Grim as Ever.

Morgana sat her glass down and bit her lip. "I'm really not sure. Let's go upstairs." She smiled and stood up. She wanted to make sure she looked really nice, as she was sure Nikki felt the same way.

---

"Hopefully nothing gets fucked up." Brian chuckled, even though he felt a little nervous. He was sure it was just butterflies or whatever, but he was kind of scared something would go wrong.

Nikki nodded, “Let’s go.” She made her way up stairs with Morgana, knowing they both wanted to impress the guys. Biting her lip, she sighed, “Everything is going to be fine...” she said softly, smiling.

---

Matt looked over at Brian, “I hope not, it should go fine...” he hated admitting that he was afraid that something would go wrong. He knew there was the chance that something could go badly.

@ MShadz

Morgana got up into her room and started rummaging through her closet. Most of what she wore was black leggings and jeans and tops she got from online gothic boutiques. "What about this?" She asked, pulling one of the dresses she owned out of the closet and tossing it on her chair by her desk. "Or this? It's much shorter in the front, kind of sexy." She smiled as she looked towards her sister.

---

Brian nodded and chewed on his lip as they walked inside. "I hope so." He sighed, crossing his arms his chest as he walked straight into the kitchen to get a shot of bourbon to help him with his nose. "It's been so long since I've-we've-been on a date." He sighed, rubbing his head, "I kind of feel guilty, I know I shouldn't..." He felt like it was to soon for him to be moving on, even though it had been years. It knew it was ridiculous.

Nikki stopped and grabbed a pile of clothes from her closet before following Morgana into the bedroom. She sat her clothes on Morgana’s bed, watching as he sister held up options for dresses, “I’d go with the second one, it’s a bit sexier and it’s got a little more flare to it.” Nikki grabbed a few dresses from her pile, “What do you think about this one?” She was nervous and wanted to really catch Brian’s attention, “Or maybe this?”

---

Matt followed Brian into the kitchen, he could tell that something was on his mind and he could only imagine what he was thinking. “I know, I honestly didn’t think I’d be dating again...” he had almost accepted the fact that he wouldn’t be with anyone else, but when he saw Morgana it gave him some hope. Matt sighed at Brian’s comment, “I know how you feel, I was just thinking the same thing...”

@ MShadz

Morganas eyes lit up and she pointed at the one with the blue, "The first one for sure!" It'll compliment your eyes!" She smiled, putting the other dress back in her closet. She shut the wardrobe drawers and picked up the other dress, laying it over the chair in her room. "I'm really nervous." Morgana chuckled, sitting down on the end of her bed.

---

Brian thought back to their exes, feeling the burn from the bourbon in the back of his throat. He remembered how he had been planning on asking Alyssa to marry him, and how everything seemed like it was going perfectly. He blamed himself for everything that happened that night. But he knew he needed to let it go. "Surely they'd want us to move on and be happy." Brian said it as a statement, but really he meant it more as a question.

Nikki nodded, laughing softly, “So I am...” She sighed softly as she looked around, “I don’t know why though, it’s not like we’ve never been out with them before.” She looked over at the dress she was going to wear and smiled, “I’m nervous, but I’m so excited.”

---

Matt had pushed the thought of Haylie to the back of his mind for so long and when Brian mentioned moving on, he felt a big wave of guilt. Matt got himself a shot of bourbon and drank it quickly, “I’m sure they would, and they’d probably be happy as long as we’re happy...”

@ MShadz

Morgana sat down on her bed and put her hands in her lap, "Maybe because it's actually a date and they actually admitted to liking us,... and maybe because they aren't human." She laughed, feeling her stomach completely tying up with knots.

---

Brian listened to Matt, even though he couldn't bring himself to fully believe it. He felt like he was betraying them, and all he could do was take another shot and force it to the back of his mind. "Yeah." He sighed. "Let's go get ready for our dates." He ran his hand through his hair.

“Maybe you’re right,” Nikki sighed as she sat down. “I mean, it’s not like there’s anything worse they could hide from us, right?” She asked, looking back at her sister.

---

Matt could tell it was still bothering Brian, “Just focus on Nichole.” He felt Brian’s pain, hell it took him what felt like forever to not think about her everyday. “Yeah, good idea,” Matt said, going upstairs.

@ MShadz

@ foREVerYours.

