Xaviers!

Basil had been scarce in his lady love's life. He had replied to text messages and would come if he was summoned, relenting to food related visits. Otherwise he spent most of his time alone resting.

It wasn't until the stitches were out that she'd find him sniffing around for her attention once more. Dressed in his tightest black skinny jeans a new shirt and and an old one and a sleek new pair of kicks, Basil knocked on her door.

Colette answered the door in one of the outfits that Basil had gotten her for Christmas. Between his impeccable taste & reassurances, and Chisaki's touching gift, the woman had allowed herself to dress a little more casually and comfortably. While she had been reluctant to leave him alone she had respected her boyfriend's wishes and tried not to mother him too much.

"Well, aren't you looking handsome today?" She reached out to gently touch the collar of his shirt, even though it needed no adjusting.

"Look at you!" He gushed, reaching out to take her by the waist.

"You're so adorable in pastels!"

Colette's waist had a little more give than most women's, the pink girl letting out a little twitter as she was drawn closer.

"Aww, zank you Basil. But zat shows how much zought you put into your gift, no?" Colette hadn't really dressed to compliment her pink hue in the past, her concentration had been in making herself look professional and serious.

Basil was beaming at the positive attention and in a moment he was visible, giving the full 'rich kid with parental issues vibe is outfit tended to carry.

"Can I come in and talk to you?"

Colette feigned thinking it over, as if she could say no to the boy, especially when he was obviously so happy.

"You may." She spoke in French, slipping from Basil's hold just enough to let him follow her inside.

Basil did so, sitting himself on Chisaki's bed since she was out.

"So I've been thinking." Uh oh.

"I think that perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. That is...

I get the indication you might feel.... Overly pressured or overwhelmed and I think it might be my fault. It didn't occur to me until recently, but perhaps the reason you're so bothered by what I perceive as normal is because it's not normal to you.

Do you understand what I'm talking about?"

Colette settled herself onto her bed and crossed her legs, listening to Basil with her hands upon her knees.

"I zink... zat you may be correct. It is true, we do come from very different backgrounds."

"So I was thinking that perhaps I should take you somewhere more... normal. Less... 'fancy'?

I'm still taking you fancy places for special occasions but I think with our first couple of dates being so elaborate and Christmas back to back...

Maybe I am overthinking but I... might have frightened you a bit...?"

"It is not frightening Basil, it is just... sometimes it is a little overwhelming?" Colette sighed softly. "I enjoy ze zings we do togezer, I really do. But I come from a very humble background, so zis takes some getting used to.

"If you would be comfortable with some more mundane activities, I zink zat perhaps togezer we can ease myself into ze lifestyle zat you are accustomed to."

"Okay..." He stated back, trailing off and going into his head space with his brow furrowed, tapping his fingers against his clavicle in thought.

After a moment he spoke again.

"Would you like to go to the roller rink in Maldon with me?

I think that's the sort of thing regular couples do..."

Colette's eyes lit up. "Ooh, wiz roller skates? Zat does sound like fun, I have never been on roller skates before."

There were a lot of things Colette had never done before. Miniputt? A carnival? A movie theatre? The tired old staples were undiscovered countries for her.

"Yes." Basil replied.

"It's similar to ice skating, but the added area of four spread out wheels might help you balance better, I think."

"Well, I would certainly like to try it. Have you ever roller skated before Basil?"

"No, but I'm sure I can figure it out." He said confidently.

Basil's confidence was contagious. "Zen it is a date. When shall we go?"

"How soon is now?" Basil joked, having a hard time resisting the opening.

"Soon enough! Just allow me to get my coat and we can leave." Colette hopped off of her bed and gave Basil's forehead a little peck before she went to retrieve her coat from the closet.