2019-08-05 - Date Night Take Two

Declan texted and proposed the burger place. Apparently that was a good idea.

He sits at a table for two, legs extended out and phone in hand. It's already busy. Two waters are already on the table, as well as two menus. A few people are seated nearby, but the chatter is minimal. As he waits, Declan reads over his and Dahlia's text conversations. There's a subtle smile on his expression, and every so often he glances at the door.

Dahlia was working today, but it wasn't a ridiculously late shift tonight and she was more than happy to go out for burgers when she got done. She showed up not too long after the proposed time. Spotting Declan, she offered up a bright smile and made her way to the table. Leaning down to kiss his cheek before sliding into the seat across from him. "Hey you." Relaxing into the seat and giving him a brief look over. "I'm glad we were able to get together tonight. How's your day been?" She's clad in a pair of hip-hugging black jeans and a sleeveless green button down that matches her eyes.

Declan wears a buttoned and collared black shirt that's been untucked. His jeans look expensive. As usual, he's spent way too much time on his hair. He grins and puts his phone down when she kisses his cheek. "Same. And it seems like I've been missing something all day. Until now." Wink. He is sooooo smooth. Maybe not. Grinning a little, Declan leans forward on the table. "How about you? Tired after work?"

Dahlia smirked a touch as he laid down the lines. "Oh yeah? Wonder what it could possibly be." A wink of her own and a laugh. Running a hand through her hair, she shrugged. "I'm doing good. Better now that I'm here." Hey, she's got some lines too! But it does seem sincere. "A little tired, work was busy. But busy is good - I worked at Firefly today but I'm putting together a couple new routines for the Cabaret." She laughed again. "Mae is starting to teach me how to use the pole and I banged up my knee real good. So I'll probably be holding off the crazy pole moves for a while."

"Black hair, green eyes, beautiful skin, short. Have you seen her? Maybe in a mirror?" Declan replies with a bigger grin. "She thinks she's a stone-cold chick. But she's sweeter than dessert." He can't help it, Declan just grins wider. "Good." Declan listens to her day, nodding a few times. "You don't need crazy pole moves anyway. Did you ice the knee yet?"

There's the faintest tinge of pink to her skin even as Dahlia grins back. "If I see her, I'll let 'er know you're looking." She reached over and took his hand gently. "She sounds like a handful." Chuckling. "I did. It was a couple days ago. I iced it some - still got a decent bruise but it doesn't hurt too bad now. You gonna come by and watch me? Or maybe I should just give you a private showing afterward." A tease in her tone as she picks up her water with her free hand and takes a sip.

Declan laughs quietly. "You walked into that one. And you're walking into this one, too: if you see her? Tell her I want to do more than look." He doesn't stop her from taking his hand, and his thumb rubs slowly across her knuckles. "She is." Still leaning forward, Declan listens, but his grin fades a bit. "Keep icing it if it's swollen. And... yeah, maybe. Maybe. I've told you how it can get under my skin. I don't want to get you in trouble, especially since you seem to like it. But." He glances at the wall. "Tell me when you're on stage some night, and I'll go. We'll see how I do." He turns back. "We can. But I don't want you feeling like I'm connected to what you do for work. I'm not here because you're a stripper and that's my fantasy. It's fine if that's something you want to play out sometime, but I'm not going to ask you to do work when we're together."

The look on Dahlia's face could almost be described as affectionate as she listened to Declan talking. "I know you aren't Declan. I was only teasing." Giving his hand a little squeeze. "I don't want you doing anything you're not comfortable with. And I'm not going to do anything with you that I don't want to do." Assuring him as she slipped her hand from his so she could start looking at the menu. Seeming to be taking the time to think over something else while did.

Finally those green eyes looked up at him again. "I want to share things with you because I like you and I want you to be a part of the things that I like. But only as much as you want to be a part of them. You don't have to be at all my shifts or even stay for a show. Just dropping and saying hi now and then. There or Firefly. I like seeing you, even if it's a brief visit."

"I thought you might be, but I want to set that record straight," is his answer. "And thanks. I appreciate that." His hand travels back across the table and reaches for his water. He takes a long sip before setting the glass down. "I can do that. Same goes for you, too." He wipes his bottom lip with a finger. "I'll try not to cramp your style." The last is said with a small grin.

Dahlia chuckled again. "I don't think you're capable of cramping anyone's style honey." The waitress came by to take their orders and Dahlia put in for one of the monthly specials they had going on, and also an unsweet tea to go with her water. After Declan ordered and they were alone again, she refocused on him. "So, tell me something about yourself. We've hung out a few times but we haven't really...talked." She mused. Not that there had been much opportunity for talking. "And I want to know you better."

