It would feel in appropriate to show you the proof while we're having dinner, so you'll have to take my word that yeah, my butt's healed up nicely.

[He smiles and raises his glass, taking a sip before diving back into the meal.]

Kudos to the saucier of the night. It tastes great.

Yeah, I know we've eschewed some social traditions but I figured ass bearing was taking things a little too far.

See? You can't knock me for my eating if you're gonna live like that. Physician, heal thyself.

These days? Actually yeah, this is pretty much how it goes. Maybe I should diversify my hobbies. Then again, if I keep meeting people like you, who am I to complain?

[Two can play the flirting game.]

Nah, teaching takes a lot of brain power. Thinking needs calories. I remember always hearing to get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast on testing days for that reason.

Ha. No. I know someone who is a nurse, but you're the only one who's come out of retirement for the city. Although I suspect you never really stopped even if no you longer got paid for it.

I will accept that we both need more calories than we got and that it both matters. Even if I still think yours matters more than mine.

Salads and pastas are good choices though, so I can't knock that. Most nights my meals are thirty minute ones. I'm gonna brag and say they're still good, but nothing too fancy. I save those for when I have company or I'm stress cooking.

Meals that take more time to develop their flavors and also have more components to them to round out the dish. Curries, soups, roasted poultry and vegetables, braised meats, homemade pastas and slow-cooked sauces, things like that.

Hopefully there are some good surprises folded into the mix.

I guess it's a good way to ensure we each eat. We can hold one another accountable. Plus I can't complain about the company.

I'm being very careful not to spill anything on my pants, because dry cleaning the suit is a pain in the ass for sure.

Hawaiian shorts seem pretty comfortable from how they've been described to me. Though I just have gym shorts on hand, unfortunately. My closet isn't all that colorful.

It's probably not the most durable to wear, but it would feel a lot nicer in the summer. It gets really sweaty in the costume come June.

Are you gonna greet me at the door with a spray of Fabreeze?

I can't blame you, but I appreciate the heads up.

[He sets the plate down after her.]

Thank you, it wouldn't have happened without some good teamwork.

I'm sure you're tired. I don't want to keep you up.