Throughout the land many could hear the harmonious whistle of the wind, picking snow up every which way sprinkling it upon the people of the vast town planted upon Varian V, many laughing and having good times, others drinking sorrow away in a pub as others were celebrating something they found to celebrate for many could hear these cheers, unless you were inside like our friends down at the academy.
It was a chilly winter morning for many as some of the girls were inside the school, others were out shopping for gifts due to the holidays coming soon being close over the horizon while Strawberry and Starry were watching the planet's holiday specials, one being about a Floran holiday to celebrate a grand hunt which this did confuse Mike nearly close to the one about Avian's and their worshipping of their god Kluex, but he just shrugged it off seeing that they were enjoying the cartoon as Moon was sitting down next to him finishing her breakfast while he topped off his mug of coffee.
"So… What are you up to today, Mike?" She asked, wondering what his agenda was today when he spoke after taking a sip of his coffee "Well, I need to get everyone some gifts but also I promised Lucy I would be hanging out with her today." Mike admitted, taking another sip from his mug while Moon smiled happily hearing this "Well that's good to hear, i'm glad you two mended your friendship again." Moon had said, but knowing something more but kept it under wraps while Mike smiled softly "Thanks Moon, i'm glad we could as well. That reminds me, what are you up to today also?" He asked, finishing the last of his coffee.
Moon smiled happily "I'm taking Strawberry and Starry out for gift shopping as well, though we are going to a smaller part of town. Less hustle and bustle." Moon admitted with a giggle, as this did make Mike chuckle a little soon standing up from his seat near the island and planted a loving kiss upon Moon's lips, who gladly kissed back and gave him a loving nuzzle "You two have fun, okay?" She asked as Mike nodded "We will, be careful out there today alright? I heard it was going to be very cold today." Mike spoke with worry in his tone as Moon smiled softly and nodded.
Mike mirrored her smile in return, as he planted a loving kiss upon his two daughter's foreheads while they gave him a hug in return, which he gladly hugged them back he was about to grab his hoodie off the rack, but soon stopped to grab his bomber jacket instead being a little more heavier combined with his beanie, he walked out the door leaving behind his belt and gear, not really needing them as he walked down the hall towards Lucy's dorm.
While he was walking down the hall Lucy was getting dressed into her winter clothing, looking around for something in her dresser 'Now where did I... Ah ha! There you are!' She thought to herself removing from the drawer a dark red scarf, the scarf knitted with love and care as Lucy brushed her fingers against the soft wool it was knit from 'Thank you ma…' She thought to herself, feeling a gentle yet warm smile slowly form out of her lips, wrapping it around her neck when she heard a knock on the door she quickly turned on her heels towards the door to twist the knob, revealing it was Mike with a soft smile.
"Hey Lucy, you ready to go?" He asked for she gave a nod, stuffing her pixel bag into her bracelet walking out and locking the door behind her with the two walking down the halls, later exiting the academy itself to walk down the snowy stone steps hearing the soft crunch under their boots wondering where to go first "Where do you think we should go first?" Mike asked Lucy, turning towards her as she began to think with a soft smile upon her lips "You're askin' me of what to do? I'm shocked!" She gasped, faking a shocked expression placing her hand over her heart, soon bursting into a fit of giggles while Mike just rolled his eyes chuckling a bit when she spoke again.
"Not sure really... Maybe we should walk around a little, see what we can find in burg... maybe try the downtown area." Lucy suggested with Mike nodding at the idea. With their minds set they set out upon the town, walking down the vast snowy streets being careful to not to slip on the sidewalks, being wary if there was any ice in their path while the two were talking cracking some jokes "I'm just saying, I find it highly odd that our school has lockers but also dorms. I mean wouldn't keeping your stuff in your dorm make more sense?" He asked while Lucy was giggling with a nod "That does make sense, but then again your roommates could take somethin' that ya need so i guess it makes more sense to have a locker." She explained her thoughts for Mike gave a nod.
"Eh, I guess that makes sense… Hell I don't really use mine at all, just keep my stuff in my bag." Mike had said stepping over a small hole in the sidewalk filled with water that was now frozen over as did Lucy following close behind him, then walking next to him again "I hear ya, though what if someone stole your bag?" Lucy asked in which Mike smirked "Then I would have to put a bullet in their ass." He spoke which did make Lucy recoil but Mike soon began to chuckle, showing he was only joking as she gave him a glare soon punching him in the arm but began to lighten up on him with a giggle.
