Quick author notes:

Dunban and Mumkhar are both about seventeen, Fiora is about five

Xenochildren: Blossoming Friendship

Light snoring can be heard coming from a raven-haired teen as he sleeps. He seemed very peaceful in this state as he hugged his pillow. Though he wouldn't be asleep much longer as he heard the sound of the toaster going off downstairs. The smell of freshly toasted rye filled the home.

"Big brother!" A sweet little girl called. "Come get your toast! You overslept!"

The older brother shoots up in bed and looks at his clock. It was five minutes to eleven. He was supposed to be in the Military District ten minutes ago! Quickly he jumps out of bed and over the railing to get onto the first floor. The raven-haired teen didn't even bother to brush his short, choppy locks and instead just tied a bandana around his forehead.

"Dunban, why did you oversleep? You were supposed to wake me up too." The little sister said as her brother picks up his military slacks from a nearby chair and threw them on.

Dunban froze a little and looked back. "I'm sorry Fiora. I didn't realize what day it was. I'll explain to your teacher after my shift alright?"

Fiora nodded and watched her brother pick up his slice of toast and bolt out the door without so much as buttering the bread.

Everyone at Ether Light watched as Dunban rushed towards the Military District. Most were amused at the usually relaxed teenager running as fast as he could with a slice of toast hanging out of his mouth. Other's were concerned as they knew how strict the Colonel could be when someone was late. Hopefully the raven-haired recruit would be spared since it's his first day in the force.

Colonel Vangarre had just finished lecturing a couple subordinates when he saw one of the new recruits sauntering lazily through the district. He looked pretty scratched up and his hair was a greasy mess. Needless to say though the colonel was not happy with him.

The red-haired man was about march over and give the recruit an earful but stopped in his tracks when he saw Dunban run into him and knock him over. The raven-haired teen hadn't been looking where he was going and that ended basically in a collision between the two soldiers.

Groaning lowly the recruit stands up slowly and finishes the last of his toast before checking to see who he ran into.

"Uh… sorry?" Dunban mumbled.

The other soldier growled loudly and quickly hopped onto his feet to turn and glare at the raven-haired soldier. Easily he towered over him and it automatically made him intimidating.

His voice is deep, yet very raspy. "You better watch where you're going next time!"

"Both of you maggots better have a damn good reason to why you're late! I'll be asking a thousand press-ups from the both of you!" Vangarre scolds.

The taller turns around and uses the back of his arm to clean a drop of blood from his face. "Got lost on my way here. I'm not from here, remember?"

"Ah, yes, yes. You're the survivor from Colony 8. Mumkhar I believe you are. And you Dunban? You're not even wearing a damn shirt! And there's toast crumbs all over your mouth!"

A gulp. "I-I… uh… overslept…?"

Surely both of them are going to get a good tongue lashing, it's just that Dunban's punishment is worse considering the situation. Both had been late for their first day of Defence Force training, and this predicament only seems to be made worse on how both were severely underdressed for the punishment coming to them. After the terrible excuses for lateness, and for the shorter's clumsiness, both were ordered to do not only those press-ups until they got worn out, but just for extra humiliation, they also have to do their measurements in as little clothing as possible at the end of the day.

Of course it was obvious that the refugee soldier was going to be upset that he got drug into the punishment for something he didn't even do. Though he does admit that watching someone else have to suffer through this did take away some of the force of it.

Several hours pass since both teens arrive at the Military District and got yelled at. It must be close to five and finally the two are allowed to rest. Dunban attempts to stand up but he feels his legs turn to jelly and give up on him. Thankfully he managed to cling to Mumkhar and keep himself from looking like a fool more than needed. He knows he's going to have a nasty sunburn on his back that will take forever and a day to disappear.

The taller teen looks to be unfazed by the stress put on his body today. Fit as a fiddle really, no obvious signs of weakness.

"You look like you could go for a drink. It'll numb you up enough to forget about all that pain at least." The taller says as he watches his companion finally release his arm.

