YES IT UPDATED. SORRY FOR THE WAIT. HOPE YOU ENJOY.

"So, do you think this is good?" Gretel peered at me, crossing her arms a little. I twirled a little, letting my dress spin out around me. It was white, with lace going from the neck to the waist, almost like a top in its own right, and was just above my kneecaps.

"...No. What was the other one?" I frowned a little and looked at my bed, which had a few other dresses lying on it.

"The black one or the red one?"

"The red one." I sighed and peeled off the white dress, grabbing the red dress and pulling it over my head. It was a little shorter, and there were diamantes across the neckline and waistline.

"Really? It's so...flashy." The corner of Gretel's mouth curved up, and she laughed a little.

"Trust me, it's the one. Wear it with...black heels. No necklace, or just something little, ruby earrings, and wear your hair down." I pursed my lips, pulling an unsure face.

"Really? Are you sure?" Gretel rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation, standing as she did.

"Look, you asked for advice for your outfit for this date, and I'm giving it to you. Wear the red dress." She walked out of the room, leaving me to fret by myself. I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself down, and thought for a bit.

No, Gretel was right. I did look best in the red dress. I smiled a little - of course she was right - and started digging through my basket of shoes for a pair of black heels. As I did so, I reflected on the events of three days ago. It was the day after the disastrous Gala, when Skulls had come to apologise for what he'd done - he came as Leon though, of course. Father had told me all that had happened, and shouted a bit at Dana. I then proceeded to look up Skulls' new number, and organised a date - our first date, in fact - for today. We were going to dinner at a local restaurant, the Altaria Restaurant. I'd been freaking out a bit - okay, a lot - and Gretel had been helping me out. I glanced at the clock. The date was going to start in half an hour. Skulls would be at my door, and we'd have a great time.

I took a deep breath, and started rummaging through my jewellery box for a pair of ruby earrings.

Half an hour to go.

The time passed at a crawl, but finally, the doorbell rang, echoing through the house. I scrambled down the stairs, landing at the bottom of them with a small thud. The impact send the air spilling out of my lips, and I stood there for a second, regaining my breath, before continuing my frantic run to the door. I reached it in an instant, catching my breath once more before opening the door. Skulls stood there - no, he was most definitely Leon right now - in a dark grey suit, with a red tie that matched his hair exactly. His hair was slicked down, and he was holding a bouquet of calla lilies. He stared at me for a minute, eyes wide and surprised, before cracking a smile.

"You look...you look great. Wow. Um, I mean..." I giggled, silently thanking Gretel for her suggestions. Leon glared a little, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "shut the fuck up bunny", which just made me laugh harder. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and looked up to see Father standing behind me, a stern looking in his eyes. Leon swallowed hard and straightened his tie nervously.

"I want her back at a reasonable time, please. And I trust if you screw things up, she can deal with you as appropriate." He looked down, a touch of love softening his face. "Have fun, Lola." Father walked away, and I was left with Leon, who was looking even more nervous. He basically threw the flowers at me, looking down as he did. I took them, brushing a finger against the soft petals.

"Thank you, they're beautiful." A servant came up to me with a vase, half filled with water. I handed him the flowers and turned back to Leon, who offered me his arm. I took it, and we walked down the steps to...a Mustang. He'd brought a Mustang. I smiled tiredly - he may go by Leon now, but there was no mistaking the pure amount of Skulls that still remained.

Leon opened the door for me, and I slid in, settling into the leather seats. He walked around and got in as well, starting up the car with a low growl. With a sly grin my way, Leon roared the engine, and we sped out of the driveway and onto the road.

We pulled up at the Altaria Restaurant after a short, exhilaratingly fast ride through the city streets. I got out as Leon did, clutching my purse like a safety blanket as nerves struck. What was I meant to do? Mew, I'd been on dates before, but they were always awkward at the start, and I never knew what to say, oh I was so totally screwed. I took Leon's arm again, holding a little tighter than necessary.

