#and be beautiful and she succeeded! Now they both run that hot springs hotel and everyone who visits loves T'Meni

[bumblingbabooshka]

Vulcan Dumb & Dumber

[benbarnesfanforever]

The Signs - Part II

Hey guys, here is part II of The Signs. Thanks again to my sweet friend @drinix for the cute idea!  If you’d like to be tagged in the next story, please dm me.  I hope you enjoy it! 

Acronyms: UCLA= University of California, Los Angeles; LA= Los Angeles

Word Count: 4598

Tag list: @drinix @andreacvjetkovic @haritini2000 @lea----b

You shove the last blouse into your already overstuffed suitcase.  You couldn’t believe that it was only a matter of hours before you would board your plane to Queensland, Australia.  You were so nervous yet excited about this amazing opportunity.   Working on a Disney movie production was nothing short of a dream come true for you.  If you succeeded in this internship, your chances of becoming hired on to a permanent role would be even greater. 

“Y/N, you ready chickie? Your plane leaves in 3 hours and my class starts in an hour.  We gotta get a move on to the airport.” Jackie says, with her car keys already in hand.

“Almost ready!” You shout out from your room.  You close your suitcase and brought it out to the family room. `

“Bout time.” Jackie says to you anxiously. “Let’s jet!”

You and Jackie drive down South Sepulveda Blvd, your beautiful brown locks blowing in the wind as you take in the warm day.  Living in Southern California, you were almost guaranteed to have a nice warm day, especially during the month of September.  

“Jack, do you think the weather in Queensland will be as nice as it is in Cali this time of year?”

“It should be.” Jackie says as she adjusted the radio to her convertible BMW, frantically trying to find a good song to listen to.

The second sign

Jackie stumbles across a 1930s jazz-age radio station, playing the following song.

I'll see you again whenever spring breaks through again.

Time may lie heavy between, but what has been, is past forgetting.

Your sweet memory across the years will come to me.

Though my world may go awry, in my heart 'twill ever lie,

Just the echo of a sigh, goodbye.

All my life I shall remember knowing you,

All the pleasures that I found in showing you,

The different ways that one may face,

The changing light and changing shade,

Happiness that must die, melodies that must fly,

Memories that must fade, dusty and forgotten bye and bye

 “OMG I can’t believe they’re playing this song on the radio!” Jackie turns the radio up louder and you are bewildered by her actions.  She begins singing the song while slowly turning her head from side to side.

Your heart began to pound as you listen to the lyrics.  That strange feeling that you had as you watched Prince Caspian for the first time suddenly took control of you again.  You close your eyes and took in the beautiful tune that caressed your ear drums. You could listen this melody all day long.  

You inhale and exhale slowly.

You awaken from your trance and you see Jackie’s fingers snapping in front of your face.

“Y/N, you awake chickie?”

You sit up and smile.

“Yes, sorry.  Wow, what a lovely song.  Who is the man behind this beautiful voice?” You say, placing your blowing hair behind your ears.

Jackie let’s off a smirk.

“Y/N, don’t tell me you haven’t heard this song or seen the movie?”

You pull down your sunglasses and give Jackie a look of bewilderment.

“Here we go again with her jeopardy moment.” You say to yourself before responding.

“I have never heard this song before, nor have I ever seen the movie.”

Jackie laughs out loud.

“Oh God if this isn’t a sign!”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“Prince Caspian remember?” Jackie points out.

You inhale and exhale again, slowly.

“Don’t tell me, is it from that hot guy, Ben Barnes?”

“BINGO!! It’s Ben Barnes singing a soundtrack from a movie he starred in, Easy Virtue.”

You look bewildered again.

“What if you guys are destined to meet, Y/N?  Almost every time we’re in the realm of discussing your internship, a movie, song or something of Ben Barnes pops up.  You know I am a huge believer in signs.”

You laugh and try to brush off what Jackie just said.

“Jack, I had no idea you were into the jazz-age genre, but why am I not surprised?!”

“Stop ignoring the inevitable, Y/N!  You are gonna meet this man, I can feel it.”

You roll your eyes……but meeting Ben Barnes would be a dream of yours.

“Maybe you’ll meet him Jack, besides, I’ll be out of the country for 3 months so you have a better chance of meeting him here in states or in London than I do all the way from the land down under.”

“True, but you never know if or when your paths will cross.”

“Not a believer in miracles, but I’m glad you are my friend.”

You both laugh.  You were going to miss Jackie dearly. Not only was she your roommate, but she was also your best friend.

Jackie pulls her BMW to the curbside section of the LAX airport terminal. You knew that it would be hard saying good-bye to your bestie, but you’d see her again over the winter break in several months.

You both step out of the car, feeling awkward to say good-bye.

“I’m so excited for you my friend, but I’m gonna miss you like crazy.” Jackie says, embracing you in a tight hug.

You hug her back, squeezing her tightly.

“Ditto.” You say, both of you blinking back tears.  

“Ok, I gotta split, because good-byes make me crazy.  So, take care you. See you in a few months.”  

You let go of your roommate, sending her a kiss and wave as you enter the airport and disappeared.

