Park Date~

Helix had never been this happy.

Okay, maybe that wouldn’t be the case forever. But Helix couldn’t imagine anything better than this day, right here, and right now. It had been such a long time since he had the time to go to the park near the museum, and even better, Casa was with him! He could enjoy the sights right along with Helix, and get some good food in the meantime!

Even the weather had cooperated with them today. Sure, it was fall, but the air was only a little brisk. All of the autumn colors on the trees were in full swing; all Helix could see was a field of beautiful reds, golds, and oranges. Every time he looked at the sea of trees, his eyes shone with delight.

Helix couldn’t remember the last time that he and Casa had gotten a day off together. Work normally kept them so busy! But the stars, beautiful as they were, had aligned and granted them the most precious thing: time to spend with each other. And Helix was going to take advantage of every moment.

He glanced up at Casa, feeling his cheeks go red the moment that he caught a glimpse of Casa’s face. Casa seemed to be ... what was the word ... nervous? No, couldn’t be nervous. They had been dating for long enough; dates didn’t do that to him anymore. Maybe he was just hoping today would be a good day. Helix really couldn’t blame him here!

“Nice walk, isn’t it?” Helix asked.

Casa only nodded in response, which was more than good enough for Helix.

Helix hugged Casa’s arm, nuzzling up in sheer happiness. Cuddling up to Casa at all was a treat, and now he could do it for the entire day! Within reason, of course. He didn’t want to make Casa uncomfortable, and too much PDA would do that. He’d just have to keep an eye out. And he was good at that, so no problem!

“What’re you gonna want when we get to the food trucks?” Helix clung to Casa’s arm a bit tighter, smiling as bright as the sun. “I think I’m gonna want Mexican!”

“... What you want.”

Hmmmm. Helix narrowed his eyes for a second. He knew that tone; that meant that Casa had something else in mind, but that he just wanted to make Helix happy. While very cute of him, it didn’t feel right to just let that happen. After all, Casa was supposed to enjoy himself today, too! Nope, this wouldn’t stand.

“Come on, you can be honest with me!” Helix prodded. “What do you want? There’s so many options. I don’t mind waiting in line twice!”

“... Eggs,” Casa mumbled, blushing brightly. “From the ... breakfast truck.”

“There we go! That sounds more like you!” Helix wished he could lean up on his tippy-toes and kiss Casa on the cheek, but their height difference made that a bit difficult. He’d just have to do it once they sat down!

It wouldn’t be long until they got to the end of the trail, but Helix wasn’t going to rush it. He could see the fruit trucks at the edge of the path, parked on the streets and serving lines of people. The fountain was there, surrounded by benches and plants, painting a serene picture. He couldn’t help but smile at it.

Soon, he and Casa were going to be there, sitting on a bench and just enjoying each other’s company in another way. It made Helix’s heart flutter just imagining it. It really was the little things that were absolutely going to make today memorable.

Casa gently pulled Helix aside, causing Helix to jump. He did manage, however, to avoid crashing into the couple that was coming their way. Whoops.

“End of trail.” Casa looked down at Helix with an expression that Helix couldn’t interpret. Not right away, at least. “... Careful.”

“Sorry,” Helix said with a sheepish laugh.

Casa tried to guide them to the closest bench. While the shade from the tree was really tempting, Helix already had a pretty picture in his head. Even better, two of the coveted benches were open despite the crowd. He tugged on Casa’s arm.

“Can we sit near the fountain instead?”

“... Sure.”

Helix shot Casa a look. The look said ‘I will call you out if you’re lying again.’ It was a look that Helix gave Casa often, and he always got the same response: a blush and sheepish mumbling.

“It ... seems nice.”

Helix visibly relaxed, then hugged Casa’s arm one more time. “I think so too. Let’s go!”

Casa didn’t really fight being dragged across the park. Heck, Helix was pretty sure he saw a smile in those beautiful eyes of his! Helix grinned in return, then plopped Casa right down on the bench closest to the front of the fountain.

“I can get my food first!” he chirped. “You okay holding down the fort?”

Casa, once again, nodded. And now that Helix could, he leaned over and pecked Casa on the cheek. He absolutely relished in how red Casa’s face was, then skipped off to the Mexican food truck line. Nothing would come between him and his taquitos, that was for sure.

