It's been so long since I've tried to write anything. School and then work have devoured my life. However, recently I've been spending my spare time playing My Time at Portia...it's a very unhealthy obsession. I haven't really found many fanfictions out there and I was itching to read one...so I wrote one instead. I apologize for my rusty writing skills and short chapters. That's how I roll. Enjoy!

Chapter One

The Builder smiled down at the warm creature resting on her lap as she sat on the couch talking with Ginger. A hand came to gently rest on QQ as he snored softly, his head nuzzling her side. Returning her attention to the redhead, Linda suggested, "What about Albert?" Her dark eyebrows wiggled as a mischievous smile slowly worked its way to her face. She really thought Ginger should pursue a bachelor, as the woman was very sweet and deserved love. It had to be difficult cooped up in the house without much human interaction during the daytime with her family members working and Russo running errands. Linda figured a boyfriend would drop by and keep her company every so often.

"What about Albert?" Ginger responded wearily, giving her friend a sideways glance with her emerald-colored eyes.

"I mean, he clearly has a thing for you…"

Waving her hand dismissively, she retorted, "Although Albert is kind and good to my brother, Albert has a thing for everyone." The young woman adjusted her gaze to the trinket she was working on. "I don't need a boyfriend. You on the other hand...why don't we find someone for you."

Linda could feel heat climbing from her neck to her face, blue eyes now fixated on QQ's breathing as she attempted to avoid looking at her friend, thinking it would cause the conversation to dissipate. Ginger's hands had stopped working the material resting in her lap as her attention had been turned to Linda.

"Why are you blushing? Oh...do you already have someone in mind?" There was amusement laced in Ginger's calm voice. A soft giggle escaped her lips as she stared at her blushing friend. "Who is it?"

Blue eyes rolled and Linda shook her head. "I am perfectly fine as a single, independent woman," Linda announced somewhat jokingly, unknowing that Gust had entered the house quietly through the front door. Ginger's head turning to look at her brother was what tipped Linda off, who then turned her head as well. The shade of her blush deepened upon laying eyes on the tall, blond man. He was frozen in motion in his signature stance with one hand shoved in his pocket, his expression seemingly blank per usual.

That stupid blank expression. Gust was clearly the most complicated person in town to read emotions...if he even had any, which she wasn't quite sure that he did. All attempts at provoking him to show feelings had mostly failed thus far, although just from observing his actions it was clear he was fiercely protective of his sister. About the most the Builder was ever able to squeeze out of him was his longing to be a great designer. It was only after becoming what Linda considered friends with Gust did she learn about his life dreams, which was the extent of what he shared with her. He seldom spoke deeply about anything else. Even as friends, Gust was a man of few words and his baseline temperament was being standoffish.

Even despite his cold, hard demeanor and regular harsh words, the woman couldn't suppress the butterflies that formed in her stomach when seeing him. If one could die of embarrassment and regret, Linda would have died right then and there. Even though she knew Gust would never have feelings for her, she knew any sliver of a chance had likely dissolved in that very moment hearing her say she was fine alone.

"What are you staring at?" the man said aloofly in his deep voice. With that, he stalked into the hallway and to his room.

There was an awkward silence between the two women, Linda staring down at QQ in shame. After a few minutes of the continued silence, Ginger suddenly clutched the arm of the chair she was sitting in.

"No…" she drawed out, eyes widening in disbelief. Light laughter filled the room as the redhead reacted to what had just happened, putting pieces of Linda's reaction together.

"It's not what you think!" Linda exclaimed, trying to defend herself. It was evident Ginger had caught on from the situation and was now assuming Linda's affections were for Gust. "I was just embarrassed by my statement. It was just awkward, that's all."

Grumbling, the brunette pushed herself up off the couch and cradled QQ under one arm. Moving him softly to his bed, she gave Ginger a parting glance and sheepish wave before heading out the door.

The rays of the sun started to creep through the east windows of the clinic, illuminating the room that the doctor and Builder were working in. Side-by-side, they worked at a table along the wall of the clinic, grinding herbs and concocting herbal remedies together as they had started to do nearly every Wednesday in the early morning.

