A/N: So. This is a LONG chapter. But next is rater short so... it evens out.
Date Night
Shego's brow furrowed. She had been closely monitoring the Internet for any news of the fashion break in...but nothing had surfaced. No footage. No report. Nothing. She'd normally be curious about this, but she was more relieved...if not still a little on edge. The only day she hadn't checked was Monday, which had mostly been due to pestering and teasing Drakken about his birthday...which had ended fairly quickly by a bout of food poisoning that she still contended was not her fault.
She heard the spinning of Drakken's chair and looked behind her to where he was turning in circles and looking upwards. She raised a brow and looked at the dozens of random drawings and trinkets scattered in front of him. She knew he wasn't bored...and his slightly furrowed brow only meant he was in contemplation of something. His gaze darted to her from the corner of his eyes and he spun his chair back to working at the desk.
Shego raised a brow.
"What was that?" she scoffed. "A side-eye and a chair spin... This better not be about Monday."
He sighed.
"No, this isn't about your attempted homicide—" She cut him off.
"I warned you that the meat was iffy...but you ate it anyway," she retorted. Drakken's brow furrowed.
"One would think...if it's bad...someone shouldn't try to cook it." He shook his head as if to stop the topic. "Shego...ohm. I was wondering about this weekend—"
"You don't have anything scheduled and if you forgot to tell me...you're on your own." She hit the planner tab on the computer and a giant calendar appeared.
"No," he said and rolled his eyes, "I was thinking—"
"Always dangerous," smirked Shego. "Go on."
"Since I'm at a stopping point with some of these..." he gestured at the table, "I mean, not that it's the reason, simply that I— No that's not what I mean."
She watched Drakken mutter under his breath as he tried to find whatever words were dancing around his brain. Shego closed the computer and got up to come look at some of the papers, assuming he was stuck or needed her to run some errand, which she wasn't opposed to. The only time she'd left that week was Tuesday to get some stomach medication and earplugs as not to hear him whine. She was picking up one very detailed construction when it was quickly tugged away and shoved under others. She crossed her arms in agitation.
"What's that?" she asked. Drakken stood and began gathering the papers. "Why can't I see them?"
"They're nothing... Just gibberish," he hastened. She was about to press when he turned to focus on her. "Would you like to go to dinner this weekend?"
"For the last time...I was not intending to get you sick," she groaned. "Besides, I have no intention of cooking again... It was a one-time thing and clearly that was a mistake."
"No— I mean yes it was... But no." He stood straighter and she watched as he put on an overly charming smile. "Shego, would you be interested in going on a date tomorrow evening?"
Shego stared at him for a few seconds. She felt her cheeks warm and was torn between a snappy comeback and a snort of laughter. That all passed as she remembered that they were in fact in a relationship and they had yet to actually go on a date of any kind... And Drakken seemed to have been thinking about it, judging by the faltering of his smile.
"Gee, way to be formal." Her words had made up her mind for her. "What if I said nah?"
She watched the smile fade and listened to him grumble as he went back to readjusting his papers. Shego smirked and shoved him in the shoulder.
"Relax, would you?" she snickered. "Yeah, we can go on a date tomorrow. Geesh."
She watched his shoulders untense and the smile return.
"Shall we say five?" he asked cheerfully. Shego nodded. "Well good... That's settled. I will see you at five."
Shego cocked her hip and raised her brow as she watched him slow his sorting.
"Are we pretending we don't live in the same place?" she teased. "You want me to leave... Or act like it's not two in the afternoon on a Thursday?"
She watched the embarrassment flicker across his face.
"I was... I— Nghn," he grumbled and began walking away. "I'm going to have lunch."
Shego smirked and followed after him up the stairs to the elevator.
"Now, am I invited...or should I eat in another room—" Shego laughed as Drakken closed the elevator on her. She waited and it opened and she followed him in. "So where are we going?"
"Upstairs." He pushed the button and Shego waited. "Oh...tomorrow?"
Shego's smirk fell.
"Not karaoke," she said firmly. Drakken smirked. "I will go home."
"Mmhmm," his smirk grew. "How's that work? Are we going to pretend we don't live in the same place?"
She snorted at the teasing with her words flipped on her as the elevator ascended. She felt his fingers weave into hers and she wondered what songs he was already planning.
Shego stared at her closet the next day in thought. It should have just been an easy...grab a dress...move on. Instead, she had a pile of dresses on her bed and still more in her closet. It was frustrating her at the inability to just grab one... This should not have been as hard as she was making it out to be. It was Drakken. Half of these he might have unknowingly purchased... Some may have been old thefts too.
She looked at a dark purple one she'd bought years ago and never wore... The image of hastily trying to get into her suit before Possible and Stoppable saw her in casual clothing in the lair came flooding back. She tossed it on the pile and glared. She didn't even know where they were going and it was just Drakken... This should be easy and simple. Not— she looked at the clock—two hours of indecision.
He said dinner...
So it would not just be casual karaoke night... This was a date, wasn't it? He'd asked her on a date... That's why she was struggling... She'd labeled it in her head...thus the need to overthink on instinct. She glanced over the materials. If it was anyone but Drakken, she'd grab the nearest black one and some heels and call it done... But that was not the case. She tossed a dress she should have vetoed from the start and watched as it hit the windowsill instead of the ottoman she had placed there. She snickered as the little blue flower reacted, as if shaking its head in confusion as it moved the offending garment off the vines and other flowers.
She continued rifling through the outfits to put back. She jumped as she felt something touch her arm. Turning to glare at the flowers, she watched as the little one was being supported by the others while reaching in towards her. She was about to shoo it when her experimental thoughts came back.
"Okay... Green dress?" she asked. She knew they couldn't see but was aware they somehow were tapped into either Drakken or Flower.
