Chapter 48: A Proposal
Danny was still silent.
His girlfriend was currently still at his side. However, his mind was on what happened moments ago, Starfire's love confession.
She loves me. He thought, unsure how to handle it.
It wasn't the first time that Starfire said that she loved him. However, back then it was out of the influence that his powers had over her emotions and she also had amnesia that other time and didn't really have any control of herself.
However, now he can't blame his influence on her or amnesia for that now. No, Starfire was completely coherent when she said those words. She meant them. And that is leaving him with feelings of uncertainty.
Now what? He thought, feeling conflicted as his girlfriend felt she had done something wrong.
"Danny? What… what is the matter?" She asks.
"Starfire...I...I don't know what to say..." Danny said, feeling disappointed in himself when he said that but he had no other way to admit it.
Starfire sighed with sadness in her heart but looked accepting of it.
"I know, Darling. Previous times I have said those words, I was not of the sound mind..."Starfire said, shyly pressing her trigger fingers together.
Danny stood there, scratching the side of his head.
"So... now what do we do?" Danny asked.
"Perhaps... we should discuss what I said." Starfire said, wishing to talk about this admission of hers.
Danny was unsure how to respond before he noticed he still had Control Freak's remote in his hand.
"Weird how this guy built a remote that could break the boundaries of time and space…" He admits.
"Indeed… Control Freak may be the gross exaggeration of the nerds, but he's far more brilliant than he comes off as." Starfire admits.
Danny, curious, pushed the pause button. Once he did, he looked up and noticed something.
"Check this out..." He said as he pointed up to show his girlfriend. However, she did not move. "Starfire?" No response. "Kory?"
He snapped his fingers in her face, nothing.
Realizing what might've happened, he pressed play. She then moved with a gasp.
"How did you move so quickly?" She asks.
"I didn't. Here." He said as he took her hand and pressed pause. "Now look up." He said, pointing upward.
Her eyes widened.
"The birds… are frozen?" She asks.
She saw a flock of birds in mid-flight remaining still. They weren't the only ones either.
The two hovered up to the lead bird, Danny waving his hand in its face before realizing there was no reaction.
"I knew it… it's frozen in time." Danny said as he looked around. "Not just the birds…"
He noticed everything around was frozen. People, cars, animals, bugs, and leaves that were in the air and not falling.
"It seems Control Freak's remote works here as well as it does in my world." Starfire asks.
"I'm guessing I'm unchanged because I'm holding the remote. Holding my hand made you immune too." Danny reasoned.
"Perhaps we should destroy this device before someone else claims it?" Starfire suggested.
Danny then got an idea and smirked.
"We could… but first, wanna have some fun before we go?" He suggested.
"What do you have in mind?" Starfire asked.
"We just froze time, we can just have a little more time together before you go home. Then, after that, we can let time flow normal again and you can go home..." The ghost boy explained.
Starfire thought about it and smiled.
"More time together?" She asks.
"Yeah. See more of how my world is different, hang out more, maybe goof off?" He asks with a smile.
"It indeed does sound like fun. Let us enjoy the goof offing..." Starfire said.
"Then let's have fun. But first, let's go back to my place. Gotta wash up after all that." Danny said as he started pressing the play button.
Time resumed as the two headed back to Fenton Works.
20 minutes later.
Once he was all fresh and made sure nothing was going to get in their way, calling his friends to make sure they were home, Danny stood on top of the Fenton Works' building with Starfire, holding her hand.
"I hope you're ready for a long and fun date..." Danny said.
"I am indeed..." Starfire said, nodding.
The two lovebirds then held tight, taking advantage of time going slowly to a halt save for themselves.
This was ideal for both of them. For Starfire, it meant more time with the boy she loves. And in Danny's case, to use the extra time to figure out just what he's going to do with the alien princess.
"Where should we start?" He asks.
"I have wanted to visit the city of Gotham? Perhaps start there?" Starfire asks.
Danny blinked.
"Uh...I don't think we have one on in this universe..." Danny said.
"Metropolis?" Starfire asked.
Her boyfriend shook his head.
"Sorry... I think those are more local for you." He said.
"Then...perhaps...that city that is similar to Gotham...New York? Do you have it here?" She asked.
Danny smiled.
"We sure do..." He said.
With that, the two headed off in the direction of New York. It was about half an hour when Danny stopped.
"What is wrong, Darling?" Starfire asks.
"We're going to take a long time. We need a way to speed this up." Danny said.
Starfire gripped her chin, trying to think of an idea when she eyed the remote.
