Chapter 10
When Samus woke up the next morning, she got out of bed, walking around. As she walked, she noticed that her cell phone had rung. She answered, fortunately.
"Hey, Samus". A loving voice on the other end said, kindly. "Hi, um…Joco…how are you?". Samus asked. "I'm doin' ok…I'm just watching somethin' on the tube, just hangin', y'know?". Joco's voice was nonchalant, calm, and casual. "Y'want to come by, and watch somethin' with me?". "I've got some popcorn, some orange cream soda, and some leftover Tiramisu from the Ayakashi place". "Please….?". "The tiramisu has your name on it". Joco said, with a softened, soothing, tired voice that was romantic in nature.
"sure…I can ask Ryu if it's ok, but, I guess I can". Samus said. She and Joco shared a laugh. "Pick you up in a few minutes?". Joco asked, kindly with softness. "Sure". Samus said. "Hey, I'll get on the horn with Ryu, and see if he's ok with it….he should be…but til then, just wear your ol' pajamas, or somethin' comfy, and we'll have a day of it, cutie". Joco said, with his softened, tired, romantic voice.
"See you then, baby girl". Joco said, coyly. "See you then". Samus replied. She and Joco hung up, as Samus went outside to see Ryu, smoking his cigarette, with his silk robe. "Hey, sweet pea". "Good morning". Ryu said, kindly with softness. "Hello". Samus replied. "You look so refreshed, and poignant". "How are you this morning, sweet pea?". Ryu asked softly with kindness. "You look good".
"I'm doing well". Samus said. "I do have a question though….is it ok if I go over to Joco's and watch a movie or something?". "He invited me…". "If it's not ok yet, I can tell him".
"Hey, that's ok". Ryu said, kindly. "I trust that you both will be responsible, and hey…I've known him for many years, he's a very trustworthy young man". "If I knew nothing about him, I definitely would say no, but he's a good kid". "He knows to treat you like the Star Warrior, royal champion you certainly are". "He respects you immensely".
"Ok, thank you". Samus said. "And… is it ok if he picks me up?".
"That's totally alright with me". "He can pick you up, he can take you out, just as long as you know your boundaries, and he knows his". Ryu said, gently.
"Thank you". Samus replied. She and Ryu talked for a while, as a car was heard pulling into the driveway. "Mmm, look at that….your prince charming has come all this way to rescue you". "Give him some love for me…let him know he owes me 30 bucks for the one entrance fee on the Shaman tournament". Ryu said, kindly. "Alright, I definitely will". Samus said. "See you later".
"See you later, baby girl". "Love you". Ryu said, kindly with gentleness. "I love you, too". Samus said as she headed out of the door. She met Joco, as he opened his car door, letting her in. "Hey, Samus". "What's up?". Joco said, gently with tired softness. "Nothing". Samus said, as she got in. "I'm just kind of…tired, that's all". "There's nothing that's too bad".
"I'm sure nothing is…nothin's really eventful with me, either". "I'm kinda chillin, that's it". Joco said, gently with soft tiredness. "I am likin' the Sorbet that I bought yesterday on the way home".
"It's like a cherry raspberry flavor, it's so good". "Man, I could eat several pounds of sorbet, and it'd be super cool". "I love sorbet". Joco said, kindly. "Right, me as well". Samus said. "Ryu and I had sorbet last night when I got home". "
"Hey, that's pretty cool". Joco said, gently. "Yeah, Ryu likes sorbet a lot". "Sorbet is a pretty nice thing to have after a nice meal". "I usually have sorbet on days where I eat a large meal, and do a lot". "It is pretty nice".
"Hey, I still have some Tiramisu left from when we went out yesterday". "It tastes really nice as well". "It's got that creamy taste to it, still". Joco said, kindly with tiredness. "I like Tiramisu because it's made with Oat Milk instead of regular dairy milk". Samus said. "Yes, their Tiramisu they have at the Ayakashi place is pretty good". Joco said, gently. "They make it different, which is the primary reason I still go there, and have some of it".
"Mm, it tastes like heaven, usually". Joco said, dreamily with softness, and seductive nature to his voice. "Man, oh man, do I love Tiramisu". Joco said, with a dreamy, seductive, floaty essence to his softened, tired voice. It was as if he was on drugs, or something. "Mmm, I love desserts, and Oat Milkshakes, man, they're so good, and amazing to have". Joco said, as he giggled, lollying dreamily.
