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"Greeting Cards"Written By: Kaeru Shisho Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Gundam Wing
or its characters, nor do I make any monetary profit off this story. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Yaoi, funeral practices, AU, fluff Pairings: 1+4, 1x2x1, 3+H, 5xH, 3x4, 6x9 Summary: Each chapter is based on Heero’s
greeting cards and Duo's mortuary. "Greeting Cards " Chapter 30 -- January Cheer, Part 5 'Ro and I hopped downstairs and ran into a rather chummy-looking Tro' and Quat, who were all smiles, so I think they'd made good use of the break, too. The dinner trays and covered dishes rolled past us on their way to the dining room, so we hadn't missed anything important. I rubbed my hands together, eyeing the spread with pleasure. "Just in time for dinner. Hey, look they have spaghetti!" "That's fettuccini alfredo," Quatre corrected. "Uh,huh." I rolled my eyes. "Wufei has his phone cemented to his ear, I swear!" When we he heard me say that, naturally, he snapped the tiny phone shut with a witty quip, "Bring in the food and Maxwell appears." "Where's Hilde?" "In our room lying down." "And you're in here?" I laughed. "I think you missed all the clues as to how to spend your break." His face darkened to a dangerous purple and he huffed, "I'll let her know it's time to return," and left at a stiff pace. "You enjoy irritating that man," Heero said. He pulled me out of the way as a serving cart rolled up to unload the delicious smelling dishes. "Yeah, I do. He's so stuffy. Needs to loosen up." "And you're just the man to do it." Trowa grinned as he and Quatre lined up beside us. "I could eat a horse." "I'm sorry to disappoint you," Zechs said from out of nowhere. "No horses are on the menu. Tonight we are having Canard aux Framboises (Duck with Raspberries)." "Wufei's been talking to his superior officer for hours, I imagine, from the tension in his back," Quatre said. He leaned over to sniff the main dish, nearly overpowering me with the scent of his aftershave. Funny how a smell can bring back memories, and this one of him and I making out on his couch, was truly weird juxtaposed with the current surroundings. I managed to conjure up a superimposed image of Heero over Quatre. "You all right, love?" Heero whispered close by. "Y-yeah. Must be low blood sugar." After that we all tucked into our fruity duck and the numerous side dishes, including the creamy spaghetti stuff, making small talk or no talk, whichever was safer. Like a sixth-sense, as the dinner wound down and desert was set before me, I knew the conversation was about to return to business. "I volunteered to help search for Leia's body," Trowa said. "And whether I do this with a couple friends or with the entire Preventers agency behind me is up to you, Chang." "We will need help, Yuy's in particular." I didn't understand. "And that's because--?" "If he is seen there, it is not alarming. He can explain his visit because he has lived there." "I don't know," I said, questioning Wufei's logic again. "After what happened the last time he was there, leaving a trail of stolen files and a dead body, wouldn't alarm bells go off the next time he shows up?" "No, because Lady Une covered for you. A rogue employee was blamed, rounded up, and taken away. Fellow's incarcerated in the L2 compound and considers himself lucky to be there." I'll bet. "And should Yuy invite some friends to camp out on the resort side of the island? That would be unusual, but it wouldn't draw much attention." "Heero can even pilot a plane and transport us," Zechs put in while casting a knowing look towards my boyfriend. "You have clearance for landing as well, correct?" "Yes." Heero must not have felt he needed to add a thing. "Yeah, well I can see if Preventers landed on the island en masse, all hell would break loose," I said. "I get that, but you have agents infiltrating the place, can't they just sneak a few guys more in there and lock it up, make some arrests, then land the troops? I just don't get how the five of us or six are so invaluable." "Rumor is that after the loss of Keel's man—" "That was Sidney, darling," I drawled. I was no longer disturbed about having gutted the dude, the more I heard about Keel. And I could tell I was growing on 'Fei again. I mean, we'd bonded back there in April with all the foolish pranks, and though we hadn't had much time to interact lately, I was a likeable guy. How could he resist? "Sidney, yes." 