Chapter Text
<>-Geliaden-<>
“Ooohhh! Papa you look pretty again,” Sundaeé said pointing at the vanity mirror. Geliaden chuckled, smiling at his little girl. He had her on the dresser, the five year old asking him to put lipstick on her like he wore. After that she watched him get dressed up fancy for a reason she did not understand.
“Thank yew, my sweetheart,” Geliaden looked at himself in the mirror too… he was wearing a midnight blue blouse with long ruffle sleeves and a plunging neckline, a pair of black jeans, with a belt so it would no rest uncomfortably over the biogems on his hips and a choker with a silver snowflake was around his neck... He did look nice, didn't he? It had been awhile since he went on a date though… Kami, he felt a bit foolish. He hadn't been so self conscious in a long time. “... Are yew excited t’ have Uncle Cell and Uncle Zamasu babysit tonight?”
Sundaeé’s big smile disappeared. She whined, hugging her knees to her chest. “Not really… why can't Uncle Frost and Uncle Frieza babysit?”
“Well, papa's going out with them, sweetie. They can't babysit yew and go out with me,” Geliaden said, rubbing her head. “What's with that little pout, hmm?”
“I like Uncle Frost and Uncle Frieza better,” Sundaeé mumbled, ignoring his attempt to cheer her up.
“I know yew do, but there's nothing wrong with Uncle Cell and Uncle Zamasu, is there?”
“Nooooo…” she shook her head.
“Sundaeé.”
“Uncle Cell is scary,” the young girl answered with a small voice.
“Oh, Sundaeé,” Geliaden frowned, “yewr not really scared of him are yew?”
“Mmm… Uncle Cell is nice to me, but… He's scary looking.”
“Ahhh… well yew have t’ remember that sweetie. He's nice t’ yew.”
“I guess… papa, will you give me a kiss goodnight?”
Geliaden smiled, “I'll give yew a goodnight kiss before I leave and as soon as I come home tonight and-” he grabbed her head, planting a kiss on top of her red biogem, making her giggle. “A kiss right now for the sweetest little girl in the world. Now, are yew gonna be a good girl for yewr uncles?”
Sundaeé giggled, “Aye, papa.”
“Good. Because if yewr a good girl for them, papa told them they can give yew a bowl of ice cream after dinner,” with that Sundaeé squealed in excitement. Geliaden laughed.
A couple minutes later they were waiting in the living room for Sundaeé’s babysitters to arrive. The young girl was laying on the floor, kicking her legs back and forth while she drew with crayons. Geliaden glanced back and forth between her and his phone, texting Frost, asking him more questions about his date.
He was looking forward to this double date, but was still very nervous. People were not overly keen to date anyone with kids. Frost had not said if this Cooler knew anything about him having a kid, only that last he knew Cooler was interested in having kids. Of course, some guys would change what exactly they meant by that when actually faced with a single parent… While Geliaden was debating whether he should cancel to save himself the heartache, the doorbell rang. Sundaeé gasped and jumped up, running for the door- despite her earlier grievances- before Geliaden could even react. He smiled though and followed after her. Sundaeé had pulled her plastic footstool over by the door and was trying to open the door, but the slide bolt was well out of her reach.
“Papa, I can't reach it,” Sundaeé whined.
Geliaden shook his head, “Aye, I'm coming, my sweet,” he picked her up, holding her up so she could unlock the slide bolt. Meanwhile he pushed aside her footstool and pulled the door open. “Hello boys,” He smiled as Zamasu and Cell were here right on time, “Thank yew so much for babysittin’ on such short notice.”
“It's no problem- besides, we like this little princess,” Cell grinned, leaning over so he was at eye level.
Sundaeé’s excitement went out the door as it opened and she shyly turned in her papa’s arm, barely peeking out to watch Cell. However, Geliaden bounced her a couple times until she was giggling, “Aye and I'm sure this princess loves her uncles very much.”
