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[Back in Amestris, Isaac had never had any trouble going on dates.

Oh sure, he had plenty of trouble actually getting dates, much less keeping them, but actually going out with someone was easy enough. He usually took his girlfriends to the movies, since that would spare him the embarrassment of saying something particularly stupid and for some reason, this was a socially acceptable way to spend time together without actually talking, so who was he to argue it? Isaac hadn't actually had a horrible date in quite some time; whether his past girlfriends would agree with that or not wasn't the point.

But things were different with Kimblee. Things had always been different with Kimblee, and they always would be different with him.

Of course Isaac was excited to go out on an actual date with Kimblee. That wasn't the problem. The problem wasn't even his social failures - Kimblee knew all about those and knew how to combat them as best as anyone really could. The problem was that Isaac was nervous. Things would go badly. Somehow or other, he knew that for a fact despite having no reason to believe it. Maybe it was that their idea of "dates" differed so wildly from one another's.

Isaac could honestly consider any time he spent with Kimblee to be a "date." It was spending time with someone he cared about. That was enough for him, but Kimblee preferred to actually go out and make a bigger deal of things. Isaac had wanted something more significant for Valentine's Day (and their ten month anniversary, which was the day before), but he hadn't realized it was going to involve... this.

"This" being dressing up and going out to an incredibly fancy restaurant. Isaac wasn't entirely sure what they'd do after that, but considering what had happened the last time they'd bothered dressing up and going on a date like this, he really couldn't say he was opposed.

It was just getting to the end of the night he was worrying about.

But Isaac was going to do his damn best to pull through, and that started with his appearance. He'd actually bothered shaving that morning, so at least that was done with, but he had a difficult time figuring out what to do with his hair. It would probably be easiest just to get it all sheared off, but he had grown so used to fighting with it longer that he'd probably find it weird to have short hair again. It had been nearly eight years since it had last been cut short (and back then, it had been more "shaved cat" than "short"). Isaac finally shrugged it off and tied it back in a ponytail, forgoing the usual second tie in favor of just one, tied further down on his neck than usual. His hair had grown out a bit since he had come to Johto; even down like this it fell past mid-back. He'd probably have to get a few inches chopped off at some point.

The suit he'd rented for the night (rented, not bought, since he was still pretty cheap and had no intention of buying a suit he'd only use maybe once or twice more in the next year) was black (white was Kimblee's color, and besides, Isaac didn't like wearing white) and a bit big on him (he was surprised they'd had suits in sizes even resembling his, so he didn't complain), but overall it looked nice enough. He had a dark green dress shirt under that, the top two buttons undone and Isaac had opted against bothering with a tie - it wasn't like he could get it on right anyway. Overall he looked a lot nicer than he normally did, but even so, he wasn't very comfortable in the nicer clothes, and even less comfortable in the city.

It had been nearly a year since he had died in Amestris, but that hadn't lessened his distrust of large cities any. He still avoided Goldenrod for the most part, but if this was what Kimblee wanted, he was more than happy to comply. Besides, he had a team of level 100 Pokémon on him. He doubted anything seriously bad could happen to him tonight. His luck wasn't that shitty, right?

Isaac stood in front of the restaurant where they were supposed to meet, back against the wall, one foot pressed against it. For the strangest reason, he wanted to smoke, despite the fact that he hadn't had a cigarette in almost seven years. Apparently this was making him far more anxious than he had thought.]

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[He's quiet for a moment after that; not displeased, just thinking.]

I still say it was nothing you couldn't do for yourself; you just didn't realize it at the moment.

Maybe. I was really out of my league there; I wouldn't have handled it well without you there. So thanks for that.

...it's good to know that it helped you, Isaac.

[His grip tightens again for a moment.]

I didn't realize, back in Amestris, that it would mean so much to you.

I didn't realize it would mean so much to me either. I mean, it didn't occur to me until after the war. But it really helped me get through it. I owe you a lot for that.

[Kimblee hesitates for a moment after that's out there, though again, there's no genuine displeasure registering; a bit of uncertainty, maybe, but that's about the extent of it.]

...you've more than repaid me, Isaac; you don't owe me anything.

[Isaac tips his head a bit at that, considering.]

Really?

[He doesn't see how. He can't think of anything he's done to help Kimblee out in a way even remotely comparable to the way Kimblee helped him.]

[Oh, come now, what is that for - ]

Yes, of course.

