Archive of Our Own

Looking out the window of the apartment as Hakon cleaned a little had him frowning as he took in the scenery of the distant buildings that once thrived with life. Below, cars used to move, and people would walk about the city on a day-to-day basis either going to their job or just out for some personal entertainment. Now, the cars were stationary, the buildings were collapsed, covered in chemicals, and the people were infected. The city may have been alive with the sounds of war and screams, but Hakon had a distaste for the silence of the new world and missed the old.

He had nothing to do today, but staying inside and sulking about what he used to have, even if it was so little, was not worth lowering his mentality to rot away in the extent of a midlife crisis. He knew the world he had was not coming back again, that ship sank fifteen years ago. Hakon sighed as he gathered up a few items before heading out of his home near the Fish Eye. He managed to take over an old apartment building on the east side of the canteen after Frank allowed him back as a Nightrunner.

The air was warm, and the sun had to be about average in the sky as Hakon walked across the wooden rope bridge to the canteen. He could see a lot of people were out doing their daily activities, the children were in their usual spot for school while some people practiced for plays. Hakon even watched as a carrier walked into the canteen most likely delivering a letter.

He sat down at the table just outside of the entrance and brought out a book, literature was scarce these days and Hakon picked up a book whenever he could as it was one of the small things that still made him feel human. He actually had a lot of hobbies over time. He was able to learn guitar from Cillian, he could draw, and he even learned how to tend a few gardens back at the Bazaar. He flipped the page smiling at the recent chapter he was able to finish.

"I didn't take you for the reading type."

Hakon lowered his book to look at Aiden with a smirk. "I'll take that as a compliment." he smiled.

"Uh-huh..." Aiden paused as he looked at the torn cover. "And the type of genera you like is... romance?"

"I enjoy a good book once in a while." he shrugged placing the item face down onto the table. "I thought you were running errands for the people today?"

Aiden sighed as he sat down. "Nobody needs any help today, so I don't have anything to do."

Hakon's lip curled upwards. "Well, that's a first even for you, kiddo." loving the way Aiden mirrors his smile.

"Seems that way."

"Well, what if we went on an adventure?" Hakon hummed watching as Aiden quirked a brow.

"What do you have in mind?"

Hakon shrugged. "I was thinking we should just be human for a day." he received a laugh.

"Hakon, we are human."

Hakon shook his head. "I know, but I meant what if we did something other than run errands to help people and kill zombies." he leaned forward resting his chin on his hand. "What if we just went and explored. Had some fun, what do you say?"

"Like go on a scavenge for supplies? If you need something I'm sure I have plenty."

"No, I mean... what if we played pretend?" Hakon was beginning to feel like an idiot when Aiden gave a snort.

"Play pretend?"

"Yeah, have you not played pretend before?"

"I mean, yeah... back when I was younger with Mia."

"See!" Hakon gestured in excitement towards Aiden.

"Hakon, that was when I was five." Aiden shook his head.

"And what's your point? Remember what I said about having fun because it's already the end of the world?"

"Yeah so-"

"Sooo, let's go do something fun, just the two of us for the day!" Hakon beamed a playful smile at Aiden.

"I don't know Hakon..."

"Oh, come on kiddo..." Hakon groaned. "Villedor thrived before you got here, it can go another day. You need to give yourself a break. There has to be something you've never done before?" even though Hakon could name off a novel of everything he's been dying to do with Aiden.

Aiden smiled. "Okay, fine... we can go 'play pretend'."

"Awesome!" Hakon stood up and tucked his book into his signature yellow bag. "You lead the way, what have you always wanted to do?"

"Well..." Aiden gave Hakon a wicked look, smile wide on his face.

"Bowling?" Hakon quirked a brow as he looked up at the old bowling lane sign, the large bright neon red sign with a blue bowling ball next to it. They were in the northern part of Garrison. He looked over at Aiden. "This is something you've always wanted to do?"

"You asked." Aiden shrugged as he moved to the boarded-up door.

"And you just planned on walking right through the front door?"

"Why not?"

"Because it could be a darkzone and full of viral!" Hakon hissed as Aiden pushed the board away anyway.

