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Sunlight slipped through the curtains, warming the room long before either of us made any effort to move.
I had been awake for a while.
Not because I couldn't sleep.
Just because...
I was comfortable.
Minho was still asleep beside me, curled up under the blanket with one arm stretched across the empty space where I'd been lying only a few minutes earlier.
His hair was an absolute disaster.
One side stuck straight up.
The other somehow managed to stick sideways.
I smiled.
He looked...
Ridiculous.
Cute.
Ridiculously cute.
"...You're staring."
I nearly jumped.
"I thought you were asleep."
"I was."
"You liar."
One eye slowly opened before the other.
"I woke up five minutes ago."
"...And you didn't say anything?"
"I wanted to know why you were looking at me like that."
Heat immediately rushed to my face.
"I wasn't looking."
"You were absolutely looking."
"I was observing."
"Observing?"
"For scientific purposes."
He laughed quietly.
"Oh?"
"Mhm."
"My hypothesis is that you somehow manage to make bedhead look acceptable."
"...Acceptable?"
"Maybe even..."
I pretended to think.
"...A six out of ten."
He gasped dramatically.
"A six?"
"I'm being generous."
"I think you're biased."
"I think you drool in your sleep."
"...Excuse me?"
"I've seen evidence."
"There is no evidence."
"There absolutely is."
He reached over and gently flicked my forehead.
"Liar."
I laughed, rubbing the spot even though it hadn't hurt at all.
"...Maybe a little."
He smiled that sleepy smile that always made my heart feel lighter.
"Morning."
"...Morning."
For a moment...
Neither of us moved.
The room was quiet.
Peaceful.
A few birds chirped somewhere outside.
I never used to notice sounds like that.
Now...
They were some of my favorites.
Eventually Minho stretched, letting out the loudest yawn I'd ever heard.
"Come on."
He sat up.
"If we stay in bed any longer, Chris is going to come check if we're still alive."
"He wouldn't."
"He absolutely would."
"...Fair point."
I climbed out of bed, grabbing the hoodie I'd thrown over the chair the night before.
Minho looked at it.
"...That's mine."
"No, it isn't."
"It literally has my initials on the sleeve."
I looked down.
Sure enough...
Tiny embroidered letters.
L.M.
"...Well."
I shrugged as I pulled it on anyway.
"I don't see the problem."
"You stole my hoodie."
"I borrowed it."
"You've borrowed it six times."
"I'm returning it."
"When?"
I smiled innocently.
"...Eventually."
He laughed as we headed downstairs.
The smell of breakfast hit us before we even reached the kitchen.
Chris was already cooking.
Felix was pretending to help.
Which mostly consisted of eating ingredients before they made it into the pan.
"I was testing them," Felix defended.
Chris didn't even look up.
"You've tested the bacon four times."
"I needed to be sure."
"Of what?"
"...Consistency."
I couldn't stop laughing.
"Morning," Chris said.
"Morning."
Before I could even sit down, Felix narrowed his eyes at me.
"...Why are you smiling?"
I blinked.
"What?"
"You're smiling."
"So?"
"You've been smiling since you walked in."
Minho looked at me.
"...He's got a point."
I looked between the two of them.
"...Am I not allowed to smile now?"
Felix gasped.
"It's because today's the date."
The room went silent.
Every head slowly turned toward me.
I looked at Minho.
He looked back at me.
"...Traitor."
"I didn't say anything."
"You literally just looked at me."
"I have expressive eyebrows."
"You really do," Chris admitted.
Changbin nearly dropped his fork.
"Wait."
"You guys are going on a date today?"
Minho nodded.
"This afternoon."
Hyunjin smiled.
"Aww."
Seungmin took a sip of coffee.
"Took you long enough."
"I thought we'd been subtle," I muttered.
"You have not," Seungmin replied.
Felix leaned across the table.
"Can I ask a question?"
"No."
"I haven't asked it yet."
"The answer is still no."
"What if it's a good question?"
"It won't be."
Chris pointed his spatula toward Felix.
"Eat your breakfast."
Felix sighed dramatically.
"No one appreciates my curiosity."
