Ness's mother pushed her chair out and gave a cheerful smile to the dinner guests who had all cleared their plates. ''I'm glad that you seem to have enjoyed that!'' She giggled as she caught Claus licking his fingers.
Hinawa grinned back at her friend before narrowing her eyes at her son who was still sitting beside Ness's dog, King.
Claus looked back at his mother with an apathetic expression, running his tongue across his greasy fingers.
''So, while I clear the table, would the kids like to go and play in the garden?'' Ness's mother asked, directing her words to her son.
Ness beamed, his violet eyes glistening. ''Of couhse, Mosah!'' He replied, getting out of his chair. ''But, we'll play in seh back gahden... I bet Pohky is in his fhont gahden...''
Tracy nodded. ''Yeah, we don't want to encounter Pokey again...'' She grimaced, pushing her plate away from her.
Ness's mother gave her children an embarrassed smile before unlocking the back door. ''Well then, off you go!''
Claus abruptly stood up and darted for the back garden. King immediately got up and followed the orange haired boy.
Tracy giggled as she watched the dog eagerly follow at Claus's heels, then she stood up and ran after the boy too.
Lucas remained in his seat with his head hanging down, hiding the crimson tint that ran across his cheeks. He was still incredibly nervous and wanted to stay by his mother's side.
Hinawa reached out and lightly brushed her hand against Lucas's for comfort. She quietly whispered the words ''You'll be fine.'' into his ear and smiled.
Ness saw that Lucas was uncomfortable and tilted his head to the side. He slightly leaned in from across the table and softly said the boy's name. ''Lucas...''
Lucas slowly looked up in reflex and saw the boy's eyes staring into his. He suddenly felt at ease... He felt welcome.
''I'll look after you.'' The raven haired boy gave a friendly, gentle smile and held out his hand to the other boy.
Lucas leisurely lifted his hand from the table and placed it tenderly into Ness's hand. He kept his eyes locked to the violet eyes in front of him and a soft smile formed on his lips.
Ness let out a small giggle and took his baseball cap off before placing it atop Lucas's blonde quiff.
Lucas giggled back, his blush becoming more visible.
Ness's mother and Hinawa watched the scene, cooing and awing.
Flint wasn't really bothered though. He was more interested in getting food from his teeth with a toothpick.
Lucas elegantly got up from his seat and walked around the table to stand by Ness on the other side. The smile remained on his lips as Ness linked arms with him, grinning, before making their way to the back garden.
Both boys were trying to seem like casual friends, as if they were just thinking about playing a bit of make-believe in the garden, but inside... Both boys felt incredibly different.
A/N: Short chapter, I know... But I've thought of something rather romantic for the next chapter and I want it to be long, cute, detailed, and special...Also, this chapter was more to remind you of what's happening as I've been off for a long while.
Also, I have an awesome computer for my house now which means I can update way more often, so don't expect a hiatus!