'Fei glared my way. "Ty Keel himself is expected to arrive on the island." "All the more reason for us not to go there, if you get my meaning," I said. Heero sighed. He was rubbing a spot between his eyebrows. If he was trying to relieve pressure, that wasn't going to do it. I knew one sure way, and that wasn't going to happen until we could escape this company and get behind the door to his bedroom. "There is no picture on file of the man," Wufei said in a small voice. "Yuy may be the only person who can identify him." "Oh, so that's the real reason why you need Heero." The agent gave me one of his petulant head dips. "One of many, but a critical one." "You don't seem too crazy about us helping you," I pushed a bit more. "But you want us all to hop on the merry-go-round, go for a ride to Zodiac Island, collect $200, and hope we avoid jail terms if we fuck up?" I could see something finally snap inside the agent. "I'm certainly not! I-I consider you all to be my friends and I don't lead friends into danger; I lead trained agents. Une insists, however, that I include you. And, regrettably, I can understand her point, particularly after seeing all our names encoded into patient data. That continues to disturb me deeply." When he scanned our faces this time, the arrogance was dropped. I could see that he was honestly moved by asking us to get further involved in a perilous enterprise. "I'll need your help," he said simply. Zechs, in contrast, became more complex as he spilled forth with his thoughts. "I should tell you all that Une offered me an agent position in the organization, and I have accepted. That was concluded only this afternoon. With my military background, it was a straightforward thing to do." "Uh, huh," I said. "You against how many of Khushrenada's men?" "I'm arranging for more protection to land on the island the moment we have what's important," Wufei said, although he seemed somewhat reluctant to share that information. Quatre jumped aboard our carousel of fun, snatching at a golden ring. "I want to look for proof I was part of some terrible project, and I'd do anything to give Trowa some peace of mind." "You have your graduate studies to complete. There's no promise this can be done over a weekend." I groaned and dropped my head face down on the table. Oh, come on, Tro', that even sounded like a pathetically weak excuse to me. "That's a problem I can work around. OZ sounds entrenched on the Island and with Voyate having so much at stake, they aren't going to let us just waltz in under their noses. We'll need a plan." Wufei sat back in his chair. "I agree," he said respectfully. "Our plan has to be right. You know, as friends, I don't recommend anyone come, actually, but I'll take those that want to." He scanned our faces, starting with me and 'Ro. "We'll need some muscle for the heavy work." Oh, ho! Mention something stereotypically masculine and everyone wanted a piece of macho action. "You'll need firepower," Heero put in. "My dad's got a gun collection. Who knows how to shoot, besides Heero and Zechs, obviously?" Quatre looked around at me, mostly. Trowa nodded and said, "I remember using a hunting rifle." "That's fine, but you'll need handguns for close in," I pointed out. "I can handle one, but I'm more a blade man." Let me correct that. Everyone wanted a piece of macho action, except for my little buddy, Hil. "Guns! What are you guys talking about?" Hilde cried. "Desecrating a grave is one thing, but now this is getting really scary!" Gulp. I thought it was scary talk a long time back. "You're not thinking about shooting at people, are you?" she asked Heero in particular, her outrage evident by the timbre of her voice. "Last time I heard, the dead don't shoot back," I countered. "Remember, we were once used as fodder for a plan. You can bet they won't think twice taking us out if we get in their way. We have to be able to defend ourselves." "I want to help, I really do, but I don't know about this now, to be honest. Not only does this sound very dangerous, but unlawful, too." Hilde directed her argument at Wufei, hoping he would intercede on her behalf. She, however, seemed focused on Heero. "If you can't trust me, the other agents, or Zechs then by all means stay here. In fact, you should stay," Wufei said in the heat of the moment. It had been a rash statement and well-intended, but Hilde took it badly. "Oh? And miss the action? Oh, no, buster. You can't eliminate me. Maybe Quatre should stay and answer the phones." Quatre added hastily, "I was on the target-shooting team." "I don't think you are going to talk him outta this," I remarked to Hilde and then directed my next words of wisdom to Wufei. "And I think Hilde's up for this mission, too. Just voicing concerns." "Damned straight! I concur! Besides, you definitely need my first-aid help, so don't go demeaning my contribution." Man, Hil was tough on her boyfriend. "All right, all right! I'm sorry! You can come along. I was just saying that if you object to the danger, I don't expect you to come, that's all." "I was objecting to shooting people, sweetie pie. It's not right under any circumstances." Hilda tried again to make her point. "Fine," Wufei sighed, resigned to taking his girlfriend along. Poor dude. "My plan calls for one group to enter the catacombs, while another guards our backs and our equipment." "I'm going in," Trowa said. "I'll to do what has to be done. If I have to, I'll do it alone." "What a martyr," I sighed. "Listen up, folks. Heero and I were in the labs and no one's friendly about having intruders sniffing