Friday January 30th 2009
Who: Blake and Godric What: Pikcing up the drunk Where: Starting at Blake's place When: Around 9 Rating: PG 13 Status: In progress
It didn't take fifteen minutes to get to the campus, but Godric gave Blake some extra time to get himself prepared for company. Whatever it was that he and Penny had talked about must have been intense. When Godric had talked to the demon, he had been nervous about hurting Penny's feelings and apprehensive about an incoming relative visit. But now he was drunk on a full bottle of wine and slurring and seemingly miserable. He was apologizing for things that Godric didn't even know about, which indicated he felt guilty and self-depreciating. Penny must have done a number on Blake.
Finally, Godric arrived at Blake's place, not bothering to knock and insted letting himself in. Well, Blake hadn't been exaggerating about one thing- he did look like a mess. With a small sigh, Godric went and sat down beside the man, not saying a word, just looking on expectantly.
Whilst Godric was on his way Blake attempted tidying of many kinds: his hair, clothes, table, house in general. Though no matter how many times he flattened his hair, then re-styled it, and tried to get the creases out of his shirt, he still looked dischevelled. He hated the thought that Godric was disappointed with him and practiced several routes of how to approach the subject of 'we were talking about you'. There were several starting points but they all lead to the same path - rambling.
After knocking over the empty wine bottle several times he merely shoved it under the sofa, just in time for Godric to come through the door and cause the demon to slump onto the cushions. Ok now was his moment... the lines of conversation, the way he could explain himself! But faced with Godric's expectant face and smelling of booze, Blake merely tilted his head and smiled, softly. "You're so pretty."
---
Oh Lord. Everything about Godric, from his posture to his expression, said the exact same defeated exclaimation that ran through his mind. Blake was never very good at holding his wine, and the proof was right here before him. "Mm hm," he said dubiously, not agreeing as much as he was placating. "Well, let's get going. Eating something should help you sober up, and pasta is very filling." Getting to his feet, Godric reached out his hands for Blake's, ready to pull him up and practically walk him out to the car.
---
Blake took Godric's hands but the moment he was up he was draped around the vampire, holding him close in a huge hug. There was something in the manner in which he was clinging to him that said that he needed it, not just wanted it. "I'm very sorry... thank you for coming to get me. You smell nice." And then he had peeled back, patting the vampire's chest. "Ok. Dinner. Sober up, Elliot, you a soldier or a mouse?"
---
Startled by the embrace, Godric nevertheless stood there and allowed it to happen, patting Blake on the back. There was something very off about Blake, he could almost feel it. So when Blake pulled away, Godric kept a hold on him, staying him where he was. "You've..." He paused, then shook his head slightly. "No. Nevermind. Let's just go. You ready?" He let his hands drop, turning from Blake and moving toward the door.
---
"I've what?" Blake frowned and followed Godric with a slow step, almost sulking at him before he appeared to brighten a little. They were going out! And he was very excited about the meal which waited for him back at the house. No, the home.... "Did you do vegatable or meat? Is there any wine?"
---
"Do you think Wesley would eat something with vegetables?" Godric asked over his shoulder, checking the apartment that all the lights in the other rooms were off, and there was nothing in the middle of the floor for Blake to trip on when he came back. Ushering the demon out of the place, Godric made sure the door was locked before he shut it, shooting Blake a frown as he mentioned wine. "Don't you feel saturated enough?" he asked wryly, his tone disapproving as he started walking down the hallway.
---
Godric's teacher tone made Blake's face fall a little, and he looked more self-conscious as he fell into step beside the vampire. "I only intended to have a glass." Anything regarding Wesley was not mentinoed. He had wanted to continue talking about the healer but.... "We talked about you.Or rather she asked about you. And then I realised I was letting her down by answering honestly, and.... I felt shit. So I drank a glass. And then I drank more. So..." He sighed, running a hand down his face.
---
At least Blake was starting to make some sense, but not much. How could Blake have been letting her (he assumed Penny) down while talking to her about Godric? And for that matter, why had he been a subject of conversation?
