Todd Wants Key's Face

OUTSIDE: *is freezing. snow is piled up everywhere, some driftsalmost as tall as Claire*

Claire: *shivers* Hope today goes by quickly...

Me: Harry's gotta show his good side if he wants Claire to like him. XD something needs to happeeeennnnn.

Me: Like whaaaaat...? XD

Harry: Hopefully. *follows her around the Safe Zone with the other soldier*

Me: I dunnooooo. He's a jerk with a heart of gold/knight in sour armor, right? he has to show the positive half of that at SOME point. XP

Claire: *silently leads the patrol. she was too cold to feel like talking* ...

Soldier: *is shivering* ....

Me: Fine. I shall make something happen. YAAAAAAY.

Ruffians: *Are picking on a child*

Harry: ! *shouts out to them* HEY! *keeps his hand off his gun*

Child: D:> .....

Claire: ? *looks over. upon seeing the situation, she keeps her gun out, but lowered, as intimidation* ...

Soldier: ....

Ruffian: Oh shoot - let's get out of here! D: *runs off with his friends*

Harry: ... *instead of simply going back to the patrol group, he approaches the child, and gets on one knee in front of the kid. He was picked on as a child, though this was by his own parents. He felt a connection with the kid. He speaks to the child in a soft, surprisingly CARING tone* Hey... did they hurt you at all?

Child: *is calmed down by his tone, and nods* n-no... they pushed me down, but it doesn't hurt...

Claire: ... *lowers her gun. this was something she's never seen from Harry--it was a pleasant surprise* ...

Soldier: *is thinking something along the same line as Claire* ...

Harry: *he smiles slightly under his mask* That's good. You should head back to the apartment building, alright? And if those guys bother you again, just look for a soldier like us. We'll help you. *with a nod, he stands back up*

Child: Th-Thank you! :D *runs off to the apartment building, but stops halfway to wave goodbye before turning and running the rest of the way*

Claire: ...heheh.

Harry: *he silently walks back to the group. He felt good*

Claire: *finds herself smiling under the mask and she continues to lead the patrol onward*

Soldier: *follows along* ...

*Nothing truly exciting happens for the rest of the patrol. Night falls, and they head back to get out of their armor and things*

IN THE LOCKER ROOM

Harry: *takes his gas mask off and puts it away, then proceeds to do the same with his armor*

Soldier: *finishes putting his stuff away, then heads out*

Claire: *takes of her gasmask, then her armor. she waits until the other soldier leaves before she says anything* ...That was really sweet, you know. Most other patrols wouldn'tve stopped, let alone comfort a child.

Harry: ! Uh, ruh-really? I just kinda... *he rubs the back of his neck* Well, it just seemed like the right thing to do...

Claire: It was. *smiles, and grabs her coat out of her locker* Good job today, Harry. Keep it up. :) *puts her coat on and starts heading out*

Harry: *his mouth breaks into a small smile. He is glad to have finally done something right for once. Even better - Claire smiled at him. Out of her sight as she exited the building, he pumped his fist, while whispering through a grin* Yyess! *He then put his gun away, and left after Claire, heading back to the apartment*

Claire: *thinks about Harry's actions as she walks back to her apartment. he sounded very sincere when he talked to the child, and that's what surprised her the most--she's never seen that from him before. ever. she wonders if he's starting to change.. or maybe, if he was that way all along. before she knew it, she was standing in front of the door to her apartment.* ...

Me: he's so proud of himself, lolllllll. that was cute. SEE, WE NEEDED THAT TO HAPPEN. :D now what? XD

Me: Lol I dunno. Uh... if you have any ideas, please share. Otherwise, I'll think.

Harry: *walks into his apartment, his mood so much more uplifted that normal, that he was whistling while preparing his usual quick dinner*

Me: hmmmmmmmm. well, we know what we're doing for Valentine's day... uhhh... maybe Claire and Harry can have a day off because they don't need as many people because of how cold it is... and we could do something with that. :3

Claire: *not very hungry, she sits down on the couch to drink a hot chocolate. her thoughts keep wandering back to Harry, and a small smile appears on her face. why can't she stop thinking about him? maybe it was what he did today. how unexpected it was. yes, that was it. she continues to drink her chocolate, same smile still on her face*

Me: ooooooh, someone's starting to like someooooone. XD

Me: Yaaaayyyy and tee hee <3 XD

Harry: *after his poorly made can of soup, he brushed his teeth and showered, readying himself for bed. Claire was still on his mind, and when he got under the covers, he didn't sleep, but rather, stared up at the ceiling, that small smile still on his face. He had never really felt this way before - this wasn't like Sam, this was DIFFERENT - it changed his thoughts into alien positive ones. It was overwhelming*

Me: i think we need a timeskip. XD

Me: eyyuuus.

