Work Text:
What Are The Odds?
Norman sighed as he checked his watch for the umpteenth time since he arrived at the restaurant.
Here he was, standing in front of a restaurant, dressed to impress while waiting for his date.
Yes, his date.
His date from who he didn't even know what she looked like of even what her name.
How did he even end up here?
Ah, right. Ray.
His best friend had handed him a flyer of a blind dating service, telling Norman he needed to get out more as he spend far too much of his time working.
Sure, he was right about that issue as Norman tended to forget many other things including taking care of himself while working but he wasn't sure about getting a girlfriend.
He did have to admit that sometimes he did feel a little lonely, especially when seeing other couples being happy together.
Maybe that was why, after much urging from his dark haired friend, he had given in and signed himself up for the service where he had to answer some random questions like his age, hobbies and other stuff.
After that he was required to pay a not too ridiculously large amount of money that the service used to book a table for two at a restaurant and sent Norman information on when and where to be.
He was also instructed to pin a red rose to his chest, something he had done though he felt a little cheesy about it.
Oh wel, that was just how the service wanted it and didn't really matter for how the date itself would go.
If things went okay, he might try to see her again some time and if they didn't than at least he tried and he'd get Ray off his back.
Now he was waiting for his date as the time they were supposed to enter the restaurant got closer and closer.
'It's almost time and she's still not here.' he thought as he checked his watch again. 'Maybe she decided she didn't wanna do this anyway.'
"Norman?" a familiar voice snapped from from his thoughts and looking to his right he was surprised to find Emma, his best friend besides Ray with who he had grown up together.
He also used to have a huge crush on her for most of his life but had given up in college after years had passed without him ever being able to tell her and her staying blissfully oblivious to his feelings.
It had been hard at first but after accepting to himself that nothing would ever change about their relationship he managed to stop becoming a bumbling and blushing fool around her.
He did feel a little bad that they hadn't really gotten the chance to see each other in the last few months thanks to his busy schedule, though.
"Emma." he answered as he smiled at her and walked closer.
She looked as beautiful as always, bright orange hair sticking in every direction with her trusty little 'antenna' standing up and her green eyes sparkling the same way they always did.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, trying not to stare upon noticing she was also wearing a nice but simple red dress with matching high heels and- Wait. Was she wearing make-up?
Emma never wore make-up.
"Ah! I'm actually on a date! I just gotta meet him yet. Gilda made me sign up for a blind dating service." she grinned sheepishly.
Damn it! Why did Norman feel a pinch in his heart at hearing that?
He was supposed to be over Emma and she had any right to go on dates if she wanted to!
Hell, he was on one himself!
"Same. Except not Gilda but Ray made me sign up." he forced himself to grin back.
"So we're both waiting for a date! What are the odds?" Emma laughed and Norman found himself closing his eyes and chuckling along, if not at the irony then at Emma's infectious laugh.
He stopped however upon hearing she had stopped and looking at her he found her staring at him or more so the rose on his chest with wide eyes.
He was about to ask her what's wrong when his own eyes widened when he noticed it.
A red rose.
Emma was wearing a red rose in her hair.
Just like the dating service had said his date would be doing.
Aquamarine blue met emerald green.
"You're my bind date?!" they both shouted at the same time.
"I... I can go if you want me to..." Norman awkwardly offered after a few minutes of staring at each other in silence.
He was already starting to turn around to walk away when a loud "No!" made his freeze in his tracks.
"I-I'd like to go on this date with you! Ah! I mean we already paid for the service, right? And we haven't really hung out in a while also!" Emma fumbled with her dress as she tried to find the right words.
She looked so cute, standing there all shy with red cheeks that Norman found himself unable to resist.
"Sure, let's catch up during a nice dinner." he agreed, making her perk up.
"Shall we, milady?" he jokingly offered his arm, feeling the tips of his ears heat up when she linked her own arm through his with a beaming smile and giggled.
"Lead the way, kind sir!"
The restaurant the service had booked was a nice Italian place that where the duo were sat at a table with some wine and nibbled on some focaccia bread while waiting for their main course as Emma told a story from the kindergarden she worked where some of the children had talked a father into getting onto the roundabout.
"So then we finally got the kids to stop spinning that thing and the dad stumbled out all dizzy but he was so glad he finally got off that he started kissing the ground over and over again until he accidentally kissed a worm and the worm actually tried to crawl into his mouth and got halfway before the guy spit it out and it seriously flew twenty feet before hitting the ground!" she laughed as Norman chocked on his drink.
"It was seriously the funniest thing I've ever seen!"
"Funnier than the time Don flirted with a girl only for her to be a guy with long hair and when he tried to back off the other guy wouldn't allow it and kept making passive-aggressive moves at him?" Norman raised an eyebrow and she snorted.
"Alright, maybe it wasn't as funny as that but it's a close second!" she admitted with a roll of the eyes.
"I wish I was there." he chuckled before noticing his and Emma's hands were touching.
He blushed and was about to pull back when Emma stopped him by placing her hand fully on top of his.
Seeing his surprise she smiled shyly, "You know, this is kinda nice."
"The two of us being here. Together like this, I mean." she clarified.
