The song in here is 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls - one of my favorite bands!
Alright, I feel MUCH better now after a trip to the chiropractor and a week of rest. Still plotting revenge against the evil horse that bucked me though... lol Thank you for all the reviews!
Misura: Not to worry! The date at the water park isn't too bad! And, actually, my recovery was pretty fast. It probably helped that I went to a chiropractor. I'm happy you enjoyed the last chapter so much, since I thought people might find it boring because it was so light hearted. Please review this chapter as well! THAAAAAANKS! ^_^
Ayesen: Oh! Tackle football is fun, isn't it? I played it in the rain in the dark in a very unfamiliar field WITH the whole high school one time! It was great, considering I got dog piled by ten senior guys I didn't even know! lol
Kamazova: Took your advice - the water park is fairly mild. Haha. Glad you liked the tackle football part - wouldn't it be fun to play that game with Weiss and Schwartz? I mean, I'd prefer to be on Schwartz's team, seeing as how they are probably more brutal and have those powers of theirs, but still, it'd be very fun!
Coppelia: Why thank you!! I'm glad you like Bonnie and all! Oh, and I appreciate your review too! Umm...yo hablo un poco espanol. Haha. I'm in my second year, actually, so my conversational skills are VERY limited. It's a really cool language though - I LOVE the accent. That's why I made Bonnie part Spanish, because I wish I was. *sighs and pouts* Spanish people are so pretty... It's cool that you're Mexican! ^_^ Keep reviewing!
Heaven Star: I did do that thing about saying Nagi really fast in a 'cute puppy' voice and it did sound weird! Hehe - I liked the idea of Schu using his super human speed and agility to run circles around everyone playing tackle football! And Yohji screaming and running...that's just a priceless picture in my mind! lol
Jessica: Oh, school is terrible! I've had a million tests this week! Grr... Oh, and that's ok you didn't review last time! Just review this time! *gives evil happy look* ^_^
~~~~~
"And the water park has a huge slide and a wave pool and lots of concession stands with wonderful food," Bonnie explained enthusiastically, gesturing with her hands and hoping her excitement was contagious.
It wasn't.
Farfarello sat beside her in the back of her brother's car, wearing a black T-shirt and a pair of clean, tan cargo pants - compliments of Brad. Leaning against the window and gazing blankly at the scenery zipping by, he was not in the least impressed by her detailed descriptions. In fact, had it not been for her adamant begging, he wouldn't have come along at all.
Ryan, who was driving and planning to meet up with friends of his own, glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned, still not approving of his sister's boyfriend.
"Come on, Farfarello," she coaxed, playfully ruffling his hair. "I promise - it'll be fun."
But Farfarello didn't even respond, completely distant.
Bonnie gulped down a lump in her throat and tried not to look at the scars striping his bare arms. She knew he didn't want to be surrounded by people, and that he disliked the idea of a water park as well as being with her friends, and most of all, baring himself to the crowds would leave him completely and utterly vulnerable.
~~~~~
Inside the girl's locker room, Bonnie hurriedly changed into her bathing suit, a modest two piece with a tropical print. She knew Farfarello was probably already standing by the outside lockers, and she didn't want to keep the nervous man waiting too long. Slinging a towel over her shoulder and picking up her duffel bag, she hurried outside and to their appointed meeting spot, cramming her clothes and shoes into a previously selected locker.
Farfarello appeared as if materializing out of the shadows, approaching her in his black swimming trunks and his T-shirt, rubbing at his arms anxiously and letting his golden eye dart frantically about. His eye patch was attracting stares from all directions.
"Hey," she said with a feeble smile, reaching out and grabbing his hand. "You ready?"
He looked uncertain, but nodded. Then, hesitantly, he began to pull his T- shirt off over his head.
Bonnie's breath caught in her throat when he lowered his arms again, the article of clothing hanging limply in his left hand. His pale skin glared in the sun, branded by deep, ragged scars. Horribly jagged and rough, they spoke years of torture and crisscrossed one another. It was awful.
But Bonnie raised her eyes to his expectant face and saw that he was taking her shock for rejection, so she hurriedly smiled and pulled him to her in a tight embrace, feeling the muscles in his chest and upper arms shift and move against her as he fidgeted. Still, he was warm and solid and slightly comforting. "I'm really happy you came with me," she said as sincerely as she could. "I know you don't want to be here, so it means a lot that you made yourself come."