The little blue flower flopped and she smirked, not sure if it understood but she continued.
"Purple?"
It flopped again and she felt silly knowing it might just be its response to words it didn't understand.
"Yellow?" she sighed. It retreated. "Oh, was that a strong no then... All right. I'll ask Drakken about that reaction later."
She snickered and leaned against the wall near the window.
"Pink?"
It came back but flopped.
"Red?"
It sprung up and its petals flared. Shego raised a brow and hummed in acceptance as she grabbed a few of her red ones.
"Well that narrows it down." She leaned towards the flower. "You can't see, can you?"
It flopped in response and she snorted at the small dramatic flower.
"All right... Just in case...out you go," she teased as she shoved the flower and its cohorts off her sill to close the window. "Hmm... Great, wish it had said something earlier... Hmm. Hey flowers...wanna put this stuff away?"
She opened the window a crack and watched a few flowers slide in and begin dragging the clothes and she sighed.
"Never-mind," she waved them off, "I can do it myself."
Drakken looked at his watch closely as he stood in his room. He'd been mentally going over the evening, making sure not to find any flaws in his plan. He'd tackled this like all his greatest schemes... Not the faults in them...just the detail. He'd had so many ideas come swarming before Shego had even agreed to go on a dinner date with him...which had felt strange to request given their relationship conversation... It should have been simple...but they had dinner together nearly every night. This was different. Wasn't it? Yes.
Unfortunately, after she had agreed his ideas had become even more complex. At one point he'd wondered if a month-long date was excessive if they were traveling... Shego enjoyed tropical places...and so he had considered for a few hours, a trip or a cruise would be nice. Until he reeled himself back at the absurdity of it... He'd narrowed it down to a week... Had a small talk with himself... Had gotten it down to a weekend. That had finally subsided around five in the morning on very little sleep... That was just not acceptable. Then he'd narrowed it down to a karaoke free night of dinner, dancing, and if accepted...a nice moonlit walk.
As he grinned and smoothed out the teal lapels of his black jacket his mind focused on his decision, and the smile faded as he growled under his breath at how cheesy and dated that was. All he needed was a horseback beach ride and he'd be hitting all the romance movies he'd ever seen or heard about.
I'm sure there are horses for rent—
He thumped his palm against his head and tried to focus on something else... His projects. Yes. He went over the ones done and needing to be done in his head...the time he'd given himself...and all the problems he was having with them. He let out a frustrated grumble of noises. All his projects should be easy... Child's play really... But everything that kept coming wasn't exactly neutral. Many of them might actually be considered menacingly evil. And therein lie another problem to add to the anxious feeling running through him.
He looked at his watch and shoved all the thoughts aside as he grabbed the bouquet of flowers he'd secretly gotten that day when running to grab milk. He reminded himself of the mental note he'd made when the flowers had seen them... They acted almost offended. He looked down at them and felt the concern he was overdoing this more than he should... Was this already too much? Had he needed a bouquet so large? A musing for later as it was too late. He nodded and stepped out of his room towards Shego's door. He knocked on it and more doubts circulated at his action.
It's Shego— Not helping.
Shego kicked the last of her shoes in her closet and closed it. She'd been muddling over thoughts so long in the shower she'd barely gotten her hair done and it was— There was a knock at the door and she paused as she put on the thin metal bracelet she'd gotten from Drakken last Christmas. She looked at the clock and the time was right... But Drakken was...knocking at her door. She snorted at the antics and wondered if he was about to do some cheesy first date scenario.
She fixed her hair and tugged at the dark red lace dress before heading to the door.
"There'd better not be horses," she muttered under her breath before opening the door. "Wow. Someone's punctual—"
The smug remark died off as she took in the image in front of her. Drakken stood wearing a full black suit, save for a hint of teal on its lapels and tie... He looked at every part the semi-formal first date, complete with a very large and overdone bouquet of flowers...that weren't from the ones outside. Hydrangeas wove around the sides of a variety of flowers of different colors. She looked at them in mild shock and then up at Drakken, whose nervous grin replaced the pleasant one he'd had. He looked at the flowers for a second.
"Uh, this is for the date...and the ohm...Villaversary I neglected," he said quickly. "It's four years. Yes. And four years is...flowers and...here you are."
Shego raised a brow and took them. They were already in a watered vase.
"Since when do we give specific themed gifts?" She raised a brow and went to place the bouquet on her nightstand. "I mean, I'm not complaining. It's a nice change from the ones I'm used to."
She closed her window as she walked past back to the door. The little blue flower and a few others had begun to creep in towards the bouquet. She glanced at Drakken lingering in the doorway, towards the flower, and then back at his tensed shoulders. She smirked and grabbed her coat before joining him in the hall.
"Here I thought you were just going to use that charming side you apparently hide," she sighed. "But if we're gonna start Villaversary gifts...I expect a list of these yearly gifts expectations."
"Charm you?" She saw his shoulders untense as they walked down the stairs.
"Hmm, I don't know. Punctual. Flowers. Nice attire... The formal date request. Wondered if I was going to be on the receiving end of your 'got game' thing," she teased. "I stand firm on this karaoke thing...and horses."
"Horses?" Drakken sputtered. "Why would you say horses—"
Drakken fell silent as they reached the door and Shego saw the hint of a smirk on his face before he continued.
"If I were to use my charm...I don't think you could handle it," he said smugly. "Best we stick to a nice evening out... Now dinner—"
Shego let out a snort of laughter as they reached the hover car.
"Really? I couldn't handle it?" she smirked and turned around to fix his tie as an excuse to look at his expression. "You may have game...but I've already watched the score."
