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“Come on, Wriothesley. It's a blind date, not the end of the world,” Clorinde reasons with him through the speaker on his phone, placed on the edge of his bed while he fiddles with his tie in the mirror above his dresser.
“I know, but what if I end up hating the guy?” Wriothesley turns to face his bed again, finally satisfied with his appearance.
“I know you haven't known her for long, but do you really think Navia would set you up with someone you would hate?” Clorinde answers in a dry tone.
“No…” Wriothesley concedes, still sounding unconvinced. Clorinde sighs, causing a bit of mic feedback as Wriothesley lifts his phone and cuts the speaker off.
“You can always just leave if you really don't like him. Use the classic bathroom trick if you have to. I know I've used it before.” Clorinde almost sounds like she's bargaining with him now.
“Clorinde,” Wriothesley scolds, holding his phone to his ear now and heading towards his front door.
“What? It works. I've definitely dodged a few bullets that way.”
“I just don't know if I have it in me to ditch someone like that, even someone I don't like.” Wriothesley's made it to his door now, sitting on his deacon's bench and holding his phone between his head and shoulder to continue the conversation while his hands are busy pulling on his shoes. He falls silent, the only sounds being the slight crackle between the two phones and the rustling of Wriothesley strapping on his boots.
After a moment, Clorinde speaks again, her voice softer than before.
“Are you sure you're ready?” They both know what she means, and Wriothesley pauses, hesitating before answering.
“Yes. It's been over two years; if I don't try again now, I might decide to just die alone.”
“Alone? Nah, you're stuck with me at least, and probably Navia, too,” Clorinde teases, lightening the mood again and making Wriothesley crack a smile she can't see.
“Alright, alright.” Having finished dressing himself, Wriothesley stands again, reaching for his keys where they hang on a set of hooks by the door. He then glances at his watch. “I'd better get going if I want to arrive on time.”
“Alright, but you better tell me how it went as soon as you get home.”
“I will, I will, I promise.”
“Alright; I'm holding you to that. Good luck!” With a click, the dial tone rings, and Wriothesley tucks his phone into a pocket of his slacks. He allows himself a deep breath, then opens the door to his apartment and locks it behind him before beginning his journey to the agreed-upon coffee shop.
The drive goes well enough, with traffic not being too bad, so he arrives a few minutes early.
The shop itself isn't too busy, which he is grateful for, but somehow his date has made it there before him. The man is easy to spot despite his mostly-plain appearance, as Wriothesley has memorized his photo that Clorinde sent him a few days prior. Don't get him wrong, the man before him isn't unattractive in any way, he just doesn't stand out, either.
Wriothesley greets him with a smile and an introduction, sitting down in the chair across from him at one of the few two-seater tables that line one wall of the café, large windows spanning the wall providing natural lighting.
Wriothesley orders a black tea with milk and two sugars, and then turns his attention on the conversation with his date. He does seem like a nice guy, someone who works for a small but rising tech company and still occasionally takes shifts at his old waiter job because he supposedly loves the place despite talking about his tech job more, but Wriothesley wants to know more about his hobbies and personal life than this guy is telling him.
He starts to bring up his own hobbies, tea collecting and tasting at the forefront of his mind as he sips on his cup, but his attention is accidentally drawn by the bell above the door to the café ringing to announce the arrival of a new customer.
Wriothesley almost spits out his perfectly good tea at just who that new customer is.
He quickly excuses himself from his date, apologizing admittedly halfheartedly as he almost knocks his chair over from the force of standing up.
The customer has made his way over to one of the same two-seater tables at which Wriothesley had just been sitting, but he hasn't noticed Wriothesley yet as he approaches.
“I didn't know you were back in town,” are the words with which Wriothesley chooses to greet the customer. The man startles a little, looking up from his menu at Wriothesley. Wriothesley swears the man's eyes soften as he recognizes him, but surely he's imagining things.
“Wriothesley. I wasn't aware you were still living here,” the man says gently. “Though, it is quite the pleasant surprise to see you.” Wriothesley settles his arms on the back of the chair opposite the customer, leaning his weight on it.
“How have you been, Neuvillette?” The words come easy, his curiosity genuine. They haven’t seen each other in over a decade, having gone their separate ways since Neuvillette had to move, and they decided not to pursue a long-distance relationship.
