ONE-SHOT COLLECTIONS

Cupid's Play

 “Mimi! Slow down baby,” Tierra yelps when her 2-year-old Maltese kept pulling her leash, obviously overjoyed by the fact they are finally going to her favorite dog café, or just happy to go out for longer walks.

“Woof! Woof!” the dog barked, clearly not caring about her mom who’s trying hard to keep her from running towards the open elevator.

“Okay, okay, let me lock the pad first,” when Mimi won’t quiet down, she takes the pup in her arms and began to make sure to have everything lock and secure.

After some time and many difficulties leaving the house, they finally left the building and hence the short walk to the café began.

“You’re so hyped, aren’t you,” she chuckled at her cute pup when it kept trying to speed up, the sidewalks didn’t have many people as it was a weekday, the afternoon rush was a few hours away and it was a coincidence Tierra had the chance to go home early today.

The moment they reach the said café, her pup wagged her tail impatiently, waiting for her to take the leash off so she could run around and play with the dog toys, other dogs and probably sleep in those small cubicles they prepared.

Tierra shakes her head as she observes her little pup run around, mingling with the other dogs that are present, already she made a friend and she could not hide the grin as she saw them playing.

“One green tea, a blueberry muffin and the yummy treat specials for my pup,” she smiles at the girl behind the counter as she places her order while waiting, she glances to where she last saw Mimi, to see her playing with another Maltese and Yorkie.

“Coco found a friend and she’s not being hostile,” a bright amused chuckle behind her said and she changes her view to said voice, there stood a man, he was at least a head taller than her, sleek black hair and pale white skin.

I’ve never seen someone so… bright-looking…

That was the thought that ran through her mind the moment her eyes lands on the smile he carved, it was so wide and bright, it almost made her smile too, if not for the girl behind the counter who called for her.

“Thanks,” she unknowingly blushes as she takes her order and began to find a spot to watch her baby.

The image of the male fade and slowly forgotten as she watches Mimi for a while then she reverts to her phone, going through social media to kill her time there.

From time to time, she’d call out to her pup to give her those treats then went back to focusing on her phone.

Two hours later,

“s**t! I’m so sorry, I forgot!” Tierra squeal as her best friend did not sound amused by her words, how could I forget I promised to come over tonight to celebrate our friendship anniversary?

“You forgot? So what? You've got a boyfriend or something now? How could you forget about me and Yuggie? It’s our friendship anniversary!!!” she pulls the phone away from her ear when Melissa’s voice boomed with anger.

“No… It’s just… I’m at a dog café and I got carried away, but don’t worry, I’ll be there tonight, I promise,” she bites her lips and crosses her fingers, hoping the female would calm down and not cancel all because she forgot.

There was an eerie silence from her side that made Tierra sweat and she hoped and prayed her best friend would give in, Melissa tends to cancel things like this if she’s upset.

“Babe?” a distant voice in the background greets her ears and Tierra saw hope as she prays her best friend won’t cut the call.

“What happened to you? Who’s on the phone?” Yugyeom’s voice was a lot clearer now and she’s sure he’s standing close to Melissa.

“It’s our BEST FRIEND who told me, she’s not ready to come over tonight for our friendship anniversary because she FORGOT,” it was clear with sarcasm as she spoke, especially the words best friend and forgot, making Tierra flinch.

“I told you I’m sorry?” she squeaks again yet she was greeted with another round of silence.

“Do you plan on coming over?” the voice changed to Yugyeom’s and she knew he had taken the phone away, probably calmed down Melissa or put it on speaker.

“Yes, I did this morning and when I got home after leaving early… I kinda forgot, because…” she sighs as tires to make them see her point, “Because?” his voice dragged.

“Because when I got home and saw how unhappy Mimi was, I wanted to take her out and then I got distracted and then I-” her rant got cut when Yugyeom laugh from the other line, “What?” she frowns.

“If that’s the case then it’s fine, get your ass out of there, get home and get ready to come here you silly goose, Mel was upset because of her hormones,” he told with a snicker, probably happy she’d been the one at the receiving end of an upset pregnant woman instead of him.

“For a moment there I forgot she’s pregnant right now,” Tierra mumbles dumbly but her best friend heard it and roars in another round of laughter.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want, I’ll be there, just make sure to open the door when I ring the bell,” she gruffs in annoyance when the only form of reply came were snorts of laughter.

“O-okay… I’m sorry, it’s not every day I get to see you like this, usually, she’d be mad at me and you get away with everything,” she could picture him wiping the tears that fell as he said those words, and it made her smile.

