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Twice before, [ Matt admits. He used to try to only visit each bar or restaurant once, but he can't help playing favorites. ] So I can unreservedly recommend the Ore in the Hole and the caramelized onion hash.

[ "Ore in the Hole" looks, from the list of ingredients, like the gems' version of toad-in-the-hole, albeit a fancy version. ]

But I'm thinking about something sweet today. [ He glances back to David with interest. ] Decorating? I'm kind of in the same boat, actually, although it's ... slow going. Do you have pictures?

[David nods, reading along with Matt's recommendations; Ore in the Hole earns a snort of laughter. The caramelized onion hash sounds amazing, though, so he decides on that after a few more moments' scanning and sets the menu aside.

Glancing up, David nods and pulls out his phone, pulling up the photos app, and then turning it to show Matt the photos he's taken of his apartment so far.]

So this is the living area...the kitchen...the bedroom. It's slow going for me, too, so none of this is actually finished. Just buying things here and there as I get the cash.

[Fortunately, David is now a pro at decorating on a budget, and the bones of his interior design are very good already.]

[ Matt leans approximately two-thirds of the way across the table, peering at the images as if he expects them to show up on a pop quiz. ]

Ohh, that looks good! [ He sounds genuinely surprised, and genuinely impressed. ] I'd never have thought to do that.

[ It's at this juncture that their waiter comes over. Matt turns his head to face him, but doesn't withdraw into his seat. ] Hey, I'd like the lemon ricotta french toast please? And for my friend ...

[David isn't expecting such a lean into his space, and he's frozen for a moment, taking in Matt's cologne and his artfully distressed t-shirt and his eyelashes—

—until the waiter shows up and David sort of stares up at the poor guy aghast for a moment, like he's been caught.]

Oh, um. I'll do the onion hash. Extra cheese, please, and can you put a poached egg on top? And coffee, black. Thank you.

[He looks back at Matt, showing him a few more photos, of different angles of his bedroom. The walls are a deep navy, with white curtains and crisp linen bedding, and a tasteful smattering of candles.]

Thank you. I'm pretty happy with my progress so far, considering everything.

[ Oh. Matt can sort of tell he's done something startling. Or maybe David's embarrassed that he's being weird in front of a server? Whatever the exact cause, Matt shifts back and regards the rest of the photos from a more decorous distance.

His eyes light up at the navy bedroom. First Liem and now David. Has everybody been putting cool colors on their walls and he's only now noticing? ]

I love that color. I've kind of started ... thinking about color in a different way since coming here.

[Once he recovers from his own mood whiplash, David studies Matt across the table, watching his thoughts flicker across his face as he speaks.]

Really? Like how? [He cocks his head.] I used to be an art curator. Color is so important.

Oh, you did? [ That's fascinating: a job Matt recognizes as super respectable, without having the least inkling of what it entails. ] I wanna hear about that. But uh, I guess I've been thinking ...

Well, there's the psychology of color, which has some bearing on my magical practice. And Vedic esotericism has some color implications too. But I feel like Noctians just ... incorporate more color into their daily lives? I mean, they vary more colorwise than humans do. And so many Noctian societies incorporate gem worship into how they organize themselves. Architecture and city planning and seasonal festivals, all that kind of stuff.

[David listens to what Matt is saying with his chin propped in his hand, sipping water from a straw as he does. It's nice to talk with someone whose every thought isn't completely shallow, for a change.]

I totally know what you mean. I think people shy away from color because they're afraid of being seen. I wear mostly black, of course, but that's because I care about maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.

[ Matt chuckles. ]

Nothing wrong with that. I've cultivated lots of aesthetics for spells--I mean, the form and function go kind of hand in hand for me--but I haven't thought about doing it for myself. [ It was kind of a point of pride to avoid it, in fact. Screw your appearances, mom and dad, Matt's gonna wear clothes that don't even fit right. He has not yet realized that willfully eschewing aesthetics is, in fact, one of the bougier things one can do. ] Can I run something by you?

