(February 14th, 2007)

It started with the double date.

Sorry, I should put that in quotations, one sec-

It started with the 'double date.'

My hands were exceedingly fidgety all morning, as Hypno and I sat alone at a table, watching Wels and Jevin be happily in love across the Café.

Wels, being the stereotypical Disney Prince he is, bought one extra-large latte with two straws which him and Jev were sharing. They were holding hands and enjoying eachother's company and all that romantic shit.

Meanwhile, Hypno and I, who had somehow been roped into setting up this whole date, sat awkwardly together, both of us probably wondering why we were there.

I have no clue when or why Hypno showed up to the Café. I was there because one, I live there, and two, Wels insisted that he wouldn't be able to get the double straw without my vouch which is totally a lie because my parents are really attached to all my friends.

Sometimes I wonder what Jevin sees in Wels, the big dork.

Actually I also wonder what Wels sees in Jev.

I guess that evens it out..

My train of thought drove along, and wondered if Jevin had used his 'Three Magical Methods to Getting a Date' to ever actually get a date. Then, my mind was brought back to the second of the three methods: be ceremonial.

When I first heard that particular one, I'd been pretty confused on what it meant and how to.. er- execute the method. (Lmao wtf)
Now, though, a clear plan began churning in my head.

I looked over at Hypno. They were obviously just as uncomfortable as I was, as they hadn't even touched their cruffin. He was looking exceptionally attractive that valentines day, which was not fair.

He hadn't actually worn his usual full-head bandana today, but instead a navy-blue bandana in the style that like.. one of Ren's boyfriend's, Bdubs, wears his. To add to that, their hair has been growing out a ton, and Hyp decided to put it in this adorable little ponytail, and HOLY SHIT I'M SO IN LOVE WITH THEM AAAAaAA--

But- anyway, BE CEREMONIAL!

I was about to say something, break the awkward silence, but Hypno beat me to it.

"You missin' Etho right about now?" They asked with a hesitant smile.

"Huh- wha-?" I blinked, "Etho? No-! Why-"

Hypno laughed, "You're staring forlornly at all the couples. I bet we're the only people here who aren't on a date."

"...Okay, three things." I sighed exasperatedly, despite wearing such a fond expression. "No, I'm not missing Etho, because he is out with Beef today and I'm really happy that he got the courage to ask him. Im also zoned out, not staring forlornly at any couples, and... yeah."

Hypno nodded, "Valid." Then he waited, leaning on his palm and looking at me expectantly.

"..what-?"

"That was only two things. You said you had three."

"Oh- oh yeah" I mentally facepalmed. Leave it to Hypno to not ever let you chicken out of anything. "Uhm.. uh- Do you.. like, wanna go somewhere..? Together..? Tod-"

A great big smile grew on Hypno's face, and they laughed, "Took you long enough to ask. C'mon, dork, we're going to the park."

--

It was a nice walk, despite it being so cold. The brisk February air made my ears and nose, and Hypno's fingertips, turn pink. We just went to the park closest to the Café, which was just a few blocks, but it was still cold. We wound our way through the park and found ourselves at the fountain. The same one Wels had asked Jevin out at.

Me and Hypno stopped in front of the fountain. Hypno rubbed their hands together and frowned. "I feel like world is just trying to rub in the fact that we're both single."

I laughed, "Yeah.. I-" I scanned the park, everything blanketed in a thin blinding layer of snow. Then, coming towards us from down one of the winding pathways, I saw Etho and Beef. "I'm getting that vibe too."

Hypno leaned around the dry fountain, trying to follow my gaze. He made something of of a squeeking sound, and when I looked at him it was obvious he was trying to hold back laughter.

"No way-"

"Shut."

"That's not-"

"Hyp, just let them be."

"It's like the world summoned them!" Hypno grinned at me, "Thats so funny!"

I cracked a smile, "I guess it kinda is."

Then, I put my hands on Hypno's shoulders and tried to direct them around the fountain, lead them away. "Now actually let's go, because if Etho sees us here together today, he will immediately assume we're on a date and will make life very uncomfortable for the both of us-"

Hypno let me direct them out of the park, and as we walked back in the direction of the Café, they said, "It's really cool that you and Etho still, like, talk."

"Yeah?" I said, "Why wouldn't we?"

Hypno shrugged, and rubbed his hands together again. "I mean you guys dated. I know sometimes post-breakup interactions can be.. a lotta things other than friendly, guess."

I raised an eyebrow at them.

"And I'm not- like- jealous!" They clarified quickly, and quietly added, "Least not this time. Just surprised."

I stopped Hypno in the middle of the sidewalk. Placing my hands on their shoulders, I looked him in the eye. "Hypno, I would like you to know. I would never date anyone if it meant we couldn't be friends if-slash-when we broke up. Literally."

Hypno blinked. They nodded slowly. "..Okay."

I straightened. I averted my eyes and kept walking, Hypno following. We moved onto other conversations. When we got back to the Café and saw that it was still was still jam-packed with couples, we both decided to keep walking. We were talking about college when I noticed Hypno rub their hands together again.

"Are your hands cold?" I asked.

"Yes." Hyp grumbled.

I took off my mitts and handed them over. "Bring your own gloves next time dummy."

Hypno accepted them, flashing me a grateful smile, and he was either blushing, or his cheeks were also cold.

"Thanks man."

"Anytime." I said. The little Jevin in my head was yelling at me, 'METHOD NUMBER 2! METHOD NUMBER 2! METHOD NUMBER 3 IF YOUR FEELIN SPICY!!!' I gave in, as I usually do when it comes to yelling. And I was feeling spicy.

"If your hands are still cold with the mitts I could hold 'em for you."

Hypno's eyes widened as they gawked at me. They were definitely blushing this time. It took him a moment, but he lowered his head so couldn't see his eyes and grabbed my hand.

We walked in a content/mortally-embarrassed silence for a while, before I asked, "Why do you always get so flustered when we hold hands?"

That simply made Hypno blush more, and he didn't respond.

After another five minutes, the silence settled into something more comfortable. I suddenly realized, despite still just being friends, Hypno and I weren't too different from all the couples that surrounded us. We were just holding hands, enjoying eachother's company.

And we love eachother. Platonically or romantically, whatever. We still love eachother.

"Hypno." I said.

"Yeah?"

"I know I'm a bit late and everything but-" I took a deep breath, "Would you- maybe- wanna be my va-"

"XB! HYPNO!" Jevin came barreling down the sidewalk, Wels in tow. He was waving four pieces of paper around eccentrically in the brisk wind. He slid to a stop in front of Hypno and I, and before I knew it, Hypno had let go of my hand.

"We've been looking for you for the past half hour!" Jev exclaimed, "I have movie tickets for the four of us today!"

"All four of us?" I asked.

"Yeah." Wels raised his eyebrows, "You didn't think we just had you at the café with us just so we could make you guys third wheel?"

"Yes." Hypno and I said simultaneously.

Jevin rolled his eyes, "Of course not. Now come on, we're literally gonna miss the movie."

...And so the four of us crossed the street and tried to catch a Taxi to the Movie Theater in time. As we walked up and down the street, I brushed Hypno's hand, anxious for his touch again.

They glanced nervously at Wels and Jevin, then shoved their hands into their pockets, averting their eyes.

I sighed. I'd missed my chance.