The Sweet Smell of Heaven [Janet/Daniel] [Finished]

[Janet Willson]

"Oh don't feel silly, I just watch Animal Planet a lot so i tend to know random little facts about animals and stuff. Weird I know." Alright maybe weird was not the best word for it, interesting or something like that would probably make more sense. Oh who am I kidding it doesn't matter if I make any sense at all, I can hardy pay attention as it is with all of these sounds drilling themselves into my ears. Wait...why didn't I notice that before? I must have been too busy laughing my ass off to notice... Good job Janet. I decided what to get for lunch and ate it as we walked. It's been awhile since I've had zoo food and right now it tasted like the best thing on the planet. Never in my life has a hot dog tasted so good. Why does that sound so weird? I shook my head to get that idea out of it as Daniel start speaking again. "I told you that I can turn into a cat and you didn't freak out. The least I can do is do the same thing for you." That and the way he said it reminds me of Tangled… but let's just ignore that fact.

I sat next to him on the bench and watched as he tried to gather his thoughts. The happy go lucky mood that we had had going on just kind of fizzled at the moment. Normally I think that would ruin a date, but you know I haven't had one in a while so I wouldn't know. I've never had anyone open up to me so quickly, so either I'm just that trustworthy of a person or this date is going extremely well. I sat there for a while letting everything sink in. He had killed everyone in his town? But then again he hadn't had full control over his powers so it wasn't his fault, or at least that's how I see it.

I took in a deep breath and set my hot dog down in my lap and looked at him. "From the way I see, you aren't all that much of a monster. You couldn't control your powers and that is not your fault. No on has complete control over anything when they first show up, power wise anyway. And the fact that it still haunts you proves even more that you aren't a monster. If you felt nothing about killing everyone or even enjoyed it then you would have been wrong, or a monster." I smiled at him before I continued. "The man I see in front of me doesn't look or act like any monster I know."

[Daniel Perri]

I chuckle quietly listening to her talk about animal planet and knowing random facts about animals. That's genuinely interesting. Wait..what the fuck? Since when? I -HATE- trivia with a passion but something about Janet having some trivia knowledge is just wonderful and amazing. In the short time that we've known each other it's like the cloud that's been over me has been lifted. I know, that sounds so cliche since you know...I can do that on my own, BUT that's what it feels like. By now I've finished my hotdog and I'm leaning back against the bench, arms spread out resting along the top of the bench, so one is around her sort of, the other is off to the side.

This day has been absolutely perfect, I mean it really has, funny how I never thought it could be. I never thought that I could be this happy and yet, here I am with Janet and we're on this perfect date. The last person that made me feel like this was Kelly. Ugh, that's someone I do not want to be thinking about right now. But for whatever reason I am thinking about her, thinking about the night that I left and the note. That's when I hear Janet, her words cutting through my little space out and I can't help but blink. I can't even look at her as she tells me I'm not a monster. This woman is either delusional or blind. I know what I am. What I was. At least...I thought I did.

"Hey, I have a crazy idea," It's better to not touch upon her comment about me not being a monster, at least, not until we're back at the clearing where we can talk freely. "Why don't we head back to the clearing, we can stop on the way at the grocery store or something, get some munchies and a blanket and just sprawl out on the grass and watch the clouds." I give her a little wink and a grin as I extend a hand to her, waiting for her to take it, "After all, I'd love to see a snow leopard up close. I hear they have soft fur."

[Janet Willson]

I smiled and nodded before finishing my hot dog. Heading back to the clearing and letting my little speech sink in seemed like a good idea to me, and that way we could have a little privacy for talking or something. Having a conversation about being a quote un-quote monster and a lycan out in the open at a zoo full of kids just didn't seem that smart? Is that the right word to use? Eh, it works for me at the moment so I'll just roll with it. "Yeah let's head back there's a store on the way that should have stuff for a make shift picnic too." I stood up with his help and laughed loud enough that I started a few birds and some little kids nearby. I quickly shut my mouth and turned beat red from embarrassment. "Ah, sorry about that. I would love nothing more than to get out of here now."

