Somewhere in Filgaia...

It was getting dark. A few stars were already shining up on the night sky.

The three Dream Chaser were preparing for the night. Rudy and Cecilia sat by the fire talking quietly, and Jack sat under a three about fifty feet away from them. Hanpan, who was sitting on Rudy's shoulder and eating a piece of bread, had been keeping an eye on Jack for some time now...

He finished the bread, jumped off Rudy's shoulder and moved stealthily towards the blond swordsman. Jack didn't pay any attention to him when he climbed up his clothes and sat on his left shoulder.

"Jack...?"

The Dream Chaser turned to look at the Wind Mouse.

"Oh, you, Hanpan."

"What? That's my name, you know." Hanpan looked a little arrogant. "Say, you've been looking at that boy for the whole evening now. What's in your mind?"

"Nothing. And hey, I was looking at you."

"Bah, you didn't notice that I came here."

"I did."

"Don't lie to me. You were looking at Rudy. And it wasn't just some random thoughts... You had this certain look in your eyes..."

Jack shrugged. "Oh? What look...?"

"You know... That you want to take off his clothes."

"Yeah, sure."

"Don't argue with me. Oh well. You too, Jack?"

Jack grabbed Hanpan and lifted the Wind Mouse in front of his face. "Just what are you talking about?"

"Hmm. Charming boy... Our mage girl has feelings for him, you know. And then there's Calamity Jane... and now you?"

"What's your problem, Hanpan? I don't..."

"Oh yes you do. You want him. Admit it."

"Get lost." Jack threw Hanpan a few feet away from him. Hanpan jumped back immediately, climbed up and hid under Jack's hair.

"Aw, Jack... Can't admit to yourself that you actually..."

"What?"

"Like men."

"I don't."

"Don't try. I've seen you. Well, you were drunk, but..."

Jack tried to grab the Wind Mouse again, but Hanpan got away.

"Damn with you. What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you don't remember? Later that night you confessed to me that you used to have something going on with this guy named Ryan. Old friend?"

"Shut up, Hanpan."

Hanpan ignored him. "And I'm still saying that you were looking at the kid."

"None of your business, rat."

"You know Jack, most of the time that's considered... abnormal."

"Oh, really?"

"Although... You're already abnormal, so nothing new here." Hanpan jumped on his arm and looked at him.

Jack glared at his small friend. "What if I am? Have a problem with it, rat?"

"No. And stop calling me a rat."

"Just shut up, Hanpan."

Rudy glanced at the blond Dream Chaser. Jack was looking up at the night sky.

For some reason, Hanpan stayed quiet for a few minutes. But, then the Wind Mouse climbed back onto the Dream Chaser's shoulder.

"So. Who was this Ryan?"

"Like you said, old friend. Forget it."

"Alright."

Jack's eyes followed Rudy as the boy threw some more wood into the fire.

"So. You think he's cute?"

"Who? Oh, Rudy." Jack shrugged. "Yeah, I do. But who wouldn't? You know, he's pretty cute."

"Okay... but that's not what I meant."

"Yeah, you think I want him."

"You do." Hanpan changed to the other shoulder. Jack's eyes turned to look at him again.

"What do you know about things like that? It's none of your business, really."

"Jack. The boy knows nothing about those things."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I talked to him about it."

"Really? You talked to him about those things?"

"Yeah. Now, you didn't hear this from me, but... He's uncertain about himself. First, there's Cecilia. He doesn't know what to do. He told me he thinks he feels something, but... as I said, he really doesn't know anything about those things."

"So, you didn't tell him?"

"Hey, you got one thing right - I'm a Wind Mouse. I told him what I could. I actually think you should talk to him."

"Right..." Jack glanced at Rudy who was talking to Cecilia again. Hanpan climbed on his hair.

"What now?" Jack lifted the Wind Mouse back on his shoulder.

"I'm not finished yet. Then there's Jane, who... isn't very good at hiding her feeling. But... You know, she's just a 14-year-old girl. What does she know? Probably just as much as Rudy. They're both a bit too young too feel anything like that yet."

"Ah, it's just a young girl's crush then, eh?"

"I don't know. But Rudy's being cautious. Cecilia, Jane... and then he has this one little problem..."

"And that is...?"

"He likes you."

"Sure he does. Cecilia likes me, too. And you."

"Oh, from what he told me, it didn't sound like... I told you he thinks it's a problem. He wasn't sure if it was... normal."

Jack smiled. "Hmm. Really..."

"Oh... no..." Hanpan climbed on his hair again. "Don't even think..."

"Think about what?"

"Well, nothing. Forget it. And never think about it."

Jack shrugged and lifted the Wind Mouse on his shoulder again. "I wasn't thinking about... anything..."

"Sure. Well, better that way. Now. How about you speak with him. About things."

"I might do just that... later..."

"Just remember not to put any pressure on him, okay? He's a bit too innocent for that. And don't even think about teaching him anything other than the basics - and just in theory. Is that clear?" Hanpan glared at the Dream Chaser.

Jack smirked. "Oh well... Sure, I promise. I'll be... considerate."

"Good. One more thing. I didn't tell you anything. Remember that."

"Yes, Sir."

The former knight got up and walked to the younger Dream Chasers. "Time to get some sleep, kids."

Rudy smiled to him and went to lie down. Cecilia folded her arms and said, "I'm not a kid, you know."

"Yeah. Right. Sweet dreams, kids." Jack smiled. He kissed Rudy gently on his cheek. The boy didn't say anything, just closed his eyes. Jack patted his shoulder. Then he moved to Cecilia and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead.

She smiled. "Hey... What's with you tonight?"

"Nothing really." Jack grinned and lay down. "New day tomorrow. Good night, Hanpan."

"Hmmpth."

"Got a problem?" Jack whispered to his Wind Mouse companion who had crawled under his shirt.

"Yeah. Stay still, I like it here...."

"Oh... okay..."

Jack took a quick glance over the camp area. It was peaceful... The fire would keep monsters away. He looked at the dark-haired boy sleeping a few feet away from him and smiled.

Rudy opened his eyes slowly. He looked at Jack, gave him a innocent smile and closed his eyes again.

Author's notes:

Uh... I really should finish a fic when I start one. Considering that this so-called fic is one of my shortest ever. Started in February, I believe, and when I resumed writing in May, I had to think hard before I remembered what I wanted to write.

A bit boring, I guess. Jack talking to Hanpan. Hey, I just happen to like writing fics with Hanpan in them... Heh. I adore the little Wind Mouse.

- Elmina (May, 2001)