Gynger Snap 8
The Freedom of Will
Quant. That was the only word that Jack could think of as he walked along with Ianto. They held hands with no shame as they were surrounded by many Arcadians and their knights. The little shops surrounded several bistros with tables and chairs set up for outdoor eating. How many times had he wanted to enjoy just such a thing with Jack in the past? Ianto fairly glowed with joy as they sat at a table. Due to the celebrities in their midst, there was no hushed whispers as men leaned in close passing sweet nothings. He saw Spike and Misaki hurry over to an ice cream booth. "I am surprised that he has teeth left." Ianto chuckled recalling watching the little squire go through several candy bars the night before.
"It's an Arcadian thing," Bikky sat at the table with them along with Carol, Rain and Julie. "They all run on pure sugar. I am pretty sure Count D sweats the stuff." Bikky continued, "Work out with us some time and you can catch a whiff of cotton candy after we have been at it a while. I think Soofu D is going to have a lump of sugar instead of a child. But don't quote me on that."
"Now, now, Bikky," Count D, from the table behind theirs added a chuckle. "I am sure my uncle will be very much Kami and not a lump of sugar."
"Well, if he is anything like you, he will be exceedingly sweet." Leon pulled D in for a smooch. He took his time nibbling the succulent lips. "You are all the sugar I'll ever need." Count D licked his lips going back to his whipped cream drenched ice cream sundae. Enormous crystals of sugar drizzled over the lavish cherries. Leon stole a cherry eating with a grin. Years ago, he would never even think of eating something that sweet. Now all he wanted to do was take D home and drink from the nectar of his lips. Feeling the heated gaze D smiled lowering his lashes he peeked at Leon. At their table, Ryo and Dee held their hands together as well. Ryo smothered his salad with Caesar dressing while Dee munched his chili cheese fries. Ryo made a mental note to get some anti heartburn medicine on the way back to the encampment.
"I know what you are thinking," Dee bumped his shoulder against Ryo. "That's why I got extra sour cream. It will cut the acid."
"You say that every time and who is up all night rubbing your tummy and feeding you antacids?" Ryo sassed to Dee. "Try this salad to see if you like it." Ryo held over his fork. Dee accepted the bite offered with a comical grimace. He chewed the lettuce all the while staring at Ryo.
"I would rather you rub a little lower," Dee grinned at the heated cheeks on Ryo's face. Camera's flashed from every angle of the square as the group of Arcadian royalty and nobility shopped. Dee sighed staring at Ryo. "You are absolutely glowing up here." The words were whispered with a reverence akin to the way he had stared at the mountains rising behind the resort. "Seriously, can we stay here?"
Ryo gasped at the question that had been roiling in his heart and his head. "The boys will be seniors next year," Ryo sighed. "They would want to graduate with their friends.
"Meh," Rain spoke up from where he was at a table with Bikky and their friends. "With the way the world is going we could take all of our classes via internet video and just show up for dances and the graduation."
"Cause he's right, you know," Bikky said with a grin. "The only time I have seen you glow this much is when you are in the Obsidian Palace, mountain air looks good on you." Ryo, as expected, turned an adorable shade of pink. "Besides, this place, it grows on you."
"Oh lord…" Ryo gasped; he could see Misaki diving into what looked like a tub of confection covered ice cream the size of his head. "Spike is brave man." Ryo winced as he could see the sugar crystals on top of the fruit in the treat.
"Or woefully besotted," Count D gazed at the treat with a smile. Noting the glaze of caramel along with whipped cream on top of bananas and cherries with ice cream laced with sprinkles. Count D licked his lips, the twinkle in his eyes causing Leon to shake his head.
"Sure," Leon grinned at his love. "I'll go get you one." Leon left a lingering kiss on D's lush lips. He entered the shop with a smile on his face.
Ryo went back to his lunch. He chuckled, "We can talk about this later. Let's just focus on our vacation. We are not so well off that we can go on vacation and never come back."
"Hmmm," Rain smirked at Ryo. "We kind of are." Rain sipped his root beer float. "I am an international pop star, not to mention we are all Arcadian Royalty. If we all wanted to retire to the mountains, no one could say boo about it."
Ryan, seeing his sister's stricken gaze at the thought of Rain not returning to Los Angeles sighed. Having heard Bikky and Rain the night before he had already come up with a plan. "I applied to CU and Colorado School of Mines. If I get accepted, I can get off campus housing and you can finish your senior year here." Ryan winked at Ryo. "The only piece of this puzzle is you."
"We are more than just our family," Ryo argued watching as Count D smiled with glee delving into his dessert.
"The shop can open anywhere," Leon grinned taking a spoon full of the monstrosity that Count D fed him. "And it does have to move every few decades, I think we are about due."
"Are you all serious?" Ryo stared agog at his family.
George, having arrived late with Jhaymes chuckled as he caught up on the conversation. He removed his hat to fix a scarf tied to his hair. "I think it will all depend on how the mall is." George winked at Ryo. "Let's all go for a visit soon then we can make our decision. I see based on the smiles of those two there is already a few positive votes."
"Three, love." Jhaymes laughed seeing Lord D with a similar treat. "Make that three votes." Ryo simply shook his head. "So," Jhaymes leaned back in his chair having a hearty sandwich. "When are we going to the mall?"
Break
Laton stretched out in the light of the heavy moon atop the wooden cabin in the hidden oasis. "My love," Torcha shrank down to a human form that reclined upon the shoulder of the great red beast glistening in the starlight. "Do you think the children have taken our hints?"
"Well dearest." Laton spoke low, sending a tendril of smoke to curl over his wife's sweet lips. "We have been singing to them every night, yet we can not hamper free will. The decision will have to be theirs." Torcha stretched out to her full-on emerald form. Taking a deep breath, she began to sing an aubade to the moonlight, laced with suggestions that carried to all who could hear it. The sweet dragon melody carried through the mountains, whispering a litany of love through the pines and lakes.
To Be Continued,
