Chapter 2
Drip, drip, drip. Loid stared at the dark liquid as it flowed from the silver machine. The aroma of coffee filled the room. He used to love the smell of coffee. No, it wasn't the smell. It wasn't even the coffee itself. It was the black haired woman with the kindest red eyes he had ever seen that made it for him. He didn't go to the coffee shop for coffee. He had gone for her. Her company. After they got married, she made him coffee every morning and after dinner every night. They would just sit on their couch, sometimes saying nothing at all just sipping on their coffee and enjoying each other's company.
Now the smell wasn't so alluring. It tasted different coming from this stupid machine. It left an even more bitter taste in his mouth - which he knew had nothing to do with the coffee itself. He hated the stupid paper cup he was drinking out of. He hated that he was drinking it alone in his office when she was just in the other room. It was worse at night when they shared a bed. Inches separated them, but they couldn't be further apart.
Most of all, he hated himself. One stupid mistake and everything he worked for, everything he built, everything he loved was slipping away. For once, he didn't know the answer to a problem. He couldn't fix this. As desperately as he wanted to, he couldn't.
Loid looked up when he heard a knock. A moment later, the door to his office opened and Yor stood in the doorframe. He stared at her for a moment as his heart started to race. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but it didn't seem appropriate all things considered. She glanced at him for a moment, but looked away quickly.
"The car's here," she announced softly.
Loid nodded as he stood and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair. As they walked out the front door, he grabbed his hat off the coat hook.
"You're not going to bring your coffee?" Yor asked.
"No," Loid said, shaking his head. "It tastes like shit."
When she giggled, it was like music to his ears. For a moment, he forgot where they were going and why. For that brief second, all was good. They were a young, happily married couple without a care in the world. That second quickly faded when he saw their driver for the day.
Fuck.
Loid could see Yor's body instantly stiffen. "What is she doing here?" his wife asked.
"I don't choose the drivers, Yor," he sighed. "In fact, I prefer to drive but apparently people think I'll drive us off a cliff or something."
"Your snide comments aren't appreciated."
"Hm. Seems to be a running theme." He let out another heavy sigh as he headed down the steps toward the car.
"Lieutenant Forger," Fiona Frost greeted with a nod.
"Where's Private Briar?" Loid barked angrily.
"The Colonel didn't think it would be appropriate for him to be in your charge today."
"Oh and you are?" There was no other response aside from a stare from the smaller woman. "You get us to where we're going and not a peep." Loid turned his attention to Yor as she approached the car and opened the back door for her. He walked around the back of the car to the other side and got in. "Let's get this over with."
"Loid, please. You promised me you would put effort into this," Yor sighed.
"I'm going aren't I? I already told you I think this is a waste of time." Loid immediately regretted his words when he saw her wince. "That's not what I meant." He rubbed his forehead as she scooted further away from him. "Having our lives and dirty laundry out there…no one needs to know what we're going through. But I'm trying my best, Yor."
Yor just nodded as she wiped away a tear she hoped he didn't see. But he did. Loid reached out to grab her hand that was on the seat, but stopped himself. He placed his hand next to hers and let out a sigh as he turned to look out his own window. There were very few things he failed at. He had always worked his hardest and did everything he could to ensure success and Yor's happiness. Sitting here today was a reminder he had failed at the worst possible thing to fail at.
~7 years ago~
Loid had never been one for attention. Even as a child, he preferred to keep to himself. For more reasons than one, he preferred his privacy and never felt the need for his personal life/issues to be public scrutiny. Of course, there were times his life was put on display beyond his control but he hoped he had escaped those terrors. He had moved away from his home town to live with his uncle at a very young age. His only friend for the longest time was Franky Franklin - a young man that was the complete opposite from Loid. Franky was loud, brash and had no filter. At one point, Franky was even taller than Loid. When puberty hit, Loid sprouted quickly. His round chubby face thinned out and the baby fat he carried around became lean muscle.