“Bring Mimi over too, she’s family and I bought her this new dress which I think would look good on her,” this time it was her turn to laugh as she could already imagine what kind of dress he bought, the last time he bought her a blue tutu which Mimi had destroyed after wearing it once.

“Sure, let me go get her and I’ll try to be there in an hour or so,” Tierra began to put her stuff away and throw the empty cup from earlier, making her way to where she last saw Mimi, “Cool, call us before you leave your pad, see you soon goose,” then he hung up.

***

“When did I promise you guys I’d cook?” Youngjae grunts into the phone as he watches Coco runs after another Maltese, both had been playing with each other since they stepped into this café.

He was honestly surprised at first because he was worried Coco would not like it here, she had a reputation of not liking the presences of other dogs, yet she made a friend the second he lets her out of his arms.

“Game night last week? Ring a bell? You lost and said you’d cooked for us when it’s game night at your place?” Jackson singsong tone made Youngjae’s eye twitch, oh that night, of course, of course, he remembered, he lost because they won’t shut up about him being single for too long.

He remembered how irritated and annoyed he felt when they kept nagging like old people and telling him to settle down quickly before he turns 40, or he’ll grow old alone.

“I’m still 30 this year, what’s the rush?” he spoke up when Jaebeom poke his shoulder for the lack of response, “That’s not the point, don’t you want a family of your own?”

“I have Coco? I have my parents?” he shrugs like the matter was as simple as that, yet his friends all seemed annoyed with this answer, “You need a woman in your life man, not just Coco, your parents, and your work,”

“Says who?” he was busy shuffling the cards in his hands to see the exasperated look his friends gave him, “Dude, everyone needs someone in their lives, like how I have Julica, Jb has Angie and Jackson has Beth,” Jinyoung shakes his shoulders to make him see sense but his response was still the same.

“Don’t you want a family? Kids like we have?” Jaebeom asked him honestly, taking the cards away, he had shuffled them one way too many, to get his attention.

“No, yes, maybe? I don’t know, look, can we stop talking about my nonexistent love life and get on with the game?” he huffs as his annoyance level rise, he came here to Jackson’s tonight to have fun, it had been an awful day at the vocal school with his new students, yet the treatment his friends gave him made his ears feel like bleeding.

The tiredness from his day at work and their nagging at the start of game night caused his loss and he made a stupid promise to cook them his signature beef dish as his punishment.

“Yo! Youngjae! You still there buddy?” Jackson’s voice pulls him out of his trance and he nods, only a bit too late to realize that he was talking to him on the phone.

“Uh, yeah, I’m fine,” there was a pause then Jackson continues, “So your place tonight?” he asked to make sure their weekly game night was still on and Youngjae sighs heavily, no escape now… I guess I’m cooking tonight…

“Yeah sure, I’ll just go and grab Coco, thank god I just stocked my fridge yesterday,” he throws the empty cup and plastic container away, making his way to Coco, “Where are you and Coco? Not at home?” 

“Yeah we’re at that dog café Jinyoung showed me last time, and surprisingly she’s not being hostile to other dogs, I’ve been here for at least two hours I think,” he informs as look around to find Coco, now where’d they go to?

“Well that’s great, tell us all about it later, see you man,” and Jackson hung up before he could say anything else, not that he cared, “Now where’s Coco?”

***

“Mimi!” Tierra shouts happily when she sees the two Maltese cuddling together just as someone calls out, “Coco!”

“Oh, is this your Maltese?” the man asks Tierra and she froze to where she stood, it was the handsome man from earlier, “Oh… Oh yes,” she blushes with a soft nod of her head when he smiles at her answer then proceed to where they lay.

“Well, time to go home Coco, your uncles are coming over tonight,” he took Coco into his arms, separating the two and his actions made the pup snuggles closer to his chest, not even waking up.

“Maybe we can come here again some other time and let our dogs play together,” he offers her another warm smile then left, when the chime of the main door rang, Tierra blinks her eyes, coming out of her trance.

“Why did he have to have such a stunning smile?” she could feel her cheeks heat by her words as she picks up her sleeping pup. Walking home with Mimi asleep, was a lot easier than when she’s awake.

***

“Wake up Coco, we’re home,” Youngjae pokes her wet nose after putting her down on her dog bed. He was amazed at how soundless his dog slept the entire 30-minute ride home, not even waking up once, which of course was a bit new.

He watches as the pup opens her eyes and looks around, then suddenly, it began barking like it’s panicking.

