(Davin - Backdated 2/14)

[jamesthorn]

Valentine's Day is a holiday that James hasn't needed to worry about for a long time, and he wishes now that the night is here that he'd been given more time to come up with something better than just dinner. However, he hasn't been seeing Davin long and by the time he needed to make arrangements almost every good restaurant in town is booked. He could've thrown his family's name around to secure a table, but he decided after that pretentious dinner party at Thornton Estate that what they needed is a casual dinner, just the two of them, where they can just talk.

That's why on a whim a couple days ago he'd called up the woman---Lilly---he'd hired to cater his father's party and asked if she'd be interested in cooking a private dinner and offered to pay her double her rate to make it worth her time. The good thing is since Davin helped him pick the food for his father, she already knows his tastes and James is hoping the food will be perfect. The other good thing is since he has to work a long shift down at the station, Lilly is in charge of making all the arrangements unlike all the running around he'd needed to do for that dreadful party. He leaves work, makes it home to change into a nice shirt and jeans, and at precisely eight o'clock on the dot, he pulls up to Davin's block.

Lilly is waiting with an armful of grocery bags, and she smiles when she sees James step out of his car. With a waggle of eyebrows and a wolf whistle, she calls him over. "Did you just step out of a magazine?" she asks him, grinning. She tugs him by the sleeve. "Come on lets go sweep that hot Irishman of his feet.

"This is okay?" James asks gesturing at his plaid shirt. He wasn't sure what to wear because he didn't tell Davin they were having dinner, and he didn't want to be over-dressed. She just gives him a look. "Fine, okay. Fine. Let's go." He directs her towards the staircase that leads from Sweet Maddy's up to Davin's balcony.

With a brief pause and a big breath, he knocks on the door and waits for Davin to answer.

Comments

[davin]

Davin's usual Valentine's Day routine is him, a bottle of whiskey, and a giant bag of Reese's hearts.He knew this year would be different because he had to go to the planetarium to help Mira with her event, and also because he's dating someone. But his relationship with James is so new that he didn't know if they should do anything for the holiday or not. After some internal debate he had decided to ask James to go to the event at the planetarium with him, but nixed the idea when he found out James would be working anyway.

Mira had pulled off something really special at the planetarium and seeing all the couples fawning all over each other didn't even make him heartsick this year because he has someone. It's very new, but Davin still feels butterflies when he thinks about their kiss. He's hopeful it'll go somewhere. But just not tonight.

He's just about to change out of his nicer clothes and put on some sweats when there's a knock on the door, and he heads out of his bedroom to answer it. James is there, along with the caterer from the party, and Davin just sort of stares for a second. "Hey, you two. Uh, what's goin' on?"

[jamesthorn]

James is still debating on whether he should've called Davin and told him he was headed over, but then he opens the door and James and Lilly are both all smiles, James even more so. He takes in the semi-shocked look on Davin's face with a pleased sigh of relief, as he assumes surprise is a good thing tonight. He pulls the wine bottle out of Lilly's bag and holds it out for Davin.

"What do you say to dinner? With me," he asks with a hopeful smile. He gives Lilly a sideways glance. "And I thought I'd bring along someone who actually knows their way around a kitchen. She's assured me, any kitchen big or small, we'll both be amazed."

Lilly interjects with a pointed look. "Awed in fact. Romantic dinner for two is on the docket. Just show me to the kitchen," she says, trying to peek around and into the door of Davin's apartment.

[davin]

Davin is sort of stunned, so it takes a moment for his brain to catch up with what's happening. James is holding up the wine with a smile on his face and Davin laughs, blushing profusely as he covers his mouth with his hand for a moment. This is insane, but in the best possible way.

"Dinner? Yeah, I'd love that!" Davin reaches out to tug James in by the front of his shirt, giving him a quick kiss on the lips and then running his fingers through his own hair as he looks at Lilly.

"Come on in! I hope by small, you really meant miniscule, because that's what I'm working with here," Davin says as he leads her into the kitchen. It is rather small, but it's clean and tidy and Davin bites his lip as he retrieves two wine glasses. "It's no sprawling kitchen at a fancy estate, but hopefully it'll do?"

"It'll be fine," Lilly assures him, giving them both indulgent smiles. "Now get out and let me work."

