Sorry it's been so long since I last updated! Super busy with work and such...

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this update!

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Sollux and Eridan walked together in a comfortable quiet. They hadn't really spoken since leaving the library; their silence was punctuated with stifled sniggers at the thought of Jaffa Cakes.

It was Eridan who finally spoke, "Sollux, we've been walkin' in circles for twenty minutes, when are we goin' to decide where to eat?"

Sollux took note of the fact that Eridan's stutter was under control again. This made him conscious about his lisp, "I dunno. What are you in the mood for?" Sollux was careful to think about choosing his words before speaking, if Eridan wasn't going to stutter, he would avoid 's' words as not to lisp.

Eridan looked around; they were now in the centre of town, surrounded by a plethora of fine restaurants. "Well I don't want to choose somewhere you won't enjoy, and I don't know what kinda food you like, do I? I know what kinda food I'm in the mood for, but I suppose I should consider my guest's palette." He smirked, and glanced at the man walking with him. "I believe that is social protocol, even if I should be the one to choose where we go, as I will be the one payin'."

Sollux shrugged, "I can't turn down a good burger."

Eridan scrunched up his face a little, "oh, please tell me you don't want to go to a fast food establishment. I have never stepped foot in one of them!"

Sollux laughed, "what!? You mean you've never eaten a Big Mac? A quarter pounder?" His mouth hung open as Eridan shook his head with a disgusted sneer on his face. Sollux became serious for a moment, "Eridan, have you ever eaten a chicken nugget?"

"Fuck, Sollux! That's not even real chicken!" Eridan looked as if he would throw up at the mere thought of it, "please tell me Sollux, what part a the chicken is the nugget? If I get a chicken diagram, would you label the nugget for me?"

Sollux held his serious composure, "of courthe I can. It'th right between the deliciouth gland and the miracle lung, it's a delicathy."

Eridan burst out laughing, and for a split second Sollux thought that it was because he had let his guard down and had lisped. "You're fuckin' quick Sollux, you come up with the funniest shit when you're on the spot like that!" Eridan remarked.

Sollux felt the worry slip away, and felt slightly more comfortable again. He smiled, "back to what we were talking about though, where to eat?"

Eridan rubbed his face with one hand, "uhhh, sushi?"

"Fuck no."

"Indian?"

"Nope."

"Chinese?"

"Nahh."

"Fuck, then where!?" Eridan was a little impatient at this point; they had been walking around for half an hour now.

"Eridan, I already told you, I want a burger. No posh food, no organic crap, nothing like that." Sollux scanned the buildings around them for somewhere familiar; he didn't leave the apartment much so he didn't know anywhere that wasn't a place that delivered. "Wait, what about that plathe?" Sollux was looking at a little restaurant on the corner of the street; it looked clean and nice, and there were a few people sat at the tables outside with burgers.

"Ehhh, I've never eaten there before." Eridan said quietly. He looked at Sollux, who was hungrily watching the people eat their food, "alright. Let's check it out."

Sollux nearly whooped with joy, he hurried across the road, and went inside the restaurant. He stood in the doorway, drinking in his new surroundings. The tables were wooden, with dark green placemats; the dining area was bright and very homely. Best of all, the wonderful smell of rich meats cooking filled the air, making Sollux salivate.

"Table for one?" A young serving lady asked.

Sollux looked confused, "uhh, no, I..." He looked around, and saw Eridan was outside the building. He hadn't noticed that Eridan didn't follow him in. Sollux turned back to the lady, "table for two, thank you. He'll be a minute." He said, motioning towards Eridan.

The lady smiled, and showed Sollux to a small table near the back of the dining area, "just wave me over when you and your friend are ready to order!" She told him.

Sollux smiled at her as she walked away, he sat down at the table, and watched Eridan through the window. "What are you doing?" He muttered quietly, trying to figure out what Eridan could possibly be trying to accomplish by standing outside.

After a couple of minutes, Eridan finally stepped into the building, and walked over to Sollux.

"What the fuck were you doing out there, Eridan?" Sollux asked as the other man approached.

"Felt dizzy." Was the only explanation Sollux received.

Eridan opened the menu that was on his placemat, and began scanning it for something he'd like. He tried to ignore the fact that Sollux was watching him intently.

After a minute or so he chose what he wanted, "I'm havin' a steak, you still wwant a burger?" Eridan closed his menu, and met Sollux's gaze (at least, he thought he did. Damn those sunglasses).

Eridan's stutter did not go unnoticed. Sollux nodded, "yeah, I want the double beef burger, medium rare. With frieth. And a coke, no lemon. Eathy." He waved at the serving girl who had shown him to his seat, and she walked over quickly.

After relaying his order to the girl, who jotted it down in her notepad, they turned to Eridan.

Eridan fumbled a little, he had to double check his order with the menu as he spoke, "yes, I wwould like the, uhh, eight ounce steak... Rare... Wwith fries, an no dressin' on the salad please. An a coke please."

The girl smiled as she noted it down, and told the pair that it would be ready shortly. Then she turned and left to get their drinks.

"You sure you're okay?" Sollux asked, genuine concern lacing his assumed that Eridan was just being fussy because this wasn't one of his fancy food outlets.

"Yes. I already told you that I felt dizzy." Eridan snapped, fiddling with his scarf.

Their drinks were delivered and they sat in silence for a while. Each contemplating what to say next.

"Tho. Eridan. You got a girlfriend?" Sollux asked.

Eridan choked on the coke he had in his mouth. "G-girlfriend!?" He coughed for a moment before laughing, "Sollux I've never had a girlfriend!"

Sollux failed to hide his laughter, "uhh, okay. That'th a little thad, Eridan."

"No it isn't." Eridan replied, straightening himself up in his chair, "why would a gay man have a girlfriend?"

"You're gay?"

"Yes." Eridan sniffed indignantly, "I thought that was common knowledge, most people make that assumption about me, you see."

Sollux looked at Eridan for a moment. The tighter than tight trousers, the sleek shoes, the colour co-ordination... Not to mention that perfectly styled hair. Eridan certainly looked the part!

"Well, I don't like to make the connection between a perthonth appearanth and their thexuality. I mean, look at me? I don't exthactly look the part, do I?" Sollux leant back in his chair, and shrugged.

This was news to Eridan, he leant forwards in his seat, and rested his chin on his hands, "you can't possibly be gay, Sollux. You've had such a record with long-term girlfriends... Unless that has all been a front?"

Sollux held his hand up to stop Eridan's train of thought, "thothe relationshipth weren't fake, I really did like them. I jutht don't have a preferenthe for either gender. Love ith love, no matter what you hide in your pantth." Sollux was almost surprised at himself for revealing to Eridan that he was bisexual, but Eridan had come out to him, so all's fair.

This statement made Eridan smile, "that's a nice way to look at the world." He sipped his drink, "you know what, Sollux? You made my life hell this past week, but I'm glad. If you hadn't, I wouldn't be sat here gettin' to know you." He raised his glass, "to chance encounters."

Sollux lifted his glass, and tapped Eridan's gently, "to chanthe encounterth. It'th nithe to finally thee you ath a real human."

Before Eridan could come up with a snappy come-back, their food was brought over, and they both nearly wept.