thechurbymusebox | It's For Your Own Good

It's For Your Own Good

Blind Date Meme

Let's face it, sometimes it's difficult finding someone to share your time, and your heart (or maybe just your body), with. Luckily for you, you have well meaning friends. Unfortunately for you, you have well meaning friends who didn't tell you this was coming. That's right. They have taken it upon themselves (and no doubt friends of friends or family members or someone else who clearly doesn't know you) to arrange a date. Without telling you.

That's right. The dreaded blind date. Which means now you've got to get through at least a reasonable amount of time with a total stranger (or maybe not a stranger if you're particularly, well, we can't say if it's lucky or not) before you can reasonably escape. Maybe it will go well. Maybe this will be the start of the rest of your lives. Maybe you'll get laid. Maybe you'll have a horror story for the ages.

No matter what plays out, though, you're here. Might as well see just how your luck is going to play out.

How to Play
1. Post your character and canon below along with any preferences. Then go back and edit your comment with the next number in order (i.e. first TL is 1, second is 2, etc)
2. Tag other TLs. If a character isn't in normal preferences, ask if they might want a date that goes poorly instead!
3. Optionally, get yourself a truly blind experience by going here and randomly generating a number. Then find the matching TL (numbered back in step one) and enjoy your blind date.
4. For more fun, use the list in the first comment for randomized date locations!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[m/f or m/m, 16-20 age range but I'm actually happy to age him up to ~~surviving~~ college aged for more fun too on request]

Edited 2023-08-31 03:06 (UTC)

Ever since coming out as bi, Nick's mates, while well intended - Harry in particular - seemed to want to set Nick up with other boys as a matter of teasing. It made him uncomfortable, but he wasn't willing to tell them to stop, not wanting that argument. he wasn't even sure if he was comfortable dating other boys in public spaces, but no one had to know, right.

They could go to an arcade, it was agreed upon, and didn't have to stay there. And they could just talk, grab something to eat, or play games, too. And if it didn't work out, they could just act like it was a matter of meeting up with a friend to have fun.

He is still nervous as he waits by a ski-ball machine, looking for the Billy Harry had described to him. He uncrosses and crosses his legs and arms, shifting his weight as Nick's eyes slip to the ground, then lift again when anyone approaches.

Billy Hargrove makes entrances. That is impossible to deny. The roar of a Camaro pulling up to the arcade was part of it. The way he's dressed, the way he grins and meets people's eyes as he walks in. The leather coat, the perfectly prepared curls, the dark red shirt left open lower than it should so that the sun kissed gold of his skin is on display.

Eyes on him? That's definitely the name of the game. He, for one, is far from nervous about this 'hang out'. Because what does he have to be nervous about.

Ski-ball. That's what he was told to look for. And so he does. Finds a guy standing there, looking nervous as hell. Sounds about right.

"Nick. Hope I'm not late."

If Nick had any desire to keep this date inconspicuous, it was pretty much ruined when Billy stepped inside of the arcade. Sure, he heard the car engine revving outside, but that could have been anyone. As soon as Billy steps in, even Nick looks up, his attention caught by Billy's walk, his clothes, his hair.

If there is anyone who is the epitome of "oozes confidence" it is this guy that saunters in, seems to grab the attention of everyone in the arcade, and...walks right up to Nick.

When he speaks to Nick, Nick almost wants to sink into the ground. Yet, there's a trickle of fascination that rises through and above that. He straightens his stance and uncomfortably nods his head as he, finally, uncrosses all limbs.

"Ah, yes. Billy?" he, those nerves still aflame, offers out his hand to shake. Talk about opposites, but he's not remotely surprised this is someone Harry knows, and thought would be a good set up for Nick.

Seriously? This is what he was being set up with? Dude clearly looks like a rugby player, but with so much more 'softness' in his aura. Seriously, what's up with that?

"Harry's mentioned you, once or twice," he confirms, shaking the offered hand.

Hearing Harry's spoken of him, Nick rubs the back of his neck.

"Funny. Harry hasn't mentioned you, much. Not until," Nick waves his hand at the arcade, "this."