But Wriothesley could never forget him, nor the months they'd spent together, and some small, selfish part of him hopes the same is true for Neuvillette.
“I have been well, Wriothesley. Work hasn't been too tiring, thankfully. I have returned because one of Erinnyes's judges recently retired, and I applied for the position. I was lucky enough to be hired, though I suppose I am overqualified.”
Wriothesley can't help the beam of a smile that curves his lips. “I'll bet you are.”
Neuvillette had moved away specifically because he had applied for a position as a judge in the Court of Fontaine, and managed to be accepted. Since the Court, their nation's capital city, was hundreds of miles from Erinnyes, Neuvillette had to move out there for the job. It was a bittersweet parting, but Wriothesley hadn't wanted to get in the way of Neuvillette's career, and so let him go, as the old saying goes.
That was about ten years ago now, though, but Wriothesley is discovering that perhaps he still has some lingering feelings for the older judge.
“And what of you, Wriothesley? How have you been?” Neuvillette asks with a slight tilt of his head.
“Oh, I've been fine!” he replies with perhaps a bit too much enthusiasm. “Still working at the police station, but they did decide to make me a detective, once they realized I was good at solving crimes. Not that we get much here, though.”
“Is that right? I'm glad to hear that you are being recognized as you should be.”
Wriothesley denies the heat that floods his cheeks at the statement, suddenly bashful. He averts his eyes, mumbling, “Ah, well, it would have happened eventually.”
Neuvillette just nods, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world. “Of course it would have, if they have eyes, and I would hope the police do.”
Wriothesley chuckles almost nervously, and his brain chooses this moment to supply him with the memory of his date.
“Oh, shit–!” Panicked, he turns to move back to his table, but stops as he sees that his date has left, leaving him with the check and his unfinished tea. Deserved, in his eyes, since he'd accidentally abandoned the man. He's gonna be in for it from Clorinde and Navia later, that's for sure.
For now, he turns back to Neuvillette to find the silver-haired man hiding a smile behind his menu, revealed only by the light of it in his eyes. Wriothesley sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.
“Forget something, did you?” Neuvillette's tone is playful, his smile evident in it.
“Ah, well, I suppose I was so busy catching up with an old friend that my date decided I wasn't worth it…” Wriothesley admits, only a hint of remorse in his tone.
Neuvillette's eyes harden just a little before relaxing again, so quickly Wriothesley isn't sure he didn't imagine it.
“Who was he?” Neuvillette asks, his tone simply curious.
“A blind date Navia and Clorinde set up for me. He was just some corporate schmuck, though, so I'm not sure it would've gone anywhere even if I hadn't abandoned it in favor of talking to you. He seemed like one of those types who makes their job their whole world.” He cringes as he realizes Neuvillette could be described the same, and it was not his intention to criticize him, but the older man either doesn't notice or doesn't think the same way, as he simply continues the conversation.
“A blind date, hmm? So, you haven't found anyone with which to settle down?”
Wriothesley shakes his head sheepishly, averting his eyes again. “Unfortunately, no. I dated around after you left, but I went through a rough break-up about two years ago, and I haven’t really dated since. This was supposed to be my first step back into the dating scene, but it would appear I've flubbed it up.”
Neuvillette tilts his head, long hair shifting with the movement.
“Perhaps not,” he muses.
“You jest,” Wriothesley replies, shaking his head. “Surely he will refuse another date with me, but beyond that, after my behavior here, I doubt Navia and Clorinde will be willing to set up another blind date for me.”
“That is certainly a possibility,” Neuvillette agrees, “But perhaps they won't need to. Not for a while, at the very least.”
Wriothesley's thick brows furrow, and Neuvillette decides to put him out of his misery.
“That is, if you would care to join me here, and maybe for dinner later tonight, as well? I saw a few new seafood restaurants I would love to try that I haven't yet gotten the chance to.”
Wriothesley blinks dumbly at him.
“You don't mean…”
“I do. I have always felt that our relationship was cut tragically short all those years ago, and while I never would have imagined seeing you again before this moment, I will not let you slip through my grasp so easily again. Go out with me, Wriothesley. Won't you?”
The look Neuvillette gives him would be enough for him to agree, if he already hadn't from his words alone.
Hope and excitement flare in his chest as he nods.