"It's not, I've been inside a few weeks ago, cleared it out on a run for some supplies for someone. Who knew people would keep belongings in places like this?"

"Well, not a lot of people had the time to get everything before the bombs fell, kiddo." Hakon replied as he pushed the board back over the door. "What made you want to try bowling anyway?" he turned as Aiden flicked on the lights to the main floor. Hakon's eyes widened at the sight of a somewhat still intact bowling alley, a few lanes and the concession stand were destroyed. "Holy shit." Hakon muttered, stepping past Aiden to view the main floor.

"The second floor has the bowling balls." Aiden added as he walked up to Hakon's side. "I heard some couples talking about bowling once and how they missed it, I've never been but I liked the idea of it. Then I found this place, but... I don't really know how to play."

Hakon blinked at Aiden forgetting just how much the kid missed out on. "Then I guess there's a first for everything." he smiled when Aiden met his eyes.

"Really? so you can teach me?"

"Teach you? oh no, I'm going to destroy you at it." Hakon laughed as he ran ahead to the second floor, Aiden yelling his name behind him. They stopped at the best lane, the one with the most pins. Hakon shook his head. "Looks like we're going to have to manually set them up. You can go first, just choose a ball from the rack and I'll go set the pins." he watched as Aiden moved to grab a red and black spiraled ball from the rack.

"Okay, what's the goal?" Aiden asked as he held his ball.

"The goal is to knock down as many pins as possible and get the highest score. If you knock down all ten, which we have thankfully, it's considered a strike." Hakon stood up after he finished setting up the final pin. "We can each go three turns if you'd like."

"Sounds good."

"I'll have to warn you though Aiden, I'm actually good at bowling." Hakon tossed a smug and teasing glance at Aiden. He watched as Aiden pulled his arm ack then push it forwards releasing the ball. It came at a high speed, rolling down the center, Hakon's eyes widening at the little curve at the end, the pins clashing and scattering about as they fell. Un fucking believable, the kid got a strike on his first run. He looked back up at Aiden.

"That's good right?" Aiden mocked teasingly.

"Bullshit, you've played this before." Hakon spat as he began to set the pins up again, the ball returning to Aiden.

"I never did, I swear." Aiden called back as he collected his ball again.

"Mhm, sure." Hakon stood up again after he finished setting the pins. Then he watched as the ball hit the floor and rolled forward, the rumble of the ground underneath until it hit the pins again, it wasn't a strike this time, but the good old splitter. "Ha!" Hakon laughed. "Good luck with this one!"

Aiden collected his ball again and took a step, aiming his ball and pulling his arm back before releasing it once more. He watched as it rolled forwards and strike down only one of the pins, Hakon laughing to his left. "Damn!" he hissed out, smile on his face.

"Looks like you've got one more turn, kiddo!" Hakon cheered as he moved to collect the pins again. "Make this one a good one!" he cheered after he set up the final set of Aiden's turn. Once more the ball rushed forward and knocked over even less pins than last time, the one dancing in a circle before fall just short of knocking the other down. "So close!" he tossed a smile as he moved to fix the pins again. Once Hakon was done setting up he walked down to trade places with Aiden. "Now, let me show you how it's really done." he winked.

Grabbing the ball, Hakon adjusted his fingers and pulled his arm back, tongue sticking out from the corner of his lips as he focused. Throwing the ball forwards, it hit the ground with a thud and rolled quickly down the aisle before crashing into the pins. It wasn't a strike, but he did knock out nine of them.

"Off to a slow start, aren't we?" Aiden teased as he set the pins back

"Just a warmup, kiddo. This is a strike for real, I can feel it!" Hakon called as he picked up the ball again, aiming it once more as Aiden finished the pins. Hakon repeated the process of rolling the ball forward, wincing at the bit of momentum behind it as it crashed into the pins. Hakon's face dropped as the ball only took out five this time. "Dammit!"

"I thought you said you were going to kick my ass at this game?" Aiden mocked with a smirk.

