Chapter Text
Day One: First Date
Sasha tapped her fingers against her skirt. She teased at the thin fabric while her determined gaze drifted outside the little coffee shop. Watching the late-morning crowd walk to and from locations, it was apparent the young woman was waiting for someone. Her scanning eyes, slightly tense shoulders, and fidgeting exposed her bubbling nerves for what would come.
A date.
Sasha was waiting for her date and the coffee shop regulars expectantly waited for the person too.
Who was it? Was it their first date? Had they seen each other before? How did they meet? Online or in person? Just how much did they know about each other?
Sasha Blouse had been actively using a dating app for over three years. She had countless dates beneath her belt by now, each and every single one lasting a meeting or two and rarely ever a few months. The woman knew what to expect in her experiences; greetings, a compliment, a suggestion for a quick bite or a fulfilling meal, and indulging (sometimes awkward) conversations.
Within those three years, Sasha hadn’t come across a single person that filled her invisible checklist of what she wanted in a partner. She wanted something lasting. Something fresh and exhilarating. Sasha wanted a fulfilling relationship with a person who would expose her to new experiences. She wanted someone rejuvenating to the point she’d forget all the terrible and awkward dates she had experienced thus far. Sasha wanted to meet that special person who would stay at her side till the end of their time.
Sasha was just that sort of sappy, romantic who held high expectations.
And eventually, with countless messages to many, one began to fill out that invisible checklist.
To start off, she liked his looks.
The man wasn’t a fan of taking photos of himself, but the select few on his profile exposed his gentle, handsome features. They weren’t too sharp but curved just right with slightly wavy, blonde locks framing his face. His eyes were a soft brown, similar to the sun shining its light through raw honey. He appeared lean, but not to the point it seemed like he spent hours at the gym every single week. The man was naturally beautiful.
She liked his personality.
He appeared friendly, but not to the point he seemed creepy or overbearing. The man was clever, with his compliments and remarks perfectly replying to messages that needed such attention. The man seemed more reserved than her, but they complement one another to the point they pulled each other out of their comfort zones. He was bashful at times, but certainly charming.
And she liked his dreams too.
He shared a similar love for food to the point he expressed he wanted to open his own little shop one day. Experimental treats that involved an array of unique tastes unlike anything people had ever indulged in before. He enjoyed his traveling job to the point he had already visited a handful of countries and desired to see so much more with somebody at his side. The man wanted to share rather than be selfish with the sights, smells and tastes the world had to offer.
Sasha liked the guy.
Sasha really liked the guy.
So much so that he exceeded the beginning expectations she had built over the last three years.
And now, Sasha was internally flipping out that somebody as dreamlike as Niccolo, had agreed to meet for their first date just a few days ago.
To say Sasha was nervous would be an understatement.
Of course, the brunette was ecstatic. The pair had been messaging each other for a solid four months since they matched. Within those four months, not once had they ever met face-to-face, but Sasha didn’t mind the slow build between them. It allowed their chemistry to further advance than previous dates. Internet connections allowed a new form of trust to build between individuals who willingly exposed their identities at a deeper level than in person.
Maybe that’s why Sasha felt like she was on pins and needles; they had bonded in ways that seemed taboo compared to typical introductions and confessions.
And Niccolo admitted he felt something similar too. Almost to the point he was hesitant about their meeting, but after exchanging a few soothing texts, he eventually agreed. Wholeheartedly, Niccolo was just as eager to see Sasha in person.
After tossing a few suggestions, the pair settled on a little coffee shop downtown. A late morning date, just before Sasha would head out for work, but early enough for Niccolo to miss rush hour.
Through their morning texts, Niccolo expressed he had one last thing to tell Sasha before they would meet, but alas, a terrible tragedy; Sasha dropped her phone.
The device fell from the bathroom counter as she readied herself for the day. Desperate hands were too late to save it. Her abused phone, the screen already cracked here and there, shattered further. It flickered to black and Niccolo’s confessing message remained unread.
