If Loki was worried about his finances, he wouldn't have offered. Good company was worth so much more than money. Yes, the price for the trip would likely even stick shock him, but it wouldn't hurt him in the long run. He had already decided it wasn't coming out of the trust, he mostly lived off the interest of the trust or if he went over that pulled from his account his salary goes into. Which was what this trip was coming from.
A chuckle rolled free of him. "I may just take you up on that, but, we will see, you know how hard it is for me to say no to your cooking." The smile grew when Don finally agreed. A brilliant smile offered the man's way. No way did he expect Don to cook for him more than he does, but he would always enjoy what Don makes and give his honest feedback.
Squeezing Don's hand back in the awkward shake. Looking utterly amused, as he sat back, taking his hand back, so Don could let the boys know. Lifting his fork and knife, he had let his food get cold enough, Don had to deal with the boys, so Loki started eating. A beautiful fish presentation, with a few sides.
Loki isn't even bothered when Don answers the boys. He actually looks happy before taking another bite, giving Don the time to talk to his boys. It didn't seem possible that he would be able to fall more for the older man, and yet, here it was. Don putting his children before manners. That neither of his parents would ever do. That earned Don so much respect. Maybe he would have been better off if his parents had put him before their reputations, but whose to say.
Shaking his head when he saw that mouthed apology, Loki shakes his head, still smiling. "They are your boys, I will never judge you taking care of them before anything else. As I have said before, you are a fantastic father, Donald Marcus. Now, you simply must try this before it gets too cold."
And he'll stick to his guns. Loki can say he's handling everything and that Don doesn't have to do a single thing for him in return - but this is just how the older man is. How exactly can he pay back an all expenses paid trip to the Super Bowl for him and his kids plus all the extras? Don hasn't got the slightest idea. But he'll figure it out. Somehow. He won't be able to live with himself otherwise.
He has so much energy now! Excited energy, nervous energy. Don can't believe this is a thing that's happening. He nearly asks to be excused so he can go for a walk, but - dinner. Right. There is glorious (expensive) food sitting in front of him that's going to waste. His stomach is doing somersaults, but he has to at least try and eat.
"Is it still good?" he asks, picking up his silverware before digging in himself. (His napkin has been laid out over his lap this whole time. Real proper-like.)
Don is positively beaming as he cuts into his fish, unable to stop talking about his kids. He blushes a bit at being called a fantastic father and does his best to shrug it off. "He's so excited. Kev's gonna flip out too. This means so much, Loke. Thank you."
And when he takes his first bite, he sits with it and contemplates. He doesn't speak until he's swallowed. "...What sort of sea bass was this again?" he asks, pointing the prongs of his fork down towards his plate. "Real nice flavor."
For once Don doesn't seem tired. He's usually lively in his free time - especially if it's being spent with his best friend. But there's something different here, like he's been completely renewed and refreshed and the circles beneath his eyes have been erased.
Loki just smiled in return, he didn't tell Don not to worry about it this once. He knew the answer he would get by now. And Don likely knew by now that once Loki started eating, he would ramble a little less until he was finished. Despite the feelings Loki tries to bottle up for the older man, just being his friend and as honest as Don is with him, was more than worth the loss of that money for the trip. It's not even a loss, it's a memory to be made for Don and the boys.
Had Don asked, Loki would have understood the food could be boxed up. His microwave was the hardest worked appliance in his house, besides maybe the coffee marker and kettle. "It is, while a little cold it is fine." While most might expect him to be picky about food, he really isn't. He loves to eat and gets distracted a lot at work, so cold food is kind of normal for him at this point. It was still flavorful.
Another bite or two was taken as Loki listened to Don, nodding some. "I am glad I can help with making them happy with this. You're welcome, Don. Thank you for agreeing." It would be easier to play aloof with someone there to talk too, if he was on his own, his family might realize he actually cares about Thor's sports career. Can't have that.
"Black sea bass, I believe, it said." He knew it did, but saying it that way sounded better in his head. "Oh yes, I agree. Still, not as good as the lemon pepper ones you made a month or two ago." He admitted. As expensive as this was, he'd happily sit at Don's table and eat anything the man made. Dinner here was just to get Don out of the house and let him walk along the peir as they had before dinner.
