snow is (fair) wrote in doorslogs, @ 2013-02-16 15:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | rumpelstiltskin, snow white |
WHO: Tess and Kevin
WHAT: Valentine's Day dates
WHERE: Burger Bar
WHEN: Valentine's Day
WARNINGS: None!
Kevin didn’t put much stock in holidays, but he remembered Valentine’s Day. That and anniversaries, but that was what people did when they were in love. Plus, he always loved any chance to surprise Tess with some big extravagant thing. He was making more money now, steady money, and he was adjusting pretty well to it. Having a set schedule was actually nice and he took advantage of his downtime to go for runs or work out at a gym. He could still con a visitor’s pass, which meant he only paid $5 instead of $35, but he was still paying. That was change enough as far as he was concerned. Tess had to see the improvements, and that he was doing it all for her. He’d fucked up big time and now he was willing to do whatever it took to get her back. Maybe it was a bit narrow minded of him, but she deserved to put him through the paces. He’d gladly jump however high she wanted.
Doing things on the straight and narrow was different than what he was used to, but things were going to be different this time, even if it killed him. Money was a bit tighter so he had to be careful, but he’d been saving and planning, trying to figure out what the best thing to do for her would be. Ultimately, Kevin decided maybe flashing money around wouldn’t be the best idea. He left a dozen roses on her doorstep when she’d gone to do her laundry, including a Valentine’s Day card that asked her to The Burger Bar for dinner and the night out wherever she wanted. Wearing a brand new pair of jeans and a clean shirt that would do just fine out in a club, Kevin was a little nervous waiting to for her. With Tess, he never assumed anything and he never took her for granted, now at least. He was learning, it had just taken him forever.
Tess was nervous, not that she wanted to admit it. She had already made peace with Valentine’s Day. It was a day for couples and she, for many years now, had not been in one, so this day was just a day. And she had fully prepared for this year’s day to be simply another day. Nevermind the run ins and casual flirting she had with Kevin. They weren’t a couple.
So she was beyond surprised to see the cards and flowers.
It was one thing to have dinner. It was another thing to have dinner on Valentine’s Day. But she wasn’t about to pass up a free meal with decent company (well, a little more than decent, not that she’d say it aloud). The actual day was simply going to have to be forgotten. As much as anyone could forget it, amidst the red and pink decorations and constant reminders.
At least the Burger Bar was pretty casual and she showed up in a pair of jeans and black lace tank, a toned down version of her usual dress up. When she arrived she managed to sneak up behind him, fingers tangling in his hair affectionately to signal her arrival.
“Been waiting long?”
He couldn’t help being a bit of a romantic at heart, especially when it came to Tess. It was easy to get lost in the memories of smiles and laughter, remembering how beautiful she looked when they woke up in the morning together. If she had been content to con for the rest of their lives, or at least the rest of their twenties, they probably would’ve made it. Kevin didn’t deal in what ifs or could have beens, but he did want to make it clear that he was in it to win it so to speak. He wanted her back, no matter what Sam or Siobhan thought about it, even if they both had different reasons to dislike his intentions. All that mattered was what Tess thought.
Someone reached for his hair and he turned around with a smile, catching her around the waist. “Not at all,” Kev replied, giving her a peck of a kiss before smiling again. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Tess.” He meant it. A beat later, he shifted to her side so that only one arm was draped loosely around her waist, allowing him to lead her up to the podium. They didn’t need to wait to be seated, led over to a two-person table on the floor amidst many other couples who seemed to have had the same idea. He should’ve known early dinner wasn’t necessarily his best plan, but at least they weren’t on top of some other couple. Once they were seated and had menus, he asked, “How’ve you been? Work and family stuff and through the door?” He was interested in everything.
She hummed faintly in response to the quick kiss, a soft, “Happy Val’s Day,” whispered before he was leading her to their booth. Hopping in a little less than gracefully, she glanced around to take in the scene and the other couples before Kevin’s question brought her back.
“Oh, you know,” she trailed off with a laugh as she picked skimmed the menu. “Boring shit. Work’s work. Family’s keeping to themselves.” Well, not completely true but Sam’s scare over Christmas was a family thing. Kevin, as close as they had been and possibly were getting now, didn’t qualify right then. “Door’s stuff is her own shit. And I don’t think I could’ve gotten a more boring princess.” Tess shook her head with a roll of her eyes. Smoking hot fairytale princess and all she wants to do is work? Fucking idiot.
