[attr="class","danny"]serena's team tells him there's a lot riding on this charity event. it'll be their first public apperance where they're officially together as a couple, and that's big news for some people. he doesn't quite understand it, really, but he goes along with it regardless. he'll do anything to make her happy.

her team's picked out a lot of things for him to wear, say, and do during the evening, but the one thing they didn't have a hand in is the car he decides to pick her up in. it's sporty, trendy, and most importantly, yellow, his favorite color.

he parks it downstairs before he rides the elevator up all the way to her penthouse. he knocks on the familiar door, then reaches up to quickly fix his tie. when the door opens, he flashes her a warm smile.

"evening, serena."

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

[attr="class","danny"]danny doubts that he would ever understand her life nor the troubles that plague her, at least not to the level that he wants to. he understands fame and popularity but that's where it ends. he knows nothing of the pressures that come with it.

but he'll learn it. for her, and for himself.

"i like you, too."

he shakes his head at her apology because it's not needed.

"and for what it's worth — i think you will always have a choice. if you ever want out of ours, just let me know."

his words foreshadow more than he knows.

he spins the pen once then brings it down to the paper, signing.

"i guess i'm now officially yours." he turns, smiling. "how do you feel?"

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

[attr="class","danny"]to his credit, he doesn't show any signs of his panic when he hears the masculine name. naturally, he assumes the worst — assumes that this thing between them only existed within the confines of the contract. he loses himself in his worries and almost misses the things she says.

"oh. older brother. that's cool."

smooth.

"how lucky for you that your boyfriend enjoys cooking, then."

speaking of, he quickly finishes off his slice, wipes his hands clean, then reaches for the contract. he leaves for a moment to get a pen, and when he returns, he's looming over the contract, pen hovering over paper.

he peers up at her.

"you sure you want this?"

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

[attr="class","danny"]unlike his two companions, he has little issues with the brewing storm that's soon to hit them. he glances up, sees dark skies, and finds comfort in it.

"come on, guys, what's the rush?"

he shrugs a tank of oxygen onto his back, tightening the straps over his wetsuit.

"who else will clean this town if not us? they're counting on us — the triple threat. the dynamic trio? i don't know."

[attr="class","noodles"]@chloe + Greyson Connors

[attr="class","danny"]over the course of preparing the dough to adding the finishing the touches, he realizes what a great teacher she is. he's never made pizza before, let alone knead dough, but with her guidance, he more than manages. he actually excels, perhaps possessing a natural talent in cooking. or just kneading dough.

"i cannot wait i'm starving."

the smell of it in the oven doesn't help as well. but soon enough, the pizza's slid back out of the oven, ready to be eaten.

"good? serena they look fucking amazing."

he sees the smugness in her expression but it doesn't bother him. it never does. he actually loves it. at her dance, he breaks into a smile.

"you're so cute."

he takes the piece in his mouth, eyes widening as he chews.

"yeah, that's amazing. you're amazing."

he leans in to plant a kiss on her cheek.

"do you usually cook when you're at home?"

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

[attr="class","danny"]"flatbread pizza sounds amazing."

he's bumped out of the way but it's not like he minds. he chuckles, then leans against the island while he watches her prepare.

at the mention of the document, his eyes shift over to the folder by him. he reaches for it, slides it in front of him, and flips it open. he had read it while sober last night so he remembers most of it, but he skims through real quick to make sure there's nothing odd.

"it all looks okay to me but i guess the only thing i feel weird about is the salary." he hums, running a finger over the printed number. "feels a bit wrong, you know?"

wrong because he genuinely wants to be her boyfriend. he leaves it unsaid but there's enough for her to pick up on, should she wish to.

he's pulled away from his thoughts when she smears flour on his cheek. "is it? i think it'd be nicer in a pair." he swipes some flour onto his finger then reaches over to smear it against her cheek, too, laughing. "there. much better."

at her gesture, he turns towards the dough in the bowl, nodding.

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

[attr="class","danny"]they were happy — they are happy. for the most part, anyways. but he lets his thoughts shift, even more thankful for her presence now. at her suggestion to help, he nods, accepting.

"i'm sure you are but here's your chance to prove it."

his hand guides her towards the kitchen as he ponders what to make. he places the folder on the island, then walks around to pull the fridge open. it's stocked with everything they could possibly need, so their options are plenty.

"you, honestly."

his eyes dip, admiring, but he soon returns it.

"what's your comfort food?"

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

[attr="class","danny"]after a particularly busy morning, and a similarly busy shower, he steps out on cloud nine, head in the skies at how she makes him feel.

he trails after her along the halls of his home, allowing her to roam and explore freely while he double backs to pick up the folder.

"you look hot in that."

approaching from behind, he slides a hand across her body, pulling her into him from behind. his eyes drift to the photos.

"my dad's a lawyer and my mum's a teacher. they both weren't home much, so these holidays were extra special because of that."

a photo he focuses on is of them all wrapped up in winter outfits huddled by a fireplace. his brother's in it, too.

"hungry? i'll make us some food."

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

[attr="class","danny"]"i didn't?"

oh fuck. his eyes drift past her to his desk, eyeing the contract for moments before returning. whatever. he'll sign it later. it's not as if he's competing with anyone else, surely.

her kisses pull him back into the moment. he relishes the feeling each one gives him, suddenly more awake. she finds a moment to whisper between kisses, and he whispers in return:

"be careful, serena." his hand grazes lower, feeling. "we'll be in bed all day if you keep this up."

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

[attr="class","danny"]he mirrors her pout but it disappears the moment she shifts to lay on top of him. his arms move to hold her; hand caressing bare skin as he listens.

"it was...but they'll be leaving for work soon."

it's a monday, right? he's pretty sure it is. he reaches his other hand up to brush her hair away from her cheek

"you could stay, if you wanted to."

he smiles, smirk; the line blurs.

"spend a little time with your boyfriend."

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

[attr="class","danny"]"so still somewhat famous."

the comment escapes before he can stop it. he chuckles, shrugging off awkwardness before it can weigh. he reaches for a glass of water while he listens.

"you said, melody, right? if it means anything i don't think you look much like her. just the hair, maybe." he gets to his point: "i also don't think you're coasting on it. you seem to be making a name for yourself, at least from what i saw back there. the others seemed to respect you."

[attr="class","noodles"]Casey Fincher

[attr="class","danny"]me too.

it warms him to hear that he's not alone in this. he feels like they're on the same page, which they sort of are in a literal sense; the contract sits on his desk.

the thought of his parents finding out doesn't even occur to him until she brings it up. even then, it's almost too easy to ignore, because all he wants to do is just lay here with her in his arms.

he returns the sweet kiss, then breaks into a warm smile.

"of course. thank you as well," it shifts into a smirk. "you were good at being quiet. i was surprised."

he kisses her, still gentle.

"you don't have to leave, by the way."

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

[attr="class","danny"]"well whoever your hair stylist is now, they've done a really good job!"

with this next encounter, danny knows he can no longer get away with just simply feeding it. ah, so this is where the battling actually matters. he picks up the little cherrim, places it on his shoulder, then reaches for another pokeball to call out some help.

"eggheads! hello! can you please quickly help me out with...that."

he points to the leavanny who looks about ready to slice someone with its LEAF BLADE. exeggutor turns only one of its heads, sees it, and slams it into the ground with an EXTRASENSORY. surprisingly, it's enough to guarantee its capture.

"nice job! oh by the way chloe if you were serious i'm sure licky would be more than happy to give you a makeover. well, your hair anyways."

[attr="class","noodles"]@chloe // catching the leavanny!