Clifford! What do you find most admirable in your brother? Have you ever gotten into a serious fight with him?
Also, what's up with you and Florence :)
hmmm good question. I think he’s a good man, he’s got a good heart, he’s strong, practically invincible, he is good at getting through all sorts of trouble that life throws at him. I find that rather admirable. I don’t think I have. We do argue sometimes, but that’s normal sibling stuff. We usually sort it out, and it’s quite petty usually, like if I got some dirt on his car’s seats after he just got them clean or something.
uhh Florence and I? Well…she’s a friend! One of my only friends at Gent…which is maybe a bit sad, I don’t know…heh….
she’s a great listener, very smart, very good at like uhh just engaging in my ramblings. I appreciate being listened to. She’s also is rather um…pretty? I mean…uhhh…damn it…just forget I said that.
for @unnoticedunawarestillhere and I's crossover AU thingy!
It was finally the day. Clifford was going to go on a date with Florence. His brother was over the moon to find out his baby brother was finally going on a date.
“Oh, Cliff! My baby brother is finally all grown up.” He hugged him tightly, pretending to sob dramatically as he did so. Clifford rolled his eyes, shoving him off of him.
“Robbie! Quit it! I just put this suit on!” Clifford grumbled, wiggling his way out of his older brother’s grasp.
“Oh come on Cliff! I’m just so happy you finally asked her out! That takes a lot of nerve!”
“I didn’t ask her out.” Clifford replied, straightening his tie. “She asked me. Bold of you to assume I asked first.”
He looked at him with his jaw hung open in shock.
“Wow…”
“It’s not that shocking,” Clifford replied, half-focused on his brother standing behind him as he fixed his hair. “I am not the type to ask such things. You know my anxious self would never be able to ask such a question.”
“You look sharp! I never see you wear suits. You look like you could work in the office I work at!”
Clifford scoffed. “Like I’d want to work there! You just sit around all day. That’s not a job for me!”
“I do more than just sit around!” Robert pouted.
“I know. I’m kidding. I prefer more hands-on jobs. I always have and always will.”
Clifford straightened his suit jacket. It was not the most comfortable thing to wear, but he wanted to look nice for his first date.
He adjusted his glasses, staring at himself in the bathroom mirror. He looked pretty good, at least in his eyes he did, though he wasn’t often the type to pay much attention to his physical appearance unless deemed necessary.
He was often sweaty and covered in dirt and whatever else that got on him when he went to work. He was used to it.
“Are you ready to go?” Robert asked as he leaned against the doorframe a bit.
“I think so…do I look good?”
Robert smiled, giving him a thumbs up.
“Snappy as ever, Cliff!”
Clifford sighed in relief. He took one last glance at his face in the mirror before following his brother downstairs.
“You better not embarrass me when we get there, I will kill you if you do. This is important to me!” Clifford said suddenly, putting on his shoes, for once they were not work boots.
It felt odd since he was so used to wearing them. But his dress shoes were much more comfortable than his work boots, that's for sure.
“I promise Cliff, I won’t.” Robert didn’t exactly sound too convincing.
“Robert, you better not embarrass him, please honey, cut him some slack, would you?” It was his mother’s voice from the kitchen.
She walked out to find her two sons standing by the door, Clifford was just fixing his shoes when he stood up, looking over at his mother.
“I won’t mom, I promise.” Robert replied, he sounded sincere now. Clifford shot him a glance of uncertainty.
“Oh my boy, look at how handsome you look. You’re going to do great, I know you will.” She said softly, putting her hands on Clifford’s cheeks before kissing his forehead softly.
“Mooommm stoooppp ittt!” Clifford muttered.
“You treat your girl right, understand? This date will be very important for you. Just be yourself and don’t panic. It may seem scary at first but I promise you, it’s okay to feel nervous.” She replied, putting her hands gently on his shoulders. Clifford nodded slowly.
“I know, mom. I will be good, I promise.”
“Good. Have fun, darling!”
She smiled and watched the two boys head outside. She felt proud of them both. Her precious children were all grown up now.
Robert climbed into his car first, then Clifford followed. He felt nervous already and they hadn’t even left yet. He knew he could just bail out of it right now, he still had time. But he didn’t want to.
He was actually looking forward to this even if it terrified him.
His brother started up his car, giving him a look of reassurance.
“You’ll do great, buddy. I know you will.”
