Jeff leaned casually against the railing outside the smithy, the glow of lantern light catching the edges of his newly-acquired weapons. He adjusted the strap over his shoulder, the weight of steel and polished sword settling comfortably, alongside the new pistol in his holster as if they belonged there all along. His lips curved into a teasing smirk when he saw her approach.
"Looks like I kept you waiting," he said, voice carrying that mix of apology and charm, like he'd practiced it a hundred times.
Rover crossed her arms, raising a brow at him, her footsteps deliberate but light. "You sure did," she shot back, though the corner of her mouth twitched—betraying the hint of a smile she was trying to suppress.
Jeff chuckled under his breath, brushing his thumb along the grip of his pistol before letting his hand drop. "Then let me make it up to you. Dinner's on me—Panhua's Restaurant. Best food in town, or so I've heard." He tilted his head, eyes glinting mischievously.
Her arms unfolded slowly, and she gave him a look equal parts skeptical and amused. "Do you think you can just bribe me with food?" She paused a beat, then her stomach growled faintly, and she sighed. "Well… doesn't matter. I'm hungry anyway."
Jeff grinned at her honesty, but Rover's gaze soon drifted past him—to the new set of weapons strapped across his frame. Her expression softened.
"So… those are the weapons you ordered?" she asked, taking a step closer, her voice dipping into something more genuine. "They look good on you."
Jeff rubbed at the back of his neck, suddenly self-conscious under her scrutiny. "Yeah. I bought these hoping to stop being a dead weight in the battles ahead." His smile faltered slightly, betraying the thought that weighed heavier than the weapons themselves.
Rover's eyes sharpened, her arms dropping to her sides. "Come on," she said firmly, almost scolding. "Don't say that about yourself. You're not dead weight."
He met her eyes for a long second, the air between them heavier now. He sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Maybe. But even if that's true, my point still stands. I've gotta up my game, keep up with you all… or else you might leave me behind."
The words slipped out harsher than he intended, but Rover's reaction was immediate. She stepped forward, voice rising with conviction she didn't even expect from herself.
"That's never gonna happen," she said sharply, almost breathless. Then, quieter, her voice softened with something she didn't quite understand,
"Not over my dead body."
For a moment, the words hung in the air. Rover blinked, realizing how fiercely that came out, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Why had she said it like that?
Jeff's eyes widened, caught off guard. His breath hitched, and for the first time in a while, his usual composure cracked. "...Thanks," he murmured, flustered yet deeply moved. His lips tugged into a small, earnest smile. "That's… reassuring."
Rover looked away quickly, pretending to study the cobblestones as if they were the most interesting thing in the world, but her heart was beating faster than she liked to admit.
The few minutes of walking had been wrapped in a silence that felt heavier the longer it stretched. It wasn't hostile—just awkward as hell. Jeff kept his hands shoved deep in his pockets, his eyes darting between the cobbled path and the faint glow ahead. Rover walked beside him, arms folded loosely, her expression unreadable but softened by the street light brushing against her cheek.
When the scent of sizzling oil and fresh herbs drifted down the street, Jeff finally broke the silence. His lips tugged into a grin.
"Here we are. This place… wow. The smell of the food alone is enough to make you hungry all over again."
Rover tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into the faintest smirk.
"Then maybe the taste will be even better."
The wooden sign of Panhua's Restaurant creaked above the doorway as they stepped into the restaurant. Warm light spilled across the restaurant, and the faint chatter of other diners filled the air.
They made their way to the counter where an older woman—Panhua herself—stood wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes sparkled the moment she looked up.
"My, my," she said with a teasing lilt. "What a lovely couple we have here. Out on a date, perhaps?"
Jeff and Rover froze. Their eyes snapped to each other before answering in perfect sync, voices almost tripping over each other:
"No, we're not!"
The restaurant owner chuckled, amused by their flustered denial. "Oops, my mistake. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Anyways, what would you two like to order?"
Jeff cleared his throat, quickly focusing on the menu pinned above the counter. "Uh… I'll have a large stuffed tofu, a large fries, Laurus Salad, and—oh—make that a large tea too."
Panhua's brows lifted, clearly impressed. "Someone has quite the appetite."
Jeff scratched the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly.
Rover stepped forward smoothly, her voice even. "Just a morri pot for me… and a salted milk tea."
"Alright," Panhua said, jotting it down. "Your order will be out soon. Please, take a seat."
They found a vacant table near the corner, away from the busiest chatter. Jeff slid into his chair with a sigh of relief, while Rover sat across from him, propping her chin lightly on her hand as she glanced around the cozy space. For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Jeff chuckled under his breath. "You know… this really does feel like—"
Rover's eyes flicked up, and they both thought the same thing. A date.
Neither of them said it out loud, though. Instead, Rover only smiled faintly and let the silence settle again, softer this time, almost comfortable.
Ten minutes later, Panhua appeared with steaming plates balanced carefully in her hands.
"Here's your food. Thank you for your patronage."
Jeff's eyes lit up as he leaned forward. "Alright—let's dig in."
"Thank God," Rover muttered with a sigh, lifting her spoon almost immediately. "I'm starving."
The table fell into quiet once more, but this time it wasn't awkward. It was the kind of silence filled with the sound of clinking utensils and the warmth of sharing a meal.
When the plates were cleared, Jeff stood to settle the bill. He tugged out his shell credits, wincing slightly at the total.
"Damn," he muttered, half to himself. "Looks like I'm running low. Can't believe I spent this much in a single day."
Rover raised a brow, sipping the last of her milk tea slowly. "Sounds like someone has a bad spending habit. You're not seriously still planning to buy clothes, are you?"
Jeff straightened with a grin, slipping his wallet back into his pocket. "Hell yeah, I am. We've still got the funds Sanhua gave us. I'll make it work."
Her expression softened just a little, though her tone carried quiet concern. "You know, I'm starting to worry about you."
Jeff chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You don't have to, I got this shit. I have years of experience of budgeting."
I have to squeeze as much of my allowances in college and my paychecks when I became a Skilled Laborer.
Rover laughed softly at the joke. Not regretting joining Jeff one bit with his escapades to kill time.