[ His lips lilt into a smile that's slightly shy. ]

[That slightly-shy smile piques David's interest, and he already would have said yes, but it's so endearing that he blusters just a little.]

Wh—yes, of course. Lay it on me.

[ Matt brightens. ]

I kind of want to do something that would be like, reflective of all the colors in Noctium and around Sumarlok? So almost like, differently colored walls that are all really vibrant. Is that a complete disaster? I mean, I guess I could paint over it if it didn't work out.

[David tilts his head side to side, trying to picture it.]

Mm, no, if you pick the right colors it could end up looking very, like, vintage-urban-jungle-y. Lots of slightly muted jewel tones would be...muah.

[Chef's kiss.]

Yes, exactly!

[ Matt is arguably being a little too intense for interior design discussions, but here we are. ]

I was thinking of jewel tones, because--you know. [ He waves a hand, as if to gesture towards the Noctium of it all. ] Hadn't thought about muted versus saturated, though.

[David isn't complaining, honestly; finally someone is willing to listen to him ramble about a subject he actually is interested in and cares about! He nods sagely, his hands resting atop each other just below his chin.]

I find it adds just a little bit of intrigue. Makes you want to peer into dark corners, et cetera.

[ He laughs, pleased and perhaps a bit knowing. ]

That's a good point. I was thinking multiple colors might support my spellcasting, but nothing wrong with creating a bit of mystery while I'm at it.

Any colors I should avoid?

Hmmm. [David's expression turns a little playful.]

Puke green and shit brown. Anything else is generally fine.

[ Matt sits back with another spike of laughter, his face scrunching up. ]

Ew! Okay, okay, professional opinion noted.

[Oh, no, he misses his sister. What the fuck. Also? That face Matt is making is adorable.]

Aside from that, [he laughs,] I'm always happy to, you know. Consult. On a consulting basis.

[He blinks a couple times.]

Obviously.

[ Matt doesn't seem to notice the repetition. He grins, relieved. ]

I'd love to have you consult. I am ... honestly, slightly afraid of what I'd do to this nice house if I were totally unsupervised, I need guidance.

I'll make it worth your while, [ he concludes blithely.

... Okay Matt, remember 60 seconds ago when you both had a moment about dark corners? No? Jesus Christ. ]

Happy to provide. [David's mellow expression turns a little wide-eyed, sending his brows on a sharp upward trajectory.]

Oh. Okay, yeah, sure. No, um, no repayment required, of course. Fuck capitalism, am I right?

[ Matt's a bit puzzled by the reaction. But on the other hand, he also hates capitalism. And he's been trying to keep people from paying him for goods and services for months now. ]

Fuck capitalism, [ he agrees with a smile. The server returns with their food at this point, and Matt gets distracted by how good it all looks and smells. Though he does glance to David, hoping he'll like the dish Matt recommended. ]

[David is similarly puzzled by his own inability to act like a normal human being, so he's thankful for the sudden appearance of their food. He thanks the waiter and then looks down at his plate and there are practically giant hearts in his eyes.]

Oh, my god. [He gets a whiff of that hash and his eyes practically roll back in his head.] I'm so excited to put this inside me.

[He doesn't hesitate to dig in, beginning with the customary Breaking of the Egg Yolk.]

[ Matt's laugh is, once again, closer to a giggle as he slices his first forkful of french toast. He pops it into his mouth, chews thoughtfully for a moment, and makes a loud hmm of approval. ]

Three for three, [ he says when he comes up for air. ] Let me know if you want a taste of this, it's great. Not too sweet.

[That laugh is so carefree it curls into David's cold, black heart and makes it feel just a tiny bit less cold. David swallows his first mouthful of his hash and nearly cries, it's so good.]

God, yes please. Oh— [The waiter passes again, and David flags him down.] I'd die for a pitcher of mimosa right now, thank you.

[ That order gets a crooked grin. ]

I'm assuming I get to help with that. [ He takes another bite before sliding his plate halfway across the table, maneuvering it around mugs, plates, and condiment containers. ] God, this is nice. I should do brunch more often.

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