I do not own the Care Bears. I do however own a good-sized bag of Oreos and a copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and that make me feel better.
This is my first stab at romance, Care Bears or otherwise, so forgive me if it's a bit clumsy. I don't think this is a usual pair for Care Bear stories, at least I haven't read any others. Enjoy!
"Beyond Friendship"
It was another beautiful day in the Kingdom of Caring. It was past midday, and most members of the Care Bear Family were occupied with their various activities. A few were on Caring Missions, but it was a largely quiet day, so most had time to take care of their own needs. Proud Heart Cat took the time to give herself a thorough shower and brushing, making sure every strand of fur was in its proper place. Cozy Heart was in the Rainbow River, trying to teach Brave Heart Lion a thing or two about swimming (with little success).
Gentle Heart Lamb, however, was walking with a lunch tray in her hands, barely noticing Swift Heart and Champ Bear racing past her. She was nearly knocked off her feet by Swift Heart's wake, but managed to stay standing. Wary of any further accidents, she carefully made her way through the Forest of Feelings until she arrived at her destination: Bright Heart Raccoon's home and workshop.
She knocked very softly on the door, befitting her shy nature. "Hello?" She called, stepping inside as the door swung open. Gentle Heart walked towards the back of his home, where he worked on some of his smaller inventions.
"Bright Heart?" She called as she stepped inside another room, startling its occupant, who was busy hammering something together. He dropped his hammer in surprise.
"Oww!" Grumpy yelled as the dropped tool fell on his paw. "Why do these things always happen to me?" He asked as he grabbed his injured paw.
"What's going on out here?" Bright Heart asked as he came through another door. "Oh Gentle Heart, hello! What're you doing here?"
"I brought you and Grumpy lunch. Noble Heart told me you two would be working and I figured you'd forget and miss lunch."
"Thanks, I guess we did."
"I didn't." Grumpy insisted, who was fairly hopping on his undamaged paw. "I just got distracted by the hammer that fell on me!"
"Sorry Grumpy." Gentle Heart said contritely immediately apologetic.
"I'm sure it was an accident Grumpy." Bright Heart pointed out.
"Yeah, well…" He grumbled. "What did you bring Gentle Heart?" She lifted the tray and revealed the food beneath.
"I made sandwiches. You two do like peanut butter and jelly, don't you?"
"Sure do!" Grumpy said as he grabbed one. "Thanks!"
"This was really thoughtful of you." Bright Heart complemented as he helped himself to a sandwich. "Did you make anything for yourself?" Gentle Heart nodded.
"A peanut butter sandwich."
"Want to join us?" Bright Heart offered. Gentle Heart smiled, ever since her…troubles with No Heart a few months back the two of them had been spending more time together than they had before.
She nodded as she accepted the offer. "Thank you." Grumpy cleared off a work desk and the three of them sat down. "So what are you two working on?" She asked.
"Grumpy is helping me build a new boiler for the Hall of Hearts." Bright Heart answered.
"That big building can get awfully drafty." Grumpy said, shivering for effect as he took another bite. "Hmm, these are really good!"
"Thank you Grumpy." Gentle Heart said shyly. After lunch was finished, Gentle Heart stood and grabbed the tray. "I better bring this back to the Hall of Hearts."
"Thanks for bringing us lunch. You should visit more often Gentle Heart."
"Your welcome Bright Heart. This was fun." She smiled. "Do you know when you two will be done?"
"Actually, I have to go home and fix my leaky roof." Grumpy said as he also got up.
"I'll be finished in about an hour or so. After that I just need to bring it to Care-A-Lot."
"I'd be glad to help you when you're done." Gentle Heart offered. Bright Heart smiled.
"I think I'd like that. Thanks." Bright Heart returned to his work while Gentle Heart and Grumpy left. The two of them walked together for a time, mostly in silence. Eventually Gentle Heart softly asked Grumpy how he liked working with Bright Heart.
"I liked it a lot better than doing everything by myself." Grumpy answered. "He's really smart and all, great to work with. But sometimes he just doesn't seem to know when to stop explaining what he's doing. I think he's too smart for his own good."
Seeing the hurt look on Gentle Heart's face, he felt compelled to add, "But there's no one I'd rather work with in the entire Kingdom of Caring."
Gentle Heart smiled. Then she looked down at the tray she was carrying and frowned. "I forgot the lid," she sighed. "I'll just go back and get it. See you later Grumpy!"
"Bye!"
Gentle Heart was walking back to Bright Heart's home when she heard an explosion followed by a series of loud crashes. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that it was coming from somewhere up ahead…Bright Heart's workshop!
Dropping the tray she was carrying, Gentle Heart raced down the path to Bright Heart's, flung open the door, and made her way into the back, calling Bright Heart's name.
"Bright Heart!" A wall of smoke met her as she entered the workshop where she had eaten lunch with Bright Heart and Grumpy barely ten minutes ago. Coughing, she waved her hands around, trying to clear the air so she could see what had happened. She didn't like it when she did.
The boiler had apparently exploded, and the rest of the room wasn't much better off. Bright Heart's tool shelf had fallen over and beneath it Gentle Heart could make out the unmistakable violet paw of Bright Heart.
Biting her lip to prevent herself from screaming, Gentle Heart hurried over to the fallen shelf and began pulling it off the raccoon pinned underneath. She gritted her teeth as she pulled it off, barely managing to drag it aside.
She hastily went to check on Bright Heart and immediately looked pale. Bright Heart unconscious, but alive which was the best thing that could be said about his condition. From the way he absently moaned, he had either bruised or broken a rib or two. Gentle Heart quailed at the sight of Bright Heart's right leg turned at an impossible, and unnatural angle. She felt her stomach lurch and the sight promptly looked away.
At a loss, she paused for a minute then used her Call to conjure up a cloud stretcher. Gently depositing the injured raccoon as best she could, she still winced when he moaned once again in pain. She pushed the stretcher outside of Bright Heart's smoke filled house and walked outside just in time to watch as her family came to help.
Gentle Heart sighed in relief as her legs gave out from under her and she fell, completely exhausted.