Holy High - IC III - Open!

[Charlia]

"You're easily cheered up," she replied, and smiled back, enjoying the lingering feeling of the kiss. Who would have thought I'd ever be in a relationship like this?

"Well, I can't say I'm disappointed. It's nice, knowing that I can make you happy just by smiling."

He chuckled. "Well, it's because it's your smile." He said, hugging her tightly. "You're all I need, and seeing you happy is enough to make me happy myself. You're my everything, after all..."

"...I understand how that feels," she whispered. "I think, even if the rest of the universe hated me, as long as you were still here with me, it'd be okay. You're all I really need to get through life... I don't even know how I survived for so long without you. I don't ever want to let you go. Not ever in all of eternity..."

[Great Qin]

Hyperion simply nodded along with her, still struck by its beauty, even after witnessing this event so many times himself. The cloud of nuclear energy crackled, somehow making noise, even in the depths of space. How, was even beyond Hyperion. Deep in this cloud, this rainbow cloud of light and power, a small tiny glowing one was born, bursting thought the dark black and blue field, piercing the empty blackness of space with pure light.

"Isn't it neat? Kinda weird, to think I was sorta born this way."

Icarus meanwhile, stood down, still mildly curious, but after proving this creatures life code, determined that it meant no harm.

The glowing binary black and gold worms squirming along his arms paused, sliding back onto his shoulders hesitantly.

"Hello daemon. I am Icarus. You were a former student, it would seem?"

Tect, not seeing any of this, had taken notice of a new student arriving, and looking genuinely confused and lost. Walking up to him, despite the protests of the thunderbird in his head, he waved, and gave a quick hello. "Hey, new kid? Names Tect. You need an intro to the place?"

The kid turned sharply, having been caught off guard. Oh, shit...now I hope the greetings nowadays are the same...
With that thought, he made a gesture in greeting not dissimilar to the imitation of a basketball hoop; he clasped his hands together about a foot or so in front of him, elbows at an almost 90 degree angle. Into this hoop he made with his arms he bowed his head until it was level with his hands, and then brought his head back up, smiling a little, disentangling his hands quite smoothly until they were back at his sides.

"Good afternoon!" said he, with a slightly clipped accent. "My name is Ao Guang." He relaxed out of the more formal posture he had held before. "If you wouldn't mind showing me around a little, I would very much appreciate it." He glanced over at the group of people where Tect had appeared from. "Perhaps some introductions as well?"

[Castle Crashers]

He chuckled. "Well, it's because it's your smile." He said, hugging her tightly. "You're all I need, and seeing you happy is enough to make me happy myself. You're my everything, after all..."

"...I understand how that feels," she whispered. "I think, even if the rest of the universe hated me, as long as you were still here with me, it'd be okay. You're all I really need to get through life... I don't even know how I survived for so long without you. I don't ever want to let you go. Not ever in all of eternity..."

"You don't have to, because I'll never leave your side..." He responded, kissing her cheek before smiling brightly again. "Now, how about we head back to the school? I can buy you some ice cream if you want." He suggested, standing and pulling her up with himself before he took her hand. "How does that sound?"

[Charlia]

"...I understand how that feels," she whispered. "I think, even if the rest of the universe hated me, as long as you were still here with me, it'd be okay. You're all I really need to get through life... I don't even know how I survived for so long without you. I don't ever want to let you go. Not ever in all of eternity..."

"You don't have to, because I'll never leave your side..." He responded, kissing her cheek before smiling brightly again. "Now, how about we head back to the school? I can buy you some ice cream if you want." He suggested, standing and pulling her up with himself before he took her hand. "How does that sound?"

"Sounds like a date," she said with a grin. "And it strikes me, I don't believe we have ever really been on a date, not an official one anyway."

She squeezed his hand. "So we should definitely do that!"

[Castle Crashers]

"You don't have to, because I'll never leave your side..." He responded, kissing her cheek before smiling brightly again. "Now, how about we head back to the school? I can buy you some ice cream if you want." He suggested, standing and pulling her up with himself before he took her hand. "How does that sound?"

"Sounds like a date," she said with a grin. "And it strikes me, I don't believe we have ever really been on a date, not an official one anyway."

She squeezed his hand. "So we should definitely do that!"