"Perhaps… we can pinpoint a location with the remote? It was able to locate this world, after all." Starfire suggested.
"I… guess that works." Danny said as he looked to the letters under the numbers. "Maybe… we test it first?" He looked to the remote and pressed buttons. "Earth…" He said as he spelled it out. "Wait… another option. G… Z… for Ghost Zone."
Once done, he pressed the OK button and a portal opened.
"Is that a ghost portal?" Starfire asks.
"One way to find out." He said.
The two entered.
After about a second, a new portal opened and the two flew out, both looking equally as disturbed.
After the portal closed, the two shared the same thought.
"Let's never go back…" Danny said.
"Agreed. Perhaps only press buttons that spell out the city name?" Starfire suggested.
"Okay… New… York…" Danny said as he typed, creating a new portal. "Hopefully… it leads to where we want to go."
After about a moment, the two flew out of the portal.
To their relief, they see it's exactly where they were hoping to go. It was New York, made clear by the presence of the Statue of Liberty in the background.
"I am so happy that worked." Danny admits.
"As am I. I feared we would next enter a world of fish people." Starfire added.
"Well… let's throw our troubles away. We got a whole city… heck, a planet all to ourselves! Let's just enjoy a little more time together." Danny said.
"Lead the way, Danny." Starfire said as she offered her arm.
Danny wrapped his around it as they flew into the city.
Their first location idea was Empire State, where they flew to the very top to get a great look of the city from above.
"Nice, huh?" Danny asks.
"Yes… lovely." Starfire said.
Danny froze up a moment, hearing that word. Lovely, which had love in it.
"R-Right… so… should we check out Coney Island?" Danny asks.
"Indeed, we can enjoy the Dogs of Coney there." Starfire said.
The two flew there, yet once they did, the realization of why they can't have fun became clear when they saw a rollercoaster still frozen in time.
"Right…" Danny muttered.
"With time now frozen, we have very little to do." Starfire said.
Danny looked around and noticed two people walking with Coney Dogs.
"Should we… no, we can't take them. Those people bought those and deserve to eat them."
As he said that, Starfire noticed the two were with a child, a little girl, more than likely their daughter.
A husband and wife? She thought.
She was brought out of her thoughts as she felt Danny tug her arm.
"So… since we can't exactly have fun here, we should try somewhere else. Ideas?"
Paris, France
Danny and Starfire were now in the middle of the famous city, that recalled many memories for them.
"This brings back memories..." Danny said, recalling a certain 7 minutes in Heaven that was somewhat traumatizing yet nostalgic.
"Good memories?" Starfire asked.
"Well...when I look back to them now...yeah..." Danny said, making her smile.
She held his hand as they began to explore the lovely city.
The last time, it had been a one-sided chase and they nearly got them arrested by the local police. This time, they were free to enjoy themselves without having legions of cops after them.
"Isn't this lovely, Darling?" Starfire asked, as she held onto his arm.
Danny flinched at that word, though he tried not to show his discomfort.
"Yeah…uh...lovely..." He said, feeling awkward.
Starfire kept smiling serenely at him, and Danny could not help but find her expression familiar.
It was just like the one she had before she said those words to him.
It filled him with fear and attraction, two feelings he should not be feeling at the same time.
Why do I suddenly feel like running away from her and getting kissed by her at the same time? He thought, sweating as his alien girlfriend was about to speak up again.
"Darling...I..." Starfire tried to speak up.
The ghost boy sensed where this is going and panicked.
Oh no...is she gonna say it again? He thought, freaking out.
He looked around for a diversion, and soon spotted something.
"Crepes! He let out.
"Crepes?" She asked.
Her nervous boyfriend pointed to a nearby crepe stand.
"Let's get some. I'm starving..." He said, walking over before noticing something. "Wait… I'm not…"
"You are not? Then perhaps-"
"No, Starfire. It's been like… over an hour. I should be hungry by now…" Danny pointed out.
Blinking, Starfire patted her stomach.
"I do not feel hunger as well… perhaps a side effect of the time freezing?" She suggested.
"I guess so…" Danny said with a shrug.
I better keep her mind off saying that word again. He thought.
"Even so...let's keep exploring..." He suggested.
"As you wish..." Starfire said, as they continued their date.
Later
The couple kept exploring the streets of Paris, and soon decided to fly in order to get a bird's eye view.
Danny saw the amazing city and smile.
"Cool..." He said.
"Indeed. I have read of this city and have always wanted to explore it. "Starfire said.