Sasha held a mini funeral for her beloved phone in her bathroom.
Unable to contact him from her computer or borrow a busy friend’s phone, she prayed Niccolo would still meet her at their agreed time. Sasha hoped that whatever the last thing he wanted to tell her would be professed on their first date. Feeling incredibly antsy after her phone’s demise, she focused on the possibilities and typical routine of a date while she finished getting ready.
Fantastic drinks, some food, and a pleasant atmosphere. A public location with minimal distractions. Minimal distractions allowed opportunities for a polite conversation to bounce from one topic to another. Picked topics that weren’t too deep, but aided in exploring backgrounds in search of compatibility.
She had done something similar before, countless times before.
She could totally do this.
But Niccolo had one last thing to tell her! What could possibly be so important from the guy who stayed true and honest since the beginning? Whatever it was, could it be the reason he seemed hesitant to meet at first? Was he not true and honest in the way he portrayed himself? Did he perhaps already have a partner and just wanted a tasty little fling? Was Niccolo actually not interested in her?
“You’re thinking too much again,” Sasha whispered to herself. Sucking in a slow breath, inhaling the air that oozed with earthy undertones and mouth-watering sweets, it helped ease her shoulders again. Allowing her worried gaze to calm into something manageable again, she slowly glanced from one passing person to another.
Eventually, ten minutes before their agreed time, the bell on the door jangled.
Catching familiar blonde hair in the corner of her eye, Sasha turned her head towards the entrance. She sat straight when she spotted Niccolo slowly turning his head towards her direction, the man surveying the attractive little cafe for her familiar face. The blonde, quietly clinging to his phone in a button-down shirt and slacks, blinked in pleasant surprise when his eyes locked with Sasha’s dark ones.
Any worries he seemed to have mostly melted away when the brunette smiled at him. Sasha gave a silly little wave and she stood from her spot to coax him over. Niccolo approached her cautiously from her polite invite, hidden worries continuing to gnaw in the pit of his stomach. His last remaining message continued to stay unread. Niccolo wondered exactly how Sasha would approach the situation if she had even glanced at it in secrecy.
A dismissal? He expected them after the first date. If Niccolo was lucky, it was a harsh reality after the third. A seemingly endless questionnaire that left him uncomfortable? He was familiar with it, though it would still hurt. A polite one-and-done? Niccolo didn’t want that with Sasha.
“Hi, Niccolo! It’s so nice to meet you in person!” Sasha introduced politely. Digging into her pocket, her smile grew lopsided when she pulled her phone out. Exposing the phone’s damaged screen, Sasha apologized profusely. “To begin, I’m so sorry I haven’t read your latest messages! I dropped my phone this morning and I literally didn’t have enough time to replace it. I don’t have any other way to contact you either. I guess we should have exchanged our social media some time ago, huh? I hope you can forgive me on this if I worried you?”
Niccolo felt the tension in his shoulders return. He watched Sasha speak to him and his eyes widened in surprise when she revealed her terribly damaged phone. The black screen mimicked a ruined spider’s web and his jaw weakened. Not once through Sasha’s apologetic rambles did it seem like she mentioned his unread message. It was clear she hadn’t seen it and Niccolo began to brace himself for a possibly awkward experience he had never come across before.
“-once our date is over, I’ll make sure to drop by the store and get a replacement. It’s a good thing I have insurance on this, or I’d have a good chunk taken out of my paycheck,” Sasha finished. Pausing from his continued silence and fearful stare, her furrowed brows raised in growing concern. “Am I talking too much? I’m so sorry! I ramble a lot more when I’m nervous. Seeing you in person after all this time is a big game-changer! You’re really handsome in person. Wait. Did I say that out loud? Pretend you didn’t hear that!”
Niccolo slowly placed his phone in his pocket. He rubbed his hands against his pants to get rid of any prickling sweat before they moved further up. Hesitating only for a second, fearing the usual expression of disappointment, he held Sasha’s unwavering gaze. He felt his heart betray him just enough to feel an ounce of sadness.
