Alex's POV

We're almost to my designated destination and I can't help but pick up the speed a little bit; I've definitely noticed how Wanda clings to me that much more when I do.

I'm really hoping she's actually enjoying the ride, though. It was very stupid not to ask ahead of time if she'd want to ride on the bike.

I guess I was kind of hoping she was a little bit of an adrenaline junkie like myself.

I guess I'll find out. She did get on the bike..

I will admit I was a little nervous for this date. I know we've hooked up before and even confessed that we both felt the similar pull to each other.

But that doesn't necessarily have to mean that we'd work well together.

I really thought it was going to last with Yelena, I really thought she was who I'd spend the rest of my life with. And we all know how that turned out...

But I'm not going to think about that. It's over and she's moved on. It's time I do, too.

And I would really love to be able to see where this could go with Wanda. I don't want to mess it up. I have some high hopes for what this could turn into.

Totally not feeling any pressure.

And since we're at the location, it's only a matter of minutes before we find out.

I park the bike and turn it off, turning so I could help Wanda off first.

She hesitates, probably a tad unsure about where we are and what we're doing, but she does swing her leg off allowing me to follow behind her.

After taking off my helmet I notice her struggling to take hers off and I can't help but chuckle. I step up to her, gently moving her hands so I could help.

Yup. Theres a spark at the contact, just begging for the chance to catch flame. Begging me to let it.

Not yet.

Date first.

"There you go," I breathe out.

She slowly pries the helmet off and I take the opportunity to take in her features; her adorable nose and smile that melts my insides. And her eyes.

I know everyone likes my eyes; it's all I've heard my entire life. But hers.. hers are truly special. I can't even truly describe them. But they're welcoming; like being wrapped in a hug. Like rolling around in fresh cut grass, not caring about anything but the feeling.

I know she's looking at me and seeing something beyond what everyone else sees.

Then again, I could be reading it wrong.

I've done that multiple times; let my eyes give me away and my heart lead me far beyond where it should have.

I've been led to the edge of the cliff each time. Nearly pushed over the edge, brought back by the skin of my teeth.

But the cycle is bound to break eventually, right?

Yes. Hopefully starting now.

I finish taking care of our gear and take the bag off my bike that has what we'll need.

"Uh, Alex?"

"Yes?" I smile as I throw the bag over my shoulder.

"What are we doing? Why are we here? Why do you have a bag?" She seems very confused, even a tad unsure.

I chuckle, no matter what she does, she's adorable.

"We are here for our date. And this bag has everything we'll need," I say as I pat said bag.

"Okay.."

"Don't worry, sunshine. I won't steer you wrong," I offer my hand out to her.

Every second that goes by and she doesn't take it chips away at my thought of this being a good idea.

But when she does take it, I release my breath with a smile, starting to lead us away from the bike.

"Can you at least tell me where we're going?"

"No. That's a surprise," I tease trying to hold back my smirk.

"Is there anything that isn't a surprise?" She narrows her eyes, but her tone matches mine.

"Yeah. We're in a park," I gesture around us.

She rolls her eyes, "I can clearly see that. But can't you give me something? Anything? Please?"

How is it fair that someone could posses such adorable puppy eyes? I don't believe anyone could say no to her even if their life depended upon it.

I do roll my eyes this time though to play on the dramatics, "fine. I don't know if you've ever been here before, but it's one of my favorite parks. And it has some of the best views in upstate New York in my opinion. So I thought we could go for a little hike and then have a picnic at my favorite spot?"

I thought this was a good idea. But the look that she's giving me right now is making me question everything.

"Um.." shit, usually I mess with the rings on my fingers when I don't know what to do, but we're still holding hands. Which I love, but I can't do anything but stare at them. "Sorry.. I guess I just keep striking out with this.."

She must have noticed my staring at our hands because she pulls hers back. Which ultimately makes this all feel like it's going downhill fast and we haven't even started the real hike. Hell, at this rate we're a meteorite about to crash into the planet.

"Um..no. I like this idea. I love it! I haven't been around this area of New York before. It's beautiful," she takes a moment to look around at the views. "A picnic at your favorite spot sounds nice, peaceful."

I'm relieved that she's into the idea, but I already miss holding her hand, so I just go for it. I reach out to entwine them once again as I encourage her further, "you haven't seen anything yet. We aren't even to the path."

Now she's looking at our hands. Why the hell are we being so weird? For fucks sakes, we've already slept together.

"Do you not want me to hold your hand?" I break her out of her weird trance, bringing her attention to me abruptly.

"What? No! Of course I do. It just seemed like you didn't.."

"I do," I assure her.

We continue on in silence for a little while, both of us just taking in the scenery.

Okay and by 'scenery' I really mean her.

Her eyes are lighting up as we keep walking and it's fun to watch her see all of this for the first time.

"See something you like?" She smirks, catching me red.. eyed? Handed? Eh.

I laugh, "that was so cliché. But yes, I most certainly do." I take a chance and lean in to kiss her cheek.

Seeing the red grow across her cheek, I think it was worth the risk.

