Seven Devils

She'd stayed inside for most of the day, texted a few friends, mostly glad that the power hadn't gone out along with the sun. But there was only so much she could do while she was at home, and if she had books or the like with her, maybe she'd be able to figure out, or help figure out, what was going on. As it was, stuck where she was, there wasn't anything that Gigi could really contribute.

Sitting around, spinning her wheels, that wasn't Genesis' thing.

Sure, the prospect of going out, in the dark, was terrifying. But sitting alone at home was just as bad. What if something came in? What if someone used the opportunity to try and rob her or worse? No, she was a sitting duck here, and that wasn't going to fly. Packing a bag up quickly, with some of the books at her home, her laptop and a change of clothes, Gigi pulled her hair up, changed into leggings and sneakers, grabbed a silver knife she could hide in her belt loosely around her waist and a flash light.

This was totally a montage moment.

Actually stepping outside was only majorly scary if she were honest. It was eery how quiet things were, the darkness making it all seem like some wild horror movie. But that was why she had her knife, after all. She might be more mean girl than final girl, but the hell if she was ending up some horror flick body count tally either. Clicking on her flashlight, her phone in her pocket as a backup if she needed it, Genesis started towards the campus. She doubted the bus service was running, and getting an uber would be impossible in this chaos. So walking it was.

After a while, she almost forgot how creepy it was, feeling like maybe it was just the middle of winter and things were dark and a little foreboding, but nothing was going to happen. Obviously, the moment she thought it, something skittered nearby. Twisting around, looking for the source of the noise, Genesis kept going, a little slower at first before she picked up her pace.

Something clattered behind her, and Genesis didn't even bother to look, breaking into a run to put some distance between her and whatever was back there. She just had to get to the campus, she was in decent shape, she worked out, she just needed to get to the campus and into the building and she'd be fine.

The problem with running, in the dark, with just a flashlight was undoubtedly that you couldn't see shit. She almost hit two walls, narrowly avoided running down an alley and had to weave through trees going through a small courtyard towards the main street. But she could hear what was following her, something that grunted and growled as it scratched along the sidewalk after her. She was almost out of the courtyard when it launched at her legs, tripping her up and sending both her and the creature tumbling to the ground.

She heard her flashlight clatter along the sidewalk before the light went out, batteries probably popping out. Some little hand grabbed at her, Genesis opting to flail in it's general direction than let it get too good a grip on her. Clamboring back to her feet, Gigi hardly bothered to try and get her bearings just running from whatever was chasing her, whatever direction was 'away' was where she was going to run.

It resulted in a collision with a lamp post, ending up in an entry way, and finally stumbling down a path she couldn't recognise in the dark. She let out a shriek when one of the creatures leapt onto her back, grabbing at her wildly, until Gigi slammed into a wall with her side, shaking it loose a little before she slipped one arm out of her backpack strap and swung it, sending the creature tumbling.

Unfortunately it left Gigi open for another one to leap at her, the momentum pushing her to the ground with the harsh crack of her head into the floor, stunning her long enough for the other little creature to skitter over again.

Going out had been a terrible idea.

For all that Gigi had been fully prepared to spend her entire Saturday getting ready for what, ultimately, felt like an impromptu date, she hadn’t really been ready for the subject of it all.

Velina’s wardrobe had worked wonders, obviously. The woman had some dresses that Gigi could never pull off, some that were utterly inappropriate for casual drinks, and some that Gigi felt just weren’t her. In the end she’d decided to go with one of Vee’s suggestions, even if it was a devastatingly plunging dress.

Having been ready for Dimitri to pick her up from her apartment, confident that she didn’t need to worry about him knowing where she lived, the slight anxiety had worn off Gigi by the time they’d gotten to the bar -not over the top fancy, not a dive, somewhere in between which clearly catered to people who were looking to converse and not just drink. It’d taken a single look at Dimitri to remember that jaw line, and those eyes and damn, but his lips.

