Summary

While unfortunately cooped up in his house on a very beautiful evening, Isaac finds himself unusually bored and fed up with his work. So when his girlfriend calls, seemingly feeling down, he's more than eager to step up to her aid...resulting in the two setting out for a night on the town. Isaac is twenty-five in this story.

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The night is young...beautifully starry with a bright full moon shining abroad. It practically begs for me to leave my domain once again for some time in the city...but the paperwork that engulfs my desk screams my name even louder, waiting impatiently for me to tend to it as I sit here dreading the countless hours of work it has in store for me. How...and why, even, did Fusion Core get so busy all of a sudden?

Designing blueprints and short lists of instructions...that's the calamity that I have chosen to get myself wrapped up in, tonight. Quite a few of my former clients have apparently been wanting to reconstruct the work that I have done for them so their associates could have some of their own contraptions or experiments without having to pay, so that would unfortunately make it my job to provide an extra bit of assistance.

Normally, I wouldn't condone for people who are not professionals to recreate my work...but most of my clients are entitled and stubborn individuals who refuse to take no for an answer. Not to mention that, believe it or not, I would not mind an extra bit of payment at the moment. It would help, as the Fusion Core base is in need of a few repairs since...a pair of unruly teenagers have decided to lay waste to it.

Though I'm beginning to wonder if that old harbor is really worth the hassle...

I find my attention briefly shifting to a soundly sleeping Mr. Pugglesworth in his bed, and my chair creaks with my weight as I adjust my position in it for the eleventh time. I envy that cute little pug. He looks so comfortable. I am the exact opposite.
Oh, how I long to be just like him in a couple of hours...

"Come now, Isaac." I scold myself in my thoughts. "You are not going to get this done any time soon if you let yourself be distracted. Regather your thoughts...and quickly."

My phone rings. As if on cue.

Skylar is calling, but at 9:30 in the evening? That doesn't seem quite right for her...hopefully everything is okay.

"Hello, my dear." I say upon answering.

"Hey, sweetheart. You busy?"

I look at the jumbled piles and stacks of paper in front of me and promptly decide that I love my girlfriend more than I love my job.

"No, I can talk. What's on your mind?"

"Well...nothing really, I guess. Work was just shit today, and I was honestly hoping that hearing your voice would cheer me up a bit."

"Aww...well, I'm here for you darling...as long as you want. Why don't you tell me what—"

I stop for a moment, swiftly glancing out the window. It's such a beautiful night. So beautiful that for the first time in a long while, my home feels oddly stuffy and enclosed. A break from all this work would surely do me no harm, right? And for Skylar as well? Seems like a worthy cause.

"Actually...you want to make it a date? We can head out to town, and you can tell me about your day over a couple of drinks?"

"A date? This late at night? Hm...you must be bored."

"That I am dear, but...I would also like to see you. Is that so wrong?"

"Heh...of course not, sweetheart. I'll be right over."

A little bit later...

The very moment Skylar arrived, I called us a ride into the city...to a local bar by the name of Crystal Martini. It was a cozy little building with a warm, dark wooden aesthetic, and a welcoming vineyard-like atmosphere with a slight tropical twist. I don't normally enjoy most bars and pubs, but this one was an exception. This one was not riddled with angry drunk men, reeking of beer and other assorted liquor as they fought over who's sports team was superior. Crystal Martini was much more sophisticated.

I greet the bartender with a wave as we enter. "Alexandre!"

"Ah, monsieur Isaac! Mon cher ami." He looks up from the glass he was polishing and gestures to a few seats at the bar in front of him. "It's been a minute. I hear you had a run in with a few of the Teen Titans, yes?"

"Who told you?" I inquired with a raised eyebrow.

Alexandre shrugged. "Couple of young men, one bald and the other ginger haired with sideburns, both around your age. They came in, ordered a couple of beers and wouldn't stop ranting about it. They also wore the same trench coat as yours, as well."

Ugh...Jason and Bruce. I thought I told them not to willingly speak of Fusion Core's business with others?

"What can I get for you tonight?" Alexandre asks, snapping me from my thoughts while me and Skylar are sitting down.

"A couple of margarita cocktails for me and my lovely darling dearest, s'il vous plaît." I reply.

"Comme vous le souhaitez."

