Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Scarlet Letters ❯ Falling Gelato and Impromptu Bomb Shelters... ( Chapter 14 )

Disclaimer: Not miiiiiiiine…

 

AN: Yeah, faster update my foot! I wanted a bit more of an insight to Yohji in this chapter, seeing as how the previous few have been more Aya oriented - does anyone see what I'm trying to do with Aya?

This chapter is for KD Sarge, for finally, finally updating 'A star to steer by'. Hope you do it again soon! And the rest of my reviewers- I loff you!

 

Scarlet Letters Chapter 14

 

 

Yohji POV

 

Finishing my treat, I looked up in time to see Aya glaring heatedly at my empty glass. Almost as if he wanted to melt the sundae so he could leave earlier. Should I have tried again to start some sort of thread of conversation? He didn't even sound interested…he hasn't even finished his tea! I know it's his favorite! I love watching him drink tea…when he purses his lips to blow away the steam, a pointless expenditure of energy - the steam just keeps on comin'! Good thing too. I love it when he takes a long sip, and his cheeks are all flushed from the steam when he finishes.

 

I'm so obsessed.

 

We should probably get out of here before he actually succeeds in melting my glass too. I have no idea what my spoon did wrong, but Aya obviously had some reason to be glaring at it. Reminds me of a computer visualization I saw once 'Twitchy Liquid Shit'…I'm not kidding, someone swirled around melted plastic and called it by that name. Odd.

 

I called over the waitress to pay and end this - well, I wanted to take it somewhere else. I know that Aya is uncomfortable around crowds and such…why the hell did we come here!? Think, Yohji, think!

 

The park!

 

The perfect place for talking, and hoping to be kissed by the end of the day. That was a notion I wasn't going to entertain. Yet. Maybe just some hand holding or something…something! I decided to put the offer on the table.

 

"Aya? Do you want to get out of here? Go for a walk maybe?" I mentally crossed my fingers.

 

"Huh? Park…oh! Sure…" I was a little taken aback to realize that he had needed a moment to process my question because he was still glaring at my spoon! If only he would pay that much attention to me. Even so, I should be happy with what I get from him - after all he did just agree to come to the park with me! I felt like dancing.

 

He stood only after I had gotten up, finally tearing his death-gaze from the innocent piece of plastic that hadn't done anything to him!

 

You know, I think I like wearing this skirt - does that sound weird? When I was younger, more foolish and willing to follow my misleading energizer-bunny libido, I had thought of skirts as a means to show off legs but more importantly as easy access. Or a godsend for anyone who happened to be watching them walk up staircases in the packs they seem to travel in.

 

I knew nothing of the type of ventilation you get in one of them! It was so very cooling and less constricting.

 

I had once tried a leather miniskirt on - a drunken party and a fulfilled urge to pole dance around a bedpost - but leather just didn't feel the same as this. Not to mention I was drunkenly flustered and the dancing made me feel even hotter quite rapidly. Plus, a cool breeze to the nether regions certainly calmed most thoughts about Aya in certain stages of undress.

 

I tried to look casual as I grabbed Aya's arm to steer him out of the coffee shop. I felt him tense under me so I loosened my grip slightly. He seemed to relax, almost allowing me to hold him arm like that…then again, he could be basking in satisfying thoughts of slicing me up with his Katana when we got back to the Koneko. Eep!

 

I let go of his arm at the thought, hoping that I hadn't offended him or anything. Shit. Give me a meter, I take a mile. Damn but I missed the feel of his arm under mine before I had even let go.

 

I could feel him looking at me and as much as I would like to stare into his eyes, I kept my own firmly ahead. I didn't want to see what he was feeling at that moment, not knowing whether I would like what I saw or not. Sometimes it was best not to know.

 

We walked the rest of the distance to the nearby park in silence and I prayed that the tension would end once we reached the more relaxed atmosphere of the park. On impulse I decided to lead us down the long garden path lined with Sakura trees, among other flora. I hoped that the significance of the tree would keep the memory in the front of his mind until we got back and he saw the gift.

 

To say I was surprised when Schuldig told me he remembered was an understatement. Then again, I don't think people ever really forget things, not truly. Like when you visit and old house you had once lived at, and you once again remember playing a particular game in the front room, or breaking something there. Little things that you thought you had forgotten. Or when a parent spots a pack of crayons in a store and suddenly recalls the time their own child thought it would be fun to try and stick them up their nose. I must say that I do not ever remember trying such a thing myself!

 

Well, I think so…?

 

I don't, however, think that Aya knew it was me. I remember that night as well as can, and know that my back was facing the only source of light, shadowing me but illuminating his unforgettable features and peculiar coloring.

