They did agree on this day and time, right? He wasn't going crazy? Elliott was getting more and more nauseous by the minute, and he was close to hopping back on the sub and calling it off.

However, as if summoned by the thought, Ceri showed up.

"It's fine. How are you?"

Totally a lie. He wanted to hurl. Even seeing her show up didn't really ease that feeling, but at least she showed up. Elliott tried to muster some sort of smile.

If anything, he probably looked constipated.

Elliott blushed. Was she really happy to see him? Most people, in the general public at least, fangirled over him, and he learned to wave it off.

However, Ceri was different. She was someone he knew. So saying she was happy to see him, it felt genuine. The people he knew personally were people he treated like shit - but good shit, like how he would treat CIAN MAHER. He couldn't treat Ceri like that.

"It's nice to see you... too..."

Eli cleared his throat, looking from the ground to the sky and back to her.

"I made a reservation at a restaurant nearby. I hope that's alright."

His usual confidence was faltering.

Sweet? That was one of the last things he'd call himself. His face transitioned from pink to scarlet, and he tried to cover it up by turning and coughing, like he had something in his throat.

"Well, that's the least I can do..."

Eli lead her to the restaurant, not a super fancy place but definitely one they could dress up a little in. They were taken to their seats, sitting across from each other.

"Do you want to get anything to drink? I have a fake ID..."

"W-what? Isn't it like... a normal thing for people to have?"

Maybe it was a normal thing for Eli and his group of friends to have. Ceri didn't seem like the type of person to break the rules to get a fake ID just to go out drinking. She was a university student. He wasn't.

Then again, they were both in team Rocket.

"Do you have a preference on drinks?"

Eli's preference was beer. Sometimes harder liquor, but beer. However, they were at a nice place. It seemed strange to order beer at a nice place. He felt the need to order wine or champagne or something.

"I don't know... I was looking at this steak..."

Elliott pictured Ceri as this pure, angelic being who didn't drink and only focused on her studies besides doing Rocket things. So when she mentioned taking shots and drinking beer, he was unable to hold in the barking laugh that escaped his lips.

"I'm not laughing at you. I'm sorry, I just never imagined you doing something like that. You sound like me."

A bad boy. No good, having the time of his life. Not giving a damn in the world. Maybe this would be fun after all...

"So, instead of drinks now, why don't we just go to a bar after? If you want."

That way, both of them would be satisfied with their drink of choice. Get full now, have water, get fucked up a little bit later. That was speaking his language.

He supposed that's what a date was for. To get to know the person you were taking out. So, count that as a success?

Eli's lips turned into a smirk when she agreed to go to a bar. This night sounded a lot more fun than it was originally.

"Trust me, Ceri. I ain't no lightweight."

After ordering and waiting for their food, it finally arrived. Steam rose from the steak, potatoes, and vegetables on Eli's plate, making him drool. He had to contain himself while he waited for Ceri's food to be set in front of her before digging in.

While he ate, he felt something moving over his feet and legs. He made a face, unable to really see under the table cloth. So, on instinct, he kicked his foot.

"The fuck is that..." he muttered, unaware that it was actually Ceri's foot.