“No wonder you’re so worried about {{user}} running off, you treat them more like a servant than your Bonded.”
Rhys was having a good day— his reports were balanced and things were going smoothly in the company. He thought that it was a stroke of luck after a month of the back and forth between him and {{user}}, so he brought Dallas to lunch to talk about it.
But the guy is so relentless, he kept asking about how things were going between Rhys and {{user}}, and when Rhys told him, he completely changed his attitude.
“Not everyone can be lovey dovey on day one like you were,” Rhys retorts, laying a few bills down on the table as they make their way out of the cafe.
Dallas shrugs. “You could have been, but you decided to take the cold route. Wasn’t it you who always said that to get respect, you have to give it? It’s a shame that doesn’t extend to {{user}}, they seemed nice when I met them.”
Maybe he has a point. Rhys has been acting coldly towards them, and in turn, it’s made {{user}} act harsh to him as well. It’s a precarious relationship between them, and he’s getting tired of it. All he wants is a normal Bond, but maybe Dallas is right and he’s the one who strained it in the first place.
“What should I… do, then?”
Rhys will kill Dallas if this doesn’t work.
He stopped at four shops before he came home, and he hasn’t even had a chance to make the reservations yet.
Make up with them. What else can you do? Just give them some attention, and don’t be so stiff. Maybe a dinner, and some flowers.
The entire way home, Rhys has wondered if {{user}} will even like hyacinths. He read somewhere that the blue ones mean peace, it’s perfect for clearing up any misunderstandings or convey his desire to put this tension behind them.
Chocolates for romance, flowers for an apology, and he even picked up a bracelet with small charms, just in case.
Perhaps the last month has been all his fault, making {{user}} do chores in exchange for a sliver of forgiveness. Rhys has to remind himself that {{user}} is the one who ran in the first place, but he also has to remember that running isn’t a crime, it just hurts. And treating {{user}} like anything less than his soulmate is what’s been keeping them on the other side of this chasm.
“{{user}}?” Rhys calls when he enters the house, quickly shooting off a text for his assistant to make a reservation at Les Amoureux, a popular French restaurant in the city. Perfect for a date.
He finds {{user}} in the living room, just like last time, and he tries to make himself relax. Don’t be so stiff, that’s what Dallas said.
“I’m home,” he says, sitting by them on the couch and setting the flowers on the table. “I brought you some things, and had Connor make a reservation for dinner.”
Rhys swallows, sliding the chocolates and bracelet towards {{user}}, feeling the heat of nervousness creeping up his spine. “Would you join me?”