Marco's eyes darted around a crowded cafe. He'd been sitting for a little more than thirty minutes, waiting for someone. Someone... he didn't know who. His buddy at the security firm he worked at had set him up on a blind date, telling Marco, "Get back out there,'' and "You're forty-four this month; you can't stay cooped up and single forever!'' The mountain dog rubbed his thick neck ruff as his leg bounced up and down like a jackhammer. He'd shown up early, true... but the anticipation was killing him. His thoughts raced as he waited. God, it's been, what, fifteen years since Saul broke off our engagement? Do I even know how to date anymore? What if he thinks I'm a loser? A washed-up has-been? What if... what if he doesn't like me...? He blew a short puff of air from his nose and looked down at his phone. I'll text Pete and ask him where his friend is... it's still a little early, but shouldn't you show up early to a date? They should be here by now... Did they bail? Oh, that'd figure, wouldn't it? I-
"E-excuse me, are you, um... Marco?''
A timid, lilting voice called out to him from across the table. Marco looked up and then did a double-take. He's... oh, no, he's so out of my league... A shorter, athletic husky stood before him. He wore a button-up shirt, made casual with rolled-up sleeves, and a pair of faded blue jeans. But most striking was what hid behind his wire-framed glasses: a pair of steel-gray eyes, so shiny and clear they were almost reflective.
Marco gawked at him for a while, unable to speak. His jaw worked pointlessly as no sound came out. Finally, he tore his eyes away and coughed. Standing up, he reached out a paw to the husky, who took it and shook with him briefly. Damn, my palms are sweaty... "Ah, sim... I mean, yes, I'm Marco.'' He jerkily swiped up a bouquet of white roses from the table. "T-these are for you.''
The husky looked confused by the gesture. "Oh, ah... flowers? Really?''
Marco's heart plummeted, and he started to lower the bouquet. "I... I'm sorry, is it too forward? This is something I was always taught to do...'' His face fell, and his shoulders drooped.
"N-no! No, no, you're fine! I love flowers!'' The husky quickly snatched them from Marco's paw. "No, I just wasn't expecting it. Nobody gives flowers on a first date these days.'' He lifted them to his nose and breathed in delicately. "Ah... these smell lovely! Thank you!'' He sat down in the chair opposite Marco and set the roses back on the table. "So, um... it's lovely to meet you. Pete had only good things to say about you, you know. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he wants to go on a date with you himself!''
Marco sat as well, chuckling hesitantly. "Hah, ha... wouldn't that be funny... you know, he didn't tell me anything at all about you. I wouldn't have known who you were if you hadn't approached me. I don't even know your name... sorry. I should have asked sooner but didn't know when to slip that in.''
"Oh... no, I'm sorry. I assumed he at least talked to you about me a little... My name is Mitchell, but please call me Mitch. He didn't tell you my name, what I looked like, or anything?''
"No, nothing. I asked, but he just kept saying it would ruin the fun of a blind date if I knew, and I-``
"Ooh, I'm gonna kill `im!'' Mitch growled and clenched his paws into fists. "He told me you wanted to go on a date, and he was just setting us up together. I had no idea you were going into this blind. Oh my God, I'm so embarrassed... Well, I guess we'll have plenty to talk about then. Again, I'm so, so sorry. Please, feel free to ask me anything; I feel like I know so much about you.''
Before Marco could ask anything, a waitress arrived to get their drink orders. After they both ordered coffees, Marco turned to Mitch. "Well... where are you from? Did you grow up around here, or...''
The husky grinned. "Yup. Born and raised right here in California. I've pretty much lived in this area my whole life; my parents work at... uh, one of the colleges out here.'' He fidgeted a little and shifted in his seat. "I actually go there now, since they get a discount on tuition. Still had to pass all the requirements to get in, but that wasn't so bad... Uh, Marco? You all right?''
Marco's head was churning, the gears in his mind grinding relentlessly. "So... you're in college? Um... How old are you, exactly...?''
"Um, I'll be turning twenty-one next month... why, how old are you?''
The mountain dog rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I... I'm... I'm forty-four?'' He braced himself for the shock... He carried his age well, worked out, and was quite fit, but he couldn't help but think, I'm over twice his age... This date's as good as over. Marco tensed up, languishing in the silence that stretched between them.
"O-oh... Well, um, you look damn good for forty-four.''
Marco blinked and then looked at the husky. The coffee had been delivered while the mountain dog was distracted, and Mitch was sipping on a latte. He licked the foam away from his upper lip and smiled. "You all right, big guy?''
"Uh, yeah... yeah, just... you don't have a problem with how... old I am?''
"Do you have a problem with how young I am?
"No, no! You seem very mature; I just honestly expected you to be, I don't know, closer to Pete's age. Somewhere in your early to mid-thirties. How does he even know you?''
Mitch's smile never wavered. "We met at a dance class, believe it or not. He's a phenomenal dancer. Taught me how to tango.''
"I... had no idea he knew how to dance.'' Marco shook his head. "I guess... if you're okay with this, I'm fine too. I'm sorry for the surprise, though.''
