Tap. Tap. Tap.

Julian's shoe taps impatiently against the vinyl floor as he sits in the dining area, dressed sharper than usual. No hoodie, no jeans. Today, he's packaged a bit more nicely—navy collared shirt and black trousers.

After all, this is their first official date! On Valentine's Day! Talk about timing.

Moreover, it's going to be their public debut. In broad daylight, nonetheless. Because again, it's Valentine's Day. If they step out, whether for food or a stroll, people will recognize what they are.

Julian's heart pounds, restless and insistent.

Joaquin understands, right? They're going to get looks. It's inevitable. Like at the gym, although that one time was an exception.

Julian shakes his head and heaves a sigh. No, he can't think negatively. Joaquin's constantly reassured him that they are on the same page. He shouldn't go back and forth, reminiscing about what went wrong all those years ago. He's chosen to embrace Joaquin on his own accord; there's no turning back.

He unlocks his phone. Almost time.

Julian hurries to the door and slips his shoes on. Joaquin had told him to wait in his apartment, but why should he? He can wait in his apartment.

He's basically done tying his laces when the knocks arrive.

"Joaquin!" he says, squealing, and launching himself straight into his arms.

"You missed me that much?"

He inhales Joaquin's usual fragrance and withdraws, eyeing his outfit—a gray round t-shirt under a casual jacket and black pants.

"Yeah. You abandoned me for five days."

Five long days of overtime. Five long days apart.

With Joaquin coming home to the apartment past bedtime and working through lunch, Julian had barely seen him at all, leaving him deprived of attention. Joaquin even flat-out refused to let him camp out in his office, no matter how much he pouted.

Joaquin had a point. Swapping out the uncomfortable client chairs for a new sofa was an upgrade. However, it wasn't going to be as cozy as home.

But that was not the whole truth: how could Joaquin focus with Julian around? The temptation to snuggle and steal kisses instead of doing work would've won every time. Keeping his distance was a hard decision made out of necessity.

"Sorry." Joaquin tenderly brushes his knuckle against Julian's cheek. "I know I've been busy, but I've wrapped everything up so that I won't have to think about work today."

"And? Did you miss me, too?"

Joaquin flashes a toothy grin. "That goes without saying. Of course, I did." He laces their fingers, thumb grazing over Julian's hand. "Ready?"

Satisfied, Julian nods merrily. "Let's go."

******

Julian has never been on a Valentine's date. Somehow, he always ends up alone by February for the last six years, without a casual person to call. And apparently, he's also underestimated how much the world leans into romance.

"Wow. It's like the whole city's here," he remarks, eyes sweeping over at the park, packed with couples and families. Pop-up stalls line the walkways, and heart decorations hang everywhere. Even the speakers are blasting love songs.

"Sorry. I didn't know it'd be this crowded," Joaquin murmurs, mouth downturned.

"That's the second time you've apologized today. Don't do that," Julian scolds, nudging him. "So, what's the plan?"

"Honestly? I just want to take a walk with you. Eat, talk, and enjoy the night. I, uh, wondered about watching a movie... but I really want to hear your voice," Joaquin admits shyly. "Is that okay?"

"Yes," Julian answers, tone rising as his heart flutters. "I'd like that."

They meander along the rows of stalls, browsing local products—food, clothing, trinkets. Julian gets caught up in an arts and crafts section, while Joaquin's interest is piqued by a selection of vinyl records. Along the way, they pick up small bites from various cuisines, hoping to try a little of everything together.

"Here, try this," Julian mutters between bites of chicken slathered in peanut sauce. "I like this one."

"Is it good?" Joaquin leans in, biting straight from Julian's skewer. "Mm... Not bad."

A squeal. A literal squeal.

Julian and Joaquin turn to find a group of girls, not-so-subtly eyeing them while giggling behind their hands.

Joaquin continues munching on his food indifferently. Julian hands the skewer to him and crosses his arms. "Hey."

The girls panic, shuffling their feet. One finally breaks formation and comes out of their little circle. "Sorry! We didn't mean to stare."

"No, I have to ask something."

They swap puzzled looks.

"What do you think we are?"

Joaquin quirks a brow but doesn't say anything. The leader glances back at her friends, hesitating. "Um, boyfriends?"

A wide grin stretches across Julian's face. "Okay."

"We just thought you looked cute..."

"Uh-huh," Julian tells them, flicking his wrist dismissively. "Off you go."

Another round of confused glances occur, and the girls march away, whispering amongst themselves.

"What was that? Why'd you ask them?"

"Wanted to confirm your theory."

"What theory?"

"About others shipping us." Julian beams, his eyes shining brighter. "We look like a couple. I like that."

Seeing Julian smile so radiantly because of something related to him, Joaquin's heart swells. "Me, too. I like that, too."