THE NEXT DAY, WITH TODD AND KEY

Todd: *sleeping in bed, shivering. His small fever had developed into the flu*

Key: *had woken up before him. she shivers, noticing how cold it had gotten again, then looks at Todd* ... *puts a hand on his forehead, and is concerned by how much warmer he's gotten* ...That's not good...

Todd: *still sleeping, he coughs, which stirs him a bit, though not fully* mnhgh...?

Key: ... *sits up, careful not to disturb Todd too much. if he got any worse, she was going to have to go out to get medicine* ...

Todd: *coughs again, then rubs his head, coming to* ahhgh-shoot... I feel awful...

Key: don't move around too much... *gets out of bed, and grabs a hoodie out of her closet* I'm gonna go out and get some medicine, okay?

Todd: *sniffs, then coughs again* ugh... okay. Say "hi" to Harry for me... *he wasn't getting angry or bitter at the mention of Harry. The fever was pretty bad*

Key: *notices this. she frowns* ...I will. I'll be right back, okay? *leaves the room and heads out, grabbing her coat as she left*

Me: so. Ker runs into Harry and/or Claire?

*Key >.>

up

Todd: ... Still... just the idea of being sick... I'm just a little nervous from it now.

Key: It'll... it'll pass.

Todd: *rubs his arm* ... okay...

Key: Hey... *puts an arm around him* I love you, Todd. :)

Todd: Heh... *he smiles warmly at her, and responds with putting his own arm around her, and putting his head on her shoulder*

Key: mm... *sips her hot chocolate, feeling somewhat content. not fully... but somewhat.*

Me: Harry and Claire now? Unless you have anything else planned.

Me: HERP DERP.

MEANWHILE

Harry: *throughout his time in the military, he could no longer deny it - he had grown... possible MORE than just "interested" in Claire. Hell, he could even say that... well, she was intriguing. He had feelings for her. Acting only on those thoughts, Harry decided to finally shave that morning, hoping to look cleaner - BETTER - for Claire. Then, he got his took his gas mask, and went to the lockers to get his armor* ...

AT THE LOCKERS

Claire: *has already put on her armor and gas mask by the time Harry walks in. She doesn't notice him--yet.*

Harry: *puts his gas mask aside in order to put the armor on. He glances at Claire* 'Morning.

Me: You and I came on. JUST NOW. XD

Me: AFGGDAKTVOMG. XD

Claire: *looks up--and blinks in surprise at the change, though this was hidden by the gas mask. she can't help but notice the improvement* ...Good morning.

Harry: *puts his gas mask on, and grabs his gun* I was surprised that I could open the apartment's front door - it really snowed last night.

Claire: *grabs her own gun* yeah, it really did... half the patrols have been put on snow-clearing duty. not us, though.

Harry: Good. I'd rather not have to do such a degrading job. Patrolling is better.

Claire: *nods* Agreed. Let's go. *goes outside*

Harry: *follows her out*

Todd: ... this reminds me of Christmas. Even though it's supposed to be February. Oh! Valentine's Day is coming up!

Key: Oh! You're right..! Huh. >.>

Todd: *he glances at her* Are we gonna do anything together? Is there anything to DO here?

Key: I dunno... I was gonna draw you something...

Microwave: *BEEPS*

Key: !! *turns and grabs the two mugs out of the microwave* ow. ow. *puts them both down on the counter, waving her hands slightly* Really really hot. D:

Todd: They should cool down soon. XP

Key: Oh. speaking of which-- *goes to turn down the thermostat* i think it's warm enough in... *glances out the window* ...here.

Outside: *SNOW. SNOW, EVERYWHERE. more than the first time it snowed, which had been a decent amount--there was at least two feet of snow on the ground*

Todd: What? *goes over to look* Yeesh! Snow! Just... yeesh! D:

Key: I think "yeesh" is an understatement. D:

Todd: I hope it doesn't affect the lighting or heating or anything. D:

Key: I really really hope not... it was cold enough in here already...

Todd: Eheh. I might freeze or something like that. D8

Key: let's not go back to that, shall we? D:> besides, we have chocolate. OH. *goes into the kitches and grabs the two mugs, offering one to Todd when she returns* I think they're cool enough to drink now.