"...ok then". Samus said, as she paid attention to the apartment building coming up on the right side of the bank. It was a small, two bedroom apartment, with a small lamp, a little couch, and a boxy T.V. yet it was what Joco called home…for now.
"Hey, it doesn't look luxurious, or nothin', but I call it home". Joco said, gently. "It is an amazing place, and I pay 200 a month for it". "Easiest loan I took out".
Samus nodded, as she and Joco got out of his car, going inside the small apartment on the side. "This is really nice". Samus said, as she looked down at the small sofa. "Thanks, it's what I could afford". "I know it's not a lot, but..it's nice for having a Doraemon movie marathon". Joco said, gently. "Wait…you like Doraemon?". Samus asked, a bit surprised. "Man, I love Doraemon". Joco said, gently with softness, and gushiness. "I just love when Doraemon gives Nobita a hug, and a kiss, and uses his gadgets". "He's so poofy, and cutie, nummy num nummy". Joco said, as he giggled, much like a young child. "They started releasing Doraemon movies in 1986, correct?". Samus said, as she felt herself going soft as well. "Yeah, an' hey, I used to watch all of em when I was a kid". Joco said, gently with his gushy softness. "I used to watch Doraemon all of the time, too". "I liked Pokemon a lot, but Doraemon was amazing as well". "I mean, Doraemon, Pokemon, Godzilla, and Astro Boy". "I benefited so much from my anime friends….I guess….one could say….they were all I had, growing up". Samus said, with softness, and fragile emotion to her voice. "Yeah, hey, me too". "Doraemon was like the only parent I truly had when I was growing up, but….he meant so much to me…he was a great guy". "That, and Osomatsu Kun". "Man, Dekapan from that one….he was like a father to me". Joco said, as he giggled a bit. He and Samus shared an innocent, childlike giggle, hearkening back to when they were younger….it seemed as if the fragile child, the tenderhearted Elementary schooler was still inside of them. "So, whaddya say we watch some Doraemon, baby girl?". Joco said, gently with softness. "I've got the VHS thing all cued up".
"Sure". Samus said, as Joco set down some popcorn, Tiramisu in a bowl, and sorbet in two bowls, as he pressed play on the VHS player. They sat together, cuddling, nuzzling one another as they paid attention to Doraemon's, "Nobita's Little Star Wars", that was playing. While they watched the animated film, with the cute characters, Joco leaned in every once in a while, nuzzling Samus as he gave her a kiss on the lips. They kissed, cuddled, and watched the film, laughing at all of the funny parts. For a while, they were able to forget their troubles, and focus on the film that had them laughing. For a while, they were able to relax in the creamy white. Speaking of creamy, cloudy white, Joco wore his loose white button-down shirt that was opened, revealing his shirtless, bare chest. He kissed Samus, at one point, going completely shirtless, as he kissed Samus, stroking her cheek. Samus, in her innocent, little girl pajamas, drank from her milk sipping cup, as she looked up at Joco.
"Shh, shh, I'm here, lil baby". "Chubby's here". "Chubby loves you". Joco whispered, kindly as he kissed Samus's lips, kindly. He stroked her cheek, using the back of his hand to brush Samus kindly with a tender, soft touch. "I love you, baby girl". "Baby coochie coo". Joco whispered, kindly as he kissed Samus's cheeks. "Shh, chubby's got you". "He loves you". Joco comforted, softly with gentleness as he leaned in, for one more kiss on the lips, and two more kisses on the cheeks. Samus did look tired, as she yawned. "I got my chubby belly, and chest". "Want to lay your head down?". Joco asked, softly with kindness. "Sure". Samus said, faintly with tiredness. She laid her head down on Joco's bare chest, as she felt her eyes close. Her eyes closed, as she felt Joco stroke her forehead, kindly as he kissed her forehead. He kissed her forehead, every now and again, as they both paid attention to the movie. They were both appropriate, they were both nice, and they both looked at the movie, which played in all of its glory. When that movie was finished, they watched another Doraemon movie. Even though the movies were a few hours long. They just felt comfort with one another, it was just a casual movie day, with love and kindness. They were both, it seemed, in their best place. In many aspects and manners.
