STORY 5 - ZHURRICK WEEK, DAY 3 - ROUTINE

Working with Varrick means that routine, just like everything else, gets tainted by a case of crazies...

One person's crazy day is another person's routine, some would say. Others would claim that routine presupposes something already set, clear and possibly even slightly boring, which seemed incompatible with "crazy".

Whatever the interpretation of the word, saying that Zhu Li's "routine" has changed since she started working for Varrick would be an understatement. Before she met Varrick, Zhu Li had a fixed schedule. She knew when she slept, when she ate, when she worked, and more importantly, what she did. She couldn't be certain of those things for her anymore, at least not at first. But she was able to make some sense out of Varrick's day and managed to create a semblance of a schedule for him, at least. Even if large part of said schedule read "doing something crazy", "following Varrick's crazy new idea", "assist Varrick in realizing his newest weird idea" and such.

Normal used to be learning how to build a mechanical suit, for instance.

Normal was now walking on the edge of the law and hiding in a platypus bear suit, possibly one that they built when everybody else was sleeping.

"Zhu Li," whispered Varrick, "pass me the cookie jar."

Zhu Li bent down a little and got the cookie jar. She passed it to Varrick. It was incredible how much place there was in this platypus bear. They were extremely close to each other and their bodies were touching, but it was still surprisingly spacious. To Zhu Li, it was absolutely perfect, because she had wanted to be able to touch Varrick for a while, without it being creepy (even though Varrick's definition of "creepy" might, once again, not really be in line with what everybody else might think). Now she finally got that opportunity.

"I could get used to a life such as this one," said Zhu Li to herself.

Those words provoked the effect of electricity streaming down Varrick's spine. Zhu Li was always so cold and distant — despite always being there somewhere — but now, she was apparently enjoying herself! Varrick felt that he was going to burst with overexcitement. He managed to choke a screech of mirth, but he couldn't help giving Zhu Li a bear-hug and holding her tightly.

"Oh Zhu Li, you make me so darn happy!" he said.

"What is the reason of so much unexpected happiness, sir?" Zhu Li asked, trying to ignore the fact that her heart started beating quicker. She has, after all, been attracted by him for quite a while. Still, job was coming first and she wasn't going to risk it by trying something stupid. So she kept calm, as always.

Varrick looked at her with big, shiny eyes.

"You said that you could get used to a life such as this one," he said, his hands under his chin.

Zhu Li felt blood flushing towards her face, but she still didn't flinch. Varrick noticed her cheeks getting pink, but tried not to react, even though that made him want to dance even more.

"I must have been thinking loudly," said Zhu Li.

"And so you like this life?" he asked, still bouncing with glee.

"Yes, I like it."

Zhu Li wasn't one to express her feelings, but she never felt the need to lie to Varrick either. And these words made Varrick's heart race even more, if such thing was even possible. He felt like he had finally found what he was looking for; he had an assistant for life.

And their time had just begun. What some would call "routine" was about to get even crazier, what with them being thrown in prison, being liberated by a spirit vine or escaping with a backpack jet. All that was normal. Zhu Li got used to it fast enough. And as for Varrick, he had created that life himself. It was their thing.

Less normal, however, was joining the side of a crazy dictator and being forced to build weapons for her. Normal was leaving her and joining the Avatar's side once again. Normal was risking their lives once again as well.

"I need to attach this ring to your finger," Varrick said, kneeling in front of Zhu Li, before what could have been the last battle of their life.

Varrick proposing to Zhu Li in such a situation was fitting to the life that they led. It might have been their last enterprise. They might perish during the battle of the Colossus. That could have been the end. The crazy roller coaster of their partnership could have ended like that. So let them at least die as an engaged couple, if death was to come after them.

Death might have come and swept the city, but Varrick and Zhu Li lived. And the official nature of their relationship somewhat changed too: they put a ring on it. They went back to routine, if it could be called like that. They kept being that eccentric couple of scientists, but this time, with a less immediate threat on their lives hanging above them. A bit like a fairytale ending of sorts.

A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for posting this story so late (I tend to post stories in the early afternoon), but today, I barely had time to breathe xD

Anyway, here's the third story of the Zhurrick week ^^ I hope you guys like it and don't hesitate to tell me what you think! :)