around. They have security and back it up with armed guards. We're facing a powerful Khushrenada, possibly the assassin Keel, and all their minions who will stop at nothing to prevent us from getting at what we want. Trowa here knows firsthand just how unafraid they are of taking one of us out. And Heero and I were attacked, that was nothing compared to what these guys might do to keep us from our mission." "So you are not going to help?" Wufei nodded curtly. "Understood." "Didn't say that," I brushed him aside. "I just wanta be clear that this is no walk in the park. But, I bet that if we don't go to them and clean up this mess, they'll come after us. We know too much and pose a threat, and frankly, I don't like worrying when I'm gonna meet up with some gunman coming out of a dark alley. That means we gotta take the initiative, take it to them, and get what we need to blow their entire operation apart. We'll have the upper hand because we'll be prepared." "I'm not afraid of dead people. It's the live ones creeping around that worry me," Hilde said looking pointedly at Zechs this time. And Heero was looking at Zechs also. Was Hilde channeling Heero's quirky fascination with the undead? If so, we were all spending way too much time here in this room together. "I trust 'Ro," I asserted, "and Wufei." "What about you, Zechs?" she asked. The man had the nerve to waggle his pale eyebrows and smirk. "I promise not to lead us into a trap purposely. Chang, we need to discuss all the hazards." He made a conspicuous point of checking his watch, then remarked, "And we've got about a half an hour before Duo calls a break, so you better get started." Was I getting that predictable? How sad. "Yes, you are right." Wufei looked over his notes. "Excavating tombs carries special risks, but we can prepare for them. Just tell them what you've learned." "What I've...dug up?" Zechs smiled at his own joke. Speaking of "channeling," where had our prince discovered his hidden sense of humor? From me! And I hadn't given him permission to steal my material, so I glared at him. He'd know. Heero understood and patted my leg. "The underground catacombs contain the bodies of people who might have died of disease, the microbes may still be alive," Zechs said. "Like the plague?" Quatre asked, reawakening from his daydreaming. He'd been playing footsie with Trowa and then left off to stare blankly at his hands, until now. "In the older crypts it's possible, but unlikely. Organisms responsible for plague, cholera, typhoid and tuberculosis are unlikely to survive long in a buried cadaver. However, anthrax and smallpox may. Anthrax can form highly resistant spores that can survive in dry, airless conditions and remain viable for at least 80 years," Zechs replied. "Humans are pretty resistant to anthrax and can be cured with the use of penicillin," I put in. No reason to terrify the little people, Zechs. "Should we get shots?" Quatre asked me with a nudge, "Can you give us shots to protect us?" Zechs shook his head. "Vaccination against anthrax is possible, although the side effects are unpleasant. We'd really have to suspect that we'd be running into bodies with that, and I don't think that's going to be the case." "Is there some test you can do on the bodies to know before we all get exposed?" Hilde asked this time. "It is generally not possible to know if any of those interred within a crypt was an anthrax victim, but the possibility remains that some might have been. More importantly, coffin padding might include contaminated animal by-products, like horse hair, which all present a possible risk. For this reason, I recommend that only those who are tolerant of penicillin, or its alternatives, should come." "What about the plague and whatever else might have killed those people?" Trowa asked. Great. Quatre's worries were seeping into Trowa. His minimal confidence could be undermined in minutes, but was that a bad thing? Maybe there was another way to fight the bad guys without risk to us? Not that I could think of one. 'Course, it was hard to concentrate while listening to Zechs yak on and on... snor-ring... "Some of those interred within a post-medieval crypt may have died from smallpox. The risk to health exists where previously infected inhumations within a crypt will have surviving skin with scabs, which would be the only site where the virus might survive. Although the chance of this occurring is minimal, the potential risk is so great that we must take precautions. So far, I have been searching death certificates and all other relevant records to filter out the possibilities and minimize our contact with disease deaths. I had a vaccination against smallpox in childhood, verified by a scar--," My "Ooh, show me your scar!" outburst earned me a harsh glower and barely a glitch in his harangue. "So if in doubt, I handle moving any of those bodies, should the need arise. In any case, we must all be double-gloved when opening coffins, but if any skin survives, I'll inspect the remains first." I really doubted