Setting Layla Afire

I had to admit, after mine and Layla's love making session, I was rather worn out. But I had promised her a date and I had promised to meet her parents tonight, no matter how nervous it made the two of us.

Yes, it did make me very nervous to meet her parents. I told her it made me nervous but, I don't think she realized just how much I truly am. It does bother me that her parents may shun me, tell their daughter not to speak to me ever again. Especially when I loved her as much as I do.

But I tried my best to put those thoughts into the back of my head for tonight. The main goal I had to accomplish was give Layla a better date tonight at the Paper Lantern than Will ever did. At least I like Chinese, since I'm part oriental myself. According to Layla, Will never even liked the food, just went to keep her company.

On the nights that he actually showed up....

My hands had caught fire, thankfully they had nothing in them...but unfortunately Layla had taken notice. Walking across the room to me, she wrapped her arms up around my neck, as if my fire didn't even scare her anymore. I sighed and my hands extinguished themselves. I kissed the top of her head, knowing she'd ask for an explanation.

"I was just thinking back to all the nights you sat in the Paper Lantern alone... You wasn't alone, because you had me but... Will stood you up so many times. It infuriates me."

Layla nodded some but smiled nonetheless, looking up into my dark brown eyes with her softer, doe like dark eyes.

"It still infuriates me too Warren but... tonight... I know you're going to prove that it was worth all the heartache to have a real date with you."

"I promise, I will."

I said immediately, firmly and kissed her lips again quickly before pulling back and grabbing a set of car keys. Layla took that as her cue to follow me out the door so we could hurry on to dinner. I didn't want our dinner to be cut short by one of her parents calling and saying, 'LAYLA WILLIAMS, YOU GET HOME THIS INSTANT!', she deserved a better first date with me than that.

"I adore your car, Warren."

Layla said softly as I opened the passenger door and helped her inside. My car was a silver mustang, a present from my Dad when I graduated Sky High. My Dad may be a super-villain, but he does love me. Most people, like the Commander; Will's Father, would think my Father was incapable of love.

That thought, also pissed me off. But, I didn't incinerate the car thankfully. Right as that thought crossed my mind, Layla had taken my hand inside the car after I started the ignition and laced fingers with me. I raised a brow,

"You only need one hand to drive... if it's an automatic."

"Good point,"

I smirked a bit and let go of her hand long enough to put the car into drive and took off, one hand on the steering wheel and the other in Layla's left hand. Her hand was so small compared to mine, so cool as well. My body was always radiating with heat... I knew her power, and it wasn't ice, but compared to my always flushed skin, she felt like an ice bath.

Maybe, that was a good thing. As Principal Powers called me, Hot Head, maybe she'd cool off that hot head of mine. Perhaps in more ways than one from now on... heh..heh......

Pulling up outside of the Paper Lantern, my first time back in a couple of weeks; I shut the Mustang's engine off after Layla put the car into park for me. I looked over to her, what she would call my "Warren-esque" grin upon my face. Without a word, I got out of the car and walked over, opening the door for Layla.

"He never did that for me.."

Layla whispered as she stepped out of the car and I blushed a bit, just more proof I truly was better. I slammed the car door and took her hand once more, leading her to the front door of the restaurant and holding it open for her as she walked inside. I couldn't help but gaze at her arse for a moment or two. I'm still a man, aren't I?

"Wherever you want to sit beautiful,"

I said softly and Layla nodded some, leading me to a back booth, one of my favorite spots in the restaurant. You could see everyone, but they never really paid enough attention to you back here. We sat down across from each other, I kept a hand in hers on top of the table, stroking the back of her hand lightly with my thumb.

I could tell, even in the dim lighting, Layla was blushing like a Christmas tree.

"You're so perfect, Layla,"

I complimented, hearing her giggle like a little school girl. Wait, she is a little school girl. My little school girl. Those rosy cheeks of hers, I lent over the table a little and gave her a gentle peck on the lips. A friend of mine came over to take our order. Layla always ordered the same thing, she'd never deviated, so I ordered for the both of us in Chinese. I knew she enjoyed when I spoke in the language, even if she didn't know it.

"I can't believe how fluent you are,"

Layla said quietly after my friend took his leave to the kitchen. I laughed a bit,

"Well, my Mom is of Chinese descent. That's part of the reason my Dad fell for her you know."

"Maybe that's part of the reason I fell for you,"

Layla laughed and I couldn't help but blush at how she'd turned that around. I'd never put much thought in a girl, especially Layla, liking me for my oriental roots. I could imagine the people at Sky High talking now about how Warren Peace blushed like a school girl when with his girlfriend.