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The restaurant was warmer than Aspen expected.
Not just in temperature—though the soft golden lighting and the low hum of conversation made it feel cozy—but in the way everything seemed to press in on them at once. The clink of glasses, the quiet laughter from nearby tables, the faint smell of something sweet and savory drifting through the air… it was all a little overwhelming.
Aspen fidgeted with the edge of their sleeve.
“This was a bad idea,” they muttered under their breath.
Across from them, Ken leaned back in her chair, completely at ease. “You’ve said that three times already.”
“And I’ve been right every time.” Ken smiled, slow and amused. “You’re not even giving it a chance.”
“I am giving it a chance,” Aspen insisted, glancing around like they were expecting the room itself to judge them. “It’s just… a lot.”
Before Ken could respond, a voice cut in—bright, friendly.
“Hey there! Welcome in—can I start you two off with drinks?”
Aspen startled slightly. Ken didn’t. Ken turned her head, smiling easily at the waiter. “Yeah—thanks. I’ll take a soda. Aspen?”
Taraji—her name stitched neatly on her apron—waited patiently as Aspen scrambled to answer.
“W-water,” they said, a little too quickly.
Taraji nodded like that was the most normal thing in the world. “Got it. I’ll be right back with those.”
And just like that, she was gone. Aspen exhaled. “She seemed nice.”
“She did,” Ken said. “See? Not so bad.” Aspen gave her a look. “We’ve been here for five minutes.”
“Exactly. And you haven’t combusted.”
“…yet.”
Ken laughed softly, leaning forward, resting her chin on her hand as she studied them. “You’re cute when you’re nervous.”
Aspen froze. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not?”
“Because it makes it worse.”
Ken’s smile softened. “Sorry.”
Aspen hesitated, then mumbled, “It’s… fine.”
Taraji returned with their drinks, setting them down with an easy rhythm. “You two ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?”
Ken glanced at Aspen.
Aspen panicked internally for approximately three seconds, then nodded. “I—yeah. I think I’m ready.”
They placed their orders—Ken confidently, Aspen with only minor stumbling—and soon enough, Taraji disappeared again, leaving them alone.
For a moment, there was silence.
Not awkward, exactly.
Just… quiet.
Ken broke it first. “You’re doing good, you know.” Aspen blinked. “What?”
“Being here. With me.” Ken shrugged lightly. “I know this kind of thing isn’t your favorite.”
Aspen looked down at their glass, tracing the condensation with their finger. “…I wanted to try.”
Ken’s expression shifted—something softer, more genuine. “Yeah?”
Aspen nodded, still not looking up. “For you.”
That landed.
Ken didn’t joke this time. Didn’t tease. “…Hey,” she said gently. Aspen finally looked up. Ken was smiling again, but it was different now—less playful, more… warm. “I’m glad you did.”
Aspen’s face started heating up immediately.
Ken noticed.
Of course she did.
Her grin crept back in, just a little mischievous. “Wow.”
Aspen narrowed their eyes. “Don’t.”
“Your cheeks are as red as the ketchup.”
Aspen made a noise somewhere between a groan and a whine, immediately covering their face with both hands. “Ken—”
“I’m just saying,” Ken continued, clearly enjoying this, “it’s kind of impressive. I didn’t even think that was possible.”
“I’m going to leave.”
“You’re not.”
“I might.”
Ken leaned forward again, gently reaching out and tugging one of Aspen’s hands away from their face. “Hey.”
Aspen peeked at her through their fingers.
Ken’s expression softened again. “Stay.”
There was a pause.
“…okay,” Aspen said quietly.
Their food arrived not long after, courtesy of Taraji, who gave them both an encouraging smile like she could sense the vibe at the table.
“Let me know if you need anything,” she said before stepping away again.
They ate, talked—really talked this time. About small things at first, then bigger ones. Stories, opinions, little confessions that felt easier to share in the soft glow of the restaurant.
Aspen relaxed.
Slowly, but surely.
By the time their plates were half-empty, they were laughing—actually laughing—at something Ken said, shoulders no longer tense, eyes brighter.
Ken noticed that too. “…there you are,” she said.
Aspen blinked. “What?”
Ken tilted her head. “That version of you. I like them.”
Aspen flushed again—but softer this time. “They’ve been here the whole time.”
“Maybe,” Ken said. “But now I get to see them.”
Aspen looked away, smiling despite themselves.
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♡
Later, after the meal, after too many shared glances and not enough courage to say everything they were thinking, they found themselves outside on the upper level balcony of the restaurant.
The city stretched out below them. Lights everywhere.
Aspen leaned on the railing, staring down.
“…it’s high,” they said.
“Yeah,” Ken replied, stepping up beside them.
Aspen swallowed. “I feel weird.”
“Good weird or bad weird?”
“…both.”
Ken hummed. “That tracks.”
Aspen glanced at her. “You’re way too calm about everything.” Ken smirked. “Someone has to be.”
There was a beat.
Aspen looked back over the edge.
Then, very suddenly—
They climbed up onto the ledge.
Ken’s eyes widened. “Aspen—”
“I’m not going to—” Aspen started, then paused, immediately flustered again by their own boldness. “I just— I need to—”
And then, in a moment of pure overwhelmed emotion—
They slipped.
Ken lunged forward. “Aspen!”
There was a shout from below, a collective gasp—
—but Aspen landed on the lower awning, rolling awkwardly but safely onto a cushioned surface.
A beat.
Then—
“I’M OKAY!” Aspen shouted, voice cracking slightly.
Silence.
Then laughter. Relief. Someone even clapped. Ken stared down at them, heart still racing—then let out a breath, half-laughing, half-exasperated. “You absolute disaster.”
Aspen, still lying there, covered their face again. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Obviously.”
A few minutes later, Aspen was back upstairs—slightly disheveled, extremely embarrassed, but unharmed. Taraji gave them a quick once-over. “Well. That’s definitely the most dramatic thing I’ve seen tonight.”
“…sorry,” Aspen muttered.
Taraji grinned. “No worries. Kinda iconic, honestly.” Ken shook her head, still smiling as she stepped closer to Aspen. “You okay?”
Aspen nodded. “…yeah.”
“Good.”
There was a pause.
Then Ken reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from Aspen’s face.
“…you’re unbelievable,” she said quietly.
Aspen laughed weakly. “That’s one word for it.”
Ken leaned in—slow this time, giving Aspen a chance to pull away.
They didn’t.
The kiss was soft, a little shaky at first—but real.
When they pulled back, Aspen was smiling.
Still flustered.
Still a mess.
But smiling.
From somewhere nearby, Taraji clapped once. “Okay, that part I was rooting for.” A few other people joined in—lighthearted, not overwhelming.
Aspen groaned, hiding their face again.
Ken just laughed, resting her forehead briefly against Aspen’s.
“Best date ever,” she said.
Aspen peeked out from their hands.
“…yeah,” they admitted.
♡
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