"Shut up and set up the pins!" Hakon rasped as he picked up the ball again a little more aggressively. Watching as the ball moved and rolled right into the gutter, no pin was struck and Hakon's eye twitched.

"You know, I never played this game before. But even I know that's not a good thing."

Hakon mocked up a laugh before sighing. "Well, looks like you won." he spoke as Aiden came back to his side. "Beginners luck." he mumbled.

"Or, maybe I'm the skilled one." Aiden winked as he took the ball from Hakon, fingers dancing softly over the Nightrunners skin.

Hakon huffed out a nervous laugh, face heating up at Aiden's interaction. "One more game." he challenged, daring to look in the eye.

"Fine. One more game." Aiden beamed with confidence.

They both went again, three turns like last time and keeping score. So far Hakon was in the lead this time, well, up until the point where Aiden rolled the ball with aggressive speed that had Hakon wincing at the sound of the drop from the ball on the floor before the pins were bursting like a firework and clinking around. Hakon blinked at the massacre of the plastic pins and looked back at Aiden. "Damn kid, afraid you were going to lose that much?" Hakon laughed as he moved back towards Aiden.

"No, I just like the sounds they make."

Hakon laughed at Aiden's goofy smile and picked up his bag. "Well, how about another round then? we can bet on something."

"Nah, that was enough."

"Scared you'll lose?"

Aiden laughed and shook his head. "No, I just have another idea in mind."

"Fine... cheater." he nudged Aiden teasingly.

"Is that what you call someone who's better?" Aiden raised a brow.

Hakon rolled his eyes, smile never leaving his face. "Maybe."

"Then maybe next time we can play a real game."

"Oh, you are so on kiddo." Hakon beamed a smile. "What's next on your bucket list?"

"Do you know how to ride a bike?" Aiden looked away with a blush on his face, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I see them around a lot on my runs."

Hakon smiled, how could this kid get any cuter? "Sounds like fun. Lead the way."

Needless to say, bike riding was one of the best things Hakon's ever done. It even beat paragliding around the city and Aiden was the cherry on top of it all. Hakon's heart bloomed with the way that Aiden smiled, lighthearted laughter that followed as he weaved through a few infected. It was hard the believe that they were in the end of the world right now, the way that Aiden would look back at him with bright, living eyes. Hakon laughed behind him, peddling his bike to clast alongside Aiden, arms dangling to his side's.

"Show off!"

Hakon winked before he grabbed the handlebars again and sped up. "Race you to the canal!"

"Hey!"

Hakon laughed watching Aiden pedal faster to catch up, the canal just ahead. Aiden may have been here a year, but there was no way he would be Hakon in this race, he knew the city better than most after all. Which was why he frowned when he turned back to see Aiden was gone.

Skidding his bike to a stop and frantically looking around the empty streets for Aiden, Hakon pulled out his radio. "Aiden, are you there?" there was no answer, Hakon having to coast his bike back the way they came, but before he could there was a loud yell to his right and Hakon looked to see Aiden launching himself off a ramp, bike clutched between his thighs and arms in the air. The excitement that rushed through Hakon's chest when Aiden yelled out the most obnoxious howl, voice breaking in the process as he flew through the air.

"Woooohoooo!' Aiden howled out, voice echoing off the empty skyscrapers of the city.

Hakon watched as Aiden took out his grappling hook and launched it into the underside of the concrete overpass, the bike crashing to the road below as he swung wildly back and forth. Hakon rode his bike over in time as Aiden lowered himself to the ground in a fit of laughter. Hakon shook his head, a smile gracing his lips. How could he even be mad at this, Aiden was a wild child and as long as Aiden laughed, smiled or did anything that brought him happiness Hakon didn't care. He just loved to see Aiden happy. "Now who's the showoff?" Hakon teased.

Aiden breathed through a laugh trying to catch his breath. He turned to look back at his bike that was now in pieces at the base of the bridge, he looked back at Hakon and rubbed the back of his neck. "Guess we can't have that race now."

Hakon narrowed his eyes to Aiden. "I'm starting to think you're sabotaging my wins here."

"...maybe..." Aiden winked. "I'll find another one."

