Not-so-secrets

Serah laughed. "Weirded out? Nah. I like hair. It scratches you in all the right places", she hummed as she bit on her nails. "And, well, I have no clue what you think about me either." She knew all too well what she thought about him.

Delilah smiled at him and waved in his direction. "See you", she said winking back at Yvan before getting up and making her way in the castle.

"Well. You're a nice person, when you don't try to pretend you're an asshole," Valdyr replied with a smile. He grabbed a stool, and sat by her side. "Well. I can't say you're not gorgeous, that would be a lie. And I like you, I do. But I still have trouble to get why you'd ever be interested in me that way."

Yvan sighed happily on his bench, and remained there for a little while.

Serah was all grinning like an idiot now. "Well, I... have had the time to get to know you well", she answered, after she was done gushing over the compliments she had been paid with. "I kinda already thought you were pretty handsome. And hot. But, I have seen how you talk about your niece, and about what you love, and I am sure you're the kindest, most passionate man I've ever met. Even if you have a head as hard as a rock", she added smiling.

"Well. Sorry for that, Valdyr said with a kind laugh. "... Say. How about we go dine in town together tonight? I could make it up to you, and we could... see if this work."

Serah grinned. "Are you asking me on a date?", she purred, crossing her legs. "Because I'd be damned if I don't accept!"

Valdyr laughed kindly. "Well, I am. But I'll need time to wash myself and change clothes, are you okay with that?"

"It's alright! I'll have to get changed to anyway. I stink of alcohol", Serah said merrily, getting up from her stool. And I will wait for you at the exit of the palace."

"... How about you wait for me into your room. This is a date, I'll come and get you," Valdyr told her with a smile, as he stood up from his chair.

Serah threw Valdyr a big smile. "Alright! See you later then", she said, a bit shyly as she waved at him. "I'll wait there!" She walked out of the room to literally run up to her own bedroom, forgetting that she had never owned decent clothes in her whole life and she would have to wear her second pair of regular clothes.
Oh, well.

Oooh but given how much time they had spent in that place, Carleen had probably offered her one of her old outfits! would she have accepted it?

Ohhh probably yes!! She is going to feel so different from her usual self but she'll be all giddy and happy about looking all good uvu even if she'll still be very poor, manners wise!

UvU

So a little while later, Valdyr came to find her. He had put on clean clothes, and had made an effort to comb his hair and his beard! He knocked gently on the door.

"Coming!", Serah yelled, struggling to put on the shoes. That outfit was so foreign and different from what she was used to! She opened the door, grinning. "Hey there! Looking handsome", she added, leaning on the doorframe.

"..." Valdyr blinked at her for a few seconds, before he adverted his eyes and cleared his throat. "You look quite dashing yourself," he mumbled.

Serah bit her lower lip, happy to see that apparently her outfit was appreciated. "Thanks!" She stepped out of her room, closing the door. "Well, let's go!"

Valdyr smiled and nodded, walking with her. He felt still a bit awkward about that whole situation. "So... how long have I been the most clueless man ever?"

"Hhm, let's see..." Serah hummed, walking at his side. "It's going on since a while now. Pretty much since the day Yvan broke his stupid leg", she laughed. "But I have been throwing clues at you only since three months." Only. Yeah.

"... And yet you didn't come to the conclusion that I was just an idiot and not worth any of your efforts?" Valdyr chuckled. Well. He was more embarrassed than teasing her. "Listen, I'm sorry."

"I will admit I was tempted several times to punch you at least a bit", Serah laughed. "But to think you were unworthy of my time, no. Not really." She tilted her head. "You don't have anything to be sorry about. Don't sweat it!"

"Well. Still," Valdyr said, uneasy. "I hope you'll enjoy tonight's date, after all that time you spent waiting."

Serah smiled gently at him. "I am sure I will", she answered, almost shy. "Probably even more, since I waited long and I am sure it is not just a stupid crush", she added, scratching her arm.

Valdyr smied back at her, and cleared his throat. "Alright. Where do you want to eat?" He'd actually been a very few times in town since they had come to Lord Sakrish's place.

Serah hummed, thinking a bit. "I know a nice place, not far. ... well it's a tavern, but we don't care, right?" She smiled at him. "I went there a few times already!"

"... Dressed as you are? I'm not sure I'm ready to fend off rude pretendants through the whole meal. You look like a princess, in those clothes," Valdyr replied, blushing a bit.

Serah snickered, to cover up the fact that she was blushing as well. "Please, do you really think I would let you fend them off on your own?", she answered with a grin. "Dressed like a princess or not, I can still kick asses! But if you want to try and find a nicer place, you're welcome!"