“Coco what’s wrong?” he tried to get a hold of her yet the small dog leaps away like she’s afraid of him.

“Coco, it’s me, daddy?” he didn’t even know what’s wrong with her and why she’s acting like this. When Coco began climbing to the higher shelves, he knew something was wrong indeed.

Just as he’s about to take her down, his phone rang, annoyed and confused, he quickly runs to his room to retrieve his phone then stood at a point where he could see Coco.

“Hello?” distracted he answers even though he knew it was an unknown number calling.

“Is this the owner of Coco?” a soft female voice greets his ears and he froze, what does she mean by that question?

“Yes… who’s on the phone?” he asks wearily, eyes still locked on Coco on the shelve, she keeps looking around his condo like she’s trying to find an escape route.

“Hi? We met at the dog café earlier, I think we’ve accidentally switch dogs,”

Youngjae let her words sink in for a moment, trying to understand what she meant.

“Look, I know it sounds weird and you might think I’m lying, but it’s not. I think you grabbed my Mimi by mistake and I took your Coco without checking. They both look very identical and even wore the same colored collar, my pup has a small black spot on her lower belly, you can check if you still think I’m lying,” the woman finishes and at that, Youngjae decides to put her on speaker as he reaches out to the said pup.

Mimi began barking again when he too climbs a chair to get closer and he sighs, then her owner’s voice booms, “Give her some treats, it always works, no matter who gives em,” and he frowns, why didn’t I think of that?

“Hey Mimi, want some yum yum?” he tries as he holds out Coco’s favorite treat and he watches Mimi’s nose twitch in interest, slowly she began to lean forward and before she could fall, Youngjae catches her, giving her the treat.

He gave her one more and place her by his side on the couch, and he could hear the sound of sigh leaving from the other line, knowing Mimi’s owner must have been worried.

“I’m sorry, I should have checked if I grabbed the right pup, I was in a rush to get home,” Youngjae speaks up and he heard a soft bark followed by a giggle. Both the bark and giggle made him chuckle in amusement, what were they doing?

“It’s fine sir, it’s already happened and I was in a hurry too, I guess your daughter knows your voice even on phone,” there was the giggle again and he could not help but wonder what she’s giggling about, he’s never heard any female’s giggle sound so, cute.

“You don’t have to call me sir, my name’s Youngjae and I’m not that old,” the line was quiet then, “My name’s Tierra,” they both suddenly didn’t know what to say until, ‘woof!’

“Is that Coco?” he laughs when he heard it again and the giggling stops, the woman clears her throat, “Yes, I have you on speaker, she seemed bored,”

“How did you realized she’s not your Mimi?” Youngjae was curious, he had just got home and barely had time to look at the dog he bought home properly, but right now she’s playing with his hand possibly asking him for more snacks.

“Well, when Coco didn’t stay still and kept looking around my pad like it’s new to her, I knew something was wrong, the café and my home was just a short walk, we’ve been home for about 30 minutes now,” 

Her explanation made sense and he figured she had taken a look at her collar, that’s how she managed to call him.

“As much as I want my Coco back, I’m quite full tonight, my friends are coming over and I can’t exactly have a raincheck with them,” he huffs as he knows if he tried, they’d just make an excuse so they could have it some other time.

“I kinda understand, I have to go over my friend’s too later, and I promised them I’d bring Mimi, but since Coco’s here with me instead, can I take her? If it’s not okay with you I’ll leave her here in my pad,” her words at the end sounds panicked and Youngjae could not help but try to imagine her face, he vaguely remembers it as he was in a rush to get home.

“Of course you can take her with you, just make sure to feed her,” he jokes at the end as he was sure the woman would care for his pup, Mimi seems to be well and healthy, so he had no doubt Coco’s in good hands.

“Okay, thank you, we can talk later to agree when we can switch our pups back? I do need to get ready now, please take care of my Mimi?” he could hear shuffling sounds and a soft bark, maybe she’s walking around and Coco’s tailing her.

“Sure, I’ll take care of your daughter, we’ll talk later,” and they both hung up, Youngjae looks at the dog curled in his lap, she seems tired.

“You and Coco must’ve played too much, you look tired,” he scratches the back of her ear and her tail thumped against his tight happily.

“Okay, you sleep here, I need to go cook,” he place the dog down and proceed to cook, cursing at his luck for today yet he also could not help but laugh at himself.

***

“Wait, you expect us to believe you?” Jackson and Jaebeom looked dumbfounded when Youngjae had explained twice why he’s still cooking when the two showed up early for game night.

