The Edges of the Lake (Northside)

"Darien," Diana returned his grin with a smile. She greeted him with a hug. "You alright there?"

She had watched his descent towards her.

Darien shrugged. "Same as usual." He returned the hug, and glanced briefly over her shoulder at the lake, and the faintest hint of a tentacle near the centre. Good old squid.

"So, what brings you out here?"

"I was..." Diana bit her lower lip nervously. It wasn't really a big deal honestly.

"It's almost summer and we've been together for awhile now and we haven't been really spending that much time together..." She was rambling. Of course, she didn't realise she sounded a lot like she was going to break it off with him. She paused to gather her thoughts.

"...W-What do you...mean?" Darien's speech was rather disjointed, mimicking his thoughts, or really as a result of them.

Was she breaking up with him? It wouldn't be a first, but it would certainly be incredibly painful. Did she want to be free over summer for a holiday romance? Had he done something wrong? He paled visibly, and concentrated solidly on the tentacle still waving from the water.

"What?" Diana was surprised at Darien's reaction, then realised her mistake. "Oh, no, I mean, alright, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I was just wondering if you had any plans for the summer."

Darien heaved a sigh without consciously realising in time to stop it. "Ah, course. Yes, course!"

A dry chuckle slipped into his tones and he hauled her into another hug. "Whenever you like!" That was rather a relief. He hadn't realised that it would be quite that- I mean, of course it would, but...Well, he hadn't realised he'd be so vulnerable.

Diana chuckled slightly as he hugged her. Pulling apart she said, "Hang on, do you have plans?" She couldn't keep the disappointed away from her voice.

Darien blustered as Diana had previously. "I mean no! No plans! Nothing! Whenever you like, whatever you like, I'm there!"

He grinned, realising quite how desperate, pathetic or socially-deprived he sounded, but it was too late to take such back.

"Oh, right," Diana said relieved. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over to Spain for a weak or so."

"Sounds great!" Darien couldn't stop grinning, now that the fear of an imminent break-up had been averted.

Spain. Hm. Hadn't been there before, but worth a shot. "...Would your family mind?"

"Well, they wouldn't actually be there..." Diana blushed. "We'd stay at the Summer house, by the beach. It's really nice there."

With awkwardness now completely out of the question, Darien had no qualms whatsoever.

"Sounds great to me." His smile was free and easy, completely free from all concern. Would make a change.