Chapter 44: That Darling Duo
Fresh off the heels, or in his case wheels, of another second place ending at the races, Mew has collected his things from the garage and headed out to enjoy the city sights once more.
He's found himself in Indianapolis for once, tired and a little parched. So he made his way down the road to a local store and grabbed himself a soda, as a treat.
"Here's to another silver medal…" He said, raising his victory Squirt into the air before guzzling it down in a few short seconds.
"...Probably wasn't wise." He realized as some of that gas immediately came back up, but then with a shrug he flicked the bottle over his head into the can and headed back into town to roam.
The skies were left wide open for him to look around and take in the sparse sights. For a city dedicated to racing, there weren't very many cars outside of the tracks.
So if he needed to cross the streets, it was just a few steps away.
He wasn't sure where he wanted to go, or if he wanted to figure that out blindly or check Yelp.
His hand strayed towards his phone, just in time for the vibration to go off indicating he had a message.
It was from Leo, stating politely: "Serra and I will be heading out to town for most of the day. Are you coming home soon?"
Mew rapidly typed the answer with one hand just for the heck of it, "Sorry bud, still need to take care of a few tasks around here. I'll be back tomorrow."
It was a bit of a white lie, because the tasks in question boiled down to: "I just want a little time to myself today."
He sent that message off with a smile, leading with confidence that his kids can hold down the house without him.
Then he double-checked the inbox, "Oooookay, anything else I missed?"
Riku had actually sent him a message during the race asking, "Is it ok if I drop into your house and borrow a movie to watch with Xander tonight?"
"Heh heh…" Grinning fondly at the parental initiative his brother takes with his youngest in particular, Mew replied, "Sure thing, bro! Key's in the usual spot."
And that emptied the inbox…for about five seconds, when he got another message from…Alura of all people?
"Heeeeeey, just reminding you that my birthday is a month away~ ^.^"
"You need to make-up for 5 years of neglect, Mew~ Or I'm gonna let Joe Dark know and-"
"Deeeeelete," Mew executed with his eyes closed, proceeding to wonder aloud, "Wait, how did she get my number…?"
He shook his head and then tucked the phone away, proceeding to just wander around and see what he could run into.
He found a woman walking three dogs and was allowed to stop and pet them. The biggest dog even gave him a wet kiss on the cheek.
He stopped by at a park and fed some birds, slowly coming back from their winter migration.
And then he…slowed down.
In the middle of the crosswalk in the middle of nowhere, he craned his head back and looked up at the wintery blue sky layered with light, translucent clouds, his breath coming out as cold puffs.
Today, he felt…lonely.
"Man…" He closed his eyes and counted his blessings that he had so many friends and family that he could text or visit whenever he felt like.
But nothing really replaced the gaping hole in his heart named "Kairi".
"Our jobs don't leave us with very much time to get together anymore." Flashes of days past reminded him of how, even when they were spending everyday together, it was all for the sake of their kids.
ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that, mind you, but still. When you have all this free time to stand around and dance with loneliness, you sometimes realize how little you've actually shown appreciation for your significant other.
"Maybe I oughta pop back into my hotel and see where she's doing the news…" He headed back in the other direction and then diverted down a different path that would get him to his destination after a mile long trot.
But along the way he came across a surprising sight.
A news channel had set up their trucks and cameras in town and there seemed to be an important story going on as police cars and fire trucks weren't too far away.
"...Wait." Mew had gotten so lost in his loneliness that he let his senses slip a bit. There was a fire going on in a nearby building, and the firemen were busy evacuating citizens while the police officers had gotten hold of someone who likely had started the fire.
"No time to question that…!" He licked his lips upon sensing that there were still a couple people inside the building, and the firemen were currently acting like they had gotten everyone out.
He dashed straight into the burning building before the screams of the onlookers could slip him up, and then jumped to the second floor right as the staircase collapsed.
