#galdo

Fang’s voice, unexpectedly cheerful, answered Galdo’s question immediately. From where he lounged, he simply let his head flop back over the arm of the couch and watched as Fang sauntered into the room. Positively glowing.

“There you are. Where have you been?” Tiara immediately chided. She paused mid lecture when she finally realised just how happy he appeared to be, and her eyes narrowed. “You’re…in a good mood. How positively suspicious. What did you do?”

“It’s been my lucky day.” Fang dramatically flicked a stray strand of hair from his forehead. “I heroically saved an old lady in the street, and she gifted me a free meal at this all-you-can-eat buffet. Mwahaha, I’m eating like a god tonight.”

Galdo pouted as he rolled over to lie on his stomach, his chin resting on the armrest. “Man, you are lucky. I’m jealous.”

He was definitely eating Fang’s portion of Bahas’ cooking in retaliation tonight.

Fang reached into his jacket. “Not only that, but I got two tickets,” he said as he revealed said two red and gold tickets. “I can take someone else with me.”

“Oh!” Eryn immediately perked up. “Well, you’ll be taking me with you, won’t you, Fang?”

“You?” Tiara immediately scoffed in her usual way. “Oh, of course not. As the True Heroine, Fang will, of course, be taking me.”

“Hm,” Marissa hummed over the usual bickering. “I believe there is someone else far more suitable.”

Bahas walked in dressed in his pink frilly apron and a yellow tea towel in his hands. “Indeed,” he said, responding as if he had heard the entire conversation. He then focused his attention squarely on Fang and narrowed his eyes. “Remember what we talked about, Fang.”

Fang avoided Bahas’ gaze, which was a little strange, as he placed the two tickets back into his jacket. “Right, right. Let’s go, Galdo.”

Galdo sharply lifted his head up of the armrest of the couch. “Eh? Me?”

Fang roughly scratched the back of his head, attempting to appear casual. “Y-yeah, well, no one would appreciate an all-you-can-eat buffet better than you.”

Galdo pushed aside the quiet question of why Fang appeared nervous all of sudden to instead push himself up off the couch. “Well, I’m not going to argue with that.”

He would never say no to free food and spending time with Fang.

“And I agreed,” Harley added casually from her place at the small tea table, a cup of coffee in her hands. “You two can eat a business out of business together. And alone. Not going anywhere near that mess.”

That was rude. They weren’t that bad.

“When you put it that way…” Eryn murmured behind her hand.

Tiara fell silent for a moment as stared steely at Fang. “…It’s just dinner, isn’t it, Fang?”

Galdo blinked. That was an odd question. He looked over at Fang and was confused once more. Was he blushing or was he just seeing things?

“What’s with that question?” Fang retorted before he grabbed Galdo by the elbow in preparation to drag him out of the inn. “Let’s go.”

“Remember to chew your food before swallowing, Galdy-kins.”

“I know, I know,” Galdo said in response to Marissa’s usually mothering. “If there is one thing I do know how to do well, it’s how to eat food, eh.”

Marissa just smiled airily and waved. “Okay. Have fun on your date, you two.”

Acting as one Eryn and Tiara bristled wildly and whirled around to face a largely unbothered Marissa. “It’s not a date!” they shrilled; their voices so high-pitched it could almost shattered glass.

“Oookay, you two,” Harley soothed slowly, in much the same way one would a dangerous animal. “Relax. Take a breath.”

Galdo arched an eyebrow. What are those two jealous about?

Fang tugged on Galdo’s arm once more. “Ugh, let’s go, Galdo.”

Galdo allowed Fang to pull him out of the inn. “Sure thing, Fang.”

Strangely enough, Fang kept a hold of his arm until they reached the streets of Zelwinds before he let go. Galdo didn’t particularly mind, but it wasn’t like he was going to bail on him or anything. He especially wouldn’t skip out on the opportunity to spend time alone with Fang. Just the two of them at an all-you-can-eat? Not something that came around all that often!