Davin nods and comes back into the living room with wine glasses dangling from his fingers, cheeks still pink as he closes the distance between him and James. "I can't believe you would do this for me. That's so sweet."

[jamesthorn]

When Davin returns, holding the wine glasses, blushing hotly over the gesture, James lets a fond smile form on his face. He had been afraid that Davin might be expecting something better than just dinner, so James is happy that Davin appears to like the simplistic nature of dinner at home, just the two of them. He grew up going to enough fancy balls and galas and dinner parties, that he really prefers relaxed and comfortable. At his father's party, they didn't get to do that either.

He settles his hands along Davin's waist as he comes right up to him, holding their bodies close. "It's Valentine's, and I owed you a good dinner for coming with me the other night," he says, leaning down to kiss him on the mouth.

[davin]

"Ya didn't have t'do anythin' for tonight," Davin assures him, but he returns the kiss, letting his lips linger. "But I'm really glad ya did. This is - it's really great."

He tugs James over towards the sofa by his belt and sets the wine glasses down before sitting and biting his lip, suddenly flustered. "I don't have a dinin' room table... or a dinin' room. I'm not - I'm sure this isn't what you're used to."

Davin has never been embarrassed of his social class or lack of money, and he still isn't. He's just very aware of the differences between them. There's a four star chef making dinner in the kitchen he microwaved some Easy Mac for lunch in earlier, and an expensive bottle of wine sitting on the coffee table he got at a yard sale. He fidgets a bit and then pops up, darting into the kitchen to get a corkscrew.

"I think he really likes you, you know," Lilly tells him, and Davin relaxes a little. "So calm down. It's gonna be okay."

Davin gives her a grateful smile and nods, taking a deep breath and returning to James, sitting down next to him and holding out the corkscrew. "Let's open that bad boy up, aye?"

[jamesthorn]

"You do realize I'm a cop right?" James asks once Davin returns with the bottle opener and takes the space beside him on the sofa. He scoots over, close enough that their thighs are touching and so he can take the corkscrew from Davin and open the bottle of red wine that Lilly had bought to go along with their dinner. "Most of my meals are eaten in a car while my partner blares really awful music that he knows I hate," he says as the bottle makes a pop noise as the cork is released.

He pours them each a glass of wine and hands one to Davin with a softer smile. "Here you go. Tell me what you think," he instructs taking a sip of his own wine. "Good?"

[davin]

Davin gives him an embarrassed little smile and nods, watching as he pours the wine. James has already shown that he isn't overly concerned with money, or someone else's lack thereof, so he takes a breath and then brings the wine glass to his lips, taking a small sip. His eyebrow quirks up and he nods, licking his lips and smiling up at him. "It's delicious."

He leans against James and sighs happily, swirling his wine lightly in his glass. "So, what's on the menu?"

Part of Davin (a big part) wants to ask James to stay the night, but he isn't sure if it's too soon. He's never really dated before, and he really doesn't want to screw things up. Lilly is leaving after she's done with dinner, surely, so Davin can just wait and see how the night progresses.

Right now though, he wants to kiss James again, just because he can. So he does.

[jamesthorn]

"I don't know," James admits, returning Davin's smile as he leans against him and they sit back on the couch. "It's all up to the chef. I'm hoping chili cheese fries. I doubt it though."

But Davin leans over and kisses him, which makes him mostly forget the subtle teasing over dinner. Without hesitation, he lets his hand settle in the small of Davin's back and pulls him closer. Their kiss at the estate has been lodged in James' memory for days now, and all he's wanted to do was this again too.

So he is happy to indulge Davin's wishes. He kisses him deeply with a little more ease and determination than before because it's not built up around firsts. James doesn't like to move too fast. He likes to know what he's getting into before charging ahead. Still it's quite easy to get swept away in making out with Davin on his couch...

[davin]

Davin is surprised, in a very good way, when James tugs him in and deepens the kiss. He keeps one hand clutched around the stem of the wine glass and reaches up with the other to curl it around the back of James' neck. He nips lightly at his bottom lip and laughs a little, sliding his fingers up into James' hair and licking into his mouth.

He's pretty content to just sit there and kiss him for the rest of the night, and he's just feeling half-tempted to crawl into James' lap when someone clears their throat behind them. Davin grins as he pulls back, turning to look at Lilly over his shoulder.

