❝ spring for flirting but fall for the untamed delicious wild things ❞

[medievalism]

{ an autumn mixer }

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𝒟𝒶𝓁

[bagelbites]

[ This character comes with a blanket content warning for references to sex work as he is a sex worker. They probably won't be explicit without prior CR, but just throwing that out there. ]

The cooler weather was such a relief from the scorching heat of summer. It was nice to feel like showering was actually effective for more than the first three minutes after walking out his door. The humidity tapered off and a crispness replaced it in the air. It made Dal’s habit of wearing layers much more tolerable, too. Shirt, hoodie, coat over that. He’s the sort of person who would have a vast collection of scarves and cute hats that looked like different animals if only his situation were a little different.

But there’s a downside, too: Dal’s almost always cold. Even in the height of summer, he got cold quickly (hence the love of layers). Luckily, the local diner wasn’t far away and the biggest cup of piping hot coffee didn’t cost a lot. He wasn’t a huge fan of fancy coffee drinks: just regular old coffee with a little milk and sugar was good enough for him. Dal spent a small fortune on skincare products and makeup, he wasn’t willing to do the same for his caffeine habit.

It’s late afternoon by the time he actually gets to the diner – he’ll probably be there several more times over the course of the night now that it’s getting cooler. He enjoyed the way the heat permeated through the paper cups to keep his hands warm (far more effectively than just shoving them in his pockets). Clutching the cup in both hands, he turned to push the door open with his butt, almost swinging it open into the next patron walking in.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” he exclaimed in thickly accented English.

[brokensmile]

Alex was entering the diner in search of a much needed coffee. As he entered he had his phone out, his attention on the screen, and was about to send a text message to Dal when the door of the diner swung suddenly open surprising him and the another patron. He almost collected the patron coming out.

"No, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention...Dal!
Hey, pussycat. I was about ready to text you to see if you want to go do something Autumny."

[bagelbites]

Something autumny. Alone? Never! The best of autumn he gets is the few trees lining the few blocks with which he’s familiar changing colors and dropping their leaves onto the uncaring street below. But adventures with Alex have proven themselves to be fun, so Dal found himself nodding in agreement without even knowing what ‘something autumny’ might be.

No surprise. Their second date was a mystery adventure for Dal, too.

Moving out of the doorway so Alex could get inside for his coffee, Dal fell in step beside him and waited with him in the small line. “Whatcha got in mind?”

[brokensmile]

Being familiar with the boroughs, Alex knew of a few places. But his knowledge of the places were a little out dated since he came back to the States from Zurich. He moved up in the line as it progressed.

"There's a couple of places I know of. The easiest is going to Central Park to look at the foliage. Queens has a farm museum with hayrides. And there's Oktober Fest downtown in a bar at pier 15. I dunno, you have any ideas too?"

[bagelbites]

"I don't drink." And wasn't Alex still on the wagon? Why tempt him with Oktoberfest? Unless he insisted, Dal wouldn't mind if they skipped that one. Queens seemed like a long way away... But Central Park? He's only been there once or twice in all the time he's lived in New York.

"Last time I was in Central Park, musicians were there." It's actually one of the nice memories he has of trying to explore the city all by himself. Nodding to himself, Dal looks up to Alex with a smile. "Let's go there!"

[brokensmile]

"I was thinking about the food there."

Alex paused as he ordered his coffee. He was familiar with Central Park and liked the idea of being surrounded by something familiar even though he hadn't been to the place since he came back into the States.

"Guess, we're going to Central Park. I really like the fountain there, we can go look at that too because I haven't seen it in a while."

[bagelbites]

"Yeah," he chirped happily. Prying a hand free from his cup, he quickly looped an arm around one of Alex's and tucked in close beside him. "Can we walk?" More proof that Dal really didn't leave his little neighborhood often: he didn't even realize if Central Park was close enough for them walk to. Not that he'd mind if they shared a taxi or something either. It was spending time together that mattered, not necessarily what they were doing or how they got there.

"I think I saw the fountain last time." The eagerness in his face crept into his voice, revealing that he wanted to see it again, too. "When's the last time ya went?"

[brokensmile]

Once he ordered his coffee, Alex moved in close to Dal when he looped his arm around him.

"Yeah, we can walk." He figured if they got tired either on the way or at the end he'd call in Bishop to pick them up. He briefly thought about getting his motorcycle out of storage too, to make him more independent from a life he had left behind. The idea appealed to him. Just as much as the idea of becoming familiar once again with Central Park. At Dal's question his brow wrinkled trying to remember.

"I dunno. I used to take CeCe for w-a-l-k-i-e-s and runs there, but I can't remember the last time I was there."

He didn't even realise he had spelt the word walk out, so used to doing it when he was with CeCe it was automatic.

"Was there a part of the park you liked?"

