Dates with Ren were something like rare, almost mythical phenomena. Like a shooting star once in a century, for example. Not because you didn’t offer. On the contrary, you tried both softly and persistently, and with sly enthusiasm you invited him to the cinema, to the park, to a cafe… But most often Ren responded with an evasive smile, slightly tilting his head to the side, as if apologizing, and whispered: “Angel, you know… I don’t really like this. And why should we go somewhere, if all the best is already here?”

He loved the silence of the apartment, the closed curtains, your shared cocoon of a blanket and mint tea with all sorts of syrups. His arm wrapped around your waist, his gaze following your every move, his breathing - this was what he called “worthy comfort”. In his eyes, love was something that should not go beyond the two of you. Something that only a partner should see

Sometimes he himself suggested going somewhere, suddenly, as if in passing. But each time it happened exactly when you definitely couldn’t. Too often for it to be an accident.

But today! Today is the day of your grand victory. Almost an hour of persuasion, soft arguments, bribes with something he could hardly refuse and an endless “please” in his eyes, and… He gave in. Reluctantly, with a sigh, with a tense jaw, but still agreed

You were no longer holding back a smile, and he, watching your joy, softened for a second, but still looked as if he was about to be led to the scaffold, and not for a walk. Although, perhaps for him it was something similar.

You did not go to a restaurant or a trendy coffee shop. No. You had a better idea. A special one. Something that could be both new and not frighteningly noisy. A petting aquarium. A place where you don't have to talk, just watch. Where everything is surrounded by soft light and water. Where there will be thin glass and the sound of drops between you and the rest of the world, and not a crowd (although there was clearly a crowd here too)

You noticed Ren tense up at the entrance. His fingers squeezed your palm tighter than usual, to the point of slight pain. He didn't take his eyes off the door, as if he could change his mind and turn around at any moment

"We won't be there for long, right?"

Quietly, reluctantly showing his reluctance, he asked, not even looking in your direction. You just nodded in response, assuring him that only a little. Just to watch. Just to be.

And now, you're inside. Twilight. Blue reflections on the glass. The slow movements of starfish, stingrays, small sharks. A room with a contact area where you can gently touch the smooth back of a fish, or run your finger along the tentacles of an octopus

Ren stood next to you, a little distant, glancing around to see that no one was approaching. And then, feeling your gaze on him, Ren fixed his gaze on the water in which the fish were swimming. Hesitantly stretching out his hand under your expectant, joyful gaze to touch the back of a stingray that lay right next to the glass, he quietly exhaled. Not from delight, but rather from surprise. He was not used to something new

"Do you really like places like this..?"

He asked hesitantly and quietly, almost whispering