[attr="class","danny"]it has been a while since they've last seen each other. they still text and call but he'd be lying if he said he doesn't miss being in the same room as her. he enjoys her presence, her company, and these past few weeks have been more difficult than he'd like to admit.

but there is a bright side — he's been able to keep a surprise from her and it's one he plans on revealing to her the next time he sees her.

much to his surprise, his phone buzzes with an invitation, and he wastes no time dropping everything else so he can speed across town, keen on finally being able to see her.

danny parks his car in the basement before he finds himself traveling up the elevator. a moment later, and he's stood outside the door, waiting to be buzzed in.

he carries an unmistakable pizza box in one hand and a brown bag in the other. he's excited, very excited, and it shows in the way his leg bounces as he waits with a smile.

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]it isn't until he's riding up the elevator that he realizes he's a bit nervous — not a lot, but certainly enough to spring doubts in the back of his mind. does she really want to see him? what if all the time apart made it weird? thankfully, all his doubts fade the moment the door opens.

"hey sera—"

he's almost cut off by her hug that's sudden and abrupt but definitely welcome. he teeters back slightly, hand barely able to balance out the box of pizza to stop it from tipping over. he laughs, bending slightly to place the brown bag on the floor before reaching his other hand up to embrace her.

"i've missed you, too."

he rests his cheek against the her head, nuzzling close as he relishes in her presence. he pulls her closer as if to make up for all the time they spent apart.

"i brought pizza. it's not homemade by me but by this cute old couple who owns a restaurant near here. i stopped on the way over."

he's missed her presence so much. it's only hitting him now as he can't seem to pull away.

"sorry i'm a little late."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","matias"]he couldn't tell initially, mostly because she had simply ran at him before he could have a good look, but it doesn't take him long to notice that something's off with serena. he doesn't know what but it doesn't matter at the moment. all that matters is that he's here with her now. just the two of them.

"i'd be honored to."

he says with a soft chuckle, just barely able to pick up the bag in time before she gently tugs him towards the door, clearly excited. he is, too.

"you kidding? of course i want to."

his hand squeezes hers, reassuring. he leans in close to plant a kiss on her forehead before turning his attention to the amazing penthouse, soon stepping in.

danny's somewhat used to luxury by now but even this is enough to make his jaw drop. he's peering around in admiratiom before his eyes settle on the window, speficially the perfect view of mauville's city lights.

"sera, this looks...amazing. holy shit."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]the place feels luxurious, dark, and feminine, exactly how she describes it. he nods in agreement, eyes still glancing around in appreciation.

"i'm excited to see what you end up doing to the place. i imagine it'll look even more amazing."

he remains oblivious because it'd be foolish to assume anything more at the moment. she's just asked him here to spend time together and to show off her new apartment. nothing more.

at her question, he turns to the counter, placing the brown bag on it before reaching in.

"i've been good! a bit busy. actually that's a lie — i've been busy. but i think you'll appreciate it."

he leaves his words vague as he pulls out a magazine out of the bag. it's this month's feature of a sports magazine. he extends it over to her.

"i've already marked the page."

one of the page's folded at its corners, and if serena were to open it, it'd open to reveal a picture of him and Casey Fincher dressed in smart athletic tracksuits. he's wearing white and casey's wearing sand-beige.

"i've been doing photoshoots for a few different companies. this one's for smart armor."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]he mirrors her huge grin, breaking into a laugh as she rounds the corner. he brings an arm up to defend himself but it's fruitless. not that he minds.

my boyfriend is a fucking supermodel.

"okay, supermodel is an overstatement, but soon, maybe. who knows?"

how did you manage to keep it a secret?

"had to work my magic a little but i made it work."

keep this up and you're gonna have more girls chasing after you than you already do.

"do i? i've never noticed. not that i'd care — i have the perfect one right here."

he laughs at her tease, enjoying their quick embrace before she leaves for the couch.

"i'll be over in a sec!"

it's not only pizza he needs to grab. he pulls out a bottle of wine from a famous winery in galar, two glasses, and brings those along with the box of pizza with him before plopping down on the couch next to hear.

wine's poured, pizza's grabbed, and he's leaning over to kiss her before they start.

"so i originally just started with that one shoot because i wanted to know more about your world. like the things you have to experience and go through. but after the first shoot it just became quite...fun? that's the word."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]oooh, fancy. what's the occasion?

"just celebrating my girlfriend getting her own place. i still can't get over the view."

despite his words, his gaze remains on her.

where did you say you got this again?

"a cute little restaurant near here. i'll take you there soon, i'm sure you'd love it."

the pizza's much better than he could've made so he's glad he decided to stop for it. he finishes his first slice quick, then starts on his second as he listens to her speak.

i'm so happy for you danny. i really am.

her words make him feel warm. he shifts a little closer, bumping his shoulder against hers, playful.

and being in this field makes it ten times harder but, i'm rooting for you.

"it's not as difficult with you by my side. but thank you, sera, i really do appreciate it."

he leans into the quick peck on his cheek, chuckling after.

you have to promise me you'll get behind my lens one of these days.

"i promise i will. i know i'd be in very capable hands, so i'm looking forward to it."

but enough about him.

"what else have you been up to lately?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]danny is not unaware of her rising popularity. he remembers checking her social media profiles one day only to have the numbers jump so much the next. his profiles are growing, too, but nowhere near as quick as hers.

fame comes at a heavy price — he's finally starting to understand the true extent of it now. the pressures, the expectations; he carries some just from what her team tells him to do, or what they expect of him, so he can only imagine how much worse serena has it.

it's for that reason that he thinks he understands the reason behind her sad smile. he finishes the second pizza, then moves off the couch and onto his knees, kneeling down in front of her. a hand reaches up to brush against her cheek, drawing her back into the moment.

"sera, look at me."

his other hand reaches for hers.

"you're safe with me, okay? you can tell me anything."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm