A/N: I'm back I will have to admit I was nervous about this chapter. Thanks to DR BUBBLES for washing away all uncertainty, and thanks to all that reviewed Hope you enjoy
Aerrow's skimmer was inching closer to Terra Neverlandis. Clouds flew past in a rush of grey and white. Aerrow skilfully manuvered his skimmer as close to the ground as possible before pulling on the controls causing the wings to glide to the sides of the skimmer with a series of clunks, the airflow around the skimmer changing effortlessly. The tires smoothly hit the ground, rolling freely. Aerrow pulled up on the controls activating the breaks. The tires flicked up dirt in protest. Aerrow held his skimmer firm as the tires slid on the ground; with one final pull Aerrow's skimmer came to a halt.
"How long has it been?" Piper whispered in awe as she swung her leg over the skimmer seat. Her feet landed in the grass, the grass freely swaying in the breeze.
"I'm not sure" the same tone lacing Aerrow's voice as he dismounted his skimmer. He walked to Piper, the ground crunching under his feat. Aerrow turned his head his hand shielded his eyes from the harsh summer sun
"We really should get out of the sun, today's meant to be hot" all Piper could do was nod in agreement as she looked at the tree house that was once her home. Aerrow looked at Piper as she took in the view of their old home, her topaz irises were filled with a sense of comfort and happiness. Aerrow smiled looking into her eyes, Aerrow felt his body fill with a bubbly happiness. Aerrow looked back at the tree house, shaking off the sun in the process, his crimson spikes swayed wildly through the air.
"Let's go" Piper let a small squeal escape her lips as Aerrow grabbed he wrist and started pulling her toward the tree house. Piper let a small smile form on her lips as she felt Aerrow's hand encase her wrist, Piper held in a sigh as she looked at the back of Aerrow's hair, the spikes being ruffled gently by the wind. Aerrow stopped jolting Piper out of her little daydream, she stumbled to his side, Aerrow pulled Piper toward him to prevent her from falling, the Sky Knight's eyes were filled with mischief.
"Welcome to Atmos, where Terra's sit in the clouds and people walk on air" Aerrow felt a smirk forming on his face as he brought Piper back to reality. Piper pushed him playfully causing the Sky Knight to lose his balance, he began to stumble; one thing Piper forgot is Aerrow's hand still covered her wrist. Piper let out another small squeal as she began to stumble with Aerrow, her feet despratly trying to grip the ground. Aerrow fell to the ground. Piper fell on top of the fallen Sky Knight, air rushed out of the Sky Knight's lungs, pain racking his body as Piper landed on him. Piper, hearing the sound of Aerrow's hesitant breathing quickly pushed herself off the Sky Knight, rolling next to him gently. Piper laced her fingers through Aerrow's hair gently.
"Sorry Aerrow," Aerrow looked into Piper's topaz eyes, the moment their eyes connected Aerrow could feel all breath leave his body once more. Aerrow managed to shake his head slightly in order to recollect his thoughts. Piper looked down at Aerrow a mixture of sympathy and concern filling her eyes. Aerrow noticed the concern in her eyes, he wanted to reach out and hug her to get rid of all concern that lingered in her body. Piper's arms reached down catching Aerrow's wrists; with a quick pull she brought Aerrow swiftly to his feet. Aerrow brushed away grass and dirt that had stuck to his back during his fall, when Aerrow was sure he had gotten rid of all the dirt that had stuck to his back he looked at Piper's eyes, Aerrow felt a sense of calm wash over him as he noticed that all concern had left the young navigators eyes. Aerrow gave Piper a little nod, Piper smiled at Aerrow before she shifted her gaze to look at the seemingly endless walls carved out of wood patched with metal after countless Cyclonian attacks on the small Terra. Piper looked above the walls to see Finn's splat blaster sitting proudly at its post, splat covered the body, the scope was taped on with grey tape, and the trigger looked worn.
"Home" Piper whispered. Piper jumped as she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. With a reassuring squeeze of the hand she relaxed letting her body rest against Aerrow's supportive frame, Piper smiled as a sense of calm washed over her
'Aerrow always has this effect on me' Piper sighed inwardly 'but do I have the same effect on him?' Piper felt he body become overrun by a sense of curiosity. Piper looked up at the Sky Knight his eyes were aimed at the tree house, Piper could feel the even rise and fall of Aerrow's chest as air filled the Sky Knight's lungs. Piper closed her eyes letting memories flood her mind, they swirled around like a tornado creeping up on an unsuspecting town.
