Work Text:
Rafayel paced back and forth in his art studio, his shoes squeaking against the paint-splattered floor. His mind was racing as he thought about the text message he was about to send.
He paused, biting his lower lip as he stared at his phone screen. The cursor blinked mockingly in the blank text box. "Just a message," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his tousled mauve hair. "It’s not like I'm declaring my undying love." He rolled his eyes, more at himself than the situation. But the truth was, asking Y/N out was nerve-wracking. She was different.
He had spent the better part of the morning drafting and deleting potential messages. Each seemed either too forward or too casual. Finally, he settled on something simple.
Taking a deep breath, Rafayel began typing: "Hey Y/N, I was thinking we should check out the Linkon City Aquarium together today. I promise it’s way cooler than watching paint dry in my studio. What do you say?"
He hesitated for a moment, his thumb hovering over the send button. He could almost hear his heart pounding in his chest, each beat echoing in the silence of the studio. Gathering all the courage he could muster, he pressed the button and watched as the message was sent, the small delivery confirmation appearing beneath his words.
In a moment of sheer panic, Rafayel tossed his phone onto the leather couch across the room. "Why do I do this to myself?" he groaned, his face flushing as he turned away. The waiting was always the hardest part. Moments passed and his eyes kept darting back to the couch, where his phone lay silent and untouched.
Minutes felt like hours as he fought the urge to check his phone. Finally, he couldn't resist any longer. With a deep breath, he walked over to the couch and picked up his phone, the screen lighting up with a notification. His heart skipped a beat as he saw her name.
Y/N replied, "I would love that! What time were you thinking?"
Rafayel’s heart leapt as he read Y/N’s reply. A feeling of relief washed over him, leaving him momentarily speechless. He let out a small whoop of joy, his face lighting up with a huge grin. He quickly typed back, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "Awesome! How about we meet at the entrance around 2 pm? Don’t be late Miss Hunter…”
Hitting send, Rafayel felt a surge of anticipation. He skipped to his bedroom, an uncharacteristic spring in his step, and flung open his closet doors. Clothes of all colours and styles hung neatly inside. He flicked through the hangers, pausing now and then to consider his options.
"Too formal… too casual… too paint-stained," he murmured, dismissing one item after another. After a few moments, his hand landed on a soft, white button-up shirt. It was one of his favourites, with a subtle pattern of waves that felt fitting for the occasion.
Rafayel pulled it out, holding it against himself as he turned to the mirror. "Not bad," he nodded appreciatively, then paired it with a pair of dark jeans his most comfortable shoes and a wool cardigan.
A few hours had passed, and Rafayel found himself at the aquarium, his heart racing as he tapped his foot nervously and checked his phone. It was 14:04, and Y/N was still not there. He typed out a quick message, asking if she was on her way, but hesitated and deleted it.
He glanced around, watching families and couples enter the aquarium, their faces lit up with excitement. Just as he was about to check his phone again, he heard his name being called. Looking up, he saw Y/N running over, waving energetically. She wore a simple, flowy dress and a beret that perched cutely on her head.
"I'm here! And on time," she giggled, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Rafayel was momentarily stunned, taking in how beautiful she looked, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow on her. For a second, he couldn't find his words, completely captivated by her presence.
"Raf?" Y/N said, waving her hand in front of his face with a playful smile. "Earth to Rafayel!"
He snapped back to reality, shaking his head slightly as he pouted. "You were five minutes late. I thought you bailed on me!”
Y/N laughed, "Sorry, there was a bit of traffic, and I didn’t want to rush and risk ruining the beret," she said, adjusting it playfully.
Rafayel chuckled, his nerves easing away. "Well, it was worth the wait. The beret looks great on you."
"Thanks," she replied with a smile, linking her arm with his. "So, are you ready to see the fish? I heard they had Clarion Angelfish here!”
“Absolutely,” Rafayel replied, feeling his excitement grow. “I’ve been dying to see them.”
As they walked arm in arm through the entrance, the aquarium’s cool, dimly lit atmosphere embraced them. Soft, ambient lighting reflected off the shimmering water in the tanks, casting a gentle, undulating glow across the polished floor. The soothing sounds of flowing and bubbling water filled the space, accompanied by the hushed whispers of fellow visitors. In the tanks that surrounded the two. The fish tanks were mesmerizing, a massive structure of clear glass that stretched from floor to ceiling filled with coral and fish.