He serves us our drinks in stunningly decorative glasses, each topped with with a nice little lime wedge and the slightest bit of salt lining the rim.
I take a sip, a long awaited and deserved sip. It's so unbelievably refreshing...
A perfectly balanced amount of bitterness, and sweetness given by the presence of the lime. Ah, I'm so glad I decided to leave the house...

I can't help but to smirk as Skylar takes a long couple of gulps from her own drink. "You know you're suppose to sip it, right, dear?" I inquire playfully.

"It's been a long day." Skylar insists, setting her glass back down. I'm astonished to see that it's practically empty. "I'm gonna need a little bit more of a pick-me-up."

She slides a five dollar bill over to Alexandre, who chuckles as he also smirks in amusement. "Allow me to provide, mademoiselle."

He then serves her a shot glass filled to the brim with whiskey, in which she oddly accepts much more eagerly than my drink of choice for the two of us.

"You doing one with me?" She asked.

I realize that Alexandre had given us both glasses. Oh, good grief...

"I suppose I have nothing to lose." I reply halfheartedly.

We down the liquor. It tastes like molten rusted copper and feels like acid as it slides down my throat. Skylar takes it like a champ...meanwhile I'm here screwing up my face and waggling my tongue in disgust.

God, I despise whiskey. It's like if beer and wine had conceived a child together...

I decide not to dwell on it, however. "So why don't you tell me what happened today, hm?"

Skylar gives a small sigh, gulping down the last of her margarita before promptly ordering another round of shots for the two of us. I can definitely tell that she's a little distressed, it's been quite a while since I've seen her drink like this.

"I had a client today," She began, "a young boy around the age of fourteen or fifteen. His mother had said that he was having some serious emotional trauma that he needed help coping with, so naturally I was right on the case. Turns out it was not the sort of emotional 'trauma' that we normally deal with."

She pauses to down her whiskey. I follow suit, but out of nervousness this time. Where could this be going?

"The kid apparently went through a bad breakup, or something, because he claimed to want another woman in his life...and apparently I was hired by his mother to be that woman." Skylar continues. "He was such a creep! He locked me in his room and kept trying to seduce me the whole time I was there, and the one time I managed to slip away...his mother was quick to stop me. She threatened that if I didn't oblige to her son's wishes for at least the next hour, she would report me to the police as a child predator who tried to lead on her 'precious baby boy'."

An entitled parent.

They used her. Of course.

I've been a victim of it, myself, but never in a case as bad as this. This was just downright wrong.

I wish I had been there for her...

"So you...went on with the deal?" I ask.

Skylar gives a tiny nod. "I was too scared that the police would get involved. In the end, I will get paid for this, but...is it really worth being uncomfortable for a whole hour? And the worst part is, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. I'm tired of people taking advantage of me as a female social worker!"

"Sweetheart, you have a right to your own body. No one in your field deserves to go through that, you should've told someone." I insist.

"I just...I dunno..." She starts to tense up a bit. "What if no one believed me? What if such an accusation got me fired in some absurd way?"

I...suppose I cannot argue with that. These things can be quite risky to handle in the workforce. It's unfortunate to say the least, but the truth.

The familiar glimmer in Skylar's eyes fades as she lowers her head in a distressful manner. Solemnly, I place a hand on top of hers, ushering Alexandre back over. "Another couple of rounds, please."

He nods and serves us two more shots.

I think I have a bit of an idea on how to lighten the mood.

"Up for a little competition?" I ask, breaking the dreary silence.

"Competition?" Skylar echoes, raising an eyebrow.

A smile creeps onto my face. "Remember what we did back in sophomore year at homecoming?"

"Yeah...we challenged each other to see who can do the most shots." Skylar replies. "But that was with soda."

"And?"

"And I'm pretty sure I saw you nearly choke on your first glass of whiskey a few minutes ago. You really think you can keep down more?"

I'm suddenly very determined. "Try me."

That familiar fire caused by competing burns hot with the desire to win in my chest. I can see it on Skylar's face now, an overly confident grin. She's just as ready as me to accept the challenge.

"Hey, Alex?" She calls. "Keep em' coming, and don't stop until we say so, please."

Alexandre laughs. "Of course, mademoiselle." Then he slides a few more glasses of whiskey our way.

We waste no time. There was a brief moment where our eyes locked, but otherwise, me and Skylar are suddenly swiftly downing one shot of whiskey after the other in perfect sync.

