-At Danny's Apartment-
The young ghost was getting ready for his date with Valerie. Sure, they hung out alone before, but this was a serious date. A date hopefully will change the status of their relationship. After his dad accidently put Sam's name of the ring, he decides to buy a necklace for Val instead. Jazz informed him of never giving a girl jewelry meant for someone else and the boy took the advice to heart.
The necklace was a beautiful amethyst gem with a silver lining. It took him quite a while and a lot travelling until he found the perfect gem for her. The necklace was nicely tucked inside in a black rectangle case for him to hide it in his jacket pocket.
Danny did a once over in his mirror: a dark blue suit with a lavender dress shirt and black dress shoes. His hair was getting a bit long but he manages to tame it into a small ponytail and sprayed a small thing of perfume Sam gave him a few months ago.
The ghost adult struck a pose in the mirror ranging from James Bond to goofy. While the ghost boy was posing, his phone went off, reminding him to leave in a few minutes. Looking at the time, Danny stopped his 'modeling' session and began to leave him room.
In the living room sat Tucker and Sam, who were setting up a movie marathon they were hosting. Tucker did a once over on his friend and whistle while Sam gave a thin-lipped smile.
"Hot date?" Tucker joking asked, avoiding a punch from Sam. Danny chuckled at his friends' shenanigans.
"You could say that." A playful grin appeared on Danny's face.
"Or maybe you couldn't." Mumbled Sam as she crossed her arms.
Both Tucker and Danny gave each other a glance then back at the goth. Tucker had already talked to her about the conflict with her and Valerie, Danny as well. No matter what, the goth just still had it out for the former ghost hunter, which is reasonable as she spent a good bit almost killing her crush friend.
Danny took a step to the goth and gave her a reassuring look. "Sam, Val isn't that like that anymore. You two have a lot more in common than you think."
"Our brief period of wealth wouldn't really count as bonding." The goth spat back at her friend. Tucker went back to sorting movies and to avoid a long-awaited conversation.
"Look Sam, you both mean a lot to me and I understand you have your reasons, but it's been years. We're grown adults now and Val is open to being friends if you try as well." Danny tried to reason with the goth, but her mind was made up.
"I did and she slammed the door in my face so excuse me if I don't feel like being civil with her." Sam retorted to her friend. Why couldn't he see through Valerie and just be done with her?
Danny was at his wits end about his friend disliking his soon to be girlfriend. He has tried everything but if they continue this conversation, he will be late for his date with Valerie.
Danny sighed, "Sam we can have this conversation later okay? I really like Val and see a future for us. Maybe she could be Mrs. Fenton, or maybe Fenton-Gray?" He said to his gothic friend, giving her a look before he grabbed his keys and left.
Tucker got up from his busy work and gave his friend a comforting hug. Sam melted in his arms, the pain of being rejected but not really being rejected draining her energy.
"Sam if you keep acting like this, you will push him away as a friend and maybe as a lover." Tucker softly said to his friend, looking into her eyes.
Sam looked away, knowing that he was right. She just did not want to admit that. There was a lot she did not want to admit.
Danny drove in his 2014 light blue convertible towards Valerie's apartment. He had on his special date playlist and was currently blasting 'Slide' by Calvin Harris, Migos and Frank Ocean (his and Tucker's guilty pleasure song).
"Do you slide on all your nights like this?" Danny yelled in an exaggerated voice. The ghost boy was very into this song as he incorporated some dance moves while driving.
"Do you try on all your nights like this?" The ghost boy now tried to imitate Frank's voice. The car in the next lane, a young black couple gave him a look, looked backed at each other and laughed while they drove off.
Danny shrugged his should as his continue his drive to Valerie's apartment. He turned down the music as he appeared by her apartment, she already waiting outside for him.
Danny, ever the gentleman, greeted his date with a hug.
When he stepped back, his eyes where wide as he looked at her outfit. A mauve halter dress that fit her body perfectly and a pair of black wedges to complete the outfit. Her hair was in its naturally curly state, cascading down her back. And her makeup was a lavender eyeshadow, black liner and a wine-colored lipstick as well. In the streetlights, he could make out some body glitter she had on as well.
After staring at the beauty in front of him, Danny open the side of the passenger door to help her in. Normally she would hate any male trying to do that but since it was Danny, she allowed it. After all, it was fun being treated like a princess again. Once her door was safely shut, he got into the driver seat and began to drive to the restaurant, La Coûteux.
It was a 20-minute drive, which both adults didn't seem to mind. Val connected her Bluetooth to her own special playlist. 'Say My Name' by Destiny's Child began to overtake the convertible as both adults sung their renditions of the classic song.
4 more songs later, they arrive at the French restaurant. Danny gave his keys to the underpaid valet before giving the teen a nice tip. This perked up the underpaid teen as he parked the couple's car in the parking lot.
The young couple was led into the swanky restaurant by a middle age host, enthusiastic about the young couple's choice of restaurant. He led them to a table in the middle of the restaurant with a reserved sign on the it. Danny pulled out Val's chair, much to her surprise, and then sat in his own chair across from her.
