It proved difficult not to stare. Strange and eccentric as he’d found the museum curator on their first meeting, Hazel very swiftly reaffirmed himself that saying yes to this date had been a very good idea indeed. “You’re not. Punctuality is a good thing.” He was the one who sounded lame, saying something like that. Not Hugo.[break][break]

“Oh,” his smile stretched a bit wider, a little shyly, as he looked down at the offered bouquet. “No, I don’t mind and I don’t think it’s lame. That’s- thank you. I don’t know if I’ve ever been given them before.” Gingerly, he took them as if they were something breakable, and stepped back further into the entryway. “They’re very lovely. I should put them in water, you can come in if you’d like.”[break][break]

Efficient to a fault, he wasted little time in moving toward the kitchen. He didn’t dawdle or offer up a tour. There wasn’t much to see, anyway. Save for maybe his living room with its built-in bookcases and personal artifacts on displays. But the doorway to his room was blocked by an irritable espeon, set on staring a hole into Hazel’s date for the evening.[break][break]

Even this was noted and processed in a proficient manner. “Don’t mind Nicodemus if he tries to speak to you,” he said, loudly enough to be heard as he rummaged in his cabinets for a glass pitcher, and turned on the faucet tap. “He’s only just evolved and learned telepathy, so he can only speak in one-word phrases.” He poked his head out from the kitchen. “He’s jealous. So if he tries to insult you, just ignore him.” Unfortunately, the espeon had picked up several traits of Hazel’s–mostly the scathing ones.[break][break]

“Interloper,” a voice hissed into Hugo’s mind as if on cue, the slight glow to Nico’s eyes a warning.[break][break]

When Hazel reappeared fully, having set down the pitcher on the table and slung his jacket over his shoulders, he cut a look at the pokemon. “Whatever you’re saying, hush.” Clearly, it was of great offense to Nico not to be sided with, and so he turned and trotted out, tail swishing snootily. “I’ll be ignored later, I think.” He looked toward Hugo and offered a mild smile as he sidled up to him. “He’ll live. So. Where are we going?”[break][break]

No longer distracted by his petty espeon or the gifted flowers, Hazel was better able to look over Hugo, which he made little effort to disguise. “You look good.” Like, really good. If he’d had his glasses on, Hazel would probably be nervously pushing them up the bridge of his nose right about now.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Hugo Albrecht | m: sleepless in slateport | several years ago | outfit[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-espeon"]

Funny little butterflies spiraled in his stomach the longer he looked at the flowers in his hands. It was…nice, he decided. Very nice, to be sort of courted. Maybe. If that’s what this was. “It definitely does you favors,” he replied aptly.[break][break]

‘Offensive.’ This time the bitter remark was sent to Hazel, who looked down at the espeon with a sigh. “You’re fine. Cute is a compliment.” The feline’s tail lashed once in annoyance and then he disappeared. Hopefully not to knock over the pitcher of flowers out of sheer spite. “Petty little cat,” he muttered, but once again, there was no one to blame that high-mindedness on but himself.[break][break]

“Were you? I’m glad we’re of the same mind then.” There was a coyness woven in the tug of his smile as he looked up, having to crane his head slightly given the distinct height difference there. Hazel thought this worked to his advantage, though– it gave him the opportunity to watch Hugo through his lashes just so, as he curbed that same smile into something more demure, but knowing while his bottom lip rolled under the slightest press of his teeth.[break][break]

Most found him cold and overly formal. Polite to the point of social awkwardness. And those things were true, sure. But Hazel had long figured out what he needed to do in order to be appealing when he wished to be. Which, he very much cared to be right then–curious to how Hugo might react when he already seemed to be a bit thrown off from whatever expectation he might’ve held based on their first meeting.[break][break]

“Oh. I do know the place you’re talking about. I’ve not been there before, though.” Always too busy to stop or make time for a sit-in establishment that wasn’t take-out food that he could pick up and eat as he sat at his desk and did…more work. Hazel wasn’t about to admit to that bad habit just yet, though.[break][break]

Re-opening the door, and turned the lock behind him and waited for Hugo to follow. “Walking is fine. I usually pass by on my way to work.” The idea of going somewhere close by is also, admittedly, appealing. None too shy, He weaved his arm through Hugo’s. “Lead the way.”
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Hugo Albrecht | m: sleepless in slateport | several years ago | outfit[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-espeon"]

It wasn’t as though Hazel hadn’t had his own ulterior motives in agreeing so easily to this date. After all, he’d sought out Hugo’s museum of oddities with intent, so in the moment it had seemed like an added bonus that the curator had taken enough of an interest to pursue an outing. However, now that he was faced with the actual date itself, and with Hugo outside of the formal parameters of work and professionalism, Hazel’s own personal interest flourished.[break][break]

Playing hard to get was usually his go-to method, but he didn’t feel the need to just then. Or maybe it was that he didn’t want to–allowing Hugo to woo him so easily with something small like flowers. Something about it made him feel happy, though, and that was different from what Hazel typically sought out when he went on dates with others. Infrequent as those instances were. Not that…Hazel would say he was disinterested in that particular outcome.[break][break]

No, mark him down as very much interested. Especially when Hugo smiled at him so casually. It practically jellified his knees on the spot. “Duly noted,” he replied, the lilt of a purr at the fringes of his words.[break][break]

It was the fact that he was actually interested in more than just an end goal that marked this as special in Hazel’s mind. He felt electric under the other’s stare. And interested in the things he had to say. He was certainly eccentric–Hazel had been able to gather as much from their initial meeting alone, but Hazel found that element about him intriguing. “Hopefully not, though…” he trailed as they stepped outside, “I’m sure we can figure out ways to compensate for any disappointments very easily.”[break][break]