I really want to gag, I can feel it coming...but I have to force it back. My throat burns so bad that every breath I take in between each gulp feels like fire spraying from my windpipe.
I can't stop, though...I won't stop, not only after my fifth glass!

Skylar is breezing through them like her life depended on it as I'm here beginning to slow down, how on earth is she so good at this?

By the sixth glass, my esophagus was sandpaper and my tongue had gone numb.

By the seventh, I swear I could feel steam pouring from my ears.

With the eighth and ninth, I fell slowly into intoxication.

And the tenth...gah...no...I can't do it...

"Alright...alright..." I finally gasp, hiccuping. "I yield...no more, please."

Skylar slams down her eleventh glass and happily pumps a fist into the air as she claims her victory. "Hah! Yes! Take that, pretty boy!"

"Well done, my dear." I praise her. "Did that help at all?"

She smiles, and that pretty sparkle in her eyes shortly begins to return again. "Yeah...it did, actually. It felt really good, as a matter of fact. Thank you, sweetheart."

We give each other a kiss on the cheek. She's right, it did feel good. In an odd, painful sort of way.

I'm glad neither one of us is driving, tonight...

I reach for my unfinished margarita and return to its more superior flavor, only to find that it suddenly tasted rancid. That damn whiskey has my tastebuds shot...

"Eeugh...water, please, Alex?"

He slides me a healthy portion of water that I desperately begin to slurp in hopes of soothing my burning throat. Skylar laughs at me.

"Can't handle your whiskey, baby?" She teases, shoving me playfully.

I'm not afraid to admit it, "No...no I cannot, dear." I reply.

In my intoxication, I then suddenly feel the need to bring up something else. "So...I can't help but to ask, out of curiosity with what happened at work, did you initially feel flattered when you first had a client hit on you?"

"Pfft...flattered? Nah..." Skylar says. "I was honestly thinking that there are much prettier and more charming girls out there to do it to."

I can't believe what I just heard. "Pardon? Skylar, dear, how could you be so absurd? You are an incredibly wonderful young woman with a beautiful mind, a beautiful appearance, a beautiful personality, and dare I say it...a very, very, very good looking ass."

Skylar didn't hesitate to giggle, I even heard Alexandre struggling to contain his laughter as he was tending to the products.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I said it. Likely because I was a little drunk, if we're being honest, but I still meant every word.

"You're too much, sometimes..." Skylar mutters.

"But am I wrong?" I inquired.

She suddenly sports a more devious grin. "Well...you sure Audrey's isn't better?"

"Oh, see, now you're testing me." I reply with a loud scoff. "That woman couldn't develop any buttocks on her own even if she tried."

"She'd definitely be the one to buy implants, though."

"Couldn't agree more, darling."

We share a laugh. I finish my glass of water and finally, I feel my proper sense of taste beginning to return. I think that makes for a good point to continue on with the night.

"So dear..." I say to Skylar. "The night's so young that we might as well outlive it. Is there anywhere else you would like to go?"

Some time later...

Upon leaving Crystal Martini, Skylar and I went for a brief moonlit walk around town...then ended up burying our feet in the sand at the shoreline on the city outskirts, gazing out at the sparkling open ocean in soothing silence.

As beautiful as the view is, though, there is nothing I can do to keep my mind from wandering places that I would not like it to go. It's a common result when I find myself becoming intoxicated, unfortunately. I really shouldn't have had so much whiskey...

My obscure thoughts momentarily find their way into my mouth. "Do you ever wonder what would happen if seahorses evolved to have legs like normal horses?"

...

The hell did I just say?

"Hm, I'd say it'd be quite the breakthrough in the animal kingdom." Skylar replies. "Can you imagine, underwater horse racing?"

I skip a rock across the ocean surface, chuckling at the absurdity of such a concept. "I would pay to watch that."

"Oh, really?"

"It would be rather amusing, don't you think?"

Skylar smiles at the thought as well. "Heh...sounds like a plan for our next date, then."

I smile with her, returning my attention to the horizon ahead of us. A gentle breeze whistles, drifting the ocean's pleasantly crisp odor upward into the steady night air and keeps the atmosphere alive. It's so refreshing out here...I could just sit on this beach in silence forever if I wanted.

"Sweetheart!" Skylar suddenly grabs my shoulder, her facial expression wild with excitement. "Let's play a prank on someone!"

I blink. "Excuse me?"