The worn-out teen looked back at the other. "Y-you sure? I only turned seventeen a couple months ago. Haven't had the chance to drink yet because I'm so busy taking care of my sister."

"You… have family?"

"Just Fiora. Our parents died about five years ago."

"Must… be nice though. To have at least one family member alive."

Dunban tilts his head as he wonders what Mumkhar is talking about. It suddenly dawns on him that Vangarre had called him the 'survivor from Colony 8'. Does that mean the entire Colony was destroyed? The thought of the recruit being the only remnant of that place makes the shorter shudder. He couldn't bear the thought of how he would feel if Colony 9 was destroyed and he lost everything, especially Fiora. Losing his father to a Mechon was horrible enough to bear.

After being snapped from his thoughts the younger soldier looks back up at his acquaintance. "If you really want, we can turn up a pint together. I just need to make sure Fiora got picked up first."

Mumkhar nods and starts to follow Dunban towards the school to check to see if his sister was still there or if her friend Reyn took her to his place for the night.

It was about an hour later and both soldiers were sitting together at the local pub. Mumkhar had been surprised, but fairly delighted, that the barkeep knew some about the most commonly requested brews from Colony 8. He had about four drinks compared to the one Dunban had. Considering this was his first night out since turning seventeen, he wasn't used to drinking and would more than likely have a low tolerance.

The younger sets down his glass and presses a hand to his forehead. He can feel his senses becoming a little cloudy. Mumkhar was right though, the pain is subsiding slightly due to the drink. Thankfully for him he didn't have a shift tomorrow, so the recruit doesn't have to be concerned with his hangover in the morning. Getting a little risky though, the raven-haired teen asks for a second glass, mostly due to his common sense being compromised by the last drink.

The larger teen turns his gaze to look at his fellow soldier. He can see him visibly shaking from intoxication. He quietly thinks to himself that after Dunban finishes that glass he's carrying him home. Between physical weakness from all those press-ups today, as well as being slightly drunk, he is not much condition to walk. Then again, there's a pretty good chance he'll get lost on the way back if he tried.

After finishing his second glass and setting it down Dunban slumped over the bar and let out a small hiccup. Taking it as a sign he's done drinking for the night, Mumkhar pays the bill with what little money he has and helps the shorter to his feet. Before he collapsed though he scooped him up into a bridal-style carry. A low grumble can be heard from the refugee when he feels his companion wrap his arms around his neck and mumble sickeningly-sweet things.

"You're so drunk." Mumkhar mumbles as he walks out of the establishment. "Good thing I asked where you lived before you got wasted."

Long yet lazy strides are taken as the older soldier walked towards Dunban's house. The entire way the drunk was mumbling and muttering things that were oddly romantic sounding. But the words dismissed since it was pretty obvious the younger had no idea what he was saying and wouldn't remember come morning when his hangover hits him like a truck.

After a few minutes of walking Mumkhar finally gets to where Dunban lives and opens the door. Carefully the recruit strides up the stairs to where his companion sleeps and sets him on the bed. Gently he removes the younger's shoes and fetches a blanket.

"I'll be downstairs on your couch if you need anything." The taller rasps quietly. "Not that you'll know that in the morning."

Hazily Dunban watches his new friend walk down the stairs before he turns over to fall asleep. He won't exactly remember this, but come morning it's pretty certain he'll be thankfully Mumkhar cared enough to carry him back.

Ending notes:

1. Mumkhar's colony is never named in-game by anyone. It's only mentioned he's the sole survivor. Judging though how if he were from anywhere but Colonies 8 or 10 he would have more than likely ended up at Colony 6 compared to 9. I went with 8 since it seems more likely to get to Colony 9 from somewhere on the Bionis Leg than from somewhere around the foot (Since that's one of three areas of the Bionis never explored).

2. I hope you realized that this story was a little more OOC and that you shouldn't really take it seriously. It's just a thing that I decided to do. -glares at Ginta for encouraging me-

3. In case you weren't able to deduce this by now, "press-up" is the same thing as a push-up.

Reviews are appreciated~