Prompt: Black Balloon

Ikarishipping

When Dawn saw Paul walking around, with a black balloon tied around his wrist, she was completely confused. Why would Paul of all people, have a balloon? It seemed just so random. Sure it was black, something somewhat comforting for Paul's cold nature, but it was still strange. She specifically remembered Paul saying he didn't like balloons.

She remembered it very distinctly.

It was at the birthday party Reggie had thrown for Paul's 16th. The room had been filled with balloons, sparkles and every other type of decoration, much to Paul's disgust.

And she remembered his explaining that they lasted forever to remind him of the sick cruel ways his brother liked to torture him.

Curious, she couldn't help but return her Buneary, and follow after him. She frowned in confusion and stared at the balloon as if it would give her a clue to why Paul was walking around like this.

He stopped.

"Why are you following me troublesome?" he asked.

She was quite surprised. She was sure she'd been quiet.

"Well…uh…um," she stuttered.

"Spit it out," he snapped, "I hate it when you stutter like that."

"Why have you got a balloon?" she blurted. She covered her mouth.

He gave her a funny look and for some reason his cheeks went slightly pink.

"Well…"

*Paul's flashback*

"Hey mister." Paul looked down, annoyed at the tug on his shirt. Who was it now? He did have training to keep up with.

His eyes widened when he saw a little girl, around about five, with black hair and dark blue eyes.

"Karla?" he said, the name involuntarily slipping past his lips.

She gave him an innocently confused look and then smiled brightly at him.

"My name's Tessie," she said, "What's yours?"

"Paul," he grumbled bitterly. Of course it wasn't her. Duh it wasn't her.

She grabbed his hand in her much smaller one.

He was shocked. No-one had ever given him much physical contact; they'd all been scared off by his demeanour, but this little girl wasn't afraid of him. It reminded him of that troublesome girl who keep bouncing back to him.

"You need to smile Mister Paul," she said, "You're a bit of a mister grumpy aren't you?" Yep. This girl was definitely related to Dawn in some way. Even sounded like her.

"Hmm," he mumbled. She giggled. She slipped her hand out of his and he somehow found himself missing it. Like it belonged. What a weird feeling.

He felt a string being tied around his wrist.

"Here you go," she said, "That should make you happy. My mama says everyone looks better when they're happy." He looked to see a black helium balloon bobbing at the end of the string.

The corner of his lips twitched slightly. She reminded him so much of the two most important girls who had been in his life.

The girl giggled again.

"That's better. Good luck Mister Paul," she said, "bye, bye." She ran away, giggling.

*flashback end*

Paul touched the string. He didn't know what compelled him to keep it.

"Well," Dawn demanded, her hands on her hips, slightly agitated at the lack of response.

He shook his head. That was his moment.

Once again, unable to control his actions, he reached out with the hand that still had the balloon on it and slipped his fingers in between hers; finding that her hands felt much like the little girl's had.

"What?" Dawn squeaked, her face heating up, "What are you doing Paul?" Paul once again didn't answer, but stared intently at their hands, as if it would offer him the answers.

He looked up to Dawn's face, her eyebrows raised in question.

He didn't quite understand it himself, but right at that moment, he felt peace and he did something that totally threw Dawn for a loop; he smiled.

Watching the pair from a distance, a little girl, about 5, with black hair and dark blue eyes giggled. She knew the pair would fall in love from there. Her job was done. The loop had been completed.

"I'll see you in 10 years," she whispered, "…Dad."

A/N: Well...That was a rather strange prompt. I dunno. I thought this one was good. I actually knew where it was going before I started writing it. I felt like writing a bit of a cutesy one ;P Did it work? I sure hope so. Either way, I liked it and I enjoyed writing this one a lot so I'm happy, which is surprising since my brain felt like mush before doing this and I had the biggest headache ever during this.

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I like writing it.

So review and tell me what you think.