The plane began its descent into LaGuardia Airport, and Matt gripped the arms of his chair. He wasn’t the biggest fan of flying. He had no idea what effect his powers might have on the plane’s instruments. He hadn’t had the need to use his powers in flight, but should anything happen to the plane, he knew he was powerless to stop the massive aircraft from dropping out of the sky. The weight would be too much for his powers to bear.
He banished those thoughts from his head. Today was a good day. Today was Valentine’s Day, and he was going to surprise his girlfriend, Hannah. She wasn’t expecting to see him, because he lived in Newport Beach, CA, and she lived here in New York City. This wasn’t the first time he’d made the trip though, and hopefully, wouldn’t be the last. April 10 loomed in the future, and Matt knew that he might not make it out of Salt Lake City alive.
Which was why he was here. He needed to spend as much time with Hannah as he could. He had to enjoy what life he had left, because there just might not be all that much remaining.
<><><>
Kevin walked into the crowded florist’s. The store was full of men trying to make a last minute purchase for their girlfriends, fiancées and wives.
Kevin smiled, as he waited in line to pick up his order. That he had placed a month ago. ’Some people need to learn how to be organized.’ he thought to himself.
When he reached the front counter, the poor shop assistant looked like he’d reached the end of his tether.
“Rough day?” Kevin asked.
“Happens every year. Please tell me you have a pre-order to pick up.” The shop assistant said.
“Yeah. A dozen long-stemmed roses for Woodman.” Kevin said.
“Finally, an order I can actually fill. You’d think people would plan ahead. It’s not like the date ever changes.” The shop assistant complained, before heading into the back room to fetch Kevin’s order.
<><><>
Hannah looked down at her phone. She had been texting Matt all day, but no response. Surely he hasn’t forgotten Valentine’s Day? She bit her lip worriedly.
Her phone suddenly started to vibrate, as Hot and Cold started playing. “It’s about time.” She said to herself, flipping the phone open.
‘Look out the window.’ The message, from Matt, read.
Her eyes widened in shock, as she rushed to the window, where she found Matt sitting on the fire escape.
“Oh my god! You’re here!” Hannah exclaimed.
“Of course I am. Did you think I’d miss Valentine’s Day?” Matt replied, with a grin, before producing a single white daisy from behind his back.
“My favourite!” She squealed, grabbing the flower, before wrapping her arms around Matt and kissing him passionately.
“So I guess you’ll be my Valentine then?” Matt joked between kisses.
“Of course, you idiot.” Hannah replied, dragging him inside.
<><><>
Katie let out a sigh of contentment as she fell into Kevin’s arms. The two had just completed a massive picnic that Kevin had prepared, and they were now laying on a blanket on the beach, staring up at the sky.
“I hope that was a happy sigh.” Kevin said.
“Of course it was. I’m laying on the beach with the perfect boyfriend, after the most romantic date, on Valentine’s Day. What more could I want?” Katie asked.
“I can think of something.” Kevin said, before leaning in and kissing her.
“I don’t know, the day was looking kind of complete right about then. This is just overkill now.” Katie teased.
“Well, that’s too bad, because there’s a lot more to come.” Kevin replied, smiling as their lips met again, and again.
<><><>
Hannah clutched Matt’s hand tightly, the two still delirious from their afternoon’s activities. They had decided to go for a romantic walk through Central Park. Along with half the city.
It was crowded, but they didn’t care. They were young and in love, and didn’t see anyone else but each other.
“So what’s planned for tonight?” Hannah asked expectantly.
“What do you mean? This was it?” Matt looked incredulous.
“You’re kidding me!?! You fly out here, sleep with me, we go for a walk, and what? You fly home?” Hannah asked.
“You’re right. I am kidding you.” Matt smiled, ducking a swing from his girlfriend.
“I should hope so.” Hannah pouted.
“I’ve got a pretty amazing night planned out for us. Romantic din-“
“No. Don’t ruin it.” Hannah cut him off, before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.
<><><>
“I can’t believe you got a reservation here.” Katie said, as the maitre d’ seated the two of them.
“Only the best for my girl.” Kevin replied.
“Well, you haven’t disappointed yet.” Katie teased.