"I suppose so..." Norman turned his hand around and caught her's in it in his larger palm, gently closing his fingers around it and feeling her do the same to his own hand.
"But really! I was a little worried I'd end up meeting some sleezeball who'd just try to talk me in his bed but instead I got you!" Emma said as she light squeezed his hand.
"You're happy it was me?" Norman asked hesitantly, softy running his thumb over the back of her hand.
"Well yeah because I-" "Ahem." they both jumped and pulled their hands back, blushing at the waiter who was holding two plates of steaming food.
"Your orders. One plate of risotto and another one with spaghetti." he said as he placed the plates on the table and talked away without another word.
"So..." Emma started.
"Bet you I can finish my plate first!" she grinned and Norman shook his head.
"You're gonna end up sick!" he protested.
"I'll take that risk any day!"
"Boy, that was great!" Emma cried as she skipped outside with Norman right behind her after he had insisted on paying for everything like a gentleman.
He was smiling mindlessly at the woman's antics but frowned when she stopped and looked sad.
"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly as she pouted at him.
"I don't want this to be over yet!" Emma whined and he blinked before offering a comforting smile.
"Well, it doesn't have to. The night's still young after all." he held out his hand as in invitation and was glad when she took it with another beaming smile.
"Then let's go!" she cheered and started running into a random direction, dragging a startled Norman along.
"Emma?! Where are we going?!" he panted as he struggled to keep up.
"I have no idea!"
After a while of running Emma suddenly stopped and Norman almost bumped into her.
"Emma?" he asked, confused as to why she stopped so sudden without warning.
Instead of saying anything she pointed ahead and following it he found an ice cream parlor.
"Please~?" Emma pouted up and him and he shook his head in amusement.
"Sure, lead the way." he answered before yelping when he ended up being dragged again.
Luckily the parlor was only a few seconds running but even that made him out of breath.
He really needed to work out more.
A little bell jiggled as the door opened and they stepped inside the building.
It was a pretty cute place, decorated in light yellow, pink and brown like neapolitan ice cream.
Behind the counter stood a teenage girl who looked up from her phone upon noticing them and gave them a bright smile.
"Welcome! How can I help you?" she asked excitedly.
She must have been bored since they were obviously the only customers for the moment.
"Yeah, can I have..." Emma scanned the many flavors, "A cone with a scoop of rocky road, please?"
"Sure thing!" the girl said as she quickly made the order and handed it to Emma.
"Thank you!" Emma thanked happily before both of them looked at Norman expectantly.
"Huh? What?" he blinked at them.
"Aren't you gonna order too, Norman?" Emma asked innocently because of course that was what they wanted.
"Ice cream tastes best when eating it together with someone else." the girl agreed.
At that Norman sighed and gave in "Alright, I'll have a scoop of vanilla then."
"Wait!" Emma yelled right as the girl was about to make it, making both her and Norman stop and stare.
"You can't take just take vanilla when there's this many flavors! That's too plain and just insulting for this place who give you so many options!" she protested as she pointed at the many other flavors and the girl who was trying to hide her giggles.
"Emma, you know I'm not as fond of sweet like you are." Norman told her because while he honestly liked a treat every now and then, he didn't crave sugar like her.
"But still!"
"If you want something not too sweet I can make you a cone with a scoop of green tea." the girl offered.
They stopped arguing, looked at her, looked and each other and at her again before Norman nodded.
"That sounds good, thank you."
He was about to pull out his wallet when Emma grabbing his wrist to stop him.
"Oh no, you don't! This one's my treat! You already paid for dinner!" she said as she pushed his arm down.
He opened his mouth to protest but she wasn't having it and shoved a finger against his lips.
"Ah, ah, ah! No complaining, mister! I'm paying these things and that's final!" she said sternly and only when he awkwardly nodded did she grin and pull her finger back, oblivious to the red tinge to his cheeks.
As she was busy digging around in her purse for her own wallet Norman looked at the girl and felt himself turn bright red upon finding her smirking knowingly at him and wiggling her eyebrows.
'Stop that!' he mouthed at her and luckily she did right before Emma looked up.
"Here you go! Keep the change!" she said as she handed the money.
"Where do you wanna go next?" Norman asked, trying to get Emma to leave with him after the stunt the girl had just done.
As Emma put a finger to her chin in thought the girl apparently didn't think she should mind her own business.
"The nearby park is really pretty in the dark and I think the café there always plays music." the suggestion itself was fairly innocent but her tone of voice and twinkling eyes were full of mischief.
Her idea seemed appealing to Emma who gasped and looked him at Norman who gave a reluctant nod, knowing he wouldn't be able to argue with her even if it wanted to.
"Have a nice evening and come back any time!" the girl gave a wink as she waved them off with with that they walked outside.
"BRAIN FREEZE!" Emma cried as she clutched her head, a pained expression on her face as she hunched over while Norman gently rubbed her back to try and bring her some comfort.
They had been walking together through the park the girl from the ice cream parlor had suggested, hands intertwined as they admired the admittedly beautiful park were strings of lights were hung in the trees, glowing faintly as to not blind you but bright enough so you could see the many trees and flowers around the path.
