Damien is nice enough to let us keep the files, mostly because the case was already marked as solved, and no one in official circles seems to care about it anymore. Apparently, there are digital copies anyway, so this printout is just an extra that no one will miss. It’s a relief to have the physical copy, considering how much information is packed into it. Lukas and I could probably spend hours going through everything in detail, if we ever get the chance. Unfortunately, lunch isn’t exactly conducive to serious investigation or conversation. The main reason for that? Eli. He keeps redirecting the conversation away from the morgue case and onto lighter, more conversational topics. It starts out innocently enough, he asks a few basic questions about Lukas and me, where we grew up, how we met, but Lukas, being Lukas, responds with the bare minimum. His tone is clipped, and his answers are as brief as humanly possible. He’s clearly not interested in small talk. I try to answer Eli’s questions a bit more politely, but it quickly becomes obvious that Eli isn’t really interested in us. He’s using these questions as a lead in to pepper Damien with far more personal inquiries. It doesn’t take long for me to notice the pattern. Eli’s entire demeanor shifts when he’s talking to Damien, his smile widens, his tone softens, and his body language is almost painfully open. Is Eli… Into Damien? It seems that way. At first, I think I might be imagining it, but the more I watch, the clearer it becomes. Eli’s questions about Damien’s work, his hobbies, and even his favorite foods are delivered with this underlying intensity, like he’s cataloging every answer for later use.
Meanwhile, Damien doesn’t seem to have the faintest idea that Eli’s interested. He answers casually, often deflecting the attention back onto someone else. It’s honestly kind of adorable how oblivious he seems. Once I notice this dynamic, it becomes glaringly obvious that this entire lunch was likely an excuse for Eli to spend more time with Damien. The fancy restaurant? The sudden interest in helping with our investigation? The relentless questions? It all screams awkward, low key first date. And Lukas and I? We’re the unintentional third and fourth wheels. Or… Maybe not so unintentional. As the realisation hits me, I remember Eli’s earlier attempts to pressure Lukas into complimenting me. Was that his way of trying to make this feel like a double date? Is he hoping that if Lukas and I act sweet to each other, it’ll somehow set the tone and make things easier for him and Damien? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Eli invited us here because he needs wingmen. I decide to test my theory.
Making my actions as obvious as possible, I shift in my seat, angling my body slightly toward Lukas. I let a warm smile creep onto my face, then reach out and take his hand. Lukas looks at me, his expression flickering with confusion at the sudden contact.
*Just go with it, I think Eli likes Damien and he set this up to be a double date situation. Let’s see what happens.* I think at him. Lukas’s eyes widen the slightest bit, and I see the moment the realisation hits him. After a split second of hesitation, he squeezes my hand lightly, signaling his agreement. Then, to my surprise, he relaxes. The usual tension in his posture eases, and he stops glaring at Eli like he’s a particularly annoying fly buzzing around his head. Instead, he turns to me with a particularly warm smile.
“So.” He says, his tone suddenly smoother than I’ve ever heard it.
“You up for a research session after this? We can grab snacks and get… Comfortable, while we go through these papers together.” He suggests. The way he says the word comfortable is just a little too deliberate, and I can’t help but feel a rush of heat rise to my cheeks. Damn him, he’s good at this. I shouldn’t be surprised, he has been throwing lines at me for days now. But unlike usual, I don’t completely ignore his flirting.
“Sure, sounds good.” I reply quickly, trying not to sound flustered. I give him my best smile in return, then glance over at Eli to gauge his reaction. As expected, he’s grinning ear to ear, practically glowing with satisfaction. He even inches his chair closer to Damien, clearly emboldened by what he thinks is a mutual display of romance. I turn back to Lukas with a knowing look.
*Told you. You can see that, right?* I ask silently. Lukas squeezes my hand again in response, the faintest hint of amusement flickering across his face. Actually, he looks entirely too happy. Damn, I have a feeling that Lukas is going to enjoy this situation just a little bit too much.
By the time we get up to leave, I’m completely drained, but Eli looks absolutely elated. He’s practically radiating joy, and I’d bet anything that his happiness has a lot to do with Damien. Lukas offers to cover my lunch, and after a moment of hesitation, I agree. Normally, I’d argue, but encouraging this whole ‘double date’ vibe feels like a worthy cause. Besides, Lukas has been surprisingly generous lately, between replacing my laptop and taking care of me while I’ve been magically drained. Plus he kind of owes me since he’s basically moved into my place. Eli, ever the charmer, immediately follows suit and offers to shout Damien’s lunch. Damien just shrugs and agrees with an easy.
“Sure, I’ll get the bill next time we eat out.” The way he says it so casually, like it’s already an obvious conclusion that they’ll hang out again, has Eli practically glowing. I’d bet anything that Eli is already planning their next outing in his head. Watching the two of them interact, it’s hard not to smile. They’re a little chaotic, but in a weirdly complementary way. Damien’s laid back demeanor makes Eli’s energy feel less overwhelming, and Eli’s enthusiasm seems to draw Damien out of his shell. We all walk out of the restaurant together, exchanging friendly goodbyes. I genuinely like both of them. Eli, for all his incubus charm and over the top personality, has grown on me a lot. He’s not nearly as intimidating now that I know his focus isn’t on me, though I suspect that’s also partly because he’s clearly head over heels for Damien. And Damien, with his steady, easygoing nature is hard not to like. As we’re about to part ways, Eli suddenly reaches out and pulls me into a hug. It’s unexpected, but I don’t pull away. He leans in close, his voice dropping to a whisper that only I can hear.
“I know what you did in there.” He says softly.
“And I know you did it for me. You’re a good friend. Thanks.” His thanks is the most genuine compliment he’s given me. I grin, the warmth in his voice making me feel a little lighter.
“Anytime.” I whisper back.
Eli pulls back, gives me one of his dazzling smiles, and then turns to Damien. Without missing a beat, he gently places an arm around Damien’s shoulders and steers him toward his car, their conversation picking up as though it never paused. Damien seems unbothered by the touch, though I notice he glances at Eli a little longer than usual. Maybe Eli’s charm is starting to work after all.
“Well, that was an entertaining diversion.” Lukas comments as we watch them walk away. His tone is casual, but there’s a trace of amusement in his expression.
“Yeah, I think the two of them are cute together, don’t you?” I ask hopefully. Lukas nods, his gaze still on the retreating pair.
“Probably, I spent most of that lunch focusing on you. I didn’t mind them all that much.” He says casually. I blink, caught off guard by the way he says it so matter of factly. There’s no teasing or smugness in his tone, just honesty. For a moment, I don’t know what to say. I glance at him, but Lukas doesn’t elaborate. He just shoves his hands into his pockets and starts walking toward my place, leaving me standing there, trying to process the unexpected comment.