Needless to say, Loid was very popular with the opposite sex - Franky not so much. He dated his fair share, but after enlisting it became less. At 22, he didn't seem as interested in the type of women that were interested in him. He didn't like parties or drinking until he blacked out. He enjoyed a good book and peace and quiet.
"It's unfair," Franky sighed as he walked with Loid down the street toward a local coffee shop.
"What's not fair?" Loid asked, not looking up from his book.
"How hard it is for me to get a date."
"I'm not touching that."
"That's what the women I've asked out said too."
"I didn't need to know that."
"Then you're here actively trying - terribly I might add - to not be noticed. Like, how are you trying to dress like everyone else and still be the most seen person on the street?"
Loid looked down at what he was wearing. It wasn't anything special - just jeans, a white shirt with a light blue button up shirt over it with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and tennis shoes. He looked across the street and made eye contact with a few girls staring at him. They giggled as he gave them a small wave of acknowledgement.
"See? Everywhere we go, women are throwing themselves at you," Franky pointed out.
"We can just stop hanging out in public if that's the issue," Loud joked.
"Like you have other friends."
"Touche," Loid said with a frown as they got in line for coffee. "I'm not sure what you want me to do about how I look. People tend to frown upon wearing masks in public. They think you're up to something."
"Well, you could always be my wingman."
Loid let out a sigh as he reached into his back pocket for his wallet. "I'm pretty sure we talked about my lack of interest in hanging out at bars. Plus you get upset when the women don't go for you."
"I'm sorry we're not all smooth talkers like you! Dating isn't hard for you. You can have your pick of any woman you want, yet the one you actually like tells you, 'hey I'll go out with you', but you don't ask her out. Instead you just go home and rub one out thinking about her."
Loid looked around nervously, nodding at the people giving him an odd look for his friend's statement. "A little louder, Franky. I don't think the people in the backroom heard you."
"Oh my God, did you really? I was joking." Loid glared at his friend. "I never thought I'd be giving you dating advice, but all I'm saying is go for it. You know, for a genius, you're pretty stupid."
Loid shook his head as they reached the counter. "Just a regular black coffee for me. The little guy is getting his own drink." He handed the woman behind the counter some cash
"All I'm saying is you got the tools to help you, yet you hold yourself back," Franky said as he rolled his eyes and ordered his coffee. They both grabbed their cups and headed to an empty table.
"She's also the granddaughter of a General."
"Do they not like sex?"
"People might think I got to where I am because I'm involved with a high ranking officer's granddaughter."
"You're friggin 'Captain America'! You were their poster boy before you even met her."
"What if it doesn't work out?"
"I've never once heard a woman complain about you in bed."
"It's unsettling that you've listened to me have sex."
"It was only a few times and not by choice."
"Not any less unsettling."
"You're 6'2", blonde hair, blue eyes, with brains, brawn and a big…"
"Franky…"
"I was going to say personality. You should use it to your advantage. Looks and…personality. We're young. Not every woman we meet is going to be 'the one,' but you won't know if you don't try."
Loid hated when Franky was right. It wasn't often, but he did make sense at times. "If I promise that the next time I see her I ask her out, will you leave me alone?"
Franky tilted his head to the side and looked away for a quick second. "Alright. I'll lay off you if you ask her out. But you gotta come with me and be a wingman too."
He considered the proposal. He really had no plans on attending any party or function, so the likelihood of running into Yor would be low. Not that he didn't want to, he just really hated playing wingman. "You got a deal," Loid said finally as he reached out and shook his friend's hand.
"Awesome. We should do a test run tonight. I'm feeling lucky about getting lucky." Loid rolled his eyes as he reached into his backpack he brought with him and pulled out a book and headphones. "Hey! Are you ignoring me?!"
"Yes."
Franky looked past his friend and quickly stood. "Hey, I'm out of coffee. You want more?"
Loid stared at his friend curiously. What was the matter with him? "Sure," he replied as he put his headphones on. He unlocked his phone and started a playlist as his friend scurried off. He faintly heard him through his noise canceling headphones to reconsider going out tonight and something about getting lucky. He just shook his head as he adjusted his glasses and he dove right into his book.