that would happen. We'd be so busy digging about, there'd be no way he could be checking everything first. I didn't argue, though. It wasn't certain I'd be going; Heero hadn't agreed yet. "Oh, I nearly forgot to add that because pregnant women have reduced immunity, should you be pregnant then, you should tell me. Those who are HIV positive would also be at increased risk, so the same goes for you." I didn't know any of us with either of those particular conditions, but when I glanced around quickly, I was surprised at Hilde's ashen face. Wufei said, "I'll talk to each of you privately over the next few days. The exhumation work isn't for everyone. Tell me, and I'll find some other job for you." "Yeah, you need some folks to man the base station with our belongings and communication equipment- I get it." I looked at Hilde and winked. "Woman's work." And that earned me a heated glare and a few harsh words, but nothing more. Something had knocked the fight out of her, and I had a suspicion I knew what. I'd make sure to catch her later and sound her out. Wufei was scanning his hot little device, intently reading, and perfectly aware of all the interest in it he'd dredged up by showing it off. "Zechs, you should go over the arsenic warnings." "When you asked me to gather all the information I could on arsenic poisoning," Zechs directed at Wufei with a crooked smile, "I wondered who your enemy was." Everyone chuckled at this, except Wufei and me. He snorted. I grunted. "Duo knows more about it than I do. I'm sure he can fill us all in." About time to call in my skills! "In the past, arsenic was the main ingredient in the embalming fluids. We've all upgraded to the safer chemicals recently, because, although effective, arsenic was toxic--" "Pertinent to our mission," Zechs cut in. I guess I wasn't allowed to lecture with the rest of them. Sobeit. "I discovered that it has proven to be persistent; elemental arsenic will never degrade into harmless by-products. This means that the embalming practices during the last 100 years or so have left a legacy that can potentially impact the environment and harm the health of cemetery workers- including those planning to exhume a body located in one of these old burial grounds. "Is there really that much arsenic lying about?" Hilde asked. "Who knows how much is dangerous?" I was the only one present, aside from Zechs, who knew exactly how much arsenic it took to kill a human being; Trowa might from his hospital work, but we didn't use it at the mortuary. "To understand the potential impact, assume a hypothetical cemetery in a modest-sized town. It is reasonable to assume that 2,000 people die during a period of 30 years. If half of those people were embalmed with arsenic, using six ounces of fluid per person, the cemetery contains 380 pounds of arsenic. If the embalmers in the area used more arsenic, such as three pounds per person, then the cemetery would contain over one ton of arsenic. In either case, this is a significant amount of a potent, toxic material to find in the ground at one location." "Like a nuclear waste site," Trowa snorted. "Not quite," Zechs said with a smile, "but bad enough. Acute arsenic poisoning by ingestion can occur as the result of hand contact with dusts or objects containing arsenic compounds, and subsequent hand-to-mouth contact. Another common mechanism includes the dust settling on objects which later have contact with the mouth, including the tops of soda cans, cigarettes in a shirt pocket, or eating utensils. Most ingested arsenic is quickly absorbed through the stomach and intestines and enters the blood stream." "So never trust a vending machine in an old funeral home," Trowa muttered. "Indeed, and that's why they don't sell food at cemeteries," I added. We smiled wanly at each other's stupid jokes. "How do we know if there's arsenic around a grave?" Quatre asked with a watery voice. Gunmen and henchmen didn't bother him, but tiny little microbes and crystals did. I cleared my throat to speak; this was my area of expertise. "Crystals and garlic." I gave them all a quick, wolfish smile and went on more seriously. "I checked with a forensic archaeologist professor I know to be sure. Hey, I've been thinking and preparing for this a lot longer than you guys! Anyway, he told me that arsenic in a grave is indicated by the presence of vivid blue or blue-green copper oxide-like crystal formations on bones, which have a noticeable garlic-like odor when broken. Not that we're likely to find many of those anyway. The professor urged me to use extreme caution around graves if I encountered unusual odors, soil colors, or staining, particularly in finely divided or crystalline form." And I got to say all that without interruption. "So we have to watch out for diseases and avoid contact with arsenic, rogue armed forces, paramilitary guards, insane assassins, what else?" Hilde asked, checking her watch. Was everyone afraid I was going to explode, implode, or something? "Well, there is the possibility that we might encounter