Love Is in the air.

5. First date yeah?

Clark saw him come through the doors of the bar and stood, lifting her bag from the chair as his eyebrows crinkled questioningly.
"You're leaving? I'm sorry for making you wait for lon-"

"Let's try that first date, yeah?"

She watched as Pierce's eyes shot wide, his mouth gaping before he quickly nodded and started following her. The both of them walked out of the warmth of the bar, him asking curiously.
"Where are we going?"
"Dunno."

Clark had no idea what to do for a first date, she didn't want it to be a big deal so she turned to him and smiled softly, feeling the cold nip at her nose.

"Let's just walk, and see where it goes."
They were quiet at first, both avoiding looking at each other's ways until eventually, they fell into the same pace side by side almost touching hands. They were still silent but the air was peaceful between them and Clark could even feel the slight heat from his hand, a reddening appearing on her cheeks.

"Are you cold?"

It was just coming into summer but the air was still chilly, especially at night, but she didn't want to complain so instead of letting her voice betray her she shook her head.
Eventually, the two came by a little evening cafe, grabbing a hot drink which instantly made the two cozier walking around. Clark only ever drank hot chocolate or tea but despite having had the sweet chocolate drink earlier that day, she decided to have another one. It seemed appropriate in her mind, Pierce had the same.

"How was work?"
Pierce hummed at her question, holding his hot chocolate close to his face.

"Long, I mostly do drinks and when people don't order drinks I just stand there."
"And your exam?"
"It was good I think, I finished pretty quickly but won't know the results for a while, how was your day?"

Clark lifted her hot chocolate to her lips, smiling as she thought about it.
"It was good, I got a lot more done today than I expected to."

They both drifted into another peaceful silence as they walked down the street, the streets were almost abandoned which made every step against the floor sound ten times louder but it didn't bother them much. It was a while in between conversations when Clark noticed Pierce seemed slower, tilting her head at him.

"Are you okay?"

He tried to grin but it came out as a grimace instead, lifting his foot a bit.
"Standing for long hours today without a lot of orders, my feet are not happy."

She wanted to slap her forehead as he spoke, a walk for a date was probably the last thing he had wanted after a long day of work. Clark looked around and internally screamed, they were close to her apartment but she wasn't entirely thrilled at the idea.
But, Pierce had been so sweet and there wasn't a real reason to not go there, she could always kick him out if he tried anything.

Slipping her hand into his, which sent a barely visible shiver down her back, she gently started leading him down the road. Stopped only when outside her door, looking up into his eyes with her most serious face she could make.

"Do not. Attempt anything. And don't get used to this."

Pursing her lips into a thin line she opened the door to her flat, Edie ran towards the door and only stopped for a moment to sniff the new person in his home.
Surprising her she had expected Dr. Edison to at least growl at Pierce but instead, the golden boy started licking his hand and jumping up for strokes, Pierce laughed deeply and rubbed Edie's head.

"And who is this?"
"Dr. Edison, Edie for short."

They both walked further in and pulled their coats off, Clark began sliding her shoes off and chucking her bag onto the sofa and then herself into her usual corner. Pierce only took a seat next to her when she gestured for him to sit, groaning lightly after removing his trainers and easing into the cushions.
"You sure this is okay? I don't want to intrude."

As he finished asking, Edie jumped up into the little space beside Pierce and curled up into his side which made her smile. Clark released the last bit of uneasiness in her shoulders,
"I'm sure, Edie is a great judge of character and he has just given me his seal of approval."

It was true, if it had been any other guy Clark was sure Edie would be growling and nipping at their feet when getting any closer to their home like he had done many times before. She now relied on him to judge everyone she met, he's never led her astray.
Clark turned on the Tv and rubbed her arm unconsciously,

"What would you like to watch? A movie?"
"Sure."

She scanned through all the movies until they both saw one they liked, and her head turned to the kitchen.
"If you want some popcorn to feel free to make some or maybe some snacks? Do you want a drink?"

Pierce shook his head thanking her as the movie started, but for some reason, Clark couldn't focus on it at all. Her mind was reeling at the fact that he was in her living room, right next to her and she could feel his warmth.
She wondered what he was thinking about if he was actually focused on the movie. Her senses were on alert, every small thing seeming a million times more.
The feeling of holding his hand before was plaguing her mind, it was stupid to obsess over it she knew but couldn't help herself.

Clark barely realized she had leaned into his side until feeling his shoulder against her cheek, her face turning bright as she looked up at him apologetically.
"Sorry!"

"Don't be."