Date-Date

“Let’s go on a proper first date.”

MingHui turns his head away from his textbook and catches his significant other’s gaze. “What do you mean?”

Kan drums their fingers on the table and continues, “I mean... we haven’t gone on a date before right? Like one of those scheduled dates that couples like to plan together. That’s what couples do, right?”

“We hang out and eat together. I think those count as dates,” Ming says, scratching the back of his head. “Do they not?”

“I guess they can, but then by that logic then everything we do together is a date. Like right now,” Kan taps Ming’s homework assignment, “this would be a study date. But according to reddnyat—“

“Were you doing relationship research again? I told you that TV shows and reddnyat are not reliable sources.”

“TV shows are possible because of inspiration taken from real life and even if it’s not realistic, it pulls from reality. Reddnyat can be seen as case studies because it pulls from people’s experience.”

Ming gives Kan a blank look and motions for Kan continue.

“According to reddnyat, there are dates and there are ‘date-dates,’” Kan says, with 'date-date' in air quotes. “Where couples plan their entire day together. This entails visiting or enjoying out of the ordinary leisure activities, for example, going to catch a movie and planning lunch at a popular cafe.”

“So you just want to drop by the cinema and eat lunch at an Nyanstagram-worthy cafe?”

Kan rolls their eyes. “No. I want dinner and to go stargazing. I was thinking somewhere out of the city, not at the planetarium. You know, just make make things a little more special.”

Ming blinks. “That...” is actually romantic, he thinks. “Sounds really nice actually.”

“Did you not have faith in me?” Kan asks smugly as they cross their arms.

While Ming adores his partner, he knows for a fact that most of the time Kan cannot set a romantic mood. More often he finds himself blushing out of embarrassment at Kan’s bold antics or feeling exasperated at Kan’s analytical take on their relationship rather than swooning at Kan's romantic finesse (or lack of). “No, I didn’t," Ming admits honestly.

“I can be romantic.”

“I'm sure you can be.”

“I can,” Kan says firmly, the start of a pout forming on their lips. Ming fights the urge to lean in and kiss them then and there. “I’ll prove it right after you finish your last final this Thursday. And just for doubting me, you won’t have any say in planning it with me. I’ll plan all of it and it’ll be so romantic that you’ll never doubt me again.”

“Yeah?” Ming asks, the corner of his lips twitching.

“Yeah. It’ll be the best date-date you’ve ever been on.”

“Technically it’ll be the only one we’ve ever been on and so by your logic, it’ll also be the worst.”

“Don’t be a smartass. Use your braincells to study, not to make snarky remarks at me,” Kan scoffs, pushing Ming’s cheek away gently so that he’s looking at his textbook once more. “It’ll be perfect, so you can’t call it the worst date.”

“I’m guessing it won’t involve hiking then because we don’t want another incident like our first meeting?”

“That was one time.”

“But not the last?”

“Shut up and get back to studying.”

“You’re the one who brought the topic up. It’s your fault if I’m distr—“ Ming pauses mid-sentence when he feels a brief warmth on his cheek.

“Sorry. Study faster, then, so I can be promoted from distraction to full time focus.”

Ming glances up to see the smug, playful expression on Kan’s face. “Give me a couple hours, I almost got it down.”