Start Flashback
"Hey Piper," Piper turned around to see an excited Aerrow running toward her his green eyes focused on her "I have something for you," Piper felt excitement flow through her
"What is it?" Piper tried leaning around Aerrow to get a better look at what Aerrow held in his hands, Piper began to weave around Aerrow, Aerrow weaved around Piper to prevent Piper from looking at what was in his hands. Piper stopped moving around Aerrow, her arms folded across her chest coldly. Aerrow cringed slightly as he saw the look of annoyance in her eyes. Instead of pouting like Aerrow had expected Piper began to giggle, her arms fell to her sides as laughter took control of her body. The young red head tilted his head in confusion as if Piper could read his mind her next words answered his question.
"It looked like we were dancing" Piper managed between giggles, her hands covering her mouth as she tried to finish the sentence. Aerrow felt a rush of heat flow across his cheeks at the thought of dancing with Piper, Aerrow let confusion fill him as he felt the heat across his cheeks
'What does it mean?' Aerrow shook the thought out of his head as he straightened his spine, the heat fading until it wasn't there
"Close your eyes" Aerrow managed after a few short moments, in response Piper took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself, Piper could feel the giggles fading until Aerrow started tapping his foot on the ground. Piper burst into fits of laughter, her legs collapses from underneath her, she quickly fell to the ground. Piper opened her eyes slightly to see Aerrow looking down at her with a confused look on his face.
'Piper time to calm down,' Piper began to take deep breaths remembering the gift Aerrow had for her. After a few deep breaths Piper was sure she had gotten rid of the giggles, she looked into Aerrow's eyes, she felt a rush of heat run across her cheeks; Piper shook her head, the heat scattering quickly.
'It's normal for me to feel like this around Aerrow, it must be because he is my best friend' Piper closed her eyes letting the last of her giggles fade.
End Flashback
Piper opened her eyes, she blocked the sun out with a hand with the other hand she touched the necklace that hung from her neck.
'My first crystal' Piper gripped the crystal, her hand folded around the crystal perfectly. Piper felt that she was welcomed into Aerrow's family that day, a smile gracing her lips as the memory faded.
'I wonder if Aerrow's mother-' her thoughts were interrupted by a pair of arms wrapping around her waist; the arms were gentle yet strong. Piper felt her thoughts come crashing back to reality; her hand gripped the crystal tighter, the blunt corners dug into her hands.
"Thank you" Aerrow tilted his head to the side, confused at Piper's words.
"What?" Piper jumped as Aerrow's voice rang through her head. Piper looked into Aerrow's eyes, she saw the same confused look in his eyes as she had when she received the crystal from the young red head.
"Some things never change" Piper said with a small smile. Aerrow felt his confusion grow, he was about to ask what she was talking about. Piper started laughing uncontrollably her eyes began to water as her laughter began to take control, her body began to shake. Aerrow continued to look at Piper confused as her legs began to collapse from underneath her, Piper's hand fell from the crystal the hung from her neck the crystal began to take on a soft blue glow as Piper's energy began to flow into the crystal. Aerrow felt his confusion melt away
"You're welcome" Aerrow said placing the giggling Piper on the ground as gently as he could, Aerrow pulled Piper closer to him as he sat on the ground. Piper's body rested gently against his, Aerrow felt a smile form as the sound of Piper's laughter rang through his ears, every note widened Aerrow's smile. Aerrow closed his eyes letting the sound of Piper's laughter float around him like ribbons floating in the breeze.
Start Flashback
Aerrow waited for Piper's eyes to close before grabbing her hand, he spread Piper's fingers out gently. Aerrow took in a deep breath before letting it out, undoing the knot of tension that sat in his stomach.
"I want you to have this" Aerrow looked at the small blue crystal with a rope strung through the top that lay in his hand, the sun bouncing off the crystal giving the crystal a glowing effect. He placed it in Piper's hand, gently closing her elegant fingers over the crystal an image of his mother flashed through his mind as he did. Piper opened her eyes, excitement flowing through her body; she blinked away the sun before unfolding her fingers. Piper gasped as she looked at the crystal that lay in her hand
"B…But this was your mothers" Piper stammered while pushing the crystal into Aerrow's hands. Aerrow let a small smile form on his face
"I said I wanted you to have it, I trust you" Aerrow placed the crystal in Piper's hand again. Piper looked into Aerrow's eyes they were filled with a sense of trust; Piper could feel tears forming as the light in the small crystal danced playfully
"Thank you Aerrow" Piper wrapped her arms around Aerrow, the feeling of Piper's arms around him gave Aerrow a sense of reassurance. Aerrow closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Piper, Piper opened her eyes as she felt Aerrow's arms wrap around her, Piper felt like nothing could hurt her as long as Aerrow was near.
