Seto turned up to Avery's house. He had decided against wearing anything fancy. Instead he wore his usual attire, coat and all. He was glad he had, because Avery answered the door wearing his normal clothes as well. He tried not to think about what would've happened if he hadn't. Avery smiled at him.
"Hey Seto," he said with another smile. Seto gave him a stiff smile and wondered how one person could laugh so much.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Sure." He turned and yelled out. "I'm going now Uncle!"
A man walked out from another room. "You don't have to yell," he said calmly. "Have fun."
Avery smiled then gestured for Seto to leave. Seto took a step back and Avery walked out.
"So, where are we going?" Avery asked as he walked to the road, alongside Seto.
"There's a place not far from here." He shrugged. "You wanted somewhere casual."
"I think I know the place." Avery replied. They walked along in an awkward silence.
"Can I-"Seto began at the same time that Avery said, "Why did-"
They stopped walking and looked each other.
"You first," Seto said, and they started walking again.
"I…Why did you ask me out? I've been trying to figure it out. It just doesn't make any sense."
Seto was silent, trying to figure out an answer, one that didn't sound desperate. He couldn't come up with one.
"It doesn't matter." Avery said after a while. "So what did you want to ask me?"
Seto looked at him. "Why did you accept?" he asked curiously.
Avery frowned. "Maybe it's because I'm lonely." Then he gave Seto a playful smile and added, "Maybe it's because you're cute."
Seto hesitated. "Really?" he asked before he could stop himself.
Avery grinned at him. "Maybe."
Seto looked at him, stunned. Avery was full of surprises.
"Come on, let's go have some dinner," Avery said after a moment and walked ahead. Seto nodded and realised Avery had already started walking again. He caught up just as Avery passed through the doors. He walked towards a free table and sat down. Seto joined him and picked up a menu. Avery copied him and looked down the menu. Avery glanced over it then put it down. Seto gave him a questioning glance. Avery smiled back.
"I always get the same thing." He explained. "No point looking really."
Seto nodded back. He looked back to his menu and decided steak was probably the best way to go.
A waiter noticed them and came over.
"Umm, a medium rare rib eye steak with diane sauce and a side of chips." Avery said immediately.
Seto paused. "Same for me." He said.
"Drinks?" the waiter asked.
"Coke for me, please." Avery replied.
"Water." Seto said.
The waiter repeated their order then walked off. Avery gave Seto a sheepish grin.
"Do you like steak?" he asked.
"Yes," he replied confused.
"It's just I don't want to force you to eat something you don't want."
Seto frowned, then realisation dawned on him. "Oh, no," he said hurriedly. "I was going to get steak anyway. I thought it'd be easier to get what you're getting. Our orders were practically identical anyway."
Avery gave him a suspicious glance, but let it go.
"Do you come here often," he asked casually.
"Not really," Seto replied thoughtfully. "You?"
Avery shook his head. "Nope."
They were silent again, but this time it wasn't awkward. They were quiet until the drinks arrived.
Seto took his water. Avery gave him a half-smile.
"Is something wrong?" Seto asked.
"I've never met someone who ordered water before." Avery said. "Wine, beer or soft drink. Maybe Orange Juice. Never water."
"Is that a problem?" Seto asked.
"Nah. Just a curiosity."
Seto frowned. He realised that Avery was 'small talking'. Seto had never felt the need to make small talk, but then again it was a date and maybe that was expected. He tried to think of something to say. Luckily Avery seemed to be fluent in small talk.
"How's your brother?" he asked offhand.
Seto was startled. He had forgotten that Avery had met Mokuba…several times, if he remembered correctly.
"He's fine," Seto informed him.
"That's good." Avery said.
There was another pause. Seto opened his mouth to fill in the gap, but luckily the food arrived. Avery grinned at his plate.
"Yum," he said.