Kara stood on the side of the road, her hands fidgeting nervously as she glanced down the street for the tenth time. The evening sun cast a soft golden glow over National City, and the cool breeze fluttered through her hair.
Dressed in a light blue blouse that accentuated her youthful charm alongside her fitted jeans, Kara couldn't help but feel a little out of place. She wasn't used to dressing up like this, and she definitely wasn't used to waiting for someone like this.
This would be the first time Kara ever really went out with someone not including her family. She only really went out with Alex and Eliza for family events, and occasionally met up with her cousin Clark and his wife Lois Lane for events, but these were one in a blue moon event.
However, now she'd be going out with a friend, not just a friend but Kayn, someone who made her feel much more comfortable than usual. It seemed he really understood her, which allowed her to express herself much more.
Kara could even feel that as she was becoming more open after the week and more of being friends with Kayn. Maybe it was because she had never really had friends before, and so Kayn's forwardness was easily able to crack her exterior.
As dozens of thoughts flew threw her head, the low hum of an engine caught her attention. Kara's eyes lit up as a sleek, black luxury Jaguar XJ, polished to perfection, glided down the street and pulled up right in front of her.
The door opened, and Kayn stepped out, his eyes locked onto her.
Kayn was dressed impeccably in business casual attire, wearing tailored dark slacks paired with a crisp white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up slightly to reveal toned forearms.
His navy-blue blazer was open, giving his outfit a relaxed yet sophisticated look and a pair of perfectly polished brown leather shoes completed the ensemble. His hair was styled neatly.
The glasses perched on his nose only added to his air of intellect and confidence. As always, his striking appearance was both incredibly handsome and impossibly smart.
Kara swallowed nervously, her cheeks already feeling warm as she took him in. Kayn's presence was magnetic, commanding without even trying.
She had always admired him, but seeing him like this—so composed, so charming—left her more flustered than ever.
Kayn walked over to her, his steps sure and confident. His gaze met hers, and he smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat.
"You look amazing," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a hint of admiration.
Kara's cheeks flushed even deeper as she fumbled with her words. "You… you look incredible, too. Really handsome."
Kayn chuckled softly, reaching out and gently taking her hand. The simple touch sent a wave of heat rushing to her face, and she could feel her pulse quicken. "Thank you, Kara," he replied, his fingers lingering for just a moment. "I'm glad you think so."
His touch was firm yet gentle, and it left her momentarily speechless. Kayn's confidence wasn't overbearing; it was calming in a way that made her feel both secure and slightly flustered.
"That color suits you perfectly." Kayn added, his eyes roaming over her outfit with subtle appreciation.
Kara blinked, feeling her stomach do a flip. "T-thank you," she mumbled, tugging slightly on her blouse, "I wasn't sure if it was too much."
"It's perfect," Kayn said with a reassuring smile, his eyes locking with hers again. He gently guided her toward the car, opening the door with a smooth gesture. "Shall we?"
Still a bit dazed from the compliment, Kara nodded shyly and let him lead her into the backseat of the luxury car. The interior was just as refined as the exterior, with plush leather seats and a soft glow from the ambient lighting. The door closed behind her, and Kayn slid into the seat beside her.
The car slowly pulled away from the curb, the driver maintaining a leisurely pace as they began their drive through the city. Kara glanced out the window, her nerves still buzzing but slowly fading as the comfortable atmosphere settled in.
"Do you eat out often?" Kayn inquired, although he certainly knew the answer, he just wanted to make normal small talk to kill time.
"N~Not really." Kara responded, pushing up her glasses shyly, "I usually just prefer to stay home. This is actually the first time I've really gone out aside from with family."
"Oh, well I hope this isn't the first 1st of yours I take." Kayn said with a smirk, leading Kara to blush and turn away.
Kayn chuckled at this, before continuing to speak, "I thought we'd go somewhere a bit special this evening. I've arranged something I think you'll enjoy."
Kara looked back at him curiously, her nerves replaced by curiosity. "What do you mean?"
"I remembered you mentioned you liked pizza and potstickers, so I made sure we're heading to a restaurant that specializes in both. A little unconventional, but I think you'll love it." Kayn responded.
Kara's eyes widened, and a bright smile broke out on her face. "Wait, really? You did that?"
"Of course," Kayn said with a small shrug, his smile deepening. "I want tonight to be something you'll remember."
Her heart fluttered at his words, the gesture catching her completely off guard. She hadn't expected him to remember such a small detail, let alone plan an entire evening around it.
Kayn's actions warmed her heart, but they also made her more nervous. He had already thought this far ahead?
Kayn caught her nervous gaze and offered a reassuring smile. "You doing okay?" he asked, his voice as smooth as the leather seats they were sitting on.
Kara gave a small nod, biting her lip. "Yeah, just...not very used to this, as I said I don't go out alot." She said while gesturing vaguely around her, as if to include everything—the car, the evening, even Kayn himself.
Kayn chuckled softly. "I get it. But just relax. Tonight's meant to be fun." His tone was light, and the warmth in his words eased some of the tension in Kara's chest.
The car meanwhile had turned down a private, wide boulevard lined with trees illuminated by soft, golden lights. Kara craned her neck to get a better look as they approached a building that immediately stood out among the others.
It was sleek, modern, and luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that glowed warmly in the evening light. The facade was made of polished stone, and the restaurant's name 'La Sera Bella' was elegantly scripted above the entrance in gold lettering.