She watched Drakken's confused expression and mentally criticized herself at her statement. She didn't even know what she'd been aiming for other than to make sure Drakken didn't overthink the evening...which, it dawned on her that she was actually concerned he would. The confident smirk came back to Drakken's face.
"Is that a challenge?" he joked. Shego shrugged and his expression set. "Oh well then...prepare to be...wooed."
Shego climbed into the hover car and leaned towards him as he sat next to her. She felt slightly flushed as she focused on the nice attire he wore and found herself fixing his tie again before pulling her hand away.
"Mmm, well then. I look forward to the challenge."
Drakken wasn't sure if he was relieved by this jest at challenging his ability to be charming, or if he was even more tense. He supposed if something went wrong, he could simply tell her she asked for it. He glanced at her as they flew to the restaurant he'd picked out. It was very exclusive and very expensive... He'd not looked at it past that and the ratings he had found on Screamer Online Reviews. He didn't know why he felt so tense. He and Shego had been out to dinner plenty of times together... This shouldn't feel so different.
This is technically our first date...as a couple...with her knowing about it being a date.
He sounded pathetic in his own head and tried to focus his thoughts, trying to chalk it up to a normal evening out... Keeping focused on not needing to overdo anything... Yet his mind did wander to the tropics again. He shook his head and looked over at Shego. He'd not seen that dress before and— He focused back on the controls he didn't need to look at. It took him several minutes trying to think of something to distract him when he realized...he didn't have to ignore or look away from her... There was no need to pretend he didn't notice.
"That's a very lovely dress," he casually declared. Shego smirked at him.
"Is that all?" She seemed more relaxed than he was. He pursed his lips.
"Fishing for compliments, are we?" he bit back. He mentally cursed at himself.
"Huh, so when's this charming thing supposed to start?' she scoffed. There was a smirk on her face.
Drakken grumbled under his breath at himself. He cleared his throat.
"You always look stunning Shego, the dress is just...new," he hastened. He saw the smirk on her face broaden.
He fought the smug look on his own face at his brilliant recovery. Before any more conversation could continue the large sea-side restaurant came into view. It looked every bit what the reviews had pegged it as. It looked more like a Greek temple than a fine eating establishment, save for the elegant glass windows and soft glowing lights around the property. Drakken began descending feeling very proud of his choice judging by the ambiance he was witnessing as they landed.
"Oh, Athena's," Shego chimed. "I haven't been here since Junior's birthday... Uhg, you know he almost got us banned because he insulted the clam bake. It was a nightmare... I think Senior had to sort it out."
Drakken's confidence deflated at her words. He didn't know what he had been thinking. Greece was Shego's go-to place, the reason that he'd even conceded to look for a lair in the country... Of course she'd been to the most exquisite places around. Drakken had a very deep need to hit Junior with the hover car next time he saw him. It was simply a musing thought...but it made him feel better to imagine it. Drakken focused on landing the hover car, perhaps a little rougher than he normally would have if he'd not been annoyed.
"Whoa, take it easy," laughed Shego. "How many times do you want to rebuild this thing? Isn't it on its fifth one? Come to think of it...what happened to our other one?"
"Crushed by plants...or aliens... Who knows," Drakken interjected as he jumped out. "I could probably make a better one with what's now at my disposal.
Drakken grinned at the thought as he looked at the hover car, imagining a more luxurious one with all the bells and whistles he'd always craved. He traced his hand over the metal blended with fiberglass and imagined a reinforced lighter-weight material... It could go faster and be more— He suddenly remembered Shego as he heard her move to get out of the hover car. He hastened to the other side, but she'd already climbed down.
"Mmm, I can already smell the sea bass," sighed Shego. "Come on, if Pietro is working we might be able to get a balcony."
Drakken opened his mouth to declare he'd already gotten them the best seat...but being told so might not have been accurate and Shego would know. He followed Shego towards the entrance and grumbled while she wasn't in earshot. The date had barely begun and already it wasn't going as he had expected.
Drakken had to admit the seating on the balcony was probably far better than the crowded noise of others around them. The sound of waves crashing on the shore and soft music indeed provided a pleasant atmosphere. Despite this, he was still perturbed that he'd already started the evening with a wrong choice. His mind fell back and he wondered if he should have just flown Shego to one of her favorite tropical spots or bought her extravagant items... At least he wouldn't be able to shorten the length of their newly labeled relationship. The sour note in his stomach shook him from his musings, aided by their hostess's renewed presence since seating them.
"Andre will be your server tonight. He will be here in a moment," she spoke with a slight accent. "May I start you off with a wine?"
Drakken looked at the elegantly placed menus in front of him. It was in that exact moment, he realized they were in Greek and he hadn't paid attention to the ones he'd glanced at on Screamer. A glance at Shego as he watched her flip the menu caused him to sputter out his first thought.
"Your finest red." It was safe and easy.
Shego raised a brow at him as the woman left. It was a beat before suddenly the setting finally hit him as he looked at Shego, her eyes glancing from the menu to him. He felt a strange wall of nerves that felt out of place as he looked around them. This was a date. Their first official date...and everything felt different. He knew in his mind it shouldn't. It was just Shego. This was just dinner... But he felt as if every action he was doing or word he might say was now being viewed differently.
You're supposed to be charming her... She challenged me. Safe window.
Before he could speak, Shego began.
"So how goes your obscene number of projects?" she sighed. "I see loads of doodles...but nothing tangible."
Drakken blinked and then scowled slightly.
"I am working on the drafts before wasting resources on something faulty," he grumbled. He saw the smirk tug at the edge of her lips.
"Wow. You're actually thinking them through," she teased. "Could have used that during world conquest."
Drakken rolled his eyes.
