Blind Date Gone Right

It was almost spring and flowers had just begun to bloom, their sweet scent filling the air. The breeze was cool, but not too cold. He stood at the entrance of the park, waiting for his date to show up. He had tied his hair and ears up so they would not be too in the way, though passerbys wondered how he could see behind his bangs. Over his black shirt, which had holes pinned shut by safety pins, he wore a tattered jean jacket. He wore the tag on his horn as he normally would, though his nose ring was silver today. He had on his favorite jeans. He had opted to have feet today and wore boots. Some days just required being less likely to fall because of tripping over something.

He held a picnic basket and blanket. He knew he would not be hard to find, and he hoped he would be able to spot his date with ease, there could not be too many buns that matched her description. He stood patiently, a confident smile on his face. He almost chuckled when he spotted her approaching.

~

Instead of her usual bikini top and denim shorts, she had opted for a simple cropped forest green halter top with a pleated skirt that had navy blue and pale yellow plaid print that fell to her knees. Her usual citrus seeds necklace was around her neck as she hurried toward the park where the picnic blind date would be at.
It was a rarity that feet had been opted for instead of the usual hooves and she had pulled on strappy wedges to give her some height. Her glassy legs were still on display below knees however. Instead of curling her ears, they had been let down and tied in the front. They needed a break from repetitive curling. 

When she had shown her best friend the description of her date on her phone, they had facepalmed
“Limon I swear you have a thing for tall gluttony with grand horns!” they had snarked and Limon had cackled as she pulled on her usual bangles and swiped on glossy pink lipstick.

Limon slowed down and adjusted her light forest green and navy blue flannel jacket in her arms as she approached her date who was easily visible in the crowds. Oh, he was handsome.
“Hello hello! I do hope I didn’t keep you waiting~?” she smiled flirty as she reached him. 

~

He gave her a low chuckle. “Not long, at least. You look gorgeous.” His voice was husky, though not gravelly. His accent was noticeable, but not really describable. He offered her his free arm. “I do hope you like parks, it felt like a good place to get to know each other.”

He seemed to act quite the gentleman, even if he was dressed like he had been on a motorcycle heading for a rock concert. “Was there any particular reason that you wanted to go on a blind date?” He let his curiosity guide his question, not seeing any problem in being a little nosey, which could be chalked up to how many personal questions he had to ask, or hear, at his business.

When she took his arm, he carefully led her into the park. He had been here yesterday to find a nice, quiet spot to set up today. It was a short walk, but he took it slow, wanting to make her feel like he was not trying to rush anything. He kept his smile, enjoying being out with a pretty bun like her.

~

“Ah thank you~ and parks are fantastic places to be” Limon took his muscular arm and squeezed it a bit as he led them away.
“Oh I was hoping to find more people to make connections with. What about you?” She returned his question back with equal curiosity. It was an excellent starter after all. “And I don’t think I got your name? I’m Limon” Thank fuck for wedges, she was at more comfortable height compared to this gentlemanly giant. She eyed the basket in his arm, incredibly curious about what he had packed but she would find out soon. 

It really was a lovely day for a date out at the park especially with a rather ruggedly handsome bun like the one she is currently with. Just her type especially. 

~

He noticed how she squeezed his arm and smiled. It seemed she was appreciative of a strong bun. That could be something to build on later. He did wonder how she felt about fighters.

“I was hoping to meet people outside of my business,” he decided not to mention that he ran a fighting ring just yet. “My name is Argus. It is a pleasure to meet you.” He did notice the big difference in their height and briefly wondered precisely how short she was. He did not voice this thought, even if it was adorable to think of her being so short.

The trees had just begun to regain their leaves, though they still looked bare because the weather was not warm enough for them. He liked this time of year, it was not too warm or too cold. He thrived on days like this. As they reached the clearing that he had picked out, it was noticeable that it overlooked a small pond.

~

“Likewise! What business do you run?” Limon’s curiosity peaked at that mention, especially since she also owned a business herself and wanted to know more. She had some hopes that Argus would have a sweet tooth. Those were rare to find apparently and she wanted to share her sweets damnit.  

