Over the next week, Eridan and Sollux spoke every night, mostly just talking about videogames or little things like that. They would be on the phone for hours at a time, laughing hysterically at stupid in-jokes. One night, when one of Sollux's neighbors was threatening to report him, they laughed until they could hardly breathe.

Eridan found himself acting differently whenever he was talking to Sollux. He was always smiling, even when Sollux would tease him about something, and was constantly fiddling with his scarf, his shirt, or his fingers. It wasn't like how it used to be between them, not at all.

Talking to Sollux the night before what both of them had secretly dubbed, "the date"— although neither told the other— Eridan found himself very tense and nervous, and although he couldn't hear it in his voice, Sollux shared his demeanor.

What if I ruin everything?

What if he doesn't like me like that?

What if he doesn't understand?

These were merely some of the questions that were racing through both of their minds at top speed as they spoke.

"So, Eridan, have you been keeping the other half of your promise?"

"Haven't had a drop since the night before I made it."

"Hey, I'm proud of you!" Sollux sincerely was proud of Eridan. His sobriety proved that he was taking this whole friendship thing seriously.

Eridan chuckled weakly. "Thanks, I guess. I ain't much to be proud o', but, hey, if that's what you're feelin', then great."

"Are you kidding? I will make you order the fanciest fucking thing at that café tomorrow so you can celebrate."

"As if I wasn't gonna already?"

"Oh, right, I forgot," Sollux snorted, putting on a bad rendition of Eridan's accent and stutter while heightening his voice slightly— his had become deeper than Eridan's, although not by too much. "I'm Eridan fuckin' Ampora an' everythin' I buy has to be expensive an' fancy or else it ain't good enough for me."

Eridan threw his head back and laughed into his phone. Sollux adored his genuine laugh and wished he could get the chance to hear it more often; it was rather high-pitched for his voice, with cute snorts slipping out every so often.

"'Ey, that ain't completely true!"

"Like hell it's not!"

"Now I'll order the cheapest, plainest thing they have an' tell them to make it extra cheap an' plain."

"Right," Sollux laughed, glancing at the clock on his computer. "Listen, it's kind of three in the morning, so I'm going to go to bed."

"Ah, you're right. Me too."

"See you tomorrow, Princess Eridan. Make sure you wear something pretty."

"I'm gonna hit you," Eridan chortled.

"Kinky. Do you always flirt with your friends like this?"

"Oh, shut up, you know I wasn't flirtin' with you."

"Nah, you'd be a lot less subtle."

"Wow, could you be any more o' a douchebag?"

"I like you, so you're a special case."

"Which means?"

"Yes, I can."

"Goodnight, you idiot."

"Night, Princess."

Sollux hung up and let a giddy, nervous chuckle escape his throat. "Fuck," he murmured, running a slightly damp hand through his hair. The only one who had been flirting was him, and he hadn't even realized it. He was sure Eridan had picked up on it as well. This made him even more nervous about tomorrow, and he imagined quite a few possible scenarios in him mind. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep right in front of his computer with the best one playing like a movie behind his eyes.

—-

Eridan's eyes fluttered open at around ten-thirty the next morning. He sat up in bed groggily before it clicked; he was running late!

He jumped out of bed, hopping into the shower and quickly yet thoroughly cleaning himself. He meticulously styled his hair and took out a pair of leather pants, a tight black shirt, and a studded, black leather jacket. Sollux had told him to wear something nice, after all. He pulled on a pair of heavy boots, grabbed his wallet, phone, and keys, and sent Sollux a text while locking the door.

you awwake

Eridan pulled on a black helmet with purple Aquarius signs on it and zipped his jacket. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket.

headed out the door a2 we 2peak.

good ill be there soon

He climbed onto his motorcycle— he preferred it to his car, in all honesty— and it started with a roar.

—-

Sollux reached the café before Eridan. He leaned against his car with his arms crossed and tapped his foot impatiently, expecting to see a limousine or something.

When Eridan pulled in, dressed in leather on his motorcycle, Sollux's arms and jaw both dropped. He also couldn't help but notice how good Eridan looked in leather.

Eridan pushed the kickstand down and took his helmet off, tucking it under one arm as he fixed his hair a bit with his other hand. He saw Sollux gaping at him from across the lot and he flashed a sly grin at him before walking over to him, hips swaying ever-so-slightly and his arms swinging as if to the beat of a song only he could hear.

Sollux thought he looked like some kind of movie star or someone fresh off of Kanaya's runway.

"You look a bit surprised," Eridan called, trying to sound unassuming— but Sollux could hear the amused smirk in his voice.

"I was expecting a suit and a limo, not leather and a motorcycle," he yelled back, fighting a smile and losing. "I kind of like it, actually."

Eridan unzipped his jacket, revealing his shirt to Sollux. He scanned his body before he could stop himself, his eyes coming to rest on Eridan's toned stomach muscles.

