Grand Romantic Gesture

"A date."

"Uhh, I'm sorry what did you say? I don't think I heard you correctly." she said, after going silent for a few seconds.

"A date. I know it's taken quite a while for me to ask you, and I'm sorry for that. But how about it?"

"Yes!" she said quickly before clearing her throat, "Ehem, I mean yeah, sure. That sounds like it could be fun. What time?"

"We need to be at the place at 7."

"You made plans already? How'd you know I would say yes?"

"A hunch."

"Okay, I'll be here at 6. See you then." she said smiling before jumping somewhere.

'She seems eager, that's a good sign. I still have 5 hours before she comes back. I don't take that long to get ready, so I guess I'll just watch some tv for a bit before I start cooking the food.' I thought turning on the tv before Ciri suddenly jumped back.

"Is the date more casual or fancy?"

"In between." I answered.

"Okay. See you at 6." she said before jumping back.

~

While watching tv, I realized I had overlooked the transportation. I didn't want to take a cab because they're hit or miss, so I decided to call a car service. Uber was around but didn't have the Lux option yet so I decided to go with a good car service. After calling the car service, I went invisible before flying out of my patio to place the fireworks on a rooftop near the hotel, but far enough away that it would look good. Thankfully the custom fireworks I bought from the shop also came with automatic fuses that I set to go off at the stroke of midnight.

Flying back to the hotel, I started cooking the food. I quickly bought the ingredients I would need, spending about 200 points on high-quality ingredients. Starting with what would take the longest before moving on to the rest. After a few hours, I had finally finished the meals and plated them beautifully before putting them away in my inventory, ready to be eaten at any time.

At 5 I took a shower and got ready thoroughly before I was satisfied. The only thing I would wear for such an important date is the suit I had bought and come to love. But seeing as I told her it was in between fancy and casual, I decided to hold off on wearing the jacket. Unless Ciri came fancier, then I would wear it to match.

'Phew, almost 6. Easy peasy. You can do this. You've fought wars and killed nonstop for a year before, this is a walk in the park. Besides, it's not like you don't know Ciri, you're friends who like each other.' I thought as I paced the room before I saw Ciri appear. And boy was she beautiful. She was wearing a white long sleeve, olive green pants, and black ankle boots while holding a black cardigan.

"So, what do you think?" she asked.

"You look beautiful. Where'd you get the clothes?" I asked.

"I jumped to Yoruichi's world and then Ame's so they could help me pick out an outfit. They wanted to put me in a dress, but I liked this better."

"I think you would've looked nice in either one."

"Thanks. So, you ready?"

"Yeah. Let's go." I said as I picked up my suit jacket and led the way.

"So, where are we going?"

"You'll see soon enough."

~

After a short car ride, with our driver who turned out to be Ranjit, we arrived at the helicopter tour place.

"What's a helicopter?" asked Ciri in a whisper to me.

"Oh right, sorry. A helicopter is a flying vehicle. It'll take us around the city, so we can see it from up above. I promise you'll like it once we're in the air." I whispered to her.

"Okay, I trust you." she said before slipping her arm around mine and smiling at me.

"Mr. Garetty?" asked the pilot who was waiting for us.

"That's me."

"I'm sorry to say, but there's a problem. Unfortunately, the helicopter that was going to be used for your tour, is experiencing engine troubles at the moment. Even if we could get them fixed on time, we would have to wait for an inspection that won't be done today."

"Is there not another one available?"

"Unfortunately no, the other ones are currently in use and booked up for the rest of the night. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, we can offer a discount for your next ride." he said before handing me a coupon.

"Thanks, I guess." I said as I took it before he left.

"Fuck."

"Oh come on, it's fine. We can do something else. It's not the activity that matters, but the company." said Ciri.

"I know, but I had this whole thing planned. Man plans and god laughs, I guess. But you're right. No need to be down about it. Besides we can still explore the city in the air. We'll just have to use other means." I said.

"Oh right. You can fly. Why didn't you do that from the beginning then?" she asked.

"Cause I wanted it to feel like a date two normal people would go on. I know we're far from it, but still."

"Just the fact that you're so distraught over a small setback on this date is enough for me. Now, come on, we can fly around the city any day. What's next?"

"Well after that romantic flight around the city, we would be hungry and we would go back to my hotel and go to the rooftop patio where we would dine on a dinner I prepared for us."

"You made the food?! Well, come on then! I can't wait to eat your food!" she said pulling me back to the car that was waiting for us.

Ciri was eager to eat my food because over the years we were in Guts' world I had cooked for the group a few times, and they all really liked my cooking. They tried to make me the designated chef, but I declined because I didn't want to be slaving away in front of a hot fire. So, I would cook once every two weeks or so.

~

"Charon, is everything ready?" I asked him as we neared the desk.

"Of course, sir. Everything has been prepared as you requested. I hope you two enjoy your evening."

"Thank you, Charon. I appreciate it." I said, tipping the man before Ciri and I went to the elevators.

"As you requested it? What'd you request?" she asked, curious.

"Just wait a little and you'll see. But first, we have to stop at my suite to get the food I cooked." I said winking at her, hinting that it was just for show. Quickly going into my suite and taking the food out before we both carried it into the elevator and to the rooftop. The requests I had made to Charon were just to add some lights and candles on the table.

"It's beautiful." said Ciri as she saw the rooftop.

"Yes, it is." I said as I stared at her causing her to roll her eyes with a smile.

"Alright, smooth talker let's eat." she said as she made her way to the table and set down the food while I did the same.

Eating and laughing, enjoying each other's company. We spent a few hours just talking after finishing our food, which Ciri loved. And right before it became midnight, I told her I had one more surprise for her.

"Oh, a surprise? What is it?" she asked.

"Look." I said as I led her to the edge of the rooftop to watch her surprise.

BOOM BOOM

"Oh, Matt. It's beautiful." she said as we watched the fireworks go off.

After the show was done, she turned to me and looked me right in the eyes.

"I loved it, Matt. Thank you. For this whole night."

"I'm glad you liked it." I said as we just looked into each other's eyes before I went for the kiss.

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AN

Clearly, I'm no love doctor but I think I did alright.