It was already dusk, the sky a bruised canvas of deep lavender and fading rose as they stepped onto the cobblestone street.
The city's evening chorus was just beginning: the rumble of carriages, the distant laughter from a tavern, and the soft, rhythmic clip of their own footsteps.
Kazien's heart felt light, a buoyant sensation that had been building steadily since they first sat down in the cozy, sun-drenched restaurant hours ago.
"My dear, this is the most beautiful date I have ever had in my life! Thank you so much!" Alvin exclaimed, his voice a pure, unadulterated shout of joy. The sheer volume and intensity of his happiness made several passersby turn their heads, their momentary curiosity lingering on the visibly ecstatic couple.
Kazien laughed, a rich, deep sound that made Alvin's chest flutter. "I'm so happy to see you happy like this! Whatever you want, I'll definitely do my best for you, always!"
Impulsively, Alvin launched himself backward onto Kazien's back. Without missing a beat, Kazien's strong arms instinctively rose to cradle him, his hands firmly gripping Alvin's thighs to ensure he wouldn't slip. Alvin rested his chin on Kazien's shoulder, his earlier shriek of joy settling into a blissful, intimate sigh.
"I love you so much!" Alvin murmured, his arms tightening around Kazien's neck in a warm, possessive hug.
Kazien adjusted his grip, a feeling of deep contentment washing over him. "I love you so much too, Alvin! Let's go home! I'll carry you until we get home!"
Alvin truly enjoyed the firm, comforting breadth of his future husband's back. It felt like the safest place in the world. As they walked, however, Alvin's index finger began a gentle, rhythmic drumming against Kazien's chest—a soft tap-tap-tap, almost like a secret code, or perhaps a signal that he had something important to say, something he wanted. Kazien, always attuned to Alvin's subtle shifts, immediately grew curious.
"What's wrong, Alvin?" he asked, the question laced with gentle curiosity.
Alvin paused his drumming. "Are you happy on your date with me?"
"Of course I'm very happy! Today is a special day for me! Our first official date—it's perfect," Kazien affirmed, turning his head slightly to press a kiss into Alvin's hair.
Alvin smiled, a feeling of utter satisfaction filling him. His hug around Kazien's neck tightened just a fraction more, cementing his joy.
The fading light, the bustling life of the city, and the simple, profound happiness of being held by the man he loved—these elements coalesced into an unforgettable memory for Alvin. This first, intimate moment would be an eternal treasure for him.
However, not for Kazien.
A sudden, jarring thought struck Kazien, a wave of cold dread washing over the warmth of his love. He had forgotten to capture the moment.
Even though Alvin was so happy, I forgot to capture it. I was so caught up in the happiness of the moment itself. I should have acted correctly! After all, this was our first date. I should have thought ahead, pulled out my phone, or even asked a server!
A silent groan echoed in Kazien's mind. Ah... I regret it so much. I wish I could turn back time. I really want to capture that moment in a photo so he can cherish it forever. Something tangible to prove this day happened, to match the intensity of his joy.
Kazien screamed this frustration in his heart. His negligence—a simple, stupid oversight—had tainted the perfection of their first date. He felt the sting of tears behind his eyes. He wanted to scream in frustration. He wanted to punch the nearest wall, or perhaps hit himself for his carelessness. But Kazien was a man of logic, and he realized with a crushing certainty that time could not be turned back, not even for a perfect photo.
Alvin, forgive my negligence! I regret it so much!
The tight, warm, and blissfully unaware hug that came from Alvin made Kazien's feeling of guilt twist even more painfully in his stomach. The perfect evening, now marred by his secret blunder.
Ah... I want to cry...
They eventually made it back to the mansion. In the quiet sanctity of their bedroom, the city's noises faded into a gentle hum. Alvin, utterly exhausted but blissfully happy, was already fast asleep, draped securely on top of Kazien's chest.