“Tammie, I hope you know how much I love you and will miss you.” Ben says, dropping sweet pecks on Tamia’s forehead as he held her close.  It had been two weeks since Tamia landed in Queensland, and now she was on her way back home to London.

“I know you’ll miss me Ben, as I will miss you too.” Tamia says, but Ben knew something else was on her mind.

Ben unraveled himself from Tamia’s hold and looked her straight into the eyes, holding her shoulders.

“But there’s something else, right?” Ben says to his girlfriend, looking concerned at this point.  

Ben’s beautiful locks blew in the evening breeze, his eyes slightly squinted from the glare of the setting sun.

Tamia looked away, trying to fight back tears.

“Hey…Tammie….don’t cry. Oh…..come here.”

Ben embraces her with a cocoon hug, like a mom hugging her child in a time of pain.

Tears fell down Tamia’s rosy cheeks like a flowing waterfall.

“Ben, I love you more than anything else in this world.  But……”

Ben felt a lump form in his throat.

“Tammie…..please….”

“….but….I want and deserve more…..” Tamia whispered, her voice shaking.

Ben’s eyes began to well with tears.

“Tammie, please.  You know I love you, and you know that I would give you the world if I could.  You know that, right?”  

Both Ben and Tamia are sobbing at this point.

“I want to believe you Ben, but how much longer do I have to wait?  It’s been two years and no one but our close friends and family know that we’re together.”

“But isn’t that all that matters? Why does the whole world need to know that we’re together when the most important people in our lives already know?”

Tamia wiped her tears and stood in front of Ben, her right leg slightly bent as she shook her head.

“Did I not show you a great time over the past two weeks here in Queensland?”

“That’s not the issue Ben, and even over the past two weeks, you kept me locked away in a hotel room during the day and I never even met any of your co-stars!”

“I’ve told you before that we have to keep things under wraps until we are done filming.  You said it wasn’t an issue when we spoke about if before, so what’s the problem now?”

Tamia continued shaking her head, looking up at the sky before focusing her beautiful large hazel eyes back on Ben.

“You just don’t get it do you?”

“Get what? I told you that we’d go public after the movie.  You know that would pose a risk to the production if we went public now.”

Tamia continued shaking her head, moving further and further away from Ben.

“You’ve said the same thing during your first film, then the second film, and now this.  You know what?  I am TIRED of waiting Ben…..I am TIRED of you making me wait just to give me a simple title and call me your girlfriend.  I haven’t asked you to claim me as nothing more…...not your fiancé…...not your future wife….but just your girlfriend.”

“Tammie….baby….you ARE my girlfriend….you ARE my fiancé and you ARE my future wife. I’ve never denied that.”

“Don’t you see? You’ve denied me every day, Ben! I don’t feel like I mean anything to you in public.”

“I may not show my affection towards you in public, but you know how much I love you Tammie…….”

Ben’s voice is shaking at his point.  He’s almost breathless and can barely get any more words out.  

“……..you know how much I need you……” Ben muffles in a low whisper.  

Tears fell down Ben’s dark orbs like a flowing river.  He knew that Tamia wanted him to go public with their relationship and he knew it wasn’t fair to her.  But he also couldn’t risk putting his career in jeopardy because of it.  He feared that going public about his relationship with Tamia would put the entire Dawn Treader production in jeopardy.  He just couldn’t take that risk right now.  But at the same time, he couldn’t fathom the idea of losing the woman that he loved, the woman that he had planned to spend the rest of his life with.  

The young couple stood in front of Ben’s Bentley for a few moments, in silent.

“Look, Tammie.  I know it has been a difficult two years and I thank you so much for putting up with me.  I just need some more time…..please…..just a little more time and I promise we’ll go public with our relationship and we’ll begin planning our wedding…..please don’t do this.”

Tammie’s eyes shut hard as tears continued flowing down her gorgeous pastel face.  She began balling and covered her face as she sobbed hysterically.

“You still want to marry me…don’t you?” Ben asked, pleading for any positive response that he could get from Tamia at this point.

“I’m sorry Ben……but I can’t.”  Tamia slowly wiped her tears away.  She walked towards Ben, reaching for his dark brown locks by placing her hand around his broad neck, slowly running her fingers through his hair before planting a kiss on his perfectly shaped lips.

Ben placed his hands around Tamia’s slim waist.  She felt so good and Ben didn’t want to let her go.

Before Ben could deepen kiss, Tamia broke it slowly.

They stared at one another, eyes red and watery with tears.

They held hands, still glancing at one another.  Tamia released her right hand from Ben’s hold.  He held her left hand tightly, knowing he may never hold it again.  He had sudden images of placing a ring on her left finger, until he heard those cutting words as her hand slipped away from his, the last two of their fingers touching before they parted.

“Good-bye, Ben.”

And that quickly, Tamia grabbed her luggage and raced through the airport doors.  Ben tried going after her, only to be stopped by a large shuttle bus passing by, nearly hitting him.  He stood in front of his grey Bentley, watching Tamia disappear through the glass doors.

Your flight was underway and you couldn’t believe that within a few hours, you’d be landing in Queensland, Australia.  You had never flown on a Jumbo jet before and never experienced such pampering.  But after being on a plane for nearly 15 hours, you were ready to see land again.