“If you don’t believe me, go check the lower belly of that pup. Oh, but take a snack with you, she gets friendly once she gets a yum yum,” he waves a bored hand as he goes back to stir his dish.

There was silence then a few moments later, he could hear a burst of loud amused laughter from the living room, Jackson, he thought and he knew they believed him now.

“That’s crazy man, I did thought she was Coco, they look the same,” Jaebeom came back, amazed and Youngjae just shrugs, already over the fact an hour ago.

“So when are you and this pup’s owner meeting up? When are you switching back?” Jackson emerges from the living room with Mimi in his arms, licking his face happily.

Somehow the sight of Mimi in Jackson’s arms didn’t sit well with him, how is she so comfortable with him so quickly?

“Not sure, she has plans tonight and I didn’t really want to raincheck with you guys, so we haven’t decided yet,” he answers as he puts the dish aside after plating it, missing the look of shock his friends throw him.

“She?” they exclaim and Youngjae frowns, looking at them after hearing their tone.

“Yes?” Jackson lets the pup go and she ran towards the living room, “You said the owner’s a she?” Jaebeom repeats and he nods slowly, not catching what his friends are trying to imply.

“Is she single?” Jackson asks just as Jinyoung emerged from the living room, he who just arrived looked confused, “Who’s single? And why was Coco barking at me like I’m a stranger?”

Youngjae facepalms, this is going to be a long night… 

***

“So that isn’t Mimi?” Yugyeom asks for the nth time whilst pointing to Coco running around his house, like he was having trouble believing the situation Tierra got in, “You’re not just making this up because you’re late right?” Melissa crosses her arms over her swollen tummy.

That was the first reaction she got too when she bought Coco home, Mimi usually wants to eat, bark at Tierra for her snacks after a long nap or sleep and especially after the whole hours of playtime she got, yet Coco was somewhat calm like snacks could come later.

The calmness of the pup and the curiosity of what it showed when they got home, it made Tierra check her collar out intrigued. And she was of course, surprised when she saw the name, Coco, if found please call 0++-++++-++++, and that’s what she did immediately, funny how 30 minutes passed and I didn’t notice right away.

“Yeah, they pretty much look the same huh? And no, you can check Coco’s lower belly, there’s no black spot,” she gestures and whistles for Coco to come, yet the pup kept running around ignoring her, playing with Mimi’s toys that are kept at Yugyeom and Melissa’s.

“And she doesn’t come to me like Mimi does, not even with snacks,” Tierra pouts, trying to make her friends believe her.

“Okay, somehow I believe you,” Melissa replies and she smiles, “But I’m still upset you said you forgot about today,” and Tierra’s smile deflates.

“I told you I did remember, but then in the afternoon-” Mel cuts her words before she could continue, “You forgot, same difference,” then she left the kitchen, leaving Tierra and Yugyeom to take the food out front.

“Give her time, it always works for me,” Yugyeom chuckled as he takes the food they prepare and she sighs, our friendship anniversary night is going to be a tough one this year… ugh!

***

“I am so sorry,” Youngjae says as soon as Tierra sits down with her cup of warm green tea, “Oh? Why?” 

“If I had checked which pup I took, we wouldn’t be in this mess,” Youngjae shyly rubs the back of his neck, out of embarrassment of course and Tierra smiles as a chuckle escapes her.

“It’s fine, it was chaotic at first but I didn’t mind babysitting Coco for the past 3 days, it was fun,” she answers truthfully, they both had been jammed packed with work and neither of them could make time to meet for the switch, so they end up agreeing to meet on Sunday morning at the same dog café.

They had though, been exchanging calls and text to asks about their pups despite their busy schedule, making them comfortable with each other a bit.

“Babysitting Mimi was fun too, she’s a lot different than Coco that’s for sure, more clingy after she became comfortable,” his words caused Tierra to laugh and Youngjae couldn’t help but stare as she does.

The ends of her eyes wrinkle yet it looks cute as they form into crescents and the way her cheekbones lift as she laughs, showing him her deep dimples.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed at you, but she is very clingy, and I do agree, they are very different indeed, Coco doesn’t even come when I call out to her,” Tierra pouts at the memories with Coco for these past days, not realizing Youngjae was still staring at her with interest.

“She’s always been like that, she’ll come to you when she wants to, she’s kinda like ‘Lady Boss’,” Youngjae chuckle and she follows, silently agreeing with him.

