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It wasn't anything big for their first date. Hector knew Violet wouldn't want to be around a lot of people–and Hector definitely shared that sentiment, as notorious a figure as he was. That ruled out dinner and a movie, but surely there were all sorts of other things one could do in Hobbyhoo.
"Yew think they'd like th' beach?" Hector said, scribbling on a notepad and glancing across the table at Capochin. "There's a beach at th' Cove, do yew think they'd want to go that far?"
"Cove's not that far from here," Capochin said through a mouthful of food. "But I dunno why yer askin' me any a' this. I've never met 'em."
"I gave yew their card!"
"Which tells me nothin' about what kinda date they'd like." Capochin rolled his eyes. "C'mon, a first date's for figurin' stuff out. You'll get another chance if they don't like it."
"What if I don't?" Hector wailed.
"Calm down." Capochin sighed and pushed his food aside. "Stressin' so much about it isn't gonna help. Just pick somethin' nice and easy, alright?"
Hector groaned and slumped back in his chair. "I know," he said. "It's just… I like them a lot, Cappy. I don't want to screw anything up."
"I get it," Capochin said. "Maybe eat your breakfast. You'll think better once ya get some food in you."
"No I won't."
"Eat the damn breakfast or I won't cook for ya tomorrow."
Reluctantly, Hector picked up his fork and started to eat. By the time he finished, he was forced to admit Capochin was right: he wasn't as stressed, and he had even decided on an idea.
Hector went to the Pomegranate House the next morning, though not so early that Violet wouldn't be awake. He knocked on the door and waited, his tail twitching nervously.
Eventually, Violet answered. "Oh!" they said, their eyes falling on the item in Hector's hands. "You brought flowers?"
He grinned and held the bouquet out to them. "Gotta make a good impression, right? Or, eh, something."
Violet nodded back and took it. "I'll put these in water," they said. "Come in and sit, I know it's a long walk out here."
Hector shrugged dismissively, walking through the Pomegranate House's lobby and into Violet's living quarters. "Eh, it's not that bad…"
But he was glad to sit, leaning his cane on the table and accepting the glass of water Violet handed to him. "Thanks," he said, while Violet arranged the flowers in a tall cup. "I was, uh, wondering…"
"Wondering what?"
His cheeks flushed blue under his fur. "Nothin' big," he said, averting his eyes and rubbing the back of his head. "Just, y'know, if yew wanted t' do something together. Somethin' like a date, yew know?"
Violet paused. "So that's why the flowers?" they asked.
"Heh, yeah. Figured I ought to come with something."
"You didn't have to," they said, "but I like them. And I'd be happy to go on a date with you. What were you thinking of?"
Oh, thank the gods. Hector took another sip of water. "There's a nice walking trail near th' gate t' BuzzHuzz," he said. "I figured, it's right off th' bus station, so I won't have a problem gettin' there, an' we prob'ly won't run into a ton of people, right?"
"Are you sure? I'm fine with walking, but I'd worry about you."
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Hector laughed. "Might need some breaks, but there's prob'ly benches an' places to sit. It was recommended for, eh…"
He trailed off. Violet raised an eyebrow. "Recommended for what?"
Hector shifted nervously. "Yew know. Older people. Which, heh, I guess I am now, right?"
"That makes me feel a little better," Violet said. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
"Well, I checked an' everything. So I'll be okay!" He paused. "Unless yew want t' go somewhere else?"
"No, the walking trail sounds nice." They glanced at the time. "When do you want to go?"
"Now's good if yew're good. Just lemme finish my water."
He took a minute to finish the glass, while Violet put their shoes on. Once he was done, he took their offered hand and stood up to leave.
The bus was crowded. Hector kept his head down and hoped no one would point him out. He could tell Violet was anxious, too. Thankfully, the ride was short, and no one else got off at the stop with them.
"Trail's right thataway," Hector said, pointing down the street. "Next to th' park. Yew need anything before we go? I think there's a food place set up nearby…"
"It might be nice to eat once we're done," Violet said. "I'm fine for now, though. How about you?"
"I'm fine, Cappy cooked breakfast for me."
Violet hummed. "Cappy is… Capochin, right?"
Hector nodded. "I should introduce yew two sometime. He's real important t' me."
Just calling him "real important" was such an understatement, Hector felt ashamed to say it—but he didn't want to get into the complexities of his and Capochin's relationship. Not on the first date, that was for sure.
"I can imagine," Violet said.
Another bus turned towards the stop. "Let's get walkin'," Hector said. "Might get crowded soon."
The two of them started towards the park, where Hector pointed out the sign for the trail. "It just loops around," he said. "There's not any views or nothin', but there's lots of nature to look at."
"That sounds nice."
Violet's hand brushed against Hector's, but they both withdrew their hands at once, blushing purple and blue respectively. Hector tried to laugh it off. "Sorry," he said. "I, uh, my hands get real sweaty. Yew prob'ly don't want t' hold them."
"I wouldn't mind," Violet said quickly. "I just…"
For a few moments, the two of them stood awkwardly in front of the trailhead. Violet broke the silence first. "I'm sorry," they said. "It's been a long time since I've dated anyone. I hope I'm not screwing it up."