Oh the clearing was gorgeous! Limon smiled at the small pond “This is beautiful. Did you scoop this out previously?” she had noticed how Argus seemed to know where to take her to. She did like buns who knew what they wanted. She pulled away to adjust her sweater in her free arm and also so Argus could start setting up the picnic. 

“I am curious to see the food you’ve packed for us~”

~

“I run ‘The Bull’s Horns’... a fighting pit,” he laughed. He watched her to gauge her reaction as he set up the blanket. He did find her curiosity more endearing than his own. “What do you do?”

He smiled as she asked her next question. “Guilty. I wanted to make sure this date went well, even if we did not hit it off. Though the view is not nearly as beautiful as you are.” He decided that sweeping in with a compliment would be perfect here, maybe it would sweep her off her feet as well. He used some fair sized rocks to pin the blanket down, setting the basket in the middle.

“Oh, it’s simple things. Mostly fruit, a pie, sinnamon buns, and a chocolate roll. I was not sure exactly what you would like,” he told her as he stood up full, finished with setting up. “Plus, all things that required minimal effort on my part,” he glossed over the fact that would mean he knew how to bake at all.

~

Limon paused at the mention of his business, running the name through her mind to see if it was any of the places she has had to leave in the past. It was not as it was unfamiliar.
“Huh” she hummed “Oh I run ‘Citrusy Cream Parlor’, an ice cream and cold sweets business” she smiled sweetly before chuckled at his admission
“Smooth” she complimented as he set to work. She was quite impressed by his strength with the rocks.

“Oh simple food that you baked, I see~ Not always easy to make those delicious treats so I’m impressed!” she had not missed the fact about baking. “So you have a sweet tooth after all?” she inquired as she moved over to the blanket to settle down, carefully folding her legs to side so her skirt was not exposing herself.

“Do you just run ‘The Bull’s Horns’ or do you also participate?” Oh she was curious about that place, and perhaps make it one of her stops whenever she got bored.

~

He saw how she was thinking and thought her facial expression was cute. Hearing her business, he chuckled. “I will have to drop by sometime. Not much into cold treats myself, but I think it’s worth a try if made by you.”

“Would you be disappointed if I could not be smooth?” He teased slightly. He waited for her to sit down before sitting next to her.

“Sweet rolls are simple. A soufflé is difficult… and a decent cake is somewhere in between,” he said in retort, as if he was more than proud of his baking. Not many actually would connect the large bun with his ability to bake. “Yes, I have a sweet tooth, I’m just careful about when I indulge it.”

“I mostly run and supervise. I only participate when I know all the other fights are between patrons that will follow the pit rules. I have had to break some fights up… usually between the smaller competitors,” he explained with a chuckle.

~

Limon chuckled, “A visit from you would be delightful~! I would be just fine if you were not smooth; I’d probably find it endearing.” she admitted as he settled down.
“Baking is more precise than cooking but I enjoy it regardless. Why be careful though? Health reasons?”
Listening to him explain about supervising had her remembering the pit she regularly attended. Similar set up and she wondered that if she admitted to knowing some martial arts yet did not participate would surprise him. 

“Sounds like you enjoy your business” Limon commented as she reached for the basket to pull out some rolls to munch on “Baking is your hobby huh? Martial arts is mine though I don’t participate often in the pit” she shrugged “But it is a good way to release some stress though ... .I do need to find some new sparring partners. My usual ones have been preoccupied.”

~

“There are people that would see someone as large as I am terrifying if they were not charming,” he pointed out. Being as tall as he was and buff was definitely intimidating to many minds.

“Health, yes. Too much sugar makes me feel tired. Being tired does not do well for keeping fit.” He explained. He did take pride in being able to easily break up fights before they got too far.