"Oh no, if you're going to continue your extreme sports mode then I think it's time to ditch the bikes. I came out here to have fun, not play medic." Hakon chuckled as he got off his bike and handed it to Aiden.

"What about you?" Aiden asked as he took the bike.

"I'll walk alongside you." Hakon smiled.

Aiden frowned now. "That's no fun."

"Trust me, it is. Besides, I'm a bit too big for this bike." he gestured to the bike. "It would be uncomfortable after a while. You go ahead."

"Thanks, Hakon." Aiden smiled as he peddled the bike just up ahead.

The smile never left Hakon's face as he watched Aiden swivel back and forth on the bike, the long stretch of open road and little to no infected. It brought a weird sensation in Hakon's mind that he'd only thought about a handful of times, how he would've been a dad one day. Even though this world was cruel to him, and he partially deserved it, he wondered what would've changed if he were given the chance to be a father.

"Hey Hakon!"

Aiden called back to him snapping him out of his thoughts. "Hm? what's up?" he asked as he stopped at Aiden's side peering in the window of an old electronics store, half the items scattered on the ground. "What about it?" he asked turning to Aiden.

"There's a lot of valuables in there, should we get them?"

Hakon leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought we weren't going to scavenge today?" he quirked a brow.

"I mean... would it hurt that much to take some?"

"No, but we won't be able to do anything fun with a bag full of trash would we?"

"I guess not..." Aiden sighed and clicked the bell on his bike.

Hakon blinked and then scoffed with a slight laugh behind it. "Are you seriously pouting right now?"

"...No..." Aiden mumbled and clicked the bell again.

"You really are pouting, oh my God!" Hakon pointed and laughed.

"I am not!" Aiden huffed out. "I just like the bell..."

"That's so cute." Hakon smiled, freezing when Aiden stopped ringing the bell. His face dropped and he could feel the heat radiating from his face as he avoided Aiden's gaze. "Here..." he cleared his throat as he took out a map of Villedor and marked the location. "We can come back for this." he handed Aiden the map, when the kid refused to take it, he looked up and met Aiden's face. Hakon's eyes widened again at the blush Aiden had, deep and crimson. He smirked. "Not a fan of compliments is you, kiddo?" Hakon took the moment to tease.

Aiden gripped the handlebars of the bike a little tighter. "Not from you..."

"I'm not sure if I should take offense to that?" Hakon quirked a brow again, Aiden frantically looking up to meet his eyes.

"That's not what I mean. I just... never mind." Aiden huffed out.

"Fair enough, so... what's next?" Hakon asked as he walked alongside Aiden who still rode the bike around him.

"Can I ask you something, Hakon?"

"You know you can ask me anything." Hakon gave a soft smile as he looked at Aiden. He frowned noticing the intensity of Aiden's concentration. "Unless it's something bad..." he felt relief when Aiden shook his head, but the deep crimson rising up the youngers neck had Hakon a little worried still. He waited patiently for Aiden to collect his thoughts, and when the kid did, Hakon never expected the next question to follow.

"Is this a date?"

All the air in Hakon's lungs left him, he felt his neck constrict like he was choking. He paused and took a sharp inhale through flared nostrils, Aiden noticed his stop and braked on the bike to turn back and face him. Now, both their eyes locked onto each other's and there was a silent intensity between them. Aiden ended up speaking first.

"I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have said that - it's just, with everything we've been doing today I assumed it was..." he took a breath. "I heard a lot of people say that they've had fun days like this, called it a date."

Hakon's heart wrenched in his chest, he had no words. Nothing, just the feeling of astonishment and excitement coursing his veins reigning him speechless. "Is that what you want to call this?" he breathed, shocking Aiden a little as he walked towards the kid, pausing when the intensity was too extreme and the space between them could only fit the thinnest object.

"You don't seem too fond of the idea..." Aiden whispered doing his best not to look at Hakon.

Hakon shook his head and grabbed onto one of Aiden's hands. "No, I'd love this to be a date..." he swallowed. "That's if you want to count this as a date..." he watched as Aiden squeezed his hand.