Niccolo had really enjoyed talking to Sasha for the past four months. She made him giggle like some sappy teenager and introduced him to things he had never batted an eye toward. He hoped her pure heart had been true thus far and Niccolo wondered if she’d continue at least a friendship of sorts if she was uncomfortable with his confession.
Niccolo’s voice was a bit loud, his words slurred and nearly foreign to the point certain pronunciations were nearly nonexistent or overly enunciated. His fingers curled and uncurled in a practice routine of symbols.
“I am deaf. I’m sorry I told you late.”
The select few regulars at the coffee shop, all eavesdropping since the beginning, expectantly waited for Sasha to react.
“Oh,” Sasha exhaled.
Realization dawned on her through their four months of exchanges.
She understood why Niccolo strictly preferred texts and denied any hints towards a phone call or facetime. Not once had he ever confessed to his impairment, but then again, a conversation including their bodies or weaknesses never came up. Everything had been innocent, sweet, and at rare times, depressing when something came up in their lives.
Sasha didn’t feel disappointed. She wasn’t angered. She wasn’t annoyed. She didn’t feel awkward or weird about Niccolo’s impairment either.
“Sorry,” Niccolo murmured again to the best of his ability. Feeling fear claw at his skin while she continued to stand before him, he flattened one hand between them. Using his other hand to mimic writing on paper, Niccolo cocked his head questionably.
“No, you don’t have to apologize,” Sasha spoke softly. Her smile, never once faltering, sweetened. She couldn’t help but take in the details of his somber yet hopeful look for her answer. In turn, Sasha fluidly responded with her hands. “Would you like me to introduce myself again? Or were you able to read my lips?”
Niccolo’s jaw grew slack. His hands froze in place. He felt a light warmth spread across his cheeks. Feeling rather stupid, he simply stared at Sasha while she continued to smile up at him. A minute or two ticked in the busy little coffee shop and the eavesdropping regulars, in turn, were rather stunned by Sasha’s response.
“Oh,” Niccolo vocally exhaled in turn.
He didn’t expect that.
He didn't expect that at all.
Niccolo had been actively using a dating app for less than a year. At the beginning of his dating journey, he had included his impairment in his profile in the assumption somebody would accept him for who he was. Niccolo hoped he would come across somebody who knew sign language, sat in a similar position, or at the very least, put in the effort to learn and grow alongside him. Using a dating app allowed Niccolo to look for a partner outside of his small cluster of friends who kept trying to set him up with somebody. Not to mention even his own mother’s “hunting”...
He didn’t want random. He didn’t want awkward. He didn’t want quick and sweet. He didn’t want somebody having the wrong intentions with him either. Niccolo desired to steadily introduce himself and in turn, he wanted the person on the other end to do the same. He wanted to embrace somebody that would cherish him and introduce him to things without ever pausing and wondering if he’d be able to enjoy it due to his impairment.
Niccolo just wanted to be treated like a normal person.
Sadly, his detailed bio led him from one disappointment to another. Disappointments that involved almost no one swiping right on his profile and awkward exchanges with a few. Eventually, he changed his description on his dating profile. A simple detail of his hobbies, his career, and what type of person he was looking for directed him towards fewer disappointments.
But those fewer disappointments were those who could only communicate through scribbling in a notebook or awkward texts in person. And it felt as if nearly all of them only agreed to a date to question his confessed impairment. Each one seemed personal and uncomfortable to the point both parties politely thanked each other at the end of their date before drifting apart.
Some ghosted him after he explained he was deaf. Some individuals explained after the third date that they couldn’t handle his disability. A few even admitted they didn’t know how to deal with him as if he suddenly became an alien from a far away planet.
Nobody could see past Niccolo’s impairment, as if that one minor detail was the end of the world.
