#cute dates

---

The aquarium was dim, humming with the low, filtered thrum of water tanks and the distant squeals of children. You half-expected Ronin to complain about the smell or the overpriced tickets or the fact that he couldn’t bring his knife, but he hadn’t stopped smiling since you got in.

He looked almost… giddy.

In his own, terrifying way.

“Y’know,” he said, dragging you toward the first massive tank, “sharks don’t have bones.”

You blinked. “What?”

“They’re made of cartilage,” he continued, his face pressed near the glass as a sleek, pale shark glided past. “Like your ears. And your nose. Fuckin’ freaky, huh? They’re basically one big angry nose swimming through the ocean.”

You snorted. “That’s not how that works.”

“Don’t ruin this for me, darling.”

You smiled as he wandered along the curved glass, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes darting with manic focus. His reflection in the tank was warped and eerie, matching the movement of the creatures behind it—smooth, ancient things with dead eyes and endless teeth.

Ronin looked… at home here.

Not just comfortable. Right.

You watched as he crouched to get a closer look at a bottom-dwelling shark with mottled skin.

“This one,” he muttered, tapping the glass gently, “is a wobbegong. They ambush shit. Hide under sand, then chomp. Nature’s little sleeper agent.”

“Wobbegong is a stupid name,” you said.

“So’s ‘Ronin,’ and yet here I am. Sexy and full of facts.”

You laughed under your breath and followed him down the next corridor, deeper into the winding, watery maze of glowing blue tanks and bioluminescent signage. The crowd thinned the further in you got. Most people weren’t willing to read the tiny placards or endure the heavy, aquarium-dark silence that settled the deeper you went.

But Ronin thrived in it.

He stopped in front of the shark petting pool—a shallow exhibit lit by a weak overhead glow. A staff member stood by with a half-hearted smile, bored and chewing gum.

Ronin looked at the sign, then at you, then leaned down to swirl his fingers in the water.

You were surprised how gentle he was.

“They feel like sandpaper,” he said, brushing along the spine of a passing bamboo shark. “‘Cause their skin’s covered in tiny tooth-like scales. Dermal denticles. That’s your second shark fact. Keep up, darling.”

You watched his eyes gleam with childlike awe.

“You like sharks a lot, huh?”

He looked up at you. “Of course I do. All they do is eat and survive. No bullshit. No morals. No pretending. If a shark doesn’t like you, it bites you. That’s it.”

“That’s also how you work.”

He grinned. “Exactly.”

He flicked a bit of water at you, and you pretended to be offended, smacking his arm. He caught your wrist in a flash and kissed your knuckles with mock elegance.

“Don’t test me,” he murmured, “I will drown you in the stingray tank.”

“You’d get kicked out.”

“I’d get banned with pride.”

You rolled your eyes and kept walking, but his hand stayed laced with yours. Warm. Tight. Covered in half-faded sharpie doodles and a bandage over his knuckle.

He didn’t let go even when the hallway narrowed, the floor beneath you becoming glass, revealing a tank filled with nurse sharks and eels.

Ronin pressed his face to the side glass like an absolute menace.

“Third shark fact,” he whispered. “Sharks can detect electrical fields. Like tiny pulses in the water. Heartbeats, muscle twitches. It’s how they know you’re alive.”

You looked at him.

He looked at you.

“I’d find you in the dark, darling. Even if you hide.”

You swallowed.

Of course he’d say that.

Of course your heart would beat faster when he did.

---

The jellyfish room was quiet.

You stepped through a curtain of black and into an endless glow of floating, gelatinous ghosts. The only light came from the tanks—soft blues, purples, and reds pulsing like slow heartbeats in the dark. The floor muffled your footsteps. Even the signage was hushed.

It felt like being underwater.

And Ronin?

Ronin looked spellbound.

He stood in front of a wall-sized tank filled with translucent bells and drifting tendrils. His silhouette was backlit, shoulders relaxed, hair haloed by the neon pink light.

You moved up beside him. He didn’t say anything at first.

Then: “You ever feel like you’re dreaming, darling?”

You glanced at him. “Right now?”

He nodded, still watching the jellyfish.

“Sometimes I feel like I died a long time ago. And this is just the weird limbo where I get to hold your hand for a bit.”

You blinked. “That’s… incredibly depressing.”

He snorted softly, finally looking at you. “You’re the one who dated me. You knew what you signed up for.”

You rolled your eyes, but your smile gave you away.

Ronin turned fully toward you, pulling you gently into his arms—slow, like he wasn’t sure he was allowed to. His cheek pressed against your temple.

“They’ve been around for millions of years,” he murmured. “No brains. No hearts. Just vibes.”