“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Queensland, Australia.  This plane will be changing crew and headed to London, England.”  Although your entire body clock was thrown off from the jet lag and the time difference, you were wide awake and still shook that you were actually in Queensland. You had no idea which movie you’d been working on, but you had an idea of some of the films Disney and Walden were filming, but not all.  It was unnerving yet exciting that you didn’t know which film you’d be assisting in producing.  Whatever the case, it was a dream come true for you.  

You were so excited to get off the plane that you nearly forgot one of your bags in the overhead bin. You race off of the plane, walking in a fast pace as you always do, to find yourself bumping into a tall woman who was trying to get to the nearest gate agent.  

“Oh, I am terribly sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” You say softly.  The tall beautiful blonde haired gal gave you quick smile.  You were so intrigued by her beauty but could also see pain and sadness in her eyes.  She suddenly turned back to the gate agent, raising her voice hysterically as the gate agent tried to calm her down.  

“Look, Ms. Edwards, there is nothing we can do.  This flight is canceled due to bad weather in the Atlantic.  The plane will leave tomorrow morning as rescheduled.”

Tamia could not believe what was happening to her.  All she wanted to do was leave this blasted place, especially after just breaking up with Ben.

“I need to get home…..there is no way I can continue to stay here.”

“There is nothing we can do Ms. Edwards, please feel free to book with another airline, but as of now, there is nothing we can do for you.”

“Do you know who I am? I am a well-known celebrity in London and I should receive some sort of accommodations or compensation for my inconveniences.”

“Yes, ma’am, we will do our best to accommodate you; however, there are no guarantees.  I suggest you arrange for lodging immediately as most hotels are booked due to the BIO International Convention.”

Tamia felt her stomach sink as she sat down on a nearby chair.  Due to weather issues, the airline was not obligated to place travelers in a hotel room.  How in the world would she find a hotel now with this BIO International Convention happening?  Tamia had nowhere to go, but she couldn’t call Ben, there was no way in hell she could call him.

You heard most of the commotion happening behind you and felt so terrible.  Your agent from Walden informed you that you had a studio apartment that could sleep four.  Your parents always taught you to assist others in need.  This was so strange for you, because you didn’t even know where you were going, let alone having some stranger tag along. But your heart told you to assist this woman who needed a place for the night, so you got the urge and asked her if she needed a place to stay.

“Uuumm…miss, first I want to say that I’m really sorry for nearly knocking you over a second ago.  I just arrived from Los Angeles, from the same flight that you were going to take to London.  I overheard your conversation and wanted to offer you a room at my place if you needed to stay somewhere.”

You felt incredibly embarrassed at this point.  You could feel your cheeks burning with awkwardness.

Tamia looked up at you with a very large smile, as if you were her saving grace.

“Oh my goodness, that is so incredibly kind and so thoughtful of you…I have nowhere to go and would be stranded here all night.  Yes, I will take you up on your offer.”

You smile, awkwardly.

“Ok, great.  Uhhh…I’m Y/N by the way.”

Tamia stuck out her hand, waiting for you to stick out yours for a handshake.

“Oh…right…” you say as you stIck out your hand.

“I’m Tamia, Tamia Edwards.”

“Great to meet you…Tamia..Edwards.” You say, still feeling uncomfortable, but also good that you could assist this woman who looked so distraught.  

“So what brings you to Queensland?” Tamia asks as you both make your way to the airport baggage claim.

“I’m here on a month internship opportunity.  I start tomorrow and I am SOO thrilled!”

“Oh that’s amazing, what will you be interning for?”

“I’ll be in media production.”

“Congratulations, that’s every exciting.  I am in the film industry myself, perhaps we can talk more when we get settled back at your place.”

“I’d love that.” You say as you grab your luggage.

You both walk towards the exit of the building.  You check your e-mail from your phone and re-read the instructions sent to you a week before your arrival.  The filming was taking place at many areas around Queensland and New Zealand, but its primary location is based at the Warner Roadshow Studios in Oxenford, near Gold Coast on the coast of Queensland.  

When you both arrived at your studio apartment, you could not believe the astonishing views before you. It was like nothing you had ever seen and the views of the mountains and ocean were absolutely breathtaking.  You sat on the sofa of your apartment, looking out of the balcony that faced the ocean.

“WOW, what an amazing view.” You say in a whisper, taking in the sun and crashing waves.

“This is very lovely.” Tamia says as she settled her things on the love seat near your sofa.  “I am very grateful to you for allowing me to stay here.  I had nowhere to go and would have been forced to call my boyfriend who I just broke up with.”

You looked over at Tamia and saw her sobbing.  You sit next to her, trying to comfort her even though you just met.  You’ve been through many heart breaks so you knew what she was feeling inside.

“I’m sorry….I…just….I miss him already but I know I did the right thing.”

You look bewildered, not knowing what to say but you did your best to be there.

“You can talk about it if you want….I am all ears…..”

“I don’t want to burden you with my problems…besides, you’re here in beautiful Queensland, you are about to start an amazing internship tomorrow. You don’t need me ruining things by dumping my problems on you.”

