After extinguishing his damn face to a respectable temperature, your partner grabbed what he needed: wallet, phone, keys, badge, and for some reason a large Bluetooth speaker. His arm bent, offered to you with a slight cocky grin that faltered as he gazed at you. "... are you wearing makeup?"

"Technically speaking, no. I do not have the standard definition of cosmetics on. However," you went on, "I... may or may not have been given the ability to cosmetically alter features. Nothing substantial."

His weight shifted, disappointment written all over his face. "Cara mia, you don't need any of that."

There went your blush. "... thank you, but the only difference I made was my eyelashes. Will that be problematic?"

Gavin inched closer, staring into your eyes. "Yes. Yes it will. You had to yeet my tie cause I didn't look like me. I can see the difference in your eyes, now that I'm closer, and you're beautiful but it's unnecessary." Getting closer still, both his heart and your regulator were beating like mad. "Rivoglio la mia bellissima compagna."

[PROBABILITY OF OVERHEATING: 70%]

Your internal fans were working as hard as they could, and you found yourself having to manually exhale. Each one was soft and shaky, but Reed didn't back off. "Come on," he pressed, "back to how they were, please." After one final exhale, your breath hitching, your lashes shrunk a few millimeters, back to a standard length. "There we go," the human murmured.

As you were escorted out to his car, your chances of overheating shrunk to a less concerning percentage. "... based on society stereotypes, I'm rather impressed you noticed any change," you spoke quietly.

"I'm a detective just like you, cara mia. It's our job to notice details."

_____

With the speaker securely in the backseat, Gavin drove off, glancing over a few times. "If I do something you don't like, you've gotta tell me, all right? Consent is everything, you know that better than most other people." He fell quiet. "... I also don't wanna hurt you."

"I'll tell you if I'm uncomfortable, Gavin."

"Good. Thank you." Eleven minutes passed before he hummed a little. "I need to blindfold you, cara mia."

[Blindfold?]

Indicator blinking again, the concern laid heavy in your words: "Why am I needing to be blindfolded?"

"Cause I don't want you to see where we're going yet. I know it's dumb, okay?"

The male already sounded defeated. "... I trust you," you replied, perking him back up.

He had to squirm and move a bit, but the blindfold was pulled out of his pocket and handed over. "All right, keep that on. I'll help you out of the car and shit, I just wanna make sure you don't see anything."

As the fabric was wrapped and secured over your eyes, a thought came to the surface. "I will temporarily disable my scanning applications for my optical modules."

"I have no idea what the fuck you said."

"I won't scan through the blindfold accidentally," you amended, smiling to yourself.

[His honesty is blunt and somehow... charming all the same.]

Soon enough Reed was parking the vehicle, climbing out and grabbing the passenger door for you, gripping your hand. "Carry the speaker for me, please," came his rough voice as the device was slid into your grasp. "I'll guide you, dolcezza. Just walk until I say to stop."

You nodded, speaker in hand as an arm went around your waist. Your partner cautiously guided you down some sort of path, the click of your shoes quiet but sharp on the paved surface. Judging by the speed and the time spent traveling, you'd gone almost a quarter of a mile before Gavin's other hand took your shoulder to stop you. The sound of water splashing and gurgling gradually came closer, and seemed to be just a foot away when you came to a halt.

"Okay, now, turn to your right. Not a full 90 degrees, but like... 80. Ish. Whatever, here..." Turning you himself, both hands guided you from behind. "Okay, stepping off the walkway now... there we go, really slow now. Good girl." The speaker was taken, the human standing right behind you, leaning over to speak into your left ear. "I'm gonna take the blindfold off, now, cara mia. Ready?"

"Yes, Gavin," you replied, admittedly nervous... and perhaps a bit excited.

I really fuckin' hope this isn't stupid...

The fabric was gingerly untied before being pulled away in one rapid tug. Eyes opening, your vision was filled with something you weren't quite expecting.

Fireflies.

Your partner had taken a step back so he was out of the way, arms crossed as you gazed around the open park. Fireflies littered the air around the two of you, blinking slowly at their whim and hovering around the stone fountain nearby, on the pavement behind you.

You hadn't spoken. Hell, you'd barely moved, watching the insects as if in a trance. Getting anxious by now, the male took a step closer, slowly so he didn't interrupt whatever was processing in your head. "It's, uh... it's no lantern festival or anything incredible, but..." Watching you watch the insects, his heart ached. There was no disappointment to be seen in your features; you were enraptured, not let down. The glow from the bugs reflected in your eyes, and Gavin was having a very, very hard time looking away. "... you seemed so amazed watching Tangled. I told you I'd prove that there's still magic here, you just gotta find it." His broad shoulders lifted in a shrug. "It isn't much. But it won't be the only thing I'll show you. This is just the first, cara mia."

Whatever was going on in your mind was still a mystery. Tongue still, you lifted a hand at a cautious speed, just in time for one of the glowing insects to land on the side of your finger. Hundreds of things could be done to analyze and study the bug, but like the Disney films that your partner loved so much, you just observed and enjoyed the tiny creature for what it was. There was a soft smile beginning to spread, your body otherwise still as more fireflies landed and settled on you.

God, she's an angel.

Now properly dotted with bugs, you slowly turned your head towards your date, unbothered by the insects all over. You were just... enjoying the moment. The smile spread until you laughed, barely heard, but Gavin's heart lept into his throat.

... I gotta do this.

Your view of the park grew obscured as Reed stood in front of you. "What do you think?" he asked at last.

As a firefly landed on his nose, he eyed the thing and shook his head to make it fly away again. "... I think I would enjoy this more than seeing lanterns being sent into the sky," you answered. "... this is your effort to show me something beautiful, and..." Your voice module faltered, words dying on your tongue, unable to find a logical explanation.

The insects that were still on you escaped at once as soon as your partner stepped closer. Hands cupped your neck, his warmth seeping into your skin.

Before Gavin could even open his mouth, you cut him off: "You don't need to ask," you whispered.

Hazel eyes blinked wildly. "... what? I don't? Are you sure...?"

"Gavin, you never needed to ask. Thank you for respecting me to want my consent but..."

"Hey," Reed cooed, "I said I'd do this right. So that's what I'm gonna do." A hand rose a little, holding the side of your face, thumb brushing across your lips. "...... am I stalling this?"

"Yes, Gavin."

Under his touch, you felt soft. But finally biting the bullet and capturing your lips with his own, he was melting right then and there. A swift peek told him your eyes had closed; it took everything he had not to be giddy. This was your first kiss, and as your initial directive, Gavin Reed was going to make damn sure it would be your only first kiss.

One turned to two, the human breaking the kiss only to steal another. The hand at the side of your face slid around, a firm hold on the base of your head. The other slid around as well, supporting you as the human carefully dipped you backwards.

When your hands groped and clung to his shoulders, your date finally felt like he'd done something right.

_____

(OH MY GOD THAT PICTURE.

GAVIN.

STOP BEING HOT.)