You stifled a laugh against his shoulder.

“Fourth shark fact,” he said, like it was a secret. “Some sharks glow in the dark, too.”

“That’s not even about jellyfish.”

“Don’t interrupt me. I’m being romantic.”

You grinned, holding him tighter.

The moment lingered, syrup-slow and gentle, wrapped in glow and quiet.

But of course, Ronin didn’t stay soft for long.

He took your hand and dragged you into the next hallway, manic energy returning like someone flipped a switch.

“Come on, come on,” he said, practically skipping. “It’s tunnel time.”

The underwater tunnel curved beneath a massive tank. Sharks gilded above and beside you, rays sweeping like ghosts over your heads. The light was dim and dreamy, fish silhouettes dancing across your skin.

Ronin walked backwards in front of you, arms open.

“Imagine if the glass shattered right now,” he said.

“Romantic.”

“We’d die instantly. Together. Pretty.”

You laughed, and he caught you by the waist, pulling you close.

His eyes glinted with the tank light.

Then: “Fifth shark fact.”

You leaned in. “Hit me.”

“Sharks have multiple rows of teeth. When one falls out, another pops forward. Always armed. Always ready.”

He kissed you before you could respond—quick at first, then slower, deeper, more sure of himself. His hands framed your face, thumbs brushing your cheeks. The taste of salt from the air, the cool tank-light shadows—it all blurred around the warmth of his mouth.

You curled your fingers into his hoodie.

When he finally pulled back, he was smiling.

“Did I ruin the mood?” he asked.

You shook your head. “No. But if you give me one more shark fact right now, I will throw you into the stingray tank myself.”

He grinned.

“Fair.”

You kept walking, hand in hand, the echo of your laughter swallowed by the water above.

---

-Bonus Scene-

---

You didn’t even make it five steps into the gift shop before Ronin vanished.

One second he was beside you, pretending to be normal. The next? Gone. You looked left—just a rack of sea turtle t-shirts. Looked right—nope, just some child losing a balloon.

Then you heard it.

A muffled “Darling—look.”

You turned around slowly.

There he was. Crouched behind a display of glittery snow globes, clutching the world’s largest stuffed shark like it was a newborn. His face was all wide-eyed innocence. The shark’s plastic tag dangled like a noose from its fin.

“I need him,” Ronin whispered, barely peeking out.

You walked over with your arms crossed. “You already made me carry a stuffed jellyfish, a mood ring, and a shark hat. I think we’re good.”

“But this one has teeth. Look at him.”

You did not look at him.

“Ronin.”

“Yes, Baby?”

“Put it back.”

“…I would kill for him.”

You sighed and held out your hand.

“No, no, I’ll carry him,” Ronin said, standing dramatically and slinging the plushie over his shoulder like a rifle. “If I must walk through the fire of capitalism to rescue a soul, so be it.”

“You’re insufferable.”

He leaned in close. “And yet… still kissable.”

You gave him the flattest look imaginable, but he just grinned and waltzed off toward the register like the main character of a very cursed indie film.

As you followed behind, you realized the plush shark did look kind of cute tucked under his arm.

“You’re naming it, aren’t you?”

He didn’t even look back. “His name is Mister Chomp. He has a tragic backstory. He’s killed before.”

“Oh my god.”

“Just like me.”

You stared at his back.

“…So are you Mister Chomp or is the shark?”

“Yes.”

---

-Bonus-Bonus Scene-

---

The door slammed open.

Ronin kicked it shut behind him with the dramatic flair of someone who had just escaped a heist, not a children’s aquarium. “Home, sweet hell,” he announced, tossing his jacket onto the couch and unceremoniously dropping Mister Chomp onto the bed.

The plush shark flopped face-down like a corpse. Somehow, it made you laugh.

“You didn’t have to sprint up the stairs with him like you were evading a SWAT team,” you said, shutting the door gently behind you.

“He deserved dignity,” Ronin replied, dead serious. “He’s been through enough. You saw the way that toddler tried to grab him—he has trauma.”

You kicked off your shoes and padded over, flopping down on the bed beside him. Ronin was already laying on his back, one arm behind his head, the other cradling the massive stuffed shark like it was a real pet.

“Darling,” he said softly, “we’re a family now.”

You blinked at him. “We are not adopting the shark.”

“We already did. He’s one of us. Look at his little eyes. He understands us.”

“Mister Chomp is polyvinyl plastic and stuffing—”

“He’s seen things.”

You groaned into your hands. “We need a real hobby.”

“This is a hobby.”

