He spent the better part of the afternoon trying to plan a last minute date, determined to secure reservations somewhere while figuring out what to wear. It required pulling a few strings and dropping his family name once or twice before plans were secured and he texted Court to let him know what time he would be by to pick him up.
-----
Over the course of the rest of the day he sent Halston a few texts asking where they were going and eventually as evening got closer asking for at least details so he knew how dressed up to get. Halston was still being a little sly with his answers but had at least agreed it was somewhere ‘fancy’. He put on a knee-length black dress with soft black lace covering his chest and neck, open in the back, along with one of his favorite pairs of heels and some jewelry. He eventually got out of Halston what color outfit he was wearing so he could tailor his make-up to it.
As dinner time got closer he sent Hals a text letting him know to just come inside when he got there since he was still putting the last touches on his make-up.
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He enjoyed keeping the details of dinner to himself, even knowing it was likely to irritate Courtland that he was doing so. It gave him a chance to keep him on his toes, which would hopefully even out the playing field when taking his own nerves into consideration. He checked himself one last time in the mirror before heading out, checking the drive time to Courtland’s to let the other man know he was on his way. He gave him another update when he was five minutes out to see if Court still wanted him to come up or if there had been enough traffic that the other man was waiting for him.
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[ Text to Styx ] I’m finished since you must have gotten stuck in traffic. Let me know when you’re outside and I’ll come down.
He would have prefered seeing how Halston reacted to seeing him come down the stairs but since he seemed to be trying to avoid coming inside he’d have to let that one go. He finished fluffing his hair, making sure that the waves he’d put in it would hold up all night before going to pick out a clutch to take for the evening.
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[ Text to Killer Queen ] I’m outside. Just pulled up in front of the garage.
He sent the text as he got out of the car, leaving it parked so that he could step around to the passenger side to open the door for Courtland. As he waited he leaned against the car, resisting the urge to cross his arms over his chest for the time being.
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He tucked his phone, keys, and wallet into the clutch before heading outside. He flipped on the alarm system, door locking behind him, and walking down the path from the door around to the driveway. “Dashing as ever. Still not telling me where we’re going?”
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“I thought you liked surprises.” A soft smirk touched his lips as he leaned over, brushing a gentle kiss to Courtland’s cheek. “You look incredible… But you know that already, don’t you?”
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“I do put a lot of effort into looking that way so I would hope so.” He smiled, brushing his fingers along the edge of Halston’s vest. “And I do like surprises but you've been keeping this one from me all day.”
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“As long as you know that you don’t have to put that kind of effort into looking any way around me if you don’t want to.” He reached up, gently brushing a strand of hair back behind Courtland’s ear before stepping away from the car so that he could hold the door open for him. “Does it help the suspense any to know that we’re going somewhere that serves sangria?”
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“But I know you appreciate it when I do put in the effort.” He slid into the car, settling into the seat and waiting for Halston to get in as well before answering his question. “That narrows it down a bit though not quite enough for me to guess.”
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“Is it important that you know before we get there or can you wait just a bit longer?” His brow quirked as he shifted gears, slowly backing out of Court’s driveway in order to pull out onto the street. The direction he went might be a hint as well, but he wasn’t sure. He’d picked somewhere they hadn’t been in some time.
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“I can wait, doesn’t mean I’m not going to be curious or bug you if you decide to take me on surprise dates.” While they drove he reached over and ran his fingers along Halston’s arm lightly. He enjoyed being able to touch him finally and was going to take every opportunity that presented itself.
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“I could just not tell you that we’re going on a date until I show up to pick you up.” He glanced over at the other man briefly while they were paused at a light, smirk playing over his lips. He knew better than to spring things on Court last minute-- given both of their schedules and the busy season ahead it wasn’t likely to happen either.
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“That’s not going to happen with your schedule, much less mine.” He shook his head, rolling his eyes but the smile was still on his lips. “And you would get cranky standing around for an hour while I got dressed.”