He patted him on the shoulder before backing out of the driveway. Clifford tried to smile but he couldn’t stop worrying now.
What if I screw up and she hates me forever?
He swallowed nervously, he felt the butterflies in his stomach already as they got closer to their destination.
His anxiety seemed to just get worse as they drove past numerous shops. He stared out the window, watching as a few people wandered the snow-covered streets.
He didn’t hate the winter, it was beautiful at times, the glimmering of the snow on the pavement, the cold, crisp air against his cheeks. He found comfort in it sometimes.
He could see his reflection through the car's glass window, he sighed, not realizing at first that they were just about there.
Robert parked just outside the cafe, he glanced over at his brother, who happened to be still staring out the window.
“Cliff, we’re here.”
Clifford glanced back over at his brother, he seemed more anxious but at the same time excited in a way.
“Already? That was fast.”
Robert chuckled softly.
“You got this, Clifford. I know you’ll do just fine.” He said confidently, patting him on the shoulder.
Clifford took a deep breath before exhaling to calm his nerves.
“Well…I guess I’ll see you sometime. Thanks, Robbie.”
“Of course! Now get on out there! Give it your all!”
Clifford opened the car door, getting out of the car, he was careful to watch for patches of ice on the sidewalk.
He could see his breath in the cold air. His brother waved goodbye before backing his car up to drive off.
Clifford wasn’t sure if Florence was here already. That added yet another concern for him to worry about.
What if she doesn’t show up?
He walked up to the front of the cafe, not entering just yet. He watched as a few streetcars drove past on the street. He was cold, but he didn’t care, he was just concerned that Florence forgot about him.
He decided to go inside after waiting a while. He sighed, walking into the cafe, the warmth of the room felt so pleasant.
He glanced around the room, in case she’d be sitting at one of the tables.
He couldn’t see her. He felt his heart sink. He was starting to regret this. He didn’t know what to do.
But just when he thought he was forgotten about, he noticed Florence walk in just as he started to approach an empty table.
“Clifford! Sorry, I made you wait!” She said as she walked towards him.
“Oh! Florence! It’s quite alright.” He said softly, before he actually got a good look at her, he couldn’t help but stare.
She looked stunning. He felt his jaw hang open as he looked her up and down, her dress was a nice light blue colour, it looked flowy and comfortable. She had done her hair so nicely too, it was pinned back a bit.
He never saw her like this.
“Goodness…you’re stunning, " he mumbled, feeling his cheeks getting warmer. Florence giggled. She looked up at him, then at his outfit.
“Oh, you’re such a charmer! You look handsome in that suit. I like it on you, it’s a good look.”
Clifford blushed deeply at her comment. He cleared his throat.
“Oh…why t-thank you…”
He sat down at the table in hopes that it would help tone down his blushing. Florence sat across from him, her chocolate brown eyes looking right at him.
She looked so pretty, he couldn’t believe she wanted to go on a date with him. He felt like he was far too awkward for her, but she found that cute.
“So…what do you want to order?” Clifford asked, glancing at the menu on the table. Florence wasn’t sure, she was just happy to be here.
“I’ll probably get a hot chocolate or something. Maybe tea? I’ll have to see.”
Clifford fiddled with his tie some more, he kept glancing over at her, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked up at him, smiling softly.
“What about you? What are you going to order?”
“I have no idea,” Clifford muttered. He tried to focus on the menu but he was still distracted by her.
“This place is nice! I like hanging out with you! This is nice.”
“It is,” Clifford replied. He sighed softly, he finally settled on something, peppermint hot chocolate. “I’m probably going to get the peppermint hot chocolate they have, it sounds delicious.”
“Oh, that does sound nice! I might get the same thing, I wonder if it will have a candy cane or something fancy in it?” Florence replied, flipping through the menu. Clifford looked around the cafe, the soft chatter of other customers could be heard along with the clinking of glasses around the cozy cafe. It was nice to get out once in a while.
“I would hope so, it seems fancy enough,” Clifford replied, glancing back over at Florence.
“I heard Louise was going on a date with Hudson sometime!”
“Really? That’s nice. I’m happy for him. He deserves it after all he’s dealt with at the studio.”
A waiter suddenly came over to their table. He gave them a polite smile.
“Hello there! What can I get you two today?”
“I’ll have your peppermint hot chocolate please,” Clifford said with a smile.
