Halfway There (Patreon)

“Been a while since I had a reason to dress up for Valentine's Day. What's your excuse?”

Chrysante figured the idle conversation might help pass the time. The Crystal Club's occupancy was finally waning, and he'd not expected the place to be so full today of all days… even if he had been the one passing the word along.

He found himself a bit antsy earlier, surrounded by all of these ‘lovebirds’ gyrating all over each other and swapping spit on the dance floor. From the bar Chrys watched them in typical fashion, noting the interesting trivias and occasionally rolling an eye while he surveilled the non-event.

Watching them somehow helped him understand exactly why Vance didn't like to kiss. The slurred speech, unsightly spittle, and uncoordinated slackjaws set the civet's stomach quivering the longer he laid eyes. The growing inebriation was cringy at best, and nauseating at worst. It finally settled when the last few pairs drunkenly meandered near the exit.

Couples didn't really spend Valentine’s at the nightclub, did they? Surely they'd had better things to do.

After all, it's not like the place was decorated specifically for an event, or even that there was an event at all. He tells one person that his bartender will be dressing up for the occasion, and suddenly everyone comes running. Vance was certainly a showman, but if that's all it took to bring a crowd, Shanx certainly had a good mind to keep Chrys close as the Crystal Club's promoter.

He smirked to himself, then glanced over at the dutiful hyena, preoccupied with counting his tips now that his workday was nearly done.

He wasn't really expecting an answer, but his expression shifted when he got one.

“Figured I was supposed to.”

Vance hadn't stopped accounting. His violet hues were trained rather diligently on the platinum rings he'd earned tonight as he sifted through the golds and silvers.

“Supposed to?” Chrys repeated his words back to him, not quite sure what he meant. There was no event, and the only other person dressed up was….

“Oh! Nah babe. I'm dressed up because I lost a bet.”

Chrysante gestured at the striped blazer he wore and crossed his legs to bring attention to the black miniskirt and pointed heels complementing it. “I wouldnt've picked this for a romantic night out, if that's what you thought. I try to avoid high heels and I'm not really sure if white's my color.”

“Probably not…. the pink helps.” Vance chimed. He remained inattentive to the civet but had seen enough of the outfit during his shift.

“Yeah yeah, you would say that, wouldn't you?” The silver creature chuckled bashfully and scooted a little closer to where his boyfriend stood. “As long as we're passing out compliments and critiques. Love the suspenders, but you could lose the hat. The mohawk's working for you.”

Vance paused, scoffed, and shot a challenging glare Chrysante's way. “It came with the set, fashionista.” He watched Chrysante scuttle closer and felt his subtle pout dissipating as the scent of lavender got stronger still. In that short time, he'd slid from two stools away to right up under him.

Stealthy.

“Mmhm. Mine was a set too, by the way.” Chrys continued schmoozing. “I saw you lookin’.” He slowly pulled his legs up on the counter, enough to rest his rear on the back of his calves as he readjusted. His smile had gotten a bit wider since he'd gotten the hyena to reply.

Vance sighed out loud. “You're pretty made up, Chrys. It's easier to focus when you're not.” He'd already caught the twinkle in his boyfriend's eye. It was only a matter of time until…

“HA! Long way around a compliment, but I'll take it. If all it takes is a skirt to grab your attention, maybe I'll wear one more often.” Chrysante shot back with a playful wink. “Especially if you're keepin’ your getup.”

Vance finished his tally and popped the lid back on his tip jar. “Mm… I'm not sure what other reason I'd have to wear it.”

“Yeah yeah, I know… but if you'll humor me, I think I can come up with somethin’. After all, it is THE day for lovers. And we're lovers now, daaaaarling”

The civet turned to face the larger creature, who gave him a disapproving look in return.

Vance internally cringed. He just knew he'd regret calling him the moment the word left his lips. He'd never hear the end of it. Darling this, darling that. It was as if the rest of his sarcasm had gone over Chrysante's head completely.

“I just wiped that counter. Chrys.”

Turquoise eyes dropped to the countertop. The very same marbled surface that he now crouched on, heels firmly planted. “...T-they're new shoes. And my bad. How about I make it up to you, hm? Let's go out.”

Chrysante awkwardly shuffled around in his blazer until he found a pocket. “You don't even have to use your tip money. My treat.”

He smiled sweetly, offering up a few rings as if that would cover the damage. Vance didn't look impressed, but his omnipresent scowl faded into a look of intrigue as he accepted the bribe. “Okay then, out where?”

“I dunno.” Chrys continued. “I don't usually celebrate Valentine's. I'm sure something's open though. It's a commercial holiday where people are kinda obligated to spend money on each other. We could go out to eat, I guess? We're dressed for it….”

Vance looked the civet up and down.

“I might be dressed for it…” He adjusted his bow tie and raised a curious brow. “You? Not so much. Skirt's kinda short.”

“Tch.” Chrysante snickers.

“Ooooh, lookin’ out for me, eh? How boyfriendly of you. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say you're tryin’ to keep me home. All to yourself. Ex-clusive.”

He continues chuckling over his boyfriend's dismissive snorting. “Don't worry babe, I get it. In fact, I'm starting to get you more every day.”

“That right?”

“Mmhm.” Chrys purred his reply and crept close enough to whisper. “I totally get why you hate kissing now. It's so much grosser when you're not the one doin’ it.”

He brought a gloved paw to cup the other side of Vance's face

“..and yeah. I get it. You're an introvert and you wanna stay in. I can meet you halfway. How about I find us a recipe? Something we can whip up back at my place…or yours. Watch a movie or somethin’. Get outta these outfits?”

“You're not touching my stove.” The hyena deadpanned.

“Okay, okay. I find the recipe, YOU make the meal. Deal?”

“Deal.” Without a moment of hesitation, the silver civet planted a playful kiss on his boyfriend's cheek. The recoil was immediate, but Vance didn't gag. There might have even been a little bit of color on his bronzed cheeks… and it wasn't green for once.

He was making progress.

“I can work with halfway.” Chrys teased, quickly hopping off the counter. “Meet you at your place in 20. Don't be late.”