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Russel sat in the corner of the cafe, nervously fidgeting with the straw in his drink. He couldn't believe he had agreed to this first date. His heart raced as he anxiously waited for his date to arrive.

Del chuckled softly, his ghostly form slightly transparent as he teased Russel, "Man, you look like you're about to face a horde of demons instead of a date!"

Russel shot him an annoyed glance. "It ain't funny, Del. I'm just... I'm not good at this whole dating thing."

"I got your back, Russ," Del assured him with a grin. "Trust me, I've been watching you since I died. You just need a little ghostly help!"

Before Russel could protest, he felt a warm, tingling sensation wash over him, and suddenly he felt a surge of confidence. "Whoa, what did you do, Del?"

"I'm possessin' you, man! Just relax and go with the flow," Del replied, his voice now emanating from Russel's own mouth.

Russel's date, a charming guy named Alex, arrived just then, and Del took the reins, guiding Russel through the conversation. "Hey, Alex, it's good to meet you," Russel greeted with a newfound calm.

"Likewise, Russel," Alex replied with a smile, unaware of the spiritual intervention going on.

As they chatted, Del's quirky personality started to shine through Russel. He cracked jokes, shared stories from their adventures, and even sang a few bars of one of Gorillaz's songs. Alex was thoroughly entertained and couldn't help but be drawn to Russel's infectious energy.

"You're really funny and talented, Russel," Alex complimented, leaning in closer.

Russel blushed, feeling both flattered and grateful for Del's help. "Thanks, man. I'm just being myself."

Del couldn't help but gloat a little, but he knew it was Russel who was winning Alex's heart. As the evening progressed, Del continued to give Russel the courage to open up and be vulnerable.

Eventually, as the night drew to a close, Del decided it was time to leave. "You got this, Russ. You don't need me anymore," he said, gently releasing his hold on Russel's spirit.

Russel blinked, returning to full control of his body. "Thanks, Del. I couldn't have done it without you."

Del chuckled, fading into the shadows. "Don't mention it, man. Just remember, I'm always here if you need a little ghostly backup."

With that, Del disappeared, leaving Russel feeling a mix of emotions. He couldn't believe how the night had turned out. He had been nervous at first, but with Del's help, he had a fantastic time.

As Russel walked Alex to his front door, they both exchanged lingering glances and bashful smiles. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and the night had been filled with laughter and shared stories.

"I had a great time tonight, Russel," Alex said, his voice soft and genuine.

"Me too, Alex," Russel replied, feeling a warmth spreading through him. "I'm glad I agreed to this date."

Alex took a step closer, their hands almost touching. "Can I be honest?" he asked, his eyes locked with Russel's.

"Yeah, of course," Russel replied, his heart pounding in his chest.

"I've wanted to do this all night," Alex admitted, and without another word, he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips gently against Russel's.

The kiss was soft and tender, sending shivers down Russel's spine. He felt a rush of emotions, the nervousness from earlier replaced by a feeling of contentment and happiness. Time seemed to slow down as they shared the intimate moment.

When they finally pulled back, Russel's cheeks were tinged with a rosy blush, and he couldn't help but smile. "Wow," he whispered, trying to find the right words.

"Yeah," Alex replied, his own smile matching Russel's. "That was... amazing."

As they stood there, basking in the afterglow of their first kiss, Russel felt a sense of gratitude towards his old friend Del, even though he couldn't see him. Without Del's encouragement and support, he might not have mustered the courage to let his guard down and embrace the moment.

"I should probably get going," Alex said, breaking the silence. "But I'd love to see you again, if you're up for it."

Russel nodded, his heart soaring. "Absolutely. I'd love that."

They exchanged phone numbers, promising to text each other soon, and Alex leaned in for another quick peck on the cheek before he turned to leave.