Falling in love in autumn

It's the next weekend, I'm laying on my tatami, my balcony window opened, letting the fresh, cold air in. It's sunny outside, and the trees are full of colours already.

I snuggle up in my blanket, and smile at how beautiful it feels today.

This whole week has been pretty demanding since I caught a little cold too.

When Hoshi saw it, he started apologizing. He thought I caught it from him haha.

I mean, most likely yes, but he was so worried about it, and it was funny and lovely at the same time.

I make myself some morning tea, and sit down to write my schedule for today. I want to stay home and make myself comfortable. Read a book, watch some seasonal movie, study a little, bake cinnamon rolls, take care of my plants, drink coffee and tea the whole day, and when the sun goes down, I'll go to sleep.

Later, when I eat my breakfast, Hoshi texts me.

"Hey Nikko. Are you doing better?"

I smile warmly at his message. He hasn't texted me since Monday, when he was apologizing. This whole week, we didn't really have the chance to have a talk in person too.

It's been so busy for me, and Hoshi also seemed to be in a rush.

"I've been feeling much better, thanks :)"

"I'm glad to hear that :). I was hoping we could meet up today…?"

And I was hoping to spend this day with myself…. but it sounds very enticing to spend such a beautiful day with Hoshi. It's chilly outside, but the sun is shining warmly. The dry autumn atmosphere is here.

"What would you want to do? Because I was planning to stay cozy at home this whole day. I even need to study and make some cinnamon rolls soo…"

"I thought we could go for a walk to just chat a little. Maybe I could help you with the work later? I just wanted to see you haha."

So I agree.

20 minutes later I'm meeting up with Hoshi in a park, although I didn't plan it. Hoshi greets me with a light smile, his expression tender and calm. Both of us are wearing beige coats, but I can't stop admiring his.

We're in a park that we've been going through almost every time. I think it is happening to be our meet up place here in Tokyo, as not many people are here usually. This park is huge, but pretty old.

I and Hoshi sit on a wooden bench, and observe for a bit.

I can hear and see little children scream, laugh, chasing each other with a sly smile on their faces. They are clearly enjoying running around like this. Their mothers are observing them, smiling at their happiness, being happy that they're happy. The children keep laughing, now throwing dry leaves at each other, making it rustle. They fall on each other, one trying to take off a red hat off the other. Their smile widens when they jump into the autumn leaves once again.

In a while an elderly couple walks by, walking a dog. They seem to be enjoying their walk as they walk slowly. They chat and smile at each other, looking so in love. Their 2 teenage children walk behind them, teasing them about showing signs of love in public. The couple - their parents, just laugh at them. It's cute how children are so embarrassed by their parents for a thing, that is nothing more than a kiss.

Meanwhile the two of us chat and take all the beauty in.

"Look, a squirrel." I say and point towards the place she's at.

When Hoshi sees her he smiles.

"Quietly Nikko. So we don't scare her." He whispers

The little dark tail jumps fastly from branch to branch, climbing down the tree, and then running to climb up on another one. Stopping just for a while, to look at us, and disappears shortly after.

We laugh at it. What an adorable little creature. I look at Hoshi, and ask him a question. "Life is lovely, isn't it?"

He smiles once again before answering. "It indeed is, when you have the gift of registering things around you." Hoshi's got a point. I need to tell him my thoughts.

"Gift of valuing, registering and observing the World. Not many people have it, but you do, and that's why I love spending time with you Hoshi."

"Yeah, maybe that's why I love to spend time with you too." He giggles.

I feel like our relationship is getting deeper than just me crazily falling in love with an attractive, comfortable guy. I think I'm starting to value him as a person, no matter if he loves me or not. My heart doesn't beat like crazy around him, my lips don't crave to kiss him, my thoughts don't imagine being his boyfriend. I feel calm, and cozy around him, not nervous, unsure and desireful. I feel just myself. I trust him, and just want to be close to him, make him smile.