Y'all (assuming people read this?) get two chapters back to back because I'm leaving for MEGACON soon :D MEETING TOM FELTON AND STAN LEE (and others)

WOOP WOOP

They'd found the human as promised, and he at least seemed willing to cooperate with Pinky's attempts at cheering him up. Still, Brain disliked how casually he leaned against the railing and kept a tight grip on Pinky to keep him from following suit. He didn't need another heart attack.

Jake reassured Pinky that he'd be okay, putting on a smile to try and convince him, but Pinky could see that his eyes still held hints of regret and bitterness. "But Jake, I'm sure she'll come around! Why, any moment she could come over here looking for you and want to be friends again! Troz! You're such a nice person, she'd be silly not to!"

"Thanks, Pinky, but she's made her decision. I just have to deal with it, accept it." He snorted, looking from the little mouse out across the ocean. "Let's face it. I'm no Cam Hockey." As he said this his face scrunched a little in distaste.

"Well that's a good thing." Pinky chimed in. "He's a greasy, seal man."

Jake had to chuckle at that, but it was still tinged with disappointment. Pinky sighed, then looked to Brain for help. He was smart, he usually knew what to say.

Brain looked up at Pinky, noted Pinky's big-eyed stare, and scowled. "What?"

"Help him find his smile, Brain. Please?" Pinky snuggled up to Brain's arm, his eyes pleading. "Use your big silly words to make him feel better."

"Such as Schadenfreude?" Brain grumbled, flicking Pinky's nose to make his snout wobble in defense against the snuggling. "Pinky, I highly doubt anything I would have to say will cheer him up."

Pinky laughed at both the word and the way Brain flicked him. "Oh, but you're very good at it! Narf!" Having no idea that the flick was to keep him from snuggling, Pinky leaned down to rest his chin on Brain's shoulder. "You make me feel loads better when you say blah-blah-blah words." His ears twitched suddenly as he heard someone approaching from behind. Straightening up, Pinky glanced behind him to see who it was, brightening up as his eyes fell upon Tulip with a happy gasp.

Thankful for the distraction even while he sighed over the stupidity of humans, Brain hedged back from Pinky. "There. I'm sure she'll make him feel better than I ever could." Assuming she wasn't there to tear him down further, at any rate, though when she said she'd changed her mind, he suspected that wasn't the case.

Pinky stepped back to let them have their moment. Oh, he knew they'd still be friends! Giddy from the light, bubbly feeling in his chest as he watched Jake reach out to Tulip, he swayed from side to side still attached to Brain's side. Jake helped her onto the railing, requesting she keep her eyes closed, and held tight to her waist as he stepped up behind her. It looked like an awful lot of fun, why wouldn't Brain let him on the railing too? He'd be careful.

"They look so happy, Brain." Pinky sighed, giving Brain's arm a squeeze.

"They look like fools," Brain muttered, but didn't try and push Pinky away. It clearly wasn't working with him acting like a leech. The two humans started laughing and Brain shook his head. Suicidal fools. One slip and gone.

"I want to fly too!" He giggled, seeing their arms outstretched. He mimicked them, thus finally giving Brain's arm a chance to circulate blood through it, and spun around in a circle, his dress fluttering about in the breeze.

"Be careful, Pinky. We're still uncomfortably close to the edge." Brain watched him carefully, just to make sure he didn't fall. The way his heart was skipping had nothing to do with it. "We should give them their privacy, anyway."

Pinky kept on twirling, though he minded Brain and stayed away from the railing even though he really wanted to look over it. He kept his focus on the couple, smiling broadly at them until their lips met. He stopped so abruptly he fell flat on his face. When he looked up, his eyes drawn to their passionate kiss, Pinky was reminded of something and that something was what had startled him. He pushed himself up into a sitting position, then looked over his shoulder at Brain. His blue eyes stared at him for a minute or two, just looking, then finally they lit up as it hit him. All the tingly, warm feelings and the urge to lean in to the other mouse could be explained.

His bright smile had returned and he stood up, admiring the love between Jake and Tulip. "I know what comes next now, Brain!" Quite proud of himself, Pinky skipped back over to Brain, with a little extra flailing thrown in for good measure and no regard for his proximity to the edge of the ship. "I get it! I figured it out! Narf!"

