The golden afternoon sun filtered softly through the high windows of the elegant restaurant as Joshua and Blanchette stepped inside. The polished floors gleamed, and the chandelier above shimmered like a constellation. A human waitress greeted them with a warm smile, though her gaze quickly turned cold upon landing on Joshua.
"Hi Princess, what table would you like?" she asked politely to Blanchette, her tone saccharine, while she threw a glare in Joshua's direction.
Blanchette smiled gracefully. "A table for two by the window, please."
"Of course. Right this way," the waitress responded, her smile never reaching Joshua again as she led them to a cozy corner booth near the sunlit glass.
The couple sat opposite each other, and the waitress handed them menus before turning away with a quick, professional nod. Joshua flipped through his menu with visible confusion.
"I think I'll have the spaghetti and meatballs," Blanchette said cheerfully. "What about you, Joshua?"
Joshua blinked, frowning at the foreign names. "What the hell are these? Chicken Alfredo? Pasta Alla Gricia? Sheet-Pan Burrata Caprese Gnocchi? Are these even food?"
Blanchette giggled behind her menu. "You should try the Chicken Alfredo. They say it's really good. I've never had it though."
"Alright, I'll get that then." He placed the menu down with an unsure smile.
Blanchette waved to the waitress to take their order. She returned, expression perfectly cordial, towards Blanchette only.
"I'll be having the spaghetti and meatballs," Blanchette said, "paired with a Chianti."
"And you, sir?" the waitress asked coldly, eyes narrowing at Joshua.
"I... uhhh... I will have the Chicken Alfredo paired with... uhhh..."
"He'll have it with Chardonnay," Blanchette cut in smoothly, eyes locked on the waitress. "And could you please refrain from glaring at my boyfriend?"
The waitress stiffened. "Apologies, Princess. It won't happen again." She retreated quickly.
Blanchette turned to Joshua to apologize, but paused when she saw him blushing with a big, dorky smile on his face.
"What got you smiling like that?" she asked.
"You called me your boyfriend." His voice was soft, eyes locked on hers.
Blanchette pouted and looked away, folding her arms. "Why are you surprised? Aren't I your girlfriend?"
"Yes. You are," he replied sincerely.
She smiled at him with a light blush just as their meals arrived. Joshua dove into his Chicken Alfredo with enthusiastic abandon while Blanchette elegantly twirled her pasta.
The other patrons whispered and glared, but Blanchette shut them down with a sharp look, forcing them to avert their eyes. Joshua glanced around, aware of the stares, but also noticed they had quieted since Blanchette had claimed him.
(So that's the power of being hers...) he thought, smiling as he sipped his wine.
"Hey Joshua, want to try mine?" Blanchette asked, offering him a bite.
"I'd love to."
She twirled spaghetti and stabbed a meatball, holding the fork out. Joshua leaned in and took the bite, cheeks glowing red.
"That was delicious. Tastes even better when you feed it to me," he said, making Blanchette flush.
"Can I have some of yours?"
"Sure," he said, twirling the Alfredo on his fork and offering it.
Blanchette turned red as a tomato and took the bite shyly.
"We just had an indirect kiss," she muttered, acting bashful.
(We've kissed before... it's just her.) Joshua chuckled inwardly.
After their meal, the two strolled out into the bustling street. Blanchette's eyes lit up when she saw an ice cream shop.
"Joshua! We have to get ice cream. Chocolate mint is my favorite!"
"What's ice cream?"
"It's frozen milk, whatever! I'll get some. Wait here!" she chirped before dashing off.
As he waited, Joshua heard a commotion in a nearby alley. Curious, he investigated and saw two men trying to abduct the same kid he had met earlier. The child fought back fiercely.
Joshua stepped in silently, draping his arms around the men's necks and leaning on them with a chilling smile. "Hey. Leave the kid alone… unless you want me to devour you."
His eyes glowed. Claws extended slightly. He shifted into a semi-awakened state.
The two men screamed and bolted.
"Help! Help me!" the boy cried in terror, now afraid of Joshua's transformation.
Joshua reverted instantly, raising his hands. "Hey, it's okay, I'm not gonna..."
SLAP!
The child's mother rushed in, striking him across the face and yanking her son away. "I'll get the city guard! You monster!"
As she vanished, Joshua stood still, cheek stinging, eyes cast down.
Blanchette returned moments later with two bowls of chocolate mint ice cream, smiling, until she saw his face.
"Why do you look so sad? And why is your cheek red?" she asked gently, touching it.
Joshua sighed. "I saved the boy from being kidnapped. I used my werewolf form to scare the guys off. But the kid got scared too. His mom slapped me and ran off to call the guards."
"You probably overdid it with the powers," she said, "but I get it. You didn't want to hurt them."
"Yeah… but everyone still thinks I'm a monster."
Then came the shouting.
"Stop, you fiend!!"
City guards charged toward them.
"Joshua, let's run!" Blanchette grabbed his hand, and they sprinted away through twisting alleys. They eventually lost the guards, though Blanchette lost her hat in the process.
"Aww, shucks," she pouted. "I liked that hat."
They caught their breath and ate their ice cream.
"How's it taste?" she asked.
"It's really good," he replied softly, though his expression remained downcast.
They tossed their bowls in a bin and kept walking. Joshua's face was still clouded.
Blanchette suddenly stepped in front of him, halting his steps. She looked into his eyes and placed her hand gently on his cheek.
"Why are you sad?"
"I'm sad because everyone hates me. I try so hard, and still they think I'm a monster. I just wanted to help…"
She lifted his chin, forcing him to look at her. Her gaze was unwavering, calm and powerful.
"Joshua. Who cares if they hate you? Who cares if they think you're a monster? Who cares if the whole world wants to kill you? Because no matter what happens, I will always be on your side. And I will always love you."
Joshua's eyes widened, filling with warmth.
"I love you too, Blanchette."
He slipped his arms around her waist. She leaned in, closed her eyes, and he did the same.
Their lips met, tenderly at first, then deepened into a passionate French kiss. The world could hate him but in that moment, none of it mattered.
Because she loved him.