It opens in the present day as Lincoln is looking nervous, taking some deep breaths to calm his nerves.
Millie: Come on, Linc. Ya got this!
Moxxie: Just be yourself, Lincoln.
Lincoln holds his phone and stares at it quietly. On the screen was his contact list, with names like "Mom", "Dad", "Dumbass" (Blitzo), "Hell's Princess" (Charlie), "Tex-Bro" (Vortex), and "Lazy Bitch" (Loona) just to name a few. But at the top was the name "Via", meaning Lincoln was building up confidence to call Octavia.
Lincoln: *sighs* Alright… here goes.
Cut to the Goetia mansion as Octavia sits in boredom in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV and holding a soda.
Octavia: Ugh… never anything good on…
As she sips her soda, her phone starts to ring as she gives it a side eye glare, then tosses it to the other side of the couch. When it lands, smoke comes out of the phone and displays the words "Lincoln is Calling". Upon seeing this, Octavia's eyes widen as she spits her drink out in shock, then scrambles across the couch to get her phone.
Octavia: *answers the phone* H-Hello, hello, Lincoln?!
In a split-screen, Lincoln appears on the right side of the screen.
Lincoln: Via, hey. You, uh… *glances to his parents, who give thumbs up, then looks away* You busy tonight?
Octavia: *nervously twirling her feathery hair with her finger* Um, n-no, not really. Why do you ask?
Lincoln: I was wondering if you… *scratches the back of his head* I don't know… wanna hang out? Just the two of us?
Octavia: *left surprised* Are you… *starts to blush* … are you asking me out, Lincoln?
Cut to just Lincoln's side.
Lincoln: *blushes as his tail wags a big* I… Um, yeah, I guess I am. How fast can you get ready?
Back at the Goetia mansion, Octavia was already running to her closet, holding the phone.
Octavia: *eager* I can be ready in 30!
Lincoln: *on the phone* Okay, I'll pick you up then.
Octavia: *eagerly looking through her clothes* I'll see you then, Lincoln!
She hangs up and excitedly rummages through her closet for something to wear. Stolas walks past her bedroom, but then looks back in as he sees some of Octavia's clothes from the closet flying out.
Stolas: Octavia? What's going on?
Octavia: *runs out holding two different outfits, holding them up to the mirror to see which looks better* Lincoln just asked me out on a date and I have to get ready in 30 minutes!
Stolas: *his eyes widen in delight* He did?! Oh, that's wonderful, Via!
Octavia: *a realization hits* Wait, wait! *starts digging through her dresser* Where is it, where is it?! *finds a small box and opens it, revealing something glowing, much to her relief* Yes! *shuts the box*
Cut to 30 minutes later. Lincoln pulls up in his crimson 1959 Cadillac, then steps out. He is wearing an orange button-up shirt slightly unbuttoned for his chest fur, black jeans, and his boots. He glances into his car and sees a wrapped box in the passenger seat. He smiles, then walks up to the door of the Goetia mansion and knocks. Seconds later, Stolas opens the door.
Stolas: *smiling* Lincoln, so nice to see you!
Lincoln: Hi, Stolas. Is Via ready?
Octavia: *off-screen* See for yourself.
Lincoln looks, only to go beet red as his tail starts wagging as Octavia walks up to him. She wears a black t-shirt with puffed sleeves and a purple heart on her chest, a pink skirt with a black trim on the bottom, black fingerless gloves with fishnet reaching up to her elbows, black stockings with pink and purple stripes, black heeled boots with silver buckles, a black sun hat with a pink ribbon, and gray, pink and purple flowers in her hair.
Octavia: *blushes and smiles* How do I look?
Lincoln: *blushing* U-Unholy fuck… Wow… You look amazing…
Octavia giggles as she links her arm with Lincoln's.
Stolas: You two have fun now! And don't stay out too late!
Octavia: *embarrassed* Daaaaaad…
Lincoln: *chuckles* I'll have her home before midnight.
Octavia groans in embarrassment as she pulls her hat over her eyes, causing Lincoln and Stolas to chuckle. Before the couple can step out the door…
Stella: *off-screen* OCTAVIA GOETIA!
Octavia: *pinches the bridge of her nose, scowling quietly* Fucking shit…
Stella: *Lincoln and Octavia turn and see her furiously stomping in* Where the FUCK do you think you are going with this worthless mutt?!
Before Octavia can retort, Lincoln blitzes right to Stella, grabbing her by the back of the head and slamming her face into one of the tables up against the wall, completely shattering it as he then holds her up by the hair, her face bloody and cut from the broken table. She looks to be in a daze, but Lincoln snaps her awake by tightening the grip, his eyes threatening to blaze with his Hellhound Bloodlust.
Lincoln: Listen here, bitch. I've had about enough of your Karen screeching, so I'm gonna give you one last warning. You approach me and Via… you touch me or Via… you even look at us… *he whispers menacingly into her ear* … you'll end up worse than your little hitman.
Stella's eyes widen in genuine fear and shock as Lincoln shoves her back to the floor.
Lincoln: *stands up, then pulls out a rag and drops it on Stella's bloody face* Clean yourself up, bitch.
