Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 File 1: Dominant Species
Part 4: Hunger
Chapter 37: Home
by P. Kristen Enos (bgcpost2040@aol.com)
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A Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC, ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing the story. Contains spoilers! Rated PG13. Yuri warning! Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own interpretation of events! Special thanks to Greenegret for betaing!
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"I hadn't had so much fun since I was a kid!" Leon bragged as they sat around the dinner table, Priss on his left, Daley on his right, and Yuuji across from him. "I had that stage equipment conquered by the first week. And I now know every trick fans use to try to get backstage. If I ever wanted to go into the music industry professionally, I felt like I could do anything, short of singing or playing."
"Well, you came pretty close when Jaid got food poisoning in New York," Priss teased over a sip of sake.
Leon blushed and said, "Yeah, luckily you guys decided to go acoustic that night instead."
"It sounds like you guys traveled all over," Daley commented as he refilled everyone's cups from the sake bottle. "I have to admit I'm envious since I've never left Japan."
"Well, we stuck primarily to English speaking countries since none of us had any language knowledge beyond high school English," Leon admitted. "But some of the other European countries weren't so difficult since we ended up getting local groupies to help us out… But you're right in that it was wild. We'd stay in a city and play gigs for as long as things were hot for us and we found the place interesting. Then we'd move and go to the next town."
"Yeah," Priss added, "Because we have more of a niche following, it allowed us to pick and choose where we wanted to be and how long we wanted to stay. We had complete freedom and control since we were doing it on our own and weren't sponsored by some promotional or record company. Not that we're popular enough to get support for such a long tour. We did release our music discs on our own label after all."
"So are you planning to play clubs now that you're here?" Yuuji asked. Dressed in his preferred attire of slacks, shirt and tie, he was a short, wiry guy with wavy dark brown hair and a mustache.
"That's the plan. Hate to waste an opportunity to play for our old fans since we're here."
"Well, let me know when you've booked a gig. I'll get someone in the entertainment section to do a write-up for you guys," he offered.
"Hey, thanks."
"Are you planning only a couple of gigs, or are you guys here to stay?" Daley asked, wanting an answer to the multi-million yen question.
Leon looked hesitantly at Priss as she took another sip.
"So, uh, are we?" he prompted her.
She looked at him for a moment. "Do you want to be?"
He suddenly lit up with a broad smile and said, "Well, yeah! You know I do!"
She broke out into a mild smile of her own. "So I guess we are."
"Great!" Leon exclaimed happily as he put his arms around her shoulder for a celebratory hug.
Priss didn't say anything else as she took another sip.
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Priss stood out on the balcony, staring down at the Tokyo nightlights from the high-rise apartment. Her temporary buzz from sake was gone, and she wasn't in the mood to prolong it. She pressed her fingertips to her heart and noticed the beats were at her regular pulse. She let out a deep sigh.
"They've got a gorgeous apartment," Leon said as he appeared from behind her, wrapping her up in his arms. "It's nice to feel like I'm in a real home again."
She leaned back against him and said, "But it's not yours."
"Since we're back, we could get one."
"True."
They stood in silence for a moment. She could feel the tension in him that showed that he really wanted to ask a question but was searching for a way to phrase it. She knew it was a matter of waiting for him to get it out.
"So, um," Leon began, "did you see Sylia?"
"Yeah."
"And are you going to… uh, sing for her again?" he asked, ever aware of the high probability that the bugging in the apartment also extended out to the balcony.
"Told her I wasn't interested in the new lyrics."
Leon let out an audible sigh as he squeezed her a little tighter and kissed her neck.
They stood in silence again before he said, "'This is such a beautiful night for him to propose to me again, so why hasn't he?' At least, I hope that's what you're thinking."
"... Could be."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. "You did say to wait until we were home before we think about the future."
Priss looked at the diamond band held out before her. She pressed her fingertips against her heart and felt the racing pulse. She said softly, "Yeah, I did say that, didn't I?"
"Twice, in fact."
She turned around in his arms so she could face him. "Hoping three's the charm?"
She could feel his heart race as his nervousness started to become evident.
"Um, yeah. But this time it feels pretty right…. I hope… I'd really be honored if you'd be willing to become Priss McNichol." He felt her tense in his arms so he quickly added, "Or I could become Leon Asagiri. Either one works for me."
She smiled, took the ring and put it on. She then reached up to pull the very relieved man down for a kiss.
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"Looks like he did it," Daley mused since he was able to see the couple on the balcony from his place at the sink. "And successfully this time."
He was quite aware of the previous failed attempts, having receiving long, venting voicemails and emails from Leon each time she had turned him down.
Yuuji peered over his shoulder as he continued to dry a plate. "Hmmm. This should be interesting."
"Meaning?" the detective asked, cued by the tone and by the fact that Yuuji was a damn good investigative reporter who was more observant than most.
Yuuji then shrugged and said, "I admit I don't know her, but I do know how to read people, even the most emotionally guarded. And her smile doesn't seem to reach her eyes. It could be just me though…. However, I'd wager 5000 yen it's not going to be a smooth road to the altar, if they even get that far. It'll give you a chance to get even for the last bet you lost."
Daley frowned as he stared at the silhouette of the kissing couple.
"So are you going to take me up on it?" Yuuji said with a playful nudge.
He turned his attention back to washing the dishes and said, "I'll pass, thanks."
-- End Chapter 37 --
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