Someone to be Thankful For
Sky allowed a sigh to escape as he flipped through an old scrapbook.
He hadn't looked at it in months. It only contained mementos of his father, mostly pictures, and Sky was certain the face he remembered as happy and smiling would have become disappointed and angry at Sky's failure. If his only son had been the blue ranger, second best, he would have been absolutely humiliated.
The whooshing of his door opening startled him. He glanced up to see Syd. She was holding a pad of multicolored construction paper and a thick black marker.
"The others went to a movie," Syd told him. "Some horror flick called 'It Came From Under the Sink Part 12'."
Sky nodded. "You know, I could have been changing or something. You should knock."
"But you weren't," Syd said brightly. "No harm done."
"You make me tired."
"Stop fussing and let me see your hand," Syd scolded.
"Why do you want my hand?" Sky questioned.
"Because it's almost Thanksgiving and I decided the Rec Room needs sprucing if we're going to be stuck here," Syd answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
She plopped down next to him on his bed. Sky hastily attempted to hide the book, but Syd had already seen it.
"What's that?" Syd asked, curiosity written all over her face.
"Just an old scrapbook. My mother put it together for me when my father died."
"Can I see?"
Syd peered at the book with evident interest and Sky found himself sharing his memories with her.
"What happened to your dad was horrible," Syd murmured sympathetically. "You must have been so heartbroken."
"I was. Everyone said I never really got over it. And they're right."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Syd. It's just that all I ever wanted was to be a red ranger like my dad. I know that's all I ever say," he continued, sounding apologetic.
Syd shrugged. "You have a goal, Sky. That's something."
"I never thought of it that way," Sky replied.
"Now can I please see your hand?" Syd probed.
"Alright," he consented.
Syd smiled and opened the pad of paper. She found a sheet of blue, placed Sky's hand on it, and traced it slowly with the marker.
"There," she said, satisfied. Syd drew more details on Sky's turkey hand, giving it an eyeball, a beak and two legs. In the turkey's middle, Syd wrote his name in her loopy printing.
"You have big hands," she giggled.
Sky stared at her.
Syd laughed harder. "I'm sorry," she panted. "It's just…big hands are supposed to mean big unmentionables."
"Syd," Sky groaned.
"It's true!" Syd said defensively. "But I think it's cute how you're all flustered," she added thoughtfully.
"I'm never going to be able to look at my hands the same way again," Sky muttered.
"They're very nice hands," Syd assured him.
"Thanks…I think."
"Will you trace mine for me?"
She had turned those too-blue eyes on him. He knew there was no way he'd be able to tell her no.
"Alright," he agreed.
"Good," Syd replied. She brandished a piece of pink paper at him.
Sky put it on his bedside table, took her hand firmly in his own, and placed it on the sheet of paper.
Syd had tiny, delicate-looking hands, Sky noted thoughtfully. Ironic, considering her powers.
Sky uncapped the marker and traced the outline of her hand.
"All done," he said gently.
Syd examined her turkey. "Well I've got all of them now. See you later?"
"You don't have to go," Sky protested, feeling very shy all of a sudden.
"Then I won't," Syd replied brightly. "You always seem so lonely under your little façade."
"What façade?" Sky snapped.
"The one where you act all sure of yourself even though we all know it's killing you that you don't where the red ranger uniform. Just because you're blue doesn't mean you have to make up for anything."
Sky gaped at her. "I do have to make up for being the blue ranger. If you'd known my father, Sydney, you would realize he'd be ashamed of me."
Syd shook her head. "From what I've heard about him, I'd think he would be proud you're following in his footsteps."
"Maybe you're right. I don't know anymore," he mumbled, burying his head in his hands.
Syd's arm snaked across his shoulders. "And think of it this way: you're the only son of a ranger to be a ranger."
Sky was very aware of Syd's body pressed against his. He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes and discovered she was looking back.
"Your name suits you," Syd breathed. "Your eyes are like the sky."
Her head found the hollow of his shoulder, allowing some of her curly blond hair to tumble down his back.
She was much too close. He could have counted her eyelashes, had he chose.
Her very scent was intoxicating. She smelled like lilacs, a very womanly smell.
Without really realizing what he was doing, Sky wrapped his arms around her.
And then she was sitting in his lap. Sky leaned in to kiss her, then realized exactly what he was doing and drew back.
"I really like you, Sky," Syd whispered. "Don't be nervous."
Her arms wound around his neck and, heart pounding in his chest, Sky touched his lips to hers.
They pulled away, smiling.
"Wanna take a walk?" Syd queried. "We could go sit under a tree in the park and do some more of that."
Sky nodded silently.
They rose from his bed simultaneously. He held her hand as they walked through S.P.D. headquarters, knowing he would always have Syd to be thankful for.
I hope it didn't suck too badly, as this is only my first attempt at publishing a PR fic. And please don't flame me for the pairing; I think they're adorable together.
Feedback, please, please, please…..