"Don't worry about it... so, something I don't know. Where's your accent from? It's... unusual.''
"I'm a little shocked you can tell... although it does get worse when I'm, eh... nervous... But I grew up in Portugal, in the Estrela mountains. My family moved here when I was fifteen, so I mostly grew out of the accent.'' Marco rubbed a paw across the back of his head, then sipped his latte. "Mmm, this is good. How is yours?''
"It's great! Thanks for asking.'' Mitch gave a toothy grin, and Marco's heart skipped a beat. Cute... The husky turned his head and stared at the floor, blushing. "So... am I making you nervous?''
The mountain dog's heart started to beat faster, and he broke out in a sweat. "I-I mean, no, but yes, I mean, it's...'' He threw his head into his hands and groaned. Rubbing his face, he spoke through his hands. "Mae de Deus... This is going poorly. I'm nervous, yes. But it's not you, or not just you, it's... complicated. Don't worry about it. I really do want to get to know you. Can we ask more questions? That was easier.'' His face was red hot, so much so that he could feel the heat rising from his scalp.
Mitch spoke quietly. ``Um... sure, but... could you look at me first? Please?''
Slowly, Marco lowered his hands, and raised his eyes to look at the husky. He was smiling, his muzzle turned down, but his eyes raised up to look at Marco. His heart fluttered in his chest as he locked his gaze with Mitch's shy stare. "Y-yes? So, ah, d-did you have a question for me?''
Marco watched the husky flush red. ``N-no... I mean, I did, but uh... I forgot. Geez, you have beautiful blue eyes, holy shit...'' His paws flew to his mouth. "Shit, I mean, shoot, damn, forget I said that, that's so embarrassing...''
He's so forward... maybe I can be a little forward, too. Slowly, hesitantly, Marco slid his paw across the table until he touched the tips of his fingers to Mitch's. He gave the husky's paw a couple of tentative pats, then rested there momentarily before withdrawing. "It's okay, Mitch. I appreciate the compliment. I'm flattered, truly. And...'' He glanced away before steeling his nerves and looking into the husky's eyes again. "You have truly stunning eyes. I've never seen eyes like yours, and they were the first thing I noticed when I looked up and saw you this afternoon.''
Mitch turned a brilliant shade of crimson, so much so that you could see his cheeks flush beneath his fur. "A-ah, oh, uh... Thank you! Wow, that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said about me.''
"Really?'' Marco raised an eyebrow. "I hardly believe it. You're a very handsome young man. The moment I saw you, I thought to myself that you were incredibly out of my league. I still think that, honestly.''
Mitch laughed derisively, a single sharp staccato bark that rang through the cafe. "Me? Out of your league? Oh man, I can see it in your face; you honestly believe that... You have no idea what your worth is. How long has it been since you went on a date? Or hell, hooked up even?''
The mountain dog blinked. "That's... awfully forward for a first date, don't you think? And I don't see what that has to do with-"
"Oh, shut up and answer the question.''
Marco growled, low and deep, but just quiet enough that only Mitch could hear it. Then he sighed. His shoulders that had tensed up relaxed, and he gave in to the pushy questioning of the husky. "It's been... about fifteen years since I've done anything, give or take a couple months. There. Now, why did you ask me that?''
Mitch's jaw dropped, and his mouth hung open for a minute. He closed it, then opened and closed it again a few times as he tried and failed to put forth words. Finally, he managed to say something. "Wow... fifteen years... looking like that...''
"I don't do one-night stands. And looking like what, exactly? I know I'm not anything special, but I don't think I'm repulsive, I-"
Marco stopped talking; the husky suddenly looked horrified. "No, no, NO, I didn't mean it like that! No, how do you not see this? You're so... handsome. Good lord, you're handsome. Why the hell do you think I was so nervous when I first talked to you?''
"I... I assumed it was because it was a blind date... But I guess to you, it wasn't. I... made you nervous?''
Mitch nodded emphatically. "Yes! You're stunning. You're so muscular; you must work out a ton... And you have a good, stable job, you're successful, and you're a total sweetheart who brings flowers to a first date. And like I said, your eyes... and...'' He flushed red again and put a paw on the back of his neck. He looked away and mumbled, "...and I can't believe I just said all that to you on our first date; I must sound desperate as hell... sorry.''
Marco couldn't stop a broad grin from creeping across his muzzle. He's... He's really into me! I think, anyway... No, stop doubting yourself! He's a sweetheart, say something to him! "It's okay, it's... I think it's something I really needed to hear. I don't see it myself. You're right, but... I'm glad a guy as cute as you thinks that way about me.'' Confident this time, he put a paw over the husky's. "What do you say we get out of here? There's a park just a few blocks away; it's got some nice paths around a lake, and the flowers are incredible this time of year.''
Mitch's head snapped up to look at Marco and saw the mountain dog's eyes. They were wide and shining, almost luminous... The husky felt like his heart did a backflip. "Oh, um... yeah, that sounds great. Let me pay for my coffee, and we can go.''
"No need.'' Marco's teeth showed through his widening smile. "I may have given the waitress my card before you got here. I already paid for you; I always intended on that.''
"O-oh...'' The husky blinked and grinned shyly. "Thank you... that's... awful sweet of you, Marco.''
"Of course! Now come on, let's go!''
The pair left the cafe and turned down the street. Marco insisted on walking on the side closest to the road, saying something about how it was safer for Mitch to be on the inside. The husky rolled his eyes and laughed at the old-fashioned mountain dog, but didn't protest at all. Their paws occasionally brushed together as they walked, and their shoulders bumped against one another. Every time they touched, an electric jolt ran up their arms, and one or the other would shy away, apologize, or give an awkward laugh. After a short walk, they arrived at the park. It was a warm spring day, although a bit humid; Marco's long fur poofed out, and Mitch laughed at the frizzy dog. They began leisurely walking down a winding trail, making small talk and periodically stopping to smell the flowers or gaze out over the sparkling lake.
After about half an hour, they were at the back of the park. The border was demarcated by a line of dense, untamed forest, and the trail curved back to the entrance to the park. Mitch pointed out a bench near the trees where there weren't any travelers, and suggested they take a break. Marco agreed, wanting to spend more time with Mitch, so they sat together. Marco was surprised by Mitch's seating choice, though...
"Um... Don't you think you're a little close?'' Marco's heart was hammering inside him. Mitch sat right next to him and leaned over to rest his head on the mountain dog's thick bicep, as he was too short to reach his shoulder.
"Mmm... sorry. M'just a little tired... Do you really want me to move?''
Marco put a trembling paw to Mitch's head and ruffled his fur. "N-no, no, if you're comfortable, this is... this is fine.'' He absently continued to pet the shorter husky until a soft whine escaped from Mitch's mouth, at which Marco yanked his paw back like he'd been scalded.
"Aww... why'd you stop?'' Mitch nuzzled into the mountain dog's arm and pouted.
Marco sighed. "I... you made this noise, and I thought I was annoying you. Was that not it?''
"No, that was... um, I was happy. Contented. It felt incredible, especially behind my ears...'' Mitch flicked his ears for emphasis.
"Well, if you like it...'' Marco's paw hovered over the husky's head for a moment. Then, he slowly started petting Mitch again, focusing more behind his ears.
They stayed that way for a long while, wordlessly sharing the moment. Marco admired the boy's confidence; He seemed to know what he wanted, and he didn't hesitate to go for it when the time was right. When they finally got up to walk away, the sun was beginning to set, and the brilliant oranges and reds of the sky provided a perfect backdrop against the scent of flowers surrounding them. Along the way, Marco grew bold, too. When their paws brushed again, he wrapped his paw around Mitch's, and held it tight while they exited the park.
When they returned to the cafe parking lot, the pair were all blushed and smiling, and Mitch led Marco to his car. They faced each other, and Mitch took the mountain dog's other paw. Swinging his arms to and fro, he looked up at Marco. "So... I had an amazing time tonight. I can't believe we spent the entire afternoon together.''
Marco laughed. "Me either... I have to say, today was unexpected in all the best ways. I really enjoyed spending time with you, too.''
"I... kinda don't want it to be over yet. But I've got schoolwork to do.''
"Yes, I have work myself. I work overnights right now.''
Mitch looked up at Marco, his eyes wide and full of the evening light. "Marco... there's one old-fashioned date tradition that I think I might really, really like to try.''
Marco smiled, lost in the husky's shining gaze. "Mmm? Sure, sure, what would you like to try?''
Mitch opened one of his paws and put it to Marco's cheek, rubbing gently. Their eyes were locked together, barely blinking. Mitch smiled...
...
..
.
"The goodnight kiss.''
Mitch lunged at Marco, pressing his lips to the stunned dog's face. Marco gasped through his nose, his paws flying up, but then he relaxed. The satiny feel of the husky's mouth on his was... incredible. He hadn't been kissed in over a decade. He wasn't even sure he knew how anymore, but... this was beginning to remind him. He wrapped his paws behind Mitch's lower back and pulled him close, deepening their contact. They kissed for almost a full minute, and when they broke apart, the sound of their lips smacking rang out into the night.
Marco smiled giddily. "W-well... Was that everything you could've hoped for?''
"Y-yeah, that was... intense. Good intense, though.'' Mitch smiled and rubbed Marco's cheek again. "But, um... I really do gotta go. I'm sorry. When... when can I see you again?''
"I'm free next weekend, we could do dinner maybe? I'll text you, and we can plan something.''
"Okay! Sounds like a date!'' The husky said gleefully. "I'll see you later, handsome. But, before I go...'' Mitch gave a quick peck on Marco's cheek. "Okay, bye! Text me!''
Marco watched the husky get in his car and drive away. After he left, Marco put two fingers to his cheek, where Mitch had kissed him before he left. Huh... he thought. He's a great guy. He's definitely more mature than his age... but he's got the energy. I hope I can keep up... because I WILL be taking him on another date.