"I appreciate your silence," Seungmin said.
The table erupted into laughter.
I looked around at everyone.
Chris arguing with Felix.
Changbin laughing so hard he nearly choked on his juice.
Hyunjin trying, and failing, to hide his smile.
Jeongin quietly eating while pretending none of this involved him.
Seungmin looking as unimpressed as ever.
And beside me...
Minho.
Still smiling.
Still somehow managing to make me feel at home without saying a single word.
It hit me all at once.
A few months ago...
Breakfast meant eating alone.
Or rushing to class.
Or wondering whether I'd say something that would make Min-jae angry later.
Now...
Breakfast meant laughter.
Bad jokes.
Burnt toast.
And people who wanted me there.
It was such a simple thing.
Sitting around a table.
Sharing pancakes.
Listening to everyone argue over bacon.
But somehow...
It felt extraordinary.
Chris finally clapped his hands together.
"Alright."
"Whoever's doing the dishes..."
He looked directly at Felix.
"...Is the one who stole half my bacon."
Felix froze.
"...I have the right to remain silent."
"You also have the right to a sponge."
Everyone burst into laughter again.
I laughed too.
Hard enough that my stomach started to hurt.
And for the first time in a long time...
I realized I wasn't forcing it anymore.
By the time the dishes had been washed and the kitchen had finally been restored to something resembling normal, everyone drifted off to do their own thing.
Well...
Almost everyone.
"Jisung."
I looked up from my phone.
Chris was standing in the hallway with a knowing smile.
"I think you've got about two hours before someone starts pacing."
I frowned.
"...Who?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"...Minho."
Almost on cue, footsteps hurried across the second floor.
Back.
Then forth again.
Then back.
Chris looked toward the ceiling.
"...See?"
I laughed.
"I don't think he's pacing."
Another set of footsteps echoed above us.
Chris folded his arms.
"...He's pacing."
I couldn't help smiling.
"Maybe he's just excited."
"I'm pretty sure that's what pacing is."
"...Fair enough."
I made my way upstairs, still smiling to myself.
Sure enough...
Minho's bedroom door was open.
He was standing in front of the mirror wearing a light-colored hoodie.
The moment he saw me, he looked relieved.
"There you are."
"...I've been downstairs for ten minutes."
"I know."
"I couldn't find you."
"You knew exactly where I was."
"I had a pretty good guess."
I laughed, leaning against the doorframe.
"...What are you doing?"
He glanced back at the mirror.
"I can't decide."
"Between?"
"This."
He gestured toward himself.
"Or..."
He walked over to his closet, pulling out another hoodie.
It was almost identical.
I blinked.
"...Minho."
"What?"
"They're the same."
"They're completely different."
"One's beige."
"The other one's..."
He looked between them.
"...Slightly different beige."
I couldn't stop laughing.
"You made fun of me for doing this."
"I know."
"...I get it now."
I walked over, gently taking one of the hoodies from his hands before holding them up side by side.
"...I'm going to be honest."
"Mhm?"
"I genuinely can't tell the difference."
He stared at them for a few more seconds.
"...Neither can I."
"So..."
He shrugged.
"I guess this one wins."
I handed it back to him.
"There."
"Problem solved."
"You make everything sound so easy."
I smiled.
"I learned from the best."
He looked at me for a moment before quietly smiling to himself.
"...You're doing that thing again."
"What thing?"
"Making my heart melt."
Heat rushed to my face.
"I said one nice thing."
"Exactly."
"...You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
He disappeared into the bathroom to change while I wandered over to the window.
Outside, the trees swayed gently in the warm afternoon breeze.
It was strange.
A week ago...
I would've been terrified to go on a date.
Not because of Minho.
Because I didn't know if I deserved to be this happy.
Now...
I was just...
Excited.
There wasn't that familiar knot in my stomach.
My hands weren't shaking.
I wasn't rehearsing every conversation that could possibly happen.
I wasn't wondering what I'd done wrong before the day had even started.
For once...
My mind was quiet.
"...Hey."
I turned around.
Minho had stepped back into the room.
"...Too much?"
