It started with a text at exactly 8:30 in the morning.

🐠 wanna go see fish w me? i promise not to punch any

You’d laughed when you read it, tapping back a sarcastic “Only if you wear the fish hat this time” before you even realized what you were agreeing to.

Now, standing in front of a giant curved tank filled with glowing blue jellyfish and the slightly too loud piano music that definitely made the whole thing feel like a rom-com, you were reminded of two things:

Mark Grayson was absolutely wearing the fish hat.

You were in so much trouble emotionally.

“Did you know jellyfish don’t have brains?” he whispered, tilting his head so the plush trout hanging off his hoodie bounced a little. “Like. None. They’re just vibes.”

You grinned towards Mark. “Kinda like you.”

Mark gasped dramatically, hand flying to his chest. “That was a personal attack,” he said, turning toward you with wide, mock-betrayed eyes. “I bring you to the best date spot in town, I wear the cursed fish hat for you-”

You playfully rolled your eyes towards Mark as you nudge him but his ranting continued.

“-and this is how you repay me? Comparing me to jellyfish?”

“They’re majestic. You should be honored.”

“…Okay yeah, whatever,” he mumbled playfully before turning back to the tank with a sheepish grin.

You watched him quietly as he leaned in to examine one of the creatures. He honestly looked like a child right now, in a cute way. He looked amazed at every little thing, dragging you towards part of the tank that looked exciting. Going 'Babe! Check this out! Look at that fish, it has lips like a human!' and even taking selfies with said fish. (In his defense, that fish did, in fact, have human looking lips)

He looked back at you with a slightly lopsided smile and his hair tussled from the fish-hat. It was unfair, really, how someone could look so stupid in a plush fish hat yet so good at the same time.

“What are you looking at, fish boy?” You joked to him.

“You gonna make fun of me the whole time?” he asked, tilting his head at you dramatically. The trout flopped sideways.

“Probably,” you admitted, though you laughed when the fish had flopped sideways. “Unless you do something cute. Then I might consider being nice.”

Mark hummed thoughtfully, then suddenly bent down and kissed your cheek- totally smug with himself. “There. That count?”

Your breath caught, and your face turned red. You had thought the blue light would hide it. It did not. Mark caught it right away.

“I’m not blushing,” you said preemptively, like that would help your case.

“Didn’t say you were,” he replied, still grinning towards you. “But also? You totally are.”

You tried to glare at him, but it was hard to be intimidating when he was already tugging you along to the next tank by Mark.

“Oh my god, babe! Look at this one! He looks like he pays taxes.”

You blinked before you did laugh because Mark did, in fact, find a fish that looked like it paid taxes. “That is the most boring fish I’ve ever seen,” you said.

“Exactly. That’s Douglas. He’s got a 9-to-5 and a spreadsheet addiction.”

You leaned your head against his shoulder as you both watched the tragically unremarkable fish drift by, it seemed like it almost glared at you two when it passed. “We’re naming them now?”

“Absolutely. That’s part of the fun. Oh! Look at that one.” He pointed again, lower this time. “That’s definitely a Gus.”

“Why Gus?”

“He’s got main character energy. Like if there were a fish sitcom, Gus would be the star.”

You laughed, watching the chunky yellow fish in question float near the glass like he was waiting for someone to admire him. “Okay, fair. Gus is kind of a king.” You agree.

Mark turned to you again, suddenly pausing at himself. “You’re having fun, right?”

You blinked in surprise towards Mark. “Yeah. Of course I am.”

He seemed to relax a little, like he had been nervous you'd say no. “Good. I dunno. I just wanted to do something normal. With you. No flying you to like Pairs, though I totally would if you asked.”

You smiled towards him as you stood on your tippy toes and kissed his cheek. “We’re literally wearing matching wristbands and naming fish. This is peak normal.”

Mark grinned again, “Yeah. I guess it is.” Then, without warning, he pointed again - gasping like he’d just seen a ghost. “BABE. Look. It’s the crab with the knife!”

Your head snapped toward the exhibit. “WHERE?!”

“Nowhere,” he admitted with a laugh. “But you got excited, so. Mission accomplished.”

You slapped his arm. “Yeah who wouldn't be excited to see a crab with a knife!? That was so rude of you to do. I hate you.” You sighed dramatically, disappointed that you didn't get to see a crab with a knife.

“You love me.” Mark said in a smug tone