Chapter 14 - Another Dinner

Cor walked out from the elevator on the ground floor. He was just coming down from his office, and now planning to go to the training room. As he stepped out, the elevator next to him opened its door and there he saw a certain medic, who recently invaded his mind—especially after she gave her a box of handmade chocolate—, walking out from the elevator.

"Oh."

"Ah…"

Their eyes met coincidentally. The two halted their steps and smiled at each other.

"Good afternoon, Marshal," she greeted first.

Cor was calm just a few seconds ago, but now seeing her figure, his heart began to beat in tumultuous thud.

"Hi, Eira. Afternoon shift?" he managed to reply and weirdly asked something that was probably too obvious. Eira wouldn't be in the citadel if it wasn't her shift, right? Or she would be?

"Yes," she answered, with the same smile that hadn't disappeared from her adorable face.

They continued to walk, side by side since their destination was actually in the same direction. Good thing that it was rarely crowded in the citadel at this hour, Cor wouldn't want anyone to find out that he was chattering with a daughter of the royal council member and witness how he was really enjoying her company. Even though he ensured himself that the marshal chattering with a crownsguard medic wasn't a weird thing to happen.

"Training room?" Eira asked as they walked inside the hallway toward the infirmary—and also the training room.

"Yes." Cor nodded.

The two went silent after Cor's answer. As usual, the awkward atmosphere after a conversation was a bit suffocating, even for the marshal who rarely talked to others. But, only with her he wanted to talk, he wanted to listen. He loved hearing her voice, and it always brought a smile on his face whenever he listened to her story.

Only when it was with her that Cor felt that he didn't feel… alone.

Ah, right! He should thank her about the chocolate she gave him the other day. Cor forgot to say it, not even through email. He initially wanted to type something on that day after he ate them. However, the old man was too embarrassed and after typing-clearing-and re-typing his email again, he decided to thank her directly, which the chance never to be found since—again—the man was too shy to drop a visit to the infirmary to greet her.

Now was the chance. Cor should say something.

"How was your stomach? Did you eat the chocolate?" Eira asked, which startled the marshal and made the man let out an inaudible gasp.

Cor didn't expect that she would be the one who brought the topic. But, yeah, Eira was much cleverer in starting a conversation than the stern marshal.

"Yes." Cor nodded. Smiling, he glanced at her for a second before averting his gaze away and said, "Turned out it was safe."

A soft chuckle from her reached his ears. She raised her head to look at him, "Good to hear that."

Cor turned his head and looked at her again to say, "It's delicious. Thank you."

"No problem."

They exchanged awkward glances and sheepish grins for a while before looking straight at their front. Not actually straight, because the older one sometimes glanced at the wall while the younger one sometimes looked down to the fingers she was fiddling with.

Cor really wanted to talk more with her, but unfortunately he didn't know what to say or where to start. He wanted to listen to her talking about interesting things that happened in the infirmary, or anything she found weird and funny anywhere, or perhaps, about new movies that might entice her to watch… with him. But instead, Cor just stayed silent while listening at their footsteps until they arrived in front of the infirmary. Which somehow saddened him since he should bid a temporary goodbye to the medic.

They halted their steps and Eira turned her body to face the man way taller than her.

"Well, see you later Marshal. Good luck with training the young crownsguard." She raised the corner of her lips, eyes staring at the man who was also staring back at her.

"Yeah… Thanks…" Cor didn't want to admit that he was reluctant to leave from there. He just wanted to stay a little bit longer with her.

She gave him a soft chuckle and turned her body, walking into the infirmary which wordlessly told him that he should go to the training room.

However, the man opened his mouth and called, "Eira."

She was jolted and hurriedly turned around to face him. "Y-Yes?"

Fuck, Cor. You called her, for what?

He just parted his lips, staring at her in daze before finally spoke—slightly stuttered, "Are you.. Are you free tonight? I… Um, maybe want some tebasaki?"

Cor didn't believe what he just said. He scratched his head which of course wasn't itchy. Fidgeting, he hoped he wasn't being creepy.

Eira widened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief. Probably it was indeed weird for a marshal to suddenly ask a certain medic to have dinner together. But this medic invited him to watch a movie together the other day. They weren't much strangers, right?

"For chocolate." He added, "To thank you for the chocolate."

"Oh," she blinked, then chuckled softly, "No problem. You don't need to. Really."

Oh, shit. Cor was anxious. An old man like him had just invited a woman who was twenty four years younger than him to have dinner with him. Of course she would refuse. It must be uncomfortable for her. How Cor could be this stupid?

"So, is that a no?" he asked.