As they walked through the streets, Fang told Galdo about his heroic act in great detail. Apparently, Fang had been on his way to Guillermo's pub when he stumbled across a couple of never-do-wells accosting an elderly woman. So, naturally, he had to step in to help. He rocked up and easily defeated the two hooligans, sending them running, and was promptly thanked by his oh-so grateful damsel in destress.

It didn’t surprise Galdo one bit that Fang rushed to the rescue. That was so like Fang.

After a few minutes of walking, Fang grabbed him by the elbow again and pulled him to a stop. He motioned to his right, to a building with the name “Le Adella’s Restaurant”. Galdo had heard of this restaurant. A mum and pop’s place, if he remembered correctly. Good food and good atmosphere. Hadn’t had the chance to check the place out yet.

Stepping inside, they were greeted by the sight of a short, portly woman with brown and silver hair and green eyes at the reception desk. She greeted them with a cheerful smile, one practiced by all who would in customer service, he supposed. But her expression brightened considerably when her gaze fell upon Fang, and she clapped her hands excitedly in front of her.

“Ah, there he is, my little hero!” she said, toddling out from behind the reception desk.

“Oh, is this the lady you helped earlier, Fang?” Galdo questioned, turning to the man next to him.

Fang nodded his head. “That’s right.”

The lady, with the nametag Adella, alluded maternal warmth as she stood before the two of them. She grabbed Fang’s hand in hers, patting the back of his hands as she chatted cheerfully about being so utterly thrilled that he had taken up her offer of a free meal.

As if he wouldn’t!

Adella then grabbed Galdo’s hand and smiled widely up at him, practically beaming. “And this must be your boyfriend!”

Galdo stilled, his lips parting in surprise. B-boyfriend?

“A-ah, yeah,” Fang replied.

What?

“Wonderful!” Adella beamed as she released her grip on their hands and waddled away.

Galdo’s mind went blank as he whipped his head in Fang’s direction. “Fang? What-?”

“I’ll explain later,” Fang said, under his breath.

Galdo could only stare at him as Adella cheerfully called for them to follow her to their table.

Explain? He better explain!

“What’s going on here?” Fang asked as Adella led them through the restaurant. “I feel like I’m at a funeral.”

Prompted by Fang’s comment, Galdo looked around, too. The restaurant was like any other he had been to; clean, neatly spaced tables, and dimmed lighting for a relaxed atmosphere. There were other decorations, too. Reds and pinks. Lots of roses and flowers. And love hearts.

Eh? Special occasion?

But Fang was right. It was quiet and tense. Yeesh, also as if everyone was waiting for some kind of a fight to kick off.

“That’s the state of the dating scene these days,” Adella huffed in annoyance. “Everyone is so busy making sure that the date goes smoothly that they forget to have fun! They keep their words perfect, their actions immaculate, they’ve forgotten what it means to simply relax and get along. Kids these days.”

Adella presented them to a quiet table near the back of the restaurant. Secluded, surrounded by flowers on one side and a large window overlooking a well-manicured garden on the other.

“You two seem different, though,” she suddenly stated as she smiled broadly. “You’ve been a couple for a while, yes?”

“A-ah, yeah,” Fang stuttered in reply as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “For a couple of months now.”

Galdo chose to remain silent.

“Good, good!” Adella was clearly a cheerful woman as she ushered them to take their seats. “Well, you wait right here. Let me get you your drinks before you dive right in!”

Without waiting for a response, she toddled off hurriedly, leaving the two of them alone. In a secluded corner of the restaurant.

And Galdo immediately whirled around to give the other man a confused look. “Fang, what was that?”

“Ah, yeah, the lady immediately assumed that a handsome guy like me was dating someone. That’s another reason why I didn’t want to take one of the girls.” Fang sighed and shook his head. “Imagine. The. Drama.”

…Ok. He supposed that was an explanation of sorts. Though, he could have just said no, right? Then again, Adella probably didn’t give him a chance to say no or something. Right?

Right?

“Sure, ok, Fang. Anything for food, eh?”

Fang nodded. “That’s right.”

That response left an unexpected sour taste in the back of Galdo’s mouth. But it shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s not like Fang would consider him boyfriend or partner material. Not when he had all those girls vying for his attention…

That…really sucked.