“I tell you what, why don’t we get showered, put on our pjs, and just veg out?  Have you eaten yet?  We can order take out and you can tell me all about this jerk who broke your heart.  Sound good?”

Tamia wipes her tears and smiles.

“You are angel!  Yes, sounds like a plan.  I can’t wait…..and again…thank you so much for letting me stay here.”

“You’re welcome.”

Tamia got up to use the restroom when her phone began to buzzing with several incoming text messages.

“Hey……did you make it on the plane?”

“Look, I know I fucked up….but please don’t leave me…please take me back.”

“Call me when you land, I just need to hear your voice that you made it home safely….I respect your wishes if you never want to see me again.” BB

Tamia returns from the restroom and sees the text messages from Ben.  She shuts off her phone to clear her head.  She didn’t want to talk to Ben in fear that he would try to lure her back in.  She was looking forward to talking to you and getting to know you over some much needed girl talk.

After you both settled into your pajamas and laid out all of your food, snacks and drinks, you turn on the television to find a good chick flick to watch.  

“Oh, leave it here!  I love Pretty Woman!” Tamia blurts out as she stuffs a large amount of popcorn into her mouth.  She wore a cute pink night gown that fell just above her knees. She wore her hair pulled up in a twist with blond ringlets falling down her rosy cheeks.  You wore a light blue laced tank top with boy shorts and a light blue sheer overlay, which showed off every curve of your body.  

“Ok, sure. You say sitting down on the sofa next to Tamia, eating a few strawberries and cheese squares.

It was nice to see Tamia laugh after she seemed so distraught at the airport.  You both enjoyed the movie and vegging out together over some desserts, such ice-cream, cake pops, candy and other sweet goodies. Although it seemed strange spending time with a complete stranger, you felt comfortable around Tamia and happy that you were lending her a helping hand.  After all, what girl wouldn’t help another girl, especially after just breaking up with her future fiancé.  

“So you were with your boyfriend for 2 years and he never claimed you?” You ask, wondering how Tamia’s boyfriend could be such a rude jerk.

“He just never wanted to claim me as his girlfriend in public.  I understand that he is an actor and has to keep his life private, but I am an actress too and I just don’t know what the big deal is about letting the public know that we are together.”

You almost choked on your Klondike bar.  

“WTF?  This girl is a celebrity?  Holy fucking SHIT!!”

You freeze at this point. You couldn’t believe you rescued a celebrity from having to sleep in an airport. Why couldn’t she find a hotel if she was a celebrity?  At this point, it didn’t matter to you.  You just couldn’t believe that she was sitting in your studio, eating your food and sitting on your sofa.

“I hope I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable, I mean, you have been so kind to me by letting me stay here.  I really didn’t want to call my ex-boyfriend…I can’t believe I am calling him my ex….but you don’t have to worry about the paparazzi knocking at your door or anything.  I’m more well-known London.”

You let out a sigh of relief.

“No problem, I just want to make sure you are comfortable.  I’m glad I could help.”

You both continue eating your snacks and snuggled on the coach, continuing watching pretty woman while discussing relationships and having fun girl talk.

You and Tamia dozed off on the sofa, when you were both startled by a pounding sound at the front door. You jump off of the sofa quickly, followed by Tamia.  You held your right arm out, as if you were protecting Tamia. You thought some strange paparazzi found her, so you were extra conscious before opening the door. You look through the peephole and see a man, but no cameras.

“Who is it?” Tamia whispers, hiding behind you.

“Some lost guy. Should I answer it?” You ask Tamia in confusion.

“I guess, but it’s almost 12 am…..maybe he’ll go away?”

The pounds on the door continues, slightly louder.

“He looks lost, I’ll answer it.” You say a bit nervously.

“Ok….but wait…I’ll get a knife in case he tries some funny business.”

“Good idea!” You say, before opening the door.

Your heart is pounding as you unlock the door, and you couldn’t figure out why. Your palms become sweaty.

The room became silent.

You open the door, and there stood the most beautiful man you had ever laid eyes on, one that looked so familiar to you.

You inhale and exhale slowly.

You could NOT believe that you were standing before him…….yes…..Ben fucking Barnes.

When your eyes met, they locked immediately.  You felt that same feeling that you felt when you first saw him in the Prince Caspian movie a few weeks ago, you felt the same feeling that you felt when you were driving to the airport in the car with Jackie as that lovely song “I’ll see you again” massaged your eye drums.  There was no noise, no other people, no thoughts or worries, no yesterday, no tomorrow. The world just stopped turning and you felt so happy in that moment.  

His eyes were locked on you for what seemed like an entirety. Ben was a gentleman and wasn’t the one to eye ball a woman’s body, at least while she was aware, but there was something about you that made him want to scan everything about you.  His beautiful dark orbs slowly scanned your entire face, and your plump red lips before meeting your beautiful round eyes again. He let off a slight grin as his eyes moved downward for the second time, this time, scanning your neck, your collar bone, your beautifully built arms and shoulders. Your dark mane fell to the left of your neck and shoulders, leaving the right side slightly exposed.

