He’d been waiting for a night like tonight for what seemed like forever, an actual night out. Not a day where they hung out with everyone else somewhere, but a night to themselves, away from the Academy. He hadn’t been this nervous about something since . . . he didn’t really know when. Things just felt a little off since . . . well, since the incident the week before, but she’d agreed readily earlier today when Mick informed them they’d have a break for the rest of this Saturday before they continued with the move and everything else. He’d been thrilled and knew exactly where he wanted to take her too. He hadn’t even finished knocking on her door at the appointed time before she’d opened it. He hoped that meant she’d been as excited as he was; her skin glowed in the flowered sundress, and he relaxed at her glimmering smile as she looked him up and down, and he sighed internally at his decision to go all out with the jeweled bolo, and shining his dress black boots.

She pressed against his shoulder, holding his hand clasped between hers, resting them all on his thigh, seemingly content to wait to find out where they were going, a gift in many ways because he would have caved easily if she had questioned him on the plans and he wanted to surprise her.

Her laughter and jokes about how they were going to find a board big enough for his first surfing lesson calmed his nerves as they waited on their food, watching the sun begin to set over the bay, but not as much as her hand on top of his on the table, or the presence of her leg crossed over the top of his. He might of gotten a little loud celebrating when she agreed to go to the rodoe in three weeks with him too.

He’d never really known much about sushi, but watching Allison’ face when she ate the Yellowtail sashimi and whatever was part of a Dragon roll, he decided he needed to figure out how to make it. Or maybe not, maybe it should be reserved for dates. He made a fool of himself using the chopsticks to try to get the sushi to his mouth, more than once having to catch it with his other hand. He followed her suggestion on what he would like, and the seared Swordfish steak with risotto and grilled vegetables had been amazing. More things to learn how to prepare, and he talked excitedly throughout dessert about doing so, before sharing the desserts he’d ask her to choose for them.

He’d chosen the restaurant for its views of the beach and bay beyond, as well as the foood, but also because it was within walking distance of the second part of their date, which was the bigger surprise of the night. The small boutique theater facade still had an ancient marquee proclaiming the double feature of the weekend. The Loma Bayside Beach Theater’ claimed to be a mix of “charms of the past and future, showing cult favorites in retro style,” whatever that had meant, but it was the type of movies on the marquee tonight.

He’d been pretty sure she squealed slightly when she saw the marquee, with Children of the Corn listed next to Feature One, and The Fog underneath. The lobby inside definitely had the antique feel, especially the old style popcorn machine, which of course knew needed extra butter, and a light coating of extra salt, but when they stopped to look at the various original posters around the rooms, someone had designed antique looking frames that held digital renditions of all these ancient movies, with the occasional immaculate appearing original from decades past.

He just had to nod when Allison rattled off trivia regarding horror films he’d never even heard of, in awe of her knowledge and passion. He knew next to nothing about most of them, like who had ever heard of Night of the Lepus or Burnt Offerings or a dozen others as they explored every corner of the theater before heading up to the balcony with their snacks.

He’d been a bit worried about squeezing into a movie seat, but was super thrilled with the balconies antique style love seats, and just shrugged at the look Allison gave him, but she laughed when he sighed as he stretched his legs out without knocking into anything in front of them.

Children of Corn turned out to be creepy as hell, and he jerked every time Allison moved, but since she curled in closer to him every time, it was more than a fitting sacrifice. The Fog had been quite interesting, less terror inspiring, at least until the end when he jumped as the spirits appeared to lop off the priest’s head.

Late it might have been, but he didn’t want the date to end, and he didn’t think she was eager to return to the Academy either so they walked down the boardwalk and onto the beach, strolling hand in hand, Lukas clomping through the sand, and Allison taking off her shoes to walk barefoot, and when the breeze turned chilly, he shucked off his long sleeve shirt, draping it over her, the breeze helping to cool him with just a undershirt to cover his chest.

Sitting on the beach, staring at the horizon and the glowing moon, he kissed her lips, tasting the salted butter of the popcorn from the movie before the kisses becoming more passionate and heated, until it felt like his skin was on fire. He started to kiss down her neck, along the collarbone, slowly lower, before coming back to the warmth of her lips, her tongue pushing into his mouth.

He pulled back, kissing the tip of her nose, before looking into her eyes, then he stood, lifting Allison to her feet, and they walked slowly back to the Acadadmy, holding hands, stopping to kiss at least once a block, before continuing on, late into darkness of early morning.

Even when they reached his room, he was hesitant to let the night end. With a last kiss, she turned towards her room.

---

He caught himself staring into the mirror as he brushed his teeth, standing barechested, ready for bed. They’d parted less than five minutes ago, and all he could think about was her, for the next time that they could be together, memorizing every second of the events of the night.

Since that night where they’d discovered their stolen essenses, and the blow-up, Allison hadn’t even slept in the same room with him, at least not every night. Most nights, but not all nights. It hurt, especially with where he thought they had been. He tried to hide it, and he didn’t really know what to do about it, and . . . he needed her, apparently far more than she needed him. Sometimes he thought maybe that was the problem.

With a shake of his head, he spit out the mouthwash, he wasn’t going to think about it. He wouldn’t ruin the amazing time they just had by moping about what if. There were plenty of better things to do.

He’d just grabbed a new treatise on nueropsychology and sat at his bed when he heard the knock and turned towards the door . . . .