Purple looks great on you. — Laurance Zvahl.

Laurance had always admired Aphmau from a distance—her infectious laughter, her kindness, and her ability to brighten any room she walked into. Today, though, the admiration was different. Today, they were on a date.

They sat side by side on a park bench, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over everything. The park was peaceful, with the sound of birds chirping and children playing in the distance. It was the kind of place that felt timeless, and Laurance couldn't help but feel both nervous and elated at the same time.

Aphmau, wearing a light blue sundress, adjusted her sunglasses and looked over at him, her eyes sparkling. "So," she said, her voice warm, "what made you choose this park?"

Laurance shrugged, trying to mask his nervousness. "I don't know. It just felt... right. It's quiet, and there's something calming about being here. Plus, the ice cream stand is right over there." He pointed to a small cart near the entrance, the scent of vanilla and chocolate wafting through the air.

Aphmau laughed softly, her gaze softening. "I knew there was an ulterior motive," she teased, nudging him playfully with her elbow.

He grinned, his nerves easing just a little. "Guilty. But you have to admit, ice cream makes everything better."

She tilted her head, considering it. "You have a point. I could go for a cone right now."

Without missing a beat, Laurance stood up. "Then it's settled. I'll go get us some. You pick the flavor."

Aphmau raised an eyebrow. "You're just going to leave me with the difficult decision of picking the flavors?"

"Yep. I trust you to make the right choice," he said with a wink.

Aphmau shook her head with a laugh, but she stood up as well, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Alright, alright. I'll go with vanilla and strawberry. That should be safe enough."

Laurance smiled. "Vanilla and strawberry it is. Stay here. I'll be back in a minute."

As he made his way to the ice cream cart, Laurance found himself thinking about how easily the day had gone so far. He had been worried about making a fool of himself, about not knowing how to act. But with Aphmau, things just felt... natural. He hoped that wasn't just his imagination.

When he returned, he handed her the ice cream cone with a grin. "Vanilla and strawberry, just like you said."

Aphmau took it gratefully, licking the cone with a contented sigh. "Perfect," she said, her eyes twinkling. "You know, this is nice. I don't think we've ever really spent time like this before."

Laurance leaned back against the bench, his heart feeling lighter. "Yeah. I've always wanted to. You're one of the most interesting people I know, Aphmau. I guess I was just too shy to say it before."

She paused, her spoon halfway to her mouth, and then lowered it with a smile. "You're not so bad, Laurance. I've always thought you were cool, even when you didn't speak much."

He chuckled nervously, his cheeks coloring a little. "Well, you know, I don't always know what to say. But with you... it's different. It feels easy."

Aphmau's expression softened, and she placed the ice cream cone down beside her on the bench. "I'm glad you feel that way. Honestly, I think I've been waiting for this."

Laurance looked over at her, his heart skipping a beat. "Waiting for what?"

"For us to finally have this moment," she replied, her voice quiet but certain. "I don't think I was the only one who noticed the spark between us, Laurance. I've been wanting this for a while."

He blinked, surprised by her words. "You mean... you've been waiting for a date?"

Aphmau nodded, her lips curving into a shy smile. "Yeah. You're kind, smart, and funny. I just needed a little nudge to admit I liked you more than a friend."

Laurance felt his pulse quicken. "I... I'm glad you're being so honest. I think I've felt the same way for a long time, but I didn't want to mess things up. You're someone I really respect."

She laughed softly, reaching over to touch his hand. "You won't mess things up. We're just two people who like each other, and it's okay to be a little nervous."

He squeezed her hand gently, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Yeah, you're right. I've always thought that maybe we'd get along, but I guess I was too scared to make the first move. It's easier when you already know someone, but when it comes to something more..."

Aphmau smiled knowingly. "Yeah, I get it. But hey, we're here now, right?"

"Yeah," Laurance said with a chuckle. "We are."

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the sounds of the park filling the space between them. The ice cream was delicious, and the world felt a little lighter. Laurance glanced over at Aphmau, taking in the way the sunlight played on her hair, the gentle curve of her smile. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this content.

Aphmau looked back at him, her eyes soft and kind. "I'm really glad we did this, Laurance. I think this could be the start of something pretty amazing."

Laurance met her gaze and smiled, his heart full. "Yeah. I think it could be."

And for the first time in a long while, Laurance didn't feel nervous. He just felt... right.

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