"Hey, hey." Hector cracked a smile. "Yew've probably got more experience than me. The last time I dated anyone, it woulda been before I ascended."
"It's been over a decade for me," Violet said. "I broke up with her a few years before I started the house."
"So we're both gettin' used t' this, huh?" Hector said. "I think yew're doin' great."
Violet quickly looked away, but not before Hector saw that happy crinkle in their eyes. "Let's keep walking," they said. "I want to see the nature."
Hector beamed at them and started walking.
As promised, it was a flat trail with many benches and places to sit. Hector made it past the first bench, but had to stop at the second. "Sorry," he said. "Legs hurt a lil."
"It's alright." Violet sat down next to him. "It's a nice place to rest," they continued. "Though I don't think all of this nature is natural."
"Huh?" Hector looked around and noted the carefully pruned trees and bushes. "Oh. Yeah, I guess people've been maintaining it for a while. There's not a lot of places in th' Grove that are actually wild, anyway."
Violet nodded. "I've wondered why that is, but…"
"Oh! I know this one!" Hector waved a hand at their surroundings. "All this? Th' whole Grove? It didn't have any life at all when it was made. Mitternacht pulled a buncha dead rocks outta the Earth, just t' keep an eye on the Rift, and all the plants an' stuff had to be put here on purpose."
"Really?" Violet stared at him with wide eyes. "I knew Ms. Mitternacht made the Grove from a piece of Earth, but I didn't think it was all rocks."
"Just rocks and dirt." Hector paused. "An' water, obviously."
"Huh."
Violet went quiet, staring into space. Hector fidgeted with his cane. His legs still hurt, but maybe he should push through it? Had they been sitting there for too long?
Just as he was about to suggest they start moving again, Violet spoke: "Did… did she tell you about that?"
"Whuh?" Hector paused, trying to remember. "I think so? It was way back when I first ascended, I think. Memory's kinda foggy." He took a slow breath. "It's something she tells, um, all the gods."
He couldn't meet Violet's eyes. The two of them had gotten through their friendship with hardly any mention of his time as a god—but a relationship was different. They would have to talk about it eventually. Hector felt Inspekta's shadow over him, and he knew Violet would see it, too.
But when Violet looked at him, their eyes were kind.
"It makes me appreciate the Grove more," they said. "Knowing that, I mean. All of this life, with people caring for it all those years… it's nice, isn't it?"
Hector relaxed, just a little. "Yeah! The Drain's kinda the same way, just underground. I mean, the Drain's where the Grove used to be, right?"
"Right. I knew that part."
He nodded. "A lotta life in the Drain had to be cared for, too. It's part of the reason th' Drain's not just another Earth country, 'cause it was created by Mitternacht, too, all those thousands an' thousands of years ago."
"It's strange," Violet said. "I've never been outside the Grove, so I guess I've never seen real wildlife."
"Me neither. I just went straight from th' Drain to here." Hector smiled. "This is nice, though!"
"It is."
Violet moved their hand over Hector's. He started at the touch, but didn't move away. His cheeks flushed again.
"Can I tell you something?" Violet said.
"Sure," Hector said. "What is it?"
They pressed gently on his hand, running their fingers across the thin fur. "It's about myself," they said. "I, um… I don't tell this to people unless I'm close to them, but…"
Their voice caught. They looked away.
"Hey, hey," Hector said. He picked up Violet's hand, twining their fingers together. "It's alright. Yew don't gotta tell me if yew're not ready or somethin'."
"No," they said, "I want to. I like you a lot, Hector. I want to be close with you."
Hector's heart thudded faster in his chest. "I want t' be close t' yew, too."
Violet fell quiet. Hector's palms were getting really sweaty. He hoped it didn't bother them.
"I have a set of pronouns I keep to myself," they finally said. "Myself and a few trusted people. I want you to know them, too."
"Oh, okay!" Hector smiled. "Like, neopronouns, right? I know some a' those. There anyone you want me to use them around?"
"No," they said quickly. "I want them kept private. I just… I guess I like the idea of you thinking of me with them."
"I can do that," Hector said. "So, um, what are they?"
Violet took a deep breath. "V," they said. "Like the letter."
"Uh-huh." Hector waited for elaboration, but it didn't come. His smile faltered. "Um, I might need a little help usin' them. Is that okay?"
"Of course." Violet squeezed his hand. "I just wanted you to know."
"I'm happy yew trust me with them."
Hector met Violet's eyes and saw the smile in them. It struck him how nice v's smiles were. V hardly ever smiled with v's mouth, but Hector knew that's what the crinkle in the corner of v's eyes meant, and he could hardly imagine anything more beautiful.
While he was distracted, Violet leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Eep!" Hector's tail shot up. Violet pulled away with a quiet laugh, still smiling with v's eyes.
"Are you ready to keep walking?" v asked.
"Um…" Hector put a hand to his cheek. "Yeah! Yeah. Let's finish th' loop."
They had to let go of each other's hands while they got up, Hector taking a moment to find his balance. But once they were standing, Violet held out v's hand to him, and Hector gladly took it.