The fire was little more than a tickle on his hairs, but the smoke was a little more bothersome.
He couldn't afford to put up a wind shield lest he agitate the fires more, so he needed to move quick.
He turned down the hall and saw that a shelf had come dragging down from the floor above and destroyed a door along the way.
He jumped over the hole and found himself inside of a bedroom, where the coughs and panicked cries of two little girls dragged his attention instantly.
They had hidden themselves in the closet for safety, but the fire was closing in fast.
He bravely ran through the flames and stood in front of the door, bending down and reaching his hand out with a carefree smile and a gentle demeanor.
"It's ok! I've come to rescue you." Though his sight was relieving to the girls, they struggled to reach out.
"I promise, I won't let you go." He swore with sincerity.
One girl reached out and touched his hand until the shaking stopped, and then the other girl followed suit.
"Alright…!" He nodded at their bravery and then cuddled them against the sides of his body.
"Hold on tight!" He dashed through the same route he took as the building started to come crashing down around them.
The girls shrieked, but he held on tighter.
They saw him push through the flames like they weren't there at all.
But they wouldn't carry that secret with them into tomorrow.
They'd remember that a stranger cared to rescue them from danger, and maybe one day return that kindness to someone else.
But that was never the point of this.
He just couldn't help being who he was.
Without so much as a question from the firemen gathered outside the building, he handed off the children to them and they helped get them to their parents.
He then slipped into the crowd like the wind, silent and unseen, glad to have done a service for them.
But as he popped out the other side he was accosted by a firm, admonishing voice, "Mew, what in the blazes do you think you're doing?!"
Speaking of the hole in his heart, there was the muse that filled it. His loving wife, frazzled in the face and her news jacket and mic donned, hunched forward with her fists propped against her hips.
It brought to mind when they were younger and she would get in his face about doing something reckless.
But just like before, he grinned and rubbed the back of his head in a slightly awkward manner as he answered, "Ah, you know…"
Kairi closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then settled down, "...I'm glad…you got those kids out safely."
She blushed and turned the other way, reduced to whispering, "I-I sensed them still in the building, but if I tried to bring it up…well…"
"We definitely have a funny way of making everything work out, eh?" Mew commented.
Kairi puffed her cheeks and murmured, "Funny's not the word I'd use but…"
After the casualness of their conversation settled down a little, they winced at each other's sight, and then Kairi let out a light cough, her blush getting worse, "Soooo uuuuhhh, fancy running into you here…"
Mew crossed his arms and giggled fondly at her nervousness, "Heh heh, you don't know the half of it. I was just thinking about you."
Kairi's eyes lifted with surprise and she turned with a gasp, "Y-You're kidding…"
"Oh?" Mew's attention turned to curiosity.
Her gaze wandered elsewhere as she brought to his attention, "I-Is it silly that…I was just thinking about you too?"
"Nah." Mew replied with a kind amount of bluntness.
Their moods as clear on their faces as could possibly be seen, Mew waved his hand up and said softly, "Wanna ditch the busywork and go do something?"
"Mmmm…" Kairi hung her jaw and slowly built up the words she wanted to say while looking at the burning building, "Yeeeeeaaaaaaah, that would be…swell."
"I mean, hey! Finish the story first, Mrs. Aurora."
After Mew teased her, she put out one last pout as she pointed at him, "Stay right here, and don't go jumping into any more burning buildings."
Mew closed his eyes and giggled, "I can't make a promise on that one, honey!"
She went back to the cameras and wrapped up detailing the tragedy that had almost unfolded here in this building.
Her ability to drop the hard feelings she had and act professionally on the turn of the dime was astounding.
He never got to see her directly on the job like this, so he enjoyed the moment for all it's worth.
After which she helped the crew pack up and then gladly vacated the premises to join up with him, hunching over to let out a supreme sigh of relief.
