Omega19x: Ryou, with Malik's hand in his, walked into the ice cream parlor that was in Malik's dream.
ph33r my rod: Malik looked around, feeling like he'd been here before, but everything was still pretty fuzzy...
Omega19x: "Do you remember this place at all?"
ph33r my rod: "It feels familiar..."
ph33r my rod: "I dreamed about it."
Omega19x: They walked up to the counter. "We'd like two ice cream cones, please." Ryou smiled. "Um... one vanilla and one strawberry."
Omega19x: He held Malik's hand as he ordered.
ph33r my rod: Malik clung to Ryou's hand, just feeling better by having him nearby.
Omega19x: And the girl behind the counter passed them each a cone. "Here, Malik. The strawberry cone's for you."
ph33r my rod: Malik took the cone, giving it a little lick.
Omega19x: Ryou took the vanilla cone, and licked it as well, looking around for a good place to sit.
ph33r my rod: Malik licked his cone again, knowing he'd tasted that before...
Omega19x: "is... is it familiar?" he asked, sitting down at a nearby booth.
ph33r my rod: "It is... I know I've had this before but I can't remember when." Malik sat down next to him.
Omega19x: "... It was the first time we... we met again after Battle City... though there have been times since then. That... that was the first time you had ever had ice cream, I think."
ph33r my rod: "Must've been, 'cause I don't remember having it before... I like it though!"
Omega19x: "That's what you said the first time too..."
Omega19x: Ryou licked his cone and smiled.
ph33r my rod: Malik smiled back and continued to lick at his cone. "Um... sorry if I act kinda weird... I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I'm... well, y'know, me. And here. And... yeah." Malik sighed.
Omega19x: "It's... it's okay... I... I understand." Ryou tried his best to be very supportive. "It'll all come back in time."
ph33r my rod: "I want it to..." Malik laid his head on Ryou's shoulder. "'Cause I read all of the stuff in there about you and me, and I know you're sad 'cause I don't remember any of it..."
Omega19x: "... I... I am sad..." Ryou replied softly. "But... but I'm not going to let being sad stop us from being together. Or getting through this."
Omega19x: "... Because I want to be there for you. No matter what. Like you were for me."
ph33r my rod: "Thanks..." Malik lifted his head and smiled at him. "I know I'll remember if you're helping me." He finished off his ice cream.
Omega19x: Ryou continued to nibble on the bottom of his cone. "We just have to believe..."
ph33r my rod: "Mhm. 'Cause... it got us through everything before, huh."
Omega19x: Ryou nodded. "It sure has."
Omega19x: He finally finished off his cone. "And it'll get us through this too."
ph33r my rod: Malik smiled and nodded. "...that made me feel better."
Omega19x: "I'm glad."
Omega19x: Ryou stood up, and held out his hand.
ph33r my rod: Malik took his hand, standing up. "I didn't... really remember anything, just got the same sense of deja vu I get sometimes... but I don't really feel that sad right now."
Omega19x: "That's... enough for right now." Ryou smiled a little. "Let's take this one step at a time."
ph33r my rod: "...right. One step at a time." Malik smiled back and nodded, giving his hand a little squeeze.
Omega19x: And they walked out of the ice cream parlor together, with the hope that together, they could accomplish anything.