HERE I AM GOING TO UPDATE THIS VERY QUICKLY BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND X.X

... It's really short and I don't know if it's even good but BLAH I WANT TO KEEP WRITING THIS STORY SO I MUST UPDATE ITTTT

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Okay, anyway: I've been so busy that I keep having to post chapters and run, but PLEASE remember:

YOUR REVIEWS MAKE ME WEEP WITH HAPPINESS. And I wouldn't know what to do with these stories if I didn't have your lovely feedback.

SO THANK YOU.

... oh, and please keep reviewing! c':

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Between Two Realities
A "Between Dream and Reality" Spinoff

CHAPTER SEVEN

nicht befreundet
"Not Friends"

"Dude, what are you doing out here? It's freezing!"

It was Jake. He came and sat down beside me, taking the empty half of the bench outside the jewelry store.

I nestled deeper into my sweater, shrugging. "Just needed to be alone for a little while."

Jake was quiet, digesting that information. "You know, you're probably sick of me saying this today… But I got your back, Kitty."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Thanks." I glanced down the walkway, frowning. "Did you just leave him back there?"

"Figured he'd follow me," Jake said, following the line of my eyes.

Right on cue, a tall man lurked out of the Starbucks, his skinny silhouette slithering out onto the sidewalk.

"Speak of the devil," I grumbled.

Richtofen glanced one way, then another; then finally his eyes found mine. I could see his distant scowl, inching closer as he stalked in our direction. He was carrying the bags from the department store.

"I can't remember what life was even like without that face glaring at me all the time," I muttered, pursing my lips.

Jake chuckled. "I think he does it 'cause he likes you."

My heart stuttered and then dropped to my stomach. "What?" I stammered. Catching myself, I tried again. "That's fucking ridiculous."

Jake shrugged. "I'm a dude. I've seen it happen. That's all I'm sayin'."

I scowled at him.

"Vhy did you leave me in zhat disgusting café?" hissed Richtofen, shoving the bags at my feet.

I stared down in shock. "Why are you sticking me with those?" I snapped, glaring up at him.

He glared right back.

"Alright, guys," said Jake, raising his hands. "No lovers' quarrels in front of me please."

Richtofen ignored him. "I'm in your care now, Kazhleen," he snarled sarcastically, quirking a brow. "Ja? Und so I entrust zhis to you. However incapable you may be of such a thing."

Blood rushed hot to my cheeks. "What?" I shrieked. "Incapable? What the hell does that mean?"

Jake tried to interrupt, but the doctor beat him to the punch. "You don't seem like ze domestic type," he spat, grinning humorlessly. "As in you seem quite lacking in ze skills necessary to take care of anozher human being."

"I know what you were getting at, Richtofen," I gritted. "God. You're such an asshole."

His eyes widened, almost like he was affronted.

"Yeah, I said it," I continued, raising my eyebrows at him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jake get to his feet. "Uh, I think I'll just leave you guys to deal with this on your own," he muttered, hesitating a moment before he started off down the walkway. I'd never seen him walk so fast in my life.

"Hey," I shouted, scowling at his back. "I drove you here!"

"I can walk home," he yelled, moving quicker.

I opened my mouth to say something else, but was cut off by the doctor.

"Vell, vell, vell," he murmured, taking Jake's seat. I leaned away from him. "Looks like ve are alone now."

I groaned. My lips hurt from frowning. "You're so irritating," I spat, avoiding his eyes.

He moved closer to me.

I leapt up from the bench like it was on fire, twisting around to glare at him.

He smirked.

"So jumpy," he observed, his voice sinister.

"Shut up," I hissed, walking over to a nearby trash bin. I leaned against it, trying to gather my thoughts.

What good was it for us to be left alone like this anyway? I guessed Jake was going back to his apartment, but when did we follow? Richtofen was staying there, after all … and for that matter, so was I. I groaned, brushing nervous fingers through my hair.

"Somezhing on your mind?" smirked the doctor, leaning back against the bench. His legs sprawled into a more relaxed position, and he looked up at me through his lashes. I realized I was staring at his long, wiry thighs, watching the way the smooth fabric of his pants clung to his lean muscles.

The smirk on his lips widened, leaving me with the horrifying knowledge that he'd noticed.

"I'm trying to figure out why Jake left us," I snapped, staring at the cuff of my sweater with exaggerated interest. "What the hell was he trying to accomplish?"

"I believe he vanted us to sort through our differences," Richtofen suggested. The sound of his dark voice drew my attention back to him, and I noticed that his eyes were still fixed on my face. They smoldered up at me, bright green and menacing.

"Well, that's not gonna happen," I muttered, my throat strangely dry. I said it without thinking. "Why am I so fucking thirsty?"

His smirk turned wicked, making his eyes glitter. I watched as he unfolded his long body from the bench, rising to tower over me. I could smell the department store wafting from his new clothes, mixed with something bitter and musky sweet. "Perhaps our differences vould be easier to sort over a drink," he said, his voice terrifying and quiet. He reached long arms down to pick up his bags.

I was surprised. "Not gonna make me carry those?" I tried to sound annoyed, but my surprise was more obvious.

"I thought zhis vas vhat you vanted,"he spat back, frowning down at me.

I shut my mouth and stared at him for a moment longer. Then I wet my lips. "I don't want a drink," I muttered, wincing at the sound of my own voice. I was pouting like a baby. "I just want to get out of here. Go somewhere else. Somewhere I can think."

The doctor sighed. "Und vhere vould zhat be?" he grumbled, pressing his lips together.

"I don't know," I hissed, trying to think. Where was somewhere I could go? We could go?

If only I didn't have to baby-sit a grown man …

And that's when it hit me.

The park.

"Come on," I muttered, grabbing his arm.

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YAY UPDATE!

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NEED MORE SUGGESTIONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! You guys have the best ideas :'3

... but to be honest, I think ... uh ... I want to write something fluffy and/or sexy again soon ...

... and I think it's gonna happen in this story ... x.x

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FORGIVE MEEE

Ze Doctor Says: "... ZHIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. NEIN. I VILL NOT BE PORTRAYED AS SHEXY. ... Unless you review ... ... "