He'd told her to eat her ice cream slowly but being the sweet tooth she was Emma practically inhaled the frozen treat and was not suffering the consequences.
Ray would most definitely say "I told you so!" but luckily Norman was a lot more sympathetic and just kept on running her to try and ease her pain'.
After a while it did go away and Emma stood straight again with a groan.
"I really should listen to you more often." she told him and he quirked an eyebrow.
"Would you mind repeating that?" he asked half-joking, half-serious as he held up his phone, ready to record should she actually be so kind as to repeat herself.
It was literally something Ray would kill for to have Emma say to him so sue Norman if he wanted to proof it actually happened to him and brag a little.
"No way! That was a maybe once in a lifetime chance and you blew it!" Emma childishly stuck her tongue out at him.
"Oh snap! There go my hopes and dreams of crushing Ray's hopes and dreams!" Norman actually snapped his fingers and they both laughed.
"You want to crush Ray's hopes and dreams? Oh my, my, Norman! I didn't know you were this mean!" Emma poked him in the side, squealing when he poked her back with a grin.
"I'll have you know I can be very mean. Years of being stuck between your's and Ray's antics have messed me up so I need to take it out every now and then on you guys. I usually get revenge on Ray with mental torture like this." he explained.
"And how would you torture and get your so-called revenge on me?" Emma asked as she placed her hands on her hips expectantly, obvious thinking she'd be prepared to whatever he said.
"Well," Norman stepped closer and wiggled his fingers,"I know for a fact that you, my dear Emma, are very ticklish."
Green eyes went wide and Emma tried to run away and escape but this time Norman was quicker and reached out and tickled her sides.
"Ahaha! No! Stop! Norman! Stop it!" she cries in between laughs as she wiggles around, struggling against his hold as his fingers dig into her sides, tummy and all her other weak spots.
"Norman, please, please, please! I'm begging you!" she was getting breathless so Norman decide to grant her mercy, keeping his hold on her and supporting her as she caught her breath.
"You are not mean! You're plain evil!" she gasped as she stared up at him and he smirked.
"You wanted to know~" was his answer as he let go of her.
This was however to soon as Emma's legs hadn't really regained their strengt again, causing her to start falling and both of them to yelp as Norman caught her and held her against him.
They stood in silence, Norman holding Emma against his chest, one arms around her waist, the other holding a hand to her back while Emma rested both hands as well as her hair on his chest.
"You know," Emma started as she stared up at him, "It's almost like we're dancing."
"Dancing?" he blinked at her.
"Yeah, with the way you're holding me and- Wait!" she suddenly gasped before grinning up at him.
"I hear music! That must be the café we were told about!" and sure enough if he listened carefully Norman could hear soft music playing along the the chatter of people.
"Let's dance now!" Emma cheered and already started swaying in his arms.
Norman was about to protest, feeling silly but seeing Emma close her eyes and lay her head against his chest with a smile made him lose all the will to object.
With that he pulled her just a little closer and carefully rested his head on hers as he too closed his eyes.
"Thanks for walking me home, Norman." Emma thanked Norman as she stood in her doorway.
"No problem, really." he smiled, not having wanted her to walk alone at night.
As much fun as they were having together, all good things must sadly come to an end and in their case it meant it was getting late and they needed to call it a night.
"You know... I really had fun tonight." she then said.
"I'm glad." was his answer because really, he was.
"Do you... Wanna do this again? Like, go on a date?" she asked shyly, blushing and he stared at her in shock before smiling and nodding.
"I'd like that. A lot."
Emma beamed up at him before standing on the tip of her toes and quickly pecking him on the corner of is mouth, making him gape as she pulled away.
"B-Bye!" she stuttered and went to shut the door but it was then that Norman snapped himself from his trance and grabbed it before it could close.
"Hang on!" he cried and Emma meekly allowed him to pull it open again.
She was prepared to get scolded for kissing him like that but instead she got surprised by a chaste kiss from Norman himself, though unlike her he did it straight on her lips.
"Can't end a date without a proper kiss, can we?" he whispered upon pulling away and she giggled.
"Maybe but I don't think that was really a proper kiss either." she said and threw her arms around his neck.
"And what may that be?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"This." with that they both leaned in for a mutual kiss, deep and passionate as they poured all their unspoken feelings into it.
Emma moaned softly as Norman's tongue slipped into her mouth, slowly taking it's time to exploring every inch of her.
After a while the need for air became to strong and they had to pull away, panting as they did so.
"I should go now." Norman said after a while.
He really didn't want to but he knew that if things kept going the way they were that they might end up doing something they weren't ready for.
"Okay." Emma said understandingly but that didn't stop her from pouting.
Seeing this Norman chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"I'll call you tomorrow, alright?" he offered a comforting smile.
"Alright then, I'll look forward to it." Emma said and they shared another kiss before she closed the door and Norman turned to walk to his own home.
As he walked Norman couldn't help but grin to himself at how the evening had turned out.
He and Emma had signed up for the same blind dating service and had gotten set up together and now after a wonderful evening he was pretty sure Emma felt the same way towards him as he did to her.
Really, what were the odds?
The End