"Aye, Bonbon," he whispered, placing a hand on the top of her head. "I don' want ta be here... So many people lookin' at me and whisperin'... I know they'll never accept me and it's all because of these scars..."
"Come on," she murmured, leading him by the hand out into the park, "let's find Ryoko and the others."
He tugged back on her hand, offering a little resistance, but followed anyway.
It didn't take long to locate Bonnie's friends, three girls and two boys, each fit and healthy and beautiful. They were not perfect, although they looked that way to Farfarello, but they were lovely and looked as if they'd never suffered a single hardship in their life, and as Bonnie and Farfarello approached, they turned and looked a bit cattily at the pair, judging immediately.
Except one. He stepped forward and in a friendly gesture, called out, "Bonnie! Ah, you made it! Is that your boyfriend?"
Farfarello balked at the sight. There was Hiromi, Bonnie's partner from the singing contest, looking healthy and handsome and completely intimidating without intending to be.
Bonnie smiled and pulled Farfarello into a faster pace. "Yeah! Everyone, this is Jei Farfarello. Farfarello, this is Ryoko, Natsumi, Sakura, Amaro, and you remember Hiromi from the contest, right?"
Farfarello mutely nodded, staring with a wide eye as Hiromi stretched out a hand to shake his. "Hello," he said quietly, and clasped the boy's hand tightly, suddenly feeling a bit too old and much too experienced in the world. These were just kids, innocent and petty. They weren't of his kind.
"So, you're Bonnie's elusive boyfriend!"
"Aye."
"Hey, you're Irish, aren't you?" Hiromi looked at him with a pleased smile. "My family went to Ireland last year. It was beautiful. And the accent is really cool."
Bonnie was visibly relieved, obviously thinking that Hiromi's easy acceptance would set Farfarello at ease, but couldn't she see how the others were looking at him? They were not in the least impressed, and neither was he.
"Let's head off toward that slide," Hiromi said, pointing into the distance. "Farfarello, do you like this kind of thing?"
While the boys walked on ahead, Bonnie fell into step behind them with the girls, feeling a little out of place also. As a Spanish/American, she was naturally a little bigger than the slight built Japanese girls, each in a skimpy bikini of various colors, which of course led to a self-conscious attitude towards her appearance. Was she ugly standing next to them? Fat? What were they thinking when they glanced over at her and snickered to themselves and one another? She felt awkward because they were a clique that excelled in making others feel less than what they really were, and they thought themselves so superior that people began to believe it.
"Bonnie," Ryoki whispered in an almost horrified voice, leaning in close, "he looks older than you! When you said he didn't go to our school, I had no idea you meant he was OUT of school!"
"He's twenty-three," Bonnie replied in a hushed voice, watching Farfarello as he walked, staring at his scarred back and the way his shoulder blades moved as his arms glided in barely perceptible swings.
"What's with the eye patch and the scars?" giggled Natsumi, covering her mouth demurely. "He's like a pirate or something!"
"Yeah," breathed Sakura in awe. "Why's he so pale? Is he albino?"
"Um, yes," Bonnie said, desperately praying that Farfarello wouldn't hear. And then, before he could, she ran up ahead, latched on to his arm, and apologized hurriedly, "Hiromi, we can't stay. I promised Farfarello we would go off on our own - he doesn't like groups and...I kind of want some alone time with him!"
Hiromi looked disappointed by the news but took it all in stride, nodding cheerfully. "Oh....see you when school starts then. Have fun..."
"Yeah, bye." Backing away and pulling Farfarello with her, she waved goodbye and then turned tail and ran.
Farfarello moved with her, seeming vaguely relieved. "Thanks," he remarked with a sigh. "I dinna wan' ta hafta be on best behavior the whole time." And with that, he smiled gently at her, a true sadness lying deep in his eye because he perceived the emotions that lingered deep within her.
She was ashamed of him.
~~~~~
~*~...And I don't want the world to see me... 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand... When everything's made to be broken, I just want you to know who I am...~*~
Ryan twisted the volume knob and let the male singer's rugged voice flood the speakers, instrumentals and English lyrics that he sang along with keeping him occupied.
It was raining on the way home, pouring down in angry torrents and slapping against the windows. The car smelled strongly of chlorine and Farfarello's skin was tinged a dark pink, foretelling of a massive sunburn.
