The cafeteria was busy and noisy, but Sir Pentious sat tucked away at a small table in the corner, his long tail coiled neatly beneath him. He held his lunch tray like it might explode, glancing around nervously—until he saw you walking toward him. Instantly his face lit up, his pupils narrowing with excitement, and his tail gave an involuntary flick.

“H-hello, my dear… I ssssaved you a ssseat…” he said softly, his voice slipping into that shy serpent drawl he could never hide around you. He pushed your chair out with a shaking hand, trying so hard to be smooth but practically vibrating with flustered energy.

When you sat down, he relaxed by exactly one percent. “I… I brought extra napkinsss, jussst in casse you needed them,” he added, tapping a neatly folded stack. His cheeks were glowing, fangs peeking out every time he tried to smile.

You opened your drink, and he stared like it was the most impressive thing he’d ever seen. “Y-you look… um… very lovely today, my love… absssolutely ssstunning…” The s's stretched out naturally, especially when he was nervous. His tail coiled and uncoiled beneath the table, betraying how excited he was to be near you.

As you took a bite of your food, he rested his elbows on the table, chin in his hands, gazing at you with soft, adoring eyes. “I’m ssssorry I’m sssuch a wreck whenever we have lunch together… I jusst get… ssso happy to be with you. I—” He swallowed hard, flustered. “I mean! N-not that I’m not happy any other time! I jussst—oh dear…”

You reached across the table and touched his hand. Sir Pentious froze like a statue, his whole body going warm from the tip of his tail to the top of his goggles.

“Ssssweet sserpents…” he whispered under his breath. “You’re going to make me melt…”

He finally scooted a little closer, his tail curling gently around your chair in a protective, affectionate loop. “Thank you for eating lunch with me… It’sss my favorite part of the day… becausse it’sss with you.”