The Bouncer And The Librarian

41

Picnic reveal

In a weeks time was the earliest Dalia could arrange a time for herself, Balroy, her brother, her best friend and her best friend's sweetheart to the same place for an indoor winter picnic-and that was a real blessing. Her schoolwork would take a hit during the one evening off, but the boisterous woman wanted more than anything to be able to do a big reveal with all of her loved ones there. Balroy wore a jacket indoors to hide the Papasaurus Rex shirt even as the kitchen heated up to sweating temperatures. The bouncer was kept busy with odds and ends in the little room, chopping and flipping where directed in Dalia's organized chaos.

Lilith arrived with Megan in tow at one and immediately tugged Dalia from her station at the stove to introduce the two. "Dolly, Megan. Megan, Dolly," the school nurse prefaced with a smile. She knew they'd like each other, given the chance.

Dalia looked back when her friend entered, setting her knife down to wipe her hands on her apron. "Lilly!!" The mother-to-be beamed at the redhead. "Hello! It's sooo wonderful to finally meet you, Megan!" Without prompt, she stepped in to hug the woman, giggling excitedly.

Megan blinked in surprise, then laughed softly and patted the enthusiastic woman's back awkwardly. "It is very nice to meet you, Dalia, Lilith speaks very highly of you." When they parted, she smiled and looked over the little woman. Though her hair was frazzled and her apron was-Is that a lady bug?-she was still so beautiful. The short woman had a look about her that Megan thought was rare in this world. An innocence this city had tried and failed to strip from her. Megan chuckled softly. "Lilith. She's so cute." Dalia blushed. "Oh, well, thank you." She brushed a curled lock of hair back. "I look a little frazzled right now, we weren't expecting you until one." Dalia glanced at the clock on the stove, then did a double take. "It's already one?!"

Balroy snorted from where he dumped onions into a massive mixing bowl. They had woken early to prepare, but ended up distracting each other. Twice. Lilith peered into the kitchen, following the sound of cooking. "And is that Isuv-Nope. It is the biggest beefcake in the world." The school nurse looped her arm in Megan's and led her to the doorway. "Megan, this is Balroy. He's Dalia's beau."

The bouncer filled the little room so thoroughly, it was a testament to the couple's coordination that they'd gotten as much cooking done as they did while working in there at the same time. The big guy's hair was done up in a loose bun to keep stray strands from ending up in the picnic and he'd trimmed up his stubble. He nodded back towards the redhead shortly with a, "Hello. I would shake your hand, but-onion hands." He raised one as if to show Megan the contaminant and turned back to his current task. Few cooking dishes meant proportionally more dish washing between preparations.

Megan's eyes widened. Lilith really wasn't exaggerating! Her eyes traveled over the expanse of the massive man's back. "H-hello," she greeted before leaning into Lilith. "How does a person get like that?" she whispered. "Is he a body builder?!" The redhead blushed lightly when her whisper was found out as Dalia spoke up from behind, "If he is, it's a whole life he's keeping me away from." She snickered. "I'm not exactly sure how he can be so beefcake when he only works out three times a week, but he is and it's amazing."

The little Russian walked around them and up to her boyfriend. She stood beside him and rubbed both hands over the large log that was his arm. "It's so huge, isn't it?" Her lips pulled into a grin. "I loooove it!" Dalia motioned him to set down the knife before hugging the man from the side, trying and failing to wrap her arms fully around him. He patted her back awkwardly with his other hand before returning to his task. "Okay. I'm gonna help Ballyboo finish up cooking. You two make yourselves at home. Would you like any drinks?"