[bagelbites]

How cute! Even if it took Dal a second or two to realize what Alex was spelling out. He ducked his head to hide the giggle, lifting his cup to his lips to help cover it. He couldn't use his hands since one arm was wrapped around Alex's and the other held his coffee.

Dal's secretly a little happier that Alex agreed to walk. The traffic outside of his neighborhood was thicker and a little scary for someone unused to it -- even as a passenger. Plus, the weather was nice, so if they got a little warm from the exercise, it wouldn't be terrible.

"There's a bridge I thought was real pretty..." Now, he wished he would've brought his sketch pad with him.

[brokensmile]

Even though he's used to crowds and noises, it still takes him some mental adjusting to not let it all overwhelm him emotionally or affect his sensitive senses. He had the familiar comfort of Dal to focus on which was welcoming. Plus he had his coffee, all of it made him relax into the walk.

"Think there are a couple of iron bridges at Central Park. We can check them all out if you want."

[bagelbites]

Dal lit up at the offer. Surely one of them was the one he remembered. "Can we? And the fountain! I wanna see your fountain." It's important to Dal that they saw something Alex wanted, too. This was an adventure they were having together, after all.

[brokensmile]

"Sounds like a plan, then. I dunno if there is anything going on entertainment wise, guess we can see if there is. I recently learnt there's an art gallery close by there that shows an artist named Klimt. Do you want to go look at that too?"

Although he had been a regular visitor to Central Park there were still areas he hadn't been too because for him at the time they weren't of interest to him. Now, it's like he's aware of a lot of art spaces and it's opened up Central Park to be a completely different experience for him.

[bagelbites]

"Oh," Dal bounced a little on his feet as they walked at the mention of Klimt. "Do ya know him? He's got a real famous one called, um..." He has to think about it only for a second since the title is simple. "'The Kiss.'" Oh, it sounded like they're going to have a very full day! Bridges and fountains and artwork!

His enthusiasm didn't temper, but something a little more mischievous lit his eyes. "Does this count as a third date?"

[brokensmile]

"I dunno about Kilmt, just that he does art. Guess it is your turn to fill me in on stuff I don't know."

His lips curl up when he notices Dal's enthusiasm and mischievous look, making him glad they're together again, he wants to see Dal happy. As they walk along, his arm is loose around Dal's waist. Alex pauses with talking as he takes a mouthful of coffee. The air around them is changing, even though the weather is still warm, it is reminds him of the changes in his life. The good ones, like Dal.

"Third date, uh, fancy that we got this far and you still want to be with me. I must be doing something right then. Yeah, this is a third date."

[bagelbites]

A third date! That's a record for Dal, for sure. There's no way to hide that he's happy about it -- not just that it's a third date, but that it's a third date with Alex. Alex, who makes him feel comfortable, who treats him respectfully, who makes him laugh with his silliness. What a wonderful sort of person to be on a third date with!

"In honor of number three, I'll teach ya a Korean word. Repeat after me: jagiya." He enunciates the word carefully, sounding out each syllable so Alex can pronounce it.

[brokensmile]

"Ja..no, that's not right. I think I got this now, jagiya. What does it mean?"

The word sounds familiar to him and he realises some of his older knowledge of Asian languages is starting to come back to him. Still, it is new and the idea an Immortal like him, even if he was still young in Immortal terms, could learn something new now of all times was drawing him to Dal even more. It was a third date and that was promising for him even though he still was taking everything slow. He briefly wondered if he was moving too slow. Alex pushed the thought aside to focus on enjoying his time with Dal.

[bagelbites]

Joke's on Alex. There's no such thing as too slow for Dal. He's not keen on rushing into things, especially the physical aspect of a relationship. There are plenty of reasons why, but he's sure Alex can understand the biggest one without him saying it.

"It's a word couples call each other. Like, um, 'baby' or 'honey.'"

[brokensmile]

He knows at some point he and Dal will talk about what's going to happen with the relationship. If he is being honest with himself the slowness is also to do with coming out of a lot of physical healing and emotions from it all. The different slow pace is allowing him to, well, ease into the saddle once again.

"I guess I should ask how you feel about pet names. I know I call you pussycat, you know why. But I dunno, 'honey' sound like we're now an old married couple thing...'Honey! I'm home. Fetch me my dinner, my slippers, and pipe!' And saying baby, I don't want to infantile you without meaning to."

[bagelbites]

At some point. Dal's not in any hurry to label things. Even if they end up being friends after all these dates of theirs, he'll have no complaints. Alex is fun to spend time with and Dal appreciates how earnest Alex has been with him since the start. If this is all that happens, Dal's made a friend and that's nothing for him to laugh at.