other chemical hazards like mercury or formaldehyde. All-in-all, we must avoid excessive contact with soil." Wufei flipped open his briefcase and withdrew a stack of papers. "With regard to that, I've made up a list of things we'll need for the exhumation work. We have a few days while the Preventers requisitions office boxes everything up, so in case I've missed anything, I'd like to go over this: latex gloves under leather ones; face masks with air filtration to PP3 standard; disposable over-suits; washable shoes or boots; hard hats and safety glasses; shovels, rope, pick-axe, hatchet, hammer, and whatever else you can think of." "I have several collection kits for bones and tissue," I said. "Approved by the Sanc crime scene investigation team." "Excellent. We need to get going on that right away. So, before we get into more details, I'd like to know who's in on this mission?" Wufei demanded. He scanned everyone insisting that they make their decision at that moment. "Besides myself and Zechs, Trowa, and Quatre." "And me, s-sweetie," hissed Hilde. Heero and I sighed together. "We are in," he said. "Good." After which Heero added for dramatic effect, I'm sure, "At a cost." Wufei went bug-eyed. "Cost? "Yes. Our cooperation requires a particular outlay, from you." Wufei's hand was at his throat and his voice sounded tight—a little strangled with apprehension, I'd say. "And what is that?" "Datatrons. For all of us. One each." Heero's smile flickered a moment, then held. "One of these? For each of you?" Wufei's eyes fell shut as he embraced his own device to his chest. He drew a very deep breath. I could see his lips moving, most likely calling on the strength of Buddha, who wasn't his buddy or anything, but the name of his God. This was a rather longer chat than usual that he was having with his God this time, but when he was done, his eyes opened, and I could see a special new clarity in them. It was remarkably cool. "All right, Yuy. You'll all get your data devices. That makes perfect sense. We can share data, communicate securely where cell phones cannot, and play games." And then he smiled. I saw what had happened pretty plain, too! He was prepared for this! "You were going to get them for us anyway!" I shouted. "Yes, but I didn't want you to think they weren't worth trying for. If I'd just capitulated right off, then you would have thought you should have asked for more. Now you feel you've won something of value." Trowa thought this was all hilarious, for some reason, and sat there laughing his head off. Comedians all. "This worked out well, didn't it?" I asked. "You know Quatre will watch Trowa's back and I'll be there, backing up Heero. You can team up with Zechs and Shari with Noin, leaving Une..." "Not my jurisdiction," Wufei pointed out. He distributed his lists, saying, "As I see it, Duo, Heero, and Zechs will be the ones going inside the tombs with me." Wufei turned toward Trowa. "I'd like you to be at the entrance, outside to warn us about unwelcome company, and Quatre, if you are adept at shooting, then protecting Trowa and our belongings and preparing for evacuation would be in your hands. Would you be okay with that?" Trowa didn't look pleased. "I want in on the exhumation, but I'll do what's needed." "I'd trust you to make sure we stay law-abiding citizens." Hilde said that, meaning she wanted him to keep an eye on any trigger-happy behavior out of us macho types. Quatre looked down and away, before meeting Wufei's eyes. "I will do everything in my power to keep Trowa alive and out of the hands of that evil Khushrenada." "Sounds good to me." Trowa smiled slightly. "We will form an alliance of the just and righteousness shall overcome the powers of evil!" Hilde cried out, while hopping up onto her chair, her tiny fist uplifted in a moment of fervor. "Ah, yes..." Heero looked uncomfortable. "Duo, can't you do something about her?" "Hilde, sit down." I was already out of my seat and on it. I yanked on my friend's pants, forcing her back into her own seat. "So, getting down to basics," Wufei said as he ran his finger down a paper, pressing out the creases. "If you'll look over the page, you'll see a short list of what everyone should bring. This includes a sleeping bag. Two of you should be in charge of food and water for three meals. I wouldn't count on anything more than that." "We're not staying at the resort?" I asked. "Where are we staying, Wufei?" echoed Heero. "Well, I asked Agent Shari, to check out a few cottages and outbuildings in the vicinity of the catacombs. She alerted me this morning that she had been successful and is currently moving in a few cots and lanterns. It will be rustic but dry." For the next few minutes we huddled over our lists, making changes as new ideas came to mind. Heero wanted to keep his whereabouts secret from everyone on the island, trusting Une's cover up job not a bit, and would rely on me to do help him keep a low profile. The arrangements weren't tidy, but they were made at last. The most detailed list of equipment needs for the exhumation required the most explanation. "Zechs and I will take care of this , aside from those bone bags you spoke of, Duo," Wufei announced. "I'll leave Heero and Quatre to be in charge of the weaponry, Hilde to put together a medical kit, and—" "I'll handle food and water." "Thank you, Duo." "Yeah, and if you spot me a twenty, I'll take you to lunch." Wufei's piercing black eyes bored into my forehead. "Preventers will refund your costs. Save all your receipts." "Receipts. Gotcha." I grinned. "So, what's left? Is the party over? 