“And for you miss?” The waiter asked, looking over at Florence now.
“I’ll have what he’s getting as well please.”
“Alright. Is that everything?”
“Yes,” Clifford replied, the waiter nodded, going off to get their order.
Clifford stared back at Florence, she smiled at him, she could tell by the look in his eyes he was head over heels. He blinked slowly, still staring at her, he fiddled with his hands on the table.
“Clifford?” Florence said his name softly, causing him to snap out of his thoughts. He shook his head to snap back to reality.
“S-Sorry, I um…I’m so sorry. I just…think you look so beautiful.”
“Oh, aren’t you sweet?” She replied, her cheeks were dusted pink ever so slightly. “I think you look dashing as ever.”
Now it was Clifford’s turn to blush, even if he was already blushing in the first place.
“Oh thank you…” He mumbled, trying to hide his blushing face in the collar of his shirt.
He heard Florence giggle, she placed her hand on his for a moment, and Clifford flinched. He stared at her with wide eyes then at her hand on top of his. Her hands were warm, and so soft too.
She held his hand, it gave Clifford an unexplainable feeling. He couldn’t help but smile.
The waiter appeared again with their drinks.
“Here you two go! I hope you enjoy it.”
“Thank you.” Florence and Clifford both said at the same time. They both chuckled as the waiter walked away. They hadn’t expected to say thank you at the same time.
“That was funny, hey would you look at that? It has a candy cane in it!” Clifford exclaimed, pointing to the candy cane in the hot chocolate. It looked really tasty, with marshmallows and whipped cream on top, it even had candy cane pieces on top of the whipped cream!
Clifford noticed how excited Florence seemed about the hot chocolate. She was still holding his hand, which made Clifford smile softly. He took a sip of his hot chocolate, it was delicious.
It wasn’t too hot to drink either. He was happy about that.
“This tastes so good!” Clifford said, Florence took a sip of hers, nodding in agreement.
“It does! Thanks so much for agreeing to come here with me!”
“Anytime. I was just surprised you’d ask me out.” Clifford replied with a nervous chuckle.
“Oh Cliff, you know I really like you. Don’t be negative about yourself.” Florence replied gently.
“I know you do…I just didn’t think any girl would like me like me like that…I’m too awkward.”
He glanced down at his lap in shame. He felt Florence brush her thumb against his knuckles carefully.
“Clifford…no. You’re not too awkward. You are such a handsome and adorable man, and you have such a good heart, so many girls would want to date a man like that!”
Clifford felt his whole face turn red. He looked back up at her. She didn’t laugh at him, she just smiled warmly. She drank more of her hot chocolate, and Clifford drank more of his too. He had almost forgotten about it because he was so occupied talking to Florence.
“Gee…Florence…I’m so flattered…I never heard someone say that about me.”
Clifford was blushing a lot. The waiter came back over with their bill.
“Hello! Here’s your bill. Which one of you will be paying?” He asked. Clifford pulled out his wallet.
“I am, for the both of us.”
“That will be 2 cents.”
Clifford handed the waiter his money. He and Florence finished their hot chocolate.
…
Once they were done, they got up, pushing in their chairs.
Clifford held the door open for Florence, she smiled at him warmly.
“Thank you, Clifford.”
They exited out into the cold winter air. Snow was starting to fall. Florence grabbed Clifford’s hand, her hands were still warm.
“That was lovely. Thank you again.”
Florence giggled, leaning over to give Clifford a kiss on his freckled cheek. He turned bright red at the sensation of her lips on his cheek.
“You’re welcome, Clifford.” She replied, giggling at his red face. Clifford couldn’t fight the smile on his face, even as he noticed Robert had arrived to pick him up.
Robert got out of his car, chuckling at his brother’s blushing face.
“You guys must be cold. Clifford, what happened to you?”
Clifford just smiled, he looked over at Florence who kissed his cheek again. Clifford was somehow even more embarrassed. He couldn’t help but laugh. His brother was trying to contain his laughter.
“Alright, you two lovebirds. Get back in the car, I don’t want you two freezing to death.”
“Mind if I come back with you guys?” Florence asked.
“Of course, that’s the plan. You can meet the family!” Robert replied.
As Clifford let Florence in the car first, he sat in the front seat beside his brother. He felt a lot better about this whole dating thing now.