"I don't mine 'em." His parents weren't the sort of people who ever used endearments with each other. He's honestly surprised they didn't address each other as 'Mr. Kang' and 'Judge Kang.' They may have even had separate beds in their bedroom. He's not sure he can recall ever seeing it. They were never affectionate. So there's a small part of Dal that's longed for that: affection, someone to call him cute pet names, all that warm stuff.

"Ever had one before?"

[brokensmile]

"I think I'm more likely to give pet names than to be given a pet name. Baby is kinda a given for just about everyone and I've been called that before. I don't really care either way, I guess."

He couldn't remember the last time anyone called him by a pet name. And he came to the conclusion it didn't bother him. He put it down to the fact he was getting used to his new name and he actually didn't think he'd be having a conversation with anyone about pet names, especially someone he'd be interested in. He thought it'd be a while before he even be in this kind of situation. But he was there and his expression soften little as he looked at Dal, realising, it was a good conversation to have with someone he liked.

now that my brain seems to have come back from the war

[bagelbites]

"I like the way it sounds in Korean better," he added a bit more quietly, looking down at the cup in his hand. "It's, um... It draws a line between what's real and what's work, if that makes sense." While Dal didn't make money with his thrilling conversation, most of his clients didn't want to question what he was calling them. They certainly weren't interested in a language lesson, however brief.

That's also why he liked Alex calling him 'pussy cat.' It's not the sort of nickname anyone else called him.

Looking back up from his drink, Dal smiled a little shyly. "As long as ya don't mind, I wanna call ya that." As long as Alex didn't mind. The last thing he wanted was to make things awkward or uncomfortable. He had very little doubt Alex would be upfront if it did bother him.

"Do ya really not know Klimt? He's real famous for his Golden Phase. He, he used real thin sheets of hammered gold in his work from that period. It's real pretty, you'll see!"

Welcome back from the war. Throws victory party.

[brokensmile]

"Yeah, it makes sense. You can tell me if anything I do reminds you to much of work. You know, some trigger things, and I'll avoid doing them if possible. I'm interested in you, but not because of your profession, and yeah, things are slow moving but that has nothing to do with your profession either. I just need time to sort out what I am feeling here with you."

He knows he mentioned the slow moving before. The time spent with Dal has given him a chance to reintegrate himself back into something normal...almost normal. The months he spent in rehabilitation to recover took him away from anything too personal and going slow after the intense time of avoiding bounty hunters and recovering was a nice change of pace he needed.

"You know I'm going to let you call me anything you want to call me. How am I supposed to say no to you? And no, don't know Klimt. Art was never part of my need to know, until now. You'll have to tell me all about it."

[bagelbites]

Everything Alex said made sense to Dal. It was reassuring and actually drove home that Alex did care. He didn't want to make Dal uncomfortable, but he also didn't want him thinking something was wrong or weird between them. It was very thoughtful. Dal smiled up at him and nodded in understanding. "Take as long as ya need."

Honestly, if things remained much as they were, Dal would be grateful for that. He's just happy to have Alex around. He may be blunt and sometimes a little down on himself, but he's been nothing but respectful and forthright when it mattered. That's a lot to Dal. He'd be happy enough just to have Alex as a friend, if not something else. And if they get to spend more time like this together while Alex figures himself out, that's win, too.

"Hope ya like him. He's one of my favorites."

Though he may not look it, the nature of Dal's life left him perceptive to the point of hyper-vigilance. So, of course, he notices when they've been walking a while and someone else was taking all the same twists and turns some distance behind them. Maybe Alex noticed, too, given what Dal knew about his past and all. He tucked in a little closer against Alex's side and lifted his cup before quietly muttering, "Someone's behind us."

[brokensmile]

It was not only a reassurance for Dal but for him too. There were times when he wondered if taking things too slow was a problem for him. It had been a long time since he was attracted to any one enough to consider being intimate and if he was being honest with himself the idea of intimacy scared him a little. Which was ironic considering his zero fear of just about everything else. But then he knew the fearless didn’t cross over into his personal life, love was scary and being fearless didn’t mean being stupid. He knew it was okay to want to take things slow and to be scared about it. It reminded him he was human after all.

Dal pushing into him closer alerted him to his surroundings quicker than Dal’s words. At first, he moved more in front of Dal and assessed the situation. His eyes narrowed, Who the hell are these fuckers? Not a good thought for him.

“Anyone you know?”

I think my brain is *actually* back from the war this time, so sorry.

[bagelbites]

"Mmhmm," he answered with a nod. He didn't want to draw attention to the fact that they realized they were being followed, so Dal was trying to keep himself collected and his responses subtle. But, yes, one of the group he recognized. Only one. It was someone who used to see him until Dal refused after he got too rough one too many times. There wasn't enough money for Dal to endure someone's sadism and that was that. Even he had boundaries.

"One of 'em," he added to clarify. "Too violent."