Tobi rang the doorbell of Emilio's house and waited, fidgeting nervously. The two of them had gone on several more dates since getting ice cream with Vanessa, but hadn't found time to go to the historical town Tobi had mentioned until now.

Emilio walked out and closed the door behind him.

"Ready?" Tobi asked.

Emilio nodded, entwining his pinkie with Tobi's. "Is it far from here?" he asked, climbing into the passenger seat of Tobi's car.

"No. It's only half an hour's drive from here," Tobi replied.

During the drive, they made light conversation, talking about trivial things.

Tobi was surprised at how fast he had let his guard down. It almost alarmed him, but realizing he felt happier now than he had in years, he pushed his doubts away. He glanced over at Emilio who was looking out the window, and his heart fluttered.

"Is there a plan for today?" Emilio asked, turning his gaze from the landscape to Tobi.

Tobi shrugged. "There's a café I thought we could eat at. Otherwise, I didn't plan anything."

"That's fine, then. We'll decide what to do when we get there." Emilio turned back to the window, but kept his gaze on Tobi.

Tobi turned his attention to the road again, feeling Emilio's gaze boring into him. It made him nervous that he couldn't tell what Emilio was thinking. "Like what you see?" Tobi joked awkwardly. Why the hell did I say that?

Emilio let out a small laugh. "Yes," he assured.

Tobi blushed and fixed his eyes on the road ahead of him.

By the time they parked in the historical town, Tobi was itching to get out of the car.

"Where's the café you mentioned?" Emilio asked.

"I'm not sure," Tobi said, looking around. "I've never been here before."

"We'll look for it while we walk," Emilio stated, grabbing Tobi's hand and pulling him along.

Tobi basked in the comfortable setting; the pleasantly warm air, the slight breeze, the feeling of Emilio's hand in his. As he scanned the buildings for the café, Tobi saw an antique shop. His eyes lingered. Emilio noticed.

"Would you like to go in?" he asked.

Tobi turned to him, looking slightly surprised. "Is that alright?"

"Of course."

They crossed the street and entered the dim shop. Tobi browsed the shelved of miscellaneous objects with Emilio following close behind.

Emilio nearly crashed into Tobi's back when he stopped abruptly. Emilio moved to stand next to him so he could see what Tobi was looking at. On the shelf in front of them sat three antique porcelain dolls.

"They're pretty, aren't they?" Tobi said quietly. He gave a small smile. "I always wanted one as a child."

"Why did you never get one?" Emilio asked curiously.

"No reason. It's fine," Tobi mumbled dismissively. He moved past Emilio and continued deeper into the store.

Emilio's heart ached. It seemed to him that Tobi didn't get to have a childhood. He certainly didn't like talking about it, dismissing all of Emilio's attempts to bring it up in a manner.

Emilio studied the dolls, wondering which one Tobi would like best. He decided on the one in the middle that shared Tobi's ebony hair color.

"Emilio, where are you?" Tobi called from the front of the store. "Are you ready to go?"

"Go on without me," Emilio replied. "I'll catch up." The bell on the shop's door rang as Tobi stepped outside. Emilio quickly paid for the doll and followed after him.

Tobi eyed the bag he was holding curiously. "What did you buy?"

"Nothing much," Emilio said, giving Tobi a mischievous grin. "Can I put this in the car so it doesn't get damaged?"

Tobi nodded, pulling out his keys from his pocket. "I'll wait here." As he waited for Emilio to return, Tobi studied the surroundings. He noticed dark clouds in the distance. Is it going to rain? He wondered. He spaced off, memories of playing outside in the rain when he was younger filled his head.

He jumped, startled from his thoughts as Emilio placed a hand on his shoulder, having returned from the car.

"All right?" Emilio asked.

Tobi nodded, smiling softly and taking Emilio's hand as they continued walking.

"Let's go into the old schoolhouse," Emilio suggested as they passed a building with a plaque in front of it. Tobi nodded and followed him inside. "It's odd being in a classroom like this again after so long. I graduated high school eight years ago," Emilio said, inspecting the room.

"We graduated the same year," Tobi commented.

"You skipped two grades? That's unsurprising." Emilio flashed him a grin. "Where did you attend?"

"I was homeschooled," Tobi replied, "as well as all of my siblings."

"Your parents must have had their hands full," Emilio chuckled.

"Yes."

After leaving the school building, they finally came upon the café. They ordered their food and sat at a small table by a window. Silence stretched across them before Emilio broke it.

"Tobias—"

"You're welcome to call me 'Tobi', you know."

Emilio flushed. "Right. Um, Tobi, now that we're closer, I hope you don't mind my asking, what do you write in that black notebook of yours?" He gave a playful smile. "I feel it's only fair since you know what's in mine, that I know what's in yours."

Emilio was slightly surprised when Tobi replied, "It's a dream journal. I write down the dreams I have. It's a bit cliché."

"I don't think so," Emilio said earnestly. "Do you always remember your dreams?"

"They're vivid, but I write the down as soon as I wake up to make sure the recounts are as accurate as possible."

"Is there a reason you write them down?"

"Not really," Tobi replied, not feeling like going into detail about his night terrors.

"Do you visit your family a lot?" Emilio asked, changing the subject.

"Mattias, yes. Otherwise I only visit the church for holidays and birthdays, so I suppose I visit much more often than I'd like." Emilio gave a small laugh. "What about you?" Tobi inquired.

"I see Vanessa the most, but I visit my parents frequently."

"How is Vanessa?"

Tobi contented himself with listening to stories about Vanessa and Emilio's family. He enjoyed listening to Emilio talk and found he was never bored in the other man's presence.

"Vanessa has been telling my parents about you— all good things," Emilio assured, chuckling at the mildly terrified look on Tobi's face. "I'm nearly regretting letting her meet you. I can't have a single conversation with either of my parents without them pestering me about you."

Tobi smiled, exhaling a laugh through his nose. "Mattias is the same way."

"And the rest of your family?"

Tobi's smile wavered slightly. "I don't talk to them. They don't know." He felt relieved when Emilio didn't seem to be offended.

"You're quite lucky that your family isn't nosy."

They chatted happily in the café until they finished their food and left.

"It's raining," Tobi said after they stepped out the door.

Emilio held out his hand and felt the drops land on it. It soon began raining harder. "Ah. Well, I suppose we should—" He cut himself off as he caught sight of his date.

Tobi was standing with his head titled to the sky, water running down his face and collecting on his eyelashes. His lips were parted slightly and were quirked in a small smile.

Emilio's heart pounded and he tried to wipe the rain from his glasses so he could see better. Tobi looked so peaceful— so... beautiful. Without thinking, Emilio pulled Tobi into his arms and pressed their lips together.

Tobi's eyes shot open in surprise, then fluttered closed again as he returned the kiss. He wasn't sure how long they had stood, kissing in the rain, Emilio bent over and Tobi on his toes. Once the kiss had ended, they remained standing there, foreheads pressed together for a moment more, rain dripping off of their chins.

"Incredible," Emilio mumbled softly. Tobi smiled.

The porcelain doll had been a bit expensive, but the way Tobi's eyes lit up when he received it was more than enough compensation, Emilio decided. As was the kiss Tobi pressed to his lips in thanks.

A/N Happy Wednesday, everybody! Look who surprised even themselves! I managed to update! Things are finally kicking off! Title from "Young Volcanoes" by Fall Out Boy. Updating regularly and frequently has made me really happy. It's nice to have something to look forward to. Please leave votes and comments because they make my day! Expect me back next Wednesday with a chapter that I have attempted to make spooky (don't count on it, I'm not scary).