The weekend came faster than Jet expected. He had spent the week watching more films featuring Yau Han, his intrigue about the man only deepening. On Saturday, he woke up early, his usual morning routine carrying a faint buzz of anticipation.
When the clock struck close to 11 a.m., a text from Han popped up on his phone: "I'm here."
Jet grabbed his jacket and fed his pets before heading down. "Have fun, little ones," he called to them as he closed the door behind him.
At the pick-up area, Han's sleek car stood out. Jet stepped into the passenger seat, greeted by Han with a polite nod. They didn't say much at first—it was only their second meeting, after all—but the silence between them wasn't awkward. It was easy, comfortable, like the two of them had done this countless times before.
Jet occasionally glanced at his phone while Han focused on the road. When they stopped at a red light, Jet finally broke the silence.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked, his tone light with curiosity.
Han turned his head slightly, his gaze lingering just a moment too long. "You'll see soon enough," he replied. "I hope it won't disappoint you."
Jet smiled at the response, a faint quirk of his lips that made Han hesitate as the light turned green again. Han tore his gaze away, silently wishing he had more time to memorize that smile—something about it tugged at his chest, like a memory he couldn't quite place.
Fifteen minutes later, Han parked near a cozy café. Sliding on his mask, he turned to Jet, who was already eyeing him with mild concern.
"You sure about this?" Jet asked, his voice dropping slightly. "Planning to stay here all day?"
Han tilted his head, confused. "Do you not like it?"
"I do," Jet admitted, leaning back. "But being recognized…that's more your problem than mine. Why don't we grab some food and find someplace quieter?"
Han considered it, then nodded. "Do you have someplace in mind?"
Jet's lips curled into a grin. "I might."
—
"Are you sure about this place?" Han asked as he stepped out of the car, glancing around.
"Why not?" Jet replied with a grin, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Just feel the summer breeze, soak in the quiet. It's not every day you get to enjoy a spot like this.
"Plus, no people! no need for masks. Just peace." He paused, throwing Han a sly glance. "And it's the perfect place for me to get back at you for making me blush the other day."
Han scoffed, rolling his eyes as he followed. "Get back at me? You? Please. I never get embarrassed."
Jet's grin widened. "Challenge accepted."
Han smirked, shaking his head slightly, but there was a warmth in his chest he couldn't deny. Something about this felt right, as if this moment had been waiting for them all along.
He followed behind Jet as he led the way down a narrow shortcut toward the pavilion. When they reached it, Jet gestured toward a shaded spot by the waterfall, and they sat down. Han unpacked their lunch, handing Jet his portion.
For a while, they ate in companionable silence, the distant hum of cicadas and the soft rustling of leaves filling the space between them.
"To be honest," Han finally said, breaking the quiet, "this place feels like… a distant memory."
Jet paused mid-bite, lowering his spoon as his gaze drifted to him. "Maybe it's a childhood memory—one you can almost remember but can't quite piece together."
Han glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You feel that too?"
Jet shrugged, a smile on his face after he did that. Han shook his head in response, a smile on his face too. The both of them felt like they had stumbled into something familiar yet unspoken.
The gentle rustling of leaves filled the space between them as they watched the pond shimmer under the sun.
Jet glanced at him, his expression curious. "You ever get that feeling where a place just …resonates with you? Like you've been here before, even if you know you haven't?"
Han nodded, his gaze fixed on the pond. "Yeah, like that."
They sat in silence for a moment longer, the air filled with the warmth of the sun and the quiet hum of nature.
Jet leaned back on his hands, looking up at the sky. "Maybe it's one of those places that etched a memory. It stays with you forever."
Han turned to look at him, his expression unreadable but his eyes soft. "You think places have memories too?"
Jet grinned, shrugging. "Why not? If people can feel connected to them, maybe it works both ways."
Han's lips quirked into a small smile. "You have an interesting way of seeing the world, Jet."
Jet laughed, the sound light and easy. "You should try it sometime. Makes life more fun."
Han didn't reply, but his smile lingered, and for a brief moment, the world felt a little smaller, a little more familiar—like they had been right here, together, long before.
"Why don't we walk down to the waterfall after eating?" Jet suggested, leaning back with a casual smile. "I rarely get the chance to see it."
Han raised a brow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Really? Or are you just planning to pull one of your tricks there to make it more… memorable?"
Jet caught on immediately, smirking as he pointed his spoon at Han. "Oh, no, but thanks for the idea. That might actually make it really memorable."
They both chuckled, the sound light and easy. "Better prepare yourself, big guy," Jet teased.
"Like I need to," Han shot back, his grin widening. "You won't get a thing out of me."
After they finished eating and rested for a while, Han dusted himself off, standing just as Jet rose to his feet. Without a word, Jet crossed the small table between them, stopping directly in front of Han.
Han looked up, his brow furrowed in confusion at the sudden movement. Jet held out a hand, the other scratching the back of his neck in a rare display of nervousness.
"I'll probably never do this again," Jet admitted, his voice lighter than usual. "But, hey, might as well make it memorable."
Han blinked, momentarily stunned, before a slight smile tugged at his lips. Without hesitation, he reached out, letting Jet pull him to his feet.
Jet's grin widened, and before Han could say a word, Jet suddenly tugged him down the hill, his grip firm and unrelenting.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Han shouted, stumbling as he tried to keep up.
Jet laughed, glancing back at him. "It was your idea! You said to make it memorable!"
Han groaned, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him, curling into an amused smile as Jet dragged him toward the waterfall.