Kazien lay awake for a long time, looking at Alvin's innocent, peaceful face. Alvin's breathing was soft and even, his lips curled into a gentle.
Kazien smiled, but his expression soon crumbled into one of profound regret. The failure to memorialize their first date weighed heavily on him.
A single, silent tear escaped the corner of his eye, tracing a hot path down his cheek. Then another, and another, flowing continuously and silently wetting his cheeks.
He was crying uncontrollably, yet utterly soundlessly, so as not to wake the beautiful man asleep on him. Slowly, Kazien wiped his own tears away with the back of his hand, his remorse finally giving way to exhaustion. He eventually fell into a deep, troubled sleep.
Morning came with a rush of golden light filtering through the sheer curtains. Kazien's eyes fluttered open to a sight that instantly erased the vestiges of his troubled sleep.
Alvin was awake, perched cheerfully on Kazien's hips, his face alight with a glorious, happy smile.
"Morning, Alvin!" Kazien greeted softly, his voice still thick with sleep.
"Good morning too, my dear! I am very happy with the gift you gave me!" Alvin chirped, his eyes sparkling with delight.
"A gift?" Kazien asked, pulling himself up onto his elbows, his brow furrowed in genuine confusion. He hadn't given Alvin anything this morning.
Kazien truly didn't understand the 'gift' that Alvin had just mentioned so happily. And then, Alvin presented something—two small, rectangular pieces of paper held triumphantly in his left and right hands.
Kazien's breath hitched in his throat. He was speechless, unable to process what he was seeing.
The photographs were vibrant, clear, and perfectly captured. One showed them in the restaurant, laughing as Kazien playfully fed Alvin a spoonful of broth, the faint steam visible in the air. The other, impossibly, showed them mid-sip, using the same bizarre, forked straw Kazien had commented on, both of their faces scrunched up in hilarious concentration.
Was this Goddess Nirfelia's doing? Kazien's mind raced. He had no memory of taking these. A powerful, unseen force of intervention—a deity of love or memory, perhaps—must have sensed his profound regret. But I couldn't disappoint him by admitting my failure now. I'm sorry, Goddess Nirfelia, but I had to pretend that I took those two photos.
"Do you like it?" Alvin prompted, tilting his head.
The sheer, overwhelming joy on Alvin's face was all the direction Kazien needed.
"I really like it! This is a moment that I will definitely remember forever. Our first date! I'm happy! Thank you very much, my dear!" Kazien exclaimed, his voice regaining its true depth and warmth, the lie tasting like a sweet reprieve on his tongue. He reached up and gently took the photos, admiring the perfect timing.
Mwah!
Alvin leaned down and kissed him passionately, a deep, tender expression of his gratitude.
"This is a good morning kiss and my thank you to you, my dear." Alvin whispered, his eyes shining.
Kazien's hands cupped Alvin's face, his thumb gently stroking his cheek. "Ah… That face filled with happiness makes you even cuter!"
Alvin smiled even wider, his happiness a palpable, radiating warmth.
Goddess Nirfelia, thank you so much for making Alvin smile happily like this, Kazien silently prayed, his heart overflowing with relief and gratitude. If only you weren't here, I wouldn't know what to do to always remind him of this beautiful moment. You saved me.
"My dear, I will keep these two photos safe." Alvin declared, taking them back and holding them carefully. "And when the time comes for us to have a house, a real home, we must display them prominently!"
Kazien chuckled, pulling Alvin closer. "Hahaha. Okay! Keep them safe in your storage dimension for now. Someday, we will definitely display these two photos—and also hundreds of other photos we'll take together. This is just the beginning."
After storing the two precious photos into the extra-dimensional space he carried for his most valuable treasures, Alvin immediately hugged Kazien tightly, burying his face in the crook of his neck.
"You are the best husband-to-be! You are truly the best! I love you!"
They both hugged each other for quite a long time, the silence filled with the unspoken promise of a long, happy future, now visually immortalized by an unseen benevolent hand.