Gays' Night Out [Kei/Hono]

KEI SAIONJI

Kei was not one to go to bars that often. Drinking wasn't something she was especially good at. Hell, she didn't really enjoy it that often either. And yet, Kei was here at one of the more upscale bars in the Seireitei. And yes, she was drinking. It might have been a simple sex on the beach, but it was still alcoholic. She wasn't there for her own sake. Instead, she was there on the request of another. Another Shinigami from a different Division had approached her earlier that week and asked if she'd go to a bar with her. She checked off most of Kei's boxes, and so she bit. It wasn't that often that Kei was the approached.

Things were going so well until about halfway through the night. They had talked about hopes and dreams ,and both had commented extensively about how attractive the other one was. Neither could believe the other was single. And then, her drinking partner asked Kei to watch her drink while she went and talked to a guy she was eyeing and that if she gave the signal to come and bail her out of the conversation. Kei was confused at first, and it seemed like the disconnect hit both at the same time. Kei thought it was an impromptu date. The other girl was using Kei as a wingwoman to keep her safe.

Needless to say, their night together ended in the other girl apologizing and quickly leaving. She was nice enough to pay for Kei's drinks up until that point. This cocktail was all her money though. She was pretty much alone at the bar. There were a couple of open barstools on either side, but those around seemed to be engrossed in their own conversation. Even if she was going to have to turn them down, she was hoping at least one guy might come over and try to cheer her up. Letting her head hit the bar, Kei whined. "Why are all the good ones straight..."

KEI SAIONJI

Kei lifted her head just enough to turn to the right to see Hono scooting over. Most women weren't entirely Kei's type. She had long since given up on finding her ideal woman—big-breasted, long and dark hair, and legs for days. If such a woman existed, she'd be straight as an arrow and likely wanted to be a mother or something. Probably even Catholic. But Hono was definitely cute—cuter than the young woman Kei had entered the bar with. She perked up a bit and stopped slouching on the bar.


"Kei." She extended a hand to Hono while the other held onto her drink. She took another sip. "And I wasn't alone... until now. Thought I had a date, turns out she just wanted someone to make sure her drink didn't get spiked or to bail her out when the guy she liked turned out to be a jac—jerk. If she just wanted someone to her backup, I still would have. I think it's smart for women to do that. But she should have been clear that's what she wanted."

Kei's head drooped down in disappointment as she studied the marble pattern. "It's not even the first time this has happened to me. I guess it's the curse of loving what I love."

KEI SAIONJI

Kei smiled as Hono said what she was thinking. It sure was a She said it, not me moment for her. "Isn't that the truth. I can't even deny that I haven't done it before..." Kei thought about her academy days. She hadn't particular wanted a relationship with a few of those girls, but she had sure pursued them like she did. At the time, she chalked it up to them not really being her type. Now, Kei would say that it was a fear of commitment. Whether or not the fear was there still... Well, that was an answer for another day.

Hono's energy helped perk Kei to being more at a comfortable lean. She blinked when Hono gave her a nudge that at least showed her to be an all—nope, she was gay. That actually made things both easier and more complicated. "We women can be practically impossible to read. If there's one thing I really have to agree with straight men on it's that we're so complicated."

"The one you like, is she cheery like you are, or is she more..." Kei did her best J impression—a stern, dull look with a slow leak of disappointment. She knew he'd be a great father one of these days just because of that look.

KEI SAIONJI

Kei had heard that pause before. Not from Hono, but from others. It was a sign that Hono knew her partner well. Anyone who could describe their partner without a pause just had a surface-level understanding of them. It was cute and endearing and made Kei ever-so jealous. It didn't keep her from smiling. That was one thing Kei didn't do. She'd not disparage another's success in a subject she failed at.

"Sounds like your girl got herself a real catch. The old saying 'the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach' still applies to our modern tastes." She giggled as a gear turned. She took a sip of her drink as she tried to connect the dot. "Elyss... Wait." It clicked. There was only one person she had heard of with that name. She leaned in and quieted her voice. Kei didn't know how secret this relationship might just be. "Are you dating Captain Kishimoto?!" Kei leaned back and stared at an expensive bottle of liquor she was too sober to buy. "J owes me some money."

KEI SAIONJI

"What a small world." Kei let out a laugh and quickly corrected herself. "Yes, that J. He just so happens to be my older brother. I wasn't trying to get business involved, but I'm one of the provisional third seats for the First Division. If you have any troubles with another division... I'd say go elsewhere." She let out another laugh at her own joke. She didn't mean it, of course. She had a lot of pride in what she did—what she was able to help hold together.

"Seriously though, if you have problems, just come to me. I manage the Saionji household's house staff and the like; what I do is a piece of cake." She took another sip of her drink before remembering a question Hono had posed. "Oh, the bet! Yes, so please take no offense to this, but from what I had heard, I had a feeling that Captain Kishimoto had at least some taste for women. Call it selective gaydar, I guess. J, however, did not believe as much. So I bet him on if it were true."

"So what's it like dating a Captain? I can all-but-guarantee I won't get the chance, so I'm curious."