"Ouch." I loosened my grip, giving him an apologetic glance. Leon just smiled, a little tensely, and we walked into the restaurant.
The moment we passed through the doors, I paused and gasped, looking around with wide eyes. The restaurant was huge, the walls painted with a pastel blue colour and trimmed with white. There were candles at every table, and a huge chandelier, giving the whole restaurant a warm, orangey glow that made you feel at home. We were escorted to our seats, which were mahogany and red velvet, and almost straight away, a waiter came up to us, a Goldeen.

"Hello. I'm Caleb, and I'll be your server tonight. What will you...Lola?" I blinked, head darting up, eyes fixed to the waiter for a second. A spark of recognition flared, and then grew larger.

"Oh Arceus, Caleb! It's been ages, wow! How are you?" Leon frowned, glancing from Caleb to me and back again. Caleb smiled widely, his orange eyes lighting up.

"I've been great, thanks! You look amazing, by the way." I blushed a little, covering my smile with my hand. Leon glared up at Caleb, who still looked oblivious. I realised I'd have to introduce them.

"Leon, this is Caleb, my ex-boyfriend. Caleb, this is Leon, my friend." Leon stiffened, but put out a hand anyway, which Caleb shook. Leon pulled his hand back, glowering a little at the table, while Caleb got out a pencil. We gave our orders, and he walked away, a little bounce in his step.

"Wow, I haven't seen him in years. He's looking good." Leon made an indignant face, turning a little red.

"What do you mean, looking good?"

"Well, he's more muscular than when we dated, and he looks a lot happier." Leon made to respond, but at that point, a Meowstic came up and poured out some wine, before quickly leaving. I took a sip - it was on the sweet side, which I appreciated. Caleb returned with our meals, a seafood pasta for me and a Tauros steak and salad for Leon. He gave me a wink as he put it down before leaving again. I took a bite of the pasta. It was delicious, al dente and beautiful. Leon basically ripped into his steak, cutting large bits off and scoffing them down.

"So, this place is great, don't you think?" Leon made a noise that sounded something along the lines of "sure, whatever". I rolled my eyes and kept eating, pausing to sip at the wine every now and again. As soon as we were finished, Caleb came back out to take the plates, but lingered a bit at the table.

"You know, we should catch up sometime. I've been missing you, Lola, you're a pretty unforgettable person." I laughed, while Leon crossed his arms and practically huffed.

"Yeah, I'd like that. I'll look you up in the phone book."

"Oh, no need. I'll give you my number, with the tab." I smiled politely and nodded my thanks, and Caleb left again. Leon was full on huffing at this point.

"What's wrong?" He glared at me, a very Skulls expression.

"Oh, nothing. Once you're done flirting with the waiter, can we go? I'd rather just cut this short." I opened my mouth in shock, before flushing.

"Flirting? I am not flirting with him! We're friends!" I was answered with an eye-roll and a "who do you think you're kidding" look.

"Oh, yeah, I can see that by him giving you his number, and telling you that you're unforgettable." He made the last word high pitched and whining, face twisted in a pathetic begging expression.

"Oh, you are kidding me. We're friends." Leon scoffed, and I felt a red flash of fury. I leaned over...only to spill wine all over myself.

"Crap!" A few couple looked over, but a glare from both Leon and I sent them back to their meals. A server ran over with a towel, which I dabbed myself off with, but this was going to need more than a towel. I dumped some money on the table, storming out to Leon's car. The owner of said car was lingering at the door, a bit of a shocked look on his face.

"What are you waiting for? Take me home!" He scowled and went over to the car, climbing in as I did and starting the engine. We peeled out of the car park, speeding towards the mansion.

Leon kept trying to meet my eyes as we drove, but I stared straight ahead, still stewing in rage. By the time we'd gotten there, though, it had abated enough to look back on the events. I winced as Caleb's words ran through my head - yeah, he was flirting.

Leon stopped the car and opened my door for me, but paused there. I got out and leaned against the car, biting my lip.

"...I'm sorry." We said it at the same time, much to both of our surprise. I waved a hand to say that he should keep going. Leon sighed, rubbing the back of his head, where hair met neck.

