#otterdate

The last tidbit being a fact that came up when they needed to discuss helping a transgender friend in need.

Levil had tried to be as prickly as possible. Blunt honesty to the point of rudeness, maybe even insult. And still, he had decided it was a good idea to go on a date.

The idea had been less than appealing. Only very few people could get his brain to shut up for a moment. Expressing the wish to take this person away from him almost sent him into a panic.

When Duke refused to get away from him at the first generously given opportunity? It might have been the first time he was sincerely thankful. He hadn’t done anything to endear himself to the boy. Just been his deliberately mean self. Not being liked by him was essential. He was supposed to like Lyman and not be distracted by being nice or even polite to his too-rich boss and landlord.

It might have been a genuine shock. If there was a chance to lose something he genuinely cared about, it usually happened. But… it hadn’t. Not yet. And even if it was only a small sign of trust or – maybe even – loyalty… it certainly had earned the boy Levil’s loyalty.

So teaching Allan how to change another’s body was going to be fine. It was the least he could do. And it wasn’t hard or difficult. And Allan, too, accepted all the edges. So that was… alright. The date. Despite the almost-panic-attack. If Allan truly wanted to go on a date with a stuntman and hacker, while actually offering up a piece of his own mind by showing what he himself liked?

Sure. Why not. There was no harm done. And hey, the restraining order never actually happened.

So here he was, on a Thursday morning, clad in cargo jeans, tank top muscle shirt and glasses… and apparently… they would be petting otters.

He was 15 minutes too early… it was interesting to look at from the outside. ‘Otterly adorable’ as they advertised.