"So," he said simply, finishing the left off thought, "here you are now. Telling me half a story with no details and expecting me to just... just accept it without question. Even though I've seen you this way before, and I'm worried for you now, but no. That doesn't really matter, does it? I should just keep my mouth shut and let you drown in misery and not know a damn thing I could do to help you. Because that's what our friendship is to you."
---
Blake threw his arms in the air and growled, getting annoyed in his drunken stupor and wobbling a little on their way down to the car. "I'm not... no! That is NOT what our friendship is Godric, not at all! It's just hard to talk when you're walking through staff buildings and I'm trying to concentrate on not falling over, I'll tell you everything the moment I get in the car I promise... just..." He tripped over his own feet and growled at himself, looking quite distressed. "Just... please..."
---
Godric knew very well what he was doing to Blake. He knew that he was manipulating him a little, that he was evoking a reaction from him to get him to talk. And he felt a little guilty, but not too much. Blake needed to talk about whatever it was that was clouding up his head, and if that needed to be done using psychological force, well, so be it.
Scoffing, Godric stopped in his tracks, turning to stare Blake down (and catch him if his stumbling made him fall over). "You said you would tell me when I came to get you. But I said no, it's not necessary, because obviously you don't really want to tell me. So fine, don't tell me." Since Blake had expressed worried about being unable to remain upright, Godric decided to solve the problem for him. Placing a hand flat on Blake's chest, he pushed the skinny man up against a wall, holding him in place. "But either don't tell me at all or do. Don't give me half explainations that don't make sense, and just make me worry more about you. This isn't like you, Blake. You don't accidentally drink an entire bottle of wine. I know you well enough to know that."
---
Blake moulded easily to Godric's touch and he was rigid against the wall, staring at Godric with a little whimper. The more he stared, the more his eyes watered and he looked helpless, like the vampire was exercising Jedi tricks on his mind and breaking him down enough to spill everything. It would bloody work as well too, because Godric knew him best. "She asked me if I missed you. And I said yes. And she asked if you were worth remembering, and I said yes. And she was disappointed, because she told me that she could have seen a future with me but I'm already taken.... mentally I'm already taken, and she just felt let down... and then I felt like I was a fucking failure because I can't let you go. I know it's not healthy. It's not healthy at all.... but fuck if I've tried and... maybe it'll take time? But I haven't... been able to..."
Catching himself he licked his lips and stared away from the vampire, his face falling into an intense frown as he visible bit his tongue and focused on keeping his words to himself.
---
Now it was starting to make sense, a lot of sense actually. Godric knew how Blake worked, and the thought that he couldn't be what someone else wanted because of his own emotions would certainly crush him. Surely Penny wouldn't have made Blake feel so guilty about how he felt (at least she damn well better hadn't), so it was more than likely in Blake's mind. Perhaps Penny was let down that Blake wasn't quite ready to start something new, but had their friendship ended over it? Was she angry? Disappointed? Godric couldn't fault her for that. And he couldn't really fault Blake for taking on the weight of it like he did, because the vanpire did the same thing very often.
But that didn't make it any easier to watch him cry. In fact, it physically hurt to do so. "She has to understand," he said quietly, his palm still flat on Blake's chest, mostly because Godric knew that if he moved it, he could touch elsewhere, Blake's face or his waist or somewhere else that would make this harder for them both. "I know it isn't easy but... it will get easier. I know it will. You used to say that you'd never stop loving Hope, and maybe you still do in a way, but... she doesn't keep you from being happy, does she?" Godric was detaching himself from this, looking at it from a viewpoint that Blake's emotions were tied to someone else, not himself. Because if he was directly involved then he couldn't be subjective, and he had to be.
---
Now it was starting to make sense, a lot of sense actually. Godric knew how Blake worked, and the thought that he couldn't be what someone else wanted because of his own emotions would certainly crush him. Surely Penny wouldn't have made Blake feel so guilty about how he felt (at least she damn well better hadn't), so it was more than likely in Blake's mind. Perhaps Penny was let down that Blake wasn't quite ready to start something new, but had their friendship ended over it? Was she angry? Disappointed? Godric couldn't fault her for that. And he couldn't really fault Blake for taking on the weight of it like he did, because the vanpire did the same thing very often.