"I'll have you know, some of these designs are even greater than my best plan—"
Yes. By all means...remind her of all those failures—
He ignored this and began focusing on something that felt normal.
Shego leaned on her palm as the wine came to the table. The dark rich liquid was easily as expensive a glass as the food. She knew Drakken wouldn't like it, but he'd ordered it nonetheless. She listened to him talk about his plans and blueprints and the idea behind the projects in a mixture of contentment and amusement. She had been slightly worried Drakken would ham up the date and make it awkward... She still thought that may actually happen... But she'd managed to pull him out of whatever thoughts he'd been having in the moments of silence. His excitement over some sort of atmospheric vacuum as she sipped her glass suddenly faded. She raised a brow as he cleared his throat.
"Ehn, enough about those. Or...work," said Drakken. "We can talk about those back at the lair... Let's talk about...er...something else."
Shego's mind went blank at these words. There was a swarm of topics speeding through her head, but every question she already knew the answer to or would take them back to their normal banter and conversation. She wouldn't mind it, but Drakken seemed to be searching for something more...date-appropriate? She had to stop herself from snorting at the idea Drakken was looking for more cheesy windows to lay on his charm.
"Well that doesn't narrow anything down." She looked at the menu. "We can talk about how nothing on this menu won't make you whine later."
"Nothing?" He looked at the menu, ignoring her jest. "Eh... What is... Ana-Kah—"
Shego took his menu and flipped it over to the English side and watched the tint to his face fade into a series of grumbled words that made her snort. Everything on the menu looked delicious and she had tried most of them, but she glanced up at Drakken's uneasy expression. She could already hear the complaining later and wondered which he would choose, so she decided to ruffle his feathers while he did so. She looked at the sea bass and took Drakken's menu.
"I'm getting the lamb... I think you'll whine less about the sea bass," she declared. She waited for Drakken's annoyance and mildly relieved expression. They never came.
"Shego... Can we not?" he spoke slowly. "This feels no different than any other dinner and it's unsettling."
Shego's brow furrowed.
"Being on a date with me is...unsettling?" She wasn't sure how to respond but she didn't get a chance.
"No!" Drakken lowered his voice. "I mean...can we not make this just another dinner? This is supposed to be...different. Me knowing the lamb will make you have an upset stomach in several hours and you knowing I will still complain about the sea bass... Can we pretend we don't know that?"
Shego processed his words carefully, watching the series of expressions and emotions ghost across Drakken's expressive face as she did so. She felt irritated at the notion, but for the sake of whatever Drakken felt needed to transpire, she shrugged.
"So...to be clear," Shego asked, "we're pretending we haven't known each other for...four years?"
She watched Drakken's jaw shift before he responded.
"Yes," he gave a confident grin. "Let's use this as an experiment in..."
"Fine. I'll bite... I don't recommend the duck. You seem like the kind of person to be unsettled by its gamey texture and be up all night thinking about it," she smirked as she sipped her wine. Drakken rolled his eyes.
"Noted."
"One more thing..." she sighed. "I'll bite on this whole...re-introduction thing... But if it gets weird, I'm bailing."
Drakken narrowed his brow in curiosity.
"On the idea or the evening?" he asked cautiously. Shego shrugged and fixed her cutlery.
"Depends how bad this date goes," she teased. She saw Drakken's hands tense, but he nodded. She smirked. "Relax, will you... Okay...so... Drakken, is it... Tell me about yourself."
She watched his pursed lips fade into amusement.
"Well... Shego, was it?" he teased. She smirked again. "Since you asked..."
The next half hour as they waited for food was a back and forth between them talking about their various villain adventures while taking digs at their respective 'partners' while doing so. Shego had just finished lamenting about the childish, evil genius she'd worked for before he saved the world...but only in retaliation to Drakken's calling his partner a lippy, moody, side-kick turned partner, and she could see his next comeback behind his eyes.
"Ah, sounds disenchanting... You don't seem like the patient type... Yet you said four years..." he asked. "Interesting. Something else afoot?"
"Hmm, maybe." She felt the conversation mood shift. "He has his moments... And yours?"
"Despite her quirks—"
"Good word choice," she chimed in.
"Yes," he continued. "She's also both the most stunning woman you could ever see...and intelligent."
Shego saw the glint in his eye as she felt her face warm.
"Mmm, you should tell her this." She leaned closer across the table. "A woman likes to be complimented.
He leaned closer to her.
"I would... But there's one small thing," he whispered. Shego smiled. "She'd be unbearable if I told her."
Shego snorted and kicked him under the table as she sat back in her chair.
"Wow...can really feel that charm you brag about." She shook her head. "I mean really... Out here talking about another woman on our date... Horrible."
She fixated on her hair as she saw Drakken's smug expression. Whatever retort he had geared up was halted as their food arrived. Shego could feel her stomach ache for the delicate morsels. A rectangular plate was placed in front of her with three perfectly thin slices of lamb in the middle. An elegant drizzle of puréed sesame sauce barely ghosted the seasoned meat, all resting atop three perfect slices of eggplant with grated cheese dusting it all. She felt her mouth water. She glanced over at Drakken's plate. A perfectly cooked strip of sea bass lay atop a tiny patch of mixed lettuce, dusted cheese, and all drizzled with a tomato and olive cream sauce.
"Shego...you're ordering another plate I hope," Drakken chimed in. She looked up. "That will barely sustain you."
"Excuse me?" Shego glared. She watched Drakken's brow furrow.
"You and I both know your unique genetic makeup burns twice as many calories than others... That would barely fill up someone without it," he continued. Shego snorted.
"Wow. Another plate? At one-hundred fifty dollars a plate those newly acquired funds must be burning a hole in your pocket," she chuckled. "Not complaining—"
"A plate?" she heard him hiss. "For...this?"
