The song that changed my heart

The Date

Rody quickly stepped out of the shower. The freezing water dripped off his skin as he grabbed a towel. Quickly drying his body from the legs up. He didn't have any skin care products so he was just left with throwing on his clothes. He had chosen a dark green button up with black jeans that were quite tight on his form. Rody slung the towel over his shoulders hoping to catch any remaining water droplets in his hair, and to also avoid getting his shirt wet. He grabbed his hair brush and attempted to tame his wild locks. The water made it easier but he would still catch some knots that didn't want to move. After what felt like several minutes his hair was significantly less knotted. He brought the towel up to his head and dried any remaining water away. Returning his hair to its normal shape. He smiled at himself before rushing out. Grabbing his worn out brown shoes since they really were his only option. Unless he wanted to wear his sketchy waiter shoes. He did not. He grabbed his bike and made his way to the door. Locking the door behind him. He quickly biking down to Vincent's apartment. The building stood grand as he pedaled into the parking lot. He got off quickly and moved around until he found Vincent's car. He placed his bike next to it before walking inside. Making his way quickly to the elevator. Opening it up as a familiar elderly woman stepped off. Rody avoided eye contact as she stepped off. He quickly made his opening and stepped inside and quickly pressed the button to the second floor. The woman paused and turned around to look at him as the door shut. Rody wiped an invisible sweat off his brow as he breathed a sigh of relief. As the elevator moved up before stopping on the second floor. Rody practically skipped his way down to Vincent's apartment, hoping it was the right number he had knocked on. "One second." Vincent's voice said from the other side. Rody patiently waited before the door opened. Vincent walked out. He was dressed in a black button up shirt, under a gray dress vest, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. Rody looked him up and down as he locked the door before looking back at Rody. He paused for a minute before giving Rody a smirk. "So are you going to tell me where we are going or are you just going to stare at me?" Vincent said as Rody shook his head. "Uhm, yeah though we'll have to drive though." Rody replied as they began to walk towards the elevators again. "Okay I still need to know where we are going so I can drive us there. Unless you have a car." Vincent said as they got to the elevators. Rody looked away nervously. "I still want it to be a surprise." Rody muttered as he walked in with Vincent following shortly after. "Then you better be good at giving directions." Vincent replied as the door shut behind them.

The restaurant wasn't small, but it wasn't big by any means either. It had an outdoor patio where several people were seated. Fairy lights had been strung around the place, giving it an enchantice feeling. He looked over at Vincent, who seemed stunned. He looked back at Rody. "Are you sure you can afford a place like this?" Vincent asked as Rody nodded quickly. Truth be told he would probably be late on his bills this week. As it was still relatively expensive. He could see Vincent's face shift to discomfort, but seemed to mostly shrug it off. The two walked inside. At the front was a register, and two waiters behind the counter. "Hello, how many will be dining?" One waiter asked. "Two." Rody replied. "And would yall like to be seated outside or inside?" Rody looked back at Vincent. Vincent looked up at him getting the hint before looking back at the waiter. "Outside." Vincent replied as the waiter grabbed two menus, and two silverware packets wrapped in cloth napkins. "Follow me." He said as he walked further into the restaurant before leaving through a side door. He led them to an area of the patio that was sparsely crowded. He sat them at a table for two near the edge where they had bushes growing behind the fence. The fairy lights gave a romantic atmosphere that helped to subset any tension they felt. However it was clear there was still some tension from before. The two took the time to look at their menus before Rody placed his down and shot a glance at Vincent. He looked quite majestic from where he sat. The lights reflecting off his eyes. Giving them the appearance of stars in the night sky. Rody could feel a blush creep on his cheeks. Vincent placed his menu down and looked at him. Rody quickly looked away, but not quick enough for Vincent to not catch him. "What were you looking at?" Vincent asked softly. As Rody looked back. "You." He muttered as Vincent gave a small smile. Rody sighed before footsteps approached. It was the waiter from before. "What can I get you two to drink?" He asked as he held out a notepad and a pen. "I'll have water." Vincent replied. The waiter wrote it down. Before looking at Rody. "I'll also have water." He replied. The waiter wrote it down, nodded, and then walked away. Rody began to dig through his mind for things to say. Vincent looked left and right. Rody furrowed a brow, and tilted his head. Vincent seemed to have noticed his confusion. "I'm making sure people can't hear our conversation." He said in a hushed voice. "Why?" Rody asked. His voice equally as quiet. "Do you want to be assaulted for going on a date with a man?" Vincent replied back sarcastically. Rody shook his head. He knew not everybody would be okay if he revealed he went on a date with a man. But he didn't know people would actually assault them for something like that. "So if things get really flirty you want us to keep it down?" Rody asked as he leaned in closer. Vincent nodded. "So should we talk about boundaries?" Rody asked. Vincent raised a brow. "What?" Rody shrugged as he sat up a tad bit straighter. "You know stuff you are okay with, and not okay with." Rody replied as Vincent sighed. "I know what... Yeah, I think that would be wise." Vincent replied as Rody smiled. "So I guess, I'm okay with hand holding in public. I don't know about kissing in public though." Rody said as Vincent nodded. "That's fair, nothing is off the table for me. With the exception of public kissing as well." Vincent replied as Rody nodded with a smile. "See not too bad." Rody said as Vincent smiled. "I'll be honest I thought when you wanted to talk about boundaries, I thought we'd be talking about stuff in the bedroom." Rody turned bright red, and shot up. He was no virgin, but he wasn't really willing to go that far just yet. Especially since this was his first date. Vincent seemed to have noticed his discomfort. "Sorry that was a bit too early." Vincent said as Rody nodded. "Yeah, I'd like to wait a while before doing that." Rody replied as the waiter came back with their water. "Are y'all ready to order?" The two men looked at each other and nodded.

