[As it turns out, "dating" is a far more complicated concept than Neo was expecting. Granted, he hadn't exactly figured that his talk with Sonic would lead into confessions about their feelings and thus leading them down this path, but it isn't as though he regrets it any. He's comfortable around Sonic. He likes Sonic. So he wants to do what he can to prove that.
It's remarkably difficult to just... say it, though. Sonic is affectionate enough for both of them, as well as being very open about his feelings in general even without speaking them aloud, but Neo? He's the opposite. Hell, he didn't even recognize he had feelings until that conversation, so how is he supposed to express them in any significant way? He truly misses the emotional connection, because then Sonic would know and he wouldn't have to feel like he's doing a terrible job at this.
And he is doing a terrible job at is, as they've settled back into their usual routines without actually... going on a date. From his observations and inquiries, it seems that "dates" are meant to be activities shared between two partners that are outside the norm of regular interactions. So simply cuddling on the couch is not a date, as much as Neo enjoys it. Most "date" ideas he's heard have been... rather lackluster, in his own opinion, but if that's how dating is supposed to work, then he needs to accept it in order to be a good boyfriend.
(Though just the term "boyfriend" always makes him feel a little... flustered, maybe. That is what Sonic is to him, right? They're boyfriends. They're dating. Because they have feelings for one another. That's how this goes, isn't it? And yet he's never really asked in so many words...)
Regardless, whatever anxieties he might have about this are firmly crushed today because they are going on a date. One of the most common date ideas is taking one's partner out to a nice restaurant. Which is a stupid idea given that one of them can't eat and the other seems to genuinely enjoy takeout more than anything else, but this is how dates go. Maybe they're supposed to be mildly uncomfortable. Hell if Neo knows. Part of dating also involves dressing up, but... well. Look at them. What is Neo supposed to do here?? So he's decided to ignore that part of the dating protocol and if Sonic wants to wear something different, then that's his own business.
He left a note for Sonic this morning in the apartment telling him where and when to meet; the restaurant is one of the nicer, more upscale ones but certainly nothing overly fancy or pricey. Neo still has some sense, after all, and he'd rather not spend that much of their hard-earned money. So this is the compromise, but it was recommended to him as a good option, so it'll probably be fine...?
(Notably he kind of. Forgot to mention that this was a proper date in the note? It was basically just an address and time and he's assuming Sonic will somehow intuit his intentions from that alone, because Neo is Like This.)
...Though now that he's waiting out front for Sonic, arms folded behind him as he scans the crowds of people, he's really starting to think this was a terrible idea. Again, he's a robot who can't eat. Maybe typical dates just aren't what they should be doing. He'd much rather race Sonic or fight something together or... just cuddle on the couch.
But! He's going to be a good boyfriend!! If it kills him!! So he can suffer in silence and make sure Sonic has a good time!! Do not screw this up, Neo!!]
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It's remarkably difficult to just... say it, though. Sonic is affectionate enough for both of them, as well as being very open about his feelings in general even without speaking them aloud, but Neo? He's the opposite. Hell, he didn't even recognize he had feelings until that conversation, so how is he supposed to express them in any significant way? He truly misses the emotional connection, because then Sonic would know and he wouldn't have to feel like he's doing a terrible job at this.
And he is doing a terrible job at is, as they've settled back into their usual routines without actually... going on a date. From his observations and inquiries, it seems that "dates" are meant to be activities shared between two partners that are outside the norm of regular interactions. So simply cuddling on the couch is not a date, as much as Neo enjoys it. Most "date" ideas he's heard have been... rather lackluster, in his own opinion, but if that's how dating is supposed to work, then he needs to accept it in order to be a good boyfriend.
(Though just the term "boyfriend" always makes him feel a little... flustered, maybe. That is what Sonic is to him, right? They're boyfriends. They're dating. Because they have feelings for one another. That's how this goes, isn't it? And yet he's never really asked in so many words...)
Regardless, whatever anxieties he might have about this are firmly crushed today because they are going on a date. One of the most common date ideas is taking one's partner out to a nice restaurant. Which is a stupid idea given that one of them can't eat and the other seems to genuinely enjoy takeout more than anything else, but this is how dates go. Maybe they're supposed to be mildly uncomfortable. Hell if Neo knows. Part of dating also involves dressing up, but... well. Look at them. What is Neo supposed to do here?? So he's decided to ignore that part of the dating protocol and if Sonic wants to wear something different, then that's his own business.
He left a note for Sonic this morning in the apartment telling him where and when to meet; the restaurant is one of the nicer, more upscale ones but certainly nothing overly fancy or pricey. Neo still has some sense, after all, and he'd rather not spend that much of their hard-earned money. So this is the compromise, but it was recommended to him as a good option, so it'll probably be fine...?
(Notably he kind of. Forgot to mention that this was a proper date in the note? It was basically just an address and time and he's assuming Sonic will somehow intuit his intentions from that alone, because Neo is Like This.)
...Though now that he's waiting out front for Sonic, arms folded behind him as he scans the crowds of people, he's really starting to think this was a terrible idea. Again, he's a robot who can't eat. Maybe typical dates just aren't what they should be doing. He'd much rather race Sonic or fight something together or... just cuddle on the couch.
But! He's going to be a good boyfriend!! If it kills him!! So he can suffer in silence and make sure Sonic has a good time!! Do not screw this up, Neo!!]