“Anyway, looks like we’re going to get special treatment,” Fang stated. “We’re going to have to play pretend. You know, act like a couple.”

Galdo felt his stomach clench at the thought. “How do couples act?”

Fang wrinkled his nose, agitated despite the dusting of red on his cheeks. “How do I know? They have stupid nicknames for each other or something, don’t they? You already have one, Galdy-kins.”

“No way. That’s Marissa’s nickname for me,” Galdo immediately interjected. Fang calling him that didn’t feel or sound right. It definitely wasn’t a nickname he wanted a, ah, ‘romantic’ Fang to call him. “Think of something else.”

“Why do I think of something. You think of something.”

“You dragged me into this.” Galdo leaned forward and pinched Fang’s cheek with his thumb and forefinger. “You think of something.”

“Aww,” came an unexpected cooing. “Whispering sweet nothings already.”

Startled, Galdo let go of Fang’s cheek and leaned back into his chair. Unperturbed by his reaction, Adella happily placed down a tray and set their drinks and plates upon the table in front of them.

“A-ah, yeah,” Galdo found himself stuttering at her presence. An idea struck him when Fang snatched up a drink and took a large gulp “Fang just said something embarrassing, right, Fangy-poo.”

Fang promptly snorted on his drink. What he deserved for dragging him into his scheme without warning.

“Aww, awful nicknames, too,” Adella stated, completely unphased as Fang thumped on his chest with his fist, subtly trying to appear as though he wasn’t choking. “I remember when my husband and I first began calling each other terrible and endearing nicknames.”

Galdo picked up his own drink to hide his smirk.

Fang managed to recover rather quickly and sent Galdo a quick side-eyed glare. However, a rather wicked grin appeared on his lips, and he focused his attention on Adella. “Yeah, Beautiful here is just being mean.”

Galdo promptly snorted on his own drink.

B-beautiful? Of all the nicknames he could have come up with, he used that one?

He was messing with him, wasn’t he?

“Hm?” Adella hummed, having the audacity to react in confusion at Galdo’s reaction.

Fang smiled impishly as he rested his elbows on the table and sat his chin on his hands. “Yeah, Beautiful here can’t take compliments.”

“How adorable!” Adella went back to cooing.

“Right? I tell him all the time and he gets so flustered he can barely speak.”

“Oh yes, must tell him every day how beautiful he is!”

“Of course! What do you take me for?”

Fang wasn’t playing fair. He was having too much fun at his expense!

Expertly ignoring how hot his face felt, Galdo lashed out a foot and kicked Fang squarely in the shin. Fang immediately released a high-pitched yelp and jumped in his chair.

“What was that for?” he immediately whined.

Galdo, however, ignored him. “By the way, your husband?” he asked Adella, desperate to change the subject.

“Oh yes, he’s the head chef.”

“How long have you been married?”

“Thirty blissful years,” she sighed, happily.

Thirty years, huh? That was a long time. Imagine finding someone to spend that many years with. Day and night together. Side by side. Through thick and thin.

That was something he would never experience. Probably.

Adella soon composed herself and looked between the two of them. “How did the two of you meet?”

All of his annoyance at Fang faded away as memories of his first encounter with him played through his mind. His lips parted to reply, but he found himself falling silent as his gaze fell to the table, taking nothing in.

Solaru Village. Zenke indulging in his usual bloodlust. Galdo sick to his stomach watching, forced to stand on the sidelines as he wasn’t strong enough to deal with that twisted, malevolent bastard alone. He couldn’t stand there for much longer. He couldn’t deal with the blood, the screams, the suffering for much longer. He had to do something.

Then Fang came along.

Something in his mind told him to trust the guy. And it wasn’t just because he defeated Zenke and was stupid enough to try to befriend him.

There was another reason. It was…it was as if he had known him from a previous life or something.

“Ah, well, Fang saved me from a dark situation, you could say,” he finally replied. “I won’t go into details, but I owe him my life.”

