C o l e

After our long and hot time down at the beach, Harvey insisted we get food and head back to the villa to watch a movie. Of course there was a whole argument over what to eat, Harvey wanting sushi while Jamie and Mikhail wanted other things that weren't sushi.

Eros had somehow managed to nap his way through the whole thing, saying he'd eat whatever we decided to get as long as it wasn't carrots.

In the end, since Mikhail was driving we ended up going to get the food he wanted. After picking up our food and heading back to the villa, Harvey instantly plopped onto the couch and grabbed the remote.

"Since you guys didn't let me choose the food, I'm choosing the movie" Harvey said and just as he pointed the remote at the TV, Eros snatched it from his hands from behind him.

"Let you choose the movie? Maybe when I'm dead" Eros said and Harvey grew an offended face.

"What's wrong with my movie choices?!" He exclaimed.

"Other than the fact that they're all low budget and have horrible endings? Oh, nothing at all" Eros said before plopping down next to me.

"All of you guys suck ass" Harvey grumbled as he grabbed his food from the bag with a sour look on his face.

"Cut him some slack Eros, you have bullied him a lot today" Mikhail said and Eros' jaw dropped.

"Me? A bully?" He asked, offense written all over his face as he questioned.

"Yeah. First you tormented him with a frog, then the bugs and just now you insulted his movie tastes" Jamie said and Eros pursed his lips before turning to me with a look.

"Cole" I knew he was expecting me to take his side but for once, I couldn't.

"He's not wrong" I said as I stated at him, knowing full and well that Eros' hobby of teasing others could get just the tiniest bit out of hand at times.

Hearing a 'tch' come from Eros, he tossed the remote over to Harvey.

"Fine, you can pick the movie. Can't believe I got labeled as a bully" Eros last sentence was grumbled under his breath as he crossed his arms.

He's really like a kid who didn't get their way...it's kind of cute sometimes but I said nothing and just began to eat my food.

"Yes! Thank you thank you thank you!" Harvey cheered as he hugged Jamie in thanks. Jamie's face reddened from the sudden surprise attack and Mikhail snickered.

"Nasty..." Eros muttered as he glared at the two.

"What movie are you picking?" I asked as I watched Harvey quickly sift through the many titles on the TV.

"A horror movie" he said and I tilted my head. Seeing my confusion, Mikhail's eyes met mine with a questioning look.

"Have you ever seen one before?" He asked and I shook my head.

"No, not really. At least I don't think so, I've only seen a few handful of movies and I'm pretty sure they were all action based" I explained.

"You'll love this one!" Harvey said as he clicked on the movie and pressed 'play'.

The movie started with an eerie vibe, the music in the background playing a sinister melody as the camera panned around the darkened house. I stopped eating and watched intently as it slowly went throughout the rooms of the house, almost as if giving us a tour of the abandoned abode.

As the movie continued, it was very obvious to me that this was one of those possession kind of things I've seen in books. The female lead in the movie's body would twist and turn at impossible angles at times while black blood fell from her lips and I could only wonder how they managed to actually film this.

"Scared yet?" Harvey asked and I shrugged.

"I think having a knife centimeters from your face is much scarier than some entity" I said and the others seemed to give me a wary expression.

"You could fight a demon and survive, huh?" Jamie said with a shake of his head and I shrugged.

I probably could.

As the movie continued, there was a particular part where the other female lead of the movie was wandering around the abandoned house in search of her friend. She called her friend's name out and just when she turned, there was a loud bang as the girl screamed, and it was so loud it was almost as if the girl was in the room with us.

Oh, wait...I think that was Harvey.

Turning my head in his direction cause of his scream, I could see that Harvey had somehow managed to spill his drink all over himself as well as Jamie who was seated next to him.

Eros chuckled while Mikhail just shook his head and Harvey gave Jamie an apologetic look.

"I-...sorry" he said and Jamie shook his head.

"It's okay, let's just get out of these clothes" he said as he stood up, Harvey following suit.

"Want us to pause it?" Mikhail asked as he grabbed the remote from the table but Harvey shook his head.

"Nah it's okay" he said and the two headed out of the room.

"Of course Harvey would be the one to be the most frightened despite picking the movie" Eros said.

The movie continued on and even after we finished eating, the movie ending just in time with us, Harvey and Jamie never came back.

"Jeez, how long does it take to change into some clean clothes?" Mikhail said and I decided that I'll check on them since I was already about to get up to use the bathroom.

"I'll go see what they're doing" I announced before leaving the room.

I went to each of their room's, neither room was occupied so I figured there must be some kind of laundry room in this place. I wandered a bit before finally seeing some light flooding out of an open door.

Heading up to it, I was about to walk in but my eyes were quick to catch what was going on inside, my feet stopping in response.