“I do enjoy my business. Keeps me on my toes. Especially when some of the regulars get uppity. Have this short bun that comes in. She’s one of the top contenders when she decides to fight. If you need a new sparring partner, swing by, I’m sure we could find someone to keep up with.” He gave her a smile as he picked a strawberry from the basket. “At the very least, you can watch my regulars going at each other.

~

Limon hummed in thought as she eyed him “Mental note to self; take you to my best friend’s cafe. They got good savory dishes that the partners I usually spar with favor” she smiled lightly as she listened to him explain about his business.

“Oh I’m absolutely going to stop by. I’m always curious about new pits since I keep getting tossed out of several places for some ridiculous reasons.” she popped a blueberry into her mouth “Though you don’t seem surprised to hear that I like to spar”

A pause as his first sentence finally processed through her wandering mind. Oh. Well he had a point.
“I do tend to have strange tastes in who I socialize with so…To me you are not terrifying. More my type actually” Oh she dared to be a bit forward with that. “Height differences are one of my favorites” And size differences too went unsaid.

~ 

He would have raised an eyebrow if she could see beyond his bangs, instead he just smirked. “Is that an idea for a date after this one?” His voice was teasing, though he would not turn down going out with her again.

Argus laughed a bit. “My most regular customer is about 4’10” and her day job is being a therapist for anger management. Nothing will surprise me. Seen her fight and almost win against this 5’2” guy. Had to break that fight up because he somehow got a knife into the weaponless sparring pit. That was a wild day, neither appreciated being picked up and carried by the scruff of their necks, but they were too busy yelling at each other.”

His smirk turned mischievous as he heard her speak more. “Is that so? Any particular reason or is it just the dynamic?” He had to admit, he liked how forward she was, which he interpreted to be a good sign for how the date was going.

~

She chuckled “Of course! Through Ione would skin me alive if I did do that but I’m certain you’d enjoy the offerings” It was true that Ione was fed up of Limon bringing some of her companions to The Daily Grind, the fact several of them had turned into regulars was enough to smooth over the ire from her best friend. 

Limon listened to him speak about his regular customer and was somewhat surprised by that then the story about her spar and the break up had her gasping in shock. A weapon??? She giggled at the mental image of two short buns getting picked up by Argus.

His smirk turning mischievous was the slight warning she got before his sentence had her flushing slightly. Oh that was a rather good sign that he was receptive. Popping a raspberry into her mouth, Limon shifted her position and moved over so she was half on Argus’s lap, hands on his thighs as she glanced up at him. 

“Definitely the dynamic. It is always fun no matter how it’s spun” Limon purred “Absolutely definitely the dynamic”

~

“I’m sure that this Ione would not harm such a precious bun as yourself for bringing them more customers. I would be delighted to go with you sometime in the future.” He could tell by the tone that Limon and Ione were friends, so he was sure his words were true.

He enjoyed her giggle and wondered if he could hear it again. That thought was interrupted as she moved. He leaned close to her, placing a hand on her waist. “Well, why don’t we explore this dynamic further?” His voice was huskier now.

Without warning, he lifted her, cradling her in one arm as he stood. He grabbed the basket and handed it to her before kicking the rocks off the blanket and grabbing the fabric. He flung the blanket over his shoulder and began to leave the park, carrying the smaller bun like she was delicate.

~

Limon let out a squeak in surprise as she was abruptly picked up and she clung to his strong arm cradling her. Luckily her jacket had been grabbed along with the blanket as she had adored that one.
“Woah! Warn next time before you pick me up!” She giggled as she relaxed in his strong hold. Well at least she got to skip walking more in those wedges of hers. They were getting sore.

“You really are quite strong” she leaned over to run fingers through his hair “And gentle. Wonder if it’ll translate to other areas?” she purred into his ears. “Oh, how I am so looking forward to this~”

~

He chuckled, moving her so he could whisper to her. “Why warn you when you make such an endearing noise from the surprise?”

He kept his hold on her as he walked, not daring to jostle her. “I think you will just have to wait and see. You would not mind going to my place? It is not far from here.” He sounds amused by her at that moment. When he got her answer, in the affirmative, he carefully carried her to his place.