"I'm glad you called me."
"Really?" Lars looked up from the table cloth to make eye contact with his childhood friend.
"You bet." Ronaldo nodded, grabbing a piece of bread from the basket. He bit the end then spread butter over it.
"That's good...I know it's been a while." Lars said a little nervously. He hadn't eaten any of the complimentary bread.
"You're not kidding." Ronaldo chuckled. "It's been, what? Fifteen years?" he asked, leaning back in his chair as if momentarily stunned by the passage of time.
"Ya...Something like that." Lars smirked and took a delicate sip of his whiskey and water.
"Well. That's a lot of time to catch up on then. Do you like your drink?"
"Ya. I mean it's whiskey. Not much else you can say about it."
"That's good, because if you didn't I can get them to open another bottle. Maybe from a different year?"
"Ronaldo. It's fine."
"Okay. Well just let me know." he reached for another piece of bread.

Lars let out a small sigh. He had finally managed to give Ronaldo a call. He'd kept the letter he had written with his return address and phone number. Ronaldo had always made sure to inform Lars when he was changing any of those. Even if Lars had almost never bothered to keep in touch.

"So how are things in Beach City?" Ronaldo asked eagerly. His big blue eyes gleamed with nostalgia.
"Pretty much the exact same." Lars responded. "It's nothing like out here in Delmarva I bet."
"Oh it's not that fancy." Ronaldo chuckled.
"Mmmhmm." Lars nodded looking around the upscale restaurant.

This was where Ronaldo has chosen for them to get dinner while Lars was in town. It was a seafood restaurant called Neptune's. The interior was all dark navy and gold with off white wallpaper. It was a little gawdy and definitely looked like somewhere the God of the Sea would eat. Ronaldo had mentioned it had gotten good reviews. He felt a little out of place.

"What have you been doing?" Ronaldo asked pleasantly, after he and Lars had ordered.
"Well. Not working." Lars said derisively. "When my dad died he left me his real estate and a little money. I sold most of the property to some private corporation."
"I'm glad to hear things are going good. I'm sorry about your dad though, but I know you two weren't close."
"Ya. Don't worry about it. How about you?"

Lars almost didn't have to ask. Ronaldo was sitting right in front of him. He looked good, just as good as ever. He wore a crisp white oxford, with a slim navy tie. His sleeves were folded over his forearms, and a big gold watch was clasp around his equally large wrist. He had a faint tan even now in January. His hair was still blond but a bit darker with age, more golden than yellow. He had it slicked back but the bouncy curls where still visible. Now he sported a small beard and mustache in a similar golden shade. He was still a large man, but time had taken some of his baby fat away. Though he still had the teddy bear softness that had drawn Lars to him (even if he'd never admit it).

"Things are good here too." Ronaldo began, smiling wider as he noticed Lars looking at him. "When the blog finally took off I made out pretty well. It just took one person to believe me. Now I run that after hours show Shore to Shore PM. And I ghost-write anime and manga on the side."
Lars had to laugh. "So you got rich doing exactly what you love? Jesus Ronnie." he chuckled into his drink. "Only you."
The waiter came by and placed their entrees in front of them. Ronaldo had gotten a seafood platter and Lars had gotten Lasagna. A hilarious affect Ronaldo hadn't failed to realize.

In fact, Ronaldo hadn't failed to notice a lot about Lars. He ate his food with a fork and knife careful not to look out of place. He had good posture, which exemplified his small shoulders and slim build. He wore a black button-down shirt which fit him perfectly. He'd unbuttoned the first few buttons and Ronaldo could see he was just as hairless as ever. This was also evidenced by his clean shaven face. He'd gotten rid of the mohawk, his hair was styled into the popular undercut. He looked into his baleful brown eyes and when he laughed the tiniest crow's feet crinkled in the corners. He looked great. As mischievous, slender and delicate as he had remembered. He was so glad Lars had finally given him a call. Better late than never.

They talked and laughed through dinner. Lars was a lot more comfortable with himself and so was Ronaldo. Time had smoothed away many of the jagged edges that had always seemed to cut the other. Lars was on his third drink, and Ronaldo his fourth. They'd finished their meal. The waiter knew better than to interrupt . It was not because he feared his censure, but rather from his boss if he shooed away someone with cash to spend. Lars covered his mouth trying not to laugh anymore raucously as Ronaldo's told some of his old stories.
"Oh my god Ronnie. I had forgotten about those stupid Watermelon Stevens."
"Well. I still got the bite marks to prove it." Ronaldo countered and made a show as if he was about to lift his shirt to display the scar.
"Keep it cool, man." Lars bounced in his chair and put his finger to his lips as if to silence his antics. "You're drunk." Lars giggled, taking another sip.
"No. You are." teased Ronaldo.
"Am not." he countered sticking out his tongue.
Ronaldo moved as if to take Lars' drink away. But instead he placed his large hand over the thin delicate fingers of his old friend. Lars looked up a little surprised. Ronaldo smiled and began to stroke Lars' thumb with his own.
"Oh." Ronaldo began with his usual excitement. "Did you want to see my place?"
Lars looked into his eyes, and lifted a suspicious eyebrow. Though his smile was beaming.
"That sounds great." he said.