It was six-thirty in the evening when James stepped into the little diner on Main Street. The bell on the door tinkered as the warm, soothing air hit his chilled skin. He knew he was much too early for their seven o'clock meeting but he just couldn't seem to relax at his house and figured being around the other people at the cafe would ease his mind.

He glanced about the room for a brief moment, taking in the sight of all the well-dressed couples, when his eyes suddenly locked onto a spot at the back of the cafe and he felt himself tense.

Peter was seated casually at a quiet table with his elbow propped up on the surface, studying the menu lying in front of him. He hadn't looked up, so James figured the boy didn't know he was there yet.

James immediately turned towards the door and stepped back out onto the sidewalk. He sucked in a sharp breath and leaned back against the building as the door shut, causing the bell to tinker softly once more.

He didn't know why he was feeling so panicked all of a sudden. It was just dinner.

... But maybe that was the problem. It was too serene of a setting, too normal. It just didn't feel right.

James glanced back through the glass door at the brunette boy who was still surveying the menu. He seemed unaware but James couldn't be completely sure if he knew the blonde was there or not.

James seriously considered just leaving the diner. Even if Peter was a good stalker, James could escape from Storybrooke. Go back, pretend none of this ever happened and just let things be.

He turned his head to look back out at the dark, empty street and released a quiet breath through his lips.

No, he couldn't do that. It was too late for that. If he was going to leave, he should have done it long ago before ever giving Peter the chance to meet him.

James remained where he was for another moment and then pushed himself off of the building and turned back to the front door. He sucked in a deep breath before pulling open the door and heading for the back of the diner.

Peter glanced up at the sound of approaching footsteps and then leaned back against the cushioned bench with a smirk.

"I figured you'd be early," he remarked as James shed his coat and took his seat across from the boy.

Peter eyed his tight fitting, black sweater openly, quite pleased.

"Now, that looks much better than those rags you were wearing yesterday. It's not color but at least you look nice."

James didn't respond as he looked over at Peter's pale-green, long-sleeved shirt. The fabric was so thin that it was almost see-through.

Almost...

He had the sleeves pushed up to his elbows and the two white buttons at the top of the shirt were left undone. James couldn't help but think that perhaps Peter had purposely worn the shirt just for him. The blonde had never seen him wear any type of revealing fabric before.

"You know, it's not polite to stare," Peter's voice suddenly broke in with amusement.

James' eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise as he pulled his gaze back up to Peter's face.

Peter actually grinned, his chin resting in his hand with his elbow propped back up on the table just staring at the other boy.

"Well, don't you two look cute," a woman's voice suddenly spoke cheerfully from beside the table.

The two boys looked over to see a dark haired woman in blue jeans and a red buttoned up top standing beside them with a clipboard in her hands.

"I was wondering what kind of person you were waiting for," she spoke to Peter with a warm smile. "I gotta say, I'm a little surprised but not disappointed. You two make a cute couple."

"And what makes you think we're a couple?" Peter asked casually with a raised eyebrow.

The woman looked around at the rest of the cafe filled with pairs and laughed.

"Nobody comes in here in the evenings with somebody else and it not be a date. No worries though, guys! It's all cool here. Now, what can I get you two to drink?"

"I'll just have a water," Peter responded, looking over at James.

"Water's fine," the blonde stated.

The woman nodded her head.

"I'll have them right out. Oh! By the way, my name is Ruby."

With that, she flashed them another smile and then turned and headed for the kitchen doors.

Peter suddenly snickered in amusement.

"Can you believe that?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "Us, a couple. You're cute but you have a lot to work on before I would even consider that."

A tiny smirk rose to James' lips as he watched the other boy look back down at the menu. This wasn't quite as bad as the blonde had initially thought it would be.

"I think I'll get the salmon," Peter finally remarked, using one finger to rotate the menu around to face James. "It's a little pricy but I'm guessing you're good for it."

James actually smiled a little as he began surveying the menu. He was good for it.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened to your face or do I have to be rude and ask?" Peter suddenly broke in after a brief moment of silence.

James looked back up at the boy, an eyebrow slightly raised.

"Those two cuts on your face," Peter continued, taping his right cheek just under his eye. "How did you get them?"

James studied the brunette momentarily but his blue eyes were filled with nothing but honest curiosity.

"I got them in a fight," James finally responded simply.

"Well, I certainly hope you left the other guy worse off than you," Peter remarked with a mischievous grin.

James looked down at the menu again, his eyes growing distant, before glancing back up at the boy with a tiny, forced smile.

"I did."

Peter tilted his head slightly in curiosity but decided not to press the subject.

"Here you are," Ruby's voice suddenly spoke from beside the table.

She placed their glasses down and then took their orders, bringing the food out minutes later.

The boys ate and chatted. Peter doing most of the chatting but James happy to just listen. Once they had finished and James had paid for the meal, they headed to the front of the diner. James held the door open as Peter walked out into the cold, night air.

"It feels like it's gotten so much colder," Peter remarked, zipping his coat up all the way to his neck and stuffing his hands in his pockets.

James nodded, noticing the thick fog that emitted from his lips when he breathed out.

"I guess I'll be seeing you around," Peter continued with a pleasant smirk as he turned to leave.

James suddenly felt a sharp pain go through him.

"I can walk you home," he quickly stated.

Peter cocked an eyebrow quizzically as he turned back to the blonde.

"Walk me home?" He scoffed. "What, am I some girl that needs to be protected from the monsters that lurk in the shadows?"

James' eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise. He hadn't meant it like that.

Peter chuckled at the taller boy's expression.

"I live just right over there," he responded, motioning to a small shop right down the street.

James followed Peter's gaze and then froze, feeling his breath catch in the back of his throat and his shoulders go rigid.

"Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop," Peter continued with a teasing smirk. "Who knows? Maybe you'll get to meet a real monster when you come visit me there tomorrow."

With that, Peter turned back around and disappeared down the sidewalk.