Noodle glanced around as she had a casual movie day herself, with 2-D, and Russel. "Hey, Noodle, did you finish your Astrophysics homework?". 2-D asked, gently with soft kindness. "I did…I was going to see if my friend, Samus wanted to compare answers, but she might be busy". "She's really busy with her one boyfriend, Joco". Noodle said, as she drank from her cup. "Yeah, boyfriends can be a lot, huh?". 2-D said, kindly as he and Noodle giggled. "But just make sure that you call her, and see if she has the answers". "She might, but one would definitely have to check and see". 2-D reminded, kindly. "Ok". Noodle replied, as she looked up from her movie. 2-D smiled a gentle smile as he rubbed Noodle's back, kindly. "Get some rest, baby girl". "You were busy for a long time the other day". 2-D said, kindly. 2-D yawned a bit, as he watched the movie, seeing different scenes flicker past the screen. Even so, he felt his yawn become a bit overshadowed by the noise from the television.
"Mmm, I might get some rest, too". 2-D said, tiredly as he leaned back, glancing up at the television. Russel slept, snoring as his mouth remained open. "Hey, wanna do somethin' fun?". 2-D suggested, in a silly manner, as he giggled a bit. "What's that?". Noodle asked. "We could draw a mustache on Russ's face". 2-D whispered, as he stifled a giggle. "Want to?". "It'll be fun". 2-D giggled, as he took a marker from his pocket. "Oh, ok". Noodle said, as she giggled along with 2-D. 2-D took the marker, drawing lightly with a touch under Russel's nose as he slept. 2-D giggled, as he stayed quiet, and stealthy. "Draw on your face". 2-D whispered, as he stifled a small quiet giggle. He and Noodle giggled as they finished drawing a mustache, and the word "Booby" on Russel's face. 2-D and Noodle giggled as they went back to their spots on the couch, while 2-D let out a fart. "Aye, lassy, I took a big fat, Ponderosa Poop". 2-D said, in a silly Scottish accent. "That's funny, 2-D!". Noodle said, as she and 2-D laughed. She giggled, holding her stuffed Pikachu toy close to her. "Time to settle down, baby girl". 2-D reminded, kindly as the laughter died down.
Noodle cuddled with her Pikachu toy, as she received a kiss from 2-D. 2-D smiled a gentle smile, as he stroked both of Noodle's cheeks, kindly. Noodle felt loved, and appreciated, even as she laid down on the couch, watching the television. Soon, this turned to sleep as she looked up at the television with fading, falling eyes. Her eyes fell, as she went under the guise of sleep. She was content, in her own happiness, in her own affectionate way.
Hours seemed to pass, as Samus woke up a bit later on. She glanced around, seeing the credits to a Doraemon movie. Though she was asleep, she had seen the majority of the Doraemon movie, and had appreciated it, fully. Samus laughed, and giggled as she woke up. Joco stirred awake as well, as he looked up at the movie. Not to worry, at this point, they were in separate places, and had fallen asleep there. Samus awoke, giggling. She had fallen asleep in a myriad of blankets, and pillows on the floor, while she faced the T.V.
Joco stirred a bit on the couch, craning his neck, as he looked downwards. "Hey, baby girl". "You doin' ok?". Joco asked in his tired, softened, gentle voice that sounded as smooth as caramel silk. "I'm alright". Samus said. "Mm, you so beautiful, baby". "Why you laughin..?". "You bein silly, coochie coo?". Joco said, gently with softness. Joco smiled a bit. "I am…but it was funny when Doraemon got his head stuck in the flower pot". Samus said. "Yeah, Doraemon is funny, huh?". "He's a silly billy". Joco said, gently with softness. Joco and Samus laughed. "You want to rub Doraemon's belly belly?". "He's a chubby chub in this one, huh?". Joco said, gently with softness as he laughed. "Boku no Doraemon". Joco said, in Doraemon's cute accent as he and Samus giggled. "Let me rub your tummy, coochie coo". Joco said, softly with gentleness as he smiled a kind smile. "Let's rub tummies". "That way, you see my tummy tum, and what a chubber I am". Joco said, kindly with gentle softness. He and Samus laughed. "Why?". Samus asked. "Because I know you need a tummy rub, you've had a nappy, and a hard day". "Let me rub your tummy for good luck". Joco said, gently with softness as he reached his hand downward. "Ok". Samus said, as she felt a gentle, soft touch while Joco rubbed her stomach. He and Samus laughed. "Yeah, there it is…I know you like your tummy rubbed". "You have such a cute laugh, too". Joco said, kindly with soft gushiness.