I led us back through the little path we had taken and left the zoo. It was too bad we had only seen a few animals but today has already been weird enough and my ears were starting to give me a headache. Must be the weather…or the animal and children noises that are bombarding my brain at the moment. If I could just find a way to shut them all out… Maybe if I focus on something else, like talking. "So Daniel, from the very little amount we saw of the zoo, did you like it? Was it the best zoo adventure you've ever had?" I laughed again at my joke which of course as usual today turned into hysterics, which then caused the other people walking around us to stop and stare… I tried to gain control of myself as fast as I could and wiped the tears from my eyes. "Ah, sorry about that again. I feel like I'm apologizing for every little bit of attention I'm drawing to us. I'm not meaning to do it I swear."

We came up to the store pretty quickly, I guess the zoo wasn't as far away as I thought it was, and walked in. There weren't many people inside, probably because it was such a small store to begin with, but either way it was nice. I grabbed a pretty decent sized blanket/table cloth thing and a random basket that was marked on sale. Now all that was needed was food. Everything looked and smelled so good, I couldn't decide what to get and I had just ate so I was still kind of full. "Daniel why don't you pick the food? I can't decide on what I want. I'll eat just about anything, except blueberries though I'm allergic."

[Daniel Perri]

The store isn't as crowded as I thought it would be, but given the hour I can see why, it's around three or four in the afternoon by now, wait....what? Holy fuck! We've been together since this morning?! As we walk I start to think more and more about how the last time I spent this long with a woman was....a while ago I think? Her question and apology both makes me chuckle and draws me out of the little world in my head that I'm thinking about. "Oh, don't apologize Janet, it's bound to happen." I smile at her and chuckle again thinking about her question, the best zoo adventure ever? "Well, since it was my first time at the zoo, yes it was the best zoo adventure ever!" That's when it happens, as we walk through the store my hand finds her's, our fingers interlocking as we walk through the store and pick up the random things we need like the table cloth/blanket that Janet is now holding. "Did you have fun at the zoo? " I ask as we walk some more, what the hell do I get to eat? I was winging it at the zoo with the hotdogs but here...now...shit. "Is there something that you want to eat? Honestly I'd be fine with a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers, but that's just me."

Wine and cheese? That actually sounds fucking delicious right about now. So that's what I buy, wine and cheese, but forgetting the crackers, I can do without crackers. Oh, and a knife. We need one of those to slice the cheese with, as well as whatever else Janet picks up along the way, and the blanket. Even if I give it to her after our date at least she'll have a little, warm keepsake of tonight.

The whole trip takes about an hour or so with the lines and the walking and the two of us rambling back and forth about what to eat and what not to eat, at one point an elderly couple smiles at us and chuckles as they pass us by, saying something about how refreshing it is to see young love in bloom.

[Janet Willson]

His hand felt so comfortable in hers as they walked to the store, and the weather made it even better. Even if Daniel was the reason for that. Why complain about a good thing, right? And speaking, or is this considered thinking? Anyway, it was great to hear that Daniel had had a great time at the zoo. I was hoping he would like it, even if we hadn't exactly seen all of the animals we could have. "Did I have fun at the zoo? Of course I did, even though it was probably the shortest field trip I have ever had. It was really nice though." We continued to walk around and glance at all the food around just waiting to be bought. "Wine and cheese eh? Well it sounds appetizing to me. Let's get some."

Come to think of it I don't think I've ever had the good old wine and cheese. I've had wine of course, what person over twenty-one hasn't. But the cheese with it? Hm, not so much. It's not that I thought it would taste funky or anything like that, it just never came. Besides the cheese smelled wonderful when we walked over to it. My absolute favorite is smoked cheddar cheese. It's just so creamy and cheese like, and it doesn't have that weird or bad smell other cheeses normally have.

I couldn't help it I blushed beet red when the old couple mentioned young love as we walked by and headed out toward our clearing. "So...when we get back to the clearing. Is there a certain song you want to hear me sing or should I just sing the first song that comes to my mind? Or both, that could work too."

