Sorry I took so long to get this up! And thanx for the reviews!
Heaven Star: Ken, why don't you give Heaven Star here a hug? *watches as Ken hugs Heaven Star comfortingly* Feel better now? I'm sorry I didn't warn you about the sadness of it all - but don't worry, this chapter is a lot happier. Well, I wouldn't call it really happy, but it's not sad either. Don't forget to review ^_^
Fortunata: Wow! What a compliment! Thank you! I try to make it realistic, and I try to give it all the elements that make a good story! It really caught your attention? Awesome! It's always nice to hear that your work is clean too - it's important people can read it, right? Haha. Anyhow, thank you for the blessing - please keep reading and reviewing!
Misura: I love the song 'Hate Everything About You' by Three Days Grace! It's awesome and I listen to it almost constantly. Farfarello is interesting no matter what you do to him, I guess - lol. I'm glad you liked that idea. Thank you for your review! Keep on reading!
Kamazova: Oh yes, sorry about how short that was, and how long this took to get up. I'm also sorry I didn't show the interactions between Yohji and Schuldig and Bonnie in the apartment in the last chapter - I was going to, but I for some reason I decided against it. Hmm... My, that was quite a talk you gave Bonnie there! lol I'll be sure to have her follow some of your advice. Don't worry, Farfarello will take good care of her ~_^
Any: Nice dance there - thank you for encouraging others to review! ~_^
~~~~~
A bright red drop of blood beaded on the pad of Schuldig's left thumb, a testimony to being pricked by a white rose once more. The confounded flowers he was trying to force into an arrangement would simply not bend to his will, no matter what he did. It was enough to drive an inexperienced florist insane, but not as much as something else that was bothering him...
The door jingled, signaling that someone was coming in, and he raised his head, looking curiously to the entrance of the shop. Bonnie. He winced when he saw the girl, at the bruises that still littered her bare arms and the blood-spotted gauze taped to the base of her neck. "Just us today?"
She smiled and nodded, though it was completely and obviously forced. Slowly, limping a little, she walked over to where her apron hung on the wall and put it on, tying it back around her waist and grimacing as her sore arms protested. "Business is slowing down a little, isn't it?" she asked softly.
He shrugged. "It happens."
They didn't talk very much after that, only quietly aiding the customers that filtered in and then going back to sweeping the shop or watering the plants or whatever else needed to be done. Things were tense between the two, even when Omi dropped by to drag in a new shipment of soil he had volunteered to get on his off time.
"Ken and Yohji are going to come by," he informed them. "They'll be taking a floater shift since we're supposed to get hit hard at three today."
Bonnie checked her watch, noting that it was 2:25. "What?" she asked curiously, her interest sparked as Schuldig faded into the background, trying not to be noticed too much. For some reason, Omi noticed, he didn't seem comfortable around the girl anymore.
"Well, all the girls who usually come by were on a school trip to America that took place during this summer. Since they're coming back today, we're guessing they'll all make a mad dash here."
Bonnie nodded, her eyes still dark with a strange sort of worry. Omi, glancing over at Schuldig who now stood in the corner, his forehead pressed to the glass display window as he stared blankly outside, frowned and drew her aside, whispering, "What is wrong with Schuldig? He's so uptight around you today!"
A blush crossed Bonnie's cheeks, but she said nothing.
"Did something happen? Are you two fighting?"
Her voice was low when she next spoke. "No. We're not fighting."
"Then what?"
"He wouldn't like me to say, I think..."
Omi was about to interrogate her further when they were interrupted by the door being thrown open angrily, loudly banging against the other wall. This noise was followed by heavy, stomping foot steps and Yohji's voice shouting loud, angry insults to Ken, who must've been following at his side.
Omi's shoulders tensed when he heard the commotion, and, preparing to lecture the two, he spun on his heel, only to freeze as his mouth gaped open, no words coming. Bonnie was in much the same position, noticing two very different things at once.
One, Ken had his arm around a girl. She was around his age, it seemed, very plain looking with shoulder-length black hair and brown, slanted eyes. She wasn't remarkably pretty, coming about to his shoulder and being average in size, but she wasn't ugly or anything of the sort. She had a nice, comfortable look about her, and was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt.
Two, Yohji simply did not look like Yohji anymore. Sure, he was still the tall, lanky, smooth-talking playboy, she supposed, and he still dressed the same and had those brilliant green eyes set like two emeralds in his long, thin face, but his hair... His blond-brown hair was no longer shoulder- length. If anything, it was like a wavy version of Brad's hair cut, his short bangs parted down the middle and the rest of it tapered close to his head.
