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WHO: Miles, Bel
WHERE: Downtown Nonah
WHEN: April 1st
WHAT: Miles and Bel have themselves a date~
WARNINGS: Maybe some kissing and stuff. Will edit if they get into dark conversation topics.

[ Miles know this is a one off - must be a one off, something more (or less?) than a one night stand, something far less than a romantic relationship. And he is happy with Kitty, as happy as he is ever going to be with someone who isn't Gregor, Bel included. But - he's greedily excited for all of this anyway. His own feelings have become tangled around the subject of Bel, and having the opportunity to act on them in a safe context is freeing. He's not the only one needing to work out some unrequited feelings, as paradoxical as that seems.

He sends Bel the address and a time: around seven PM on April Fool's, at a gorgeous vegetarian restaurant downtown. Hard to get into at this hour, he'd found out; he'd had to lean a bit on his status to get them a table. The place styles itself as a vintage place (though it all looks "vintage" to Miles anyway), with a gilded gold look inspired by the artwork of Gustav Klimt. It's all perhaps a bit too upscale, but if Miles is only going to do one date, he's going to do it right, dammit. Starting (but not ending) with a damn good dinner.

He's there at the table ahead of Bel. Cutting quite a nice figure in his dark brown suit laced with silver accents. The suit that Gregor had given him for his birthday last year; the irony of wearing it to a date with Bel because Gregor isn't here is not lost on him. But - for tonight, he's not going to ache over any of it. He's going to enjoy this moment as hard as he can. ]

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[ Bel had forgotten approximately twenty things from the time they started getting ready to the time they were out the door. For all the little things, the small scrambles, somehow they ended up with a cargo bay full of nerves, where the manifest called for collection and grace.

It was always harder when you gave a damn.

In a way, the one time, the morbid - if not outright hilarious holiday date - and absolute unavailability of Miles helped quite a bit. Whatever happened, they were sure they could laugh it off.

Now if only their stomach could get on board with that.

As far as appearances went, they - as usual - put together well. Bel always had an absurdity of style outside of uniform. They drew as much attention as Miles' braces or Taura's teeth. Their suit was a bright blue, the red leonine symbol for the Ariel custom embroidered in stark red over their breast pocket, and that itself put together by a triangle of dandelion hued kerchief. Beneath split of their skirt was a shock of vivid yellow silk of the same color.

It was perhaps only sheer gall that kept it somehow looking good. ]

Miles. [ Just the first name, warm. ] Of course, it's either you're terribly early or not coming at all.

[ It all suits Bel, despite the outrageous colors. Because of the outrageous colors, in fact; something somber would imply not have suited them. His eyes flick instantly to the embroidered emblem, brightening as they recognize the symbol. If he pretends hard enough, he could very nearly believe they're on shore leave on Earth or something. Not that he really needs to. Their unusual context is fine enough as it is.

He stands when Bel gets close, moving to pull out their chair for them. (Should he be courtly with Bel? Well ... he'd do much the same for a traditionally male partner, he thinks, so he won't overthink it. Much.) ]

Had to settle my nerves somehow. [ Because he is nervous too, despite everything. Despite knowing how much Bel has carried a torch for him. No, because of it. He doesn't want to fail to live up to the image Bel's constructed of him in their head. ] Should I get us something to drink?

[ When looking for a sign of which flavor of Miles they have today, that was a quick... and slightly surprising answer. Their mannerisms shift a little - the smile a bit more coy, the look under lashes. It was some part nerves, some teasing, some hopeful accommodation.

There was only one shot at this, after all. ]

You know? Surprise me.

[ Bel is mostly getting genuine MIles today. A bit skewed towards Admiral Naismith - because that's who Bel really likes, right? The little admiral? - but shot through with utter genuine feeling. Hence the nervousness.

He returns to his side of the table to sit, leaning forward on his chair to keep his head up high enough to talk comfortably. ]

Wine, then. There's a house chardonnay that's supposedly very good. Pairs well with the mushroom risotto.

[ That's the opposite of surprise, Miles. ]

[ From the man who takes the same tea every morning? Practically freewheeling out into the unknown. Bel can't help but laugh, a short, delighted burst. ]

Of course. I can't say I'm entirely up on etiquette, I'll warn you. [ It's a lie, naturally. Bel's tastes run expensive. ]

That's all right. [ Said all in a rush. Miles is probably going to vibrate through most of this evening. ] We're imports anyway, so it's not as though we're expected to behave.

[ Though Miles is at least used to the pomp of a formal dinner, given how many he's sat through. A nice restaurant is just a variation on that theme. ]

We can do something less formal after, as well.

No... I don't mind being spoiled a little bit. [ A thumb and forefinger measure it out in the air. They pause, taking it all in again. ] .. You really did go all out, didn't you?

[ Miles bows artfully over the table. ]

I have to fit everything into one date, after all. Why not go all out?

To be honest, I wasn't sure you'd take it seriously.

[ And half didn't know what to do now that he did. They'd be chasing this for so long, what on Earth did they do with it now that they've caught it. ]

I should know not to guess at you, by now.

[ Miles just warms at that statement, not seeing that uncertainty. ]

You should. But that's part of what you like, right? Me surprising you?

Good Lord, I think I would have killed you by now if I didn't. I think that was Oser's allergy, actually.

[ Miles blinks over at them. ]

You think he'd have liked me otherwise?

[ They pause at that, giving it some actual thought. ]

... Possibly. That first leave of absence you did gave you no favors though. I knew you'd be back, though.

[ The waiter chooses this moment to come back with their wine; Miles sips at it before responding. ]

I didn't. In fact, I'd never intended to come back.

No?

[ He shakes his head apologetically. ]

I got into the service academy after that whole mess. And I'd intended to go straight to a promising career after that.

[ Bel taps a slender finger on their lips, eyes narrow, considering Miles in light of this new information. ]

No. You'd have been back. There's no where else that lets you operate like this and wont get you summarily tried and spaced.

[ Hmm. That's ... true. And if Kyril Island hadn't happened, he'd probably have managed similar somewhere else. ]

Or court martialed. Which is sort of what happened.

Really? Which of your commanding officers did you stow in a closet that time?

[ Gee, Bel. It's like you know him. ]

... Remember that crazy Barrayaran officer with Cavillo? Metzov?

Kind of a dull shine next to the nova of crazy that was Cavillo, really, but yes.

You just weren't seeing him in his element. He was my CO on Kyril Island. And he was going to make several of his men choose between cleaning up toxic waste with no protection and freezing to death in the cold.

[ They let out a low whistle.... and swallowed a remark generalizing Barrayar wisely. ]

How did you magic out of that one?

[ He makes a face. ]

Good old fashioned nepotism. I stripped naked and joined the men. He could have killed all of them, but not me. I was the Prime Minister's son, after all.

After that, Da hushed it up. I sat in ImpSec's basement for a few weeks in exile before being placed under Simon's jurisdiction.

So you took yourself hostage.