[Daniel Perri]

I can't help but laugh at her comment about the zoo, a field trip? Adorable. Then there was that couple who passed us and made that comment over whatever. A couple? Us? Cute and in love? The last person I remotely gave a damn for was Kelly and I left her on a mountain-top in some god forsaken country somewhere. But, right now, back to the present. "Okay, so we've got our wine," I say with a bit of a nod holding up the two bottles, "Red wine always works great for this kind of thing you know? As for cheese, something smoked and aged maybe? Cheddar perhaps?" I pause for a second as we continue walking through the store and pick up a package of cheese, "Hey, how are we going to cut this? I don't think we can buy just one knife," I laugh a little, "I suppose we could just rip pieces of cheese off....unless you want to slice it with your claws?" I ask her mid-laugh as we're paying, and by we're paying I mean I'm paying for everything. The wine. The blanket. The cheese. Everything, and you know what? That's just fine by me. This day is as much for Janet as it is for me, a day to just forget everything and spend it in the company of another.

Her question keeps me silent for several minutes as we walk to our clearing, "To be honest, I don't really listen to that much music so whatever you want to sing is going to be fantastic." I nod and smile at her, the trees parting on their own as we finally return. The clearing's atmosphere has changed since earlier in the day, the ground is still perfect and dry so we won't get wet, the trees are leaning the opposite way giving us a full view of the sunset and there's a cool, spring-like breeze lightly blowing through just to keep the air circulating. The light breeze also carries the scent of the flowers around us. There could not be a more perfect scene, that's for sure. I set our bags down and then roll out the blanket, take out the wine and cheese and smile at Janet, then, I do something that I don't even expect. One of my arms is around her waist, my other is bent and up holding her hand, "Have you ever waltzed?" I ask with a bit of a smile, before, guiding her in the dance, counting the steps quietly so that we get the rhythm just right, and I can't help but laugh quietly, "And before you say anything, no there doesn't need to be a song for us to dance."

While I might not look it, I am definitely more graceful then I let on and it's showing now. The way our feet move silently and in time over the ground. The way our bodies work together, the way that she feels against me, my arm pulling her closer to me while we dance so that there is little to no space between us. "This is so perfect," I whisper to her while we dance, getting lost in not only the way that our bodies are moving, and the way that they feel this close to each other, but I get lost in her scent, in her eyes, in everything about her and in this moment it's literally like time has stopped. There's nothing to think about, other then how in love I am with Janet.

Our bodies are moving as if we're one and it's just, so nice, so perfect. I lose track of time while we dance, minutes, maybe even an hour or two has gone by? I don't really know, hell, I don't care , I'm just so happy to be here with someone, to actually feel anything again. I look off to the sky, for a second before moving to sit down on the blanket, gently pulling Janet with me and sitting in such a way that my legs are spread and she's sitting between them, her back to my chest as I lean back on my hands, looking up to catch the last remnants of the sunset.

[Janet Willson]

"My claws? Well I could try but I'm not so sure that it'll be a great cut or anything. They aren't really made for cutting cheese." I smiled and laughed both at the thought of cutting cheese with my claws and the cheesy comment I made, uh no pun intended. And once again as if on queue the maniac laughter came out of nowhere and I nearly dropped the store items I was holding. Now that would have been more embarrassing I think. I'd have to stop and pick it all up and ugh it just seems like a lot of work. Call me lazy alright? Anyway, after Daniel paid for the goods, which was nice but I felt like mentioning that I could have paid too... Of course I could always just offer next time, if there is a next time anyway.

So we left the shop and headed on our merry way back to our little clearing. It was a bit sad to hear that he didn't listen to a lot of music, but not everyone does so I guess it's understandable, but it really didn't help me figure out what to sing. There were so many songs going through my head, like they always do, and all the noises buzzing around my head today... It makes my head jumbled. I looked around the clearing trying to come up with something to sing but I just couldn't focus on much of anything. The air was warmish, but it still had the feeling of February. Then there were the flowers blooming all around and they gave the whole place the smell people usually want from candles and those air fresheners. It was beautiful. Like that scene from Tarzan where he shows Jane the parrots and the jungle canopy, oh I just love that scene. The clearing was just like that. Well you know without the parrots or the wild man and an actual jungle. Alright maybe it didn't look like that at all but the feeling was there.