“But what about you? How the new store going?”
It would’ve been a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed she wasn’t more forthcoming with information, but Kevin shouldn’t have expected anything more when he’d mostly gotten similar replies in all their previous conversations. “Things are going better than I thought. Comics aren’t too hard to pick up with all those movies floating around. I’m no geek but I can at least tell the difference between DC and Marvel. Don’t get along with everyone, but,” he shrugged, “never have and probably never will. Not a big deal.” And it wasn’t. He did his time, closed up every so often, and made a little extra money on the side those nights. It was a good gig and he wasn’t questioning it because he didn’t want it to go away. He also didn’t want to have to go through the process of trying to find a new job because it was a miracle he’d gotten this one in the first place.
“Makin’ money though, and the routine’s nice. Going to the gym twice a week just cause I can.” Kevin knew he had to keep the beer gut from getting too out of control and he did love his beer. He thought about mentioning Siobhan but figured he could mention it later when it wasn’t Valentine’s Day. No sense in reminding Tess about his wayward past when he was trying to make a good impression. “Door stuff changed. Forgot if I told you or not. New guy’s quiet and a little creepy, but he don’t take much time through the door and I’m glad for that,” he continued. The waitress came over then to take their orders and he made short work of his, having known exactly what he wanted from when he’d sent her the invitation. “You should try one of their shakes,” he suggested. “They’re amazing.”
Tess rattled off a deliciously fattening burger, fries and everything, figuring that she wasn’t a dainty thing about her and who was she trying to impress. She and Kevin had known each other for so many years that, even with the marriage aside, she wouldn’t have even tried to watch what or how she ate. She even added a shake, tossing him a wink for the suggestion and smiling gratefully when the waitress left with their order.
“No, didn’t mention it. Do I get to know who it is or where?” Her curiosity melted into an oh so serious expression, hands folding atop each other on the table. “Or do I have to guess?”
It was for the very reasons that she ordered what she did that he loved her. She didn’t care what anyone thought about her and she wasn’t going to change for anyone. Accept her for who she was, that was what she’d said all those years ago. It never occurred to him to be bitter about her not accepting him the way he was. How could he be mad when she winked at him like that? Besides, he’d fucked up way more than she’d been unreasonable.
“It happened a while ago,” Kevin replied. “I forget when, but it seems like her and her friends are gone for good. Haven’t seen them posting and stuff lately, figure it’s just the way of things. Most everyone’s got people they know in some way or another.” He hesitated telling her who he had, but mostly because he wasn’t 100% sure. “Whoever he is, he’s from the same door as you. We don’t share much. He just tells me when he wants to go through,” Kev explained.
“My door?” She blinked in surprise, momentarily distracted when the waitress returned with their drinks. Taking a sip of her shake she gave a dreamy sigh before resting her chin on her hand. “Please tell me he’s not another Prince Charming. That’ll just send her into full on bitch mode. Worse than her usual bitch mode.”
Kevin laughed. “No, the fates haven’t been cruel enough for that. He’s quiet and he keeps to himself, so he shouldn’t be too much of a problem for your girl,” he promised. He could feel Rumpelstiltskin smiling in the back of his mind and pointedly chose to ignore it. “And if he is, just tell me and I’ll ground him for a while.” The offer was just as much for Rumpelstiltskin as it was for Snow and Tess. The man’s smile just turned to a smirk and it sent a slight chill down Kevin’s spine. He was fucked, it seemed, but no matter. He’d deal with it when the time came. Kevin reached for her free hand and gave her a small smile. “I’m glad you came,” he admitted, before his smile widened. “And did I tell you, you look amazing, because you do.”
“Eh, it’s cool,” Tess shrugged at his offer. Not that she didn’t like Snow, she just didn’t care about her. Not her, not her problems, not that entire world beyond the door. What the princess did was her own shit and Tess was fine just coasting and mentally napping while the other woman yelled at everyone and did her paperwork. No need to be much curious after confirming it wasn’t someone who was going to immediately rile up Snow.
But the hand holding she did like, turning her fingers to intertwine them with her own. “You too. You clean up nice.” It was a casual compliment but it was a compliment nonetheless. She still wasn’t sure what they were doing, exes holding hands and having dinner on Valentines Day. “Thanks for taking me out.”
