Disclaimer: All appearing characters and places belong to Namco unless otherwise specified.
The O-dai themes belong to the Zeroshii-Wa, but it has closed down now. Ain't that so sad?
Setting: Post-game.
Warnings: Fluff?
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Fun Version,
#1 – Smile
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The rain came down steadily, a gray curtain of water that made it nearly impossible to see anything that was more than three feet away.
"Bo-ring."
It had started raining in the late morning and, as of six o'clock in the afternoon, hadn't stopped nor did it look like it would stop any time soon. There was no way of knowing how big the storm was – as far as the eye could see the sky was covered in black clouds, and the (very wet) scouts that had reported just an hour or so ago had confirmed that most of Gaoracchia was under Nature's assault.
"Bo-ring."
In all of Mizuho not a single soul dared to leave their homes. Those who had been out, working the fields or as agents, had returned as soon as they could and were, by now, taking long hot baths to warm up before dinner. There was no telling when would the storm end, so there was nothing to do but wait.
"Bo-ring!"
"I heard you the first time!"
"Then say something!"
The soon-to-be-Chief's home was unusually full that night. Not to say there were many people but still, two is more than one.
Moving into a house of her own had made Sheena Fujibayashi, spy and successor for Mizuho, appreciate human company more than ever before. Most of her meals were either done while working or with her grandfather or with Orochi, but even then it was somewhat lonely.
So when the storm had started she had secretly been glad that Zelos Wilder, ex-Chosen for Tethe'alla, had been visiting. If she was going to be trapped inside for Goddess knew how many hours, then she would at least have someone to talk to.
He, too, hadn't been completely distraught. He had of course complained, but it had been more of a joke than anything else, and they had spent two nice hours just talking. The storm, however, had continued. And then it had continued, and then it just didn't stop. They had eaten lunch and it was still raining, and now there she was, preparing dinner, and going outside was still a pretty impossible thing to do.
An hour ago Zelos had, without really asking for permission, taken out her futon and basically hidden in it. Only his head could be seen, and at some point not even that; just random strands of red hair.
She sighed. "What do you want me to say?"
"Not say..." Zelos answered from the futon, "You could entertain me."
"I'm making you dinner!" she turned, kitchen knife in hand – she hadn't meant to threaten, but she had been holding it anyway. "Isn't that enough?"
"Well I'm bored."
"Entertain yourself," she grunted and turned round to cutting carrots again. "You could help me, too."
"You know I can't cook Mizuho dishes."
"You could learn," she sighed. "With all the time you've been here today, you could have."
"How was I supposed to know it'd rain for so much?" Zelos bemoaned.
"I've told you before... the rainy season in Mizuho isn't something to make fun of," the ninja sighed and counted the carrots she had used.
"...why is the kitchen so close to the bedroom, anyway?"
Sheena laughed. "Well, sorry for not living in a mansion like some rich people do!" she emptied the carrots into a pot, where they started to boil along with some other vegetables. "We don't have that much space. We can't waste an entire room for the kitchen."
"Yeah, yeah, I know..." Zelos sighed. "I think it's letting up now. Perhaps I can head back in a few minutes..."
"On the Reahaird? You'd lose your way and stamp into a tree after five minutes. Face it, you'll have to stay here for a while longer."
"Well I can't help it," she heard him burrow deep into the futon. "I'm bored."
Sheena knew that all he wanted was attention – he was like that – but she was starting to get a little tired of his all-too-constant 'I'm bored'. If there was any clear disadvantage of having such a small house, she guessed, it was the lack of privacy. For the moment, however, she was done making dinner and what was the point of yelling at him if they would be trapped together for how many more hours? If the storm didn't stop then he'd have to stay the night – she didn't like it when he used the Rheahaird iin the middle of the night, and even less so with a storm such as the one that was falling.
With a sigh the ninja turned around and walked towards the futon, underneath the ex-Chosen's form could be seen, along with some red hair that he had neglected to hide.
"Zelos?"
"Mh?"
"What, you're not coming out?"
"You didn't turn around to talk to me before."
Sheena contained a sigh. "You're just being childish!"
For her surprise, Zelos peeked out of the futon. "I know, I can be your kid!"
She could feel her face heating up almost immediately. "What!"
"And you can take care of me and all!" before she could react, Zelos had almost jumped out of the futon and was now resting his head on her knees. "Yes, momma?"
"What – what are you talking about – let – let go, Zelos!" she tied, ineffectively, to push him off. After a few moments, she gave up. "Why would I want such a troublesome kid, anyway..."
"I'll be a good boy?"
"Yeah, right..." Sheena huffed. Behind her she could hear the stew boiling, but she guessed it wasn't ready just yet. "Zelos..." she looked down at him, "Are you sweating?"
The redhead grimaced, as if he had expecting her to say something less crude. "Am not."
"Yes you are," she moved his hair aside and placed her hand on his forehead, "Did you catch a cold or something?"
"Why would I? I didn't get wet or anything..." Zelos whined.
"Then?"
"What?"
"Why are you sweating, if you don't have a fever?"
He laughed. "Maybe I've been inside the futon for too long."
"Ewww!" the girl exclaimed, jerking her hand away.
She didn't get very far though, as his hand, too, shot up and took hold of hers and brought it down to cup his cheek. From his place on her knees he smiled.
"You know," he said, "This isn't so boring after all."
"...idiot," she murmured and caressed his cheek softly.
"And I kinda like small houses, too. Easier to move."
"Perfect for lazy bums like you."
"Yep!" Zelos grinned and reached out to tug at her hair. "So... you know, can I come... here?"
The ninja raised an eyebrow. "You know you can --"
The redhead's laugh cut her short. "Ok, ok, I'll rephrase. When I'm done with my business at Meltokio... can I come live here?"
She hadn't been expecting that question. Of all things possible, she hadn't been expecting that question, nor did she ever think she had been ready.
But it wasn't so bad.
She knew that because she was smiling. Not only smiling, in fact – her entire expression spoke happiness, and she couldn't control it. She just smiled.
But even after all the years that had gone by, she was still herself, and as soon as she felt her cheeks blush she roughly pushed him off and ran to the stove.
"The stew! Aaah, it looks ruined now..."
"Hey!" Zelos screamed behind her. "You know, I think I deserve an answer more than I deserve dinner."
The ninja just looked at the ruined stew. "...you know you can."
Silence followed and then she heard Zelos letting himself fall on the futon and laugh softly before getting up, and she was firmly enveloped by his arms.
"So," he said, "No dinner?"
"Unless you're willing to help..." she said, allowing herself to rest against him.
He laughed softly, and she smiled.
Outside, the rain kept falling.
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Notes: It happened as I thought – I felt like writing Sheelos, I wrote. Thank Suzu Fujibayashi, she convinced me.
I know, things might seem a little sudden up there – but I didn't feel like explaining what their relationship was like at the moment, so instead I just left some clues here and there before the great sudden question.
Anyway, I enjoyed writing this one. It was entertaining and written while a storm raged outside. Coincidence? I wouldn't think so!
Hope you enjoyed. Reviews are, as always, so very appreciated.
WDR
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Dark #1 – Tragic Love
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