If Adella sensed his purposeful vagueness, she didn’t let it show. “Aww, like a Knight in Shining Armour. How romantic.”

Fang suddenly shot up from his chair and grabbed his place. And Galdo’s plate. “Race you to the buffet,” he stated before he took off.

Galdo slammed his hands atop of the table and pushed himself to his feet. “Hey! Why did you steal my plate?”

He turned on his heel and raced after Fang with Adella’s laughter behind him.

When he reached the buffet side tables, Galdo soon forgot about his annoyance as he laid eyes on all the food. A fantastic spread. He and Fang were definitely going to eat like kings tonight!

Grabbing his plate from Fang, he immediately got into a competition with Fang as to what food to grab. As he set about filling his plate, though, Galdo was shoved to the side suddenly by someone else.

“Hey, move,” a gruff voice ordered.

Galdo furrowed his brow. “Eh?”

Fang placed a hand on the small of Galdo’s back, only to slip said hand around to rest against his side, tugging him toward him. “Come here, Galdo.”

Galdo allowed him to press him against his side as he glared daggers at the other guy next to him. A guy with short brown hair and blue eyes. An asshole that rudely pushed him to get to the buffet. There was plenty of food. No need to get physical.

“What’s your problem, eh?”

“Just because your own date is going shit doesn’t mean you take it out on us,” Fang added for good measure.

The guy immediately bristled defensively. “Wh-what did you-?”

“Hit the nail on the head, huh?”

“Fang, leave the guy alone,” Galdo said. “Not his fault he has a personality as charming as a Stingle, eh?”

“Th-that’s not true!” The guy went through three stages of annoyance and humiliation in about three seconds. They clearly struck a nerve.

“Things going swimmingly, then?”

“Which is why you’re sulking by the buffet table?”

“S-shut up!” He all but shrilled as he stalked off to the other end of the buffet table. He was virtually on the verge of tears.

Galdo almost felt sorry for him. But that’s what you get for shoving people.

“Them’s the breaks,” Fang said nonchalantly as he unfurled his arm from around Galdo’s waist. “I guess not everyone can by like us. What a loser.”

Galdo took a half step to the side, his brow furrowing ever so slightly as a strange sense of loss and confusion struck him. He couldn’t quite explain how right it felt having Fang’s arm around his waist. Or how…lonely he felt in his chest and stomach when he removed his arm.

That…

“Ah, yeah. Way too high-strung. He needs to take it easy.” Galdo noted that Fang had returned to filling his plate. And he was efficient at it. “Fang, don’t hog all the fried chicken.”

“Hey, first come first serve.”

With their plates unable to hold any more food and with the knowledge they were able to return at any time (thank the Goddess for all-you-can-eat buffets!), Galdo and Fang returned to their table. Sitting down, Galdo noted that the window had been opened halfway, allowing for a fresh evening breeze and the scent of flowers to waft in from the garden outside. He also noted the soft sound of music being played from somewhere unseen. A slow saxophone with a piano. Probably.

It made for quiet the relaxing atmosphere; he wasn’t going to lie.

“Oh, hey, what did you and Bahas talk about?” Galdo asked. “He mentioned something earlier. I don’t suppose he was lecturing you about something.”

Fang looked uncomfortable, fidgeting in his seat. “Ah, yeah. He mentioned that I should be more…thoughtful about my food. Ya know?”

Galdo noticed the hesitation. “Yeah? I suppose he wants you to eat slower and enjoy it more?”

Fang shrugged. “Something like that.”

Well, Bahas had said something similar to Galdo in the past and Marissa was always harping on him to slow down when eating, so he guess he could give it a try tonight. If it would make things easier for Fang.

They fell silent as they turned their attention to eating their food. And it was delicious. Not quite as good as Bahas’ cooking (they had been spoilt by the guy) but it was a close second. They definitely need to make good friends with Adella so they could come back more often.

“How’s the fried noodles?” Galdo asked between bites.

“Not bad, not bad,” Fang answered between snurfs of food. “The pork curry dumpling?”

