This chapter is a series of moments and conversations from throughout the date; kinda like a montage lol. Hope you enjoy! :p

(...) means time jump :))

Tao's POV

My hands tremble slightly as I wait for Stormy to pick me up.

Four minutes to go.

My nerves jump from side to side as I, once again, critically observe my carefully selected outfit.

I had chosen a cosy, mustard-yellow jumper with my freshly-washed light jeans. On my feet, lay sunflower socks and light brown shoes. Finally a grey hat, with a bee stitched on, sat on my messy, white hair.

I sigh slightly, wondering if I have time to change, when the doorbell rings.

I look at the clock, 5pm exactly.

He's here.

I clamber up from my soft, black sofa- rushing to the door. Calming my trembling fingers, I open it quietly.

My breath catches in my throat.

There he is. Stormy blue, wearing a stunning outfit- simple yet stylish.

Tight, black, ripped jeans paired with a plain black t-shirt and a textured denim jacket. Matching all that is a patterned scarf, laying on his thick neck. His shoes are plain black timberlands; they tie the whole look together.

He smiles at me fondly, holding out his rough hand as if to say, 'shall we?'

I place my soft hand in his.
We shall.

...

The gentle hum of the radio caresses my ears, the bumpy road pushing the car up and down.

This journey is unlike the others that I have experienced.

I usually feel suffocated; endangered; terrified, yet now all I feel is peace and tranquility. It's amazing what the presence of one person can do.

Speaking of which, Stormy looks so natural driving. His hands grip the soft leather of the wheel, occasionally shifting to adjust the gears.

I wonder where he's taking me, nowhere fancy I hope! The pressure of having to look smart and presentable causes my stomach to clench.

"Where are we going?" I finally decide to ask.

"It's a surprise", he winks at me- removing a hand from the wheel to tap his slender nose.

A surprise...

I start to fiddle with my clothes, tugging my sleeves over my fluttering hands.

"Don't worry darling, you look gorgeous." He says.

I smile and say, "Y-you look cool too", to which he laughs and grabs my hand.

This is nice, I think to myself.

...

The fluid motions of the car come to a halt. Looking up, I notice a large sign, 'Welcome to the funfair!' and I squeal with excitement.

"Here" a soothing voice says, "don't want you ruining your cute, little shoes."

A feel a box being placed into my lap, my hands reaching out to grip it.

Inside, lays a pair of stunning Timberland boots-the same style as his- in a shade of dusty brown.

My eyes widen in shock; my eyebrows raise; my heartbeat quickens.

I look up at him; he just smiles.

I smile back, in astonishment.

After removing my shoes, I tug on the beautifully crafted footwear, admiring the soft leather. I recall him asking me my shoe size; I didn't ever imagine that he would do this.

He's generous,
He's kind,
He's stunning,
And he's on a date with me.

...

The colourful lights and alluring aromas overwhelm my senses.

The funfair is...outstanding. Rides mixed in with countless food stalls; everything from teacups to Ferris wheels and hot air balloon rides.

Fairy lights decorate each stand, a different theme depending on the stall's purpose. The lemonade stand is decorated with an assortment of yellow trinkets; making it stand out among the others.

I tug on Thais' hand, "Can we get some lemonade please?"

He looks down at me, with a twinkle in his blue eyes, and nods, "Of course we can, love".

We wander over to the stand and, as I go to get the money, Matthias grabs my hands in his and shakes his head.

"I'm paying"

Bashfully, I try to decline but he gives me a look that can only mean one thing- 'don't argue with me'.

So I don't; I resign and allow him to pay for both of our drinks.

As he hands me the bitter, yellow treat, I observe the crisp, lemon segment and mint leaves. The smell makes my mouth-water and my eyes tear up with joy. No one has ever been as kind to me as Matthias; I feel so grateful.

After drinking my lemonade and eating my lemon segment, I rub my stomach in delight- that was delicious!

I feel another lemon segment being placed into my hand by a grinning Matthias and I gobble it down quickly.

I practically beam, this date is getting better and better!

...

The wind hits my face, messing up my white hair as I clutch the fabric of my grey hat in my hands.

Thais laughs next to me, intertwining his hands in mine as we hurtle down one, last drop. I scream in delight, the wind licking my face once again.

I look up at the sky as the 'rollercoaster' comes to a stop. I smile, noticing the beginning of a sun-set.

The pastel colours mix in a soft gradient. I admire the view, reaching my hand up as if to touch it-

"elious-Cornelius!" I feel a hand shake my shoulder gently. Turning my head, my face reddens as I notice the queue of people impatiently waiting for me to leave the ride.

Scuttling off of the seat, I mumble a quick apology whilst pressing myself against Matthias' side.

So many people looking,
So many people watching,
So many people staring.
So many people, too many.

A hand on my lower back stirrs me from my thoughts. The other reaching out to clasp my shaking hands, leading me away from the ride.

"Cornelius, darling, breathe."

I breathe.

"In and out, you're doing so well"

I turn to hug him; he wraps me up in his arms, calming me down immensely.

"I'm sorry" I whimper and he holds me tighter, "you're okay".

I've messed up again, and things were going so well...

After a while, my stomach begins to grumble. Matthias slowly lets me go.

"How about something to eat" he says, as if reading my mind.

...

The sugary sensations of fresh candy floss blanket my taste buds instantly.

I smile, looking at the handsome devil infront of me- fear and embarrassment stripped from my mind almost completely. He holds a blue, raspberry treat in his strong hands, whilst I clutch it's strawberry pink sibling.

After a few bites, my soft hands have become rather sticky and I have random candyfloss fluff around my mouth.

I start to itch and fidget but then-

A cold sensation covers my hand and I look down to see Matthias gently cleaning it with a wet wipe.

He wipes my hand-One, Two, Three, Four- four times and then stops.

I look up,
With a flaming red blush,
Decorating my face,
Which he then cleans,
At the same steady pace.
One two three four,
Four swipes exactly.

He answers my soft, "Thank you" with a beaming smile and looks away bashfully.

"No problem sweetheart"

The nickname makes my heart stutter.

It seems to do that a lot around him.

...

At the end of the night, he takes me home. Placing a gentle kiss on my red cheek, he starts the engine- putting on a gentle tune.

'You saw my pain, washed out in the rain
Broken glass, saw the blood run from my veins
But you saw no fault, no cracks in my heart
And you knelt beside my hope torn apart
But the ghosts that we knew, will flicker from you
And we'll live a long life'

(Ghosts that we knew- Mumford & sons)

He sings along to the words, his deep voice making me tremble with how mesmerising it is.

I smile, for the millionth time that night; for once in my life I feel truly normal.

...

We walk up my old, stone path- with flowers and grass hugging its sides. Stopping at my baby pink door, I look at Matthias as he grabs my hand.

"Cornelius...c-can I kiss you?" he asks, his ears tinting red.

I blush bright red as well, but nod in agreement.

He smiles that beautiful smile and steps forward, gripping my cheeks in his hands.

I close my eyes in delight and then- and then he's kissing me.

And I like it.

In movies and stories, they mention sparks flying throughout your body; I feel no sparks. Instead, as his gentle lips caress mine, I have an overwhelming feeling of comfort.

For once, my head is not spinning; my mind is not counting. All I feel is his mouth on mine; all I hear is the sound of his stilted breathing; all I feel is him.

His heartbeat, his hands, his gentle movements.

After placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, he steps back- with a beaming smile on his face.

"Goodnight sweetheart" he says.

"Goodnight", I whisper, breathless.

Then he walks back,
Down the stone path,
Leaving me there,
Feeling happy and star-struck.