All of which really did remind Gigi that he belonged on a magazine somewhere, or on a billboard, however big they could possibly make it. And while Gigi knew that her dress was fantastic and her legs looked awesome with these shoes and her make-up was flawless, there was still the awareness that Dimitri could probably look at a woman and have her eating out the palm of his hand. Heck, Gigi was certain the bartender was just cleaning glasses while he stared at Dimitri.

None of it really seemed to register though, or if it did, Dimitri paid it no mind, as not once did Gigi feel like his attention was waning or that something else had caught his eye. It was a decidedly nice feeling, since even mediocre men had a habit of checking out anyone who walked past them.

“The last time I experimented with alcohol I mistakenly mixed sweet with sour and it did not work out well.” She’d considered choosing a different drink after two of the same, but was hesitant to mix things up purely because she wasn’t that well versed in what she should drink or what she would like.

“There’s nothing worse than spending eight dollars on something you don’t even like.”

---

Honestly? Gigi had nothing to worry about. She had caught his eye in her normal day to day clothes so add into that this plunging neckline along with those remarkable legs and perfectly styled fiery red hair and he was definitely transfixed. Of course whenever Dimitri was with anyone he did his best to give them his undivided attention, really focus on them, and make sure they didn’t feel in any way inferior to anybody else around them.

There were exceptions to that of course but only ever when it was intentional or somebody had done something to really piss him off. Word to the wise, you never wanted to be that person.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Wasted money was always a sore point especially for the Incubus who went out of his way to make sure that he and his clients were always rolling in it. “Maybe I can help you pick the next one?”

He’d opted for the old faithful of scotch or whiskey as he knew what he liked and there was nothing wrong with that. Too often people tried to “change it up” because they were afraid of being boring or stale, Dimitri had no such concerns. “Do you have any particular flavours you enjoy and any that you hate?”

---

Genesis tried not to be too cliched in her drinking habits; mostly because she didn’t really want them to become habit. Even when she hung out at Temptation, mostly just with Velina, she nursed drinks for a while or had them watered down a lot. And while she was technically out for drinks she knew better than to get more than tipsy in someone else’s company.

It wasn’t a comfort thing, or even worrying about what people would do. She kept good enough company to trust whoever she was out with, and Dimitri, well if Vee knew him then she figured worrying like that wasn’t required.

The issue was always her temper, and keeping it contained and a drunk Gigi was probably unpredictable enough that her grip on her temper was looser. Definitely not something she wanted to demonstrate to anyone.

“I hate those stupid gin infusion things, y’know? Gin is paint thinner at the best of times, and then they go and get all pretentious and shit? Elderberry and Rose? What the hell is that about?” It was a phase, she knew that much, but all these posers and their fancy lemonade shit, no. Gigi would rather have a cosmo than some of that crap.

“I prefer sweet, but there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of something smoky here and there.” Although it did make her wonder, very lightly, if Dimitri would taste like the whisky he drank.

---

“I am a fan of the classics.” Dimitri glanced away from Gigi for a moment as he caught the bartender’s attention to ask for a Blood Orange Old Fashioned cocktail which he thought would be a pleasant mix of sweet and smoky. Hopefully she’d like it but if not he wouldn’t take it personally, alcohol was such a subjective thing and all about personal choice.

He wet and caught his lower lip in his teeth as he looked back at Gigi.

“You look amazing tonight, I feel like I’ve been remiss in not telling you that sooner.” He knew without a shadow of a doubt that she had turned a few heads though her attention was thankfully with him and so he had no need to fend anybody else off.

---

“Classic is always good, isn’t it? Things that last.” Like a sharp black suit.

The compliment was almost enough to get a light blush high on her cheeks, but Gigi just gave a soft smile, tucking a little bit of red hair behind her ear, “Thanks,” the dress was a lot, typically speaking, the fact that Vee had taped it down around her boobs, forgoing a bra entirely, “I figured I should definitely make sure to leave an impression.” More than just ‘cute girl from coffee shop’, which this definitely did.

