Richard/Elijah - 18 - You have a very romantic side, don't you?
Elijah scratched his nose and yawned.
Richard's steps picked up in speed when he located Elijah's scent above Erzabeta, anxious energy had completely taken over. Prize clutched in his hand, he made his way through the bouncers, past the bartenders, and up the private staircase to knock on his lover's door.
Looking around Elijah inhaled and grinned. "Ricky!" He moved to the door and opened it. "Hey!"
He smiled brightly at his lover before ducking his head and scuffing his toe on the floor. "I was wondering if you might be interested in having a cup of coffee with me," his voice was quiet as he pulled a blood red bouquet of roses and poinsettias from behind his back.
"Oh," Elijah smiled, reaching for the bouquet. "You brought me flowers." He looked at Richard, soft smile on his face. "Oh."
His now free hand scratched at the hairs on the back of his neck. "I saw them and... I don't... I thought you might like them."
"I love them," Elijah said, stepping back. "Come in. I need to put them in water. They're beautiful." He stopped. "Oh, sorry," he said and lifted up to kiss Richard. "There. Now, come in."
Richard smiled as his lover walked further into his apartment, licking his bottom lip to taste traces of Elijah's before he followed. "We don't have to do coffee if you don't want to. I just thought... I don't know... maybe we could go on a proper date..."
"Really?" Elijah smiled. "I'd like that. Lemme change?"
Before the imp could walk too far away, Richard grabbed his waist and pulled him in close. His mouth descended for what he considered a more appropriate greeting, tongue teasing Elijah's upper lip briefly before pulling away. "I'll just wait here then."
Whimpering, Elijah gave into the kiss, clinging to Richard for a moment before stepping back "Wow. I'll hurry."
"I'm a patient man, I can wait for you."
"Thanks," Elijah whispered and hurried anyway. After a few minutes he returned wearing a fresh shirt. "Ready? Coffee? That sounds good."
"You look gorgeous as always, luv," he leaned forward to kiss Elijah's neck, inhaling the imp's unique scent.
"Thank you," Elijah almost giggled, feeling young and happy and a bit pampered. "Where are we going?"
"There is a quiet cafe, down in the quarter," he threaded his fingers through Elijah's and began to lead the other vamp back out onto the street. "I thought we could find a quiet corner and enjoy each other's company."
"I'd love to," Elijah said, holding Richard's hand and looking up at him. "And we can get a praline?"
"Well what kind of date would I be if I didn't satisfy that sweet tooth of yours," his eyes twinkled as he looked down at the other vampire.
"You’re a great date," Elijah petted Richard’s arm. "You're ... great."
"Just thought you deserved a nice night," he gave a shrug of his shoulders. "Didn't want you to think that I was an inattentive lover. I am just as interested in you when we are clothed as when we are naked."
"Ditto," Elijah said, smiling widely. "I'm glad we met Mr. Sharpe."
"I thank the powers that be for bringing you into my life every day." Richard was certain that he'd never said truer words.
Elijah smiled and then pointed. "That the place?"
"Are you reading my mind now, imp?" Richard chuckled and bumped his shoulder into the smaller vamps.
"Yes," Elijah laughed, squeezing his hand. "This is great. You bringing me here."
Hands still joined Richard weaved his way through the various tables littering the nearly empty cafe. He gestured to the small table positioned just to the side of the crackling fireplace for Elijah’s approval. He loved the old buildings here in the French Quarter for many reasons, and fireplaces in public buildings was one of them. It reminded him of his life back in England.
"Perfect," Elijah said, taking a seat and smiling up at Richard. "Can we hold hands and make eyes at each other?"
"I would be horribly put out if we didn't," one side of his mouth quirked upward in what he hoped was a sexy, lopsided grin.
Elijah laughed softly. "Good." He reached for Richard's hand. "You make me happy Dickiedoo."
"I'm glad for that," he entwined their fingers once again before reaching his other hand up to brush Elijah's prominent cheek bone. "I would hate it if you weren't."
"You would?"
"It would break my heart to see you unhappy Elijah," he looked into the crystal clear blue of his lover's eyes across the table. "I love you, I want to see you happy always."
Pressing his lips together, Elijah pulled Richard's hand to them and kissed the knuckles. "I want you happy too."
His heart fell when Elijah once again couldn't return his words. Richard didn't want to pressure his lover and their relationship didn't hinge on whether or not Elijah said the three little words; however, it didn't stop it from hurting any less when he put himself out there. He didn't have much time to respond when the waitress came to take their orders.
Ordering black coffee and a praline Elijah looked at Richard as the waitress walked off. "Hey, you okay?"
"Its nothing, luv," he tried to shake off his melancholy in order to enjoy their evening.
"Okay," Elijah said, kissing Richard's hand again. He looked around. "This is a great place."
"I thought you might like it," he offered his lover a smile. "Its quiet, cozy, and they make a tasty pastry."
"Mmmm, I like pastry, well, my mouth likes them whether my body gives a damn or not," Elijah laughs. "Same with coffee."
"And it tastes so good on your lips... and on your blood."
Elijah smiled. "You have a very romantic side, don't you?"
"I suppose so," he ran his thumb along the palm of his lover's hand. "Is that a problem? You can let me know if I’m laying it on too thick."
"Never, I'd never think that," Elijah said softly, smiling at Richard. "I like it, I swear."
"Good," Sharpe returned the smile. "So tell me, love, how have you been?"
"Good, work is great," Elijah rubbed Richard's hand. "Lot's of humans everywhere. Life is good." He grinned. "How're you?"
"Tasty humans I hope," he gave Elijah a wink. "I'm doing alright. School is winding up for the semester so my time is almost my own."
"We oughta go off for a weekend together."
"That sounds lovely," his heart fluttered a bit at the thought of vacationing with his lover. "Where would you want to go?"
"Maybe just along the coast, down toward the panhandle?" Elijah asked with enthusiasm.
"Stay on the beach?" Richard leaned forward, over the table. "Bask in the moonlight?"
"Yeah," Elijah laughed. "Oh Ricky! Can we?"
Richard smiled at Elijah's enthusiasm. "Of course. Let me know when your schedule is open and I will make the arrangements."
"I'll do it!" Elijah broke off a bit of praline and held it out to Richard. "Bite?"
With a smile on his face, Richard leaned forward and wrapped his lips around Elijah's thin fingers. His tongue swirled around the digits, trying more to recover the taste of his lover's skin than the sweetness of the praline. As he pulled away, he asked, "Look at your schedule, or make the arrangements?"
"Look at my schedule," Elijah said, breaking off another piece and sucking on it a moment. "I kind of like the idea of you taking care of things."
"Good, I want to plan a wonderful weekend for the two of us." Even he thought that sounded sappy, but it was true.
"You cute thing you," Elijah smiled. "Thank you. I love it already."
"My cunning plan is working then," he smiled cheekily before bringing his cup of coffee to his lips for a sip.
"Always Dickles, always," Elijah laughed.