He was glad discussions about the door were over and done with. He didn’t want to deal with any of it, honestly. It was a small price to pay to have Tess back in his life though, just like everything else he did. Kevin wasn’t exactly due for an easy ride, in this or in general, and he knew it. He just hoped Siobhan’s arrival wasn’t a sign that things were going to go to hell in a handbasket. Pushing all of that aside, he focused on Tess and how she turned her fingers to hold his hand. It made him smile like he had when they were younger, like he hadn’t for the past five years. A lot of things were coming back to him and he thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad this time. He was doing well, occasional bouts of self doubt aside. Moments like these made it all seem worth it though.
“It’s been a while. I thought I might be a little rusty, but I’m glad I did all right on my own.” Kev was teasing, of course, because sometimes being serious was just a little too much for him. “Course, Tess.” He stopped himself from saying something stupid or serious (or both) and took a sip of his own drink. “You’ve got me all night. There’s a couple of clubs around here that’re running specials for Valentine’s Day.” The waitress arrived a moment later with their food.
“Pffft.” The sound came with the trademark eyeroll, her hand pulling away from his to stir the straw in her drink. “I can think of about five million things better than watching other couples in a club. Or you hitting on the single girls while we’re there.” Because, as she darkly recalled before taking another sip of her shake, they weren’t together. This wasn’t a date, not really. She wasn’t exactly sure what it was, but a date? Not on Valentine’s day between two exes.
Thankfully the waitress came by with their food, sliding the plates in front of them and giving Tess a wonderful reprieve from the mounting tension that seemed to surround them. “Anyway. So you’re liking Vegas? I remember you weren’t thinking it was a place to stick around for too long.” True, he had his comic book store now but he wasn’t the type to settle. At least, he never was, not to Tess.
Ouch. Kevin winced but he didn’t comment, saved by the waitress bringing their food. He went right to the fries and didn’t bother trying to reach for her hand again. He sort of started to shut down a bit, but he did his best to put on a good show. “Yea, you’re right. Don’t know what I was thinking,” he muttered, more to himself than anything else as they got started on their food. “It’s whatever really. Job’s a job and it’s keeping me out of trouble. Thinking about getting a new place, actually. One with a lease and everything.” That would probably surprise her more than anything, considering it all but guaranteed he’d be around for a while. He had Siobhan to keep an eye on and if Tess was around, he had hoped that sticking around would be good for them. Unfortunately for him, he forgot that there was no ‘them’ to speak of. He just had to get through dinner and then he could run home with his tail between his legs. Date. Who had he been kidding.
“That’s… good. Great!” It was hard to keep the surprise out of her voice, and pleasant surprise at least. And she was happy for him to be settling in. Growing up, she would rephrase it. Kevin, just by himself, was someone she could easily be happy for. They had been friends for too long before for her not to be happy for any good that came his way.
It was Kevin-as-more-than-friends that she had a hard time with these days. A five year old bruised heart had a hard time forgetting that kind of hurt and disappointment, and the silence that followed her joy reminded her of that. Flirting was one thing. Dinner was another. This…? This was so much more. Maybe it was the day. Maybe it was the kicked puppy look he had on his face right after she pulled her hand away. But she was done pretending there wasn’t something there between them and there hanging unsaid.
“Kev, what are we doing? I mean,” she asked, sliding her plates and drink to the side, hands back in the middle but not quite touching. “I mean. What is this. Between you and me. Are we… what. Playing happy couple? Are we single friends who are just keeping each other company of the pinkest fucking day of the year? I just… want to know how I should be playing this.” It was a simple and slight throwback to their old con days, when they talked about the play before they put it in motion, and there wasn’t any anger in her voice. Maybe a little bruised hurt. Maybe a lot of uncertainty. But not mad.
Kevin managed a smile then, glad he she wasn’t outwardly disappointed at the prospect of his sticking around. He’d never managed to hold down a lease in his life but it was looking more and more like a real possibility. Regardless of what happened between him and Tess, he needed to settle down for him. If he used Tess as a light at the end of the tunnel, well what was the harm in that? When she pushed the plates and drinks aside, leaned in with her hands on the table, Kevin got a little nervous. He tended to fold his cards and run when she instigated seriousness. He swallowed and put his own hands out, not quite touching hers but close enough that they could if she wanted. Ignoring the past would’ve just been so much easier.