Eira gasped then shook her head, "No. No, I mean. Yes… I'd love to have some tebasaki… Even though you don't really need to pay them for me."

Cor didn't even remember to close his mouth after he asked and listened to her answer, which made the man feel… happy.

"Not a big deal. After your shift?" Cor was too happy, but tried hard not to grin like a fool.

"Sure." Her cheeks were blushing, and probably it wasn't only Cor's imagination. It wasn't cold here, and her face was red. So, was she blushing because of … him?

The heat crept on his own face. And he could hear the throbbing from the vein in his neck. It was just inviting a kind crownsguard medic to a simple dinner, and Cor was flustered. The man knew he had fallen for her, and it seemed that he couldn't control himself not to spend time with her.

He didn't want to care about anything anymore. He was enchanted, even though he knew that the age-gap would restrict him to do anything more than a dinner. But, just a little conversation. Just a little chatter. Just that. He wished that it was permitted only to sit at the same table as her while listening to her adorable voice.

Okay, this wasn't the first time for Eira to have dinner with the marshal, and only the two of them. However, she didn't expect that the marshal himself was the one who invited her. Just because a mere chocolate she gave and Cor thanked her by a dinner. Oh the Six, the response was too grand only for a chocolate that she didn't think as delicious as Cor said.

And, oh the Six, Cor was once again sitting in front of her, with a not so big table that separated the two. And, oh, oh the Astrals, this was a private room.

They were in their favorite izakaya, however this time they were sitting in a traditional room. The usual seating area was full and the only available seat was in the smoking room and in this private room

"Sorry for this private room. I think you wouldn't be comfortable in the smoking area. Or should we find another restaurant?"

"No!" she quickly replied, with a slightly raised voice that startled the marshal. Jittery, she then stuttered, "No, no, it's okay. It's not your fault, Sir. Thank you."

Eira clutched her skirt, biting her lower lips while looking down at the empty wooden table. It was really quiet here, unlike the common area outside this room. Now, she was here with Cor Leonis, only the two of them, inside a six tatami room which was too wide only for dinner for two people.

She gathered her courage to look at her front, to the marshal who was sitting with his back straight while crossing his arms over his chest. His blue eyes were staring at her, and if Eira couldn't control herself, she probably would faint.

Oh, the Six. It's just the two of us!

She blinked in surprise when someone knocked the door and opened it. The waitress entered the room and handed two menus to them.

"Tebasaki, two." Cor stated his order without even touching his menu. The man didn't even look at the waitress and gazed right at Eira whose heart was thudding loudly that she wished he wouldn't hear it.

"Oh, one more, please." Eira said, looking at the waitress who wrote down their order.

"Ah… I ordered two because one is for you," Cor said, looking at Eira in a confused look.

Her brain was stopped for a second before finally blinking. "Eh? Oh… Okay..."

"Sorry. I..." he apologized.

But Eira quickly replied, "No, no, it's okay."

"Okay, to avoid the confusion, I'll only order my share first. But, don't be reluctant. You can order anything you want."

Eira chuckled, then nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

She watched him as he stated his orders to the waitress. The man didn't even touch his menu and just mentioned everything he wanted. Looked like he already memorized everything. She wondered how often he came here until he memorized them all. Should she start coming here everyday then? So perhaps she could coincidentally meet him and had dinner together like this and like the other day when they had their first dinner. If only she wasn't busy with her research paper these recent days.

She also ordered her food after that, pointing at the pictures on the menu while talking to the waitress.

"And the drink… You want oolong tea as usual?" Cor asked after she finished ordering her food.

"Yes," she nodded.

"And two oolong tea." Cor looked back to the waitress and ordered their drinks, which made Eira frown because he ordered the same drink as her.

The waitress repeated their orders, and when she left, Eira looked back at the marshal and tilted her head, "Oolong tea?"

"Yes."

"I'm curious. This is izakaya. You don't drink?"

"I do. But, no. Not today."

Eira crooked her brows, guessing some reasons why he didn't drink today, but then choosing to ask him directly instead, "Why?"

"I should drive you home, of course."

There was warmth that crept inside her chest upon hearing Cor's answer. She was flattered, and undoubtedly happy about that. But, on the other hand, she didn't like it if she was the reason Cor was unable to drink. This is izakaya after all. People not coming here for a mere dinner. They came to enjoy the drink as it was free to have refills for beer for as much as they wanted.

"How about the days when you don't need to drive me home? Do you order some beer?" Eira asked, actually curious about that. The marshal was a stern man, he didn't seem to be the one who would drink and drive. Even if it seemed that he wouldn't be drunk.

