Arigatou ありがとう

Protection 保護

"I've heard that stalkers don't realize they're stalking. Apparently, they believe they're "protecting"." - Izaya Orihara, Durarara!

"This is so totally stalking," Dan declared. He held the black pair of binoculars up to his eyes, feeling very much like a spy.

"This isn't stalking," Jonah protested, feeling more than a bit offended. "We're just making sure the girls are alright."

"Whatever for?" Ian demanded, a small scowl on his face. He lowered his voice. "The Vesper situation is over. There is absolutely no need to watch them."

Dan grimaced. His expression looked very much like he had just eaten a particularly sour lemon. "Don't act as if you haven't done this before. I know you stalk my sister."

Ian's face turned red, from embarrasment or indignation, Jonah was not sure. "I don't stalk your sister."

"I've seen you," Dan said with a roll of his eyes. "And Natalie told me."

"Dude, I never expected you to be the stalking type." Hamilton had a look of curious awe on his face.

Ian scowled. "I see no need to convince you of all people about this."

"You don't need to deny it," Jonah spoke up, snatching the binoculars away from Dan's hands. "Everyone already knows it. Even Evan does."

"I do not stalk her."

"Why are we stalking the girls anyway?" Hamilton asked, ignoring the fuming Brit beside him.

"Yeah, and why are we hiding behind a bush?" Dan questioned. "Kind of old-school, don't you think? Shouldn't we be in some cool black van like those guys in the movies and using those high-tech spy cameras? This is kind of lame."

Jonah frowned as he watched Sinead and Amy enter a clothing store across the street. "Sinead likes old-school."

Ian rolled his eyes. "Yes, and that's why she's dating a very modern rapper and so-called movie star."

"Hey, man, that movie was a blockbuster hit," Jonah protested.

"Are we almost done?" Hamilton asked, shifting uncomfortably as a particularly sharp twig poked him in the shoulder. "The girls aren't in any danger, and besides, they can take care of themselves if they do get in any."

"Yeah, so can we go home? I don't know about you, but stalking my sister is a little weird," Dan said with a grimace.

"This isn't stalking," Jonah protested once again. "We're just protecting."

"Well, I don't know about you, but I have dirt on my pants, leaves in my hair, and I believe something just crawled up my leg, so I would appreciate it if you would get your so-called 'protecting' over with," Ian snapped.

Dan's eyes lit up. "Cool! Something went up your leg? What was it? Did it bite you?"

"You blasted twit!" Ian snapped, turning his glare onto Dan.

"Guys," Hamilton said nervously. "I don't think this is the right time for this." He subtly cocked his head to the side.

Ian and Dan ceased their argument, looking up at the same time.

Jonah frowned and looked up from his position on the ground. Above him stood a very flustered Amy and a very angry Sinead. Even when Sinead was angry, Jonah thought she looked quite stunning. He shot her a sheepish smile and said nervously, "Whaz'zup, sweetheart?"

"You moron," she snapped, glaring at the sheepish rapper kneeling before her. She resembled a fierce queen glaring down at her humble servant. She reminded Jonah of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. He had a feeling that, if she had had the power, she would have screamed to her servants, "Off with his head!" and he would have been dead by then. Although he knew she did not have the power, that did not make her glare any less terrifying.

"Well, you're looking quite stunning today. Did you do something to your hair?" Jonah asked, trying to regain that famous confidence that everyone had learned to expect from him.

"No," Sinead replied curtly. "Did you?"

Amy shifted uncomfortably next to her friend, a lock of her red hair getting into her eye. She blew it off of her face and sent a nervous look in Jonah's direction.

"Nah, I don't need any improvement," Jonah said nonchalantly, trying to hide his nervousness.

Dan narrowed his eyes as he turned his gaze to the Janus. "Do you even have any hair?"

Jonah decided to ignore the comment.

"What were you thinking following me, you idiot?" Sinead demanded, her gaze focused solely on him.

"Just decided to practice some chivalry," Jonah replied with a casual smile.

"Since when did stalking become chivalry?" Sinead snapped.

Dan and Hamilton 'oohed' behind him. Some friends they were.

"Since I fell in love with you?" Jonah tried.

Sinead scoffed. "Do you think that's going to work on me?"

"I'd like to think so," Jonah replied. "I was hoping when you saw me protecting you like this, you'd decide to kiss me senseless as a reward. True love's kiss and all that."

"That's crap," Sinead deadpanned.

Well. That had backfired.

"Sinead," Amy cut in. "I think it's sweet that Jonah's trying to make sure you're safe."

Jonah mentally thanked Amy's forgiving nature.

"I can take care of myself," Sinead replied, although her glare had softened just a bit. "I don't need you protecting me from everything."

Jonah relaxed slightly. "Can you blame me for wanting to protect my girlfriend?" He was in the clear.

"Alright, alright, now that that's settled, can we go home now? I'm getting tired of all this mushy love stuff," Dan said, wrinkling his nose.

"Sure," Jonah said, standing up from his position on the ground.

As the six friends walked home, Jonah had to admit that they were quite a sight. He had a red hand print on his cheek from getting slapped by Sinead, (that girl could hit hard) Hamilton and Dan had leaves in their hair and mud on their pants, and Ian...

"Ian," Amy said, frowning at the Brit beside her. "Why do you look like you have to go to the restroom?"

Ah, Jonah thought. Ian never had gotten that bug out of his pants.

...

a.n. I've replaced Free Time Drabbles with this new drabble collection. I kept telling myself that I was going to update that, but I never did. :/ So I wrote this. These are just going to be drabbles based off of quotes from manga/anime, because they always have some meaningful and funny quotes in there. This was going to be a meaningful drabble from a totally different manga with a totally different pairing, but then I wrote this instead. The characters just got away from me.

Now, please excuse me while I sulk in my room because of my forced participation in my school talent show. :/ Do wish me luck.