iMarcus, You're So Silly
"I'm so glad you're okay!"
Heidi was saying it for the millionth time, probably, but she could not seem to stop herself. She was so relieved, so happy, and there did not seem to be enough words to express it. She hoped that she was not bothering iMarcus with her incessant repeating, but he was always honest enough and it did not seem to be the case.
"I still don't know what you're talking about, but I'm glad you're glad too!"
Heidi smiled as she continued to make their late late lunch (with iMarcus' help). Neither of them had been hungry in the morning, breakfast had been late. Lunch would be late, dinner would be late. By tomorrow though, the household schedule would be back on time. Sort of.
"Are you sure it's Sunday? I could have sworn it was Tuesday."
"Check the Internet. I'm certain it's Sunday."
iMarcus had no memories of the past couple weeks, so Heidi decided it was her task to bring him back up to speed. So she began to mention everything that had happened (that she could remember) answering iMarcus' questions as they came and doing her best not to leave anything out. Which was when she came to a very scary conclusion.
"If... if it had not been for all of this, Vash would have not spoken so straightly to me. It was the first time in... in such a long time. If we hadn't nearly lost you, we wouldn't have had such a long conversation about anything."
"Heidi! Don't cry... what do you mean?" Heidi sniffed, doing her best not to cry so as not to upset iMarcus. Why cry? Things were better now, with both iMarcus and between her and her brother.
"Just lately, he's been pushing me away. Not just me though... he's been doing the same thing to Maddox too."
"Huh."
"He would not tell me what was wrong," Heidi fidgeted with the front of her dress, staring down at the counter. "I have a feeling whatever it is is staring me right in the face... but I don't see it."
"He was really bothered last I... huh." iMarcus cut himself off. "When you and Maddox are together."
"When I and Maddox are together?" Heidi questioned, wondering what exactly iMarcus meant by that. He did not respond immediately and she waited for him to do so.
"He's overprotective."
"Of what?" Heidi blinked, now thoroughly confused. iMarcus hummed.
"Either that or he's jealous~!"
"Jealous of what?" Heidi asked, now knowing that iMarcus had figured something out that she was completely oblivious about. Still, the fact that someone even had a guess as to what it was that could be going on gave Heidi such relief that she felt even better than she did previously. The day seemed to be going up and up. "What do you mean?"
"I think that... Oh. Someone's at the door." Taking the oven mitts off of her hands, Heidi quickly went to the front door as iMarcus let it swing open. "Hello Natalia!" he chirped. "How are you doing today?" Natalia started up at the ceiling, but then appeared to notice Heidi and then ignored whatever was previously interesting her.
"This is for you!"
A box was pushed into Heidi's chest before Heidi could even welcome her. Natalia's face was now down turned, though the flush on her cheeks was still very noticeable. Blinking a few times, Heidi brought up her hands so as to take the box from her.
"Oh! Wow... thank you very much!" She gave the other woman a smile, looking down into it to see what it was she had been given. Inside the box appeared to be a glass jar, cracks running through it and painted sunflowers over that. Inside of the jar were many, many coloured paper stars, not even all the same size, but all very small.
This... this was for her?
"Oh Natalia... it's beautiful!"
Natalia blushed even more, turning away. "Well... I... I figured you might as well have it. For yesterday, for everything," she was saying, as if to excuse her behavior. Heidi did not understand why exactly it was Natalia believed she needed to do so, but it made her more comfortable, so Heidi did not argue. She waited until Natalia had finished talking before setting the box down and reaching out to put a hand on Natalia's arm. Natalia finally looked back at her.
"Thank you."
"Um..." Natalia seemed confused, so Heidi thought she would help out.
"You say, 'You're welcome'!" she said sweetly. Natalia slowly nodded.
"You're welcome."
Heidi smiled at her and eventually Natalia smiled back. "Would you like to stay for lunch? I was making sandwiches... and then some brownies! Brother loves his chocolate."
Natalia seemed uncertain and Heidi tried not to show how much she really wanted the other girl to say yes. After all, she did not want to seem pushy or anything, but she felt like after this present, it was the least she could do. Natalia had comforted her just as much as Heidi had been there for Natalia! Now Heidi felt as if she needed to do something in return, for she did not need a present as thanks for what had happened yesterday.
Finally, Natalia nodded. "All... all right."
As soon as she said that, through the door which had been left open, suddenly came the harsh and loud noise from somewhere up the street. "Get out! OUT!"
Both of them stared outside.
"He's rather loud today," iMarcus commented.
Notes:
They can hear it too. It is a small town. And the words were said loudly. It also helps I have not really established where anyone's house is. They can be free floating homes. Everyone is a neighbor with whoever I say. It can be like the Discworld, in that sense, sort of. I dunno.