But that didn't make it any easier to watch him cry. In fact, it physically hurt to do so. "She has to understand," he said quietly, his palm still flat on Blake's chest, mostly because Godric knew that if he moved it, he could touch elsewhere, Blake's face or his waist or somewhere else that would make this harder for them both. "I know it isn't easy but... it will get easier. I know it will. You used to say that you'd never stop loving Hope, and maybe you still do in a way, but... she doesn't keep you from being happy, does she?" Godric was detaching himself from this, looking at it from a viewpoint that Blake's emotions were tied to someone else, not himself. Because if he was directly involved then he couldn't be subjective, and he had to be.
---
Penny had been sweet about it. Really he didn't deserve it, but it was her resignation that Blake was a failure to her prospects that made the witchdemon upset, and also the fact that she was right. He was a failure, unable to move on and let go despite his best efforts. Yes it was worth remembering but it also stalled any progress he may or may not have been making. He would continue - but for now he was in a hallway crying with Godric.
With a very knowing look at Godric when the vampire mentioned dear Hope, Blake stalled for a few moments, an ironic turn to his lips before he gave a tiny laugh. "No. But Hope wasn't the one I chose, was she?" It wasn't said with malice, or regret, or anything derogatory. In fact, it was more meaningful than anything. Sniffing himself out of this gaze Blake stared down the corridor, focusing his mind elsewhere. "Penny's right though, I should move on. You're not that amazing. I mean you put my socks away even if I didn't want them in the drawer, what kind of a man does that?"
---
Remain controlled, remain focused. He is just a friend who needs someone to talk sense into him. Godric's mind was firm, his internal monologue refusing to give in to the tiny other voices that piped up with opinion. Yes, this was a friend in need, but he wasn't just a friend. He was Blake. And with Blake came a whole different set of problems, and feelings and rules. Blake couldn't be dealt with like the others could because despite his best efforts, Godric knew he couldn't be totally subjective.
But damnit, he was going to try. "I'm really very mediocre." He let his hand fall from Blake's chest, offering a small smile as his arms crossed casually over his chest. "And fussy. And annoying. I can recall countless times you've thrown your hands in the air and stalked out of a room because I couldn't answer a simple, stupid question." He paused, then added "Although they were entirely senseless questions, and all of them hypothetical so whether or not I could give you a satisfactory answer should have been totally irrelevant to begin with, as it did not affect anything in reality..."
---
That Godric was smiling relieved pressure a lot, and Blake didn't feel like such a show. He even gently punched Ric in the arm, about to disagree when Godric went on a roll as to how stupid Blake's questions had been. Arching an eyebrow the demon stared at him for a few moments before.... "You know those challenged in the SAS and the army? It shows how you'd react in certain situations, gets to know your personalty better, that's why hyopethical questions work, Godric. They may never happen but they allow a further insight into the workings of your brain. If you can answer without asking the size, depth and width of whatever is in question...."
He finished it with a little laugh, though, and nudged the vampire as he went to begin walking again. "I'm hungry."
---
This was a subject upon which they could debate all night. And they may, in fact, unless Blake put an end to it. Godric fell in step beside his friend, seeming to have forgotten what had just transpired because he was too wrapped up in his argument.
"See, in theory that may be valid," he began, "but you can never tell how you will react in a certain scenario. You may make assumptions based on your own beliefs and values, but environmental factors your reactions will change in any given circumstance. You may think yourself unable to kill a man until a gun is placed in your hands and you and thirteen of your best teenaged friends are shipped off to Germany."
---
With a grand roll of the eyes Blake shook his head. "Oh Godric... not this again!" But the vampire was on a roll and emphasising everything with the precise manner which Blake had come to know. It was almost enough to make him smile but he was too annoyed by the last comment. "That actually happened," he said evenly, hands in his pockets. "And when it came to it I did kill a man, I killed many. But say for instance - I die. Horribly. I would imagine that you would mourn me but I don't know whether you'd cry. You might hold it up in that head of yours until it explodes..."