Ronin turned his head to look at you, black eyes catching the low orange glow of the bedside lamp. His voice softened a notch. “Y’know… this was good. Today. The sharks, the dumb facts, the crime spree in the gift shop.”

You smiled a little. “You didn’t even get kicked out.”

He grinned. “Personal growth.”

A beat passed, calm and strangely warm.

Then Ronin scooted closer—just enough to press his forehead to yours, Mister Chomp still nestled between you like a peace offering.

“I like this version of us,” he murmured. “Quiet. Stupid. Happy.”

Your heart twisted a little at the word happy. It didn’t sound like something he said often.

You kissed his forehead, soft. “Me too.”

Ronin blinked slowly, like he was memorizing the moment. Then, he dramatically shoved Mister Chomp between you both like a wall.

“...Room for three?” he asked, grinning.

You didn’t have the heart to say no.

---

It was one blustering Sunday morning in late October, the wind and rain acting in tandem to pound against the windows. The fallen leaves of the changing season laid plastered against the roof of the apartment complex, occasionally fluttering down as they too were ruthlessly pattered by the abrasive, chilly rain. 

Cold and bored, you and your partner, Kang Sae-byeok, scrolled through your phones on the sofa in the cramped apartment you shared, wanting to get out and do something, even if the storm was unconventional for doing any outdoor activities. 

“We could… go walk around a mall?” You suggested, lazily scrolling through suggestions on random websites: Top Ten Fun Activities When It’s a Rainy Day!

“Malls are full of boring designer clothes and equally boring designer people,” Sae-byeok mumbles, her voice a low, sarcastic monotone. “I don’t wanna be crowded while walking around just to buy overpriced perfumes and snacks…”

You snort softly. “Yeah, true. Plus, most people are probably thinking of going to the mall on a rainy Sunday, so it will most likely be extra crowded.”

Sae-byeok tsks her tongue at that, not finding a jam-packed mall appealing in the slightest. She sips on a mug of coffee, her raging caffeine addiction continuously fueled by the wafts of warm, rich roast scent.

“Hmm, what else…” You mumble, clicking onto a different website: Bored of Staying Indoors? Best Suggestions for Gloomy Day Fun!

“All of these ideas are so… typical,” Sae-byeok complains as she glances at your phone screen from where she sat beside you on the sofa, setting her coffee down. “Movie marathon? Family game night?” She exhales dramatically. “The whole point is getting out of the house…”

“We could go to a bookstore,” you suggest, reading through one of the website’s offerings. “Maybe get a sweet treat, too?”

Sae-byeok is quiet for a moment, tempted at the suggestion of a sugary cookie, before hesitantly shaking her head. “I’m not exactly in the mood for reading… but I guess we can keep it in mind.”

You nod, pondering. “Maybe some other time, when we’re inevitably stuck inside from the stormy weather again.”

Sae-byeok sips on her caffeinated drink until the plain ceramic mug is empty, sitting alone on the coffee table.

You exhale, feeling slightly stuck and incredibly bored in the tiny apartment as you scroll through random blog posts and articles. 

“Ooh, here’s something,” You nudge Sae-byeok’s knee with your foot, her attention turning from the coffee to your phone screen again. “We could paint pottery! I’m sure there’s one of those shops somewhere in this city…”

Her mildly tired expression perks up at the suggestion. “Paint… pottery?”

“Yeah! Basically, you pick out a blank mug, or plate, or whatever options they have… and they give you paints to color and design however you want! Then they glaze it and put it in the kiln or whatever- for us- and we pick them up once they’re all done.”

“So we get to keep them?” She clarifies, gears spinning behind her dark espresso eyes.

“Exactly! I used to go when I was a kid for birthday parties,” You explain excitedly. “I bet my parents still have some of my old works.”

Sae-byeok hums in intrigue. “That sounds… fun, actually. We should go.”

You stand, pushing your phone into your hoodie pocket. “Yeah? I think so, too!”

The drive to the small pottery shop you both selected is filled with quiet anticipation from Sae-byeok, who gazes out the windshield as the wipers whip back and forth to clear the droplets. You marvel at the rain racing down the car windows- something is so beautiful about the autumn season and its downpours. 

This little pottery date was going to be so fun and charming, and blustery weather outside would do nothing to tamper it.

The car is parked in a small parking lot just outside the pottery shop. You and Sae-byeok hold your raincoat hoods over your hair, hustling to get inside as the shower pours down.

The front door jingles with whimsical little bell tones, bringing a smile to your face as you and your partner step inside. The shop smells like a fresh espresso, cozy hazel tones mixed with the slight scent of paint and clay. The whole shop practically envelopes your senses in a hug.

