It's Just You And Me

Chapter 7

The rest of the week had been mostly quiet; Mew couldn't make it to football practice on Thursday and Gulf didn't let it bother him. They hadn't messaged as much as either of them had expected, especially considering their advances to a date. Mew had been busy with work - as per usual - trying to sort out the ordeal with the loss of that company. Gulf kept himself occupied for the remainder of that week, sorting through all his university files and textbooks he would never use again after graduation. The end of university was in sight and the end of the tunnel had never looked so blurry. He didn't know what was next, he had pushed the thought of working so far back into his head that getting a real job seemed unreal - he had got by university doing odd jobs like coaching ten-year-olds and cleaning stadiums after big games but nothing that required his ultimate commitment.

Mew had sent him a text message exactly at seven to say he was outside. Gulf had hurried to run down the stairs of the building after deciding the elevator would take too long. He had almost tripped numerous times and he was relieved when he made it out the front doors. Gulf walked into the car park and was immediately met with Mew as he leant against the car door. He was still in his suit and Gulf suddenly felt incredibly underdressed - he was only in a pair of jeans and a hoodie. "Hey!" Mew greets him, waving a hand and watching as Gulf mirrors him.

"Hey, sorry I should have dressed nicer, I wasn't sure what to wear," Gulf instantly says. It was true, he hadn't known what to wear, Mew hadn't told him much about where they were going other than it was pretty chilled. So Gulf dressed 'pretty chilled.'

"Oh no no, you're fine, I've come straight from the office so I didn't get a chance to change." Mew laughs it off. Gulf's about to ask if he wants to make a stop to change or even borrow his clothes but before he gets a word out, Mew's opening the car door and sliding in. Maybe it had been a long day.

The restaurant was not what Gulf had expected. They were sat under a large gazebo, fairy lights hung along the edges casting light shades of purple onto the faces of those sat below. It was pleasant; several other tables were occupied around them but nobody blinked an eye at Mew. The kitchen area was visible to the guests and Gulf enjoyed watching the elderly pair busy themselves with orders - they reminded him of his grandparents; cooking side by side with an endearing smile. Mew noticed how Gulf had been looking over his shoulder rather than at him as they scanned through the menu. "They're sweet, aren't they?" Mew smiles softly as he turns his head to give them a glance. Gulf looks back at Mew, nodding his head. "What do you want to eat? I'll go and order." Gulf had protested over Mew paying for quite some time but was forced to give in when the man walked away from their table and handed over his card.

"Anyway," Mew begins, sitting back in his seat and laughing at the look on Gulf's face; he was pouting and Mew could only assume it was from him not letting Gulf pay. "How has your day been?" Mew tries to get the other to stop pouting but Gulf just looks to the side and makes a huffing noise. "Gulf, are you mad 'cause I didn't let you pay?" Mew's holding back laughter, trying to take it as seriously as Gulf was.

"Maybe," The other replies. Still pouting. It was childish and pathetic but he was truly put out that Mew wouldn't even let him buy drinks.

"It's fine, you can pay me back with something else." Mew gives him a sly look. Gulf pretends to think really hard about what Mew was saying - bringing a finger to his lips as he plays dumb.

"Something else?" He raises a brow, testing how far he could take this. Mew responds by pressing his foot against Gulf's ankle and travelling up his calf.

"I think you know." And just as those words fall out his mouth, the woman is standing before them, laying their food onto the table and greeting them with the kindest, warmest, most grandmotherly smile. They both thank her as if their previous conversation hadn't happened.