How so? I can't think of anything I've done that even comes close to it.

[...oh.

Well, there went the eye contact again, Kimblee's gaze darting back downward toward the table; it wasn't that he didn't have any examples, or any idea of what he wanted to say - he just didn't know how to put it into any sort of coherent phrasing.

Thankfully, he was saved from having to answer by the waiter's reappearing at the table with dinner; he shakes his head a bit as though clearing it before that soft smile returns.]

We'll discuss it later, Isaac. Afterwards.

[Isaac tips his head again, obviously curious but knowing better than to press it.]

Alright, Kimblee.

[Dinner continues normally and Isaac puts it out of his mind for the time being. The bill is ridiculously expensive, but it's one night out and they can afford it, after all.

Isaac waits until they're a good distance away from the restaurant before taking Kimblee's hand. He doesn't mind expressing affection in public, but it just feels weird when they're in the city like this. It's almost like they're being watched. He knows that's not the case, but...]

...What was it you were going to say in the restaurant?

[Now's as good a time as any to discuss that, right? It'll at least get his mind off the paranoia.]

[Kimblee isn't shy in accepting Isaac's hand in his; he's well beyond the point where he feels the need to be awkward about doing this with another man, although he can't pinpoint when, exactly, that sort of feeling stopped. Either way, though, this feels comfortable, and he's quick to lace his fingers through Isaac's, sidling a bit closer as he does so.

He had known better than to assume that Isaac would simply forget the awkwardness from earlier; unfortunately, he wasn't much closer to finding a way to say what it was that was on his mind. It was incredibly awkward in some ways, pride-killing in others; it involved admitting to things that he wasn't sure he wanted to really say out loud, much less acknowledge as being true in any way.

Just the same, however...he did want Isaac to know. For some reason.]

You've acknowledged yourself that I'm...different from most others. I don't experience things in the same way that most do; I don't often...feel very much at all. Not as I should, anyway. I'm aware of that; I always have been.

I've been told that I seem better around you, and I can see where that much is likely true; I tend to feel much better around you. You...make me happy, Isaac; I rarely am otherwise.

[He pauses for a moment before continuing.]

Ah, I'm likely not making much sense, am I? Just know that I don't think you owe me anything.

[Isaac doesn't stop walking, but he does tighten his grip on Kimblee's hand once he understands what Kimblee's trying to say.]

Yeah, I think I get it. You're just a bit different, that's all. That's never mattered to me.

[Sure, it would make things easier if Kimblee was "normal," but he's not. Isaac can deal with that. He's never seen it as a big deal. But apparently Kimblee does, and he's pleased to hear he can help Kimblee in some way.]

I'm really glad to hear that. You mean so much to me, it's great to hear that I can make you happy.

[While he's grateful for the reassurance, at least to some extent, Kimblee suspects that if Isaac knew the extent of it - not just what he was able to express in words and his more obvious questions, but the actual extent of what exactly seems to have gone wrong in his head - then it would matter far more than it seems to now. But that isn't anything he really wants to get into tonight; it's been a lovely evening. There's no sense in bringing up something like that, and so he doesn't even try to correct him.]

Yes, well. You take good care of me and all.

[...]

Even if that does involve trying to get me to eat leaves from time to time.

[He's obviously teasing, however~]

Hey, if I didn't, who would? Leaves are healthy for you!

[He's perfectly fine with the teasing obviously. After a moment he pulls on Kimblee's hand, coming to a stop. There isn't really any reason for it other than Isaac wanting to hug on Kimblee for a moment. He doesn't wait for permission, instead pulling Kimblee forward into a tight embrace. There aren't any words; he's just very thankful to have Kimblee.]

[Kimblee laughs a bit at that, quietly, though he seems content to not answer otherwise; in some ways he's expecting that light tug on his hand, the way Isaac pulls him closer, but that doesn't quite prevent him from flinching when Isaac embraces him. That's...more or less normal nowadays, however; what's a bit more unusual is the speed with which he manages to recover himself and return that hug. He's not clinging by a long shot, but it's obvious that he's incredibly comfortable; it's something he hadn't realized he'd wanting until Isaac was already initiating it.]

[It's probably a good thing Kimblee can't see the way Isaac lights up at that. The expression is sort of horrifying. He's perfectly content to hug on Kimblee forever, and the fact that Kimblee returned the hug so quickly isn't lost on him. Isaac's grip tightens for a moment before he seems to realize what he's doing and he loosens his grip a bit. No need to crush Kimblee, after all. ...Not that he thinks Kimblee's fragile or breakable or anything! But he's kind of... a giant and Kimblee's... not. So. Yes. It makes sense, shut up.]