They sat in comfortable silence as they watch their dogs play together again, occasionally talking about their lives, sharing the cute and stupid things their pups did, till her phone rang and she excused herself.

“Yes? Okay, fine, I'll do it,” then she was back, “Everything okay?” Youngjae asks politely when she seemed to be in a daze.

“Huh? Oh, yeah… I’m fine,” she smiles yet it didn’t reach her eyes as she sighs, “I need to go, it was fun talking to you,” the smile was still the same and Youngjae didn’t know why it bothered him she seems distracted when she was happy a few moments ago talking to him.

He watched as she leans down towards both dogs, picking them up and return to him, handing him Coco and with a soft “Thanks and goodbye,” she left.

***

“I’m not going on a stupid blind date,” Tierra huffs like a kid, annoyed by the sudden request, “Yes you are,” Melissa challenged her and she takes deep breaths to calm herself.

“Look, I can take any other punishment, but this? No way!” she pulls her hair in frustrations yet Melissa wasn’t hearing any of it, “Yes way and this will be the only way for me to forgive you,” she smirks when Tierra looked torn between killing her or giving up.

“Mel!!! It’s been 3 weeks, I told you I’m sorry, I baked a cake, tarts, pastries and even made truffles for you! Can’t you just drop this?” it was almost comical for Yugyeom to watch his best friend and wife bantering. Especially at Tierra, from looking murderous to desperate to angry then back to desperate.

“No! I can’t!” Melissa huffs and Tierra sighs, there’s no way out of this I guess, “Fine, where and when?” she slumps down on her sofa and Melissa’s cold demeanor changed 360 degrees, she squeals and begins to crush Tierra with a hug.

At that scene, Yugyeom’s laughter exploded.

***

“I’m going to kill you!” she seethe at Melissa as the pregnant woman happily sings a tune while making soft curls on Tierra’s naturally straight hair. “Oh come on, it’s just a dress, it won’t kill you. Besides, you used to love these before you start working at the bakery,”

“That was younger me, 27-year-old me hates dresses cause they make me feel awkward,” she huffs as she pulls the ends of the dress to look at herself and Melissa just laughs it off, curling another section of her long chestnut brown hair.

“Oh hush, you agreed yesterday and I’m no longer upset, so why are you making me upset again?” Melissa fakes pout but failed when Tierra gave her ‘I know you’ and ‘I don’t give a damn’ look making her sighs.

“Look, Era, I promise you, you’ll like this guy, Yugyeom praises him,” she squeezed her shoulders and Tierra gives a bored look not interested, her non-interest made Melissa pout and she wasn’t surprised when she sees tears in her coffee brown orbs. I wonder how Yugyeom and her students at the kindergarten put up with her? Gosh, we’ve been friends for 12 years but I still fall for this s**t…

“Have you met him?” she asks just so those tears would clear and magically, they did, making Tierra roll her eyes. “No… but Yuggie has and he’s confident to say you’ll like him,”

“Sure, whatever you say, mom,” Tierra replies while applying her choice of lip gloss, a soft nude peach color to match her sandy rose lace skater dress.

“Ekk! Let’s take pictures then Yugyeom will drop you,” and just like that she got dragged out of her room and Yugyeom’s job as a choreographer changed into a photographer for his one and only wife.

***

“Ask for the name ‘Ars’, and that’s him,” Tierra looks at her friend like he grew an extra head and he smiles at her, “What?”

“That’s his name?” she blinks, trying the name in her mouth making Yugyeom laugh aloud at her behavior. “That’s his nickname, you’ll learn his real one once you meet him,” and with that, Yugyeom pushed her, literally pushed her out his car, then drove away like a maniac, I hate you Kim Yugyeom…

“Can I help you miss?” the receptionist asks when he saw Tierra standing at their entrance looking lost. She had half a mind to run, to just let the guy wait for her then leave. But then felt if she did, she’d never found out if the guy was as good and nice as her friends claim.

“Uh, I’m meeting with Ars?” it came out like a question yet the receptionist smiles and gestures for her to follow and she did.

“This is you miss, enjoy,” the male leaves with a respected bow after gesturing towards ‘Ars’, whose back was to her and she inhales before going to the remote part of the restaurant.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” she bows down as she makes herself known, feeling guilty her date had to wait for her.

“Tierra?” a familiar voice calls out and she felt her heart skipped a beat, looking up, she gasps as the male did the same, “Youngjae?” there he stood, wearing a casual navy blue button-down shirt and jeans, hair gelled back, face mirroring hers.