“Yes!” he replies, then flushes when he realizes how eager he sounds, clearing his throat. “I mean, yes, those are my thoughts exactly, and I would be very happy to give our relationship a second chance.”
“Well then, please, have a seat,” Neuvillette offers with a rare smile. Wriothesley spares a glance back at the table where he was originally sitting, then rushes over and grabs the check that was left there before coming back to claim his seat across from Neuvillette.
“Couldn't forget this,” he quips, holding up the check as he sits down. He quickly pulls out his card and circles the twenty percent tip using the pen provided.
Before either of them can pick up their conversation again, the waitress comes over to take the check from Wriothesley and get Neuvillette's order. She raises an eyebrow at them, but thankfully doesn't ask, simply going about her job instead.
“Do you still enjoy fishing?” Neuvillette breaks the silence after the waitress leaves.
“I do,” Wriothesley replies easily, impressed that Neuvillette remembers. “But I haven't gotten to go nearly as often as I used to.”
“A shame. I was hoping you would have many fisherman stories to tell me.” Neuvillette's voice has a teasing lilt to it.
“Oh, I still have plenty of those, if you wish to hear them.” Wriothesley is quick to correct him, flashing a smile as he remembers a particularly interesting catch.
“Of course. Please, regale me, then.”
Wriothesley obliges, just like he always does when it comes to Neuvillette. “Well, there was this one time where I thought I had hooked a big one down on the shore of the lake.” He starts with what he's considering a warm-up story. “I was reeling and pulling back on the pole like you wouldn't believe, desperate to see my catch. But when it finally surfaced, I saw that it was just a huge piece of driftwood that my line had gotten tangled around!” He laughs at his past mistake while Neuvillette lifts a brow, an amused smile tugging on his lips, and then Wriothesley is launching into the story he really wants to tell.
“Oh, and–!” he says this like it wasn't the first thing he thought of upon Neuvillette's invitation, leaning in close and lowering his voice as if about to share a secret he only wants Neuvillette to know, “One time, I accidentally hooked a vishap.”
Neuvillette looks infinitely intrigued by this “secret,” so Wriothesley settles into a good narrator voice for it. By the end of the tale, they both feel as though they've simply picked up their relationship right where it left off, smiling more easily than they have in years. Wriothesley still can't believe his luck in running into Neuvillette on the same day he just so happens to be giving dating another shot, but he's very much so looking forward to dinner tonight.
Then, Wriothesley's phone rings.
Embarrassed, he quickly fumbles it out of his pocket, almost dropping it in the process, and answers without looking at the caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Wriothesley!” Wriothesley quickly holds the phone away from his ear at the shrill sound of a clearly-upset Clorinde. “Would you like to tell me why the man Navia and I so kindly set you up with just called me to complain about your behavior on your date?!”
“Ah, Clorinde! You won't believe who I ran into!” Wriothesley brings the phone back to his face to respond, ignoring Clorinde's question with an easy tone.
“Oh I heard all about it already! You ran off to some other man while you were supposed to–!”
“Neuvillette,” Wriothesley cuts her rant short, and she falls silent for a moment before she takes a deep breath.
“Wriothesley, I swear to the Archons, if you're lying right now–”
“He's not lying,” Neuvillette chimes in from across the table, and the line goes silent once more.
“He even invited me to join him at his table,” Wriothesley offers.
“That I did,” Neuvillette confirms.
“And asked me to dinner tonight.”
“That I did, as well.”
A long, heavy sigh comes from the other side of the line, as though Clorinde is taking a great amount of effort to speak again, and her words sound as though they are passing through her teeth.
“This conversation is not over, but I will leave you to your… date.” She struggles to grit out the last word before the dial tone alerts Wriothesley that she has hung up on them.
Wriothesley meets Neuvillette's eyes before they both suddenly burst out laughing, Neuvillette heaving that wheeze of a laugh that Wriothesley is realizing he missed very, very much.
Neuvillette clears his throat as Wriothesley wipes a tear from his eye, putting his phone back in his pocket.
“Oh man, I knew she would have some words to say to me, but I didn't expect you to speak up on my behalf! You may have just saved me an earful, Monsieur.”
“I'm not so sure about that, Wriothesley. She sounded as though she still has words for you and is just choosing to speak them at another time.”
