In the Rain.
By Hanashika
krystal@gundamwing.org
OT fic. Silly stuff. Shopping for food.

The small convenience store was only a few blocks from Frau's home, and even though the sky was overcast and a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for the next two hours, Frau thought she could make it and back before the clouds broke. She was bored; Kai was watching Jose and Hayato annihilate each other in the latest video game and Amuro busy reading a book. Suddenly Frau had this craving for chocolate. "Where's that store again?" she asked.

Amuro shrugged. "Just around the corner," he replied. "Why -- you going?"

Standing up, Frau stretched languidly, her arms reaching for the ceiling. The hem of dress pulled up from her knees, and she saw Amuro's gaze linger on the exposed flesh of her tights before she tugged the dress down again. "I want some candy," Frau said. Amuro raised his eyes to meet Frau's before turning back to his book.

"There's a storm coming," Kai reminded her.

Frau shrugged. "I'll be back before it hits."

Suddenly Jose rooted through the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a five dollar bill. Handing it to Frau, he asked, "Get me a box of Twinkies, will you?"

Taking the money, Frau asked, "Anyone else?"

"Some bubblegum," Hayato suggested. Kai just shook his head.

Frau turned to Amuro. "Is the store hard to find?"

Amuro shook his head. "Want me to go with you?"

Trying to hide the smile that wanted to creep across her face, Frau simply shrugged. "If you want." She hoped Amuro wanted to be alone with her.

Amuro put his book down and stood up. "We'll be back," he said, and then led the way out of the room, Frau at his heels.

They didn't talk on the way to the store. The sky above pressed down on them, the bruised clouds swollen and angry. Frau walked as close to Amuro as she dared, hands shoved deep into her dress pockets. It wasn't often she managed to get Amuro alone, though when she did they never seemed to have much to say. She wondered how Amuro felt about her -- she thought her own feelings were so obvious, and yet she couldn't bring herself to talk to Amuro about them. What would he say? How would she explain the sleepless nights, the gentle ache she felt in his arms, her heart? As they walked to the store, each lost in their own thoughts, Frau managed to rub her arm against Amuro's every few steps, the simple touch sending electric shivers down her spine.

The store was everything Frau expected it to be -- nothing more than four aisles of thinly stocked shelves and a cold case full of milk. There were no Twinkies, but Frau found a generic brand that Jose would eat just the same. Amuro found some gum and a few candy bars, and they were ready to leave. As they approached the register, though, Amuro elbowed her. "Look how dark it got," he said in a low voice.

Frau looked out the window and whistled. In the time they spent shopping, the sky had grown black. The clouds roiled like spilt ink, purple and indigo and a black so dark it hurt to look at it directly. Suddenly thunder rumbled, shaking the floor like an earthquake, and a bolt of lightning split the sky. And then the clouds opened up, and the wind flung torrential sheets of rain against the windows with such force that the glass trembled. "This sucks," Frau said.

Amuro laughed as the cashier rang them up. "We can make a run for it," he suggested.

"You're outta your mind," Frau said. "It's pouring out there! We'll be soaked."

A bright shine came to Amuro's eyes, and he grinned. "You afraid?" he asked, opening the door.

Outside the rain beat down so hard that it bounced off the concrete, forming a thin mist. Frau imagined that rain pelting her body, the water cold and refreshing after the heat of the day. What the hell, she thought, and without another word, she jumped out of the store and into the downpour, a loud whoop! rising from her lungs. Amuro was right behind her.

The instant they were outside, they were soaked. The rain ran down Frau's face and plastered her hair to the side of her face. Her dress clung to her body like a second skin, and when Amuro ran past her on the sidewalk, she saw Amuro's jeans hugging his legs and buttocks, the white t-shirt now translucent, molded to Amuro's shoulder blades, outlining his biceps. Frau caught her breath when Amuro turned around, laughing at the storm, and she saw dark, erect nipples through the thin shirt.

And then Amuro stopped, waiting for Frau to catch up. The house was just ahead. Frau ran past Amuro and up the driveway; Amuro followed close behind. They were laughing as they ran into the open garage, and then they stood breathless just inside the doorway, watching the rain hit the concrete, the spray blowing in at them on the wind.

Out of the downpour, Frau shivered. The air was suddenly cool and in her wet dress, she felt cold. Amuro rubbed a hand along Frau's back, trying to warm her, the feel of his hand through the wet fabric igniting Frau. She leaned back into Amuro's touch and closed her eyes as Amuro used both hands to rub heat into her shoulders.

Reaching back, Frau ran her hands along Amuro's thighs, the denim heavy and clammy. She gripped the back of Amuro's legs and pulled him forward slightly. Taking the hint, Amuro stepped forward, his feet on either side of Frau's, their wet sneakers touching. His thick jeans and her bare legs pressed close together.

Clearing his throat, Amuro reached for the plastic bags from the store. They sat on the concrete floor of the garage, dropped and forgotten. "We better tell the others we're back," he said, a tinge of regret in his voice.

Frau nodded, watching as Amuro walked up the stairs leading to the house. Outside the rain began to ease up, and Frau plucked at her wet dress as she followed behind Amuro. "I am so wet. Gotta dry off," she muttered.

Amuro laughed softly. "That'll take a while," he replied.