"First course is ready, boys," she says with a fond smirk. "Come eat. Something tells me you'll need your strength."

[jamesthorn]

When Lilly catches them, all James can do is smile sheepishly and manages to maneuver himself out of Davin's grasp. Reluctantly, of course, because if Lilly hadn't interrupted they very much could've continued. Who knows how far, too, and James isn't sure what Davin's thoughts are about staying the night. But it's a pleasant thought either way. Still, dinner comes first.

James stands up from the couch and offers Davin a hand up, and they follow Lilly into kitchen area where she has arranged a small table for two with place settings. The lights are dimmed and there are candles and red roses, and even if Davin was worried about his apartment being able to accommodate them, there was no need. Everything looks perfect. Small, intimate, but comfortable.

"Shall we?" James gestures for Davin to sit first and then takes the chair opposite him. Once they are seated, Lilly jumps straight into action serving them bread and salads, and James smiles over the table at Davin. "I'm glad we're doing this. Makes up for the awkward family moments, right?"

[davin]

"Surprisin' me with an intimate dinner on Valentine's Day?" Davin asks with a soft chuckle, cheeks pink in the soft glow of the candlelight. "Yeah, I'd say all is forgiven."

Not that he was ever upset with James in the first place, and he hopes that James knows that. He smiles at him and lays his napkin over his lap before reaching for a piece of bread and tearing it in half. Davin is just slightly overwhelmed, in a good way, and he just sort of stares at James in wonder as he chews. Once he realizes what he's doing he takes a healthy sip of his wine as he finally tears his gaze away.

"How is the family, anyway? Any fallout from the night's events?" He reaches for his fork to start in on his salad, but he keeps his interested eyes on James.

[jamesthorn]

"Good," James says, smiling back at him as he takes a simple from his wine glass, peering up at him over the rim. He knows Davin wasn't angry, but even though he may not date often he does try to make a good impression. His mother had taught him that, he thinks, even if she never was around to see him go on a date. And it was nice to see the light in Davin's eye tonight, he was clearly touched by the gesture, and James really liked making him look like that.

He had done good, and he was happy about that. He picked up his fork after Davin and begins to eat. "Everyone's okay," James says, nodding. He could mention that Daniel and him were having Demetri looking into their father's financials, but that didn't seem like conversation for such a special night. "I think my father's curiosity has been momentarily met. Let's hope anyway."

"How about you? That new mechanic is still working out, I hope?"

[davin]

"Aye, yeah. I got two of 'em now. Both new t'town." It's awkward for just a second, because he had been pretty attracted to Ryder. Well, he's still attracted to him, but it's easy enough to ignore because he's so happy with where he is with James. "They're workin' out great an' I'm happy for the help."

Lilly clears their plates and replaces them with the main course, which a delicious steak that Davin devours happily. It's a little odd, getting waited on in his own home, but he focuses on James and it's all okay. Davin goes so far as to playfully run his toes along James' ankle, completely thrilled to be doing something as new and simple as playing footsie.

Conversation flows easily, and Lilly eventually tells them that dessert is ready in the living room. Davin tries to help her clear the dishes, but she shoos him away and he goes out into the living room with James.

"It's devil's food cake with a chocolate mousse and strawberries." She had been cleaning as she went along and she loads the dishwasher before bringing her bag of supplies out into the living room. "It's interactive. Have fun, boys."

Davin gives her a wicked grin and gets up to walk her to the door. "The food was so amazin'. Thank you."

[jamesthorn]

"Yes. Thank you Lilly. Everything was perfect," James says pointedly because all her good work had done more than make him look good. Davin looked utterly delighted by the meal she prepared, and James was happy about how everything turned out. He waits as Davin shows Lilly outside, and he takes a seat back on the couch where she had laid out all the workings for dessert. Everything looked delicious, from the luscious whipped cream to the huge bright red strawberries.

But when Davin sits back down on the couch beside him, he looks over, biting at his lip for a moment. "I don't think I've ever had an interactive desert before," he admits. "I hope there's instructions."

[davin]

"Oh, I think we can figure it out," Davin says with a sly smile. He bites his lip almost shyly and reaches over to grab a strawberry, dipping it in the cream before holding it up to James' lips. "See? It's easy."

