Calm, at first

I would've driven myself, but we only had the truck. Mom's car didn't...

Anyway.

Dad drove me to the park behind the Boardwalk. It was nice enough, situated on a hill overlooking the bay, one of the few areas in Brockton Bay that really didn't look like a criminal cesspool; they were so rare nowadays. We pulled up at the lot out front and I took a deep breath, hugging the purse and its valuables.

"Do you see him?" Dad asked.

I shook my head, Dean stood out in a crowd, I would've seen him. I gestured at the park, "I should maybe go get dressed." I said.

Dad squeezed my shoulder, "Just be yourself Taylor."

"Which self? My public self or the one in an incestuous relationship with my father?" I laughed nervously and looked at dad. "You're not... this won't be an issue, will it?"

"Little Owl, if it works out with this boy, I'll be more than happy for you. We're having our fun, but I want to see you go out to have your own family. Not stay home your entire life."

I bit my lip, "Right, that actually reminds me. You should... probably get some condoms and stuff while I'm out. No offense, I don't want to get pregnant."

Dad smirked, "Oh your mother and I took care of that problem ages ago. You were an IV baby, Taylor."

I blinked, surprised by this revelation, "So you mean that we... won't have to play it safe?"

"Relatively speaking." he gestured at the park, "But we're not here to talk about me. You've got a boy out there waiting for you, go get them so you can have these conversations with him instead."

"Right!" I opened the truck door, waved dad goodbye, and headed for the park bathrooms with my purse slung over my shoulder. Yes, I could've changed right there, but knowing how the sticker worked, a passing pedestrian would've accidentally tagged my clothes and stolen them without even realizing it. At least in the safety of the bathroom, that wasn't a concern.

I changed quickly, the public restrooms were far from clean, and stiffly walked out of the bathroom. This was the first time I'd dressed nicely in ages, and the first time I'd put on any real clothes since before I found the Box. I felt awkward and stiff in them, and the burning was slowly but steadily increasing. But it would be worth it for a chance at normalcy.

Every step was slow and calculated, I watched the sidewalk and gave everyone a wide berth as I approached a lamppost at the park entrance and waited for Dean. God this was weird, I was on a date. I was on a date with a superhero. My cheeks flushed, and I shifted from foot to foot, trying not to grin.

A tap on my shoulder and I jumped and spun at the same time, tripping over my own feet in the process. As I tumbled backwards, Dean grabbed my hand, stopping me mid fall. Time slowed for a minute as my heart sped up. His hair was cleaner than last time I saw it, well combed. He was wearing a set of slacks and good walking shows with an open button up over a white t-shirt. That smile broke his face open and made me flush. I felt so overdressed in front of him, but he had seen me with nothing on so that really shouldn't be an issue!

Dean pulled me forward until I was back on both feet, and brushed my shoulders with his hands. I noticed, almost casually, that I was about an inch taller than him. It was always weird to think about how much taller I was when I actually stood up straight. I was so used to slouching that it just didn't occur to me.

"You look nice." Dean said.

My brain broke a fuse and I said, "Do so you."

He cocked his head to the side and I sputtered, "So do you! That's what I meant. You look nice too, that's... yeah."

I dropped my head and let out a **** sigh, "Do you... want to walk?" I asked and cautiously looked up at him.

"Sure." He offered me his arm. I screamed internally and took it.