"A prank!" Skylar repeats. "Y'know, a harmless practical joke. Come on, I need a good laugh!"

"Skylar, we're both twenty-five." I remind her.

I'm aware that I can be quite mischievous on occasion, but I cannot remember the last time I pulled a prank...if I ever did, to say the least. Not to mention that Skylar's the last person I'd expect such a thing from, as well.

"And who do you suppose we prank, anyway? We're alone here on this beach." I say.

Skylar grins deviously while nudging me in a playful manner. "Are we really, though?"

She then points at the horizon, northwest. I see her reasoning, now.

Just a little bit further out on the water sits a tall, almost mountain-like flat island with a pathway leading to the very top...to where an equally tall glass building currently resides. A glass building shaped like a giant letter T.

On the shore, at the very bottom of the island, a green child also sits on the sand, failing miserably at skipping rocks on the ocean. It's Garfield...or Beast Boy, I suppose.

I'm suddenly more intrigued with this plan.

"You in the mood for a little petty revenge?" Skylar asks.

She's clearly tipsy. Me, even more so for going through with this. "I already have an idea."

"Ooh, lay it on me, baby."

I reach into my pocket and pull out two small multicolored beans. Skylar eyes them inquisitively.

"I have not given them a name yet...but when soaked in a little water, these little guys explode in a burst of colored powder after a minute or two." I explain to her. "We just need to find a way to get them over there."

"Hmm...how would you rate your rock skipping skills?" Skylar asks.

"Maybe six out of ten?" I reply.

She nods, gesturing to the ocean. If I can pull this off, the bean should land in front of Garfield and have contracted just enough moisture from the ocean to explode. Seems like an easy enough feat to achieve.

I stand up, firmly securing my positioning on the ground by digging my feet into the sand even further.
Focus, Isaac. This is no big deal, you're just...a grown man playing a prank on an unsuspecting child who is also simply trying to enjoy the beautiful evening. That's all it is.

Oh boy, what am I doing?

I find myself stopping after I've winded up my shot. "Skylar, I don't know about this..."

"What? You don't know about what?" She asks with a raised eyebrow.

"I...I feel a little ridiculous." I reply.

Skylar scoffs in response to my hesitation. "Sweetheart, there isn't nothing to it. These kids beat you up, and all you're doing in retaliation is throwing exploding beans at one of them." She retorts. "Do you need a little motivation?"

"If you suppose it will help me, then yes."

She smirks and stands up as well, loudly clearing her throat before taking a long, over exaggerated deep breath.

"Isaac McKnight. A man who has all the power in the world to toss this holy magic bean across the water over to the shore of Titans Tower so we can proceed with this tiny little prank. For he is brave, incredibly intelligent, handsome, and...much like his wonderful girlfriend who supports him unconditionally for as long as he shall live...he has an ungodly gorgeous ass."

"Oh, Skylar, dear..." I feel my cheeks growing hotter as I smile a little sheepishly. "You're making me blush."

I don't think there's ever a time where she doesn't know what to say, and sometimes...that's all it takes.

With no warning, I swing an arm after readjusting my position on the ground. One of the beans fly out of my hand and almost gracefully skips across the surface of the ocean with ease...it's journey ending with a tiny puff of dust created by the sand, as it collides perfectly with the shore of Titans Tower. Right in front of Garfield.

Splendid.

The young changeling tilts his head inquisitively as he examines it, and then after a few short moments...

POOM!

...his face is coated with brightly colored orange and red powder.

I can't help it, I start to snicker. Skylar joins me the moment that Garfield begins shouting unintelligible phrases while lost in his confusion. Then another distant voice suddenly overlaps his.

"Beast Boy? What's going on?"

It's Miss Markov!

Oh, this opportunity is just too perfect...

She approaches her companion, attempting to console him as he is still practically loosing his mind over the mess on his face...though he seems thoroughly convinced that some sort of undersea entity had bestowed it upon him. At least according to what I can hear.

"Watch this." I whisper to Skylar.

I fling the second bean across the water over to Titans Tower shore again. Garfield points at it and frantically tries to explain his case, but Miss Markov just scoffs.

"Come on, Beastie, that's just ridiculous—"

And that was the precise moment when the bean exploded in her face.

Skylar and I can hardly contain our laughter. These children are quite literally writhing on the ground as if they have a swarm of bees in their trousers...and over just a little powder in their faces. Who would have thought that such a dumb little prank would be so satisfying?

