Yay! New chapter! Summer's almost over, and I've had this sitting half-finished on my laptop for a while, so I figured I'd get back to it. Plus it's all gentleshipping fluff, so I really couldn't help myself. Valon and Serenity are just too cute together, after all! Anyways, inspired by the song "Fireflies" by Owl City, and favorites, follows, or reviews really do make my day!

Disclaimer: Don't own the song or the characters.

Chapter 2: An Evening in the Park

It was really the times like this that made life worth living. Those warm, summer evenings spent lounging around outside with the people who really mattered, letting the hours wind by carelessly as if time itself didn't exist. True, he had spent much of his life fighting against others, running on the thrill of victory, but he would trade it all in a heartbeat now for just another night like this one.

Valon glanced down at the sweet girl beside him whose long, auburn hair draped over her eyes since dozing off on her boyfriend's shoulder, what, ten minutes ago? Fifteen? It didn't matter. The Australian couldn't help but let the contented smile creep onto his features, leaning his head back against the tree he had propped himself against earlier that afternoon. Serenity had practically begged him to come on this quaint picnic in the park, staying later into the evening to stargaze; of course he couldn't really say no to her, could never find the heart to disappoint her in even the smallest of ways. It had already begun darkening when they'd arrived, the sky no longer such a vivid blue as the setting sun painted across its canvas in vibrant reds and oranges and pinks. She had marveled at the sight, even more when the tiny spots of light began to appear against the inky blackness, but, honestly, he thought he had a much more beautiful sight to settle on even as the night progressed and the heavenly bodies shone out stronger in the air.

Now, he too felt his eyelids beginning to droop, perfectly and entirely content with her head resting lightly on his shoulder and her body snuggled comfortably close to his. By degrees, he nodded off in the light of the silvery moon, about at the gates to the land of dreams, when a bright, warm sparkle caught his attention.

And another. And another. What were those?

Weary blue eyes, clouded with sleep, slowly opened again, blinking as his vision coming back into focus. These weren't stars; they were too large and yellow to be so. And they were moving, flying, dancing on the black stage of the night sky, their routine completely enthralling. "'ey, Serenity," he gently woke the sleeping girl at his side, watching her round hazel eyes blink in hazy confusion.

"Valon?" she slurred her words slightly, not yet entirely awakened, though her gaze slowly cleared as she came to, happiness shining bright enough to match - no, outdo – the stars in the sky as she found the form of her love watching over her protectively. Almost instinctively, she cuddled up nearer to him, despite the warm summer evening; she liked being close to him is all. "What is it?"

"Look," he pointed skywards, and she did, following the path of his outstretched finger until finding herself captivated by the hundreds of points of light gliding about their heads.

"Fireflies! They're so beautiful!" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet to walk amongst the lightning bugs. Remaining in his reclined position against the tree trunk, Valon said not a word, content to gaze upon his adorable girlfriend, calling on his vocal cords only to laugh alongside her as she made attempts at catching the little balls of light. A bit of a funny thing, knowing how Raph and Alister could personally attest to his inability to shut up at times, but he wasn't a big enough idiot to rip a tear in the blanket of perfect peace which had surrounded them. No, he could live with this forever.

Somewhere in the middle of his musings, Serenity had again appeared at his side, now taking his hand and pulling him to his feet, the action automatically eliciting a grin from him. "Where're we goin'?"

"Just over here." She stopped after taking only a few steps, keeping his larger hand firmly in hers as she once more studied the flitting movements up above. "It's like they're dancing," she reflected, "and we should too!"

"I don' know, Serenity…"

"Please, Valon?"

"It's just…I've never really learned."

"Oh, you'll be alright; I know it."

He couldn't say no to her alright.

So they began their dance, or, at least what qualified as dancing in their books. Not that a detail of that size mattered. Didn't matter any more than how her mother hen of a brother would fuss at how late they'd been out. That was all for the future, stuff to be taken care of later. Valon had always been more of a live-in-the-moment type of person anyways, and right now, well, his present was everything he could've asked for. And so much more.