"Best date ever." Aiden whispered, smiling when Hakon's eyes shot up.

Hakon smiled, a breathy laugh escaping his throat. "Then I guess you wouldn't mind me doing this." he leaned forward and kissed the knuckles on Aiden's hand, loving the flex of muscle stiffen beneath as he pulled away. "So, you've had other dates?" he teased, walking once more.

"You're the first. Actually, everything I've done today was a first for me so far." Aiden smiled, now ditching the bike against some old hardware store. "Thank you for this."

"Ah, it was nothing." Hakon relished in the praise, hands coming to rest in the top of his head.

"All this time I wondered how you kept your sanity. Turns out this is the best way huh? playing... what was it, pretend?" Aiden smiled when Hakon nudged him.

"Eh, don't laugh man. People think I'm crazy for trying to remember the good times, I can see why if they ever caught me trying to order a coffee from one of the shops." he winked. "But it's the only thing that makes me feel human. There's only so many bandits and infected you can kill before you get bored or injured."

"Have you and Lawan done this?"

Hakon hummed. "We did, though most of the times with her was running around and fighting more than sitting on the edge of the roof and watching the stars."

"She said you used to write and read her poetry."

Hakon winced at that. "Not my greatest writing, if you found any, I'm sorry for the torture."

Aiden shook his head. "Don't be. I actually found it rather romantic..."

Hakon turned to Aiden, baffled look on his face. "Really? I thought you weren't one for romance?"

"Never said I wasn't."

"Hmm..." Hakon's lip curled upwards. "Mental note to write, read and be romantic to Aiden. Check."

"What?" Aiden scoffed, stopping in his tracks.

Hakon turned on a dime and laughed at Aiden's embarrassment. "Oh, c'mon Aiden, you can't tell me you like romance and not expect something in return, I'm the most romantic person in Villedor." he winked.

"That's what worries me." Aiden sighed as he started walking again.

"You're worried that I'll win you over, have your knees weaken and your heart racing?"

Aiden shook his head. "No. I worry that you won't just do it for me."

Hakon turned and looked at Aiden. "Wait..." he watched the blush deepen on Aiden's face now.

"Never mind, can we just get to the next thing?" Aiden asked, feeling uncomfortable at how long this topic went on for.

"Sure, what did you have in mind?"

Aiden breathed. "I was hoping that you would know, I'm kind of out of ideas."

"Really? in a big city like Villedor?"

"Aren't you the one that's supposed to have this all lined up anyway? after all you are my date."

Hakon caught the glint in Aiden's eyes and smiled. "Okay, follow me then."

"It was getting dark now, the stars were starting to come out and the moon was rising. The night air was calm and warm as Hakon entered an old apartment building, dragging Aiden behind him. "It's just up ahead, kiddo!" he called back as he climbed the elevator shaft.

"Where are we going?" Aiden asked as he grunted out while jumping to the next ledge.

"My old apartment!" Hakon called back as he shimmied through the tight space of the elevator hatch and dropped down. The doors were open as he stepped through them, Aiden landing in the elevator behind him and stepping towards him.

"I didn't know you had one here?"

"What? you think I went homeless all this time after Frank kicked me out?" his laugh came out a little harsher than it should've as he stepped out of the elevator. "Come on, let me show you something."

"Sure, I'm dying to see what the life of Hakon was like."

"Still is like, but with someone better." he winked as he used a key to unlock his apartment.

"You still have your key?"

Hakon shrugged. "It's sentimental." he pushed the door open. "After you." he watched Aiden's face light up in awe at the sight.

Hakon's apartment was everything, like the world outside hadn't touched it. Aiden turned back noticing the piano in the center and the guitar leaning by its side. "You play?"

"Had a lot of time to learn." he smiled, shutting the door and walking into the 'kitchen' area. His eyes never left Aiden as the kid explored, fingers ghosting over an empty cracked fish tank by the window.

"This is really your apartment?"

Hakon placed a hand on his chest dramatically. "Well, not exactly. I could never afford a place like this. But I took a liking to it once I saw the piano. The rest of it came from years of collecting and trading."

"This suits you though."