She scoffed.
"You didn't look at the price...geesh. Wait till you see the wine." She shook her head.
"Well I didn't bother looking at the price," he grumbled. "I was more concerned with finding the perfect place to take you."
Shego felt the heat return to her face and she had to bite her lip to stop the smile spreading across her face. Something about Drakken not even glancing at price or venue and only finding a place she would enjoy made her more flustered than his compliments. She cleared her throat and shrugged as casually as she could.
"Junior has a tab here... We could pawn it off on him," she encouraged. "He'd never know."
"Absolutely not." Drakken seemed to not even believe his own words. "...You, ohm...should get a second plate."
Shego took a small bite of her food and shook her head again at his antics. The dinner and conversation banter that might have followed never came as a man from a table nearby came to theirs. Shego watched the man approach behind Drakken, and instinct put her on alert as she looked at his hands, body, and posture.
"Excuse me...are you Dr. Drakken?" asked the man cautiously. Drakken looked confused, and then the confident smug grin danced back across his features.
"Yes I am," said Drakken firmly.
What followed would sour the rest of dinner as several people felt the need to make their way over to their table, interrupting every other sentence the two tried to convey to each other. It all came to a head when a couple made their way over and instead of pleasantries had begun belittling both of them for their pardon and criminal history. It had been Shego's green glowing hands and the tension that had made taking dessert to-go the best option. Shego had saved a lot of choice words as they left to wherever Drakken had planned next.
"I still say I should have roasted that ugly car of theirs," scoffed Shego as Drakken flew.
"I wouldn't have stopped you if they'd not been thrown out... And the fact there were far too many witnesses," grumbled Drakken. "I can't believe I forgot to keep throwaway trackers in the glove compartment... Could have executed at a different location."
"Pfft, figures," muttered Shego. "They're lucky we value benefits over villainy...because I think that car would have melted nicely."
She heard Drakken snicker as they flew downwards. The sight of a familiar and large building came into view. Music could be heard as they approached and Shego's stomach dropped. The posh dance venue flashed through her mind from the weekend prior. She could almost feel the disgust on her lips from the memory of Sal kissing her. This vanished as she realized that was the place they were going.
"Dancing?" asked Shego quickly. "Here?"
"Ah, yes... It took a few calls but it's supposed to be the most exclusive— You've been here before, haven't you." She saw the grin on Drakken's face fade as they landed.
Shego quickly brushed off the ill memory and instead focused on enjoying the night dancing with Drakken. It was livelier than the night she'd been there before, with more music and noise and more favorable songs if she was being honest. It hadn't taken long for Drakken to shake whatever thoughts he'd had about her having been there prior as they danced to a few slow songs. She debated on ordering them drinks and them finding a small table for between dances...but she was much too focused on the music as they danced.
Drakken spun Shego to an upbeat song as they danced. While this wasn't exactly his idea of fun, or a scene he'd frequent, Shego's grin was proving it might become one. He'd hoped to find more slow songs, but he wasn't complaining at Shego's arms being closer around him even in the fast ones. The night seemed to be moving in an even better upswing...which was promptly interrupted by someone yelling.
"Shego!" came a male voice. Drakken glared as a young dark-haired man slightly stumbled towards them. "Right? I'm not good with names."
Drakken's hand remained firmly on Shego's waist as she scowled at the young man. By the tension in Shego's hand on his shoulder and her eyes darting around...the man was familiar, but she was looking for someone else. He could tell there was a story behind this but wasn't sure if it was something he should inquire about later.
"Dion," Shego said in a less than an excited tone. "Nice to...see you again."
"You just missed Adrena," he laughed. "What are the odds?"
"Dion?" grumbled Drakken. Shego clenched his shoulder. "Friend of yours, Shego?"
"Met last weekend," replied Shego. Before she could elaborate Dion looked apologetic.
"Dion... My family owns this place," he grinned in introduction. His eyes squinted. "Are you blue or did I slip up again?"
"Drakken. This is Dion... Dion, this is—" Shego didn't get a chance to finish as Dion hastily interrupted.
"That reminds me..." Dion looked like he was having a hard time focusing, the redness in his face showing he'd consumed enough drinks. "I want to apologize on behalf of Sal. He doesn't know how to read people like myself."
Drakken raised a brow and looked at Shego. He saw the tightness of her expression and couldn't help himself.
"What happened last weekend?" he asked Dion. Shego's nails dug into his shoulder but he ignored it.
"Nothing—"
"My buddy got a little handsy," cringed Dion, and then suddenly burst into laughter. "Though the lady here leveled him pretty good."
Drakken felt a twisting up his spine at the words. He slapped his hand behind him to discourage any antics he subconsciously communicated to his mutation. He felt his jaw tighten as he looked at Shego. He expected a snort of dismissal, which he got as she waved her hand to push it off as nothing. He instead felt more agitation at the unease ghosting over her eyes as she chose to not make eye contact.
"I feel like I should have not said something I said," Dion began. He stumbled back slightly. "Uh, listen. February. Mumbai. Adrena will let you know."
Drakken ignored the ramblings of Dion as the man wandered off elsewhere, drunkenly calling after another person he must have known. Drakken's hand slipped off Shego's waist as he focused on her face for a response to the last interrupted moments. Shego pulled him by the hand off the dance floor. The song had long since ended either way.
"Handsy?" sneered Drakken. "You didn't think to tell me this... How handsy...? You know I have that missile silo I have been itching to test—"
"Don't be ridiculous," scoffed Shego. "I handled it and it was just an unwanted advance. Not worth busting out the missile— Are there even any in there?"
"We could find out," grumbled Drakken. "Is he here...?"
Drakken looked for anyone who looked like...had he said Sal? He heard Shego snort and forced himself to stop scanning the crowd.
