A/N okay, okay, I know I said I'd update soon, but my sister-in-law was in a car wreck last week and we flooded so things have been a little hectic around here. I think that's a decent excuse, isn't it? Forgive me?

This was going to be longer, but I thought it would be better like this. Sorry there hasn't been a whole lot of Timon yet, there will be I assure you.

Thanks to KariGilmore and Neosun7 for reviewing, it's nice to see I've got someone reading!

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Timon sat for awhile after Hadiya dozed off, not wanting to wake her. It was getting to be quite late when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see Flinchy watching him, his brow furrowed as if in deep thought.

"Isn't it getting a little late?" he said, a hand on his hip. Timon smiled at him.

"I've been delayed."

"I can see that." He walked over to them, bending over Hadiya and brushing her hair away from her face. "she's pretty, isn't she?" Timon glanced at him and looked down at her, wondering what he was getting at. He hardly ever talked to Flinchy and it seemed a little odd to him that he'd decide to now.

"She's definitely, uh...unique." Flinchy raised his eyes to Timon's, an annoyed look crossing his face.

"What, don't you think so?"

"Of course I do, I just...uh..." Timon wasn't really sure what to say, so he tried to change the subject. "You know, you're right, it's pretty late. Maybe I should take her home." He shifted her around until he could get a better hold on her and stood up. Flinchy jumped towards him, as if expecting her to fall. Timon threw him a look. "What am I not capable of carrying her myself?"

"Sorry, I guess it's sort of a reflex. Um...since I'm going the same way, why don't I take her? It'll be easier on you." He held his arms out, but Timon hesitated, not wanting to give her up just yet. It didn't seem like he was up to anything, after all Flinchy wasn't exactly what you'd call the hostile type, but he didn't like the way Flinchy kept glancing at him suspiciously. Somewhat begrudgingly Timon allowed him to take her. Flinchy nodded and disappeared into the darkness.

x x x

Hadiya wriggled sleepily, opening an eye to see Flinchy holding her. He noticed and smiled. "What were you doing out so late?"

"Where's Timon?" she asked, ignoring his question. He sighed and set her on her feet. Without replying he continued down the path. "Hey, I'm talking to you!"

"It's late Hadiya..."

"I know it's late and I don't care." She glared at him and he returned it with annoyance. "You didn't run him off, did you?"

"Now why would I do something like that?"

"How should I know? I've been here a week, I hardly know you!" she threw her arms in the air, shouting in frustration. "if you would've just said 'he went home' or something instead of changing the subject it probably wouldn't have occurred to me that you might have run him off!"

"Hadiya, calm down." Flinchy grasped her shoulders and shook her gently. She fell silent, staring at him with wide eyes.

"I'm doing it again..." she shook her head as she pulled away from him. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Everybody has an off day once in awhile. What do you say we go home and forget about it?" he offered her his arm, but she stepped away from him, not really wanting anymore company for the night.

"I can get there by myself, thank you." She didn't bother to wait for a reply, and strode away in the opposite direction.

Hadiya liked Flinchy, but she was beginning to tire of him always being there and sticking his nose into her business. Her temper wasn't really something she could justify, and she felt a little bad at blowing up at him again, but she really didn't like waking up in his arms. He was a nice guy to talk to (usually anyhow) but bodily contact of any kind was out of the question.

"How am I going to get him to stop touching me? Maybe Osono would tell him I'm sick..." she thought out loud as she stopped at the tree Max had let her claim for her own. She climbed a short distance up the trunk and squeezed through a hole. A fern had somehow worked it's way inside to grow within the space that had been carved into the wood. Hadiya fell forward onto it's fronds, stretching and then snuggling down into the soft greenery.

Her thoughts wandered sleepily as she relaxed, going first to Flinchy, and then Pazu, and lastly Timon. She smiled to herself, thinking of his warm arms around her. Maybe Flinchy was right about him.