But Sasha…
She looked past it just now. He felt it in his heart as her hands paced themselves between words as if she had known of his impairment beforehand. Sasha didn’t immediately tease or question why he was deaf. It wasn’t an obstacle in communication that would cause the both of them to drift away like all the others. The breathtaking brunette stayed true to the person she had exposed through their countless messages over the course of four months; kind, honest, silly, and respectful.
He couldn’t recall any conversations that involved Sasha confessing she knew sign language. Continuing to feel blown away, he cocked his head curiously to the other side when his brain began to function again.
“I read your lips, so I understood what you said. I’m so sorry about your phone. How did you manage that?” Niccolo finally answered.
“I went a little hardcore dancing to my music while I was getting ready,” Sasha admitted in a sheepish manner.
Niccolo released the smallest breath of amusement. Hesitating only briefly, he slowly replied in turn when he noticed an older couple staring at them from across the coffee shop. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner about my impairment. I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I was too scared to bring it up.”
“Scared? Why?” She questioned. Furrowing her brows with a slight frown, Sasha felt taken aback by his diminishing confidence. Niccolo had never seemed so small and awkwardly vulnerable with her before. It made her wonder what sort of people he had come across.
"I’m not asking for pity, but nobody has really liked the deaf guy so far.”
A bunch of jerks, apparently.
"Hey, you shouldn't have to apologize for who you are,” Sasha replied with a deepening frown. Irked by his continued apologies and hesitance because of others, she briefly brushed her hand against his sleeve in a soothing gesture. "And those people are assholes for dropping you! Seriously, people are so rude when something is outside of what they know. They're missing out and you know what? Good. I'm able to have this opportunity with you."
“Do you really mean that?” Niccolo wondered. His heart lightened in weight and he stood a little straighter.
“I really mean it. Learning about your impairment hasn't and will not change anything between us. No tricks are hidden beneath my sleeves,” she promised. Not helping herself to be just a bit silly, she tugged at her sleeves to prove nothing would make its appearance.
He released the smallest sound of amusement. Already captivated by her humor in person, Niccolo felt his shoulders relax. “You don’t know how much that means to me… How do you know sign language? You’re fantastic at it.”
“I can tell you over drinks and some food?” She suggested. Sasha pointed towards the counter. “You know, if you’re ready to start our date?”
Niccolo nodded eagerly and brightened at the seamless way Sasha guided him along. "Yes. I'm ready. If I tell you what I want, could you order for me, please? Today will be my treat, by the way.”
“No, I’ll cover today. You can treat us on our second date,” Sasha chided in a gentle manner. She giggled when Niccolo’s cheeks dusted a pretty shade of pink in response. Taking the lead for the counter, her eyes eagerly landed on the menu displayed above the counter.
Niccolo admired the way Sasha accurately translated his order before she listed her own. She swatted at his hand when it dared to venture for his pocket, a clear sign he was arguing to at least pay his half of the date. Ordered to return to the claimed table fit for two, Niccolo obliged. Still feeling ever so slightly nervous she was only being polite, his lips curved into a gentle smile when Sasha approached him with a tray full of food and their drinks after some time.
“I expected you to order a sweet drink with your muffin,” Sasha began once her hands were free. Making herself comfortable across from Niccolo, she continued after brushing her skirt out. “Does your sweet tooth not carry over with drinks?”
“Most of the time. If I order a sweet pastry, I want my drink to balance it out, so a black coffee or a simple cappuccino is the way to go. How about you?” Niccolo asked. Being a gentleman, he emptied their tray by placing their drinks and snacks in their respective spots. Noting how she had ordered three breakfast items versus his one, his gaze softened. Sasha didn’t lie about being a big eater through their messages.
“I don’t mind if both are sweet! I don’t get overwhelmed by the flavors. I don’t prefer certain foods being in order either. As long as it’s edible, I’m going to eat and drink without complaint!”
