𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙒𝙖𝙠𝙚

FIVE - Talks at the Palladium

"Hey, you wanna head out to the studio later?" David heard Jim call from his place in the living area, Jim just exiting his bedroom.

David shook his head, not bothering to look in the shirtless mans direction, "Can't, I'm going out." he answered, Jim looking at him as he walked to the kitchen, an eyebrow cocked up, "Out where?"

David smiled to himself, "I invited Rhiannon out for dinner." he said, seemingly proud of himself for mustering up the courage for the action. Before moving to Berlin, he and Jim were incredibly promiscuous, going out with a new woman just about every other night. They had all the courage in the world to strike a date anyone, but ever since moving, they both decided they would tone it down. Ever since then, David found himself lacking the courage to do so anyway.

Jim's mouth fell agape, "You've known her for two days." he called from the fridge, David laughing, "Well it used to be people I'd known for two hours, I'd say I'm improving quite nicely." he joked. Jim couldn't help but laugh, but he still found it surprising.

"Where are you gonna take her?" Jim asked, watching with slight disappointment as David shrugged.

"You don't even know where you're taking her? You suck at this." He said, turning back around to the fridge and finding nothing to eat, closing it and beginning to walk back to the sofa where David sat.

"I'll figure it out, I'm sure. It's not a date or anything, just friendly." David responded, Jim rolling his eyes, "When did you say you'd pick her up?" He asked.

"8:00."

Jim looked up at the clock, it was 6:30, he nodded. At least David had something on track. David, meanwhile, couldn't help but pay mind to Jim's immediate assumption that he was taking out a girl he'd known of for two days on a real, intimate, date. Did it really seem that way?

"Did you really think I was taking her out to some fancy dinner or something?" He asked, an eyebrow cocked up as he turned his head to look over at Jim.

Jim nodded, "Well, yeah, seems like the sort of thing you'd do. Why?"

David went silent again, shrugging, shaking his head, "I don't want it to seem that way."

Jim couldn't help but cock an eyebrow up at the man, "Why not?" he asked, slow, prodding. David's eyes widened this time, "Because then it'll be that way." he said, slightly nodding his head as he spoke for emphasis. Jim couldn't help but laugh.

"So, you don't like her?" He asked, David's comment insinuating that he wouldn't want to take her out on a real date. David shook his head, furrowing his eyebrows, "No, no, I like her. She's sweet, pretty, funny, talented, passionate-- that's the problem, though. She's too good." he said, beginning to laugh towards the end of his sentence at the slight obscurity of his own words, Jim's eyebrows furrowing more and more with every word he said.

"How can a woman be too good?" He asked, a small smile remaining on David's face as he began to answer the question, "I just don't want to be in a relationship right now. Give it a month or two, or three...or four. Maybe four. Then I might think about it."

Jim stared at David for about five or so seconds longer before speaking, "You're crazy."

"But I'm such a considerate lover, aren't I?" David said, a goofy smile planted on his face before Jim began to laugh, he couldn't help but do the same.

They didn't speak again for about thirty seconds, both taking a moment to watch the television again after laughing before David broke the silence once more.

"...I do want to get to know her though."

"Yeah, right. I can sense this is only the beginning."