"Thank you". Samus said. Joco and Samus laughed as Joco nuzzled Samus, kissing her nose. "Love you". He said, with a floaty, entranced, unfocused attraction, and gentle hum to his voice. "I love you, too". Samus said, as she and Joco kissed, laughing.
"You want more tummy rubs?". "I know my baby girl likes her tummy rubbed, and her nosey kissed". Joco said, gently with gushy softness as he tickled Samus's cheeks. "Just one more". Samus said. Joco reached down, rubbing Samus's stomach….or her belly, as he kissed both of her cheeks, kindly. "Shh, there she is…there she is…relax now…get your tummy rubbed, you're ok, now". "I love you". Joco said, gently with softness as he gently guided and coaxed Samus. "I always love you, baby girl". "You're my best friend". Joco said, softly with kindness as he kissed Samus's cheek in gentleness. Samus felt comforted, and well-put as she felt the loving kiss of Joco. Joco knew he was in a good place with Samus. Perhaps….they were both in a good place.
"Are you hungry at all after sleeping?". "Want something to eat?". Joco asked, kindly with gentleness. "I'm alright for right now". Samus said, as she drank from her sipping cup. "You look like you're running out of milk". Joco said, gently with softness. There was some tiredness, and floaty arousal behind his softened voice. "Let's get you some more, and we'll get some dinner on your way home". Joco said, kindly with gentleness. Samus nodded, as she looked up at Joco. "let's see now, what time is it…?". "Mmm, it's 5:00". Joco said, gently, as he stirred under the blankets on the sofa. He was still without a shirt. "We gotta get you home, baby girl". "It's almost your bedtime, and you've got school in the morning". Joco said, gently with kindness.
"What are we having for dinner?". Samus asked as she sat up, drinking from her sipping cup. "We might have some sandwiches, and some buffalo sauce….maybe some lemonade". "There's this nice sandwich place down the street". Joco said, gently. "It's up to you, but I like sandwiches, and hotter sauce". "We can get some, you can eat, and I can have my grape soda real quick".
"Ok". Samus said, as she and Joco got up from their sleeping positions. Joco yawned a bit, as he straightened his beaded necklace, and traditional African skirt. He was, after all, a Shaman. Joco and Samus cleaned up, as they took the movie out of the VHS player, (they still played VHS movies in the early 2000's) and straightened the couch out, putting the room back together. "Hey, coochie noochie, this goes in the fridge". Joco said, gently as he laughed, instructing Samus to put the sorbet away. "You can do it, just in there". Joco guided, kindly. "I know I can…but what's in there?". Samus asked. "Eh, it's just weird stuff I've got". "Nothin too good, or bad". "Whatever's in there, is in there". "Want to have a look?". Joco asked, kindly as he and Samus went to the fridge. Samus looked inside, as she and Joco giggled, talking, and laughing amongst themselves, akin to a true romantic couple.
"It looks ok…but it is what it is, right?". Samus said, as she and Joco giggled. "It's a bunch of crapola in there, I swear". "I'd rather eat it profusely, and grow hair on my tuchus". Joco remarked, as Samus laughed. "See, my belly's already growin hair from the potato skins I eat". "Those potato skins are beef-sauce dipped, and delish!". Joco said, comedically, as he and Samus laughed. "I love potato skins and rice".
Then, as if he represented the faction of men not being immature enough, he moved his belly button, with his hands, and talked in a weird, Southern accent. "Well, I there recognize that cowboy navel git on truckin". Joco said, in a weird accent as he moved his belly button, perhaps, I guess…making it talk. Samus laughed. "Don't do that, stop it". Samus said, laughing as she put her hands up. "I reckon I there can't". Joco said, as he and Samus laughed. "You're funny!". Samus said, as she laughed. Joco winked at her, as he smiled a childlike smile. Reader, if you are female, take this to heart. Whether they are elementary schoolers, or older, men can be so immature by nature. They do weird, odd, callous things.
"Nice times, huh?". Joco said, as he and Samus calmed down. "Alright, baby girl, let's see, I've got my keys, I've got my wallet, and my cell phone…I think we're due to ship out when you're ready". Joco said, kindly. "Alright". Samus said. He and Samus left the apartment, as they got in the car, driving down the street to the sandwich shop at the curb of the avenue. Samus looked beside her, seeing the avenue back in its prime, all lit up again. The previous year, because of the conflict, warfare, and the depression, it had been dim…but now, it was lit up in the essence of its primes.