Declan chuckles. "I don't know about that." He gives his order, sticks with water, and crosses his arms while leaning back. "We haven't?" he asks with a grin. "Hmmmm." He winks at her again. "Pretty sure there's been a little bit of talking. But, most of it was you. Hallmark of a good bartender, I guess." Thinking for a moment, he eventually adds, "I told you about my family. What sort of thing do you want me to talk about? Ask anything. I'll do my best."

"What can I say? I'm a chatty cathy." Dahlia's eyes sparkled with amusement. Then she thought. "Ask you anything huh? Well like you said, I already asked about family. And crazy ex girlfriends." Tapping her chin lightly. "What was your dream job? Like...as a kid or in high school when all the teachers asked what you wanted to do."

"Pornstar." Declan grins wide, bites his bottom lip, and reclines a bit. "I'm kidding. When I was a little kid it was fireman. I really wanted to help and save people, I think. My dad was an electrician. I knew I didn't want to do that." He chuckles a little at the irony. "Then let's see. Football player, hm, businessman? For a little while I thought about enlisting. When I was sixteen I decided I wanted to get into the restaurant and club business, and eventually own my own club." He leans forward again. "That was the dream for a long time. Before I realized how the world really works. About four years ago I grew up. Started investing in what I could afford, instead of pipe dreams. So. There you go. A little boring, a little sad, but said with flair. Classic bartender."

Dahlia stared at him a moment before laughing at that answer. Then listening with a smile as he rattled off all the different things he'd wanted to do. "Are you saving up for anything specific? Or just kind of pocketing what you can and seeing what comes along?" Raising a brow. "I always wanted to be an actress. Ever since I was little. I guess, I liked the idea of being able to be whoever I wanted and do whatever." A little shrug of her shoulders. "But I learned real quick it wasn't as easy as the movies make it seem." A wry smile at the irony. "I got a few extra gigs, did get a lead role in one or two indie films but they never really took off. So I waitressed and I waited, and eventually I just gave up and gave in to the offer I got to do the porn stuff." Taking another drink of water. "But," Her eyes were alight with a touch of excitement. "Justin's mom has a script she's sending to us to look over and see if it's something we're into. She wants Justin to do another movie but he said he wouldn't do one unless I could be in it too. We didn't think she'd actually come through with anything, but she did."

"Yeah. Me," Declan replies. "I'm investing in me. My business, what I can afford. Maybe a family one of these days. But I'm not throwing anymore cash down a pipedream. I had one fall through..." He closes his eyes and twists his head, as if pained. "I can't go down that road again. I learned what I could manage." He nods a few times. "I knew you wanted to act. You have way more courage than me, I can tell you that much. No way I'd ever put myself out on a limb like that. What sort of movies did you want to be in?" He finishes his water. "A script? Cool. Didn't think we had much of a local movie thing going here."

"As much as it hurts, sometimes it's good to put away the pipe dreams." Dahlia agreed. "Honestly, I know acting is still a pipe dream. I'll do this script if it's something good but, I dunno. I don't know if I've got the right mentality to be in the spotlight, under the public ee 24/7 365 you know? I wanted to be in actions, thrillers, dramas. Anything really. I love all kinds of movies." Then smiled again. "I think it's great that you're focusing on building your business up and stuff." A soft chuckle. " There isn't one. I'd likely have to be making trips to LA frequently or wherever filming would take place." Dahlia seems to let that sink in for a moment, and deflates just a little. Though tries to cover it up. "We'll see what happens."

"There's nothing wrong with chasing a dream, if that's what you want to do. I don't. I used to, not anymore," Declan admits with a shrug. "I'm okay with that. No judgment if other people want to." His eyebrows rise a little when she admits the potential need for travel. "Hey," he says with a gentle grin. "Heeeey. It'd be fine. You'd find some pretty emo boy and have a great time. I'd go onto my next phase. I hope to god it isn't blondes again. They're the worst." He smiles a little. "And when you come back, I'll still be around. We'll talk. Make each other drinks. Yell, whatever. But don't get nervous about chasing a dream. Especially over some bartender in a second-rate tourist trap town."