It hadn't been very long when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He wasn't sure why Franky was tapping him on the shoulder. Why didn't he just sit down? He didn't look away from his book as he motioned for his friend to sit down. Another tap on the shoulder.
"Cut it out Franky, just sit down," he said irritably.
Another tap.
Set Loid pulled his headphones off, irritated at the disturbance. "Franky, for the last time, I'm not helping to get you laid," he spat angrily as he turned to face his friend. Only it wasn't Franky. He was greeted with an amused smile and bright red eyes. "Yor."
"You really help him get laid?" she laughed.
"I mean I try, but you can only give so much to charity," Loid joked. "Um, what…what are you doing here? I mean, getting coffee obviously."
Yor looked over her shoulder toward the counter. "I was getting off work when I ran into your friend. He asked me if I could bring this to you," she explained as she held out a cup of coffee to him. "He also asked me to tell you: Tamaryba? Isn't that a nightclub on the east side of town?"
Loid looked toward the counter where Franky held up a to-go cup of coffee and a big grin. He had outsmarted Loid for the first time in their friendship.
"It is," Loid grumbled. He shook the thoughts of slowly torturing his friend from his mind and turned his attention back to Yor. "Would you like to join me?"
Yor smiled as she took a seat across from him. "Can I ask what's with the glasses?" she inquired. "I noticed you weren't wearing them the other night, but now and when I saw you at Mona and Monacca's you are. Are they just for show or do you really need them?"
"Both," he chuckled. "I wear them when I read to ease the strain on my eyes."
"And when you're not reading?"
"Less people recognize or notice me." Yor stared at him in disbelief. He really couldn't think that was true, could he? "It's the Clark Kent Effect," he said.
"Like Superman?"
"Well, not really. So Superman's alter ego is Clark Kent. In reality they look exactly the same and because Superman wears no mask and makes no attempt to hide his identity, he should be easily recognized. However when he's Clark Kent, he simply brushes his hair differently and wears glasses and people are none the wiser that he's an alien saving the world. He gets to live a relatively normal life without people bombarding him and treating him differently. Not everyone wants the accolades."
"Ok, so what about Ironman? He told everyone who he is and still wears a mask."
"That's tricky. The helmet is part of his armor. Shoot Superman in the face and it bounces off. Shoot Tony Stark and he's dead. Marvel heroes have a tendency not to hide their identities for some reason. Of course, there are those like Spiderman, Daredevil, Moonknight. Then the ones that literally can't like Steve Rogers."
"If I'm honest, I never would have thought you were the kind of guy that was…"
"A nerd?" He half-joked. "My mom used to take me to this comic store around the corner from where we lived every Sunday after church. They were a reward for behaving. I still have the very first one she bought me. Thor #22: Tears of the Gods."
"Who doesn't love a tall blonde haired, blue eyed man?"
Loid grinned. "What's something you love from days long gone, Miss Briar?"
"When I was younger, my parents used to take us apple picking," Yor recalled as she smiled at the memory. "We would go home and I would sit at the counter, watching my mom wash, peel and cut each apple to make apple pies for everyone in the neighborhood. But she always made me a very special one with super thin apple slices arranged into flowers on top."
"Briar roses?"
Yor smiled and nodded. "When my dad was on leave, he used to teach me self-defense and he'd take me hunting with him. We'd bring home our haul and he would…do the dirty work and mom would make this amazing stew. She used to let me help, so I learned the recipe pretty quick. It's honestly the only thing I can cook. I'm pretty bad at everything else."
"I'm sure there are plenty of things you're good at."
"Pretty sure of yourself for a guy that's really only just met me."
"Very true. Perhaps we can change that. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"
Yor smiled as she bit her bottom lip. "Are we really going to or is this another hypothetical situation we'll talk about after my shift next week?"
Loid reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, pulling up the dial pad and sliding it over to her. He smiled at her as he waited for her to enter her number. She let out a soft laugh and she saved her contact information. He immediately hit the call button and her phone buzzed in her purse.
