London, Saturday

[itsananomaly]

They made it in good time to the restaurant that they were going to eat at, Lester had helped Cutter with the reservations earlier and Cutter looked around in awe at the place. "Now this is definitely fancy," he said with a smile as they waited to be taken to their table. [preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. NFB for distance but OOC welcome!].

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked around in amazement as they waited to be seated. "It sure is" he agreed. "Good thing Lester is paying because I don't either of us could afford this!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I know, I'm definitely glad James gave us his card, even with my retirement funds I don't think I could afford this," Cutter admitted, "but I wanted out first night of official freedom from house arrest to be a good one, I think this definitely qualifies,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Definitely does" Connor nodded. "But you know what makes it absolutely perfect? You" he said as he gave Cutter's hand a squeeze.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter's cheeks went rather red at that as he returned the hand squeeze, "and being with you makes the it perfect for me," he said shyly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor kept a hold of Cutter's hand as they followed the waiter to their seat. Reluctantly he let go so they could be seated and picked up the menu from the table. "Oh this going to be a hard choice! Everything looks so good...."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I know what you mean," Cutter's eyes were wide as he took in the list of food, "I don't even know what type of food I feel like, whether I want meat or pasta or seafood ..." he said as he read everything over, "the lobster looks good," he considered with a tilt of his head.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Could always go with a combo.... " Connor mused as he continued to scan the menu. "This Surf and Turf sounds good. Steak and Lobster... I think I might get that."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Oh that does sound good," Cutter agreed, "I think I might go with the Surf and Turf as well and we should get a bottle of wine as well," he added with a smile.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"And dessert of course to finish it all up" Connor said as he reached across the table for Cutter's hand. "Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate. And the company is pretty good too"he said with a wink.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Aye, perfect way to celebrate, very good food and very good company," Oh look another blush, "how about we go with the chocolate cake for dessert?" he said as he held Connor's hand.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Won't get any complaints from me! I believe I saw a dark chocolate coffee cake on there" he looked across the table, unable to keep the grin off his face as he did. "I think that would be perfect."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Then we go with the dark chocolate coffee cake," Cutter said with a grin of his own, "I think that's definitely the perfect way to end this evening," he said, eyes twinkling as he gazed happily at Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he looked over at Nick. So much had happened but it was behind them now and all he wanted to do was focus on being here, with the man he loved, celebrating such a big moment together.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled happily at Connor as the waiter took their order and then came back with their bottle of wine, which they poured for them. Once they were alone again he raised his glass. "To a wonderful evening and our future," he said in a toast.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"To us and to the future," Connor said as he raised his glass as well. And in that moment everything they had been through the past year or so seems so worth it. Connor took a sip of the wine and the smile on his face never faltered.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter knew right then that this was what he wanted, a life together with Connor, after everything they had been through together and had come out stronger than ever. His life was complete with Connor and he wouldn't have had any other way. His own smile matched Connor's as he took a sip of his wine.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	After a few more minutes of just staring at Cutter with a ridiculously happy grin on his face, Connor took another drink of his wine. "I could definitely get used to this. And not even the fancy dinner and all. But this. Us. Together like this. teaching classes, working with the ARC, just being happy together. It is everything I have ever wanted."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It should not be possible for Cutter's smile to be that wide or his cheeks to be that red as he smiled happily at Connor. "Same here, this is what I want to be here with you, regardless of where we are whether we're at Fandom or at the ARC, being with you makes me happy, I love you so much Connor,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Oh there was that flush again... another sip of wine would help with that wouldn't it? Connor was about to say something when the waiter came with the salad and soup appetizers for their meal. "Oh this looks absolutely amazing! And it's just the first course!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter felt his flush deepen even more and took a sip of his own wine, could that would absolutely help with that yes. "Oh wow," Cutter smiled as the food was laid out in front of them, "this looks so wonderful," he breathed in the smell of the soup, "it smells wonderful too,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Well time to officially kick off this celebratory meal and dig in!" he said as he tried the soup, closing his eyes and sighing at how good it tasted. "OK I think that might be the best soup I have ever had aside from what Lester has made for us before!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"That was a very nice soup," Cutter agreed as he finished off his bowl, "and I know what you mean, that food that Lester made was amazing, definitely the best home cooked food I've ever had," he said with a smile, "and I'm looking forward to eating the rest of this food if the soup is anything to go by,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"It is a perfect way to celebrate" Connor agreed. "We've been through so much and have come out stronger on the other side. It's been a hell of a journey but I am glad I have you here with me, no matter what lies ahead I know we will be fine if we face it together!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that, "aye, we'll be stronger together, after what we've been through, nothing can tear us apart and I'm glad that I'll have you with me for what's ahead,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor got lost in his thoughts for a moment, thinking about how things had changed and where he had ended up. At times he still found it hard to believe he was here, with Cutter, like this. And he knew that now that they had this he was ever going to let go and could not even imagine his life without Cutter in it. His thoughts were interrupted when the waiter brought the main course of their meal, Connor's eyes going wide as the dishes were set down.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled happily at Connor as he sipped his wine, taking in just how nice that this all was being here with Connor and getting to celebrate the end of their house arrest and Connor's upcoming graduation. Then the main course arrived, "oh wow," he breathed as he looked at this dishes, "this looks incredible,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	After the amazing appetizer, the main course looked absolutely delicious and smelled just as good! "OK I don't think I've seen a spread this good in my life" he said eyes wide. "Even the steamed green beans, roasted potatoes, and asparagus look amazing!