'Cause I think that's enough for tonight. I gotta rest and think about this stuff now." I stood up. That was a signal for the others to say their farewells and leave. Heero tapped me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear, "Would you like to join me tonight?" "Someplace special?" "Yes." "Sure, but I want to stop at my place first and get a change of clothes." "You can wear mine." Hmmm, that sounded really hot. Wearing 'Ro's underwear. "Okay. I'll meet you there in just a moment. I need a word with someone." "All right, sure." I moved to Hilde's side, blocking Wufei. "Hey, I need to ask your girl a question. Just be a moment, 'kay?" "Ask away." "In private, please. Only a moment..." I smiled and pointed Wufei toward the door. I pulled Hilde to the side. "I, ah, may be off base here, but I had the feeling you had something on your mind." Hilde looked uncomfortable, but once everyone else was out of earshot, she said, "I need to be careful around the dust and stuff." Duo waited for her to explain, although he suspected he knew what she was about the tell him. "I-I think, well... I may be pregnant. It's very early, and I know that false ones show up a lot in the first few months so it might not be." I held up one hand. "Please tell me it's Chang's and not some other guy's." "It is, yes." "And you haven't told him, I take it." "No, not yet. It's too soon. I don't want to get him all, well, excited and worried over nothing. And I most certainly don't want him to feel I can't go. You won't tell, will you?" "Maybe you shouldn't go. You think about that? There's more than just your life at risk now. And promise me you'll tell him soon, like before the weekend is out. Until then, my lips are sealed. Don't look at me that way. He needs to know so he can decide what to do, too, and believe me, the more time he's got, the better." I shook my head and stalked out the door. (o) I wondered why my love was smiling. He smiled much of the time as a natural expression of his feelings, but this was a "Dangerous Maxwell" smile. Not dangerous for me, but for someone else. "What?" I asked him right off. "Room first." He wanted privacy. This could mean he was thinking about sex, so maybe it was a danger signal. I smiled fractionally as if I was in on his scheme already. I wanted to know what he was up to before being subjected to it, because as much as I trusted him, my survival reflexes were not always controllable should he do something unexpected and in some way threatening. He, on the other hand, liked me to surprise him in bed or the bath. For me, surprises in the past had never led to pleasant experiences. It would take time to get over that queasiness of the unexpected. "So, you are planning something nice?" I asked. "Planning? Oh, no. It's not that at all." He closed the door behind him. The way he came up behind me and pulled me into him in a very close embrace. "Ooh." I felt his whole body pressed against me, his breath on the nape of my neck and his lips kissing. Mmmmm, that was nearly enough to send me over the edge. "Hilde's pregnant!" he crowed triumphantly. "No kidding? Did I miss the announcement?" "No, I guessed. 'Fei doesn't know and I promised not to tell, but told her she'd have to soon. I didn't promise not to tell you, though." "I-I will keep it a secret," I promised, barely. His hands distracted me, caressing and turning me around. "Umm, good," he murmured. When he pressed me against the wall and gazed into my eyes, I parted my lips. Tempting him to act. "Kiss me," I ordered. He cradled the back of my neck and leaned in, kissing me tenderly. His tongue probed, drew back, and then he nibbled my bottom lip. "More?" he asked. Idiot. "Yes." When he looked at me with desire in his eyes, his pupils would enlarge so much I could drown in them. His expression grew so intense. "I can barely hold back from jumping you and making love right here against the wall." "So, do it," I said. "Loving you makes my heart explode with happiness." I was trying out a line for a Valentine card. "So, I give you a heart attack?" I might use that line, too. "Yes, love, you slay me." "Heh, heh... right. Shinigami, that's me." I laughed and rolled him over and over across the bed. When we reached the edge, I rolled us all the way back. I could keep that up for a long time and he liked it too. Often this would turn into a wrestling match, but this night we just rolled and laughed. My soul mate.
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