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The sun shone bright in the afternoon sky. Lazy clouds drifted slowly across endless blue.
A warm breeze swept across the seaside town. Vibrant scents carried across every street; seasalt, fresh fruit, and hot pastries and deserts.
It was a perfect day for the summer harvest festival.
Every one of the town's cobblestone-lined streets were filled with hustle and bustle. Colorful banners and flags lined roofs and stretched out between buildings.
Everywhere was packed with stalls, selling fresh apples and strawberry tarts, handmade trinkets and flower crowns. The occasional stall offered games with prizes to be won.
Children darted between the crowd with fingers sticky from dessert, laughing and playing.
Basil couldn’t help but smile.
The air rushed through his hair as he rode through the town on his bicycle.
Beside him, Sunny rode his own bike while standing on the pedals. He matched Basil’s pace easily. Or he would’ve, if he wasn’t constantly slowing down to glance toward Basil.
Basil had already caught him at least five or six times by now.
“Sunny!” Basil shouted over the wind between them.
Sunny looked at him again, blinked.
Basil leaned slightly towards him. “Watch where you’re going!”
Sunny’s eyes quickly snapped back toward in front of him. He swerved just in time to avoid running into a woman carrying a wicker basket of apples.
“Sorry!” Sunny called out behind him.
Basil laughed.
Sunny pursed his lips, pouting.
He sped up without warning.
“W-wha—?” Basil’s eyes widened as he was left behind.
Sunny looked back as he took off, sticking his tongue out.
“Why you…” Basil pursed his lips and started pedaling harder.
Sunny zipped around the streets. Careened around corners. Even jumped a small staircase.
But Basil kept up with him the whole time— even while apologizing to everyone Sunny nearly hit.
Soon enough, Sunny slowed down and Basil came up beside him.
“Why… Did you…?” Basil huffed between breaths, leaning over the handle bars as they slowed down.
Sunny let out a breathless laugh, barely finding enough air to speak. “It was… Fun.”
Basil panted, the pedals felt heavier.
Sunny was equally as tired. He pointed out a small overlook coming up. “Do… you…?”
Basil just nodded wide.
They coasted the rest of the way, catching their breath.
Sunny set his feet on the ground to stop. He rang his bike’s bell. “We’re here!”
“Pfft!” Basil giggled. “Was this our planned destination?”
Sunny shrugged.
They dismounted their bikes.
Basil rested his arms on the railing, leaning forward and looking out at the ocean before them.
The water sparkled and glistened under the sunlight.
“It’s beautiful.” He brushed his hair behind his ear. His smile was soft.
A seagull’s cry echoed faintly from somewhere above.
“Yeah.” Sunny stood next to Basil, letting their shoulders brush.
A warmth spread across Basil’s cheeks. “T-thanks for inviting me. Sunny.”
When Basil looked over at Sunny, his eyes were already on him.
Basil’s mouth opened slightly.
Silently, Sunny raised his hand and gently brushed Basil’s cheek. He held his palm there as their eyes remained on each other’s.
Basil’s breath caught.
And then Sunny leaned in, slow, careful.
When their lips met, Basil melted into him, pressing his hand against Sunny’s chest.
It was warmer than the summer sun. And ever so gentle. So soft.
They broke apart just as slowly.
It left his lips tingling.
Basil stared into Sunny’s eyes. A few silent moments passed.
Then Basil lowered his hand from Sunny’s chest, letting it slip down to meet his. They intertwined their fingers naturally.
Basil smiled and tilted his head.
Sunny couldn’t help the goofy grin that overtook his face.
And Basil couldn’t help laughing at it.
Sunny blinked.
“S-sorry!” Basil wiped a tear from his eye. He looked away, his giggles fading into a content sigh.
His gaze landed on their bikes, side by side.
“Should we continue our ride now?” Basil asked. “There are so many stalls to look at!”
Sunny nodded. “Food.”
“Okay, food first.” Basil giggled. “Afterward, I saw a stall that let you make your own flower crowns!”
Basil smirked. “I’m going to make a pretty one full of pink flowers, okay?”
Sunny blushed. “Okay.” He said quietly.
They took their bikes and started peddling again. Side by side.