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“I would, so we’ll just have to leave this as a surprise this time and work things into our schedule next time.” He looked back to the road as the light changed, pulling forward en route to their destination. He’d secured reservations at an Italian restaurant that they’d last gone to with mutual friends. It was high end with incredible atmosphere, worth everything it had taken to secure a reservation that night.
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As they continued on the route he started to realize where they were going. There were only a couple of restaurants in the direction the were going once they were off the highway. “You will have to tell me how you managed this at some point.”
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“If I admit how I managed this it might take the magic away.” He teased as he pulled up to the valet stand, leaving the key in the ignition so the car could be parked for them as they slid out. He made his way over to Courtland’s side, holding his hand out to the other man. “I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
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“Knowing how far out they book I can imagine.” He let Hakaton help him out of the car and slid his arm through the other man's arm so they could head up to the door. “I'm sure I will enjoy it. I'm with you after all.”
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“You’ve been out with me before and not had a good time.” He smirked, resting his hand lightly on Courtland’s. “Just throwing that one out there….” This was different, though. This wasn’t a night out at a club. This was a date.
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“This is a date though, it’s different.” He smiled, brushing a kiss against Halston’s cheek as they stopped at the hostess stand. The hostess looked a bit oddly at them but he ignore it for the moment. “You wouldn’t disappoint me on a date.”
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“I do try not to disappoint you more often than that.” He murmured, giving his name at the door for the reservations. Whatever look was on the hostess’ face vanished quickly at that as she checked the books, making a notation before picking up two menus to lead them to their window-side table.
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He was quiet while the hostess lead them to the table and while Halston pulled out his seat. Once they were both seated and the hostess had wandered off he grinned. “Knowing you, you’ll find ways to make up for any disappointment that might be had.”
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“I would prefer to simply avoid it. I’ve spent enough time being a disappointment in life so far.” He smirked, reaching up to tug lightly on his tie as he settled into his seat. “Order whatever you’d like.”
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“I intended to.” He nudged Halston’s leg lightly with his foot. “You also aren’t a disappointment, at least not to people who matter, so don’t call yourself that.” He was tempted to reach over and tug on the other man’s tie but that was a little much for their first date.
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“I’ve been doing better to remember that lately. It’s also hard to disappoint them if i’m not around to do so, isn’t it?” His smirk broadened. “Oh, while I’m thinking about it… Did you have plans for next Friday?”
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“You could just take me to see them, I can guarantee I’m better looking than anyone your brother is dating.” He grinned, looking over the wine menu to see what they had to offer. “I have a meeting that morning but that is it. That should be over by ten at least.”
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“Engaged to, actually. They sent out engagement notices last month. Mine wound up in the rubbish bin rather quickly.” His nose wrinkled as he set his menu down, picking up the drink menu to browse over. “Would you be interested in coming out to the lake with the spinning group?”
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“... he’s actually going to marry that harpy?” He raised raised a brow, looking up as the waiter came over to ask about drinks and any appetizers. He ordered a glass of one of the wine’s that looked interesting and some pesto bruschetta for them to nibble on. He still wasn’t sure about what to eat so he left that for now. “Honestly, does he think that’s going to last? She’s going to knife him every time he looks at another woman.”
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He ordered a glass of sangria for himself, figuring whatever he got for dinner would just have to go along with that. “It seems like he intends to. I can’t imagine what kind of prenup there’s going to be, all things considered... “ Maybe it would be better off for his brother to be with someone who had his assets by the balls.
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“I dont think your parents are going to let anyone get their hands on their fortune but I can guarantee she’s going to have control of his checkbook and credit cards. If she doesn’t already.” He couldn’t imagine what sort of hell that was going to be but he was glad Halston seemed to want nothing to do with it.
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“Wonderful thing is that it’s entirely not my problem.” Whatever bit of the family’s money he would be getting was, no doubt, already set aside and had nothing at all to do with his idiot brother’s funds or whatever his wife-to-be planned on doing with them. “Other than an appetizer, any thoughts on what you might want for dinner?”
