cole had been meticulous in his approach to this momentous occasion , despite cody’s reassurance that everything would be just fine because they’d be together and that’s what mattered most ----- he still wanted to go the extra mile just to show cody how seriously he’s taking this . and the dinner is the just the start of what cole has planned for them ; lithe frame currently adorning newly purchased clothes made of finer materials than usual , hair actually styled as opposed to being abandoned to its natural mess . nerves nettled with a mild case of anxiety running through his veins because this feels like the first time all over again and he can’t help but feel the pressure because tonight is an opportunity that yes , he has been longing for but never really allowed himself to get his hopes up about . and so , he’ll treat the date like it might be the only chance he’s going to get because for all he knows , it is . and now their meals are dwindling down , conversation thus far has flowed with ease because it’s them , after all ; their souls always seemed to operate on the same wavelength , which might come as some kind of shock to those who are more accustomed to their constant clashing . and the incandescent lighting of this top tier restaurant located on the end of a pier overlooking the ocean , thankfully outside of stone harbor’s city limits , emanates a perfectly romantic ambiance . and though he would’ve loved to just be alone with the other , it’s quite comforting to know that they’re surrounded by people who don’t know them and can’t judge them for their tumultuous history . no one to tell him he doesn’t deserve to be sitting across from the boy whose heart he once broke , no one to tell him he has no right to at least try and mend their wounded love . could this really be a new chapter to a story that everyone , including themselves , believed was long over ? ----- no , stop questioning things , and focus on savouring every second spent with cody looking back at him like he’s no longer someone who hurts him , but as someone who he could possibly trust with his heart again . ‘ do you remember this place ? this is where i took you on our third date , ’ cole muses with a soft smile settled upon his countenance , fingertips wrapping around his wine glass , helping himself to the cabernet within before setting it back down , nudging it closer to cody in case the younger might want a sip . ‘ and i was thinking about how the last time i really went on a date at all .. it was with you . and now , here we are ... and you know , this might come off as cheesy but ---- i feel really blessed to be here with you right now . ’ table between them feels like too much distance , so cole keeps his hand lingering upon the surface on purpose , hoping the other might get the hint that he craves his touch . ‘ you really caught me off - guard when you brought it up , but i’m really fucking glad you did . ’