The Mariner Building's corner stone proudly declared its date of construction in 1892. It had long since been converted from a bank into a set of shops on the first floor and office space on the second and third floors. Beneath its heavy architecture lay The Vault. The defunct street access elevator had been converted into a chic set of neon-lined stairs with an old bank vault door at the base.

The two block walk in the brisk night air did little to entice Jack into looking forward to the warmth of being inside. Fortunately, The Vault was not as ritzy as he'd been expecting. It still looked pricey and intimidating with its vintage bank-themed décor. Then again, Jack's idea of pricey was more than a little skewed.

Inside, the tables and bar were crowded with chattering groups. Jack's heart sank when he caught sight of a couple college kids dressed worse than him. He could have kept his hoodie. He would have been shivering but comfortable.

He pressed himself against Kieran and tightly gripped his arm, breathing through the creeping panic of the crowd seemingly pressing in. He let go after slowly exhaling. He could do this. Dating was normal. Being seen in public with someone else was normal. He was allowed to date people. No one owned him.

"Hello! Welcome to The Vault. How many?" greeted the hostess, her expression tired, but cheerful.

"I've a reservation for two under O'Byrne. Possibly O'Brien." Kieran's smile was friendly, but there was a tinge of annoyance laced through his voice.

Jack looked up as Kieran's accent thickened and caught the tight smile. He was lucky that he had an easy name. He was pretty sure his middle name was the exception, but, without checking his ID, he couldn't be sure. At least he knew when his birthday was. He watched as the waitress scanned her list, doing his best to ignore the pang of uncertainty.

The hostess looked up with a light blush and grabbed a handful of menus. "Looks like you spoke to Kelsey. Right this way!"

Curiosity got the best of him, and Jack quickly glanced around to make sure he was being ignored and stole a peek at the reservation list as they passed by. A pair of hearts caught his eye before he could skim the times.

O'Sexy voice - you'll know who! ❤️❤️

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For a brief moment, he felt lighter. Then the realization hit him that he was going to be the center of that night's gossip for the staff. What was a handsome foreigner doing with a mangy stray like him? He should have taken Candace up on her offer to go shopping, being called out on the new wardrobe be damned.

Too late now.

His apprehension grew as they moved further into the restaurant. He trailed a step behind Kieran, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. Maybe if people thought they were just there as friends, it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe if he wasn't so paranoid that he thought everyone they passed was staring at him, then his whole life wouldn't be so bad.

He glared at Kieran's back as he wished he could get some medication for his issues. Five different prescriptions, and the same result every single time. The fog and missing time got worse. He'd take being paranoid and anxious over not remembering Tara's name.

They reached their table, and Jack reluctantly pulled off his loaned coat and set it over the seat back. Tugging at his sleeves, he sat down and missed most of the night's specials. He grabbed up the drink menu and compared all the vodka-based cocktails being offered. His eyes kept drifting to the historical facts about the building that corresponded with the drink names.

"So. Reservations," Jack said when he thought the hostess was out of range. "I don't remember you calling anyone."

"I took a chance," Kieran said with an easy shrug. "Thought I'd surprise you. It's also easier to cancel a reservation than to schedule one at the last minute."

"Okay. Makes sense."

"We can go somewhere else if you're uncomfortable," Kieran quietly offered.

"W-what? No! I'm fine," Jack insisted, taking in the other occupied tables. The restaurant was fairly crowded, and they were nowhere near the front. "It'll be worse if we leave. Just… Just lemme get something in me, and I'll be set." He looked at Kieran, and his stomach sank at the disappointed frown. "Please? There's a lot of people, and I feel like they're staring. I know they're not," he added before Kieran could argue. "It's irrational. I know it is, but that doesn't change it."

Kieran sighed and nodded as he waved his hand at the menu Jack held. "If it will make you feel better."

Jack bit his lip and glared at the menu and its black and white photos of gangsters with tommy guns. He shouldn't have said anything. Now he was being judged for his very slight drinking problem. At least he wasn't on the receiving end of Kieran's side eye of the rambunctious group of college students a couple tables over. He hoped they stayed too drunk to notice.

Starting with a vodka martini sounded like a good idea. If only he could figure out what ridiculous name the restaurant had given it.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]