Stolas: *smirking* Feel free to stay out past midnight. You've earned it after that.
Octavia smiles and links her arm with Lincoln's again, as they walk down the stairs and out to Lincoln's car. Lincoln opens the door for her, and Octavia sees the wrapped gift in the passenger seat.
Octavia: Oh? *picks up the gift and smirks at Lincoln* What's this?
Lincoln: *smirks back* Hold your horses, Via. *takes the gift back* I'll let you know when you can open it. *Octavia pouts* Hey, don't give me that pout. As cute as it is, you aren't changing my mind.
Octavia: *playfully rolls her eyes* You jerk.
Octavia climbs in the car as Lincoln closes the door behind her, then goes around and enters the driver's side. Octavia waves to her father, who waves back from the door, before Lincoln drives off with his girlfriend.
Octavia: Wait… What about your boss though, Lincoln? *Lincoln glances at her* I don't want him to creep on us like he does to your parents.
Lincoln: *smirks* Already taken care of, Via.
Cut to what Lincoln has done to Blitzo before arriving at the Goetia mansion: he is at a birthday party, currently tied up and hanging upside down by his tail as some imp kids giggle while taking swings at him with some sticks, like if he was a piñata.
Blitzo: *angrily as he's getting hit with sticks* I'm gonna kick Lincoln's ass for this.
Cut back to Lincoln and Octavia as the latter notices they're driving out of the city.
Octavia: Where are we going?
Lincoln: That's a surprise, Via.
Octavia: *smirks* Two surprises on the first date? Don't spoil me, Linky.
Lincoln: *smiles* Trust me, you're gonna enjoy where we end up.
Octavia smiles as Lincoln keeps driving. His eyes briefly glance towards his gift for Octavia.
It cuts to Stylish Occult as the words "TWO DAYS EARLIER" fade on screen. Lincoln is walking through the store, looking for something. A glow catches his attention, making him look in its direction. He smiles at what he sees on the shelf.
Female Demon: *behind Lincoln, emotionless* Impressive, right?
Lincoln lets out a startled shout as he nearly falls over, but composes himself. He looks behind him and sees a 13-year old Hellhound girl with dark gray fur, black hair, and black eyes instead of the standard red eyes. Her outfit was entirely gothic, rivaling Loona's.
Lincoln: Fucking shit…
Lucy: Sorry for the scare. I'm Lucy, the daughter of the manager.
Lincoln: *shakes her hand* Lincoln, son of two assassins of I.M.P.
Lucy: *looks at the glowing item* That item is the rarest of the store, worth 200 souls. If you're looking to buy it, it must be for a very important person.
Lincoln: *smiles* Well, my girlfriend is worth more than any amount of money. *hands her 200 souls* I'll take it.
Lucy: *small smile* Your girlfriend is a lucky woman.
Cut back to the present as Lincoln parks his car outside a forest in Hell, turning his car off.
Octavia: *confused* A forest?
Lincoln: *smiles* You'll recognize where we are in a minute.
They get out of the car, bringing their gifts for each other, as Lincoln leads Octavia through the forest. As they push through the foliage, Octavia's eyes widen as an orange glow lights up her face. Cut to show the couple standing at the bottom of a lavafall that pours over a cliff into a pool of lava.
Octavia: *stunned, eyes wide with amazement* The Scorching Falls… *smiles brightly* They're still here?!
Lincoln: *smiles* Yeah, they are.
Flashback to when Lincoln and Octavia were 6 and 7 years old respectively. Octavia leads Lincoln through the forest to the Scorching Falls.
Lincoln: *amazed* What is this place?
Octavia: The Scorching Falls. This is where I go to escape my parents' arguing.
She kicks her shoes off and steps into the lava pond. Like how demons are immune to fire, lava is like water to them, so it doesn't hurt at all.
Octavia: *look at Lincoln* Come on, Lincoln! The lava's warm!
Lincoln smiles and steps into the lava pond, feeling the warmth of it. A splash of lava suddenly hits his face, making him exclaim as the lava drips off his face, not a single burn on his face. Octavia innocently whistles, only to get splashed back as she squeals. The two kids grin as they get into a lava splash fight, laughing and giggling.
It cuts back to present day as Octavia stares at the falls in amazement.
Octavia: I can't believe they're still here…
Lincoln: They almost weren't, but I fought tooth and nail to keep them safe.
Octavia: *smiles as she faces Lincoln* You are amazing, Lincoln.
Lincoln: *smiles and pulls out his gift to her* Wait till you see this surprise.
Octavia takes the gift and opens it, and her eyes widen as a glow emits from the box. She pulls out an astral decorated rose in a glass case.
Octavia: *smiling* The Galactic Rose?!
Lincoln: Every time we passed that rose in Stylish Occult, it reminded me of you. So I worked my ass off to buy it and see the smile it puts on your face.
Octavia: *hugs it close* I love it, Lincoln! You're the best!
Lincoln: Yeah… *starts to look troubled*…I'm glad you like it.
He looks down with an uneasy sigh, which doesn't escape Octavia's notice.