He smiled broadly, though he was a little embarrassed knowing the fact that he'd never really taken her on a date, especially when he'd already proposed to her. "Okay!" He agreed before he transported them both to a small ice cream shop. It was retro-style, and most of the seating was outside, though there were a few tables inside. He opened the glass door and held it open for Charlotte. "Ladies first." He said with a grin.

[Charlia]

"Sounds like a date," she said with a grin. "And it strikes me, I don't believe we have ever really been on a date, not an official one anyway."

She squeezed his hand. "So we should definitely do that!"

He smiled broadly, though he was a little embarrassed knowing the fact that he'd never really taken her on a date, especially when he'd already proposed to her. "Okay!" He agreed before he transported them both to a small ice cream shop. It was retro-style, and most of the seating was outside, though there were a few tables inside. He opened the glass door and held it open for Charlotte. "Ladies first." He said with a grin.

"...This place is so cute," she said excitedly, and thanked him before entering. It was even cuter on the inside.

"Are there a lot of places like this?" she asked eagerly. "How did I not know about this?!"

[Castle Crashers]

He smiled broadly, though he was a little embarrassed knowing the fact that he'd never really taken her on a date, especially when he'd already proposed to her. "Okay!" He agreed before he transported them both to a small ice cream shop. It was retro-style, and most of the seating was outside, though there were a few tables inside. He opened the glass door and held it open for Charlotte. "Ladies first." He said with a grin.

"...This place is so cute," she said excitedly, and thanked him before entering. It was even cuter on the inside.

"Are there a lot of places like this?" she asked eagerly. "How did I not know about this?!"

"Many places are like this in areas like these, far away from big cities and stuff. Most small towns have cute, quaint little places like this. It's nice and cozy, don't you think?" He replied, closing the door behind himself as he followed after her. "They're usually hidden in the woods or far out, so I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know...I just discovered this place a little while ago myself." He smiled. "Now, what flavor ice cream do you want?"

[Charlia]

"...This place is so cute," she said excitedly, and thanked him before entering. It was even cuter on the inside.

"Are there a lot of places like this?" she asked eagerly. "How did I not know about this?!"

"Many places are like this in areas like these, far away from big cities and stuff. Most small towns have cute, quaint little places like this. It's nice and cozy, don't you think?" He replied, closing the door behind himself as he followed after her. "They're usually hidden in the woods or far out, so I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know...I just discovered this place a little while ago myself." He smiled. "Now, what flavor ice cream do you want?"

"..." She looked at the different kinds, and her eyes widened. There are so many of them, how am I supposed to choose?

"I... um, I'll have whatever kind you're getting," she stammered. I can't possibly choose between all of these, but Cade should know what's good, right?

[Ranoria]

Ryujin growled, waking up, not sure exactly how long he'd slept, but he was feeling refreshed now. The growl would've shaken Lux enough to wake him, and he turned towards the smaller angel before standing up and stretching out his wings to stretch, the sunlight warming his blood through the thin skin on the appendages, and then growled, knowing exactly where he needed to go, feeling a little guilty for not heading down earlier.

I leave them far too often...

By the time Ryujin got to Ryugu-Jo, he was completely awake, and lumbered through his domain quickly before resting his head in the window where he normally stayed, and was fairly certain that Ama was, he could smell her, before changing to his human form and climbing in.

"Ama...I'm back..."

[Luminesa]

Ryujin growled, waking up, not sure exactly how long he'd slept, but he was feeling refreshed now. The growl would've shaken Lux enough to wake him, and he turned towards the smaller angel before standing up and stretching out his wings to stretch, the sunlight warming his blood through the thin skin on the appendages, and then growled, knowing exactly where he needed to go, feeling a little guilty for not heading down earlier.

I leave them far too often...

By the time Ryujin got to Ryugu-Jo, he was completely awake, and lumbered through his domain quickly before resting his head in the window where he normally stayed, and was fairly certain that Ama was, he could smell her, before changing to his human form and climbing in.

"Ama...I'm back..."

Lux shifted slightly, as Ryujin left him behind, and then he opened his eyes slightly. Even the soft evening sun's glow was too bright for him, however, and he moved his wings closer to his face. Yet as he moved, he saw Chiba sleeping in his arms, and he smiled at the little puppy. "Chiba...Chiiiibaaaa...do you remember me?" he whispered, smiling.

Meanwhile, A'yaral, who had been standing near Haruka and Xavier, saw the sun setting behind them. They stared at it in wonder, having never seen a sunset before. The warm sun dried their soft, lilac-tinted hair, and and they felt tears continuing to fall down their face. They were in awe and in shock at where they were. This tiny planet that his father had mentioned, where "humans" lived...it was wonderful.