"Yohji!" gasped Omi, as Schuldig, who had glanced their way, snickered at the sight. "What happened...?"
"HIM!" Yohji was evidently outraged, pointing a trembling finger in Ken's direction, his jaw clenched so tight Bonnie was afraid he might grind his teeth down into nothing. "He let one of his little BRATS spit GUM in MY hair!"
Ken looked like he was trying to seem apologetic, but was, at the same time, getting a kick out of the situation. He shrugged one shoulder and explained, "It was an accident. And we took him to the hair stylist right away, but it was just too stuck in there! They had to cut it out..."
Omi wore a pained expression, his lips set in a thin line. "Ken...would you...like to introduce us to your friend?"
"Oh yeah!" He smiled, letting his free arm flourish towards the woman in pride. "This is Mikazuki. She is another volunteer soccer coach for the kids. Mikazuki, this is Omi, Bonnie, and that's Schuldig over there."
She grinned and waved. "Hello."
"Hi," Bonnie replied, friendly as ever.
Yohji was still mumbling to himself, shrugging out of his nice jacket and pulling the apron on instead. Glaring at Ken every chance he got, he moved behind the counter to remove his work log, quickly signing in.
Bonnie tapped him on the shoulder, feeling a rush of warm appreciation when he turned to look at her, smiling even though he was still disgruntled over the change in his appearance. Ever since that night he had taken her back to his apartment and helped bandage her wounds and call her dad to pick her up, she'd found herself searching for chances just to show her gratitude. Yohji was a good person, she had decided. He was a little wild, but still, a pretty nice guy.
"I like your new hair cut," she told him honestly. "It makes you look more mature and sort of...I don't know. You look handsome, a different kind than before."
"Aw, little Bonnie," he gushed, "are you finally warming up to me?"
"It must be because you rescued her from certain peril the other night," teased Ken. "You're her night in shining armor now!"
Even Omi wasn't above joining in a little bit of the fun, a sly little grin appearing as he remarked quietly, "Every girl falls for Yohji sooner or later. And here I was, beginning to think Bonnie was immune..."
"Come on, you guys!" she cried, covering her reddening face with her hands. "You know it's not like that! I have an opinion - there's nothing wrong with voicing it!"
Yohji tilted his head lazily to the side, leaning elbows on the counter and smirking at her with languid green eyes. "Don't try to fight it. After all, in another year, you'll be old enough for me."
Bonnie opened her mouth to speak, but a new voice interrupted her, quiet and gruff and no-nonsense. "She ain't interested in ye," said Farfarello, and every head now turned to stare at the Irishman, at his blank expression as he stood in the doorway, wearing a pair of old black jeans and a T-shirt of the same color. His bleached white hair, spiky and bristly, was stiff as he ran his fingers through it, golden eye gleaming.
"Is that so?" Yohji demanded, quickly recovering from his shock. "And how would you know?"
Farfarello strode forward quickly, taking the girl by the hand with a shockingly gentle touch. "Because she belongs ta someone else," he answered shortly, dragging her out of the shop before she could even protest, explaining as he went, "We need ta talk."
Once outside, standing on the sidewalk and feeling the sun warm on their skin, the breeze ruffling through their hair, they stood opposite one another, looking and feeling awkward. Bonnie was the first to speak, and reluctantly at that.
"Would you...ever really hurt me?"
He thought for a moment, and then shook his head.
"Why'd you break into my room then?"
"Ta' see ye."
"Why?"
"Because I needed ta'." His answers were simple and gave very little of what he was thinking away. When she said no more, he heaved a sigh and asked, "Did ye...did ye really mean what ye said? When you said ye...loved me?" When she hesitated in answering, he hastily added, "Or were ye just lying outta fear for yerself?"
"No," she replied slowly, "I meant it."
His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his eyebrow raised in suspicion. "How do I make ye mine?"
She didn't know whether to laugh or run back into the shop screaming. So, she decided to answer as rationally as possible. "Well, Farfarello, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that, but I think you might be talking along the lines of my becoming your girlfriend...maybe...? Hey, you know what you should do?"
"What?"
"Talk to Nagi and Omi. They can tell you all about it!" She was pleased with her idea, knowing that if anyone could explain the process of dating to the confused Irishman without leading him astray, it would be the two boys. "After they explain it to you though..." She winced. "You're going to have to talk to my dad... He lays down the ground rules for all the relationships in my house. If you accept his terms, then I will definitely be yours..." She paused, wondering if that would be a safe idea. "Um, of course, you're going to have to ask him what that means too...since I'm not really sure... Oh! But don't worry about this! Even Ryan's girlfriends have to come see him. It's insane."