Those green eyes linger on Declan for a long moment, as if she's trying to decide if she wants to say something. Then decides yes, because, he told her to be honest. She smiles then. "I'm happy to hear that. That you'd still be around. Whatever happens. I hear red heads are pretty fun." She teases a bit and then shakes her head. "But, that's not what's worrying me. Though it would kinda suck to not be able to hang around you as often. It's that stuff I'm tangled up in. I don't know if I'd be able to travel like that." Without there being consequences. She doesn't voice it, but it's there. "Anyway. I'll worry about that later. We haven't even gotten the script yet. " She brightens then and chuckles echoing his words with, "I hope to god my next phase isn't emo pretty boys. "

"Yeah, red heads are going to be a no. Unless he's six foot two and hotter than me. Then maybe," Declan says with a wink. "All I'm saying is, life takes you places. Things don't go away, they just change." He listens to what's worrying her, eyebrow raising. "Oh. I'm... yeah. I probably should have remembered that. Sorry. Yeah, sorry. I hope it works out." Declan tries to move on quickly. "Really? Pretty emo boys are fun, Dahlia. He'd write you poetry. He'd probably worship you, if you played your cards right. Talk incessantly about music you've never heard of, expensive coffee, how wrong the government is," Declan grins, "how shit his parents are. But the best part? Tongue and lip piercings. Best part of that whole thing. I love tongue piercings, especially on a shy guy." His laugh is quiet and his smile reaches his eyes.

Dahlia eyes him for a moment with a grin. "Well if I find a pretty emo boy maybe I'll bring him back to Gray Harbor just for you." Teasing, more than happy to move on from talking about things that couldn't be talked about. "Ohh maybe they'll right a song about me too. " Relaxing in her seat. "I've entertained piercing but never really gone for any. Well, I did have my belly button pierced when I was 16 but I let it go in the end. Piercings can be hot though, yeah. But I guess I'm more of a sucker for the tall, dark, and handsome with the rugged good looks kinda guy. At the end of the day. Girl wise, I dunno. Shy girls are cute, especially when you get them to start opening up and letting their hair down. I've encountered a few of those sorts when I was working."

"I'd be happy to take him off your hands. Or lap. Or get him off on your lap," Declan teases back with a laugh. He drinks more water after it arrives. "Wouldn't be surprised if he did. You're song-worthy. Anyway. Just don't bring back a hipster, alright? I never want to hear the history of the martini again. I'm serious about that one." He shakes his head a few times. "Me neither. It's... handyman work, it's just bad for business. I did think about my tongue a few times. I think in the end, I thought it just wouldn't be worth it. But maybe one day." When Dahlia describes her type he flashes another smile. "If I see one, I'll let you know. And yeah, shy girls can be pretty fun. Fun to tease. Fun to... unravel. And you mean at the Cabaret? Surprised you see a lot of women in there."

"The shy ones are always the most fun to corrupt." Dahlia agreed with a chuckle. "I promise I won't bring back any hipsters. And nah. I mean, we get some women like. A couples thing or a girls night wanting to do something 'wild and different'. But I meant when I was doing porn. Like, sometimes I'd wonder why these girls were even wanting in when they looked like they should be teaching preschoolers or some shit." She laughed. "But then you get 'em talking, maybe give them a drink to relax and you realize they're freakier in the sheets then you are." Still grinning. "Though, if we do a male revue at the club, I'm definitely going to try and talk you into joining. I want as much eye candy on that stage as possible to watch."

Declan... blushes. Most of the beginning is ignored for a bit. "Um. I really don't know if I'd be uh. Yeah." Declan looks away, trying not to smile, and rubs the back of his head. "I'm not sure how well I'd do at that." He finally laughs. "Maybe one time. As long as people didn't shove money down my pants." He turns back to her. "I didn't realize you did films with women, too. You know, you may be the one person I've met with more sexual experience than me in the past... I don't know. Feels like a long time, but it's probably more like five years." He grins. "Does it not get old? Is that a dumb question? I just have this inkling that sex for work becomes like any other work." He looks around.

Dahlia grins when he blushes, "You're adorable when you blush." Taking a sip of her tea now. "They don't have to. You can just take it from 'em, or pick it up off the stage." She chuckled. Thinking a moment on his question. "Well...yes? I mean, I'm sure it does. I only did it for a year and I wasn't there every single day. If I'd done it for longer - probably. But...It's different." She paused, trying to think of how to explain it. "Like, sex is sex. Having sex with someone for work feels different than a random hook up in a bar, which feels different than hooking up with someone because you want to be with them." Dahlia nodded. "And you've got like six different cameras, lighting, redos, it really kills the mood. You're not doing it because it's fun - though sometimes it was. You're doing it because you know the payout is worth all the hassle. At least, that's how it was for me."