His only wish was that Casa could stand in line with him, but the seats were too in-demand to risk. Best to play it safe, he knew, but ... waiting in line was boring. There was nothing to do. All Helix could really do was look over at Casa, wave frantically, then giggle when Casa waved back. That was fun, but it could only entertain him for so long.

At least he could watch his taquitos get made. That was infinitely less boring than people watching. Helix said ‘thanks’ in the most eager tone possible, took the food and drink, then rushed back to the bench -- to Casa. Steam was rising from the food, and it was burning his hand, but he was so excited to be with his boyfriend that he didn’t even care.

“All right, back!” Helix didn’t waste any time sitting down and snuggling up to Casa. Sure, Casa would have to get up and get food, but every second counted! “You gonna get your eggs? I can watch the bench now!”

“... Yes.”

Casa ran a hand through Helix’s hair, rose to his feet, and made his way to the breakfast truck. Helix looked after him, smiling dopily. He carefully set his food in Casa’s spot, dissuading people nearby from trying to sit next to him. The seat was taken, after all! There was no way anyone was going to steal it.

There really wasn’t much to do except sit there and watch the people going by. Aside from a couple of adorable kids squealing and running around, this wasn’t really the most fun thing in the world. He, instead, took in the sounds and sights around him.

The fountain sounded soothing; the running water had a relaxing effect on Helix. When that was combined with the slight rustle of leaves and the chatter of people, it was just ... heavenly. Picturesque, actually. Helix couldn’t imagine anything better than this.

Well, except Casa being right here with him, of course. And being able to eat with him.

At the thought of food and the smell of his chicken taquitos, his stomach grumbled in hunger. It was tempting to dig in, but Helix refused to touch his food until Casa showed up. It was just good manners. He craned his neck, trying to get a good view of Casa. How far ahead was he in line? Was he watching his food get made too? Casa wasn’t one to wave like Helix was, so he knew he wasn’t missing that, but ...

Ah, there he was! And Casa was grabbing his little paper basket, presumably full of as many eggs as he was able to get. Helix giggled to himself at the mental image, and then picked up his food and held it. The seat was open again! Casa would be back in just a moment, now, and then they could eat together.

“Hey there!” Helix grinned when Casa walked back over. “Got what you wanted?”

Casa mumbled something indistinct, but Helix knew him well enough to take that as a ‘yes’. Helix peered over at Casa’s little basket as he sat down. While he was right about the eggs, Casa had apparently gotten some hash browns, too. ‘Not bad!’

“We made good choices today, huh?” Helix asked. He then took a bite of one of his taquitos -- then promptly dropped it when it absolutely burned his mouth. Was that yelp from his own mouth? It didn’t really register, and his main focus was chugging some of his soda so the burning sensation would go away.

“Hot! Hot hot hot --” 

Casa looked over at Helix frantically. While his face was blank, his eyes said everything -- the concern shone through. “You ... all right?”

“Yeah! Just tried to dig in way too soon.” Helix laughed sheepishly. “I can’t help it, it just smells sooooooo good!” He pouted, then set his taquitos down on his lap. They somewhat warmed his jeans, which ... well, he should’ve known better. Helix couldn’t help but giggle.

“... Wait,” Casa said softly. He gently squeezed Helix’s shoulder, then grabbed the fork on his lap.

“You better wait, too,” Helix pointed out. “Your food’s just as hot!”

Casa simply shrugged. “Not ... bad.”

Helix refused to accept this answer. He raised an eyebrow and looked over at Casa. “I’ll eat if you eat! You know I will!”

Casa shook his head at this. Helix couldn’t tell if that was disappointment, resignation, or just exasperation. Maybe it was all three. But it contained something at its core: acceptance. Helix winked at Casa, then picked up his taquitos once more.

“Let’s dig in!”

Helix’s usual instinct, of course, was to talk with his mouth full. He wanted to talk Casa’s head off. Whether it be about the stars, work gossip, or just how pretty the park was, he just had a desire to fill the silence. There was something, however, about the silences between him and Casa.