"Yes. I mostly come here to drink."

Right...

"Then how do you go home after that?"

"I don't. I walk back to the citadel and sleep at my office."

"What?" Eira widened her eyes and giggled. "Really?"

Cor chuckled seeing her response. He then added, "Or ordering a driving service. Or… Use the train."

Eira gasped. "Train? Really? I couldn't imagine Marshal going home by train."

Cor chuckled, amused by her statement.

They paused their conversation as someone knocked the door which averted their gaze from each other's face to the door. The waitress opened the door, came in and placed the small plates of their food on their table.

"What if you drink some?" Eira asked, with a smile bloomed on her face.

"I need to drive you home," but Cor refused, not that Eira didn't expect it, though.

She smiled, "No need. I'm going home by train."

"No. Don't." Cor looked unpleased, eyes glaring at her but she giggled at him.

"I will." She gave a teasing smirk then looked at the waitress who was almost leaving their room again after placing all of those plates, "Ah, excuse me. One beer please."

"Eira…"

Cor tried to complain but nothing came out from his lips. The waitress already nodded and left.

Meanwhile, Eira grinned, amused by the marshal's defeat.

Cor wouldn't let Eira go home by train by herself. He didn't like it if she was going home by taxi, of course it was worse if he knew that she would go home by train today. It was ten, and for him it was already late. And Eira wasn't a crownsguard, and even though he knew she always brought a handgun, he was still worried about her.

"So, five glasses." Eira grinned at him as they walked out from the izakaya. They were going together to the station, and Cor would accompany her and plan to do so until she safely arrived at her home. Means that he would get off at the station near her home even though it was not in the same direction as his way home.

"Reek of beer?" He asked.

"A little bit," she chuckled. Oh, how much he liked her smile as she softly laughed like that.

"Should've refused those beers, it seems."

"No. But, I think five was too…"

"Too much?"

"In contrast. You really don't need to hold yourself in front of me, Sir. You could order another drink besides beer. You said that I shouldn't be reluctant, but you were the one who was reluctant."

Cor chuckled. "Maybe next time."

And at that moment he was startled by his own words. Next time. Oh, great, he was just implying that they would probably have another dinner at that izakaya together like this. Yes, yes he wanted to. He enjoyed being with her, he sometimes forgot that she was in fact far younger than him. But there was something he couldn't explain whenever he was with her. It was like a comfort feeling, a safe feeling, as if he could be relaxed if it was with her. Despite the heart in his chest sometimes was too boisterous if he was with her. Just like now.

"Eh?" Eira hastily turned her head, surprised by Cor's subtle invitation.

Gulping, he then cleared his throat, "I mean…"

"Ah!" However before he could finish his sentence, Eira stumbled and Cor quickly held her inside his arm.

"Fuck! Get out of my way!" someone yelled from their behind.

Cor turned his head to look at a drunk passerby who was apparently the one who bumped at Eira.

"Hei!" Cor scowled, glaring at the drunken man who halted his steps and glared back at the man who was obviously bigger and taller than himself.

"What?!" being drunk made that man not realize what kind of threat he was facing right now. He raised his head, snarling at the marshal who obviously could break his bones effortlessly in a second.

But Cor didn't really want to use any force or create any ruckus.

"You owe her an apology." Cor's tone was menacing. His hand was still staying on Eira's shoulder, embracing her tightly meanwhile the young woman slowly straightened her feet.

"Why?! She got in my way!"

"Oh." Cor was going to grab the drunken man's collar, but he could feel Eira's hands gripping his shirt.

"It's okay. Don't mind it. Let's go," she whispered and gently pushed Cor away from there.

And when they went, the drunken man fell on the street and probably slept just like that.

Eira giggled softly as she looked at that man, "It seems that I just saved his life."

"Huh?" Cor crooked his eyebrows.

"If I didn't ask you to go, what would you do?" she asked.

Cor gasped, giving a little pause before chuckling, "Helped sober him up."

Eira giggled again. "He'd be dead if the marshal of crownsguard landed a punch on his face."

Seeing the way she laughed, Cor smiled. He sighed then asked, "Are you okay? Did you hurt?"

She blinked, eyes moving down to look at the way she was clutching Cor's arm. A gasp escaping her lips as she hurriedly stepped back from him.

Cor who just realized that she was clutching his arm for a minute had lost his words. His heart almost stopped beating. He almost forgot how to breath.

Fuck.

He massaged his temple, clearing his throat for a few times in an awkward manner.

"Y-yes, I'm okay." Eira answered, a bit stuttering.

