she wasn’t used to buying dinner for others, and the idea did little to attract her. but, the man had saved her life, and so she felt obligated to repay him.

it’d been about a week or so. she had recovered from a concussion, but still wore some bruising here and there, covered by in-season fashion. when she arrived, eyes went up from an oversized scarf to him, and then to the establishment, calculating a judgment based on his choice. hm. at least it wasn’t expensive.

”we could have gone somewhere nice—“

actually, he was probably the type to prefer these places.

”if this is what you want, though…”

KING WAYLAND

nina shrugged lightly. she didn’t really mind, although she was accustomed to nicer establishments.

”suit yourself.” this was about him, after all. her eyes fell back on him, and she tested a small smile, though it quickly drooped a bit. he had saved her life, and while she was grateful, and it drew her in more than she might have been otherwise, the air he had about him still intimidated her.

”yeah,” she responded simply, tone neutral, though hitting a slightly higher note than before. she stared a moment longer, almost doe-eyed, before blinking and turning to enter the building ahead of him.

KING WAYLAND

it was cozy, she discovered. her eyes wandered around, though were quickly pulled towards king’s somewhat hostile interaction. it caught her off guard, and her stare lingered briefly.

at his gesture, she gave another small, pressed smile—one that could only be described as polite—before moving past him to lead the way with raised eyebrows.

she sat down at their designated booth, unfurling her scarf and setting her things beside her. hands then laced in her lap, her thumbnails snapping over each other nervously.

KING WAYLAND

”mm. i believe you.”

she took a menu only after he did, but her attention was more on him than the restaurant’s small selection. when he spoke, she’d already been looking again, caught in a brief glance he presumably didn’t see, as he did seem focused on the food. which was fine with her.

processing, she pressed her lips in a line, and being the butt of the joke caused her stare to list off to the side. something akin to an eyeroll, but less dismissive.

”well, i wasn’t planning on it...”

KING WAYLAND

a burger didn’t sound bad. she hadn’t had one in a while. and that meant she didn’t have to look at the menu anymore, not that it was much exhausting read, anyways

she didn’t want to tell him that this was a first. it was embarrassing. she realized she was out of touch, despite years of having been on her own.

how did one simply stop being disconnected?

”i’m fine.” her tone was light, and indeed, fine. ”and… no, not really.”

KING WAYLAND

it wasn’t that she didn’t. it was that she’d been trained to turn them down. to not engage. she’d had jobs to do, and boyfriends got jealous. got in the way, they’d said—and it’d been true, whenever she’d strayed. so, loneliness had been a way of life, and it had stuck with her. it was too easy to say ‘no.’

”not really,” she lied, clearing her throat and adjusting to lean a couple inches closer over the table. willing herself to appear more comfortable. ”i’m having a burger, since they’re killer.”

KING WAYLAND

king was intense, and she found herself questioning her own preferences. was she a well-done girl? what was a well-done girl?

her eyes traveled, as though searching for the answers. it took her a moment before she put it together.

oh. burgers. duh.

”no, i like medium.” if it was a burger. after a pause, she clarified, ”medium-rare if it’s a steak.”

KING WAYLAND