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“Hopefully she’ll demand they move elsewhere and you don't have to deal with him at all.” He shook his head slightly. “I can’t quite decide between the shrimp scampi or the salmon and alfredo.” Both looked good and would go with the wine he ordered.
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“Salmon.” He nodded. “The salmon sounds fantastic… And maybe you’ll let me steal a bite.” He teased, soft smirk on his lips as he leaned back in his seat to give the waiter room to set down their drinks.
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“I might if you ask nicely.” He smiled, laughing softly and thanking the waiter for their drinks and the appetizer he had ordered. He took the rest of their order and left them. “I do always appreciate that the waiters here don’t hover.”
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“Have something to say that you’re hoping the waiter doesn’t overhear?” His brow quirked as he picke dup his glass of water to take a small sip. “People who come here pay for the atmosphere and the view, not to be bothered while they eat.”
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“Not this time but it is nice. Some of the expensive places they still hover looking for a better tip. Makes it hard to have a conversation if you want to have one.” He took a sip of his wine, the fingers of his other hand running lightly along the back of Halston’s free hand. “This was quite a good choice for our date though.”
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“There’s a reason why I picked this place out of the handful of other options that I could think of. I thought this would be more enjoyable for the two of us.” He nodded, taking another small sip of his water. His hand turned in Courtland’s slowly, gently taking hold of the other man’s fingers.
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“IT was a very good choice. Good food and good atmosphere.” The staff were very good at making sure things stayed pleasant and people rarely brought children in so there would be no nuisances making noise.
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“The intention would be to not disappoint you on a first date, Courtland.” A smirk touched his lips, thumb brushing along the back of the other man’s hand. “Told you that earlier, didn’t I?”
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“You did and I told you that would be rather hard for you to do.” He smiled. Halston always seemed interested in making sure he was, if not happy then content. There was no way taking him on a date would be any different.
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“Yes, well.” His smirk broadened as he took his hand back so that they could both actually nibble on some of the appetizer while it was fresh and warm. “Help yourself.”
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He got a piece of bread and dipped it into the pesto before taking a bite. “Mm...better than I was expecting.” The bread was nice and warm and the pesto had just enough bite to it for his liking.
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“The bread looks delicious. Pesto flavored to your liking?” His brow lofted as he tore a piece off himself, dragging the bit of bread through the sauce slowly.
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“It is, delicious.” He smiled, popping another bite into his mouth before taking a sip of his wine. “Just a bit of a bite and the flavor is strong. Bread is just crisp enough to not turn soggy instantly either.”
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“Provided we can get in here again, we’ll have to see about trying the spinach and artichoke dip as well.” He nodded, watching Courtland for a moment before putting the bread into his mouth.
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“I’m sure we can find an excuse to come here again and I know you can get us a table.” He smiled, voice slightly teasing. “If the appetizers are this good I am looking forward to how good the food is. It’s been long enough that their menu has changed a bit since the last time we were here.”
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“I can’t say I’ll want to jump through the same hoops to get a table next time, so you might want to let me know if you decide you’d like to come back so I can book a reservation for a few months from now on my own.” He snorted softly as he finally reached for his wine.
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“Maybe we should just set one up and then make sure we have something to celebrate.” He popped another piece of bread in his mouth with a grin. They chatted idly for a bit more before the waiter returned with their main dishes. Everything smelled delicious and he was very much looking forward to eating.
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Dinner was fantastic, the food wonderful and the flavors better than he remembered. He enjoyed the light, fluffy texture of the scallops paired with the pasta he ordered, saving most of his wine until after he’d finished his meal.
Once they’d finished their meals he sat back with his wine. “Are we getting dessert? Or saving that for when we get back to my place?” He brushed his foot lightly against Halston’s leg as he spoke, watching the other man.
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“Did you have anything at your place that you think will work for dessert? If not, there’s a thing or two on the menu that might not be a bad idea to get to go-- assuming you didn’t want to grab any to share right now.” He smirked softly, momentarily ignoring the feel of Court’s foot on his shin.
