New York Nights - Rosénali

02 | Dinner

Now at the dinner table, Rosé and Denali hadn't spoken a word to the other, simply shaking hands (with a forced smile from Denali). The two sat across from each other, avoiding eye contact in complete silence. "Oh no!" came Jackie's voice from the kitchen, "I must've forgotten an ingredient! I'll have to run to the store to get it..." Denali soon heard the click-clack of Jackie's heels on their floor as she grabbed her purse. She saw Jan follow shortly, "I'll come with you!" she said, lightly touching Jackie's arm. Jackie eagerly nodded, and the two turned to leave. "Have fun you two! Rosé, don't bite!" Jan called out, sending her sister a wink as the apartment door closed.

Rosé cleared her throat, "Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom." She pushed out of her chair to leave, at the same time Denali shot up from her seat, her chair falling, and pinned the pink woman against the wall. "I don't know what you think you're doing," Denali snarled, "but you and your sister leave Jackie out of this. I don't know how you found out my identity, but-"

"Jan doesn't have anything to do with this, and I didn't know you'd be the same woman trying to kill me yesterday."

"I wasn't trying to kill you!"

"Could've fooled me, Blondie." Rosé teased.

"You're one to talk! You shot giant blasts of energy at me! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID TO ME!" Denali shouted, pulling her dress up to expose her bandages.

"Woah there, slow your roll. This is only our first date, let's try and make it through dinner first."

Denali groaned and rubbed her temples, "God fucking damn it, of course this would happen." she grumbled. "Listen, I'm not thrilled about this either..." Rosé examined her nails, "but now we know each other's identities. Obviously, I don't want to be outed, and neither do you." Denali paused for a moment, "And?" she questioned. "I'm suggesting we play nice for tonight- give Jan and Jackie a nice date, and then we'll never have to see each other again!" Denali considered her words for a moment.

"Fine. But if I see you out, I'm taking you down."

"If you can catch me!" Rosé sent her a wink as she brushed past Denali towards the bathroom.

Denali made a sound of frustration, trying to ignore the blush rising to her cheeks. It seemed Rosé knew just how to push her buttons- and she hated it. She balled her fists up and tried to push down the emotions she was feeling- she had to try and act normal, for Jackie's sake. Jackie had done so much for her, she seemed so interested in Jan- Denali couldn't mess that up, no matter how much she wanted to throw Rosé into the nearest ocean.

-

Jan and Jackie arrived back at the apartment ten minutes later, with some vegetables Denali swore she had seen in the pantry earlier today. By that time, Rosé had returned to the table. the two had been making small talk when the others returned. "Denali, could you come and help me with this real quick?" Jackie called from the kitchen. Denali rose from her seat as Jan slid into the seat next to Rosé, whispering into her ear.

"Could you cut those carrots up for me?" Jackie turned over her shoulder. Denali nodded, grabbed a knife from a nearby drawer, and began cutting. "Soooo," Jackie quietly chirped, "how's Rosé?" Denali froze for a second, before remembering the promise. "She's...she's cool." Denali managed to grit out, shifting all of her focus to slicing the carrots. She heard Jackie hum, "Did she tell you she's a singer? She performs at some of the downtown nightclubs!" Denali rolled her eyes, 'Of course,' she thought, 'why wouldn't she be a singer? An overconfident asshole, it fits the vibe.' "She didn't actually! That's so interesting!" She plastered a fake smile on.

She finished chopping the carrots, slid them over to Jackie, and cleaned the knife. "Thanks 'Nali!" Jackie smiled at her as she put her dish in the oven, "Dinner will be ready in about...45 minutes!" Jan bounced over to Jackie's side, took her arm, and whispered something in her ear. "That's a great idea!" Jackie flushed, "Jan suggests we should play some games!"