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 Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:34 pm
"I was," Dari admitted with a little shrug. It certainly didn't matter any more. "Trust me, I'm more pleased that you found me than you could possibly know."
They arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes later or so and had a rather nice dinner. The place was a little more expensive and upright than Dari had expected from the reviews, but they fit in well enough and it wasn't like he didn't have some money laying around.
When they left after the birthday free scoop of gelato, Dari drove around a bit to digest, then headed for his house rather than Cody's apartment.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:42 pm
"Thank you, love," Cody still wasn't used to someone spending so much money on him. He'd never go to that restaurant on a normal day, but this had been nice! "To your place?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:44 pm
Dari nodded.
"There's no gelato, but I promised Maia I'd bring you over," he said. "There may be cake."
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:12 pm
"When Maia's involved, there's always cake," Cody smiled. Or cookies. "It'll be nice to see them," he said.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:18 pm
"Well I might have made it this time," Dari replied.
They made it back to the house in good time and Dari went right in. Toby and Maia seemed to be relaxing on the couch when they entered, but Toby hopped up to greet them.
"Happy birthday!" he said to Cody and offered him a hug. Hopefully that whole 'fear of werewolves' thing had worn off.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:44 pm
"You made it?" Cody asked, and smiled at Dari. He followed Dari inside. "Hey guys!" He greeted cheerfully. Oh, a hug? He accepted and returned it, smiling. "Thanks, Toby," he said.
Maia stood and hugged Cody as well. "Happy birthday!"
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:11 pm
Dari shuffled off almost immediately to retrieve the cake plate and a serving knife. He set the chocolate masterpiece on the table and disappeared for plates and forks.
Someone, presumably Dari, had scrolled "Happy Birthday Cody" in alarmingly slender and measured cursive on the cake.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:14 pm
Cody went to admire the cake. He smiled brightly. "Dari, this is beautiful," he said. "This must have taken all day!"
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:23 pm
'All day' was a bit of an exaggeration, but Dari appreciated the flattery either way. He came back and set out the plates, then picked up the cake knife and offered it to Cody.
"Make a wish," he urged.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:31 pm
Cody took the cake knife and made a wish as he made the first cut. He kissed Dari's cheek. "I think it's already come true," he said. But he wasn't telling.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:33 pm
Dari rolled his eyes, but smiled. Toby laughed. Dari then took over the use of the cake knife and cut Cody a piece of cake, followed by Maia and Toby, and then himself. They all sat around the table while Toby retrieved the whipped cream.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:20 pm
Cody took a bite and smiled. "Love, this is amazing," he said. He took another bite. "Did Toby teach you?" He asked. Inherited talent or not, Dari definitely was a good baker!
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:21 pm
Dari smiled. Cody could easily be lying for his own benefit, but Dari hoped not.
"Of course he did," Dari replied. "I had no sense of taste before this." He lifted his hand to show off his stone ring.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:52 pm
"I'll introduce you to more things," Cody promised, and smiled. "I found a store that has foods I thought only existed in cartoons at the mall the other day."
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:04 pm
"Oh?" Dari asked. He thought he had tried a great deal of things but wouldn't fool himself in thinking he'd tried them all. Some things couldn't be imported.
"That's the fun part, isn't it?" Toby asked. "I loved bringing Maia to new places and new things."
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