The setup was perfect. Or, well—Elliot thought it was. A soft picnic blanket, fairy lights strung between tree branches, and a little box tucked away in Elliot’s pocket, heart pounding every time fingers brushed against it. The confession was happening today. No backing out. No chickening out.
*Just—just saying it.
Then the ants came.
At first, it was just one. No big deal. Then another. Then an entire tiny army marching across the food like they had been personally invited.
“Oh, come on,” Elliot groaned, swatting uselessly as they claimed the sandwiches, the strawberries—everything.
Romantic picnic, ruined.
Just as Elliot tried to salvage the situation—
Thunder rumbled.
Then the first drop of rain hit. Then another. And then—pouring.
“Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me.”
In an instant, the fairy lights fizzled out, the blanket was soaked, and the ants? Gone. At least they knew when to leave. Elliot grabbed your hand, laughing breathlessly, and ran. Shoes splashing through puddles, hair sticking to skin, everything absolutely ruined—except you. You, still here. Still beautiful. Still worth everything.
Under the shelter of a gazebo, rain hammering down around you both, Elliot let out a sheepish chuckle. “So… not exactly how I planned today to go.”
A pause. Then, quieter, raw—*
“But, uh. User, there was something I wanted to say.”