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Aphismet didn't normally get invited on Rivener's outings anymore, so he'd been more than pleased when the Scorpion asked him to take him somewhere. His baffled reply of Wh-what? Why? had been met with a sly smirk, and Rivener had casually said that he just wanted to spend more time together. The important question had then become what are we going to be doing, exactly? And after a while of discussing things, Rivener had said he wanted to try eating some food. But not food Aphismet made; he wanted to try something ELSE first, get used to eating, and THEN he'd try Aphi's cooking. The chef had been more than happy to oblige.

And so they'd randomly ended up in a small strip mall area, heading for a coffee shop Aphismet recalled having particular good snacks. He'd received Munchies from Alex there, so long ago. The little girl now ruled the house as a Queen should, bending all the other local pets to her whims. That brought Aphismet to thinking about Alex, and he seemed rather distracted as he walked.

Rivener had his MP3 player along, buds in his long ears, listening to J-rock that Vyn had recommended. He wasn't paying much attention to his guardian just yet, the pair of them would have more than enough time to talk when they sat at the coffee shop to eat. The trip there might as well be silent so they didn't run out of things to say.

As the pair turned the last corner towards the shop, Rivener's eyes almost instantly found Zul, as though drawn there. He grinned widely and instantly pulled the earphones out, shoving them and his player into a pocket, smoothing down his jacket and pausing in front of a window to fix his hair and make sure he was as damned dashing as he could.

Aphismet stopped, confused as to why his Raevan was suddenly primping like a girl about to see her crush. "What are you doing?"

Rivener just straightened and motioned towards the shop with his chin, clearing his throat.

Aphi's dark eyes slid back over and scoured the populace on the terrace, spotting Zul and- gasp!- Alex! The chef blushed a dark crimson and he looked down at himself; faded blue jeans, his comfiest t-shirt, a loose zip-up sleeveless fleece vest, and old, ugly sneakers. He turned to the window and did exactly what Rivener'd been doing, garnering a chuckle from the Raevan. s**t s**t s**t s**t... Aphi didn't know how to act, he wasn't ready for this! It didn't come naturally to him!

"Want a little liquid encouragement?" Rivener asked mockingly.

"Very funny. Ok, it's not a big deal. It's not. It's just people having a drink. That's all. No big deal." Clearing his throat and trying to look casual (hard to do when your hands were wringing the ends of your jacket), Aphismet walked forward.

Rivener followed behind, keeping his head turned up and looking as regal and impressive as he could, oozing presence and confidence. Heh, I'm a Sigel now. He's going to be FLOORED.

"Ah, A-Alex, hi!" Aphismet began as soon as he was within earshot, walking towards the two. "What a weird coincidence, meeting here again!" He chuckled slightly, just a tad uneasy.

Aphismet's eyes widened in surprise as Alex barreled forward to wrap him up in her usual hug, kissing his cheek. Slightly more uncomfortable than his friend, Aphi hugged back tentatively before letting go so they could talk. His face was colored a permanent shade of red, although he tried to play it off as quickly as possible. Alex was apparently not making a big deal out of their so-called "date", so Aphi shouldn't either.

"Ah, erm, yes, it's quite the coincidence. We just came here for some of their cakes and quiches and whatnot, whatever Riv wants to try... I certainly didn't think I'd see you here! I mean, you might come here sometimes, of course, I just meant it's weird that we're both here together. I MEAN at the same time. Hahah." Oh god, that nervous chuckle was pathetic. Aphi looked aside and brought a hand up behind his neck, scratching at his hair. "S-so, that's what brings us here. F-food. What about you, what brings YOU here?" Too engrossed in trying not to make a complete a** of himself, Aphismet forgot to check up on Rivener and Zul, barely remembering what had occurred at the end of the date last time. Aphi's main memory from then had been the thorough talking-to Rivener got on the way home about poisoning people with aphrodisiacs...

Rivener couldn't have asked for a better reaction. Zul had been struck breathless, staring, looking like he was beholding a GOD or something. It was damned hard not to let that go to the Scorpion's head, and he tried mightily to suppress his natural urge to gloat and show off and bask in his own vanity. No, he had to be charismatic, personable, utterly incredible so that people will praise him again and again, enjoying his character just as much as his physical beauty. But urgh, was it ever hard!

