Chapter Text
As the chaos settled, Robin leaned into Orias’ side, whispering loud enough for half the room to hear, ‘So Orias-sensei…since we make such a great team, do you want to get orange juice after work? My treat!’
Orias looked at Robin’s beaming face, and let out a defeated sigh, ‘Fine. But if I see one more Devigator. I’m quitting.’____________________
Orias was standing in front of Devi-Devi-Boost, waiting for Robin to show up. He was so freaking nervous. Was he dressed alright? Was his suit too purple? Why was he even wearing a suit to a juice shop? And to make matters worse, he arrived late. 12:30 was the time they were meant to meet. And he reached by 12:43. He shouldn’t have listened to Balam…
__________
Earlier that morning, Orias was panicking. He had so many outfits to choose from! And what if his lucky ability didn’t work; he was going to end up slipping and tumbling down a hill and face-planting into a puddle. Either way, he had to make this date fun. For Robin’s sake.
So he did what any other demon would do: ask for advice. Orias curled his hands into a fist, and knocked on the large, wooden door of the prep room. The door creaked open, revealing a large gargoyle. ‘Orias-sensei,’ Balam said, his purple eyes crinkled, indicating his smile, ‘How can I help?’ Orias walked inside and sat down on a wooden bench, looking up at Balam who turned on the kettle to make tea.
‘I’m going out with Robin-sensei today. Except I want to make today memorable. We can’t just get juice.’ Orias explained. Balam nodded understandingly, ‘So we want it to be fun and chaotic for Robin-sensei. How about after getting juice you take him to a place he likes? Maybe the museum?’ Orias stared at Balam, side-eyeing the gargoyle, ‘Robin-sensei would die of boredom in a museum.’
As the kettle started whistling, Balam turned around. He picked up the kettle and poured it in two cups, adding some herbs and flowers, before mixing it around. He handed one cup to Orias gently, ensuring nothing spilled. ‘Maybe something simple, the arcade and bowling?’
Orias paused before speaking. This seems like a good idea? What could possibly go wrong? And he could impress Robin with his amazing bowling skills. >_________
So yeah… he was about thirteen minutes late. And Robin was even more. Where is that guy? Robin arrived at 12:47, running up to Orias. Yep. Orias was definitely overdressed. Robin was wearing a simple white T-shirt that had an orange print on it and pale brown chinos. ‘Sorry I’m late!’ Robin exclaimed, his smile bright. ‘Let’s go inside, have you decided what to get?’ ‘No. I’ve never been here.’
As they went inside, a young demon with a green apron greeted them with a bow, and gestured to an empty table, near the door. The lights were ambient and calming, they weren’t too bright. The tables were made of light brown wood and there were some plants and vines growing along the walls.
Orias and Robin sat down across from each other. Robin picked up the leather-bound menu and showed it to Orias.
‘I really like the Hell-fire Citrus Twist,’ Robin explained, his smile never leaving his face. ‘It’s naturally sweet with a slight tangy flavour. And it has a whole bunch of citruses so each sip you have, you can taste a different citrus. I always find myself guessing which flavour I’d taste next.’
‘Look at you being a juice expert.’ Orias said, calming down. ‘Are you going to get that?’
Robin shook his head, ‘I’ve never had Volcano Crunch but Ifrit-sensei really likes it. What will you get?’
Orias looked at the menu for anything eye-catching. A lot of these were berries, which he didn’t like because sometimes they turn out sweet or sour. It wasn’t a risk he was willing to make. He did want something sweet, though. He flipped over the page, scanning each item, before his yellow-amber eyes caught the image of a medium-sized jug with delicious looking yellow. He read the label underneath: Screaming Mango Medley.
The waiter walked over to the pair with a small notepad and pen, and stopped in front of them, waiting for their order.
‘I’ll have a Screaming Mango Medley, please,’ Orias said, looking up at the waiter. He turned to Robin and back to the waiter. ‘He’ll have the Volcano Crunch.’
Robin nodded excitedly, his mouth already drooling at the thought of a tasty drink. The waiter nodded and left.
Orias looked at Robin, fidgeting his fingers before taking a deep breath to calm down. Bloody Devi. He was going to make a fool out of himself. It was just six words. Six really easy words But to Orias, it felt like the pressure of a mountain. If Robin doesn’t like the idea, he’ll be humiliated. And Robin may not like Orias after this. Why was this so freaking hard?
‘Let’s go to the arcade after,’ Orias mumbled under his breath. He desperately hoped Robin heard him. He didn’t want to repeat this again.
‘Sorry, can you repeat that?’ Robin asked much to Orias’ dismay.
No! Orias couldn’t repeat it again! It would be too impossible. He took another breath and said, ‘After this, should we…should we go to the arcade?’
Robin smiled immediately, beaming at the thought of spending more time with Orias. ‘I’d love to!’
Orias felt a weight lift off his shoulder. He was so glad he took Balam’s advice.
Soon after, the same waiter came back, holding a large black tray with a red drink and a yellow drink. He placed it down in front of them with his free hand, and took a small nod before leaving.
Robin immediately took the glass and looked at it, his eyes shining. The red drink had small bubbles appearing at the top and popping soundlessly. There was steam coming out of the side like a volcano building pressure. Robin took a sip of his drink, and his face immediately scrunched up. He squinted his eyes, and looked at the receipt. Yep. It was definitely Volcano crunch. It looked like a volcano.
