It almost felt like a dream.

The air was bracing and inviting, the flow of the water serene and smooth, the luminous glow of the fireflies lit the scene with a warm yellow. The wooden boat you were seated on was a little uncomfortable, but it was easily forgettable with your eyes on the boy in front of you.

Jade sat across from you with your hands in his, his smile more genuine than you’d ever thought was possible. Or, you hope it’s genuine.

He was hard to look away from. His eyes were captivating, so much so that you didn’t notice a glimmer of blue and green peek from the water surface just a few feet beside the boat.

The scenery felt like it was just egging you on to squeeze his hand, to lean in for a kiss, it all was just calling for it.

After a moment of silent eye contact, you swallowed your nerves and leaned in. Maybe he did too, you weren’t given enough time to register it before the boat beneath you trembled and tipped over, dumping both you and Jade into the cold water.

You surfaced for a gasp of breath, met with the familiarly piercing cackling of Floyd. You wiped your face enough to open your eyes and give him a glare.

“You were gettin’ too corny, Shrimpy!” he chortled, tail lashing in glee as he hoisted himself to lean against the tipped boat. The bioluminescent speckles littering his body did a better job lighting the area than the fireflies did, at least.

Jade emerged with a smile as always, soaked hair sticking to his face. “Oh, you didn’t need to sully their clothing.” And yet he didn’t seem the least bit annoyed at the ‘moment’ getting ruined.

It was fun while it lasted, you supposed…