"You talk ask if this is our first time here..." Danny said.
"Yes, but the last time...I was more focused on you, than the sights..." Starfire said sheepishly.
"Oh, yeah..." Danny said, recalling that.
The two of them continued their flight, but the ghost boy was still deep in thought.
He was still thinking about their relationship and the recent development that he has been avoiding bringing up.
Just ignore the thought for now. He thought.
That is when they both saw it.
"Danny, look. It is the Louvre." Starfire said.
Danny saw it as well.
"Huh… yeah, it's-"
He had a flashback.
Of the kissing, the hugging, the moment they saved an entire bus full of people.
The moment his attraction started to grow beyond physical.
Noticing Danny was silent, Starfire felt concerned.
"Danny?"
He knew that he could not put it off forever. He knew he'd have to talk with her about it, so now was the time.
Gathering all his courage, the ghost boy spoke up and turned to look at her.
"Uh...Kory?" Danny asked.
"Yes, Darling?" Starfire asked.
Danny was silent for a moment, blushing before he manned up and continued.
"I... need to know why you feel what you said you felt..." He said, confusing her.
"What do you mean, Danny?" Starfire asked, raising a brow.
Wow, my English is almost as bad as hers, and nowhere near as cute. Danny thought before he tried again.
"What I mean is...why do you like me?" He asked.
"I do not understand. We are in the relationship of the friends of boy and girl..." Starfire said.
"I mean... I know that you originally liked me because you thought I was cute and my powers made you...bold...but kinda obsessive..." Danny said, feeling awkward as he said.
Starfire blinked and blushed. She knew well it wasn't the finest experience with the opposite gender he had.
"I recall..." She said, sweating a bit.
"Can you answer me what made you realize you love me?" Danny asked.
"I shall..." Starfire said before taking a breath. "You never took advantage of me during the entire time I was confusing you for a Tamaranean. You breached time and space to apologize for unintentionally breaking my heart. You accepted me as your romantic partner despite how things started. Even as I relapsed, you never called our relationship off. You have stood by my side in battle. You agreed to keep me safe on your world. You have even kept me close and in your arms despite all the trouble I've caused. It was the moment after my memory returned did I realize my feelings for you grew strong… very strong. I love you… and I know I am not relapsing or under any other influence." She said to him seriously and with a smile.
Danny was quiet as he listened to all of this. He knew that she was being sincere and he sat down.
"Okay."
"So...um... may I hear how you feel about me?" She asked.
Danny blushed deeper as he gulped.
"Well...I...uh...well...um...I...like that you are so strong and caring...and loyal and stuff..."Danny paused and found himself unable to finish.
"Yes?" Starfire asked, urging him to continue.
Danny took a deep breath and tried his best to continue. However, the words couldn't come out of his mouth, even as he tried.
"I... can't say it..." He said, still struggling to admit how deep his own feelings are.
"Why not?" Starfire asks, worrying she is to blame for it.
"I've lost all fear and discomfort of you. Heck, I've grown to like your bone-crushing hugs. It's just… I don't know. Maybe it's a boy thing or a human thing… but I can't bring myself to say the L word." He admits as he got up.
"I see…" Starfire said sadly.
However, he then approached her and held her by her shoulders.
"But...I don't think that I mind...hearing you...say stuff like that..." Danny admitted.
"R-Really?" Starfire asked as the ghost boy nodded. "Then, my I say it again?"
"Go for it."
"I love you." She said with a smile.
Danny closed his eyes, took in a breath, and exhaled with a smile.
"To think I used to be afraid of that… now… I wanna hear it more." He said.
"I love you." She said again, smiling warmly.
"Yeah… I feel… like I needed to hear that." He said.
"Then… do you think… you could say that to me?" Starfire asks.
"I… want to. But… I don't know what's keeping me. But… if I can't say it, maybe I can show it?" Danny suggests.
"How so?" Starfire asks.
Danny smiled.
"I know you were kinda loopy… but you did think we were engaged. Why not… have a mock wedding?"
The two appeared before a specific location.
"A church?" Starfire asks.
"Yeah… I know… I can't say that word right now. But… I want to show you… how precious you've become to me." Danny said as he took her hand.
"You wish to marry me?" Starfire asks.
"No. I mean… yes. I mean… maybe someday?"
"I… do not follow." Starfire asked, lost on his words.
"Yeah, I'm doing a bad job of saying it. What I'm trying to show is that… I'm not against the idea… of us… being a thing like that." Danny said.
"You… are not?" Starfire asks.