Sae-byeok breathes in, appreciating the aroma just as much as you.

One ceramicist greets you warmly, showing you the shelves of blank canvases to choose from.

“There’s little ceramic creatures, such as cats and dogs, over here,” The ceramicist gestures along the shelves. “Mugs and cups are on this shelf, and blank plates and bowls are just underneath. Pick whatever you want and find a table, and I’ll bring you two some paints.”

You thank the worker before turning to see Sae-byeok closely examining the shelves of pottery with squinted, critical eyes.

“Sae,” You laugh softly. “It’s not that serious. Just pick something you like!”

She turns to you, her sharp eyes momentarily softening. “What do you want to paint?”

You hum, taking a moment to scan over the shelves. “Hmm… I think I’ll paint this little mug,” You pick out one of the many ceramic mugs, carefully turning it in your hand to admire the small spiral design pre-carved into the handle. 

Sae-byeok nods softly, watching the way your hands turn over the blank piece of pottery. “I’ll paint a mug too, so we can have a set of them for our morning coffee.”

Of course, caffeine was on her mind.

Despite her evident and crippling addiction, you smile at the thought. “That’s a great idea, silly.”

Sae snorts at the nickname, taking her time examining all the mugs before selecting a basic but charming cup with a few clay flowers added to the side. “... This one reminds me of you.”

You glance up at her face- her expression is soft again, her eyes trailing over the small flower design adorning the mug she chose with an affectionate type of gaze. Your smile grows at her thoughtfulness.

“... You’re so cute…”

She looks up at your coo, a small flush spreading across the freckles painted along her cheeks. “I… I’m not cute. I didn’t mean it like that.”

You scoff, leaning forwards to press a quick kiss to her sheepishly warmed cheek. “Yes, you did. Now come on, let’s go paint these mugs.”

Sae-byeok is left slightly befuddled from the peck as you find a cozy table near the window, watching the rain stream down the glass pane. She trails after you, setting her floral mug down on the table as she takes a seat across from you, muttering something under her breath- presumably about how annoying but endearing you are.

The kind ceramicist from before brings the both of you some sets of paint, giving you instructions to set it on a tray to let them dry when you finish.

You pick out a color scheme with your favorite colors, combining them in artsy swirls to pair with the engraving on the handle. Sae-byeok settles with a green and yellow theme- painting the flowers to be, presumably, some type of yellowish daisy.

The shop’s warm, hug-esc vibes cloud around you, filling the small corner you and Sae have chosen by the window with a coffee-scented vanilla aroma. The warmth and coziness of the pottery shop contrast well with the rain pattering against the cold glass beside you.

“Your mug is looking great,” You comment after a little while of comfortable silence, admiring the way Sae-byeok blends the darker greens of the mug into the light teals and limes of the flower stems. 

She pauses her strokes to glance up at you, the focus in her intense gaze mellowing out for a moment. 

“Your’s too,” She comments quietly, before returning to her work.

As you both paint, random conversation occasionally fills the space between the strokes of the pair of paintbrushes. Sae-byeok complains about whatever new odd job she’s picked up, you complain about your classes at university and the amount of homework you’re constantly drowning in. 

Sae-byeok updates you about her workouts and morning runs, claiming she wanted to be “fit before the new year”. You couldn’t fathom working out voluntarily, let alone during the rainy, chilly autumn months. She seems eager to talk, though, and so you listen intently as she speaks in that pretty, mildly monotone voice.

After a while of painting and chatting, Sae-byeok finishes the design of her mug before you. She gently scoots it over for you to admire, though she warns you about messing up any of her perfect paint.

“Got it,” You snicker at her direct, serious expression. “I won’t touch any of the wet paint, Sae.”

She huffs slightly, but eases up after your promise.

The mug she painted is surprisingly artistic- there are many shades of darker green blending into each other, with pops of gold and yellow petals of the flowers tracing up along the body of the cup. 

“I love it,” You murmur, your gaze flickering from her mug back up to her dark eyes. Sae-byeok’s freckled face is surprisingly hesitant, like she was analyzing if you were telling the truth or not.

“I’m serious,” You add, a small smile spreading across your face at the realization that she doesn’t believe you actually like her mug. You can now shower her with praise to prove her wrong- one of your favorite pastimes. “The shading on the petals is really clean, and the way the yellow contrasts with the dark green is so pretty! I think it’s perfect, Sae-byeok.” 

You pause for dramatic effect, grinning.

“Just like you.”

Her reaction is immediate and predictable- the reason you had been grinning from the start of your intent mug-analysis. Sae-byeok’s cheeks turn slightly pink, though she remains stone-faced… a clear and obvious fake expression, as you know her well enough to tell that the way her ears turn redder and redder means she appreciates the praise. More than she would ever say aloud, of course.

