The everyday monsters in our lives

Joe didnt look too convinced at his own reflection, correcting his clothes here and there. The shirt sat rather nicely and it smelled good too; not that Joe didnt have nice smelling clothes, but he was perhaps rather used to the soap he used to clean them by now. This was a different soap, probably a really good one too for the clothes. The sigh made him a little curious but the question made him shrug. “I guess you’ll have to contain yourself.” He remarked. The vampyre looked as stylish as ever so Joe wasnt really surprised. Cesare stepping away and signaling him to stay made him raise his brows a little confused.
The necklace already brought objections so once the vampyre clarified that it was just for borrowing, he let him put it around his neck. Thr whisper made the hairs on his neck stand up but he kept his composure. “Is it really alright?” He asked, checking in the mirror again. The suggestion made him hum and nod. He didnt need a jacket so he was pretty much set to go once he had his shoes on. “We can hold hands while we walk.” He said, reaching out to let the vampyre take his hand. They went off and Joe was a little curious about their surroundings. “So where are we exactly? -I mean I know we’re close to the beach… but still in Churchill?”

“So not a recognized part of the city?” He asked, but it was fair if the vampyre didnt know. Joe just didnt have a clue. He knew the Western district and Central but he wouldnt say he knew much about the others. This part looked rather nice, but old. Joe kind of liked it. Old but pretty, that wasnt something he could say about his hometown. That was just old. Maybe even a little… ugly? It wasnt a town of style, that was for sure. “That makes sense. It’s very pretty.”
When more people began showing up, Joe did loosen up his grip like he was considering letting go, but then he gripped on a little tighter, feeling daring. They moved up the road and Joe did spend quite a lot of time looking around, enjoying how beautiful and simple everything was. “So you’ll swoon me with more hidden gems in the future?” He asked, looking at the vampyre, because he could imagine that Cesare had a long list of places.

Oh Joe hadnt been serious at all, but on the other hand was it really that surprising? If he had a list like Joe imagined, then surely he would use it at some point? The cheeky smile made him roll his eyes a little. The old man stepping out did startle the human a little, enough to let go of the vampyre, though it seemed to be a perfect timing as the old friends greeted each other. The old man looked his way and Joe took his hand a little reluctantly, maybe a bit shy? It was odd, he didnt think he was really that shy of a person normally, reserved for sure but shy? Maybe it was because this was a date, their first none the less. “I’m Joe.” He greeted him before they were urged inside. Joe followed, and it looked quite nice. It was warm in colour and the view was great. He thanked Cesare for pulling out the chair but he didnt know what to get already! He hadnt even seen a menu. Cesare seemed to remind him and Joe felt a little thankful for that. They were left with the menus and Joe exhaled with a slight tremble, maybe feeling a little tense and nervous. But how could he not? Even if it was empty around them, this was a date. “Old friend?” He asked to soothe his own nerves and think of something else.

Joe nodded and hummed, though he seemed a little restless in his seat. The hand that touched his under the table actually helped quite a lot, at least to keep him from trembling. But his hands felt clammy and he hoped that the vampyre wouldnt mind. “You’re right.” He muttered, taking in a few deep breaths. Maybe he should have smoked before, but now he was just dealing with it as it was.
He didnt pull his hand from the cold one, finding the touch too soothing to break. “It does look good from the menu too.” He said thoughtfully, moving through the different options. “I guess we both get the steak then, since you recommended it. I’ll see if you’re right.” He chuckled, feeling a little less tense now that he had the vampyre’s hand. Odd how a simple touch could do so much. “For drinks, water is fine.” He said, because it was frankly the cheapest and he didnt like fizzy or sugary drinks all too much. Even with alcohol did he often tell bartenders not to add sugar if they could avoid it. He wasnt really born with a sweet tooth in the sligtest.

Joe was not going to budge on the wine. He even narrowed his eyes and took a daring second sip, even if his reaction was quite like the first. Maybe it was better to drink with the food rather than plain. And yet he worried that he would ruin the taste if he had wine once he tasted the food. He had a few bites before he dared to also take a sip of the wine. With the lingering taste of the food, was the wine actually quite alright. The flavours complimented each other and he could recognize that.
“I mostly remember them because I got strawberries. It sucked when their kids came around after they passed and the garden died out.” He shrugged. And he had even tried, though a kid knew nothing about gardening on a whim. “They were very kind old people. I think I liked them more than my parents.” He sighed. It was interesting how all stories he told had little to no mention of his parents. But was it surprising? Not really.
The comfort for the living made him hum. “I guess.” He shrugged. As a living it would be his comfort after all if that was what the vampyre was insinuating? Cesare then said something that made the human frown. “Well you would have still looked like this if you did. It would be messed up.” He shook his head and chuckled. The question about kids made him think, with a small thoughtful frown but then he sighed. “I dont think I’d ever want kids. I feel more like I could be a great uncle. Not so much a dad.” He shrugged, looking down at his plate, poking some of the vegetables. Definitely not a topic he really liked.
“I spent a lot of my childhood running and trying to get away from my family. I-… I wouldnt know how to be a parent. So I guess it doesnt speak to me. I would love if Sadie had a kid or something… but my own?” He just pondered out loud, clenching his jaw before he took a sip of the wine.

He felt the cold hand squeeze his but he was sort of already moving down the spiral. The squeeze and the encouraging words made him smile a little. “Do you have them… actual children by the way I know them too?” He asked. Might as well now that they were on the topic. The reminder that he didnt have to explain or excuse made him shrug. The addition made him look down with a faint sad smile. “I’ve had to justify everything my whole life. So I’m sorry if it sticks.” He said, hoping that the vampyre could understand that he might not change any time soon even if he really wouldnt have to explain or justify anything.
He felt the vampyre move to catch his eyes and he looked up at him. The words were leading and as he noticed how he was glancing down at his lips, Joe chuckled softly. “No desserts on first date.” He said, shaking his head. If the vampyre was confused by that, then Joe shrugged. “I used to do that all the time. No dessert on the first date so the second date already has a purpose.” He explained before he sighed. “We’d be forced to do it soon as well. You can wait too long with dessert.” He pondered out loud before he continued to eat. He did manage to drink two glasses of wine with his food.
Once they were both done, Joe was quite adamant on saving the dessert for another time. So if there was no other plans for them than dinner, then they would be heading back. Joe would be rather excited about that. “That was really good.” The human said, having locked arms with the vampyre, being slightly tipsy but nothing that was affecting him more than a light buzz. He was just in a really good mood. The date would be ending soon. And Joe did have a small trick up his sleeve.
Once they were back, Joe would stop Cesare from opening the door, looking at him. “We’ll have to end it like a real date.” He said, reaching over to gently cup his face. “So I’ll be cute. And you’ll tell me you had fun tonight.” He said, rubbing his cheekbone softly before letting go to wrap his arms around the vampyre’s neck. He leaned in to softly kiss him, drawing it out for a bit before he pulled away. “Okay. Thanks for a lovely night. Goodnight Cesare.” He muttered against his lips. He then went inside to close the door, leaving the vampyre behind. He only waited a few seconds before he opened the door again and pulled the vampyre inside, holding onto his arm as he connected their lips in an eager kiss. The date had ended, so so had the rules?