The night went far more smoothly than Rody could've expected. Most of their conversations were actually kind of nice. They talked about the different instruments they played. Many stories of Vincent's orchestra were told, and Rody sat through them all. Just starting into Vincent's eyes. Happily nodding along. To the point that he almost forgot to eat. It seemed Vincent was equally as uninterested in his food, but to a more noticeable degree. When he was halfway done with his food he had decided it was enough. "Are you sure you're full?" Rody asked. Vincent sighed as he taped his silverware on the plate. "Yes I am sure." He replied as their waiter approached. "Ready for the check?" He asked. "Yes sir." Rody replied. The waiter scurried off. Rody saw Vincent pull out his wallet. "You don't have to do that. I got it." Rody said as he pulled out his wallet. Counting out the euros. "Rody." His attention snapped up to Vincent. "You haven't worked for nearly a week. Are you going to have enough to pay your rent?" Vincent asked. His tone was quite serious. Rody couldn't hide a guilty expression as Vincent sighed. "At least let me pay for half." Vincent said Rody was about to protest, but it died in his throat as he saw the waiter approaching. Besides, Vincent was a stubborn man. He would not let up easily. The waiter placed the check book down before scurrying off to a different table. Looking down at the bill Rody felt slightly relieved that Vincent was offering to pay for half. Otherwise he would be missing rent that month. He pulled out for his half, and Vincent pulled out the amount for his half. The waiter came back and grabbed the book. They had paid the full amount without needing change so they left. Rody couldn't help but feel a tad bit bad. He tried to not let it get him down. Manon would've wanted something like this. At least for him to split the check, but Rody couldn't help but feel like a small failure. He was taught that it was the man's job to pay for the dates. Then again since they were both men how would that work? They both got into Vincent's car. Vincent fumbled in his pockets before pulling out a packet of cigarettes. "You don't mind." He asked. Rody shrugged. "Just open a window." He replied. Vincent reached over and went through the painful process of moving the lever down to roll the window down. Until the cool night air flooded into the car. Being interrupted by the smell of Vincent's lit cigarette. Rody didn't mind the smell of cigarettes. If Vincent liked them, who was he to judge? "So is there anything else you want to do?" Vincent asked. Rody shrugged. "Not that I can think of no." Vincent nodded as Rody leaned back against his seat. "Do you want to go back to my place and just relax?" Rody asked. Vincent took another huff. "I don't mind." He said as he placed the key in the slot, and started the car. Rody smiled as Vincent placed the cigarette back in his mouth, and pulled out of the parking lot.