As the bartender returned with the cocktail he’d ordered, Gigi lifted it to her lips with a small salute, tasting the sharpness of the bourbon and the sweetness of the sugar under it. “Hmm, it’s good,” and she wasn’t just saying so, “and probably not something I would’ve known to order.”

And the bonus? The cherry that came with it.

---

“Trust me, you have,” Dimitri assured her as he reached out to catch a curl of red hair between his index finger and thumb, the latter of which idly rubbed over the soft texture, before he tucked it behind her ear. The touch lingered but it was without power, he had some standards after all, and he much preferred it when things happened naturally with full consent and understanding. It was so much better that way.

A genuine smile touched his lips when it was clear that Gigi liked the cocktail he’d picked out for her.

“I’m glad you like it, I figured it was a good mix of what you were looking for.”

---

Just the soft touch of his skin against hers, light and barely there, had Gigi leaning a little closer, her expression soft but rather pleased all things considered. Her nerves had all but flitted away at this point, comfortable both in Dimitri’s company and her own skin, and the amount of it on display.

“Well, tonight seems to be about a little risk, and it’s all paying off so far.” She was rarely as bold as she’d been, and she didn’t know if it was because Dimitri’s attention hadn’t wavered, or because of her friendship with Vee having boostered her confidence, but Gigi was all for riding that however far it went.

Picking up the cocktail stick with the cherry speared on it, Gigi carefully pulled it off with her teeth, tongue flicking to tip it into her mouth at the last second. Risks. “I’m really glad you asked me out tonight.”

---

Dimitri’s gaze dropped as he suspected Gigi might have wanted to in order to watch what she was doing with her mouth and that cherry. Idly he wondered if that was all he would taste if he just leaned in- Curiosity being the lifeblood of an eternal life meant that he did just that, touch gently gliding along her jaw and catching beneath her chin, a soft but confident press of his lips to hers, and sure enough there was that taste of cherry.

“Mm, same,” he assured her as he lifted his gaze to regard her from such a close distance.

Some impulses were worth following.

---

She had intended to just bring attention to her mouth, the kiss a surprising but welcome bonus, and Gigi happily leaned into it with a soft hum. She was definitely making all the right choices tonight, A+ decision making.

Genesis had no interest in leaning back following the kiss, the proximity only gave her a better chance to catch the scent of whatever aftershave he wore, and that was a little intoxicating too. He had such a nice mouth, it was hard to not just focus on that again.

Jesus, but she wanted to sleep with him. “You know if I need to drink more of these for that, it wouldn’t even matter if I liked them or not.”

---

Dimitri licked his lower lip to chase the taste of Gigi, the liquor and cherry combined, a rough chuckle escaping him a moment later. He brushed his thumb over the delicate curve of her neck and followed it with a very slow very deliberate kiss to the fluttering pulse he could see beneath her pale skin.

“I have another suggestion.”

He leaned back to catch her gaze, long fingers reaching out to catch and gently curl around her wrist, her hand being lifted to his mouth, the same mouth that took its time gracing each knuckle with attentive and lingering kisses.

“We get out of here and I make good on my promise to make this a night to remember.”

---

She made a point in pausing, even as the shiver ran down her spine and she was already sure that she’d say yes the second he asked to get out of there, she’d happily leave.

“Yeah,” watching the way his lips trailed her knuckles, Gigi was sure she’d agree to just about anything, honestly. “We should absolutely do that.” She’d hoped that was what he’d meant about remembering tonight, really. She hadn’t even been shy about thinking about it. She’d made a point on preparing for tonight as if it was a sure thing, because honestly, she had thought about it before he’d even invited her out for the night.

“Is my place closest? Or yours?” It wasn’t like she had roommates to worry about or anything.

---

“I think yours is closest,” Dimitri replied as he reluctantly released Gigi’s hand but only so he could dip into his jacket and pull out his wallet, covering their drinks easily and effortlessly with a press of a credit card to the machine, tip included.

