AN: For QuarantineVirus, who wanted to hear about the date.

Shoving his keys deep into his pocket, Demyx turned to Zexion. "So, any preference where we go for lunch?"

"I usually go to a little Italian place in town, if that's ok with you. We don't have to, though."

"Sounds good to me. Lead the way, Zex."

Zexion was taken aback at the casual shortening of his name, but decided he liked it. He'd been a loner all through school, not having been interested in sport or celebrities like the rest of his peers. The outgoing blond, despite being completely his opposite in every conceivable way, seemed to accept him for who he was, even though they'd only just met. Perhaps he knew what it was like, being the outsider, although he suspected Demyx wouldn't be too bothered by it.

The streets were crowded with students, some wandering aimlessly, others trying to squeeze into the cafés nearest to campus. The place Zexion was heading for was about ten minutes walk, in a quiet side street. He'd found it in his first week, and had been going there ever since. Demyx looked impressed as they approached.

"Looks like a traditional Italian trattoria."

"It is, except not in Italy, obviously."

"I like it already."

They wandered in and chose a table. it was quiet, this early in the day - they coud sit almost anywhere. The owner himself appeared out of the kitchen to take their order.

"Zexion! It's good to see you here with a friend."

"This is Demyx. We met in the lecture this morning." Zexion blushed, unused to such attention. Demyx decided to help him out a bit.

"Zexy here saved my bacon this morning."

"I only gave you a pen and a couple of sheets of paper. It was no big deal."

"It was to me. I can never remember what he says, once I leave the room, so I have to write it down."

"He does ramble on a bit, doesn't he? I'm sure most of it isn't relevant."

"Don't you think analysing novels so closely completely ruins the story? I used to like "To Kill A Mockingbird" until we started studying it."

"I'm glad someone agrees with me. Sometimes I wonder why I study English Literature, because I can't just read a book for fun, now."

A cough made them jump slightly. The chef was still standing by the table, waiting for them to order. "What's it going to be, guys?"

"Pizza with everything, for me."

"Ooh, same for me, please."

He returned to the kitchen, and within moments, a young waitress was back, setting two large cappuccinos on their table. "Pizza will be ready in about ten minutes."

"That's fine, thank you."

"Anyway, you study English Lit?" Demyx looked puzzled. "How come I've never seen you in any of my lectures before?"

"I usually sit right at the back. You might have noticed I'm not the most sociable of people."

"Meaning you don't go out drinking every night? I swear that's why most people go to university."

"I think you might be right."

Demyx picked up the steaming mug in front of him, and looked at Zexion over the rim. A single purple eye stared back. "So, where are you from, originally, and what made you choose Twilight Town?"

"I'm from Hollow Bastion, originally. I came here because it was as far away as I could get. How about you?"

"Destiny Islands. Came to Twilight Uni because of the music facilities, but I go back home every time we get a holiday." Demyx realised there was more to Zexion's story than he was letting on, but didn't want to pry. The arrival of an enormous pizza averted what might have become an awkward silence. Zexion could tell that Demyx was wondering about his past. In all honesty, it probably wasn't all that bad, but he didn't have any pleasant memories of Hollow Bastion, and didn't ever want to return.

"I say, is that all for us?" Demyx was astonished. The pizza was almost as big as the table.

"It certainly is. You look in need of a good meal just as much as Zexion, here." The chef clapped Zexion on the back, knocking him off balance slightly. The blue-grey hair moved, uncovering his other eye for the first time. A pair of bright purple eyes looked across the table at Demyx, who smiled.

"Why do you try and hide behind your hair like that?"

Zexion shrugged. "I'm shy."

"Don't be."

They both picked up a slice of pizza and began eating. Demyx had to admit the food was good, better than anything else he'd eaten in Twilight Town.

"Why do you think I keep coming here?"

"Good point."

As they talked, they ate, and it wasn't until the plate was empty that they realised just how much they'd managed to eat. "We should do this again, ZEx."

"I'd like that. This is unusual for me, I don't usually go out with other people much."

"Must be because of me!" Demyx grinned, and it was infectious.

"Maybe it is."

"If I've got completely the wrong idea, Zexion, just tell me." He leaned forward and gently kissed the blue-haired boy on the lips, a gesture which Zexion returned.

"You haven't got the wrong idea."

The next kiss wasn't quite so tentative, but was still soft and sweet, their hands joining across the table as their mouths met. Demyx's day had indeed started badly, but meeting Zexion had more than made up for it.