It was quiet, sure, and normally that would make him anxious. But silences with Casa didn’t feel awkward to Helix; it felt like a shared moment, something they could enjoy together. The birds were chirping over the sound of quiet conversations. The water flowed freely, amplifying the peaceful scene. Everything just ... it was all wonderful.

Helix never wanted this to end.

He glanced over at Casa, smiling fondly when he saw him enjoying the eggs. Casa’s eyes sparkled every time he took a bite, and it was so adorable to watch. He might be a tough nut to crack for most people, but Helix was honored to see this softer side of him so readily.

“Eggs are good, I take it?” Helix giggled.

Casa blushed deeply, but nodded. “... Yes. Very.”

“I’ll give you a bite of my taquito if you give me a bite of your eggs!” It was a risky gamble, but Helix was so curious. He’d never had food truck eggs before, and the temptation was overwhelming! He glanced over at Casa, grinning, clearly hopeful.

Casa snorted. A rarity. Even rarer? He actually grabbed a small -- small -- portion of eggs, and then handed the fork over to Helix.

“Here. ... Just one.”

Helix ripped off a part of his taquito first, just to be polite, and then handed it over to Casa with a smile. Only then did he take the offered fork and take the bite of egg. He could instantly see why Casa was so happy about them -- these were the most flavor-packed eggs he had ever tasted. Absolutely awesome.

“Wow,” Helix gasped. “No wonder you’re eating it so fast!” He giggled, then went back to his taquitos.

“... They’re good,” Casa mumbled, clearly embarrassed. But at least he was enjoying himself. Helix could tell by his slack shoulders and the way he was leaning against the bench ever so slightly. Knowing that Casa was having a good time made Helix even happier.

But while this was relaxing, Helix was starting to get worried. He had only planned for the walk and the food trucks -- he didn’t even think that Casa would want to stay this long. Casa usually burned out by this point, but he hadn’t. It was a miracle, and Helix was going to take advantage of it.

“You know,” Helix began as he polished off his last taquito, “there’s this awesome new interactive exhibit in the museum.”

“Mm?”

Casa’s apparent interest made Helix’s heart flutter. Encouraged, he began to talk louder and a bit faster.

“Yeah! It’s based on the human body and stuff, and I was just ... wondering if you wanted to go to it with me? It’s been a long time since we’ve been to the museum, and ... I just figured ...”

Casa cut off Helix in the gentlest way possible. He reached over and gently stroked his cheek, causing Helix to fumble over his words and lose his train of thought. Helix stared up at Casa, stunned, cheeks red as a beet.

“Yes,” Casa whispered. Helix could barely hear him over the water from the fountain, but it was still the most wonderful thing he had ever heard. “... I would.”

Helix grinned ear-to-ear and gently took Casa’s hand in his own. He squeezed Casa’s hand gently, then they both lowered their hands to rest on the bench. Their fingers were linked, and Helix found so much comfort in that. Casa’s hand was so warm, so soft.

He sighed happily, then sank against the bench. As excited as he was for the museum, this was just as nice. Helix could wait around for a bit while Casa savored his eggs. The museum didn’t close for another three hours, anyway. Besides, why rush perfection?

That and it would be tricky for Casa to eat with one hand. He had to balance the basket on his lap, and that was a pain. Apparently, though, it was worth holding Helix’s hand -- and Helix definitely wasn’t going to complain about that.

“... Love you,” Helix heard Casa say. Helix’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest; it took everything he had to not absolutely shower Casa in kisses. Instead, he just looked over, smiled, and squeezed Casa’s hand once more.

“I love you too,” Helix responded. “Thanks for today. It’s been so much fun!”

“Mm.”

Casa didn’t need to say anything else for Helix to pick up on what he meant. Knowing that he was having fun too, even if he hid it, meant the world to Helix. Hopefully, this day wouldn’t pass by too quickly.

... Buuuut he was too excited about the museum to hold out much longer.

“Come on! Finish your food so we can go to the museum!” Helix prodded. “Come on, please?”

Casa started eating his food just a bit faster, but didn’t respond otherwise. Still, that was enough for Helix. He hugged Casa tightly, snuggling in and grinning broadly.

Everything was perfect right now, and while Helix couldn’t imagine being happier earlier, he knew that he would be the longer he was with Casa.