MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

The date went on, and even though they were well past the main course, the mood kept them at their table.

A few side dishes were still on the table, and they picked at them while they talked, which made their time together last longer.

When Damon felt a rare moment of worry, he started to fidget a little.

He didn't know if now was the right time to say what had been weighing on his mind.

Svetlana laughed lightly at something, her voice bright and genuine, pulling him from his thoughts.

"What's with that face?" she teased, tilting her head at him. "Did I say something weird?"

Damon shook his head, smiling as if to reassure her. "No, not at all. Just… thinking."

"About?" she prompted, raising an eyebrow.

He hesitated, his fingers tapping lightly against the edge of the table. "Just… how nice this is. It's been never since I've had a night like this."

Svetlana's expression softened, and she leaned slightly forward. "Well, I'm glad I could be part of it."

Damon chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'm glad too. You know, you're... easy to talk to. I mean, we've known each other for a while, but this, it feels different, in a good way."

She smiled warmly, her gaze steady. "I feel the same, Damon. I've always enjoyed spending time with you."

Damon felt his chest tighten at her words, his confidence slowly returning.

He smiled, though his mind continued to wrestle with whether to speak his deeper thoughts now or let the moment pass.

"Yeah," he finally said, his voice quieter but steady. "Me too."

Damon didn't say it, not because of cowardice, but because he wanted the rest of the night to remain light and enjoyable.

There was no sense in rushing things, not tonight.

They lingered at the restaurant, the atmosphere between them warm and familiar.

It wasn't like a typical first date, where people spent the evening getting to know each other. For them, it was different.

They already knew so much about each other, the quirks, the history, the inside jokes.

This wasn't about learning the basics; it was about taking a step toward something new, something undefined.

And that thought shook Damon just a little.

He knew Svetlana liked him, but even with that assurance, the lingering "what if" loomed over him.

What if she said no?

What if he'd read things wrong?

What then? What came after?

As confident as he was in the cage, this was a different arena entirely.

One where punches and kicks were replaced by emotions and vulnerability.

He glanced at her as she laughed softly at something, her smile lighting up the space around her.

Damon shook his head slightly, brushing the thoughts away. Not tonight.

Tonight wasn't a time to worry or think too much. Tonight was all about this moment: just the two of them doing something simple yet meaningful.

When it was time to go, they grabbed their things.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

And though he hadn't said the words weighing on his mind, Damon felt content. There would be a time for that. Just not tonight.

As they prepared to leave, Damon gestured for the waiter to bring the bill. The server approached quickly, setting the small folder with the total on the table.

Without hesitation, Damon slid his card inside and handed it back.

Svetlana watched him silently, her lips curving into a faint smile.

She didn't try to protest or suggest splitting it. After all, Damon had mentioned earlier that it was on him.

Originally, she had wanted to split the bill, but Damon had been insistent that it was on him.

For Damon, it wasn't just about following the tradition or being polite. He really felt responsible.

Anyway, he had plenty of cash to pay for it, even though the bonuses in the system were a closely guarded secret.

As the waiter returned with his card, Damon thanked him and stood up, glancing at Svetlana as she adjusted her jacket.

Now came the tricky part.

What next?

Damon didn't want to end the night just yet, but he also didn't want to overstep or push things too far.

This was their first date, after all, and even if it had gone well, he wasn't sure how to extend it without seeming too eager.

He glanced at her, noticing how relaxed she seemed, her hands tucked into her pockets as she waited by the door.

"Do you want to head home, or…?" Damon let the question hang, trying to gauge her response.

Svetlana tilted her head, her smile growing slightly. "Depends. What else do you have in mind?"

That was the opening Damon needed. He grinned, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… we could take a walk, maybe. You know, just talk for a bit?"

Her eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she nodded. "That sounds nice."

As they stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night air greeted them.

Svetlana turned to Damon with a curious smile. "Okay, where should we walk?"

Damon shrugged, his hands sliding into his pockets. "I don't know. You decide."

Svetlana narrowed her eyes playfully. "Nope. Tell me a place you haven't been yet."

Damon thought for a moment, and he felt a small smile form on his face. "I mean… what place have I been?"

She rolled her eyes, leaning against the car. "Come on, seriously. Just name one place."

He hesitated, looking down at the ground before glancing back up. "The beach," he admitted. "I've never been to the beach."

Svetlana's expression brightened instantly. "You've never been to the beach?" she repeated, clearly surprised.

He shook his head. "Nope. Never had the time, I guess."

Before he could say anything else, she opened the car door and got in.

So, she smiled and started the engine. "Let's go for a walk on the beach," she said.

Damon chuckled softly, getting into the passenger seat. The idea seemed almost surreal to him, simple, but special.

As they drove toward the water, the soft talk and the hum of the car mixed together.

There was a sense of excitement that something new was about to happen.