End Flashback
Aerrow opened his eyes to see Piper standing over him a confused look on her face. Aerrow sat up, Aerrow suddenly realized he wasn't laying down before. The Sky Knight looked around confused and slightly dazed.
"You decided you wanted to lie down" Piper said with a small smile, she held her hands out in front of her; Aerrow reached out and gripped Piper's hands. He felt like he was weightless as he was pulled up.
"Last one to the tree house has to clean the hanger for a month" Piper whispered into Aerrow's ear before she began to stride away. Aerrow was mesmerized by the way Piper walked across the grass, the grass seemed to dance around Piper's legs, when her leg moved to another patch of grass the grass would settle again. Her hips seemed to effortlessly sway as she walked. Piper's hair danced in the wind changing pace as she did. Aerrow shook his head as Piper began to turn around, recollecting his thoughts the Sky Knight looked up.
"Hey!" Aerrow yelled out to Piper as she began to run toward the tree house. Aerrow shook his head again before chasing after Piper "You know that you can't open the gate from the outside!"
"No, but you can" Aerrow stopped in his tracks as the words rang through his ears. Once again Aerrow shook his head forcing himself to focus. Aerrow jumped as he heard Piper's fists hitting the main gate, Aerrow started running toward the sound his long strides helped him cover ground quickly.
'Hang on, that sound… It reminds me of something' Aerrow swiftly came to a halt letting the sound weave around him for a few moments. Aerrow went through his memories waiting for one to resemble the memory he was looking for. Aerrow felt his confusion grow , suddenly his mind was flooded with memories
Start Flashback
"Where is it" Aerrow muttered under his breath
"Where is what?" Aerrow jumped slamming the draw shut in the process, he turned around and he saw Piper standing behind him with a look of curiosity on her face
"What ya doin?" Piper's voice held a tone of innocence. Aerrow scratched the back of his neck not sure how to respond his eyes scanned the kitchen franticly hoping he could think of something
"I… am planning something" Aerrow said letting his hand fall back to his side loosely
"What?" Once again Aerrow's eyes scanned the kitchen, looking for a good excuse
"It's a secret" Piper looked up at Aerrow, eyes wide "nice try Piper but if Radarr's puppy eyes won't work no ones will," Piper widened her eyes and kept her eyes locked in with Aerrow's, Aerrow tried to look away but Piper moved closer to the Sky Knight. In response he closed his eyes covering them with his hands. Piper thought for a second she then placed her hands on his shoulders and brought her lips up to his, Aerrow felt energy rush through him at the contact. Piper moved away slowly, Aerrow felt disappointment wash through him as Pier moved away. Aerrow moved his hands away from his eyes and opened his eyes to see Piper who still had the puppy dog look on her face. Aerrow went to cover his eyes again but his hands were stopped by Piper's, Piper forced the Sky Knight's hands away from his eyes as she did her hands were firmly locked around the red heads wrists. Aerrow made sure his eyes were closed as he tried to walk out of the room, which was made hard by Piper pulling on his arms. As the Sky Knight blindly manuvered around Piper he hit the middle counter causing pots and pans to land on his head with a series of clashes, her felt Piper's hands leave his wrists. Aerrow opened his eyes but the room was spinning too quickly for the Sky Knight's liking, he closed his eyes and put his hands on the middle counter to try and steady himself he heard a desperate voice call out his name before the world turned black.
End Flashback
"So that's what I was doing in the kitchen!" Aerrow yelled. Piper stopped banging her fists on the wooden door, patched with metal; the young navigator felt a grin form on her face as she ran to Aerrow her mind racing
'I'm finally going to find out what he was doing' Piper almost squealed in excitement as she reached Aerrow
"So, what were you doing in the kitchen?" Aerrow froze.
A/N: Please remember to review, they really help keep me motivated Should be able to update soon, until then see ya