"How do you figure?" Hakon raised a brow as he leaned on the kitchen island.

"Because it radiates, Hakon. The books, the music, the craving to learn. You must've spent hours alone just learning how to play this." Aiden tapped his fingers against the keys.

Hakon cleared his throat. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was a compliment Hakon. This place is amazing!" Aiden spun in a circle to look up at the chandelier and loft area. "How come you chose to come back to the fish eye?"

"Loneliness." Hakon answered a little too quickly.

"I know the feeling..." Aiden sympathized. "Being a pilgrim and travelling so far around the world not knowing anyone was the same way."

Hakon nodded. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"And I'm sorry that happened to you." Aiden repeated.

"At least we have each other to keep company."

"Yeah."

Hakon's breath caught in his throat when Aiden looked at him with the most comforting smile he'd ever seen. "Right then! about that date." Hakon still couldn't say that without tripping over his words.

"So, what do you have in mind."

Hakon gave a snort as he turned back to face Aiden who was now leaning on the other side of the counter. "Well, normally I'd cook you some dinner, serve up a drink and play some music. But we're fresh out of the first two."

"Then I guess it's a good thing that you can supply the music." Aiden winked, a smug smile on his face.

Hakon felt a chill up his spine as he stepped away. "I've never played for anyone before."

"Really? not even Lawan?"

"No, Lawan just got the shitty poetry." Hakon smiled at Aiden's laugh.

"Then, can you play me something?"

There was a pause for a moment, Hakon deciding if he really should or not. But the pleading look from Aiden had him giving in. "Fine, but just this once."

"Oh, you know it will be more than once."

Hakon shot Aiden a look as he moved over and picked up the guitar. Aiden followed behind him to sit on the couch, Hakon tuned up the guitar and strummed a few practice chords to find the right tune on the old acoustic guitar. He bobbed his head to the rhythm that Cillian had shown him, then he began to play. The sound drifting through the air, warming the silence and delving them both into a steady comfort as Hakon strummed the fragile string along. He remembered the exact sound, judging it off of his ears and the note sheet that Cillian had supplied, they called it the Nightrunner theme, an old campfire melody with no words, just feeling. 

The song brought a thousand memories back to Hakon as he played for Aiden, arm sliding up the neck of the guitar to pluck away at the higher notes. He took a chance to glance at Aiden who sat in awe, starstruck by the way Hakon delicately moved about the guitar with precision and softness. It made something swell inside Hakon, an all too familiar feeling. The song was always one of his favorites, it would pick up a little towards the end, making the blood rile just enough before a calming wave of higher pitched chords would play. Then, he finished the last of what he knew, when the music stopped and the silence filled the void once more, Hakon released the guitar and looked at Aiden. "Well?"

"That was... beautiful, Hakon. Holy shit." Aiden breathed.

"Heh, that was nothing."

Aiden shook his head as he stood up. "I mean it Hakon. That felt so... refreshing." he laughed. "It's been so long since I've heard music, the last time I heard someone singing it was a woman with irritating vocals."

Hakon laughed. "I know exactly who you met then." he turned to set the guitar back.

"Thank you for letting me be your first."

Hakon turned and smirked at Aiden. "There's a first for everything, kiddo."

"Really, like what?"

"Let me show you." Hakon dared as stepped closer to Aiden, loving the blush that flared on Aiden's face again. He'd never get tired of that look. Hakon moved away from Aiden and gestured for the kid to follow him outside on the balcony. Outside was decorated with old furniture and a mattress, a few knick-knacks scattered about that Hakon never got rid of. "This is one of my favorite things in the city." Hakon pointed to the sky, clear and filled with a billion stars as far as the eye could see.

"One of huh?" Aiden asked sitting down on the mattress. "What's the others?"

Hakon hummed. "Besides music, art, reading and exercising." he counted on his fingers before turning to sit next to Aiden. "I'd have to say... you." he whispered, smiling when Aiden scrunched up and hid his hands behind his face.

"Hakon, do you have to do that?"

