.01 Holding Hands

"Whoa! Fakir, Fakir, look!" Duck exclaimed.

"I can hear you perfectly fine, you know? I'm right beside you."

The duo had been strolling down the streets on a warm summer day on the way to visit the lake when they came upon a bustling event taking place in the middle of the town. People chatting and children laughing were milling about in the large, circular town center, and music came from a small group of members near the fountain, swaying their bodies along with their passionate notes. Food and trinket stands were scattered about the edges of the circle, causing wafts of delicious smells to trail over to the two teenagers and colorful reflections to bounce back at them from all of the crafts the sellers put on display.

Seeing the mirthful sparkle in the eyes of the girl beside him, Fakir knew where this was heading before those bright blue orbs looked up at him pleadingly, shimmering with unconcealed desire. Fakir couldn't help but be endeared and warmed by her childish yearning and was mentally glad that he brought his wallet with him out of habit.

Fakir sighed in defeat (was there ever really even a battle?), "Go on."

Jumping and throwing her arms up into the air with a squeal of delight, Duck snatched Fakir's wrist in her hand and ran over to the stand that was selling cotton candy, Fakir stumbling to keep his balance with the short girl practically dragging him to her height and sprinting full force towards the cheery colored sugar mixers. Arriving at the vendor and waiting in line, Duck could hardly keep her giddy self in check and bounced up to the cash register once they were next in line and excitedly requested a yellow cotton candy swirl. Fakir paid for it and inwardly smiled at the way Duck's face lit up and reached for the bag of yellow fluff with her grabbing hands. It oddly reminded him of a baby asking hungrily for its bottle.

It didn't take long for her to rip the clear plastic open and start tearing apart the whisped sugar and stuffing it into her mouth.

"I take it that you're enjoying that?" Fakir asked as he winced at the way she messily shoved the wisps into her mouth and was oblivious to the sparkly, crystallized yellow bits encircling the area around her mouth.

Not breaking from her devouring, Duck sent a closed mouth smile towards her companion and muffled out an affirmative hum, "Mm!"

Giving her his own small smile, he looked forward again to avoid bumping into everyone else, "Good, you better be. That yellow puff ball cost me three dollars."

The girl beside him showed no remorse for his loss and continued her happy bouncing along beside him, pointing out the things that caught her interest and rambling on about them in between her mouthfuls of cotton candy. Fakir paid attention to her joyful babbling and didn't question when she scooted closer to him in the crowd and had her arm pressed flush against his. Humming in reply to one of her animated statements, Fakir felt Duck's hand slip into his own, naturally and unhesitating. Fakir noted that they were sticky with the sugary residue of cotton candy.

Taken aback for but a moment, Fakir was brought out of it when he caught a question Duck asked and met her bright baby blue eyes with his. Bringing himself back from his surprise, he answered her and they continued their walking and talking, his hand wrapping around hers tightly.

Author's Note:

So this is my first PT fan fiction and the first literary work that I've done in ages, and I rather like how this baby turned out! Though that last word bothers me. I don't think "tightly" is exactly the adjective I was looking for, but I suppose it'll do! I came a bit late to the PT party (by about ten years), but I saw the series and read the manga maybe three years ago and just recently rewatched it and fell head over heels in love with it, and especially with our favorite couple.