LOCKED TO explosivecombat

[glaciates]

[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.]

Comments

[glaciates]

You always humor me, Kimblee. Of course I'd want to please you!

[explosivecombat]

[He continues running his hand along Isaac's arm; he's averted his gaze a bit, though he still seems rather pleased, if his expression is anything to judge by.]

You know I wouldn't still be here if I didn't want to be. You've been very good to me, Isaac.

[glaciates]

You've been really good to me too. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, at least!

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee is quiet for a moment after that, though that pleased expression still remains; his hand shifts a bit against Isaac's sleeve, absently toying with the fabric a bit between his fingers.]

As little as I'm genuinely fond of this place, I...well.

[...wow, seriously, the fabric here is really fascinating.]

I'm pleased that it's given me this opportunity. It's...

[He doesn't finish; it's almost overwhelming, how utterly true that is. It's also somewhat annoying, as it's making maintaining eye contact difficult, but still...]

[glaciates]

[Isaac is quiet, listening to Kimblee. He isn't very good at reading social cues, but he does understand that whatever it is Kimblee is trying to say is difficult for him. Isaac is content to wait.]

Yeah. I know what you mean.

[And he does. This place is a second chance for both of them. He tightens his grip on Kimblee's hand, still smiling.]

It's a bit difficult to express it, but I know exactly what you mean. I'm really glad we're here together.

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee is quiet for a moment, his own grip tightening when Isaac's does. He isn't relaxing, exactly, but he doesn't seem entirely displeased, either; he's decidedly less pleased with the sudden sense of warmth rising to his face, however, and it takes him a moment to realize that he's probably at least somewhat flushed, and just.

O-Oh. Well.

Damn it.]

Yes, of course...likewise...

[Damn it damn it damn it he almost never does this what the hell]

[glaciates]

[Isaac smiles at that, tightening his grip on Kimblee's hand.]

Hey, there's no need to be embarrassed about it.

[The teasing is light though; he knows better than to tease Kimblee too much. He doesn't want to upset Kimblee, after all.]

[explosivecombat]

I'm not...

[Except for the part where he totally is; congratulations, Isaac, you may have found the tsun.]

[glaciates]

[Oh my god, so cute!!!]

Yes you are! It's cute.

[explosivecombat]

[...WHAT]

I'm...sorry?

[HIS ENTIRE BRAIN, ISAAC...]

[glaciates]

You normally don't get flustered like this!

[So cute tho!!!]

[explosivecombat]

[LETO TAKE THE WHEEL oh my god why can't he stop]

I'm not flustered, and even if I were, it would hardly be cute.

[glaciates]

Yeah you are! And how would you know whether you're cute or not, huh?

[Teasing forever~]

[explosivecombat]

I...

[...HMPH.]

You're being ridiculous, you know.

[glaciates]

Aww, c'mon, I am not! You'd be doing the same thing if the situation was reversed.

[Just. Laughing a bit.]

And you don't need to pout, Kimblee!

[explosivecombat]

Were the situation reversed, you'd be finding it just as ridiculous, wouldn't you?

[...kiiiiiiiinda smirking at that, however.]

And I don't pout, Isaac.

[glaciates]

Well, yeah, true...

[ :|a ]

Yes you do! You were just doing it.

[explosivecombat]

I don't know what you're talking about~

[glaciates]

Yeah, sure you don't...

[explosivecombat]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you didn't believe me, Isaac.

[His tone is light, however, and he squeezes Isaac's hand gently as he says it.]

[glaciates]

Sometimes I'm not sure whether I should believe you.

[That's entirely teasing, however, and Isaac's back to grinning at Kimblee.]

[explosivecombat]

[...Isaac, that is actually really endearing.]

Well, you've given me the benefit of the doubt for a bit over a year now and I have yet to steer you horribly wrong.

[...and more than a bit stupid, let's be honest with ourselves, but endearing just the same.]

[glaciates]

[Maybe someday he'll realize....]

I guess I should thank you for that, huh?

[Though that's still teasing; Isaac can poke fun at himself as easily as he can at Kimblee. And let's be real, he really does need the guidance sometimes.]

[explosivecombat]

No thanks are necessary, really, as long as you don't mind others questioning your judgement; I doubt most would cite me as the best source of advice.

[glaciates]

Yeah, I know. But you've given me some pretty good advice over the years.