 

Imagine my shock when he had been pulled into Weiss? A light summer breeze would have toppled me over. I knew immediately that I was interested in him, not having thought too much about it before. I know that he had given me a kiss, but I also knew what it was; a thank you kiss, chaste and innocently grateful. I never forgot him. His subtle ripple in my life stayed in the back of my mind, and the gentle kiss was a memory I always looked back upon when my life felt less than worth living. He doesn't an may never know just how much that one small encounter helped my confused state of mind at that time in my life. People trying to push me into things, always expecting things from me, draining me like leeches that had no limit. I had no parents to turn to, and seemed to be always moving. My intelligence always warranted attention when I was young, something I had once thought to be an advantage. Everyone encouraged me when I was younger, nudging me softly towards success. The older I got, the harder they nudged, responsibility weighing down on me with premature decisions. Their nudges became pushes and shoves, and I backed myself into a corner by allowing myself to be forced by them. Cornered people either crumple or lash out. I was never the submissive type in tense situations. I lashed.

 

I also learned that the stereotype of blonde stupidity was the perfect mask to hide myself behind. It was hard first, like a pair of new ice skates - difficult to move in and stiffly unresponsive. Now, after years of honing, those skates were broken in and comfortable. I can slip into them too easily - almost too easily for my own comfort. I get lost in the role. But as with skates and skating, I slip too sometimes. A small detail pointed out to Omi that he missed in the mission planning. One flower arrangement not as cliché as the rest…thoughtful and full of meanings and words hiding in plain sight; hidden in the knowledge of the meanings. A statement not sounding as air-headed as the rest.

 

Luckily, these slips were not overtly noticeable, and I manage to clear them away with a follow up joke or sarcastic comment.

 

I turned my attention back to Aya, who was walking slowly beside me as we traveled down the path looking at the lazy spiral of the falling pink blossoms. I remember what I had, in one of my more philosophical moods, had told him during that meeting. I had seemed to help with his melancholy mood. More so than my usual dumbass jokes do lately. Can I be blamed for trying to lighten the lives of four assassins cursed to donning pink aprons in a cover as lame as a flower shop? A little levity goes a long way.

 

I like to think I'm funny. My ego does too.

 

I stared covertly at Aya's profile as he stared at our surroundings. He looked at peace, almost. Sometimes it seems to me as if Aya is stuck between two people. Like he forces himself to be one, but the other lurks under the surface. Ego and I also like to believe we are excellent judges of character.

 

I wonder if I will ever have the privilege again to see Aya without his own mask. That one time he had also been wearing one, albeit it was the flimsy cover of a child trying to be strong where his heart wants to break. It was basically opaque and I saw his vulnerability and need for reassurance. So many doubts and questions. I hope I helped appease some of his worries that night.

 

The moment felt serene, as if it should be one caught in a painting or photo. Something to be noted. It was even better when he turned his calm eyes to me - I don't see them like that often. When I do I cherish it. His eyes are intense when he is angry, darkened and sharp. Flaring in high emotion. Right now, they had softened. The kind of amethyst of an early evening sky, the kind you stop to stare at with a sigh, wishing you could paint that precise color. Aya's eyes replicated the shade right now, and I let out a slow breath instead of a sigh. I was enraptured by his peaceful eyes turned towards me.

 

I felt my lips curving in a gentle and true smile. I only ever spared true smiles for my family - they were my family now. But Aya had always been special. I wanted this smile to show it, to tell him without words, as the smile reached my eyes to try and convey the message.

 

Aya, being Aya of course - seemingly emotionally thick as a plank - appeared to miss the reasoning behind my own serene expression.

 

Maybe he just couldn't read it through the lashings of mascara.

 

As if time had suddenly returned from our moment in suspended staring, a bell broke through the thick feeling in the air. Almost like anticipatory tension.

 

I looked toward the source of the disturbance, my annoyance nearly evaporating as I saw the culprit - an ice cream vendor! Okay, I know I had just eaten that seven layered sugary swirl, but I loved ice cream, and he had my favorite!

 

Gelato!

 

In my excitement I grabbed Aya's hand, hauling him behind me as I power walked happily ahead to the vendor. Upon arrival, my good mood increased - caramel gelato! I could have melted into a pile of happy Yohji goo.

I ordered one scoop in a waffle cone, opting for something less sweet for Aya - chocolate ice cream, two scoops. Taking the napkin wrapped treats I searched for a park bench as I turned. A hand tugged on my sleeve and I looked to where Aya was pointing in the distance - under a lone Sakura tree was a nice little park bench of wood and black wrought iron. The overall effect was quaint and relaxed. I was glad that Kritiker had at least chosen living arrangements in a nice neighborhood.

 

I gladly followed Aya as he took the lead to the bench, pleasantly surprised at his assertiveness peaking out. Maybe he was getting more comfortable around me - I hoped we could progress to true friends and not just comrades. The invitation on my end had always been there but he had never shown any willingness to accept the offer. Maybe that was changing.

 

Damn, anymore of these positive thoughts and I will start dancing!

 

We walked in silence again to the seat…well he walked. I may not have been dancing, but the mood was taking toll on me and I admit it was more of a bounce than a walk. I handed Aya his ice cream when we got there, and he actually smiled at me! Yohji goo here I come!

