Darling (Danny Phantom exe Fanfic)

3

Today, Danny and I had planned to hang out, something we'd been doing more often lately. I arrived at the café early, too eager to wait at home. As I stood outside, scanning the street, my heart skipped a beat when I finally spotted him. He looks like he walked straight out of a magazine, I thought, admiring how effortlessly cool he appeared.

"Did I keep you waiting?" he asked as he approached, his voice tinged with concern.

I shook my head, smiling up at him. "No, I'm just early."

He flashed me that charming smile of his. "Good, let's head inside."

We found a cozy corner by the window, the sunlight filtering through the glass, casting a warm glow over the table. As we settled in, he asked, "What are you in the mood for? I'll go order."

"I'm craving something sweet," I admitted, my eyes lighting up. "A slice of chocolate cake sounds perfect."

"Chocolate cake it is," he said with a grin. "I'll be right back."

As he walked to the counter, I couldn't help but watch him, my thoughts swirling. This feels so natural, I thought, a content smile tugging at my lips. When he returned, he set the cake and coffee in front of me, along with a slice for himself.

"Your craving must've rubbed off on me," he teased, sitting down across from me.

I laughed, nudging him playfully. "Sorry, not sorry!"

As we dug into our cake, I felt a question bubbling up inside me, something I'd been curious about for a while. "So, why don't you have a girlfriend? A guy like you must have girls lining up."

He chuckled, his expression turning thoughtful. "Maybe I haven't found the right one, or maybe the one I like doesn't like me back. Who knows?"

"Ah, but who wouldn't like you?" I teased, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Realizing what I'd said, I quickly clamped my hand over my mouth, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

He laughed at my reaction, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, maybe I should just ask her."

"Yeah, go ahead," I mumbled, trying to hide my embarrassment as I focused on my cake.

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Ashley?"

"Hm?" I responded, still avoiding his gaze.

"I like you," he said, his tone unexpectedly serious.

My eyes widened in shock. "Wha—what do you mean?"

His serious expression cracked, and he burst into laughter. "You should've seen your face!"

"Hey! That's not funny!" I protested, glaring at him, my heart still racing from the shock.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," he said, trying to suppress his laughter. But after a moment of silence, he started laughing again, unable to contain himself.

I rolled my eyes and stood up. "I'm leaving."

"No, no! I'm sorry, I won't laugh anymore," he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me back into my seat. His touch was warm, grounding me in the moment.

"Whatever," I muttered, trying to stay annoyed, but the way he was looking at me made it difficult to stay mad.

A few days passed since that fake confession at the café, but the memory of it lingered in my mind, replaying in the quiet moments when I was alone. Today, Danny and I had planned to watch a movie together, and I found myself pacing around my living room, nerves buzzing as I waited for him. What's taking him so long? I wondered, checking the clock for the hundredth time.

Finally, the doorbell rang, and I practically ran to open it. "Do you have any idea what time it is? You're 20 minutes late!" I scolded, glaring up at him.

"Hi," he greeted me with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck. "Sorry, something came up."

"Whatever, we're going to miss the movie," I grumbled, locking the door behind me as I grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the theater. His hand felt reassuringly solid in mine, and despite my irritation, I couldn't help but feel a small thrill at the contact.

As expected, we arrived late and had to rush to grab snacks before finding our seats. The movie started just as we settled in, and though I tried to focus on the screen, I couldn't shake the awareness of Danny sitting beside me.

Time skip to the end of the movie

"That movie never disappoints," I said as we walked back to my house. The night air was cool, and I could feel a storm brewing on the horizon, the distant rumble of thunder adding an edge of anticipation to the evening.

"Yeah, I've seen it before, but it's still good," he agreed, his hands tucked into his pockets as we walked side by side.

Silence fell between us, but it was a comfortable one. The kind that speaks volumes without needing words. When we reached my house, I unlocked the door and stepped inside, feeling a strange mix of calm and nervous energy.

He followed me in, and without a word, he flopped onto the couch, resting his head on my lap. My heart skipped a beat, the intimacy of the moment catching me off guard. I hesitated for a moment before finally giving in, letting my fingers thread through his hair.

Why did I just do that? I wondered, my heart racing. And why is he laying on my lap?  But when I saw the small smile on his face, I relaxed, realizing he didn't seem to mind. His hair was as soft as it looked, and the scent of lavender filled the air, calming my nerves.

I continued to run my fingers through his hair, savoring the quiet intimacy, until I noticed his breathing had slowed, and soft snores escaped his lips. Smiling to myself, I carefully shifted his head onto a pillow and grabbed a blanket to cover him. As I stood there, watching him sleep, a thought crossed my mind.

Should I really do this? I hesitated, biting my lip, the storm outside mirroring the one inside my chest. But the urge was too strong to resist.

Carefully, I leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against his forehead. He stirred slightly but didn't wake, and I felt a flutter in my chest. This was a risk, but it was one I was willing to take. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something real.

As I turned to leave, a flash of lightning illuminated the room, followed by a sharp crack of thunder. I paused, feeling a strange sense of foreshadowing. Is this the calm before the storm? I wondered, glancing back at Danny's sleeping form. The storm outside raged on, but in that moment, I felt a deep sense of calm. Whatever was coming, I was ready to face it.