"I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done." - Lucille Ball

Wordlessly the driver pulled over to a small restaurant, something that was squashed by two much larger buildings. It was fair to say that it was passed down to the hands of younger generations of the original owner's family, as the bricks were old and spotted, with equally ancient light fixtures that cast a copper glow.

Kyle was unsure for a moment, especially since it was as quiet as the rest of the street. But Eric clicked his seat belt undone for him, and yanked him out of the car and down to that artificial lighting. Similar to everything else, inside was as silent as a sealed tomb. If things didn't work out here, at least it was somewhere to warm up.

It was an elderly woman that swept by the door that addressed them, huffing as she straightened herself and away from the broom in her grasp.

"Only two?" she sighed, wiping at a few white strands that escaped her bun. The apron that was tightly wrapped around her figure was stained from constant use, with brilliant blotches of red, green, and yellow.

Eric nodded, "Thank you, Rosa."

As she lumbered off, probably to fetch their menus, Eric led them to a table that sat near the windows. There they could see the blue wash of the streets, foggy with the snowflakes that drifted down to the cold ground.

Brushing his knees against a large set, Kyle winced as he shifted his legs to the side. He cleared his throat, trying to find his voice once more.

"D-do you come here often?"

"Often enough." Eric ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his eyes. Already the clumps of snow were melting, and a few droplets trailed down his face.

Kyle unabashedly watched them intently, flushing when his eyes were captured by Eric's.

Rosa hobbled over to their table, dropping the menus unceremoniously onto the wooden surface without a care. She flashed Eric a smile when he said "Risotto with lemon garnish and green beans" without once looking at the menu.

When her wrinkled face turned to Kyle, he was certainly a lot slower to spew out his choice.

"Fettuccine Alfredo, please."

She gave a curt nod, shadow of a smile on her face when she asked what they wanted to drink.

Kyle caught Eric eyeing their wine selection, and as he opened his mouth, Kyle intervened by saying, "Just water with some ice cubes, thank you."

Eric glared at him as Rosa was off again, darting towards the kitchen.

"I wanted something else, Jew." he grumbled, squinting when Kyle shook his head in frustration.

"I could tell, but you already reek enough of alcohol. This is going to be a shitty date if I'm stuck with you being drunk."

Childishly Eric pouted and kicked Kyle from under the table, grinning only when he received a yelp in pain for his efforts.

"Unlike you, I can handle a couple of drinks. And please, you love the way I smell."

"What the fuck are you taking about? I like nothing about you, and certainly not love."

If he was fazed by this admission, Eric didn't show it. In fact his grin deepened, and as he leaned forward, he gave a rich whisper.

"Really? Because on our first night together, you did nothing but moan my name."

Kyle chewed on his bottom lip, questioning on how to retort that claim. Especially since it was true.

Thankfully Rosa came back in time, and the clatter of plates cleared up the silence that was beginning to boil over.

As the pleasant smell of reheated pasta wafted into the air, the sweating glasses of water stuck to the wood underneath as they were put down. Kyle ripped his own upwards, and greedily took a gulp. Somewhat because of he was actually thirsty, and for how Eric so easily made his throat and mouth dry.

Putting it back down, Kyle was startled by the sound of Eric's voice reaching out to his ears.

"What?"

Eric gave an exasperated sigh, spearing another piece of green bean before popping it into his mouth. After he swallowed the bit, he repeated what he said once more.

"I said: What tight-ass work are you up to?"

Kyle snorted, "I'm a lawyer."

"I know that! I meant what work is your firm currently up to?"

Swirling his fork around his pasta, Kyle furrowed his brow, "How did you know I was a lawyer? And why do you care? I'm not going to do any illegal shit for you."

"Oh, please. Give me some credit, Kyle, I already have people for that. I asked to start up a conversation, or do you want to spend the rest of the evening staring into my eyes?"

It was Kyle's turn to give Eric a kick, but the grunt he received reminded him far too much of the night they spent together, and the possible future ones. Skin flushed a light pink, he forced another forkful of intertwined pasta into his mouth.

"We're just trying to build up our reputation, and help the community."

Eric rolled his eyes, "Yeah, right. Lawyers helping people? Please!"

"Like you would know anything on the concept of charity or anything that involved being a caring and considerate person."

"You got me there." Eric smiled, "I'm just a cold hearted and greedy bastard."

The redhead across from him nosily gulped down the bits of food that were lodged in his throat, chest constricting with the words that came so easily from Eric.

"You know that's not what I meant." he whispered, voice shaky and uneven.

Eric looked away, "I know, but I do."