"Nani 'oe i ka lā"

Then the red blossoms into a dark crimson reaching her ears, "uh-I -what?" She fumbles adorably.

I chuckle, "I said you are beautiful, sunshine."

"Oh. Well, it was beautiful. You're beautiful.. um.. Nana ore.. er.."

I actually belly laugh, "are you trying to say you are beautiful?" She nods her head, "Nani 'oe."

"Well, nani 'oe." She smiles. "And so is the language. Honestly I think I could listen to you speak Hawaiian all day."

"Well, lucky for me you actually want to be around me all day," I joke.

"Only if you speak Hawaiian to me," she teases.

I roll my eyes playfully.

She giggles, "Well, Ms. Blue, how long is this so called hike of yours?"

"A little over two miles," I shrug. But I notice her eyes going large. "But we don't have to hike the whole thing?"

"Nope. I am seeing your favorite spot," she's so determined.

"Well, alright then, sunshine. Your wish is my command."

We had already started up the path at that point, but it was fun to point out certain parts on the trails and some of the best vantage points the higher we went up.

I had to help her along some areas on a few occasions, but I didn't mind a bit. We only took a break or two for some water as she found a few spots where she wanted to take some pictures.

It was a total blast. She really got into some of the poses, even getting me to do a few before taking one together.

"Okay, now a silly one," she instructs as she holds out the phone.

We both choose to stick our tongues out while giving the other bunny ears causing us to laugh at ourselves.

"Okay, come on princess, we're almost there," I take her hand, but I don't need to see her face to know what reaction I just got out of her.

It is an enormous amount of fun to call her that. Ever since that first time I could visibly see her shudder at the name.. I knew it was a keeper.

"Okay, why is it getting so loud?" She ask as we only climb further up.

"You haven't figured out what we're doing yet?"

She gives me a quizzical look. I just wait knowing it'll click any moment now.. aaand there it is.

"Are we seeing a waterfall?" The excitement. So. Adorable. It's contagious.

"My lips are sealed, I will not ruin the surprise," I tease.

But it's only a moment later that we get to the top and walk over to the edge to reveal the large waterfall.

"Wow."

"I know."

We take a few moments to just appreciate the magnificence of it, the power the water holds. The roar it emits is actually quite soothing. Nature at its finest.

It's easy to get caught up in the day to day

"This is incredible. I can see why you love it here," she breathes out.

"Yeah, it's been one of my favorite places since I first got to New York," I confess. I hold my tongue after that, though, knowing what it would mean to unravel anything further. Instead, I take it on a different route, " It's easy to get caught up in the day to day, get distracted by technology and forget what's around you. This really centers you in nature. Ya know, if the trees and bugs and rocks weren't enough to tell you."

Gosh dammit. That laugh gives me heart palpitations.

"Well, I am very glad we made it to the top. Definitely worth it."

I act all offended, "what, it wouldn't have been enough to have been here with me?"

She walks away from the edge with a smirk, "I haven't decided that, yet."

Ooh. Okay. "Well, let me help you make up your mind."

I know. You're probably expecting me to start nibbling on her ear or something, right? I think she might be too by the way she's holding her breath.

But I actually reach around to my bag and pull out the blanket to lay it out. Then I start unloading the food.

Once Wanda realizes I'm not about to start tearing her clothes off, she helps me get the food sorted.

Don't get me wrong, I want to. Oh, do I want to.

But this is our chance for a real date. And I want to be able to focus on her beyond the sexual stuff.

It's easy enough to do as we fall into a very comfortable flow of conversation while devouring all of the food I brought.

"I'm really glad you brought me here. I like getting to see you beyond the firefighter uniform."

I give her a mischievous look to witch she gently swats my arm.

"You know what I meant," she says laughing.

I laugh with her, "thank you for letting me bring you here. You didn't seem too excited for a hike at first, but you still went on the adventure with me. I like that about you. I like a lot of things about you. And I'd really like to keep sharing more and learning more about you, anything you want to tell me." On impulse I reach over and tuck some hair behind her ear, letting my hand linger on her cheek.

She finally opens those beautiful eyes back up and looks at me, truly, "You keep making me like you more and more, and I don't think it's going to stop. So I'd really like that. Sharing more with you, learning more about you."

"It's a deal, then."

It's so nice to be able to talk to someone like this; whatever nerves and pressure I felt before have vanished over the edge of the water fall.

This feels real. Like I'm talking to my best friend that I've known for years.

I could easily get use to this and that scares me.

But like I said, I kind of like the thrill of danger.

We take a few more pictures by the water before packing up to head back to the bike as the sun was about to set.

Which I had a perfect place to watch that, too.

Before I knew it we were back on the bike and I was taking her home to the compound.

I've had an incredible time and am so very disappointed that it went by so quickly.

I never want my time with her to end.

Holy shit, Alex. Reign it in. This is your first date.

But we have known each other for awhile. And we've slept together already so..

I want to do this right. I walk her to the door and kiss her properly before saying goodnight.

I hop back onto my bike, taking off to my own place with a new idea on what I want my future to look like.