Maqui just finished tuning up a hovercraft when Yuj arrived. Yuj wanted to sneak up on the boy, but Maqui could hear even the quiet rumble of the velocycle a mile away. Maqui waved up at Yuj with a wide grin and his clear blue eyes glistened with excitement. Yuj never fully understood how happy and excited Maqui was each day no matter what happened. Even when Maqui was frustrated and tired, he'd laugh it off and face each challenge with a smile and positive attitude.

"Hey Yuj! Great timing, I just finished up so we can go out to dinner!," Maqui stated as he wiped his hands clean from the grease due to the day's work. Yuj chuckled, "well you are going to have to clean up better than that, I mean, you are completely covered in oil and grime, and you are far too cute to walk around with smudges on your face."

Maqui stuck his tongue out at Yuj playfully, "oh yeah? What if I gave you a biiiiiiig hug right now and got you all dirty too?" Yuj ducked and ran as Maqui chased him, "don't you dare! You are gonna have to buy me a whole new wardrobe if you even ruin one piece since all my outfits are coordinated!" Maqui pouted, "hey! That's not fair, your taste in outfits costs way too much for me to even get you a new shirt, not that I would ever be able to pick out something you like. You are so picky. . .but that's one reason why you always look good." Maqui's eyes widened when he realized he just said that Yuj looked good. He always thought the teal haired boy was the sexiest guy he ever met in his life; he loved his rich decadent golden amber eyes and how they offset his vibrant teal hair. The way his hair and eyes offset each other already made the man look amazing, and then his taste in outfits just pushed his degree of sexiness over the edge. He knew how much Yuj loved to shop for new outfits and accessories, and he loved that Yuj had something he was so passionate about. He related Yuj's love of fashion to his love of mechanics and tinkering with machines. He would never actually ruin anything of Yuj's since he would be extremely upset if someone sabotaged one of his prized machines or robots.

Maqui thought to himself that other members of team NORA would probably laugh at him if they knew what he thought about Yuj, let alone that he could actually view someone else in a romantic way. The team always viewed him as the child of the group even though he was practically the same age as Serah and they were best friends. If Serah was old enough to marry Snow, then why was he treated like a baby? Maqui continued to playfully chase him but then looked down and noticed the way Yuj's outfit highlighted his beautiful shape and how the pants cupped his ass so perfectly, it just made Maqui melt.

Maqui shook his head and smiled up at Yuj and stopped chasing him, "okay okay, you win, I don't wanna miss out on some good grub so I'll go wash up." Yuj fought the urge to tell Maqui that he would be more than willing to help him, since he figured that would be much more forward than anything Maqui would agree to. If anything, Yuj thought that Maqui would just view it as something completely platonic, something a close friend or sibling would do. While Yuj wanted for flirt with Maqui outright, he was hesitant since he and Maqui grew up together. Team NORA was created by a group of orphans who viewed each other as family. While Yuj was adamant about dating Maqui, he was scared to push him away by changing their relationship from a familial one to a romantic one.

Maqui ran back into the make-shift shop he created for repairs and took off all of his dirty work clothes. He jumped into the shower he created and shivered when the cold water doused over him. He smacked the side of the mechanism causing the water heater he created to kick in. He relished in the temperature change since it was a freezing evening and the last thing he needed was an icy shower. The steam from the water warmed up the whole shop and Yuj chuckled as the steam created a huge sauna-like effect over the shop. Yuj mused that it would be good for his complexion.

Maqui rushed out of the shower after he cleansed himself and quickly got dressed in his snowboarder style outfit. He was very thankful that his own sense of style worked wonderfully for the temperature of Gran Pulse. He paused for a moment as he got dressed. He never thought about his own sense of style before and chuckled as he noticed that Yuj was definitely rubbing off on him. Maqui finished getting dressed and dried his hair under his heater invention. While the force of air was much too strong for a heater, it worked wonderfully as a hair dryer. Maqui was proud of that invention and used it whenever he had the chance. It was great for him since he never styled his hair; he just fluffed it up and stuck his goggles over his head to prevent it from sticking up entirely. He planned to create a newer version of it with an attachment as a gift for Yuj so that he could use it to style and blow out his hair.

Maqui loved trying to make various inventions for Yuj, not just any inventions, but ones that he thought Yuj would really get some use out of and appreciate. It was his way of telling Yuj that he really liked him and in a small way, it was his way of hinting at Yuj that he knew him better than he might think.

While Maqui was in the shower and getting ready, Yuj called Hope at Café Nora. "Hey Hope? I'm gonna swing by with Maqui, do you think we can save a table on the side with the view of the lake? And maybe also add some nice flowers in a vase on the table? You know, make it romantic," Yuj stated as he paced back and forth to try to keep warm. "Huh? But didn't you already take a curry dinner to Maqui? You guys must be super hungry in that case. Of course I can set it up for you. I. . .I'm not sure how to make it romantic but I can try. I didn't know that you and Maqui were. . .," Hope trailed off.

