Chapter Text
When Mason started planning his first date with Jamie, he intended to pack a picnic basket similar to the lunch he prepared for them in McCall. He had the sandwiches, sodas, and chips ready to go until Londa saw them, scoffed, and dragged him to her car.
“You are not taking your first boyfriend on a first date with a basket full of junk food. Picnics like that are for moms who need to get their kids to tire out for a quiet night at home, not for two teenagers looking to start a serious relationship. You, mister, are taking Jamie on a romantic date that shows him you put effort into having a nice time with him and show him what he means to you. He deserves better than peppers too spicy for him to eat and bags of chips you can get at a gas station.”
She lectured him all the way to the store, then made him hold the basket while going over the dos and don’ts for first dates and dating in general.
It was a little embarrassing, but he was grateful for her support, especially after their father’s rejection of him. Still… “It was good a few weeks ago. He seemed impressed.”
“Because you were just friends back then. He might’ve been impressed, but that was at the effort you put into a platonic date, and now he’s going to wonder what you’re going to do for a romantic one. You set the bar for yourself, and now you need to raise it. This is your first date we’re talking about. He’s going to remember it for a long time. Do you want him to remember it as being the same as when you were just friends, or do you want him to remember you going the extra mile to make him feel special?”
Well, the answer to that question was obvious. “He is special.”
“Good.” She pat his cheek. “Now, what’s his favourite kind of jam?”
🐞
Mason’s thankful for her needling now.
He likes the pretty flush staining Jamie’s cheeks, colouring him light pink as he takes in the picnic blanket Mason has spread out on the grass of Ann Morison Park near the water and somewhat far from the paths. He likes the bashful smile gracing his lips and the sparkle in his eyes when Mason stands and offers his hand to help him down.
He knows Jamie would have enjoyed the date even if Londa hadn’t stepped in- he was giggly, and Mason could hear his grin through the phone when he told him to meet him in the park with his appetite- but his sister was right by the pleased look in Jamie's eyes. If Mason hadn't stepped up his game, he might not have met Jamie's expectations, and the last thing he wants is Jamie feeling even slightly disappointed in their first date.
“This looks amazing,” Jamie says as he looks at the assortment of fruits, crackers and cheeses, little croissant sandwiches, and mini muffins and tea biscuits artistically arranged on plates and platters. There’s even a tray of cutlery and cups and a couple of ice packs tucked in next to their drinks to keep them cool while he was waiting for Jamie.
Regretfully, Mason hadn't known what kind of jam Jamie prefers, so Londa picked up an assortment of flavours to give Jamie the choice, and he makes a mental note when Jamie picks up the small jar of strawberry jam.
“This is…” Trailing off, Jamie lets out a breathless laugh and shakes his head, and for the first time, Mason wonders if he did too much. Londa said that the first date is one of the two dates where you have to go the extra mile- the first date and the date when you propose- but he doesn’t want to overwhelm Jamie. He only has half a second to worry before Jamie meets his eyes, smiles, and says, “Wonderful. Thank you.”
Leaning across the blanket, Mason kisses him softly. “You deserve it.”
Jamie holds eye contact even as his cheeks go a darker pink. It's adorable, and Mason loves seeing him blush. He loves being the reason Jamie flusters and babbles senselessly through his sentences. It’s thrilling, knowing what kind of effect he has on him.
Looking away, Jamie reaches to the side to pick a cluster of little purple flowers, which he tucks behind Mason's ear.
All Mason wants at that moment is to lay his boyfriend out on the blanket and kiss him senseless, but they’re unfortunately in public and can’t make out like the horny teenagers they are. Instead, he goes over the different dips and spreads he brought and hopes they get to the kissing later in the day.
Jamie likes the havarti and chicken croissant sandwiches and spreads Nutella and strawberry jam on his biscuits, and- to no one’s surprise- has more of the fruit and baked goods than the cheese, meats and crackers. Mason doesn’t mind, far from it, because he prefers more of the savoury than the sweet.
As they eat their way through the picnic spread, they talk about the everythings and nothings that make up most of their conversations on a daily basis, and Jamie laughs hard enough at his own joke he snorts his soda out of his nose, which leads to even more laughter.
When they're finished, Mason packs the dishes away but leaves out the plate of cookies and brownies he and Londa made together. Stretching out his legs, he tilts his head back and closes his eyes. He briefly opens them when Jamie lies down with his head in his lap, but he closes them again and weaves his fingers into Jamie's hair.
The only thing he cares about at this moment is the sound of the birds singing and leaves rustling in the breeze and Jamie's voice as he tells him about Ann Marie's slowly expanding vocabulary. She's up to two words now, apparently: Amy and Mama.
A picnic in the park isn’t the kind of day they normally have, but Mason isn't about to complain. He has his boyfriend warm and pliant in his lap like a sleepy kitten, it’s a beautiful day, and the rest of the world doesn't matter.
Speaking of being sleepy, Jamie looks like he's about to take a nap right then and there. He's boneless and smiling softly to himself as his chest rises and falls in a slow relaxing cycle.
"Jamie?"
"Hmm?"
"Was this a good date?"
Without opening his eyes, Jamie’s smile widens, and he reaches up to hold Mason’s hand. "The best."