He was nervous when he arrived in front of Derek’s door. After the exam Pete had hurried back and compelled the janitor to unlock the door for him. He had showered once again, shaved too – you never know what happens on a gay first date – and then put on his best clothes. Pete hesitated before leaving his favourite hat behind. Usually he couldn’t resist wearing one but he didn’t want to risk chasing Derek away with his charming fashion sense. He smiled at himself in the mirror. “Flamboyant, as I like it.”

The wind was cool today. He knew it wouldn’t snow anytime soon but the fresh air reminded him of the winter that was coming slowly. The last warm days were back in August, September had been oddly fair this year but the closer they got to October the more the weather changed. Pete was glad that it didn’t rain today. They’ve suffered many storms recently and he couldn’t afford to get his fur coat wet. They arranged to meet in the hallway at half past twelve. Pete had decided to ditch one of his classes so he could spend the whole afternoon with Derek. His heart was fluttering in excitement and when Derek finally stepped out of his room, Pete’s breath got stuck in his throat. He was beautiful.

“True beauty is rare,

they say but I’ve seen the truth

beauty is right here.”

The Haiku spilled out of Pete as he gazed at Derek from head to toe. “What was that?” “A poem. Seeing you before me has inspired me. One might mistake you for my muse.” Derek adjusted his glasses and for the first time Pete noticed his piercing. “Woah, how long did you have those?” He asked while Derek locked his door. “Fifteen years.” Pete counted the years in his head and raised his fingers. “So you got them when you were 18?” “19, actually. I’ll be thirty-four this year.” Derek pushed his coat back and took out his pack of cigarettes. Pete reached for his hand and shook his head. “No smoking.” “Why?” “I don’t like it. You can smoke later again but not while we’re out, okay?” The older man was visibly struggling but then huffed and gave in. The pack of Neros vanished inside his pocket and they walked towards the elevator together. “Where would you like to go?” Pete pressed the button and watched the doors close with a soft smile. “You suggested we hang out so you get to choose, Peter.”

Hang out, Pete thought and huffed. Was the old man too shy to call it a date? “Alright then we’re visiting my favourite bookstore.” “A bookstore?” Derek cracked his fingers and looked up at the elevator light. The door opened as if the sound of his knuckles had dared it too. Together they stepped outside and Pete wondered if it was inappropriate to already be wanting to hold hands with him. “You don’t like bookstores?” “I don’t see what’s interesting about them. What would we do there?” His gaze shifted towards a group of smokers and he buried his hands deep into the pockets of his coat. It must be really hard for him not to smoke. “I could tell you all about my favourite books.” “Is that your idea of hanging out? Rambling about books while I have to listen? I’d much rather go to a coffee shop.”

Coffee shop it was then. Pete decided not to complain on their first date. He figured that would only ruin his chances of a second date. “We can take my car.” Derek suggested and led Pete into the dormitory’s underground garage. What kind of car do you have, old man? He glanced at every car they passed and wasn’t surprised when they stopped in front of a black audi. Pete didn’t know enough about cars to tell what type it was but it looked fancy. “A luxurious car. Are you trying to win me over?” Derek gave him a weird look as he got into the car. “What for?” Pete huffed and got in as well. “Fair enough.” Playing hard to get, I know these games. “Are you rich?” Pete asked and gazed outside. The world was rushing by and he sat inside a fancy car with an even fancier man. This date was already perfect. “I’m thirty-three, Peter. What do you think I did before starting my degree?” “Lived in a castle?” His grip around the steering wheel tightened but he was smiling. Pete was a little disappointed that Derek drove an automatic. He would have enjoyed watching his fingers handling the shifting gear with ease. “I worked at a company.” “What kind of company?” “Pharmaceutical. I was acting director of the distribution. Lots of paperwork.”

“A real office worker, hm? That’s kind of really sexy.” Derek’s eye twitched and Pete enjoyed the reaction his words had. “It’s either really sexy or kind of sexy. You can’t combine them.” “I just did.” “And which one did you mean?” The car stopped and Pete unbuckled his seat belt. “I’ll let you choose.” They arrived at a local coffee shop called Antique right when the wind picked up. The weather forecast didn’t mention a storm coming up but they hurried inside either way. The shop was almost empty but that wasn’t unusual for Antique. They rarely hosted any events and only those who lived close by actually knew it existed. Pete suggested it after Derek turned down the bookstore. “I really like it here. It’s quiet. Not a lot of people come by.” “Perfect for someone with social anxiety.” Derek offered and smiled at Pete. ”I understand its charme. It’s very beautifully decorated as well.” They chatted about the decor until Sarah, a waitress that Pete already knew, took their orders. “You’re having iced coffee.” “It’s a must have.” “I prefer my coffee hot.” “Like you?” Derek frowned and his smile faltered a little. Was that too direct?

“What are you studying?” Peter quickly changed the topic and ran his fingers over the sleeve of his fur coat. “I’m getting my degree in science with a focus on Chemistry.” “Woah.” Sarah brought them their coffee but Pete’s gaze was fixed on Derek. “That’s quite a change for someone who worked in an office, no?” “In a pharmaceutical company. I grew more interested in the substances we were dealing with than the organisational work behind it. I decided to quit my job there and get a degree.” “That’s big.” Derek hummed in agreement and wrapped his hand around the mug. He brought it to his lips and took a sip. Pete stared at him and wondered how his lips would feel against his own. “What about you? I’m guessing you’re a classics student?” “Literature actually but classic literature is a part of it so I have to learn ancient Greek and Latin as well.” “That explains your weird vocabulary and your interest in books.” “My vocabulary isn’t weird.” Pete defended himself and took a sip of his iced coffee. “You called me a fiend on our first meeting. And if I recall correctly you said ‘ May Lord Byron help me, you’re an utterly attractive fiend.’” “So?” Pete tried to hide behind his cup to make sure Derek wouldn’t be exposed to his violent blush.

Their conversation was calm and at times interrupted by soft laughter. Pete couldn’t remember how long it’s been since he enjoyed himself that much. The more he talked to Derek the easier it became to imagine them in a relationship. It could work out, he’s perfect. He didn’t mind the gray hairs or the nine years difference. He’d have to talk Derek out of smoking but that was a long time goal. For now he needed to find the right words to ask him out on a second date.