love at first sight

Had Bran known he was going to meet an interesting person like Henri by getting lost on one of his wanderings, he would've gotten lost on one of his earlier travels. Perhaps he could'be met him earlier and such. It was a nice thought to have, but he figured that the likelihood of that happening was slim to none. Still though, he felt blessed that he got to meet him when he did. His life would be at least a little better now that he had something to look forward to whenever they got to meet again.

"I'm glad you like the cake," the magician smiled, taking a bit of his own of the cake. Oh, he would definitely have to come back here for another slice. Hmmm, or maybe take some to go. Yes, that sounded like a good idea. Perhaps he could even order some other sweets to take home and possibly share them with Henri if he wanted to try them as well. "This is actually the best chocolate love cake I've tried so far. I'm glad we came here. I'll probably have to order more to take home with me."

He took a few more tiny bites before offering the rest to Henri, wanting him to enjoy it as much as he did. "Here, have it. I'll just be greedy later with sweets I'll take home. Besides, this cake is usually made for special occasions. Although, it's normally made now for romantic purposes." Bran paused, feeling slight panic filling him. "But uh, we'll say this is in celebration of you trying chocolate love cake for the first time and for our meeting. That alright with you?"

For a moment, he wondered what time it was. He knew it was late already when Henri first found him, so it was probably even later now. Yup, he definitely was going to let him sleep over for his own safety. He'd give the handsome man his bed and he could sleep on his couch. Except, he'd probably have to convince him to stay over. He would not let him say no even if he had a way to bribe him somehow.

"Henri, would you like to sleep over at my place? It's still a bit of a hike to get there since we'll be going the long way, and you did say that it was a bit questionable around these parts at night, so I think it would be best for you to stay with me for the night," he hummed, drumming his fingers against the table. "I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you because you decided to come all the way back here by yourself. I'd also worry."

henri desrosiers

Oh, Bran could swear that his heart was pounding loud enough for everyone to hear because damn it, why did Henri have to say something so blatantly cute? Not only was it cute, but it was so ridiculously romantic, he could swear he was about to swoon. This was not good for his heart, not good at all. How in the possible world was he going to survive the rest of the night with the handsome man if every time he said something so adorable like this, the magician wanted to just fly into the sun because he just could not handle all the cuteness? How could anyone think he was stronger than this?

Why in the ever loving world did it have to be a chocolate love cake?

"Heh, that almost sounds romantic," Bran so dumbly stated, smacking his forehead because why was he so stupid around Henri? Just why couldn't he be normal? "But, uh... I'd like to celebrate our meeting too. It's something special to me now, so I'll never forget it."

Just like he'd never forget nor forgive himself if Henri decided to go home so very late and ended up getting hurt. Although, Bran was slightly grateful that he'd at least consider it. He didn't want to guilt trip him just to make sure he'd stay until it was a safer time, but he also wanted Henri to be safe.

"I won't worry if you stay over for just the night," he chirped, an idea suddenly coming to mind. Did he not want to stay over because he was uncomfortable? Or maybe... Maybe he had a lover and Henri didn't want to upset them by staying over some stranger's house? Oh, that particular thought hurt him, but Bran didn't want to cause any trouble for Henri at all. "Unless you're really uncomfortable with the idea. I really don't want to pressure you into something you don't want to do. I just... I'd just worry, but I can get over it. I also don't want to step on anyone's toes if you have a significant other who would be upset if you did something like that. It's completely your choice. I just wanted to make sure you got home in one piece."

Why hadn't he thought about this before? And to think he's been making a giant fool of himself in front of someone who could potentially have someone. He was a damn fool.

henri desrosiers

From all the books that Bran has read which included romance, he was almost certain that a confession of sorts was supposed to follow after what Henri has said about his statement being romantic. But this wasn't one of those books and he was certain that that sort of thing would only happen in his dreams or something. A dream where he wasn't a fool and didn't act stupid in front of Henri, and they would be happy together.

Oh, since when did he start thinking this way? He was just going to blame Henri for it. Ridiculously attractive and extremely wonderful Henri.

He was just getting worse by the second.

When Henri quickly shot down the thought of him having someone, the magician let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart suddenly felt lighter and his pulse was racing just a tad. It was such a relief and suddenly he felt more hopeful for the moment. However, he sure did feel like laughing and scoffing at the idea of him possibly having someone. Maybe quite a while ago, but certainly not now. But instead of doing either, he chuckled just a little bit.