Niccolo laughed softly at her enthusiasm. He covered his mouth to mind his manners and he felt the warmth on his face return from how easy it felt conversing with the brunette in person. “I’ll keep that in mind. As in, you won’t be helping me taste-test the candies for my soon-to-be shop. I don’t want to fail.”
“Hey, I can be a great asset to your future business! I may be a pig, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the art of food!” Sasha retorted. Bringing her cup close, she squinted suspiciously, though the twinkle in her eyes gave her away.
He raised a brow in a playful challenge. “Didn’t you tell me a few weeks ago about how you embarrassed yourself by-”
“You remembered that ?” She vocally groaned in embarrassment. Sasha placed her cup down after a few cautious sips. The brunette embarrassingly forced her hands to move. “Out of all the things I’ve told you so far, you seriously remembered that?”
“Of course. I’ve never known anybody who would do such a thing,” Niccolo said. Taking his turn indulging in his breakfast, he brought his muffin close. Thumbing at the top, Niccolo placed bite-sized pieces into his mouth.
Desperate to distract him from her ridiculous shenanigans, Sasha took a few bites before she began to explain herself. “So, you want to know why I know sign language?”
Niccolo nodded and he sat a little straighter, eyes alert in preparation for her gossip.
“You remember Jean, right? Well, his boyfriend is deaf. They’ve known each other for ten years and have been dating for seven. Jean had a huge crush on him when they first met, so to help him win Marco over, Connie and I agreed to take sign language classes with him back in the day. It was tough, but we eventually got through it! Now we practice it every chance we get and since we spend a lot of time with Marco anyway, I think I’ve become quite fluent after all these years.”
Niccolo blinked in wild surprise. He remembered Sasha telling stories of her closest friends (countless, unhinged ones), but he didn’t expect one of them to share a similar impairment as him. The way they treated Marco, it was as if he was like any other person in the world, and it was true.
“That’s so sweet that you gave Jean the support he needed. To go out of your way and learn something as extensive as sign language just for the sake of your friend’s relationship status is remarkable,” Niccolo admitted. “It’s rare for anyone to do that outside of immediate family members and those who need or want to learn it. I’m sure Jean appreciates it very much.”
“He better! Connie and I were practically matchmakers! I’m waiting any day now to be the best woman at their wedding!” Sasha boasted. She waved her hands excitedly like a typical, swooning romantic. “Marco literally asked me the other day to help him pick a ring for their eighth anniversary! They’re going to outshine everyone at their wedding, I can see it now!”
“An early congratulations to them from me. And I think you would glow far more than those two if you were their best woman.”
“Stop! I wouldn’t,” she shyly tried to brush off. The brunette turned off to the side just enough to somewhat hide a flustered, mouthful smile at his charming words.
Niccolo shook his head and he reinforced his compliment. “You would. You are very beautiful. I can’t believe you even suggested a date with me.”
“Really? I still can’t believe you suggested a date with me ! I’m more… rugged you could say, compared to you?” She signed slowly, as she tried finding the right words to compare the both of them. Nevertheless, Sasha’s cheeks warmed with a gentle blush from his compliment. Even in person, the blonde expressed what was on his mind.
Niccolo’s face scrunched in confusion. “You think you’re rugged? Rugged how?”
“I love hikes that practically take all day. I have an obsession with food. I travel to locations people don’t normally want to explore, like that one place I told you about with the possibilities of UFOs kidnapping and probing my brain. Let’s not forget the half-dozen times I’ve broken a bone at work! I’m one hell of a rugged person!” Sasha described.
“I still think your insurance should have fully covered every single one!” Niccolo huffed. Not helping himself to express his frustration at the story he had been told not too long ago, his lips puckered. Even the photos Sasha supplied him with made him both squeamish and especially sympathetic.
“They thought I was purposely stealing their money after the third one,” Sasha sheepishly explained.
“That’s terrible! You should have sued them.”