As the car came to a stop, a valet appeared immediately, opening the door for them with a courteous bow. Kayn stepped out first and then extended his hand to Kara, who hesitated only for a second before taking it. His grip was steady and reassuring, helping her out of the car.
Kayn didn't know if Kara knew just how tight she was holding his hand. If it was a normal human, they might've been enduring intense pain, maybe even some broken finger bones, alluding to the fact her emotions combined with the lack of power control training she went under combined to this.
Still, Kayn didn't confront Kara about this. After all, his SuperHuman body meant that Kara's tight squeeze, didn't really effect him at all.
As they walked onward, the evening air was filled with the subtle scent of fresh herbs and roaster garlic, leading to Kara's stomach grumbling softly in response. She blushed, hoping Kayn hadn't heard, but his playful glance told her he had.
"Smells amazing already, doesn't it?" Kayn remarked with a grin as he led her up the stone steps toward the grand entrance.
Kara nodded, her eyes widening as they stepped inside. The interior was even more stunning. The main dining area was expansive yet elegant, with soft amber lighting cascading down from crystal chandeliers.
Dark wood accents and lush, velvet seating gave the space a rich, luxurious feel, while modern art adorned the walls, adding a touch of contemporary flair.
The scent of freshly baked bread and delicate sauces wafted through the air, making her mouth water.
A sharply dressed host greeted them immediately, his smile professional and warm. "Good evening, Mr. Kayn," he said, nodding respectfully. "We have your private room prepared, as requested."
Kara blinked, a bit stunned, "Private room?"
Kayn nodded, his demeanor calm and collected as always. "Thank you." He turned to Kara with a soft smile. "Thought it'd be nice to have a little privacy."
She managed a shy smile in return, her heart fluttering at the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. As they were guided through the restaurant, Kara took in more of the surroundings.
The clinking of glasses, the low murmur of conversation, the stunning décor. This was obviously a high-quality restaurant, as she could see multiple businessmen and businesswomen conversing over lunch.
Kara couldn't help but feel like she was walking in a dream, especially with Kayn leading the way so effortlessly.
The host opened a set of double doors near the back of the restaurant, revealing a stunning private dining room. It was spacious yet cozy, with a large, round table draped in a pristine white cloth and surrounded by plush, velvet chairs.
But the true marvel was the view, floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the room offered a breathtaking panorama of the city below, the skyline glowing in the soft twilight
Kara gasped softly. "Wow… this is incredible," she whispered, stepping toward the window, unable to tear her eyes away from the view.
Kayn, standing just behind her, smiled at her reaction. "I thought you'd like it," he said, his voice low and content.
A waiter appeared moments later, offering them a selection of appetizers and drinks. Kara was too mesmerized by everything to respond at first, but Kayn gently nudged her, bringing her back to the present.
"Any preferences?" he asked with a playful smile, clearly amused by her awe-struck state.
Kara blinked and laughed softly, shaking her head. "I—I don't even know where to start. This place is... amazing."
"How about we start with some drinks and appetizers?" Kayn suggested, his eyes twinkling as he motioned for the waiter to bring them both a couple of house specialties.
As the waiter disappeared to prepare their order, Kara settled into her seat, still marveling at how special this entire evening felt. She glanced at Kayn, who sat across from her, so relaxed and confident. His casual elegance made her feel at ease, despite the butterflies still fluttering in her stomach.
"So," Kayn began, leaning forward slightly, "you mentioned you don't go out much. What do you like to do when you're home?"
Kara smiled, appreciating the simple question. It was something she could answer without stumbling over her nerves," Well, I like karaoke, dancing, I like reading a-lot, I wanna be a reporter. Movies & TV of course, and I'm a big video game fan, Justice League: Defend the World is my favorite on PS3. Also, I like star-gazing, really really like it. Growing up, I wished I could name my own star."
Kayn raised an eyebrow, intrigued, his Aurelion Sol template could potentially come in more handy than expected in the future, "Ohh pretty cool, what's your favorite movie?"
She nodded quickly, her face lighting up as she spoke. "The Wizard of Oz, I absolutely love it. I've watched it more times than I can count."
Kayn smiled at her enthusiasm. "I'll have to check it out. I trust your taste."
Kara blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I could recommend a lot of good ones if you're interested."
"I'd like that," Kayn said, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
Their appetizers arrived just then, and Kara's eyes widened at the sight of the perfectly plated food. The rich, savory smell of the truffle flatbread hit her first, followed by the crisp, golden scent of the arancini.
Her Superhuman senses only increased her desire to eat. Her stomach growled again, louder this time, and she laughed nervously, glancing at Kayn, who grinned back at her.
"No need to be shy," Kayn teased lightly. "Dig in."
Kara didn't need to be told twice. She picked up an arancini ball and bit into it, her eyes widening as the warm, cheesy filling melted in her mouth. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing," she mumbled, barely able to contain her excitement.
Kayn chuckled softly, enjoying her reaction. "Glad you like it. And we haven't even gotten to the main course yet."
Kara grinned, feeling more at ease with each passing moment. "I can't wait."
They continued talking as they sampled the appetizers, the conversation flowing easily now. Kara found herself opening up more, sharing stories from her childhood, of course altered to fit Earth, her interests, and even a few awkward moments that made Kayn laugh.
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Author's Note:
Yes, some lines are cringe, but some cringe is good!