Loki doesn't say anything about it, but seeing that strange energy shift in Don makes him smile. Returning to his food but feeling warm from helping his best friend seem lighter and excited.
"I'll annoy you about the details later yeah?" he asks with a smile. He doesn't want to interrupt their dinner any further. It's already been put on hold long enough. And he'd like some time to breathe before beginning to worry about logistics. So many things to do in order for him and the kids to prep to leave... Nope, stop it. Don't ruin this.
"Oh what - the tilapia?" Don makes a face, resting his fork at the edge of his plate. "That was nothing." And yeah he can't take a compliment either. Lemon pepper tilapia with couscous isn't anything special. He's made it a million times before, just switch the couscous out for rice or veggies or--
"...Thanks, that's sweet." There he is, finally taking the compliment after much internal debate. Looking so bashful about it as he picks up his fork and pops another bite of the fish into his mouth. He washes it down with a healthy gulp of wine, then lets out a rather relaxed-sounding sigh - all things considered. He can't stay ruffled for too long with the prospect of a well-deserved break looming in the near future. Logistics be damned.
"And I will annoy you for details I will need as well." He's got to get plane tickets and reservations made. Despite being completely willing to front the bill, Loki planned to shop around and see how he could save a little here and there.
Loki didn't seem to bothered by any of it, just working on his fish, it was cooling yes, but still delicious. Nodding when Don named the fish. "Says the man who cooks as good as any professional chef. And in your spare time at that." Loki spoke, pointing a fork Don's way. Nope, Loki is not letting Don play that down. Don was quickly becoming his favorite cook he could see often.
"You're welcome." A smile offered his way before Loki went back to work on finishing the fish. Waving off more wine when the waitress offered more.
Plane tickets and reservations and all sorts of other preparations. Don's head is dizzy with it all. A jumble of giddy excitement and worry. He's already making a mental list of things he's got to do, all the while enjoying this delicious dinner to his utmost ability. He'd enjoy it regardless - because look at the company sitting across from him at the table - but still. So much to think about and look forward to. It's almost like a dream, and it'll probably remain feeling like one until he's there experiencing it for himself.
"Annoy away," he comments, poking at some veggies with his fork. "My day doesn't feel complete until you've annoyed me at least once." And he pops the fork into his mouth, giving Loki a closed-mouth smile as he chews.
"Mm, professional chef? Maybe I'm in the wrong line of business." He's thought about it before - cooking for living. But he'd probably have to go to school or something, really throw himself into it to get anywhere. Taking care of flowers and floral arrangements come easy to him, and he's got a responsibility there with the shop.
Don doesn't say anything more, just smiles to himself at the kind words. It's nice to hear them once in a while. He appreciates the gesture.
When Loki waves the waitress away, Don actually gets her attention to top off his glass. He gets a little chatty too, most likely his way of apologizing for blowing her off entirely earlier in the meal. She's getting a generous tip too. Cash. And no, Loki's not handling that. Don will be the one to leave it in the check holder, he insists.
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A chuckle rolled free of him. "I may just take you up on that, but, we will see, you know how hard it is for me to say no to your cooking." The smile grew when Don finally agreed. A brilliant smile offered the man's way. No way did he expect Don to cook for him more than he does, but he would always enjoy what Don makes and give his honest feedback.
Squeezing Don's hand back in the awkward shake. Looking utterly amused, as he sat back, taking his hand back, so Don could let the boys know. Lifting his fork and knife, he had let his food get cold enough, Don had to deal with the boys, so Loki started eating. A beautiful fish presentation, with a few sides.
Loki isn't even bothered when Don answers the boys. He actually looks happy before taking another bite, giving Don the time to talk to his boys. It didn't seem possible that he would be able to fall more for the older man, and yet, here it was. Don putting his children before manners. That neither of his parents would ever do. That earned Don so much respect. Maybe he would have been better off if his parents had put him before their reputations, but whose to say.
Shaking his head when he saw that mouthed apology, Loki shakes his head, still smiling. "They are your boys, I will never judge you taking care of them before anything else. As I have said before, you are a fantastic father, Donald Marcus. Now, you simply must try this before it gets too cold."
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And he'll stick to his guns. Loki can say he's handling everything and that Don doesn't have to do a single thing for him in return - but this is just how the older man is. How exactly can he pay back an all expenses paid trip to the Super Bowl for him and his kids plus all the extras? Don hasn't got the slightest idea. But he'll figure it out. Somehow. He won't be able to live with himself otherwise.