“No, it’s too much work, both for myself and the company I work for if they were involved. Plus I was probably a little careless at those times, so it’s my fault. I deserve to pay for my mistakes. Search and rescue is a demanding job after all, both mentally and physically.”
“And that’s a good enough reason for your insurance to cover your injuries entirely. A strenuous job like that deserves full coverage. Searching for people in the wilderness is dangerous even to professionals like you. The environment is unpredictable and who knows what sort of animals there are in the area. I have nightmares of you coming across that boar. Nearly the size of a bear? How terrifying!”
Sasha nodded with bubbling frustration. Thankful Niccolo wanted to gossip just as much as she wanted to, she flung her hands out in the obvious. “Nobody believes me about that beast! That thing is still out there, by the way! If only I had my phone at that time.”
“Or,” Niccolo began very slowly. Leaning close as if it was meant to be a secret, he cautiously signed,” maybe those aliens you fear stole the boar and they’re keeping it hostage to use it against you! They’re working with your insurance company!”
“Oh my gosh!” Sasha snorted. She waved her hands to brush him off, but their ridiculous conversation about space life caused her to giggle even more. Niccolo always tried to brush off the superstitions she constantly gossiped about, but suddenly having him indulge in her silly little fantasies? Sasha felt another box being checked off somewhere.
Niccolo released the smallest of chuckles. His sounds of joy caused Sasha to bring her shoulders close as she shared similar delight in their conversation. She was laughing and he admired the way her face brightened tenfold from such a breathtaking action. Glancing away to collect himself, he eventually raised his head when Sasha waved to gain his attention.
“I haven’t asked lately, but how is it saving for your business?” Sasha wondered. Not wanting to hog the entirety of their date, she made sure to give Niccolo a fair share in their date. Grabbing at her bundle of donut holes, the brunette leaned back in her seat to make herself comfortable.
“Just the other day I made my first down payment on that building I’ve been eyeing!” Niccolo started off. He smiled in a bashful manner from her silly, occupied jazz hands. “I know, I’m pretty excited too. It’s taken a while since I had a few setbacks in my personal life.”
“Oh no, is it anything bad?”
“At the beginning for one of them, yes, but the other isn’t so bad. I recently had to replace my old vehicle. It’s no big loss, trust me. I wanted an upgrade anyway. And then I’ll be receiving a new service dog soon, so classes have been occupying my free time as of late.”
Cleaning her fingers from the sticky sweetness of donut glaze, Sasha paused. Unsure if she would ask the wrong question, the brunette carefully worded her question into two. “A new service dog? May I ask if you had one before?”
“It’s okay to ask questions. I know you wouldn’t mean any harm,” Niccolo soothed. Giving her a nod when her brows furrowed with uncertainty, he pulled out his phone to expose his private life even more. Niccolo handed it off to allow Sasha access to his social media for the first time.
“She’s so pretty,” she whispered. Sasha slowly scrolled from one photo to the next. Her eyes traced over a standard Australian Shepherd at Niccolo’s side. Adorned in that signature vest of a service animal, it was apparent his companion provided him the assistance he needed. Those striking eyes of the hardworking breed stared directly up at Niccolo in nearly every single picture.
“She was my whole world, as I was to her. Incredibly intelligent to the point she’d get bored and do random tricks when we weren’t working. She passed away a few months ago from cancer. It was sudden and aggressive, so my hopes of retiring her and acquiring a new one didn’t turn out as I planned. That’s why I came here alone. I’ve been alone for a short while,” he explained. His lips twitched into a somber frown as his mind replayed the events. Niccolo’s fingers curled and he felt unsure on how to continue. The only time he had ever talked about such a sensitive topic was with his family and closest friends.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” he weakly signed.
“You’re never truly alone, you know?” Sasha gently replied. Reaching across the table, her fingers hovered along the back of his hand. Traveling over the sleeve of his shirt, Sasha plucked at a stray hair. She spoke clearly for Niccolo to read her lips. “Dogs are always with us, even when they’re gone.”