He smiled as he offered his hand to Gigi.

“Let’s get out of here, the sooner the better.” He leaned in closer and pressed his mouth close to her ear. “I’m certain that what I have planned is not suitable for public consumption.”

---

Hers it was. She’d cleaned up recently, and things were in order and running through a mental checklist in her head she was pretty sure she’d cleaned up as she got ready too. So, her place was fine.

Normally, Gigi was far more refined than making a hasty exit with a stunningly attractive person, but in this instance she was prepared to make an exception. His mouth brushed her ear when he’d leaned in, and Gigi didn’t try to repress the shiver that ran down her spine.

Her fingers were tight around his, Gigi having no problem leading Dimitri out of the bar after he paid, fairly certain that even walking, they’d make it back to her place within fifteen minutes -less with a brisk pace. “I’m definitely prepared for tonight to take a more adult entertainment turn.”

More than ready.

---

Generally speaking Dimitri Volkov did his utmost best to give any sort of religious gathering place a very wide berth. Not so much because he ran the risk of alighting on fire should his feet cross the threshold but more because it was at its core the complete antithesis to his very being. Whilst not inherently evil the Incubus didn’t really believe in all that the churches and religion happened to preach given that he was old enough and different enough to know the reality behind all the stories and legends.

Still, needs must.

Even churches needed to talk business, investment to be exact, with numbers that would make a normal person’s eyes water but for Dimitri it was all in a day’s work. Still as he stepped out of the church he couldn’t repress the shudder which ran the length of his spine, tempered only by the idle capture of dark glasses which for the most part cut down on the glare.

He glanced over his shoulder once before he set away though his folly was he didn’t think to look left or right which resulted in an inevitable collision.

---

For the most part, and generally speaking, Gigi was exceptionally aware of her surroundings, at all times. It was part of the training -gauge where you are, who is around you, what do you sense, what do you feel- and while Genesis was still adapting into the more strict of rules, the ones that were supposed to save her life in the event of a situation she couldn’t handle, there were still times when her attention was on something else.

Right then it was on her notes, the pieces of paper tucked into her books and notepads, the information she’d found over the last few months about activity in a nearby area of North Carolina that might need someone to go and check it out.

She was in the process of finding the piece of paper with the inscriptions she was here to ask about, trying to remember which of the four books she put it in when she collided solidly with another person, “Oh, fu--”

Her grip on her items faltered, all four near ancient books scattering to the floor, paper everywhere while Gigi reeled from the bump. “I’m… so sorry.” Better to apologise than get angry, certainly.

---

The first thing Dimitri noticed was the whirl of red hair then the slight build followed by the scattering of books that accompanied the bump and stagger momentum. Pretty as well, these were things that an Incubus noticed, idly for the most part, but it were those things that got filed away for future reference.

"No, no, my mistake," he replied smoothly as he offered a hopefully disarming smile that would offset the poor first impression. "I wasn't looking where I was going." He lifted his shades and regarded the redhead closely. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

In his peripheral he caught sight of a flickering sheet of paper that looked as though it would if given the slightest touch of wind attempt an escape and so he reached down to catch it before it did just that.

---

Pushing some loose strands of hair away from her face, it took Gigi a moment to glance up, hoping to school her frazzled expression into something a little more friendly. Instead she ended up mostly gaping like a fish. “Yeah… no, it’s … no one’s fault, at all.”

Stop it.

Grabbing the books at her feet, carefully inspecting the damage, Gigi gave a nervous laugh, shaking her head a little, “Does a bruised ego count? Shattered dignity?” Jesus, she had to walk into the only living GQ model in Seven Devils, literally. She mostly had everything in order as she righted herself, pulling her books together again and putting them into her satchel like she should’ve had in the first place.

She was fixing her hair again before she even realised what she was doing. “Um, anyway, no harm, no foul, right?”

