It was a cold February evening. Joe and Katrina were preparing to go home for dinner. "Alors, Viktor, tu as fini pour la nuit?" (So, Viktor, you're done for the night?)

"Ja," said Von Kaiser. "Ich fahre bald nach Hause." (Yes. I'll be heading home soon.)

Joe looked out the lounge window. The snow was coming down quite hard. Why, it wouldn't be right to put more people on the road than necessary. Yes, that would be cruel and downright irresponsible. "Veux-tu te rendre chez pour le dîner?" (Would you like to come to my place for dinner?)

Von Kaiser was surprised and flattered by the invitation. "Ja."

Joe smiled. He had successfully asked Von Kaiser on a not-quite date.


About half an hour later, all three had made it home safely. Katrina was excited to have people over, so Von Kaiser picked her up while Joe got dinner started. "I'm happy that you came over, Vikky," said Katrina.

A little bit later, when dinner was ready, the three of them sat down to eat their onion soup with carrot sticks. It was Joe's go-to meal for cold nights. "Also, Joseph, wie war deine Woche?" (So, Joseph, how was your week?)

"Eh, comme si, comme ca," said Joe. "J'avais un mal de tête par intermittence, mais Katie est venue tellement bien à lire sur elle-même." (Eh, alright. I've had an on-and-off headache, but Katie is getting really good at reading by herself.)

"That's the business," said Katrina, trying to talk like a grown-up. Joe and Von Kaiser laughed; they thought that was adorable.


Later into the night, after Katrina had gone off to bed, Joe and Von Kaiser settled on the couch to watch a movie together. "Sie sind ein sehr gastfreundlicher Mann, Joseph," said Von Kaiser. (You're a very hospitable man, Joseph.)

"Merci," mumbled Joe shyly. Viktor was complimenting him! Oh, that made him feel all fuzzy inside. "Uh, j'ai une chambre de rechange si tu veux rester la nuit." (Uh, I have a spare room if you want to stay the night.)

Von Kaiser nodded. "Das ist sehr nett von dir." (That is very kind of you.)

And indeed, once the movie ended, Joe showed Von Kaiser the spare room. The two of them sat and talked together until they felt sleepy and decided to retire for the night. "Gute Nacht, Joseph." (Good night, Joseph.)

Joe admittedly didn't want to leave just yet, but he figured Von Kaiser deserved his privacy. He stood up to leave the room. "Bonne nuit, Viktor." (Good night, Viktor.) He so wished they could have stayed in that bed together, but alas, it simply would not come to be that night. He sighed and walked upstairs to his own bed.