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter took a moment to just take in how wonderful this all looked, "it really all looks and smells so wonderful," he smiled, "no wonder James recommended this place when I was looking up dinner reservations,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I will have to give him my thanks because this is already an amazing date night" Connor said as he took a drink of his wine and started in on the food, going for a bit of the steak first.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled, "it definitely is an amazing date night," he agreed as he began to get started on his meal, choosing to go with the lobster, "I'm glad that we can do this, go out and celebrate again,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye, and I hate to say it but after all those months stuck in the flat... I was starting to get tired of takeout... even the Chinese" he admitted with a head shake "This is the perfect way to celebrate the end of that nonsense and celebrate some good news for a change! I still can hardly believe I actually managed to graduate!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I know what you mean, its nice that we can change things up and have a break from Chinese take out," Cutter smiled, "and I'm glad that we're able to celebrate your graduation, I know how hard you've worked on this, I'm so proud of you Connor,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Oh look, there was that flush again right on cue. Connor smiled sheepishly. "I couldn't have done it without your support and encouragement Nick. Those late-night study sessions and that bloody dissertation were much more tolerable with you there. The shoulder rubs and hot drinks were like mini miracles!”
Cutter(itsananomaly)	And oh look Cutter had his own flush to match, "I'm glad that they all helped you," he smiled, "I know it wasn't an ideal study situation, being under house arrest and all but I'm glad I was able to help make it a bit easier for you,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Well if nothing else, it forced me to focus... didn't have a lot to distract me so in a way it was sort of a good thing." Connor took a few bites of the steak, enjoying how perfectly it was cooked and how amazing it tasted. Then he looked back at Cutter. "We will have to figure out what we want to do for classes back in Fandom down the line. I do want to keep teaching with you there, get some more experience, maybe teach a solo class eventually...."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "and I'll support you with whatever you decide to do," he assured Connor, "the summer could be a good way to get a feel for teaching a solo class, it would be a lot more laid back," he added. He had no idea just how different their summer was going to be.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"That is actually a good idea" Connor said, equally as oblivious to what the narrative had in store for them over the summer. "And then at some point I could pick up a shift at the museum and also see about picking up class somewhere on the mainland. Once I get a feel for things and figure out my teaching style and everything of course."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled, "that sounds like an excellent idea, just don't do what I did and not bother to turn up to classes," he said, as he fondly remembered their first meeting.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor couldn’t help the laugh as he thought back to those early classes and the mystery man that Professor Cutter was seeing as he made it through several classes without ever seeing him show up. "Don't worry Nick, that will be one thing I won't borrow from you as far as teaching goes, sorry" he said with a small smirk.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter grinned at that, "your students will thank you for that," he said, "there'll be less confusion that way when say a student turns up and tries to recruit you on a monster hunting expedition,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled fondly at Cutter and reached out for his hand. "Oh to have known then where we would end up. I'd do it all over again. I'd have done it sooner in fact." Connor smiled, staring lovingly at the man he was sure he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. "That random article I found was one of the best things I ever stumbled across.... because it led me to you Nick."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I'm glad you found that article too," Cutter smiled fondly as he took Cutter's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "even if I did take some convincing that it was all real," he said, "I can't imagine my life without you now Connor,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Hey, you weren't coming at it from a conspiracy theory background like I was" Connor grinned. "But I am glad you came around and Im glad that despite my mistakes and bumbling and screwups you let me back on the team. I don't want to imagine what my life would be like without you in it Nick... I already got a taste of it and I don't ver want to go through that again." He then took Cutter's hand and kissed it softly before letting go so they could get back to eating. They were in a restaurant, a very nice restaurant at that, so he was trying to behave.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that, "I don't want to go through that again either, it was wrong of me to push you away like that and I'm glad you gave me a second chance," he blushed as Connor kissed his hand and then tried to focus on eating his very delicious meal, even though his mind kept wandering a bit, he had to keep telling himself that he couldn't propose to Connor right then and there, especially since he didn't have a ring yet.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	As they ate Connor smiled, his mind drifting a little. Finally, he took another pause and spoke. "Remember that first date?" he asked fondly. "I was so nervous... I was sure you were just humouring me and couldn't wait to get away from me."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that memory, "I remember that date," he said, "I remember being really nervous myself, I couldn't believe you would want to go out with someone like me," he said, cheeks going rather pink, "I still can't believe the first time we met that I told you to get a girlfriend," he said as he remembered that conversation.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Well couldn't really blame ya" Conor said with a smirk."Glad I didn't take ya up on that suggestion... though I have to say i had no idea we'd end up together way back then!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter grinned, "I have to say the same thing, never thought our lives would intertwine in such a way but I'm really glad they did, I'm glad that we found each other,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Been a wild ride and I know that no matter what happens I am glad to have those memories of us" Connor smiled as his mind suddenly drifted back to that weekend that seemed so long ago when Teddy and Tabby had come to visit. Back then it had seemed like one of those 'one in a million alternate timeline possibilities' but now... sitting here with Cutter after everything... Connor found himself wondering just how possible that might actually be one day.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled fondly as he found himself lost in similar memories of everything that had happened with Connor and now he was more than certain that he wanted to propose, he wanted that life for him and Connor. "And I'm glad that I have those memories of us too and I'm looking forward to creating future memories as well,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye, to many great memories to come and an amazing future together" Connor said as he raised his wine glass to Cutter with a broad grin. Even if there was never officially anything more than what they had right now right there he would be happy. Of course, deep down he hoped someday they could take that step, someday. But Connor was glad for every moment and every memory he got to make with the man he loved.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"To great memories and an amazing future," Cutter with a broad grin of his own as he raised his glass in toast, enjoying being here with Connor and sharing with amazing dinner with him as he began to fantasise future plans for their life together.