Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[26] Cranbury

Luke knocked on the door to Steph's dorm, eyes flickering towards his wristwatch. It was their last day in the campus at New Haven and they were all packed up to leave for home as their semester had ended and summer break awaited ahead.

Luke had to take the train to Bludhaven while Steph had to take the one to Gotham but just last night Luke had informed her that they would be going somewhere else together before going back to their own cities.

"Just coming," she opened the door and dragged out her bags, "you still didn't tell me where you're taking me."

He smiled, taking the heavier bag, "you'll see."

"Why are you being so mysterious? Is this like a surprise date or something?"

"It's not a date though we could make it one if you decide to stay there longer," he remarked lightly as the two walked to the gate where the buses were waiting to drop the students off at the station, "I'm just taking you to meet someone."

"Okay, but you're not telling me who I'm meeting and that's kinda suspicious?"

"Someone very very important to me," he remarked vaguely, knowing full well that all the suspense was getting to her.

However, Steph couldn't refrain from guessing, "let's see. You're taking me to meet Rose?"

He shook his head, a smile playing upon his lips, "nope, you've already met Rose. Save your guesses because I am hundred percent sure you won't be able to pick the right one."

She looked at him speculatively, "that does not help in any way and has made me even more intrigued."

"Calm down, you'll see when we get there."

At the station, he gave her a ticket and she read out the name of the place they were going to. "Cranbury?"

"Yup."

"Lucas, you're making me too curious for your own good," she warned but he only chuckled, leading her to their compartment.

She kept asking him in every possible way throughout the ride but he kept delaying the answer, chuckling softly.

"You'll see, Steph, wait for just a little longer."

At last, they reached the small town and got out at the platform. It seemed as if Luke had visited the place often as he knew exactly which bus to take and shortly after they entered a place that had a very countryside touch to it.

At the bus stop, Luke helped Steph take out their luggage and led her down the rough paths to what seemed like vast expanses of greenery. Tiny cottages were dotted around the site and there was a medieval church in the center as well.

"Lucas, tell me now, why have you brought me here?"

He shook his head, "five more minutes, love. You'll find out yourself then."

He had led her to the backside of the church where a beautiful garden was blooming with the fresh scent of blush peonies drifting in the air.

Steph didn't ask him again as she revelled in the pure beauty and simplicity of the place, looking sideways at Lucas who looked as if he had just come back home.

His featured were so tranquil, almost as if being at that place gave him peace. And seeing him like that sent a smile on her features as well.

"Here," he took her hand and went up to the small house in the corner of the garden, knocking on the door politely.

Steph waited and was quite intrigued to see who was the one Luke had wanted her to meet and brought her all the way there from New Haven.

At last, a feeble voice sounded from inside, "yes, who's it?"