"Alright mr. curly wolf." Lucy spoke walking past Mike, who was rubbing his arm where she punched him and quickly caught up to hear her stomach softly growl, making her blush profusely "S-Sorry... I-I kind of... skipped breakfast…" She spoke with embarrassment in her voice but Mike could only do was give her a gentle smile "It's fine, come on I think there's a place up ahead where we can get you something to eat." Mike had said, waving Lucy to follow the two walking into a small coffee shop one that was familiar to Mike since that his older sister Vanessa worked there.
However to his surprise to find she wasn't in today but gave a shrug walking to the counter and began to place an order, turning to Lucy to see what she wanted to eat for still blushing from embarrassment asked for some coffee cake with a coffee to go with it while Mike just ordered some coffee not really hungry since eating breakfast with Moon.
The two then grabbed their order, Mike leaving the pixels needed for the food leaving a little extra for a tip as the two sat down at a table Lucy munching happily on her coffee cake Mike sitting back with his coffee gently stirring it around, taking a sip watching his friend that he could only chuckle watching her happily eat her pastry.
Admittedly Mike did find this to be actually… kind of cute really, he didn't really understand why which did make him nearly spill his coffee when he tried to take a sip but quickly corrected himself and took a sip thanking every deity that the coffee had a lid, if not he would be spending a good amount of time in the snow cooling his junk off while Lucy would most likely laughing her ass off, or staying by his side he really didn't know what would be the truth and in his mind he didn't want to know the answer.
Mike continued to stare at his coffee, not even noticing Lucy finishing her makeshift breakfast when she was trying to gain his attention he slowly came back to reality "H-Huh? Did you say something?" He asked as Lucy gave a gentle nod "Yeah, I was tryin' to tell you that I was done." She announced with Mike giving a nod, feeling embarrassed that he wasn't paying attention "Alright… sorry for not listening, I was kind of… thinking really." Mike admitted, taking a longer sip from his coffee being it starting to cool down.
Lucy caught his tone she began to worry about him, setting her coffee down "About what? If you don't mind me asking." She spoke in a gentle tone, worrying about him that was when it slowly subsided when he spoke "Just thinking about the future… thinking about what's in store for us all, you know?" Mike asked for Lucy gently nodded, understanding what he meant as a small, yet gentle smile slowly formed upon his lips "Plus I was thinking of what gifts to get everyone for your guys holidays… it's kind of fascinating really, you guys have some interesting holidays… Celebration of peace, day of respect, festival of shadows, the lantern celebration, festival of nature… it's all fascinating really and it… just makes me feel glad to honor your guys traditions and letting me celebrate them with you all." He admitted with his smile, sitting back a little as this did bring Lucy back a bit but she couldn't help but smile hearing this.
"And were glad to have you with us as well, Mike. You're our partner and we Allers welcome our friends to our holidays, you know that." Lucy said with her smile, gently placing her hand upon his which made his smile slowly grow "Thanks Lucy, and again i'm really glad for that." He spoke for she gave a nod, the two forgeting her hand was there till they felt their fingers slowly interlocking when a barista walked by "Aww! You two are so cute together!" She squealed softly, walking past for the two felt their gazes slowly fall towards their hands, quickly unlocking them and bringing them back nearly as if their hands were dipped into acid drinking from their coffee with their gazes turned away from each other as their cheeks burned brightly.
The two quickly gotten up from their seats and bounded out of the coffee store trying to leave the place as fast as they could, nearly ripping the door from its hinges stepping back into the bitter, chilling cold of winter nearly striking them down in an instant but quickly gritted their teeth against the bitter winter with warm coffee in their stomachs to keep themselves warm walking along the path again, wondering what to do next walking past a few gift stores which halted their steps to a near complete halt.
They looked at each other with a shrug and quickly walked into the store, passing multiple kinds of racks of items that were filled with all kinds of gifts of the vast holidays that were arriving very soon, Lucy hanged back a little while Mike continued on looking over and snagging different kinds of items as gifts while Lucy just looked around, picking up any gift that caught her eye but placed it back down till she spotted something actually interested her.