"There," he said happily, "now you have my number and I have yours. You're welcome to text me whenever you want."
"Even while you're out at a nightclub with your friend?" She glanced at him from over the phone as she typed his name in her phone.
He shook his head and laughed. "Trust me, I'd rather be anywhere else."
"I get the feeling that you are not the club type."
"Absolutely not," he laughed. "I just made Franky a promise and I can't go back on it."
"Well, that just shows how great a friend you are," she smiled. She looked at her watch and started to stand. "I should probably get home. My grandpa might wonder what's taking so long."
"Can I walk you home?" Loid asked as he slowly stood.
"Um, sure," Yor replied as she tucked her hair behind her ear. She never had someone offer to walk her home before. She usually hurried down her normal path with her head down.
As Loid packed started to pack up his things, she noticed her friend behind the counter looking over at them. Her mouth was slightly opened and her face expressed the shock she was in.
Who is that, the girl mouthed.
Yor motioned for her friend to call her later just as Loid zipped up his bag and stood.
"Alright, ready?" he asked.
"Mmhm," Yor nodded. She headed toward the exit with him following right behind.
"Bye Yor and Yor's friend," her friend called from the counter.
"Bye Yor's co-worker," he chuckled as they left. "Your friends always that weird?"
"Who? Millie? Trust me she's weirder than that," Yor joked. "They just don't see me talking to guys often."
"Oh? No lines of gentlemen callers waiting for you to make them coffee as an excuse to talk to you?"
"Absolutely not. I'm not that…popular. Guys don't really ask me out. I don't mind though. Most guys that ask me out are either super weird or super pervy. Present company excluded."
"Thanks for not bunching me in with the weirdos and pervs."
"We'll have to see after our date. It'd be a shame if Clark Kent turned out to be a deviant." She looked over at him when she realized he wasn't responding. "There is a bad version of Superman isn't there?"
"Yea, several actually," Loid chuckled. "Oddly enough, Steve Rogers never really had an 'evil' version. But he was created to promote World War II propaganda and Kirby and Simon needed to keep his image clean. It's an unwritten rule or sorts to leave him a 'good boy', but really that only applies to Rogers."
"It's cute you think I know what you're talking about." She walked a little closer to him when she noticed some people staring in their direction. "Did you always want to be in the Army?"
He shook his head in response. "I contemplated other careers in high school, but it was expected of me. Almost everyone in my family is a service member in one branch or another."
"What did you want to do?"
"When I was a kid, I liked to draw and wanted to make my own comics. But my d…I was told that I needed to focus on real studying. When I got older I wanted to understand and help people with problems they themselves couldn't understand, so I've dabbled in psychiatry. I do have a degree in that so I'd probably pursue that."
"You randomly have a psychiatry degree?"
"I had time," Loid shrugged casually. "What about you? What did you want to do?"
Yor stopped in her tracks. She had never been asked that before. She had expectations to live up to, so doing something that she wanted was never something she thought about. What did she want to do?
"You ok?" Loid asked when he realized he was a few paces ahead of her.
"Yea, I just…I'm not sure what I want to do. No one's ever asked."
Loid raised a brow at her confession. "How old are you?"
"20."
"And you have never thought about what you want to do for the rest of your life?" She shook her head sadly. Since he was a kid, Loid always knew what he was going to do - be it expectation or what he wanted. He learned early he needed to stay two steps ahead or he would be left behind, so having met someone with no clue what they would do next was unfamiliar to him. "It's ok. Sometimes we don't know what we want until it's standing in front of us. It'll hit you like a ton of bricks one day and you'll wonder how stupid you had been to not see it. It's up to us to decide if we take hold of it or let us pass it by. To regret the things we do is natural. Regretting what we didn't do is preventable. What are things you're passionate about? What do you like to do?"
"I like helping people," Yor said immediately. "I mean, I've taken care of Yuri since we were little. Grandpa is getting older so I have to help him out more too."
"Like a nurse."