What brought me out of my tangent, or major brain thinking was Daniel. One minute I'm looking around the clearing lost in thought and the next his arm is around my waist and he's spinning me into a waltz. I smiled and caught my laugh in my throat, laughing like a monkey in his face right now would not be the best impression. Especially when things are going so well. "Yes, actually I have waltzed once or twice. I'm a little rusty though." I have to admit, Daniel is a pretty good dancer. I never would have taken him for the type. Then again he controls the air so there has to be a certain grace with that right? Isn't that what folklore says and stuff? Before long I'm lost in the movement of the dance and my "rustyness", which is now a word, seems to vanish. And I know this is only the first date, and maybe that's the reason I nearly melted in my shoes when Daniel said everything was perfect. Either I was really in the need for a wonderful date, or no one had ever really said anything like that to me. I guess I'm just sentimental like that.

When the dance was over and I was sitting in his lap I finally knew what song I was going to sing. It all just seemed perfect, like a light bulb turned on above my head. "Oh I have the perfect song to sing Daniel. It just hit me." I smile, take a deep breath, clear my throat a bit out of habit and started to sing. The song was from Phantom of the Opera, I wasn't sure if Daniel had heard of it or even seen the movie or musical, but the words seemed to fit the whole situation perfectly. When I finished I took another deep breath and looked up and Daniel. "Well what do you think? Was it a good choice?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQB1varGWnk

[Daniel Perri]

"You lied" I whispered to her prior to her singing as he sat down and cuddled up on the blanket. "You said you were rusty, but you totally weren't." I grin a little and lean in pressing a light kiss to her cheek. I lean back again and smile when I hear she has the perfect song, and she really does. As she starts to sing I get lost in listening to her. Her voice is so beautiful, like the kind of voice you imagine an angel would have, except why would an angel waste their time with someone like me? While I haven't seen Phantom of the Opera before I have heard the music before and I knew a little about it. Kelly used to go on and on about it. But every second Janet sings I'm actually forgetting about Kelly, which is weird since I'm always thinking about her. All I can think about is Janet, the way she makes me feel. The way she smells. The way her voice sounds, how it resonates through my entire body down to my core. I'm daydreaming again, listening to her sing, forgetting everything. Hell, if we were the last two people on earth and this clearing was the only place left I would be happy.

Her questions cut through my daydream and I just sit there and think for a second, slowly coming out of my reverie. "Hmm? It was a great choice Janet, I loved the song." I nod and smile at her, "You're amazing you know that right? You have such a beautiful voice. I can't think of any other way I wanted to watch the sunset." Supporting myself with one hand I reach for the bottle of wine and blush a little holding it out to Janet "Could you open this Janet? I would but I think we might fall over and spill the wine!" I laugh a little too childishly perhaps but still, a laugh is a laugh. Wait. Am I laughing? Genuinely laughing? Weirdddddddd. Once the wine is open I shuffle a bit, still holding us up with one arm and pour two glasses of wine into the waiting red cups, handing Janet's to her and then picking up my own. "Hey, have you ever watched a lightning storm? I don't mean with rain or anything where you'd hide inside until it's over, but I mean like just thunder and lightning? Let me tell you, there really is nothing more beautiful than that, not even the most beautiful sunset on the most beautiful day." I nod matter-of-factly and smile a little at her, "Well, that is until today. The only thing more beautiful than that lightning storm is you Janet." What. The. Hell. That's not something you say to someone! Hi I love you. You're way more beautiful than superheated air cracking in the sky. Can we make out? I shake my head and blush a little, looking away from her and taking a sip of my wine. "Sorry. That was stupid. Let's pretend I didn't say it."