"All he did was kiss me and I sent him to the floor." She held a playful gaze. "Are you jealous or angry?"
"Positively hostile," he responded. "Is he here?"
He waited for her to look around but instead she seemed more focused on him. He didn't know if she thought he was joking or if she honestly didn't see a point for his anger. He'd never liked the idea of Shego kissing anyone, even in the past when it was no more than a crush... The image of an unknown person advancing on her now that they were seeing each other... He really, really wanted to test out that missile launcher. He suddenly didn't feel much like dancing as more familiar songs began to play. He calculated the drive to the beach when Shego's fingers laced with his.
"Let's go for a walk... There's a park not too far from here and I'm over this atmosphere." Shego's playful expression was back.
Drakken was given no choice as Shego began pulling him to the exit and he didn't exactly fight the motion. He thought of the walk along the beach being replaced by a late-night park walk. It didn't feel the same, but Shego seemed more than content with the idea she'd decided for them. He began composing a valid argument that they should take the hover car and fly to the other side of the cliffs to the beach beyond their lair... But that would seem tedious now. They'd gotten near the fountain when Shego's grip tightened and she practically yanked him along instead of the side-by-side walk they had just been having. Drakken looked around to see a broad-chested, wavy-haired man flirting drunkenly with some women.
"Sal?" asked Drakken. Shego ignored him. "Hmm..."
"Drakken. No missiles," she hissed. Drakken felt the tingle up his spine.
"Fine," was all he said before the pink-bloomed vine shot out behind him.
There was a scream and a loud splash as Shego snorted loudly and she hurriedly pulled him away at a quicker pace. Drakken didn't even look to see Sal flailing in the fountain as he felt Flower return down his spine. It didn't quench his thirst to blow the man up, but it would do for now. The sight of the park entrance and the snickering from Shego as her arm slipped through his almost made up for not taking the flight to the beach.
Almost.
Shego's head had found its way against his shoulder as they walked, the fountain's light growing farther behind them with each step and the sound of the river not too far off blending with the sounds of fading city chatter. The silence made him replay the moment prior and he wondered if perhaps he'd annoyed her despite her snickering. These thoughts made their way to the many sketches of destructive and borderline evil designs back at the lair. His brow furrowed as he, not for the first time that week, wondered if he was going to find a way to sabotage all that was going for him. He had stopped Shego from destroying a vehicle, but it had been almost an afterthought as she'd been moving towards it at the time.
He didn't want to go back to villainy... Nothing had ever ended in his favor then... But there was still concern that perhaps he was only destined to fail and should simply accept he couldn't create anything but destruction. He supposed if worse came to worst he could sell his designs to some HenchCo goon... But the idea of his work not being credited to him in some way made him grumble under his breath.
"Why are you brooding?" came Shego's interruption. Her head had pulled away from him.
Drakken opened his mouth to vent his frustrations at the concerns he was having but stopped himself. He'd spent the better part of ten minutes forgetting he was supposed to be enjoying an evening with Shego...and had purposefully stated they should not discuss everyday things. He pulled back to the thought that had started this—the beach gorilla-looking man he'd tossed into the fountain.
"Flower should have given him more air," he muttered. Shego's snort made him smirk. "How far did he fly when you hit him?"
"Eh, you got more air than me," she shrugged. "I was more in the mindset of shock and disgust versus seeing how far he could fly... Should have tried harder."
"I'm sure it was a perfect scene," he grinned. "You are good at those."
"It wasn't a scene," she sighed. Drakken narrowed his eyes and smirked.
"I recall you once telling me that it's only a scene when your powers are involved," he teased. He saw her eyes squint and thought before she smirked.
"Huh, did I?" She leaned her head back on his shoulder. "Well I remember you telling me you weren't good with flowers, and yet..."
She trailed off and Drakken recalled the very discussion from the Christmas prior. He internally scoffed at the irony of the last few months. It dawned on him he had still found a way to make it just another dinner...minus the close walk the two were on. He cleared his throat.
"Uh...shall we get back to pretending not to know these things about each other—"
"I'm enjoying it better like this," she interrupted. "But if you need to—"
"I don't need to." His brow furrowed. "Shego, are—"
Sudden movement in front of them followed by a voice interrupted his question.
"Dose mou lefta!"
Drakken and Shego looked to see a figure dressed all in black holding a simple pocketknife. Drakken raised a brow at Shego who looked ready to laugh.
"Shego. It appears we are being robbed," Drakken smirked.
"Oh dear... Whatever shall we do." She bit her lip to stop the smirk.
"Give me money, now!" The man's voice held a heavy, thick accent as he jabbed the knife in their direction.
"Clearly, we are in peril." Drakken rolled his eyes and gestured. "Ladies first."
"Such a gentleman," snickered Shego.
Drakken snickered as in a blaze of green the would-be mugger ran away screaming, yelling vulgarities in Greek he was certain. The sound of yells as the man vanished made it clear he had run through groups of people. Drakken's smirk faded and he and Shego exchanged a look before they both bolted back towards where they were parked, neither keen to find out the ramifications of a man set temporarily ablaze running through a crowd of people. The sound of police sirens approaching made them both speed up as Shego grabbed his hand. They practically dove into the hover car as they reached the parking lot. Cruisers soared by and they shrunk below the seat.
It was silent before they both began laughing.
"Why did we run?" asked Shego through her laugh. "He was mugging us."
"Old habit," Drakken snickered back.
"Looks like our speed's gotten better." She peeked above the dashboard. "I'd say we beat our distance record."
"Hmm, possibly. About two blocks in under a minute... What's our record escape time?" he asked as they both sat up on the seat.