Oh, Galdo hadn’t tried that yet. He quickly popped that into his mouth and gave a quick couple of chews before swallowing. “Hm. Not too spicy.” He paused and then winced as he reached for his drink. “Hoo. No, wait, really spicy. It sneaks up on ya, eh.”

Fang perked up. “Ooh, let me try.”

With his drink in one hand, Galdo gallantly defended his plate with his fork in his other hand. “Hey, get your own.”

Fang continued to try to steal his dumpling. “Come on, don’t be stingy. Just a bite.”

“There’s no ‘just a bite’ with you, Fang. I know you.”

“Come oooon.”

Galdo rolled his eyes and stabbed the dumpling with his own fork. “Stop whining. Fine. You know I can’t say no to that whine of yours.”

He offered up the dumpling and Fang leaned forward without hesitation. He parted his lips and took the dumpling into his mouth. He closed his lips around the piece of food and dragged it off of the fork, leaning back into his chair.

That wasn’t the first time Fang stole something off of his plate, literally taking the food off of his fork. But tonight, for some unknown reason, the whole thing made Galdo feel…funny.

“I don’t see what you mean,” Fang said defiantly. “It’s not hot.”

“Your voice rose in pitch.”

“No, it didn’t.”

“I also see you reaching for your drink.”

“No, I’m not.”

Galdo laughed. Fang always knew how to make him laugh. “Come on, big man, suffer through it.”

A ruckus made up of shouts and raised voices caused both Galdo and Fang to lift their gazes toward the front of the restaurant. A deep frown made its way to Fang’s face as a loud, masculine sounding voice suddenly issued the demand for money.

Fang placed his hands atop of the table and pushed himself to his feet. “I know that voice. Let’s go, Galdo.”

Galdo didn’t bother to ask any questions. “Right.” It was pretty clear what was happening, anyway.

Ignoring the other customers and diners as they gossiped or cowered in their seats, Galdo followed closely behind Fang as they reached the reception area. Adella stood behind the reception desk, defiantly staring down four men.

Nah, four hooligans, dressed in roughly the same attire. With one wearing a red bandana around his neck to distinguish him from the others. Likely the leader of the group.

And they were, without a doubt, trying to rob the place.

“Hey, you again,” Fang said casually, his attention focused on the one with the red bandana. “Didn’t I embarrass you enough the first time?”

First time? Hah, must be the guy from earlier in the day. He must have returned with some friends in a form of revenge. Maybe Galdo should steal from them as a form of karmic justice, eh?

The hooligan spun around, and though half of his face was hidden by a ridiculous helmet, it was easy to tell that he was surprised by Fang’s appearance. “You again?!” he spluttered. “And who’s the pretty boy with you? Your boyfriend?”

That was a random question.

“Yeah?” Fang replied swiftly. “What of it?”

M-man, Fang was dedicated to his little ruse, wasn’t he?

“Poor guy,” the hooligan returned with a sneer. “Imagine being with a loser like you.”

Galdo’s eyes sharply narrowed. “A loser that kicked your ass earlier, if I’m not mistaken.”

The guy bristled wildly. “Th-that was just a fluke!”

“Yeah?” Fang crackled his knuckles as a feral smile spread across his lips. “Well, how about I do it again?”

Not alone, he won’t.

Two against four. Not bad. Galdo had been in brawls without Marissa plenty of times before, so it should be a piece of cake. Speaking of cake, they’d be back to eating in no time!

The hooligans immediately tried to use their numbers against them by surrounding them, but that wouldn’t work. Galdo and Fang fought better when they were side by side, back-to-back. They found it easier to fight when they knew where each other was on the battlefield.

Hah. The hooligans didn’t stand a chance.

Galdo had one on the ground, recovering from a swift jab to the kidney, and the other in agony with an arm twisted behind his back. Fang had also dealt with one guy already and was in the process of dealing with the leader once more. The battle was short, a humiliating one no doubt.

“Maybe I should scar that pretty little face of his!”

What-?

A movement from his left caused Galdo to lift his head up.