---
The fact that Blake had been put in exactly that scenario was precisely the point. Godric was fairly certain that, as a lad, Blake could not imagine himself killing someone. And had someone posed him with the hypothetical scenario, he would more than likely have said no, he would never kill a man. And yet, he had.
Pausing for just a moment, a brief shift in Godric's state obvious but going ignored, the vampire coughed slightly. "It depends, I suppose," he said smoothly. "Was this death expected? Horrible death can still be foretold, such as in the form of cancer, or AIDS. Was I present at your demise? Was I undergoing extreme psychological strain? Are we still on speaking terms when it occurred?"
---
"We may not be on speaking terms at dinner if you continue." Blake said this rather haughtily, giving Godric a Look, before he continued strolling. He seemed to have sobered up a little, or maybe that was just his mindset. Even though he was trying to maintain the annoyance, there was a sliver of a smile on his face which was there just by being around Godric. Despite the vampire's severe irritable presence at the moment Blake found he would not prefer to be anywhere else at that moment . At one point he went to link arms with the vampire, realised what he was doing, and turned it into a stretch instead. "I'm going to judge this cooking. Our of ten."
---
Oblivious as usual when it came to these things, Godric did not notice Blake's smile or his attempt at physical contact. He was too busy sulking a little. How was he supposed to answer a question if he didn't have all the facts? Did Blake want him to simply spout out whatever came to mind, and then later discover he'd lied and both of them be upset by it? What would be the point of that, when with just a little more information...
"It tastes like every other one I have made thus far, I imagine, as I followed exactly the same recipe I always do." Because he couldn't taste the food himself, Godric saw no need to "try something new" in a recipe, because he would never know if it was positive or negative. And so far none of his companions who consumed what he cooked seemed to mind his dishes, so there was no sense in changing something that worked.
---
Godric was sulking, yes, because Blake had not given him information his analytical mind required and had scoffed at it without saying another word. As they reached the car Blake chuckled at the colour again, remembering another moment that had happened in that passenger seat, before he patted Godric on the shoulder.
"It's different," he advised him. "It's always different. Sometimes there's a tad extra sauce, others there's more cheese... I like it both ways. Wesley takes it any way it comes."
---
Unlocking the car, Godric shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I think it's all in your head," he told Blake simply. How could something be different when it was prepared the same every time? "You only think it tastes different because.. well... you're insane." He spoke the words as though they were genuinely meant, but the smirk on his face gave him away as he climbed into the driver's side.
---
Blake gave Godric a gasp and as soon as he was in the car he shoved the vampire quite hard, just because he didn't dare do it when the vampire had started the car. "Yes, I must be, clearly, because I told you to come and get me and hurl abuse at me!" he said, quite pained but clearly jesting. There was no way he could genuinely play the hurt game at the moment. Sometimes he was ever so good at it.... "I only wanted lasagne and here you are, saying I'm insane, and it's all in my head and calling my scenario questions pointless... if I were a woman I'd slap your balls."
---
Scoffing, Godric started the car and put on his seatbelt. "Do you have to be so crass?" he scolded. "I know you're drunk and crazy, but you could speak like the lady you are." He took off out of the parking lot, navigating through the dark streets carefully. He was sure Blake had a mouthful of objections to make, and he was looking forward to it. The more Blake talked, the more sober he became.
---
"I am not a lady!" Blake protested, in quite a high voice, sounding like the opposite catchphrase of Little Britain. With a very exaggerated pout (not even on purpose) the demon sighed dramatically and flopped back into the car seat. "You are so mean to me, always. You pick up on things and niggly things and just completely..." Enamour me. That went unsaid and he shifted a little, putting the side of his finger to his mouth as he got lost in thought. He stayed that way for a few moments before he spoke again, sounding less drunk by the minute. "If I were to really slap your balls," he said, the topic of conversation not having changed at all, "I mean really - you would be in great pain. Luckily I quite like them, so you're safe."