Kyle was unsure of what to do for a moment, but soon his hand was clutching Eric's. Neither said anything as a spare finger rubbed at the back of the other's large hand. It was possible that either were shocked that Eric didn't move away from the contact, and instead accepted it with a stony expression.

Not able to meet the brown eyes he so desperately wanted, Kyle settled with looking out of the window. The curling leaves on the brittle trees sank off of their perches when snatched up by the persistent current of wind. He watched one dance about, before it was swept towards a sewer drain and became soggy as it was plastered against the sodden street.

"Why are you here?'

He didn't look away from the window, not even for the question.

"I don't know."

"Is it because I now have money?"

He turned back to his supposed date, "No" he said, and he meant it.

The expression that donned Eric's face twisted to that of simple of understanding, and the realization of the truth that was presented to him.

"I believe you." But Kyle wasn't sure what he was going to do with that knowledge.

After they had finished their meal and Eric dutifully paid for dinner, the pair stumbled once more outside. This time Kyle found himself pressed against the side of a building, invisible to the few strays that drifted down the street, and a hand crawling its way onto the spread of his chest.

He shivered at the feel of the cold stones, his thin shirt doing nothing to protect his body and its heat.

Eric pulled away for a moment, and Kyle whined at the loss. But soon a crisp and large jacket was pressed into him, and while he withheld any comment he so desired to say, Kyle put it on and welcomed the comfort that still lingered.

Heavily he breathed in the scent of Eric and his cologne, moaning aloud when a set of teeth scraped the tender expansion of his neck. As he gave a few thrusts towards the figure that loomed over him, Kyle groaned at the feel of the erection that brushed his own.

"You're hard already?" he weakly laughed, yanking Eric's face away from his neck and to his mouth. It was lavish with an undertone of need, greater than just a quick kiss.

"I've been hard since I gave you that blowjob, it was damn painful to sit with at dinner."

With a breathless chuckle, Kyle blindly lowered his hand downwards until he grazed the surface. He knew when he hit the right spot when Eric gave a low grunt, and rocked himself closer towards his hand. Kyle couldn't help but smile, forehead against Eric's as he continued to stroke and squeeze the other's erection through his pants.

He could smell the scent of lemon on Eric's lips, and moaned when the brunette's hot breath blew onto his cheek.

A vibration cut through his body, instinctively he dropped his hand and reached for his back pocket.

Incoming call from: Stan Marsh

"Fuck!" Kyle swore, pressing answer without even realizing it. He couldn't look into those brown eyes as he said, "Hello?"

"Hey, Kyle. It's Stan."

"Oh, hi."

Seemingly enticed further, Eric moved his mouth back to Kyle's neck, incessantly pressing open mouthed kisses there.

Not wanting to raise any alarms with Stan, Kyle held back his moans as he screwed his eyes closed and tried to follow their conversation.

"I feel bad about ditching you, but I had to stay with Wendy."

Fuck Wendy, Kyle thought with a grimace.

Sensing his mood, Eric thrust his hips into Kyle's. The red haired lawyer's body shook with the restraint from not groaning, the delicious friction sending bolts of pleasure straight to his core.

"I-It's fine."

"Well, that's the thing. I know you're busy, but would you like to go to the marine with me? Possibly look at some whales?"

"S-sure, I'd love to go with you, Stan."

Eric paused, body rigid with unexplained tension.

"Great, it's a date then!"

Kyle sighed, unable to erase the smile that found its way onto his face.

"Sure, it's a date."

As they exchanged goodbyes, Eric stepped away from Kyle breathing hard. The other cleared his throat, suddenly aware of the disheveled and flushed appearance of Eric.

"Dude, are you alright?"

Eric glanced to the side, and after a second he shook his head, as if to clear it from some haze.

"I'm fine. I just..." he scrubbed at his face, "it's been a long day. You've done your bit for the bet, I won't hold you back any longer."

Kyle rose his phone higher up in the frigid air, gesturing towards it. "This isn't because of Stan is it? He only wants to go to some marine."

"No, it was never about that hippie. And you don't have to explain anything to me, we aren't dating."

"I-"

"I'll call the driver and give him your address." Eric spun on his heel, starting to walk towards the lip of the entrance.

"Wait!" Kyle called out, so very confused, but sincere in wanting Eric to come back. "Where are you going?!"

Eric looked over his shoulder, face unreadable as they met each other's gaze.

Kyle was the first to divert his attention elsewhere, a drop in his stomach shaking him.

Coursing through the bitter tang of the night, the soft whisper crept along slippery surfaces and into Kyle's ears.

The words "I don't know" had him freezing, and filled with such guilt at the lonely sound of it.

But before he could sum up the courage to say anything, he was gone.

"Stay" weakly rang out, heard only by the one person who didn't need it, Kyle.