He inhaled and exhaled slowly.

“BEN!?!?!”  Tamia shouts, shoving you out of the way.

Ben broke out of his trance.

“What on earth are you doing here?”

Ben parted his lips to speak, but the words just couldn’t come out. He actually forgot why he came to the this studio apartment to talk with Tamia, but suddenly his heart felt different, like he had been freed from a heavy burden that had been lifted off of his shoulders.

“Ben, do you hear me?  What on earth are you doing here?” Tamia asks again.

Ben finally gears himself up to speak, eyeing his left side, where you stood.

“I…I….heard that your flight was canceled and I was worried. I heard from the gate agent that you left with some stranger, so I just wanted to check on you to make sure you were alright.  But….I see…..you are in great hands.”

Ben looks over at you, giving you that look, that same look that he gave Susan in the Prince Caspian film.

You blush and grin shyly.

“How on earth did you find me?  Well, it doesn’t matter.  I am in great hands.  So you don’t have to worry… Y/N is taking great care of me…..so…..you can go now.”

Ben felt really embarrassed at this point.  He felt bad invading your apartment at such odd hours of the night, but after hearing that Tamia’s flight got canceled, he wanted to make sure she was safe since he was the reason she came to Australia in the first place.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.  I texted you several time and when I didn’t hear anything, I got worried. “

Tamia looked sad for a moment, but she didn’t allow herself to give in to Ben’s charm.

“Y/N, thank you for taking care of her.  I was quite worried but I see that she is fine.”

Ben looks over at the empty cartons of Klondike bars, chips, dip and soda cans.

He smiles.

“Anytime.” You say shyly, feeling very awkward at this point.

Ben looks back at Tamia as if he wanted to hug her goodbye, but he continued for the door and let himself out.

“Good night ladies.” Ben placed his hands in his pockets and exited.

“Good night.” You say, wanting to stay in the presence of this man forever, but your body was telling you to go inside.  You finally close the door behind you and exhale once again.

“Oh, thank God he’s gone.” Tamia says in relief, but you couldn’t stop thinking about Ben and wondered if you’d ever see him again.  

You were beginning to think that there was some truth in Jackie’s prediction, however, you already felt in your heart that even if you found Ben, this journey would not be an easy one.

[no6secretsanta]

Of rats, dogs, and cinnamon stars

To @rest-in-bees from @scentedglitterpeace

——

5:30

*riing* *riing*

A high-pitched, annoying noise.

*Riing* *riing*

“Shion…”

A low, half asleep complaint.

*Riing* *Riing*

“uum…”

An equally low, even more asleep moan.

*Riiing* *riing*

“Shion, shut that damn thing off !”

A snap.

*Riiing* *BANG*

Shion opened his eyes, only to see his room in the dim artificial light of Lost-Town that had made its way through the window. The alarm clock was thankfully still in one piece, a beautiful hand still on it. The ecologist and now active member of the restructuration committee of New-06 putted a hand behind him, blindly searching for a contact whit the man he shared his bed with. He wasn’t disappointed when long fingers tangled with his, the arm that has came above him to shut down the alarm finding a place on his torso, a hot breath tickling his neck. The white-haired boy looked once again at the alarm. He still had time. Surely the town could do with him spending five more minutes under Nezumi’s arms. Feeling like he was in heaven, he closed his eyes.

6:12

Sighing, Shion opened once again his eyes. Slowly awaking, he looked at the red numbers on the alarm clock.

Holly Shit !

The white-haired boy bolted out of the bed. Well, tried. The strong arm that had lowered to rest on his waist kept him firmly in place.

“Nezumi,” pleaded the teenager, squirming under the arms of his mate, “let me go, I’m gonna be late”.

“Why ?” Came the short, still asleep response, “They sure don’t need you this early. Your first meeting isn’t until 9 anyway”

 “I…” the young man untangled himself from the arms on him, vaguely wandering why Nezumi always knew his whole planning “want to…” he kicked the cover aside, leaving a fair part to the other boy, “finish a report this morning.” He finally succeeded in getting out of the bed. “And anyway, I’m not arguing with you on this again.” Shion hurried himself in the bathroom, intending to take a quick shower and get dressed.

6:22

As the white-haired boy entered the kitchen, he was assaulted by the smell of freshly backed bread. His mother and Nezumi where already working by the ovens. How the former block-east resident has managed to get from lump on the bed to ready and alert in less than five minutes, Shion would never know. He took his coat and bag, ready to leave to his office when he heard his lovers’ voice.

“Shion.” The “Rat” gave him a gaze full of disapprobation. “Sit down and eat some breakfast”.

The scientific sighed “You know I don’t have time”.

The only answer was a clipping tongue.

“Shion.” Said the feminine voice of his mother. “Just take a seat, ok ?”

The teenager thought about arguing for four solid seconds, before sitting on a chair. No one could tell “no” to Karan. No even her own son. Especially not her son.

“You too Nezumi,” the beaker continued, “go and sit at the table, I’ll finish this.”

The raven-haired boy opened his mouth but one look from the older woman made him rethink his opinion and sit next to Shion. The ecologist grinned discretely. Yup. No one was arguing with his mother.

