Warnings: none

You had known Aethelred for ages.

Your friends had been friends with his friends, he was introduced to them and then they introduced him to you, and you had become friends as well.

You had always found Aethelred rather attractive, but you had never said anything because you didn't want any awkwardness in your group of friends in case he didn't like you or if it didn't work out.

And so you stayed silent, though over the weeks and months passing your friends began to realize that it wasn't just a fleeting crush because he was attractive and you were both single.

The feelings you had only grew over time, you didn't feel confident enough to tell him and you were scared of the 'what if's.

So your friends took the matters into their own hands, and decided to have an honest talk within the group.

They decided that the best way would be a drinking game, and both Aethelred and you unsuspectingly joined in.

When it was Aethelred's turn your friend Hanna glanced at you before looking back at him.

"Aethelred", she said as she took a sip of her smirnoff ice before continuing.

"Why are you single?", she asked, a grin spreading on her face.

You could see how confused Aethelred was by the question but he answered nevertheless.

"Because I'm not in a relationship?", he answered cheekily and you had to hold your breath not to laugh.

"Yeah, you idiot, but why? There's so many awesome girls that you know, so why are you still single?", Hanna pressed and Aethelred glanced at her, irritated by her question.

"I...", he began but he didn't know what to say.

"Well I suppose I do like someone", he answered and your eyes shot towards him from the cocktail you had been staring at during the uncomfortable interrogation.

"Ooooh what's her name?", Hanna asked as she leaned forward, spilling some of her drink onto the carpet, but not noticing it.

"I answered a question, it's someone else's turn", Aethelred answered and Hanna just groaned.

After she had made enough of a tantrum she turned to you, grinning and winking at you in which she believed was a subtle manner, but it certainly wasn't.

You blushed and turned your attention back on your drink before you just had to cast a look at Aethelred, who was studying you gently.

When he saw you were looking at him he sent you a reassuring smile before paying attention to what the others were saying.

After it was again your friend Hanna's turn you saw how awkward Aethelred turned, and you sent him an apologetic and reassuring smile when he looked at you.

"So...", Hanna began as she changed her position into a cross-legged sitting position before grinning at him evilly.

"Who in this room would you absolutely do?", she asked and once she got enough protest by you and your other friends she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, then... who's the most attractive to you in this room. Single people or in a relationship, it doesn't matter", she said and the group approved of her question.

It took a while in which Aethelred took a deep breath before his eyes fixed on you, letting the air he had so noisily collected go again.

"I think Gabi's the most attractive", he answered and you felt yourself blushing as he kept his eyes trained on you.

You sent him a short smile before lowering your eyes to your drink again, and taking a rather big sip of it.

You decided to end the game for yourself, and walked out onto the balcony where it was dark and no one else was there, giving you the space you needed.

After a few minutes you heard the door behind you opening and closing and you heard footsteps behind you, before Aethelred stood next to you.

You were both silent, sipping on your drink every once in a while.

"You know, I meant what I said earlier", he said softly and you turned to look at him, seeing the profile of his face clearly against the dark background of the night sky.

"Thank you", you said softly and you saw him nodding before you continued.

"Thank you, it's mutual", you added and Aethelred glanced down at you.

It was too dark to make out what he was feeling but you could see him watching you.

"I like you", he said out of the blue, but before you could say something he continued.

"But I didn't want to ruin anything we have, not between us or in the group so... I didn't say anything", he added and you nodded hastily.

"I thought so too", you answered and you saw the hint of a smile on his face.

You were too shy to say anything but agree with him at the moment, and you just hoped he had the courage to continue.

"Do you... maybe want to go out sometime?", he asked as he fully turned to face you, and a smile spread on your face.

"As a date, I mean. With me", he added, making you chuckle as you nodded quickly.

"Yes, I'd love that", you answered and he smiled widely.

You continued to talk a bit before calling it a night, and you set a small kiss on his cheek as a goodbye before leaving towards your room.

When Aethelred returned into the living room you could hear your other friends cheer drunkenly, and you had to suppress a giggle.

Aethelred had asked you out on a date.

When the day of your date finally arrived you were incredibly nervous.

Aethelred had asked whether you had anything in mind and you had suggested going out to dinner, but never said anything specific.

You were surprised to see Aethelred in front of you after he had knocked on the front door, in a black jeans and white dress shirt that looked freshly cleaned.

