Denika and I sat in near silence as we both nudged food around on our plates. We had both spoken of our feelings, and I at least, had spoken from my heart. I wanted to be with Denika. In the six short weeks that we had known each other, she had managed to sneak her way into my heart, and I wasn't sure I wanted her to leave.
Denika sighed. "Vato…I…I want to…I want to give it a try…but I also…I don't want to lose the friendship we have…" I nodded, understanding. I had had those same fears, but I was willing to risk that. It wouldn't be the first time I'd taken a risk where I could easily lose someone who trusted me and that I trusted…
"Denika…I don't want to lose our friendship either…But I'm also willing to try my hardest to make this work between us, doubly so if you're willing to try…" Denika frowned a little, which sent off warning bells in my mind.
"Why is it that you always manage to say the very thing I'm scared to say?" her expression softened, and she reached across the table to squeeze my hand. "Let's give this a shot…"
At that moment, I felt like the luckiest man in Amestris.
---
Aside from the addition of a goodnight kiss each night, our routine over the next few weeks didn't change. Denika would still wake up before I would, and would start breakfast before waking me up by singing. We would eat, clean up the breakfast dishes, and get ready for work.
After work, we'd head home, sometimes stopping by either the market or the gardens. We'd cook dinner together, eat, and then we'd sit in the living room and talk. I'd continue to practice my Drachmaen, and Denika would work on her Amestrian pronunciations and diction. After about an hour of this, we'd both retire for the night.
Dear Vato,
Have the glaciers' melting flooded
Northern HQ? I haven't heard from
you since your last letter! Seriously
though, how are things up north?
The flowers are blooming in Central
and I'm trying to get ready to move
into my new place.
The next time
you're in Central, stop by. We'll
have a party. Speaking of coming
down to Central, when's the first
date you're free?
The reason I ask is because I'm
thinking about having a housewarming
party in the near future. If you can't
make it down, it's okay. Organizing
files on all the soldiers stationed at
Northern HQ by alphabetical order
and by date of birth must be a pretty
time-consuming task…
How're things between you and your
landlady? Did you two go on that
dinner date you were thinking about?
I'd better get going…Another therapy
session with Jim…I swear, he likes to
think of new ways to torture me!
See ya when I see ya.
-Jean
Dear Vato,
Hey! How're you doing? You and
Deni getting along better? Katse
wouldn't stop bugging me until I told
her what was going on, and I swear,
you could almost hear her squeal from
Deni's house! Aunt Yulia and Uncle
Ivan are thrilled that Deni's not going
to be a spinster…of course, they didn't
find out about you from me…Zakie has
a big mouth. Don't worry, I popped him
one for blabbing…
Hey! I just had a good
idea! You should come up to Zeinricht
sometime, and meet Aunt Yulia and Uncle
Ivan! I'm sure that we could get something
worked out…Ach! I've gotta go! Katse's
taking me to meet Viktor, her soon-to-be
husband! Write back, or I'll pop you one
the next time I see you!
-Jamika
PS: I don't mind nicknames, as long as
they make sense.
Dear Jean,
If the glaciers had flooded Northern HQ,
I wouldn't be able to write you back. The
flower vendors are making a killing this year,
according to Denika. Don't say anything, but
according to the chatter around the office, she
may be up for a promotion soon.
On the weekends, we both work out in her
vegetable garden, as well as doing basic
housework. It's quite entertaining, as Denika
will start singing songs that she's heard,
even when she doesn't know the right lyrics.
I did take her out for dinner one night, which
was an interesting affair. I think we may just
remain friends…
As for when I can get down to Central, it all
depends on when General Rodowsky gives
us our reviews. You would like General Rodowsky.
He is an older gentleman, but he has a sense
of humor that would make Fullmetal surprised.
I hope you're comfortable in your new home.
Maybe someday, I can convince Denika to
travel farther south than Glenwood. I honestly
doubt it though. She is in a comfortable place,
and will not willingly leave.
I hope you're doing well, and try not to hurt
yourself.
-Vato
Dear Jamika,
I am doing quite well, thank you. As for
Denika and myself, I believe we may be
sticking together for awhile. Thank you
for the tips on the cooking. I did not hear
any squealing that night, are you sure
Katse did squeal that loudly?
As for Zahkar, what you have said explains
why he is being somewhat cold to Denika
and myself. You did not have to do anything
of that sort.
As for coming up to visit, I believe we will be
visiting after we return from our trip out east
to surprise a friend of mine for his birthday.
I believe Denika was able to get two weeks
of vacation time for the both of us, so we may
be up there sometime in June.
Please refrain from popping me one when we
see one another next. I do not believe Denika
would appreciate it.
-Vato
PS: Denika suggested "Jammies".
---
Breda had called twice more to finalize plans, and we had agreed that we would rendezvous in Central, with Fuery, two days before Jean's birthday. I had another plan in mind, however, but first, I would have to speak with General Rodowsky about getting an extra few days of vacation time scheduled.
I would forever be grateful that the General was a generous and kind man. He had known Denika since she was a child, and knew what sort of work ethics she had, so it was no trouble getting the extra time off, as, I had discovered, she had at least three months worth of vacation days saved up, even with her sick days.
---
"/Where is it! I can't find…/ Vato! Where is my suitcase?" Denika called from downstairs. I finished packing the last of my necessities, and went downstairs to help Denika find the wayward suitcase.
After we had searched the entire downstairs, we finally found the suitcase, shoved behind one of the living room chairs. While Denika muttered darkly under her breath, I went to retrieve my own suitcase.
We had decided that we would leave a day early, giving us a bit of leeway in case the trains were delayed, and in case they weren't, we'd have a day to wander about Central, and I could give Denika the five sens tour. I also had a few other things on my mind, but those could wait until we got to Central.
---
Okay! This chapter...fought me like crazy. and now the next chapter is fighting like crazy too. I apologize for taking so long to update...but sometimes, it can't be helped!
I should've done this with the first chapter, but oh well.
clears throat The author would like to thank HavocmangaWIP for inspiring her to write a sidestory to a well-written work of fiction, as well as putting up with her oddities during Acen. The author would also like to thank Magnet-Rose for beta-reading this fic, and offering suggestions to make the story flow a little better. Also, SnakeCharmerFoxx, Thank you for the reviews and comments!
To anyone else I may have accidentally overlooked, thank you for your reviews! I really appreciate them!