Chapter Text
Gordon pulled himself into the car. His hands shuddered against the steering wheel. He was nervous, to say the least.
This was his first date since his ex…. God knows that went poorly.
That woman had given him the greatest joy in all of life- Joshua. But she’d left him with a whole lot more. Mainly bagage, a broken heart, and several court cases.
So, to say Gordon was nervous was an understatement.
Still, Gordon’s unusual but beloved friend, Tommy, promised Gordon his blind date was perfect. That this person in particular wouldn't hurt Gordon at all. Also, said person was very good with kids- worked with them at some daycare in fact! What a dream. Well, supposedly.
Gordon would just have to take his unassuming best friend's word for it.
Gordon stepped into the parking lot and from his car. The sun had set, and the night air rippled through his nice button down shirt. He wondered, distantly, if he should have brought a coat. But the weather had claimed to be warm…
Oh well, whatever. Gordon cursed under his breath as he hurried inside the restaurant.
“I’m um, Gordon, party of two.” Gordon said, knowing he was early. His date wasn’t set to arrive for another fifteen minutes. But it was a blind date, and Gordon didn’t trust himself to find the right date at the restaurant. So he decided it’d be best to make the date come and find him.
Well, his date had been set for another 15 minutes. But then it’d been 30 minutes past. And then nearly 50 when the date finally arrived.
Gordon was ready to sock the dick who’d nearly stood him up and made him look like a fool. Well, he was ready to, till he saw the date. A thin, slender man with jet black hair. It was a tousled mess on his head, casting a shadow over his eyes. Sort of unnaturally. But it looked good, even messy.
“Hey man, sorry I’m late,” His date said, eyes not reaching Gordon’s. In fact they flicked around, curiously like the restaurant was so. very. interesting. “Overslept and all.” The date said.
Gordon grit out a smile at the man’s casual tone. He clearly wasn’t all that sorry. “Name’s Benrey.” He said, jutting a bony hand out across the table. Gordon swallowed when they clasped hands. Benrey’s hands were unnaturally cold and overly soft. It was like he’d never done a day of work in his life.
Benrey’s pupils widened just a fraction at the contact. Gordon’s hands were warm. Really warm. Not to mention worn and calloused. It made him feel real, human . Very natural. Benrey liked it.
“What’s up, dude.” Benrey chimed, voice soft and sing-songish. Gordon tried to ignore the fact that Benrey’s chiming voice sounded like sweet bells. Only to then remind himself, it was a date , and he was supposed to find the other attractive.
“So, how much money do you make?” Benrey asked suddenly. Gordon blinked. “Don’t you mean, like, what do you do for a living? Or where do you work?” Gordon asked, jaw set. Benrey shrugged, “Huh? Oh, yeah, sure.” Benrey said, word rolling around his tongue.
It was then- when Benrey blew a huge, blue bubble, did Gordon realize he was chewing gum. Who the hell chews gum in a restaurant- during a date?
“I, um, work as a data analyst at-” Gordon started, but Benrey cut him off. “Oh lame. You work with numbers and computers right?” He asked. Gordon felt his jaw click from the way it tensed. “ Yes ,” he said slowly, “I work with numbers.”
“What do you do for a living?” Gordon asked, trying to remain polite. Just ‘cause this guy was attractive didn’t mean he could just be rude. “I work with kids, duh. Didn’t Tommy tell you? Forgetful little, little Gordon… Gordon, um, what’s your last name again?” Benrey asked, voice trailing.
Gordon let his jaw relax. He’d break it- and his teeth, if he wasn’t careful. (So much for getting back into the dating scene). “Freeman.” Gordon supplied. Benrey’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, like that guy, um, um, what was I saying?” He asked. The light in Benrey’s eyes had Gordon at a loss of words. But it was ruined by Benrey’s slew of nonsense. Which was only punctuated by the awkward popping of his gum.
When the bread and dip was placed on the table, Benrey had no hesitation chowing down right away. He spit out his gum and ate nearly all the bread in one go. Gordon noted he had abnormally sharp teeth that seemed to pierce the bread. He shuddered, what a weird guy.
The date didn’t get much better from there on. Benrey continued to be strange, and talk nonsense at Gordon, who was far too tense to let himself even begin to understand or enjoy Benrey’s odd company. Benrey had a wonderful time on the other hand, ogling at Gordon’s ‘handsome’ and ‘cute’ face. However, he’d hoped Gordon would be more attentive. Instead, the man looked perpetually stressed, and zoned out most of Benrey’s conversation.
By the end of the date, Gordon was rushing out to his car, and locking the doors. That was, until Benrey’s pale knuckle rapped on the window. Gordon reluctantly rolled it down, revealing Benrey’s grin. “Forgot your phone. Forgetful Gordon freeman. Forgetful little Gordon.” Benrey mused, handing the item over. Gordon clenched it tightly in his hand. “
Goodnight Benrey.
” he ground out, and wound up the window. Benrey just waved, and watched as Gordon peeled out of the lot.