First First Date

Prompt from PrideOnThePage

“Nearly there.” Everett glanced in the rearview mirror at the teen fidgeting in the backseat. “…How you holding up, sport?”
“Fine.” Graham mumbled.
“Mm. You nervous?”
“Duh!”
Everett’s eyes crinkled in a sympathetic smile. “Yeah, I was all butterflies first time I went out with your mum.”
“You’d been on dates before, though.” Graham fiddled with his seatbelt.
“True. The first-first date’s always gonna be the hardest. But, I mean, it’s not the most important. You get me? So long as you both walk away having had a fun evening it’s a win. And splitting a pizza at the recreated arcade? Both of you having fun should be natural. You got this.”
“Mm. You date girls.”
“Well, yeah. I mean, I did, but…” Everett shot him an uncertain glance. “Is, uh, is it that different? Dating guys?”
“I dunno!” Graham pulled a face out the window. “But… um. People always make a big deal about how gay guys… y’know… hook up real fast. And I don’t know if…” He trailed off into a hapless mumble.
“Hm.” Everett cleared his throat. “Well, maybe that’s true for some gay guys, and if they’re having fun and staying safe than good for them. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting to go slow and be sure. Especially when you’re, y’know, new at all this. Alright sport? Anyone who tries to tell you that you should be ready when you aren’t isn’t worth your time. Ditch ‘em. Mum and me’ll have our phones off silent all evening, so just shoot a message if you need picking up early. For any reason. Alright?”
“Yeah, ok.” Graham relaxed somewhat. “Thanks, dad.”
“All part of the parenting gig, son.” Everett scratched his beard then gave another awkward cough. “But, er, if things do, y’know, escalate, make sure to remember condoms. I know you don’t have to worry about preggers but you don’t want mould on your banana.”
“Daaaaad!”Graham buried his face in his hands and huffed.
Everett chuckled, unrepentant. “‘Fraid that’s also part of the parenting gig, son. And hey, these days a lot of places sell ‘em in the bathrooms, so…”
“Ok ok if I decide to randomly have sex with this guy I only met online like two weeks ago I will be sure to buy bathroom condoms first gaaaawd.”
“Good, good…” Aha, here was the turning. Last chance to dispense parental wisdom. Then it’d be time to concentrate on parking up - and give Graham a few minutes of peace to get his game face on.
“Seriously, though, you got this. Just put your best foot forwards but don’t force anything. If you both can’t relax you won’t be able to have fun. Pretty sure that’s universal. Be polite but honest. Friendly but don’t push boundaries - yours or his. Stuff you do all the time while meeting people without even thinking. Dating’s really not that different from everything else, son. Honest.”
“Yeah. Ok.” Graham stared out the window, silently mouthing ‘got this’ to his reflection.

Prompt was “First”.
[No shade to gay guys who do hook up fast; it’s totally valid. But being aro/ace I’ve seen a fair number of gay guys come to ace boards going “Apparently not being interested in casual sex means I’m ace, not gay?” and it’s always sad how confused and gaslit they are. So I wanted to give them some rep, and with Graham being an uncertain teen this seemed a natural place for it.]