[Charlia]

Ryujin growled, waking up, not sure exactly how long he'd slept, but he was feeling refreshed now. The growl would've shaken Lux enough to wake him, and he turned towards the smaller angel before standing up and stretching out his wings to stretch, the sunlight warming his blood through the thin skin on the appendages, and then growled, knowing exactly where he needed to go, feeling a little guilty for not heading down earlier.

I leave them far too often...

By the time Ryujin got to Ryugu-Jo, he was completely awake, and lumbered through his domain quickly before resting his head in the window where he normally stayed, and was fairly certain that Ama was, he could smell her, before changing to his human form and climbing in.

"Ama...I'm back..."

"Daddy!" Niji cheered, and Amaterasu looked up and smiled. "Ryujin, you're back! And you survived, that's good... however..." She stared at him, her smile disappearing. "While you were gone, I did some thinking. And I made a very important decision."

[Ranoria]

Ryujin growled, waking up, not sure exactly how long he'd slept, but he was feeling refreshed now. The growl would've shaken Lux enough to wake him, and he turned towards the smaller angel before standing up and stretching out his wings to stretch, the sunlight warming his blood through the thin skin on the appendages, and then growled, knowing exactly where he needed to go, feeling a little guilty for not heading down earlier.

I leave them far too often...

By the time Ryujin got to Ryugu-Jo, he was completely awake, and lumbered through his domain quickly before resting his head in the window where he normally stayed, and was fairly certain that Ama was, he could smell her, before changing to his human form and climbing in.

"Ama...I'm back..."

Lux shifted slightly, as Ryujin left him behind, and then he opened his eyes slightly. Even the soft evening sun's glow was too bright for him, however, and he moved his wings closer to his face. Yet as he moved, he saw Chiba sleeping in his arms, and he smiled at the little puppy. "Chiba...Chiiiibaaaa...do you remember me?" he whispered, smiling.

Meanwhile, A'yaral, who had been standing near Haruka and Xavier, saw the sun setting behind them. They stared at it in wonder, having never seen a sunset before. The warm sun dried their soft, lilac-tinted hair, and and they felt tears continuing to fall down their face. They were in awe and in shock at where they were. This tiny planet that his father had mentioned, where "humans" lived...it was wonderful.

Chiba openned one eye, and then, hearing his name, jumped up, barking and yipping happily, tail wagging fast enough that his entire body shook with it, and jumped up to give Lux kisses.

Ryujin growled, waking up, not sure exactly how long he'd slept, but he was feeling refreshed now. The growl would've shaken Lux enough to wake him, and he turned towards the smaller angel before standing up and stretching out his wings to stretch, the sunlight warming his blood through the thin skin on the appendages, and then growled, knowing exactly where he needed to go, feeling a little guilty for not heading down earlier.

I leave them far too often...

By the time Ryujin got to Ryugu-Jo, he was completely awake, and lumbered through his domain quickly before resting his head in the window where he normally stayed, and was fairly certain that Ama was, he could smell her, before changing to his human form and climbing in.

"Ama...I'm back..."

"Daddy!" Niji cheered, and Amaterasu looked up and smiled. "Ryujin, you're back! And you survived, that's good... however..." She stared at him, her smile disappearing. "While you were gone, I did some thinking. And I made a very important decision."

His own smile disappeared as well, replaced by a worried frown, "And what decision would that be?" His brow furrowed, he'd had something weighing on he'd wanted to talk about as well, and he desperately hoped that the two topics weren't related.

[Luminesa]

Lux shifted slightly, as Ryujin left him behind, and then he opened his eyes slightly. Even the soft evening sun's glow was too bright for him, however, and he moved his wings closer to his face. Yet as he moved, he saw Chiba sleeping in his arms, and he smiled at the little puppy. "Chiba...Chiiiibaaaa...do you remember me?" he whispered, smiling.

Meanwhile, A'yaral, who had been standing near Haruka and Xavier, saw the sun setting behind them. They stared at it in wonder, having never seen a sunset before. The warm sun dried their soft, lilac-tinted hair, and and they felt tears continuing to fall down their face. They were in awe and in shock at where they were. This tiny planet that his father had mentioned, where "humans" lived...it was wonderful.