Samus couldn't help but smile as she looked out of the window. Her eyes seemed to glisten upon seeing the lights, seeing the people, seeing the strip back in its glory, as it was lit with an inviting, sunset, neon glow that invited people in for a meal, or for a lapdance at the bar. The bar was also a gentleman's club. Joco smiled along with Samus, as they both saw the strip, glowing and flowing with its glory. "Hey, there's the Hoagie place right down there". "They have amazing pastrami if you've ever had it". Joco said, kindly. "Pastrami is pretty cool, along with capicola, and salami". Samus said, as she agreed with Joco.
"I've had some Pastrami in the past, and it relatively is pretty nice when it's fried in the skillet". "Then again, the skillet is a great place for meals". Joco said, gently. Joco turned to the curb a bit. "I usually have dippy eggs in the skillet, they are nice with every meal".
"I like how the yolk is nice and salty". Samus said. "Dippy eggs are nice, Pastrami is great, and so is egg with capicola, if you've ever had that". "That's a wonderful meal right there". Joco said, gently. "Ryu really likes capicola with scrambled eggs". Samus said. "That is actually a nice meal". "I used to have that sometimes on military bases with a couple men when we were stationed on different planets that supported an oxygen level, it was actually pretty nice". Samus said. "Oh, yeah, you used to be in the Federation, and that for Planet Zebes". "Hey, how was that, by the way?". "Did you like it?". Joco asked, gently as he glanced at Samus. The corners of his mouth twitched profusely. "I liked it a lot". Samus said. "I mean it was kind of hard….but when the Chozo altered my DNA to survive planet Zebes, I was kind of alright".
"I've heard some things about the Chozo…they were kind of harsh…do you feel like they were towards you?". Joco asked, kindly. "To tell you the truth, they were very harsh". Samus said. "They experimented a lot on me, they did a lot of ruthless things, they were harsh, I didn't really appreciate them". "They never even told me they loved me, either". "They just kind of…cast me aside, and thought of me as a new creature that they were "nurturing" for research purposes". Samus sniffled as she said this.
"It was rare back then for people to tell me they loved me, or that I deserved much better". "The Federation has all these compliments, accolades, and records of me being the best Bounty Hunter, but they weren't nurturing at all". "They just….I don't know, had me do double the work, they gave me dangerous missions, and at the end, I was let go from the Federation". "I am happy that it happened, though". "Now, I get to live a normal life, I get to do normal things, and I'm nurtured by family and friends who help me transition to what normalcy is". "Because after my parents died, and my planet was destroyed, I never really had a normal life". Samus said.
"Oh..". Joco said, softly with kindness. He reached over, holding Samus's hand, kindly. "Yeah, you're in a better place, now". "I, personally, am happy you got out of that situation". "The life you've had for a while was destroying you, I bet". "It's all good now, though". "You've triumphed, you've gotten through it, and you've tried your best". "I believe, in essence, that you can do anything". "I know it wasn't easy, huh?". Joco said, with a softened, kind voice.
"No, it wasn't". Samus said. "I've seen people die, I've seen planets get destroyed, I've seen horrific things…and I keep going because…because it's love that helps me…it's optimism that keeps me going". "I don't want war most of the time…I want peace and love". "I want to be normal, and I want family and friendship in every society, and for every being….it doesn't matter what they are".
Joco nodded, in gentleness. "Does it ever get overwhelming for you, sometimes?". "Sometimes, I get overwhelmed". Joco said, kindly with softness. "I used to, but I don't anymore". "I'm on a medicine that helps me when I experience PTSD, and other things". "I guess….it's kind of a lot". Samus said, as she sniffled. "My PTSD used to be so bad, I would cry, I would scream, and I would kind of…rock back and forth on my hands, and flap to self stimulate". "I look like I have a disability when I do it". Samus said.
"Mm, I remember when you used to rock back and forth when you were scared". Joco said, softly in a kind whisper. "I remember seeing you become very frightened, and very fragile when you were having a flashback…and you never liked being comforted". "But I always used to try and comfort you when you would become scared". "I remember talking to you, sitting by you, even when you had your bad days". "Hey, I know it was hard….being forced into something that traumatized you". "I had similar experiences when I was young, and lived on the streets". Joco comforted Samus, kindly.
