Tailspin Anthology

Dinner Date

Christian and Jason join John and Sebastian for dinner.

Christian took a bite of the garden salad on his plate.

"The chicken shall be ready shortly as well as the side dishes." John announced as he took a seat at the table located in the dining area of his and Sebastian's townhouse.

"I didn't know you guys cooked." Christian spoke.

"We have been taking cooking classes with a couple of the neighbors." John explained. "Sebastian's uncle suggested we get to know a few of our fellow occupants and the Murphy's down the street were throwing the classes once a week."

"You're so lucky." Christian told him. "For the life of me I can't cook worth a darn."

"We could try teaching you if you like."

Jason spurt the wine he sipped. "Sorry." He dapped the table with his napkin as Christian pouted at him.

"He's that bad huh?" Sebastian asked Jason.

"You should see him attempting to make ramen noodles." Jason spoke.

"Isn't that where you boil noodles in a broth?"

Christian puffed his cheeks out. "I was in a hurry and forgot to add water that one time."

"If you say so." Jason told him smugly.

Christian's cheeks puffed with more gusto when John spoke, "I would still be willing to teach you if you wish so."

Christian calmed and tearfully said, "Thank you."

"You better have house insurance." Jason muttered to John.

Sebastian gave his husband a warning glance. "I shall take proper precautions." John assured him when they heard a ding coming from the kitchen.

"Allow me." Sebastian got up from his seat.

"Let me help with the other dishes." Jason offered as he stood up and followed Sebastian.

When they were out of ear-shot, "Tell me." Jason told Sebastian. "What convinced you two to have us over for dinner?"

"Why do you ask me that?" Sebastian inquired as he pulled the chicken out of the oven.

"Because you never ask us to come over for dinner."

Sebastian did a side glance. "It was John's idea." He admitted. "He thought it would be a good idea to socialize with other couples here and there."

Jason quirked a brow. "And you chose us? I mean, don't get me wrong but I thought you would invite couples more to your liking."

"To be honest, you two are our trial couple. We figured with Christian's outgoing personality and your straightforwardness it would make a good tryout."

Jason carried the other dishes. "I can't decide whether I am flattered or not. But I understand. Just don't tell Christian the reason why you invited us over."

"I wouldn't dare dream of it." Sebastian said as they left the kitchen to take the food to the dining table.

"Shall we dig in?" John announced after the food was placed down.

Christian beamed when he carved a piece of chicken and placed it on his plate then reached for the mashed potatoes and green beans.

"How's business going?" Jason asked John.

"Just the usual." John answered before taking a bite of his meal.

"Do you guys check out the different cities?" Christian asked his eldest brother.

"What do you mean?" John asked him.

"Do you guys go on tours or check out local attractions when you aren't working?"

"We dine at the restaurants of the hotels we stay at and shop at the gift shops."

"Any places you liked more than the others?"

"I liked them all the same."

"Really?"

"Really."

"That can't be true." Christian spoke. "There must be one place you liked better than the other."

John took a bite of food. "How has work been with you?"

"About the same." Christian answered. "Except that the copier keeps dying on me."

"That's because you keep pressing the wrong buttons." Sebastian chimed in.

"Or ran out of paper." Jason added. "I can't tell you how many times I had to help him figure it out when he would borrow the copier we have downstairs."

"Meanies." Christian muttered making John smile. "And don't you dare laugh." Christian threatened his blonde sibling.

When they finished eating the main course, lemon meringue pie was presented as dessert along with coffee.

"We apologize." John spoke. "We haven't had the chance to learn baking yet."

"That's fine." Jason told him. "Right Christian?"

Christian was already munching on a slice of pie. "Right." He murmured with food in his mouth.

"Christian." Jason gave his husband a stern look.

"Sorry." Christian dabbed his face with a napkin.

When dinner was finished an hour later, John and Sebastian were bidding Christian and Jason goodnight.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening." John told them.

"I would say dinner was a success. Don't you think?" Jason asked Sebastian more than John.

"Very." Sebastian replied. "It looks like your cab is here."

They looked out to see a yellow car approaching.

"Thanks for inviting us." Jason spoke.

"Thanks a lot." Christian said with to-go containers in the bag he's carrying. "And maybe you guys would like to join us for dinner sometime?"

"If you don't mind food being made from an air fryer." Jason spoke.

"It's still good food." Christian huffed out.

"We'd gladly join you two for dinner." John spoke for him and Sebastian.

Christian's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really. Now, you better not keep the cab driver waiting."

"We'll call you guys to let you know when you can come over." Jason told the couple.

"Sounds great."

"Yeah. Sounds great." Sebastian murmured making John wrap his arm around his waist.