Todd: *carefully takes it* Yay. Thank you, Key. <3

Key: No problem. <3 *blows on hers, then sips it carefully, recoiling a bit when she drinks it* Okay, still hot. Doesn't taste too bad, though.

Todd: ^^; *sits down with his and blows on it*

Key: *sits down next to him and does the same* ...

Todd: *carefully sips his* Better than cereal bars! Better than cereal bars! Better safe than sorry!

Key: *raises an eyebrow* ...?

Todd: I said nothing. Did I say something? Gee, Key, you're looking quite nice today.

Key: Todd, we just got out of bed like... five minures ago. i look terrible. *beat* Are you feeling okay? :/

Todd: *sips his hot chocolate* Naw, I'm serious, Key. You look very nice today. Oh, wait, you always look nice. Hah.

Key: *is not convinced* ... :/

Todd: *sleeping in the cold last night has actually made him sick, though he refuses to belief it. It's a small fever* <_< I love you, Key.

Key: *puts her mug down* I love you too. *reaches over and puts a hand on his forehead* ....Todd, you're not supposed to be warm. D:

Todd: But it's kinda... warm in here, right? Aren't I room-temperature? D;

Key: No, no you're not. *pulls her hand back* You must've gotten sick last night because of the cold... D:

Todd: ... Well, it's not like we can go out anyway... might as well stay here and hope it doesn't get worse...

Key: ...mmh. Guess you're right.... *grabs her mug, then scooches over towards Todd, resting her head against his shoulder* .... *takes a sip of her chocolate*

Todd: *sips his hot chocolate* Ugh... getting sick freaks me out, now... y'know, 'cuz of the Green Flu, and all...

Key: Honestly, I don't think it gets much worse than the green flu. You just have a fever, you'll be fine... *sips her chocolate*

up

Todd: b-better th-than n-NO heat-ting. I-in a s-safehous-se. Heh.

Heater: *is finally starting to make it warmer*

Key: d-d-definitely better. *unconsciously starts rubbing Todd's back* H-Hey, T-T-Todd?

Todd: Y-y-yeah? *notices when she rubs his back. He doesn't mind*

Key: ....d-do you think w-we're gonna s-s-stay like this? *is somewhat grateful for the cold at this point--she was sure she would have stumbled over the question anyway*

Todd: *he looks at her a bit, and only speaks until a minute had passed* ... Wh-what d-do you m-mean?

Key: W-Well... I-I meant u-us. W-What you s-said the other d-day had me thinking... w-what if they d-d-do s-separate us...?

Todd: Heh. Uh. M-maybe I-I can sneak i-in wherev-ver you end up-p living. Hang out with-th you.

Key: ...mmh. *realizes what she was doing and stops rubbing his back. the whole separation thing still worried her... what if he got caught...?* ...

Todd: *has thawed out somewhat* Don't worry about it, Key... the segregation might not happen, anyway - then we would have worried for nothing. <:)

Key: ... *nods, slightly reassured* ...Alright. Okay. Just hope you're right. <:) *nuzzles him affectionately, resuming the rubbing of his back* <3

Todd: *nuzzles back, lightly touching her cheek with his icy purple-blue fingers* ... heh.

Key: *shivers a bit from this, but she just laughs it off* Heheh... *places her own hand over his* ....

Todd: *lightly kisses her* Sorry about the cold. At least I'm not a vampire.

Key: Hah... Yeah, thank god for that... *kisses him back*

Todd: Zombies kick vampires' asses any day. Jus'sayin.

Key: Oh, don't worry, I believe it. ;)

Todd: Hey, now I'm scared - am I going to eventually ROT, or something?? D8>

Key: D:> *lightly smacks his shoulder* don't say thaat, now you have me freaking out! I seriously doubt it, I mean, technically you're still ALIVE, so...

Todd: Nhh... TECHNICALLY... but who knows what the Green Flu may have screwed up? D:

Key: D: ...yeah, you just gave me a lovely mental image of rotten-you. not something to be looking forward to. XP

Todd: *shudders* Ugh - yeah, not something I think I'd want to see in a mirror...

Key: *rests her head against his shoulder* can we pleeease change the subject? images are very unpleasant. D:

Todd: Right. What shall we change it to, then? D:

Key: ...how much we could really use some hot chocolate right now? <:D

Todd: Yaaaaay. :D *he slowly gets up out of bed, and waits for Key* ^^

Key: *gets out of bed, and goes out to the kitchen with Todd. she rummages through the pantry* I swear I saw it in here...

