran into a kid who lived in the neighborhood. Talked too much, far too excitable. He followed me home and insisted we’d be friends.” He glanced back towards Richard, smiling slightly. “Hasn’t stopped talking since.”
Seri smiled at the thought of a young Richard bouncing from excitement. “Sounds like Richard. Any chance you have any pictures?”
Taichi nodded and dropped him a wink. “Let me finish with these tables and I’ll show you some, if you don’t mind me interrupting your dinner.”
Seri shook his head. “Not at all! I’d love to see some.”
“Seri!” Richard came over with a plate of food and a bottle of beer. He gingerly set the items down on the table before dramatically throwing his arms around Seri’s neck and kissing his cheek.
Seri blushed. “Richard!”
Richard ignored his complaints and looked up at Taichi. “See, didn’t I tell you he was adorable?”
Taichi nodded amiably. “Let’s see how highly he still thinks of you after I share some old pictures of you. Remember that one from the amusement park?”
Richard stood up straight, crossing his arms. “I do. And if you ever expect me to help out here again, you’d better not show him that picture.”
Taichi gestured towards the bar. “I’ll consider it if you get back over there and wait on my customers. Save the kissing for after closing.”
Richard leaned down and gave Seri a final quick kiss before allowing Taichi to guide him back towards the bar.
--
Seri was just finishing his meal when he noticed the cheerful chatter that had filled the bar was being replaced with the sounds of stools pushing out and voices receding. Must be closing time. Seri wondered uncertainly if he should leave too. But just as he was gathering up his scarf, Taichi sat down across from him at the table.
“Seri, feel free to stay. Richard’s almost done and I’m sure he’d love for you to wait for him.”
Seri relaxed back into his chair. “Oh, thank you. I’d be glad to. So, uh, Taichi. You mentioned some old pictures of Richard?”
Taichi glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to Seri with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. “Quick Seri, what’s your number?”
Moments later, Seri received Taichi’s text. It was a photo of Richard and Taichi, smiling brightly for the camera. Richard appeared to be around 9 years old, and was happily waving to the camera with his free hand while he draped his other arm over Taichi’s shoulders. There was an amusement park ride in the background, and judging from the dishevelment of both boys’ hair, Seri thought they must have been enjoying roller coasters all day before the picture was taken.
Seri zoomed in closer to Richard’s face. He looked up at Taichi in surprise. “You’re both smiling but…Richard looks a little sad. Was he crying?”
Taichi smiled warmly. “Seri, I’m impressed! Most people don’t notice. Yes, actually. You see, before that picture was taken, Richard had gotten lost. Not for very long, mind you, but by the time we found him he said he thought we’d left without him. Poor Richard! But as you can see, once we found him again, he went right back to his normal cheerful self.”
Taichi thought for a moment more, then said, “Richard’s always been the type to feel strongly, whether it’s happiness or sadness.”
Seri considered that as he looked at the picture. He thought of all the times Richard had lifted Seri off his feet in his excitement. Or the times Seri could barely keep up with Richard’s stride as he hurried them on to their next date. Oh how I love him. Seri was slightly mortified to feel a lump growing in his throat. He cleared his throat and looked up to find Taichi watching him.
“Taichi, thanks for sharing this picture with me.”
Taichi smiled. “I think you two will be very happy together. I, for one, am excited to share all of Richard’s most embarrassing pictures with you! Did you know he starred in a play once?”
Seri’s response was interrupted when Richard pulled a chair around next to him and once again threw his arms around Seri’s neck and peppered his cheek with kisses.
Taichi said, “Richard, thanks for helping me out again tonight.”
Richard nodded. “Anytime! I’m so happy you got to meet my Seri. We should all go out sometime.”
“I’d love to. I can bring some more pictures for Seri next time.”
Richard looked to Seri in horror. “Seri, Taichi didn’t show you any pictures tonight, did he?”
Seri suddenly found something extremely interesting to look at through the window while Taichi had apparently noticed something of importance back towards the bar.
“Taichi!”
Seri dissolved into laughter. “Oh c’mon, Richard, it’s not so bad. I think you look cute. I was even thinking of making that picture my new phone wallpaper.”
Seri and Taichi laughed together as Richard tried to wrestle Seri’s phone out of his grip.
--
When Richard and Seri finally left The Banana Hammock later that night, the streets were mostly empty. Richard placed an arm across Seri’s shoulders, and Seri leaned his head onto Richard’s shoulder, enjoying the extra warmth.
“Hey Seri? What made you decide to come meet me tonight?”
Seri shrugged. “I missed you, I guess…”
As Richard gave him a squeeze, Seri hurriedly admitted under this breath, “Also I accidentally lost track of time and worked late at the office…”
Richard stopped walking, then took Seri’s hand and tugged him onto a small side street. Seri’s back met the cold surface of the building they had stopped in front of, and Richard’s hand made a small sound as he thumped it into the wall beside Seri’s head.
“Working late again? Naughty Seri.” Richard pulled the pin from his hair, and Seri’s heartbeat quickened. “How should we punish you tonight?”
“Wait! Richard, hold on. Not out here!” Seri halfheartedly pushed against Richard’s chest.
“Oh?” Richard leaned forward and whispered into Seri’s ear. “It sounds like you’re asking for a long and thorough punishment back at my apartment instead.”
Seri gripped the front of Richard’s shirt when Richard gently nipped at his ear. “Yes! Yes. Just…let’s get inside first.”
“Hmm? Get inside and then?”
“Punish me!” Seri looked up into Richard’s eyes. He thought he’d be happy forever if he always had this excitable, joyful, intense man at his side. “Just get me inside first, moron.”
Richard took his hand and kissed it, before pulling Seri along behind him. “I know a shortcut!”
Their mingled laughter was soon swallowed up by the quiet of the night.
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