Widen blushed as he took Laurel's hand and walked into the Manticore's tavern. It had been two years since she had knocked him over, and they had been crushing on each other since.
Yesterday Wilden finally had the nerve to ask her on a date, and Laurel happily replied yes.
Laurel smiled as they entered the...kid friendly tavern? Wilden hid a frown from Laurel as he glanced around the small tavern.
Then the Manticore burst through the kitchen door, handing waiters things and looking like a kind and caring creature rather than a terrifying and powerful beast.
Wilden smiled when he realized Laurel was looking back at him, but he was still a bit uncomfortable. They went to a table and ordered their food.
"So..." Laurel started.
"Yeah..."
Laurel smirked. "Ever been on a date before."
"Nope. Have you?"
"Um, no, why do you think I want you to start the conversation?" Laurel asked, and they both chuckled. "Well, anyway, ever think about the future."
Wilden kept his smile to hide a frown. "Um, yeah. Sometimes. Do you?"
"Yeah. I have always dreamed of having a happily ever after type life. You know, a peaceful life."
"Yeah. Me too," he said, squeezing her hand gently. "Now then. Let's order our food."
"Ok."
So they ordered their food then had some small talk. They talked and laughed about random things and in doing so grew closer to each other.
When they were done they payed and thanked the waiter and the Manticore, heading out.
Instead of going down the path, Wilden grabbed Laurel's hand and lead her to a nice cliff with a breathtaking view of the distant mountains and stars. They sat down and dangled their legs off of the cliff.
"Thanks for that," Laurel said, looking at their intertwined fingers. Wilden smiles and tilted her head up.
"Of course Laurel. Thanks for that yourself," he said. They both leaned in as their lips touched for the first time.
Wilden leaned back awkwardly. "Um..."
"Yeah."
Wilden and Laurel leaned in again, as they kissed once more. After some time, they then got up hand in hand, smiling as they walked back home with one another.
And that was the beginning of their beautiful relationship...