[He loosens his grip but still encourages the old man to crawl up to the pillow so they can lay face to face. He'll kiss him too to share the not-so-palatable flavor.]
Uh-[The huh gets lost in Freddy's mouth. Staying still and with his head propped to the pillow it is safe to say he'll make it. Just needs to take it easy. It's safe to say there won't be any zombie hunting in his future. And no way they'll be getting back to their place and city anytime soon.]
[Freddy accepts that half answer. When he pulls away it's only to break the kiss. They're still pretty much nose to nose. It's a calm peaceful moment after a fucked up day and now they're back in a crazy place that isn't home but it's become a home away from home. Shit that's sentimental.]
I didn't think it was that big. [The kid quips, because he can.]
[Yeah we can just bulldoze over all that sentimentality and be fucking assholes a while. That nose so close to his nose is the one he loves so damn much.]
[Have a big old shrug, Lawrence Dimick. If Freddy has any kind of fever it's only fueled by what he has for Mr. White first. Anything else is just additional seasoning.]
[There he is, right on time. And he's wearing a suit already. Boy, up close the old man can see through the glass. It is ritzier than he even guessed. Freddy said to meet him here. Did he mean...outside? Inside?]
[Outside except look here comes the kid also suited up and walking up to the old man...from the inside.]
Come on, I got a table.
[He doesn't talk too fancy but Freddy's already hooked up. Their table is waiting inside the strange looking wood interior inspired by ant hills. See because what most people don't know...Artie really is an aardvark.]
[Color him surprised. Damn. Is the kid in a suit too? Not that it would elevate or take away from how much of a treat it is already. Into the place the joint they go. The interior is impressive.]
[Freddy remarks ever so casually. He's got everything covered, everything under control, he's supercool man. Even in his velcro converse under that handsome slim cut suit. Yep. They get seated away from the main room, off to the side where the booths are separated into smaller alcoves (ant chambers). They get a great view and still have some privacy.]
You like it?
[Look the people are drinking wines and champagnes and they have different kinds of cutlery. This is not the average kid dive.]
[Very sneaky, Mr. Newendyke. He was absolutely unaware that this was in the works. And they get private seating? Larry tsks but in a scorning way at all.]
Do I like it?
[Oops. He's honestly asking.]
I love it.
[Freddy wanted to eat here. The times they are a'changin'.]
[Well Freddy wanted to treat Larry to something Larry would like and he was pretty sure something Larry would like would be something like this. Freddy slides on in to one side of the circular alcove.]
Cool. The food's supposed to be really good too. Like really good.
[Now there's a display of typical kid behavior. The man standing beside sort of quirks a brow at the younger one before gesturing to both their different menus including the wine list. Then he's off to give them time to pick.]
[Oh there's that tone of being unsure he's really truly succeeded in impressing Lawrence Dimick of all people. This is his territory after all. As for the wine, he's going with something he's picked out before based on someone else's recommendation. He's no wine connoisseur.]
It sounded cool and I heard some pretty good things so I figured why the hell not. Oh it's on me this time.
Well sure. C'mon. I didn't have a clue. Here we are.
[The way all those thin panels look side by side it's eye catching.]
Oh you?
[Brown eyes are looking up from the menu. Freddy has money of course. There's no doubt of that. Though the old man is the one who usually wrestles the check away or is more insistent.]
Well well. Thanks very much, sir. I think that you deserve a toast.
Yeah me. [And Larry better not have a problem with it. Ahah! Freddy sees an opening. He turns his wine list around to face the old man.] In that case you pick what we're toastin' with.
[Clever clever huh? Besides, he trusts Larry's taste in fine drinking.]
[Zero problem here. It's hard not to smile. This was not where the old man imagined they'd be a few days after seeing that distinct skyline. He had motel rooms and drive through food. Clearly this is superior.]
I'm gonna go with a red wine this time.
[One that's from Germany. It's gonna go with red meat too. Larry's on board.]
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