Fang and the leader hooligan had moved their fight closer toward him. No, wait…the hooligan had lashed out an attack toward Galdo himself. A knife. And it…

It pierced right through Fang’s hand. Through his palm. He…had thrown his hand up, putting that up between Galdo and the knife.

Galdo’s eyes widen. He immediately threw aside the hooligan he had been fighting with. “Fang!”

Fang wasn’t reacting to the knife in his hand, however. Not in pain. Not to the pain. His fingers flexed around the guy’s hand, grasping tightly as he twisted his wrist to a painful angle, loosening his grip on the knife. With his other hand, he grabbed the guy’s face, his fingers gouging into the fleshy parts of his face painfully. With a sweeping kick, he swept his legs out from under him and slammed him into the floor. Hard.

So powerful was the blow that the guy’s helmet crumbled.

“Bastard,” Fang spat, true hatred in his voice. “That’s what you get for trying to hurt Galdo.”

Galdo watched in surprise. Fang…

He was angry.

Fang wrapped his fingers tightly around the handle of the knife and with a reserved grimace, ripped it from his hand. Blood splattered across the floor, dripping from his palm and along his fingers as he left his arm drop to his side idly. He idly flipped the knife around in his fingers to wield it as a weapon instead and turned his gaze at the guy that laid motionless on the restaurant floor.

And waited for him to move, even if that was just a twitch.

Galdo gazed at Fang’s injured, bloodied hand for a moment before he quickly shook himself into action. He grabbed the nearest piece of clear material, an unused table napkin folded by the reception desk, and hurried to Fang’s side.

“Let me see your hand.” He requested in spite of the fact he already had Fang’s wrist in his hand and had wrapped the napkin around the wound long before the final word passed his lips.

“It’s fine,” Fang returned dismissively, but made no attempt to tug his wrist from Galdo’s wrist. He simply kept his gaze on the incapacitated hooligan, silently begging him to move so he had just cause to lash out at him one more time.

“It will be.” Thank the Goddess for his healing skills. Marissa had merit insisting that he learned them. “That guy isn’t going anywhere.”

“Yeah.” Fang did little to hide his disappointment. He finally turned his gaze away from the guy and looked over at him. “Are you hurt?”

It was Galdo’s turn to be dismissive, too busy concentrating on clearing the wound. “I’m fine. The other guys fled after seeing what you did. I guess that guy was their leader or something, eh?”

Thankfully, Fang’s wound was pretty clean. Straight through the bones and tendons in his hand. Still reckless of him, but from the angle of that attack, it was either Fang’s hand or Galdo’s face. So, he had better thank him later.

Hah. He saved him again.

“Is it over?” Adella called out from behind the reception desk, where she wisely took cover when the fight broke out. Her gaze fell on Fang and on the reddening cloth. “Oh, you’re injured?”

“It’s alright, I know some healing skills,” Galdo immediately reassured. “I’ll take care of it. Do you have any bandages?”

“Sorry about the mess,” Fang added, motion to the blood on the floor. And the unconscious hooligan.

“Not at all!” Adella replied dismissively. “I’ll call a guard to take care of this ruffian and the cleaners can take care of this mess. You two, my two heroes, will get a specially cook meal after that little fight!”

The fight wasn’t much, but they did work up an appetite. But they were always hungry, to be fair.

Galdo used a few low-levelled healing spells on Fang’s injured hand to keep the pain minimal as he waited for Adella to bring him some bandages. When he received a small first aid kit, he kept a firm hold on Fang’s hand as he led him back to their reserved table. A hushed silence had fallen over the entire restaurant, but he ignored it.

At their table, he ushered Fang to sit down before he pulled his chair closer to him and sat down himself. He concentrated on healing and attending to Fang’s hand, being mindful not to cause him any further pain or discomfort.

“How does it feel?” he asked as he tied off the bandaged.

Fang lifted his hand and flexed his fingers. “Still hurts. Looks like you’re going to have to hand feed me from now on.”

Good, he was back to joking.

“Fang, honestly. You can still use your other hand.”

“Don’t wanna.”