"Or a mother. It's kind of what I do best. I had to grow up fast so I made sure I was the best I could be for Yuri."
"How long has it been just you guys?"
"Eight years. Dad died when he was deployed and mom just couldn't handle it. She missed him so much she got sick and…she was gone. Yuri was barely three so he doesn't really remember them. Are your parents still around?"
"No," Loid said, shaking his head. "I was six when my mom died and Sylvia's parents took me in. When she married Andrew, I basically lived with them when they weren't on tour. They're practically my parents. I'm the man I am today thanks to them."
"I'm glad you had them. Grandpa has been great. He has given us everything we can want or need and has taken great care of us, but there are things that he can't or couldn't do and I wish that it wasn't all on me to pick that slack up sometimes." She let out a sigh, feeling terrible for complaining about how well taken care of she was to someone that barely knew her.
"You were a kid. You deserved a childhood. Part of the reason Sylvia took me in with her and Andrew was because once my Uncle and Aunt found out I was smarter than most kids, they pushed a lot on my plate. Sylvia did what she could to make sure I had as much of a childhood as I possibly could. And that's what you're doing for Yuri. To sacrifice your childhood for someone else's is the most noble and honorable thing anyone can do."
"How do you know exactly what to say at the exact right time?" she asked as she looked up at him with a smile.
"It's a talent I guess," he teased.
Yor slowed as they approached a single-story house with a big green yard. A pathway went down the center of the yard and led to a set of stairs to the porch and front door. A porch swing hung from the ceiling in front of a set of windows on one side of the door. Loid stopped at the bottom of the stoop as they approached the front door. Yor looked down at him as she clutched her purse in front of her.
"Well, thank you for walking me home," she thanked. "It was very gentlemanly of you."
"You're very welcome," he replied. "It was my pleasure."
"Maybe you can walk me home again tomorrow?"
The corners of Loid's mouth turned up in a smile. "I'd love to. Same time?" She nodded. "Perfect, I'll meet you at the coffee shop tomorrow after work then."
Yor was about to head up the steps, but stopped and turned back to Loid. He looked up at her, worried something was wrong as she stepped down to the bottom step so she was eye level with him. He was about to ask what was wrong when she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Grandpa! Yor's kissing a boy!" they heard someone yell.
"We're not kissing, Yuri," Yor sighed as she rolled her eyes. "So much for that moment."
"I still enjoyed it," Loid winked. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Clark."
Loid chuckled as he waved and headed back down the path.
"That guy kind of looked like Sergeant Forger," he heard Yuri say.
"It was Sergeant Forger," Yor replied.
"But you called him Clark."
Loid shook his head as he stepped out of hearing range of the Briars' conversation. He headed down the street in the direction of his apartment. He wondered why had offered up information about his childhood so easily. Not many people knew what he went through and he preferred to keep it that way. Perhaps it was to help Yor feel better about her own doubts. He let out a heavy sigh. At least he hadn't told her everything. He was sure that she wouldn't want to see him again if she knew.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard his phone chime. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. A notification that he had a text message from Yor flashed across the screen.
Not a date - for the record.
He chuckled as he typed out his response. Of course not. Just two people taking a stroll.
And having a lovely conversation. Did you make it home?
Walking up to my door now.
Good. I was worried you might get man-napped.
Loid laughed out loud as he unlocked his front door and stepped into his darkened apartment. Luckily the Army taught us how not to get man-napped.
He dropped his backpack onto a chair and plopped onto the couch. Busy next Saturday night?
I have an early shift, but nothing after.
I'd like to officially ask you out on a date. Would you like to have dinner with me?
…
He never felt more nervous than watching those three dots move up and down like a wave. She could change her mind and say no.
I'd love to.
Loid let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding until now. He had dated plenty of women. Some said yes when he asked them out and some said no. So why was this different?
Great. I can come by around 6 next Saturday to pick you up.
Ok. You're still walking me home tomorrow?
Of course. It'll be a predate to our date.
lol ok. Sounds good to me. I'll text you in a few minutes. I need to change out of my work clothes.