“Look at that!” Y/N pointed to a large tank where a colourful array of tropical fish swam gracefully among coral reefs. Rafayel couldn’t help but admire the way her eyes lit up with wonder.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” he said, watching the fish dart in and out of the corals.
Y/N nodded.
Rafayel smiled, thinking about how the colours and movement of the fish resembled brushstrokes on a canvas. “It’s like an underwater painting,” he mused.
They continued their journey through the aquarium, pausing at each exhibit to admire the marine life. When they finally reached the tank with the Clarion Angelfish, Y/N’s face lit up.
“There they are!” she exclaimed, pointing at the vibrant orange and blue fish gliding through the water.
Rafayel watched her, captivated by her enthusiasm. “They’re amazing,” he agreed, but he wasn’t sure if he was talking about the fish or Y/N.
Y/N walked up to the large tank, her eyes wide with wonder as she followed the graceful movements of the fish. Her excitement was evident, and Rafayel couldn’t help but be drawn to her pure joy. As she leaned closer to the glass, pointing out the vibrant fish to herself, Rafayel seized the moment. With a grin, he carefully pulled out his camera and snapped a quick picture of Y/N, capturing her in front of the tank with a look of awe and delight. The soft light from the tank cast a gentle glow on her face, making the moment feel even more magical.
“What did you take a picture of? Can I see?” Y/N chirped, turning towards him with a curious and excited expression.
Rafayel’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he fumbled with his camera, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Oh, it was nothing… Just testing my camera,” he said with a sheepish grin, hoping to deflect her curiosity.
Y/N tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Come on, show me! I bet it’s something interesting!.”
Rafayel grimaced, realizing he wouldn’t be able to keep the photo a secret. He handed her the camera, watching as she eagerly looked at the picture. As she examined it, her eyes softened, and she gave him a warm smile.
“It’s a great photo,” she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. “You captured the moment.”
Rafayel’s blush deepened, but he couldn’t help but smile, pleased that she liked the photo. “It’s nothing… you were just in the way of my shot,” he said, trying to play it cool.
Y/N laughed a bright and infectious sound. “In the way, huh? I guess I make a good accidental model.”
“Definitely,” Rafayel agreed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You might be my best unintentional subject yet.”
Y/N gave him a playful nudge. “Well, I’m flattered. Maybe I should start charging for my modelling services.”
Rafayel grinned, enjoying the banter. “I’ll keep that in mind. Though I have a feeling you’d make a pretty great professional model.”
As they eventually reached the end of the aquarium, Rafayel and Y/N entered the gift shop.
Her gaze landed on a small, adorable crab plushie, and she picked it up with a delighted squeal.
“Look how cute!” she exclaimed, holding the plushie up with a beaming smile. The little crab had bright red fabric with tiny, stitched-on eyes and soft, fuzzy claws.
Rafayel approached, chuckling at her enthusiasm. “It’s pretty adorable. I think it might just be the most charming crab I’ve ever seen.”
Y/N giggled, hugging the plushie to her chest. “I know, right? It’s like it’s begging to come home with me.”
“Definitely,” Rafayel agreed, reaching for another shelf. He spotted a plushie of a vibrant fish that looked strikingly similar to the Clarion Angelfish they had admired earlier. He picked it up, holding it next to the crab. “What do you think of this one?”
Y/N’s eyes widened with delight. “Oh, that’s perfect! It’s like a miniature version of the ones we saw. We should get them both.”
Rafayel grinned, feeling a warm sense of contentment. “Alright, you’ve convinced me. Let’s make it a matching set.”
Walking back outside, Y/N’s crab and Rafayel’s fish were carefully nestled in their arms and the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the aquarium’s entrance. Rafayel glanced at Y/N.
“Want to do this again?”
Y/N’s face lit up with a wide, smile. “I’d love that! Today was so much fun, it’s nice seeing your sweeter side.”
Rafayel’s heart warmed at her response. “Great. I’ll start planning our next adventure then.”
Y/N laughed, playfully nudging him with her elbow. “I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Just promise me there’ll be more adorable souvenirs involved.”
“Deal,” Rafayel said, chuckling. “I’ll make sure of it.”