Lunch Date, Don't Be Late || Closed to Dirk and Jake

[investigatorjane]

Jane's Dad eventually let her off work early on in the night, wishing her a lovely evening as he closed up shop, relieving her duties. The young woman couldn't help but tread home excitedly, unable to hide the wide smile on her face- not that she actually wished to do so. The day had been quite eventful, with the bakery booming and making a new friend, or at least, the potential of a new friend. In her hand, she carried the slip of paper Dirk had given her, excited to read it over and contact the man.

She reached her apartment in record time, unlocking the door and stepping over the threshold. After taking off her jacket, she turned to the lightened interior, excited to tell Jake the news.

"Hey Jake, I'm home! You won't believe what happened today!"

Comments

[coltblooded]

Jane had a strange look on her face, and even though he wasn't the best with people, Dirk could tell this was an uncomfortable subject for her. He nodded along with her answer, and decided not to ask any more about it.

"It's no problem." He assured her.

This Jake guy really didn't know when to quit, did he? (Dirk still wasn't convinced he was a real person. Who even talked like that?) He had no interest in actually fighting Jake, for fun or otherwise.

"I think I can come up with a better opponent for you." He told the man, and left it at that. He already had some plans made up for a robot, and with a few tweaks... "Give me a few weeks, and I'll see what I can do."

He didn't normally offer his inventions up to people who were practically strangers, but for some reason, he already felt like he could trust these two.

Jake: Be Curious

[olli_lolli]

Jake perked up at the mention of a better opponent. There would be a better opponent for him that Dirk knew? The man grew excited at the prospect, but he quickly realized Dirk never said who the combatant would be. Which meant it would be a surprise for Jake.

He HATED surprises. One surprise birthday celebration turned bad due to his fight or flight response usually resulting in fight had ruined surprises for him entirely. So the man turned to his new friend.

"Who is it, Dirk? I'm quite curious to know now." Before the other could answer the question, just as a side question, Jake addressed both Jane and Dirk. "Also, have you two decided on what to order? I can go get those put in for us." To punctuate his comment, the man's stomach let out a loud growl in hunger.

[investigatorjane]

Jane very nearly palmed her face at how excited Jake got, though she could also hear the slight annoyance on his voice as he shot off his questions. It was no secret to her that he absolutely hated surprises. Even mention the word around him and he tended to grow huffy, which wasn't a surprise considering the surprise he had gotten at one of his parties. The memories were still quite fuzzy to her.

"Jake, please, simply graciously accept the fact that he's finding you someone and move on," Jane said quickly, shooting a quick apologetic look Dirk's way. The mention of food made her sit up a little straighter in her seat. "I'd say I'm ready!"

[coltblooded]

"It's not a person." Dirk told him, missing the fact that Jake did not want to be surprised. He wasn't quite ready to share the specifics with Jake or Jane, as he was still in the planning stages. "I'll let you know more when I figure it out."

He hadn't actually looked at the menu, but had eaten here enough in the past to know what to order. He told Jake what he wanted, then held out a handful of cash to the man. He didn't expect them to pay for him, and he wasn't keen on accepting it even if that was the plan.

Jake: Be the Man and Get Food

[olli_lolli]

Hearing Jane's chastisement made Jake shrink just a little in embarrassment, the man giving a crooked smile to them both.

"Sorry, Dirk. I just get curious because I'm not the most keen on surprises. Fight or flight responses prove damaging more times than not, I'll say. I do appreciate the concept of something to fight, though. Thank you!" he commented, allowing himself to explain a little bit of his personality. Really, Jake English was an open book. He didn't keep secrets about himself, but it took the right situation to show or say things.

Hearing both his companions mention what they want, he committed the order to memory. Then, Dirk handed him a handful of money which Jake just stared at before it clicked.

"Oh! There's no need, Dirk! I have plenty of money to treat us all. Please allow me to, especially since I pestered you about fisticuffs and since you're finding me something to battle on the regular! I insist! It's the least I can do." The man raised a hand in a gesture meant to show that the blond could keep his money and stood, grabbing the menus and making for the counter to place the order and pay.

[investigatorjane]

As soon as Jake was out of ear-shot, Jane turned to Dirk. "I apologize if he's a bit much. Jake really does mean well, he simply comes across as a little thick at times." she said, with a smile. "So, tell me a little about yourself! Are you a student?"

[coltblooded]

"You can fight what I have in mind all you want." Dirk assured him, not actually looking at Jake as he started to space out, calculations and designs running through his mind.

He frowned when Jake refused his money, but the man was gone before he could put up a fight. Instead, he handed the money to Jane. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He wasn't comfortable taking money from near strangers, even if Jake had insisted.

He didn't fidget under Jane's attention, but that didn't mean he didn't want to. He didn't like being the center of attention in social situations, as it wasn't something he excelled at.

He shook his head, trying not to sound too short when he answered, "No. I'm working."

Deciding that sounded like he was shutting her out, he added, "Earning money to send my brother to school."

[olli_lolli]

Jake patiently waited for the food to be done up at the counter, humming to himself joyfully. While it had been a rocky start, Dirk sure was an interesting fellow! Jake already found himself growing fond of the other and desiring to hang out more. He'd had a similar feeling when he met Jane earlier on in the year, and look at them now! The best of friends and lovers! The dark-skinned man thought to himself that he could see him and Dirk really becoming close friends once he and Jane got the blond to open up more.

After a few minutes, the food was done, and he grabbed the trays to take back to the table, placing the orders in front of their respective people and taking his seat again.

"So! What all did I miss? Any thrilling tales of galantry?" he laughed, picking up his sandwich and taking a large bite out of it, getting mustard on his cheek in the process.