“Really? I never would have guessed.” There’s sarcasm, but it’s gentle, teasing. Umeda would never be surprised to find himself not a man’s usual. Being gay wasn’t the worst crime in Japan, but it certainly didn’t win you many friends, “So if you don’t normally go for redheads, what do you look for in a casual acquaintance? And whiskey sounds good. I’ll join you.”

When they got inside, he ordered two whiskey neats and waited for the drinks before he met Jim’s eyes to answer his last question. It was nice to know the world went on and even got out into space. Time travel was a lot more palatable for Umeda than the alternative.

“The early 2000s. So you’re about what, almost three hundred years older than me? Or am I the one that’s older since I’m from the past?” He was teasing again as he sipped his drink, enjoying the way Jim had so far played back.