He looked down at himself.
I smiled.
"...You look handsome."
He blinked.
"...Really?"
"Mhm."
"I was worried it was too casual."
"It's you."
"What does that mean?"
"It means..."
I walked over until we were standing only a few inches apart.
"...I'd recognize you in anything."
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"...You're trying to make me blush."
"Is it working?"
"...Maybe a little."
"Good."
He laughed softly, reaching over to straighten the collar of my hoodie.
"...You know..."
"What?"
"I've been looking forward to today all week."
"I know."
"...How?"
"You've reminded me every single day."
"I have not."
I started counting on my fingers.
"'Six more days.'"
"'Five more days.'"
"'Four more days.'"
He immediately covered my mouth with his hand.
"...Okay."
"I get it."
Laughing, I gently pulled his hand away.
"I thought it was cute."
"You weren't supposed to keep track."
"I keep track of a lot of things."
His expression softened.
"I've noticed."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The room felt warm, sunlight spilling across the wooden floor between us.
He reached for my hand without thinking.
Our fingers slipped together naturally.
"So..."
He smiled.
"Ready?"
I looked at him.
Then down at our hands.
Then back at him.
"...Yeah."
More than ready.
We made our way downstairs together.
The moment we reached the front door, the others looked up.
Felix grinned immediately.
"Oooooh."
Chris sighed.
"...Don't."
"I wasn't going to say anything."
"You absolutely were."
Felix ignored him.
"You two look disgustingly adorable."
"I was thinking the exact same thing," Hyunjin added.
Changbin gave us a thumbs-up.
"Have fun."
"And don't do anything stupid," Seungmin said.
Felix looked offended.
"That's terrible advice."
"Why?"
"Doing something a little stupid makes dates memorable."
"...Please continue ignoring him," Chris sighed.
Jeongin walked over, a small smile on his face.
"...Have a good time."
I smiled back.
"Thanks."
Minho grabbed the car keys from the hook beside the door before looking over at me.
"Ready?"
I nodded.
"As long as you're not kidnapping me."
He opened the front door.
"I make no promises."
"...Should I be concerned?"
"...Maybe."
I laughed, following him outside.
The warm spring air wrapped around us the moment we stepped onto the driveway.
Behind us, someone, I was almost certain it was Felix, yelled,
"BE HOME BEFORE MIDNIGHT!"
I buried my face in my hands.
"...I'm never living that down."
Minho just laughed.
"Nope."
And somehow...
I didn't mind.
The road became quieter the farther we drove away from the city.
The buildings slowly disappeared, replaced by fields and rows of tall trees swaying gently in the late afternoon breeze.
The windows were rolled halfway down.
Warm air drifted through the car, carrying the scent of fresh grass and spring flowers.
Neither of us spoke for a while.
Not because it was awkward.
Because...
It wasn't.
The silence between us had become comfortable.
The kind where neither person felt like they had to fill every second with conversation.
Minho rested one hand on the steering wheel while the other tapped absentmindedly against his thigh to the rhythm of whatever song was playing on the radio.
I glanced over.
"...Can I ask you something?"
"Hm?"
"How long have you been planning today?"
He smiled without taking his eyes off the road.
"...Long enough."
"That's not an answer."
"I know."
I crossed my arms dramatically.
"I demand details."
"You demand a lot of things."
"I do."
"And yet somehow..."
He laughed quietly.
"...You're still adorable."
Heat immediately rushed to my face.
"...Don't distract me."
"I'm driving."
"I'm the one getting distracted."
"Oh."
He smiled.
"My bad."
"...You did that on purpose."
"Maybe."
I looked back out the window, trying, and failing, to hide my smile.
"...You're lucky I like you."
"I was counting on it”
A few minutes passed.
I watched sunlight flicker through the trees as we drove.
Somewhere along the way...
I noticed something.
My shoulders weren't tense.
I wasn't staring at the clock.
I wasn't wondering if I was saying the right things.
I wasn't trying to predict someone else's mood.
I was...
Relaxed.
It felt strange.
Wonderful.
I rested my elbow against the window.
"...Hey, Minho?"