"We both know you set that one up, kiddo." Hakon removed Aiden's hands and held them. He knew Aiden wasn't one for these types of situations, loving and caring gestures towards the other but Hakon couldn't help it. He loved the way Aiden would react to them, loved the way he turned away and grew bashful. "Can I show you something else, Aiden?" Hakon whispered as Aiden turned to look at him and trying his best to maintain eye contact. He smiled when Aiden nodded frantically and then he brought one of Aiden's hands to his chest, particularly over his heart and held it there. "Can you feel that, kiddo?"

"Yeah..."

Hakon squeezed Aiden's hands lovingly. "It's beating because of you." now Aiden's attention snapped to his hand on Hakon's heart before he looked back up and Hakon smiled warmly at him. "This is what you do to me, Aiden. Not just from today, but every day since we've met. You are not only my best friend but also the most important person in the entire city." he pushed forward until he was so close to Aiden, itching to reel the younger in and entertained by the way Aiden's hands never left his chest as he looked at him.

"H-how many other people have you said that too?"

Hakon's lip curled upwards as he took Aiden's chin in his index and thumb. "Do you really want to know that answer?"

"I hate that I do, yeah."

Hakon hummed as his eyes glazed over. "juste pour toi mon amour."

"English?"

Hakon chuckled above him. "I said. Just for you, my love."

"Maybe you could teach me French someday?" Aiden smiled. "Since you have all this time on your hands..."

"And risk losing the way you blush when I call you pet names? I don't think so." Hakon teased. "But then again... you speaking French would be sexy~" he winked, earning a playful jab at his chest. "I'll teach you anything you want, Aiden." Hakon added, his chest panged when Aiden's tongue stuck out to wet his lips. 

"There's one last thing I've never done before."

"Ah, then it's a good thing the night is still young. What else did you want to do?"

"Kiss you."

Hakon froze, staring at Aiden in bewilderment that the kid had just said that. "I- Aiden..." he whispered.

"I'm sorry, I thought that we were-" his face darkened again, and he tried to hide himself away behind his hands, avoiding Hakon's stare.

Hakon pulled at Aiden's hands again. "Aiden..." he whispered. "I'd love to be your first kiss."

"Really?" Aiden asked as he turned to look back at Hakon.

"Really." Hakon repeated with a smile.

"So how do we-"

Hakon smiled against Aiden's lips, the soft gasp that escaped his mouth as Hakon pushed against him a little. Bringing his hand up to cup Aiden's cheek as Aiden finally melted into the kiss. When Hakon pulled away he was met with the look of astonishment that pulled a laugh from his chest. "You okay, Aiden?"

"Yeah... I just... wow." Aiden muttered. "I didn't think you'd actually agree?"

"Contrary to belief there, kiddo, I've waited a long time to do that." he smiled, releasing his hold on Aiden's cheek. "Did I live up to your expectations?" he teased.

"Better than that."

"Good, because we're going to need to practice more for you to get a compliment from me." he winked, earning another rougher shove from Aiden.

"Stop doing that!" Aiden hissed out.

"You love me~" Hakon teased.

"And I ask myself why every day." Aiden smiled back, earning a hum of satisfaction. "Seriously though... thank you for today, Hakon. I forgot what it was like to just..."

"Stay human?"

"Exactly."

Hakon nodded when Aiden faced him again. "Some people forget to hold onto the past, and those that did had taken it for granted, myself included." he looked up to the sky. "We often forget to take a second to remember who we were before the fall. I'm just glad I could give you a chance to do a few normal things for once, I mean really... you've been through so much shit and running errands nonstop for some of these assholes without so much as a thank you."

"Hakon..."

"Hm?" Hakon turned back to Aiden, the second he did Aiden was on him once more to pull him into a kiss to which Hakon gladly accepted. "Missed me already?" he teased once more.

"Something like that." Aiden smiled.

"So does this mean I did good today?" Hakon asked.

"You pass as an exceptional tour guide, Hakon."

"Damn, I should've grabbed you and I heart Villedor tee." he winked. "But what about as a date?" 

"Let's just say I'm thinking about a second date." Aiden whispered pulling Hakon into a kiss once more, loving Hakon's smirk against his lips.