"You know I'm gay, right?"
"Does he know that?"
Rose and Jackie exchanged words as Rose got ready for her 'date' later that day with Dante, with Jackie insisting she'd go. Rose groaned out. "I should be helping you out. I gotta help you find this Dan person. And do you know how many people are reaching out to UV on Facebook? I gotta investigate the Seoul Men too!"
Jackie rolled his eyes. "Blah blah Korean biker gang. Shit I've dealt with before. You need to go out more, make friends your age, not my old ass. You're 19."
"You're not that much older."
"Old enough."
Rose sighed. She wore a baggy hoodie, jeans and sneakers. No makeup, she did little to quarrel her messy hair, only gathering it in a sloppy bun. Her face of annoyance was clear. She watched the internet explode with news and rumors after Ultraviolence went public. She remembered the thousands of New Yorkers asking if UV had a Facebook, which many used to ask if UV could save them from something. Somebody on that feed asked for something that hooked the duo. Seoul Men, the gang running out of Hell's Kitchen, burned down a pizza shop that ran for generations. The owner's son begged UV, or anyone, to handle the leader of the biker gang. Rose was on the hunt for the name, but she was distracted by Jackie's request.
She stepped out of the apartment, walking to meet Dante at the nearby park where they'd meet. Thanksgiving marched closer, with the low blue of the midday stretched on. The days grew shorter, colder, and steady. She could see her breath as she marched to the small park, seeing Dante. The young man dressed a bit nicer, with an old varsity jacket, white shirt, gold chain, clean jeans, fresh shoes, and earrings that shined from a mile away. He flashed a smile as he saw her. "Hey! Glad you came."
"Well, you invited me," Rose said.
"You could always turn back."
"And miss the free food?"
Dante laughed as the two walked through the park, the bare trees ready for the winter were overhead. They marched on, shoulder to shoulder along the skinny path leading them to their destination restaurant. The man spoke up first. "Can't believe it's about to be winter already. Time moves so fast."
Rose hummed in agreement. "Yeah. Too fast."
"I could close my eyes and think it's Halloween again. It's like my brain can't forget that day."
"Surprisingly," Rose responded. "I feel the same way."
Dante turned to her. "Yeah? Anything special happen?"
"Sorta. You?"
"Yup," Dante said, tapping his chin in thought. "A part of me died that night."
"How poetic," Rose joked. "Sorry to hear that though."
Dante shook his head as they neared the exit. "Nah, I think I needed that. I was living something I couldn't continue."
The two settled for a local restaurant that served decent Japanese dishes. The place was aged, in a good way. The walls told stories, like they were novels in their own right. The floors were buffed as much as they could, but you can't wash out experience. The tables looked older than Rose and Dante combined, but they held strong. Many dates, breakups, proposals, and more were held there. And those two came in to etch another story. Something more awkward than romantic. The old shitty radio in the corner of the place was their only ambiance. Playing I Wanna Be With You by Yurie Kokubu. The speakers were shot, but it had some charm playing city pop on there. The duo sat down, ordering quickly.
Rose rested her head in her hands, looking out. Dante stayed focused on her. "You're usually reserved. Even over text. What changed?"
"Hm?" Rose snapped back to reality. "Oh. I guess I have a hard time around men. No offence."
"None taken. I get it."
Rose nodded slowly. "Someting tells me you were one of those guys."
Dante shrugged. "Yeah. Maybe. I was a dumb jock. I thought I could get by on looking good and playing better. For a while I did. I started seeing girls… Women, as some game. A code to crack to get what I want."
"I'm not too surprised. What made you realize all this? Not everyday I see a jock self reflect."
"Halloween. I stopped some fuckers from raping this girl. Sure I did the right thing, but who am I to think I'm better? I ain't drag no unconscious girl upstairs, but I still use them. It made me sick."
"So, you're a changed man?" Rose asked.
Dante smirked. "It takes time, like all things. But I'm trying, for real."
"I believe you Dante, for real. I think you're cool."
"Thanks. But tell me, something happened to you? Like with guys."
Rose sighed, thinking of how to convey her answer. "I'll put it to you like this, I've only met two men I would trust in the woods. You, and Jackie. My entire life."
"Damn," Dante said, shocked.
The food arrived, with Rose keeping a smile. "It's fine. I'm sure you feel the same about some people, too."
They ate, discussing things about their plans for Thanksgiving, the end of the year, etc. It was a good time, the two friends enjoying each other's company. When the city they lived in was so violent, times like that were needed. The two of them were in a business of agony, learning from and aiding killers and revolutionaries respectively. The pair walked out full after Dante paid, the night sky their scene now. Dante walked her home. Before she could say bye, Dante got closer, clearing his throat. "Rose…"
Uh oh, Rose thought. "Yes…?"
"I don't know how else to say it but, I like you. I really do. I know you have trust issues, I get that. But you're so different. I want to pick your brain, learn about you. I just want you in my life, Rose. You're so pretty, and this was the best time I had in months. I want this to be the rest of my life."
Rose's face got hot. Not with admiration, but anxiety. "Dante… I'm… I'm gay."
Dante's neck snapped back from surprise. "...Oh."
"Yeah. Sorry."
Dante stared out for a moment before laughing. "Fuck. Well, that's ok. Can we still be friends?"
"Wait, for real? You're not mad?"
"I just want you in my life, Rose. I don't care if it's as a friend or whatever."
"Huh," Rose huffed with surprise. "Friends it is, Dante."
The two friends hug, and as they depart, Dante walks home. He lost a love interest, but he gained a friend. And honestly, that warmed his heart more. Maybe the city can give out more than pain.
Maybe.