But then our idiotic guffaws are abruptly cut short when the kids make eye contact with us.

Shit!

"Run!"

Fumbling as we go, we force our shoes back on our bare feet and promptly scramble up the stairs leading off the beach and back onto the pier. I briefly glance behind me to see if the Titans are still looking for us, all the while giggling like some immature delinquent in between gasps for air. Boy, do I feel like a teenager again...

"Well...I'm satisfied." Skylar says, as we come to a halt. "You?"

"I cannot believe I let you convince me to do that..." I puffed.

Her devious grin doesn't cease to exist. "But you can't deny that it was worth the thrill. I saw you laughing, did I not?"

...

"Yes...yes you did."

We caught our breath, sharing heartfelt smiles and another quick laugh. Regardless of whether or not I enjoyed it personally, it was worth giving my darling dearest the joy that she so desired. And that is all that matters in the end.

"So..." She breaks the silence again, fixing her shoe as she seemed to have put it on wrong in our haste. "what now?"

My stomach grumbles...so noisily that I fear that the Titans can hear it from all the way at their Tower. Ooh...lord almighty, I haven't eaten for hours...

"Aw...Baby Bear, are you hungry?" Skylar asks.

I nod. "Famished, darling."

She wraps an arm around me and rubs my belly in a few small circular motions. It honestly feels...oddly relaxing in a way.

"Let's go get some dinner." She says. "My treat."

Oh hey, look! Another jump cut to the next location!

We left the pier. After briefly wondering what food places were actually open this late at night, Skylar brings me to a little part of town by the name of Express Street...and a couple fond memories find their way back into my subconscious.

Express Street is home to a few of the city's local food trucks and vendors, usually remaining in production past midnight or sometimes even later if the nights are busy enough.
Surprisingly, there's always more individuals looking for a quick bite than one would expect. Jason and Bruce dragged me out here once, and I experienced an absurdly large crowd first hand. Good thing I didn't order anything that day...

A food truck or vendor is usually the last place I would find myself eating at, even. Though tonight I'm so hungry that the aroma of all sorts of fried morsels and cold served sandwiches have my stomach rumbling harder than a summer thunderstorm. Skylar hears it again.

"Heh, is your tummy rumbling for a good gourmet hot dog?" She teased.

Eech...hot dogs. How repulsive...

"You're funny, dear." I reply with a humorless chuckle. "Matter of fact, the thought of me eating from a food truck as a whole is also quite funny."

Skylar gave a playful roll of her eyes. "Ah...sweetheart, just trust me, please? I promise it won't taint your delicate little posh boy pallet."

"If you say so, Marshmallow."

I catch her blushing, she always does whenever I call her marshmallow. I'm no good with nicknames and pet names, but she seems to like this one...I think.

She brings me to a green and yellow food truck stationed in the center of the line, and gestures for me to have a seat on the curb while she orders for the both of us. A moment later, she returns with two paper containers of...surprisingly immaculate soft shell tacos, each having a decadent smelling beef and onion filling with a slight drizzle of salsa overtop.

"Tacos, hm? Interesting choice." I say as Skylar sits next to me.

"Street tacos." She corrects me. "I had these a little while ago, pretty damn good if you ask me."

"Well, allow me to be the judge of that."

I take a bite, expecting something subpar, but oh good lord...is this taco beyond divine.

The beef is perfectly minced and seasoned while giving off just the right amount of flavor. The onions provide for a wonderful texture, and there's the slightest bit of heat given by the salsa, but a hint of lime juice takes the edge off it...overall making for the best meal that I've ever had served to me from a food truck.

"Okay...okay..." I mumble in between bites. "You've got me...this is just purely delightful."

"See?" Skylar seemed so lost in her own taco that she could barely reply to me. "What'd I'd tell you?"

We polish off our meals within the next minute or so as we gossip about life and the various frustrating clients that we've dealt with over the month. Never did I believe I would be having dinner sat on the side of the road, it...actually has me rather satisfied.

I hand Skylar a couple more dollar bills. "Think you can do another round?"

She smiles and hops right up to get us a few more tacos. We scarf them down so fast that we hardly notice their disappearance within the next minute, and even the food truck vendor that served us seemed surprised. Though we don't let him judge us.