Soon, three mugs of tea and a pie Shion have never seen before where on the table.

“Kaki pie,” explained Karan, cutting three slices and sitting in front of the boys. “A costumer has a huge production this year and asked me if I was interested in buying him some, so I’m trying it.”

Shion took a bite. As usual, Karan’s food was delicious, even if it was the first time she made the recipe. But he really really didn’t have time for a long breakfast. He finished his food, and went back to gathering his stuff. He vaguely heard his mother tell something at Nezumi about a grocery run, and, as usual, the taller boy was ready and at the door waiting for him before he even had the time to put his coat on.

He bent to receive a kiss on the forehead from his mother, wishing her a good day, and promising not to come home too late. The boy smiled of the warmness of his lone family member touch while stepping in the cold air of the early morning.

6:52

New-06 was slowly awaking as Shion and Nezumi made their way through the streets, but the sun was nowhere in sight. Winter has made its way down the city a few weeks ago, covering everything with a thin film of ice. Shion sighed, his breath making a cloud in the December air. He had spent the previous winter in block-west, protected from the cold by an old heater and Nezumi’s body heat. So much had happened since. In just a year, the wall has fallen, taking No.6 with it. Almost a year ago, he had lost his best friend and had feared to lose the person he loved the most on the cold white corridors of the correctional facility. Almost a year ago he had killed a man. He was still having nightmare about every one of those things. But in the beginning of the spring, he had reunited with his mother, he had got the chance to introduce her to Nezumi.

And then… and then everything had happened really fast. While Nezumi was still recovering from his wounds, while he was still mourning Safu, he was asked to be part of the restructuration committee. The hard work had distracted him from his nightmares, even more when the boy he shared his night with had gone away. He wasn’t angry at Nezumi for leaving him for half a year. He knew this was something the other man had to do in order to be in peace with himself. It hadn’t made those month any less difficult. Without Karan’s kind attentions, and the constant energy brought by Inukashi, Shionn and the dozens of dogs that seemed to have settled down in Lost Town, he probably wouldn’t have been able to handle his work and keep smiling through this long summer. But, as the heat decreased, his loved one had come back. That was kind of ironic that on the morning of his 17th birthday, the boy he hadn’t seen until spring had knocked out on his window, muttering something about it not being as large as the one in Chronos, and him being taller than his 11 years old self. But then again, his boyfriend being an actor, he always had a developed drama sense.

He giggled hat the idea of a boyfriend. It was Inukashi who first used the world, and it had made him laugh at first. They were so so more than that. But the fact stayed: they did ‘boyfriend stuff’, so it that was how the dog keeper wanted to call them, it was fine by him.

“What’s so funny?” Asked Nezumi, efficiently breaking his thoughts. He took the other’s hand within his own.

“Nothing,” he said, his smile never leaving his face, “I was just thinking about how much the city has changed since a year ago.”

His only answer was a smirk. ‘The city has changed’ was an understatement, the truth being closer to ‘destroyed and almost entirely rebuild in just a year’. But both boys let this matter go, enjoying comfortable silence again, only troubled by the distant sound of shutters opening and the birds that had flew away from the park.

It was only when arriving in front of the restructuration committee’s working place that the white-haired boy realized the former block-west inhabitant had made all the way with him instead of just going straight to the store furnishing Karan. His smile widened at the idea. He turned his head toward the building, needing to go inside (he was already incredibly late) but unwilling to let go of Nezumi’s hand. His loved one gave their hands a small shake.

“You want to stay here smiling like an idiot, or go to work ?”

Shion sighed. As usual, the other teenager lacked delicacy. But when he tried to untangle their hands, he was stopped.

“Don’t I get to have a ‘have a good day’ kiss ?”

Shion stared for a moment at the grey eyes of his lover. Yes, they were on the streets, but there was practically no one in front of the building, and if it meant pressing his lips against Nezumi’s, he didn’t care if anyone saw them. He shorted the distance between their faces, and gave the other boy a soft kiss before whispering “have a good day”.

At the smile he saw on Nezumi’s face, he wasn’t the only one whose heart was warm despite the winter temperature.

8:07

Having took all the time he needed to gather the supplies needed by Karan, the bakery was already open when Nezumi reached it. A few costumers were in the shop, buying breakfast or lunch before their day. After living in the bakery and helping Karan four months, Nezumi knew perfectly what he had to do, so he just nodded to Karan his arrival, and went to the backroom, passing by Inukashi and Shionn’s room.

The little kid was up and playing with what he assumed was one of grown up Shion’s childhood’s toys, trying to put the right forms in the right holes, under the watching gaze of a big dog. He assumed Inukashi was supposed to watch him too, but the dog keeper was half asleep nearby, droning on one of their enormous brother. Books where everywhere in the room. Apparently, while he was gone, Shion had gone scavenging his place from all the books, and learning Inukashi didn’t know how to read, had took it on his own to teach them. And the former hotel manager was apparently a good student, reading shorts stories and images books all night… and falling asleep while on babysitting duty.