Chiba openned one eye, and then, hearing his name, jumped up, barking and yipping happily, tail wagging fast enough that his entire body shook with it, and jumped up to give Lux kisses.

"Daddy!" Niji cheered, and Amaterasu looked up and smiled. "Ryujin, you're back! And you survived, that's good... however..." She stared at him, her smile disappearing. "While you were gone, I did some thinking. And I made a very important decision."

His own smile disappeared as well, replaced by a worried frown, "And what decision would that be?" His brow furrowed, he'd had something weighing on he'd wanted to talk about as well, and he desperately hoped that the two topics weren't related.

Lux laughed, as Chiba's tiny body shook with excitement, and the little puppy began to lick his face off. "Hahahaha...yes, little one, we are finally home..." Lux then gathered little Chiba in his arms and sat against the wall of the school. The stars reflected in his exhausted eyes, as well as some pain that he was not willing to speak about. Something had happened while he had been with Adam, though he had hardly been touched. It caused him to hold Chiba close to him, and to cuddle as close as possible to the excited little Shiba Inu.

[Charlia]

"Daddy!" Niji cheered, and Amaterasu looked up and smiled. "Ryujin, you're back! And you survived, that's good... however..." She stared at him, her smile disappearing. "While you were gone, I did some thinking. And I made a very important decision."

His own smile disappeared as well, replaced by a worried frown, "And what decision would that be?" His brow furrowed, he'd had something weighing on he'd wanted to talk about as well, and he desperately hoped that the two topics weren't related.

"I decided that, if you're going to keep risking your life like this... If you were to die..." She paused for dramatic effect.

"Then so help me, you are going to die as my husband, not my fiance. We are getting married as soon as possible, and I'm not brooking any arguments on this."

[Ranoria]

Chiba openned one eye, and then, hearing his name, jumped up, barking and yipping happily, tail wagging fast enough that his entire body shook with it, and jumped up to give Lux kisses.


His own smile disappeared as well, replaced by a worried frown, "And what decision would that be?" His brow furrowed, he'd had something weighing on he'd wanted to talk about as well, and he desperately hoped that the two topics weren't related.

Lux laughed, as Chiba's tiny body shook with excitement, and the little puppy began to lick his face off. "Hahahaha...yes, little one, we are finally home..." Lux then gathered little Chiba in his arms and sat against the wall of the school. The stars reflected in his exhausted eyes, as well as some pain that he was not willing to speak about. Something had happened while he had been with Adam, though he had hardly been touched. It caused him to hold Chiba close to him, and to cuddle as close as possible to the excited little Shiba Inu.

Chiba yipped, snuggling up to Lux and calming down a bit with the archangel, only kissing him a couple times per second now, but still wagging fiercely.

His own smile disappeared as well, replaced by a worried frown, "And what decision would that be?" His brow furrowed, he'd had something weighing on he'd wanted to talk about as well, and he desperately hoped that the two topics weren't related.

"I decided that, if you're going to keep risking your life like this... If you were to die..." She paused for dramatic effect.

"Then so help me, you are going to die as my husband, not my fiance. We are getting married as soon as possible, and I'm not brooking any arguments on this."

Ryujin tilted his head, smirking just a bit, and leaned down to kiss her, "Why would I argue? I did propose, didn't I?" He seemed happier than when he came, now, and sat next to her, leaning on the sun goddess with a smile, "So where's it going to be then?" He really didn't mind, as long as there was a substantial body of water in the vicinity, he couldn't care less where they got married. Then he thought again, "As long as it's not in a church, I'm on board."

[Charlia]

"I decided that, if you're going to keep risking your life like this... If you were to die..." She paused for dramatic effect.

"Then so help me, you are going to die as my husband, not my fiance. We are getting married as soon as possible, and I'm not brooking any arguments on this."

Ryujin tilted his head, smirking just a bit, and leaned down to kiss her, "Why would I argue? I did propose, didn't I?" He seemed happier than when he came, now, and sat next to her, leaning on the sun goddess with a smile, "So where's it going to be then?" He really didn't mind, as long as there was a substantial body of water in the vicinity, he couldn't care less where they got married. Then he thought again, "As long as it's not in a church, I'm on board."

"Japan, I'm thinking, but any place with sun and water is fine by me," she mused. "And no, I'm not much for churches either. Honestly, I don't understand the point of them. Temples are for worshipping the gods, why would anyone need churches?"