***

“You guys did what?” Youngjae screech when Jaebeom told him the plan they lined for him, making the three men flinch at his tone, “Got you into a blind date?” Jiyoung says uncertainly.

“Why?” he glares and they gave him the look, “You lost again and we haven’t given you your punishment yet, this is it,” Jackson proudly points out, making him groan in annoyance.

“I keep losing because you guys keep making me pissed, stop talking about me settling down, I’m happy with where I am,”

“Don’t be a baby and just go. Jackson’s friend says she’s been single for a long time, and they’re worried about her like we’re with you,” Jaebeom pats his back to assure him yet Youngjae ignores them.

He didn’t agree nor did he protest because he knew no matter what he said, they’d make him go, one way or another.

“I can’t believe you guys made me book a date at a restaurant,” he grumbles as he got out of the car and the amused chuckle follows the sound of a closing door.

“She’s worth your money man, did you book under the name Ars? Like I told you?” he could hear Jackson’s son’s giggle and he figured it’s probably his time of the day with the little one.

“Yeah, why use my teaching name? Not my real name?” he stops just as he’s about to enter the restaurant, to finish the call before going in.

“To give off the mystery vibes,” Jackson answers simply and he rolls his eyes. They talked a bit more, Jackson wishing him good luck, then he enters.

***

The last they saw each other was 2weeks ago, it was when Mimi looked over-hyped so she bought her to the café, coincidently, he was already there with Coco, so they end up talking a bit while observing their pups playing.

“I’m going to kill my friends,” Tierra pouts as they left the restaurant and Youngjae couldn’t help but laugh at her. “Maybe I’ll do it too,” then he too laughs at the thought, not minding he made a few heads turn, his laugh was loud and… addicting, it made her heart skipped a beat.

His laughing form made Tierra stop and stare, his laughter was addicting, it was loud and bright, his smile was also enchanting, she could not help but want to keep watching, smiling along with him.

“What are you looking at?” he tilts his head when he noticed her eyes and how quiet she was.

“Oh! Oh nothing, just, no-nothing,” she pushes a stray hair away, looking down and turn to walk down the path, yet didn’t get to go far when his hand slips into hers. Surprised, she looks up to see him walking straight ahead, like them holding hands was normal.

“There’s a crowd over there, won’t want to lose you,” he cast a smile down to her and she blushes a deep shade of red making his smile wider, and she felt her tummy filled with butterflies.

“S-sure,”

***

“Well, this is good night then,” Youngjae stands in front of her apartment door despite Tierra’s constant protest, she had assured him she’d get back to her unit without problem but the male was stubborn and insist to drop her at her front door.

“I guess,” she awkwardly shrugs. The night had been lovely, they had a nice dinner, a sweet comfortable stroll by the shops there. And they talked, in fact, they talked a lot more compared to when they saw each other at the dog café.

At dinner, she learned that Youngjae’s friends had tricked him into losing at game night and made him go and she reveals to him going on the blind date would make Melissa forgive her for good, he had known of the situation she was in so he laughed.

During the entire walk, he won’t let her hand go even when she pointed out there are fewer people, yet he shrugs and claims he doesn’t want to get separated in case she found something interesting then left him alone.

“I’ve never dropped you at your front door before,” he states suddenly and she nods, agreeing. “I’ve never been to yours either,” he smiles again at the sight of her scarlet cheeks, leaning forward, making Tierra’s tummy flip.

“Don’t blush like this,” he pokes her cheeks and she reddens more if possible and he laughs, “Wh-what? I’m not blushing,”

“You are, you’ve been a lot lately,” his head tilts playfully and she could not meet his eyes, “So? What if I am?” his fingers bought her chin up so her eyes would meet his.

“It makes me want to kiss you,” she felt her heart thumping like it wanted to jump out of her ribcage at his blunt words, “What?”

“Can I kiss you? Would it be weird if I say I’d want to since our third meeting?” he pulls her closer and she absentmindedly puts her hands against his chest.

“O-oh,” Tierra had no words and he smiles, leaning closer and as their lips only had a few inches away, he whispers. “May I?” nodding absentmindedly, they shared a soft kiss.

The kiss was slow at first, one of his hand cupping her cheek while the other wrapped around her waist, and hers stayed on his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt, her fingers fiddled with his buttons and she could feel him chuckling.

He pulls away to let her catch a breathe but leans in again, like one kiss wasn’t enough and this time she sighs, they pull apart but he kept pecking her and she giggles.

“Does this mean we’ll have a second date?”