Especially in the next few moments, as Zul floated forward to shower Rivener with even more compliments and attention. That hand that touched at Rivener's new abdomen sent an unfamiliar tingle through the longer spine, making Riv's lips part in a soft gasp. He curled those lips up into a grateful (and somewhat confident) smile an instant later, red eyes glittering with appreciation for Zul's words, his actions.

"Mmmmhhh," Riv purred softly at the kiss on his jaw, grinning at the demon-frei who had, Rivener just noticed, chosen to float slightly lower this time. "I'm so glad you like, Zuuuuuuul... I thought of you instantly the moment I grew, you know why? I can actually take my clothes off now. All I end up wearing are these belts... Wanna see?" Tilting his head slightly, Rivener thumbed at the cord holding his jacket closed, completely unconcerned by the fact that they were being watched by all the patrons on the terrasse and quite a few passers-by as well.

Aphismet blinked back over with a sheepish smile as Alex explained that they'd been buying things, lifting the bag. Ah, so it was indeed quite a coincidence that they met here! The italian could easily have just walked right by, or not stopped at all, or stopped somewhere else! Just as the chef was pondering all this, Alex hesitantly began asking if they could join each other, all sitting together... stuttering? Alex, stuttering?! She was always such a composed, easygoing person! ...Was she as awkward about what Aphismet still considered a date as he was?

Well, at least hearing her stutter made Aphi feel a little less like a complete idiot, since he wasn't the only one a little confused about things, apparently. He could smile with a bit more sincerity. "If you don't mind, that'd be great! I'd intended on call-... er..." He blushed darkly, clearing his throat and looking aside with a nervous chuckle. Way to start a conversation, moron, he berated himself. "..S-so, you've been busy at work a lot? Does the Lab keep you busy? Isi tells me he sees you a lot, maybe I'm a tiny little bit, erm... jealous?" Taking a seat, Aphismet blushed even darker, stunned that he'd summoned up the courage to SAY that.

Rivener felt his pride expand at Zul's words, and at the look he was receiving from the demon-frei's striking blue eyes. He waited until Zul had moved enough away that he could watch easily, and then he slowly undid the cord from the front of his jacket, looking down at it as though it was the most interesting thing in the world, feigning complete ignorance of the other pair of eyes watching. The only sign that he knew Zul was looking was the slight up-turn to one corner of his lips.

The cord was stuffed into a pocket and Rivener rolled his shoulders, shrugging out of the jacket and letting it drop from his arms to hold it in one clawed hand. Good thing it was nice and warm-ish today if you stayed out of the wind. Riv would easily claim he was only sunning himself if Aphismet put up a fuss about the sudden amount of skin he was showing. Not that the Scorpion was sparing many thoughts for his guardian right now (or for the handful of other patrons staring with wide eyes). Ruby orbs flitted up to focus on Zul again, the Sigel's free hand sliding up his own abdomen to prop at his hip, posing in that way he'd practiced, the way that looked completely casual and yet absolutely stunning. In his own opinion, at least.

"You like?" he asked, tilting his head up and shooting the frei a sultry, honey-coated smirk.

Aphismet couldn't believe this was ALEX he was talking to. She seemed so different from what Aphi remembered! She was shy, even stuttering, trying to play off her discomfort with smiles and friendly words. The chef felt his own confidence returning stronger. If he had been faced with the usual teasing, sure-of-herself Alex, surely the chef would have felt like such a giant fool that his own stuttering and hesitation would have only gotten worse. Like this, though, Aphismet could slowly go back to being his normal self, the one who might maybe be a tiny bit more attractive to someone like her...

"Hahah, Isi would like to hit a LOT of people over the head sometimes. Even me. He likes you too, sometimes he talks about you and the other lab folks at home. I'm glad he got hired there; I was often worried he'd turn into a grumpy hermit and pushed him to try and get a job, which he wanted nothing to do with. But he had the idea of volunteering for Dr Kyou, and I'm so glad it's working out!"

She continued talking, offering off-hand that he should feel free to visit, stunning the white-haired chef with the sudden declaration that Kyou liked him. They'd hardly ever met, and had only really spoken once that time at Alex's party, sharing some drinks and watching Rivener play poker with Lazarus... But what grabbed Aphi's attention most was the way Alex just quickly added that she'd be happy to see him, trying to slide that comment in there. Aphismet chuckled, blushing slightly. "That'd be nice. I haven't cooked for you in-... hhmm, I've NEVER cooked for you, have I? That one time at the lab was only sandwiches from nearby... Hunh. I'll make something nice and bring it over soon, then."