"Thank GOD that's over with…I was only supposed to be here for an interview…"
Mew closed his eyes and shrugged, "Something about fate and destiny or what-not. So hey, you feeling hungry?"
Mew gestured over his shoulder, "My treat."
Kairi hung her eyes part way open and muttered, "Mew, we share the same bank account…"
But fondly, she came around to his offer and smiled, "...I want two burgers. Extra greasy, extra cheesy, and all the salty fries you can afford."
"You got it, Kairi! I think I know just where to go…" Mew walked them further down the street to a local sports bar, which it shouldn't have been surprising to find was full of people.
"...Ok, never mind." Mew said, dumbfounded towards himself.
"I want a little quiet anyways." Kairi noted.
"I can do that. Just going to need to walk another mile first."
"Euughhh," Groaned Kairi, "Now I'm regretting not grabbing a ride earlier."
Mew held his arms out and winked, "I ain't got four wheel drive, buuuuut…"
Kairi took a few seconds to ponder this offer before a quick sigh led to her climbing into his arms and being carried like a freshly made bride.
It didn't take very long for people to gossip about what they were up to, with some recognizing her from her job.
She wiggled with anxiety and even covered her blushing face, but Mew smiled because he knew she was enjoying herself.
"I feel like an idiot…" She commented, "My feet shouldn't be this damn sore."
Mew lightly remarked, "You should join Serra on a run sometime, get your endurance back up."
"GOD no, she'd chew me up until my legs were bones." Kairi was mostly joking around, but it was cute to think that she was a little scared of their daughter when in reality, Kairi would likely outlast her in a run if she put some effort into it.
Mew giggled and spoiled what he was thinking because of it.
"What?" She prodded him.
"Nothing." Mew giggled some more.
"No. What?" She said, starting to laugh a bit as well.
"You forget how strong you are sometimes, Kairi. Heck, I'd say I still haven't surpassed you."
Her face became flushed instantly from his humbling comment, after which she gently patted his chest and requested, "I-I'm going to walk the rest of the way."
"You sure?" Mew gestured, and she held her hand up.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Heh heh!" Mew patted her on the back to help her move along, and after a little more putting about they arrived at a second sports bar that was a little less occupied, but still served plenty of greasy foods.
They went inside and ordered a table for two, and upon getting their menus Mew ordered the expected strawberry lemonade while Kairi zeroed in on the burgers.
Salivating at her options, she remarked, "I am SO getting this one with BBQ sauce smothering the inside of the cheese."
"Careful, you're sounding like Alura." Mew jokes.
Kairi puffed her cheeks.
"Say, do you know how she got my number?" He asked.
Kairi raised a brow like it should've been obvious, "She probably got it from Maria?"
"Oh right…" Mew bonked his head lightly.
"What was she contacting you about?" Kairi said with confusion.
"Her birthday. Said I owe her for missing the last five."
"Well THAT is on her for moving around so much!" Kairi pointed out.
"Right?!" Mew gleefully proclaimed.
"But…" And there came the 'But', "You could've called her ahead of time to confirm."
Mew closed his eyes and mumbled, "Yeah over my dead body."
Kairi stared, "Why do you have such a grudge against her?"
"Hey! SHE started this when she refused to let the driver's license thing go!"
"For the record, that WAS a dumb move on your part back then." Kairi asserted calmly.
Mew crossed his arms and turned the other way, "Don't start taking her side…"
"Hehehe!" Kairi pressed her fingers against her lips and said with one eye open, "S-Sorry, but it's rare to see you get genuinely flustered, I just had to milk it a bit."
The way Mew smiled back showed no offense had been taken, "Well, glad you're feeling less stressed."
The two paused to give their orders to the server. Mew had decided on a steak and baked potato combo.
Kairi then leaned back against the booth and melted into it, "Yeah, tell me about it. This was just what I needed."
"The two of us…" Mew started.
"Hanging out…" Kairi followed in a soft, welcoming voice.
