Astraphobia [M] [Closed]

Reno fell into step beside him and, holding his breath, chanced slipping his arm around Seph's waist. "I think the last time I went out to eat it was burgers and milkshakes," he grinned, acting as naturally as possible about what he was doing. "You know better than to judge me based on the apartment - you could take me out for a $5 pizza and I'd be happy. A little over-dressed, but happy."

He lightly brushed his lips over Seph's cheek. "You know, when you think about it we've done this all backwards. The first night we meet we end up sleeping in the same bed, and now we're having the first date." He laughed and nudged Seph lightly. "I wouldn't change it though. Unconventional seems to have suited us."

Reno raised an eyebrow at the mention of fees. "He's billing you?" He queried, a little indignant that so easily the agreement had fallen through and annoyed at himself that he hadn't thought to check that Mick had upheld his end of the bargain. "I'll have a word with him and see where these special fees are cropping up." he tutted. "Really you can't trust lawyers, I should have known better..."

He chuckled softly at conventional being boring. "I guess I'm very lucky that you decided to chance those drinks then, if you're not much for dating. Mind you, I'd sworn off dating before you too."

Reno pulled him a little closer. "I know what the answer will be... but if you ever need help, just tell me. I'm not going to sit by and let you and the boys work yourselves into a tough spot when I could do something about it. And, if it makes you feel better, you can think of it as an investment. I keep you afloat and if things go south for me I always have a sofa to sleep on."

He gave a cheeky grin that didn't hide that his offer was serious. He meant every word - he would do anything in his power to help Seph and the boys, and he didn't want anything in return. Spending time together way payment enough for him, if any were to be metered out.

"Hmm, a very bad night," he agreed. "I just hope that there's been a lot of good ones since." He looked over at the building and gave a small smile. "You know, I've walked past it a dozen times and never taken the time to go in."

"Sofa, bed... it all depends on the boys and which makes it easier in the mornings," he chuckled. He leant into the kiss, brief as it was and gave a quiet, contented sigh. "You can abuse me any way you like, as long as you keep coming back," he grinned, quickly kissing him before they released each other.

He followed Seph into the restaurant, biting back an inappropriate comment about being seated away from the crowd, and resisting the urge to lace his fingers through Seph's - he knew what it was like to need to go back to a place with a certain image and he would be taking his cues from Seph that evening.

"Well, whoever's company your keeping, let me know to thank them - it makes you so much more agreeable to spend my evenings with," he teased lightly.

Reno laced his fingers with Seph's and squeezed his hand gently, allowing himself to be led by both the hostess and the man. He grinned as Seph pulled the chair out for him but he wasn't going to argue at all, sitting and settling easily.

"I'm glad I make you happy," he replied. "I mean, you wouldn't keep coming around if I made you miserable, but still..."

He chuckled and took the menu as it was offered to him, casting his eyes over the items. He didn't want to spend too much - seeing as the offer was for Seph to take him to dinner, and he had a notion that he would hold them both to that - but he didn't want to order too little as to offend him.

He looked over the top of the menu to Seph. "So, what do you recommend?"

Reno gently stroked his thumb over the back of Seph's hand an smiled. "Will you still kiss me if I have the chicken kiev?" He chuckled softly. "Or will I be having to drown out the garlic somehow?"

He closed the menu and leant on it. "Hmm, I tend to go for mussels in a white wine and garlic broth... but again - garlic. What's the pâté like here? I saw chicken brandy with granary rolls and have to admit that's peaked my interest too."

Careful not to knock anything over, Reno leant across the table and kissed Seph gently. "Don't worry, I'm a simple man... wait, that's going to come back and haunt me I can tell..." He grinned and squeezed his hand, eyes glinting cheekily. "Now, do we get dessert or...?"

"Hmm, I might get away with garlic after all," he chuckled, flicking the menu open again with his spare hand, the other still holding Seph's. "I think I might try risking chicken brandy pâté - it sounds too good to pass up. The question then is chicken or steak..."

He looked over the options, liking the look of too many of them to choose right away. Instead he flicked to the dessert and have a soft sound of contemplation. "I see you're not on the menu - that's a pity," he purred softly.

Reno give a slight grimace at the thought of being interrogated. He was trained to withstand such treatment, but this was a situation where he would have to break with his training and be honest with the teenage boy.

"I have a feeling that when it comes to Kadaj no one is good enough for you," he chuckled softly. "So, the important question would have to be - do you think I am?"

Reno opened his mouth to answer but knew it wasn't an answer that needed to be said in front of anyone else.

"Champagne sounds good," he agreed. "We can figure out everything else after that." The waiter took the hint and scurried off, leaving them alone again. "Seph, if I wasn't willing to face whatever comes my way then I wouldn't be here. I know what I'm getting myself in for... and you're definitely worth it. I'd rather face whatever your sons, your father, your job can throw at me than not be with you."

Slowly Reno nodded. "Okay." He nodded a little more surely and smiled. "It's not like I haven't met him before but suddenly he's become slightly scary." His hand moved to lightly cup Seph's cheek, his thumb lightly tracing across the cheekbone. "Still, I don't want to have to hide this any more... and it's the only way forward."

He lightly tapped Seph's nose. "I just hope they're ready for me..." He chuckled softly and trailed his hand down, taking Seph's again. "I don't think I've ever been like this with anyone... definitely not in public... it feels so normal even though I know I should be finding this strange."

He lightly ran the toe of his shoe up the inside of Seph's leg. "I guess it just proves the next hurdle is needing to be jumped - the boys." He paused. "I promise not to literally or figuratively jump your sons."

"Even so, I'm not going to come between you and your sons - so I'll do what I can to not give them a reason to hate me, but who knows... Maybe I'm worrying about nothing." He chuckled and shook his head. "To be fair, I usually am. I just don't want you to ever be in the position where they try to make you choose... because it'll kill me but I won't let you make that decision. They come first."

He looked up as the waiter came over and set the pedestal topped by an ice bucket and very nice looking bottle of champagne. He took two champagne flutes and poured a glass, offering it to Reno as he was taking the interest.

"Oh, no, I have no idea what I'm doing when I choose champagne," he admitted. "Seph, you're going to have to be guinea pig."

The waiter topped up the glass and poured another, jamming the bottle into the ice and then leaving them to it again.

Reno took the glass and sipped at it, nodding appreciatively. "You're right, it is fine," he smiled, setting the glass down again. He lifted Seph's hand to his cheek and leant against it slightly before kissing his fingers. "I promise to work on the not worrying - the rest seems to come much more easily to me."

He looked into Seph's eyes and smiled. "You know you're stuck with me now, right?"

"Then I'm glad we agree on that," Reno chuckled. "If I was the only one feeling that way this would be awkward right now."

He broke into a grin and took up the champagne flute and raised it slightly. "Come what may... at least we got a date out of it, and proved to each other than we can look like human beings before work - and children - runs us ragged."

He was teasing, of course. Seph looked good whether he was perfectly manicured or slightly dishevelled. There was nothing he could do that would stop him looking desirable in one fashion or another.

"You do realise that as much as I'm taking on your boys... Cerys is going to insist on sitting in your lap and braiding your hair until you want to cry, right?"