Although I could only see Jamie, it was very obvious that he wasn't just up on the wall like that by himself. Harvey's smaller form was obviously being covered by Jamie's larger one but I could see his feet that were in between Jamie's.

"Haa..." An airy sound suddenly filled the room and I snapped out of my trance before backing away.

It didn't take a genius to get what was going on so I quietly turned around and left the laundry room, intent on heading back to the living room where Eros and Mikhail were now choosing another movie since the previous one went off.

"Everything alright?" Mikhail asked and I nodded as I took my seat again.

"They're fine" I said and just took my place back next to Eros.

"If you say so" Eros said with a shrug.

It was just then that I remembered I still had to use the bathroom.

~ next day ~

"Cole" the sound of my name being called had my ears twitching as I slowly began to regain consciousness.

"Mm...?" I grumbled but a light shake to my body had my eyes opening slowly.

Eros' azure eyes were the first thing to greet me this morning and I found myself smiling for some reason.

Eros smiled in turned as he backed away.

"Come on, wake up love" he said as his hand found mine to pull me up and I yawned.

"It's early" I said.

"I know but we have to. We're going on a date" he said and my eyes widened at his words, my body suddenly feeling fully awake.

"Date?" I inquired and Eros nodded.

"Yup but we can't really have that if the others are tagging along now can we?" Eros said with a raised brow.

A date...our first official date and not those faux ones Eros used to joke about before.

My heart thumped in anticipation, I forgot that going on dates was also a part of dating and I couldn't help but feel excited at the thought of getting to go out with Eros.

Just the two of us.

"Where are we going?" I asked and Eros gave a secretive smile.

"Nope, no questions. Everything is a surprise" he said and I just nodded.

After washing up and getting ready, the two of us 'snuck out' as Eros put it. We weren't even really all that quiet and just walked out the door.

I don't get what was so sneaky about it but I didn't question it.

Our first destination was a bistro that wasn't too far from the villa and upon walking in, the smell of many flavors hit me all at once and my stomach growled in response.

Once we were seated, Eros leaned towards me.

"I heard that they have really good bread pudding" he said and I could almost see a halo around his head as he flashed me a bright smile.

Pudding for breakfast...I could feel my mouth salivating at the thought of the tasty treat and once the waiter took our order, I made sure to order two of them.

"I've always meant to ask this but why do you like pudding so much?" Eros asked once the waiter was gone.

"I don't know, it's just good. Don't you have a favorite food that you always want to eat?" I asked and Eros hummed, leaning his chin on his hand as he smiled at me.

"I sure do" he said.

"What is it?" I asked and Eros put a finger to his lips.

"Secret" he said and I frowned.

What the hell was so secret about food? Shaking my head, I crossed my arms. I guess making his favorite food someday was out of the question since Eros didn't seem intent on sharing.

"I love anything you make" Eros suddenly said and I looked at him in surprise.

"You're probably thinking that you wanted to make something for me right?" He asked and at this point, I felt a bit freaked out at how easy he hit the nail.

"Are you a mind reader?" I questioned and Eros laughed at my ridiculous question.

"No, but I do like to think that I can read you better than most people" he said. Feeling at a loss of words, I just rested my elbows on the table and clasped my hands.

His deduction abilities were too good...

Soon enough our food came and while I should have gone for the normal breakfast courses first, my vision was set on that bread pudding that was placed not too far from me.

Taking a spoonful, I lifted the silverware to my mouth and inserted it, my tastebuds immediately singing praises as the food met them.

It was like heaven on a spoon.

As I continued to dig in, I barely even noticed Eros' intent stare as I ate the pudding with vigor.

"I've never wanted to be the pudding so bad..."

"Hm?" I looked up from my pudding and Eros shook his head.

"Nothing. I'm glad you're enjoying the food" he said and I nodded.

"It's really good. Want to try some?" I asked.

"Only if you feed it to me" Eros said, pointing a finger to his open mouth, his tongue slightly poking out.

Ignoring his intent gaze, I scooped up some of the pudding and put the spoon up to his lips. Taking it in his mouth, Eros' eyes never left mine as he ate the pudding off the spoon and I could feel the air between us become heavy.

What the hell is going on right now?

"Mm, it is good. Thanks for sharing darling" Eros said as he licked his lips and I just put my spoon back into my pudding.

I could only hope that I'd make it through breakfast without any unsavory thoughts, the suggestive behavior slightly getting to me but I pushed myself to focus back on my food.

I'll get this jerk back later.

After finishing our food, the next stop on our date seemed to be the movies. When walking in, Eros led me to the lineup of movies that the theater was showing currently.

"You like this series right?" Eros asked as he pointed at one of the movie posters and I nodded.

"Yeah but I haven't really kept up with the movies" I said.

"Well that's okay, we can figure it out along the way" Eros said before leading us to the counter.