There was a little thrill in his chest when his move wasn’t met with confusion or annoyance. It felt nice, being on Hugo’s arm. Comfortable, even. He perked up, though, at the question posed. “Oh, yes! I am– mostly I collect items that deal with particular mythos that fascinate me, or that I teach about. Mostly old Galar, but other regions as well. I don’t suppose I’m all that particular. Bit of an antiquity nut in that regard, um.” Hazel bit down on his lip, casting a bashful glance upward as he caught himself prattling on.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Hugo Albrecht | m: sleepless in slateport | several years ago | outfit[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-espeon"]

As Hugo had listened to him attentively, Hazel did the same. He found that he wanted to know how the other felt about these things as well. What lurked under the surface, beneath the flair and charm? Not that he didn’t enjoy those aspects too. He very much did, it was a bit, well, dashing.[break][break]

“I’m glad to hear it. It’s a relief,” he said with a breezy little laugh as warmth kindled in his chest where his heart was. “Though…I wouldn’t rule yourself out. It’s probably still in there somewhere, you know.” As he glanced over at Hugo with shy silver eyes, he pointed at his head with a free hand. Distractions were one thing, as were deviations in pursuit. But it would be a shame to say that interest was gone entirely. Hazel disagreed with it.[break][break]

“Oh! I would love that, please do.” For all of his carefully maintained composure, it fell away as he beamed up at Hugo over the offer. It was like he knew exactly the correct buttons to press in order to draw out the brighter, less reserved aspects of his nature. Those he’d long learned to hide away. The ones his own family had thought him odd for, or didn’t care to see on display because it wasn’t befitting a politico’s son.[break][break]

Not the time or place, Hazel.[break][break]

How many times had he heard that until he’d taught himself to hold it all inside for personal moments of study and discovery? Here, though, it was encouraged. He didn’t feel strange or misplaced for his passions. In fact, he felt right at home alongside Hugo just as he had before when he’d been handed those flowers. “That’s a very kind offer,” he added after a beat, smile still wide, “I could kiss you, right here and now.”[break][break]

The words tumbled out before he could stop them, and color flushed across his face in vibrant hue. “I won’t, of course.” That probably wouldn’t be all too proper, right? Especially not as they made their way inside of a high-scale building.


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Hugo Albrecht | m: sleepless in slateport | several years ago | outfit[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-espeon"]

Hazel found himself insatiably curious–as was his common curse with most things that snared his interest. Usually those fell within the realm of his studies, but it seemed that Hugo was now nestled among them as well. Someone to be peeled back layer by layer. Though he had no real way of knowing, Hazel didn’t think he’d be displeased by whatever he uncovered.[break][break]

A coy smile slipped across his mouth. “Maybe, maybe not.” As the doors slid closed and the elevator began its ascent, Hazel felt a bit emboldened by how well this seemed to be going. Most might assume him a prude, but Hazel never really was one to shy away from this sort of want when it arose. The reasoning for that mentality was a bit more somber than the moment itself warranted, so he didn’t dwell on the reasoning of his actions, so much as the action itself.[break][break]

Untangling his arm, that same hand rose up to snag around the back of Hugo’s neck as he rolled up on his toes and pressed close against him. Then, alone in the elevator, he kissed Hugo. It was a lingering thing, no small peck. Just heated enough to continue if the other responded to it. Peeling away only at the sound of the elevator ding. For a few seconds longer, he remained close– just enough for cloudy gray eyes to find his date’s with a murmured, “To be continued?” [break][break]

Prompt and put together, Hazel smoothed his shirt and stepped away, exiting the elevator with only a glance back over his shoulder as he waited for Hugo to catch up. He looked around the clean minimalism of the space, the crisp gold accents that popped among the sprawl of plants. “This is nice. Do you know which table?”

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Hugo Albrecht | m: sleepless in slateport | several years ago | outfit[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-espeon"]

Normally, he might not be so bold with his wants. Evaluating others' receptiveness to him had become an immediate reaction. He studied people for any hint of dissatisfaction or discomfort in being around him. He’d been a clumsy boy, and a sickly one. He was never the popular kid in any social circle he’d been a part of. So detection was essential. And he was not about to pass up an opportunity when it presented itself, rare as they tended to be, no matter his looks.[break][break]

So he didn’t dawdle when the odds had seemed to progressively point in his favor from the moment Hugo had arrived at his door. And he certainly wasn’t about to start regretting it fast, either.[break][break]

Hands slid around his waist, and he could feel Hugo press against him with more solidity. He met the contact and leaned into it with his own body, lips parting just so on a quiet inhale. His lashes fluttered and lilac-tinged gray eyes peered hazily up at the other. It was a shame it had to end there. He would’ve rather liked to continue— would’ve let his hands slip up over his chest until they could hang around his neck, fingers tangling in hair.[break][break]

But alas— perhaps later, if that dazed little yeah that fell from Hugo’s mouth was any indicator of approval. On the other hand…that didn’t mean he couldn’t have a bit of fun in the meantime.[break][break]

Right then, he was content to return to his prim and formal self. Once they were both out of the elevator and well on their way to their table, Hazel chose to remain politely quiet. All signs pointed toward a return to his normal, seemingly shy and a touch socially awkward self. But was that a legitimate, or only a false lure?[break][break]

He turned to look out over the cityscape as he sat in the curved booth seat neatly. “Did you choose the seat with an impressive view on purpose?” he teased lightly, though his mind was elsewhere. More focused on the opportunities the conjoined bench seat presented, and on sliding a bit further inward. Closer.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Hugo Albrecht | m: sleepless in slateport | several years ago | outfit[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-espeon"]