It wasn't a secret that Tyson Granger wasn't the most romantically inclined person in the world.

It had taken him a while to realize Hilary liked him as more than just a friend, and ultimately, he'd only realized it because Hilary had blurted it out to him in a moment of frustration. In reality, he'd felt the same way too…he'd just had no idea what that feeling actually was. For the longest time, Tyson couldn't understand why every time he saw Hilary, his heart started beating faster and his palms got all sweaty. He just assumed he was sick or something, until he offhandedly mentioned it to Kenny, who had quickly informed him that wasn't the case (after laughing hysterically, of course).

He and Hilary had now been dating for a little over three years, and Tyson thought it was going quite well. There was, however, one little detail he hadn't quite broached yet.

"What do you mean you and Hilary haven't slept together?!"

Tyson's eyes snapped open as he flew across the table to slap a hand over his friend's mouth. "Shut up, Max! You don't need to announce it to the whole restaurant!"

The two had decided to meet up for lunch at a small diner; it'd been a while since they'd seen each other, and both finally happened to be back home at the same time. Their conversation had started off about their latest upgrades in their Beyblades, Judy's research, their friends, but eventually transitioned into relationships (namely Tyson and Hilary's), which led to Max's prodding about the two's sex life.

Which, Tyson had reluctantly admitted, was non-existent.

Max rolled his eyes, which Tyson took as his cue to remove his hand. "I hate to break it to you, Tyson, but no one here cares about your sexual escapades, or lack thereof."

"I'm the World Champion, so yeah, people do care," Tyson grumbled, sinking lower into the booth. With just a quick glance, he could tell that some of the other customers were staring at them. "Besides, I don't need total strangers hearing about my private stuff!"

"I wouldn't be worried about total strangers when your own girlfriend hasn't even seen your 'private stuff'," Max quipped, grinning slyly at his former rival.

Tyson groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I should've never told you about this! I knew you would just make a big joke out of it."

"Yeah, you shouldn't have, but you did, so here we are," Max teased. "So, what's with the holdout? Hilary is an attractive woman."

"I'm well aware of that," Tyson snapped, lowering his hands. "Her looks have nothing to do with it."

"Oh, is it yours?" Max marvelled, leaning forward. "Are you worried she's gonna see you in the buff and reject you?"

"I wasn't, but thanks for putting it in my head," Tyson bit.

Max smirked and crossed his arms. "I doubt that'd even cross her mind. You guys seem to have a pretty serious relationship. She obviously likes you for more than just your looks."

Tyson whined and started poking his fingers together. "I just…don't really know what to do. Do I ask her? Tell her?"

Max raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me how to initiate love making?"

Tyson rolled his eyes. "I guess so. I have no idea why, but it sure seems that way."

"Well, it's the right choice," Max boasted, earning a scowl from Tyson. "I'm just surprised you didn't go to someone like Kenny before me."

"I did!" Tyson quickly replied, wanting to show he hadn't completely lost his mind. "But he was just worried about making sure we were both ready for that step. Which I get, and it's a good point. But…I think I am, and- "

"You think?" Max interrupted, narrowing his eyes. "It's been three years."

"What, are you implying I don't actually love her or something?" Tyson huffed.

"No," Max replied simply. "Look, I get it. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of a romp. It takes some people longer than others. But you and Hilary have been together for three years, and like I said, the relationship seems pretty serious. It's the natural next step to take."

"Except nothing romantic ever seems to come naturally to me," Tyson sighed. "Hilary says I'm getting better, but this is a lot different than just holding hands or even kissing."

"You're right, it is," Max agreed, suddenly sounding more serious.

"So, what do I do?" Tyson practically pleaded.

Max rubbed his chin in thought for about a minute before licking his lips and leaning forward. "Number one: do not ask Hilary in advance. It's not romantic."

"But what if she doesn't want to?" Tyson practically whined.

Max shot his old friend a deadpan look. "Again, it's been three years. More than likely, she wants to. But if she freaks out or something beforehand, then stop, obviously. Don't force her into doing anything she doesn't want to do. It's not cool."

Tyson hummed and slightly narrowed his eyes. "Wow, that's actually pretty thoughtful of you!"

"I'm sarcastic, not a masochist," Max commented. Tyson opened his mouth, but Max cut him off with a well-timed, "I know you don't know what that means. And no, I'm not explaining it to you."

Tyson rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. So, if I'm not supposed to ask her beforehand, what do I do?"

"You set the scene," Max began dramatically, throwing his hands out for effect. "I'm talking candles, flower petals on the bed, bottle of champagne, maybe some soft jazz. Women love that kind of stuff."

"And just from that, she'll know what I'm trying to do?" Tyson asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course she will!" Max sighed, obviously exasperated. "Don't question me, Ty. I know what I'm talking about."

It felt weird to be doing all of this, but Tyson did have to admit that Max seemed to know a whole lot more about romancing women than he did, so he figured it was worth a shot.

He'd done everything his old rival had recommended: candles (which he'd burned himself lighting), flower petals (that he'd accidentally spilled on the floor and kept slipping on), a bottle of champagne (cheap, because he didn't even like alcohol and couldn't tell the difference), and some music (which, according to the internet, was jazz).

Now all he had to do was wait for Hilary. He figured it wouldn't be much longer, since she'd texted him that she was leaving the Pilates almost 15 minutes ago. Still, the longer he waited, the more nervous he got.

What if Hilary doesn't like any of this stuff? What if she laughs at it? What if she does like it? And then we start taking stuff off and she really doesn't like the way I look? Is she gonna run out the door or something? Or jump out the window? Should I have locked those? Or is that forcing her into it like Max said not to do?

Tyson was so lost in his whirlwind of incoherent thought that he'd failed to register the front door opening, the call of his name, or the bedroom door opening.

"Tyson?"

It was only the second time his name was called, from right in front of him, that he snapped back into reality. Hilary was standing in the doorway, her face gently illuminated by the candles around the room. Tyson could tell that she appeared a bit surprised, but also in awe.

Is that a good thing?

"Uh…hey!" Tyson cheerfully greeted before mentally kicking himself.

That's definitely not how you greet someone you're trying to be romantic with! Even I know that! I just said "hey" to her the same way I do to someone like Kenny!

"What is all of this?" Hilary asked sweetly, nodding around the room.

"Um…it's…a special surprise! Just for you!" Tyson cried. "Do you like it?"

Hilary giggled softly. "Oh Tyson, of course I do! It was very sweet of you. Also, very romantic."

Tyson's face lit up. "Glad to hear…uh…I mean…thank you."

He had adjusted his voice to try and make it sound more gentlemanly. Hilary, of course, had caught onto this, and giggled again.

With a more confident smile, Tyson jumped up from the bed, but once again slipped on a stray pile of petals. He nearly lost his footing, causing Hilary to rush forward to grab him, but the young man managed to save himself just in time.

"I'm good!" Tyson assured her, throwing in a nervous laugh for good measure. Clearing his throat, he reached out and took her hand, gently guiding her towards the bed so she could sit. Hilary looked up at him expectantly, her eyes shimmering with excitement. That was what got him anxious again.

Without much thinking, Tyson threw himself down on the bed and leaned in towards Hilary, aiming for a kiss. Unfortunately, his nerves had gotten the best of him, and he'd thrust forward a bit too quickly and forcefully, knocking heads with her instead.

"Ow!" Hilary hissed, pulling away to rub at her forehead.

"Oh, I'm really sorry!" Tyson gasped. "I…I didn't mean for that to happen! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Hilary sighed, lowering her hand before glancing back up at Tyson. "Are you?"

"Oh, yeah, I've got a really hard head," Tyson laughed nervously.

"I don't mean your head, although I'm glad to hear that too," Hilary replied, smiling sympathetically at him. "I meant are you okay?"

Tyson blinked hard. "Um…I…don't really know what you're talking about!"

"You're so jumpy," Hilary explained, shaking her head. "This isn't like you. And not for nothing, as sweet as this gesture is, it isn't like you either. Did someone else give you this idea?"

Tyson groaned and looked away.

This is so embarrassing! I can't believe she can tell this wasn't my idea! Man, I really screwed this one up…

Suddenly, Tyson felt someone grab onto his hand. Looking down, he found Hilary's overlapping his own, gently squeezing it. And that, unlike the look she'd given him before, was enough to calm him down.

"Yeah," Tyson reluctantly admitted, still not willing to look at her. "Max."

Hilary giggled softly and reached up to Tyson's face with her free hand, gently turning it towards her. "I should've known. Tyson, you don't have to do all of this to impress me."

Once again, Tyson was left completely stumped. "I don't?"

"No," Hilary confirmed, shaking her laugh. "Like I said, it's very sweet…but it's not you. And I love you for you."

She inched closer to him and initiated a kiss, this one far gentler and more careful than what Tyson had attempted before. Tyson was happy to reciprocate it, vaguely aware that Hilary's hands were beginning to roam around his chest. He decided to return the favor, taking his formerly idle hands and wrapping them around her waist. When they both were in the need for air, they pulled away from one another, although they kept their hands in place.

"Are you ready?" Hilary asked softly.

Tyson pulled back a bit, his eyes scanning Hilary before breathlessly asking, "ready for what?"

Hilary turned her head and nodded towards the bed. Tyson looked in the same direction before blushing a bit and sheepishly looking away.

"I don't want to rush you," Hilary continued. "I just assumed- "

"No, I'm ready," Tyson blurted out, his blush deepening. "You're right, that's why I did all of this. I was trying to make it romantic. I thought about just asking you, but Max said that wasn't romantic. But…you just asked me, and I thought it was kind of romantic."

Hilary smiled and rubbed her nose against Tyson's. "Maybe it's not romantic to him, but it is to me. I appreciate that you take my feelings into consideration, and I like to do the same for you."

Tyson's grin returned, although his face was still tinted red. "So…um…we're going to do this?"

Hilary's expression turned more devious as she gently pushed Tyson down on the bed, swinging one of her legs over his so she was straddling him. Leaning over, Hilary rested herself right on top of Tyson, tucking her head into the space between his neck and shoulder and trailing kisses up his skin.

"Of course, we are," she whispered in his ear, sending a delighted shiver up his spine. "After all, I've been waiting three years for this."