Bonnie, lulled into a dazed state of half sleep, lay stretched out across the back seat whereas Farfarello sat with his spine to the door. He cradled her in his arms and let her lean against his chest, cheek pressed to his sun-heated skin. He had not put his shirt back on, afraid the material would aggravate his sensitive flesh.
Ryan had long since given up telling them to wear seat belts and had turned on his music and deadened his senses to them instead. He stared at the slick road ahead and let his low voice flow and ebb with the words.
~*~And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming... Or the moment of truth in your lies...When everything feels like the movies, Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive~*~
Lying there against Farfarello, listening to the rain and music and feeling the heat from his flesh, Bonnie didn't know what to think anymore. How could her friends, with the exception of Hiromi, have so easily rejected Farfarello? Well, it wasn't like they were truly friends...more like peers.
"I'm sorry," whispered Farfarello, stroking his fingers tenderly through her damp curls. His voice rumbled in his chest, vibrating against her cheek.
"What for?" she asked sleepily.
"I'm sorry I'm not someone ye can show off ta yer friends..."
She shifted a little against him, murmuring, "No, I love you. And I'm not ashamed."
Ryan's brown eyes widened a little and he glanced back at his younger sister in horror, hardly believing what he'd just heard. What would happen when he went off to college in just a few weeks and wasn't able to watch over his sibling anymore?
But Bonnie really did look happy. And Farfarello seemed to really care, if the way he was looking down at her was any indication.
And then, Farfarello surprised Ryan. He leaned his head back against the cool glass of the window, closed his eye, and began to sigh the last fading lyrics of the song with a sigh, whispering...
~*~I just want you to know who I am.... I just want you to know who I am...~*~
~~~~~
Ken was just an innocent bystander - a victim really. He didn't expect to see such a scene when he walked into his apartment, but when he strolled in, he was, quite frankly, shocked by what he beheld. So much that he froze, gasped, and looked desperately for a way out.
There was a movie on the TV, forgotten by the couple who had been watching it. Farfarello was curled up on the bed, fast asleep, and beside him was Bonnie, also out like a light, leaning her forehead to his shoulder with her socks and shoes carelessly discarded on the floor.
Ok, so the sight wasn't that terrible, but Ken held a higher standard for Bonnie than that. How could she be so irresponsible, to just fall asleep like that? Didn't she know what people might think if they accidentally walked in?
Ken whirled on his heel and dashed out the door, slamming it behind him. Aya, who was walking down the hall, glanced at him curiously, and paused, raising an eyebrow.
Moments later, the door reopened and both Bonnie and Farfarello rushed out, looking about in confusion. Upon seeing the frazzled and very paternal frown Ken wore, plus the way he crossed his arms tightly as if in frustration, Bonnie frowned and demanded, "Did you just slam the door? It scared us half to death!"
"Shame - on - YOU!" Ken countered, wagging a finger at them. "If I had been your father, you would've been in serious trouble."
Farfarello's lips twitched in both irritation and slight amusement. "Ken," he drawled, raising a hand slowly in a gesturing motion, "I hope for the sake of the world ye NEVER reproduce."
Ken's mouth gaped in unabashed offense.
Bonnie couldn't help but laugh at poor Ken's unfortunate encounter with Farfarello, for what was so amusing was how hard he took the loose insult. And then, remembering what time she had fallen asleep, she checked her watch and frowned. "We better get moving, Farfarello. If we're going to make the dinner reservations on time, we have to leave now."
"Iight," he said easily, shooting Ken one last menacing glare before they walked off down the hall.
Aya lost interest immediately and glided ghost-like away again.
Bonnie had her shoes and socks hanging limply in her hands as she walked, swinging them back and forth and contemplating how to break the silence between them. Strangely enough, when she and Farfarello were together, they didn't need to speak. They merely enjoyed one another's understanding company, but sometimes, she felt something should be said. So, clearing her throat, she piped up cheerfully, "I'm really glad you went to the water park with me yesterday. Did you have any fun?"
Farfarello thought for a moment and then, rather wistfully, he answered, "I liked the raft that went down the huge slide...and I liked how, if you threw yer weight around just right...ye could make the other people bounce out..."
Bonnie tried not to, but she burst into laughter anyway. "That almost got us kicked out!" A pause, and then, "But it was worth it, seeing as how you got so much joy out of it."
