Work Text:
Valentine's Day had always been one of Abel's favorite holidays; after all, what could be better than an entire day themed after love? Sure, he had never had a partner of his own before, but witnessing the joy around him filled him with contentment.
Year after year, the shepherd watched as lovers shared copious amounts of tooth-rottingly sweet cake with one another, traded intricately-made heart-shaped crafts, and exchanged soft pink blushes across their cheeks. Abel participated in his own little way by handing out cards to everyone, from his acquaintances to his best friends – each one custom, loving, and thoughtful, though never romantic.
As the holiday approached this year, Abel looked forward to seeing Heaven overflow with love again. But this time, he wasn't just watching. He finally had a reason to make his own gift for someone, and, even if the idea of giving it to her made his stomach flutter, he wasn't going to miss his chance for the world.
He'd put together a gift basket of all of Emily's favorite things: butterscotch taffy, a bouquet of purple roses, some frosted pastries with extra sprinkles, a plush koala, and a myriad of other trinkets and treasures that reminded him of her. At the very top sat a handmade foldout card, featuring a crudely-but-lovingly drawn picture of the two of them together, holding hands.
Abel had been spending a lot of time with the seraphim lately, even more than usual. Whenever he spoke to her, a strange warmth swelled in his chest, stealing his words and stopping him in his tracks. Was it what people called love? Maybe -- he wasn't experienced enough in romance to know, but he was certain that this was something new, something special.
Not only did he desperately want to share his adoration for her, he felt she deserved to know. And today was his chance.
She was already standing outside of the movie theater where he'd promised her they'd meet today. They saw each other often, but they never seemed to get bored of one another. Still, the sight of her waiting there sent a fresh wave of nerves through him.
She hadn’t noticed him yet. He took a breath and broke the ice.
"Oh, hey, Emily!" Abel chirped with a shy smile. He moved to instinctively offer her a friendly wave to accompany his grin before remembering his hands were occupied, both of them gripping the basket's woven wooden handle. He glanced down at it and noticed his hands were trembling.
"Abel!" Emily called back, fluttering her wings and zipping toward him with the excitement of a kid in a candy store. She instantly noticed the basket in his hands and hovered beside the shepherd, her curious gaze bouncing from seemingly endless packages of sweets to the adorable fluffy koala face.
"Oh my gosh, who's the lucky girl? Or guy? You didn't tell me you were doing all this! I could've helped you! Or-- wait, did someone give it to you?! It's perfect!"
"It's... uh, well, I made it," he admitted timidly as he extended his arms to present it to her.
The scene he had rehearsed in his head a hundred times turned to static the moment he saw her face. His thoughts were scattered, and words became a puzzle he couldn't quite put together.
"It's actually... well, it's for you! I know this is really out of nowhere, but I really... I mean, I'm not sure what to call it, exactly, but I like you, and I'd really love it if you'd be my Val-"
Emily gasped, and her eyes widened with sheer excitement as she listened to his confession. She couldn't even let him finish.
Unable to help herself, she grabbed the gift from him like it was the best present she had ever received. She looked at it more closely with an excited squeak.
"Abel! Oh my goodness! Yes, of course! You're so sweet I can't stand it!"
"Really?" He asked breathlessly.
"Yes! Every time I see you my chest flutters like it's full of butterflies and... I'm pretty sure there aren't any actual butterflies in there. I mean, I haven't checked, but I really don't think so. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't really know what liking someone feels like? But... I think I do like you! A lot!"
Abel's nervousness immediately faded into a mix of relief and excitement.
"Y'know, I've never felt this way before either, Emily," Abel said. "But I mean, we can figure it out together, right?"
"Yes," she said again, softer this time. "Yes, Abel. When it comes to romantic stuff, I don't really know what I'm doing, but... I do know I want to do it with you."
As the duo made their way into the theater, Abel watched Emily's eyes continued to feast on the treasures Abel had put together for her. It really was one of the sweetest things she'd ever received - both literally and figuratively. Her expression made that obvious to the blond, and he couldn't help but smile warmly.
"I can't believe this will be our first date," Emily said in a soft sing-song voice, settling into her seat next to him. "I mean... is that what this is?"
Huh, Abel thought as the blush dusting his cheeks deepened, this really was their first date. His first date, ever. Her first date, ever... Together.
For the first time, Valentine's Day wasn't something the sweet shepherd was watching from afar.
He was really living it.
And he wouldn't have wanted it to be with anyone else.