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“Not in particular. The deserts here did look good but we have been taking up this table for quite some time so getting something to go wouldn’t be a bad idea.” He nodded slightly as he finished off his wine.
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“Any idea what you might want? Something seem like it might taste better than anything else?” His brow lofted as he picked up the dessert menu that had been set down on the table, handing it over to Courtland.
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“I am partial to chocolate cake ….” He peruse the menu for a few moments before setting it down, pointing at two different cakes. “One of these. I can’t decide which looks best.” One was a rich looking black forest cake and the other a lighter looking coffee and cream cake.
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“We’ll go with the black forest, then. Coffee would be a bit better saved for breakfast.” He flashed the other man a soft smirk, flagging down the waiter to ask for a slice of the cake packed up to go along with requesting that the bill be put on the card he had on file with his name.
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Courtland smiled as Halston took care of things, letting his eyes wander over the other man. He had a habit of staring at Halston quite a bit anyway, the other man was devilishly handsome, but there was a bit more to appreciate now. Halston hadn’t seemed so relaxed in a while and it was good to see him enjoying himself.
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He paused, glancing up from where he was signing his name away on the receipt, brow lofting as he peered at Courtland. “You’ve been staring at me for a good five minutes or so now. Everything alright? I don’t have any bits of dinner on me anywhere, do I? Hair out of place?”
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“No, just enjoying the view.” He reached out now that Halston said something and did tuck a bit of his hair back. “It’s not often I have a proper excuse to just watch you, not that I don’t do it, but now I have a reason. You look good.” His fingers ran lightly along the other man’s jaw as he spoke. “Not just in general, but overall. Better than you have in a few weeks.”
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“A good night’s sleep will do that.” He turned his head, brushing his lips lightly against the other man’s palm. “So will good company… Dinner with a good friend?” His brow lofted as he brought his hand up, lgithly covering Courtland’s hand with his own. “Are we ready to go?”
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“Might have to make sure you get a few more good nights sleep so you keep looking like this.” He smiled, nodding as he pushed himself up from his seat. “I think we are. The rest of the night’s fun can be had back at my place.” They’d intended to go there anyway and no matter what they did he was going to look forward to having Halston in bed with him to curl up against as they slept.
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He offered his arm to Courtland once they were both standing, waiting for the other man to take it as they made their way back to the car. He turned in the ticket to the valet, sliding him a small tip when the car was brought around. “Back to your place, you said?”
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“Yes, we can spend the night there and see what sort of fun we can get up to with more adequate accommodations.” Once the valet opened the car door for him he slipped inside, setting the bag with their dessert down at his feet.
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“Almost seems like a shame to go straight home when you’re dressed up so nicely. Good thing you’ve got a sound system at your place?” His brow lofted as he glanced over to the other man after settling into the driver’s side, making sure they were both settled before pulling out of the lot.
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“Good thing for you if you want to take me dancing, which it sounds like you do.” He laughed softly as he leaned back in the seat. “Good stereo at home and plenty of music to choose from if that’s the case.”
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“I don’t think I’ve ever asked you what your opinion on classical dance was.” He smirked as his eyes returned to the road, tapping his fingers lightly over the steering wheel in time to the music as he drove back to Courtland’s home.
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“I know how to but I don’t have much opportunity to. Not many people to dance with and I don’t get invited to events with dates who are going to dance.” He laughed softly. It had been some time since he’d done any sort of ‘proper’ dancing.
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“It’s another one of those things that I picked up because I was good at it and never got to put too much into practice for one reason or another…” Mostly because there were expectations that others had for him in regards to it. If he was at an event he wasn’t there for himself, he was representing family or trying to ‘look good’. It might have been nice to actually do so for other reasons.
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“Then I suppose we can find some good music and get a bit of practice in. There’s plenty of room for that in the living room.” They wouldn’t even have to move furniture since there was lots of space. “Almost too bad you probably didn’t RSVP to your brothers wedding or we could go and up stage them.”
