"Ha haaa! Five skips that time! Can ya beat that?" The little female mouse asked as her hands went on her hips.
"Dunno. But I'm sure gonna give it a whirl!" replied the little, but also taller by some inches, male mouse standing next to the girl mouse.
Picking up another stone, he pulled back his hand and tossed it. They watched as it skipped across the water, each counting the number of little splashes before it vanished beneath the water.
"Ha! Six! Looks like I'm in th' lead now!" he said, giving a little grin.
"Oh, yeah?" Grinning, she picked up another stone and prepared to throw. Her tongue stuck out to one side as she pulled back her arm and tossed.
They watched as the stone skipped across the pond. And the end result, put her in the lead.
"Ha ha! Seven skips! I just beat my own record," Minnie said with a happy smile before tapping his arm. "You're up, buttercup."
"An' a one. An' a two. An' a three!" Mickey tossed the stone he had, and the young couple watched as it fell short of her own record, stopping at four skips. His jaw fell slack as she giggled.
"Looks like mine lasted longer than yours~."
He looked at her to see the coy grin she wore, and the little bit of her tongue sticking out playfully. He knew. She wasn't just talking about the stones. "Ya have more stamina 'an me."
"An' we both enjoy it." She giggled, then patted his shoulder. "Looks like you owe me a bowl of noodles."
"I'll buy ya one when we get back t' town."
"I may take you up on that offer when we get back."
The mice sat down on the fallen tree trunk that lay next to the pond. In the distance, the setting sun painted the sky a lovely shade of orange, purple and pink. It was a beautiful sunset. Mickey reached into the tactical bag he'd set down next to the stump and pulled out a bottle of cola. Popping off the bottle cap, he offered it to Minnie. She smiled and took it, taking a sip before handing him back the bottle. He took a sip next, and they just sat there, sharing the bottle between them.
Wasn't the first time they'd done this. They discovered this pond not long ago, and it became their little serenity spot. They tested the water and found it radiation free. And it was deep enough to go for a swim. Something they'd eagerly done once already. And skipping stones had also become a little game they enjoyed when stopping by the pond. They also liked the area since it faced Westward, letting them see the sunset. Serene moments like this were definitely cherished. Certainly a welcome break from the horrors the mice had seen the past few weeks. They helped to maintain a little bit of old world normalcy. What of it still existed. It also made them realize how much they really did need each other.
After stepping out of Vault 28 into the Wasteland, the mice were greeted with a world they'd never known. The remains of the world long past, and now they were here. The world they once knew was gone. And the world now was unlike anything they had seen. The one thing they took comfort in, was the fact they were together in it.
Minnie looked at Mickey. His face gazed out at the horizon. A smile found her face. And she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. He moved an arm around her waist, holding her close to him. If it was just her in this new world, she don't know what she'd do. The idea was something that had entered her mind, but something she never wanted to think about for anything longer than just a brief moment. She had promised him she'd protect him, and that she'd stay alive. And he had promised her the same. A mutual agreement between them.
This new world... Nothing could have prepared them for this. But one thing they knew for sure. They weren't alone. And they wouldn't let that aspect change.
"I'm glad you're here.." Her voice was soft, warm. Right there, next to him, his arm around her, it was a cherished moment in a world gone mad. Her cheek nuzzled his shoulder before she lifted her head to look at him. And the smile she gave matched the feel in her voice.
"Me too."
Dark brown stared warmly into dark brown before she tilted her head to sweep her lips across his. And her lips curved up into a smile against his, a little giggle escaping her before she gently pushed him back. They landed on the soft padding of grass and leaves, with her on top of him. She stared into his eyes for a moment before closing the gap to kiss him again. He had already set down the bottle of cola, so they didn't have to worry about breaking it.
Soon, she felt the wind tickle her ears, which prompted her to look up. The leaves that remained on the branches on the nearby trees swayed in the gentle fall breeze. And she realized it had gotten a bit darker. As much as she rally wanted to stay there with him, and see where things went, they needed to get back to the settlement before mice, their sight wasn't as good at night.
"Hm hm. C'mon." Minnie pulled herself up and took his hand, helping him stand with her.
"Aww, I really wanted t' see what ya had in mind," Mickey said, grinning as he dusted off his suit.
"Once we get back home, I'll show ya..." Minnie replied, giving a little wink before standing on her tip toes to touch her nose to his. "I'd like to get back before it gets too dark."
"Me too. Don't wanna run across anythin' unexpected." He picked up the bottle and offered it to her. She took a sip and then handed it back, him drinking the last drop in the bottle before placing it back in their tactical bag.
"Touche," she said, placing her hands on her hips as she shifted her weight to one foot as her hand touched the back of the hammer of the gun holstered on her hip.
The last bit of sunlight reflected off the gold of their blue and gold Vault 28 jumpsuits, but not enough to draw attention. He adjusted the machete he had on his back before picking up the tactical bag. She giggled softly and gave him an affectionate nudge before they started walking together toward the main road.
The backs of the mice grew smaller as they walked back to town, side by side, the sun setting in the distance. Even if the old world was gone, things between them would never change. They'd face the new apocalyptic world together.