They shared a solemn look at each other in silence, before Kairi broke it feeling embarrassed, "When was the last time we did this?"
Mew knew the answer, but didn't want her to fret over it, "Forget it. Let's just have fun."
"No come on, seriously."
Mew shook his head with a wily smile, "No no no. Not prying these lips open."
Kairi curled her lips, "You brat."
She then took a drink from the complimentary water and wondered aloud, "M-Maybe…we could try doing what Riku and Lunis do? A once a month…vacation?"
Mew closed his eyes and took a realists approach, dashed with a bit of humor, "I don't think our jobs would permit that."
"Grrr…"
"But you're right. We need to make more time for ourselves."
Kairi nodded along quietly, then a spark in her eyes was followed by a blush as she stumbled saying, "O-Oh! Yo-You were here because of a race weren't you?"
"I didn't want to say anything but…"
After coughing she asked, "Soooo, how did you do?"
"Second as always." Mew said nonchalantly.
Kairi glared, "Mew, you…aren't holding back in races, are you?"
Mew scoffed, "Kairi, I don't hold back."
The increasing intensity of her glare likely was caused by her remembering him doing that to all the Planetary Aurians back then.
"Ok, that's different though." Mew remarked.
He then shrugged, "It's no big deal to me honestly. There's always going to be someone better out there. If it wasn't the Silver Streak, it'd be the…Gold Gladiator, or the Platinum Pursuer."
Kairi smiled and then whirled her finger along the top of her drink, playfully flicking a bit of water his way, "You're first place in my book, Mew."
Mew's heart skipped a beat and then she widened her eyes and looked away shyly.
"Heh heh!" Mew grinned like a doofus while Kairi slapped her hands on the table.
"UUUGH, stop it!" She said gleefully.
They both realized they were causing a scene for the other patrons. Kairi's blush continued and she hid her smile in the collar of her coat until she went away.
They stayed quiet until their meals arrived, upon which Kairi hastily took the supplied knife and cut the burger in twine, cheese and sauce oozing from the inside.
"Oh gooooood…I missed American cooking!"
Mew gently cut into his steak, "I'll always love my juicy meat, but I'll admit…I'd love to eat Thai food straight from the homeland."
Kairi nodded, "So would I."
Mew flinched, "Wait, I thought you did a story in Thailand once?"
Kairi turned her head, "Noooo? I've never been to the Far East. They don't like me."
"Damn. Assholes," After which Mew snapped his fingers and said, "Hey, there's an idea! We should take a vacation to Thailand!"
"Hmm, maybe…why don't we wait until summer, when the kids are out of school?"
Mew chuckled, "Ooookay, but then we're traveling MY way, because you KNOW what'll happen if we stuff Serra onto a plane."
Kairi flinched, "Oh god, you just awakened an old nightmare."
Mew then pointed at her burger and remarked, "Anywho, I don't want your meal getting cold, so…"
"Right! Burger time!" Kairi gladly scooped up one half of her burger in both hands and sloppily drove it into her mouth, the first bite causing a chunk of BBQ sauce to avalanche out the back, taking a pickle chip with it.
Her eyes rolled back into her head and she moaned in bliss.
She was only halfway through her meal when Mew had finished his steak off and started working on the baked potato.
She slowed down, but not because of how bulky her burger was.
"...It's so easy for me to make decisions when it's just you and me, but when I'm at home, I feel like a total klutz."
Mew put his utensils down and leaned in, "Say that again?"
Kairi sighed and wiped the grease off her face, then looked at him with a mildly pitiful expression, "Be honest with me Mew, d-do the kids talk about me much?"
Mew closed his eyes and shrugged, "To be honest, I'm not around THAT much."
But he put a lighter spin on his seeming dismissiveness by then mentioning, "But whenever I am home, Leo's always got your on for the news. And Serra's happy to see you there too."
"Really?" Kairi stuttered.