Galdo rolled his eyes fondly as he packed up the first-aid kit. “Fine, fine. I’ll feed you, you big baby. I guess I owe it to my Fangy-poo for saving my life, eh?”

Fang folded his arms across his chest. “Damn right.”

“Well, I guess you’ve worked up quite the appetite after all of that. I better get us some food. Don’t go starting anymore fights.” Galdo stood up from his chair and placed a hand on Fang’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back, Hero.”

Fang tilted his head back to look up at him. And smiled. A smile that held a tinge of…something. “Don’t keep waiting too long, Beautiful.”

Galdo felt himself flush at the nickname but could only smile and nod his head in response. He…honestly could get use to that nickname.

If it was real.

Picking up the first-aid kit, Galdo headed to the reception desk in search of Adella. He found the cheerful, portly woman easily. In her hands was a large tray of food. That special meal she mentioned, no doubt.

“It’s good to see that you know some healing magic,” Adella said as Galdo returned the first-aid kit. “With such a reckless young man as a partner, I assume he gets into all sorts of trouble.”

“He does,” Galdo immediately agreed. “But…for the benefit of others. That’s why I like him so much.”

“I see,” was all Adella said in response to his words. Choosing to instead smile knowingly as she handed him the tray of food. “I’ll get the two of you something to drink and I’ll leave you in peace. Feel free to stay as long as you like.”

Galdo simply thanked the maternal woman and left. There was nothing more to say.

Back at the table, he found Fang where he left him. Of course. Not like he would bail on him.

Placing the food on the table, Galdo kept his chair pulled close to Fang’s and the other man obviously didn’t object. They fell into a silence, a peaceful one. A part of him expected that Fang was truly joking when he said he wanted Galdo to feed him, but he made no attempt to reach for any of the utensils.

He honestly, genuinely wanted him to feed him?

Fine. Who else could say they hand-fed the one and only Fang, eh?

Galdo had thought it would be somewhat embarrassing to be hand-feeding Fang. Or even just a little bit awkward. After all, Galdo was feeding Fang. His chair pulled close to his, Fang’s arm gripping the back of Galdo’s own chair to lean in even closer. But it surprisingly wasn’t all that awkward.

Sure, they were in a secluded part of the restaurant, where no one would see them. But even as Adella stopped by to give them their free drinks, nothing felt awkward. Not like it was before. She simply smiled, gave them their drinks, before she toddled off.

Galdo didn’t eat much himself. He wasn’t that hungry, surprisingly.

After the meal and their drinks, Fang folded his arms atop of the table and rested his head atop of his arms. He looked relaxed and content, as if he wanted to fall asleep. Tentatively, Galdo reached forward to lightly toy with a strand of his hair.

He didn’t react negatively. So, he pressed further, raking his fingers through his hair lightly. And received a low rumble, a sound between a grunt and a moan. Again, not a negative response.

Galdo rested an elbow on the table as he raked his fingers through Fang’s hair, which was surprisingly soft.

He truly was a cad. He liked being doted on.

Galdo tried not to let the thought of someone else doing this with Fang enter his mind. He didn’t want or need the jealousy right now.

It had grown late. He hadn’t the faintest idea of the time. But it was late. The darkness of the sky outside. The quietness of the streets outside. It was definitely late. But…he didn’t want to go back home yet. He didn’t want everything to end yet. Not yet.

“You know, Fang,” Galdo began, idly curling a strand of his hair around his finger. “I had a lot of fun tonight.”

“Yeah.”

Maybe he was a little giddy from the alcohol, but Galdo was a little more honest than usual. “I like spending alone time with you. Especially like this.”

Fang slowly sat up and turned to face him. The lighting was dim, but Galdo saw the seriousness in his eyes. “You know, Bahas wanted me to be more honest.”

Galdo tilted his head to the side. “And not just about food?”

“No.”

Galdo’s heart fluttered, and he swallowed thickly. “Was tonight real?”

“Yeah.” Fang reached up to curl a strand of his hair behind his ear. “You know, you really are beautiful.”