"Yeah?" Declan says. "That's one of the few things I can't... turn on. I can even cry sometimes on command. Especially if her boyfriend just cheated on her." Declan grins a bit. "Kidding." Is he? "Maybe I'll do it, then. If I can pick the bills up off the stage. Sounds like less hassle than wearing a thong." Their food arrives. He quiets, thanks the waiter, and then turns back to Dahlia. "Can I tell you something, Dahlia?" Declan doesn't wait. "What you just said was one of the... I don't know. I don't know what it was, but you're incredible. I've heard a lot of stuff standing across a bar from people. A lot of them fumble and um and uh. No one has said anything that succinct about something so adult since.... nevermind. You don't need to hear that." Declan laughs. "Anyway, seriously, I'm going to cherish those statements forever."

Dahlia looked a little sheepish as Declan praised her. "Thanks. I think? Maybe I should write a book." She gave a wry half-smile, popping a french fry in her mouth. "When it comes to like, actual feelings - I'm horrible. I get all weird and do plenty of fumbling but. Sex? I dunno, I guess because of the fact I worked in the industry some, and I've always been pretty comfortable with my sexuality. So it's easy to talk about. " Her smile turns a little more genuine as she eats another fry. "And I'm glad that I can say stuff like what I did and you not get all shy about it."

"It was a compliment. You're... you're incredible. I wish I'd met you ten years ago." Declan leans forward, ignoring his food. "You can tell me anything, I think. It's... it's fascinating. To me. That aspect of life has always drawn me in. It's burned me too, but I can never seem to get enough. Talking about it. Doing it. Listening to people describe how painful or mesmerizing it is." He shrugs. "I don't know why. But it's always surprised and interested me. Even if I've heard it a dozen times or more." He finally picks up his burger, decides against it, and cuts it in half. "So, your turn. Tell me something. About you. Anything. But if you need a prompt: tell me about your first boyfriend. The very first, when you were a kid."

Dahlia grinned again, though she's blushing. He's good at making her blush. "Ten years ago...might wanna make that seven." She winked, "But it is an interesting topic, for sure. Especially because people don't like talking about it. Such a natural thing but it makes them get all weird." Then it was her turn and she has to think about it. "Hm.." She'll go with his topic. "Well I guess, it would probably have to be this kid named Tim. We were like, 10 maybe? I don't even know if it could really count." She laughed. "But we would rough house and he would bring me little wild flowers. We'd hold hands sometimes." She smiled, thinking about it. "He moved away a few months later though. I never had a real boyfriend I don't think. Even in high school. Crushes, yeah, and I hooked up plenty. But there was never anyone that really clicked."

"Wait, how old are you?" Declan says with a big grin. "Am I robbing the cradle over here? Wouldn't be the first time." Still grinning, he says, "Yeah, it draws a lot of weird looks. Whatever. Their loss." Declan shrugs. He listens to her story quietly and takes one bite of burger. He wipes his lips after and sets it down. "Sounds really cute. Really sweet. Like you'd expect from kids. I love it." He grins. "Mine was a girl named Jerry. She was a redhead," he grins wider, remember her comment from earlier, "lots of freckles. Little girl broke my heart. We were twelve. I caught her making out with a guy two years older under the bleachers. Forgot his name. Wish I'd had a Tim." Declan wipes his hands. "So no boyfriend, huh? Seems unusual. Guys your age must have been dumber than a box of nails."

Dahlia debated for a beat on really fucking with the poor guy, but then grinned. "I'm twenty-five." She chuckled. "How about you?" She knew he was older, but not sure by how much. "Their loss." Is agreed to as she finally takes a few bites of burger as he tells his own. "Awe, no wonder you don't want any red heads." Flashing another grin. "I dunno, I could just be romanticizing it. " She laughed and then relaxed in her seat again. "Well, three older brothers itching to kick the ass of the guy who does me wrong discouraged a lot of people I think. Well and me. Hooking up was one thing but I didn't wanna put some poor fool through the terror of my brothers. Though yeah there really wasn't anyone I even thought would be worth the potential risk. But, anyway. Yeah. Most of 'em are pretty dumb too. Or taken." She laughed again.

"Oh, that's not bad at all. But yeah, definitely not ten years. That'd have been fucked," Declan says with a bit of a laugh. Not much. "I'm thirty. But don't sweat it. I look twenty-seven. So we can go with that." He takes another bite, listening. "Look, redheads are just bad. It's not their fault. They just are, you know? You ever want to get slapped sideways, date a redhead. I promise, you'll never be so happily disappointed in your life." When she talks about her brothers, Declan dusts his hands off. "No, that makes sense. Older brothers are scary. If I'd known you back then, and if I was actually twenty-seven, I might have taken it. Maybe. Depends on how big your brothers are."