---

“I beg to differ,” he countered as he offered the paper he’d managed to stop from making a bid for freedom. “I’m definitely in the wrong.” In this instance at least. He let his gaze travel over her as she busied herself with putting her books and papers away into her satchel, eyes catching on the idle movements of fingers in rich long locks.

Stereotypically an Incubus tended to have a certain something on the brain, more so than the average person or supernatural for that matter, born and bred that way. Thankfully Dimitri was of an age where impulses were far more controlled and carefully catered to.

“At least let me get you a coffee or something to say sorry.” He offered his hand, pristine well manicured nails on each finger. “Dimitri.”

---

Taking the paper, grateful that he’d noticed it and grabbed it, Gigi checked it before slipping it into her bag too.

She knew better, most of the time, than to take strange, attractive men at face value. Her training was meant to show her that everyone could be a threat, that she needed to be cautious and alert, on the ball for any and all situations. None of that was setting off alarms with her right then.

“Genesis,” she took the hand, noting the strength but how gentle the grip was. “But most people call me Gigi.” And it wasn’t something she disliked either. Glancing at the church, Gigi weighed it up quickly; she didn’t have an appointment, no one was expecting her at the church, so it wasn’t like she was standing someone up to change plans a little. “Um, sure. Coffee sounds good.”

Because why would she say no to a nice man offering coffee to apologise for bumping into her?

---

“Genesis,” Dimitri repeated as that wasn’t a name he’d heard before, it was unique and different. Surprisingly so. “I know a great place for coffee, Gigi.” Quiet, good coffee, not a hipster in sight and best of all people left you alone.

He smoothly eased into step beside her easily matching and keeping pace with her.

“Are you a student?” He inquired, tilting his head curiously at Gigi. “I only ask due to the amount of books you’re carrying.”

---

It was impolite to not accept, she could just go with that reasoning for her impulsive decision to get coffee with Dimitri, regardless of how attractive he was, it was polite to accept the apology he wanted to offer.

“Um, yeah, sort of, it’s an advanced academic study, not really for anything other than, like, extra credit.” It wasn’t like she was a legitimate student, not in any college. The Men of Letters made sure she was educated, of course, and she had the option any time she wanted to obtain a degree in anything her interest held.

But even in Seven Devils the demonology and occult courses weren’t as in depth as Gigi had already sifted through. “It’s mostly like the most boring thing in the world to many people.” Who wanted to talk about religious theology and the occult over coffee?

---

Advanced academic study? Clearly, Gigi was much more than just a pretty face. Another good thing to remember. Never underestimate anyone or at least that was what Dimitri had learned over the years.

“Try me,” he offered as he turned to the right and caught the door of the nearby coffee shop, pulling it open and holding it that way until Gigi had passed through. “I might surprise you.”

It was possible after all.

He reached into his jacket to pull out his wallet. “What’s your poison, Gigi?”

---

She couldn’t really help the weirdly grateful feeling when Dimitri held the door for her, smiling her thanks. It rarely happened, people were always in such a rush in and out of places, they were bumping into you or glaring until you got out of their way.

“I’m studying historical demonology and the correlation between named demons and their effects through history.” Maybe she should’ve waited until she’d ordered her drink and gotten it before she gave away her apparent insanity. You have to be careful who you mention these things to, she could almost hear the voice of her recruiter in her head.

“Um, I’ll have an iced caramel frap please.” It was kind of clear, from the look she was getting that the coffee girl heard her. Oh well, Gigi was the crazy girl anyway.

---

Dimitri couldn’t help it, he let out a small chuckle at the look the coffee girl was giving Gigi though he did turn to Gigi and offered her a reassuring smile. “Sounds a lot more interesting than some of the college courses I’ve heard others take.” Also highly curious as what use did a young pretty woman like Gigi have for that information?

He ordered himself a tea, black, with two sugars as well as a slice of truly decadent chocolate cake.

“Did you want anything else?”