Farfarello blinked. "Ryan?"
"My brother, remember?"
"Oh... Is he the one that collects knives?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Looked in his window the other night," he admitted. "It surprised me."
"Come on - collecting knives doesn't make you insane!"
Farfarello looked interested at this proposition. "I'll ask Nagi about that too," he decided, opening the flower shop's door and letting her pass in, smiling a little. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye!" she waved, marveling at how much they had accomplished in their short conversation. She was still riding out the waves of her good mood when she realized the shop was strangely empty with only Schuldig standing behind the counter, looking rather grim. "Where is everyone?"
"They left the back way to go get some lunch for everyone. They'll be back shortly." He was staring at her intently, blue eyes hardened. "I need to talk to you."
"Huh?" Bonnie's steps slowed as she looked left and right cautiously, a sinking sensation in her stomach warning her that whatever conversation ensued would not be pleasant. At the bidding of his hand, which motioned stiffly to the storage room, she stepped back into the cramped space and gulped down a lump in her throat when he closed the door behind them. "What about the customers?" she demanded nervously.
"They can wait."
"What is this about...?"
The German took a deep breath, the tenseness inscribed deep in his features, in his tan face and long nose and sharp chin, only increasing. Shoulder-length strands of auburn hair brushed over his yellow bandanna and around his neck. "Alright," he whispered, "I need you to tell me..."
She could feel her own heart beat accelerate. No, not this...
"What you overheard..."
Her teeth bit sharply into her lower lip, a flash of pain in her momentary panic and embarrassment.
"...me and Crawford talking about."
Bonnie held her breath. Maybe if she said nothing he would not press further upon the conversation; maybe she could make all this go away and wouldn't have to confide in him what she had accidentally eavesdropped on. She didn't want to see him so ashamed, to see him hurt, and she didn't want him to avoid her. She didn't want to even remember his secret! No more pain for Schuldig...she didn't want him to be in any more pain...
The sunny-skied eyes fluttered shut as an exhale of pain escaped him. "You know...don't you?"
~~~~~~
Yeah, you all know what he's talking about! Well, review!
Heaven Star: Ken, why don't you give Heaven Star here a hug? *watches as Ken hugs Heaven Star comfortingly* Feel better now? I'm sorry I didn't warn you about the sadness of it all - but don't worry, this chapter is a lot happier. Well, I wouldn't call it really happy, but it's not sad either. Don't forget to review ^_^
Fortunata: Wow! What a compliment! Thank you! I try to make it realistic, and I try to give it all the elements that make a good story! It really caught your attention? Awesome! It's always nice to hear that your work is clean too - it's important people can read it, right? Haha. Anyhow, thank you for the blessing - please keep reading and reviewing!
Misura: I love the song 'Hate Everything About You' by Three Days Grace! It's awesome and I listen to it almost constantly. Farfarello is interesting no matter what you do to him, I guess - lol. I'm glad you liked that idea. Thank you for your review! Keep on reading!
Kamazova: Oh yes, sorry about how short that was, and how long this took to get up. I'm also sorry I didn't show the interactions between Yohji and Schuldig and Bonnie in the apartment in the last chapter - I was going to, but I for some reason I decided against it. Hmm... My, that was quite a talk you gave Bonnie there! lol I'll be sure to have her follow some of your advice. Don't worry, Farfarello will take good care of her ~_^
Any: Nice dance there - thank you for encouraging others to review! ~_^
~~~~~
A bright red drop of blood beaded on the pad of Schuldig's left thumb, a testimony to being pricked by a white rose once more. The confounded flowers he was trying to force into an arrangement would simply not bend to his will, no matter what he did. It was enough to drive an inexperienced florist insane, but not as much as something else that was bothering him...
The door jingled, signaling that someone was coming in, and he raised his head, looking curiously to the entrance of the shop. Bonnie. He winced when he saw the girl, at the bruises that still littered her bare arms and the blood-spotted gauze taped to the base of her neck. "Just us today?"
She smiled and nodded, though it was completely and obviously forced. Slowly, limping a little, she walked over to where her apron hung on the wall and put it on, tying it back around her waist and grimacing as her sore arms protested. "Business is slowing down a little, isn't it?" she asked softly.
He shrugged. "It happens."
