Chapter Text
Nick on Charlie
What were you hoping for?
I tried to go in with no expectations, but someone I could be my authentic self with.
First impressions?
What’s Billy Maximoff doing in South London?
What did you talk about?
Scooby-Doo. Running. Jonathan Bailey. The best and the worst breeds of dogs.
Most awkward moment?
He seemed quite discombobulated when I ordered from the menu in French. (Ok, I'll confess...this made me do it again).
Good table manners?
I was somewhat feral in devouring the gorgeous food, he was more restrained.
Best thing about Charlie?
The way he talked about his friends – they clearly mean a lot to him.
Would you introduce Charlie to your friends?
Only those I would trust with him.
Describe Charlie in three words
Cool, nerdy, cute.
What do you think Charlie made of you?
That my rugby playing past was irredeemable.
Did you go on somewhere?
We stayed at the restaurant till closing.
And … did you kiss?
Nope.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
It was a really nice evening with a lovely person, but I would have kept quiet about the rugby.
Marks out of 10?
Solid 7. Great food and fun chat!
Would you meet again?
That will depend on Charlie, but I wouldn’t say no if he asked.
Charlie on Nick
What were you hoping for?
To be a marmalade dropper in the Saturday Guardian.
First impressions?
He seemed overly nervous.
What did you talk about?
Nick kept up with all my tangents, from favourite films/music/books to the deep introspective capacity of queer men.
Most awkward moment?
Nick made several references to his schoolboy rugby career, I do not have positive memories of school rugby lad culture, and I had no idea how to react.
Good table manners?
Impeccable
Best thing about Nick?
He had several hundred photos of his dogs (past and present) on his phone and didn’t get tired of me asking to see them.
Would you introduce Nick to your friends?
I’m not sure what they would make of him but think they would love to put a face to a name when I’m boring them with the story of when I randomly went on a Guardian blind date.
Describe Nick in three words
Attentive, kind, straight.
What do you think Nick made of you?
That I was a fun, slightly chaotic (hot) man with an unnerving attachment to the classics.
Did you go on somewhere?
We were one of the last tables in the restaurant but called it a night there.
And … did you kiss?
No kissing occurred.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
As we were saying goodbye, Nick proposed comparing notes on what we would mark each other. I refused as that spoils the fun! It made me wonder if he moderated or self-censored his behaviour to shoot for a higher score.
Marks out of 10?
I don’t think we were compatible, but I enjoyed the experience. I don’t know how to translate that into a number.
Would you meet again?
For a run and a coffee, sure, but not romantically.