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Rafayel hums softly, happily brushing strokes of paint onto his canvas while listening to music. That is, until someone knocks on his door.
He stands up and takes off his apron, then walks over to the door to answer it, opening it to see Sylus there, leaning against the door frame, holding a big and beautiful bouquet of purple, blue, and white flowers that match Rafayel’s favorite color scheme beautifully.
“Hello, sweetie~”
Rafayel stands there, too stunned to speak for a moment.
“What’s all this for?” He asks in awe, taking the flowers.
“Well, kitten…we’re together now, so I thought I would take you out on a proper date.” Sylus answers, tilting Rafayel’s chin up with his finger.
Rafayel is gagged, speechless. This is the same motherfucker that made a whole person disappear out of thin air just last week. Where did this absolute gentleman come from and what has he done with Sylus?
“You want to go out right now?? I’m barely dressed.” Rafayel argues, leaning on the doorframe.
“That’s fine, the reservation isn’t for an hour. I figured you’d need some time to get dolled up.” Sylus explains, a playful smirk touching his lips.
Rafayel’s face heats up a bit.
“That was…thoughtful.”
Sylus raises an eyebrow.
“What’s the matter?”
“What?”
“I can’t help but feel like you’re angry with me for some reason.”
Rafayel is taken aback, confused and somewhat offended.
“What makes you say *that*?”
“Your expression and tone makes it seem like you’re offended by my presence”
“I’m a bit annoyed that you just randomly decided to take me on a date without warning me, but I’m not mad.”
“Good to know. Now get dressed.”
Rafayel nods and steps aside, letting Sylus in before walking to his bedroom.
“I’ll be out in around 10 minutes, don’t even THINK about entering my room unless I tell you to.”
“I would never.”
“Good.”
Rafayel disappears into his room, and comes back out 5 minutes later in navy blue slacks and a long sleeved, white button up with a tie that matches his pants.
“Ready.”
Sylus looks over at him from the counter, where he was putting the flowers in a vase to keep them alive, and his eyes lighten up a bit. He can’t help but feel as though he’s fallen in love with the man all over again. It’s not exactly about the outfit itself, but the fact that it just reoccurred to him that he’s going on a date with the first partner he’s had in his life.
“Alright, then…shall we~?” He proposes, holding his hand out to Rafayel.
Rafayel smiles and takes his hand.
“We shall.”
They walk out of the studio hand in hand until they get to the front yard, where Sylus’s bike is parked.
Rafayel stops in his tracks. His eyes widen at the size of the vehicle. It has to be almost twice his size.
Sylus looks over at him.
“What?”
“That’s the biggest bike I’ve ever seen!” Rafayel exclaims, still gawking at it.
“And?” Sylus asks, leading Rafayel over to the bike and putting a helmet on his head.
“It’s excessive.” Rafayel comments, his voice muffled from the helmet.
Sylus simply shrugs and puts his own helmet and hops on the bike.
Rafayel hesitates for a moment, but he gets on the bike and wraps his arms around Sylus’s waist, holding tight, then holding on even tighter when Sylus starts it.
“Hold on tight.” Sylus warns, driving the bike forward and onto the road.
Rafayel has his eyes squeezed shut. His body is tense with anxiety as he hopes and prays that Sylus doesn’t crash.
They get to the restaurant and Sylus leads Rafayel through the doors into the beautiful, extravagant restaurant. The interior is bright and lively, it almost looks like a ballroom. There are chandeliers everywhere and the door is decorated with intricate golden designs.
Sylus walks up to the waiter at the door and confirms their reservation.
Once confirmed, the waiter leads the couple to their private table, which is right by a window that has a beautiful view of Linkon.
Rafayel gazes out the window, his eyes reflecting the city lights. The chandelier above them along with the candle on the table sets the romantic atmosphere with low lighting complimented with the red painted walls that are lined with gold sconces and the rose petals scattered in the center of the table while a violin quietly plays in the background.