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“You know that’s not the kind of attention I want anyways.” He reached over, brushing his fingers lightly along the other man’s arm.”If I go it won’t be to cause a scene, it will just be to make an appearance so they can’t give me s**t for not being there.”
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“Wouldn’t be intentionally causing a scene. His fiance would just hate me for being prettier than her.” He grinned, running his fingers through his hair. He had a feeling, if he was ever somewhere officially as Halston’s date, that would be the case no matter the occasion.
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“She might say something, which could possibly lead one of us to cause a scene. Better to avoid it, don’t you think?” His brow lofted as he cast a quick glance at Court before turning off of the highway.
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“For the time being I suppose we can let them have their fun.” He huffed slightly but there wasn’t any actual heat behind his words. He knew Halston never did like causing scenes even if he did think that his brother deserved it every once in a while.
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“We’ve got enough things keeping us busy without needing to go anywhere near their nonsense.” He patted the other man’s hand lightly before bringing his own hand back to the steering wheel as he pulled into Courtland’s neighborhood.
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“Sometimes their nonsense is entertaining though.” He laughed softly as he dug his keys out of his clutch. Halston’s family were, as far as he was concerned, horrible people but they could be entertaining if nothing else. “Though we do have plenty to keep us busy.”
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“Scrabble, Go Fish, Jenga… A number of things to keep us busy.” He teased as he pulled up to Courtland’s driveway, reaching up to press the button mounted by the mirror to open the garage door in order to park the car for the night. “Or was that not what you had in mind?”
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“Not quite what I had in mind though I am sure a jenga set exists for what crossed my mind.” Once the car was parked he slid out, grabbing their dessert and waiting for Halston. “I don’t really think we need a game set to give us ideas though.”
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“No, I’m sure we’re both incredibly creative individuals.” He smirked as he slid out of the car, handing Court’s keys over to him. “Want me to put the cake in the fridge?”
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“If we’re going to do a bit of dancing might as well save dessert for after that? That way we can get comfy for the night, get out some wine, and enjoy the cake after we’re settled.” Or at least in, or closer to, bed than they were. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to let dinner settle before they dug into more food either.
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“That wouldn’t be an awful idea.” He reached over, lightly tucking a strand of hair away from the other man’s face. “Anything else you’d like me to get out o the kitchen?”
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“Pick out a bottle of wine and put it on ice? I’ll go get the music started?” He reached up and caught Halston’s hand, brushing a kiss against the other man’s palm.
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He leaned in, brushing his lips to the other man’s forehead before heading to the kitchen with the cake. He put the cake in the fridge before opening up the wine cabinet, browsing through the bottles until he chose one that would work well for dessert, tucking it into a bucket that he soon filled with ice.
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He headed into the living room to turn on the fire place and to get some music going. He browsed through stations for a bit until he found one he liked the sound of. Sitting down for a moment he slipped off his shoes, tucking them under the table for the moment.
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He brought the wine bucket out to the living room along with two glasses, setting them down on the coffee table as he paused in the living room. Without knowing exactly why he felt almost nervous again, something making him anxious about whatever expectations there might be about the evening after a date. “Looks like you’ve made it nice and cozy.”
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“Thought that was my job.” He smiled, holding a hand out for Halston to take. Courtland figured making things a bit more like their normal evenings it would make Halston more comfortable. “Is the music alright for whatever dancing you have planned?”
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“The music is fine.” He nodded as he took hold of Courtland’s hand, bringing it up to gently brush his lips to the other man’s knuckles. “I thought it was your job to be magnificent and glamorous. That’s what all of your patrons pay you to be, isn’t it?”
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“That would be the case.” He laughed softly. “Some of them pay me to show them how to look that way as well. Or just to see a life they won't ever have.” He had quite a few haters but he loved the people who liked living through watching his life.
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“So it’s not really your job to make sure everything is comfortable and cozy.” He laughed as he drew Courtland closer to him, lightly slipping an arm around the other man’s middle.
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“It was for the moment. You handle the wine and I handle the atmosphere.” He smirked slightly as he wrapped his arms around Halstons neck. “Actual job is another story.” He was almost always dressed to a tee so he liked to be able to be comfortable when he was home.