Once we've had our fill, we find ourselves lounging on a nearby bench in silence while the crowds around the food trucks begin to disperse...and the vendors close up shop for the night. I sigh happily as Skylar snuggles closer to me, wrapping her arms around my sides in a comforting embrace.

"Well...my appetite is officially sated." I say, rubbing my stomach in satisfaction. "I'll admit, eating here was a rather fun little treat."

"See...now I wish I bet money on you saying that. Woulda made a nice buck." Skylar said.

I chuckle. Wouldn't put it past her to make a comment like that sometimes.

We gaze up at the sky, watching the darkened clouds drift by and become illuminated by tonight's full moon. It's still a stunningly gorgeous evening, but alas...it would unfortunately have to come to an end soon. It's getting quite late, and the two of us likely have to work tomorrow.

But there's one more thing I want to do to make Skylar's night all the more better.

"Anything you have your mind set on purchasing?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Eh, well...kinda, yeah. There was a nice little sapphire necklace I liked at a store pretty close by, actually. But I saw it a long time ago, it's probably gone by now."

"No shame in looking, though." I say. "I'll pay for it."

"Oh, sweetheart, you don't need to do that—"

"I insist, ma chérie."

She paid for our meals, it's the least I can do for her.

[insert random jump cut title here]

Another short walk brings us to our next destination, a retail store with some name in German that I will not dare try to pronounce. It's surprisingly not one that I recognize, even though they appear to sell the usual clothing style of my choice. But as I'm now glancing at the price tags of these items, I think it's safe to say that there's a reason why I've never shopped here.

Until tonight, that is.

"I'm going to go look for the necklace." Skylar tells me. "You should take a peek at some stuff, too. Maybe pick up something nice for yourself."

She walks over to the other side of the store where an assortment of expensive looking jewelry resides, leaving me to browse through the men's section of clothing and accessories. I wonder if that's her way of insisting I should try something different in terms of attire. I've been hearing that a lot lately from quite a few people...

A couple polo shirts and suits catch my attention, and I find myself actually browsing through the different selections to kill some time. Though as I'm analyzing prices while debating on actually making a purchase...I hear something I wish I hadn't.

"Hey there, honey. How you doing tonight?"

I turn to the opposite side of the store. A young man, very short with a college student like appearance, had approached Skylar. He stood rather close to her while radiating heavily with a flirtatious personality that almost overshadowed the desperate look in his eyes. Anyone would be able to tell with a single glance at him that he was looking for some action.

And Skylar has become his prey...

"I'm fine." She replies curtly, clearly uncomfortable with his presence.

He isn't letting up, though. "I'm Miles." He says. "You got a name?"

"Nope."

"Come on, everyone's got a name, sweetheart."

"Yes, but I don't think mine is for you to know." Skylar insists.

The young fellow, apparently named Miles, simply chuckles at her longing to be left alone before pushing further in his predatory ways. He insists she's playing hard to get, tries for her number, and even attempts to hold her hand. I really want to hope that he will take the hint...but the disgusting look of lust in his eyes is strongly telling me the opposite.

I think I've seen enough.

I approach and give him a tap on the shoulder. "Excuse me, monsieur."

"Yeah, what do you wa—oh..."

The color in his face drains almost instantly with a single first glance at me.

I am not ashamed to admit, I am indeed your average science nerd with a love for dedicating time to further studies for my work and creating new experiments to share with the world. But one might find that not all the stereotypes that often come along with such a trope apply to me.

While lacking that short, scrawny figure that one might expect from someone like me, I choose to dedicate a few hours of the early morning to a good workout at the gym or a run around the neighborhood before work. And over the last couple of years, it's helped me develop quite the well-toned figure and size...thus making me far more superior in strength compared to this young man standing before me.

N-not to brag, of course...

"Don't you suppose this kind lady here wants to be left alone?" I said to him.

He scoffed, attempting to look as tough as he could. "Pfft...and what does it matter to you, huh? You her brother or something?"

"Try her boyfriend."

"Oh..."

He is sweating profusely now, the subtly suave demeanor he once tried so hard to maintain had faded just a couple seconds ago. He knows he lost the upper hand, though I don't think his fragile pride will allow for him to do the right thing and move on.

He chuckles awkwardly as he remains fixed to the spot, still very much intimidated by my presence. "Heh...hehe...heh...no worries, bro, it's all in good fun."