…oh
Don't get weird on me now, Forger.
"So let me get this straight," Franky sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "we made a deal the next time you saw Yor, you would ask her out and if you did you'd be my wingman on any night I chose."
"That's correct," Loid said as he walked out of the kitchen carrying their dinner.
He handed a plate to Franky before heading to the couch. He placed his dinner on the coffee table and picked up his gaming controller. He liked the idea that it was just him and Franky living in their apartment. If he had moved in with Sylvia, he wouldn't be able to eat his dinner on the couch while playing video games in a t-shirt and his boxer briefs.
"You see Yor. You ask her out, even set up a date. But you can't be my wingman because she's been asking you to walk her home every night for a week and a half?"
"Also correct."
"She's off today. Why can't we go to the club tonight?"
"If I'm seen at a club the night before a date, it wouldn't bode well for my date tomorrow."
"But if your date goes well and you're seen at a club after your date, that would be worse." Loid grinned and tapped his temple. "You're a goddamn cheater!"
"Hey, you're the one that proposed the idea after you knew Yor was at the counter."
"I'm sorry I got you to ask out the girl you like!"
"I'll give you that one, but that's all." Just then, Loid's phone chimed indicating an incoming message. He smiled to himself as he typed out a response.
"Geez, do you guys really need to go on a date still?" the shorter man mocked as he rolled his eyes.
"You're exaggerating," Loid said as he shook his head and set his phone on the table.
"You walk her home every night after work. You text all day. You talk on the phone all night. I've never seen you work so hard to get or keep a woman so hard in my life. She's your girlfriend without the title at this point. Which is ironic since you were the one that told me last year that we are too young to be tied down."
Loid contemplated what Franky had just pointed out to him. Even as a teenager, he hadn't put this much effort into dating a girl. Yet there was something about Yor that he couldn't shake. She was on his mind constantly. He had just signed up for another tour and in a few months, he would be deployed. Could he really start something with someone knowing he was leaving for months to a year?
"I know that look. You're overthinking again."
"It would do you well to think before you act, Franky."
"Well would you think about putting some pants on?"
"You've been lounging in your tighty-whities for a week and suddenly my boxer briefs are an issue? Do you have a girl coming over or something?" Franky just stared at him in response. "Wait, do you?"
"Maybe…" Franky grinned.
"If you have a date, why are you bugging me about being your wingman?"
"BECAUSE I LIKE OPTIONS, LOID!"
"Don't get messy," Loid warned. "I can get you a date, but in this community if you fuck up everyone will know. You'll have to move." Loid's phone buzzed again, but this time he looked irritated. He quickly typed a message and tossed his phone on the table.
"Uh oh, someone's not happy. Trouble in paradise already?"
"No, my cousin accepted another function invitation on my behalf: Senator Desmond's annual Eden Academy Gala."
Franky winced. "At least it's not a military function. You can let loose a little." There was a knock at the door and Franky jumped to his feet as he went to answer it.
"I don't know about 'letting loose'. I'm expected to bring a date." Loid heard the door open and someone walk in.
"Don't mind grumpy no-pants over there," Franky joked.
"I'm not grumpy," Loid grunted. He looked up to see who had just arrived. He was shocked to see Fiona Frost in their entrance way. "Fiona? You're Franky's…"
"I'm not sure why you're worried about bringing a date," Franky interrupted. "You've got your kinda-sorta girlfriend. I'm sure she'd love to go."
Loid sighed as he picked up his phone again and leaned back into the couch. "She's not my girlfriend," he pointed out. "We're just friends."
"Friends in constant contact going on a date. You're her boyfriend."
"I thought you said you preferred not to date since you're deployed so often," Fiona noted. "It's odd that General McMahon's granddaughter shows interest in you and you now have a girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend! We're not dating. We're going on one date. I don't even know how that'll turn out. She can decide she just wants to be my friend."
"Friend with benefits," Franky mumbled.