Wriothesley chuckles a little nervously. “Ah, you may yet be right about that. I suppose I will find out later, when she inevitably calls back.”
“I suspect you shall.”
And indeed Wriothesley does, after he's bid farewell to Neuvillette once they've exchanged numbers and Wriothesley has conceded that Neuvillette can come pick him up later, for their first official date. He's arrived home again, feeling lighter than he has in years, and is just about to relax and enjoy his afternoon when Clorinde calls him back.
“So. How did it go?”
“What??” Wriothesley asks incredulously.
“The blind date that Navia and I set you up with. You said you would tell me how it went when you got back. So. How did it go?”
“Clorinde!” Navia's voice chastises in the distance, evidently somewhere slightly away from Clorinde's phone. “Don't torment him! He's probably experiencing a lot of emotions right now!”
Wriothesley can't help but laugh a little at Navia's interruption of the interrogation. “It's fine, Navia; I don't mind talking about how it went. Somehow, he got there even earlier than me, and then I came in and sat down. I introduced myself, and we talked for a bit, but he seemed uninterested in telling me anything beyond what he does for work, while I was trying to get to know his hobbies and enjoyments better.” He pauses. “Then, Neuvillette suddenly walked through the door. I couldn't believe it, but I knew it was him. I stood up, excused myself, and went to go chat with Neuvillette. I got so caught up in catching up with him that my date abandoned me with the check. I deserved that, though, and I'm sorry if I made him feel unwelcome, but… Neuvillette, Clo. You know how I felt about him.” He pauses again, not sure if he should admit it, but this is his best friend, so he continues, quieter than before, “Apparently, how I still do…”
“I know you told me after your last breakup that you wouldn't be willing to date anyone again, unless it was Neuvillette.”
Wriothesley flushes uncharacteristically, having not known that Clorinde remembers that particular confession. “Ah, yeah, I did say that…” He brings his unoccupied hand to scratch the back of his neck sheepishly out of habit.
“And now, it's turned out to be true.” Clorinde takes a deep breath between sentences. “So. While I don't think what you did to the date we set up for you was right, I am happy for you that Neuvillette has come into your life again and you've gained this second chance. But, for me and Navia's sake, don't squander it, alright?”
“Oh believe you me, I will certainly do my best not to.”
“Good,” Wriothesley can practically hear Clorinde giving him one of her approving nods, “Well then, I'll leave you be to get ready for your new first date with ‘the man of your dreams.’” Now she's quoting Wriothesley again, and he realizes she's not actually going to let this go anytime soon. But at least he'll have peace for this evening.
“Alright, alright. I get it, I messed up. I'm sorry. Please stop mentioning things past me said.”
Clorinde laughs at that. “Not a chance, lover-boy. But I will for now, if you promise to tell me about your date when you get back home.”
Now Wriothesley's feeling déjà vu at his friend's words. Still, he agrees.
“Fine. I'll talk to you later tonight, then.”
“And me! I want to know all the details,” Navia cuts in.
Wriothesley drags a hand down his face. “Alright, I'll tell both of you how it goes. Now please free me from this conversation.” He hears both women laugh before the dial tone rings and he sighs, a fond noise more than anything.
“What am I going to do with those two?” he asks to the empty space of his living room. His furniture does not respond.
A few hours later, Wriothesley is wearing what is quite possibly his finest suit, complete with a gray undershirt, red tie, black jacket with red detailing, and matching black slacks with a red line down the side. He's fixed his hair more times than he can count, and is now sitting on his couch and fidgeting quite nervously as he waits for Neuvillette. He checks his watch, seeing that Neuvillette should be here any minute, and only just now worrying if he should have gotten a gift on his way home from the cafè.
His doorbell rings abruptly, putting an end to his suffering as he jumps up from his seat and rushes to answer the door, practically throwing it open to greet–
That's not Neuvillette.
That can't be Neuvillette.
The man that stands before him, dressed to the nines in a navy suit, white jabot, and braided hair complete with a blue feather hair clip, offering him a bouquet of rainbow roses and romaritime flowers, cannot possibly be Neuvillette, because there is no way a man this devastatingly beautiful would have asked him out a few hours before.
A blush forms on perfectly sculpted cheekbones, and Wriothesley realizes he must have said at least part of that out loud.
