aaron

“See, not everyone else would be so chill with their first date being a total surprise, so thank you for believing in me, in this, in us.” Her words are as soft as Aaron’s had been as the set up came into view. “It’s just down here.”

Aaron keeps their fingers linked as he’s led towards the date Frank had set up, trying to show that he trusted her enough, that he wouldn’t leave if it didn’t go the way it was hoped. 

“Inside, honestly, I’m not that chill, but I think you know what you’re doing, so I know it’ll be great, because it’s coming from you. You got this, babe.” His words are reassuring as he takes a deep breath, ready to see the surprise Frank had laid out.

The words circled around her head a few times before truly sinking in, and as they did so, she could almost feel some of the worry melt off her shoulders, relaxation making it’s way through her skin as she led Aaron away from the building.

Part of her did regret the idea she had in mind, doubting her choice, but at the same time, she wanted to show that there was a slightly more romantic side to her, a more open one. “I know it’s a bit silly of me, but I just really love this whole thing, so please don’t hate it.” The words come quietly as she runs a hand through her hair, a heavy sigh falling from her lips.

He can hear the doubt in Frank’s voice as she begins explaining her idea, and Aaron speeds up his step, keeping pace with the other instead of trailing behind. His hand finds Frank’s easily, holding it, squeezing it gently, supporting her. 

“It’s not gonna be silly if it means something to you, I can’t wait to see what you have planned for me...” His voice is uncharacteristically quiet, soft, his actions gentle, keeping the atmosphere calm, not wanting to work the other up, knowing how worried she was.

“It’s a secret. I’m not gonna tell you, because it has to be perfect, and I don’t wanna put you off when I tell you where we’re going.” Her words are blunt as she starts walking, but they hold a hint of the panic she felt about her plans, that everything would go wrong.

Aaron wasn’t entirely sure whether he trusted the judgement of the other yet, the fact that he wasn’t being told where they were headed was a worrying one, considering how he liked to be aware of all aspects of dates and whatnot. 

I don’t wanna put you off when I tell you.

The simple sentence only worsened his fears, and he had to put the effort in not to show it outwardly, instead deciding to wait and find out, giving Francesca the benefit of the doubt, putting his trust in her and her plans. “I’m sure it’ll be great.” He manages to keep his voice steady, following the other as she began to walk off without him, taking a deep breath as he did so. “I trust you.”

“Selfish? Really? You’re calling me selfish? That’s fucking hilarious, Aaron. The fact you feel that you deserve to meet my daughter, that you need to meet her? That’s selfish. Making me feel as though I had to leave because you weren’t ready? That’s selfish. You don’t get anything from me or from her. Got it?”

The laugh that spilled from Reyna’s lips hit him hard, only making him feel guiltier for the choices he had made before, making him want her more, even though it wouldn’t work between them. 

The angry words thrown in his direction were enough to push him over the edge, causing him to step forward, his eyes flicking towards Reyna’s lips quickly as he moved, his brain trying to figure out a way to get her to forgive him. “Babe, please... I said I was sorry...” The name slipped out quietly, his voice barely a whisper as he managed to be almost chest to chest with the blonde. “Let me see her.”

She reached out for the flowers slowly, pulling them up to her face in a way that was incredibly cliche, breathing in the scent they gave off, ignoring the part of her that wanted to bin them as soon as possible.

“I do look amazing, but you don’t look half bad yourself, babe, you clean up good…” Her words are teasing as she turns, placing the bouquet on the desk by the door of her room. “Shall we go?” The question is tentative, showing the weakness she tried to hide, showing the fear she felt.

He watched the smile grow on Frank’s face, and a smile formed on his own lips, the sight of the other relaxing him, the atmosphere around the pair of them already charged.

As the other took the flowers, for a fleeting moment, there was an expression akin to disgust flitted across her face, the smile dropping for mere seconds as the flowers were placed on a table.

Though it was almost off putting, Aaron managed to keep himself from reacting to the vain comment the other made, not wanting to mess up the night before it had even begun. “So where are we going, exactly?”

The way Reyna refused to share the information about their child was enough to get his blood boiling, he deserved to know, didn’t he? “I’m not gonna back off Reyna, I need to meet her, or see her face or something, why are you being so selfish.” As an after thought, he added an exaggerated tone of sadness to his final sentence, hoping it would be enough to convince the other to share more.

Her voice is loud as she continued towards the bedroom, her laptop open on the desk, Dylan’s face filling the screen as she kept parading different outfits in front of the camera, trying to look as good as possible. 

Exiting the bedroom once more she spoke quieter, a small smile on her face as she watched her friends eyes widen. “How’s this?” She asked carefully, though part of her already knows the answer. 

Dylan’s reply is cut off as someone knocks on the door, a small scream falling from her lips as she runs back to the bedroom, needing to finish getting prepared fro her evening. “I’ll be out in a minute!”

When he’d knocked on her door, a scream had sounded, surprising him, making him jump, a petal falling from the flowers he carried in his hand, his eyes watching as it drifted down to the ground.

The sound of heels approaching the door had his eyes moving up once more waiting in anticipation to see his girlfriend, his heart beating fast in his chest as nerves settled in his stomach. 

As the door was pulled open, his eyes widened in a way that was almost comical, his mouth going dry as he took in how Francesca looked. Clearing his throat, he passed the flowers over almost robotically, clearing his throat. “You look amazing.”