It's Quiet Uptown

Chapter Seventeen: First Date

A/N: Midterms season is approaching! For those who don't know, I'm an honors college student, so like the Hermione Granger I am, I am fervently studying for my tests. I will try my best to keep updating twice a week, but if I miss a day, you'll know why. 

Groff's POV

    After dithering for five days, I finally worked up the courage to ask Lin on a date. We were dating already, so I really didn't know why I had been nervous. The ecstatic squeal and kiss he gave me after I stammered out the invitation made it well worth it though.

    I'd probably spent at least an hour getting my suit and tie just right before gelling my hair perfectly. Everything had to be just right.

    When I'd finally finished, I sat in the living room and watched Sebastian play with his toys. He'd started crawling a few weeks ago, and had taken to calling me "Daddy" and Lin "Papa". That kid could make me fall to pieces with one smile.

    I was startled out of my thoughts as the door to Lin's room opened. Lin stood there, obviously nervous. For once, he wasn't wearing jeans and a suit jacket. He was decked out in a charcoal gray suit that sharply contrasted with his dark hair, set with a white shirt and a soft blue tie that matched my eyes.

    Even though we'd been dating for two weeks now, my stomach still felt weird and fluttery every time I laid my eyes on him. "Lin," I breathed. "You look amazing."

    His cheeks colored but he didn't look away, instead appraising me. "You look pretty cute yourself," he said.

    It was my turn to blush. I'd worn a deep blue suit matched with a bowtie in the same color, along with black dress shoes.

    Sebastian, who had previously been crawling around my shoes, squealed, "Papa!" and crawled as quickly as he could towards Lin. I smiled fondly at our son's antics.

    Lin hoisted Sebby up and kissed him on the nose. "Grandma's coming over soon, Sebby! You get to sleep over with your grandparents!" he cooed. "You ready to have fun?"

    Sebby burbled in affirmation.

    A short while after, Sebby was in the care of Lin's mom and we were in Lin's car on our way to Amélie, a nice Parisian restaurant. Lin still refused to let me drive, even though I hadn't been the one to get us in a wreck those few weeks ago. Lin kept one hand on the wheel and one linked with mine, making me ridiculously happy.

    We got obscenely lucky with a parking spot only a few feet away from the restaurant. But as we pulled up, a change stole over Lin. His eyebrows furrowed and his normally calm eyes turned stormy. Strange. I got out quickly and darted to the other side of the car in time to hold the door open for Lin.

    "Such a gentleman," he murmured but walked towards the restaurant without taking my hand. My eyebrows rose, but I shrugged and followed him through the doors.

    I'd called in for a reservation last week so we wouldn't have to wait for a table. We were led to a private room in the back by a starry-eyed waitress. I could tell that she wanted an autograph.

    When we'd reached our reserved room, I asked her kindly, "Do you want an autograph?"

    Blushing, she nodded emphatically. "Yes! I'm a huge Hamilton fan. King George is my favorite."

    I smiled at her as I signed a scrap of paper. "It's always nice to hear that someone's favorite isn't Alexander Hamilton. This man here steals all the attention."

    She beamed. I passed the pen and paper to Lin, who signed it. He was oddly subdued; he usually loved to chat with his fans.

    "So, I'm sorry if this sounds weird, but I watch like all the Ham4Hams and freaked out when I saw last weeks'," the waitress said breathlessly. "I cannot tell you how much I ship you guys!"