‘Is everything okay?’ Orias asked, interrupting Robin from his thoughts.
Robin shook his head, taking a sip of water, ‘No. This tastes terrible. I don’t understand how Ifrit-sensei likes this.’
‘Do you want to switch with me?’ Orias offered, pushing his drink towards Robin. ‘Mine is making a whistling sound. I think it's spoiled fruit.’
Robin laughed aloud, grabbing his stomach. He wiped a small tear from the corner of his eyes before opening his eyes to see Orias. ‘That’s why it's called Screaming. The Screaming is the whistling sound. Also, you thought this was spoiled, and you were giving it to me. You were poisoning me?!’
‘Not on purpose!’ Orias defended weakly, and pulled the Volcano Crunch closer, and took a sip of it.
It tasted like a mix of cranberry and strawberry, a terribly made mix of sour and sweet. Robin was right; Ifrit might secretly be human if he likes this drink. Still, for Robin’s sake Orias nodded approvingly, even though he wanted to gulp down water.
‘It’s an indirect kiss!’ Robin exclaimed. Orias immediately spit out a sip-ful, coughing.
‘What?!’
‘I had a sip from that straw, and you had a sip. So it’s an indirect kiss!’ Robin exclaimed, leaning in closer to Orias. ‘So now you have to marry me to protect my chastity!’
‘That’s not a thing!’ Orias blushed. He pulled the straw out and put in a blue one. He put his lips over the straw and sipped in large quantities, trying to avoid eye contact.
Robin can’t just say that! That’s not normal. And…marriage?! Orias hadn’t thought that far. Just being near Robin was enough… but Robin is already thinking of marriage! But they’re not even dating. Does Robin even like Orias, or is he joking and making fun?
________________________________
They finished their drinks twenty minutes later and Orias slightly raised his arm, gesturing for the waiter, to pay the bill. The waiter walked up to Orias and took the debit card from Orias’ hand and swiped it on the machine before handing it back to Orias.
They left soon after, walking to the nearest arcade. This was Orias’ chance. He was going to impress Robin with his bowling skills. It was going to be perfect!
‘Let’s go bowling first,’ Orias offered. Robin nodded as they entered an arcade.
‘Hello! Can we book a bowling alley for ten rounds?’ Robin asked the receptionist. The receptionist nodded with a smile and led them to a free bowling alley.
Orias went first. He picked up a number nine, pink ball and walked towards the white line. Using his bloodline ability, he rolled the ball perfectly in the centre of the alley. The ball struck the middle pin, creating a loud chain reaction. In the end three pins remained. Orias clicked his tongue before grabbing another ball. He aimed for the pins, but ended in a gutterball. Orias groaned and turned around, sitting on the couch, looking at Robin who excitedly tried to pick a ball.
No! He really needed a strike to impress Robin. If he doesn't, maybe Robin wouldn’t want to date him anymore. Or maybe…he won’t think of Orias as a challenge anymore and never play games with him again!
Robin first tried to pick the eight ball, but he couldn’t hold it with three fingers, so he carefully put it down, before grabbing a green six ball. It was just perfect. He walked over to the line and looked at the middle pin. His smile disappeared as concentration filled his eyes. He was going to strike! He had to get better than Orias. Robin took a deep breath and rolled the ball. The middle pin fell backwards perfectly, falling over all other pins, creating a strike. The screen above them shone with confetti as it read STRIKE! Robin’s smile returned and he turned around, showing a smirk to Orias.
After that, Orias continued to get most of the pins, leaving two or three pins each time. The other times he got a gutterball, leaving him frustrated at his failure. Robin continued to get a spare and repeated strikes. If it weren’t for the screen reminding them of Robin’s Wild Turkey, they would’ve lost track of his wins. Orias went quiet. He was losing badly against Robin. Robin acted like a professional bowler. He was struggling to impress Robin. Orias really wanted Robin to notice him and say lets play again! Or let's hang out again! But at this rate, forget about playing again, Robin may as well never talk to Orias. Why would a gaming professional date someone who sucks at bowling?
Robin turned to look at Orias after he got a spare. But Orias wasn’t smiling. Instead, he was focused on his bowling shoes that he had to borrow. What happened? Robin was having the time of his life! Was Orias not enjoying this? This always happens. Robin would continue winning and everyone would get bored and never play with him again. Maybe Robin should go easy on him.
After the ten rounds were over, Robin offered to go home together, which Orias agreed to quietly. He changed back into leather shoes and they walked outside into the bright sun. Orias felt like there was a rain cloud in his chest, pouring down heavily, drowning his heart. They quietly flew back to the teacher’s dorms and landed in front of the door.
‘Orias-sensei?’ Robin managed to muster, ‘Are you okay? You’ve been awfully quiet.’
Orias let out a sad smile and faced Robin, ‘Sorry. I’m a terrible opponent to play against in bowling, aren’t I? I failed to impress you.’
Robin looked at Orias. Oh…Robin wasn’t the problem. Wait…Orias-sensei wanted to impress him! He didn’t want to not play because of Robin! OH THANK DEVI! But, Robin was having the time of his life.
‘You don’t have to impress me,’ Robin said, a smile reaching his face as his eyes brightened. ‘I’m impressed already!’
Before Orias could reply, Robin held the golden door knob, and twisted it, opening the door to the dorms. He went inside without saying anything, leaving a very happy and relieved Orias.