Friday

The idea struck Jaehyun while he was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. It had been a whirlwind of emotions since they confessed to each other, and while Jaehyun felt like the luckiest guy, he also wanted to show Woonhak how much he cared.

Our first official date -it has to be something special.

But what? A movie? Too cliché. A fancy restaurant? Too formal. As he mulled over possibilities, his gaze drifted to the soft sunlight streaming through the window. That's when the idea hit him: a picnic.

It was perfect -simple, personal, and thoughtful. They could just enjoy each other's company in the fresh air, away from distractions. He could already picture Woonhak's smile when he saw it.

Once the idea took hold, Jaehyun jumped up with a surge of determination. Heading downstairs, he rummaged through the fridge and pantry, brainstorming what to include in the picnic. Sandwiches were a must.

Then he spotted the strawberries in the fridge. A grin spread across his face as he grabbed a bowl and some chocolate chips. Chocolate-dipped strawberries would add a sweet, romantic touch.

Next, he decided on fried dumplings. They were Woonhak's favorite, and Jaehyun figured he'd appreciate the gesture. He also grabbed a couple of drinks -orange juice and sparkling water- wanting to keep it refreshing.

For the next hour, Jaehyun worked in the kitchen, preparing the sandwiches, melting the chocolate for the strawberries, and frying the dumplings until they were golden and crispy -just how Woonhak liked them.

He packed everything neatly into a picnic basket, layering a checkered blanket on top.

***

A few minutes later Jaehyun paced in the kitchen, checking the picnic basket for the fifth time. Sandwiches, fruit, drinks, snacks -everything was neatly packed. A small bouquet of daisies he had just picked from their backyard, added a final touch. It wasn't extravagant, but it was heartfelt, and Jaehyun wanted their first date to feel personal.

Satisfied with his efforts, he stood back and admired his work. His nerves buzzed with excitement -and a bit of anxiety. What if Woonhak thought it was silly?

Shaking off the doubt, he reminded himself that this was about them, not perfection.

He wiped his palms on his jeans and took a deep breath. Now came the harder part: asking Woonhak.

He climbed the stairs to Woonhak's room, the picnic basket swaying lightly in his hand. When he reached the door, he knocked softly and pushed it open.

Woonhak lay sprawled on the bed, scrolling through his phone. With one arm, he held the teddy bear that Jaehyun had given him a while ago, pressing it lightly to his chest.

He was wearing one of Jaehyun's hoodies, the oversized fabric swallowing his smaller frame. It was one Jaehyun had worn countless times, and seeing it on his boyfriend sent a flutter through his chest.

"You really like my clothes, huh?" Jaehyun teased, leaning against the doorframe.

Woonhak looked up with a grin. "They're comfy. And they smell like you."

Jaehyun's heart skipped a beat. "Well, I'm glad you like them. But, uh... I actually came to ask you something."

Woonhak sat up, tilting his head in curiosity. "What's up?"

Jaehyun stepped into the room, trying to hide his nervousness. "I... was wondering if you'd like to go on a date. A proper one."

Woonhak blinked, clearly surprised. "A date?"

Jaehyun nodded, holding up the basket. "Yeah. A picnic. In the park. Just us."

A smile slowly spread across Woonhak's face, lighting up the room. "You planned a picnic? That's so cute."

Jaehyun felt his ears heat up but shrugged nonchalantly. "So, is that a yes?"

"Of course it's a yes!" Woonhak jumped off the bed, dropping his bear and adjusting the hoodie.

Jaehyun grinned, relieved. "Alright then, let's go."

***

The park was quiet, with only a few people scattered around. Jaehyun picked a shady spot under a tree, spreading out the checkered blanket he had brought.

"This is so nice," Woonhak said as he plopped down, his smile wide.

Jaehyun unpacked the basket, setting out the food. "I wanted our first date to be special but not, you know, over-the-top."

"It's perfect," Woonhak reassured him, taking a bite of a sandwich. "And these sandwiches are amazing. Did you make them?"

Jaehyun nodded, looking a little shy. "Yeah. I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I just made a few different ones."

"You're really thoughtful, you know that?" Woonhak said softly, his eyes meeting Jaehyun's.

Jaehyun chuckled, trying to mask how flustered he felt. "I try."

They talked and laughed as they ate, sharing stories and teasing each other. Woonhak couldn't stop smiling, and Jaehyun couldn't stop staring at him. Every now and then, their hands would brush as they reached for food, sending little jolts of electricity between them.

At one point, Jaehyun plucked a daisy from the bouquet and tucked it behind Woonhak's ear. "There. Perfect."

Woonhak laughed, his cheeks turning pink. "You're so cheesy."

"Only for you, Sunshine" Jaehyun shot back. He smiled, satisfied to see the pink that dusted the younger's cheeks deepening at the nickname.

As the afternoon stretched on, the conversation turned quieter, more intimate. They leaned back on the blanket, looking up at the sky.

"This is the best date I've ever been on," Woonhak said, his voice soft.

Jaehyun turned to look at him, his heart swelling. "Me too."

Neither of them had ever been on a date before, but that didn't matter in that moment. They knew what the other meant.

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Word count: 927

I wanna go on a picnic date🥲 I'd need to find someone to go with first tho...