Saturday morning came with clear skies, the kind that begged people to go outside. The light poured gently through Eli's bedroom window, brushing the wooden floor with gold. He stood in front of the mirror, tugging at his scarf for the third time, his reflection staring back at him with the same wide-eyed nerves he felt in his chest. His heart wouldn't stop racing.
This time, it wasn't Kai dragging him into plans—he had invited Kai out.
The thought alone made Eli's stomach twist, and he couldn't help but replay the memory of how it happened.
It was two days ago, the walk home from school quieter than usual. The snow crunched beneath their shoes as the wind curled around them, stinging but not unbearable. Eli clutched his bag strap like a lifeline, sneaking glances at Kai, who strolled casually beside him, humming something under his breath.
"Uh… Kai?" Eli's voice came out more tentative than he intended.
Kai turned instantly, his attention sharp even at the smallest call. "Yeah?"
Eli slowed his steps, his mind screaming at him to back out, but he forced the words forward anyway. "I was thinking… maybe this weekend… we could go out. Together. Just us. Not because you dragged me into something, but because… I want to."
The silence that followed made Eli regret everything. His breath puffed out in white clouds, his face burning despite the cold. *Why did I even say that?*
But then Kai blinked, his brows shooting up. Slowly, a grin began to tug at his lips, widening into something that made Eli's knees feel weak.
"You're asking me out?" Kai teased, his tone playful as he nudged Eli's shoulder. "Wow. Didn't think I'd live long enough to see this day."
Eli's ears turned crimson. He whipped his gaze away, muttering, "Forget it. If you're going to make fun—"
But Kai cut him off, his teasing fading into a warmer smile. "Hey. I'd love that. Just tell me when and where."
The words lodged in Eli's chest like a spark catching fire, one that had been burning ever since.
---
Now, standing at the meeting spot with his scarf finally adjusted, Eli felt that same spark again. The sound of approaching footsteps made him turn, and there was Kai—hands tucked into his pockets, his breath visible in the cold air, and that casual grin that nearly knocked the wind out of Eli every time.
"So," Kai said as he came closer, tilting his head slightly, "what's this surprise you wouldn't tell me about?"
Eli avoided his gaze, clearing his throat, pretending to fiddle with his gloves. "It's not really a surprise. I just… wanted to take you out this time. You're always the one suggesting things."
Kai raised a brow, his expression equal parts amused and touched. "Alright then. Lead the way."
Their first stop was a small café Eli had discovered earlier in the week, tucked into a quieter street where few people passed. Its windows fogged with warmth, glowing against the chill outside. Inside, the air smelled of roasted beans and fresh pastries, the quiet hum of conversation wrapping around them like a blanket.
They found a corner table by the window. Kai leaned back comfortably, but his eyes softened as he watched Eli order with almost comical seriousness. "You look like you're negotiating a peace treaty," he teased when Eli sat down with two steaming mugs of cocoa.
Eli rolled his eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at his lips. "I just wanted it to be right."
Their conversation flowed easily after that, from random school stories to playful teasing. For once, Eli wasn't stumbling through awkward silences—he was… enjoying this. Choosing this.
Afterward, they wandered through the park. The bare trees stood elegant against the winter light, children's laughter carrying faintly as snowballs flew in the distance. They walked slower than usual, their shoulders brushing. Eli hesitated, the nerves prickling again, before finally letting his fingers brush against Kai's—testing, tentative.
When Kai didn't pull away, Eli slid his hand into his, their palms fitting together in a way that felt startlingly right.
Kai looked down at their joined hands, his grin returning, but this time it was gentler. "So you really did plan a date," he teased lightly, though his grip tightened.
Eli's face burned, but he kept his hand there. "I just… wanted you to know I can try, too."
Kai stopped walking, tugging Eli closer. His expression shifted, no longer playful but genuine, proud, almost tender. "You don't know how much that means to me."
The rest of the day blurred into moments—sharing snacks from a street vendor, laughing when Eli nearly slipped on an icy patch, taking the long way home just to stretch the time together.
And as the sun dipped behind the rooftops, painting the sky gold, Eli realized something important. For once, he wasn't just following Kai's lead. He was the one choosing, the one reaching out.
This was what it meant to move forward—step by step, together.