Todd: *waits* :D

Key: It's gotta be--AHA! *pulls it out and holds it up victoriously* :D

Todd: *claps his hand together* Yay! It'll be like when everything was normal! :D

Key: ^^ *starts preparing it* ~♪

Todd: Wait - we can't make hot chocolate without milk. D:

Key: ..crap. *checks the box* well... it says that you can make it with water, too... but it won't taste as good. :/

Todd: *shrugs* better than nothing. Better than CEREAL BARS.

Key: eeeeeexactly. *finishes preparing them, and sticks the two mugs in the microwave* ....

up

Todd: R-r-real-l-ly? FFFFFFFRACK we sh-sh-sh-should'v-v-ve g-g-g-gone S-S-SOUTH...!

Key: No k-k-kidding! *huffs, slightly annoyed at how FREEZING COLD it was--though she was starting to warm up a bit from the blankets* this's n-not the b-b-best way to start a m-morning....

Todd: Wh-wh-wh-what'll-l-l w-w-w-we d-d-do?

Key: s-stay in h-h-here for n-now i g-g-g-guess.... i-i'ts got-t-tta be worse outside, r-right...?

Todd: I-I-I-Is th-th-th-th-there a fffffire p-p-p-place her-r-re?

Key: D-D-D-Don't think ap-p-partment b-buildings have ffffirep-p-places....

Todd: SAD T-T-T-TIMES-S-S-S!

Key: *is a teensy bit warmer now* W-We could a-a-always t-try to find the th-thermostat.... b-but that'd involve g-getting u-up...

Todd: W-w-w-we sh-sh-should-d-d g-g-get-t-t up-p-p-p t-t-together-r-r or-r-r-r s-s-something, l-l-lik-k-ke with-th-th our-r-r bod-d-d-diesss pressed-d-d up-p-p against-t-t each-ch-ch oth-th-ther-r

Key: *nods* a-a-a-and keep the b-b-blankets.... ok-k-k-kay, l-let's do it.

Todd: r-r-right... on-n-n-ne... t-t-t-two... th-th-th-three! *gets up slowly with her*

Key: *releases Todd with one arm and grabs the blankets, pulling them around them to keep the little warmth they had in* o-o-k-k-k-kay... o-off we g-g-go...

Todd: *they slowly move to the thermostat* o-o-o-ok-kay... n-n-now t-t-turn it-t-t up-p-p, and I'll-l-l k-k-k-keep th-the b-b-blank-ket on-n-n us-sss...

Key: k-k-kay... *reaches an arm out, and turns up the thermostat to about 80°F. she quickly withdraws her arm back into the safety of the blankets* i-i-i'll h-have to t-turn it d-down l-l-later, b-but hopefffully it'll h-heat up q-quicker...

Todd: *wordlessly nods, hugging Key tightly, shivering*

Key: b-b-b-back to b-bed...?

Todd: *nods again, and sluggishly walks back to bed with Key*

Key: *goes back to tightly hugging Todd as soon as they get back into bed* nnnhhh.... w-whenever this place w-w-warms up, w-we're grabbing some h-hot chocolate or s-something....

Todd: *is extremely tense form the cold* y-y-y-yes p-p-p-please...

Key: ok-k-k-kay. *gets as close to him as humanly possible, burying her face in his neck, trying to warm him up as best as she can... though she honestly doesn't know how much she's helping* ....

Todd: Hey - i-if-f I-I-I fffrreez-z-ze t-t-to d-d-death-th-th, d-d-d-don't-t-t d-d-do th-th-that-t-t th-th-th-thing th-th-that th-the on-n-ne f-f-female l-l-lead-d ch-ch-character d-d-did, a-a-alright? What-t with s-s-saying my nam-m-me ov-v-ver and o-v-ver ag-g-gain, lik-k-ke 'J-J-Jack? J-Jack? Jack-k?' bec-c-cause th-th-that w-w-would ann-n-noy my-y-y gh-gh-ghost, or-r s-s-s-something-g...

Key: I-I'm n-n-not gonna let-t you ffffreeze, ok-k-kay? Th-That, o-or we b-b-both f-freeze t-together.

Todd: Th-th-that w-w-w-would b-b-be th-the wors-s-st m-movie e-e-ending e-e-ev-v-ver-r. Eheh. Heh.