After stocking the groceries in the backroom, the raven-haired boy came back in the room to squeeze the younger teen’s cheeks, while yelling an overly enjoyed “Wake up, young prince !”. The dog keeper yelped, already in fighting position, yelling a few curses that Shionn could probably had gone without hearing. The young child focused his attention to the two humans, looking at them with wide eyes.

“Mi !” babbled the child, looking at Nezumi. While he was starting to tell more and more words, some content still stayed in his young mind. Nezumi was ‘Mi’, Karan was ‘Ma’, Inukashi was ‘Mama’ and Shion ‘Dada’.

“Yup, buddy”, the actor responded, his smile hypnotizing the big eyes of Shionn’s, “Good morning.”

The grey-eyed teenager took a book on the floor, confirming it was an image book before asking, “Wanna read ?”

He would never know who, between Shionn and Inukashi had the most enthusiastic reactions. With a smirk, he sat on the floor, a dog almost immediately circling him, and started reading.

Even if the story was simple and childish, the actor soon fond himself enjoying playing the characters. Usually easily distracted, Shionn was listening, interrupting only when asked to name the forms on the pictures. Inukashi opened and closed their eyes, sometimes breathing in the even so little rhythm of the story. Three dogs were sitting beside them, and Hamlet and Tsukiyo had settled beside his laps, Cravate probably still being somewhere in the bakery. The actor read, checking regularly on Karan to see if she needed his help. After a half hour of reading, he gave Inukashi the book, asking them to take one of the character.

At first, the dog keeper had been hesitant, but the hopeful looks on Shionn’s eyes made them took the book. The reading was slow, hesitant, and full of mistakes, and the acting almost as bad.

Yet, Inukashi reading to Shionn was one of the most beautiful things Nezumi had ever seen on his entire life.

10:12

Keeping a two years old kid focused on storytelling for two hours was something close to a miracle. But after all, thought Inukashi, while preparing themselves for their next line, Nezumi had always been a miracle maker. Still, Shionn’s patience was coming to an end when Karan entered the room. The older woman had taken the habit to walk with Shionn on the morning when someone could watch the shop for her.

“We were invited in Lily and her mother’s for lunch” informed Karan, “Is that okay with you ? You can take something from the bakery”

Inukashi didn’t know if they should laugh or be grateful. Even the old man how raised them had never shown that much affection and worry. To think that someone would worry about them having something easy to eat for lunch now that they weren’t a kid anymore was weird.

They watched Karan take Shionn in her arms. The little boy could walk a few meters, but was still light enough to be carried, and liked the woman’s arms’ safety.

“Ok” Stated Nezumi, getting up in one fluid movement, “I’m gonna go watch the store, don’t you have homework to do ?”  

Inukashi stuck out their tongue, but still put papers on the small table and got to work. They had started school around the same time Nezumi had came back, and frankly, they liked it. While there were still discriminations between former block west residents and former No.6 inhabitants, kids were usually more open minded, and Inukashi having dogs had soon made them a few friends. The classes weren’t really hard, since Shion had enrolled them in it mostly to catch up with everything they missed. Still, winter break meant homework, so the dog keeper started studying their books and papers.

Math was easy and unchallenging. Inukashi knew how to count from their time in block west, and soon they found themselves watching the bakery. Nezumi was giving food and smile to blushing costumers. If Inukashi had a strong theory about how 70% of the bakery success was due to Karan’s cooking, and 30% to costumers just wanting to buy something from Nezumi.

Noticing their stare, the ‘Rat’ turned and mouthed them ‘Go back to work’. Inukashi sighed and a dog came see what was wrong. Slowly, the dog keeper started smiling. There they were, surrounded by their canine family and human friends. There they were, when a year ago, they were ready to die in the correctional facility.

13:48

The dogs had just finished eating when Karan came back, putting a sleepy Shionn in his baby bed and kissing him in the forehead. She exited the room silently, Inukashi on her toes.

When she asked the dog keeper if they wanted to watch the store, star shined on the young teen’s eyes. With school, Shion’s reading lessons before, and the duty to take care of Shionn, they rarely had the occasion to help costumers in the bakery, while enjoying it. Kids and adults liked the dogs that were always near their sibling, and Inukashi had taken the habit to tell costumers anecdotes about their family and to describe with enthusiasm the food. While this didn’t make the costumers buy any more, they were all smiling when exiting the shop.

Karan had Nezumi bring the stuff brought this morning in the kitchen, and started to get everything ready.

“Cinnamon ?” asked the actor while entering the room with supplies “what are you trying to do ?”

Karan looked at him, a smile illuminating her face, “Cinnamon Stars. I found the recipe in one of your books, it was traditional Christmas food. I wanted to give it a try. Come on, let’s do it together”

Karan liked cooking. She always did. But cooking with someone was really different. And while she knew Inukashi liked to have their time alone with the dogs, and Shion needed his space, she also knew Nezumi loved to interact with other human beings. At least while he was living with them. Speaking of which…

“How long do you want to stay here ?” Asked the mother, not removing her gaze from her work.

“Am I bothering?” Replied the boy, with the exact same intonation.

