Blank Space °°Brallon/Ryden°°

°3°

Dallon fiddled with his bowtie, nervously. He was leaving to meet Brendon in just a few minutes, and he could feel his nerves eating him away. He had half a nerve to call Breezy and let it all out, but she had informed him that she would be sneaking out for a midnight movie showing with Sara last night. She probably wasn't even awake yet.

"It's fine." Dallon assured himself, "I mean, there has to be something if he sparked the conversation and date idea... Date, meeting, it's not a date..."

Dallon left his room silently, hoping to not run into any of the house staff. It wasn't hard. He hurried into the garage and, instead of settling for one of the cars, grabbed a bicycle. He walked it through the back door and around to the front before climbing on it and setting off.

The café that Brendon had suggested wasn't that far of a ride at all. It thankfully didn't give Dallon too much time to over think between checking his surroundings, squinting through the chilled morning air, and avoiding getting hit by a car. Although, he knew he had to look a bit ridiculous; a guy in a nice suit riding a bicycle wasn't something you saw everyday.

He slowed his speed as he made it to the front of the Mona Lisa café. He thought about the interesting title choice as he locked his bike on the short rack outside. When he stood upright and turned to go inside, he felt himself freeze.

Brendon was already there. He was pushing fingers through his hair with one hand and spinning a spoon in a cup of coffee with the other. He wore a simple dark shirt with a slight v to the neck line. He just looked so casual and, honestly, a lot better than his profile picture. He still had that same stubble along his chin that accented his face in a perfect way. Dallon felt his heart thud against his chest. They hadn't even talked yet, and this was the effect Dallon was feeling?

It took a moment for Dallon to regain his composure and make his way across the sidewalk. He tightened his bowtie and sucked in a breath before entering the small café. A soft tinkling of a bell filled the warm air inside, earning Dallon several short looks. The one that lingered was the one that made Dallon's breath catch.

Coffee brown eyes looked him up and down. A warm smile spread across Brendon's face as he gave Dallon a small wave and a gesture to come over. Dallon's feet moved without much thought, and he quickly found himself upon the table that Brendon was sitting at.

"Well, you're taller in person." Brendon said, resting his tilted head on his propped up arm. He extended his free hand while still looking Dallon over, "I'm Brendon."

"I'm Dallon." Dallon replied, extending his own hand to place in Brendon's grip. Their hands locked and Dallon was taken a bit off guard by Brendon's tight hold.

"I bought you a warm drink, I hope you don't mind." Brendon said, suddenly releasing Dallon's hand from the shake.

Dallon blinked rapidly, feeling as if he was registering everything so much slower than it was happening. "Oh, thank you! That's very kind of you."

"Kindness is my middle name." The corner of Brendon's mouth curved up into a lopsided smile. His eyes glanced down at the chair before up to Dallon's eyes. "Would you like to sit?"

"Oh, Yea..." Dallon mumbled as he pulled out the chair across from Brendon. Wasn't this going well; he had already made himself feel a bit stupid in front of this good looking guy. "So, the Mona Lisa Café?"

"One of my favorite ironic things," Brendon laughed, "You pay to see her frown." He pointed to a wall at a copy of the famous painting that Dallon hadn't noticed before. "Usually, you pay for the exact opposite. In her case, however, you want to look at that famous frown."

"So, you're big on art?" Dallon asked, turning back to Brendon.

Brendon nodded. "I love the different ways people choose to express themselves. Everyone has their own version of art, and it's fascinating."