---
Both hands on the wheel, Godric simply sat there and let Blake protest, and brood, and pout on his side of the car. He could guess what Blake might say, what words were supposed to be tacked on at the end of that sentence. He didn't want to think about them, though, so he remained quiet and let the stillness sit between them.
And when Blake did speak again, Godric frowned, wishing for the silence. "May we please discuss something else?" he asked wearily. "This is really an inappropriate topic for you to be stuck on, and I'd rather not... discuss my anatomy with you."
---
"Dicuss your anatomy..." Blake repeated, sounding quite amused by it. Then he sighed, rubbing at his eyes. He needed more alcohol, or more something at any rate. Curling into himself his mind wandered, and strolled, and then doubled back on itself before he glanced to Godric. He didn't want things to be awkward between them and alcohol certainly caused a little rift. Blake was rambly and needy and took offense. Godric was.... not. Blake suddenly felt the need to apologise. "I'm sorry. I know I'm hopeless at this, and I'm annoying - I'm sorry, I ruined our evening."
---
This was not the first time Godric had experienced Blake inhebriated, and he was very certain it wouldn't be the last either. So he wasn't really bothered by it. It bothered him more that Blake had felt so terribly that he felt the need to drink so much, to put himself in this state. "You did no such thing," Godric told Blake gently. "It was only an evening making dinner." It wasn't 'their' evening, it had just been an evening.
The way to Godric's house was a left at the stoplight they approached. Godric turned right, heading off into downtown Danvers. "You are neither annoying or hopeless, either. You're troubled right now. It's... understandable you're acting the way you are. There is a prospect of starting anew, being with someone that might make you happy, and... and your emotions are stopping you from having what you want." He paused a moment, thinking. "I imagine that frustrates you."
---
Blake was a little too far gone in his own mind to realise that they hadturned off the path to the house. Rubbing at his head, he listened to Godric for a few minutes in silence, not bothering to comment merely drink it all in. Despite the fact the vampire had seen him drunk many times, there was still nothing to cover up the disappointment in himself. As he turned to face Godric he glanced him up and down before leaning on his hand, shrugging.
"I suppose. I'm not sure." Then he remembered something Penny had said. "We cannot control our emotions, and we shouldn't try. That was said to me a few hours ago. So there's no point in trying to actively make myself steer in another direction because it won't work. So I just have to let it happen naturally... and where are we going?"
---
Blake's words, or rather Penny's words, upset Godric a bit. Of course you could control your emotions. Perhaps you couldn't control having them, but you could control how you reacted to them. You could control how others saw you, you could control how you allowed them to affect your life. If you couldn't control that, well... then Godric didn't know how he would handle himself.
"We are going for coffee," he told his drunk tipsy companion. "I think you'll do better out in the night air with some caffeine and perhaps a baked good in your stomach. It might make your head a little clearer. You've got a lot cluttering it up." He could stay objective, speak casually, pretend like this had nothing to do with him. He could.
---
You could surpress emotions, try and ignore them, stop them from being shown, but you couldn't control them from existing. You couldn't control that you loved someone, or make feelings go away. If you could, Blake wouldn't be in this way. And as Godric said that they were going to grab ocffee and a baked good instead of Ric's lasagne, the demon snapped his head around, surprised.
"But -" He didn't really want coffee and a cake, he had his mouth set for proper food. But then if Godric was in control of the car Blake wasn't going to argue. "I don't think you can afford that amount of cake..."
---
"Then I will buy you dinner." The sentence was set out there, firmly, not to be argued with. He was aware that this was somewhat date-like, Godric whisking Blake off and buying him dinner, but it didn't have to be. They could just be friends going for a meal, one of them in bad sorts and the other wanting to help. It could be that simple.
---
Dinner. That sounded better. Knowing that Godric was not to be argued with right now the demon nodded and then continued to watch the scenes pass by the window, shifting in his seat to get more comfortable. He could deal with this, just a meal out with the vampire. They could handle that. "I suppose I'll get lasagne after all," he mused, smiling.