Key: *smiles* Heheh... I-I-It k-kind of w-w-would... b-but w-we w-w-won't fffffreeze, w-we just-t g-gotta wait f-for the h-heat to c-c-come on-n....

Todd: *nods again wordlessly* Heh.

Key: .... *sighs. kind of sucks that they're stuck there for a while... not that she minds, no, she was used to it by now. she onlyminds the fact that they're stuck* ...mmh...

Todd: A-a-at l-least th-the h-heater w-w-works... I-I-I c-c-cant f-feel it g-getting w-warm-m-m-mer...

Key: j-j-just give it a little w-while... i-it'll w-work... *laughs a bit* It would s-suck if the heat-ter was b-b-brokenn...

Todd: Y-y-yeah, th-that WOULD s-suck...

Key: y-you'd th-think a b-building in f-freakin' C-CANADA would be m-m-more i-insulat-t-ted...

up

Harry: *shrugs* I'm not the one working on this thing. Who KNOWS how it works.

Claire: When the time comes, We'll find out.

Soldier: ...

Harry: So... back to patrol, I guess.

Claire: *simply nods* Mhmm.

Harry: *he follows the patrol group, hoping that his actions (or rather, lack of) helped regain Claire's trust a little*

Claire: *sees Harry's self-control as a sign of progress, though she's not quite sure whether he'll be able to handle later tasks... (guess we'll have to wait and see.)*

*and so they patrol for a while longer, until night falls*

Harry: I guess we're done here...

Claire: *nods* Back to base.

*AND THEN THEY WENT THAT WAY*

*AND THEN IN THE LOCKER ROOM*

Harry: ... *he keeps his mask and armor, but puts his gun away* I think I should always have this stuff on me since the bomb could be completed and launched at any time...

Claire: *had taken her armor off already* They're going to give us a warning, Harry... though you can keep the gas mask, if you're that worried...

Harry: Alright. *he takes off his armor, and finding it silly now, he takes off his mask. He gives Claire an awkward glance*

Claire: *had put her stuff away already, and notices Harry looking at her* ...what?

Soldier: *has also finished* <.< .... *leaves*

Harry: *looks down, away from her* Nothing. Just staring into space.

Claire: ...Okay. You can go home now, Harry. I have some things i need to check up on.

Harry: Uh... alright. I'll see you tomorrow then, Claire. *he walks off, feeling awkward* ._.;

Claire: .... *waits for a bit, then leaves. she didn't really need to check on anything, she just wanted to see something* ... *shakes her head, then leaves, headed for her apartment*

Harry: *walks all the way back to his apartment, and suspects that what he feels around Claire might be...* ... *he shakes it off. No time for that now*

*A MONTH PASSES. IT IS NOW FEBRUARY*

MORNING

Key: *is snuggled up to Todd, asleep* ....

Todd: *also asleep*

Key: *shivers a bit. it's freezing outside* ...mmhh.... *snuggles closer to Todd, though he doesn't really provide much warmth*

Todd: *wakes up from this, and shivers, but is happy because of Key, and her body heat* mmh...

Key: *is not getting warm. she clings to Todd a bit more tightly* ...

Todd: *he regains consciousness (he couldn't exactly "wake up"), and notices how Key was shivering* :( *he gets up and gets a spare blanket, then puts it over Key*

Key: *is still rather cold, but is now less so. her shivering stops* ....

Todd: *is far colder than she is, and gets back into bed with her*

Key: *goes right back to cuddling with him, hugging him around the middle, not quite awake yet* ....

Todd: *appreciates this. It felt like he was prancing around in the snow with a tee shirt and shorts. He was COLD*

Key: mmhhh... 's really cold...

Todd: *he finds that he's too cold to really talk, so instead he nods, while making stuttering noises, his teeth chattering*

Key: *blinks at the noise, and looks up* oh...! *hugs him a bit more tightly, resting her head on his shoulder, trying to provide enough heat for the both of them*

Todd: *furrows his brow, unable to shut his eyes tightly. He breathes through clenched teeth* sh-sh-sh-sure i-sh-sh-sh c-c-c-cold...

Key: ... *nods* D-Definitely not going out today...

Todd: *nods, shaking* g-g-got up-p-p-p to g-g-give you a sp-p-p-pare b-b-b-blanket...