"Henri, you do remember me saying that books are my best friends and I don't talk to people, right? It's a bit hard to talk to be in a relationship with anyone if I don't talk to anyone. I've been single for... nearly two or three years if I remember correctly. The only two relationships I had didn't end well at all, but I suppose I'm partially to blame for that. My first relationship was with a woman who broke up with me after a year because I forgot her pet dog's birthday and I didn't show up at the party she threw for it. Something about how I didn't care enough. The second was with a man that certainly had no business being with me or I with him. We clashed far too much and it was an emotionally draining hell. Fights every day towards the end of the relationship. I think that one lasted about... seven months I think? I don't quite remember."

Upon realizing that he had ranted a bit too much about his past relationships, he felt that familiar sense of embarrassment fill him before hanging his head in shame. "Sorry. I didn't mean to unload that on you. I just... thought it was funny that you would think I was in a relationship. Between the two of us, I believe you're the more datable kind. So no, you're not in any way impeding on my privacy. I offer things when I am comfortable doing so, so I wouldn't mind at all if you stayed over. Besides, now that I know you don't have anyone waiting around for you, I'd feel more at peace if you at least stayed until morning. Please?"

At this, Bran attempted to give Henri puppy dog eyes in an effort to persuade him to stay. Honestly, he probably looked like an idiot doing so, but hey, it didn't hurt to try, right?

henri desrosiers

There was no way in the world that Henri could have never been in an actual relationship before. Bran absolutely could not believe it because who in the hell wouldn't want to be with Henri in a relationship? He was a wonderful person and honestly a good soul. Not to mention the fact that he was really too attractive, so keeping all of that in mind, it was just utterly baffling to know that Henri had not been in a relationship like that before.

Then there was the fact that he was envious of him because he actually had a relationship.

"I really can't believe you haven't been in a relationship before. It's just... It almost seems wrong that you haven't," the magician muttered, surprise still on his face. "And there's nothing to be envious about. Those relationships really weren't worth it honestly. And maybe for you... Maybe you haven't found the right someone yet. But who am I to say? Although, the one thing I know is that you shouldn't be envious of me. Those relationships weren't anything at all for you to be envious over. Especially the last one."

He really didn't want to ruin the atmosphere with his annoying story of that ex. He'd tell Henri about it later for sure. But for right now, he would bask in his victory of getting Henri to stay over for the night. The sense of accomplishment that filled the magician made him giddy and he smiled brightly at the handsome man. This was something he'd definitely have to remember down the road. Hey, it was better than having to incessantly ask (more like beg) Henri to stay over.

"I promise you won't regret it," Bran chirped happily, calling the waiter over again to ask for a platter of desserts to go as well as the check. Once the waiter returned with the desserts to go and he had paid the check, it was time for them to get moving again. Particularly in the way of the metro.

"Henri, what exactly do you know about the Inner Heart?" He was curious to know honestly. They were heading there, after all. Not that Henri knew that yet. It was going to be a surprise since he wanted to visit quite a few places there and Bran was so inclined to take him there.


henri desrosiers

"These sweets aren't just for me, you know. I planned on sharing with you," Bran pouted, lifting up the bag as if it could magically prove a point somehow. Really, all he wanted to do was introduce Henri to a bunch of different desserts (and possibly maybe impress him with whatever knowledge he knew about each dessert). "You can eat some when we get to my house or maybe you can take them home with you. Unless you don't want any. But I really did want to share them with you which is why I bought so many. I think I'd probably go crazy from the sugar rush if I ate all of these myself."

When was the last time he had a sugar rush again? It was probably years ago when he had ate far too much gelato in one sitting. He was practically bouncing off the walls and his mentor nearly lost his head from how annoyed and frustrated he was with him. Bran was given quite the earful after that particular incident on how it was just poor manners on his part if he thought that his mentor was going to babysit him because he couldn't control himself.

Maybe he should slow his roll with the sweets before he managed to scare off Henri from how hyper he would probably get.

When Henri chose to answer his question, he decided that it was a very good generalization of what the Inner Heart was like. True, there were finer details involved, but his description was pretty dead on. "You seem to know enough about the Inner Heart. I think it would describe it pretty well."

Oh, he hadn't mentioned to Henri at all that he was a magician, had he? For some reason, he felt like that had been a bad decision on his part, but he wasn't completely sure why. "I was just curious to know what you knew of the Inner Heart. I probably know more because of books and other things. There are quite a few books on the Inner Heart that I've found, actually. There's some that include weird facts about it too. But yes, I think you described it well enough."

