We'll Meet Again

Chapter Four: Some Enchanted Evening

Vox was pacing in the hotel lobby again. He recalled from last time that Alastor was a right-on-time sort of person so he didn't start pacing til later. It made little difference, however since he had not done anything all day except shop for shoes and wait for this moment. He looked himself over in one of the mirrors in the lobby and fixed a few hairs that had fallen astray. He checked his watch and paced to one end of the room. He checked the clock on the wall and paced to the other end of the room. The clock struck seven and Vox whipped his head around to the door. It opened promptly and Alastor strode in confidently, snuffing his cigarette in an ashtray by the door. His black suit and waistcoat seemed tailored to accentuate rather than hide his slender waist. His crimson pocket square was elaborately folded and matched his crimson silk tie. Vox stood stock still, he knew he was staring but couldn't seem to stop. Alastor spotted him and walked towards him, a cheeky grin blooming on his pretty face. He reached out and cupped a curled finger under Vox's chin and lifted. Vox felt his mouth close, his teeth snapping together with a small click.

"Better close that, you will catch a fly. Are you ready?"

Vox stammered and felt himself blush furiously.

"I, uh, yes. Yes I am"

The pair left the hotel and walked a few blocks to a restaurant. Alastor gave his name for a reservation and they were led to a table more or less off to itself. Vox sat and looked around at the other tables, all sat with plenty of space between them, giving a measure of privacy. He quickly buried his face in the menu to hide the fresh blush he felt creeping up. Alastor spoke smoothly sounding a touch amused.

"The steak here is great and I strongly recommend the baked potato."

Vox lowered the menu to look at him. He had a warm smile on his face that made Vox want to melt a little. He quirked an eyebrow at Alastor.

"Not very traditional."

Alastor chuckled a little and placed his menu at the edge of the table out of the way.

"No, but you have a full week ahead of you to try the local fair. I thought you might enjoy this as a change of pace."

The waiter greeted them with bread and took their orders. He took the menus and rushed off to put the order in. This restaurant was calm compared to any of the others Vox had visited in the city. The only pervasive sound was a violin playing somewhere on the other side of the restaurant. The mood was quite romantic, Vox caught himself wondering if that was purposeful on Alastor's part. Vox tried to inject an energy that gave off sincere question rather than petty small talk.

"How was your week Alastor?"

The tone of the reply gave him hope that it landed as intended.

"Not bad, if I don't consider the brief interlude of babysitting you."

Vox laughed, genuinely pleased. Banter is something he could manage.

"Fuck you Alastor, sorry to break you out of your, "up with the chickens in bed with the sun," Grandpa shtick."

Alastor gasped and feigned offense.

"How dare you sir, I will have you know I stay up past dark at least twice a week."

Vox chortled a smile growing on his face.

"My goodness, what will the other old ladies at Bridge Club think?"

Alastor broke, letting out a bray of laughter and giving that beautiful smile Vox was so fond of. The two pulled themselves together as their waiter approached with their food. It looked good, the sear on Vox's porterhouse was excellent, the center a perfect mid-rare on both sides of the bone. The reddish hue in the center of Alastor's filet made Vox feel a little queasy but he looked pleased by it. As they set to their meals, Vox noticed for the first time the delicate way Alastor handled his utensils. It was oddly fussy and almost theatrically feminine. He notes this in his mental checklist of homo-suspicious behavior, which was getting lengthy at this point. The meal complete, Alastor recommended they forgo dessert, and again paid the check before Vox could. He protested playfully.