Yay, I wrote a sequel to 'love (`luv) n:'!! Once again, I have used a title that takes seven million years to type, but whaddya gonna do? This time, Blankie-kins is narrating, which is surprisingly harder than writing as Miki. Blank is a really deep character, and I wish Squaresoft had given him a bigger role. But beggars can't be chosers, so let's just be thankful we have Blank at all!
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believe (buh-`lív) v:
by Trick Sparrow

Chapter One



Never in a *million* years did I think I would settle down and tie the knot. But exactly one year ago on this day, I married Mikoto. I can still remember the night I proposed to her. I was probably more surprised than her that she actually said yes.



"Come on, Cid, you've gotta let me borrow the Bella Piccola tonight!" I pleaded to the regent of Lindblum the eve of the Minasca meteor shower. The rare occurrence only took place once every ninety-one years, and my plan was to pop the question to Mikoto on her favorite airship, when the skies were their most spectacular.

Cid Fabool furrowed his bushy brow. "I would appreciate it if you would not address me so informally," he said sternly. I had ignored the hestitant castle guards and had gone straight into the regent's throne room. "And I can't loan you my airships any old time. Sometimes you forget that you're a member of the most infamous thieves in Lindblum. What would the citizens say?"

I groaned. I had wanted to keep my intentions a secret, but it appeared now I would have to reveal the reason I wanted to take the airship out. "Okay, Regent. I didn't want anyone to find out, but... I'm going to ask Miki to marry me, and I want it to be special."

The regent stared at me for what seemed like an eternity, until a wide grin slowly spread under his moustache. He clapped a hand on my back and shook my hand vigorously with the other. "Blank, my boy, congratulations!" he exclaimed. "You two kids are the perfect match. I'm very happy for you!"

"She hasn't said yes yet, sir," I said, laughing. "So... you'll let me borrow the Bella Piccola then?"

"I suppose," he replied, sighing. "After all, the Minasca is a lightshow that doesn't come around that often. Just bring it back in one piece."

"Gee whiz, Pops," I said jokingly, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Miki and I were only going to share a malt down at the diner. You'll get it back before ten-thirty!"

He rolled his eyes. "Get out of here, wiseguy, before I change my mind."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I called as I headed out the door. "I won't forget this, sir! And remember: don't tell anyone, *especially* Eiko!"



"Beneeeerooo," I crooned, poking my bull-like friend on the shoulder. "The sky isn't going to wait for you to finish making that ring, you know."

Benero turned around to look at me from his place behind the counter of his metalsmith shop. "Quit your whining, Blank! I finished it last night!"

My eyes lit up from beneath the leather belt. "Lemme see!"

He shuffled to a cupboard in the back of the shop and bent over, pulling a small box out of one of the drawers. As he turned back and handed the box to me, he could not hide the self-satisfaction his bovine face.

I slowly lifted the lid from the box and stared in amazement. Cushioned on a small piece of cotton rested a beautiful silver ring with a square-cut diamond set in the middle. On either side shone a tiny rectangular emerald, precisely the same color of Mikoto's eyes. I looked up at Benero in shock. "My God! This is just perfect! How did you do it!?"

He shrugged, forming his version of a grin. "I have my methods. I take it it's good enough for Zidane's sis?"

"Nothing's good enough for Miki," I said, punching him in the arm. "Didn't you know that already? But thanks, man, I owe you one!"

"You're doggone right, you do!" He said, placing his hooves on his hips.



:::Dearest Miki,

Meet me at the airship docks at eight o'clock sharp. Wear something nice. I planned something I know you'll love. Pleeeease don't be late, this is really important.

All my love,
Blank:::


After I folded my letter in half and headed out the door of Tantalus headquarters, I made a beeline straight for Mikoto's apartment building. I climbed the stairs to her residence and slipped the note under her door. But before I could race back down the stairs and prevent her from seeing me, I heard the click of a deadbolt. I looked up bashfully to see Mikoto standing in the doorway, staring at me with a confused expression on her beautiful face.

"Blank?" she asked, stepping out into the hallway. "What are you up to?"

*Whoops,* I thought, mentally kicking myself. *I knew I should've just given the letter to her moogle!*

"Hey, Miki, what's going on?" I said, trying not to look like a total idiot. "Anything... exciting going on with you?"

She smiled and shook her head of glossy blonde hair. "Nothing much," she said, walking up to me and taking my hand in hers. "Except my boyfriend is acting even stranger than usual." She lifted the note I had given her up to my face. "What is all this about?"

"Ah, look, sweetie," I fumbled, searching for the right words. "There's somewhere I really want us to go tonight, but it's a secret. Just trust me, okay?" I attempted a smile to reassure her.

The tawny fur of her tail bristled with mirth, a sign that she was at ease. "I suppose," she said, her lips turning up at the corners. "Though it does seem risky to rely on the words of a thief, I believe I'll trust you for now."

I laughed, resisting the urge to kneel down at that moment, whip out the ring, and blurt out the four words I was forced to keep in until that night. Instead, I took Mikoto in my arms and gave her a soft, tender kiss on her full, pink lips. She sighed, and as I pulled away, I saw my own feeling of longing reflected in her viridescent eyes.

I released her regretfully, trying to control my labored breathing. "I'll, uh," I gasped, blushing ardently, "I'll see you tonight, Miki."



*Holy crap, I better not do that again,* I thought as I shrugged into the coat of my rented tuxedo. Bending down to lace my highly polished shoes, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I had wanted Mikoto at that moment. I couldn't let that happen, though, at least not until we were married. Provided she actually said yes.

I looked into the mirror and shook my head in disgust. "Good Lord," I muttered to myself, lifting the belt from my eyes to see the wreckage underneath. "You must be crazy, thinking the most gorgeous girl on Gaia would ever marry you! You're a friggin' monstrosity!" Staring down at my hand that held the ring, with its mismatched fingers, I sighed. Even though I had everything to lose, I just had to do it. Otherwise, how would I ever know how happy I could be?

I took a deep breath and looked out up at the clock. It was a quarter till eight. Tucking the ring inside my jacket, I pushed open the heavy doors of Tantalus headquarters and headed for the airship station.



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*sniff* Poor Blank! I'd marry him. I MEAN.... Okay, so I'm obsessed. If you hadn't guessed already, this is a flashback. Notice that at the beginning, Blank said it had been a year since he married Miki. Keep checking for updates!
-Sparrow