Work Text:
Gaby and Illya arrive at the restaurant a few minutes earlier than the mark is expected to, just to familiarize themselves with the area so they’re prepared for anything that might happen. She takes his hand in hers as they enter La Vie En Rose and requests a table for two by the front window (the mark frequents this restaurant; they’ll be able to keep an eye on him at his usual table from where they’ll be sitting), before turning and smiling at him.
“We will have to make everyone think we are in love,” Illya says, looking around the room to make sure there are no obvious threats. He doesn’t find any, so he turns back to her.
Gaby blinks at him. “Aren’t we?”
“Yes, but they must all see it as well,” he explains, and brings Gaby’s hand up to press his lips to. “So we must be obvious about it.”
“I see. Well, I can be obvious,” she says, and pulls her hand away so she can tug him closer and thoroughly kiss him. They only part when they hear someone clearing their throat behind them — a waiter who looks a little embarrassed.
“Your table is ready,” he says, gesturing for them to follow. He brings them in and hands them menus, then scurries away.
“Too obvious?” Gaby asks with a laugh, opening her menu to look inside.
Illya shakes his head. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“That’s only because you like my kisses too much to tell me to stop.” She gives him a look which he ignores in favor of opening his own menu.
“We should get the same thing. It will make us look more like a couple,” he says, searching for something the both of them would like.
“Risotto alla Milanese?” she suggests and he nods, happy with pretty much anything. “And some white wine.”
The mark comes in, being brought to his normal table. He’s with a man who is most likely the person he’s doing business with. They’re going to be making a transaction, so it’s important to keep an eye on them.
“He has arrived,” Illya mutters under his breath, and Gaby gives a small nod to signify she’s heard. The waiter returns and Illya orders, taking the menus to hand to him. He looks back at Gaby, takes in the way the sun hits her just right. She always looks radiant, but she especially does now. “You are very beautiful, Gaby.”
The smile that forms on her lips isn’t entirely an act and she tells him, “So are you.”
It’s surprisingly satisfying to be open with their affection, even if they’re only doing it for the sake of the mission. He likes Gaby and he likes spending time with her, but usually he shies away from doing it in public unless the situation calls for it. Now he lets himself let his guard down, just enough for the mission, and he finds he doesn’t entirely hate it.
Their meals arrive and they begin to eat, quickly striking up a conversation. Conversations between them are always something they enjoy; Gaby is unlike anyone he’s ever met, and she simultaneously enamors gets on his nerves and enamors him. They challenge each other in ways no one else can and though they often disagree on things, it’s part of the reason why they work so well together.
Illya offers to get dessert after, and they settle on ice cream. (She gets chocolate, he gets vanilla.) Once they finish, he pays and takes her hand as they stand up and exit the restaurant. The sun sets on their walk back to the hotel, only furthering the picture perfect evening of theirs.
It’s not that he doesn’t like the thrilling moments, but he wishes they could get more quiet ones like this. Today had felt like an actual date, which they didn’t get to do much of without unless it was while they were undercover. He wouldn’t say it out loud, but he cherishes the simple moments they do get together.
He holds the door for her as they enter the hotel and they head up to their room, where they stop outside of while they wait for Illya to get the key from his pocket.
“It was a very nice evening,” he comments, and Gaby reaches up to pull him closer to kiss him. He drops the key as he returns the kiss, hands coming up to hold onto her. She wraps her arms around the back of his neck, giving a hum of content. They don’t pull away until they’re both breathless, and he leans his head against hers.
“Yes, very nice,” she agrees. “Now can we go in and make it even nicer?”
His face flushes at the implication of her comment but he says nothing, reaching down to pick up the key. When he straightens up, she kisses him again, and he’s not sure how he manages to open the door without pulling away but he does. They stumble into the room, shutting the door behind them, not realizing they aren’t alone until the person begins speaking.
“Well, I’m glad you two had a good time.” It’s Napoleon. “While I had to stay here, all on my own.”
Illya steps away from Gaby, letting go of her as if he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t. She merely rolls her eyes, taking off her coat to hang up on the rack. “We’d already agreed you would be going on the next one.”
That is what they agreed to, but Napoleon huffs anyway. If he wasn’t difficult, then he wouldn’t be himself. “Did you see if he gave the man the money?”
Illya freezes, and Gaby glances at him. “...What?”
“The money,” Napoleon repeats, brows furrowed in confusion at what their confusion could be. “Did you see the transaction happen?”
“No,” Illya says slowly, realizing they had completely forgotten to watch the man to see what went down. “We might have been somewhat distracted.”