Haruto ran his hands through his hair again and again, trying to make sure he looked alright. He took a deep breath as he looked himself over in his mirror. Today was the day. He was going to ask L-elf out. Tonight was a night when everyone was taking some time for themselves. Well, more than usual now that they were a society without adult supervision.
They had been fighting Dorssia for some time now and now there seemed to be a lull in activity. Shoko was going to spend the evening holding a cooking class. Thunder would be hanging with his gang. Inuzuka would be brainstorming more money-making schemes. And Haruto knew where to find L-elf.
He checked the time. It was just past three in the afternoon. L-elf would have finished lunch, which meant he would checking on the valvrave maintenance that happened every few days, whether there was fighting or not.
And sure enough, L-elf was standing near the railing, holding it to keep from floating off while a bunch of students checked over the mechs. Haruto steeled his nerves and approached.
"Um, L-elf, do you have a moment?", he asked.
L-elf turned his head which was his way of saying 'yes'.
Haruto willed himself not to get lost in those piercing eyes. At least not until he had said what he wanted to say.
"So, everyone's blowing off steam tonight. I was wondering if you wanted to do something later, just the two of us. Like a date? With me?" Haruto mentally winced at each word but just couldn't stop. When he did finish, every millisecond L-elf didn't respond was torture.
But then finally... "Fine."
Haruto tightened his muscles to keep from jumping with joy, which with this gravity, would end with him floating up to the ceiling embarrassingly.
"Great! Um, we can meet at the station at six", he said before taking off.
Hours later, it was 5:55 and Haruto was at the station. He knew that as meticulous as L-elf was, he'd show up at six o'clock on the dot, so Haruto had to be there earlier. He was dressed casually for once, since they wouldn't be at the school or fighting. Jeans and a t-shirt would suffice for their plans tonight. Just as he predicted, he saw L-elf approaching at six.
What he was not expecting was to see L-elf looking like he just stepped out of a fashion catalog. His clothes were just as casual as Haruto's and yet they seemed almost tailored to accentuate his frame.
"Where did you get those clothes?", was what Haruto asked instead of greeting his date.
"You were overheard and I was accosted", L-elf said in explanation. It wasn't much but Haruto could get it. Someone had heard him asking L-elf out and dressed him for the occasion. Who in their right mind would endanger their lives like that, Haruto didn't know, but he was thankful for the view.
They got on the train that went into the city. L-elf didn't say a word and Haruto wasn't sure what to say until they stepped onto the platform to exit.
"I figured we could get something to eat and then see a movie", Haruto said.
"We could have done this at the school", L-elf said.
"Yeah, but this is more fun", Haruto assured him, not entirely sure if Dorssians knew anything about fun.
Haruto took him to a small restaurant that the students frequented. A few had taken over the kitchen and served food there a few times a week. It was simple fare but it was a nice change of pace from the school cafeteria.
Haruto had tried to make some light conversation but L-elf always ended up turning it back to strategies and plans. Haruto decided not to let that dampen his spirit. And instead, continued that line of talking, since it interested L-elf so much. At this point, he was actually able to follow some of it. He felt a bit of triumph whenever L-elf seemed impressed with his input.
After dinner, which Haruto paid for, they went to the movie theater the students had taken over. And tonight the showing was a romance. Haruto didn't normally watch these, but he figured it would be a good mood-setter. At one point, he tried to subtly reach over and put an arm around the back of L-elf's seat. L-elf didn't rip his arm from its socket, so Haruto filed that one as a success.
When the movie was over and they started on their way back to the school, Haruto tried to discuss the plot but all L-elf had to say was how stupid the characters were and what a waste of time their actions had been. Haruto couldn't exactly disagree, but he wished his life was as easy as a rom-com.
They got back to the dorm and this was usually when the date ended with a kiss. But Haruto wasn't sure how to initiate it when they were coming back to the same place. L-elf sort of made the decision for him.
He sat on the bed and pulled the collar of his shirt down a little bit. "Get on with it."
In any other situation, this would've been sexy. Actually, it still kind of was, but L-elf baring his neck was for one reason only.
"Why are you trying to give me runes right now?", Haruto asked.
"I assume that was your reason for this evening. A ritual that ends with physical gratification", L-elf said. "I don't understand the pomp for something we do regularly, but I admit, I still don't understand you."
Haruto had to laugh. And indeed he did. L-elf thought this was all in a process for his feeding?
"I may not be human anymore, but you're the real alien." Haruto went over to the bed and sat next to L-elf. He leaned in like he was going to bite into his neck and then at the last minute, turned his head to capture L-elf's lips.
"That was what I wanted", Haruto smiled. "Mission objective: complete."