Zamasu smiled sympathetically. He and Cell had yet to actually babysit Sundaeé by herself. Usually it was her and her cousins over at Frieza and Frost’s place, but even with them around it was painfully obvious that she was shy around his partner. “We shall have a good time, won't we Sundaeé?”
“Aye! Uncle Zamasu can yew teach me to dance?” thankfully the young girl had no such issues with Zamasu.
The three adults chuckled, Zamasu smiling at her, “We should have time for that,” his answer made her squeal in delight. Cell and Zamasu stepped inside, Geliaden carrying Sundaeé back into the living room.
“Remember, yew need t’ be good for yewr uncles,” the red Arcosian said, setting his daughter on the couch.
“Aye, papa. I'll be good,” she hugged him before he could let go of her. She giggled when he kissed her cheek.
“Goodnight, my sweet little princess. And I'll see yew again tonight,” Geliaden cooed, extremely reluctant to leave her. He trusted Cell and Zamasu, but Sundaeé was a rowdy child. He could not help worrying that despite their full attention, no Kuriza around to encourage her to be good, and that this was her own home that she would definitely push her babysitters’ buttons.
“Goodnight,” Sundaeé smiled. She looked so innocent. He seriously hoped she could be good tonight though.
“See ya, Geliaden. We've got her taken care of,” Cell grinned.
“Aye, I know,” Geliaden nodded heading towards the door, Zamasu walking him out.
“Is there anything else we need to know that we have not already been told?” The Kai asked, politely keeping his voice down. Cell meanwhile was loudly asking Sundaeé what she would like to do tonight. That was going over well with the shy child.
“Bed by seven thirty, ice cream after dinner if she is good for yew, always keep an eye on her unless she asks to play hide and seek… I think yew two already know everything yew need t’,” Geliaden sighed, rubbing his neck.
“Nervous?” Zamasu asked, tilting his head.
“Aye, why wouldn't I be?” Geliaden sighed again, frustrated suddenly, “I haven't been on a date since shortly after I got pregnant. What if I actually like him, but once he knows about Sundaeé-”
“Geliaden,” Zamasu’s harsh tone snapped Geliaden out of his downward spiral. The Kai softened his expression. “Cooler is a kind man. Even if he was uncomfortable with Sundaeé, I do not believe he is the type to cut off contact. He's certainly more mature than most people I've met… and live with,” he added with a sly smile.
“I heard that you know!” Cell yelled from the other room.
Geliaden snorted, smirking. “‘Tis rude t’ eavesdrop!” He yelled back. Shaking his head he turned to Zamasu, “I know I'm answerin’ the phone before it rings, but ‘tis hard not t’. Sundaeé’s more important t’ me than anythin’ else, and I just don't want t’ waste my time…”
“You're not,” Zanasu placed a hand on his shoulder, “Give Cooler a chance. He's a good man. I trust Frost’s judgment in trying to set you two up.”
“Aye… let's hope he's a perfect Cupid,” Geliaden and Zamasu both chuckled. “I'll see yew guys in a few hours. Try not t’ let her drive yew crazy.”
Zamasu laughed, “Don't worry about her. Enjoy yourself tonight. You look amazing, as always.”
The Arcosian snorted, “I would be in a dress if I did not mind intimidating him.”
“Save the dress for when you think it's serious,” Zamasu said with a slight hint of blush. Geliaden laughed. All of Geliaden’s dresses looked good on him, although they did make the Kai slightly uncomfortable with the amount of skin it exposed. There was nothing wrong with that, certainly not with an Arcosian, but Geliaden wore clothes so often that it definitely felt like a dirty thing to see more of his red scales than usual.
With that Geliaden left his daughter in their capable hands and headed for the restaurant.
<>-Cooler-<>
“What is he like again?” Cooler asked, fidgeting with the cuffs of his silk dress shirt. He and Frieza were at restaurant already, waiting for Frost who was in the restroom at the moment, and of course Geliaden.
