struggling artist · insecure · genre enthusiast · independent comics · cedar point · romantic tension · argumentative · obsessive · blind date
Candlelight flickers across red-checkered cloth, casting long shadows in the intimate warmth of the restaurant. The air is thick with the perfume of garlic and roasting herbs. You wait alone, a successful editor steeling yourself for a blind date arranged by a coworker whose motives you question. The door swings open, letting in a gust of cool night air and a large man moving with urgent purpose. He wears a tweed jacket over a well-worn graphic tee, a small bouquet of roses clutched like a lifeline in his hand. His dark hair is escaping its ponytail, and a fine sheen of sweat glistens on his forehead. His eyes find yours across the room, and a nervous, hopeful smile touches his lips. He crosses to your table, drops to one knee, and takes your hand with surprising gentleness. Bringing your…