It was a picture frame that was adorned to make it look more like a festive Floran like gift that in an odd way, kind of reminded her of Mike the different kinds of metallic leaves, the beads that surrounded it, she could only feel… a calm wave washing over her, like it was Mike before her as this did bring a blush to burn upon her cheeks when she picked it up soon moving quickly towards the store clerk and paying for the item.
Lucy quickly placed the item into her bracelet, waiting for Mike to return as when he did he had a large stack of items in a handbasket placing it upon the counter "Sorry I took so long, Lucy. Kind of did a lot of looking around for gifts." He admitted with a soft chuckle for Lucy gave a gentle smile, shaking her head showing that it was perfectly fine and waited for him to pay for the gifts he picked out.
The two had soon left after Mike payed for the gifts he was buying, soon putting them into his bracelet leaving the two to do anything they please so they had decided to take a stroll through the park not far from where they were at, the park itself was covered in thick blankets of snow with the lake frozen solid with some ice skating upon the ice being careful of others as someone was renting ice skates for everyone while the stone paths were cleaned off of all kinds of snow, ice melted off and safe to traverse.
The two slowly descended upon the park, walking along the path, walking down one of the many stone walkways that lead towards the fountain near the middle of the park where there was the sound of what could be said was music, not that of a bands music but more of a street organ as their were cheers and giggles following not far behind.
This did confuse the two when they quickly walked over to find that of two familiar figures that nearly made them fall over with laughter, it was of Mise and Maverick who looked more pissed off than a man who watched his car being lite on fire as Mise was wearing what looked to be a ringleader coat and top hat, slowly winding the crank of the street organ while Maverick on the other hand was wearing a little fez upon his head, a red jacket that was open revealing a white shirt underneath while wearing matching red pants with a tin mug in his grasp, dancing around while people were pouring in pixels into the cup.
Mike and Lucy couldn't contain their laughter falling against each other watching Maverick dance around giving the two a death glare, but their laughter slowly fell silent when they reached into their pixel bags taking a good amount of their pixels and pouring them into the tin cup with a gentle smile slowly adorning their lips, waving goodbye to the two and towards the frozen lake faintly hearing Maverick cussing Mise out.
The two trekked down the way towards the frozen lake, seeing a booth with a Munari man sitting behind the counter with a magazine in his hand not really paying attention till he spotted the two with a smile he placed the magazine down "Welcome you two, what size skates you two love birds need?" He asked which did make the two blush profusely, both denying a relationship quickly "He's/She's not my boyfriend/girlfriend!"
They screeched quickly stepping away from each other but this instead just made the man laugh seeing their reaction, soon hearing them what size they needed as he set down a pair of skates for them which they thanked him for, blush still present quickly taking their shoes off and putting them into their bracelets and tying the laces to the skates on their feet, making their way onto the ice the thin taps of metal against the ice as Mike was having trouble keeping himself balanced quickly grabbing the post near them at the entrance.
Lucy looked at him with some worry but also began to giggle a little knowing that he might fall when he gave a nervous chuckle "S-Sorry… K-Kind of never really… ice skated much before…" He admitted in which Lucy held her hand out towards him with a gentle smile "Then take my hand, i'll help you." She smiled in which Mike slowly took her hand as she quickly took of with Mike in tow, nearly dragging him at near breakneck speed when she let go of his hand sending him flying down the ice when she shouted to him.
"Move your legs like you did during the school wars! When you were sliding against the ice!" She shouted for Mike quickly nodded starting to move his legs as he quickly slid against the ice, slowing his pace down shredding some ice watching it sprinkle into the wind watching it shimmer softly like little diamonds in the sky that he found it very beautiful as Lucy skated over to him "See? You did it!"
Lucy praised Mike who chuckled a little trying to gain his sense of calm again nearly feeling like he was going to crash horribly when he spoke in a shaky tone "Y-Yeah… I-I guess I did…" Mike spoke in a gentle, yet very quiet tone as Lucy soon bursted into laughter seeing her distraught friend looking like he was ready to pass out or piss himself.