"G-good then." He looked at her, catching the young medic staring at him.

Her eyes were shimmering under the night lamps. Her cheeks were blushing. And the slightly parted lips of her… almost made the man forget about how dangerous his feelings were.

It was just like the night when they were alone in the citadel balcony at New Year's Party. Cor was going to caress her head, gently brush her cheek with his thumb, and…

No.

No.

"Um… Marshal?"

Blinking in surprise, Cor returned back to reality. Fuck. He was just thinking about something indecent toward someone who wasn't even half his age. The Six, if only Eira weren't too young…

"Should we go?" she tilted her head and Cor cursed his head for thinking about how adorable she was right now.

"Ah. Yes. Let's go."

Eira tried to breathe steadily, and turned out she sometimes held her breath because of how nervous she was right now.

She was in the subway which would bring her to a nearest station from her home. Usually she was alone, sitting in the corner of the last train while reading her book. However, this time she chose to stand near the doors, hand gripping the steel pole even though there were some spaces for her if she wanted to sit. But she knew that her companion wouldn't want to sit, so it would be awkward if she was the only one who sat while the marshal stood in front of her.

Yes. The marshal of crownsguard. Inside the underground train in Insomnia.

Not once in her life she expected that she would witness Cor Leonis using the subway. But, yeah, he was a responsible man who wouldn't drive after he drank some beers even though it would never make him drunk.

Eira stared at the window on her front. The dark tunnel turned the glass into a mirror, reflecting her figure and the man taller than her in an unclear way.

Their eyes met through the reflection. It was a bit awkward but she decided to grin at him.

Her head played a memory of a few minutes before they entered the station. When she was unwittingly clutching Cor's arm and pulling him away from the drunken passerby. Even the warmth of him as he hugged her when she stumbled was still lingered at the places where he touched. Now, both of her hands were burning in invisible flame whenever she remembered the way she held his hand as they walked together.

The train window didn't reflect the color of her cheeks perfectly. But, by the heat that crept on her skin, she knew that she was currently blushing right now.

Oh, no, Cor was standing too close. Really close. She could faintly smell his musk, and it made her want to be wrapped by his arms just like half an hour ago. She couldn't tell a soul that she was secretly glad being bumped by the drunken man today. If it wasn't thanks to him, she would never have this miraculous event in her life. That was why she was kind not to let him be killed by the marshal.

Eira didn't realize that she was already turning her head to look at Cor, who then noticed her gaze and looked back at her.

"Hmm?" he frowned at her, which startled her and made a gasp escape her lips.

"Ah… Um," she averted her gaze, fidgeting before her brain finally making up some excuse in why she stared at him. "It's… It's interesting."

Cor raised one eyebrow, "Interesting?"

"Ah… I mean… It's interesting seeing the marshal going home by train. Like this."

Cor gave a slight pause before responding to her with a chuckle. "Indeed."

"You admitted it."

"I admitted it."

They chuckled softly.

"I guessed you sleep in the citadel more often than going home by train like this." Eira smiled.

"Yes." Cor nodded.

She gave a sheepish grin then looked back to the dark scenery of the underground tunnel. Biting her lips, she silently wished that her house was a bit farther than this. Just three more stations, and she should bid a goodbye to the marshal.

She wished to be with him a little longer.

"So, I heard there's a thing called White Day." Cor suddenly raised a topic, gaining her full attention which made her look at him in curiosity.

He added, "Apparently the one who received chocolate should give something back?"

"Oh… No, no. You don't need to. Really. It was just something I made because Raine and Stella invited me to make chocolate together." She stuttered, "Also, you already treated me to tonight's dinner. It's already enough."

"But the White Day is a week from now. So today's dinner can't be counted as it," he argued.

"No, it's okay. Really." Eira was flustered. Heart caused clamor in her chest, and butterflies were fluttering in her stomach.

"You… Are you still curious about… How the marshal's cooking tasted like…"

She parted her lips in surprise, not sure about what she just heard. What? What?! Eh? What?

"No way," she exclaimed in disbelief. "Don't tell me…"

"We can borrow the citadel kitchen, if you want."

"Really?" Eira's eyes were sparkling in enthusiasm. She clearly remembered how she muttered that she was wondering about his cooking and he jokingly offered to borrow the citadel kitchen. But, this time she knew that he was serious about doing that.

Cor chuckled seeing that Eira was grinning from ear to ear. "Okay. Settled then?" he asked.

Oh the Astral…

Author's note : I wished I had more than 24 hours/day so I could have muuuuch time to write. Hope you enjoyed this story so far!