For Belgium

[deutschemann]

[He arrived an hour early before the promised time despite spending all night reading on manuals about what to do on dates. He's learned from his past experiences and made sure the books he got had some credibility. So now he's wearing something comfortable and less formal. Just a simple brown coat, beige dress shirt, light brown slacks, and clean cut loafers.]

[He's also holding a small present which he keeps inside his pants pocket for later. No flowers, nothing too big. He wouldn't want to give too much of an impression. No, never again. Hopefully, this time it would go well without any misunderstandings.]

Comments

[bellabelgium]

[ She stays back against the door when he steps back, watching him with a careful gaze. He seems genuine enough but he hasn't apologized. So damn proud and stubborn. ]

I was playing with you. Flirting with you. Trying to make you laugh and smile and blush and keep you interested. That's what people do on a first date.

[deutschemann]

...I see. I remember something like that from what I read.

I should have done the same but I'm not any good at those things...

[Well, he did try to keep her interested and maybe smile. But the art of flirting is lost on him. He wouldn't even know where to start, though he did compliment her somewhat, if one could call that flirting.]

[There's an awkward pause. She hasn't made a decision but silence always says more.]

The least I could do now is take you home to make up for everything.

[bellabelgium]

[ And with that she lets out a sigh. Is he really that oblivious? ]

You don't have to be good at any of it. Just so long as you're trying hard for me. That's all I want.

[ She pushes off the door and reaches out for his hand, taking it in hers a lot more chastely this time. ]

Germany... I want to be here with you. I wouldn't have suggested any of this if I didn't.

[deutschemann]

...!

[He's surprised she'd want to even hold his hand again. But he won't let this chance go. With her kind words reaching into his heart, he feels a strange warmth.]

Leave it to me! I won't let you down!

[He squeezes her hand gently, regaining his resolve. He'll make her the happiest woman in the whole place.]

I want to be with you just as much. I'm determined to make this successful for the both of us.

[bellabelgium]

[ She smiles a little and nods. If she was the type to hold a grudge over something so silly she wouldn't have any friends at all. She can get over this kind of mishap easily enough. And she can see that he's truly determined to make this better. ]

Alright. I just want you to have a good time too.

[deutschemann]

[He smiles at her, moving out the door---

only to be faced with a line of people giving looks at them for coming out of the bathroom at the same time.]

There's no problem here! There was nothing illicit about what we did! Lovers usually keep watch of the door!

[He gently holds her shoulder with his other hand and briskly urges the both of them to move back to the exhibits to avoid further scandal.]

[bellabelgium]

[ She blinks when he opens the door and sudden there are people staring. She was just going to walk off and let them think what they want before he shouts out red faced and embarrassed and ushers her away, doing her best to hide her giggle as he does. ]

[deutschemann]

Don't mind them. I'll find a way to explain the situation.

[He quietly slips his hand away from her shoulder, but leaves their hands together. He checks for the gift he has in his pocket. Still there. He plans to show it while they wait for their meal.]

Are you hungry? We can have some lunch since it's noon. But there are other exhibits if you feel like walking around some more.

[bellabelgium]

We don't have to explain anything to them. We didn't do anything wrong.

[ She feels the squeeze but she makes a point not to lace their fingers. She doesn't want him questioning her like that again. ]

Lunch sounds nice.

[deutschemann]

It's not far from here.

[He leads her this time, feeling much more energetic. He's excited about presenting her gift and maybe the chance of finally having some beer if they have it.]

You can order anything as much as you'd like.

[bellabelgium]

Well that's quite generous. I appreciate it though.

[ She lets him lead her to the... quite crowded cafe inside the aquarium, full of teaches and school children and parents and staff. ]

Uh-- perhaps we can get an order to go?

[deutschemann]

It would probably take a while for anyone to take our order, lunch would be finished by then.

Is there anywhere else you'd like to eat? There are some fast food selections outside, if you'd prefer that. As long as we have the all-day tickets, we could always come back.

It would be for the best that we can have a place to sit and relax while we dine.

[bellabelgium]

That's fine as well. I don't mind it. Let's head back out to the front.

[deutschemann]

Yeah.

[He turns around and tugs her gently along and slowly paces himself to walk with her side by side. He looks at her from the corner of his eye, that cute cat-like smile of hers peeking behind a soft fluffy tuft of hair. He...wouldn't mind waking up to something like that.]

[He quickly turns away and slaps himself awake---He shouldn't think of things like that!]