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Aspen begs him for a normal date. Romance has never been a simple thing in the Vinsmoke family. Even growing up, settling on a card and little box with chocolate never satisfied Niji.
Instead, he preferred saving up the ‘guilt’ money Judge dumped on them. The man never could give affection, and he eagerly raked in the cash. He always used it on expensive chocolate and a gigantic bouquet, relieved when his mom smiled. Then she stumbled into Zeff, forcing his romantic efforts to change. Zeff argued and even kicked him with that peg, ordering him to be normal.
Normal meaning he ceases abusing his position. Yet, he's allowed to pass the line that occasionally leaks from the Baratie's door with Aspen on his arm, and demand his table now.
Aspen ought to consider his abilities a dream. Judge’s money could get them into other restaurants, better maybe than the Baratie. She's too in love with Patty's desserts, though and he can't argue there.
Obnoxious as the man could be, no one else could come close to such delicious chocolate dishes. Getting his desired dessert can resemble a vicious war sometimes. Patty's special dishes are limited in number.
Zeff, the bastard, expects him to putter around the Baratie with the desserts, asking whether people care to sample these “new” menu items with the popular things being given a trial run on the menu. He's watched too many people contemplate taking his dessert when the menu is right there. It even names things Patty can make for them, leaving him to gorge on those limited desserts.
Zeff would prefer he go for no desserts or have them elsewhere. Niji's never been one to back down from his lactose intolerance. No one could forget the pizza incident from his childhood, convincing Garp that Sora allowed him to have dairy and a lot. The ball pit would never be the same, nor would the children Garp had to haul from it. The Baratie's toilet has similarly suffered.
He and Aspen are sharing a goddamn dream. Merely imagining that he has to give up such a position? He's already whining, ignoring Aspen's kick to his thigh. She's smirking, already knowing that she's going to win the argument.
“I understand the restaurant will be doing a trial run on the chocolate éclair.” Her smirk widens as his head whips around. “You're going to get whiplash. Then who will I go with?”
He groans, already imagining the line when the Baratie announces its new dessert choice. “Can I call ahead and book the whole restaurant? I've done that for date night.”
“I remember it being purely to piss off some siblings.” Aspen nudges his thigh, gentler now. “I want a normal date.”
The benefits? Aspen would be happier. A pleased girlfriend always makes for better sex. Zeff would get off his back regarding this issue. The downsides are pretty damn heavy, though.
A normal date where he's some goddamn peasant with no skipping the line? Even scarier is the knowledge that someone else could receive his beloved dessert.
“We can have a trial run. Then-“
Aspen kisses him into silence. He's clueless that the very same thing will be used to keep him calm during the trial run.
Things have gone too well for him with minimal traffic and a killer parking space.
People aren't spilling from the restaurant either. Aspen might as well be bouncing in her heels, nudging him forward. The staff is watching him. One seems ready to break down, recalling his previous experiences with Niji.
“Just two…” Choking down glass would be easier than his next words. “How long for a table?”
“We can move things around…”
God, he would give them whatever is requested in exchange for that. Fuck, he would give them Judge's bank information right now. Aspen's pinching his arm and managing to keep a calm demeanor for the terrified staff.
“Oh, there’s no rush.”
There is.
Niji can hear the familiar rattle. Patty's coming with the desserts, making the rounds with decadent chocolate guaranteed to destroy Niji's intestines and whatever unfortunate toilet he winds up glued on
Aspen can run in her shoes otherwise he would rush off, already contemplating whether he can launch his body into Patty's and save the desserts. Only she's tugging him towards the door, ignoring his low grumbles and pushing him onto a cushioned chair.
“You're doing well.” Aspen kisses his cheek, snagging a tissue from her purse and wiping off the remaining lipstick mark. “I asked Sora whether a different restaurant would be better, and she claimed there could never be another. What's that mean?”
God, mom would bring that up. Mom’s stories are worse than her eagerness to show off his baby photos.
“Zeff always forgets something when leaving for work. Sometimes he can remember and asks whether mom will bring it. Growing up, she would drop Reiju, and once we were napping? She would drop off his things. I always wanted to stay awake, though. Getting one-on-one time with her was rare.”
Even now that’s rare. He's managed to carve a space no one else can encroach on, including his family.
“Mom would get desserts and drive around. Sometimes she would find somewhere to park and we would have one together.”
Niji always allowed her to have the last bite, and he received the first bite.
Sometimes he devoured the whole thing or shoved the entire dessert in her mouth to keep his siblings from getting anything, too. Usually, the two split a dessert, though and his siblings were none the wiser. Then when dinner was over she would remove the Baratie's spare boxes, winking when Niji caught her gaze.
No one's ever been privy to the story. Even Reiju's been unaware, or he would prefer to believe that. The desserts have been a long-held secret between them. Mom loves Aspen enough to share and would love for him to share the tale, too.
“No one else can ever know.” Niji watches her face. “People believe Sanji's the mommy's boy and I have an image to keep.”
“I knew he wasn't the only one the day I met your family.”
“Keep it and in exchange? I might consider sharing my dessert.” He grumbles and shuffles beneath her hard gaze. “I might have called and asked whether our favorites could be made for tonight. I offered a huge tip, though, and asked. I didn't demand.”
Aspen sinks into his shoulder with a low laugh. “You are a true romantic.”