"I don't have to explain myself to either of you. Yor and I are going on a date. I have no expectations outside of that. And Franky, you're exaggerating. We aren't always on the phone." As if on cue, his phone started to buzz as Yor's face popped up on the screen.
"Guy in denial says what?"
Loid gave his friend the middle finger before hitting the 'answer' button and standing. "Hey, give me a sec. I gotta head to my room. No, it's fine. Franky just has a guest." The blonde waved to Franky and Fiona as he headed down the hall to his room.
"I hope your girlfriend knows you're walking around in your underwear when there's a lady in the apartment!" Franky shouted.
"What did he just say?" Yor asked on the phone.
"Uh, don't mind him. He's just trying to impress his date," Loid chuckled nervously as he shut his door.
"So you're not walking around in your underwear?"
"I have a shirt on. Fiona probably…"
"Fiona? As in the girl you said has a crush on you?"
"Um, yea. She's Franky's date." Loid quickly regretted mentioning Fiona's name, especially since he admitted to walking around in his underwear. "Is that, um, is it an issue?" There was silence on the other end of the phone. This wasn't good.
"No. Just a little awkward."
The tone in her voice sounded almost put off. Was she jealous? "I can leave the apartment until they're done. He's not getting lucky."
"What makes you say that?"
"Yor, it's Franky."
"You're right," Yor laughed. "So you just sit around in your underwear all day?"
"It was a lazy day. No pants required."
"So…boxers or briefs?"
"Boxer briefs. Black ones."
"Hm."
"Hm? Is that a good 'hm' or a bad 'hm'?"
"It's…interesting."
Loid grinned. "What are you doing right now?"
"Is that a privy question because I asked about your underwear?"
"No, but I mean if you want it to be…"
"Loid."
"Get dressed. I'm gonna swing by and pick you up."
"What?"
"Trust me. I'll be there in 15 minutes."
Yor sighed. "Alright, but you better be wearing pants."
"No promises, Briar."
Loid quickly hung up the phone and ran over to his closet. He pulled on a pair of black pants, a white dress shirt, and a beige sweater. He stuffed two blankets into a bag along with his laptop. He headed out to the kitchen and packed away some of the food he had made for dinner in tupperware, stuffing that in his bag as well.
"I'm heading out," he announced. "Don't wait up."
He took two steps at a time as he headed to his car parked on the street. He put everything he had packed away in the back seat and hopped into the driver's seat of his SUV. His heart was pounding as he drove to Yor's. He can't remember a time he had ever been this nervous. When he pulled up to her house, he had to sit in his car to gather himself before walking up to the door. He knocked on the door and waited nervously for someone to answer. When the door opened, Yor stood on the other side in a pale pink trench dress that went just past her knees with black leggings and matching ankle boots.
"I wasn't sure how to dress," she noted. "I hope this is ok?"
"It's perfect," Loid smiled.
"Grandpa, I'm leaving!" she called back into the house before stepping onto the porch with Loid. "Ok, Forger. Where are we going?"
"Our date. Sorry, I couldn't wait."
~Present Day~
"Loid, did you have anything to say?" the therapist asked.
Loid stared at the woman sitting across from him and Yor. He knew she was just doing her job, but he couldn't think of a single soul he despised more.
"I have a lot to say, though most of which would be detrimental rather than helpful," Loid said. "In all honesty, I'd rather not be here."
Yor sighed loudly. The therapist put her hand up, signaling Yor not to say anything just yet. "So you don't think you need to be here?"
"That's not what I said. I said I'd rather not be here. I have to be here. I was given an order by my superior officer to attend these sessions, so here I am. However, I don't want to be here. Being here would require me to admit that I couldn't fix this on my own. I would have to admit I failed my wife, ny marriage, and everything we've built over the last seven years. That is something I'm absolutely not ready nor willing to do."
"And what are you ready and willing to do? What leads you to believe this beautiful beginning being painted for me has led to this point?"
"That's simple," Loid said as he glanced at Yor in the corner of his eye. She looked nervous for his response. "My wife believes I'm having an affair."