---

The bonus about Seven Devils really was how eclectic the courses were here. A lot of the professors were either tied up or had some kind of affiliation with either the witches in the area, the Men of Letters or were older Templars who’d cycled into teaching. “I’m finishing up an elective on Alternative Theology.” She made sure to say it loud enough that the coffee girl might hear and not think Gigi was insane just so that if it was nice here she could come back.

“Um, a lemon slice?” Food with the coffee implied conversation, and Gigi wasn’t at all opposed to it, rather surprised but in a good way. “It’s almost impossible to get ones that taste like home, but it’s not like I’m too surprised.” They probably put more sugar in the ones in California.

“Is this your regular place?”

---

“Where is home?” Dimitri asked as he presented his card to the reader and let it go through via contactless. “But to answer your question this does tend to be my regular place. Haven’t found anywhere else that gives you the right mix between being able to have a quiet intimate conversation and having just enough going on so things never get boring.”

He tucked his wallet back into the inner pocket of his jacket and then moved down the line to collect both the drinks and food when they were ready.

“Did you want to find us a table?”

---

Nodding her head, Gigi could see what he meant, it wasn’t bustling, but it was nice, the tables were spaced so that people could chat without being stuck on top of other people, but it wasn’t so spaced that you were utterly isolated and stranded somewhere in the middle of a coffee place. Smart planning.

“California,” Gigi tacked on, answering his question too. “Santa Clarita, specifically.” Not a bustling big city like LA or San Francisco, although there was always enough to do. It was similar in feel to Seven Devils, in that community aspect. Just a lot sunnier.

“Sure, um, let me know if you need a hand?” She doubted it, given that it was two drinks and two snacks, but it was nice to offer.

Taking in mind that he mentioned being able to converse, and adding on that her interests that might be questioned were a little less mainstream, Gigi found a quiet spot, not too far in the back to be dull and dark, but away enough that she might not get so many of those looks when she inevitably talked about theology.

---

She was a long way from home but then most people who came to Seven Devils did tend to come from a sizable distance, it definitely had a draw to it, which Dimitri was well aware of. Probably too aware but it never hurt to be prepared.

He watched Gigi as she moved away and tipped his head to regard the walk which was a pleasant mix of sway and confidence. Of course when their order was called Dimitri turned back to offer the person behind the counter a smile before taking the tray and made his way over to the table Gigi had selected.

“How do you like Seven Devils over Santa Clarita?” Dimitri shrugged out of his jacket and rested it over the back of the chair before he took a seat.

---

“I mean, it’s definitely sunnier in California.” But that was a given. “I like the small town kind of feel, less focus on big city going on, you know?” Santa Clarita, or at least where Gigi lived, wasn’t a ‘big city’ stuff, but at the same time Seven Devils was a whole lot more welcoming. “People are more genuine here.”

She hated the gloss of fake that everything back home presented, but even strangers in Seven Devils tended to just give you their real self on face value. If someone didn’t like you around here, you got a feel for it pretty early on. There was no need to pretend everyone was BFFs for status or to ruin someone.

“How about you, are you from around here?”

---

His origins were complicated to say the least but Dimitri had learned to keep it simple or as simple as he could. “Moscow,” he shared as he stirred his tea and took a sip. “So I am much further away from home than you it seems.”

He hadn’t been “home” in a very long time but that was probably a good thing as everything and everyone he knew were long dead and gone. Shame, he might have enjoyed exacting vengeance on his small minded tribe of people.

“I did a lot of travelling before I settled here.”

---

“Wow, that is a distance.” Genesis didn’t know a lot about Russia in general, only the depictions from the television or the media in general. But she did know that it was decidedly far away and rather cold from her information. “There’s like a lot of travelling just to get to here to settle.”

She was a decent ways away from home, but her parents could still visit her relatively easily. From Moscow it was probably a lot more complicated. “Do you miss home?” Taking a sip of her drink, Gigi started breaking small pieces off her lemon slice.

There was the small worry that she was overstepping, but surely he’d just tell her he didn’t want to talk about it and they’d move on. That was the hope at least.

