Dinner for Two

9 Dinner for Two

Castor enjoyed a nice hot shower and dressed for dinner. He appreciated this shower. It was much nicer than the one at his dorm. He drifted into a meditative state, rejuvenating his mind and spirit. Castor was pleased that the concierge could dry clean his clothes and deliver them promptly.

He would glance at his phone, wondering how Arryn was doing and if he should text or call. Castor was curious to know if doing so would annoy Arryn or not. Deciding not to do either, Castor put his phone away.

Arryn had shown him a safe full of ancient and rare books. Castor was amazed that Arryn trusted him with these books. Some were about the various kinds of celestials there were—also, much history on Angels and Demons. Castor could lock himself away for weeks, studying all of this.

Castor also wondered about his birth parents. Were they still alive? Where could they be? What were they like? Castor took comfort in knowing Arryn was just like him, an orphan. Castor also knew Arryn was sincere in his offer to help.

The sound of Arryn at the door made his heart skip a beat. There was some snow on his shoulders and in his hair. Castor got up from the table. Arryn was relieved to see Castor and rushed towards him, and Castor did the same. Meeting halfway, they embraced and kissed. Neither wanted to stop and lingered in each other's arms.

"Missed me?" Arryn whispered with a smile.

Castor smirked, "Perhaps…did you miss me?"

Arryn chuckled, "Have I let go of you yet?"

Both smiled and kissed each other, parting their lips and deepening the kiss. Arryn and Castor stood there, locked in an embrace for a while. Both stopped to catch their breath and smiled, gazing into each other's eyes.

"You waited for me?" Arryn said in disbelief, “I was worried you would slip away.”

Shaking his head, Castor smiled, "Now, why would I go and do that?"

"Well..." Arryn paused, wondering if he could be honest, "Perhaps I was concerned that I scared you off..."

Castor interrupted, "Nope, not scared... however, I was worried about you today but was too nervous to call or text you."

Arryn furrowed his brow, “Why would you worry about that?“

"I didn't want you to get annoyed or distract you?" Castor explained.

Laughing softly, Arryn embraced Castor, "You are not a nuisance. You can call or text me anytime… As for being a distraction… well, you are someone I don't mind distracting me."

Castor smiled in relief and squeezed Arryn tightly.

"I was wondering," Arryn asked, still embracing Castor, "Would you like to go downstairs to dine or have room service?"

"I don't care. What do you prefer?" Castor answered.

"Hmm...If we stay in, you might not make it home tonight." Arryn winked, "Come, let's go down and eat."

Castor watched Arryn type something into his watch.

Arryn noticed Castor, "Oh, just reserving the table. It'll be ready by the time we get to the restaurant."

"Oh... perfect!"

Arryn reached for Castor's hand, to his surprise. Castor smiled and squeezed Arryn's hand reassuringly. Holding hands, Arryn led Castor to the elevator.

They were all alone, and the elevator made no stops until it reached the rooftop. There was a restaurant with a fantastic sunset view reflecting off the snow.

Castor noticed Arryn's posture stiffen as the host approached. "Sir..." averting his eyes, the host asked, "Your table is ready. May I show you the way?"

"That will be fine. Thank you." Arryn responded in a tone Castor wasn't used to hearing from him.

Then Arryn's face softened, glancing over at Castor, gently squeezing his hand, not letting go, "Let's follow to our table."

The host showed them to a quiet booth in the back corner. "Here, Sirs, may I get you anything to drink?"

Castor slid into the booth, and Arryn joined Castor at his side, "Please give us a moment."

"Yes... of course.'' the host nodded and walked away.

"I didn't want to order for you... here's a list of drinks to choose from." Arryn held up a digital menu for both to look over.

Castor felt Arryn's leg brush up against his and left it there. Castor was both nervous and excited. There were no prices, and Castor didn't dare ask. He wasn't used to someone taking him out and wanting to pay for it.

"We could share a bottle of wine. Do you prefer a blush, red, or white?" Arryn suggested.

Castor was too embarrassed to admit that he knew very little about wine, "I...would like to drink what you like...” Castor shrugged, "I want to know your likes and dislikes."

Arryn smiled, “This Malbec is one of my favorites."

Castor nodded "sounds good to me."

Castor and Arryn ordered their meals after the wine was served. Arryn enjoyed how animated Castor became discussing things he had learned reading from those books today.

The shy waitress brought them their meals and quietly asked if they needed anything else. Arryn shook his head no and waved her off. She nodded and left to check on another table.

The food smelled delicious and tasted even better. Castor was enjoying this dinner with Arryn.

