Finally! A cutesy, fluffy RyanxDarrion chapter for you! I loved writing this one! I love those two little love birds!

Ryan felt totally lame as he walked to the house where Darrion lived with the bunch of roses he'd bought. It was a cold night and he was watching puffs of his breath form little clouds in front of him as he walked. He was new to this whole dating thing. But he figured girls like roses, especially girls like Darrion. He still felt nervous even though they'd been hanging out for a while now, but tonight was the night they decided to go on their first real, official date. Ryan had told Lionel and all he did was laugh before congratulating him. Mark and John thought it was cute. Conrad was the only one that was relatively encouraging,

"Just be you, man." He'd said. "You guys are friends and it's obvious she likes you."

By the time Ryan turned up at the house, he had gone over his spiel in his head a million times.

Shelly answered the door and immediately giggled. Whilst Ryan wasn't a kid anymore, they all saw him as the baby of the group.

"Hi Shelly. Yeah I'm hilarious." He said, "Can you tell Darrion I'm here?"

"Sure Ryan." Shelly giggled, running off to find her.

Darrion looked stunning. She was wearing a long sleeved, short red dress with thick black tights and black boots. She had a red overcoat on and her long dark hair curled loosely and falling down her back. Ryan was immediately smitten all over again and didn't say anything. He just stood flabbergasted.

Darrion laughed, "You look nice Ryan."

"Uh.. you do too." He blurted out, "You look lovely."

Lovely. When have I ever used the word lovely? He thought, kicking himself.

Darrion laughed again, "Thank you."

Darrion's heart was a flutter and she thought Ryan looked absolutely adorable. Darrion had liked guys before the whole Tribulation. She'd had the odd boyfriend here and there but none of them compared to Ryan Daley. He had saved her life and risked his own. He was completely selfless, and had a beautiful heart. Also, how he was grown up, he was very good looking. No one had ever made her feel as silly as he did. She felt like a school girl with a big stupid crush. She'd smile like an idiot every time she saw his name appear on her phone screen when he'd call her. She felt her heart go a little crazy whenever he'd turn up at her doorstep. And he treated her like a princess. It was almost as if he couldn't believe that a girl like her would like him. Her parents approved 100%. They'd loved Ryan from the moment they met him. Obviously, he saved their daughter and led them to Christ, and when Darrion told them about her and Ryan they were completely ecstatic.

Ryan had made them reservations at a cute little Italian restaurant in nice part of town. They got their table and received their menus.

"You still vegetarian?" Ryan asked with a smirk.

Darrion smiled, "When you're on the run from the GC, you eat what you can. Besides, I discovered how awesome meat tastes."

"Wow, you've changed." Ryan joked.

"More than you know." She said.

"I remember when I met you, you were this… difficult rich girl with an attitude." Ryan pondered.

"Difficult?" Darrion laughed, "I was obnoxious! I don't know how you put up with me."

"It was a trial." Ryan said shaking his head.

Darrion laughed.

"I did change a lot in the last five or so years. I mean, how could you not change? It was crazy."

"Well I changed too." Ryan said with a laugh, "I did die."

Darrion looked down, almost upset, "I do wish you wouldn't make jokes about that. That was one of the most difficult days of my life."

She looked up with glassy eyes, remembering the tragic day when Vicki came from the hospital to tell her and Shelly that Ryan had passed away.

Ryan grabbed her hand over the table.

"Hey, I'm sorry." He said gently.

"It's ok. It was just… so hard without you around." She said.

"I'm so proud of you though." Ryan smiled stoking her cheek.

Darrion blushed, "What for?"

"For being so strong, so brave." He said, "You fought and you made it, right to the end. I couldn't have been happier."

Darrion smiled, "Thank you."

The two ordered their meals and as they waited for them to arrive they reminisced about the past and learnt more and more about each other.

"Tell me something that pretty much nobody knows about you." Ryan said.

Darrion laughed, "Something pretty much nobody knows about me. You're really asking me to trust you with this one."

"Come one. You tell me one and I'll tell you one." Ryan pushed.

"Fine." Darrion said throwing her hands up, "Pretty much nobody knows… that I… sing."

"You can sing?" Ryan repeated, "Why have I never heard you sing!?"

Darrion blushed, "Because I don't sing in front of people. I get too freaked out."

"Well now I know, I need to hear you sing." Ryan said.

"No way." Darrion laughed! "I can't!"

"Later on, I'm going to hear you sing." Ryan said with a smirk.

"Come on then, tell me something!" Darrion said lightly kicking him under the table.

"Fine. But you can't laugh." Ryan said.

"I can't promise anything." Darrion said laughing already.

"My middle name is Cermack."

Darrion bit her lip trying to stifle a laugh.

"You want to laugh!" Ryan exclaimed.

"I'm sorry!" she cried throwing her head in her hands and giggling.