"One minute and forty seconds... But that wasn't a distance one," she sighed. "I can't believe we ran... So much for our evening stroll."
"We could remedy that," Drakken smiled. "But first...what do you want to eat?"
He watched Shego's lips purse and then she sighed, knowing he'd been right about the dinner earlier.
"There might be a few street venues still open," she muttered. "You know, I think I would have been fine if not for the excessive energy."
"You and I both know that's not true." He gave her a smug grin as he started the hover car.
She scoffed and elbowed him but said nothing as her head found his shoulder again. Drakken waited a second and then spoke as they took off.
"That was a very nice arc you got with that blast." She shrugged against him and he looked at her half-smile.
"Got some good practice in with my brother's visit." She rested her chin on his shoulder as he tilted the hover car control to the left. "Watch the buildings."
Shego's feet rested on the side of the hover car as she leaned against Drakken, watching the night sky over the water. The coasting of the engine was the only sound besides sloshing water and Drakken's breathing to the left of her head. He hadn't said anything since he'd turned to point something out to her and she'd decided to utilize the moment to lean back for a mild snuggle as they drifted. He'd been saying something about a beach she recalled, but she was enjoying the present moment more than a beach walk. The late-night snack was long since gone, and she knew it was already the next day without even looking at a clock. As her eyes looked down at her waist where Drakken's fingers were laced with hers, she felt Drakken shift slightly behind her.
"Did you get a new shampoo?" he asked casually. "It doesn't smell like roses and iris?"
"Trying this new sea breeze one..." she trailed off and looked at him. "Sniff my hair often?"
She saw the tint to his cheeks, but he simply shrugged.
"I may have... Over time and in passing," he grumbled. "It's better than the raspberry one you tried last year."
Shego turned so she was on her side against him and her legs retracted from the lip of the hover car.
"Okay... I know you know my usual kind because of the time you borrowed it rather than go to the store... But I used a raspberry one...once maybe." She narrowed her eyes and smirked. "Interesting you remember that... I don't think I even noticed a difference."
"I always take notice, Shego." The smirk that ghosted before he made eye contact indicated he had a snarky comment but chose to not speak it. "Speaking of which...can I ask you something?"
"Hmm," she hummed as she curled against him.
She noticed his hesitance in where to put his arms at this. She reached across and pulled the one to wrap around her waist, content in this new position under the stars.
"How much blue do you actually own...because a few months ago it's all you wore and I think you own more than I do..." Shego pinched his lips shut and raised her brow again. Her face felt warm.
"I know that's a lie. I've seen your closet," she stated. "You noticed this...? Because I only noticed before I stopped."
He nodded and pulled her hand away from his mouth only to continue to hold it.
"I do notice things Shego... Sometimes it's just easier to assume I see them wrong, that's all." He sighed as his eyes met her.
She knew exactly what he was indicating. They'd both misinterpreted a lot of signals over the last few months, not to mention the last few years. The thought that he'd been harboring feelings for her the whole time was still shocking to Shego as he'd only ever made it seem platonic or friendly. She returned a lazy smile as she recalled a lot of moments she now knew had been grossly ill-observed. Her eyes fell to where his hand was still holding the one she'd pulled from his face. The feel of his thumb ghosting over her palm felt soothing. It was a sensation she wasn't familiar with. Simple. Endearing.
"I've always wanted to ask...does it hurt?" he asked. She looked at where his fingers ghosted over her fingertips. "You have no fingerprints... Is that because of your powers?"
"Hmm, well at first when I got my powers...it did... But now it's just like...warm water... Sometimes I feel nothing at all. Once in a while I get a tingle, but its barely noticeable," she sighed. "Yeah, I think they were gone after the comet... I don't even remember."
"Even with your regained memories?" he asked. It dawned on her she'd never said anything about them to him. "Interesting. I noticed the first time I saw you without gloves, but at that time we barely knew each other and it was none of my business."
"Since when did that keep you from prying," she snorted. "How about you... What does Flower feel like? You said it doesn't hurt."
"Like fingers running up my spine...but deeper," he shrugged, his thumb still tracing her hand. "Does it take you a lot of focus to control?"
Shego's eyes narrowed in confusion and curiosity.
"What's with all the questions about my powers all of a sudden?" Shego inquired.
"I just... I'm still trying to understand my own and wondered how much focus yours take." His curiosity faded to concern. "That's the only reason I promise—"
"Relax, I know... I'd think if you wanted to tinker with my powers you'd have badgered me about that years ago...when you were avid about cloning." She thought for a moment. "Sometimes...when I'm angry they act up... But for the most part it's like second nature so it's simply...controlled. Do you have to focus? Because if so, I'm shocked the plants haven't destroyed the lair with your mental ramblings."
She smirked in amusement as he made incoherent muttering.
"I don't mentally ramble," he grumbled. She watched his eyes narrow at the sky before he sighed. "Fine. Perhaps I do... It's hard to figure out if I'm being honest. Flower seems...controlled, I guess. The flowers seem calm, but I don't know if they are just calm because I am—"
"You're calm? I saw you pick up a laser gun on Wednesday and shoot the trashcan," she laughed.
"You weren't even— Are there cameras in the lab?" His eyes shot open.
"I was on the platform," she said and rolled her eyes.
"Were you watching me?" he asked. Shego felt her face flush and she snorted.
"No," she gave a scoff and focused on the sky. "I mean after you shot the trashcan I did."
She yawned and Drakken sat up, dislodging her from the comfy spot she had nestled into.
"What time is it?" Drakken asked as he looked at his watch. "It's one in the morning!"
Shego stifled another yawn as Drakken reached over to turn the throttle up. Shego was certain Drakken had planned on getting up early to work on his many piles of doodles. She rolled her eyes but then leaned into him and let out a dramatic gasp.