Linda had befriended Dr. Xu quickly given that she had been at the clinic most days during the first season she was in Portia. It was before she had learned to craft medicines herself, and eventually she had asked Dr. Xu for some more guidance on herbal remedies. Due to the nature of his profession, Dr. Xu had become protective of the woman.

"I'm not sure going into the Amber Island cave is such a good idea," the white-coated man expressed concertedly. Judging by how Linda had stumbled back into town beaten and tattered after going into the Hazardous Ruins, the man felt concerned for the safety of his best friend venturing into more uncharted territory. "Do you remember when…"

"Yes, Dr. Xu...I remember when I got pummeled in the Hazardous Ruins and stumbled to your house in the middle of the night…" Linda said, exasperated. Every time she mentioned exploring somewhere new, he brought up the story of the Hazardous Ruins incident. It was coming from a place of compassion, and she knew that, but it wasn't going to stop her from exploring. Not to mention she had taken this adventure as a commission and really needed the Gols. As he started to open his mouth, Linda cut him off by saying, "Yes, I know. Be careful and always take some remedies with me and ask you if I ever need any help."

The black-haired man peered over the top of his glasses at his companion. "Ah, you know me so well."

"I've heard it enough times from you that I know exactly what you'll say."

The doctor laughed and elbowed the woman in the side. As a traveling doctor prior to coming to Portia, he had seen many disturbing and unsettling things at other cities when caring for Builders. It was a gamble as to what monsters would be encountered when exploring new territory and how strong those monsters would be. That was one reason why he had decided to settle in Portia. He was tired of seeing all the gore and aftermath of explorations, and the occasional occurrences of not being able to save someone. Although he had provided many great services for the other cities where his talents were put to great use, he was proud to serve the smaller city of Portia and its citizens, even though necessary medical assistance was few and far between at times. Still, there were some older residents that needed chronic care of high blood pressure and high blood sugar as well...not to mention Ginger and her condition.

Peering over at her friend, Linda offered a smile. The doctor was so kind to her. She was lucky to have made such great friends during her time at Portia thus far. The people were all so kind and caring, and definitely more laid back than in the other cities.

"We all appreciate you, ya know," Linda said seriously, knowing that Dr. Xu often felt like his talents may be put to better use elsewhere. She knew his internal struggle of being happy here in Portia, but also feeling as though he was doing a disservice to others that needed more extreme care in the other cities where there were more Builders and members of those Civil Corps.

A sly smile pulling at the corners of her lips, she quirked an eyebrow. "Especially one person in particular."

"Oh, no…" He knew what was coming.

The Builder placed a hand on her chest dramatically. "Dr. Xu...my idol! Every time I see him, my heart flutters!" She had gotten to be a pro at imitating Antoine over the past few seasons. The doctor shook his head and shot a glare at his friend as she burst into laughter.

Phyllis entered the clinic in the midst of the laughter and picked up easily on what had just happened. The nurse rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the smile that worked its way to her face.

"You have to admit, he does have flawless skin," Phyllis admitted, referring to Antoine. Dr. Xu considered this comment and could not disagree with that point, although he just did not feel the same way for Antoine. It was puzzling to him as to why the young man working at Portia Commerce Guild fancied him, considering they barely ever interacted.

"I may or may not be secretly dropping off packages of skin care products and signing them as being from you…" Linda trailed off, stealing a glance at the doctor.

"W-What!?" His baffled expression was just the reaction she was hoping for. The two women's laughter keyed him into it being a joke, which he shrugged in response to. "You are horrible." He grabbed his herbal mixtures along with her's since they were now packaged, taking them all over to a cabinet. "Just for that, I'm keeping your mixtures."

Pouting, the woman slumped onto a stool at the side of the table. The antics were ignored by the doctor. After placing the mixtures in the cabinet, he sat down at the desk with the cash register on it, signaling that it was time for work. Bidding them a farewell, Linda got up and exited the clinic to start her day of foraging and resting before heading to the Amber Island cave the next day.