“Fang…”

Galdo leaned forward and reached for him, his hand touching the side of his face. He hesitated for a quiet a moment, allowing him time to pull back, to push him away. But he did neither. Instead, Fang slid a hand against his side and along his back to pull him closer and tilted his head to the side. That gave Galdo the courage to push forward, his eyes slipping close.

And, finally, with his heart fluttering in his chest, his lips pressed against Fang’s.

Galdo gasped softly as he pushed forward, framing Fang’s face with his hands. He threaded his fingers through his hair as Fang wrapped an arm around his back as gripped at his upper arm with his other hand, holding him as close as possible.

Everything else around them was immediately forgotten. Nothing else mattered but the two of them.

As his lips moved against Fang’s, the other man taking the lead, Galdo knew that things between would never be the same again. And he was fine with that. It was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. He had no idea where that chapter would lead them.

One thing was certain, he couldn’t wait to find out.

… … … … …

Marissa walked down the long hallway of Sunflower Inn. It was midmorning and she hadn’t seen her Galdy-kins for hours. Not since he and Fang left to go on their little “not date” date last night. Eryn and Tiara both insisted that the two had gotten arrested last night for making a ruckus after being kicked out from that restaurant they went to, but Marissa was certain that didn’t happen.

She would have been asked for bail money by now.

Reaching the door to Galdo’s room, Marissa raised her hand to knock, but found herself inexplicably pausing. If her Galdy-kins was in his room, there was good reason why he hadn’t appeared at breakfast.

And why Fang hadn’t appeared at breakfast.

Marissa placed her hand on the doorhandle and tested it. It slowly turned and the door popped open. She sighed and shook her head. Galdy-kins. He really needed to be more careful. Leaving the door unlocked was a big no-no. He was cute and adorable. Anyone could take advantage of him.

But since it was unlocked and open…

The hinges were thankfully silent as Marissa pushed open the door and peered into the room. The curtains were drawn, casting the room in shadows. But there was more than enough light for her to make out that the bed was occupied. With two figures. One her Galdy-kins, and the other very clearly none other than Fang himself.

Marissa took a moment to look up and down the hallway, content to find it empty, before she stepped into the room. She quietly snuck over to the bed and gazed down at the two boys.

Fang laid sprawled out on his back, mouth agape and snoring lightly. Next to him with his head on his chest and arm draped across his stomach was, of course, Galdo. And for his part, Fang had his arm wrapped firmly around Galdo’s waist, the thumb of his hand idly toying with the hem of his tank top.

Oh, those boys.

They did look comfortable.

Better not disturb them.

Marissa slowly turned around and made her way out of the room. She slipped out of the door, pausing only long enough to engage the lock before quietly slipping the door shut. With the door locked, which Galdy-kins should have done in the first place, no one else should bother the two.

Oh, Glady-kins. She was so happy for him. Better than some unknown hussy. Fang was sure to take good care of him. Of course, she was going to give Fang the “if you ever dare hurt Galdy-kins” talk sometime later, but for now, she’d leave them be.

Walking back to her room, she met with Harley half way. “Have you seen Fang?” she asked. “He’s not in his room.”

Marissa folded her hands in front of her and smiled. “He’s with Galdy-kins.”

Harley immediately caught on and glanced over her shoulder. “Ooh, is that so? Last night’s date went that well, then? Let me see.”

“Now, you leave them be,” Marissa chided, grabbing the far-too dedicated researcher by the elbow. “They obviously had a long night getting to know each other.”

Harley perked up. “Now I’m really interested.”

“While it’s nice that you’re interested in something else other than Fairies, don’t you dare.”

“I kid! I kid!” Harley laughed good-naturedly and folded her arms under her bust. “I’m jealous that you managed to get an eyeful, though. I bet they were adorable.”

Of course. Her Galdy-kins was always adorable.

“Though, that does lead to the question of whether they’ll try to be a couple of macho-headed men and pretend not to be together and maintain a “secret” relationship or be absolutely obnoxious about it while unintentionally annoying Eryn and Tiara,” Harley continued.

Good question. Either one was sure to irritate Eryn and Tiara. Poor girls were to be broken-hearted.

“Hm, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”