A Date Under The Starry Night Sky - Daylon Dislyte

"Q! Stop messing around with Donar and carry those boxes yourself!"

"Urgh! Fine! I was just being resourceful, Raven!"

The tiny cupid Esper groaned, reluctantly and slowly receiving the stack of boxes from his companion before immediately tumbling to the ground from the sheer weight. He grumbled with a slight huff, his tiny wings fluttering rapidly like a mockingbird as he pushed himself off the floor.

Even during Valentine's Day, the Esper Union headquarters was jampacked with activity from floor to floor. Each one had their own job to do, be it assessing the fluctuating energy from the Miracles, or just hanging various heart-shaped decorations around the walls and corridors. No matter what the occasion is, the place was always busy in one way or another.

By around lunchtime, the headquarters was now completely decked in time for the day of love. Red, swollen latex balloons fashioned like hearts hung around the cubicles of the office, with several bouquets of flowers and delicate boxes of chocolates adorning the work desks of many Espers and humans as a result of a mutual exchange amongst one another. Even the housing quarters weren't spared from the explosion of red and pink colors. The message board in the lounge was plastered with dozens upon dozens of heart-shaped sticky notes wishing one another a great Valentine's Day. Some employees were openly flirting with one another, carrying various memorabilia such as teddy bears, plushes, or any endearing trinkets to their chosen partner.

The greenhouse,e however, was only the facility in the entire section of the Esper Union not tainted by the flurry of hearts. Its crystal clear window panels remained polished, while the sunlight seeping through the thick solar panels on its rooftops made its interior filled with flora look even more captivating and ethereal. Huge clusters of plants bundled together, dripping with fresh water run along the narrow pathways through the greenhouse. Tiny specks of brown soil were scattered aimlessly, while several flowers of varying sizes began to bloom in iridescent, beautiful colors spanning several hues of the rainbow. It was a botanical wonderland, and unknown to you, one of its guardians was slowly closing in.

Daylon's presence was almost undetectable as he plodded with conviction towards you. Many of the Esper Union usually find themselves unnerved with the menacing alligator. His menacing, piercing red eyes, that unintelligible scowl of neutrality, and that rugged, spiky outfit compounded by his burly physique. If one were to come across the silent Esper, they would immediately assume they were in danger. His shadow loomed from behind, his breath warm and heavy. The gator's hand rested on your shoulder as his gravelly, rumbling voice made its presence, something he rarely revealed to anyone.

"Meet me at the penthouse at 8 PM. Don't be late."

Daylon gently slipped a delicately crafted letter carrying the sweet scent of lavender before he turned away, flashing the barest hint of a smile at you, albeit at the cost of making him look more menacing. The gator's tail swung steadily behind him as he left, rendering the greenhouse silent once more.

---

By the time 8 PM rolled around, the Esper Union's penthouse was far quieter than the rest of the headquarters. The usual chatter and clamor from the lower floors had faded, replaced by the soft hum of the cityscape beyond the grand windows. The view was breathtaking—a sprawling skyline bathed in neon and moonlight, the distant hum of traffic below blending into the peaceful atmosphere.

At the center of the penthouse, a table was set for two. A modest yet elegant candle flickered atop a pristine white cloth, illuminating the neatly plated dishes in a warm, golden glow. The scent of carefully prepared food, mixed with subtle floral undertones, lingered in the air.

Then there was Daylon.

The towering alligator Esper stood near the table, adjusting the stiff collar of his tuxedo with a slightly uncomfortable grunt. The formal attire, while refined, was visibly strained around his broad frame. The jacket was a little too tight across his pecs, and the spikes along his back had forced him to leave the back open entirely. Despite the minor wardrobe mishaps, he had done his best—his signature black domino mask remained, but his usual rugged attire was swapped for something undeniably refined, even if the effort was written all over his face in the form of awkward self-consciousness.

As you arrived, he turned toward you, his sharp red eyes locking onto yours for a brief moment before quickly darting away. His usual intimidating expression wavered, replaced with a flicker of nervousness as he hesitated before speaking.

"You're here… Good."

He gestured stiffly toward the chair across from him, clearing his throat as he did so. His deep, gravelly voice was softer than usual—less like a command, more like a quiet request.

"I, uh… cooked. Made sure it wasn’t burnt."

There was a slight hesitation before he added, almost gruffly.

"… It took a lot of research."

He moved with careful precision, pulling out the chair for you before awkwardly stepping back as if something invisible would cause him to trip in close proximity to you. His tail swayed once before stilling, his hands idly adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves in a rare display of nervous energy. Daylon, the usually silent and fearsome warrior, was unmistakably out of his element.

"Sit. Eat. If you don’t like it, there’s… other options."

Despite his usual stoic demeanor, it was painfully obvious that he had put his heart into this. Every little detail, the lavender-scented letter, the carefully plated meal, the choice of location, it was all meticulously planned, even if his execution was a little rough around the edges. He wasn’t a man of words, but his actions spoke volumes.

The fancy candelabra's flames flickered momentarily, causing Daylon to reignite it with a quick puff of flames from his mouth. Releasing a shaky exhale, the Esper sat across you while staring at you directly in the eye.

"Happy Valentine’s."

And, for the first time that night, the faintest, most genuine hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his scarred muzzle.