He has so much energy now! Excited energy, nervous energy. Don can't believe this is a thing that's happening. He nearly asks to be excused so he can go for a walk, but - dinner. Right. There is glorious (expensive) food sitting in front of him that's going to waste. His stomach is doing somersaults, but he has to at least try and eat.
"Is it still good?" he asks, picking up his silverware before digging in himself. (His napkin has been laid out over his lap this whole time. Real proper-like.)
Don is positively beaming as he cuts into his fish, unable to stop talking about his kids. He blushes a bit at being called a fantastic father and does his best to shrug it off. "He's so excited. Kev's gonna flip out too. This means so much, Loke. Thank you."
And when he takes his first bite, he sits with it and contemplates. He doesn't speak until he's swallowed. "...What sort of sea bass was this again?" he asks, pointing the prongs of his fork down towards his plate. "Real nice flavor."
For once Don doesn't seem tired. He's usually lively in his free time - especially if it's being spent with his best friend. But there's something different here, like he's been completely renewed and refreshed and the circles beneath his eyes have been erased.
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Had Don asked, Loki would have understood the food could be boxed up. His microwave was the hardest worked appliance in his house, besides maybe the coffee marker and kettle. "It is, while a little cold it is fine." While most might expect him to be picky about food, he really isn't. He loves to eat and gets distracted a lot at work, so cold food is kind of normal for him at this point. It was still flavorful.
Another bite or two was taken as Loki listened to Don, nodding some. "I am glad I can help with making them happy with this. You're welcome, Don. Thank you for agreeing." It would be easier to play aloof with someone there to talk too, if he was on his own, his family might realize he actually cares about Thor's sports career. Can't have that.
"Black sea bass, I believe, it said." He knew it did, but saying it that way sounded better in his head. "Oh yes, I agree. Still, not as good as the lemon pepper ones you made a month or two ago." He admitted. As expensive as this was, he'd happily sit at Don's table and eat anything the man made. Dinner here was just to get Don out of the house and let him walk along the peir as they had before dinner.
Loki doesn't say anything about it, but seeing that strange energy shift in Don makes him smile. Returning to his food but feeling warm from helping his best friend seem lighter and excited.
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"Oh what - the tilapia?" Don makes a face, resting his fork at the edge of his plate. "That was nothing." And yeah he can't take a compliment either. Lemon pepper tilapia with couscous isn't anything special. He's made it a million times before, just switch the couscous out for rice or veggies or--
"...Thanks, that's sweet." There he is, finally taking the compliment after much internal debate. Looking so bashful about it as he picks up his fork and pops another bite of the fish into his mouth. He washes it down with a healthy gulp of wine, then lets out a rather relaxed-sounding sigh - all things considered. He can't stay ruffled for too long with the prospect of a well-deserved break looming in the near future. Logistics be damned.
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Loki didn't seem to bothered by any of it, just working on his fish, it was cooling yes, but still delicious. Nodding when Don named the fish. "Says the man who cooks as good as any professional chef. And in your spare time at that." Loki spoke, pointing a fork Don's way. Nope, Loki is not letting Don play that down. Don was quickly becoming his favorite cook he could see often.
"You're welcome." A smile offered his way before Loki went back to work on finishing the fish. Waving off more wine when the waitress offered more.
end :)
"Annoy away," he comments, poking at some veggies with his fork. "My day doesn't feel complete until you've annoyed me at least once." And he pops the fork into his mouth, giving Loki a closed-mouth smile as he chews.
"Mm, professional chef? Maybe I'm in the wrong line of business." He's thought about it before - cooking for living. But he'd probably have to go to school or something, really throw himself into it to get anywhere. Taking care of flowers and floral arrangements come easy to him, and he's got a responsibility there with the shop.
Don doesn't say anything more, just smiles to himself at the kind words. It's nice to hear them once in a while. He appreciates the gesture.
When Loki waves the waitress away, Don actually gets her attention to top off his glass. He gets a little chatty too, most likely his way of apologizing for blowing her off entirely earlier in the meal. She's getting a generous tip too. Cash. And no, Loki's not handling that. Don will be the one to leave it in the check holder, he insists.