Speaking of, they had this whole arcade to experience, not just the one machine. "Would you to play a game? I'll pay." In the least, Nick came prepared there.

It's not normally his speed, but... Well, he had taught Max how to kick ass at Dig Dug so why not.

"Sure. I could do a bit. What sort of games do you like?"

That felt a little more like familiar territory and he finally gives a short, small smile.

"Racing games. Mostly," Nick answers as he makes his way to the machine to reload his game card.

If the worst date ended up was awkward tension and acknowledgement it didn't work out, that was fine by Nick. Still, he is determined to give it a shot.

"What about you? If racing isn't your style, we could try something else."

Racing games, huh? Billy would rather be driving, but he supposed he could try.

"They're never as close to what life really is behind the wheel," he says with a shrug. But he could do it. "Maybe one with head to head?"

That perks up some curiosity, even as Nick walks to one of the racing games available.

"You drive?" Nick, as of yet, doesn't. "I wouldn't know first hand myself."

Oh he drives.

"I've got a '79 Camaro," he says with a wide grin. "It's outside. Wanna see it?"

So much for video games. Nick grins to that, and puts away his card.

"Yes," he says with a far more confident tone. "I definitely want to see it. I don't know too much about cars, but I know that is a very nice car."

Oh yeah, that's the proper reaction. Billy grins and turns with a nod.

"Don't got to know much to appreciate my baby," he promises as he weaves between arcade cabinets toward the door. This place was literally set up to make it harder to get out, to make it easier to spend money. It was annoying.

"Then you definitely have to show me."

Maybe Nick is a little more used to the arcade, or it's not one of the things that incites his temper, as he doesn't seem to mind weaving through to the exit with ease, despite his frame.

He remains excited and holds the door open for Billy when he gets to it.

Oh Billy slips through the door with a smile yeah, there's his baby. Front and center. Beautiful. Shining in the evening light and the lights of the arcade. A gorgeous piece of machinery.

"Put a lot of time in keeping her pristine."

"Wow...." Nick can only stare, at first.

"You know, we don't have to stay here," Nick points out. "If there's somewhere else you would rather go. I wouldn't mind getting a ride."

"Yeah, she's my pride and joy," he says, running a fond hand over the length of the thing. Then he smirks.

"What's your opinions on fast?"

"I can tell you take good care of her."

Not that he's ever been in a car going all that fast, beyond video games, but Nick happily says, "Fast is good."

"The best," he agrees as he moves to open the driver side door. "Come on in."

Not like he bothered locking it out here. The place was pretty safe.

Nick doesn't waste anytime opening the Camaro door and sliding in the passenger side.

"So," Nick turns to Billy, "where are we going?"

Not that they have to go somewhere, just riding in it might be fun enough.

"Not about the destination, Nick. It's about the journey."

Once Nick's settled, he throws the thing into reverse, pulls out quickly, and is on the road just as fast.

"If I go too fast, just let me know."

Maybe he'll even do something about it. Beyond judging.

"Say it that way, sounds like you plan on a great journey."

Nick feels his heart accelerate as they move, but he finds himself smiling, exhilarated.

"Not too fast yet," he tells Billy with a grin. It's not an intentional challenge, but he might as well have.

All journeys with him are fucking great.

"Dude, you challenging me here, Nick? I could really blow your mind here," he laughs. Could really break the guy's head. Which is probably not the intention of the night. Probably. Maybe.

Not entirely serious, but not against it, either, Nick shrugs a little and tells Billy, "Maybe."

Either way, Nick is sure having a good time was the point of a...whatever this was supposed to be, so if Billy enjoys driving fast, and Nick is having a bit of fun, what's the harm?

"Don't set a challenge. I don't back down," he laughs, getting them on a straight away and pouring on more speed. You'll have to say uncle, Nick.

Billy Hargrove | Stranger Things | 8

Exactly sort of person Nick's rugby mates might set him up with | age 16, lmk if this works

Oh Nick, baby. Let's see how this goes

perfectly hilarious so far

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