Key: *feels like she's hugging an ice cube, but doesn't move* Th-Thank you... b-b-but now you're f-frozen...

up

Todd: *allows her to do so* ^^

*they enter the bookshop*

Key: *releases Todd* okaaaaaay. Let's see... *looks around at the aisles* ....ah! *heads down the fiction aisle* You can go wherever, i'll be right in here! ^^

Todd: Uhh... alright. ^^; *goes off on his own*

Key: *hunts around, trying to find something interesting* ....

Todd: *same. He spots a horror novel about zombies, and smirks at the irony of it being there*

Key: *spots something that catches her interest* ...? *takes it off the shelf. she looks at the cover, then at the back, then flips it open to the first page and starts reading* ...

Todd: *he picks up Brave New World, and reads the back. Finding it interesting, he decides to go find Key*

Key: .... *leans back against the shelves and continues reading* ...

Todd: *finds her* Shouldn't you save that for back at the apartment?

Key: !! *looks up* oh. Heheh... i was trying to see what it was about... *closes the book and pushes off the shelves* ^^;

Todd: Well, I've got MY book. *flashes Brave New World* Let's go.

Key: Okay. ^^

*AND SO THEY LEFT*

*Back with Harry, Claire, and the other soldier...*

Harry: *walking with them*

Another Soldier: *runs up to Claire, and speaks quickly* Sgt. Orello, we have another infected man fighting off our troops. Help from your squad would be greatly appreciated.

Harry: ... *he's wary of his own actions*

Claire: *casts a glance in Harry's direction, but answers quickly* Of course. Take us to him.

Soldier: ...? *hadn't seen what Harry had done, as he had been asked to do something else at that time* ...

Harry: *wonders what Claire was thinking under that faceless mask* ...

Soldier: Right. *leads them into the CEDA building, and to the first hallway one is to walk down before entering the Safe Zone*

Infected Man: *is screaming at one soldier, who had his gun raised defensively, while another soldier was trying to calm the man down. The infected man's ears and nose were bleeding, and his skin was grey*

Harry: *fights off the urge to just shoot him right then and there. He's shaking*

Me: jockey....?

Claire: *looks back at Harry and frowns* stay over here. *motions for the other soldier to move with her, and points her gun at the infected man. she asks another soldier* What happened? Did he just start screaming out of nowhere?

Me: Nu...? Why you guessing Jockey? XD

Soldier: We were leading him down to get tested, and I assume he started to panic. He thinks we're going to shoot him.

Infected Man: STAY AWAY FROM ME!! STAY AWAY!!

Harry: *tightens his grip on his gun, but stays where he is*

Soldier: Maybe if we put our weapons down, he'll calm down...?

Claire: There's always a chance he might attack us anyway... and not all of us are immune.

Me: IDEK D:

Harry: Well, maybe we can put him away somewhere before he turns? So then, when we're ready, we can cure him?

Infected Man: AAAHAHHAAAAUURRRHH!!

Claire: ... *to a soldier* Find the closest empty room, we're going to have to lock him up.

Soldier: *salutes and runs off*

Harry: *shuffles his feet*

Infected Man: *struggles against the other soldier's grip, screaming and thrashing*

Claire: *keeps her weapon ready until the soldier comes back* ....

*a few minutes later*

Soldier: *comes back* I found a room. Follow me.

Harry: *nods at this, and glances at Claire*

Infected Man: NOOOAAAHHH!!

Claire: Good work. Take him there, we'll back you up. *to the other soldier* help him. *motions for the man holding the infected to move him forward*

Soldier: *nods, and hands his gun to Harry, and helps restrain the infected man while they move him*

Harry: *walks with them as they move the restrained man into the empty room, which they locked* ...

Soldier: Done.

Claire: good work. You can return to your normal duties now.

Soldier: *takes his gun back from Harry, nodding a thank you*

Other Soldier: *walks away with the other other soldier*

Harry: ... w-well, I did better that time...

Claire: *nods* Yes, you did. Good job.

Soldier: *confused* ...umm...?

Claire: *shakes her head* It's not important. Let's get back to the patrol. *heads outside*

Soldier: ...? *follows her out*

Harry *also follows Claire out, smiling inwardly, though this was hidden behind the gas mask*

*OUTSIDE*

Claire: ....

Soldier: ...You think they'll launch the cure soon?

Harry: I think creating something like that so that it's not dangerous, and that it fully works would be difficult. It would probably take a while.

Soldier: They've already started distributing gas masks...

Claire: Probably a precaution. I'm not highly-ranked enough to know about these kinds of things.

Harry: The bomb shouldn't really shoot any shrapnel anywhere. That's the dangerous part for the infected.