Once paying for our tickets, we headed into the theater where the movie was just beginning to start.

As we watched, I couldn't believe half of the shit that was going on in the movie. These guys were taking fatal blows as if it was their morning cup of coffee.

"How's that even possible...who gets thrown off a building and survives?" I whispered and Eros snickered.

"Honestly Cole, I wouldn't be surprised if you could survive something like that" he said and I frowned.

"Well sorry to burst your bubble but I don't have nine lives" I said to which Eros let out another chuckle.

The rest of the movie was pretty good, the fighting seemed realistic enough that I couldn't say it's not doable but then again, knowing the fights I've gotten into are probably ten times worse compared to this film...

"Well...that was something" I said once the movie was finished.

"Bad guys lose, good guys win. Moral of every movie out there I guess" Eros said and I chuckled.

"Technically, you're a bad guy no?" I asked as we walked out and Eros hummed in agreement.

"True, but I'm a sexy bad guy. Sexy bad guys always win" He said as he pulled me into his side and I just shook my head, smiling at his ridiculous logic.

The next place Eros had taken us on this adventure was honestly the last place I'd ever expect him to bring us to, the Zoo.

As we stood outside of the first habitat, I struggled to debate on whether or not I wanted to go in there. I wasn't good with animals, especially with the lack of home pets in my life. I wasn't sure how to go about approaching them either so I was afraid I'd do something that would upset them.

Seeing the hesitant look on my face, Eros grabbed my hand and gently tugged me.

"You scared or something?" Eros asked and I shook my head.

"Uh...I don't know if I really like animals" I said, stopping and staring at a monkey that was taunting me, it's high pitched screeching filling my ears every now and then.

"These little guys are cute though" Eros said, winking at the monkey and it screeched before running away to its friends.

"I'm surprised you like such a havoc wreaking animal" I said as I watched the monkey's play with one another.

They really were cute.

"Honestly, me too. But when you deal with Harvey and Jamie everyday, there really is no difference" Eros said with a light laugh.

I could see the two sneezing right now, unbeknownst to the fact Eros was talking about them. With a smile and a shake of my head, the two of us continued on.

There were so many different kinds of animals and not all of them were exactly friendly but I did enjoy seeing their beautiful furs and colors. It wasn't something you got to see everyday, so I took the sights in as best as I could.

Eventually, we headed into a more aquamarine setting and a lot of the the kids in here were pressed up against the glass even if they weren't supposed to be.

Approaching one of the tanks, a lone fish swam past us slowly, and I made eye contact with it.

"He's big" Eros said from my side and I nodded.

"It...kinda looks like you" I faked a thinking look and Eros' mouth dropping was all it took for me to know he fell for my words.

"You take that back. I'm your boyfriend, how can you compare me to that ugly fish?" Eros asked, his voice holding a steady tone of disbelief.

Looking between the fish and him, I just nodded my head.

"Yup, practically twins" I said, holding in my laughter at the now annoyed look on Eros' face.

A little teasing payback is what he deserves every now and then so I'll let him believe I actually think he resembles a fish for a while.

It was quite some time before we made it out of there and by then, it was nighttime when we came out.

"We've got one more stop okay?" Eros said and I nodded, grasping his hand in my own as he began to lead us somewhere.

It was just a few benches next to a park but he sat us down anyways and I looked at him curiously.

"We've got the best seats in the house, you're gonna love this" he said with a grin and I was about to ask him what he was talking about when the sound of something firing off caught my attention.

My eyes widened a bit when a huge firework appeared in front of us, the blue colors falling like tears against the night sky as it disappeared.

There was many more of all different colors and sizes, each and everyone capturing my attention as if I was a kid glued to a TV. I didn't even care that the sounds were practically deafening, the only thing I could focus on was the sight in front of me.

After a while, the fireworks stopped but I still find myself starting off into the distance where they once were.

"Is this your first time seeing fireworks? You seemed so surprised" Eros asked suddenly and I shook my head.

"I've seen them from my window but never so up close. They were really pretty" I said and turned to Eros with a smile.

"Thank you for today, it was really fun" I said and Eros returned my smile with one of his own and a kiss on our joined hands.

"I thought it'd be nice to take you to places you don't normally get to go. And judging from your response, I take it I did well?" Eros asked, eyes meeting mine and I nodded.

"Very well" I said, the smile on my face never leaving me as we continued to look at each other.

"We should probably get back now, I know the others are likely raising hell in that house. But after we eat something first, I was so busy planning the fun stuff that I forgot about dinner" he said and this time I laughed loudly.

It was moments like these that I wished time could stop, the two of us just laughing with one another and enjoying the space we shared.

I could only hope that we'd get to be like this all the time but I know once we head back home, the tedious parts of our lives will resume.

So for now, I'll just enjoy it for as long as it lasts.