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“Is that how that works? And why you rely on me to pick out the wine so often?” His brow quirked as he reached up to take one of Courtland’s hands in his own so that he could lead him through a simple sway to the music.
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“Because I like your taste and I tend to go for the same bottles every time.” He let Halston lead him, enjoying the simple movements and the touches for the moment. “Variety is the spice of life … or something like that. And why not let someone else make that choice?”
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“We’ll have to take you through a vineyard at some point… Teach you all of the fine points of wine tasting that I’ve gotten to learn over the years?” He smirked, letting one hand settle gently on the small of Court’s back.
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“I’ve done that before, though not with such good company” He smiled, fingers brushing through the bits of Halston’s hair he could reach. “I just don’t have quite the same taste as you and I do rather like it when you take care of me.”
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“Everyone has different tastes when it comes to wine.” He leaned in, lightly brushing his lips again”I think the one I grabbed should go well enough with the cake-- or at least after the cake.”
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“I’m sure it will.” He murmured against the other man’s lips. “You always have good taste and I’m sure it will be delicious.” Halston’s taste in wine hadn’t steered him wrong before.
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His face heated slightly, lips lingering against the other man’s for a moment before he turned the brush of lips into a soft kiss. “I’ve generally got s**t taste in most things lacking an alcoholic content. I’ve been told that a number of times.”
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“I don’t know … you like me and I say that requires some good taste. You’ve just been asking the wrong people to make comments on your taste.” He shifted a bit closer to Halston, voice soft as they continued to sway with the music.
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“Like is a rather basic word, don’t you think?” He teased, drawing Courtland in just a bit closer as the two of them rocked together, shifting from foot to foot while swaying back and forth. “And if we’re being honest, sometimes I find you just as infuriating as you find me.”
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“If that wasn’t the case you wouldn't be nearly as attractive as you are.” He smiled, brushing their lips together lightly. “And like is a rather basic words but you always seem so perturbed when I put words in your mouth so I wouldn't want to take it too far..”
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“You think I’m attractive because I find you infuriating?” His brow lofted as he tried not to laugh, shaking his head slowly before kissing Court lightly once more. “That probably says something about you.”
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“If you were boring and just agreed with everything I said there would be no fun. It would be like dating a doll.” He shook his head slightly. “I would rather date someone who’s going to make life a little fun. Even if it’s infuriating sometimes.”
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“I suppose the up side is that we do have that going for us then, hm?” He laughed softly, spinning Courtland slowly away from him before drawing the other man back towards him.
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“Never a dull moment.” He grinned as he slid his arm back around Halston’s neck as he was pulled back against the other man. “In both our lives given how things have been going lately.”
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“Just wait until they decide to put one of us up for promotion.” He snorted softly, shaking his head slowly. If they thought that things were complicated now there was no saying what was in store for them when that happened.
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“I’m sure they’ll have to do that soon enough, given everything we’ve been through.” He’d seen Uvarovite’s file, knew how quickly he’d gone through the ranks, and between he and Tourmaline they worked the two of them hard. At least one of them would have to be up for promotion soon enough. “At least we know they won’t separate us?”
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“I should hope not, given that I believe we’ve proven how well we can work together.” And apart, in some cases, but it was much easier when they were trying to take out a target in tandem. “We’ll see where this takes us.”
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“They know better than to separate anyone who works well together unless the need calls for it.” Uvarovite and Tourmaline were good at their jobs and they tried to keep the pairs that worked best together working together. The only times they split was when different tactics were needed. “I’m sure this will only take us to good places.”
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“You’re making it sound as though we should be popping open the bottle of wine and toasting to going places together.” He teased softly, bringing one hand up to lightly brush his fingers along the line of the other man’s jaw.
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“Well we could, nothing saying we can’t toast to something when we crack it open with dessert.” He smiled, turning his head to brush his lips against the other man’s fingers. There was no reason they couldn't do something like that and he was all for proper excuses for drinking wine.
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