"He had never met a woman
who understood his odd heart,
but she recognized each peculiar beat, for her strange heart was also unique."

-Christy Ann Martine

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The sun's bright smile accompanied by the wind's cool chuckle, calmed Ivan.

As he and Elena climbed the steep hill, their intertwined hands provided warmth--both in his body and heart.

Elena huffed, her cheeks pink. "Where... where are you taking me, Van?"

Ivan smirked. She had to wait to know what he had in store for her.

"Just walk a little more." He chuckled and kissed her knuckles.

The line of roses and violets appeared and he grinned. He sneaked a glance at Elena; her face was lit up.

His blue sky met its ground in her coffee-like eyes. Together or apart, they were one, the sky and the earth--whose existence though opposite, was essential for both.

Their walk was halted and Elena gaped. A few steps away was the word "Elivan" arranged with roses and violets. The flowers were also put together in hearts around their ship name.

She stared at it, mesmerized and taken aback and turned to him with a soft smile. "You did this?"

"What do you think of it?"

"You don't answer a question with a question, Van."

He chuckled. "Can't say I did it, Max and Kate would kill me."

"Now," he said, turning her chin towards him, "do you like it?"

"No."

"No?" He pouted and shook his head.

"You look adorable," she whispered and pecked his lips. "I love it, silly, it's beautiful." Her eyes sparkled as she glanced at the flowers again.

"I should be pouting more often."

He chuckled when she pushed his chest. He took her hands in his.

"Close your eyes." Ivan placed Elena's palms on her eyes. He began placing the cookies he had baked in two paper cups.

She didn't have to know it was the sixth batch; he had to eat the previous ones half-heartedly. But he had made sure to give the good parts to his mother, who had taught him baking.

It was a gesture of appreciation on his behalf and he didn't mind the burnt bits, which left an awful taste on his tongue.

He hated wasting food, it was better if it was wasted by his stomach.

He handed two tubs to her and chuckled when she tried to open one eye. "No peeking, El."

The breeze turned fast, the sky grey and the sun was shielded by his cloud bodyguard.

The wind decided to stop playing tag with Ivan. The game changed into a fierce tug-of-war and he groaned.

He managed to save three cookies, but the others were probably crushed to death as the gust toppled the second paper cup.

He sighed and Elena came by his side, her palms holding the two tubs between them.

Her brown hair whipped her face, covered her eyes and nose and she let out a guttural sound.

He chuckled and clicked a picture before tucking the hair strands behind her ears. After pinning it up into a decent messy bun, he grinned.

But who was he kidding? Elena's hair still looked like a nest... messier than a nest.

She groaned at her mobile camera. "Really, Van? You might see birds settling in my hair soon."

"You look cute anyway."

As she glanced at him sideways, he clicked the selfie, kissing her cheek simultaneously.

With her face tainted in rose, she stared at him with a soft smile.

"Love your blushes."

The happiness on her face warmed his heart, despite the goosebumps on his skin.

"I'm sure you won't like the cookies cold and the ice cream melted." He placed an arm around her and they sat down on the green hill. "Bon appétit, baby."

Elena opened one of the tubs, delighted at the strawberry flavor. She grabbed the second tub before Ivan could. "Let me guess, cookie dough?"

Ivan nodded and kissed the top of her head. It was weird that she knew so much about him, but a good weird.

He handed her the three cookies, which were nutty. She ate one and put the other in his mouth. He grabbed the third one between his teeth and gestured her to bite from it.

She giggled and bit half of it and he brushed his lips against her soft ones.

"I'm still hungry."

"I have some marshmallows in my backpack."

"We should definitely roast them."

Elena glanced around. "Here?"

"Why not?" He stood up with a grin, making his way down the hill. Let the search for wood commence. 

"You're crazy," she yelled.

Ivan winked before answering, "And sweet too."

He returned with big stones. He arranged them in a circle, over the shallow pit he had asked Elena to dig.

He arranged some branches like a pyramid and placed twigs, leaves and unwanted wood below it.

The fire was lit and he handed Elena a wooden stick with three marshmallows on it.

Turn by turn, the marshmallows were roasted and they ate the fluffy golden treats once they cooled a bit.

"Are you still hungry?" Elena asked and placed her head on his shoulder.

He wrapped arm around her waist and snuggled against her.

"Are you cold?" she asked, her voice low. Ivan wondered if she was a human detector.

"I'm okay," he answered and stared at the dark sky.

"I love the stars, Van, they are so beautiful."

But he chose to stare at her. Even with her messy hair, crumpled clothes and drooping eyelids, she still managed to look beautiful.

She glanced at him, the brown of her eyes tugging his lips upwards in a soft smile.

No wonder he loved coffee, he had always felt drawn to its color. Now he knew why.

"I love you, El." As he kissed her deeply, the tips of his fingers behind her neck made her shiver.

She grabbed his hands in hers and rubbed them. "I love you too, Van."

He kissed her palms and encircled her waist, her head on his chest, the familiar warmth back in his heart. 

Among the silver dots in the black sky, the brightest star was the one resting in his arms.

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Hey, everyone! 💖 I'm back with Bonus Episode 1. This is written for my amazing friend, Yaniruby, who has been so supportive and sweet.

What do you think of it? The wind kind of ruined Ivan and Elena's date or did it? :D

Did you like it? Yes?/No?

Next up will be Bonus Episode 2, written for InfiniteFlame14350, who has been such a supportive reader. Stay tuned to what it's going to be about. :)

Keep smiling! 💕
Lots of love❤💙
Sakina

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