“No !” Karan corrected, removing suddenly her hands from the food to look at her son’s lover. “No you’re not bothering at all, on the contrary !” Karan could never have said how happy she was that Nezumi had came back. Shion was well better since he shared his life everyday with the raven-haired boy, and Karan loved having the singer by her side to talk, cook, or more simply just being another presence in the house she never wanted to be silent again. One winter alone without Shion was more than enough.

“You’re not bothering,” she continued, calming down and resuming working on the cinnamon stars, half knowing the teenager was just messing with her when he asked the question, but still wanting to reassure him. “Just… I’m starting to know you.”

And she knew that Nezumi needed to move in order to be at peace. And she didn’t have the right to stop him from being happy, even for her own son. Deep down, she knew that Shion understood it too.

“I…” Nezumi stopped his hands movement for a few seconds, before resuming, “I don’t know. I’m happy here. I want to stay with Shion. With you all to be honest.” The actor sighed. Karan knew she had this strange power to make him open in a way even Shion couldn’t. “I could stay here and work in the bakery or I could try and find a job as an actor, or maybe a librarian or even a teacher… But somehow something is missing, and I can’t quite find out what.” Karan let a comfortable silence in the room while the young man was searching his words. After a while, he started talking again. “That might be selfish, but I don’t feel like I should have a role in No.6 rebuilding. That’s just not my city…”

“That is through,” Karan cut him suddenly. “Well, No.6 wasn’t, but New-06 is. And if you want to help with the rebuilding, you of all people have every right to give your opinion.” However, if you don’t want to, that’s not selfish. You have every right to do whatever you want.”

It suddenly hit her that maybe, Nezumi never such large possibilities of choices in his life before. He had always focused on surviving, and eventually saving Shion. Choosing what to do with his own life was new, as it was for half the population of New-06.

“It’s okay if you want to take your time,” She said softly, putting the first set of stars into the oven, “You can stay here as long as you want. You can stay here forever if you want to. You can go if you want to. Just remember that this is home. This is home and you will always be welcome in here. Even when I’ll be an old lady, even if the city changes three, five or ten times its name, even if one day you feel unneeded, you will always, always be welcome here.”

The former block-west resident sighed, avoiding looking at her. “You really are Shion’s mother.”

Karan let a small chuckle out at the remark. Understanding the meaning behind: both of them where saying stereotypical right out of a book speech that made Nezumi happy. Message received then. She kept her cooking work while smiling until the oven informed her that the biscuits where ready. After letting them cool for a while, she handed one to the boy. Nezumi’s eyes where shining with pleasure after he took a bite. Shion was right. Once one got to know him, the taller teenager really was an open book. Interpreting his reaction as the proof of a successful recipe, she kept cooking, wishing her household would always be full of those little things that made her live a paradise.

16:34

Shionn was half eating, half playing with the cinnamon star, looking around him with big, curious eyes. It was his first try at cinnamon, and he appreciated the taste, but the star shape was also funny, reminding him of his shape game. Nezumi and Inukashi were arguing about something pointless, and the three mice where trotting on the table, eating fallen scarps. All of sudden, the little kid heard a familiar voice from the shop.

“Hi mom ! I home early today…”

Apparently, Nezumi too had heard it, because as the conversation kept going on how was grown up Shion’s day, his smile widened. Inukashi looked at him, amused.

“You go meet him, you heartbreaker, I’ll watch the lil’ brat.”  And while the older teenage walked out, they added, clowning the actor “Bouhou, I haven’t seen him for a day, I miss Shion soooo much ! Seriously, how did you handle a Shionless summer ?”

That would have probably get the dog keeper a standing finger if Shionn wasn’t in the same room. Rolling their eyes, Inukashi turned toward the child.

“You don’t become like them, okay ? No soppy love stories, you understand ?”

Shionn just kept smiling and babbling happily.

21:38

Shion read for the hundredth time the same line, lying in his bed when Nezumi entered the room, efficiently distracting him. The taller boy removed his shirt, revealing his multiple scars. The burn mark on his back, one gunshot wound on his side, two on his shoulder, and multiple others, Nezumi claiming not even knowing their origin sometimes.

“What?” asked the actor, a smirk on his face, “I’m so beautiful you can’t keep your eyes of me?”

Shion huffed, putting the papers on the bedside table. “I can’t read that.”

In one fluid movement, the ‘Rat’ was near him. “You want me to read it for you ?”    

The white-haired boy let out a small chuckle. “You want to read me the economic plan on a new building ? Na, I just want to sleep.”

Nezumi let himself fell on the bed with a low “as you wish…” and stayed there, his face three centimeters from Shion’s. Karan had suggested buying a king size bed, since they were slipping in the same anyway, but somehow, sleeping on Shion’s one-person bed seemed to be the most natural option for the two boys.

The restructuration committee member lost himself in Nezumi’s moon colored eyes. He smiled with contentment when he felt his lover’s hand smoothing the red snake shaped scar on his face, stopping sometimes to play with his hairs. His surviving trophies. The proof of his victory on the fight between his willpower and a deadly virus.

Nezumi started humming a familiar song and Shion closed his eyes.

Everything would be all right.

——-

I hope you liked it and it was what you were expecting ! Sorry if there are any mistakes ! 

Have nice hollydays !

Violette