Paying Debts

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Merb

"Stork?" Aerrow glanced at his watch nervously and approached the solitary figure steering the Condor. The individual in question froze; his hands poised over the wheel and turned around to face the Sky Knight. His yellow eyes and black hair seemed to glitter more than usual in the surrounding fog.

"Yes, Aerrow?"

The redhead chewed on his bottom lip, stopped, then scratched the back of his neck apprehensively. This conversation was going to be awkward, but after much consideration Aerrow decided it was the best course of action. Stork could be trusted to be discreet, informative, and mature about what he was going to ask.

"I need your advice on something."

Immediately, the Merb knew what the other man was talking about. A slow, knowing grin appeared on his face and his shoulders relaxed immensely as he leaned against the dashboard. This was about Piper, no doubt about it. He watched with pleasure as Aerrow stuttered and stumbled over his next few words.

"I don't know if you know but we've been together –"

"Oh, I've noticed."

Aerrow blushed. He couldn't look at his friend in the eyes. He really wanted to do this, he couldn't go to Finn or Junko for this type of advice and yet he couldn't formulate the right sentence to match the needs of his mind.

"Piper's really great. I mean, she's the best. I just – I need your help."

Stork's smile grew wider. Here it was – the Big One.

"I need to know what to do. I want everything to be perfect – everything has to be perfect." Aerrow's breath caught in his throat; he had to cough several times to clear it and even then, he glanced nervously behind him should one of the other guys accidentally walk in on their conversation.

"Do you know what I'm talking about, right?"

Stork nodded. Of course he knew what Aerrow was talking about. Coming to him for advice was the best thing he could do, not to be overconfident or anything. He was cautious by nature, and after all, he was the oldest Storm Hawk.

The Merb spoke when his friend seemed to forget his words. "So, when do you want this to happen?" No answer. The carrier pilot has to prod the Sky Knight into answering. "Aerrow."

The Sky Knight's head snapped upwards, breaking his momentary daze, and said the words. "I want to sleep with Piper."

Stork could have laughed. Instead, he glanced at the Condor's compass and nodded in solemn agreement with his leader. "Good. Good." There was a pause. "Guess what?"

"What?"

"I can get us out of the fog."