"Here, try this..." Arryn raised his fork with a piece of calamari and aioli, "I love this.''

Castor blushed, letting Arryn feed him. While Arryn either seemed oblivious or didn't care, he noticed how others in the place kept stealing glances their way.

Arryn noticed Castor blush. As he fed Castor the calamari, "sorry, I won't do that again.''

Castor's eyes widened, "No... no, please, I... liked you doing that." Castor grew flustered.

"Are you sure?" Arryn asked, concerned, not wanting to assume that everything about Castor was sincere, even though his aura showed sincerity.

Castor squeezed Arryn's knee reassuringly, "I'm sure."

Castor grinned sheepishly, wondering if he could explain how such gestures made him feel special.

Upon finishing the meal, Arryn suggested, "I can give you a ride back to the dorms."

"Oh, you don't have to; I can get a ride. One of my friends can come and get me," Castor answered, not wanting to be a burden.

Arryn narrowed his eyes, leaning close, "Do you want one of your friends to pick you up at a hotel?"

Castor feeling Arryn's lips brushing his ear, quietly moaned, "You have a point."

"Good, let's get out of here." Arryn waved over the waitress and paid.

Arryn held Castor's hand as they walked out to the Valet. After handing the Valet his card, Arryn placed his arm around Castor.

This was nothing Castor had ever experienced. He liked how casual and relaxed Arryn was with him. Everything felt very natural with Arryn and uncomplicated.

Relationships were complicated things Castor used to think. He wondered if it was always complicated because he hadn't met Arryn yet. Arryn's confidence encouraged Castor to be more open and relaxed.

Snow was falling, and Arryn was keeping him warm. Arryn rubbed his hand along Castor's side with his arm around Castor. He was hoping Castor would not get too cold.

Arryn realized he liked feeling so relaxed with someone. Everything about Castor was honest and sincere.

Trusting Castor was coming easy. Since Arryn had helped Castor when his mind was unlocked, he felt a connection. This connection was not something he had with anyone else.

The Valet brought the car to them and held the door open for Castor and Arryn.

Once in the car, Arryn accessed the vehicle's control panel, pulled up the GPS, and asked Castor to input his address. Castor slipped off a glove and tapped into the location of the dorms he lives in. The Valet had the heater running in the car, so it was toasty.

As they got closer to the campus, there was a sign about the road being closed. The school snowplow had yet to clear the roads across campus and dorms. Seeing this, Castor gently patted Arryn's knee, "Arryn, you can pull over here, and I can walk the rest of the way."

Arryn nodded and parked on the side of the road, "I can walk with you."

"Only If you insist," Castor responded.

"You're going to learn. There are some things I will insist on." Arryn grinned and let Castor out of the car.

Taking Castor's hand, Arryn grinned, "Lead the way."

"Cas? Tomorrow, please don't hesitate to call or text,'' Arryn smiled and squeezed Castor's hand.

Looking up to meet Arryn's eyes, "I won't, and you can do the same," Castor winked.

Arryn stopped and faced Castor, "When you act all cute like that, I just want to..." Arryn cupped the side of Castor's face noticing how beautiful he was in the moon's light.

Castor took a deep breath, mesmerized by Arryn's eyes, "If you only knew what you do to me..." Arryn bent down while tilting up Castor's head. Leaning down, Arryn gently kissed Castor.

Castor wrapped his arms around Arryn feeling lost in the moment and opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. Arryn slid his free arm around Castor's waist, pulling him close, lost in the kiss. Gazing into each other's eyes, neither noticed anyone nearby. Both, oblivious, continued to smile and discuss making plans later in the week.

Arryn pulled out a cigarette, offered Castor one, and lit it. "Thank you, even though I probably shouldn't.''

"Am I encouraging you to partake in a bad habit?" Arryn laughed, taking Castor's free hand, and started walking and flicking his cigarette in the air with his other hand.

"I don't mind. I need to loosen up anyways." Castor grinned, letting out a ring of smoke.

"You seem to have a mischievous, cheeky side," Arryn smiled.

Castor winked, "And I think you like it.” Castor squeezed Arryn's hand.

The dorm Castor was living in appeared as they turned the corner.

"Well, here it is..." Castor announced

"Um, don't get lost heading back."

"I'll be fine," Arryn responded and kissed Castor; good night.

“Text me when you are back at your place, please?" Castor nervously asked.

"Of course." Arryn smiled with a nod of his head, "Now get inside and warm up. "

"Yes... yes... I will," Castor beamed, feeling incredible hearing someone care about his wellbeing.

Arryn watched Castor go inside, and then he was flying into the sky in the blink of an eye.