He suddenly stopped, grabbed her by the shoulders, whirled her around, and grinned. "Ye like it when I am joyful?" he asked in the closest thing to a teasing voice she'd ever heard. As her head dipped in a shocked nod, he pressed her back against the wall, firmly but gently, and touched his lips to hers, a lingering, but self-assured kiss. It lasted only a few seconds, but he was smiling and seemingly in a more carefree mood when he pulled away.
She grinned too, because it was rare that he showed her affection, and letting her lean on him in the car the day before, allowing her to lie beside him on the bed during the movie, and even just now, kissing her - it was all so close together that she wondered if he was beginning to change his attitude from dour to happy. Although a sudden change like that was asking a lot.
She hooked her arm through his and walked, holding gently to his elbow, out into the parking lot, humming gently.
He glanced down, looked forward again, and then cleared his throat, lips twitching into a nervous smile. "Bonnie," he said in a quiet voice reserved for her alone, giving his accent a lilting quality, "could ye ever...see yerself wit' someone like me?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean...when ye are older, would ye ever want ta...ta..." He paused, and plunging on ahead, finished, "Marry me? Because I wanted ta' know if ye were serious about this at all."
Bonnie lapsed into surprised silence. "Oh," was all she could say, and that came out very low and rather dread-filled.
Farfarello quickly looked away.
"Actually," she mumbled, her tongue almost numb and tripping over whatever words wished to leave her mouth, "I never even considered NOT marrying you..." She laughed a little. "I'm never had a boyfriend before, and I'm the kind of person who, once I become loyal to someone, can't think of ever parting with them. I guess that's a little pathetic, huh?"
"Little Bonbon, ye are just too..." He sighed. "Trusting."
"Oh, I know Farfarello," she pouted. "But it's not that bad, is it?"
"No. I don't mind it all." He carelessly and laughingly ruffled her hair, lavishing his affection on her. "I like ye the way ye are."
But Bonnie had grown more serious and they stopped outside Schuldig's car, which Farfarello had asked to borrow that night. She looked at him with heavy eyes and a slight frown and decided to just come out and say what was on her mind. Boldly, she stated, "Farfarello, I'm glad you brought that up because now I have to talk to you about something that's been on my mind."
He leaned over the top of the car, crossing his arms and settling his chin on them. "Hm?"
"You promised my dad and me you would when we first started going out, and now I'm going to call you on it. Jei Farfarello, you are going to go to church with me next week!"
Alright, I feel MUCH better now after a trip to the chiropractor and a week of rest. Still plotting revenge against the evil horse that bucked me though... lol Thank you for all the reviews!
Misura: Not to worry! The date at the water park isn't too bad! And, actually, my recovery was pretty fast. It probably helped that I went to a chiropractor. I'm happy you enjoyed the last chapter so much, since I thought people might find it boring because it was so light hearted. Please review this chapter as well! THAAAAAANKS! ^_^
Ayesen: Oh! Tackle football is fun, isn't it? I played it in the rain in the dark in a very unfamiliar field WITH the whole high school one time! It was great, considering I got dog piled by ten senior guys I didn't even know! lol
Kamazova: Took your advice - the water park is fairly mild. Haha. Glad you liked the tackle football part - wouldn't it be fun to play that game with Weiss and Schwartz? I mean, I'd prefer to be on Schwartz's team, seeing as how they are probably more brutal and have those powers of theirs, but still, it'd be very fun!
Coppelia: Why thank you!! I'm glad you like Bonnie and all! Oh, and I appreciate your review too! Umm...yo hablo un poco espanol. Haha. I'm in my second year, actually, so my conversational skills are VERY limited. It's a really cool language though - I LOVE the accent. That's why I made Bonnie part Spanish, because I wish I was. *sighs and pouts* Spanish people are so pretty... It's cool that you're Mexican! ^_^ Keep reviewing!
Heaven Star: I did do that thing about saying Nagi really fast in a 'cute puppy' voice and it did sound weird! Hehe - I liked the idea of Schu using his super human speed and agility to run circles around everyone playing tackle football! And Yohji screaming and running...that's just a priceless picture in my mind! lol
Jessica: Oh, school is terrible! I've had a million tests this week! Grr... Oh, and that's ok you didn't review last time! Just review this time! *gives evil happy look* ^_^
~~~~~
"And the water park has a huge slide and a wave pool and lots of concession stands with wonderful food," Bonnie explained enthusiastically, gesturing with her hands and hoping her excitement was contagious.
It wasn't.
