Just Talking

"Wow, you've really taken a minimalist approach to your decor" Sara joked as she entered Andy's almost comically plain room.

He wasn't completely sure why he had decided to take her to his place rather than hang out in her far more inviting and prettily decorated pad but, if he remembered correctly, Einstein had said something about doing the same thing over and over again being really stupid. Or perhaps it was Shakespeare? Sara would know, but he wasn't about to embarrass himself by asking her. It didn't matter anyway. The point was, unless he switched things up from previous runs, he would end up getting another naked blowjob from Sara which, enjoyable as it was, couldn't be seen as any kind of progress in their slightly stalling relationship.

"Would you like a whisky and coke?"

"Go on then" Sara nodded "But don't get any ideas that because I'm in your bedroom and drinking we're going to have sex. If you had a living room we'd be in there, and I refuse to sleep with anyone on Fresher's week"

"Isn't that what Fresher's Week is for though?" Andy asked rather tactlessly.

"That is exactly why I wouldn't do it" Sara responded instantly, almost seeming pleased that he had made her point for her "Every guy seems to think they need to fuck someone to have completed Fresher's Week, and it doesn't even matter who it is. I don't think I could even begin to know if someone was genuinely interested in me until week two at the earliest"

"So is there literally nothing a guy could do to get past that rule?" Andy was curious to know.

Sara thought for a while.

"Maybe if we spent the whole week together, had a couple of amazing dates, had the talk. If I was sure I had been their focus for the entire week and they weren't just trying to make me their Fresher's fuck, then I guess I might have decided to relax my rule. But that ship has sailed now anyway, so it's entirely hypothetical"

"I'd still like to know more about what you like though" Andy admitted "For next week"

"Then ask away. It's quite refreshing that you are at all interested in what I'm looking for in a guy. Most men aren't even able to clear that incredibly low hurdle"

"What's the talk?"

"The talk is when two people stay up all night and fully connect. It's not something that's intentional or planned, it just happens naturally when you are enjoying somebody's company so much that you lose track of time and keep the conversation going until dawn"

"And what would your perfect kind of date be?"

"I do like that you're asking these kind of questions rather than just assuming you can guess. It's genuinely encouraging" Sara commended Andy "Maybe something like laser tag"

"Laser tag?" Andy repeated in obvious surprise "I definitely wouldn't have guessed that"

"Why? Do you think I'm some kind of book worm who doesn't know how to have fun?" Sara sounded a little more defensive than might have been expected.

"No, it's just not a very typical kind of a date"

"I think activities are way better than a drink or a meal for bonding with someone. Something competitive also gets your adrenaline pumping, which is a nice bonus. There's a venue for it in town if you ever wanted to take me there" Sara suggested "Though a word of warning, I used to play it all the time as a kid and I'm really good. Seriously, I will totally kick your arse without question. You won't stand a chance"

"Well that sounds fun" Andy deadpanned.

"Sorry" Sara giggled as she realised she had got a little carried away there "We can be on the same team. We can kick everyone else's arses together"

"I like the sound of that a lot better. Let's do it next week"

"It's a date" Sara smiled before yawning "Dammit Andy, why did you choose here instead of mine and then ply me with alcohol? The walk back to my room is going to feel like an absolute trek now"

"You can stay here and take my bed. I don't mind sleeping on the floor" he suggested.

"It's big enough for us to share" Sara compromised "As long as you realise we would only be sleeping together in the literal sense of the word tonight. That was a nice talk, but it wasn't the talk"

Andy agreed, more than content with his evening's work, and went to prepare himself for sleep. When he returned, it seemed Sara had already turned in for the night. The sight of her laid out on his bed in her lingerie was truly something to behold. But he had to play the long game here. Waking her up and pushing for sex, or even a blow job, would not go down well.

Andy gently rolled Sara onto her side, and lay down next to her. Then, almost instinctively, he placed an arm around her waist. Without evening opening her eyes, Sara smiled, made a contended, half-asleep humming kind of a sound and rested her hand on top of his. It felt good. Really good, and very natural. He feared this was going to be another night where he didn't sleep much though.

---

Andy awoke alone the next morning at around ten. Sara had slipped out without him evening stirring, but had left a cute note thanking him for his hospitality and conforming she was looking forward to their laser tag date next week. He was sure it was going to happen, though his definition of 'next week' was currently very different to hers.

He had barely showered and got dressed when there was a knock at his door. He opened it to a smiling Tamara.

"Hello Andrew! Why doesn't it surprise me that you are here and not in one of your classes?" she teased "Anyway, that works out well for me. Hopefully you haven't forgotten that you're escorting me to the social tonight. I have to buy myself a suitable outfit first, and I thought we could head into town together so you can help me choose"

"Am I supposed to see you in it in advance?"

"We're not getting married, Andrew" Tamara laughed "I won't be offended if you don't feel like clothes shopping, you may find it rather dull. But then you can't blame me if I turn up wearing something frightful this evening. I've been informed in the past that my sartorial judgement can be hit and miss at best"

"You could show up in a bin liner and I'd still fancy you" Andy shrugged "But sure, that sounds a lot more fun than a philosophy lecture"

"Okay then" Tamara beamed as she linked arms with Andy "Let's see if we can turn me into your perfect date for this evening"