As Lucy continued to laugh Mike gave her a push, knocking her onto her ass making her stop her giggle fit "Not so funny now, is it puffs?" He asked standing before her that she quickly stood up "Maybe… but it be more fun kickin' your ass in a race!" She exclaimed with a smirk for this did Make Mike smirk in return "Really now? Where to and loser does what?" He asked in which she pointed at the other end of the lake "First one to the other side of the lake wins, loser pays for lunch." She declared with the two getting ready.
"Hope your ready to pay for lunch, puffs." Mike spoke for this made Lucy giggle with determination "Will see about that…" She spoke as they waited for the ice to clear just a little both mentally counting down '3…' They counted, time began to slow down even just a little but their hearts started to slowly speed up '2…' They counted again feeling only their hearing dimming down to only their breathing when they screamed "1!"
They screeched dashing off at breakneck speeds, skating around other people and kids making sure not to ram into anyone shredding through the ice like hot knives through butter as Mike was in front of Lucy with a smirk "Told you puffs! Hope you like to pay for our lunch!" He yelled towards her as Lucy grumbed softly but soon found an opening with a frozen chunk fashioned into a small ramp which this opening she gladly took, putting more petal to the metal grinding off the chunk launching herself far into the air and past Mike sliding in front of him and spraying him with ice at the end of the lake with a grin plastered on her face.
"Looks like I won Mike, you owe me lunch." Lucy declared as Mike gave her a glare, but it soon turned into a smile and held his hand out "A deal's a deal, come on let's get something to eat." He said as Lucy nodded, taking his hand and shook it with the two quickly making their way off the ice with the skates still in hand they changed into their shoes handing the man back the skates, thinking about going back on the ice wondering where to go until Lucy had an idea and quickly dragged Mike to the light rail station.
This did confuse Mike but he just followed Lucy on this one, waiting for the light rail to arrive as when it did they quickly sat down sending them deeper into the town towards downtown later arriving into a station Mike wasn't really familiar with but was quickly dragged off by Lucy into what he could say was a western like area but more futuristic, she continued to drag him into a restaurant that did have all kinds of races chatting and talking when a female apex came by with a few menus "Just two today?" She asked and the two nodded where they were lead to a table as the two ordered their drinks as Mike was a little confused by this place.
"My family and I used to come to this restaurant all the time, when we visit Varian V. It's one of my favorite places." Lucy explained as Mike gave a gentle nod hearing this, but did wonder where she came from "You know, i'm actually curious. Where did you used to live?" Mike asked for Lucy gave a small, yet soft smile. "We lived on a planet not far from here called Zeibos, it ain't far from here. We used to visit this planet a lot more in the past, when I was younger really." Lucy explained as Mike nodded, seeing their drinks arrive and Mike taking a sip of his drink.
"That's actually pretty neat really, what was it like on your planet?" He asked for Lucy gently stirred her drink, smiling softly "It's a nice little planet, it has mostly savanas and some forests with natural oasis's but besides that I mostly grew up on a farm. My pa normally raised animals and sometimes grew vast crops, but during the winter and spring he worked as a bounty hunter bringing in outlaws and such. My ma on the other hand was a teacher, teaching at the school house in our village the same place that she met my pa many years ago." Lucy explained with her smile taking a drink of her drink as this made Mike smile a little "That sounds nice really, sounds like a nice yet quiet life." He admitted, feeling a bit jealous about that kind of life.
Lucy gave a small giggle "I hear ya, now that I told you about my family what about yours?" Lucy asked in which Mike gave a nod "Well… I used to live in a small town, was the third born in my family. My eldest sister and eldest brother were born much earlier in life, so when I was born they were getting ready to leave or were already gone. My dad was in the military and even fought in Vietnam, he was what you would call a ground pounder or airborne to be exact plus my uncle did as well but was on a cargo ships delivering supplies… nearly died during a conflict as the ship he was on was nearly blown in half." He began, with Nula nodding at full attention while he continued.
"Anyway, my dad later met my mom for she was a nurse in California the same state I was born in, later moving to Colorado the same place you saw with everyone when we were picking up Angel and her family and well… that's where we come to a close really… I lost my parents in a car accident nearly five years ago to this day, the only ones who really took me in most of the time was Angel and her family…" He spoke, feeling a sigh escape from his lips and his gaze falling towards his drink staring into his reflection "They always came to my aid… after every fight I gotten into they would always find me sprawled on the couch in my home, or even unconscious in the woods… They would always be by my side, through thick and thin when my parents had died, next to my brother but he's… a different case."