"Just a little." Dahlia grinned. "Thirty isn't bad at all." Considering her ex was nearly double her age. "I'll remember that. About the red heads." She mused. "Might be fun to try out at least once. Just to say I did." Amusement in her eyes. "Mm, they're not big per say. but they can be intimidating. They'll be in town soon. We're gonna scatter mom's ashes. Well, most of them." She paused a bit and then shook her head. Not wanting to delve into that specific topic. "Maybe you can meet 'em."

Declan quiets, smiles and grins fading. He nods, expression solemn. "If you want me there, I'll be there. Don't sweat that. And yeah, I'll meet them. Shake their hands, lighten the mood. Drink a beer and distract. Whatever you need, whatever I can do." He looks down and abandons his food for a moment. His hand hesitates, but it does eventually reach for hers. "You did right by her. If I can help... just ask. I'll try."

Dahlia watched his hand come over to take her own, quiet. Just studying his hand intently for a moment while she tried to form her thoughts. Then looked back up at him with that little smile. "I appreciate that Declan. So much, I really do." Giving his hand a squeeze. "I'll let you know. I know they'll like you. Maybe we can get together after, and like you said - help lighten the mood some." She rand her thumb lightly over his hand ."You're amazing, you know that? You really are."

"I'm good with brothers. Not so much funerals, but brothers? I can do." Declan says with a shrug. "Besides, you had a hard time of it. When my dad died, my aunt was there for me. No one else really was. It sucks." He squeezes her hand. "It sounds like you did right by your mom when no one else did. It's a privilege to be a part of something like that. So you need someone? A shoulder, hands, a strong back. Someone to yell at. Whatever, I'm there. I'll be there." He pulls back a bit. "A few people have told me that. Usually after their fourth drink or... something else. But I'm not amazing. Anyone's who decent would do the same."

"Not just for this but just...for everything. " Dahlia smiled, letting his hand go. "I loved her, and it was rough, but I like to think she's happier now. At least not in pain anymore." Straightening up some in her seat. "I'm glad you're in my corner though, really." She gave his foot a little nudge before taking another bite of her burger. "Can I stay over tonight? We don't have to do anything," Though they probably would end up doing a little something anyway. "I just kinda wanna be close to you." Where she was all confident talking about the different levels of sex there were, there is a certain shyness to her now as she admits such a thing.

"Don't sweat it," Declan answers. He takes another bite of burger. "She is, yeah. But she had you to take care of her. She was happy before she passed, Dahlia. Anyone who's met you can see that." Declan shrugs. "That's the kind of person you are, I think," he gives her a brief smile, then raises an eyebrow. "You already know the answer to that. But even doing nothing is something." He pushes his plate to the side. "What's wrong? Something else under your skin?"

"Not really, no." She runs a hand through her hair. "I was talking to Ruiz earlier today...well. Texting him. And we talked about you a little bit. Anyway. It just made me realize that I need to stop trying to hold on to the past. And start trying to focus on the here and now." She slides her plate to the side as well so she can lean on the table. "Because here with you right now, I'm having a really good time. And I want to see where it goes. However it ends up, whatever we decide to call it. "

"Then yeah. Come over. You can hang on my sofa and watch me go over my schedule for tomorrow on a tablet. Check my tools. Pack stuff I might need." He chomps on a fry. "Then we'll turn on the T.V. and watch something pointless until it's time to crash." Declan squeezes her hand. "I'm not an interesting guy outside the bar or... the other stuff we've done. But if you want to relax and chill, you're welcome over. And I'll try not to wake you up at the crack of dawn."

"I'll letcha in on a secret." She leaned in a little more so she could do a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm not real interesting outside of work and our other stuff either." Dahlia grinned again, returning the squeeze. "Chilling out and watching something pointless sounds great to me. I can browse Pintrest for ideas for the craft room Justin is letting me set up in one of the other bed rooms while you get ready for your day tomorrow." A chuckle left her. "Thanks. I appreciate it. And honestly, it's nice not waking up in an empty bed now and again. If you wake me up, I'll just roll over and go back to sleep after you leave."

"Not much of a secret if it isn't true, Dahlia," Declan says with a tilt of his head. "You keep walking into those, you know. I barely have to try." Smirking, he lifts her hand and kisses it. "But sure. I'll work. You pinterest. Tomorrow, I'll start the coffee and you can wake up to the nice and quiet. But there's one thing we should make clear right off." He looks serious. "You steal all the covers? You're gone." He smiles.