 

The ventilation of these skirts might be nice, but do you have any idea how you have to arrange it before you sit so it doesn't wrinkle? A bit on the bothersome side. I swiped my free arm under me to straighten the troublesome pleats as I lowered myself. Aya had a bit more grace - he didn't have a skirt on!

 

I started right into my gelato, slowing to enjoy it more. I turned my head slightly to watch Aya. He gingerly licked at his ice cream before getting a bit more enthusiastic. I smiled, happy that he liked it. I did something right!

 

He stopped for a moment to look at me.

 

I suddenly burst into laughter - he had chocolate ice cream on the tip of his nose. It was adorably cute. He frowned at me. It just made the look more endearingly kittenish. I started laughing in earnest, leaning forward.

 

My mirth was cut short as I heard a splat.

 

I looked to the ground, my laughter dying in my throat as I saw my scoop of gelato merrily sinking into the grass. Stunned, I looked to my cone for confirmation and found it woefully empty. I turned to Aya as if to say ' Why do I deserve this?' stopping with the puppy dog look when I saw his eyes. They were shining at me - he was laughing at me with his eyes.

 

I huffed, "It's not funny Aya!"

 

His eyes begged to differ, and I huffed again looking away. I felt long fingers taking away my empty cone and I stared back at Aya, curious.

 

Carefully, he managed to move one of his scoops of ice cream to the previously empty cone. He then handed me his cone with the untouched scoop.

 

I was stunned.

 

Still in shock I stared at his hand for a moment before coming to my senses and taking the offered cone. I sent him a sunny saccharine smile, twice the sweetness of my gelato. He returned a small smile of his own and my heart soared.

 

We ate the ice cream cones in a content and comfortable silence, before wordlessly agreeing to get back to the shop.

 

XXXXXXX

 

When we arrived back at the Koneko, we found the door locked. I produced a key from my blouse pocket, glad I had the sense to take one with me. I confidently unlocked the door, walking in after Aya. I turned to take the key out, only to find it stuck. I tried to rattle it. Not working. Aya had turned back to watch me as I attempted to free the blasted piece of metal.

 

I jiggled it, tried to slide it, and whacked it. Nothing worked! In my frustration I placed my foot as a brace in front of the door before giving an almighty shove and pull. I almost fell against the counter were it not for the strong arms that caught me. I heard the snap, and held my hand up. Aya and I both stared at the half a key I had held in hand before looking back to the lock where the other half still protruded minutely.

 

I had just snapped my key in half!

 

I heard what sounded like a snort from over my shoulder. Indignantly I stood up, hands on hips as I faced Aya. Aya, who was trying to hold in his laughter. He was laughing at me! I huffed again. Pivoting on my heel, I strode over to the work table where half dried rose heads were waiting to be cleaned up.

 

As if my put out performance made the situation even funnier, the dam burst and Aya's rich laughter spilled throughout the shop. I perked my ears, loving the rumbling and joyful sound, before remembering why he was laughing.

 

Okay, I could see the situation as funny if it hadn't happened to me. I picked up a dried rose head and threw it at him, smacking into his shoulder and bursting in a shower of dry dark red petals as it did.

 

Oops.

 

The thought changed to 'Oh Shit' as I saw him striding over to me. I turned to run for cover from the oncoming violence, but stopped at the soft blow to by lower right side.

 

I faced Aya and looked down to the floor where more red petals were settling on the ground. I stared open-mouthed at Aya. He threw a rose head at me! He grabbed another one and I only had a split second to move, but it still glanced off my neck. I glanced at him incredulously, watching as he reached for yet another rose head.

 

A game?

 

I dived for the work table and scooped roughly half of the roses into my arms, some falling in my hasty scramble to get behind the counter for cover.

 

A red volley landed on my head and I launched into action, returning the shot. It registered in my mind that I was having a rose fight with Aya, who was laughing along with me, smiling as we peeked behind our respective shields at the same time. What are we doing? I didn't have time to think further on that before three rose bombs hurled at me in rapid succession. I became immersed in the game, as did he. We didn't care that it was childish or that we were making even more mess to clean up later.

 

We were having fun, and that's all that mattered.

 

Once we ran out of ammo, we were both scavenging the salvageable remains of previously fired rounds littering the floor, unwilling to give up to one another.

 

Too involved to notice that Omi had just bounded down the stairs until he announced loudly, "Hey guess what? We're having a sleepover at Schwarz's house!" There was a pause as Aya and I froze guiltily, realizing what we had just been caught doing.

 

"Umm…guys? What the heck are you doing?"

 

We both flushed and fidgeted from behind our impromptu shelters. His announcement only seemed to sink in then.

 

"What!?" was the almost synchronized outburst.

 

XXXXXXXX

 

Ooooh a Schwarz and Weiss guys bonding (not bondage) sleepover! Who thinks we should let out Aya's little energizer bunny libido? We all know he has one! If you can't tell, this sleepover has chibi machination written all over it!

 

Sorry for the wait, but I hope the longer chapter makes up for it - do you still loff me?