Mew locked onto the true source of her woes in the blink of an eye, "Are you still thinking about Maria?"
When Kairi started to hang her head, Mew told her, "Hey. I share half the blame too.. But you're never going to get over these concerns unless you take the steps to mend your relationship with her."
"Doesn't have to be a big blowout celebration. Drop by her shop and say hello, then work from there."
Kairi's lips melted into a tender smile as she remarked, "Ha…once again, you're right. Now that's two Whiter brothers that have told me what to do, and I just…haven't."
Mew leaned his head back and laughed, "Well if it's any consolation, I ain't expecting Alex to come back from the dead to tell you off anytime soon."
"Hmm…" She hummed with mild discontent.
"..." Mew closed his eyes and laid his hands on the table, "Honestly Kairi, you think too highly of my opinion nowadays. Truth be told…I've just been winging a lot of this 'parent' stuff."
He grinned with child-like glee, "Heh heh, I think a lot of my success boils down to me still feeling young at heart, so even if I can't relate to the kids' issues, I am more patient with hearing them out."
"All this humble bragging to say…you're not doing that bad a job as a parent, Kairi," He then began looking her in the eyes again, "The only one who doesn't believe that is you."
Kairi grinned back and with a light blush marred by the remnants of cheese grease on her cheeks, she laid her hand against the side of her face, "You know…this reminds me of how we first met…Even now, you're still having to tell me the good I'm capable of doing."
"That's why we're a good team!" Mew proclaimed.
"Yeah…" Kairi gently returned to enjoying her meal, and after a little while longer they cleaned their plates and paid for the bill electronically.
Upon leaving the bar, Kairi stretched her arms and yawned, "Uuuugh, that may have been too much…getting tired…"
Mew tucked his hands in his pockets, "How far out is your hotel?"
"Uhhh…" Kairi slowly dropped her hands with her jaw slacked, "I…haven't rented a room yet."
Mew skipped past the back and forth and suggested, "Well, I think we know where you're going then."
Kairi turned, "You sure? Aren't you staying in a one bed room?"
Mew shook his head and winked, "I always book a two bedder…just in case."
"...You're winning so many brownie points today, Mew Whiter." She replied happily.
They decided to take a taxi to cover the ground necessary back to his hotel. Along the way Kairi started to doze off against his shoulder.
Upon entering the hotel, she stuck close by his side until they arrived at the second floor. There, she finally flung off her coat onto the nearby leather chair and flopped on top of the bed.
She turned onto her back and brushed the back of her right knuckles against her forehead, settling down with a deep breath.
Mew stood over her and wondered, "Do you need anything? An enzyme, maybe?"
"Spoil me…" She uttered warmly, taking Mew by surprise.
She looked at him with her eyes glazed over, the food looking to take her into a comatose state, "...Once tomorrow comes, we…we'll have to go our separate ways again. So…I wanna be spoiled, and pampered…at least until I fall asleep."
Mew smiled and then crawled on top of the bed.
Kairi's pupils shrank and her chest started beating faster. Vulnerable and unaware, she closed her eyes as the blush in her cheeks got redder.
Mew then wiggled his fingers and dove them into her armpits to tickle her.
"Ha ha ha!" She awoke with rapturous laughter, before pressing her armpits shut and blurting out, "W-What the hell…?!"
Mew grinned mischievously, but with a dash of his heartfelt sincerity, "Hey, you said 'until you fall asleep', so I just don't want you dozing off early. Ok?"
Kairi sucked in her lips and with her mind vulnerable thanks to his kindness once more, she let him grab her by the arms and gently press her down against the bed.
"Well?" He said, his face and tone like an esteemed knight's, "My wish is your command…princess."
She closed her eyes and giggled, "...Do what you feel is right…you lovable idiot…"
The night was thus theirs to play around with, with no obligations to stifle the mood any further…
Next Time: Vengeance and the Storm