Darling (Danny Phantom exe Fanfic)

6

For the past two hours, we'd been racing from one ride to another, laughter bubbling up between us like the fizzy drinks we'd shared earlier. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had this much fun. We were in the middle of a shooting game, and I was determined to win. I aimed carefully, held my breath, and—pop! The last balloon burst.

"Take that!" I shouted, doing a little victory dance. "I won!" The thrill of victory made me feel like a kid again.

Danny sighed dramatically, though the corner of his mouth twitched in a smile. "Yeah, yeah, you won again. You always do. How about we grab something to eat before I lose at another game?"

"Sure," I said, still laughing at his mock frustration. I had to admit, seeing him slightly annoyed only made this victory sweeter. We found a spot in the food court, the scents of fried food and sugary treats filling the air. "Burger, fries, and orange juice," I ordered, giving him a cheeky grin. "The loser pays."

"Don't rub it in," he groaned, but there was no real bite to his words. He got up to grab our food, and I watched him go, feeling a warmth in my chest. He was such a good sport about everything.

When he returned, we dug in, chatting about nothing in particular, just enjoying each other's company. That's when I heard a voice behind me, one that instantly made my skin prickle.

"Hey, Danny! Long time no see." I turned to see a girl standing nearby, her smile a little too familiar for my liking.

Danny looked up, his expression shifting slightly. "Oh, hey, Crystal," he said, trying to sound casual, but I could hear the tension in his voice. "Yeah, I've been busy."

Crystal. The name echoed in my head like a bad memory. His ex. Why did it have to be her?

"That's why I haven't seen you around," she continued, her eyes drifting over to me, as if sizing me up. Danny quickly turned to me, his voice suddenly brighter. "Ashley, this is Crystal," he introduced, his hand subtly squeezing mine under the table. "My girlfriend."

I stood up, forcing a polite smile. "Nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand, trying to ignore the unease bubbling inside me.

"Crystal," she replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She shook my hand, then, without hesitation, slipped into the seat next to Danny. "It's good to see you've moved on," she said, the edge in her voice barely noticeable.

I sat back down, my appetite suddenly gone. Danny was trying to be polite, but I could see the discomfort in his eyes. "So, how have you been?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous waters.

"Busy with work and travel," Crystal said with a casual shrug. "Remember our last trip together? That was so much fun." Her eyes flicked to me, a knowing look passing between us.

"Yeah, it was," Danny replied, his voice tight. He glanced at me, clearly reading the tension in my posture. "We should probably get going soon. It's getting late."

"Sure," Crystal agreed, standing up as if nothing had happened. But then, she placed a hand on Danny's shoulder, her smile too sweet, too lingering. "Let's catch up sometime."

As we walked home, the silence between us was thick, every step a reminder of the unease that had settled in my chest. My mind raced, replaying the encounter over and over, each time the anger building inside me. I could feel it simmering, like a pot about to boil over.

"Ugh!" I suddenly yelled, kicking at the air in frustration. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I had to release the tension somehow.

Danny looked over at me, worry creasing his forehead. When our eyes met, he looked like he was ready to apologize, but I wasn't ready to hear it. Not yet. "Darling—"

"Don't," I cut him off, my voice sharper than I intended. "She just ruined our date! Who does she think she is?"

He stopped walking and turned to face me, his eyes softening. "I know it wasn't ideal, and I'm sorry it happened. But how about we make up for it with another date? Just us, somewhere special."

His voice was gentle, soothing, and when he pulled me into a hug, the anger inside me began to melt away. I buried my face in his chest, taking in the familiar scent of his cologne. "Sorry for overreacting," I mumbled against his shirt, my voice muffled.

He chuckled softly, his hand gently rubbing my back. "You're adorable when you're angry, you know that? Sometimes I think I'm dating a fiery little gremlin."

I couldn't help but laugh, despite myself. I pulled back just enough to look up at him. "That didn't even hurt," I said, referring to my earlier outburst.

"Ouch!" he teased, clutching his side dramatically. "Okay, maybe just a little. But I'll let it slide if you give me a kiss."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. "In your dreams," I shot back playfully, turning to walk ahead. But I could feel his gaze on me, the tension from earlier replaced by a warm, comforting glow.

As we continued walking, the streetlights casting long shadows on the sidewalk, I realized that moments like these—where we could turn something frustrating into something lighthearted—were what made our relationship strong. Despite everything, I knew Danny and I were solid, and no ex-girlfriend or awkward encounter could change that.

Still, as we reached my house, I paused before we went inside, turning to face him. "Just so you know," I began, my tone serious but soft, "I don't like surprises like that."

He nodded, his eyes earnest. "I promise, no more unexpected run-ins with the past."

I smiled, feeling a sense of reassurance settle over me. "Good. Now, about that kiss you wanted..."

Danny's eyes lit up, and without another word, he leaned in, closing the gap between us. His lips met mine in a kiss that was tender yet filled with the passion of someone who genuinely cared. It was the kind of kiss that made me forget the world around us, leaving only the two of us in that moment.

When we finally pulled away, breathless but smiling, I knew that whatever challenges came our way, we'd face them together, hand in hand.