“Y'know, this is great.” Harmony beamed, as he picked at his cotton candy. “I never went on a date like this before.”

“What, your exes never took you to the Boardwalk?” Manic asked, as they walked, passing the rest of the food stands, and the performers that set up for petty cash.

As near as he could tell, their date had been pretty agreeable. They explored the pier, partook in alot of the attractions, and Manic almost blew all his date money trying to score Harmony a stuffed toy at a game booth, like the absolute cheeseball that he was... or attempted to be...

Overall, he enjoyed his time alone with the bat. Most of their band time didn't often allow for one-on-one time, or any intimate connecting. It felt good talking to Harmony, asking him questions, learning about his life... He found himself hoping he'll have the opportunity to ask him more questions on future dates.

“Ex,” Harmony clarified. “and no, we really never went out when we were going out.”

“How did that work?”

“Well, we mostly stayed in, enjoyed each other's company, maybe fool around a bit...” He smiled wryly.

Manic chuckled, “That sounds good too.”

“It was.” Harmony agreed. “It was very enjoyable, and it was easy... but I don't know. He kind of desired a simpler lifestyle, free of clutter or baggage. That's kind of why we never told anyone we were going out.” 

“In the closet?”

“In a sense. He was the lead guitar in the last band I was in. We kept it discreet, so that the rest of them wouldn't get all dramatic about us dating.”

“Did they ever find out?”

“No... Our break-up was kind of a precursor to the band falling apart.” Harmony sighed, shrugging his jacket securely on his shoulders.“Everyone was going in different directions, we wanted different things, we just kind of dissolved.”

“That sounds familiar...” Manic mumbled, mostly to himself. Memories of the past came to him as bittersweet visions that created a somber feeling inside him.

“You were in another band before?” Harmony tilted his head.

Manic sighed. “It didn't work out...” He replied, trying to push the past out of his mind. It wasn't the kind of thing he wanted to discuss with Harmony, at least when they were still on their first date...

Harmony himself hummed in an understanding tone. Manic was thankful that he didn't pursue the line of inquiry. “Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you guys let me be your singer, especially after today.” He beamed brightly.

Manic felt his own stretching grin. He reached out a hand to grasp Harmony's, delight fluttering in his chest as they locked fingers and bridged their shoulders together. “I take it this was a successful date, then?” He asked.

Harmony nodded. “The best I've had in a long time.”

Manic couldn't help the swell of pride and joy he felt with that statement. He squeezed Harmony's hand affectionately, leaning even closer to him to speak softly into his ear. “Just wait until our next date, we'll go all out.”

Harmony giggled, turning his head, so they faced each other now. “You're gonna spoil me.”

“That's the plan.” Manic agreed, smirking confidently. “I know how to treat a potential datemate... and of course, I find no small amount of pleasure in giving.” He said, lifting Harmony's hand to place a tiny smooch over his knuckles, giving him a playful wink. He grinned back at the bashful, blushing smile that Harmony gave him in return. 

Their locked hands swung between them, their grasp never loosening, even when they left the boardwalk far behind them.