Farfarello sat beside her in the back of her brother's car, wearing a black T-shirt and a pair of clean, tan cargo pants - compliments of Brad. Leaning against the window and gazing blankly at the scenery zipping by, he was not in the least impressed by her detailed descriptions. In fact, had it not been for her adamant begging, he wouldn't have come along at all.
Ryan, who was driving and planning to meet up with friends of his own, glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned, still not approving of his sister's boyfriend.
"Come on, Farfarello," she coaxed, playfully ruffling his hair. "I promise - it'll be fun."
But Farfarello didn't even respond, completely distant.
Bonnie gulped down a lump in her throat and tried not to look at the scars striping his bare arms. She knew he didn't want to be surrounded by people, and that he disliked the idea of a water park as well as being with her friends, and most of all, baring himself to the crowds would leave him completely and utterly vulnerable.
~~~~~
Inside the girl's locker room, Bonnie hurriedly changed into her bathing suit, a modest two piece with a tropical print. She knew Farfarello was probably already standing by the outside lockers, and she didn't want to keep the nervous man waiting too long. Slinging a towel over her shoulder and picking up her duffel bag, she hurried outside and to their appointed meeting spot, cramming her clothes and shoes into a previously selected locker.
Farfarello appeared as if materializing out of the shadows, approaching her in his black swimming trunks and his T-shirt, rubbing at his arms anxiously and letting his golden eye dart frantically about. His eye patch was attracting stares from all directions.
"Hey," she said with a feeble smile, reaching out and grabbing his hand. "You ready?"
He looked uncertain, but nodded. Then, hesitantly, he began to pull his T- shirt off over his head.
Bonnie's breath caught in her throat when he lowered his arms again, the article of clothing hanging limply in his left hand. His pale skin glared in the sun, branded by deep, ragged scars. Horribly jagged and rough, they spoke years of torture and crisscrossed one another. It was awful.
But Bonnie raised her eyes to his expectant face and saw that he was taking her shock for rejection, so she hurriedly smiled and pulled him to her in a tight embrace, feeling the muscles in his chest and upper arms shift and move against her as he fidgeted. Still, he was warm and solid and slightly comforting. "I'm really happy you came with me," she said as sincerely as she could. "I know you don't want to be here, so it means a lot that you made yourself come."
"Aye, Bonbon," he whispered, placing a hand on the top of her head. "I don' want ta be here... So many people lookin' at me and whisperin'... I know they'll never accept me and it's all because of these scars..."
"Come on," she murmured, leading him by the hand out into the park, "let's find Ryoko and the others."
He tugged back on her hand, offering a little resistance, but followed anyway.
It didn't take long to locate Bonnie's friends, three girls and two boys, each fit and healthy and beautiful. They were not perfect, although they looked that way to Farfarello, but they were lovely and looked as if they'd never suffered a single hardship in their life, and as Bonnie and Farfarello approached, they turned and looked a bit cattily at the pair, judging immediately.
Except one. He stepped forward and in a friendly gesture, called out, "Bonnie! Ah, you made it! Is that your boyfriend?"
Farfarello balked at the sight. There was Hiromi, Bonnie's partner from the singing contest, looking healthy and handsome and completely intimidating without intending to be.
Bonnie smiled and pulled Farfarello into a faster pace. "Yeah! Everyone, this is Jei Farfarello. Farfarello, this is Ryoko, Natsumi, Sakura, Amaro, and you remember Hiromi from the contest, right?"
Farfarello mutely nodded, staring with a wide eye as Hiromi stretched out a hand to shake his. "Hello," he said quietly, and clasped the boy's hand tightly, suddenly feeling a bit too old and much too experienced in the world. These were just kids, innocent and petty. They weren't of his kind.
"So, you're Bonnie's elusive boyfriend!"
"Aye."
"Hey, you're Irish, aren't you?" Hiromi looked at him with a pleased smile. "My family went to Ireland last year. It was beautiful. And the accent is really cool."
Bonnie was visibly relieved, obviously thinking that Hiromi's easy acceptance would set Farfarello at ease, but couldn't she see how the others were looking at him? They were not in the least impressed, and neither was he.
"Let's head off toward that slide," Hiromi said, pointing into the distance. "Farfarello, do you like this kind of thing?"
While the boys walked on ahead, Bonnie fell into step behind them with the girls, feeling a little out of place also. As a Spanish/American, she was naturally a little bigger than the slight built Japanese girls, each in a skimpy bikini of various colors, which of course led to a self-conscious attitude towards her appearance. Was she ugly standing next to them? Fat? What were they thinking when they glanced over at her and snickered to themselves and one another? She felt awkward because they were a clique that excelled in making others feel less than what they really were, and they thought themselves so superior that people began to believe it.