"Surely to God not." Morgana laughed, just trying to think of what else could be kept a secret from them. The girls spent the next couple of hours getting ready. Morgana went with the dress that Nikki had told her looked sexier, and she had curled her hair in loose waves. Sitting in front of her mirror, she couldn't tell how long she had spent making sure her winged liner was crisp and sharp, but she knew for sure she had spent way to long on it, because she could hear a car pulling into their driveway.

---

Brian had gotten dressed in a pair of suit pants, and a button up white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had taken his car to go and pick Nikki up, deciding it would be best if they had alone time. Matt had not been ready anyways. He got to the girls house and knocked on the door, still feeling a little guilt in his stomach as he waited at the door, but he wasn't going to let that mess up tonight.

@ MShadz

Nikki laughed softly before shaking her head and going back to her own room. She hung her dress on the door before curling her hair and doing her makeup. After putting her dress on, she smiled as she stood in front of the mirror. Nikki heard the knock at the door and quickly looked herself over before going downstairs and opening the door. “Hi,” she said softly, smiling at Brian.

---

Matt put on his dress pants and a black button up shirt. He hesitated before going downstairs and out to his car. Once he pulled up to the house, he got out and went up to the door, seeing Brian was still there. Matt watched Nikki and Brian leave before calling out for Morgana, “Morgana?”

@ foREVerYours.

Brian smiled as he looked Nikki up and down, "Damn, don't you look like a stunner." He beamed, reaching his hand out for her to take. It was like the moment he saw her all the bad, guilty feelings he had been having just melted right away. She was enough to clear his mind. The moment she took his hand, he led her off the porch, and towards his car. Brian nodded towards Matt as he watched him pull in, before opening the passenger side door for Nikki.

---

Morgana felt relieved when she looked out the bathroom window and saw it was just Brian. That meant she had a few more minutes to finish getting ready. She had just enough time to put on her favorite red lipstick and lace up her black heels before she heard Matt call her name from downstairs. Not wanting to keep him waiting, and eager to see him again, Morgana took no precautions as she ran down the stairs. Surprising herself that she made it to the front door without breaking her ankle, she beamed at Matt, "Hi."

@ MShadz

Nikki felt her cheeks go red at Brian calling her a stunner, “Well thank you, you look great too.” She smiled, taking his hand and following him to his car. Any hint of being nervous was gone, and she was looking forward to the night. “Thank you,” Nikki said before climbing in the passenger side.

---

Hearing footsteps come down the stairs, Matt looked and was speechless. Morgana looked gorgeous, and Matt suddenly didn’t have anything else on his mind besides having a good time with her. “Wow, you look breathtaking,” Matt said, smiling brightly as he gently took her hand and lead her to his car, opening her door for her.

@ foREVerYours.

Brian shut her door for her before rounding his car and getting into the driver's seat. "Do you like Italian?" Brian asked as he backed up out of the driveway and started to head towards the interstate. He hoped so, because that was the only restaurant he had in mind for the night. It was the nicest restaurant he knew too, and he really wanted to impress her.

He looked at her through he corner of his eye, looking at the dress she had chosen to wear, and the way it was riding up her thighs a little. She looked breathtaking.

---

Morgana beamed, blushing even from his compliment, but she couldn't believe how handsome he looked in his suit. She didn't think he could get more handsome, but here he was, breaking her expectations. "Thank you." She continued to beam as she got into the passenger seat and he shut the door. She was so excited for tonight, but just as nervous.

@ MShadz

Nikki smiled, getting in the car and looking over at Brian, “Italian sounds wonderful.” She laughed softly, watching out the window as he drove. She knew Brian was trying to impress her, and that only made her more nervous.

---

Matt smiled, leading her out to his car, he opened the door for her. Once she got in, Matt did the same. He started driving, “I hope you’re okay with something fancy, but still simple.”

@ foREVerYours.

Brian was relieved when she agreed and he continued to drive. He felt like he had to go above and beyond to impress her, especially now that she knew what he was... He assumed that had to scare her, he was a monster.... Once they got into the city, Brian pulled the car up in front of the restaurant and stepped out, rounding the car to open Nichole's door. He turned and handed the key to his car to the valet and wrapped his arm around Nikki's waist. "I'm glad you agreed to this." He smiled down at her.

