Guess I lied. This chapter is a good 1000 words shorter than the last... But this entire fic will be over 20K in the end, I promise.
I also lied about the updates... Really whenever I feel like I have the time. Or when I get reviews... xD
Disclaimer: I do not own SoS or HM
Warning: Unbeta'd. All mistakes are my own.
Raeger's life was suddenly becoming more colourful. The purple was an odd touch, but it gave him slight comfort now that he wasn't only seeing black and white.
I wonder what Annie's up to… I caught myself thinking.
I sighed, blushing slightly at the thought. I couldn't help but think of Annie ever since my fainting fiasco and sleeping with her… Er, I mean next to her!
My thoughts always seemed to gravitate towards her… and I couldn't help but cheer for Annie in the farming events. I felt an overwhelming rush of pride when she won the beginner crop festival with her turnip.
"Oi, Raeger? Are you even listening to me?"
I blinked, shaking my head as I came back from my world of thoughts. "Ah, yes I am, Fritz… Sorry."
The redhead grinned, "You're thinking of her again!"
I turned away, blushing heavily as I walked away from the klutzy farmer, "Am not! I was… just wondering if she was going to bring coffee today…"
I regretted my words as it was exactly the opposite what I wanted to say. Here comes the teasing…
"Hah! You just said you weren't thinking of her!" he laughed heartily, enjoying my embarrassing mistake. "But on another note, you know she will. She's always telling me, "Sorry Fritz! I got to go! Raeger is waiting for me with the coffee!" It sounds like it's some kind of important date!"
"D-Date? Sh-She thinks it's some kind of date?" It wasn't like me to stutter. Of course I'm used to girls thinking that me talking to them is considered a "date" but… Did Annie think our get together were dates? Somehow, I found myself hoping she did. I wasn't disturbed by the idea; in fact, I rather liked calling it a "date".
"I dunno. Maybe. I'm no Annie… Why? Do you want it to be a date?"
"I, ah…"
"Hah! You totally do! You're crushing on her hard!"
"So what if I am?" I suddenly snapped, deciding then I would start to bake a cake. I grabbed ingredients from the fridge, dumping them on the counter as I grabbed a few bowls and utensils needed.
Fritz just merely watched me in amusement. "Nothing. I just think you should ask her out."
I looked up at him wearily, the redhead currently having his nose in the menu that I had given him when he came in.
"Annie's Surprise. A golden brown pound cake cooked to perfection with a tangy lemon glaze carefully spread on top," he read out loud, smirking as he did.
I had named the cake that the farmer tested for me after her, having felt it was the right thing to do. She was rather embarrassed at first, a bit upset with me that I'd do that. There hasn't been a day gone by with the shop was open that she didn't order it with her coffee.
"I'll have one of those!"
I didn't even pause from my cake baking. The lemons to the right of me that I grabbed gave away the fact I was already making the cake ordered. I felt a slight blush rise on my cheeks.
I wonder when Annie'll be here…
"Dammit! There I go again!"
Fritz nearly keeled over laugh, his face turning red, "Seriously! Ask her out already! Get the damned ring!"
I groaned, sighing in defeat. Unknown to him, I already had a particular silver ring with a fluorite on it weighing down my pocket.
OoO
"See ya later!" Fritz called as he opened the door to leave.
I smiled back, sending a wave his way as I took his dishes to clean them. Once said dishes were washed to standards, dried completely, and put away were they belonged, I walked back over to my post by the register.
I leaned over the counter, grabbing my tie to loosen it. The heat that radiated from the kitchen felt like it was cooking me alive, topped with the summer's heat. And it was only Summer 12th!
How's Annie dealing with the heat? Hmm…
I let my thoughts drift further away from me and closer to the girl.
I wonder if she'd say yes if I asked her out… I mean, we're basically dating, right? We always hang out; we have these "dates" as Fritz put it… I can't stop thinking of her… I wonder if she thinks of me. It'd be nice to see her at least…
The door suddenly opened, the bell chiming. I quickly stood up, tensing when I saw it was Annie. I started to freak out on the inside; was I ready to ask her…? It's not like she's the first girl I've ever asked out… But she was certainly the one I had the biggest crush on before.