Mike had said, wrapping up his story as Lucy felt her heart grow heavy gently placing her hand on his. "But it's not like that anymore, Mike... you have a better life here now." She spoke with care in her tone as Mike gave a gentle nod, feeling a smile starting to form "Yeah… and i'm grateful for that everyday. Anyway, enough of this sadness let's get something to eat a deal's a deal." Mike had said with his smile, which made Lucy mirror his smile and nod "I agree, now let's chew." Lucy smiled when the waiter came back and the two gave their orders, a little later getting their food and quickly chowing down upon their meals.
Sometime later the two walked out of the restaurant as Mike's pixel bag took a good dent into it, but he really didn't mind for the two were happy to be hanging out being able to just relax even just a little while the two continued to walk along the paths of this area of town, something Mike really never seen before which did fascinate him greatly wanting to learn as much as he could of the many cultures that were around him.
This did make Lucy giggle, even just a little but she could feel a gentle smile adorn her lips seeing Mike happy 'He looks a lot better when he smiles…' She thought to herself, blushing a little thinking this and quickly shook it off following him wonder the many streets but looked to be looking for something but moreover that he was just enjoying a walk with his friend, however he had something on his mind that he couldn't really understand himself 'Lucy's been acting kind of… more aggressive today, I always know she has a competitive heart but this is… kind of strange really, though it's actually interesting really which I find elusive about her.' He thought, feeling a smile with a gentle blush forming.
'Though I can't complain, it's kind of fun really like when we have contests and everything. I do have a lot of fun competing against her, but I also find it strange she has been helping me with my Mech, she's not even taking that class or even part of the sport…' He thought, his blush still present being lost in his thoughts when Lucy waved her hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention with a worried looked plastered on her face.
"Mike? Mike are you okay?" She asked, concern lacing her tone as Mike quickly snapped out of his thoughts and nodded "H-Huh? Oh yeah… sorry I just got lost in my thoughts, wondering where we can go now." He apologized in which Lucy gave a nod, but could tell something was on his mind wondering what he was thinking about. "I know what you close-fisted, but I know somewhere that we can gitty-up." She spoke with a smile starting to form as Mike was going to ask, Lucy quickly took a hold of his hand and began to drag him off again deeper into town as Mike began to feel the burn upon his cheeks deepen feeling her soft skin upon his as it felt actually… pretty pleasant really, nearly like a fine silk that danced across his hand.
'Even though it's plasma it feels, actually really soft… and feels pleasantly warm, like the warmth of an old friend.' He thought with a gentle smile starting to form upon his lips. Lucy kept running through the streets, Mike trying to keep up with her speed which was kind of crazy since of Mike's agility could have beat her but Lucy was actually faster than Mike, being that she was training at the school much longer than him making her much faster but Mike just tried his best when Lucy was dragging him up a large snow covered hill, paths that intertwined into a large vast of woods snow topping them nearly like that of a painting found in the school's library. The two continued past a few paths closing into the forest, Lucy giggled happily slowing her pace down a bit as Mike was panting softly trying to gain his breath back "Don't worry, we're almost there." She reassured Mike, letting him gain his breath back for he gave a nod soon getting ready again soon starting to walk with Lucy, the two chating a little as Lucy was looking for what she was looking for brushing off some of the snow to a couple of signs.
Lucy began to look around quickly brushing off some of the snow to some of the paths when she waved Mike over to follow, as Mike quickly nodded and followed behind Lucy feeling a chill starting run down his spine when the wind began to pick up, howling softly down the hill's face. Lucy had caught this, thinking of something quickly she unwrapped some of her scarf and draped it around Mike's shoulders, wrapping it around his neck also with a soft smile "Feel a little better?" She asked and Mike gave a gentle nod, planting a soft kiss upon her cheek making her blush profusely with her cheeks burning brightly and her plasma enflaring and growing around herself giving off more heat around them.
This had gotten a chuckle from Mike, but a swift punch to the gut from Lucy her blush still present but walked with him along the way to the spot she was taking him to, feeling a sigh escape her lips 'Why do I find him so… Interesting?' She thought to herself, wondering why she felt her feelings for Mike but soon remembered why as he did make her giggle when she stopped towards a bench in a small clearing in the woods smiling happily seeing the bench.