The two of them sat in the most expensive restaurant in Orange County, surrounded by couples all out enjoying their horrendously overpriced Valentine’s Day dinner.
“Are you sure you can even afford this place?” Katie asked, as she opened the menu.
“Anything you want, it’s yours. Mr Perfect donated some money into my account for the night. He wasn’t kind when he set the interest though. No wonder we’re in a recession.” Kevin joked.
“Good, because I’m totally ordering the lobster.” Katie said.
“On a date? You know how messy that is?” Kevin asked.
“Oh. So you won’t love me if I’m covered in lobster?” Katie asked.
“No. I’ll love you regardless of the shellfish juices dribbling down your chin.” Kevin replied.
“Wow, that was both really sweet, and really gross at the same time.” Katie commented.
“It was a bit, wasn’t it?”
“But did you mean it?”
“What?”
“That you love me?”
“Every word.”
Katie paused for a moment. “I love you too.” She said.
“I know.”
“Rather sure of yourself there?”
“No, Matt just let me watch his Star Wars DVD’s last week, Han Solo is awesome.”
“Ugh, boys.” Katie rolled her eyes.
<><><>
“You’re ordering Chinese take-out to your hotel room? That’s your romantic dinner?” Hyper Girl asked.
“No, that’s not all.” Mr Universe replied.
“It had better not be all. You made me put my damn costume on.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Guess the food’s here.” Mr Universe said, opening the door.
“I’ve got an order here for a… Mr Universe?” The delivery boy didn’t look up until he finished reading the name.
His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.
“You’re… You’re Mr Universe. And Hyper Girl.” The boy was shocked.
“Yep. Just like it says on your little note thingie. How much do I owe you?” Mr Universe asked.
“Twent… Twenty-five fifty.” The boy stammered out.
“Here’s forty. Keep the change.” Mr Universe stuffed two twenties into the boy’s hand and took the bags from him, closing the door.
“Ok… Now what?” Hyper Girl asked.
“Now, we fly.” Mr Universe replied, jumping from the window.
The two flew around the city for a few minutes, before Mr Universe chose the spot he was looking for.
The young lovers touched down on top of the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Here? Really? Not the Empire State Building? Or Statue of Liberty? This is the big New York location you chose?” Hyper Girl asked.
“Yep. People look up at those places all day and night. Someone was bound to interrupt us. Here, we can look down at the cars, but they don’t care what’s going on up here.”
“It is kind of secluded…” Hyper Girl said.
“And, we could probably have a super-battle up here, and no-one would notice.” Mr Universe replied.
“Not that you’d want to. Imagine the fall. Even if someone caught you, your neck would probably snap anyway.”
“That would suck. But on to more cheerful thoughts. Have some fried rice.” Mr Universe opened up the Chinese bags.
<><><>
Kevin broke the kiss and looked at the clock. “It’s past midnight, I should probably head home.” He said, rolling off the top of Katie and sitting up on her bed.
“No, wait.” Katie said.
“I guess we could make out for a bit longer…” Kevin smiled.
“No, not that. I meant… Stay the night.” Katie said, nervously.
“You want me to stay? Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I mean, we love each other. And you’re the perfect guy. And if I’m going to die in two months, I don’t want to die a virgin, you know? And I can’t think of anyone in the world who I’d rather be with than you, and I can’t think of a more perfect moment…” Katie began to babble.
“If it’s what you want…” Kevin said, moving to kiss her again…
<><><>
“That would have been so much more romantic if you hadn’t had to stop that suicide attempt.” Hyper Girl said, as she flew back into Mr Universe’s hotel room.
“I’m pretty sure the guy actually dying would have killed the mood a bit more.” Mr Universe replied sarcastically.
“You did make up for it with the mid-air waltz over Times Square though.” Hyper Girl said.
“I thought it was a nice touch.”
“And now, to cap off a perfect evening…” Hyper Girl kissed Mr Universe, removing the mask from his eyes, before tugging at the clasps on the back of his blue and silver costume.
“You took the words right out of my mouth.” Mr Universe replied, quickly finding the hidden zipper in the back of Hyper Girl’s pure white outfit.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Hannah said.
<><><>