“Cooler, please. Frost and I believe you two will get along famously,” Frieza chuckled, patting his brother's arm. “He's a bit of the adventurous sort, that's just what you need.”
“Er- last time I was with someone adventurous I almost got arrested because of him,” Cooler muttered, briefly reliving some less than pleasant memories. “Please tell me he isn't like Yōji,” he asked sharply.
Frieza laughed nervously, “No, no. I would never let Frost suggest someone like that- what I mean by adventurous is that he enjoys going out on a regular basis- more so than you do, but not necessarily to party.”
“Ahh… right, good. I can handle that,” Cooler said, nodding… mostly for his own sake. Frieza just had to remind him how boring he was and now he was worried about how much adventure Geliaden was interested in.
“Cooler,” Frieza said, immediately noticing Cooler’s tail go still and the glossy look that came over his eyes.
“Yes..?”
“You need to relax a little. This is only the first date and I can tell you are starting to worry about what is going to happen with him in the next six months. Don't. Simply enjoy tonight,” Frieza tried to encourage his brother, but he was a bit sensitive at times.
Cooler sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I'm sorry, it's… difficult.”
“I know,” Frieza frowned. “We've both had bad luck… but if fate has decided to give me a wonderful partner then I do not see why it would not give you one as we. They're out there somewhere and perhaps it's Geliaden.”
“Yes,” Cooler nodded slowly, “I… I hope so,” he smiled at his brother. It would be nice to settle down with someone… and he would be lying if he did not admit that he wanted this to work out. Frost spoke highly of Geliaden and Frieza did not have anything bad to say about him. Frost did not make friends like crazy, so if he got along with Geliaden surely Cooler could get along with him too.
“He's still not here?” Frost asked, walking up to Frieza’s side. He quickly pulled out his phone to check the time- it was ten after. That was pushing it even for Geliaden.
“Unfortunately. You gave him the right directions, correct?” Frieza asked with a frown. He did know that Geliaden could be a bit flighty even with more casual plans. He always apologized profusely to Frost for any canceled plans, but this was kind of important…
“Of course I did,” Frost nodded, “... Oh maybe something happened just before he left that he had to take care of,” he struggled to lie casually and text Geliaden to come up with an excuse for running late. Sundaeé could have thrown a fit over him leaving for all they knew… She was only five years old. She was close in age to Glacia, but less mature than her cousins. Besides, she was very prone to tantrums.
“Oh, hopefully it was not anything serious,” Frieza did not want to worry Cooler who was already nervous about this whole thing.
Mercifully Geliaden quickly texted Frost back. “He'll be here soon. He knocked over a vase when he was trying to leave, he had to clean it up and change his shirt.”
“That's unfortunate,” Cooler commented, sighing with relief. They only needed to wait another minute before Geliaden walked through the door. Cooler blinked, shocked by how enchanting Geliaden was. The red scales caught his attention first, then the outfit. Fuck, he felt out of his league somehow….
“S-sorry, I uh,” Geliaden cleared his throat, anxiously meeting Cooler's gaze. “Yewr Cooler?”
“Brother, you're staring,” Frieza gently nudged his brother with his elbow.
Cooler flinched, his head whipping towards Frieza for a sec before returning his gaze to Geliaden. “Ah! Ye-yes. I'm Cooler. Geliaden, right?”
“Aye,” the red Arcosian nodded. Cooler liked the sound of his accent… and he was beautiful too. He hoped they could find some things in common.
“Well, let's get our table before they try giving it away,” Frieza said breaking up the lull of silence that fell. “We can chat once we are seated.”
“R-right!” Cooler cleared his throat. He and Geliaden awkwardly fell into step behind Frieza and Frost, taking fleeting glances at one another. This was just the first date and their first time meeting. He just had to relax. If things went well this could mean another date. Without his brother and his husband around. Kami- just breath and try to relax.