"Bonnie," Ryoki whispered in an almost horrified voice, leaning in close, "he looks older than you! When you said he didn't go to our school, I had no idea you meant he was OUT of school!"
"He's twenty-three," Bonnie replied in a hushed voice, watching Farfarello as he walked, staring at his scarred back and the way his shoulder blades moved as his arms glided in barely perceptible swings.
"What's with the eye patch and the scars?" giggled Natsumi, covering her mouth demurely. "He's like a pirate or something!"
"Yeah," breathed Sakura in awe. "Why's he so pale? Is he albino?"
"Um, yes," Bonnie said, desperately praying that Farfarello wouldn't hear. And then, before he could, she ran up ahead, latched on to his arm, and apologized hurriedly, "Hiromi, we can't stay. I promised Farfarello we would go off on our own - he doesn't like groups and...I kind of want some alone time with him!"
Hiromi looked disappointed by the news but took it all in stride, nodding cheerfully. "Oh....see you when school starts then. Have fun..."
"Yeah, bye." Backing away and pulling Farfarello with her, she waved goodbye and then turned tail and ran.
Farfarello moved with her, seeming vaguely relieved. "Thanks," he remarked with a sigh. "I dinna wan' ta hafta be on best behavior the whole time." And with that, he smiled gently at her, a true sadness lying deep in his eye because he perceived the emotions that lingered deep within her.
She was ashamed of him.
~~~~~
~*~...And I don't want the world to see me... 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand... When everything's made to be broken, I just want you to know who I am...~*~
Ryan twisted the volume knob and let the male singer's rugged voice flood the speakers, instrumentals and English lyrics that he sang along with keeping him occupied.
It was raining on the way home, pouring down in angry torrents and slapping against the windows. The car smelled strongly of chlorine and Farfarello's skin was tinged a dark pink, foretelling of a massive sunburn.
Bonnie, lulled into a dazed state of half sleep, lay stretched out across the back seat whereas Farfarello sat with his spine to the door. He cradled her in his arms and let her lean against his chest, cheek pressed to his sun-heated skin. He had not put his shirt back on, afraid the material would aggravate his sensitive flesh.
Ryan had long since given up telling them to wear seat belts and had turned on his music and deadened his senses to them instead. He stared at the slick road ahead and let his low voice flow and ebb with the words.
~*~And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming... Or the moment of truth in your lies...When everything feels like the movies, Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive~*~
Lying there against Farfarello, listening to the rain and music and feeling the heat from his flesh, Bonnie didn't know what to think anymore. How could her friends, with the exception of Hiromi, have so easily rejected Farfarello? Well, it wasn't like they were truly friends...more like peers.
"I'm sorry," whispered Farfarello, stroking his fingers tenderly through her damp curls. His voice rumbled in his chest, vibrating against her cheek.
"What for?" she asked sleepily.
"I'm sorry I'm not someone ye can show off ta yer friends..."
She shifted a little against him, murmuring, "No, I love you. And I'm not ashamed."
Ryan's brown eyes widened a little and he glanced back at his younger sister in horror, hardly believing what he'd just heard. What would happen when he went off to college in just a few weeks and wasn't able to watch over his sibling anymore?
But Bonnie really did look happy. And Farfarello seemed to really care, if the way he was looking down at her was any indication.
And then, Farfarello surprised Ryan. He leaned his head back against the cool glass of the window, closed his eye, and began to sigh the last fading lyrics of the song with a sigh, whispering...
~*~I just want you to know who I am.... I just want you to know who I am...~*~
~~~~~
Ken was just an innocent bystander - a victim really. He didn't expect to see such a scene when he walked into his apartment, but when he strolled in, he was, quite frankly, shocked by what he beheld. So much that he froze, gasped, and looked desperately for a way out.
There was a movie on the TV, forgotten by the couple who had been watching it. Farfarello was curled up on the bed, fast asleep, and beside him was Bonnie, also out like a light, leaning her forehead to his shoulder with her socks and shoes carelessly discarded on the floor.
Ok, so the sight wasn't that terrible, but Ken held a higher standard for Bonnie than that. How could she be so irresponsible, to just fall asleep like that? Didn't she know what people might think if they accidentally walked in?