---
"I don't know," Godric said seriously, shrugging slightly. "I'm not sure they sell lasagna at Chuck E Cheese." He chuckled a bit, anticipating the reaction from Blake. Which would it be this time, the frown, the look of indignance, the thump to the chest? A combination of the three, perhaps? Or maybe Blake would go along with it.
---
Godric got the look of indignance. "Chuck E Cheese," he repeated flatly. He stared for two moments before smiling a little and shrugging. "Okay." If Godric was taking him to that type of place then so be it. He would still try and order the biggest thing on the menu.
---
The vampire was able to hold out for almost fifteen full seconds before he cracked, giggling. "We are not going to Chuck E Cheese," he grinned, shaking his head. "Though I don't doubt for a second you'd find some way to make it a fantastic evening. You'd play skeeball until you won a giant panda or something."
---
Blake grinned at Godric's giggling. It was such a lovely sound and he didn't do it enough. Smiling at him he then nudged him, gently. "I am the fucking king of getting Pandas!" he declared, chuckling back at him. "And of making it a wonderful evening. You could take me to a skip and I'd be wonderful..."
---
With a brief nod of his head, Godric did have to admit that Blake was amazing at making the most out of nothing. After all, in all the months they'd been together, while Blake had been growing moer and more unhappy, the demon had always found one thing to hold onto and make it all worthwhile. "That's true," he agreed. "That's something I've always loved about you. You just... appreciate what you have. That's very rare in people these days." He paused, briefly, then added "You are a very rare man, Mr. Elliot. I consider myself lucky to know you."
---
Blake had continued to try and make the best of things because there had always been one constant good part of their relationship: Godric. And he knew what it was like to have barely anything and still find happiness in what he was given. You could not excuse living for 90 years and surviving a war and still find the time to complain that he wasn't being taken to รก la carte dining.
As Godric continued to speak Blake found himself smiling, then misting over, and then watching everything pass by once again. He'd done so well not to break down before, but it turned out that kind words did more to make him shed tears than the ache he'd had before. "Quite right, too," he said after a moment, softly but smiling.
---
Oh, no modesty there, was there. That was all right. Having Blake smiling and pleased and joking was better than before, when he'd been weepy and miserable. Godric rather liked that he could make Blake feel better.
Within a few moments they were pulled up to a small diner, a little place plated in chrome and seeming as though the 1950s had forgotten to inform them that the decade had ended. Godric had been here a few times, and aside from the questionable looks of the patrons, it was a very nice place. And it seemed likely they would have lasagna, since Blake seemed hell bent on having some tonight.
---
If Blake wasn't joking he'd be going gooey and Godric didn't appear to be responding to that, nor would the demon subject him to it. After a few moments to discreetly swipe away his tears, Blake realised they were turning in to park and he appeared to perk up a little at the sight of the diner. The man was in love with history, and this was catering to that passion. Smiling as he got out of the car he put his hands in his pockets, strolling up to the doors.
"How have I never known of this place?" he asked softly, impressed. "I mean I found the Betty Boop cafe in London within minutes, but...."
---
The Betty Boop cafe...? Godric set Blake with a look, his eyebrows raised dubiously. "Perhaps your gaydar simply passed this one over," he teased, giving the man a gentle nudge with his shoulder before moving on. Once inside, Godric ushered Blake to a corner booth, letting him have the seat at the window so he could look over the place and drool over its history, not to mention the non-ironic old photos all over the walls. This place seemed truly looked over by time.
And the waitress, who had probably been here since the diner opened, came bumbling over with her coffee pot. She didn't ask if either of them wanted any, she simply flipped over theid coffee mugs and poured. "You haven't been here in forever," she said to Godric, accusingly. "Who's your boyfriend here?"
"Oh he's not... we're..."
"It's okay sweetie, I know how modern men work. Don't you worry." She patted Godric's shoulder, topped off Blake's coffee and gave him a smile. "Boy, you've got a nose on you, don't you? Let me get you boys some menus, I'll be right back." She didn't seem to have time to wait for response, despite the obvious lack of people in the place. She walked off as quickly and purposefully as she'd come, leaving the men to sit.