Rafayel and Sylus sit across from each other and look down at their menus.
“This place is awfully extravagant for a first date.” Rafayel comments, looking around.
“Only the best for you, kitten~”
Rafayel pauses and looks up at him, clearly offended.
“KITTEN?”
Sylus pauses looking up from his menu.
“Hm?”
“How dare you nickname me after such a monster.” Rafayel snaps.
Sylus’s brow furrows in confusion.
“What are you talking about?”
“Cats are malicious beasts that deceive everyone with their harmless appearance and play with their prey at whim.” Rafayel rants
“I don’t like them and it offends me that you would compare me to such a thing.”
Sylus laughs out loud, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What did cats ever do to you?” He asks, still laughing.
Rafayel looks away with a pout.
“They’re evil. I just know it.”
“Ohh I get it. It’s because you’re a fish.”
Rafayel continues to pout, his arms crossed.
Sylus smiles softly and cups Rafayel’s cheek, turning his face toward himself.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t know”
Rafayel’s face flushes deeply, his eyes lighting up as he looks into Sylus’s.
“I-it’s fine…”
Sylus smirks and leans closer to him, still holding his face.
“Come here, fishy.”
Rafayel rolls his eyes and leans in, pressing a long, tender kiss to his lips.
“Can I get you both started with drinks?” The waiter asks, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
Rafayel’s heart jumps and he immediately pulls away, his face deep red with embarrassment.
“U-Um…yes.”
After they order, they go back to talking.
“So you’re a cat person? What’s to like about them?” Rafayel asks.
Sylus shrugs.
“They’re cute…and they’re quiet. They make it easy to appreciate their presence.”
Rafayel thinks for a moment.
“I guess you’re right, but they’re still monstrous and evil when they want to be.”
“They’re unpredictability makes them interesting.”
“More like terrifying” Rafayel mutters.
“Oh? Is the great Lumerian sea god afraid of cats?”
“So what if I am?!”
Sylus chuckles under his breath.
“I just think it’s ironic.”
Rafayel rolls his eyes again and looks back out the window, once again mesmerized by the view.
Sylus looks with him, reaching out to take his hand into his own, stroking it with his thumb.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” He asks, his lips brushing Rafayel’s temple.
Rafayel nods and looks over at him.
Sylus’s eyes soften as they meet Rafayel’s.
*beautiful…* he thinks to himself, smiling warmly, his red eyes shimmering in the candle light.
Rafayel gazes up at him with the exact same look in his eyes, his face flushed. His eyes flicker down to Sylus’s lips, then back up to his eyes.
Sylus does the exact same thing before leaning in to kiss him again.
Rafayel immediately melts into it, cupping Sylus’s cheek.
Sylus pulls away and rests his forehead against Raf’s.
“I love you…” he murmurs. His low voice barely audible.
“Hm?” Rafayel utters, his eyes flicking up to meet his.
Sylus pulls away.
“What?” He asks, oblivious to the fact that he said that out loud.
Rafayel looks at him skeptically for a moment, but decides to let it go.
“Nevermind…”
After dinner, Sylus drives Rafayel back to the studio.
Sylus walks to the door with him, holding his hand tightly.
“Tired, baby?” Sylus asks, pulling him closer.
“No, I’m fine…” Rafayel answers, clearly lying. His eyelids are heavy and he’s leaning on Sylus, who lifts him into his arms and carries him inside.
Rafayel curls into him, closing his eyes.
Sylus puts him down on the couch and presses a kiss to his forehead.
“Get some sleep, Rafayel.”
Before Sylus can walk away, Rafayel reaches up to grab his shirt.
“Stay…?”
Sylus pauses for a moment, but lies down next to him, wrapping him in a warm embrace.
“I love you, Sylus…” Rafayel murmurs, burying his face into his chest.
Sylus’s heart clenches as he tightens his grip on Rafayel as if he’s going to disappear.
“I love you too, fish.” He murmurs, closing his eyes as well.