Ken whirled on his heel and dashed out the door, slamming it behind him. Aya, who was walking down the hall, glanced at him curiously, and paused, raising an eyebrow.
Moments later, the door reopened and both Bonnie and Farfarello rushed out, looking about in confusion. Upon seeing the frazzled and very paternal frown Ken wore, plus the way he crossed his arms tightly as if in frustration, Bonnie frowned and demanded, "Did you just slam the door? It scared us half to death!"
"Shame - on - YOU!" Ken countered, wagging a finger at them. "If I had been your father, you would've been in serious trouble."
Farfarello's lips twitched in both irritation and slight amusement. "Ken," he drawled, raising a hand slowly in a gesturing motion, "I hope for the sake of the world ye NEVER reproduce."
Ken's mouth gaped in unabashed offense.
Bonnie couldn't help but laugh at poor Ken's unfortunate encounter with Farfarello, for what was so amusing was how hard he took the loose insult. And then, remembering what time she had fallen asleep, she checked her watch and frowned. "We better get moving, Farfarello. If we're going to make the dinner reservations on time, we have to leave now."
"Iight," he said easily, shooting Ken one last menacing glare before they walked off down the hall.
Aya lost interest immediately and glided ghost-like away again.
Bonnie had her shoes and socks hanging limply in her hands as she walked, swinging them back and forth and contemplating how to break the silence between them. Strangely enough, when she and Farfarello were together, they didn't need to speak. They merely enjoyed one another's understanding company, but sometimes, she felt something should be said. So, clearing her throat, she piped up cheerfully, "I'm really glad you went to the water park with me yesterday. Did you have any fun?"
Farfarello thought for a moment and then, rather wistfully, he answered, "I liked the raft that went down the huge slide...and I liked how, if you threw yer weight around just right...ye could make the other people bounce out..."
Bonnie tried not to, but she burst into laughter anyway. "That almost got us kicked out!" A pause, and then, "But it was worth it, seeing as how you got so much joy out of it."
He suddenly stopped, grabbed her by the shoulders, whirled her around, and grinned. "Ye like it when I am joyful?" he asked in the closest thing to a teasing voice she'd ever heard. As her head dipped in a shocked nod, he pressed her back against the wall, firmly but gently, and touched his lips to hers, a lingering, but self-assured kiss. It lasted only a few seconds, but he was smiling and seemingly in a more carefree mood when he pulled away.
She grinned too, because it was rare that he showed her affection, and letting her lean on him in the car the day before, allowing her to lie beside him on the bed during the movie, and even just now, kissing her - it was all so close together that she wondered if he was beginning to change his attitude from dour to happy. Although a sudden change like that was asking a lot.
She hooked her arm through his and walked, holding gently to his elbow, out into the parking lot, humming gently.
He glanced down, looked forward again, and then cleared his throat, lips twitching into a nervous smile. "Bonnie," he said in a quiet voice reserved for her alone, giving his accent a lilting quality, "could ye ever...see yerself wit' someone like me?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean...when ye are older, would ye ever want ta...ta..." He paused, and plunging on ahead, finished, "Marry me? Because I wanted ta' know if ye were serious about this at all."
Bonnie lapsed into surprised silence. "Oh," was all she could say, and that came out very low and rather dread-filled.
Farfarello quickly looked away.
"Actually," she mumbled, her tongue almost numb and tripping over whatever words wished to leave her mouth, "I never even considered NOT marrying you..." She laughed a little. "I'm never had a boyfriend before, and I'm the kind of person who, once I become loyal to someone, can't think of ever parting with them. I guess that's a little pathetic, huh?"
"Little Bonbon, ye are just too..." He sighed. "Trusting."
"Oh, I know Farfarello," she pouted. "But it's not that bad, is it?"
"No. I don't mind it all." He carelessly and laughingly ruffled her hair, lavishing his affection on her. "I like ye the way ye are."
But Bonnie had grown more serious and they stopped outside Schuldig's car, which Farfarello had asked to borrow that night. She looked at him with heavy eyes and a slight frown and decided to just come out and say what was on her mind. Boldly, she stated, "Farfarello, I'm glad you brought that up because now I have to talk to you about something that's been on my mind."
He leaned over the top of the car, crossing his arms and settling his chin on them. "Hm?"
"You promised my dad and me you would when we first started going out, and now I'm going to call you on it. Jei Farfarello, you are going to go to church with me next week!"