The Blue Oyster bar[ Raphael/??]

“I...see, uh... thank you…”, Fievel slowly nodded, albeit a bit uninterested. It’s not like he was down for getting drunk the first time he goes to a bar, therefore the glass of water was unnecessary. Still, he didn’t object, taking it for a few sips following Gabe’s advice. It was always appreciated to find someone willing to assist instead of taking advantage of someone’s vulnerable state. Responsible as he has always been, naturally the moment his head starts feeling too heavy Fievel would stop with the alcohol and call a taxi to head home, but that doesn’t mean he stopped being gullible.

“Well… I’m not looking for a relationship, no, I’m just… looking around, that’s all”, he smiled bashfully, rolling his eyes to the side. He didn’t consider himself romantic, for all purposes, even if the prospect of falling in love wasn’t something he objected fiercely or even a completely alien territory. If anything, Fievel was apathetic about it, enjoying people’s love stories and rejoicing at their successful dates, at the same time being too listless to pursuit his own. “You look like you’re talking from experience.”

Fievel stared at Raphael for a while before thinking of something to say. Even then, he couldn’t think of something other than let a coy giggle escape his lips. Was his face starting to get hot because of the overall bar atmosphere, the wine or some enthralling feeling of attraction? It couldn’t be good, as his pale complexion would give it away anytime, making it obvious to Raphael the effect of his words in Fievel’s mood and how hard would it be to lie about. He wasn’t even sure if such invitation was an opening for something else or a demonstration of good nature, nor did he care. Swallowing the rest of the wine in his glass in one go (my, that went down burning, didn’t it?), he didn’t even think twice.

“…Sure, but… my home or your home?”, the young man smiled between the falling hair strands, returning the previous teasing with his own, albeit not as confident as Raphael did. What was he getting into? Fievel didn’t know, yet he was willing to take the risks for now.