Dating Advice for an Absolute Beginner?

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru had spent a good part of the day freerunning. With the American Ninja Warrior qualifiers coming up soon back home, he needed all the training he could get. But really, he did parkour because he loved it. It helped him clear his mind.

Usually, it helped him clear his mind. But not today.

He arrived in the plaza, just as frazzled as he left it hours earlier. He slumped down (upside down) on one of the benches.

“I give up! Does anybody know how dating works?!?”

Because Minoru now had a koibito... err... girlfriend... and a first date he wanted to do something really special for. And the absolute beginner had absolutely no idea where to start.

Comments

[chiaro_oscuro]

"It's complicated. I'll need to know a little more about your situation, if you feel comfortable sharing it, of course." A gloomy-looking young man looks at Minoru curiously, a dark blue cape sweeping behind him as he approaches.

Ben's situation is complicated even by complicated relationship standards, but he's picked up the sense that even more typical relationships have their share of messes and pitfalls. And every Nexus relationship he's heard about has its share of difficulties.

Frankly, a lot of the advice he can offer is along the lines of what not to do. He clears his throat.

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru looked up at Ben with a soft smile. Of course, it would be complicated.

“Okay...” he thought for a second about where to start. “Um... I’ve never dated anyone before. Never even thought about it, really. But now I am. And for a first date, he got reservations for this really fancy restaurant in his world. He’s even making me a suit to wear! I’m excited... but nervous. I want to do something really special too, but I have no idea what. I don’t even know what you’re supposed to do on dates.”

Minoru wasn’t kidding about being an absolute beginner.

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Would this date of yours be someone I know? If it is, I might be able to help."

It's the Nexus, and the chances are fifty-fifty. With the mention that the person's making a suit, Ben already has a guess. He's glad that, if the person is who he thinks Minoru's date is, that things have progressed.

"What sort of things does this person like?"

[itmeanstruth]

“I’d kinda be surprised if you didn’t...” he admitted, scratching his head. “It’s Ziggy Stardust.”

That answer alone probably told Ben everything he needed to know.

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Ziggy?" Ben wasn't aware that Ziggy had entered another relationship, but he's quietly pleased.

"He's a wild one. You probably know that by now if you're dating him."

[itmeanstruth]

Ziggy was in several relationships. For just as many reasons as there were people to have relationships with.

“Not THAT wild...” he chuckled. This, of course, was coming from the guy who turned the city into a jungle gym on a regular basis. He and Ziggy both had that kind of innate energy, they just expressed it in different ways. “Okay, maybe sometimes. But I like the feeling. Of him, I mean...”

Minoru blushed a little.

This was complicated.