They didn't talk very much after that, only quietly aiding the customers that filtered in and then going back to sweeping the shop or watering the plants or whatever else needed to be done. Things were tense between the two, even when Omi dropped by to drag in a new shipment of soil he had volunteered to get on his off time.
"Ken and Yohji are going to come by," he informed them. "They'll be taking a floater shift since we're supposed to get hit hard at three today."
Bonnie checked her watch, noting that it was 2:25. "What?" she asked curiously, her interest sparked as Schuldig faded into the background, trying not to be noticed too much. For some reason, Omi noticed, he didn't seem comfortable around the girl anymore.
"Well, all the girls who usually come by were on a school trip to America that took place during this summer. Since they're coming back today, we're guessing they'll all make a mad dash here."
Bonnie nodded, her eyes still dark with a strange sort of worry. Omi, glancing over at Schuldig who now stood in the corner, his forehead pressed to the glass display window as he stared blankly outside, frowned and drew her aside, whispering, "What is wrong with Schuldig? He's so uptight around you today!"
A blush crossed Bonnie's cheeks, but she said nothing.
"Did something happen? Are you two fighting?"
Her voice was low when she next spoke. "No. We're not fighting."
"Then what?"
"He wouldn't like me to say, I think..."
Omi was about to interrogate her further when they were interrupted by the door being thrown open angrily, loudly banging against the other wall. This noise was followed by heavy, stomping foot steps and Yohji's voice shouting loud, angry insults to Ken, who must've been following at his side.
Omi's shoulders tensed when he heard the commotion, and, preparing to lecture the two, he spun on his heel, only to freeze as his mouth gaped open, no words coming. Bonnie was in much the same position, noticing two very different things at once.
One, Ken had his arm around a girl. She was around his age, it seemed, very plain looking with shoulder-length black hair and brown, slanted eyes. She wasn't remarkably pretty, coming about to his shoulder and being average in size, but she wasn't ugly or anything of the sort. She had a nice, comfortable look about her, and was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt.
Two, Yohji simply did not look like Yohji anymore. Sure, he was still the tall, lanky, smooth-talking playboy, she supposed, and he still dressed the same and had those brilliant green eyes set like two emeralds in his long, thin face, but his hair... His blond-brown hair was no longer shoulder- length. If anything, it was like a wavy version of Brad's hair cut, his short bangs parted down the middle and the rest of it tapered close to his head.
"Yohji!" gasped Omi, as Schuldig, who had glanced their way, snickered at the sight. "What happened...?"
"HIM!" Yohji was evidently outraged, pointing a trembling finger in Ken's direction, his jaw clenched so tight Bonnie was afraid he might grind his teeth down into nothing. "He let one of his little BRATS spit GUM in MY hair!"
Ken looked like he was trying to seem apologetic, but was, at the same time, getting a kick out of the situation. He shrugged one shoulder and explained, "It was an accident. And we took him to the hair stylist right away, but it was just too stuck in there! They had to cut it out..."
Omi wore a pained expression, his lips set in a thin line. "Ken...would you...like to introduce us to your friend?"
"Oh yeah!" He smiled, letting his free arm flourish towards the woman in pride. "This is Mikazuki. She is another volunteer soccer coach for the kids. Mikazuki, this is Omi, Bonnie, and that's Schuldig over there."
She grinned and waved. "Hello."
"Hi," Bonnie replied, friendly as ever.
Yohji was still mumbling to himself, shrugging out of his nice jacket and pulling the apron on instead. Glaring at Ken every chance he got, he moved behind the counter to remove his work log, quickly signing in.
Bonnie tapped him on the shoulder, feeling a rush of warm appreciation when he turned to look at her, smiling even though he was still disgruntled over the change in his appearance. Ever since that night he had taken her back to his apartment and helped bandage her wounds and call her dad to pick her up, she'd found herself searching for chances just to show her gratitude. Yohji was a good person, she had decided. He was a little wild, but still, a pretty nice guy.
"I like your new hair cut," she told him honestly. "It makes you look more mature and sort of...I don't know. You look handsome, a different kind than before."
"Aw, little Bonnie," he gushed, "are you finally warming up to me?"
"It must be because you rescued her from certain peril the other night," teased Ken. "You're her night in shining armor now!"
Even Omi wasn't above joining in a little bit of the fun, a sly little grin appearing as he remarked quietly, "Every girl falls for Yohji sooner or later. And here I was, beginning to think Bonnie was immune..."
"Come on, you guys!" she cried, covering her reddening face with her hands. "You know it's not like that! I have an opinion - there's nothing wrong with voicing it!"