"Hey, Raeger! How are you?"
I couldn't help but laugh, trying to relax, "I'm pretty good! But the second I start thinking about you, you come in! Fantastic timing!"
She froze, golden eyes widening as her cheeks flamed, "You… think about me?"
"Uh…"
She turned away in embarrassment, leaving me there gawking at her. I shook my head, regaining my composure.
"Ah… Annie? There's some really important I need to ask you…" I started.
She turned back to face me, her pale cheeks a shade of pink, "Hm? What is it?"
"It's sort of really, really important… So here's not the best place to talk about it," I gestured to the public restaurant we currently stood in.
"Well, let's go somewhere else then, hm?"
I nodded, turning so I could exit the kitchen out the back. She stuck to my side as I reached her, exiting the shop first so I could lock the door while I was gone. I grabbed her hand out of the blue, making the shy farmer blush.
"Come… Follow me…" I murmured to her, dragging her through Oak Tree Town.
We ended up on the bridge that led to Fritz's and Giorgio's farms. The summer heat beat on us, making us both twitch under the deadly rays.
I couldn't help but stare at the girl. Her long, brunette hair flowed precariously from under her ruby kerchief. Her eastern-style milkmaid dress hung off her tiny form, almost like a Greek Goddess wearing a peplos. Her yellow eyes stared at me with a golden intensity of curiosity.
"Well?"
"Oh, right. Haha… So, where do I begin?"
I sighed, closing my eyes to contemplate for a second. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I decided where to begin.
"So… Lately, I've been finding myself thinking of you… A lot," I began. I watched her every movement carefully. "I'd be wondering what you're doing, how you're fairing, when you'll be over… Things like that."
She nodded slowly, her face slowly turning redder and redder.
"Then suddenly, it hit me. I couldn't tell when it actually happened… but I… think I've fallen in love with you…" I conveniently left the part about Fritz; she didn't need to know he helped.
"W-Wha…?!"
I didn't let her talk; I wanted to get this all out as fast as possible, fearing I'd chicken out if I didn't.
"So… basically… I want you to go out with me…" I finished, mumbling the words. My hand has found its way into my apron pocket where the silver ring was, clutching it between my clammy fingers.
There was a pregnant pause between us. I tore my vision away from the blushing girl, finding sudden interest at the rushing water beneath us.
"Yes. I'll go out with you."
I blinked, my vision suddenly becoming the same colour as the crystal water beneath us. A tranquil feeling washed over me, making me feel relaxed and calm. As before, the blue colour vanished in mere moments.
When I looked back at her, I noticed two things. One, she was holding out a silver ring with a purple fluorite in it, and two, that there were two, sparkling blue earrings dangling from her ears.
I could only smile, pulling out my very own ring for her. We exchanged the rings, her small, delicate hands leaving a trail of goosebumps over my skin as she did.
Without warning, I pulled the girl into a tight hug, burying my face into her kerchief. She squeaked cutely, making me chuckle as she clung to my chest.
"I'm… really looking forward to this, Ann…" I murmured, nestling my face into her hair.
She nodded her head, her tiny hands clutching onto my shirt.
After standing there for a few minutes, I pulled away gently, smiling down at the girl. She merely looked up, her earrings swaying as she did. Her purple bangle had slid down her arm rather than being around her wrist.
"Well… Ah… I should be going then…" I finally sighed, realising I still had work to do.
"Oh…" she murmured disappointingly.
I pressed my lips against her clammy forehead, making her squeak again. I kept them there, smiling against her skin. "I'm sorry… I have work to do… I really hate to leave so suddenly… I would adore sticking around and talk with you; you know that."
The girl mumbled in agreement, tugging herself away from me. I could see the sadness in her eyes, but it quickly vanished as she suddenly stepped up onto her tiptoes, placing her lips on my cheek shyly. Before I could say a word, the energetic girl was already running off, a large smile on her face as she waved at me.
"I'll see you later, Raeger!"
I gingerly touched the cheek where she kissed me, blushing heavily as I smiled.
"Most definitely…" I whispered back before heading back to the restaurant.
Uh... Nothing to say.
Reviews...?