---
Gaydar indeed. Blake merely grumbled at him knowing that any attempt to defend himself would merely create more teasing. As they settled in the booth, allowing Blake to take in the atmosphere and the scenery, to some degree, he knew it had been best to get it over with and just settle away all the possible Gaydar comebacks so that he could just enjoy the dinner in peace.
Or so he thought. The waitress, though clearly very nice, was alaso very honest. As Godric tried to steer away from the comment of boyfriends, Blake's brows shot up at her observation. He'd been about to say he didn't want any coffee, but apparently she had another comment to make. "Uh... family... family trait," he said, laughing it off but still a little surprised. Clearing his throat as soon as she'd gone, Blake smirked across at his companion.
"I can see why you come here. Someone who is more honest than you."
---
Smiling shyly, Godric shrugged a little, his hands clasped on the table. "She's... not afraid to speak her mind," he said, almost as an excuse. He hoped that Blake wasn't regretting coming here with him. Now that he thought more about this place, Godric was almost worried about it. It felt like inrtoducing someone to an embarassing member of the family, hoping that the family member would behave, hoping that the other person didn't judge you for it. He had brought Blake here because the food was good, or so he had come to understand, but what if it wasn't? What if it was awful, and the waitress crass, and Blake despised the entire experience?
Clearing his throat slightly, Godric took a sip of his coffee, just to give himself something to do.
---
Of course Blake wasn't regretting coming here. The proof of the food would be in the eating, of course, but just being out of his normal surroundings, in Godric's company... it was odd that the tables had turned. Before, Blake had been so worried about himself messing up the evening, and now Godric was concerned his choice of venue wasn't going to shape up to make their dinner a good one. Noticing his friend's anxious demeanor the demon smiled, pouring some sugar into the mug and bringing it to sip. "This is good," he said, humming in approval so that Godric might feel a little relieved. "It's very strong. And I think I saw most of these movies the day they came out..." he chuckled, gesturing to the posters on the walls.
---
Giving Blake a dubious look over the rim of his mug, Godric finally broke into a smile. "You're just saying that," he said dismissively, though if Blake was just saying that, it was obvious that Godric appreciated it.
When the waitress came back with menus, she also placed a small plate of rolls in front of Blake. "You need carbohydrates," she told him simply. "To soak up the liquor. Now what can I get you boys?"
---
"No, no I'm not... it is really good." With a good lot of sugar it was fine, without it would probably suck in a grandmother's cheeks it was so bitter. He was comfortable in their silence, watching the woman as she bustled over with bread. He was about to thank her for the rolls when she mentioned the liquor, and subsequently caused him to flush a deep shade of pink. "Uhm... I haven't really.... Godric?" he said quickly, whipping the menu up over his face so he could 'read' what was on offer.
---
Holding back a snicker, Godric opened his menu and tried his best not to laugh at poor Blake. He was used to how the demon looked now, but he imagined that someone seeing him for the first time would easily be able to tell, from his disheveled clothing and messy hair and foggy face, that he had been drinking. And while Godric felt a little bad, it was still pretty funny.
"We'll need a few moments," he said to the waitress, "but um... I'll start with key lime pie?"
"What is this, Miami?" she asked him sourly. "I'll bring you lemon meringue."
"Or that," he said, watching her walk off. Looking back at Blake, he gave him a small smile. "That's probably what I really wanted anyway."
---
Hiding behind the menu Blake waited until the woman had sloped off before he even dared to let himself be seen again. Yes, he probably looked like a post-crying, post-drinking slovenly mess. But he was eating here damnit, and paying for it (possibly) so he would get something nice and filling...
"You are starting with pudding?" he had to ask, before wrinkling his nose slightly. "That's a little bit backwards. I'm going to have..." Though he looked at the burgers, the pasta, the pies, he knew what he wanted already. "Lasagne. Of course. And... to finish.... the big chocolate sundae." Pleased with his choice he set the menu down, casually-but-not-so-casually running a hand through his hair to straighten himself up.