They continue strolling along the park. But then, Julian recognizes a voice coming from a crowd. Without thinking, his feet take him toward it, with Joaquin chasing closely behind, wondering what's caught his attention.

Julian's ex boyfriend, Peter, a children's book writer and artist, is reading aloud to a group of kids below twelve.

Joaquin glimpses at Julian. "You know him?"

"Yeah. We dated."

Joaquin watches Peter for a moment. "Do you want to say hi?"

Julian shakes his head. "It'd be awkward. We broke up on good terms, but I don't know what to say."

"Congratulations?"

He shoots a pointed look at Joaquin. "Why are you insisting that I speak to him? That's not how a boyfriend acts."

Joaquin jams his hands into his pockets. "I'm not threatened."

"Wow," Julian sneers. "Someone's confident."

Clicking his tongue three times, Joaquin states, "Julian, you think I don't know? That guy's me. Glasses, built, hair? You dated a watered-down version of me. So, why would I be threatened?"

With that, he struts away, leaving Julian squinting at Peter. Glasses? Check. Combed up hair? Check. Muscular built? Not quite as much, but check.

How did he miss that?

Julian dodges through the crowd, matching Joaquin's stride.

"That's... I wasn't... How are you sure you're not the watered-down version?!"

Joaquin smirks, dismissing his jab, then feigns pity. "The poor guy... Anyhow, you weren't the only one. I was the same. I looked for you in everyone else... Ah, damn. We owe them an apology, don't we?"

Julian has no comeback to that. He dated Peter around a year after things ended with Joaquin. They met at one party and hit it off. But he realized right away that Joaquin remained in his mind. And how could he not, when Peter was indeed like his clone?

Without realizing it, Julian had acknowledged that all along, it would be him.

It was always Joaquin.

******

In the late afternoon, as the sun's remnants hide and give way to the moon, the lively park's activities mellow down. Feet worn-out, Julian slumps onto the first available bench he could find, near the bicycle trail and with a view of a pond.

Joaquin catches up with bottled water.

"Thanks," Julian says, cracking open the bottle and pouring the content down his parched throat. "Ahh..."

"Did you have fun?"

"Of course." He lifts a bag of handmade goodies. "I bought a ton of stuff I'll never actually use. I tend to hoard stuff like this."

"I get that. I have a shelf with unread books. Work's been eating away all my time for leisure reads."

Julian swings his legs, grinning. "Next time, we can do something quieter. I'll work on my art, and you can catch up on your reading. How's that?"

Joaquin smiles. "That sounds fantastic."

Julian takes another sip. "This is my first Valentine's date. I know it's another regular day, and people probably made it up to drag things out after the holidays. But I really enjoyed it. Thank you."

"We're still having dinner," Joaquin reminds him. "It's not over yet."

"I know. I'm looking forward to a fancy meal." He props his chin with a curled fist. "How about you, Joaquin, ever gone out on a date on Valentine's Day?"

Joaquin looks away, scratching his nose. "Not really."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah."

"And here I thought you were used to blurting out cheesy lines. Be my Valentine, you said?" Julian chirps, mimicking Joaquin's voice albeit poorly.

Joaquin snorts, half-smiling. He had said it on a whim. He'd been thinking about asking Julian out on an official date. That, and a post-nut clarity arriving later than it should've, he wasn't thinking straight when the words had slipped out.

But the way Julian's face lit up when he accepted made it all worth it. He'll just have to accept that Julian would bring it up every now and then to mess around with him.

"We can still be each other's firsts..."

Joaquin inches closer, smiling. "Is that important to you?"

"No. It's just cute." Julian stands up, walking ahead as a group of cyclists zoom past them, followed by several dog walkers.

"I see." Joaquin follows, one step behind. "You're my first, though. My first love."

Julian trips over himself, his heart banging against his chest. Lips parted, he whips around, eyes wide.

"Why do you seem so surprised? Isn't it cute?"

Julian swallows, nonplussed. He said love again. Is this the confession?

"Uh, using words like that..."

Joaquin laughs, clutching his stomach as if trying to contain himself. Scowling, Julian pulls him over to an empty corner and gives him a light punch on the shoulder.

"Why are you laughing at me?!"

"You're adorable." Joaquin wraps him around his arms tightly. "You get all shy over me saying love, but you already know, don't you? Since we were young, I've only ever had eyes for you. And no matter what, I've always found my way back to you. If that's not love, then what is it?"

******

A/N: A week late but here yaaa gooooo~ We have approximately ten chapters left. So that's like three weeks (if I can actually finish the chapters! It's getting pretty challenging, which is usually the case for me). Can't believe I've been writing this for four months!

Thanks to those who have tuned in since day one. You guys are the best!