I don't have a choice but I'd still choose you

[sketchycharacter]

Who: Nathan Drake (sketchycharacter) and Elena Fisher (tearsinajar)
When: One fine evening on Vacation Planet
Where: A fancy establishment
What: Mr. and Mrs. Drake try to take the "strange" out of "estrangement" by having a first date 2.0 3.0
Warnings: Hideous romantic grossness. Bring a toothbrush. Also references to married adult activities and maybe some angst.

[It's been a long, long time since Nate's gone on a first date, and he doesn't remember the experience of preparing for it making him so nervous. Granted, he hasn't gone on a lot of first dates that actually mattered, but still—he's a grown adult, not a clueless teenager, and he shouldn't have sweaty palms, jitters or the need to check his suit for stray lint every few minutes. But check, check and check, he's got every one of them.

It doesn't actually help that he's married to the woman he's taking out on this particular first date. Considering the circumstances of what led to it being a first date and how much he has to lose if this goes badly, it actually makes things worse. And it's not like he can look back to their original first date, which was running around on cursed zombie island or marathon sex in a Panamanian hotel, depending which one he decides to count, for inspiration. The first option would be very hard to replicate and the second wouldn't do much to fix their problems.

So all right, he's doing this without a net. What else is new? At least the unlimited credits allowed him to buy a (pretty sharp, if he says so himself) new suit so he doesn't look like a complete schmuck unworthy of the gorgeous woman he's taking out, even if he is. Nate checks his watch, takes one last look at himself and heads over to Elena's room. It's time.

At least next door isn't very far to walk. He steadies himself and raps on the door.]

Comments

[tearsinajar]

Space chicken could be a thing. Or maybe they have— [ Elena drops her voice as she leans forward, a cautious look moving over the room. ] —alien chicken something.

[ The burgers and fries they'd indulged in on the boardwalk a few times already had tasted the same as the kind they had on Earth, nothing different, just as juicy and just as crispy. ]

—ooohhhh, a wrap section. I didn't think a place this fancy served wraps.

[ A dead serious look fixes on him from her end of the table. ]

I was expecting alien caviar. Tiny little alien baby fetuses so tiny the human eye can't see.

[sketchycharacter]

[They're probably fancy wraps. Premium everything for ingredients and a price to match. That's fine, they can afford it (well, the captains can, apparently.) He's about to comment on exactly that when he finds himself staring at her instead, torn between making a disgusted face and laughing.]

Invisible alien fetus caviar, really? Were you going to order that if it was on the menu?

[Nate settles on making a disgusted face and then grinning as he takes his own look at the menu.]

If you're trying to keep me from stealing your food, you could have just asked.

[Steak. He's sticking with steak. Not alien caviar fetus anything.]

[tearsinajar]

Maybe I acquired a special taste for fish eggs and never told you while you were away.

[ The look on his face pleases her. She enjoys grossing him out as much as she does teasing him and riling him up. It's all part of the marriage. ]

See, I could've done that, but then where would the fun be in that? Don't be a downer or else I'll start calling you Debbie.

[sketchycharacter]

[If she did, their grocery bills are going to get more expensive once they're home. He shakes his head, still smiling.]

I'll stick with 'Nate,' thank you.

[Apparently the quality service here extends to knowing when to check on them and when to let them be alone. Practically the instant they've decided on the orders, the waiter is there to take them, and then it's just the two of them once more.]

This is a pretty big change from our first first date, huh?

[He doesn't say whether he's counting the undead island adventure or the motel staycation that followed.]

[tearsinajar]

Definitely a lot less running for our lives feel to it. A lot more getting out of the box in dressing up and the fancy meal.

[ No thanks on the whole running from assholes waving their guns around after them. Elena's quite pleased with how this evening's turning out, leaning back in the seat to look around and then at him, smiling. ]

I like it. It's a nice change of pace.

[sketchycharacter]

It's not my usual style, but there's something to be said for the fancy stuff every once in a while. Especially on someone else's dime.

[Even if he hated it, this would all be worth it to see Elena smile like she is now. That's all Nate wants from tonight.]

I think the last time we were this dressed up was our wedding.

[What a day that had been. Nate had never pictured himself saying vows on a beach, dressed in a tuxedo, but when the time came it was just perfect. But then as now, all he could focus on was Elena's face.]

[tearsinajar]

That's not true, there was always the dinners I dragged you to, all the suits and the dresses. I'm just glad it was a once every few months ordeal and not a monthly thing.

[ Thrifting was hard when it came to finding a dress and not wanting to drop a hundred on something she'd wear only the one time. Sure there was something to be said about the outrageous gown she was wearing this evening with the gaping back and the chain running down her back, but this was worth it. So worth it. ]

How long do you think the meal will take?

[ Elena let the tips of her fingers brush his, stroking up the side. ]

[sketchycharacter]

Then it's the first time since our wedding that we've been this dressed up and you didn't need to drag me.

[Some of her work events were better than others, but none of them were anything he'd attend just for fun. This? This is different. There's nowhere else he'd rather be.]

Depends how hungry you are. [He smiles, enjoying the feel of her fingers on his.] But don't get ahead of yourself. Once we're done? We're dancing.

[tearsinajar]

I'm starved, I'm surprised you can't hear my stomach complaining from the other side.