“Thank you, Wriothesley. It has… Admittedly, it has been a while since someone has complimented me so earnestly.”
Wriothesley's own flush rises in response, and he turns his head to the side sheepishly while accepting the bouquet, stepping aside to allow his date inside his apartment while he turns to find a vase for the flowers.
“Ah, you're welcome, Monsieur. And thank you for the flowers; they're lovely. Please, make yourself at home for the time being while I find a place for them, and then we can head to the restaurant.” Wriothesley metaphorically pats himself on the back for his quick recovery, setting about his task while Neuvillette steps further into the living room.
“I had a hunch you would dress up nicely for this evening, and I'm pleased to see I was correct,” Neuvillette observes before taking in the living room. “You have a lovely place, as well. I'm glad you've been properly taking care of yourself.”
Wriothesley fills the vase he found a moment ago with water and starts to untie the bow around the bouquet. “Yeah, you’ll be happy to know I outgrew those old bad habits. Nowadays I get plenty of sleep and have time to actually cook and clean.” Wriothesley chuckles a little, now putting the bouquet's ribbon to the side and grabbing his kitchen scissors to clip the ends of the flowers’ stems.
“That is good to hear, indeed. I imagine you'll be pleased to know that I no longer sacrifice my sleep to complete work.” Neuvillette pauses. “For the most part.”
“I was going to say! You can’t have changed that much, Monsieur; I fear your overworking yourself is a crucial part of your identity, this far into your life,” Wriothesley teases, now gently placing the flowers into the vase, arranging them to his liking.
“You may unfortunately be correct about that, Wriothesley,” Neuvillette concedes before Wriothesley picks up the vase and brings it into the living room, setting it down on the coffee table to show off his work.
“Well Monsieur, how did I do?” Wriothesley asks, gesturing to the vase.
“It is stunning Wriothesley, though not nearly as stunning as you in that suit.”
Wriothesley's face reddens but he covers it quickly with a cheeky, “At least take me to dinner first before buttering me up.”
Neuvillette smiles. “Shall we be off, then?” He offers Wriothesley his arm, and Wriothesley hesitantly takes it.
“Lead the way, Monsieur. I must say, I am quite curious as to which restaurant you picked out for us.”
“You will see soon enough, Wriothesley.” Neuvillette leads them out the door, letting Wriothesley lock it before offering his arm again and walking them to his car. He opens the passenger door for Wriothesley, a move the younger man wasn't expecting but appreciates all the same, a faint blush once again adorning his cheeks.
Their banter continues throughout the car ride, all the way until they reach the lakeside restaurant.
“Wait here a moment,” Neuvillette tells Wriothesley before getting out of the car, leaving Wriothesley to wonder what the older man is doing. He doesn't have to wonder for long, though, as Neuvillette comes around the side of the car and opens Wriothesley's door for him, offering his hand for Wriothesley to take afterwards.
Feeling very much like royalty and undeserving of the treatment, Wriothesley accepts, allowing Neuvillette to help him out of the car with a slight flush to his cheeks. Neuvillette then closes the door for Wriothesley, and offers his arm again. Wriothesley, though feeling uncharacteristically bashful, once again takes it, letting Neuvillette lead them to the entrance of the restaurant, where the older man holds the door for Wriothesley before following him inside.
Wriothesley takes in the atmosphere of the place while Neuvillette talks with one of the hosts, realizing now that this restaurant isn't quite as fancy as he thought it would be. If he's honest, he's a little relieved, glad that he won't feel too out of place here, and won't have to abide by any unspoken high society rules. Instead of stuffy and up-tight, the interior is more homey, and ocean themed. Decorations of shells, various sea life, and fishing gear line the blue and white walls, while servers bustle about the full tables, bringing steaming plates of seafood to customers.
“Wriothesley.” Neuvillette's voice brings him out of his reverie, and he again slips his arm into Neuvillette's as a hostess leads them to the back of the restaurant, through an archway that leads to a smaller back room with only a handful of empty tables. This room has windows that cover three of its walls, giving the customers a grand view of the lake, the waters currently turned gold from the setting sun. Neuvillette pulls out Wriothesley's chair for him before taking his own seat, the hostess leaving them with their menus and promising that a server would be with them soon.
