The falling rain played like drums on the pavement as it splashed down into the larger growing puddles. What little light shined through the clouds reflected off the glass of the many stores that lined the road. It was a tranquil scene that was only rarely disturbed by a passing car, and the hum from Ven's lips. Store after store he walked, searching for nothing in particular. The extra money in his pocket burned like hot ash that demanded to be spent even on something small.
It wasn't uncommon for Ver to occupy his thought's so it was unavoidable that he'd decide to buy her a gift. He stopped at many shops and looked over everything from knives to clothes to random bullshit. The doors to the last shop on the main street slid open as Ven was about to leave, but he was stopped in his tracks as a day old sign caught his attention from the corner of his eye. "Don't forget! Valentines day is right around the corner! Buy you're partner a special gift here!" The sign reads in a childish pink font.
The classic 'oh shit I forgot' look found itself sitting snugly on Ven's face. "Ah shit fuck." Well he most surely had to get Ver something. Not something too big or romantic, but it still had to show romantic intention. In a hurried panic, Ven paroused up and down the halls looking for something, anything suitable. Ver didn't like girly things so that ruled out almost everything. But nothing else he found really gave off that, 'Hey I like you in a romantic way' that he was looking for.
Tired of marching back and forth, Ven decided to pick something off the next asle which just so happened to contain stuffed teddy bears with varying messages. Bears are cool, right? Ven thought bears were pretty cool. The bears them selves were only a foot tall and had a light brown fur. Their fur was warm and cuddly, yet firm enough not to be squished through so easily and able to support some intense cuddling. Their hands were sowed to be holding out a little banner that reads anything from "I love you" to "I think you're beary cute."
Ven let an anguished groan out at the sight of the pun and turned that particular bear around so he wouldn't have to look at that smug, satasfied smile on it's stupid fuzzy face. After finally picking the perfect bear, he strolled to the cashier and placed his own item on the conater belt. "Will that be all?" The obviously bored cashier asked. The question reminded him that this, in fact, was not all. After mumbling a "hold on" and jogging off, Ven returned and placed a box of Ace Bandages next to the bear.
"That'll be $11.47, sir." Carelessly Ven placed a twenty dollar bill on the counter and left with his purchases not bothering to wait for change. Strangly, the cashier didn't bother to remind him about it.
The rain had cleared as if it just for Ven as he took his short stroll home. The cool breeze rustled the feathers of birds perched atop power lines, and the sunshine lit the path home. It seemed that nature was trying to communicate that it would be a pretty good day.
Ven dug through the grocery bag with one bandaged arm and removed the stuffed bear. Acroos the banner it reads, 'You make me happier than honey!' His own satisfaction in the bear didn't matter. It was Ver who's approval, he was after.
With a swift kick, the door opened wide to reveal a whole different vibe than the one he felt on the way home. The room was a mess and a very disgruntled and sick looking Ver was sprawled across the couch. How in the hell did she become so sick in the few hours he was gone? Sickness was strange like that.
Ver winced at the loud banging of the door and shielded her eyes at the light pouring through the door. The only protest they could manage was a annoyed grunt before rolling over on the couch away from the door. Immediately Ven felt horrible about creating such a ruckus and disturbing Ver. "Are you alright?" He said as he crept forward, step by step, as to not create any more noise.
"It's just a bad cold." It was hard to understand her through the stuffed nostrils and mucus that filled her throat. Ver sat up on the couch and slouched forward to prove they were'nt too sick or dying.
"Ah alright well I got you something for Valentines Day! Which... was yesterday." He didn't have to feel so bad about forgetting. After all, they weren't actually a couple yet so he had no real reason to participate in the holiday. Regardless, Ven pulled the soft bear from the bag and handed it to the sick demon. She took a long look at it, squeazed it softly, and began laughing and smiling. "haha thanks Ven but don't ya think teddy bears are a bit... childish?"
Her words stung Ven like bee's but he hid his discontent with her reaction with a smile and agreeing nod. "heh yeah I guess. It is kinda lame."
"Still though," Ver made clear, "It's nice and I appreciate the sentiment." Which was a bit better to hear. "I'd get up to hug you, but I don't think that would be a very good idea." Ven nodded in agreement. "Well, I'll let you get some sleep." Ven said as he got up and left. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ver place the bear on the coffee table and rolled over to go back to sleep.
After a few hours had passed, Ven was sitting in his room just finishing putting on clean bandages. It was a good thing he bought that extra pack at the store because he'd just run out. A nasty growl escaped his stomach that demanded food. Ven agreed with such demands. It was a unanimous diecsion between body and mind to head downstairs to the kitchen.
On his walk through the hallway he passed Laurentia's room that had a sign taped to the front that said in nicely written marker "Knock first pls." Ven sighed as Laur had been gone for some time and he missed the schenigans they got into, but there was nothing he could do about that right now.
The stairs led down into a landing with two paths diverging from it. The one on the left led to the living room, where Ver lay sleeping. The path on the right led to the kitchen, where sandwiches awaited him. Just as Ven was turning to the kitchen a noise got his attention. It was the unfamiliar sound of uncomfortable grunts coming from Ver.
Ven stuck his head in the living room and saw Ver rolling around whining in their sleep. They must have a terrible fever. Just as Ven was about to intervene, Ver reached out with her arm in a spastic motion and grabbed the nearby teddy bear. She snuggled up closely to it and her expression turned from that of anguish to comfort as there moaning stopped and their body relaxed.
Ven smiled and nodded his head in satisfaction knowing that he'd picked a good gift. With pride on his face and love in his heart, he turned and headed off into the kitchen to fill his stomach.