[jamesthorn]

James eyes the strawberry Davin holds out to him and it dawns on him what Lilly had in mind. She really was worth every penny. Leaning down he takes a bite of the strawberry, and it's perfectly sweetened with the cream. "Not bad," he says, licking cream from his lips.

[davin]

Davin's bright amber eyes darken just a bit as he watches James eat the strawberry, and then he leans over to scoop some cream onto the tip of his finger. He reaches out to dabs it on James' bottom and grins, moving in so that their mouths are only inches apart.

"Missed a spot," he says quietly, and licks the cream from James' lip before kissing him softly. He lets out a quiet hum and then pulls back, smirking a little and giving James a wink before he sucks the leftover cream from the tip of his finger.

[jamesthorn]

"I guess I did," James says, as Davin pulls back, still feeling his lips against his. He wants to kiss Davin again, but he reaches for one of the strawberries and dips it in the bowl of melted dark chocolate. It drips chocolate on the tray, but he holds his hand under to catch the extra as he offers it to Davin for a bite.

He raises his eyebrows at him, smiling. "Your turn," he says.

[davin]

Davin grins and leans in, letting his tongue catch on James' fingertips before he pulls the strawberry into his mouth and bites down, eyes on James' face. Davin is good at this, the flirting and seduction, but this feels like more than that.

It's not just a means to an end, or a warm up. It's fun.

"Yum." He licks the chocolate from his lips and leans in for another kiss, reaching up to cup the back of James' neck and pull him closer. He pulls back and mumbles against James' lips, happiness radiating in his tone. "You taste better."

[jamesthorn]

It's not that James is completely horrible at this, but it has been awhile and Davin is clearly better. James so doesn't mind at all though, especially when Davin cups the back of his neck and pulls him close. He smiles down at him, putting his hands on Davin's shoulders. "Me?" He asks giving in to kiss Davin back on the lips for a few seconds. "I was gonna say you."

[davin]

"We taste good together," Davin replies, grinning into the kiss and leaning over to grab another strawberry. He dips it in the chocolate and then gets up on his knees, grabbing James' shoulder and swinging one leg over until he's straddling James' lap. He sits down and laughs a little when chocolate drips onto James' neck, feeding the strawberry to James before leaning in to lick the chocolate from his skin.

Davin lets out a soft hum and sucks lightly at his neck, careful not to leave a mark, even if part of him wants to. He kisses along the edge of his jaw, nipping lightly at his chin before pulling back to smile at him. "We're gettin' distracted from our dessert."

[jamesthorn]

"I guess we are," James says distractedly as Davin kisses warmed skin and it feels so amazing. There's a mixture of chocolate and sweet and Davin against his tongue, and he wants more but he isn't sure how far Davin wants this to go tonight. It's could be too soon, but either way he is certainly enjoying this as it is.

Placing his hands along Davins hips where he is sitting on his lap, his fingers flex in a small squeeze as Davin places a light trail of kisses down his neck. "Or you're distracting me..."

[davin]

"I'm okay with it," Davin says with a chuckle, pulling back to look at him. He rests his hands on James' shoulders and thumbs at the sides of his neck, cheeks a little pink. "Do ya maybe wanna stay the night?"

He swallows hard and cups the side of James' neck, flushing slightly. He doesn't know how soon is too soon, but he wants James to stay. Even if they don't have sex, Davin would really love waking up next to him. "We don't have to go any further than this if ya don't want to yet. I just - this was really nice, an' I don't want it t'end. I wanna make ya breakfast."

[jamesthorn]

James tilts his head at him with a smile and can't help but nod. How could he turn down that offer? "You make breakfast?" He asks eyebrows raised as he looks back at him, comforted by Davin's hands on his face. "Or does this mean donuts from downstairs?"

He nods his head though, not needed a real answer to his teasing. "I can stay. I don't wanna leave either."

[davin]

"I can make the hell outta some eggs an' toast, I'll have ya know. An' yeah, probably somethin' sweet from downstairs." Davin laughs, but James says he'll stay and he grins bright enough to rival the sun. He'll stay and wake up next to Davin tomorrow, and then they'll see each other again. It's such a thrilling concept to Davin.

"I'm glad," Davin says softly, leaning in to brush their noses together before giving James another kiss on the mouth. He curls one arm around James' shoulders and slides the under one under his shirt to rest against his warm, soft skin.