The host smiled softly at the couple, seeing his fair share throughout working here. He gave them their menus and asked their drink choices: a water for Danny and lemonade for Valerie. After getting their drink orders, he left for them to decide their options on the menu.
Valerie looked around the restaurant, a high class overprice French place with an all white and red theme. Tables scattered so couples can enjoy their dates without being so close to each other. Waiters and hosts scatter across the restaurant to serve those ranging from couples, to families to big groups of friends all over the place.
She then looked over at her date for the evening, Danny with his hand on his chin staring lovingly at her. Val chuckled at his romantic antics and took ahold of said hand with hers.
Both adults gazed into each other's eye, ocean blue to emerald green. The last time the young adults both felt like this was senior prom and the day after. Their temporary bliss was interrupted when their charming host came back and asked their orders.
Both told the man each order: Coq au vin with a side salad for Valerie and Steak frites with a baked potato for Danny. The host took their orders and left, leaving the two to talk amongst themselves. Most was filled with talk about classes, professors, due dates, high school stories and occasional gossip.
"You remember that one-time Paulina had tried to fight me just because I told her outfit was so outdated. Like girl, that washed up pink combo was ugly!" Valerie snickered in remembrance of her encounter with the Hispanic girl.
"Oh man, she was pissed! She tried to have Dash fight you and I remember him yelling 'Not my fight' to her." Danny laughed along with his date.
Over the years, Paulina mellowed out a bit but still retain her dramatic flair.
After laughing about more high school shenanigans, the pair's food finally arrived after a good wait. The steam of the food hit their noses, teasing them with awaited taste. They both began to eat in their meal in comfortable silence, occasional moaning of how good the food is and both stealing a bit of each other's plate. Val made fun of Danny for ordering steak and fries ("It's good to me dammit!) while stealing a good bit of his fries as well.
Both finished the meal, talking a bit more until the same host came to give them their check. Danny being a gentleman paid the tab and left another nice tip for the man as well. The underpaid valet perked up at the couple as he gave Danny his keys, thanking both for the tip.
Valerie knew what it was like to be underpaid at your job and gave him another tip as well. The poor kid looked like he was going to cry on her so Danny quickly thanked him and got both him and Valerie into his car.
Continuing their playlist from earlier, the former ghost hunters sung along to music of their youth and before until Danny pulled into a well-lit park.
A few night joggers and teens sitting on playground equipment were scattered across the park. Danny took Valerie's hand and led her to a small park bench under a streetlight. He knew she could protect herself and hurt anyone who tries to harm both. He knows Valerie is a strong girl, but he wanted to be the person to protect her as her father is working in Amity Park.
Shaking his head out of thoughts, Danny turned his head towards his date. It seems like she was looking into the night sky scattered with stars across it. Danny gently squeezed her hand to bring her back to earth, he joked in his head.
"Hey Val, I have something I have always wanted to say to you." Danny spoke towards the dark-haired girl. Valerie nodded her head as for him to continue. He gave her a shaky smile and held his hands into hers.
"Valerie, I know we known each other since third grade and really became friends in our freshmen year. The time I spent with you since then has been amazing. You become my best friend over these years, and I could never be so grateful to have you in my life." Danny confessed to her. Valerie heart was thumping loudly, loud enough for Danny to hear.
"Danny you're not going to purpose to me, right?" Valerie said in a panic. Although she was fond of him, marriage was not in the cards until she was at least 27.
"What? No, no- I mean not yet, uh I mean- Val just let me finish okay?" The ghost boy spluttered towards the former ghost Huntress. Maybe if they got together, down the line they might. After the mishap, Danny continued where he left off in his speech.
"I never felt like this about anyone before and it's scary. Its funny because we literally faced killer ghost daily, but the point still stands." He gently grabs her face into his hands, staring directly into her eyes. "I am so deeply in love with you, Val. And I wasted so many years not saying anything, but I love you. We been through so much together and since were in college, I want to be with you. I admire your compassion for others, your beauty, your grace, how you can beat level 20 on 'Mega Mosh Jumpers', and everything else about you. You have been my dream girl for so long, I couldn't keep my feelings to myself." Danny spilled his confession of love to Valerie. He then pulled out the necklace from his suit pocket and presented to her.
Danny mind was racing, he confessed his love to Valerie after years of being chased and almost killed by her. Valerie, he loves, Huntress he tried not to get her killed and for her not to kill him.
Valerie could not believe he finally confessed to her. Her heart was thumping wildly as he felt the same and since they are in college, almost nothing can stop them from being in a relationship. And he brought her a beautiful necklace, no guy has ever done anything this amazing for her.
She was speechless, the kind gesture brought tears in her eyes. Val was never a girl to get overly emotional, but this was a few moments that touched her.
Val let Danny put the necklace on her, his hands skimmed her smooth skin to clasp the necklace. This moment reminded her of winning Prom Queen in senior year.
Both young adults stared into each other's eyes and kissed. This kissed between two young adults and not two young awkward teens many years ago was different. It felt right, the timing was right and with the right person. No ghost to ruin the moment, no family members to embarrass them and especially no friends spying on them either.
In all, the night was perfect for both ghost hunters.