Maybe he should keep the fact that he was a magician hidden for just a it longer.

henri desrosiers

"We don't have to eat it all in one night, you know. I might scare you away from the hyperness the sugar will give me otherwise," Bran teased, finding it a bit laughable that Henri was worried about how dinner and the desserts were expensive. Honestly, he spends a hell of a lot more money buying books or other trinkets that catch his eye, so paying for the food was pretty much painless for him. But he supposed Henri would view it as expensive considering the area they met and all.

Maybe he should try treating Henri to little things more often. Maybe more sweets or even proper meals. That'd definitely be a nice start, right?

His train of thought was disturbed, however, by Henri's (hilariously embarrassing) statement. It even made the magician pause momentarily, his blue eyes trained on the handsome man next to him. He could feel himself blushing because of the medley of images that had flashed before his eyes were not in any way innocent and they involved Henri. Goodness, he could feel a fever rising from just how (hot and) bothered he suddenly felt.

"Uh, Henri... None of that will be n-necessary," Bran stuttered out, shaking his head furiously in hopes of settling the blush on his face. "I don't have any use of your body. Uh, not in any way like that. It's just... No, nevermind. Your body is nice and all, but I won't be needing it."

How many times had he called himself stupid? Probably too many times, but then again, he's been acting not so much like himself and being more foolish than usual just because of Henri. Beautiful and wonderful Henri.

But speaking of bodies for services...

"Oh! That's what the red-light district is. A place where prostitution and other sex-oriented stuff is located. I'm an idiot." He wanted to smack himself silly for all of this, but he hoped that perhaps Henri didn't think too terribly of him. Bran was better than this. At least, he hoped he was better than this.

However, Bran didn't allow himself to linger on that little moment of idiocy as he tried to think of what to tell Henri about the Inner Heart. "And I'm not deflecting the question. I just know loads of unimportant things about the Inner Heart because of books and such. It's not that interesting, or at least not that interesting enough for me to want to remember it all. I only remember things that I find to be interesting or special. And the Inner Heart... well, it never seemed that interesting to me until you. You are the reason why I find the Inner Heart so interesting now. You seem so excited over it that it makes me want to know as much as possible about it. Especially because I sorta... want to impress you, I suppose."

Bran felt embarrassed by the little admission, but at least he was telling the entire truth. Nothing about his home felt at all interesting to him until Henri spoke so excitedly about it. Besides, he wasn't at all that excited to tell anyone he was a magician outside of the Inner Heart because... Well, he knew there were some bitter sentiments when it came to magicians and he simply didn't want to deal with that.

"As for my home... I think I can navigate us from here thanks to the map. It'll probably be two stops since we're taking the long way around. Maybe three depending."

henri desrosiers

He was special too. According to Henri, he was special too. This alone made Bran pause for a moment, eyes wide as he looked at the handsome man. This was the first time ever that someone called him that with sincerity and kindness. With others, it was always with spite and condescension, and although he was never willing to admit it even to himself, it hurt. But having Henri say it to him made all those previous feelings fade away, making him warm with feelings of embarrassment.

"I-I'm hardly anything impressive," the magician corrected, starting to walk again as he felt his face heat up. "And I want to impress you because I think you're so interesting and fantastic. I wouldn't want you to get bored of me because I can't keep up. So yes, I plan on impressing you whenever I can. Although, the best I will probably do is ramble on about something that probably no one cares about."

Truly, Bran hoped that he could be seen as something impressive and special. He didn't particularly feel that way, but he would at least pretend to be that when he was around Henri. What was that phrase again? Fake it 'til you become it? Maybe, just maybe if he pretended long enough that he was something grand, he could actually become something grand.

Bottom line though, Henri's opinion was the only one that currently mattered.

"And if you were serious about... uh, lending me a hand in some way, maybe you can help me cook one day. If you would want to do that sort of thing, of course." It would certainly be nice to share a homecooked meal with someone like Henri. Especially if it had been the two of them who cooked it together. Although, if he thought about it, it sounded like something a couple would perhaps do to be cute or romantic. But they weren't anything like that, right? No, it would be two friends spending some time together to bond and hang. It would be fun, wouldn't it?

Heading towards the train platform, Bran suddenly grew a bit anxious to know that they would be heading to his house. He wasn't sure if it was because of excitement or nervousness. It was probably both knowing him because it was the first time in a long time someone would be coming over. Switching the bag between hands repeatedly, he began chewing on his bottom lip as a way of easing some tension.

Maybe asking a random question would help.

"Do you like to dance?"

henri desrosiers