Octavia: *concerned* What's wrong, Linky? *holds her present close to her* Is the date-
Lincoln: No, no. It's not that, Via. It's just… *sits down and puts a paw on his forehead* I just can't believe what I'm struggling with in life right now.
Octavia: Struggling? *tilts her head* What do you mean? *looks concerned as she sits down next to him* Does it have to do with that bounty hunter?
Lincoln: *sighs* Yep. I'm being hunted down for reasons I don't know why, and I can't even mention my parents because... *his fur tenses as his eyes widen* Because... *he starts to sweat* Because...
Lincoln starts to breathe heavily, worrying Octavia that he may be having another PTSD attack, but the Hellhound quickly shoves the feeling away with a heavy swallow in his throat.
Lincoln: *makes an uneasy groan as his body relaxes* I'm good, I'm good... *looks down* I'm sorry, Via... I know this date is supposed to be happy, but... *plants both of his paws over his eyes* My past's got one too many demons to ignore…
Octavia looks at her Hellhound boyfriend in sympathy, before she sets her present down and gently takes Lincoln's paws off his face and intertwines her fingers with his, making him glance at her.
Octavia: Lincoln, you have nothing to apologize for.
Her hands start to squeeze Lincoln's paws gently.
Octavia: Believe me when I say that I've seen what loss can do to people. I mean, I was crushed when I thought I lost you that day... *a tear forms in her right eye, but she wipes it away with a finger* But if we gave up every time we lost, then we'd never be able to move forward.
Lincoln: Via...
Octavia: You may think you're going through this alone, but you're not. You're surrounded by people that want to help you in life. People that care about you. *rests one hand on Lincoln's cheek* People that will always be by your side... *softly smiles* ... like me.
Lincoln can only smile at his girlfriend's words.
Lincoln: Thank you, Via. *wags his tail slowly* Really, that means so much to me...
Octavia smiles, before she and Lincoln lean in and share a passionate kiss on the lips, the Scorching Falls giving off a calm orange glow over the couple. When the kiss breaks up, Octavia pulls out her gift to Lincoln.
Octavia: Here. *gives it to him* I know that my gift will mean just as much.
Lincoln takes the gift and opens the box, as the contents inside give off a glow. Cut to reveal a silver chain necklace with an astral themed jewel on the end.
Lincoln: *amazed* Whoa...
Octavia: Like it? It's like a sweet little memory, to recall how I never left your side and helped you get through all those horrible memories you endured. *puts a hand on Lincoln's chest* I always wanted to see you happy and terror-free, and like hell I want that to stop now.
Lincoln smiles as he puts the necklace around his neck, the necklace giving off a glint from the glow coming off the lava of the Scorching Falls.
Lincoln: *he looks at Octavia* I love it, Via. *puts his arm around her* How did I get so lucky to have a girlfriend as sweet and beautiful as you?
Octavia: *blushes and looks away, a slight smile* Shut up... I'm not that beautiful...
Lincoln: *his smile widens* To me, you are. *he stands up as Octavia follows* And I wrote a song to prove that.
Octavia's eyes widened a bit. First she gets brought to a place from her childhood, then she gets a gift, and now a song?! Lincoln smiles as he gazes into her eyes.
Lincoln: Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
He runs his fingers through Octavia's feather-y hair.
Lincoln: Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her tryin'
She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday
He grabs Octavia's hand gently.
Lincoln: Yeah, I know, I know
When I compliment her, she won't believe me
He gently runs a finger under Octavia's chin, making her flustered as her feathers fluff out.
Lincoln: And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say
It fades to the moment Lincoln and Octavia reunited two years ago, when Octavia hugged Lincoln as she cried in relief.
Lincoln: When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
As Lincoln comforts her with a warm smile, Octavia smiles back as Lincoln wipes her tears.
Lincoln: And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
It snaps back to the present as Lincoln gently holds Octavia's chin.
Lincoln: Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Octavia lets out a giggle and suddenly hoots, then covering her mouth in embarrassment. But Lincoln smiled and pulled her hand back.
Lincoln: Her laugh, her laugh
She hates, but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday
Octavia's face was about as pink as her eyes as she smiled
Lincoln: Oh, you know, you know
You know I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searchin' for, then just stay the same
So don't even bother askin' if you look okay
You know I'll say
He grabs Octavia's hand and twirls her as the light from the lava shines on them both.
Lincoln: When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
It cuts to a wide shot of the couple slow dancing as silhouettes. Lincoln even dips Octavia once.
Lincoln: The way you are
The way you are
Girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
It then cuts to them as the dance then stops as the couple stares at each other lovingly.
Lincoln: When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
He rests his hand against Octavia's cheek as she leans into it warmly, smiling warmly.
Lincoln: And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
As the song ends, the two lean in and share another passionate kiss, this one lasting much longer. They then split off and lovingly gaze into each other's eyes.
Octavia: *smiling* You're amazing, Lincoln… I love you so much…
Lincoln: *smiling as his tail wags* I love you too, Octavia…
They rest their foreheads together as they close their eyes, with Lincoln's tail wrapping around Octavia in a loving embrace.
A/N: The song is "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars