[Freddy says in his best upscale posh tone, also known as trying to sound as if you know what you're talking about. It's all in good fun though because he knows Larry knows this sort of thing is still a little foreign to him. Maybe the kid might never fully get used to be immersed in such plush luxury but then again if he did he wouldn't be the same Freddy Newendyke, right? Just as well, he doesn't think the old man could ever give up good eats in a greasy wrapper on dirty benches.]
I think I'm gonna have this.
[He points at a description in the menu. It's florid language for something that amounts to a four cheese ravioli with bacon topping and a side of chicken. It's not red meat however Freddy clearly doesn't care.]
[Red wine in color and Red in name. Italian. About four years old. All minor details. What matters is that it'll taste good. It's not a beer in a bar in a City they don't intend on staying in. If there is a they after reaching their destination. Or dead. Hah.
However good this food will be Lawrence Dimick will still want a taco wrapped in thin, loud paper and foil.]
Sounds like it's right up your alley. [Though it isn't in a can. And no they can't fuck while eating that. Not here.]
I think I found mine.
[Here, he'll point to his own choice of grilled rib eye steak with potatoes au gratin and mixed vegetables.]
[It's a hint, a little suggestion as he leans forward. Oh hey it's the waiter, he smoothly leans back. Freddy puts in his order for the food but he leaves his wine selection to his older and wiser date. But wait! At the last minute the kid adds this curiously named beverage to the ticket.]
This too, elderflower soda.
[Because it totally sounds like it comes from Middle Earth and secretly a boyish part of Freddy Newendyke hopes it does.]
[Ears perk up at those four words. Okay that'll wait some. Consider him interested though. Do they have? Chocolate? Maybe sort of vanilla scones? Something to go?]
We'll take water too.
[To wash it down. The table is big enough. Away their man goes.]
Yeah pour a little brown sugar on that and you're set right?
[Just a quip, don't mind him old man. As for pies and cakes, yep they absolutely have that, and also some kind of cookie baked into a pan and topped with hand churned ice cream some such. A lot of this stuff Freddy would consider overdoing what could have been a big old cookie dunked in a carton of ice cream, but he has to admit too the bells and whistles are nice when you can freely afford them. Must be something rubbing off of Larry.]
I'm glad to be here with you.
[Freddy amends even though he knows Larry means the same thing. Is it more rare when the kid says it?]
[More rare and more special. It's not those three words ("I love you") that took longer to say (than those other three words "I'm a cop") but it's there. It's apparent. The old man can see and hear it. Maybe it's because he's a seasoned, cock sure date all over.]
You got my number.
[Fine dining, brown sugar. Yep. The celebration keeps on going. Hopefully with less back pain in the morning. Then again Larry didn't tell the kid that he found a remote control Transformer car. Getting him something worked very well last time after Blonde visited. That's what? Three times now? It's still very unnerving.]
[The kid can't help but laugh at such a predictable punchline but look the old man was asking for it okay? Oh hey breadsticks. He picks one up to crunch off the tip.]
[If he had a cigarette he'd be pointing it at the old man but this is a non-smoking restaurant so fff. The disappointment over Thor's departure is kind of big but not fatal. Freddy will live.]
It's okay, but he was so fucking cool man.
[Er...what other guy? Oh...that guy.] Nobody new stuck around.
[It fits so perfectly to the tune too. A throwaway hit that packs a punch. Freddy didn't even sing it and now it's stuck in his head for God's sake. The old man can deal though.]
So I noticed.
[Looking at the man across the table he smiles.]
I wouldn't have told you like that.
[That he's good looking. Though Freddy is. He's gotta know that right? It's unbelievable to see some smug ass motherfucker strut on in and be so clumsy over it.]
[Freddy asks like an oblivious kid or maybe he's just not sure what Larry's referring to with regards to that smug ass motherfucker. At least he wasn't a therapist...or was he? Freddy never dug deep enough to find out beyond he's a bird man. And unlike Thor, Reynold did not get to see Sam the toucan.]
[Already the old man surrenders himself to the fact that Thor and all those super hero types get him off in a way that is beyond normal people. It's not really a contest more as something he recognizes and accepts because that's Freddy for you.]
[Thor, Tony, Steve, Reeds, the Storms, they just spark a boyhood imagination. He could always count on them to be his friends in school whenever he had none.]
Oh, yeah. That was kinda weird.
[Talkin' birds and what not with Saya's brother, he didn't know she had one, one in the city, one with a mouth like that. As for his name, Freddy shakes his head.]
[Have a shrug for your troubles, Lawrence Dimick. Now Freddy's kind of just looking at him funny. Why does he want to know, jealous? He leans in, one brow quirked up.]
How come you know his name? [Toucan play at this game.]
[Freddy takes his glass.] You don't know that, maybe you didn't get the angle he was working at.
[The kid waves a hand because seriously who wouldn't hit on a smooth motherfucker like this old man? Just look at the way he drinks his wine, smooth as shit. He takes a sip himself, oh wait weren't they supposed to toast?]
[He had to ask, sorry old man. But really, what kind huh? Oh okay he can take a break from being a smart ass to toast. Freddy raises his glass and clinks it against Larry's.]
Amen.
[Does this count as saying grace? He gives the old tough guy a soulful eyed son of a bitch smile before sipping.]
[Do you like the sound of that, Lawrence Dimick? Those words coming out of this smart ass mouth? Except he's not being such a smart ass about the car, it's a fucking classic.]
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