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Oliver and Skylar are on a date, as is Bree since it's Valentine's Day. The apartment is empty save Kaz and Chase.
Chase walks out of the hyperlift, coming up from the lab and drops a motorcycle helmet into Kaz's lap while he sits on the couch. "Get up, we're going out."
Kaz looks up at him confused. "Where are we going?" He asks as he stands up.
"You'll see." Chase grins as he walks to the door, Kaz following behind.
They head down to the parking garage and climb onto Chase's bike. The ride is nice even if the roads are busy. Kaz wonders where they're going, thinking it might be the arcade or somewhere fun and chill. Unfortunately for him Chase parks outside a fancy expensive restaurant. Kaz climbs off the bike confused and follows Chase inside.
Chase tells the maître d' his reservation and she guides them to their table. They sit down and he smiles at him, while Kaz just looks thoroughly confused.
"Chase, why are we here?"
"To eat." Chase says a matter of factly.
Kaz frowns and leans against the table. "On Valentine's Day?"
"Yes. Problem?"
"It's packed and noisy. Why would you bring me here today? People are going to think we're on a date." Kaz says slightly worried.
Chase's heart aches at Kaz's defensive tone but he smiles all the same. He puts his hand into his pocket, reaches over holding a small box, he pats Kaz's hand and flips it to put it in his palm.
Kaz looks at the box and freaks out and drops the box onto the table. "What the fuck Chase?!" He pokes the box. "That better not be a ring."
Chase chuckles. "First of all language, this place is a nice establishment. And why would it be a ring?"
"Because it's Valentine's Day, we're at a fancy restaurant and you handed me a velvet-covered jewellery box!"
"Open it."
Chase watches as Kaz opens the box and looks up at him with a raised brow. Inside the box is a small green stone on a necklace. Kaz doesn't react.
Chase sighs. "Do you even want to be here? Is this too fancy for you?" Kaz doesn't really answer. "Alright, come on." Chase stands and starts walking towards the entrance.
"Chase? Wait! Where are you going? Chase!" Kaz scurries to follow Chase more confused, stuffing the necklace into his pocket.
Chase tells the maître d' that it's too busy for them, he apologises and they leave. Chase climbs onto his bike and looks at Kaz.
"I'm sorry, we didn't have to leave. I feel bad if I made us leave."
"Come on, get on." Chase pats the pillion seat.
Kaz sighs and climbs on thinking he's ruined whatever this is and that they're going home but instead Chase pulls up to a McDonald's. Chase walks in with Kaz confusedly following and orders on the screen to have their food delivered, double-checking that he got Kaz's meal right, which he does.
Chase sits down, and Kaz sits across from him. "This is better right? Quieter, definitely." Kaz gives him a slight nod. "Do you still have the necklace? I didn't take it back, did I?"
"Oh, uh, yeah. Here." Kaz digs out the box from his pocket.
Chase smiles. "Do you want me to put it on you?"
"Um... Sure." Kaz shrugs.
Chase happily moves over to sit next to him, trying to ignore all of Kaz's confusion and disinterest. He takes the necklace and motions for Kaz to face away. He carefully wraps the chain around his neck fastening the clasp.
Kaz touches the stone and turns back to Chase. "Why did you give this to me? Was it like a free gift with a purchase or something?" He says with a light chuckle. "It's nice if so."
Chase frowns slightly at the joke. "No, I designed it just for you." He sighs. "It's gold because you're allergic to silver even though gold washes out against your skin. And I got the stone, it's actually lava glass, obsidian from the planet Arkas, that's part of the Ursa Major constellation, with a green hue of course." Chase explains, his nerves building as he speaks. "It's literally priceless, one of a kind."
Kaz goes to respond but their food arrives. Chase thanks the worker and moves back to his side of the table avoiding Kaz's eyes. He can feel his heart aching, it feels like Kaz is rejecting him.
Kaz can tell he did something to upset Chase. He feels bad again, he knows Chase had planned something entirely different for their night. "Sorry..."
"It's fine, let's eat." Chase keeps his eyes down and starts eating.
Kaz stays quiet for a bit, trying to eat. "Is this a date?" He asks softly.
"It doesn't have to be." Chase says bluntly.
Kaz doesn't know how to respond to that to make this better so they eat in silence. As they're about to leave, Kaz suggests they get a soft serve and watch the sunset outside. He wants to spend more time with Chase so the date doesn't end just yet even if it is really awkward.
Chase agrees half-heartedly and they sit outside, an ice cream each in their hands. Both are internally struggling because this date is a complete disaster. Kaz debates holding his hand but he knows that he's being selfish. They finish their ice cream much too soon and suddenly they're back on the bike actually heading home this time.
Chase goes down to the lab when they get home after haphazardly putting their helmets in the living room. Kaz sits upstairs on the couch feeling bad. He crosses his arms and pouts, waiting the whole of thirty minutes before heading downstairs. He silently walks over and hugs Chase from behind, pressing his forehead into his back in a silent apology.
Chase jumps slightly. "Kaz? You okay?" Kaz doesn't respond more than a soft shrug. Chase sighs, smiling and continues his work. He takes in the feeling of Kaz pressed to his back. "Okay, you can stay." He says in fake frustration.
Kaz nuzzles against his back, arms tightening, fingers fidgeting with Chase's shirt. Eventually, he falls asleep standing up, holding on.
Chase carefully turns his chair around, his body still in Kaz's arms and pulls him up into his lap, making Kaz lie his head on his shoulder before turning back to the table. Chase had already forgiven Kaz, since he was kinda to blame for the date disaster. He kisses Kaz's cheek before returning to his work.
Kaz wakes up after a few hours, and he sits up rubbing his eyes noticing himself in Chase's lap. "What time is it?" He murmurs.
"Hmm, three AM." Chase says softly. "You should go to bed."
"Mm, you too..." Kaz tries to climb off. "Come on..." Chase goes to refuse but Kaz just drags him upstairs.
They take the hyperlift up, and Kaz leans against Chase's side, taking his hand as they head up to their room. Kaz stops them before they can enter their room, tugging on his hand.
"Chase..." Kaz's voice is apologetic. "Hey, I'm sorry for ruining two different dates. I didn't... I'm sorry..."
Chase chuckles softly. "No, I should have told you what I was planning on at least that it was a date. Plus the original restaurant was too much for me too. Why would I think to go to a busy place on an even busier day?"
"Thanks for trying to plan a date and for the necklace. It's nice, really nice. I think I want to try again."
"Me too and I might actually tell you beforehand too." Chase jokes.
Kaz smiles. "Happy late Valentine's." He says softly.
Chase cups his cheek. "Yeah, you too." He pecks his lips as if it's the most normal thing for them to do, making both of their hearts skip a beat or two. "Come on, let's go to sleep." He guides Kaz into the room to his bed, past a sleeping Oliver. "We'll start fresh tomorrow, and ignore all the bad, awkward stuff of today."
"Perfect." Kaz smiles and sits on his bed. "Goodnight Chase."
"Goodnight Kaz." They share another short kiss before Chase heads to his capsule.
Kaz does a little dramatic reach towards Chase, causing him to chuckle before the two fall asleep facing each other with a smile. Tomorrow is a new day. Their date may have been a fail but at least one good thing came from it.