Authors note: Hello all, I just wanted to say thank you for your support. I don't plan on this to be a long story, but I'm glad to know that for my first fic attempt I'm doing alright. Enjoy and please, don't hesitate to review.
The day seemed to slow down after that initial attack. K.O. now currently was at home, standing in front of a mirror in his room, trying to finish tying his bowtie on his tuxedo, though he was only wearing the top half of the outfit due to his size issues.
K.O. hoped he was making good time for his first date. He could not believe he was going on one, nor did he think it'd be at a party, let alone with a villain. He was unsure if that was a good thing, though it made him pleased to simply have this chance in his life. He really hoped it would work out. K.O. thought he was good and ready when he heard the sound of a camera snapping.
"You're looking great, peanut!" Carol stated brightly. She was positively aglow tonight, just like her son. The fitness dojo owner could not believe that her son was going on his first ever date tonight, she just wished she could meet the lucky girl.
"Thanks Mommy!" K.O. hugged his mother. She ran her hand through his hair as she stroked his head proudly. "Is there any advice you can give me?" He asked, but his mother shook her head.
"Sorry, kiddo, but you're gonna be on your own for this one. You know this girl better than I do," Carol patted his back. She wanted to know the identity of his bully turned date, as far as she assumed that was who he had asked out.
"Don't worry mom, you'll meet her one day… I hope," K.O.'s voice trailed off toward the end. Having a relationship with a villain could end badly for both families, he didn't even want to begin imagining it. Still, he was trying not to dwell on it. There was no rule against heroes and villains dating one another. At least there was not a rule like that that he knew about.
K.O.'s eyes suddenly locked to the clock. It read 4:37pm. "Oh no! I'm going to be late!" K.O. ran out the door in a hurry as the late afternoon sun dangled brightly in the azure sky.
"Good luck honey!" Carol called out to him while waving. "Ahh, first dates…" she laughed to herself lightly, "It's almost tradition to be late to them," she spoke to nobody in particular. She hoped everything would go alright with K.O. The strong hero headed back into their home to enjoy the peace that today was offering.
Shannon was at home, making sure she was not missing anything important. She had even polished up to make her synthetic skin and metallic body shimmer perfectly, but had not changed her attire otherwise.
"My… you look like you just came straight off the assembly line," Raymond complimented his older sister as he sat idly nearby. Only he knew what she was doing tonight, he appreciated her trusting him with this information of her plans for the night.
"Thanks, Raymond. It's nice to have you not be snarky for a change," Shannon hummed, though she knew that would not last for long. She appreciated his support in this confusing time of hers.
"So, you're simply going to indulge them tonight with this date?" the sports addicted robot queried. He presumed the plan was to use this as a means to show that the two would not work well together, what better way to get to know one another than a date?
"Yeah. Your advice is working out great so far," the orange robot was surprised that it was actually working, usually her brothers advice was far from ideal or rarely useful.
"For this being a simple indulging session… you certainly seem energetic about it. You've been smiling more than ever since they agreed to this date," Raymond spoke. Shannon began to realize what he said as true, but she had not realized it yet herself.
"Yeah… I guess…" Shannon sighed, not really sure what to think of this. She was excited to be going on a date with K.O., even she could not believe that. A boy she could actually relax with, and trust around her. The most innocent person in existence. The thought coursed through her system like warm blood, it was very comforting to her.
Raymond laughed lightly. "Well, I wish you luck at this party date… you did inform them what kind of party this is, correct?" Raymond asked, while standing at the doorway about to leave.
"Yes?" the young female bot gave an innocent smile. Her brother shook his head, knowing she had let that part slip her mind.
"Well, have fun. If you need anything just call. Oh, also, you're running late," Raymond pointed at the clock on the wall, remembering the time she had told him was when her date began.
"Oh no!" Shannon gasped in horror at the realization. She let some of her many saw blades pop out of her feet before zipping off like they were roller blades, knocking her younger brother down as she darted by in a shiny orange flash.
"Ough… for being nothing more than an indulging session, she seems committed to it," Raymond held his head, beginning to worry about his sister. He knew she would call her family to help if she needed it. Still, he wondered what this human that enamored Shannon was like if they had cured her depression so well.
K.O. waited at the park he had been told to meet his date at early, he looked at his phone. The time read 5:14. He had somehow managed to arrive barely on time thanks to his speed. He just felt nervous about his first date, no amount of mental preparation could make him ready for this.
