#valentinestarters

Jax could not be everywhere at the same time, but she could try. Having picked up a bouquet of flowers for her date, she’d ran down the subway to make it to the skating rink in time, stopping on her way there by her favourite coffee spot to get some hot beverages, and managed to get everything to the place without a single spill. Standing at the entrance, in her best most comfortable pantalons - grey - and a woollen red top. She was always too early, to scope out the area, a habit she couldn’t shake. When her date arrived, she waved. “Hello, I double checked the coffee that you liked, I hope I got the right one,” she said with a wink. 

Cian didn’t date. At least not for any other reason than to further his own goals: either because his mother had wanted something or because he knew there was something to gain from the information he might acquire. And he certainly didn’t see anything that could come out of dating a coworker. It was a dangerous venture, a game that might leave him more hurt than anything else. But Cian was growing lonely, passing his twenties without the need for a companion, aside from meaningless one-night stands. He wanted something in his life, something to hold onto, another human being to hold in his arms. 

Zakir knew that he played his reputation well, he might be a romantic - which was clear for anyone who listened to his songs and understood most languages - but he was also a rapper, and all he knew from rappers when he’d been younger was that they were allowed to be fuck bois, so he’d attempted his best to channel that attitude. Even if, if he could, he’d lead the most romantic and loving life.

As a hopeless romantic, Zakir adored Valentine’s day. They’d dropped a note at Anchali’s office, just some lyrics for a song, with a vague note attached to it so nobody would have the faintest idea it was his Valentine’s letter to her. She didn’t need people to know, couldn’t afford to, and he just pretended it meant nothing in particular to bystanders. 

The cafe was brustling, so busy that it was almost impossible to get a table. But Jax always came prepared. She’d reserved beforehand, a seat for three, knowing it would ensure some extra leg room. High teas weren’t her usual, but she was feeling hungry after all the Terror business and all the worrying about the White Crocodiles, and the brainstorming what she could do for Niko to help her. Thus, she’d decided on a lot of food, a lot of tea, and possibly many tiny sandwiches. 

She looked up at her date when they entered the cafe and waved them over. Then flagged the waitress that she was ready for the first serving of whatever was on the menu.

Jax was known as a serial dater, to anyone who knew. She went on at least three dates a week, sometimes with the same person, often times with new people. Most of the time it didn’t lead anywhere, sometimes it led somewhere that was comfortable for a few nights, other times it led to friendship. She was always eager to find out what would be next. 

Thus she smiled brightly as her date - clearly from the fact that the picture definitely had been a good one - appeared around the corner, walking towards the restaurant door. “Hello,” she said. She held out her hand. “I’m Jax.” 

Valentine's day was somehow one of Bez’ favourite holidays. They had no stomach for love, had never wanted a single partner, simply couldn’t imagine what it could be like to love someone, to be their forever. But that didn’t mean they didn’t swallow up the whole festivities around it. Oftentimes, or better yet every year, they went home lucky: stomach full, bed filled, and comfortably tired. Dating on Valentine’s day was not their thing however, it usually included some kind of stigma, people expecting things that Bez could not deliver. 

They smiled radiantly as another person appeared at their table. The bar had a policy this evening: every table only had two chairs, and while you could switch, there simply wasn’t a way around it. “Good evening,” Bez said, grinning as they saw the beauty of the other who had been seated. “No valentine’s date today?” they asked. They signed for the bartender to bring them two drinks, and then turned their gaze back to the stranger. “Behrooz,” they said, by means of introduction.