"I was a dick in the restaurant. Actually, screw that, I was Skulls in the restaurant. I should've been more Leon-like. He was flirting, but you weren't, and I could see that, but I was being too much of a giant douche to recognise that." He swallowed, and met my eyes. I cleared my throat, suddenly awkward.

"Yeah...me too. I was too dense to pick up that he was flirting and that you were uncomfortable. Next time, I'll just tell him that...not to do it." Leon nodded, and moved away from the car, letting me move. He closed the door, and paused for a second, before looking at me again.

"In the restaurant...you called me your friend. Am I...is that what you think of me? How you see me?"

"Um. I...I don't..." Leon sighed, blowing a stray bit of hair out of his face.

"No, stupid question. I get it. I'll see you around, bunny." He walked around to the other side of the car, opening the door. He didn't get in though.

Screw it.

I ran around, standing in between him and the door. "No."

"No?" I shook my head, hair flying around me.

"No, I don't see you as a friend. I mean, I kind of do, but I also see you as possibly being more. I mean, like...ugh, this is stupid." Leon widened his eyes, shaking his head as well.

"No, no, no, this isn't stupid. Nothing you do is stupid. Well," he amended, "except for maybe starting to hang out with someone like me."

"No way. Hanging out with you is one of the best things that has happened to me, ever. You're great and kind and tough and awesome to be with, and I do not regret it, ever. I do not regret meeting you, or becoming your friend, or even thinking you were dead. I cherish every single second that I get to know you, Leon Grimm. So don't ever think that me being around you is stupid, or me liking you, or anything like that." I stopped, breathing hard. Leon's eyes were huge at this point, dominating his face.

"You..you like me? Holy shit." I realised what I'd said, and pressed my lips together, my thoughts dissolving into shit shit fuck shit dammit shit. Leon stepped forward...

And he kissed me.

He kissed me, sweet and hesitant and careful, eyes searching for a reaction. He pulled back, a question forming on his lips.

Instead of answering it, I just kissed him.

It started gentle and soft, all holding back, and quickly became heated. He pressed me against the car, and I wrapped my hands in his suit jacket. The taste of wine flooded into my mouth, sweet and intoxicating, as his hands tangled in my hair, caressing my head.

After a few seconds, we pulled back, him with a gasp, me with a small noise of complaint. We stared at each other for a second, before I coughed a little, stepping away from the car door.

"Well...um, see you, I guess. Yeah..." Leon nodded, then suddenly his face broke out in a sheepish grin.

"That was...wow. Just, wow." I giggled, nodding in agreement. Leon laughed as well, leaning against the side of the car.

"Yeah, it was wow. I...can we do this again? I mean, like...go on a date?"

"Sure, sure we can. Just not at the Altaria again, okay?" I laughed again, tipping my head down a little as I did. When I looked up, Leon had leant towards me a little, a very Skulls smile on his face, mischievous and happy. I moved up as he leant down more, and our mouths met in the middle again, shorter and sweeter than before, but just as passionate and fire-fuelled. I drew back, blushing brightly for all to see - it was practically a beacon in the dark. Leon let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. He cracked a smile again, boyish and playful, and slid into the car seat, not closing the door yet.

"See you around, bunny. I'll call you." He closed the door and drove off, eyes on me as he did. I stared after him, heart whirling. As soon as he was out of sight, I let out a small shout of happiness, twirling on the spot and smiling like an idiot. I walked like that back to the mansion door, occasionally stopping to laugh. My hand kept brushing my lips, bringing back the feeling of his mouth, the taste of him, the smell of his cologne, and I darted through the door and up to my room in a daze of joy - there was practically a halo of golden light around me.

I flung myself onto the bed, smiling up at the ceiling, heart pounding, head spinning, cheeks flushed and eyes wide and almost fevered.

I kissed him. We kissed. It was almost too good to be true, a dream, except for the wine on my dress and the tenderness in my lips. I giggled and rolled over onto my stomach, face pressed into the pillow.

I kissed him.

Head full of lips and happiness, I drifted off to sleep, still in my fancy, drink-stained dress.