I'm tryin' to keep my cool, I know it shows, I'm starin' at my feet, my cheeks are turnin' red, I'm searchin' for the words inside my head, cause I feel so nervous…
When I decided I could deal with Laguna again, I walked back into the room. He was holding onto his jacket, still, random items lying on the bed. His pockets were turned inside out, and I was surprised how much junk he'd managed to cram into them. He was preoccupied at the moment, however, with a folded up piece of paper. I didn't even ask, afraid he'd get mad at me. That was the last thing I needed. So I sat down, picked up my notebook again and restlessly started to write.
"Hey, Miss Leonhart."
I smiled a little and looked up at him. Looked like he did have manners, however deep they may be hidden. "Yes?"
"You seen these guys around, maybe? Like when they brought me?"
He handed me a bent up picture of three boys taken at least three years ago. The one in the middle was obviously Laguna. I didn't want to tell him this, but I had never seen anyone like that in Winhill, and even so we were especially slow lately. These other boys were totally unfamiliar.
"I'm sorry," I said softly, "I haven't seen them. But I'll go out and look soon, I promise." Even though I know they won't be there.
"Maybe I'll go look. Cause they look a little different now, and I gotta find 'em… so…"
"Be careful, Laguna. Don't overdo it. Last night you were nearly dead, you don't need to be out and about just yet."
"I feel fine," Laguna protested, "Look at me, I am the picture of healthy."
He was the picture of pitiful, if anything.
"Just be careful."
I found myself reaching over to touch his arm, but then back as quickly as if I'd been burned. I didn't want a repeat of the hand sanitizer episode. He slowly sat up, wincing. He slowly stood up, then cried out and sat back down. I wished more than anything at that moment that I could take away the pain.
"Peaches, peaches, peaches…" he muttered through gritted
teeth.
"What?" I put my hand on his shoulder, worried.
"Ellone's not in here, right? I won't say things in front of her…." He said slowly, eyes squinched shut. "You're right. You were right, I was wrong."
"It's okay, everything's okay, Laguna… Elle's not in her, feel free to say things." I knew that if it was me, I'd be saying things, so I guess I could excuse language just this once. "Just… be careful…" I was worried about him… if he rushed this…
"I won't say anything. I'll be polite today." He smiled weakly, eyes locking into mine. I felt a rush of embarrassment for no apparent reason and my knees nearly buckled.
I laughed slightly. He had wonderful eyes, despite his annoyingness. "Thank you."
His eyes diverted from my eyes to my hand resting on his shoulder, and I felt a wave of panic. I almost drew back. Almost.
"Sanitized?" he smiled to me.
"Sorry." I yanked my hand away, to embarrassed to say anything else. I was even blushing. Dangit!
"Well, were you?" he grinned.
"I washed my hands before I can in here." I murmured.
"I don't believe you," he said teasingly. Laguna reached out and took one of my hands, inspecting it.
"So do I pass?" Heat rose in my cheeks. I ignored it. I hated blushing. Last time… well, I'll not get into that just yet. But it was never a good sign. Never.
"Missed a spot," he dropped my hand, smiling. "Now I'm contaminated."
Curses. He didn't have, y'know, let go of my hand if he was already contaminated. I found this thought awkward and shifted it to the back of my mind, along with the feeling I got when he took my hand. I looked down. My hand was still warm where he'd held it. No one but Elle had held my hand in a long time.
"Sorry."
"Sure, sure, that's what they all say."
"Seriously." I nodded.
"So, Miss-Know-It-All-Leonhart, when will I be ready to leave?"
"I don't know that much. Whenever you're feeling better…. I'm sorry I don't know any more… feel free to stay as long as you need."
"I'll make it up, when I can, I promise…."
"Don't worry about it, Laguna."
"I will, sorry," He shrugged, "What kind of selfish person do you take me for?"
"I don't take you for a selfish person. I just refuse anything to make it up." I said simply.
I spared a glance at him. I was kind of happy, for some reason beyond my fathoming, that his ring didn't appear to be anything major, like that of someone who was married or engaged or anything… why was I thinking these things?! Laguna was already a part of my life, whether I liked it or not.
"I mean, I'm employed. I can pay you for rent and all."
"Laguna, it doesn't matter. Stop fussing."
"Stop fussing?" he blinked a few times. "Yes, Mommy."
I rolled my eyes, and even spared a smile. "Sorry."
"It's alright. You can't not love a mommy."
I grinned. "Guess I've spent to long raising Ellone."
"Aw, you can adopt me!"
"Okay," I laughed.
"I feel… like a little kid again. Let's go on a road trip soon! Are we there yet?"
"…You sound like Elle." That thought made me giggle, and in turn my face went red. "…sorry bout that." I was serious again.
"About what?"
"Forget it. I guess I'm just so used to being the responsible adult, I feel like an idiot laughing like that."
"Boring girls are boring. You can be responsible without being boring." Laguna made a face.
"I'll try not to be so boring." I smiled slightly. But how?
"Go ahead. Laugh! C'mon, laugh!"
"What about?"
"How about… this!"
Laguna reached out and tickled me. I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time. I never told anyone I was ticklish, and here was a (rather cute) almost total stranger tickling me till I thought I was gonna die. How strange… that things could change so quickly.
"Ah, that's better!" Laguna grinned, still relentlessly tickling me.
"Oh, Laguna!" I gasped through my laughter.
He stopped for a moment, smiling. "Yes?"
I thought for a moment, thankful for a break. "….Thanks. I needed that." I grinned.
Laguna was staring past me towards the doorway now, however. I spun around to see my best friend Sakura standing there. I had a lot of explaining to do.