[Ranoria]

Ryujin tilted his head, smirking just a bit, and leaned down to kiss her, "Why would I argue? I did propose, didn't I?" He seemed happier than when he came, now, and sat next to her, leaning on the sun goddess with a smile, "So where's it going to be then?" He really didn't mind, as long as there was a substantial body of water in the vicinity, he couldn't care less where they got married. Then he thought again, "As long as it's not in a church, I'm on board."

"Japan, I'm thinking, but any place with sun and water is fine by me," she mused. "And no, I'm not much for churches either. Honestly, I don't understand the point of them. Temples are for worshipping the gods, why would anyone need churches?"

"I think they're for some kind of small religion or something. Honestly, I don't know. But that sounds fine. The beach is always nice." He smiled, happy at the thought, it had been awhile since their engagement, after all. Then he frowned, "So, how long do I have to go without seeing you before the actual wedding? Because that part doesn't sound like too much fun."

[Charlia]

"Japan, I'm thinking, but any place with sun and water is fine by me," she mused. "And no, I'm not much for churches either. Honestly, I don't understand the point of them. Temples are for worshipping the gods, why would anyone need churches?"

"I think they're for some kind of small religion or something. Honestly, I don't know. But that sounds fine. The beach is always nice." He smiled, happy at the thought, it had been awhile since their engagement, after all. Then he frowned, "So, how long do I have to go without seeing you before the actual wedding? Because that part doesn't sound like too much fun."

"It's all right," she reassured. "I won't do that if you'd be that upset by it. Still not letting you see me in the dress until the wedding actually starts."

She winked, and Niji just asked, "Edding?"

[Ranoria]

"I think they're for some kind of small religion or something. Honestly, I don't know. But that sounds fine. The beach is always nice." He smiled, happy at the thought, it had been awhile since their engagement, after all. Then he frowned, "So, how long do I have to go without seeing you before the actual wedding? Because that part doesn't sound like too much fun."

"It's all right," she reassured. "I won't do that if you'd be that upset by it. Still not letting you see me in the dress until the wedding actually starts."

She winked, and Niji just asked, "Edding?"

He tilted his head a little, knowing that she was implying something by the wink, but not exactly sure what, and decided to let it slide, "Sounds like a plan then." He kissed her cheek, then looked down at Niji, "Wedding, that's right," and then he frowned again, "What're we going to do with this little bumpkin? Flower girl, maybe?"

[Charlia]

"It's all right," she reassured. "I won't do that if you'd be that upset by it. Still not letting you see me in the dress until the wedding actually starts."

She winked, and Niji just asked, "Edding?"

He tilted his head a little, knowing that she was implying something by the wink, but not exactly sure what, and decided to let it slide, "Sounds like a plan then." He kissed her cheek, then looked down at Niji, "Wedding, that's right," and then he frowned again, "What're we going to do with this little bumpkin? Flower girl, maybe?"

"Fower?" Niji queried, and smiled, creating a rainbow.

"Somehow, I don't think we'll need flowers with her around," Ama laughed.

[Ranoria]

He tilted his head a little, knowing that she was implying something by the wink, but not exactly sure what, and decided to let it slide, "Sounds like a plan then." He kissed her cheek, then looked down at Niji, "Wedding, that's right," and then he frowned again, "What're we going to do with this little bumpkin? Flower girl, maybe?"

"Fower?" Niji queried, and smiled, creating a rainbow.

"Somehow, I don't think we'll need flowers with her around," Ama laughed.

Ryujin laughed in return at that, "Well that's true enough," with that, he took his younger daughter into his arms, cradling her gently, "Now, was mommy nice to you while I was gone? Or was she mean? If she was mean I'll have to get her in trouble."

...Not exactly sure how I'd pull that off, but whatever.

He couldn't help but smile down at Niji, so innocent and sweet and pure. Definitely the best accident ever.

[Castle Crashers]

"Many places are like this in areas like these, far away from big cities and stuff. Most small towns have cute, quaint little places like this. It's nice and cozy, don't you think?" He replied, closing the door behind himself as he followed after her. "They're usually hidden in the woods or far out, so I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know...I just discovered this place a little while ago myself." He smiled. "Now, what flavor ice cream do you want?"

"..." She looked at the different kinds, and her eyes widened. There are so many of them, how am I supposed to choose?

"I... um, I'll have whatever kind you're getting," she stammered. I can't possibly choose between all of these, but Cade should know what's good, right?