[Janet Willson]

"I'm glad you like my voice, it is my job after all. Thank you though, really. It means a lot." It was always nice to hear that people thought I was a good singer, but I've only gotten beautiful a few times and that was mostly from family. It's different though when someone who isn't related to you says something good about you. Your family should do that anyway, they're supposed to love you no matter what. When someone else takes the time to notice your strengths it feels good. It's like extra proof to yourself, and an ego boost. Just that thought alone brought tears to my eyes. Daniel thought my voice was beautiful! Oh that's so sweet! Before I knew it I was starting to create a waterfall with all of the tears I was spewing. I quickly turned my head away from Daniel and wiped them away trying to calm myself. What's the matter with me? I finally managed to get the water works to stop long enough to hear him ask me to open the wine as he handed me the bottle.

"What? Oh, sure of course." I smiled as he laughed and bopped the top cork thingy on the bottle. Is there an actual name for it? Eh, oh well I don't care. It's going to be called the cork thingy from now on. Wow now I sound twelve... So ignoring my inner self bantering I hand the bottle back and take my cup from Daniel. "A lightning storm, without rain? No actually I've never seen one. I didn't really know that was possible." I looked down at my glass a bit embarrassed. With all of my random history channel shows and documentaries you would think there would be one about the weather, but nope not a single one. Or at least I haven't seen any... Then the next thing he says stops me mind drink. He just called me beautiful, didn't he? I heard him right, right? I look up at him just as he turns away and says it was a stupid comment. "No, no that wasn't stupid. It was a bit of a shock, and really sweet, but not stupid." Just the fact that he thought telling me I was beautiful, or the way he said it, was stupid brought the water works back. At least they didn't come on as fast, so the waterfall was a little slower and thankfully smaller. "Believe me it wasn't stupid."

[Daniel Perri]

Okay, so far things are going actually really, really good. This whole day has just been magical. Well, that's not the best word BUT it is the word I would use to describe it. I mean, sure this day has been weird. Like everything about it weird. Like the beginning for example, why was I even stopping and smelling the roses?! And then seeing Janet and feeling like this. Madly in love. So in love that I can't see myself with anyone else, what the hell is that all about you know? Janet makes all these emotions flow through me, things I haven't felt since Kelly. And now I'm thinking about her again, and come to think of it, Janet looks a lot like Kelly. I must be hallucinating. I'm so lost in my thoughts that I hardly notice her speaking, it's not until she's done talking and asking about the lightning storms that I actually snap back to it. "Huh? Oh." What wasn't stupid? Right, I called her beautiful and she didn't laugh or hit me, well, that's handy! Christ what is WRONG with me, I'm having trouble focusing it. I take one long, deep breath in which all I catch is Janet's scent and it actually calms me down. "I'm glad you think it wasn't stupid." Finally! I can manage a simple sentence.

Closing my eyes, I start the storm I mentioned to her, the sky quickly filling with thunder and lightning, the flashing lightning acting like a dancer, moving to the beat of the thunder. The two working together in harmony. The next few hours seem to fly by for me, the two of us just sitting there and talking in the middle of this storm. It's poetic really. The chaos in the sky is juxtaposed by the harmony we're sitting in, on our little blanket, the bottle of wine now empty. "Janet," I whisper her name, by now, it's probably midnight. If not midnight it's fucking close, like 11:58pm close. Over the last couple of hours we just talked. Talked about everything. Hopes. Dreams. Fears. Life. I've spilled everything to Janet, including everything about Kelly, well, mostly everything. As the seconds count down towards midnight, that's when it happens. My hand is tangled in her hair, the other stroking her cheek gently. My thumb and forefinger move to loosely grip her chin as and tip her head up. The second I've whispered her name, our lips meet in a sweet, tender, kiss. The kind of kiss that is typically shared between two lovers.

We're mid-kiss when it happens. Midnight. It's like a wave of something washes over me, the storm ends and we're in silence. "Um..." I blink, blushing slightly as I pull back just a little bit, our lips barely touching now. "Did...I just kiss you?"

(This is the last post for our thread <3 the Grunny and I hope you enjoyed the fluff!)