"No. I… I want to practice for when we're old enough." Danny said.
"You… you are aware… that this is you admitting you wish to be my betrothed, are you not?" Starfire questioned.
"I… kind of do. But, at the same time… I don't mind this. I don't mind that being my future." Danny admits.
Starfire smiled, a smile that was very warm and hopeful.
"Then… I wish to rehearse and do our wedding of mock." Starfire said.
The two then flew closer to the church.
The was no wedding and there was no gathering, along with time being frozen for all but them, it was perfect.
"Now… we just need…" Danny said as he pressed buttons and fired a beam that gave Starfire a wedding veil, along with a bouquet. "Perfect."
Starfire smiled at what she was given, feeling like a real bride.
"Glorious." She said as Danny took her hand.
The two phased to enter the building, landing on the floor. Danny nodded to Starfire as he flew to the INSERT to wait for her. Knowledgeable on Earth marriage customs, Starfire nodded as she calmly walked down. Once she did, the two nodded and pretended there was a priest with them.
"This is the part where a guy with the book asks us the questions. Do we take each as lawful wedded wife and husband, to honor and to love for the rest of our days?"
"I would like to answer as if there is such a guy with the book." Starfire said.
"Then… ladies first." Danny said as they stood close to each other.
"I, Starfire of Tamaran, take Danny Fenton, aka Danny Phantom, as my loving husband." Stafire said.
"And I, Danny Fenton, aka Danny Phantom, take Starfire, Koriand'r of Tamaran, as my loving wife. To honor and to love for the rest of my days." Danny said.
"And then…?" Starfire asks.
"This is where… I kiss the bride." Danny said as he turned to look her in the eye.
Starfire smiled happily, blushing as well.
"Then… you may kiss this bride." Starfire said.
Danny then lifted the veil before cupping Starfire's face. The two then shared a long, loving kiss.
It took moments before the two finally pulled away, smiling happily with faces turned red in the cheeks and eyes full of joy.
"I know I can't say it… but… I'm hoping this at least show you how I feel." Danny said.
"You do. Actions speak louder than words." Starfire said happily.
Danny smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Yeah…"
"So… what do we do now?" Starfire asks.
"Uh… well… when people get married… they usually… go all the way." He said, gesturing with pressing his fingers together as Starfire blushed hard.
"I see…"
"But… we can just… make out more." Danny suggested.
"I can agree with that." Starfire said as she wrapped her arms around him.
The two proceeded to kiss deeply.
As they held on, the two hovered into the air, resuming their kiss. Once they stopped, the two smiled happily as Starfire tore off the veil and tossed the bouquet despite nobody around to take it.
"So, we are the betrothed?" Starfire asks.
"We will be once I feel like I can say it." Danny said.
"You needn't do that, my love. Your actions speak for you."
"I know… but I want to actually say it. I promise that I'll say it to you as soon as I can, then we can be… this… for real." Danny said.
"You do?" Starfire asks.
"I promise...I promise that when I can finally say... that word...I'll make it official with you..." Danny said, kissing her hand.
Starfire smiled as she felt happy tears form in her eyes. She wiped them and then smiled so serenely at him, feeling her heart flutter the entire time.
"You truly wish to be with me?" She asked.
Danny nodded.
"Yeah...You're the best thing that were happened to me Kory and... I don't think I can see a life without you anymore. So, I guess...unless you stop loving me, you got me..." He said, holding his arms out.
The alien princess smiled more at that and embraced him.
"I have no such plans to stop..." She said happily before kissing him.
New chapter with thanks to Flower Princess11 and The White Titan.
Apologies for how late this is. So...
RonaldM40196867: I couldn't find a place for her. Probably not. A lot. A rival for Starfire.
Major Simi: Most villains don't treat underlings fairly.
SoundVenom: Thanks.
Jebest4781: Thanks.
William Escobar 608: 1) Danny es así de despistado. 2) Claro que sí. 3) Sí. 4) No sabía eso. 5) Lo hizo. 6) Lo hizo. 7) Quizás. 8) Efectivamente. 9) Lo parece. 10) Aquí está. 11) No tuve tiempo de publicar respuestas entonces.
Leonardo: Sadly, I will not use Larry here. I did not hear of that.
Ultimatrix bearer: I will, my friend.
Luiz4200: No but he's awkward about it.
LockAndKey989: He sure is... to some extent.
simm36: Gracias.
16: Thanks.
Devilsummoner666: Thank you.
kazikamikaze24: Here's more.
