The botanical garden event seemed right up Asa’s alley- for once, an event he felt he was suited for. Flowers and gardens and luxurious grounds to walk around in, some wine tasting, light music. Asa loved the idea of relaxing and making getting some sketching in, or painting. He’d ended up bringing his bag after filling it with his watercolor set and sketchbook, finding a nice spot up near the beautiful fountain and topiaries and sat, painting and enjoying himself for a bit. He’d wondered, of course, if Hoodie would be there- they’d texted back and forth about it briefly. He’d made sure to tell the other to let him know when he arrived, so maybe they could walk through the gardens together. Maybe it had been too familiar of a thing to ask for. But after the awards ceremony, and even before that at the singles’ mixer… well. Maybe they could get to talking?
The Irishman saw the text and his brow furrowed, but he walked himself along towards the area Hoodie had mentioned, coming upon a little display of flowers around a picnic blanket, food intentionally set out, wine, and Hoodie in the middle. It was… probably the most romantic thing anyone had done for Asa. To the point where he wasn’t sure if this was actually for him. He looked around, waiting for someone to come out of the bushes with a camera. “I… this is…” This was a date. It had to be, right? Wine, and food, and a blanket, at a beautiful garden. He’d never seen Hoodie do anything like this before. Be so thoughtful. “Wow. Um. Aye, yeah, this is… lovely. This is for me? Ye’re sure?” Asa asked with a tiny laugh, his breath catching in his throat. Heart thumping in his chest. He nervously walked over to sit with him. He could tell the food was from assorted food trucks- much more Hoodie’s taste than his own. And the drinks had been sitting out, and there was a bottle of wine that Asa suspected Hoodie might not have paid for. But for someone like Hoodie, this was above and beyond. “What’s the main course then? Looks like a whole three course meal, here.” He said, unable to stop smiling.
Hoodie didn’t understand, initially, why Asa was so surprised— they’ve been spending more and more time with each other the past few months, both in and out of Asa’s apartment, and after that awards ceremony, Hoodie didn’t think that a Spring picnic at the botanical garden was anything out of the ordinary.
Or maybe it was, and he’d just made himself too comfortable around the guy. He’s been told he tended to be that way, to sit with his legs underneath him on someone else’s couch, to overstay his welcome, to impose himself in other people’s day because he needed attention.
“Yeah… it’s a beautiful day out, figured it’d be perfect to have a friendly little picnic.” His smile, though it had faltered slightly, remained on his face as he put an emphasis on friendly. “You know… with friends.” He patted the spot next to him and scooched over a little to the side to give Asa some room. Then he got two red cups and poured some iced tea for the both of them. “We’re having barbecue burgers, courtesy of Pete’s Grill over there.” He tipped his head in the direction of the food truck. “But first, we toast.” Handing Asa the other cup, he raised his drink. “To Spring. And friendships.”