"Sometimes, girls handle it different than guys do, though". "When I had a flashback, or a traumatizing incident, I'd get real angry, I'd go on a rampage, when I was in school, they chained my desk to a wall, because I would become the most evil, cruel, bloodthirsty animalistic, monster when I was angry". "I was such an unlikeable person back then". "I would call people names, I was a know-it-all, I was mean to the special needs kids, when I say, mean, I'm sayin' I was an all-around asshole to them". "Yes, that is the best way to describe it". Joco said, softly in a kind whisper. The sound of a cigarette being lit, and flickered with, was heard. Joco was also smoking at the moment.
"I would shove them, I would spit on them, kick them until they had a bruise, or a laceration, and I was just a monster to them, part of it was because I was mirroring my experiences in the gang, but more of it was because I thought I was superior to them…and I thought I had more of a future than they did". "But it wasn't just them…I was mean to everyone, and I was just an unlikeable jerk". "Even the teachers had to walk on eggshells around me, because they were afraid of me". "I used fear, intimidation, and cruelty to control everyone, and feel superior". "It was later on that I realized that I was the worst human being, and that I was becoming someone that I, myself, couldn't even rely on". "I knew I had to change….even if it meant going into rehab, reading self-help books, attending seminars, and men's retreats….all to become a better person, and a more sensitive, understanding man". "I needed to do that….because if I didn't, I would become someone that I knew couldn't exist anymore….whether I wanted to, or not". Joco said, softly in a gentle whisper.
"I guess….it is kind of hard when we experience trauma so early on….we become dangerous people". "I mean, I was only dangerous because that was what they chose for me". Samus said. "I had no other choice, and it was all I knew". "I'm a girl….I'm a woman now…and I don't want to be a killer". "I want to help people, what I've always wished for…was to be a caring, sensitive woman that helped everyone regardless of who they were". "I don't want war, conflict, division, or cruelty, or even judgment and hatred". "I want peace, and I want to help…I don't want to hurt". Samus spoke quietly.
Joco smoked his cigarette. "Yeah, that's what I want too". "Is for people to get along". Joco said, gently with softness.
Joco smoked his cigarette, dumping the ash out of the window. "Yeah, but…you were really traumatized early on, baby". Joco whispered, gently. "You lost mommy and daddy, and your home". "You've been through a lot, huh?". Joco set his cigarette down, stroking Samus's face with his hand, brushing her cheek. "I remember when I would talk to you, you sometimes were so scared, and deprived, you couldn't turn your head to see me". Joco whispered, kindly. "You remember that?". Joco's whispers were soft. "Seeing people pass away, experiencing loud warfare, using weapons, doing dangerous things….it traumatizes, and leaves a wound". Joco whispered. Samus nodded. "It does". Samus replied. "But I know you so well…you've worked so hard, and you've done what you could to work past it". "You became a kinder person, you've become more honest with me, you've talked openly to me, you've become better when I tell you something you may not want to hear, and you've been someone that has chosen love, and family, wisdom over impulse". "You are so smart, and strong, Samus". "I see you're no longer afraid to be truthful, and trust people who love you". "You've chosen to be a better person, and a more careful person". "I know sometimes, it's hard to face the truth, it's hard to do what we can, but you're working so hard". "You're doing a great job….and I'm so proud of you, Samus". "Please remember that I will always love you, unconditionally". "You make me so happy, and you bring joy to me". "You're wonderful". Joco said, kindly in a whisper. "You are everything to me, and I love you". Joco smiled a kind smile. "Thank you". Samus said.
"Can I have a kiss…?". "Only if you want to". Joco said, kindly with softness. "Sure". Samus said. Joco leaned in, kissing Samus on the lips.
"Everything ok?". "Nothin's botherin you?". Joco asked, kindly. "Everything is ok, now". Samus said, as she sniffled. "Ok". Joco whispered, gently. "Did it kind of bother you to talk about the past?".
"Kind of, but not really". Samus said. "I'm able to talk about it freely…I'm better with it".
