"You're an idiot."

"Why the hell are you calling me an idiot for that? I'm being nice here. I am suggesting where to go. It's already past freaking nine. Spooky. Hold my hand."

"Did you just call me 'Spooky'?"

"God, no. I said it's getting spooky–"

"So you're afraid of the dark–

"No, I was being sarcastic. Come on, I'll introduce you to that restaurant. It's amazing."

"I have told you a thousand times before, I don't think I'll like it."

"Well, we are not going to McDonald's today. Don't be a baby. Just try it. If you don't like it, we'll leave. But you'll like it."

"And you'll pay for the food that might be wasted. Which is the problem! I don't want to waste food and the chef's time."

"I had no idea you're actually so caring! But still, we are going there. It's the best, I'm telling you."

"Yes, like you've been doing for the past minutes."

"Exactly. So now we're going to hurry up and try to be nice to each other. We're close to winning the price of worst couple of the year."

"That is your fault."

"No, it isn't. I'm not that complicated. I'm not arguing about which restaurant we're going to."

"So you didn't book a table."

"I was busy booking what we're gonna do after this."

"Oh, God."

"Hey, be grateful! You know how much time and work it took me?"

With a final sigh, I give up. "Okay. We'll go to that restaurant."

"Thank you." Minho takes my arm, pulling me into the Asian restaurant.

Amina once attempted to make sushi, and it was disgusting. Then Lyndon tried it, but he burned everything and accidentally cut his fingers because he kept zoning out. Dad can't cook at all, so he didn't even dare to try. I can't really cook either.

"What do you think of when you see this place?"

"Sushi."

He stops walking. "So we had that whole argument because you thought they only have sushi here? Woman, there are like a thousand other dishes!"

"Who said I do like those?"

"Me. I'm Asian and you like me. That's one thing. And I'll make you like the rest."

"Demanding much."

Before we can continue bickering, a server greets us and takes us to a table for two. I look around the place as we walk. It's dark, but in a cozy way. I see little lanterns and food that doesn't look too bad.

Then I look at the ground and bite my lip. I know I'm acting ridiculous towards Minho. But when one thing bothers me, everything starts to bother me.

When Lyndon and I left hut two, he went to get dinner. I'm pretty sure there was a bonfire planned, too. I went to the bathroom before I'd meet up with Minho, then realized I forgot my bag.

When I returned, I found it on my bed.

L.B. I want my money back, and before that camp ends. You've made me wait long enough.

With a picture of Thomas and I, hugging.

That confirmed the clicks.

And when I heard one as Minho and I walked off the camp's area, my whole mood was ruined.

"I'm sorry for acting so stupid."

I didn't mean to say those words, but I think I'm glad I did.

Minho looks up from the menu. "That's alright. My mom says she tends to get short-tempered when she's hungry. And I don't mean that offensively."

I wish that was the case.

Though now he mentions it, my stomach starts grumbling silently.

"Alright." I readjust myself on my seat, taking a deep breath. "What would you recommend getting?"

"We often eat kimchi at home. They have a great recipe here. Includes vegetables. Onmyeon if you like noodles. What would you like?"

"Just get me what you get," I tell him. "If you think I'll like that."

Smiling a bit, he nods and orders us the same dishes. Then I request simple Iced Tea. Minho gets a coke. 

"Alright. I barely know anything about you. Tell me something."

I raise an eyebrow. "Ask something. I don't know what to tell about myself."

"Favorite color?"

"Depends on the object. I mean, I could say my favorite color is dark red, but I wouldn't want my room's walls to be dark red. Get it?"

He nods. "Sure. But still, in general, what is it?"

"Probably blue. Any tint. What's yours?"

"Dark red or grey."

Then we share favorite animals, favorite places to go, hobbies, funniest moments, et cetera.

"That's hard," I mutter after he asks me about my love language. For a few seconds, I rest my hand on my palm, thoughtful. "I'm not good with words and I usually take them wrong, so that's a no. Physical touch is fine, but that's the problem. It's too normal, I guess. Quality time is a possibility. So is acts of service. I mean, your apologies did really mean a lot. Receiving gifts, mwah... not really. I like gifts, obviously, but it's not my love language."

He gives a firm nod. "We'll figure it out. I think mine's physical touch. Not from everyone, though. But I'm sure I'll become clingy by the time."