---

The first response was ‘not particularly’ but his reasons were simple, there was nothing of any value to him there and from the news reports it did not seem like a country he wanted to have anything to do with. “Not really,” he admitted with a slight smile. “It’s definitely not the country I remember it being and I doubt they’d approve of my more progressive lifestyle.”

He reached for the fork and rather purposefully took his time with slicing off a piece of cake and eating it, a curl of a tongue to catch the remnants of icing which lingered until he tipped his head and watched Gigi closely.

“Can I tempt you with a taste?”

He meant the cake of course but it would be curious to see what she thought he meant.

---

Nodding lightly, Gigi could understand that sometimes a person's personal beliefs just didn’t align with a Government agenda, and Russia was in the news enough that Gigi knew enough to know liberal or progressive thinking certainly wasn’t supported by Russia as a whole. “It’s good that you can make a home elsewhere though, that’s better really.”

She was still picking at her slice, small pieces but she did that with most food. When Dimitri ate some of his own cake it was a little like something switched in her brain. She was probably staring, and that was probably rude, but she was definitely a little off the PG thought train.

“I’m sorry what?” He’d definitely said something, but she was 100% staring at his mouth and not even remotely paying attention.

---

Dimitri’s teeth slipped out to catch and pull his lower lip into his mouth as he barely repressed a smile which was in equal parts amused and satisfied. “I asked,” he repeated softly and leaning in a bit closer with a piece of cake now poised on the prongs of the fork, “if I could tempt you with a taste.”

His eyes lifted to regard her through stupidly long lashes and contrary to some belief about Incubi as a species you didn’t always need to encourage people especially when you’d lived as long as Dimitri had and honestly he found it way more satisfying if it happened naturally and without any sort of unconscious persuasion.

---

If Gigi was a tiny bit more confident, maybe more sure of being sultry and sexy rather than just being cute and a tiny bit awkward at times, she might have a few interesting comments to Dimitri’s question. It wasn’t like Gigi wasn’t comfortable; she was attractive in a semi-unconventional way, she knew that. She often played up her better qualities.

“Sure,” It’d only be weird if she made it weird, but she didn’t have a problem leaning forward a little to take a bite.

It wasn’t like she could make it unattractive.

---

“What do you think?” Dimitri asked after Gigi had taken the bite, lips settled into a warm waiting smile. “Taste as good as it looks?”

---

Gigi had the common sense to run through her response in her head, but then her brain just by-passed the fact that she barely knew this man, and she was most definitely out of her league here -he looked like the sort who wouldn’t be out of place next to supermodels. “It’s probably the second tastiest thing at the table.”

At some point, she was going to need to have a discussion with her brain to mouth filter, but that wasn’t right now, and Gigi did what she could to hide the blush by taking a long sip from her drink, focusing heavily on making sure she got the straw first try.

---

“You read my mind,” Dimitri responded before he reached into his pocket and offered up his phone, unlocked. “I’m sure there are more inventive ways for me to get your number but I’d rather not beat around the bush if it’s all the same to you, Gigi. Maybe we can grab some drinks that aren’t coffee, sometime?”

Life was too short or at least it was for most people, humans especially, even witches, and Dimitri didn’t believe in passing up an opportunity.

“I promise I’ll make it a night to remember.”

---

There must’ve been an alignment of stars or something going on somewhere, for an accidental bump to lead to phone number exchanges, but Gen couldn’t really think of a reason not to give her number -she hadn’t once felt uncomfortable and he was nothing but gentlemanly. So she didn’t hesitate in taking the phone, punching in her number for him, still sure she was blushing but feeling a hell of a lot more confident given his honesty.

“I have no doubt that any night would be one to remember.” Okay, brain to mouth filter being offline didn’t seem to be that bad a thing. Least of all if it got what could likely count as an actual date. “I definitely look forward to it though.”

This definitely counted as ‘living a little’, right? Yeah, she thought so.