Wriothesley admires the view of the lake for a while longer before taking a look at the menu, unsure what to order as he has no clue what's good and what isn't. Neuvillette seems to know exactly what he wants after only a few moments, short enough that their server hasn't had time to come over yet. Wriothesley is about to ask Neuvillette for a recommendation, but then he remembers that this is Neuvillette's first time here, too. Before he can look over the menu again, movement in the doorway catches his eye, and he looks over in time to see a waiter heading in their direction.
He and the waiter lock eyes for a moment, just long enough for Wriothesley to recognize him, before the man's customer service smile completely drops into an upset and angry expression.
“You have got to be kidding me!” are his only words before he turns on his heel and leaves them there. Neuvillette looks up at the voice in time to see the back of the waiter walking swiftly away from them.
Wriothesley bursts out laughing while Neuvillette looks at him with a puzzled expression. “Wriothesley, what–?”
Wriothesley fights to speak through his laughing fit. “That was my date from this morning!”
Neuvillette lets out an amused scoff of disbelief. “I thought you said he worked for a tech company.”
“He does! He only mentioned his server side-job once, so I forgot about it!” Wriothesley is still fighting off his laughs, but he slowly calms down as Neuvillette gives a small chuckle. “What are the odds we ended up at the very restaurant where he works?”
Instead of answering the rhetorical question, Neuvillette chooses to flatter, or rather, cannot stop himself from doing so.
“Your laughter is contagious, Wriothesley.” Wriothesley's chuckles finally stop as he chokes at the unexpected statement.
“Uh, um, you think so? I always thought it was kind of annoying.” Neuvillette frowns at that.
“It is truly beautiful, Wriothesley. I am sorry you have thought otherwise.” A slight pink tint is brought to Wriothesley's face before their moment alone is interrupted by a waitress rushing in.
“I'm sorry for the wait,” she says as she places two paper-wrapped plastic straws on the table before pulling out her pad. “Let me get your drinks.”
Neuvillette looks to Wriothesley, and the younger man takes the offer to order first.
“I'd like a hot Earl Grey tea, please, and a water.”
“I'll just have water, please.”
The waitress scribbles their orders before looking back at them. “And are we ready to order or do you need a few minutes? There's no rush.”
“A few minutes, please,” Wriothesley says.
“Alright, then let me get these drinks in for you and I'll be back in a few minutes,” the waitress says before bustling out of the room.
Wriothesley finally looks back at his menu, still completely unsure.
“Please, get whatever you would like. I assure you, I can afford it, so you needn't limit yourself to the cheaper options if you would rather something else,” Neuvillette offers.
Wriothesley meets his lavender gaze. “Oh, you misunderstand. I am simply indecisive because I've also never dined here before.”
“Ah, I see. In that case, I've heard that any of their freshwater fish dishes are excellent, as they are mostly caught fresh in the morning and are always changing depending on the day's catch, but the chef is always able to make them delicious. I am personally going to order the consommé, but that is because I wish to try it for myself and see how it holds up against my own recipe.”
“The fish are that fresh, hmm? Sounds good, I won't lie, but your homemade consommé sounds better. I hope I'll get to try it someday soon, but for now, I think I will go with the catch-of-the-day.”
The pointed tips of Neuvillette's ears turn pink, and Wriothesley allows himself to admire them and the man they're attached to for a moment before the waitress comes back, carrying a tray with their drinks. She sets their waters down first, which they thank her for, then she sets down the full teapot and cup, along with a small container of little plastic creamers, before gesturing to the assortment of sweeteners on the table.
“Sugars are there, if you want them.”
“Thank you,” Wriothesley says, “I believe we are ready to order, now.”
She pulls out her pad from her apron. “Alright; what would you like?” She jots down their orders, then leaves with the empty tray.
“And now, we wait,” Wriothesley says to Neuvillette. “At least I know I'm in good company.”
“Indeed. And I wouldn't rather anyone else here with me,” Neuvillette says in reply, successfully turning Wriothesley's compliment back on him. Wriothesley isn't one to give up so easily, though, and they banter back and forth, occasionally sipping on their drinks, until the waitress returns with their steaming food on a tray.
She sets the plates and bowls down in front of them before asking, “Is there anything else I can get you two gentlemen?”
“No ma'am, thank you,” Wriothesley says after exchanging a glance with Neuvillette.
