Favors

Summary: It's been a few years since the Lucy incident, and Bandou and Mayu are now living together as she goes to college and he works at his new shop. After all, they always did pay off their favors for the other.

Disclaimer: I don't own Elfen Lied, but I do own this idea that's been dormant in my head for the last year or so.

Chapter 1: An Everyday Thing

Mayu giggled at the large dog that was currently chasing its tail in the park. It was spring now, so she could easily take out Wanta for walks without worrying about the cold. The small dog she had found as a puppy had grown quite large over the years, eventually turning out to be half her size. And he was still as loyal and playful as ever, rarely willing to leave her side.

Mayu sighed happily, glee filling her as memories of the last year flooded over her. It had been one year ago that she had stumbled to Bandou's door after finding his address in a phone book, lost and alone with no place to go. Since then, though, she had started going to college and working part-time and her life, while still as hectic as ever, was highly fulfilling.

"Wanta! C'mere boy, time to go back home!" Mayu called out, patting her leg. The large dog lumbered over, panting happily. "Let's hurry home, I don't want to miss my next class." Mayu told her best friend, clipping the leash to Wanta's collar. Wanta happily followed Mayu back to their home, taking a nap while Mayu was at class.

xxx

Mayu came back from work, smiling. She liked working at the bakery, espicially when she remembered the woman who was so nice to her when she and Wanta were homeless. Not only that, but she sometimes was able to help cook things. Today had been one of those days, and she had been able to sell all of the desserts today. Checking the clock, she saw it was about five.

"Hmm...Bandou won't be home for another hour or two...I wonder what I should make for supper." Mayu mused to herself, before setting her bag down on the couch and pulling out her textbook. "I'll study for an hour, and then work on supper." She murmured, flipping to the pages they had been studying.

Just as she had gotten herself situated, however, the door opened and Mayu looked up from her book to see Bandou walk in. He looked irritated, and Mayu inwardly chuckled. "Welcome home! How did work go today, Bandou-kun?"

"Some old man kept nagging at me on how poor the quality of the wood was. Pissed me off." Bandou growled, shutting the door and plopping down next to her.

"I don't see what the problem is, though. Your items always seem to work just as they're suppose to, don't they?" Mayu asked, turning her attention back to her textbook.

"Hai. Just some people think it's not good enough. Bastards." Bandou muttered, leaning his face into the palm of his hand. "You doing well in school?"

"No, I just study every day because I sleep in class!" Mayu joked, causing Bandou to smirk. "By the way, what should I make for supper?"

"Ehh, I don't care." Bandou replied nonchalantly, peering at the text in her book. "And once again I'm glad that I didn't have to take that class when I was in the military."

"That narrows down the choices, Bandou-kun." Mayu sighed, rolling her eyes. Sometimes he needed to actually give an answer instead of saying he didn't care. "And this isn't too bad, but I fail to see how this will actually be used with my major."

"Heh, fine. Something western?" Bandou suggested, smirking. Mayu nodded enthusiastically.

"Study for an hour, then I'll work on supper."

"Sounds good. I'll be in the workshop then." Bandou informed, getting up to work on building more furniture for his shop.

Life seemed to go perfectly for those two. Mayu would get up and make breakfast, and the two would talk as they ate before Mayu went to class and Bandou went to his shop. Mayu would come home and walk Wanta during her lunch break, eating a small bento at the park. After her classes, she went to work at her part-time job before coming home to study until it was time to make supper. Bandou would come home and they would eat together, before Bandou went to make more items for his shop or he would clean a few places Mayu missed from the weekend. Ocassionally they would watch a movie while Mayu studied, before they both embarked on the nightime walk for Wanta. Then they went to bed and it all started over again.

Mayu hoped that this would never change, as currently, her life seemed perfect. However, as fate would have it, it would be changing very soon.

xxx

The next day when she came home, Bandou was already home. Mayu wondered why he had been coming home early so many times recently. I hope everything is going okay at the shop... She worried as she sat down to study. Bandou sat down next to her, but said nothing and instead flicked on the TV. Mayu continued to study, but became more and more aware of Bandou's eyes continually flickering back over to her.

Once or twice they caught each others' eye, causing her breath to hitch up a bit. You idiot, what's wrong with you?! This is Bandou! You've known him for years! He probably just has something to tell you but doesn't know how to say it! She berated herself when this happened, forcing herself to focus on her textbook instead of worrying what exactly was happening with Bandou. Still...

After half an hour of nothing but the TV making any noise, Mayu got up to make supper. Bandou said nothing, but she felt his eyes on her as she walked to the kitchen. Once he thought she was out of earshot, however, she could hear him mumbling curses to himself.

I wonder what his problem is... She thought to herself, before rummaging through the fridge and pulling out a few ingredients to make curry with. After the curry was done, she called him to the table and filled Wanta's bowl before sitting down across from Bandou. The silence was awkward for once, and neither could seem to think up small talk to break it. Wanta sauntered over next to Mayu, plopping his head down into her lap. Mayu giggled, scratching him behind his ear as she ate. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Bandou smiling slightly, and suddenly it didn't seem to be such an awkward silence anymore.

After dinner, Mayu and Bandou sat next to each other on the couch as Bandou watched television and Mayu studied.

At about eight, they went out for their usual walk to the park. Wanta ran around happily, a few other dog owners having also come out to enjoy the night. Mayu and Bandou sat on a bench, watching the dogs have fun playing together. It was still a bit chilly, so the two brought home Wanta early as neither of them had brought their coats.

Mayu watched television with Bandou until ten, before deciding to go to bed. Bandou also seemed to be going to bed, following her. Just as she reached her room, however, she felt his arms wrap around her. She gasped silently, frozen as he hugged her from behind. Her hand rested on the doorknob, but she didn't have the will to tighten her grip on the doorknob or to turn the handle and open the door. She just stood there, feeling him breathing against her hair. Slowly, he released her, murmuring a small "I'm sorry" before rushing into his room.

Still slightly frozen, she exhaled the breathe she didn't know she was holding. She heard a light padding, and turned her head to see Wanta next to her, his head slightly tilted in confusion. She smiled lightly at her companion. "I don't know either..." She murmured, before opening the door to her room and heading over to her bed. Wanta followed, patiently waiting for her to get in her nightshirt and under the covers before jumping onto the foot of her bed and curling into a ball. Mayu cut off her light and set her alarm clock before going to sleep, with dreams of Bandou awaiting her.

I honestly have no clue where I'm going with this story, but there is a severe lack of Saviorshipping fanfics, so...8D