Part 3 of Ficlet Series. Thanks to anja-chan for the hot dog suggestion!!!

Title: What's that Smell???

Prop: Hot Dogs

WARNINGS: None, oh, and not beta-ed. I actually need a beta for this story, perhaps...

Disclaimer: WELL NOW, IF I OWNED GUNDAM 00 PATRICK WOULD STILL BE ALIVE

Other Notes: There's a secret little something in this story...I wonder how many people will pick up on it... Anyway, suggest, people! Give me a prop to work with!


Spring was Marie's favorite season. She loved watching the trees opening up their green, adored the mild temperatures that weren't too hot or too cold. And of course, she loved the spring showers that served as a comforting sound she would fall asleep to at night.

That particular day had been a bit warmer than usual, so they spent it together at the park. Now, with the sun long gone, Marie relaxed on their veranda, curled up on their futon with a light blanket. It was late, she knew, but she couldn't sleep. She also knew that Allelujah, whom she left sleeping in their bed, would wake up soon enough and come looking for her. It never took long for him to realize she had gotten up.

As if called by her thoughts, the veranda door slid open and Marie heard him walking up behind her. "It's late," he said, and she felt his kiss on the top of her head.

"I know," she replied simply as he came around to join her on the futon. He pulled her in close and wrapped the blanket a little tighter around her. "I can't really sleep."

"You need rest, you know?" Allelujah chided gently. "It's not good for you to be outside so late anyway. You'll get sick."

"In spring?" she raised her eyebrow. He blushed, and she noticed he hadn't bothered to put on a shirt. It was warm enough. Her fingers brushed over the skin of his stomach, making him suck in a long breath.

"You've got a point," he held her tight and rested his chin on top of her head. They stayed that way for a while, enjoying the night breeze that gently slid along their veranda. After a while, Marie spoke.

"Allelujah."

"Hm?"

"I really, really want a hot dog. Right now."

He pulled away to look at her, surprised. "It's two in the morning."

"I know! But I'm really wanting one," she couldn't explain it, but it was true. She could almost taste the tangy mustard, the soft bread, and the hearty spices of the polish sausage meat Allelujah would buy, just because it was her favorite. Oh, and what a treat the polish meat was. The aroma when it was being roasted, or even boiled...divine. Marie licked her lips. Yes, right now nothing sounded better than a hot dog. She looked up at Allelujah with wide, pleading eyes. "Will you make one for me?"

The look on his face was one of profound confusion. "Me? Now? Why?"

"Because when you make them they're always so good! I can never get it right. I always end up overcooking it, and you know that doesn't taste good at all. I can tell when you eat them...my hot dogs are bad. Really bad."

He blushed. "Well...I wouldn't say they're bad...er...why don't I go downstairs and get the water boiling. Do you want to wait up here?"

She shook her head. "No, I'll come with you," Marie gathered the blanket and took it inside with her. She followed him down to their kitchen and sat at their small table to watch him cook. There was just something about seeing Allelujah with pots and pans that made her want to both laugh and melt. He turned on the stove, set the water to boil, and went to the refrigerator for the meat. Within minutes, the hot dogs were set to cook. Marie smiled at him as he came and sat down with her to wait.

"There. They'll be ready soon. The trick is to watch for the smell," he let her lean against him and couldn't help but smile fondly at his sleepy Marie.

"Thank you," she sighed, the aroma of the cooking hot dogs soon reaching her. Marie took a deep breath...but wait. This wasn't right. What was this sickening smell? It overwhelmed her senses, entering her nose but settling on her tongue. She gagged, convinced she was tasting rotten roadkill. "Oh!" Marie rose hastily and made a dash for the bathroom, Allelujah following, bewildered. She threw herself at the toilet, heaving into the bowl. Allelujah knelt down beside her and held her hair.

"Marie?" The concern in his eyes was evident. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah," she closed the lid and flushed the toilet before going to the sink to clean her mouth. "I don't know what happened! Did you smell that?"

"Smell what?" He was starting to really worry. First hot dogs, now phantom smells?

"How can you miss it? I think something died in our ventilation again," she wiped her now clean mouth on a towel. "It was awful."

"I just smelled the hot dogs cooking," he scooped her up in his arms, much to her surprise. "You need rest. The food can wait. It probably won't stay down anyway."

"Allelujah, put me down! I can walk!" she smiled up at him, trying to wiggle her way out of his hold, but he wouldn't budge.

"Not a chance. I don't want you to get dizzy walking or something," he took her to their room and laid her down gently, propping up pillows behind her. "Stay up like this, I'm going to get you some water." He kissed her forehead gently. "Don't move."

Marie watched him go, wondering if he would notice the hideous smell this time around. 'Hopefully he can do something about it,' she thought idly. She sunk into the pillows with a sigh, feeling much better.

When Allelujah returned with water and a thermometer, she had dozed off. He set the glass down on her nightstand before slowly getting into bed beside her. Taking her hand gently, he watched her for a bit before reluctantly dozing off himself. Tomorrow they would see about that phantom smell.

FIN


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