“Especially when they’re hairy,” Niccolo tried to joke. He slowly took hold of the strand of hair. Teasing the familiar fur of his beloved companion between his fingertips, it eventually rested on his leg in a caring manner. “No matter how many times I clean my house, I always find something about her. Usually hair. Maybe a hidden ball here and there, but always hair.”
She returned to her side of the table. “It seems like you’re complaining.”
“A little bit. All true dog lovers have a love-hate relationship when it comes to their hair.”
“Understandable.” Sasha sipped her cooling drink before laying the empty cup down. “Would you go for another Australian Shepherd?”
“Absolutely. I may sound biased, but they’re an excellent breed. I tried working with a Labrador when I was younger, but it didn’t click. I’m not a fan of Poodles,” he signed, his last words nearly harsh. Niccolo did his best to not roll his eyes from the mere thought of the breed.
“Terrible experience?”
“Don’t get me started.”
They chuckled at that.
Finishing the last few sips of his drink, Niccolo soon busied himself by gathering their trash. He stood with the tray in hand and walked towards the trash can. Unable to control himself, a faint smile danced on his lips from the playful emotions teasing at his heart.
Despite the awkward introduction and nagging feelings of dread, their first date turned out surprisingly well. It felt polite, easy going, and calming. Nothing felt forced and he trusted Sasha enough to expose another private matter in his life. It seemed as if their messages online had translated without any additions that included looming disasters the second their date would end.
Niccolo hadn’t experienced such a casual meeting with anyone outside of those he was familiar with in quite some time. It felt refreshing. It felt so rejuvenating to the point he prayed Sasha’s playful teasing of him paying for their second date would still be offered after their first. He wanted to be surprised by her silly shenanigans, her striking confidence, and attentive devotion in person. Niccolo wanted to experience a few more dates before he’d be able to start gossiping about the brunette like some sappy teenager high on life.
Catching Sasha’s waving hand from the corner of his eye, he peeked over at her. Niccolo stood straight when she took a few steps closer. Always wanting his attention, the blonde willingly gave it to her without hesitance.
“If you still have time, would you like to take a short walk together? We can go to the park across the street,” Sasha suggested. Feeling a sly smile tease its way onto her lips, her eyes directed towards the older couple that had been watching them since the beginning. “Their attention is making me just a bit uncomfortable.”
He gave a nod in understanding as he glanced at a random clock in the coffee shop. “Older individuals are too nosy, aren’t they? But yes, I’d like that very much. I’m parked over there anyway. Should we tell them that their entertainment is leaving?”
“No! And you say I can’t behave!” Sasha whispered. Playfully patting his arm elicited a quiet chuckle from the man. Her fingers curled just enough on his sleeve to tug him forward. Turning to leave the cafe, she made sure to stay as close as possible to the man once the door opened.
The date extended far past what they had expected. The time had ticked into the afternoon and the streets were busier. Singing birds and polite conversations eased towards purring vehicles and antsy chores. The strengthening smell of gas indicated that the dreadful rush for lunch, afternoon jobs, and stores would involve people drifting into their own worlds. Most not being mindful of others, the occasional shoulder bump, and steering clear of rushing people meant heightened awareness of their surroundings.
Niccolo’s gaze flickered in the commotion and his presence was nearly looming over Sasha’s. Despite the park being across the street, the crosswalk stood at the far end of the busy block. A few buildings away, but too far for a quick trip without complications. He wasn’t used to such a thing without his companion or close individual.
Sasha felt ghosting fingers tease at the back of her shirt every few steps. It wasn’t a questioning touch in hopes he could feel her body beneath the palm of his hand, but a polite touch that indicated Sasha was his aid for the time being. She understood his troubling struggle for she had experienced such a thing with Marco countless times before.
With one soft glance, Sasha’s hand reached back just enough to curl around stiffened fingers. She held him softly and close, but a polite distance away as they made their way down the sidewalk. Sasha stayed alert for the both of them, but not to the point she seemed overly protective. Just enough that it eased Niccolo’s nerves while his scattered brain and blushing cheeks cooled into something manageable.