Mmm, that's nice.

Eridan's voice snapped his attention back. "I want coffee, though, so can we go inside?"

—-

They ordered what they wanted and sat down outside again, where it was warm and not as crowded; they could feel the humans staring them down while they were inside. They decided that sitting here would be as good a time to talk as any— that is, if Sollux could stop ogling Eridan. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Um, so," Sollux stammered, "about why we're here."

"Mhm?" Eridan saw a yellow blush blossom on the other troll's face and felt his own cheeks begin to burn as well.

"Well, a lot of things have changed between us, you know? We used to think that we despised each other, but I don't really think that was the case, and I don't think it's like that anymore either. Shit, this sounds so corny, I'm stupid—"

"You want to be more than just friends," Eridan finished, his own voice trembling. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes."

"Like… matesprits? Do you actually pity me, Sol?"

Sollux winced. "I'm not really sure if I'd call it 'pity.' I like you. A lot. But I don't know if I'd say I pity you. It doesn't seem accurate."

Eridan looked at Sollux blankly, then a smile spread across his face.

"What, Ed? What's funny?"

"Been hangin' around humans or Kar lately?"

"Oh, god, it sounds like what Karkat's going through with Egbert, doesn't it?"

"What was the term that the humans use for them?"

"Boyfriends."

"Yeah, that," Eridan chuckled, staring into his coffee and taking a sip.

"So," Sollux drawled.

"So?"

"Will you?"

"I'll think about it," he replied coyly, giving Sollux a flustered smile. He returned it. "Don't know much about it myself, but I think what we do is cuddle while watchin' shitty movies an' kiss a lot."

"There's more to it than that!" Sollux's small smile turned into a suggestive grin.

"Wha— wait. Oh." Eridan's cheeks darkened even further.

"And we can play videogames until we pass out and joke about stupid shit and—"

"Are you assumin' I already said yes?"

"I'm assuming you said maybe, which is close to yes."

"Sol, human concepts aren't somethin' I'm familiar with. Not from a relationship standpoint." His expression suddenly became very serious. "I'm sorry, but I can't say yes right now. Give me a couple o' days to think about it."

"But you will… think about it, right?"

"Yes."

"I'll call you later tonight."

"Hopin' I'll have an answer for you by then?"

"Just a little bit."

"Sol, how do I know that you won't be just like the others?"

Sollux blinked a couple of times. "What do you mean," he asked quietly, "'just like the others?'"

"How do I know you ain't just leadin' me on to break me later? How do I know you won't just abandon me like the rest o' them? Please, give me two days, Sol. Two days is all I need."

Sollux looked at Eridan from across the table. He looked genuinely distressed, and it hurt to see him in that state, especially knowing he was the cause. "Take as much time as you need. I'm sorry."

Eridan reached across to pat Sollux's hand gently. He marvelled at how soft his skin felt.

"Don't be sorry. It's really okay. I just need a little time. I don't want us jumpin' into somethin' an' endin' up hurt. I'm sure that we've both suffered enough hurt for any amount o' lifetimes."

Sollux nodded in agreement, and Eridan took this as a cue to keep talking.

"I really do like you, Sol. That was what I wanted to tell you, an' I'm honestly flattered you feel the same about me. Since I'm goin' away for two days—"

"You're going away?"

"Yes, to add to my botanical journals. Why?"

"I'll just be… worried about you."

"Don't be. I'll be back, I swear."

"When are you leaving?"

"Right after this," Eridan replied nonchalantly, taking another gulp of his coffee.

"Oh. May I see something?"

"Yeah, sure, what is—" Eridan trailed off as he looked up. Sollux's face was just centimeters away from his own over the table. Eridan had no time to wonder what was going on before their lips connected.

Eridan's lips were even softer than his hands, and tasted of his sweet caramel coffee. Sollux closed his eyes, relishing the surprised twitch that Eridan's mouth made beneath his. He brought a hand across the table to cup the purple-blooded man's face and pushed against his lips. Sollux heard him make a small noise and smiled against him before pulling away, their lips making a soft noise as they came apart. He sat back down, breathless and giddy, with a pounding heart.

Eridan trembled and took several shallow breaths as Sollux sat back down. He found his own mouth curving into another flustered smile.

"Payback, Eridan," Sollux chuckled.

"I deserved that one. But can I go now?"

"Yep, you can go. Tell me where to meet you for when you get back."

"Sol," Eridan argued.

"Eri," Sollux mock-whined in the same tone.

"Fine. Outside o' here on Friday night."

"I expect you here."

Eridan grinned. "Don't worry. I'll be here."

When they finished their coffee, Sollux insisted that Eridan at least hugged him goodbye— it ended up being a cute side-hug, complete with hair-ruffling— and they parted ways. While they both had stoic expressions, inside, they were reeling and thinking the same thing: it was going to be a long two days.