“ am I detecting a slight cynical edge to the idea of romance?” Kaede asked as he glanced over to his cousin. He didn’t blame him if he felt that way. Romance was complicated and he’d been up and down with a lot of things in his life when it came to love. “ go to the drive in and see if you know anyone there. Or even just ask a friend? I’m sure they’d want to see a movie?” He offered before a small smile appeared on his face about the hermit comment. “ unfortunately that’s a genetic thing. I struggle with that one myself “

"You definitely are." Hinata didn't want to talk too much about it. He remembered watching his parents when he was growing up. What started out as being loving and caring to one another, but it soured. Not to mention he was fairly certain his father had something to do with the death of his mother, especially after that detective stopped by the club to talk to him. Hinata debated telling his cousin but he wasn't sure if he should. Maybe he would think he was crazy for it. Hinata hoped not, but it truly did sound ridiculous-- or at least that's what Hinata had told himself for years. Now? He wasn't so sure.

Gabe had been about to ask for Hinata but then as soon as the other man introduced himself he realized this was exactly who he’d been looking for and Gabe had to readjust his next comment. “ I’m not trying to scare you or anything but I’m actually here to speak to you “ he admitted as he went to his bag to pull out a file. “ it’s about your family. “ @hinataxito

Hinata’s fingers slowly curled back into his palm as he retracted his hand and let it fall to his side. He had a sinking feeling in his gut, and he sadly felt he already knew what this was about.

Jared: I feel that. What are you a fan of? Jared: Shit dude, I probably see you all the time without even realising it. Jared: We need to take lunch breaks together, and you know have a smoke.

Iris always preferred sitting at the bar at Tejas because seats were usually available, she could order food just the same, and drink service was a lot faster. And on top of that, she got to chit-chat with whomever deigned to sit beside her--like now. She hummed as she scooped up some salsa on her chip, shrugging at him, "Nah, not pathetic. But hey, you're out right now! So so far so good? And so far you haven't burst into flames or anything, right?"

Hinata chuckled at the woman's joke and brought his bottle of beer to his lips as he shook his head. "No, not yet." Although you'd think it would be a concern with how unwilling he was to get out at times. He took a swig of his drink and shrugged. "All that matters is I'm trying, right?"

Fletcher tilts his head a bit to one side and then the other, letting out a soft 'eh' sound in thought. "I don't think it's pathetic to chase any sort of goal," he gradually says. "Or do you mean that you're admitting you're a homebody?"

"I mean that I'm a homebody-- or well, I guess just incredibly introverted, because I do go out fishing on the sea a lot. Or diving and all that, but I'm not all that social, ya know? I've ben trying to get out there more, I guess."

"Nah, I don't think it's pathetic." Kiho started, taking a sip from his drink. Though maybe he was completely biased because he would much rather be home than out socializing. "Does being on your boat not count as going out?" He asked curiously. To him, it sounded like a 'flex' and not at all pathetic. "How's that change going for you?"

"I guess but I don't think most people my age are out fishing instead of socializing." Hinata put too much pressure on himself to be 'normal', and the standards were entirely made up by himself. "So far its just me feeling awkward having conversations with strangers."

closed starter for: @hinataxito where: air bubbles Another beautiful day in Aurora Bay! Amara's dressed in something boho-chic and loose, likely over her swimsuit, carrying an oversized satchel full of whatever accessories she thinks she'll need today as she approaches Hinata inside the building for the scuba school. Her smile is bright, though there might be a hint of nervousness in her eyes. Whether that's for him or the water is yet to be determined. "Hey," she greets him warmly. "So, I was wondering if you... still had a lunch today?" In the same instant, she pulls an unmarked brown paper bag from the satchel. "I-I mean... if you still had time for one?"

It was surprisingly a slow day at the scuba diving club that day, so Hinata had already finished most of his preparations and was now sitting behind the front desk. His eyes lit up when he spotted Amara walking through the front door, and he hopped off his seat and moved to greet her. "Hey!" He smiled at her. "Yeah, I do. I haven't taken it yet but I was probably going to soon."

Gabe had been doing a lot of desk work which at first seemed like a bit of a bore but there were a lot of things that had appeared in his desk lately that had been something to actually make a difference without anyone ever getting hurt. A case his colleague had mentioned to him that had never really been closed wound up on his desk and he had to investigate. “ no I think I’d be terrible at it “ Gabe admitted “ I’m actually on duty. I’m Gabriel Haddad, im a detective. I’m looking for someone who might work here” @hinataxito

Hinata eyed the man and it was evident he wasn't ready for an underwater excursion, but when he stated he was a detective on duty, looking for one of the club's workers, Hinata's brows rose. "Oh.." He stood up a little straighter as his mind raced about who he could be looking for. "I'm Hinata Ito, one of the instructors." He held his hand out to shake. "Who are you looking for?"