cravating | (no subject)

[ It's about ten past when Matt gets there. Delays on the tube, and of course he couldn't fucking text and let him know, so by the time he gets there he's in a bit of a panic that Nate is going to have left or something.

He stalls outside, calming himself down before getting inside and being led over towards the table. When he said he'd wear a suit, he wasn't joking, and he's there in a deep navy suit, modern cut, with a crisp white shirt underneath, buttons open maybe one or two more than they need to be. Around his wrist though he still wears his same old battered leather cuff, and from his neck that old charm that Nate once gave him hangs from a leather strap.

He's wearing maybe a touch more aftershave than he needs to. ]

Hey, Nate. Sorry fucking underground you know how it is.

[Looking over the menu as Matt approaches, it's not until he speaks that Nate realizes. Glancing up in a hurry, his smile of relief comes immediately. He sort of half stands from his seat as a reflex.]

Hey. No, I understand. Can't be helped. You made it, though. And you look... wow.

Yeah? I don't look like a cock? [ He's genuinely worried. He doesn't usually wear this sort of thing, the chance of looking like a cock is pretty high.

He moves to sit down, tucking himself into the seat and shifting a bit. ]

And you look great too. I mean really. [ he smiles at him, if a little nervously, before leaning forward a bit to whisper over the table ] You look hot.

[Sitting when Matt does, Nate's adjusting the tablecloth when he leans over to whisper that remark and just... blushes deeply.]

Thanks. And no- you pull it off really well. Still prefer you in jeans and one of those tshirts that looks like it's going to fall apart, but it's nice for a special occasion, I think.

Edited 2015-11-23 00:34 (UTC)

Well fuck if I'd known that I'd have just grabbed something off the floor. Thought you liked this sort of thing.

[ He's really trying to make an effort, and for him, for the things he'd think Nate would like from someone. He's not really figuring how that would be him.

He grabs a menu, flicking it open and giving it the once over before frowning. He understands nothing on it. ]

Salmon mousse? Why the fuck would you turn fish into mousse? Like the shit you put in hair?

No, it's like... whipped. Like chocolate mousse? But not sweet. It's good. I mean other places where I've had it, at least.

[He's regretting this choice a little. Matt just looks uncomfortable. That's not at all what he wanted.]

Oh right. Right yeah. Course. I knew that.

[ He didn't. He just thinks he should have. He really wants to be able to do this, to be able to go to Nate places and fit into his little world. He's had to do it before, had to perform, it's just like that, isn't it? ]

So how's your day been?

Not too bad. Had a chat with the woman who's my agent now, I guess? She's the one setting up these shows for me, at least. Said someone called and snatched up that big blue painting of mine.

[He knows it was you. You told him it was going to be yours.]

Hope your room is big enough for that monster.

It's not going in my room it's going in a gallery. A proper one. Permanently. Maybe your agent wants to sort that out for you.

[ And yes he's totally sarcastic about him having an agent because that's crazy to him. Crazy awesome, but crazy. ]

And my room has a big monster in it every night.

[ No, Matt, don't make jokes about your dick, you'd promised yourself you wouldn't do that. ]

[Nate can't even make a comment about that dick joke. He's just gaping at him, mouth dropped open in shock.]

Sorry, what? You...

[He can't word]

What? Yeah yeah they can move a Rembrandt out the way or some shit for it. Put a Nathaniel Jones original in there instead. I know which I'd rather see.

[He's in shock. Proper shock. And his next move is a complete product of that, so forgive him while he moves out of his chair to lean across the little table and reach across to pull Matt's face up to meet him in a kiss. It's brief and after only a second, he sits back down. But that just happened.]

You've got no idea what that means to me.

[ It shocks him, entirely unexpected. He's never really had Nate down as the impulsive type, always the one being rational and sensible, but then a move like that is anything but. It's enough to shock him a little, wordless as he takes a quick glance around as if to check if anybody saw. Not that he finds he really cares if anybody does see. ]

Got a bit of one.

[ He lifts a hand and touches it to his lip. ]

So.. er... what you going to order? [ He's distracted though now, definitely distracted. ]

Haven't decided yet. Might start with the kale chips.

[So hipster it hurts.]

[ Matt just... looks at him. Yeah Nate, you have the twelve quid bits of air fried-- actually what even is Kale? ]

Yeah course yeah, me too. Love a bit of Kale, me.

[ totes ]

[Nate tries to hide a smile before he leans forward a little and lowers his voice.]

We can get out of here, you know. Slip out the back and find a place to just gets burger and some chips or something.

[Not that Big Mac you want Matt, still slightly fancier]

Honestly. I want you to actually enjoy this.

No, hey no. This is your thing and that's cool. I want to do the things you like. You've already done enough trying to fit to me, I think the least I can do is order kale chips right? And mushroom... well mushroom something. I'm sure it's great.

You're sure? [He wouldn't be mad or upset if they left. He doesn't want this to be weird or uncomfortable.]

Maybe I can order for us? If you trust me, that is.

Go for it [ he agrees with a warmth in his smile ]

And I do, by the way. Trust you, Nate. Completely. So order the craziest shit on the menu. It'll be a wild ride.

[He smiles at that, glancing at Matt over the menu before he lets his eyes sweep it, making some decisions as the waitor approaches. He orders something that sounds awful and pretentious. But it's actually the closest to a normal dish that he can manage. And kale. Kale is happening. He also orders some fancy beers that they brew special at the restaurant. So fucking hipster it hurts.]

So how's work? Slay a dragon yet? [You said you were a knight. What do you expect?]

[ Yay kale. He will try and like it all and not pick at the food like it's some sort of alien on his plate. This place is upmarket you know.

He laughs. ]

Yeah you know we don't really get dragons circling the M25 [ FORESHADOWING~ ]

But I'll let you know when we do.

Pretty sure the whole world will know if that happens. [He says with a laugh. Because all of this is definitely just a joke.]

But that's what knights do, yeah? Slay dragons, rescue princesses.

[ Yeah something like that would never ever happen. ]

Oh yeah. I mean it's my calling right?

[ He shakes his head though. ]

I'm nothing though. Some of the guys there, whoo. The things they've done would make your hair fall out.

Well, you can't just say that and then not give me some sort of example.

[Tell him about your life, Matt. He wants to know about your life.]

[ He's not really sure how much he's supposed to tell, and even if it is Nate part of him worries someone might appear and look disappointed at him or something. ]

Well when I left I got this job. In a bar on this island. Seemed like a good thing, get me away a bit, but it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Big wanker dictator type there doing pretty much all the things a bond villain would do. And these guys, the Knights, well they came on in. Started an all out war just to save people.