"...And, erm... W-well, what I meant to call about, that I was saying earlier, erh... Aw hell, I'll just say it. D-did you want to go see a movie with me? M-maybe have Dinner first? ...Would be fun?" The last was meant to be a declaration but only turned out a question, the chef's face looking too shy and unsure to be very convincing.

Rivener felt a very unfamiliar sensation along his new, elongated spine as Zul's fingers slid over his skin. Shivers. The Scorpion smiled in complete contentment, allowing the touching happily. Zul was positively drinking him in, examining every single new inch of skin and admiring it. Bright blue eyes turned up to Rivener's red and the verdict was rendered: Zul liked this Very Much.

Chuckling breathily in bliss, absolutely pleased at Zul's attention and declaration, Rivener brought his arms around to wrap to Zul's back, clasping his fingers together there casually, the disrobed shirt still hanging from one hand. Stinger-adorned wings flared and fluttered softly, a sign of Rivener's supreme happiness. "Keep me? Mnh, that would be nice. I wish you could keep me too, Zul. Or I keep you? Either way." Rivener shivered again at the fingers in his hair, leaning his head down dangerously close to the other's lips. The Sigel couldn't be bothered to remember that this was a public place, that Zul was only a Frei, a NEW one at that, that tons of people were watching their behavior with bright red faces. "Do you like me best out of everyone ever?" Riv asked, wanting to be the favorite. Wanting to be the only if he could.

Aphismet let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding as Alex finally replied with a giggly "I'd love to!" The chef's building nerves all unraveled in a rush, leaving him feeling noodly and relieved. He grinned at the hug, lifting an arm to pat her on the back shyly. He was blushing, he knew he was, but he couldn't help it so he tried to cover it up by keeping his head down or to the side, not looking directly at Alex for a bit.

"Ah, deserve it? I suppose," Aphi answered with a self-deprecating chuckle, running a hand through his hair. "S-so, uhm, what kind of movie do you like, then? We should wait and go to one we'd both enjoy, right? I like suspense movies, and comedies best. Action films are ok too, but I don't know. It seems to me that when you've seen one building blow up while a guy dives from it in slow-motion, you've seen them all." He laughed slightly. He had no idea Alex was single-mindedly clinging to the idea that this wasn't a date. In Aphismet's mind it was the exact opposite: Oh my god, she said yes! We're going to go on a date!

Rivener's eyelids fluttered to half-closed as Zul answered, his lips still so close to Riv's, the breathy purr of the Scorpion's own name ghosting across the Sigel's skin. A shiver ran down his spine. Elated, Riv spread his wings as wide as they could go for a moment before wrapping them around the two of them, hiding them from view as much as possible as he leaned down that small final gap between them, pressing his lips to the Frei's.

"Mmmmmnnnnh," he moaned softly as the short kiss ended, tucking his head next to Zul's carefully, avoiding their horns but pressing more kisses along the jaw and neck presented to him. "Me too, Zuuuuuul. I like you the very best, you're my very favorite! Mn. My Zuuuul." Riv tightened his hold, hugging Zul close and leaving a small mark on the nearly-naked Demon. The small hickey on Zul's shoulder wasn't harshly placed on, just slowly and resolutely infused on the skin. "There, now that shows you're mine. Want to leave one on me?" Riv offered with a sultry smile, tilting his neck up to offer it to the blue-eyed male.

Aphismet was smiling constantly, a silly expression painted on his features. It only faltered momentarily to be replaced by a whole-faced blush as Alex mentioned scary movies sending up "huddling in someone else's lap", the words bringing up mental images that made the chef shift in his seat self-consciously. He cleared his throat and tried to banish those thoughts (Ah, she'd be so warm, wouldn't she?) as Alex continued on to admit that scary movies made her afraid for weeks afterwards.