Claire: Otherwise any infected would be destroyed...

Soldier: so would it just open up when it hits the ground, or something?

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Key: L-Let's just leave it at that, okay? D:

Todd: *sighs* Alright... what now? We've got too much time to kill.

Key: um... *looks at the clock on the stove* llllllunch? ^^;

Todd: Sure. Want me to make you a sandwich or something?

Key: Sure.

Me: now i have an image of Key yeling MAKE MEH A SAMMICH at Todd. XD

Me: lololololol internet memes...

Todd: *he nods* Cool. Alright, let's see what we have. No meats, sorry. They'd all be rotten by now. *searches through the pantry*

Key: *sighs* i've always wanted to go vegetarian... (not.)

Todd: Well, we've got a mess of peanut butter in here...

Key: *perks up at this* please tell me we have jelly, or jam. or something. D:

Todd: Eeeeeyup. Nicely preserved. :) There's grape and strawberry.

Key: :D ....strawberry please? <3

Todd: Alright then. What kinda bread? White? Wheat?

Key: Wheat, please :D

Todd: Cool. *he gets out the things needed, then makes Key her sandwich. He then makes himself a regular peanut butter sandwich, and sits down with Key to eat* :)

Key: *sits across from Todd and happily begins to eat it* mmmmm... now i REALLY feel like a kid... CX

Todd: Well, it was this or microwave ramen.

Key: I think I like this better. :) *noms*

Todd: ^^ *eats*

Key: *omnoms*

*AND SO THEY ATE*

Todd: What now?

Key: I dunno. D:

Todd: um...

Key: *facepalms* if every single day is gonna be this boring, I may as well just kill myself right now. XP *is obviously joking*

Todd: Maybe they have a bookstore here...

Key: you know what? maybe they DO. *stands up, eager to do SOMETHING* Let's go. :D

Todd: Alright. ^^ *opens the door for Key* After you.

Key: Thaaank you. ^^ *goes out and waits for Todd in the hallway before heading outside*

Todd: *goes out after Key*

*In the Safe Zone*

Todd: Okay, there's a bookstore over THERE... do you have anything in mind that you'd want to read?

Key: Not really... I'd have to look around.. what about you? :/

Todd: *shrugs* I don't read much - now would be a good opportunity to get into books.

Key: Yes, yes it would. Let's go~ *links her arm with his and pulls him along*

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Harry: *shakes his head* No - Key first met Todd when he was still a Hunter. He tried to attack her when I got separated from him.

Claire: You'd think that would scare her away. I know I'd be wary of him.

Harry: I think she WAS kinda scared of him for a while.

Claire: How did they end up together? (and is she really as young as she looks...?)

Harry: ... Todd fell for her early. I had to shoot his girlfriend. It was later, after I told him about this. Maybe out of desperation - maybe that's why he suddenly got interested in Key. Then we met up with Alex, Key's boyfriend. He was killed by a Hunter. Then, well, Todd comforted her... and... I dunno. After I got infected, she showed signs of really liking him back.

Claire: Sounds like quite the drama... When you started telling the story, it sounded a lot like they were on a rebound or something. Guess it worked out for them.

Harry: I guess so.

meanwhile

Todd: *when they enter the apartment, he notices the paper ball on the ground next to the wastebasket* ?

Key: *looks in the same direction* ! *grabs it, and stuffs it in her pocket* ... >.>

Todd: What was that?

Key: *too quickly* nothing. just uh... bad drawing. looks terrible D:

Todd: *suspicious* ... can I see it?

Key: nnnh... *is hesitant* ... *pulls it out and hands it to him* i didn't mean to draw it, i wasn'teven paying attention to it... it kind of just happened...

Todd: ... *he takes the crumpled paper and unfolds it. He can't help but gasp sharply from seeing his dream sketched out on the paper. He goes silent* ...

Key: *looks at the ground guiltily*

Todd: ... *he puts the paper on the kitchen table* ... it's fine...

Key: i-i really didn't mean to...

Todd: *looks at her* No, really, it's fine. It's a nice drawing, anyway.

Key: *glances up, then nods* ...

Todd: Weird how... how you'd draw that out... *hands it back to her*

Key: *takes it and looks at it for a moment before folding it up. she's very tempted to just throw it out* I wasn't even paying attention to it... I was seriously just scribbling...

Todd: Maybe it means something...

Key: i really, really hope not....

Todd: Hey, I never said it'd predict the future.

Key: what else could it possibly mean then? that i have crazy unconscious-drawing powers?