"Your 'good fun' is making her uncomfortable." I insist.

"Nah, I don't think so."

"Pretty sure it was." Skylar chimes in.

He keeps going. "Ah, erm...b-but you know what it was like to be someone like me, right? Y'know, a guy in his twenties—"

"I am in my twenties." I say.

I suppose he believed I was older because of my height.

There was a long pause before he simply chuckles again, shamefully this time. "I can't win tonight, can I?"

"Supposedly not."

Another pause.

"Y'know, you're pretty tall for a guy in his twenties." He tries again.

"Please leave."

"Yeah, okay..."

And with that, the young man finally slinks off, practically with his tail between his legs as me and Skylar are left laughing softly at his humiliation. Ah, what a poor unfortunate soul...

She pulls me forward for a hug that I return with no hesitation. "You're the best."

"Anything for you, Marshmallow."

Oh, StarClan no, not another jump cut. HELP.

At last, the two of us tucker ourselves out...and the night's antics return us to the comfort of my glorious humble abode, where we find ourselves snuggled together on the couch within the soothing light of a few candles I had lit. Accompanied by a bit of soft music as well, if I might add.

Skylar lies atop my chest, playing with the fronds of my hair as I'm slowly drifting off.

Such a uneventful and plain night was turned into something so perfect with the accompaniment of her...for once in my life, I don't think I could be more satisfied with the decision to abandon my work.

And coming from me, that is definitely saying something.

"Can I ask you something?" Skylar says.

"Of course, my love."

"Where'd you come up with the nickname 'Marshmallow'? Is it because your hair is soft like marshmallows, and I like to play with it?"

"Heh...not exactly." I reply. "It's because you're soft, and so sweet to me and everyone around you...I just thought that nothing else would suit you better. Do you not like it?"

She nudges me playfully. "Don't be silly, I love it. It's adorable...just like you, Baby Bear."

I find myself giving a familiar dopey smile in response to her own nickname choice for me. It was something she had sprung up on me all of a sudden one day, and I suppose it just stuck. Though I can't help but to wonder myself...

"Now where did 'Baby Bear' come from?"

"From how cute and cuddly you are." Skylar replies.

"But a cute and cuddly baby bear wouldn't protect you from all the big bad predators out there." I insist jokingly.

"Well, you'd think a man who likes having his tummy rubbed wouldn't either, but here we are."

She does just that, and I can't help it...I purr like a kitten. Only a fantastic woman like Skylar could have such an effect on me, and I do not recall a moment where I've ever complained about it.

"Well, I guess I'm a different kind of man, then." I reply with a smile.

She giggles, snuggling her head further into the curve of my neck as I stroke her hair.

I couldn't be more grateful to have her in my life...and it just makes me wonder...how could anyone possibly think of exploiting someone so amazing in the worst way one could think of?

The man at the store, the child and his mother at her job...Skylar deserves better than to deal with those people.

There is no way in hell that I am letting it happen again.

"Hey, sweetheart?" I say to her. "After what you told me tonight about what happened at work, and the...odd young fellow at the store, I realize how much I just can't bear to see or think of you being so uncomfortable. So if anything like that ever happens again, please don't hesitate to let me know on the spot, and I will be right there. I want to provide you with all the love and support I can possibly give in your time of need, no matter what the situation may be."

"Oh, Isaac..." Her face flushes a little as a pretty little sparkle appears in her eyes. One of a familiar look of joy. "You don't have to do all that for me."

"But I insist, my darling." I reply.

"I know, but...sometimes after it all happens...just the thought that you're always there just to talk to is more than enough for me. I couldn't think of anything better."

She tickles my chin. I'm blushing so hard that I can feel every last bit of heat circulating my body begin to rise even higher in temperature, then the formation of a soft fluttering sensation follows along inside my tummy. Oh...I suppose the butterflies have found their way in there, haven't they? I think I ought to welcome them.

"But still..." Skylar continues, "thank you so much, sweetheart. Knowing that I have your full support in whatever time of need means the world to me, it really does."

We lean towards each other and lock lips...in one final luxurious kiss.

"I love you, Baby Bear."

"I love you too, Marshmallow."

With that, I think it's safe to say...

Of all the late nights out that we've had together...

...this one is most certainly my favorite.

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Yeeaaah...forgot to mention that some of these stories can get kinda long. Sorry about that, but I hope you guys enjoyed, regardless!