"I hope she didn't change her mind…" the Level 3 hero mumbled to himself. A part of him started making him worry that this was some strange Boxmore trap, but he shook that thought off. He couldn't worry too much or assume the worst with everything.
K.O. looked at his phone for another moment, and then decided to mute it. He didn't want anything interrupting the date if he could help it. He then pocketed it.
"Sorry I'm late! I got distracted!" Shannon's voice made him relieved. He saw her coming toward him. Shannon panted, but was glad to have made it without being more than a little late. She let her saw blades retract back into her feet and let them return to normal.
"It's okay. I was late, too," K.O. reassured. The orange bot looked him over with a raised eyebrow. She saw that fancy tuxedo top he was wearing. It matched his adorable charm, but she thought it was not right for the occasion. It made her wonder if she had misunderstood the party invitation she had received, only to remember she forgot to tell him what kind of party this was to begin with.
"Why are you dressed like that for?" she asked.
"I-I wanted to look nice for our date…" K.O. squeaked in reply. She wanted to tell him to take it off, but she saw this as a good thing.
"That'll make it easier to disguise you at least," Shannon said as she began rummaging around in her pockets for something.
"Disguise?" the Level 3 hero chirped to the young villain.
"Yeah. Not exactly wanting it public that I went on a date with a hero. I know you don't want everyone to know the same about you dating a villain," Shannon took out a small remote that was covered in many dials and buttons that she began fiddling with.
"I don't mind, Shannon. I'm just happy to be on a date with you," K.O. stated in his assuring tone. He was simply glad to be given this opportunity.
"You… you don't care if people know you're going on a date with a villain?" Shannon found that hard to believe.
"It's not like they pick who I can and can't go out with, right?" K.O. gave a thumbs up. She was staring at him in surprise at his rather unexpected confidence.
"Consider this me doing you a favor then," Shannon let a small antenna pop out from the remote. She aimed it at him and hit the button. K.O. gasped, expecting the worst. He closed his eyes and flinched.
"Uhh… Nothing happened?" the Level 3 hero saw or felt nothing different, but then he saw his date smile as she waved the strange complex looking remote.
"This is daddy's newest invention. The Disguise-o-matic. I gave you a bit of a makeover with it," Shannon let one of her sharp saw blades pop out so he could use it as a mirror. K.O. was surprised by what he saw in the reflection.
"Wow… I look like a robot," K.O. said in awe. It was like he was wearing a fake metallic mask. His hair was mostly trapped underneath it. It was a synthetic appearance that made it look all the more unnaturally natural.
"Yeah! I had to practice a good bit to learn how to do that," Shannon proudly hummed. She put the remote control away. She saw the time approaching six though according to her internal time tracker. "Come on, we don't wanna be late," she insisted, ready to go with her disguised date for the night to this party.
"Oh, wait a second," K.O. stopped her by grabbing her hand.
"What?" she looked to him, confused. He rummaged through his pockets as well, and he pulled out a small clear box that had a bright daisy corsage within it. He nervously held it up to her, she took it after a moments pause.
"What's this for? This isn't a prom," Shannon asked as she opened the box, looking at the nice flower that shimmered under the sunset.
"Oh, uh… My old babysitter used to tell me that you should do something special for your dates, because they are special," K.O. explained. Though she might not be around as much in his life anymore, he still remembered a lot of what Punching Judy taught him when he was younger.
Shannon could not describe this feeling welling up inside her. She took the corsage out from the box before sliding it onto her wrist with the band. The warm feeling of pure joy felt nice to her for a change. K.O. was just as happy to see her smiling as well. His sweet charm and positive attitude was starting to rub off on her.
"K.O…. Thank you," Shannon went down on her knees and wrapped her arms around him tightly. The young hero did not expect this. It was strange to have her be so kind for a change instead of hearing all the insults and shouting he was used to getting from her in their many battles over the years. K.O. gladly returned the embrace with his own.
"Come on, you're going to love this party," Shannon insisted they get moving, despite how she wished for the moment to never end.
"Right," K.O. nodded. The two began to walk off, leaving the park. As they walked, the two were holding hands, though they barely noticed, they did not really mind it even once it did register.
"Maybe… Maybe there is more between us than I thought…" Shannon had that thought stick to her mind quite prominently. She shook her head, trying to forget that thought. "Remember, just enjoy the night and then he'll forget all about his interest by tomorrow," she whispered to herself.