Yuj chuckled, "well we aren't yet, but I am going to try my best to show him how I feel about him. I just gotta do it in a way that won't make him run off to live with the Pulse Chocobos." Hope laughed on the other line, "well I'm sure you won't scare him off, he likes you too much. I mean you guys are best friends right? So even if you want to date him, my bet is that even if he isn't interested, he'd still like you." "Since when did you get so insightful in relationships? I'm teaching you well I see," Yuj grinned to the phone.

Hope chuckled, "It's more because Gadot and Lebreau have been flirting non-stop since he got here, plus when they argue, Gadot always has to grovel until she forgives him, but I'll let you think you have the credit." Yuj laughed and then heard noise coming from the store, "very very funny, anyway I gotta run, we'll be there soon." Yuj hung up quickly and casually relaxed against the velocycle.

Yuj grinned when Maqui made his way out of the "storefront" and rolled the velocycle over. "I know you probably prefer riding a chocobo, but how about a ride on your newest project with me?," Yuj asked as he sat on the cycle. "You know what's funny? I keep making these things but I have yet to drive one! At least this time I get you as a driver, man, when Gadot drives he makes me feel like we are gonna crash any minute," Maqui chuckled. "In that case, how about you drive us back? You know these machines better than anybody. Anyway hop on and let's get going, I bet you are starving," Yuj said with a smile. Maqui nodded and climbed up on the velocycle behind Yuj and gulped. He was so close to Yuj and his heart fluttered. He didn't want to feel so childish like a little school girl when he sat behind him, but he couldn't help but feel excited and exhilarated that he would get to be so close to the man in front of him. He slid his arms around Yuj's waist and pulled his body close to him so he would have a good grip after they took off.

Yuj felt a warmth surge through his body as Maqui's warm arms wrapped around his waist. While the weather was cold, Maqui was so warm after that hot shower and his fluffy snow gear added to the cozy feeling. Yuj couldn't resist his urge and placed his hand over Maqui's, "you are so warm, Maqui. . .I just want to hold you all night long." Maqui flushed and squeezed him harder in embarrassment, "hey, I'm not a teddy bear! Come on already, I'm hungry!" Maqui didn't know what else to say because he knew that if he had his choice, he wanted to hold Yuj as long as he could, but he just wasn't ready to tell Yuj about his feelings quite yet. Yuj nodded, "you're right you are not a teddy bear, you are a chocobo!" Maqui wiggled, pouted and bantered back at him playfully. Yuj grinned and turned on his velocycle and drove off to Café NORA, excited about their date.

Rosch awoke the next morning with pain coursing throughout his body. He was frustrated with himself for taking so long to recover, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it except for rest. He wondered if what he was doing was the best course of action. He could just return to the people of Cocoon and work from his bedside if he had to, but instead he kept himself secluded. Rosch had always prided himself in his military strength, and his loss and poor judgment in the past was a huge blow to his ego.

As much as he hated to admit it, Rosch knew one reason why he didn't return to the town was because he lacked the same drive he had before. He felt moments of pain and weakness before, but his drive and adrenaline and beliefs that he was doing the right thing always pushed him forward. But now, while Rosch still wanted to help the citizens and help create a new order for Gran Pulse, the combination of mixed emotions along with physical weakness made it difficult for him to move forward. He needed to get better and become stronger. Only then could he help the people. He knew he was the people's servant, not the other way around, and if he were to be able to serve them well, he needed to be strong and confident. But, for the first time in his life, he felt neither.

This was a time of many firsts for Yaag Rosch. Rosch had always been an extremely busy man, with little time to think or dwell on things. He was used to split-second decision-making and always being on the move. He never just sat down with his own thoughts or taking time to contemplate about his choices or his life.

Rosch sighed to himself; he really appreciated Yuj's help. When left alone too long, Rosch knew himself well enough to know that he would begin to feel agitated when he thought about what he could be doing, but wasn't. Yuj was the one who would then come by and remind him that it's okay to take care of himself. That it was important to heal and find his own reason for living.

Rosch shook himself from his thoughts and headed to a hot spring that was located near his camp, with the hopes of soothing his aching body. Rosch striped slowly and folded each piece of his uniform, showing his uniform the respect he wished he could give to all of his fallen comrades. He shivered as the cool air hit his flesh, he enjoyed he feeling of the cool air since he was so used to the climate control provided by the Fal'cie of Cocoon. He slid into the warm spring water, feeling his muscles relax from the pleasurable sensation.

Rosch closed his eyes and let his ponytail out as he bathed and cleansed himself. He relished in the warmth and felt like he was in his own sanctuary. A place where he could finally come in touch with his feelings and emotions of what had transpired in the past, and once he could come to terms with himself, he could move on and perhaps create more room in his life for what Yuj called "personal passions." He still had no idea where to start, but he figured if anything, his newfound friend gave him time to think about it. Without Yuj, his time would have been gone and he would have faded into the afterlife.

Rosch breathed in deeply enjoying the fragrance of nature. The world felt so clean and fresh, so different than the world of Cocoon. Rosch slid his fingers over the scar on his forehead subconsciously and closed his eyes again to just enjoy the moment. It was then that he heard footsteps heading towards him. His eyes snapped open and looked at the figure in front of him.

TBC

A/N: Let me know what you guys think so far ^_^ Although it's the next day, there will still be information about how Maqui and Yuj's "date" went. XD