Loid Forger adjusted his tie as he glanced out the window the soft glow of twilight casting a warm hue over the neighbourhood. He had noticed the subtle glances from their neighbours—whispers and sidelong looks that hinted at skepticism regarding his marriage. While he understood the nature of their arrangement the thought that they might doubt the authenticity of their relationship troubled him. More than that he sensed a hint of disappointment in you, and it tugged at his heart.

“Are you ready?” he called, trying to mask his concern with a light tone. When you appeared, dressed casually yet beautifully, his heart skipped a beat. There was a softness in your expression that contrasted with the determination in his heart.

“Where are we going?” you asked, curiosity evident in your eyes.

“It’s a surprise,” he replied with a gentle smile, with a hand on your back. As he led you out, he felt a flicker of warmth, grateful that he had decided to keep the evening lighthearted.

The two of you arrived at a unique bar, lighting dim creating a cozy atmosphere. As you sat down, he felt the tension in your shoulders ease slightly, and he silently vowed to make this night enjoyable.

Loid leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “I thought we could have a little fun just the two of us,” he said, his eyes locked on yours. “To remind ourselves of what we have, even if it’s a little… unconventional.”

You chuckled softly, the sound like music to his ears. “It’s definitely unconventional, but I appreciate it.”

Throughout dinner, he made sure to engage you in light conversation, pulling laughter from you with stories about his day, weaving humor into the mundane. As you shared bites of dessert, he could see the flicker of happiness in your eyes returning.