You had put on a summer dress, because it was hot, and you were wearing high heels.

Aethelred looked you up and down, gently biting his lip before releasing it, a smile on his face.

"You look beautiful", he said softly and you blushed heavily.

When you reached his car he opened the passenger door for you and you sat sown before he closed it again.

You drove for a few minutes before you came to a parking lot in which you left the car.

"You don't intend to murder me, do you?", you asked jokingly as you saw the entrance to a park, no single person in sight even though it was shortly before sundown.

"Well I didn't plan on it", he chuckled as he moved towards you, stopping near you though because he respected your personal space.

"We'll have to walk a bit, it's not long", he said softly and you nodded, following him.

He took you through a park, the light green of the leaves around you creating a peaceful atmosphere and you walked next to each other making light conversation.

When your feet started to hurt in your shoes you turned a corner, and you were faced with a beautiful scenery.

Under a tree that was holding a chandelier was a small table, filled with candles, trinklets and dishes.

Next to it was a box with what you were sure was food in it, because it smelled heavenly.

The table faced a beautiful view over the park, and you couldn't stop staring.

"I thought it would be lovely to eat here", you heard Aethelred's voice and when you looked at him you saw him nervously watching you.

"I mean you didn't specify where you wanted to eat out and so I though here would be perfect, because it's my favorite place", he said, smiling softly and you nodded.

"It's beautiful", you answered and the nervous smile he originally had turned into one of happiness.

"Yes, well, usually there's no table, candles and chandelier, but I thought it'd be nice", he added almost questioningly and you nodded in agreement.

"It's perfect", you answered softly and Aethelred pulled out your chair for you.

When he opened the box a smell wafted towards you and you nearly moaned.

He carefully lifted a plate out and placed it in front of you, a ridiculously perfect looking piece of lasagna on it.

When he returned to sit down himself he had an identic plate for himself.

"You remembered that it's my favorite!", you exclaimed and he chuckled softly.

"Yes, and I... cooked it myself. I really hope it's good, and I hope it's still warm enough. I'm sorry if I had to rush you at times", he chuckled and you laughed as well, before Aethelred leaned over to fill hour glass with red wine.

You started talking freely once you started eating, and you watched the sunset while eating and talking, making it the perfect date for you.

Aethelred talked about how he had become friends with the group, how he had always silently watched you from a distance, and he thanked the Smirnoff for relaxing him enough to ask you out.

He was so kind, caring and funny, always asking you if you needed anything, be it another slice of this time less warm lasagna or another sip of wine.

When you finished eating it was dark and the stars started to surface on the night sky, peeking through the top of the trees.

Aethelred watched you look up to the stars, a contempt smile on his face before he spoke to you again.

"Do you want to take a walk?", he asked you softly and you nodded happily.

Without knowing it Aethelred had created a date and atmosphere that was just perfect for you.

"Oh, I asked Hanna for some shoes. Because I didn't know if you'd be comfortable walking in high heels? So I basically stole a pair of your shoes today", he chuckled and you smiled at him as he handed them over to you, and you thanked him thoroughly.

Of course you wanted to look good, but you were more comfortable in the trainers, and so you slipped them on.

Aethelred smiled at you as you moved forward and started walking alongside of each other.

In contrast to before he didn't put his hands in the pockets of his jeans and you took it as an invitation, lacing your fingers with his carefully, and receiving a wide smile from him.

You walked in silence, before he began to ask you questions, and you answered them.

When you rounded a corner you were faced with an incredible view, a clearing of trees that had fairy lights laced in between their branches, making the whole atmosphere romantic and slightly magical.

When you stopped walking Aethelred did too, watching you carefully.

"This wasn't me, it's the way the park was designed", he said softly and you chuckled at his explanation.

When you looked up at him you glanced at his lips before looking into his eyes again, your breath more labored than before.

"You've done more than enough today already", you answered him and leaned in to kiss him.

The hand that wasn't holding yours moved to your hair as he gently kissed you back, the kiss growing more and more intimate with every passing second.

"Can you bring me home now?", you asked as you finally stopped kissing, and Aethelred nodded quickly.

During the entirety of the car ride he didn't let go of your hand once, and once you reached your apartment you invited him in.

When you woke up the morning after, his hands caressing your back you looked up at him, the happiest smile you had ever seen him wear on his face that was embedded in your pillows.