"Ah, I'm rather used to the scary things. Riv and Isi are big fans, Eiry's part ghost, and the house is haun-... er..." Aphi blinked, wondering how good an idea it was to tell her this. Then she might not want to come over, ever! "I-is ha-a-awfully dark at night what with the lack of streetlamps and creepy marsh in the back yard." Ah, good save, he told himself with a pat on the back. "I'm not really in the know about movies either, but a good comedy would probably be nice to watch. I'm sure there's SOME kind of movie like that! W-we could just pick a day and GO, and pick a movie at random that's playing?" He smiled shyly, still reeling from the fact that she'd said "yes" in the first place.

Rivener gasped at the lips on his neck, Zul's marking feeling decidedly more... enthusiastic than Riv's had been. Not that the Scorpion minded in the least, of course; he rather enjoyed the possessive eagerness behind Zul's actions. The only reason Rivener hadn't done it just as harshly had been fear of frightening the Frei, driving him away. But this, mmmmh! Riv let his eyes slip closed and his wings trembled with pleasure and happiness around them, a constant soft rustling of leather.

"Ah!" Riv breathed softly in surprise at the gentle kiss that followed the leaving of the mark, such a stark contrast to what he'd just been doing. One of Rivener's clawed hands lifted up to finger at the demon's shoulder where the Sigel's mark was, smiling in contentment against the fingers on his own jaw. "Mnh, my Zuuuul."

What was this feeling? Holy hell, like Riv's chest was threatening to crack open, his heart thumping crazily, his whole body heating up. Riv had felt attracted to others before, but nothing like this! ...he frowned in mild confusion, refusing to think on it overly much. "Nh," Riv mumbled instead, pressing his lips to Zul's again, distracting himself with another kiss.

Aphismet smiled and let out a soft sigh of relief as Alex didn't seem to pick up on the almost-blurted word "Haunted". She thought the house had its own kind of charm, and it was true as far as Aphi could see; that house WAS rather singular. The topic ran its course then, leaving it behind in favor of something more pleasant; discussing their dinner plans before the theatre.

"T-too much? Why would that be too much? I would love to g-... go to your place for dinner. IF you also agree to come to mine sometime, so that I can make good on my offer and cook for you. Besides, you really should come see Munchies! She'd remember you, I'm sure." Aphismet was silently thrilled, imagining what kind of house Alex might live in. He'd never been there. Without realizing, Aphi was leaning forward now too, just slightly, leaning one elbow on the table conversationally.

"But ah, to make sure we don't just end up staying at your place, we should probably go somewhere to eat, this time, yes." He blushed at the implications staying at her place suddenly brought up in his mind. He hoped she hadn't jumped to similar embarrassing conclusions. "Maybe a nice French place? Or would it be too presumptuous of me to bring you to the place I work, so I can show you what it's like?" He blushed a bit, feeling like he was bragging. Honestly, he really did only want to show her where he worked, and well, okay, maybe he wanted to impress her a little.

Rivener shivered happily as the kiss ended, his lips curling up into his honeyed smile, red eyes half-lidded with contentment. "You too, taste good," Riv answered lowly, raising a hand to run fingers through the dual-toned pale hair. With a deep sigh, Rivener tightened his hold further on the demon frei, satisfied to simply float there holding him. He was busy admiring the other's features now, those stark blue eyes, gorgeous lips, perfect cheekbones, that strangely fitting mark on the forehead... Hair framing the face perfectly, the color of it, the texture of it... Those horns, so pretty and mesmerizing.

And beyond the horns, Alex and Aphi sitting at the table, both so engrossed in one another that they'd forgotten their Raevans completely. Rivener grinned, pleased with this turn of events. It seemed that setting up the two humans had been a masterful plan, as they now ignored what their wards did. But, Riv knew if Aphismet suddenly turned to find them like this he wouldn't be pleased at all. He might even get so angry he would forbid Riv from seeing Zul again. The Scorpion definitely did not want THAT. He supposed he should be grown-up about this and quit while he was ahead, for now.

"Mnh. Want to go sit? I don't want our guardians to be mad at us for hugging too long," he said soothingly, trying to smooth over his request with soft caresses of fingers through short, pale hair. "We can sit close and still touch, though. Hm?" The Sigel tilted his head handsomely and smiled his most winning, convincing smile. The idea was starting to grow on him, in fact. He WANTED to sit and talk with Zul, not just half-molest him. Riv realized he'd never even asked what the Frei liked, what he did with his free time, what he feeds on. Rivener wanted to know everything. "Come, let's sit, Zul. We can talk about things."