“Alright, then I will leave you two to your meal. Please, enjoy!” she says before leaving them alone once more.
Their banter resumes throughout their meal, though it turns from more of a compliment competition into an actual conversation, with the two catching up with each other after so many years apart.
The waitress comes to refill their waters, but they mostly ignore her this time, saying their thanks but remaining engrossed in each other.
Then, when Wriothesley's plate is mostly empty, he excuses himself to the restroom. On his way back to the table, he happens to catch sight of their waitress, and an idea pops into his head.
He catches her attention, but before he can ask her for the favor he has in mind, she suddenly apologizes.
“I’m sorry about your original server. He's new here, and apparently had to pick up this job to make ends meet, since the company he's working for is failing. He's still getting used to customer service, but that's no excuse for his behavior. He will be reprimanded by our manager, don't worry.”
He blinks at her for just a moment, processing the information and filing it away to talk to Clorinde about later, feeling his guilt for leaving the guy during their date slightly lessen.
“Oh, no, that's alright. You've been wonderful, so it's probably a good thing he decided not to serve us. I was actually just wondering if you could do something for me…” He shares his idea with her, then heads back to his dinner, and more importantly, to Neuvillette.
He and Neuvillette resume their conversation as though the break never took place, then order dessert when the waitress asks if they would like some as she clears their empty platters away.
As they eat the slice of tiramisu, Wriothesley turns the conversation back into something more flirtatious, unable to resist teasing the older man.
“You know, Neuvillette, this dessert is quite sweet, but not nearly as sweet as you, taking me out to dinner like this.”
Neuvillette ignores the cheesy line in favor of sincerity. “Think nothing of it, Wriothesley. I simply felt it right to start our new relationship, since it is my fault our previous one ended.”
Wriothesley is about to protest, but his trump card arrives.
“Here you are, sir, for whenever you are ready. There's no rush,” the waitress says as she directly hands Wriothesley the check, as he asked her to do earlier, before she takes her leave.
Wriothesley smirks at Neuvillette's incredulous expression.
“Wriothesley. I cannot possibly allow you to pay when I am the one who asked you to dinner.” Neuvillette says this in what must be a slightly dialed back version of his courtroom voice, but Wriothesley simply continues on with his idea.
“I'll let you pay. But on two conditions,” Wriothesley says with a smirk, a little smug now that he feels like he's finally gotten the upper hand in their banter. Neuvillette quirks an eyebrow in question, so Wriothesley lays out his terms.
“One: you agree to be my boyfriend. And two: I get to plan our next date.”
Neuvillette doesn't hesitate. “Deal. Now please, hand over the check.”
Wriothesley's jaw drops. “Just like that?? You're not even going to think it over?”
“I don't need to. As I said earlier today, I don't plan on losing you again, Wriothesley. And I would quite like to see what you plan out for us.”
Wriothesley flushes, adding a shade of red to his cheeks that Neuvillette has quickly discovered he still finds delightful. “Alright…” Wriothesley hands over the check, albeit begrudgingly, and Neuvillette thanks him cheekily. He pays without much fanfare afterwards, and soon they are making their way to the exit, Wriothesley's arm hooked on Neuvillette's once more.
“Before we leave, shall we take a walk by the lake bed? I noticed you admiring it quite a lot during our dinner,” Neuvillette asks once they're through the door.
Wriothesley blushes again, feeling a little like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “I just thought the sunset made the water look like molten gold, and I don't often come to the lake these days, so perhaps I was also feeling a little nostalgic,” he admits.
“...I see. I’ll be sure to plan a walk along the lake at twilight for one of our future dates, then. Unless you would like to lay claim to that activity?”
Wriothesley has been thinking of including that on the date he bargained for, but he's not going to let Neuvillette know that. “I suppose you will just have to wait and see, Monsieur,” he says with a little quirk of his lips.
“...I suppose so,” Neuvillette concedes, opening the passenger door for Wriothesley before coming around his car and getting in.
By the time Neuvillette drops Wriothesley off at his house with a soft kiss to his cheek and a promise to let the younger man know when he gets home safely, Wriothesley is brimming with ideas for their next date, and already starting to plan for his future with the man he is so lucky to have back in his life again.
He shares the same sentiment as the older man, after all; this time, he's not letting Neuvillette slip through his fingers!