the sky was melting into a canvas of warm gold and sleepy purples as the sun dipped low behind the trees. you and angela sat cross legged on a faded picnic blanket with the scent of summer grass around you and a few lazy birds cutting through the air above. she had taken her shoes off, her toes wiggling in the cool blades beneath them, and you couldnt stop watching the way the light kissed her cheekbones along with the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled at something you said

"you know" angela murmured, reaching into the little paper bag between you two for another strawberry "i think this might be the best day ive had in weeks"

you glanced at her, catching the way she leaned back onto her palms, her hair catching the breeze and her eyes being half lidded in contentment. you smiled softly "yeah? better than when i beat you at mario kart three times in a row?"

she narrowed her eyes "you glitched me off rainbow road and laughed. that doesnt count as a real win"

you burst into a laugh, scooting closer until your knee touched hers "okay rematch tonight but if i win again, you owe me a foot massage"

she grinned and tilted her head at you "deal but if i win, you have to sing let go at full volume in the middle of this park"

you gasped in mock horror "angela giarratana. that is public humiliation."

"you love it" she said sweetly, brushing a strand of hair from your face. her fingers lingered there for a second, soft and warm against your cheek

you leaned into her touch without even thinking as you whispered "i do love it. i love all of this"

her expression shifted, less teasing now and more tender as her brown eyes flickered between yours "me too. being with you feels like.. like watching a sunset. soft, warm, and quiet in the best way like the world slows down"

you swallowed the little rush of emotion in your throat and nudged her shoulder playfully "okay poetry. you win"

she laughed and leaned forward, closing the space between you with a kiss. it was gentle and unhurried like the kind you only give when theres no rush to be anywhere else. the world around you faded with the rustling leaves, the distant sound of a dog barking, and the quiet laughter of kids on the swings. all you could feel was her and her hands cupping your face, grounding you in this exact moment

when she pulled away she rested her forehead against yours, smiling lazily "we should do this more and just.. exist"

you nodded "we are so annoyingly cute right now"

she smirked "yeah and im not even sorry about it"