"Fritz, you really should be more careful," came a soft yet scolding voice from the clinic. "This cut on your arm could have been a lot worse, and if no one had noticed then it could have gotten infected. You need to pay more attention to your injuries, or I will drive myself insane."As she spoke, Angela helped stitch up the large cut running down a certain redheaded farmer's left arm. Marian was out of town for the day, so Angela was the only one on duty.

"I'm sorry, Angela," Fritz murmured, looking down. "I was just looking at the fish, then agate said hello, so I fell. I tried to pull myself up, but all I got was the dock cutting my arm." He tried his best to explain what happened, while simultaneously trying not to look at the nurse in the eyes. He had known her since they were kids, and she always treated him like her responsibility. he knew the lecture was going to come, whether he was willing to hear it or not.

Surprisingly, however. It didn't. Angela just sighed deeply, hanging her head. "Then that wasn't really your fault, was it..." she murmured to herself. "I can't very well tell you to be more careful when it was an accident that would have happened to anyone."

He had no idea why, but the words made something twist in my gut. "H-hey, you can lecture me if you want! I mean, maybe it'll drum something into my skull," he said with a cheery grin, burying pride and other useless things. He really did had when Angela was upset.

She sighed deeply, locking his gaze. "I'd rather not," she murmured. Suddenly, she was leaning forward, towards him. Hands reached up and wrapped around his neck, and her mouth grew closer to the others. Right before their lips touched, she whispered-

"Agate! Hey!" A cheerful voice cut through the musings of a certain ranger as she walked into even turning, she knew exactly who it was. She did not feel up to talking to the other girl right now, but she couldn't just act like she didn't hear her friend.

"Good morning, Lillie!" she chirped, raising her hand in greeting. Her face lit up in a smile atht seemed sincere through years of rpactice.

'Oh my god! I've missed you sooo much!" the weather girl squealed, clapping her hands. "Do you wanna hang out? We can go to the safari, like you like! Or we can go on a walk and catch up!" Her shrill voice only made Agate's current headache worse, and all she wanted to do was take a nap. She didn't hate Lillie by any means. No, they were best friends. However there were sometimes where she really, really wanted to be left alone.

Oh, yes! There's my escape.

By pure chance, Agate looked up and saw Klaus walking down the road. He glanced up and saw her panicked look, quickly getting the message. In a few smooth movements he walked over, a smile on his face. "Good morning, Agate! Are you feeling alright? You look tired. Have you rested properly?"

Those words made Lillie's eyes light up in concern and she realized how selfish she must have seemed. "I'm so sorry, Agate! I didn't even realize! You should go home and rest. We'll talk later!"

Feigning reluctance, she puller her face into a frown. "Are you sure? I'm well enough if you want to hang out today."

"No, don't be silly! You just came back from a long trip. You should rest! I'll see you later!"

Agate nodded slowly, sighing. "Alright, if you're sure. See you tomorrow!" With that she waved and turned around, Klaus following behind her. They were quiet until they reached the other end of town, where they could finally speak freely.

"I assume you want to speak to Mistel before you rest," Klaus said with a knowing smile.

Agate flushed red, looking at the ground. "W-well, I was thinking of stopping by! B-but it's just because we're friends, and-" Her frantic words were cut off by a soft chuckle.

"Oh don't worry, Iris won't know. Now you go and say hello. You'll have a few hours alone, if I'm any judge." Klaus did not seem perturbed about hiding this from his best friend, although it was for a valid reason. He gave another smile and left for his house, sure that things would go well.

Agate wasted no time in letting herself inside, bounding up the stairs to where she saw Mistel at his desk. She quietly made her way over, wrapping her arms around him. "Miss me?" she murmured with a grin, watching the blond's face light up with surprise.

"Agate!" he said in surprise, pulling her into a better angle for a light kiss on the cheek. "I did not expect you back. You do love to surprise me, don't you."

She giggled, moving into his lap. "Yup! I have a new idea for some people you could set up, if you have a moment," she murmured happily, resting her head on Mistel's shoulder.

"Oh, do tell. After all, you know I love when you contribute to my little puppet shows."

She giggled at that, shifting to be more comfortable. They had been discreetly having some sort of relationship for the last three years, though it was mostly for the physical contact and to share ideas.

"That I do. Angela and Fritz seem perfectly fitted for each other. Goddess knows that they interact enough to know each other well."

"That is a good point," Mistel mused, smiling. "Things have grown.. boring, without you around, you know."

"I doubt it. You have a habit of entertaining yourself when I'm busy."

In response to that, however, the blond just sighed and absentmindedly moved a piece into another building. "Yes, but it does get frightfully dull," he complained, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Then make friends, and you won't have to depend on my all the time." This was the expected response. and it seemed that it always will be. This was a long standing argument that Mistel was determined to win by out-stubborning the girl.

"I don't make friends, Agate. You know that."

"Yes, I know. I don't think that you really believe that all humans are puppets. There's me, after all."

"We, however, are not friends."

"True. We're... lovers, I guess. It sounds so weird when I say it though!"

"It would, since we hide this from Iris and everyone else." At his sister's name, Mistel's brows furrowed. Memories of the conversation before flew through his head. She was probably still mad, as he hadn't talked to her.

They sat there in silence for a little while, before a polite cough was head behind them. The two flew apart as fast as possible as they turned to see who disturbed them. "i'm sorry for interrupting, but I was invited," Raeger said, an embarrassed smile on his face.

I had this bit planned out for a little while. Now, I know that Mistel/Agate is not in the relationships tag thing. I will get to that as the plot goes along. I've updated twice in one day, which I am proud of myself for. Thank you, writing hours amongst friends. They encourage you to... well, actually write.