Yohji tilted his head lazily to the side, leaning elbows on the counter and smirking at her with languid green eyes. "Don't try to fight it. After all, in another year, you'll be old enough for me."
Bonnie opened her mouth to speak, but a new voice interrupted her, quiet and gruff and no-nonsense. "She ain't interested in ye," said Farfarello, and every head now turned to stare at the Irishman, at his blank expression as he stood in the doorway, wearing a pair of old black jeans and a T-shirt of the same color. His bleached white hair, spiky and bristly, was stiff as he ran his fingers through it, golden eye gleaming.
"Is that so?" Yohji demanded, quickly recovering from his shock. "And how would you know?"
Farfarello strode forward quickly, taking the girl by the hand with a shockingly gentle touch. "Because she belongs ta someone else," he answered shortly, dragging her out of the shop before she could even protest, explaining as he went, "We need ta talk."
Once outside, standing on the sidewalk and feeling the sun warm on their skin, the breeze ruffling through their hair, they stood opposite one another, looking and feeling awkward. Bonnie was the first to speak, and reluctantly at that.
"Would you...ever really hurt me?"
He thought for a moment, and then shook his head.
"Why'd you break into my room then?"
"Ta' see ye."
"Why?"
"Because I needed ta'." His answers were simple and gave very little of what he was thinking away. When she said no more, he heaved a sigh and asked, "Did ye...did ye really mean what ye said? When you said ye...loved me?" When she hesitated in answering, he hastily added, "Or were ye just lying outta fear for yerself?"
"No," she replied slowly, "I meant it."
His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his eyebrow raised in suspicion. "How do I make ye mine?"
She didn't know whether to laugh or run back into the shop screaming. So, she decided to answer as rationally as possible. "Well, Farfarello, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that, but I think you might be talking along the lines of my becoming your girlfriend...maybe...? Hey, you know what you should do?"
"What?"
"Talk to Nagi and Omi. They can tell you all about it!" She was pleased with her idea, knowing that if anyone could explain the process of dating to the confused Irishman without leading him astray, it would be the two boys. "After they explain it to you though..." She winced. "You're going to have to talk to my dad... He lays down the ground rules for all the relationships in my house. If you accept his terms, then I will definitely be yours..." She paused, wondering if that would be a safe idea. "Um, of course, you're going to have to ask him what that means too...since I'm not really sure... Oh! But don't worry about this! Even Ryan's girlfriends have to come see him. It's insane."
Farfarello blinked. "Ryan?"
"My brother, remember?"
"Oh... Is he the one that collects knives?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Looked in his window the other night," he admitted. "It surprised me."
"Come on - collecting knives doesn't make you insane!"
Farfarello looked interested at this proposition. "I'll ask Nagi about that too," he decided, opening the flower shop's door and letting her pass in, smiling a little. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye!" she waved, marveling at how much they had accomplished in their short conversation. She was still riding out the waves of her good mood when she realized the shop was strangely empty with only Schuldig standing behind the counter, looking rather grim. "Where is everyone?"
"They left the back way to go get some lunch for everyone. They'll be back shortly." He was staring at her intently, blue eyes hardened. "I need to talk to you."
"Huh?" Bonnie's steps slowed as she looked left and right cautiously, a sinking sensation in her stomach warning her that whatever conversation ensued would not be pleasant. At the bidding of his hand, which motioned stiffly to the storage room, she stepped back into the cramped space and gulped down a lump in her throat when he closed the door behind them. "What about the customers?" she demanded nervously.
"They can wait."
"What is this about...?"
The German took a deep breath, the tenseness inscribed deep in his features, in his tan face and long nose and sharp chin, only increasing. Shoulder-length strands of auburn hair brushed over his yellow bandanna and around his neck. "Alright," he whispered, "I need you to tell me..."
She could feel her own heart beat accelerate. No, not this...
"What you overheard..."
Her teeth bit sharply into her lower lip, a flash of pain in her momentary panic and embarrassment.
"...me and Crawford talking about."
Bonnie held her breath. Maybe if she said nothing he would not press further upon the conversation; maybe she could make all this go away and wouldn't have to confide in him what she had accidentally eavesdropped on. She didn't want to see him so ashamed, to see him hurt, and she didn't want him to avoid her. She didn't want to even remember his secret! No more pain for Schuldig...she didn't want him to be in any more pain...
The sunny-skied eyes fluttered shut as an exhale of pain escaped him. "You know...don't you?"
~~~~~~
Yeah, you all know what he's talking about! Well, review!