---
Raising an eyebrow, Godric leaned back in the booth, running his arm along the back. "Well," he said haughtily, "forgive me for being a little spontaneous. Honestly Blake, you're so rigid sometimes, you need to loosen up." He was smirking because this was a conversation Godric had had with countless people, only he was the one on the receiving end of the scolding. So to be told that he was acting weird was almost a delight.
---
With a stern shoot from those big brown eyes of his, Blake's lips curled into a smirk. Then he tutted, shaking his head, playing along with Godric's comments. "Well you know, there's a set pattern to things. Starter, dinner, pudding. You're just mixing it up for the sake of it, Ric, you're going to the dark side!" Okay maybe that was pushing it a little. "Breaking the norm. Next you'll have an after-eight mint - before 8pm!! The fucking nerve..."
---
"Oh, the horrors," Godric agreed, taking another drink of the coffee. "Why, next thing you know I will be driving out at all hours picking up a drunken friend to bring him to a diner to feed him. And then think of the anarchy that might follow that."
---
There was the briefest of glimmers which passed behind Blake's gaze as he casually took a bread roll ot of the basket, breaking it in half as he resisted the urge to say what he truly wanted. After a moment, he managed to speak evenly. "There is sure to be meringue on the walls at the end of it..."
---
Oblivious, oblivious. Godric waited patiently for the snide remark he knew was coming, and Blake seemed to be taking his time with it. Plucking up his teaspoon, Godric stirred his coffee needlessly, eyes watching Blake. "I wouldn't waste my pie on the likes of you," he told Blake, punctuating his statement by pointing the spoon at Blake.
And speaking of, the waitress had returned, setting a small plate with an absolutely gorgeous piece of lemon meringue on it in front of Godric. "You ready yet?"
"I believe so. I'm going to have the turkey club, extra bacon on that, crinkle cut fries on the side." Looking at Blake, Godric gave him a look, and set about digging into his pre-dinner dessert.
---
"Who says you'd have a choice?" replied Blake cockily, sitting back and sipping his coffee as if they were about to have a face-off. Luckily for them, possbily noy for her, the waitress toddled across with Godric's obscenely nice-looking pie which left Blake looking at it longingly.
"Lasagne, one slice, big one. I'd like the curly fries, thank you.... and a cream soda." As the waitress noted it down Blake picked up his own spoon, smearing it to ensure it was clean before he reached across and promptly scooped up a bit of Godric's pre-dinner dessert, popping it into his mouth approvingly, and somewhat smugly.... "S'gud."
---
There had been no question in Godric's mind that he would be eating that slice of pie alone. That was actually why he'd ordered something, because he knew Blake would want it. And the demon did not disappoint, and Godric smiled softly and leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "Did your mother never teach you manners?" he asked, scooping up a bit of his own and tasting it, letting the meringue dissolve on his tongue.
---
With a caught little smile Blake sniggered, proud that he'd got some of the pie, before he scooped up another piece. "Oh right yes of course..." he said, amending his lack of manners by covering his mouth, making a show of finishing off his piece, and then saying... "Thank you, Godric."
---
Chuckling around his mouthfull, Godric shook his head, then swallowed. "That's all I ask," he said, somewhat sincerely. He didn't mind people taking some advantage of him, as long as there was some appreciation involved. And he didn't mind Blake asking things of him. They were friends, after all, and he cared for the man. Quite a bit.
They ate in silence awhile, Godric taking his time and letting Blake shovel down the majority of it. He needed the blood sugar, and something in his stomach. Already he was looking a bit less pitiful, his face getting color and his eyes bright. "You feel alright?" Godric asked, smiling.
---
Of course Blake appreciated being able to steal Godric's meringue. If it had been terrible he would have stopped after the first bite, but as it was deliciously sugary the demon was a litttle fond of it. It was nice to share in a comfortable quiet, a constant smile on his face between mouthfuls. Not to mention this also prevented him from speaking and that was nothing short of a good thing. With alcohol still in his system nothing was safe.
At Godric's question he smiled, nodding, then realised that he'd almost polished off the entire thing. "Oh dear... you can have my sundae..." he said apologetically, burping a tiny bit and then leaning back. "Sorry."