[While he does find himself rather enjoying being held, for some reason he can't quite understand, he's somewhat grateful when Isaac's grip lightens up a bit; he's never really told Isaac about the recurring issues with his spine, after all, and he'd really prefer to not be put in traction. It's been getting better lately; his strength is building back up, and he's no longer...quite as frail, but at the same time, he isn't in the mood to tempt fate.

He shifts a little against Isaac, nuzzling into him a bit before he speaks, the words quiet but very clearly content.]

Back to the room, shall we...?

Yeah. Yeah, that sounds good.

[Isaac doesn't let go for a moment though; he's reluctant to, even though it's obvious that they'll continue this shortly. He just loves hugging on Kimblee like this for some reason he really doesn't want to ponder.

But he does pull away eventually, keeping his grip on Kimblee's hand and eagerly tugging the other alchemist along with him back to the room. Isaac isn't stupid enough to think that Kimblee doesn't have lodging here in Goldenrod, but he's also well aware that Kimblee won't let him know where it is. So for the time being, they're just going to have to make do with Isaac's hotel room. Good thing he went ahead and got that instead of deciding to Fly home.

The hotel room isn't much to write home about; the furnishings are modest and neat, functional, but certainly not impressive. The room itself wasn't very expensive, that much is probably pretty obvious. Again, it isn't that Isaac doesn't have the funds to afford something more high-class, it's just that he's so used to not having the money that he doesn't even consider the more expensive alternatives.

Besides, renting a room from a fancy hotel would just feel weird.

Isaac obviously doesn't care to admire the room's decor and instead shuts the door behind them, immediately hugging on Kimblee again. He really would be content hugging on his boyfriend for hours.]

[Oh, he's more than aware of Isaac's reluctance, and he's better prepared for Isaac pulling him into another embrace as soon as they make it to the hotel room. He settles almost immediately, returning it and cuddling into him tightly, tugging Isaac close against him. There's nothing sexual about the gesture, and he doesn't seem to be trying to push it any further; however, now that he's receiving it, he realizes exactly how much he's missed this sort of affection from Isaac. Of course, there's been Archer, but that's always been different in a way that he can't explain, and they've been rather distant with one another lately besides; as little as he wants to admit it, he's missed this greatly, and he's content to just cuddle with Isaac for a while.

He'll get his grip on himself eventually, surely, and he's fairly certain that he'll be at least somewhat embarrassed by this, but for the time being it's relaxing. Comforting in a way that he hadn't expected.

...it's nice, all right.]

[Kimblee normally isn't this receptive to cuddling, and Isaac does notice that after a moment. He's tempted to ask if something's wrong, but he thinks better of it. If there was something wrong, Kimblee would either tell him right away or refuse to acknowledge it. Asking wouldn't help matters any. No, he doubts that there's anything wrong, mostly because Kimblee isn't like other people. It's taken Kimblee this long to get used to cuddling like this, so Kimblee obviously isn't the sort to seek out physical affection when things are going badly.

Well, whatever it is, Isaac will do what he can to help. If Kimblee wants to be held forever, he's perfectly fine with that!]

...I hope you get done with work soon. I've missed you.

[...Isaac, let's just...not address that utter logic bomb up there, shall we?

At any rate, however, he relaxes a bit at Isaac's words, though he's more than content to continue cuddling; it's just a bit less...strangely desperate than before.]

Likewise, Isaac; it's good to spend time with you tonight.

[Shut up, his logic is flawless. :|

Isaac moves to play with Kimblee's hair, nodding a bit to himself.]

Yeah, it really is. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

[...oh, well, that's not fair; that hair-playing will pretty much guarantee that you'll get a bit of a pleased noise and instant nuzzling, you jerk. :| ]

...I'll see you again soon. I promise, all right?

[He does what he can~ And besides, the nuzzling is adorable, okay!]

I'm glad.

[He's content to leave it at that though, continuing to play with Kimblee's hair, which is far more amusing than their previous topic of conversation.]

[So unfair, Isaac; if you wanted another one of those very pleased noises then you...

...

...well, you're getting it, okay. :|

He doesn't try to pull away, though he's fairly sure he knows what Isaac is doing over there.]

Enjoying yourself?

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