I Won't Lose To Her (ThomaxReader)

-3-

"Thoma!" I give him a smile and link our arms. "I'm glad they let you out today. I've made a dinner reservation. Unless you've eaten?" Maybe I should've said something about today's plan after all. I start walking towards the restaurant.

"Just so happens I haven't. I'm glad you made plans because I'm starving." We continue our walk, but the silence is starting to get awkward. He tries to get me to let go of his arm, but I don't let it go.

"Did you overhear what I said the other day Thoma?" He staggers a bit, but doesn't reply. "I see.." The awkward tension in the air is suffocating.

"I'm just glad to hear you don't hate me." He smiles blushing a bit. "I didn't want to come between you and Ayaka. Since the traveler went off to Sumeru she's been lonely.. even with me. I'm usually busy so I'm not of much help." She's been lonely? It's not much of a surprise really. I can't think of anything to say so I just nod.

Finally we arrive at the fancy restaurant. "Reservation under (Y/N)." The server leads us to an outside table, giving us a pretty view of the sunset. The way the sun shines on Thoma is beautiful. I stare for a few seconds too long and he starts looking awkward.

"Is there something on my face?" My eyes widen and I look back out to the sunset.

"No.. there's nothing." I bury my face in the menu. The chicken sounds good. Timmy's Creamy Chicken, hah.

"Uh.. (Y/N)," I peak over and see Thoma's looking at the menu too. "The prices are... expensive." Shit, I said I was broke.

"I got my paycheck from Liyue at last.. don't worry about the prices. I said it'd be my treat." It's not a lie.. the check arrived this morning, while it wasn't much, I wasn't broke in the first place.

"We could split it?" The drinks here sound good and look good, but their description.

"No. My treat Thoma. Don't worry about it." He pulls down the menu from my face. He looks worried. "Thoma." I angrily grumble. "Look, they give me a lot. Don't worry about it." I lift my menu back up to the drinks. I think I'll just get Dandelion wine.

The server comes over for our order. "I'll just get the egg salad and a lemonade. I'm not that hungry." He gives the server a sheepish smile. The salad probably isn't all that expensive. I sigh.

"I'll be having a steak, medium well," Hes going to have more than just a damned salad! "as well as the Timmy Cream Chicken dish please. As well as bottle of dandelion wine for the both of us." The server nods and leaves us with a bread basket. Delicious bread! I'd be stuffing my face if he wasn't here.

"The steak and chicken?" He questions. Is he dense? I roll my eyes.

"The steak is for you. You're not having a boring old salad! You said you were starving." I take another bite of the bread.

"It's expensive (Y/N)! I'd feel bad taking advantage of your generosity." Taking advantage? We're eating for archons sake!

"I said it was my treat! You're not taking advantage.. you're just being stupid." I immediately stop in my tracks. Maybe calling him names wasn't a good idea. I take a peek over to him. He's angrily pouting, looking towards the setting sun. He really is adorable. I eat my bread in silence. Operation heartbreak isn't going well. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Look, I spend a lot on myself, more than I should. The thing is that's it my choice. So don't feel bad about it." I eat some more of the bread. It's absolutely delicious. So light and fluffy. "Try some of the bread," I say with a filled mouth, "it's to die for." He looks over at me curiously. He takes a bite and his face lights up. It's adorable.

"It is really good." Not even a minute later it's all gone. "Mm.. maybe we should get some more." I chuckle.

"If we do we might just end up filling up on bread." I smile slightly at him. Suddenly his hand starts reaching over. His thumb glides over the corner of my lip.

"Bread crumbs." My ears are burning, but he's acting as if this was normal.

"I.. thanks." I look down at the empty bread basket. "So uh.. how often do you and Ayaka get out of the house?" I look out to the sunset. It's almost over. The red hue is beautiful, I can't help but smile.

"Almost never really. Again, busy. Both of us. Thanks to you she's not too alone now. But I already said that. We've been friends for a long time now but as we grew up we had more responsibilities." I can see his wide smile as he talks about her, out of the corner of my eye.

"Do you like her?" I look back over to him. He's taken aback by the question, but the blush that's spread over his face makes it obvious.

"I'm.. not sure. As a friend sure, but romantically.." He's not sure!? "That's a silly response, but there's so much going on in my head right now." I suppose he's too busy for romance.

"I see. I was just curious don't worry." I give him a reassuring smile. The waiter comes with the wine. He pours us a glass and I take a sip. "Ahh.. dandelion wine. Always a classic favorite." I take a longer sip and smile.

He cautiously picks up the glass. "I've never had any.." He takes a sip and immediately melts. "It's.. absolutely delicious." I raise my glass and slyly smile.