Miracle- Noah Sebastian (SEQUEL TO THE GREY)

eight

*Noah's POV*

I won't lie, time began to feel a little monotonous as the pandemic got worse. 

Things were going really good, but being so disconnected from society was really isolating, especially when you're used to performing for a living. Musically, we've been really productive, but the days have started to blur together. 

Sutton and I are doing really great. We spend every other day together, alternating between places, and getting more and more comfortable over time with each other. I'll admit, we both really want to have sex at this point, but both just feel weird about having roommates constantly home. When we were first together, she lived at home, so it wasn't an issue at all, but this is very different. Plus the dynamics of all of the roommates? Awkward. 

I decided to go all out for her birthday, which got here way too soon. Not only did she deserve it because she's incredible, but she deserves it because of all of the work she has done for us this year. We had done the restock of her merch line and it sold out again, in much bigger numbers this time with a couple of more designs included. 

I picked her up, only having told her to dress nice and to pack an overnight bag for two days. I showed up in my black slacks, black button up, and black dress shoes. When she opened the door, she was in a black velvet dress and heels, looking absolutely incredible. She had her duffle bag over her shoulder, but I took it from her and gave her a kiss before she locked the door behind her. "You look stunning," I said as soon as I pulled away, loving her smile after I said it.

"You look amazing, yourself," she mused. I led her to my car, opening the passenger side for her before putting her bag in the back seat and going to get in the driver's side. "So where are we going?" she asked with a small smile. 

"I found this cool restaurant called Bestia, so that's our first stop," I said with a grin, just in awe that I landed her. It was only a 10 minute drive from her place, but the parking deck was a fucking nightmare, as they always are. 

It's now September and things are opened back up on a restricted level. For example, masks are required to enter all businesses where we live, but it just depends on where you live in the U.S. California is always going to be more progressive, so I foresee it being like this for a long time. 

We threw on our masks as we exited the parking deck, us holding hands as we walked the two blocks to the restaurant. I told the host my name for the reservation and she led us to our table, us taking off our masks once we sat down. The inside was really cool and industrial, so it didn't feel too stiff and formal in here. Sutton gave me an appreciative smile before taking time to look over the menu, me doing the same. It was a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company and not feeling like we had to make constant conversation. We ordered our food and just asked our server to surprise us with wine pairings for the dishes that we ordered, both of us being indecisive on what to order. 

"This place is incredible," she started. 

I smiled a little bit. "I thought so too," I said as I took a nervous sip of water; she doesn't make me nervous anymore, but being in public like this after being quarantined for so long was really weird. The server came back with our wines, pitching them to us, but it honestly went in one ear and out the other; I was grateful for a distraction. 

"So what else do you have planned for tonight?" she tried to pry out of me while giving me eyes as she took a sip of her wine.

"That kills the fun of it, doesn't it?" I responded, doing the same back to her, making her pout. "Let me have one surprise for you, please?" I pleaded. 

"Fine," she gave up, relaxing her pout some. "Thank you, in advance," she said kindly.

"Anything for you," I said, relaxing some as I gestured for a toast. "I hope that 24 is your best year yet," I said with a smile, her smiling and toasting me. Our food came out and we ate happily, this definitely topping Gerschwins. By the time we finished our meal, we sat back, way too full and happy. Nothing conversationally pivotal happened tonight, but the food was transformative.