Brain had no idea what Pinky was talking about, had been pretty sure that he'd injured himself from the abrupt fall, and now that he was flailing so much, the megalomaniac was irritated and worried. He grabbed Pinky's snout and jerked him down to eye level. "That's wonderful, Pinky. Now stop before you hurt yourself. Let's go. The two of them clearly want to be alone and it's getting dark."

"Okay, Brain!" Satisfied with their renewed friendship and his own revelation, Pinky was completely agreeable. And being at eye level was just what he wanted! Though it was somewhat difficult to maneuver with Brain gripping his snout, he managed to inch forward so at least their noses touched.

Uncomfortable, Brain released him and took a step back. "Now then, we're going to return to our room. I'm sure you have some leftover fabric to make yourself a wrap or something to protect against the cold."

Pinky looked after him, confused and a little disheartened. That wasn't how it was supposed to go. "But Brain," he whined, closing in on him once more, leaning in to be at eye level again. "Isn't this how it's supposed to go?"

"What are you talking about, Pinky?" Eyes wide, heart thumping, Brain lifted his hands to Pinky's chest to keep him at a distance. "Let's return to our room."

"Aren't we supposed to be in love? Isn't this what they do? Poit." Pinky attempted to explain. Brain had seemed to be on the same page as him last night. "And you said I was supposed to behave like Miss Tulip. You did, Brain. I remember." He nodded resolutely, then tried to get closer, but was prevented by Brain's hands. "I'm sorry I forgot last night, Brain. I really am."

"Las..." His ears fell back. "Oh." He glanced towards the two humans again, locked together, and turned red to the tip of his tail. "Pinky, that... Maybe later." He patted Pinky's cheek, taking another step back. "We have things to do right now."

Though he didn't know the name of the feeling, Pinky experienced the rejection acutely. He looked down at the ground, wondering why it wasn't working out, but maybe it was just because they were busy. Finally Pinky lifted his gaze. "Promise?" If they could do it later, he'd be fine with it, it meant Brain still wanted to.

Promising a maybe was still just a maybe, he assured himself. He didn't really want to kiss Pinky. They were in the middle of a plan. They didn't have time for things like this. If not for the tour, he'd be ridiculously behind thanks to the previous night's antics. Supposed to be in love. "I... Of course. I promise. Maybe later. Now just... just come along."

Pinky perked up in record time, his ability to bounce back from a variety of different emotions still strong. "Oh, thank you, Brain!" He initiated one of his usual embraces. "I love you!"

"I-" He made inarticulate sounds that nearly sounded like he was returning the sentiment before pushing him away. They didn't have time for this and it was all the fault of those humans! "Come, Pinky." He scowled, adjusting his jacket. "There's work to be done."

"Okay, Brain!" Pinky released him, smiling brightly and skipping away in the direction of their room. "What're we gonna do tonight?"

"Since the engagement party is clearly not going to occur after that display, I have another idea that should cut our time down. I'll continue with the sketches for now, but when Andrews leaves to go upstairs to the party, you and I will sneak into his room and get a hold of the blueprints." The Brain followed, pleased that they were getting back to the plans. "You need to make a wrap or a jacket of some sort. I don't want you getting cold while we're out."

Pinky nodded, already feeling a little chilly with his short sleeved, light fabric dress. "I have some leftover blue fabric that will look lovely!" He waited for Brain to catch up, but not moving about made him conscious of the cool air. So he continued to hop about in place, latching onto Brain's arm when he came close enough so at least half of him would be warm.

Brain noticed the shivering and sighed, shaking Pinky off to remove his jacket. It wouldn't provide much warmth, considering their sizes, but it was better than nothing for the trek back. "Here. Put that over your shoulders for the time being."

"But won't you be cold, Brain?" Pinky asked, hugging himself as he eyed the jacket.

"I have the shirt underneath, Pinky, and with you hovering over me providing additional warmth, I'll be fine. You, on the other hand, are already shivering." He waved the jacket. "Now don't argue with me, Pinky. Just take it."

"Poit." Pinky trusted him that he wouldn't be cold, so he took the jacket and draped it around his shoulders. "Thanks, Brain."

"You're welcome." He took Pinky's hand and linked their arms, moving quickly across the deck because it was rapidly growing colder as darkness fell. The North Atlantic in April - who's brilliant idea had that been?

That was the last time Titanic ever saw daylight...

Uh-oh. Guess what's coming up...

Angsty angst that it angsty!