"Mhm?"
"...Thank you."
He looked over for just a second before returning his eyes to the road.
"For what?"
"...For planning all this."
His smile softened.
"I haven't even shown you where we're going yet."
"I know."
"...Then how do you know you'll like it?"
I looked out at the trees passing by.
Because...
It wasn't really about the destination anymore.
I smiled to myself.
"...Because I get to spend the day with you."
Silence.
I looked over.
His ears were turning pink.
"...You're blushing."
"I'm concentrating."
"On driving?"
"Mhm."
"...Liar."
"I'm trying very hard."
I laughed.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I think you're cuter when you're embarrassed."
"...You're lucky I'm driving."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a promise."
"...That somehow doesn't make me feel safer."
He laughed so hard he had to shake his head.
"I can't believe you just said that."
The drive ended a few minutes later.
The paved road slowly gave way to gravel, tiny stones crunching beneath the tires as Minho guided the car into a small parking area surrounded by towering pine trees.
There were only two other cars.
It was...
Quiet.
The kind of quiet that wasn't empty.
Birds chirped somewhere high above us.
Leaves rustled gently in the breeze.
And somewhere nearby...
Water.
Minho turned off the engine.
For a second, neither of us moved.
Then he smiled.
"We're here."
I looked out the window.
"...Where exactly is 'here'?"
"You'll see."
"...You're enjoying this."
"A little."
I rolled my eyes dramatically before climbing out of the car.
The fresh air hit me almost immediately.
It smelled like pine needles, damp earth, and something sweet I couldn't quite place.
Spring.
Real spring.
Not the kind trapped between concrete buildings.
The kind that made everything feel alive.
I stretched my arms over my head while Minho walked around to the trunk.
When he lifted it open...
I blinked.
"...Is that a picnic basket?"
He froze.
"...Maybe."
"And those are blankets."
"...Maybe."
"...You packed a picnic?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking much more interested in the ground than me.
"Chris helped."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"I knew it."
"I helped too."
"I'm sure you did."
"I made the sandwiches."
"Did you?"
"...Chris supervised."
"That sounds more believable."
He looked offended.
"I am capable of making sandwiches."
"I never said you weren't."
"...You implied it."
"I absolutely did."
He laughed, grabbing the basket before offering me his free hand.
"Come on."
Without thinking, I slipped my hand into his.
It had become so natural.
I wasn't even nervous anymore.
His hand was warm.
Comfortable.
Like it had always belonged there.
We followed a narrow trail through the trees.
Sunlight spilled between the branches, dancing across the dirt path beneath our feet.
The farther we walked...
The quieter the world became.
Then...
The trees opened.
A lake stretched out before us, sparkling beneath the afternoon sun.
A long wooden dock reached into the water.
Wildflowers swayed gently along the shoreline.
I stopped walking.
"...Minho."
He looked back.
"What?"
"...This is beautiful."
His shoulders relaxed.
"I was hoping you'd think so."
"I love it."
"I know."
"You knew?"
He smiled.
"You like quiet places."
"...Yeah."
"You like being near water."
"...Yeah."
"You like places where you can actually hear yourself think."
I stared at him.
"You remembered all that?"
He looked genuinely confused.
"Of course I did."
Something in my chest felt warm.
Not because he'd planned a date.
Because he'd paid attention.
We spread the blanket beneath the shade of an old tree overlooking the water.
The basket somehow contained enough food to feed an entire family.
"...Minho."
"Hm?"
"Are we expecting guests?"
He laughed.
"...Chris said I'd rather pack too much than not enough."
"Chris was right."
For the next hour, we did almost nothing.
We ate sandwiches.
Shared strawberries.
Argued over whether grapes belonged in fruit salad.
"They absolutely do," Minho insisted.
"They absolutely don't."
"They're fruit."
"They're suspicious fruit."
"That's not a thing."
"It is now."
"You make up rules."
"I improve them."
He laughed so hard he nearly dropped his drink.
I don't even remember what was so funny anymore.
I just remember laughing until my sides hurt.
Eventually we wandered down to the dock.
The lake was almost perfectly still.
Minho crouched down, picking up a flat stone.
"You ever skipped rocks?"
"Not successfully."
"Watch this."
He flicked his wrist.
The rock bounced once.
Then sank immediately.
I looked at him.
"...That was impressive."
"It slipped."
"Mhm."
"The rock was defective."
"I've never heard anyone blame a rock before."
"They're known for it."
I burst out laughing.
He picked up another one.
"This one's trustworthy."
It skipped twice.
Then disappeared beneath the surface.
"There."
He folded his arms proudly.
"I've redeemed myself."
"My turn."
I searched until I found what looked like the flattest rock imaginable.
I threw it.
It skipped.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four.
Five.
Minho's jaw dropped.
"...Excuse me?"
I blinked.
"...Did I do it?"
"You absolutely did."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"I have natural talent."
"I regret teaching you."
"You didn't."
"I emotionally supported you."
"That's true."
"I deserve partial credit."
"You deserve absolutely none."
He nudged my shoulder.
"...Mean."
The afternoon slipped away far faster than either of us expected.
We explored a small trail that wrapped around part of the lake.
Found a tiny wooden bridge.
Stopped to watch a family of ducks paddle across the water.
At one point, Minho tried to imitate one of them.
It...
Wasn't convincing.
"You sound like a dying goose."
"I do not."
"You absolutely do."
"I've been practicing."
"...Please stop."
He laughed all the way down the trail.
I realized then...
I hadn't thought about the past once.
Not today.
Not even by accident.
My head wasn't full of memories.
Or fear.
Or questions.
It was full of terrible duck impressions.
Somehow...
That felt like progress.
By the time we packed everything back into the basket, the sun had begun its slow descent toward the horizon.
Golden light reflected across the surface of the lake.
The trees cast long shadows across the path.
"It got late," I murmured.
"It did."
"...I don't really want today to end."
Minho looked at me.
"...Me neither."
The drive home was quieter.
Not because either of us had run out of things to say.
Because...
We didn't need to.
The radio played softly in the background while the sunset painted the sky in shades of orange, pink, and gold.
I rested my elbow against the window, watching the colors blur together as we drove.
Then the car slowed.
I looked over.
"...Why are we stopping?"
Minho nodded toward the windshield.
"...Look."
Ahead of us was a small overlook.
The lake stretched out below, glowing beneath the last light of the day.
Without another word, he parked.
Neither of us got out.
We just sat there.
Watching.
"...It's beautiful," I whispered.
"It is."
I turned toward him.
He wasn't looking at the sunset anymore.
He was looking at me.
"...You're supposed to be watching the view."
"I am."
I laughed quietly.
"...You're cheesy."
"So I've been told."
The car grew quiet again.
Not awkward.
Just...
Still.
Peaceful.
I looked out at the horizon one last time before turning back toward him.
He was already smiling.
"...What?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"I just..."
He hesitated.
"I'm really happy you're here."
My heart softened.
"So am I."
I reached over first this time, resting my hand lightly against his cheek.
He leaned into my touch without a second thought.
Our foreheads met.
Neither of us rushed.
The sunset poured through the windshield, wrapping the inside of the car in warm shades of gold.
I closed the small distance between us.
Our lips met gently.
Slowly.
The kiss lingered, neither of us eager to be the first to pull away.
When we finally did, we stayed close enough that our noses brushed.
I couldn't stop smiling.
Neither could he.
"...That was nice," he whispered.
I let out a quiet laugh.
"...Yeah."
His smile widened a little.
"I think I like sunsets."
"Just now?"
"Maybe I always did."
"...You're being cheesy again."
"I know."
He squeezed my hand gently, still smiling like he couldn't quite believe this was real.
I shook my head, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've accepted that."
I don't know who leaned in first.
Maybe it was me.
Maybe it was him.
By then...
I don't think either of us cared.
Our lips met again, softer this time, like we were smiling before the kiss had even begun.
His hand found my cheek almost instinctively, warm against my skin, his thumb brushing lightly beneath my eye.
I leaned into the touch.
It was amazing how something so simple could make my heart race.
The kiss deepened little by little, never hurried, never demanding.
Every time we separated just enough to breathe, our foreheads stayed together.
Our noses brushed.
One of us smiled.
Then, without a word, we closed the distance again.
Another kiss.
Then another.
I lost count somewhere after that.
The radio had long since faded into background noise.
Outside, the sunset continued painting the lake in shades of orange and gold.
Inside the car...
There was only him.
I slid my hand up to the back of his neck, my fingers disappearing into the soft strands of his hair.
He let out the quietest laugh against my lips.
"...What?"
I whispered.
"Nothing."
He smiled.
"I just..."
Another quick kiss.
"...I really like you."
I couldn't help laughing.
"You pick now to tell me?"
"I felt like it."
"You've got incredible timing."
"I know."
He kissed me again before I could say anything else, and I laughed into it, the sound disappearing between us.
At some point I'd shifted closer without even realizing it.
Close enough that our shoulders were pressed together.
Close enough that if anyone had looked through the windshield, they would've seen two people completely oblivious to the rest of the world.
His fingers intertwined with mine between the seats.
The simple gesture made my chest tighten in the best way.
For a long while...
Neither of us spoke.
We didn't need to.
The kisses became slower.
Quieter.
Less about the excitement of finally being together...
And more about simply enjoying the fact that we were.
I wasn't thinking about tomorrow.
Or yesterday.
Or everything that had happened before I met him.
I was just...
Here.
With Minho.
When we finally pulled apart, we stayed close enough that our foreheads still touched.
Neither of us made any move toward the steering wheel.
Neither of us reached for the keys.
We just sat there, smiling at each other like complete idiots.
"...How long have we been sitting here?" I asked quietly.
Minho glanced toward the dashboard clock.
His eyes widened.
"...Uh..."
"...Minho?"
He looked back at me, trying very hard not to laugh.
"...We've been here almost forty minutes."
I blinked.
"...You're joking."
"I wish I was."
I looked out the windshield.
The brilliant oranges had faded into deep purples, and the first stars had started to appear overhead.
"...We completely missed the sunset."
He smiled.
"I don't think we did."
I looked back at him.
"What do you mean?"
He gently squeezed my hand.
"I think we spent it exactly how we wanted to."
I felt my cheeks warm.
"...You're really good at saying things that make my heart do backflips."
"I've been practicing."
I laughed, shaking my head.
Then something suddenly clicked.
"...Wait."
"What?"
I stared at him.
"...Felix."
He frowned.
"...Felix?"
"'Be home before midnight!'" I said, doing my best impression of Felix's voice.
For a second, Minho just looked at me.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Oh no..."
I looked at the clock again.
"...If this lake is as far away from the house as I think it is..."
"We might actually get back pretty late."
I covered my face with one hand.
"He's never going to let us live this down."
"Nope."
"He'll be insufferable."
"Absolutely."
I let out the most dramatic sigh I could manage.
"...Can we tell him we got attacked by ducks?"
Minho laughed so hard he had to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
"The same ducks you said sounded better than me?"
"...You know what?"
I pointed at him.
"I've changed my mind."
"They're your ducks now."
"They've always been my ducks."
I couldn't stop laughing.
Neither could he.
Eventually he reached for the keys, but before turning them, he looked at me one more time.
"...Ready to go home?"
I smiled.
"...Yeah."
This time...
I really was.
The drive back felt different.
The windows were down just enough for the cool night air to drift inside, carrying the scent of pine trees and the lake we'd left behind.
Neither of us talked much.
We didn't need to.
Every now and then, I'd glance over at Minho.
He'd catch me looking.
Smile.
I'd immediately look back out the window like I hadn't been caught.
"...You're doing it again."
"I'm not."
"You literally just looked at me."
"I was checking if you were still driving."
He laughed.
"I'd certainly hope so."
"...Just making sure."
"Very responsible of you."
I smiled to myself, watching the streetlights pass overhead.
Before long, familiar houses began replacing the trees.
Then...
The villa came into view.
Minho pulled into the driveway before turning off the engine.
For a second, neither of us moved.
"...I don't really want today to be over," I admitted quietly.
He looked at me.
"...Me neither."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"...But I am looking forward to seeing Felix's face."
I laughed.
"...He's absolutely still awake."
"Oh, one hundred percent."
We climbed out of the car, grabbing the picnic basket from the trunk before heading toward the front door.
The house was dark.
Mostly.
A warm glow spilled out from the living room.
I exchanged a glance with Minho.
"...Told you."
He chuckled.
The moment we stepped inside...
Three heads turned toward us.
Chris.
Jeongin.
Felix.
The television was still playing, though none of them seemed remotely interested in whatever movie had been on.
Felix looked at the clock hanging above the fireplace.
Then back at us.
Then back at the clock.
He slowly stood up.
"...Well."
Nobody said anything.
He crossed his arms dramatically.
"...Would you two like to explain yourselves?"
I blinked.
"...Explain what?"
"The fact that it's almost midnight."
I looked at Minho.
He looked at me.
"...Traffic?" I offered.
"There was no traffic."
"...Construction?"
"There wasn't construction either."
"...Aggressive ducks."
Felix narrowed his eyes.
"...Aggressive ducks?"
"They were very convincing."
Chris pinched the bridge of his nose, already trying not to laugh.
Jeongin looked between us.
"...You guys definitely weren't attacked by ducks."
I sighed dramatically.
"...Worth a shot."
Felix pointed an accusing finger at us.
"I specifically said, 'Be home before midnight.'"
I looked at the clock.
11:57 p.m.
Technically...
"We made it."
Felix froze.
"...You."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"We're here before midnight."
"You cut that way too close."
"It still counts."
Chris finally laughed.
"I have to admit..."
He glanced at the clock.
"...He's got you there."
Felix threw his hands into the air.
"I've been betrayed."
"By the clock?" Jeongin asked.
"By everyone."
Minho quietly leaned toward me.
"...I told you he'd be insufferable."
I laughed under my breath.
"You called it."
Felix suddenly gasped.
"...Wait."
He looked between us suspiciously.
"...Why are you both smiling like that?"
"...Like what?" I asked.
"Like..."
He squinted.
"...Like people who had a really good date."
Neither of us answered.
Felix's jaw slowly dropped.
"Oh my god."
Chris looked up from the couch.
"...Don't."
"You held hands."
Silence.
"You kissed."
More silence.
Felix pointed dramatically at Minho.
"I KNEW IT!"
My face immediately grew warm.
"...Felix."
"What?"
"Lower your voice."
"I'm emotionally invested!"
Chris laughed, shaking his head.
"They've been gone for almost eight hours."
"I know!" Felix replied.
"That's why I'm invested!"
Jeongin smiled quietly from the other end of the couch.
"...I'm glad you guys had fun."
I looked over at him.
"...We did."
And I meant it.
More than I probably knew how to explain.
Chris stood, stretching his arms above his head.
"Alright."
"It's late."
"You two should get some sleep."
Felix looked at me one last time.
"...So."
"...So?"
"...Was it a good date?"
I couldn't stop smiling.
I looked over at Minho.
He was already looking back at me.
"...Yeah."
I smiled.
"...It was."
Felix threw both hands into the air.
"I LOVE LOVE!"
Chris immediately grabbed him by the hood of his sweatshirt.
"Come on."
"We're going to bed before you start crying."
"I'm not crying!"
"You cried while we were watching Up."
"HE WAITED HIS WHOLE LIFE!"
Chris sighed.
"...Goodnight, everyone."
The two disappeared upstairs, Felix still passionately defending animated rodents.
The house fell quiet again.
Jeongin stood, smiling softly.
"...Goodnight."
"Night."
As he disappeared upstairs too, I looked over at Minho.
The silence settled comfortably between us.
"...Today was really nice."
He smiled.
"...Yeah."
"It was."
Without thinking, our hands brushed together.
His fingers found mine for just a second.
Just long enough for one gentle squeeze.
Then he let go.
Not because he wanted to.
Because we were home.
And somehow...
I knew there would be plenty more days like today.
That thought alone was enough to make me smile all the way upstairs.