Flash Fic Month '12. July 10th

Somewhere in Manhattan, New York City, 2023 AD

There were many things that Brooklyn loved about the modern human world, and holidays were one of them; Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, the food and friends and fun. But there was also things he hated about it, and holidays were one of them too, especially Valentine's Day. It was the one human holiday that he loathed, and it seemed no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape it.

Goliath and Elisa usually had the decency to conduct their romantic overtures at Elisa's apartment, but Broadway and Angela didn't have anywhere else to go and usually stayed in the Eyrie Building. Which meant Brooklyn had two options; spend a couple of days away from the castle – a plan which was too dangerous with the Quarrymen roaming the city – or try to avoid the lovebirds and mope.

Which was how Albia came to find him perched by himself on the Wyvern battlements. She hopped up on the weathered stone beside him.

"Hey, want some company?"

The beaked male glanced at her and shrugged without answering, before returning his gaze back to the glittering city. Albia nudged him, and offered one of the brown paper fast-food bags she was carrying.

"Me and Burgundy got these earlier." she said by way of explanation, smiling hopefully when Brooklyn looked at her again. Brooklyn arched his browridges as he looked from her, to the fast-food bag, and was unable to help himself breaking into a slight smile as he took it.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Albia beamed. She opened her own bag and brought out one of the paper-wrapped burgers inside, peeling back the paper delicately. "Hudson says these are bad for us, but I can't help it, they're so delicious." Brooklyn sniggered as he put a couple of French-fry in his mouth.

"I know, right? But where did you and Burgundy get these from anyway?" he asked, peering into the bag and finding a surprising amount of food.

"We ran off some thugs trying to hit a fast food place, and the staff were so grateful they gave us this free food. They said they'd have to chuck it out anyway, so we might as well enjoy it." Brooklyn's browridges arched again.

"Usually they just scream and call the cops on us, instead."

Albia shrugged and grinned. "Burgundy said it was our sexy French accents." The red male stared at her for a minute, then burst into gales of laughter as Albia began sniggering.

"You don't actually have much of an accent," Brooklyn said when they finally managed to calm down. He gestured with his beak. "And you… look different to the other Paladins… more like a dragon." Albia wrinkled her snubbed draconic snout in a charming smile.

"Well, my mother, Roch, she wasn't a Paladin, she was a wanderer that they took in." the little black Gargoyle went quiet and looked down for a moment, suddenly subdued. "She was already pregnant with my egg when she arrived… she died laying it… and she never said a word. Not from the moment she arrived to the moment she died." Albia looked at him and smiled a little.

"I know what it's like to feel alone, even when surrounded by a Clan who never made me feel like an outcast." There was a moment of silence, then Albia seemed to shake herself. "Anyway, I dunno about you, but I'm starving." She bit into the burger and made a happy humming sound as she chewed. Brooklyn ate some more fries, finally speaking after swallowing them.

"I hate Valentine's Day." He admitted. Albia looked at him, but didn't speak, letting him continue unhindered. "There was this… girl… Maggie…" he began.

And Albia listened.