The pair made their way across the street and their shoes met a quieter sidewalk. Strategically placed trees began to surround the both of them, the park masking them away from the usual bustle of their small city. Occupying a peaceful location, Niccolo's light grasp loosened and Sasha released him with a turn of her heel.
“I don’t know about you, but I think our first date wasn’t very traditional. Holding hands already? How scandalous!” Sasha giggled. Walking backward, Niccolo guided her to shift when needed with a simple point of his finger.
“You didn’t have to do that if it made you uncomfortable!” He protested.
“It didn’t. I wanted to hold your hand.”
Unable to avoid those attentive eyes, Niccolo’s lips thinned and waved from such sweet contact. He scratched at his cheek to find his words before eventually and shyly signing, “Thank you for guiding me... And I agree about our date. It wasn’t very traditional at all, or normal, but I liked it. I haven’t enjoyed a date like this before in such a long time.”
“I take it you haven’t had very many good ones?” Sasha wondered. Pausing briefly when the man held his hand out, she slowed her pace. Avoiding his feet while they extended their time together, Sasha’s heart lightened from his comment. Like their messages, Niccolo knew exactly when and where to add clever input.
“I’ve never had such a date that made me so eager for the next one.”
“You’re so charming,” she dragged flirtatiously.
Pausing on the sidewalk, he tilted his head with a darkening blush. Niccolo felt himself growing even more hopeful. “Am I charming enough that a second date may happen?”
“I promised at the beginning, didn’t I? My mind hasn’t changed since then. I’d like to see you again. Text me a time and place and I’ll accept without fuss!” Sasha confessed. She puckered her lips in an embarrassed pout. “Well, I’ll accept once I get a new phone. I still can’t believe I did that…”
“Maybe don’t dance like a madwoman in the bathroom,” he teased.
“Hey! My favorite band released a new album! I can’t help it that they’re that good!” She gasped. Placing her hands on her hips defiantly, her reaction caused the handsome blonde to laugh wholeheartedly. Sasha had never heard someone laugh as pure and as contagious as Niccolo’s. It was soft, but filled the air with such music it captivated her entirely.
“If they’re that good, text me their new album when you get the chance. I’ll take a look into them.”
Feeling their first successful date had come to a close, Sasha hummed in the back of her throat. With a light nod, she twirled on her heel once more to walk alongside the man. Their pace stayed slow and their hands brushed against each other, but nothing more happened. The pair simply indulged in the atmosphere of the park. They made their way from one end to the other where Niccolo’s vehicle was parked in a quiet area.
“I’m not the type who kisses on the first date,” Niccolo admitted. He faced the brunette and kept a respectful distance between them. Teasing his fingers against each other almost awkwardly, he glanced away to keep his confidence within his grasp. “Is it okay if we can hug, though?”
“I love hugs!”
Sasha extended her arms without hesitance. Niccolo’s lashes lowered in contentment from her invitation. Opening his arms in turn, they curved around the brunette’s leaning frame. Hands slid along his back and her face perfectly pressed against his chest. Sasha clung to him in a way that felt welcoming and warm, her chest vibrating with a happy sound from such innocent contact.
“See you later, Niccolo!” Sasha dismissed when she leaned back.
“See you later, Sasha,” Niccolo bid in farewell.
A first date, with an unexpected outcome, hinted towards something more for Niccolo and Sasha. They were eager to return home and exchange countless more messages. Messages that involved gossiping about their late morning together, what they wished they could have said, the eavesdroppers, and what their next date would enthrall. Playful banter about their chosen topics would elicit giggles and uncontainable smiles at the positive interaction they had that day.
Awaiting friend requests on their social media accounts would reveal so much more in their private lives. They would be explored further and cherished even more, along with their building relationship that would eventually make their appearance to those they know.