“I dunno, Tess. I thought- I mean, fuck it’s Valentine’s Day. I wasn’t gonna flirt with anyone but you,” he replied sullenly, looking down at his hands. He wasn’t really that big of an ass, cheating aside. He was just ready to forget it ever happened. “It’s whatever you want it to be cause I’m just glad you’re around and I’ve got a chance to make it up to you. I ain’t perfect, you know that better’n anyone. But it’s been five years an’ me? Not the same guy who fucked up big time and didn’t fight to keep you. I wanna change, wanna grow up and settle down and I dunno, get a dog or something.” Probably not, because Kevin could barely be responsible for himself, but the point was valid. He was trying to change and he wanted her in his life. Just talking to her about it was a big change from the man who fled five years ago.
“A dog, huh?” Her grin turned a little more amused, a little more disbelieving. He didn’t seem the pet type, but hey, new leaves and all. Still, it was nice to know for where they stood, even if it wasn’t anywhere at all. He was just as lost as she was, at least from the sound of it. It made some of the tension slip away from her, though not at all. One of them having a gameplan was better than neither of them and the silence between them was still there, just a little different.
“I dunno what I want,” she admitted, slipping her hands into his even as she stared at her own fingers. “Not from you, not from me. I dunno what I’m even doing here. I had a plan, took me a few years to do it, then came here. So now I’m looking around going, okay what now and I have no fucking clue.” She was quiet a moment a longer before her thumbs rubbed tiny circles against his hands. “But it’s been good with you. Seeing you. When we do see each other.” The sporadic occasional dinners and drinks they had. “I’m just… Honestly? I’m really done crying over us. I don’t want to do it ever again. I don’t want anything to lead that way again. So if you want more than this, then you better not fuck it up.” She gave a huff of laugh though she still didn’t meet his eyes. “Sam will fucking cut you if I cry again.”
“Well okay, a dog is a stretch, but it might happen. I dunno,” he replied, looking up at her when she slid her hands back in his. That was a good sign, even if neither of them knew exactly what they wanted. Kevin held her hands with a gentle reassurance that he was there, that he wasn’t about to run off. “I don’t want to make you cry again, Tess. I promise, I’m gonna do better this time. An’ I’m not expectin’ you to dive right back in. Even if it’s just dinners an’ drinks an’ seein’ you on laundry day, I don’t care. Nothin’ serious if you don’t want,” he offered, willing to give her just about whatever she wanted. “I just wanna see your smilin’ face.” Kevin didn’t much care about Sam so he brushed it off. “You gotta do what’s right for you, okay? An’ I’m here to make it easier sometimes or distract you from how fucked up things are. Cause things are kinda fucked up,” he added, a slight chuckle at that.
Kevin just wanted her to be happy, whether it was with him or someone else. He wouldn’t exactly like it if, it if was with someone else, but he’d deal with it. All that mattered to him was that she was in a good place. She had a job that she was doing relatively well at and it certainly paid the bills. He didn’t know what she was doing with most of her time, but he didn’t need to. All he needed to know was if she was happy and if he saw her smiling, really smiling, then he’d be satisfied. He gave her hand a squeeze before reaching for her chin, to make her look at him. “I ain’t gonna make you cry again, Tess, an’ if I do, you can cut me yourself.” God knew she deserved it.
Tess couldn’t help her soft smile as he lifted her chin. She was still hesitant, still worried and heartsore and while she liked hearing all these promises they were just words. He’d broken promises before, to her and others, tossing around words like they were nothing. That was just how it was with him.
Still, it was exactly what she wanted to hear. And him changing required some give on her end. Would it be so hard to try? “Let’s… take it slow. Okay?” Nice and slow, to see if they could ever get back to where they once were.
There it was. That smile made it all worth it. He knew he had a lousy track record when it came to promises, but he was trying and it meant the world to him that she was trying too. “You got it, Tessy. Slow an’ steady an’ we’ll see where it goes.” He gave her another smile and then let go, pulling away so that he could bring his plate back in front of him. Kevin winked at her as he took a bite of his burger, somehow making the move look fluid and not at all gross. One of his many talents. “So, you ever hear of this guy, Max Brenner? He’s this big chocolate guy and apparently there’s a restaurant around here that’s his,” he said, changing the topic to something he knew she liked. “You should definitely check it out sometime. I bet you’d love it.”
“You’ll have to take me there sometime.” Tess wagged her brows in the face of his wink. “Next date.” Baby steps. That wasn’t so bad.