“Stop being sappy…” She complains, snatching her mug back and giving you a half-hearted glare. She was embarrassed. You grin wider.

“Hey, I’m just being honest.” You protest, laughing softly, before you return to finishing the swirly painting of your colorful coffee mug.

Once you’re finished, you set the mugs on the tray (as instructed) to dry.

You almost don’t want to leave the comforting, painted coffee embrace of the ceramics shop. 

“Well, we can come back in a few weeks to pick up the finished cups.” You murmur, partially talking to Sae and partially reassuring yourself. You and Sae-byeok slip your jackets back on, expecting the autumn shower to be ever present as it was when you came. 

“... I don’t say this about a lot of things, but I’m excited to see them finished.” She admits.

“They’ll be perfect to fuel your ever-growing caffeine addiction.” You agree, teasing her.

When you listen to the jingle of the bells on the door, stepping outside again, the rain has stopped. The sun shimmers through the break in the October clouds, making the sleek road sparkle under your boots. The air is clear, crisp like autumn.

“As if you don’t drink as much coffee as me, stupid.” She snorts, opening the car door for you.

“At least our legacy is clear,” You joke. “Custom coffee cups painted by THE lesbians of all time.”

Sae-byeok rolls her eyes at you as you drive home to the little shared apartment, but you catch the affectionate smile gracing her lips. It sends a flutter through your body, your heart warm.

A few weeks later, the painted mugs sit proudly on the counter, both filled with coffee and love.

divider credits: @/uzmacchiato

And with that, in 5 minutes he was at my doorstep, rushing into the house and engulfing me in the tightest hug ever. "I missed you so much baby..I hate going on tour" he mumbled, peppering kissing all over my face.

"Tom stopp! Cmon!" I smirked and grabbed his hand, guiding him to the kitchen where everything was prepared. "We are making the dough, don't complain when it gets hard" I patted his cheek and set up our ingredients.

We started to make the dough, our hands getting sticky. "This is so gross.." I grunted, mixing everything together and adding more flour. Tom just played with it, smacking it like it was my ass or something.

I grinned, noticing how focused he was and grabbed flour, smashing it into his face, he gasped and grabbed me by my waist, dirtying my shirt with his doughy fingers.

"Tom! My shirt!" I complained, "that's what you get for putting flour in my face you little shit!" he smashed his lips into mine, the taste of flour creeping into my mouth.

I pulled away and took my shirt off, leaving me in my lacey bra. "Ohh la la.." he smirked, getting ready to smack my ass, "no! I'm not taking my pants off don't even think about that" I glared deeply at him, he shot his hands up in surrender, a big grin plastered on his face.

We finished making our dough and started to mould it into a heart, I noticed Tom having trouble shaping it correctly, "here, let me help you liebe" I shuffled over, his head resting on my shoulders as I guided his hands with mine to roll it out to the perfect shape.

We eventually got there, I quickly moulded mine and grabbed the sauce, cheese and toppings. He started to SLATHER sauce onto his dough, coating it and spattering it all over himself and the counter.

I was busy finishing mine when he came up behind me and swiped sauce on my face, grabbing my hips and pulling me into him tightly so I couldn't escape, "tom! noo!" I giggled, grabbing the cheese and turning around, shoving it into his mouth.

"Mm, thanks baby" he mumbled, mouth full of food, "close your mouth baby.." I rolled my eyes playfully and turned back around, Tom still holding me sweetly and helping me choose my toppings. I added onions, ham, olives and mushrooms, a simple but yummy selection.

We shifted to his pizza, his arms reaching over for toppings as I watched him load it with onions, olives, peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni, ham, sausage, extra cheese and tomatos. "Oh god Tom..look at how high you made it, it's literally a mountain" I giggled, putting both of our pizzas on a tray and putting it into the oven.

I sighed and walked back over to Tom, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him, "that was tiring.." I yawned, burying my face in his chest. "Lets rest baby, cmon" he lifted me up, carrying me onto the couch and laying me down on his chest.

30 minutes passed and the timer went off, signalling to us that our pizzas were done. Tom shot up and raced to the oven, pulling them out and nearly dropping it on the floor.

I walked up to the counter and grabbed a knife, cutting them into slices and admiring our work. "They are so cute baby" he chuckled, kissing my cheek and plating the food, grabbing 2 bottles of cola and sitting down onto the couch.

We decided to put the movie we watched when we had our first date, a memory we cherished deeply. I held the plate in my hands, leaning against Tom and enjoying the delicious pizza we made.