3.1 | Complete Me ✔

Honeymoon Avenue

Scarlett ran around the shop, making sure everything was on track for the exciting day ahead. There were trucks on the way to gather her designs to move them to a special venue, and she needed the store in tiptop shape.

She checked her phone for RSVPs for the twentieth time, frowning when she found no new activity. So far, Desiree, Wally, Saber, Kaldur, Richard and Ezio were coming. It was an open venue, but it would still be nice if her all her specially invited guests would show up.

The trucks were soon honking out back, and she opened the doors, directing them to the boxes and racks. The handled everything with delicate care before heading off, Scarlett close behind them.

***

"Oh. My. Goodness," Saber gasped. When Scarlett invited them, she had no idea what to expect, but she was far from disappointed.

It was nothing short of a Japanese festival. Paper lanterns completely covered the sky, food stands, mini games and souvenirs abounding. She felt absolutely giddy inside.

"This is amazing!" Desiree exclaimed.

"Truly awesome," Wally added. "Scarlett is always outdoing herself."

"What's going on here?" Richard asked.

"Hello, hello, hello~" 

They all directed their attention to Scarlett, who was dressed in a marvelous, intricately designed furisode, her hair clasped in a kanzashi.

"You look beautiful!" Ezio gushed, running into her arms. "I want one!"

"I have one for everyone," Scarlett cooed, looking up at the others. "For half price."

"What?" Desiree squeaked. "We have to pay this time?"

"Don't worry, babe. I have you covered," Wally smiled. "You take checks, right?"

Scarlett grinned, taking everyone's payment before guiding them to a large tent at the back of the festival where she had everything on display. Everyone picked out their favorite designs, the patterns like scales while the sleeves and train resembled wings and tails. Scarlett completed their looks with headdresses.

"You're all set for the Dragon Festival!" Scarlett clapped her hands excitedly. "Now you can help me run the booths!"

"We have to work, too?" Conner grumbled. When she shot him a murderous look, he saluted her, awaiting her orders.

Wally, Bruce, Lockheart and Richard picked a mini game booths while Desiree, Divya, and Zamora ran the accompanying souvenir booths. Saber assisted with face painting while Kaldur hosted the Korean BBQ. Ezio stayed by the fishing display, guarding the exotic specimen. 

Conner wandered the festival, watching in awe all that was unfolding. Children running around in masks of paint, flying paper dragons. Adults dressed in gorgeous silks, indulging in foreign cuisine. 

"Hey, how come you aren't working?" Kaldur called from his booth.

"Guess I got lucky, Dory," Conner snorted, referring to his blue tang-inspired yukata. 

"You better hope Scarlett doesn't catch you, Kaa," he sneered back at his python-inspired yukata.

"Too late," Scarlett said behind Conner, making him jump. "No worries. You'll be paying me the other half for the yukata, since you aren't working."

"What?" he snapped. "That's not right. I didn't even get a boyfriend discount on top of my friend discount."

"That was never established between us," she smacked, turning and heading off.

"Scarlett--" he said, trailing close behind her.

"You can also make yourself useful and buy something, for goodness sake," she hissed, spinning to face him. "Have you ever heard of supporting your local artists!"

"I do support you," he murmured. "You think I didn't notice that all of these dresses are your designs from the zoo that day?"

"W-what?" she stammered, a dark blush staining her cheeks.

"Everything you've done here is incredible, Scarlett," he said with a small smirk. "Your dedication to this is inspiring."

"W-well," she said, trying to hide her expression. "Flattery won't get you out of paying for my services!"

"I wouldn't dream of it," he said, taking her hand and dragging her off to visit every stand.

As the sky began to darken, the lanterns lighting up to lend even more magic to the night, he led her around, treating her to all the food, playing all the mini games to win her souvenirs, and even purchasing a couple of fish.

"How's that for establishment?" he murmured, kissing her reddening cheeks.

"You didn't have to do all of this," she said, her arms as full as her heart.

"I want to," he said.

"Well . . . you can lend me a hand one last time," she said, heading to a post and pulling a string.  A row of bells began to ring, drawing everyone's attention toward another destination.

"And what's that?" he smirked.

"You'll see. Just follow me."

They followed the crowd to a lake, where colorful quilts were laid out on the bank for people to kneel. A portion of the ground was sectioned off for rows upon rows of fireworks.

"Wow. You really did it up," he muttered. She grinned, handing him her load of souvenirs to take a walkie talkie out of her pocket.

"Light it up," she ordered.

Everyone settled down as the light show began. The children screamed and cheered, the adults huddling together to admire the unique fireworks she'd spent a fortune on.

He glanced down at Scarlett, who watched the show with both pride and child-like wonder.

He suddenly held the fish up to her face, and she looked at them in confusion.

"They're a couple. Like us."

Before she could reply, he tilted her chin up and kissed her.