I hope I do, too. Because I do really like him, as much as I don't always like him. And I do want this to work out, except knowing myself, that's gonna take a while.

Then our food arrives. Minho has ordered the kimchi after all. I can indeed see vegetables, covered in a reddish sauce. Doesn't look bad. The smell for sure is good. 

The first bite, and I'm sold. "I am so sorry for ever declining this restaurant," I gape. Laughing, Minho gives a 'told you so' look, and then we're pretty much quiet as we eat.

"So what are we going to do after this, then?" I wonder.

He tilts his head to the side, eyes trailing over my face. Something about the way he does that, and the way his hair is styled and the white shirt, makes my stomach do flips. "Hm. Do you really want me to tell you already?"

"I feel like I need to prepare myself."

He chuckles again. "Fine. I hope you're not too sick of the sporting at the camp, 'cause we're gonna go to a climbing park. It's really cool, with colorful lights and all."

My smile brightens at the image of that. Hopefully, it's a bit like a fair and yellow fairy lights. "Really? That sounds amazing."

It surprises me that he looks relieved.

"Hey, it's not that hard to make this night a success. Or to please me," I say quickly. "I was just moody back outside."

"I'm hoping to get the hang of that soon. Because it is hard to please you."

"Not always." I pull a face.

Humming, he shakes his head. "Whatever you say. Oh, I also told my parents we're going to spend the night at my house. Is that okay with you?"

Fuck yes. Seeing Jennifer again.

Happy, I nod. "For sure."

☀︎︎

After the climbing park, we arrive at Minho's house. It was pretty fun, I have to admit. The dinner, too.

I mean, getting to know him better does improve the relationship. And he's not always annoying. Plus, I like the fact he's not constantly sarcastic.

"There they are!" The door opens before Minho can unlock it, and then I'm buried in someone's arms. Jennifer's arms.

My eyes close fast. I cherish the quick moment. Hug her tightly as the comfort makes its way into my body. Then she hugs Minho, and I'm still warm at the sight of that.

"I'm so proud of you, buddy." She pats him on the shoulders before turning me. "I'm so proud of you, too, baby. Crazy how you can keep up with that boy. Now come on in. We were just gonna watch a movie."

Smiling widely at Minho, I follow his mother into the house. Then I freeze in my place when I feel his hands sliding my jacket off me. He hangs it up next to me, but I'm mostly focused on how that makes me realize he can actually tower over me. I can feel the heat off his body, casting onto me.

"Acts of service, you said?" He then quickly clears his throat. "Anyway— come on. Maybe I'll watch that movie of yours. Monsters, Inc?"

I'm shaken out of my trance at that. "Oh, yes! It's amazing. We should."

Jennifer and Hiram already have popcorn and other snacks on the table, blankets and pillows on the couch, and the TV on. All Minho and I have to do is ask for the movie and settle onto the couch.

"Hellooo?" Jennifer elbows her son in the side. "You're a couple. Act like it. Share the same blanket. Don't have two feet between you two."

That was more my fault, but alright. 

Minho scoots closer until our legs touch. And I can still feel the warmth of his body. That concludes he's just hot in general.

Yeah, both ways.

Just half an hour into the movie, my head is already resting on his chest. Thud, thud, thud, I hear. His heartbeat is calm. Quite comforting. It gets faster when I move closer, or when the movie gets a little more tense. Mostly the first thing, though. Knowing that makes me feel kind of awesome. Knowing I do have impact on him. Knowing that I won't misuse it.

His hand reaches for mine below the blanket. At first, I felt the softness of the couch and material of the dear blanket. Now his hand has replaced both things, and it's way better. It's bigger than mine, so he keeps me warm. His thumb circles my palm slowly, touch so tender I want to close my eyes and fall asleep. This is better than in the Shack, even with his parents right next to us. This means more. I missed things like this.

Well, missed. More like wished for without knowing I wished for it.

When at least halfway through the movie, his other hand slides into my hair, I'm on cloud nine. Sooner or later, he'll regret ever staring to move his fingers on my scalp and yearn for freedom. Because I don't think I want this feeling to stop until my scalp gets sensitive.

Whatever. I've already watched this movie a million times. Even with my eyes closed, I can mouth the lines.