Al was trying to figure out just which throw pillows to put out for Athena. She liked the Halloween pillows but she liked the black ones with the roses too. That’s part of why he’d worn charcoal jeans with a rose on each back pocket. He had picked a perfect playlist and set the diffuser with a pine scent and just a hint of rosemary. Everything had to be ready before she got here with tea for her on the stove. He was finally gonna tell her and he couldn’t afford to screw it up. There was their knock on the door. The knock they used just for each other.

“Come in!” Al mumbled a little something to himself as Athena walked in.

“Hey- what’s going on?”

“Not much really. Just got some tea going and I set the diffuser.”

“Are we making the taco stuff soon?”

“I hope so? Did you bring the hot sauce?”

“Of course” She smiled and pulled out the homemade hot sauce in a jar from her bag.

“So the mixed ground meat is in the fridge”

“Alright?” Athena set the hot sauce on the island and grabbed the Tupperware from the fridge. “Why won’t you look at me are you okay?”

“I’m- a little nervous”

“About what? We can put dinner on hold for a minute.”

“I guess-“ Al sat down on the couch and looked at Athena until she sat with him. He couldn’t meet her eyes. “So I- uhm… I know your type is usually pretty blonde goth girls or guys who play guitar and really long hair?”

“Yeah…”

“I’ve got this guy that’s pretty different from your type and you know I think- I think he’ll be good for you”

“I’m not really looking…”

“Please hear me out?”

“Okay…?”

“And he’s someone you know already so it should be easier. He’s got kinda a punk style?”

“Okay?”

“And he likes art and roses and spicy tacos”

“Al…”

“Yeah?”

“This is someone I’ve seen today isn’t it?”

Al’s face began to go red and he offered a slow nod. Athena smiled and cupped Al’s face. His eyes widened. He looked so sweet, she felt it was almost not fair to kiss him like this. Almost.

“How’s this?”

It took a moment for him to remember how to breathe. “It’s- this- it’s good…”

“Well good- I hope the next thing is better” She pressed her lips against his in hopes that this is what he meant. Al went completely limp and he began falling into Athena. She pulled away while holding his face. He’d passed out for a moment and had to be given a little jolt awake.

“Woah…”

Athena smiled again and nuzzled his forehead. “I’m hoping that means it was good?”

“Mhm-“ Al nodded in agreement the best he could.

“You’re a mush you know that?”

He nodded again.

“All those brain cells are gone huh?”

“Yeahhh-“

“How long?”

“The past year and a half…”

“You’re so sweet and squishy” She squished his face.

“Mmmmm” His face melted into a sort of derpy smile.

“I’m gonna start making tacos okay?”

“Mhmmmm”

Athena got up and took the utensils out. She put the pot on and dumped the ground meat in along with the hot sauce and some extra seasoning. Al was still registering how everything had happened. It was still blowing his mind.