"Me too, I'm better with my past, too". "Talkin about it". Joco said, gently. "But hey, we talked, we got it out, we're good". "Now, we can just…chill and eat some Pastrami". He and Samus laughed. Joco parked the car, as he finished his cigarette. "Ready to go in?". "They might be ready for us, a bit". Joco said, kindly.
"Sure". Samus said, as she and Joco went inside the Hoagie shop. After ordering, and seeing the Hoagies be made, they sat down, eating their hoagies. Samus dug into her pastrami, while Joco had his Capicola, and egg. They both had buffalo sauce…yum!
"So, as I was saying, on base, I used to have egg and capicola". "It was delicious". Samus said. "They make good meals on those bases, there's good reason to like the sandwiches they make". "That, and you were with a bunch of guys who didn't want to do the cooking". Joco said, gently. "Egg and capicola is really good for anyone, when I was in prison, I made egg and capicola on the seat of my toilet".
"It actually tasted really good". "I'd recommend it for anyone". Joco said, kindly. "I can't believe you made it on the seat of your toilet". "That is…nuts". Samus said. "About as nuts as it could be". Joco said, kindly as he and Samus laughed. "But hey, it is what it is". Joco said, gently. He ate his sandwich, taking some big bites. "Man, this is good". Joco said, with a great appetite, as he ate the egg and capicola sandwich. "This Pastrami is good, too". Samus said. "Hey, I'm glad it is". Joco said, gently. They ate their sandwiches, finishing up, as Samus drank some more Oat Milk. Outside, the darkness crept in, as the chill of the wintertime came to call. "Alright, kiddo, you ready?". Joco asked, kindly with softness. "I guess I am". Samus said, as she finished her sandwich. Joco kissed Samus's lips before they decided to get back into the car. "Man, it is a nice night to be out, huh?". Joco said, kindly. "It is a nice night". Samus said. Joco smiled a kind smile as he drank his soda. "Well, hey, for a nice evening, it's not that cold out". "It's dark out, and that seems to be the only thing". Joco said, gently. He and Samus smiled.
"Well…let's get you home, kiddo". "You look like you might need some rest for school tomorrow". Joco said, kindly with softness. "Ok". Samus agreed as she looked off to the side, seeing that Ryu's house was coming up, shortly. Samus felt patient, and well-rested as she got out of the car, when they came to Ryu's house. They got out….Joco walked Samus to the front porch, as they shared a kiss goodnight. "Thank you for a wonderful time". Samus said. "I had a relaxing, amazing time today".
"Of course, and I had fun today, too". "It was so good to see you". Joco said, gently as there was some romance to his voice. "Have a wonderful evening, and do well in school tomorrow". "Remember, I'm always here if you need help in calculus or anything". Joco said, kindly.
"I might do well, tomorrow". "I'll definitely apply that natural skill". Samus joked as she and Joco laughed. "Love you". Joco said, kindly as he kissed Samus goodnight. "I love you, too". Samus said, with romance. "Goodnight". Samus said.
"Goodnight". Joco said, gently as he smiled. They said goodbye, as Joco got in the car, driving away. Samus went inside, as Ryu sat, watching television. "Hey, sweet pea". Ryu said, kindly with gentleness. He smiled a loving smile. "Now, I've got some news to share with you…it is going to be a bit different, so perhaps we should listen and learn with an open mind". Ryu said, gently. "Ok…". Samus said. "Robin and I do have to go away tomorrow early in the morning to pick up Sasuke's baptismal certificate, and it is with the Diocese, or whatever it's called". "We know you have school in the morning, and we won't be there to put you on the bus…how would you like to stay overnight at your friend, Noodle's….or…Shizuka's, as one would properly put it". Ryu said, kindly with gentleness. "That would be nice". Samus said. "I'll go get my overnight bag, and my school bag".
"Please try to keep in mind that it is a school night…and you will have to go to bed early…perhaps as soon as you get there". Ryu said, kindly. "You already had dinner, sweet pea?".
"I have". Samus said, as she looked up at Ryu. "lovely…now, it's time to go there, and lay down for sleep, baby". "Perhaps when one of the guys asks you to turn off the T.V. , maybe it would be swell to turn it off". "We don't want you to be tired for school in the morning". Ryu said, gently with kindness. "I'm just looking out for you, that way bedtime and a sleepover can be easy and fun. "Alright". Samus nodded, as she looked up in agreement. She knew, that this would be fun, a night with Gorillaz. Yipee! Time to end this chapter here…yippee.