[ Though she's pausing, a brow raised. ]

I'm sorry, what? Dancing? Nate, you don't dance.

[ Elena says it with a laugh, fingers curling under his to squeeze. ]

[sketchycharacter]

[Must be the ambient noise. Otherwise he'd totally have heard it and teased her about the imminent earthquake.]

I dance. Just not well.

[They'd done some dancing at their wedding, and he's sure they must have danced at least one other time in their relationship, though it's not coming to mind immediately. He squeezes her fingers back.]

There's a dance floor and this is a romantic date. We've got to take advantage. As long as it's slow, it's fine.

[tearsinajar]

We could go out onto the beach and dance barefoot and I'd still be just as happy.

[ They could dance along the shoreline with the gently rolling waves washing up over their feet and ankles, it would be a lovely evening no matter what. ]

There has to be a spot near the boardwalk. I bet it's gorgeous down there at night with the lighting.

Again Elena's looking out the window, focusing past their reflections in the glass before looking at him through it, turning to look back across to him. ]

[sketchycharacter]

Oh, it is.

[He checked. He did research for this. A great dinner, dancing, a romantic view. Nate may have dropped out of school long ago, but he did his homework.]

Barefoot dancing sounds pretty good to me.

[tearsinajar]

Is it? So I wouldn't be the first girl you take down there at night?

[ Some teasing accompanied by a teasing smile. She brushes his ankle with an extended leg under the table. ]

That's too bad. I guess we'll just stay here.

[sketchycharacter]

Oh, I was dancing by myself. Got some funny looks, but I had to be thorough.

[He slides his foot forward to press against hers.]

Best plan is to split the difference. Have a dance here, have a dance there.

[tearsinajar]

If you weren't so far away I would reach and pinch your cheek.

[ As in stop being a cute husband, husband. ]

Okay, that sounds fair. I'll be happy to get out of these heels sooner or later.

[sketchycharacter]

[Hey, he's not a baby. He's a man. A handsome man who's in love with her.]

Later. Let's not rush tonight.

[Nate wants to make this last.

It's not too much longer before their food arrives, and from the look and smell of it, it lives up to the five-star reputation of the restaurant. He'd been a little concerned about alien standards, but so far this date is going just as he'd wanted it to.]

[tearsinajar]

[ Elena on the other hand has no high expectations for this date. It either goes really well or it doesn't. Either way, it's something they've been missing in their time together— a real date. Something for the books, a night to remember.

There's definitely no need to rush tonight. Their food looks delicious, amazing, and Elena's reminded of how hungry she is as soon as the smell hits her. ]

It's too bad I didn't bring my camera with me. I'd hate to say it but I'd be taking a food selfie right now.

[sketchycharacter]

A food selfie? How does that even work? You don't look like a plate of food.

[Okay, he can deduce what she means by that, but it's too amusing to take the combined terms literally.]

You'll just have to keep it in your memories. I mean, I hope tonight will be memorable.

[tearsinajar]

What, you mean I don't look good enough for you to eat?

[ By eat, he should know what she's getting at. She cocks a brow, giving him a cheeky look, smirking. ]

That's a damn shame. But you know what isn't? This feast.

[sketchycharacter]

Oh, always.

[He raises an eyebrow and grins. He knows what she means, for sure. And that's...a little ahead of them. Flirting, banter, those are easy to get back to. Real intimacy takes more time. But they'll get there, one step at a time, and this is the first one.]

Then let's dig in.

[tearsinajar]

[ It felt so naturally to flirt, to tease. To add a little extra to the table. She wonders why she would let such a thing slip and puts on a smile, saying nothing.

Digging in is what Elena does, quiet for most of the meal. She listens to the music and the chatter all around but seems more content in drinking her drink and eating. Keeps her from saying anything else that might be too ahead of their time.

With a few bites left that's when she has to put her utensil down and lean back in her chair, blowing out a heavy exhale, cheeks puffing. ]

Now that's what I call a meal. How was yours?

[sketchycharacter]

Excellent. Almost as good as the company.

[He's just full of cheesy lines tonight, but in fairness, they have to go somewhere—he's so full of really goddamn good food that there is no more room in him for lines. Plus he means it. They could be eating lukewarm beans and he'd be happy.

The waiter is attentive as always, swooping in to nonchalantly take their plates away once they're no longer needed. Nate reaches across the table to take Elena's hand and nods his head at the dance floor in the center of the restaurant.]

Want to give it a try? At least one dance.

[tearsinajar]

What? Now?

[ She huffs out a small laugh— he can't be serious. ]

I feel like I could go into food coma right now. And I probably look like I have a food baby to boot.

[ At least the dress wasn't tight in a restricting way. Elena pats her stomach, squeezes his hand. ]

[sketchycharacter]

Yes, now. It's slow dancing, see?

[The music's been low and slow all evening—multiple other couples are out there now, not all of them human, dancing and being close. Maybe it's just because he wants to hold her, but Nate really wants to join them.]

Please?

[tearsinajar]

[ It's the way he asks, how the 'please' sounds. She watches him for a moment longer before looking away to the dance floor. Her napkin comes off her lap after her gaze lingers on the other couples and she pushes the chair back, rising up.

Hard to deny him this when she can see he really wants it, so she moves and holds out her hand. ]

Show me your best moves.