Mike was confused at this, wondering why she had brought him here when she brushed the snow off quickly taking the scarf off Mike's neck in the process when Mike could see something carved into the back rest of the bench finding names carved into the wood, one read for Lucy and the other of her father Billy, but one was different as it was carved in a more gentler way when he softly uddered the name "Usiel… Who is Usiel?" Mike asked turning towards Lucy who still had her smile plastered on her face.
"She's my mother, pa allers told me she was an angel in a munari. He allers called her an angel, which allers did make her smile... ma was allers there for us and we were allers grateful for that." Lucy explained, sitting down upon the bench patting the seat next to her that Mike gratefully taken sitting down next to her hearing a content sigh coming from her "We allers used to come here, every summer. Ma would be fishin' for chow, pa and me would be settin' up our camp... then we would just look out towards the stars every night wonderin' what else could be out there." She felt a smile slowly forming, cressing her lips for Mike gave a small chuckle "That sounds really nice, my family used to go camping as well… used to roast marshmallows, watch movies on a little laptop and even going rafting at the lake."
He spoke, feeling his lips form a gentle yet warm smile "Guess we did a lot with our parents, huh?" He asked with Lucy nodding her smile beaming towards Mike, this did make Mike's heart jump a bit but kept it suppressed for now. The two sat back in their seats when Lucy began to wonder something until Mike spoke softly "You know… this kind of reminds me of when I was back on earth." He spoke, Lucy turning towards him as he continued his sight shifted, staring off towards the distance of the vast snowy skies high above.
"I used to hang out with my friend Angel, our families used to get together for large christmas parties, had gift exchanges, singing christmas carols and even watching the parade in downtown… It's a wonderful time of year…" He spoke, feeling a sigh escape his lips and water building up in his eyes who quickly wiped them away.
"At times I miss my parents, I really do…" He admitted, Lucy feeling her heart growing heavy falling deeper into her chest until she saw his smile slowly return "But… I have a new family now, with more friends and a bigger family… I feel… I don't know, happy I guess you could say and very much honored." Mike admitted while Lucy felt her heart flutter in her chest with a blush slowly forming upon her cheeks, her hand slowly inching towards Mike's on the bench "I hear ya, and were glad to have you here Mike. You've been through alot, and were glad that you are doin' much better now and havin' a better life here." Lucy smiled, gently placing her hand on his which he subconsciously gripped her hand, interlocking their fingers together with a smile starting to form and a blush "Yeah, and… I'm glad to have met all of you." Mike admitted, the two slowly scooting closer. "H-Hey um… Lucy? I need to tell you something-"
He was cut off when Lucy cupped his chin into her hand planting her lips upon his, pulling him into a passionate loving kiss holding him close for Mike gladly kissed back holding Lucy a little closer as the two felt time coming to a crawl around them, their hearts were the only thing they could hear beating in a loving beat, drums sounding together like a war cry. The two slowly seperated with a soft pant coming from each other blushes slowly burning upon their cheeks when Mike spoke "D-Does this mean…?" He asked for Lucy gave a gentle smile.
"I allers thought you were cute, and fascinatin'. I don't care what my pa says, I like you for who you are Mike and I want to be with you." She admitted, Mike smiling softly "And I always cared for you Lucy, and always thought you were a sweet, headstrong woman who always had a competitive sportsman like heart that caught my eye."
Mike had said holding Lucy closer and nuzzled her cheek getting a giggle from her, who then wrapped her scarf around Mike's neck again planting a loving kiss upon his lips again "Come on, let's head home." She spoke until Mike just shook his head "Let's just stay for a little longer, I want to stay here with you." He spoke as Lucy giggled hearing this soon getting an idea when she drew a knife from her coat and began to carve something into the bench's back, Mike was confused by this till he found it to be she carved his name under hers with a heart soon putting the item back into her bracelet, cuddling close to the man that had stolen her heart.
*Hey Everyone! Okay so, this chapter is a lot shorter than normal which is true but me and my fiance thought it would be a really sweet chapter, anyway we just wanted to give a little announcement that the story will be update a few more times before the end of the year, being that the Christmas special is well underway. Anyway we both hope you enjoyed the chapter and we shall see you all in the next one!*