"Oh no! We're out past curfew," she teased. "Geesh, Drakken. You act like we have a clock to punch."
"Well since I was poisoned on Monday—"
"How long are you going to hold onto that?" she grumbled.
"I didn't mean... You know what I meant... Anyway, I pushed the deadline to tomorrow..."
She watched him trail off and was about to snap her fingers in front of his face in case he'd zoned out on something else he'd forgotten when he shook his own head and cleared his throat.
"That's not important... It's fine." He cut the throttle again. "You were saying?"
Shego blinked for a moment at his antics. It was clear to her he'd remembered they were on a date, and whatever strange concerns he'd been having off and on all evening had resurfaced. She had a feeling he would fall back into his earlier suggestion about not talking about their normal conversations and she sighed. She could easily go back to their prior relaxed position, but she knew his mind would fall elsewhere and he would most likely forgo sleep and stay up all night in the lab if they were out much longer.
"It's late. We should get back," she sighed. She watched his shoulders drop and a few emotions ghost across his face. "I can be charmed and wooed another time."
His brow furrowed and she watched his jaw shift in thought as he put the throttle on again. She was going to explain that she had been joking but instead returned her head to his shoulder. If he questioned it in the morning she would explain as much, but she just wanted to enjoy the quiet content feeling she was having, knowing full well that the next day he would be back in tinkering mode and she'd have to call her weekend early to help him with something or other in the lab.
The lair came into view in seconds, they having been just around the bend their entire small hovering flight. The only lights were the faint dim solar ones that had been installed around the patio wall that Drakken had only remembered they'd not put batteries in on Thursday. She could see the movements flickering in the light as the vines moved to greet them on their return. She reluctantly removed her head from his shoulder as they landed. She stood up and narrowed her eyes as he hastily jumped out of the hover car.
"Someone's in—oh," Shego blinked as Drakken rounded the hover car where the flowers had woven into stairs. "Well this is new."
"I didn't think they'd— I mean," he cleared his throat and offered his hand.
Shego raised a brow as she took it. She couldn't stop the smile on her face at the gentlemanly gesture. Apparently her remark at his being charming had rekindled the challenge he'd set upon himself from earlier. The warmth in her face as she slid her arm through his made her want to say something snarky or smug, but she bit it back.
"Shall I walk you to your door?" he asked as they walked into the lair.
"Well we're already in," she said, rolling her eyes.
"I mean to your room," he continued. Shego raised her brow yet again before smirking and leaning closer towards him.
"That's rather suggestive there, Doc," she teased. "Should I be concerned?"
She meant it as a tease but the flips in her stomach at her own words made her heart begin pumping. She didn't feel warmth cross her face and she thought she should have at the thoughts that mingled briefly in her mind. Drakken's unwavering calmness derailed those thoughts as they walked to the stairs.
"I believe I swore to woo you...not seduce you," he snorted. Shego snickered.
"Oh...there's a difference?" she asked as they reached the landing. He nodded. "Well, do I at least get a good-night kiss?"
"Of course... I'm a gentleman, not a fool," he responded as they reached her door.
She hummed in question as she felt his hand on her waist, his face close to hers but not yet kissing her. She finally felt that flush find her face as she grinned and slid her hand behind his neck to pull him closer to her, their noses almost touching as she saw the darkening of his own cheeks before his lips found hers. She assumed the kiss was supposed to be firm and gentle, but as he pulled away her other thoughts returned and she pulled him back into a deeper kiss. She could feel the wall behind her and she let the evening speed through her mind and linger on the feelings of him wrapping his arms around her. Suddenly she wondered what the difference was between charm and seduction because her body disagreed with his confirmation of it.
Shego's heart was pounding as her back was pushed further against the wall, her fingers locked in his hair and gripping at his back. She didn't want the night to end. She wanted Drakken's lips to lift from hers and find other skin to focus on. The layers of fabric they wore wasn't welcomed in those thoughts. She felt the warmth spread through her at the imaginative visuals spinning in her head as the teasing of one another's lips continued.
Before she could make any bold move or suggest that this should escalate to a further point, Drakken's lips pulled reluctantly from hers and he pulled away slightly. Her fingers slid to his collar, ready to pull him back against her. His hands found her wrists and slid up to clasp around her hands. Something about this simple movement made her chest pound for a different reason as he pulled her hands from his collar and up to his lips.
The smug remark she wanted to say never came as he kissed her hands and guided them down before letting go of them. The confidence in his expression was throwing off any words that wanted to escape her lips.
"Good night, Shego," was all he said as he made his way to his room.
Shego blinked for a few seconds before going into her own room. Her mind was blank and racing all at once as she looked at her hands. Were they shaking? She felt her face grow warmer as she pulled them to her chest to feel her racing heartbeat. She was reminded of Drakken's words at being charming when he wanted... Well, she had witnessed it and rolled her eyes the entire time... This was not simply observing.
She kicked off her shoes and let the swirling feeling find its place as she moved to lean against the window. She glanced to see the light of his bedroom go out, and the only thing keeping her from knocking on his door was the pit in her stomach swelling and causing her to let out a small laugh. The familiar small blue flower wrapped around her wrist where it rested on the sill. She smirked down at it.
"So...am I being wooed?" She let her finger touch its soft petal.
As if in response, it gently caressed her cheek before withdrawing to its normal shelter under a large pink flower. She watched as, like the other flowers had begun to, they all closed signifying that Drakken had fallen asleep. She sighed in thought as she watched the moonlight above the water below, the feeling in her stomach fading to a tingle as her flush fell away. She snorted.
"Okay then," she spoke to herself as she looked at the flowers in the vase on her vanity. "I can get onboard with that."
Onwards!