Todd: I dunno... I'd like to think that that's just it...

Me: Maybe? XD

Harry: Yes. Well, no. I mean, he yelled at me until I ran out on my own, but... well, I guess that counts as "kicking you out", doesn't it?

Todd: STOP STARING AT ME! D8<

Harry: *immediately looks down*

Key: ..... *starts tossing her pencil up and down, trying to entertain herself. she hoped Todd hadn't run into any trouble...

meanwhile

Claire: ....so it's like that, huh? Is it because you joined the military?

Todd: *glares at them* ...

Harry: Yeah, it is. I wish he could understand why, and accept it...

Claire: ...i have a feeling he will, eventually. What about the girl that was with you?

meanwhile

Key: *continues spinning the pencil, but misses a catch, and drops it* .... *gets up, and grabs her coat, heading out of the room.*

Todd: *continues to glare, his interest in doing so unwavering* ...

Harry: *remembers the hug he received from Key after Todd kicked him out* ... She's not spiteful, like Todd is... Key understands why I joined the military.

Key: *looks around when she gets outside, trying to figure out where he may have gone. she decides to pick a random direction, and walk that way.*

Claire: I see. I figure she'll be trying to reason with him.

Harry: I don't think anything can convince him.

Todd: *GLARES*

Claire: I find that somewhat hard to believe.

Key: *continues down the street, and sees Todd from afar. She runs past the patrol, not really paying attention to it, and slows down a short distance from him* ...

Todd: *his expression lightens up when he sees Key - bit only a little - he's still very angry at her* ...

Harry: *notices Key* Oh... there's Key.

Claire: *watches quietly* ....

Key: *closes the rest of the distance, stopping a few feet away from him, she briefly glances at the floor before looking back up at him* .....hey...

Todd: What now? Here to tell me how special and saintly those armor-wearing shoots are?

Harry: *quietly* He doesn't mean that...

Claire: tch.

Key: *shakes her head* I just came to make sure you weren't getting yourself into any trouble...

Todd: I'm not. >:/

Harry: >_>;

Key: Okay. Good. Just making sure.

Claire: ...

Todd: Can you leave me alone, now? >:/

Harry: ...

Key: *shakes her head again, putting her hands in her coat pockets*

Claire: .....

Todd: You want to keep fighting with me, then?

Harry: ... they had an argument?

Claire: Apparently...

Key: *shakes her head again* mm-mm. That's the last thing I want.

Harry: ... but they NEVER argue...

Todd: Then why are you here?

Claire: ...hmm....

Key: Because I worry about you, Todd... and I don't like being alone up there...

Todd: *he lets out a sigh, his angry features practically melting off and revealing a softer, sadder expression* ... I'm sorry I freaked out at you...

Harry: ... They have a pretty good relationship. *is envious*

Key: *looks rather apologetic as well* And I'm sorry I pushed you that far.

Claire: I can see that. *isn't as envious as Harry, but wonders how nice it would be to have such a good relationship with someone like that* ...

Todd: ... You never pushed me, Key - I just got all pissed off at nothing.

Harry: ... I've never been with someone. I always wondered how Todd did it... like, he was this magical being that knew had to get into a relationship with someone and STAY there...

Key: Well... we're fine now, right? <:(

Claire: ...huh... *recalls the few relationships she's been in and how briefly they lasted... it'd certainly be a good trait to have*

Todd: Yeah... yeah, I'm okay... *he glances back at Harry*

Harry: *notices* !

Todd: *puts a hand on her shoulder* ... we should get out of here...

Key: *nods* mhmm. *takes his hand off her shoulder, but holds it*

Claire: *had looked away as well, but continued to look out of the corner of her eye* ...

Todd: *holds her hand tightly. He walks back into the apartment with her*

Harry: ... *he looks at when they left, then glances at Claire* ...

Key: *goes with Todd*

Claire: *is watching them leave, so she doesn't notice Harry looking at her* ....they're a pretty odd couple...

Harry: Why? Is it because Todd doesn't look human anymore?

Claire: Well, a week or so ago, we didn't even think a cure was possible. It takes a special kind of person to be able to look past his... changes.

Harry: Well, Todd DOES look mostly normal. Even with the blue skin, white hair, and lack of eyes. I think it may have been harder if he turned into something like a Tank, or a Jockey.

Claire: You have a point there. But still, considering how people look at him when he walks down the street, it's still rather surprising... Did they know each other before the infection?

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