"It's okay, I laugh at it too." Ryan said. "Tell me another one."

Darrion pursed her lips in thought, "Hmmm. When I was seven I went on a hunger strike because my parents wouldn't buy me a pony."

Ryan burst out laughing, "That is literally text-book rich girl right there!"

"The best bit was, they didn't want to buy me a pony because I already had a horse." Darrion said.

Ryan shook his head, "You went on a hunger strike when you were seven? Over a pony?"

Darrion nodded with a smile.

"How long did it last?"

"Until lunchtime."

The two laughed.

"Your turn." Darrion said.

"Um. When I was 10 I ran away from home because my parents wouldn't buy me a PlayStation."

Darrion laughed, "And you laugh at me!"

"It's an only child thing!" Ryan shrugged.

"I know."

"Ok, your go again." Ryan said.

Darrion sighed, "Ok. When I met you, even though I gave you a hard time, I thought you were really cute."

Ryan shrugged, "Understandable."

"Hey!" Darrion laughed.

"Wait, when you met me? Well where do you stand on that now?"

Darrion blushed for what seemed like the twentieth time, "I still think you're pretty cute."

"Pretty cute?" Ryan raised an eyebrow, "So you downgraded me from really cute to pretty cute?"

Darrion smiled, "Well I met you when we were fourteen. You were cute then, now you're grown up…"

"Well if it means anything, when I met you I thought you were a little crazy, but still really pretty." Ryan said.

Darrion smiled, "And now?"

"Now I think you're beautiful."

Darrion's heart did a somersault in her chest as the waiter came and placed their food on the table. As they ate, they continued their little game and learnt more and more random facts about one another. They laughed and remembered some sadder times. By the time it was time for the check, Darrion felt like she knew more about Ryan than anyone. She had had such an amazing time on this date. She thought as far as first dates go, this one would have had to have been the best one that was ever had.

Ryan payed, and they left the restaurant.

"Do you wanna go home? Or do you wanna do something else?" Ryan asked.

Darrion didn't want the night to end, but she also wanted to be wise about their dates and be home at a decent hour.

"How about we take a little walk and then head home?" Darrion suggested.

"Sounds good to me." Ryan replied.

They found a nearby park and strolled through the gardens under the moonlight. One of the best things about living in the Millennium was the safety. You could walk around at night and not be fearful, but it didn't stop the cold. It was winter after all, and they walked with their hands pushed into their coat pockets. Snow was just beginning to fall and the scene was one of beauty and, Darrion thought, very romantic. She wanted Ryan to hold her hand, but didn't want to just straight out ask him to, even though she was sure he'd be happy to oblige, so instead she walked very close and slipped her hand in his coat pocket, finding his hand and lacng her fingers through his. He squeezed her hand back and took his hand out of his pocket giving her a smile.

Ryan was elated. He couldn't believe how blessed he was to have a girl as beautiful as Darrion want to be with him. He loved the way the snowflakes fell on her dark hair, he loved the way the moonlight made her eyes look so very warm. How he would have loved to have kissed her right then. But he didn't want to. Not yet. It was too soon and he didn't want to rush anything or make her feel like things were moving too fast, so he just smiled and enjoyed the scenery that was made even more perfect by her being in it, as they strolled through the park hand in hand talking about everything from their childhoods to where they wanted to be in the future.

"Now Darrion Stahley," Ryan said in mock seriousness, "You said something back in the restaurant that I really want to discuss further."

"Oh did I?" she replied.

"Yes." He said, "You mentioned that you could sing."

"Oh no." she said recoiling away.

"Please?" Ryan pleaded, "Just a couple of bars of something."

"Ryan, I-"

"There isn't anyone in sight!"

"But-"

"Don't be afraid Darrion!" he said stopping and taking her by the shoulders, "You survived the Tribulation, you can do anything. And I certainly think you can sing for me."

Darrion looked away and paused a minute, "Fine!" she surrendered, throwing her arms in the air.

"Yes!" Ryan cheered. He sat on a nearby wall and applauded.

Darrion rolled her eyes and then shyly studied the pavement as she so very quietly began to sing in a beautiful, sweet voice,

"When peace like a river,

Attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul."

Ryan jumped to his feet and applauded, "Wow!"

Darrion tried to hide her smiling face.

"Your voice is amazing!" Ryan exclaimed.

"Really?"

"Yeah!" he beamed, "More people need to hear you sing!"

"No, please." She said, "Can it just be our secret for now?"

Ryan sighed, "Fine, for now."

By the time Ryan dropped Darrion home, she was completely overwhelmed by her feelings. She'd gone from liking him to being completely besotted by him in one night. She'd never realised how amazing he was and when she flung herself in her bed finally after battling a barrage of questions from Shelly and the others and sighed and smiled at just how smitten she was. Deep down she knew, this was real and for the first time in years, she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Hope you liked! Review if you like!

Peace xo