"Well, okay." He said, before he began deciding between which flavors he wanted. He settled on a french vanilla sundae, one that was large enough to share. It was both cheaper and more romantic than buying two, and he knew his red-haired companion would like the idea when she understood what he was doing. He took the sundae when it was ready and headed to one of the tables by the window. "Do you wanna sit inside or outside?" He asked, wearing a wide grin.

[Luminesa]

Lux laughed, as Chiba's tiny body shook with excitement, and the little puppy began to lick his face off. "Hahahaha...yes, little one, we are finally home..." Lux then gathered little Chiba in his arms and sat against the wall of the school. The stars reflected in his exhausted eyes, as well as some pain that he was not willing to speak about. Something had happened while he had been with Adam, though he had hardly been touched. It caused him to hold Chiba close to him, and to cuddle as close as possible to the excited little Shiba Inu.

Chiba yipped, snuggling up to Lux and calming down a bit with the archangel, only kissing him a couple times per second now, but still wagging fiercely.

"I decided that, if you're going to keep risking your life like this... If you were to die..." She paused for dramatic effect.

"Then so help me, you are going to die as my husband, not my fiance. We are getting married as soon as possible, and I'm not brooking any arguments on this."

Ryujin tilted his head, smirking just a bit, and leaned down to kiss her, "Why would I argue? I did propose, didn't I?" He seemed happier than when he came, now, and sat next to her, leaning on the sun goddess with a smile, "So where's it going to be then?" He really didn't mind, as long as there was a substantial body of water in the vicinity, he couldn't care less where they got married. Then he thought again, "As long as it's not in a church, I'm on board."

"...Good little Chiba...good little puppy...Calm down and sit right here with me, okay?" Lux whispered to the hyperactive ball of fluff. He then closed his eyes and dozed back to sleep.

In the meantime, Xavier saw him, and turned to Hyperion. "Did I forget to mention how good it is to see you? I nearly...I don't know what I was about to do back there..." he breathed, shaking his head at all of the madness he had endured in the last few days. He then asked him, "Hey, though...can you stay here with Haruka and A'yaral, while I bring Lux to his room? He needs some serious rest, and in an actual bed."

[Charlia]

"Fower?" Niji queried, and smiled, creating a rainbow.

"Somehow, I don't think we'll need flowers with her around," Ama laughed.

Ryujin laughed in return at that, "Well that's true enough," with that, he took his younger daughter into his arms, cradling her gently, "Now, was mommy nice to you while I was gone? Or was she mean? If she was mean I'll have to get her in trouble."

...Not exactly sure how I'd pull that off, but whatever.

He couldn't help but smile down at Niji, so innocent and sweet and pure. Definitely the best accident ever.

Niji reached up and patted his face, before playing 'got your nose'.

"Ice," she declared, and then giggled as she showed that she had stolen his 'nose'.

"..." She looked at the different kinds, and her eyes widened. There are so many of them, how am I supposed to choose?

"I... um, I'll have whatever kind you're getting," she stammered. I can't possibly choose between all of these, but Cade should know what's good, right?

"Well, okay." He said, before he began deciding between which flavors he wanted. He settled on a french vanilla sundae, one that was large enough to share. It was both cheaper and more romantic than buying two, and he knew his red-haired companion would like the idea when she understood what he was doing. He took the sundae when it was ready and headed to one of the tables by the window. "Do you wanna sit inside or outside?" He asked, wearing a wide grin.

"Inside's fine with me," she said, thinking curiously about what could be going on.

Then her eyes widened.

I've read enough books to know where this is going, she thought eagerly.

"Cade, are we doing what I think we are?"

[Castle Crashers]

"Well, okay." He said, before he began deciding between which flavors he wanted. He settled on a french vanilla sundae, one that was large enough to share. It was both cheaper and more romantic than buying two, and he knew his red-haired companion would like the idea when she understood what he was doing. He took the sundae when it was ready and headed to one of the tables by the window. "Do you wanna sit inside or outside?" He asked, wearing a wide grin.

"Inside's fine with me," she said, thinking curiously about what could be going on.

Then her eyes widened.

I've read enough books to know where this is going, she thought eagerly.

"Cade, are we doing what I think we are?"

He chuckled, and set the sundae on the table before he pulled out her chair for her. "Well...it depends on what you think we're doing, I suppose. If you were thinking we're sharing a sundae...well, yeah, actually."