---

Morgana chuckled, looking up at Matt, "You could take me to another burger joint and I'd be okay with it." She didn't care where they went, she was already just over the moon to be going on a date with him. A real date and not just hanging out. Even though she knew what he was, it only made her more interested in him, it was intriguing and she wanted to learn more.

Nikki smiled as she got out and followed Brian inside, "Of course, I'm really excited about this." She took a minute to look around them. It was beautiful, and romantic, a slight blush crossed her face when Brian wrapped an arm around her waist.

---

Matt laughed softly as he drove, "Well, it isn't a burger joint, but I hope it'll do." It wasn't a very long drive, but Matt finally pulled into the parking lot. After shutting the car off, he got out and opened Morgana's door. "I'm glad we can do this.." Matt said to her as they walked into the restaurant, it wasn't anything too fancy, but Matt hoped it would impress her. Walking over to their table, which was located in the corner, giving them their privacy, Matt smiled, "I hope this is okay, we shouldn't have too many interruptions."

@ dance macabre

This place was the nicest restaurant close to town that he could get a spot in. He had to pull a few strings, but he managed. He guided her inside, and a hostess greeted them. After getting Brian's name, she led them to their table across the restaurant. The inside was dimly lit, and decorated in all white it seemed, everything looked so clean, romantic and classy.

Brian pulled out Nikki's seat at the table. It was draped with a white table cloth, a single rose sitting in a vase in the center. He scooted her chair in for her before taking his, and once he sat down, he realized just how nervous he was again. He hadn't done in this so long.... "Order whatever you like." He smiled.

---

Morgana liked how Matt seemed to think the whole thing through, getting them a table off in a corner, not wanting anyone to bother them... It was nice. She sat down and beamed, "It's perfect." She liked that inside the restaurant was very dim, even decorated in dark colors, like deep purples and rich reds. They had little lanterns placed on all the table to bring a bit of light back into the place, and the way the flame flickered across Matt's face was very romantic.

Nikki glanced around the restaurant, she was starting to catch on to the fact that Brian enjoyed the fancier things in life. She was perfectly fine with being a bit spoiled by him, it was beautiful inside and it felt like the perfect place for them to have their first real date.

Once she sat down, Nikki looked over at Brian, she hadn't expected him to be so nervous. It was sort of cute, she took a minute to look over the menu before the waitress came over and Nikki decided to order chicken cacciatore and a glass of water with lemon. After they both ordered and the waitress walked away, she smiled over at Brian, "This is really nice."

---

Matt smiled, it seemed like Morgana was already having a good time. He was a bit on edge, not sure how it was going to go. Of course, he wasn't entirely sure since this was their first actual date. "I'm glad you like it, please order anything you would like," he told her, just wanting her to enjoy herself.

@ dance macabre

@ foREVerYours.

Brian smiled as he handed his menu over to the waitress and his smile only grew hearing her approval. "I'm glad." He smiled, "I wasn't sure which venue to choose." He chuckled, licking his bottom lip, growing more and more antsy. The last thing he wanted to do was figure out a way to mess this all up.

Looking around the restaurant, Brian hoped it didn't come off as to flashy. Between him and Matt, he most certainly did enjoy the nicer things in life. He always liked to have the flashier car, spend more money when they went out to eat, dress in designer clothes... He had the means, so why not enjoy them?

---

Morgana skimmed over the menu until their waiter arrived at the side of their table. "Ummm...." She continued to let her eyes dart all over the pages, not having really made a decision. She finally landed on chicken alfredo with one of their middle priced glasses of red wine. The waiter took their menus with a smile and Morgana let her attention fade back to Matt.

Morgana was sure everything would go well, she couldn't foresee any event that would ruin their night. The waiter came back with her wine and Matt's drink, and a small basket of bread which he sat between them. She lifted up her glass and took a sip of the sweet wine and smiled, "This is all really nice." She beamed.

Nikki could tell Brian was antsy, she reached over and took his hand in hers, “Relax, it’s not like we haven’t done this before.” She was hoping it would help him a little, after all she didn’t like seeing him so nervous. “I think this was the perfect choice, Brian,” Nikki smiled over at him.

---

“This is actually one of my favorite places,” Matt said as he took a sip of his drink. He sat his glass back on the table, “I figured this would be a good choice, it’s a bit more, intimate than other restaurants and I wanted us to be able to get to know each other better tonight.”

@ dance macabre