[attr="class","danny"]it's easy to lose track of time but it's not like he's keeping track in the first place. he simply sits there next to her, holding her close for as long as she needs. after a while, she leaves to rinse her face, leaving him on his own for a little bit.

danny uses the brief moment to finish off his drink before pouring them new rounds. he closes the pizza box, moves it off to the side to give them some space.

erm, sorry again.

"nothing to be sorry for."

i feel better though, so thank you for that.

"of course. i'll always be here to help."

there was...something i wanted to ask you.

he shifts, turning his body to face her before leaning closer. she seems nervous; different from her usual self. he offers a smile, compassionate.

"i'll try my best to keep an open mind. what is it?"

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

[attr="class","danny"]"thanks, leo—"

danny expects the hug but not the leap. his legs buckle, just barely able to catch the sudden weight of leo on his back. but he's otherwise fine. he chuckles, shifting his hands down to loop around leo's legs for better support.

only for him to slide off anyways.

"hi, churro!"

danny offers the shiny arcanine a wave, then narrows his eyes. he also has an arcanine, though he doesn't call arc out right now.

"i see you've decided to join the arcanine fan club. didn't know i inspired you that much!"

after sharing a knowing look with greyson, danny offers a casual shrug when the question's turned back around on him.

"they're both still busy as ever so they're barely home, but that's fine. i get the whole house to myself."

[attr="class","noodles"]Greyson Connors + leo del río

[attr="class","danny"]thank....you...

this is the first time she's cried in front of him. he doesn't know how else to react but to pull her close, holding her in an attempt to stop her from crumbling. she doesn't have to be fine, she doesn't have to be anything with him — he'll still be here for her. always.

"come here."

he shifts up, moving to sit by her side. with his arms still wrapped around her, he shifts to learn her against his body. his lips press against the side of her head, gentle, caring, and he'll hold her for as long as she needs to.

"i got you."

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

[attr="class","danny"]where a million thoughts might race through serena's, only a few flow through his. it's mostly concern, worry, but never guilt because he knows he has nothing to do with whatever she's going through. the best thing he can do for her, he realizes, is to simply be there for her.

so he does just that.

his arms fall around her, pulling her close to embrace her.

thank you. you don't know how much that means to me, to know that.

"of course."

his voice escapes muffled as he nuzzles closer, doing his best to hold her in an attempt to comfort.

the more she speaks, the more he understands. he nods every now and then but never once interjects; he simply listens.

sorry, i know it's a mood killer.

"don't say sorry."

i'll be fine.

"you don't have to be, sera."

he feels the slight tremble of her body, knows to pull back a little to look at her. her expression is pained, uncharacteristic, but he understands it.

both hands reach up to cup her face, pulling her close to rest his forehead against hers.

"listen, sera. i'm never leaving you, okay? you'll always have me. i'll always stay. always."

[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

[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"]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"]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","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"]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","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"]"i wouldn't have tried this hard for anyone else."

he shifts back a little to peer down at her, meeting her gaze. he understands; he's been wanting to get out of here for a while now. he nods, slipping a hand into hers before pulling away.

"let's go. i'll take you anywhere you want."

and if all goes well, they'd find themselves through the hall, down the elevator, and back in his car in no time.

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

[attr="class","danny"]vivienne's words, her motives, all of has become clear to him, so he understands. it's for that reason that he reaches his arms out to pull her close.

"come here,"

arms fall around her, holding her in an embrace. a hand reaches up to caress the back of her head, stroking softly as he leans his head against hers.

"there's nothing to be sorry for, serena. you've been amazing — i wouldn't have been this prepared if not for you."

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