"Yes. Perfect weather; as light as my mood. Thanks to you, of course; you always make me smile."

The words tumbled out of Flaky's mouth smoothly. She herself was surprised by the sarcasm, but it gave her a bitter sense of satisfaction to see that guilty expression on Flippy's face. It was her chance to take revenge, and she eagerly took it. She forced a very tight-lipped smile and held her chin up. "So, where are you off to?"

Flippy barely choked the words out: "T-To the ceme-cemetery-y." He wanted to punch himself; Flaky should be the one who's nervous. This wasn't like her at all, yet she kept her icy smile and glared at him. "To dig your own grave? Good. Let me know how that turns out for you." She sat down beneath the tree and covered her head with her cloak.

The bear staggered a little before awkwardly leaning on the tree beside her. He couldn't say anything-- Flaky had just insulted him, and he had never gotten that from her. "A-Actually, I...I wanted t-to visit Giggle's--" He was cut short by Flaky, who instantly lost her calm and snapped, "Giggles! Of course! She's everything to you, isn't she? Oh, you'd go as far as kill yourself for that--that slut, that whore!"

Flaky had trouble breathing; she clenched her fists and pounded at her chest. "Y-You love the girl, you do...You've been seeing her for a while now, I know it," she added in a slightly softer tone. She peered at Flippy with blurred vision. He stood still and kept silent, glancing at her for a few seconds. Flaky got up abruptly and began hitting him hard - in the face, on his chest, his legs, his arms - until they both collapsed on the grass.

She buried her face in his jacket and kept punching him, her tears about to flow. Flippy looked at her apologetically before standing up again and going back into the rain.

"W-Where are you--" the porcupine coughed hoarsely, "Stop, d-don't be such a coward."

"I guess I am a coward," replied Flippy, not turning back, "But it'd be better for me to leave than talk to a..."

"A what?" Flaky snapped.

"A girl who's only intention of talking to me is to make herself believe that she's right."

"Wha...What does that..."

"It means you should think twice. And that I--that I don't hate you."

And with a shrug of his shoulders, he was gone, leaving Flaky dumbstruck. He's right, she thought to herself submissively, He's been right all along. She clutched her sleeves and fell on her back. She couldn't help it anymore; she cried. It was a natural reaction for her, but she'd been trying not to do it for so long.

Think twice.

His words played in her mind for a while. Until she reached the mall entrance and the rain had stopped, she felt guilty and unusual. It was painful enough that he hurt her, but it was even more painful thinking that she might be wrong about everything, after all.

----x----

The cemetery was cold, eery and damp; it almost scared Flippy. But he could never call himself a man again if he had turned back. Besides, the grave he was looking for was just a few blocks away.

There were very few graves to be seen. It was so rare that someone would permanently die in Happy Tree Town that there was no one who worked at this place, except for Lumpy, who served as the emergency graveyard manager.

Realizing that he was alone, Flippy walked a little faster towards the marble tombstone, shaking off the feeling that someone else was here. He looked at the plaque sadly; it was true. Mrs. Chipmunk, June 1966 - December 2008. We have always loved you in life, much more in death; R.I.P. Flippy bowed his head and laid a drenched bouquet of roses on the still-moist grass.

"Came for a visit?"

Flippy felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He was so sure that he was alone all this time. Holding his breath, he swiftly glanced around and saw Giggles watching him quite calmly.

"I wouldn't go here after a rainfall if I were you, the mud stains are awfully hard to get off." She giggled quietly and skipped up to the bear. Seeing the flowers, she smiled and said, "Mom was allergic to roses. Still, I'm sure she appreciates them." Giggles knelt down and touched the smooth bronze plaque with her paw, tracing the letters of the word "death" carefully.

"I'm sorry," croaked Flippy, who glanced at the chipmunk with sympathy, "I know how it must feel. Tragic..." Giggles turned to look at him, and saw that he was staring blankly on the tombstone. She could hear him muttering something under his breath, phrases along the lines of "bloody corpses" and "merciless war-men".

She gulped nervously. Flippy might go mad any second now. She stared at him, terrified to see that his eyes started changing color and his lips curled in a menacing smile. "D-Don't worry about it! I'm fine now, I can manage on my own," said Giggles, standing up and brushing the dirt off her knees. Flippy gave a start and blinked a few times before snapping back to reality.

"Go out with me," exclaimed Giggles.

"...What? You mean, like...on a...?" Flippy stared at her.

"Yes. A dinner date. You and me. Please, Flippy? I need you."

"I d-don't understand how this is going to help in any way--"

"Being with you makes me happy," Giggles explained half-honestly, "And...it'll take my mind off...him. You know, I told you about our fight and..."

"Oh, I see..." muttered Flippy, "Well...if it makes you feel better, then, maybe--" Giggles's smile lit up immensely and she hugged him. "Thank you!" she chirped and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Flippy blushed and forced himself not to feel guilty about this, but Flaky's image kept showing up in his mind.

Half an hour later, Flippy somehow found himself sitting on a fancy dining chair across a silk-laden round table, whereas Giggles sat on the other side. She beamed at him with her pearly-white teeth and pointed to the aquamarine dress she was wearing. "How do I look?"

"Fine," remarked Flippy simply, who was still feeling weird as he looked around him. The restaurant was huge, with tables all around, and expensive-looking furniture to match. To their right, unfortunately, was a very old, tattered-looking vixen eating her food alone. She reminded Flippy of the graveyard ghosts he'd seen on Halloween.

The bear adjusted his own necktie and cleared his throat a few times; he wasn't used to wearing formal suits (he considered his army uniform as semi-formal). Giggles didn't seem to notice as she stared dreamily at him. "Sh-should we, uhh...call a waiter, or something?" said Flippy. Giggles mumbled in response.

"What will be your order tonight, sir, madam?" a stiff voice rang from beside their table as a yellow paw handed Flippy a menu.

"I-I guess...whatever is on special...?" answered the bear uncomfortably without looking at their waiter. His voice was dreadfully familiar. Very, very familiar. He didn't want to believe it; his luck must've completely ran out if it was him. But Cuddles faced him and piped up, "Guess who?" Flippy grunted and banged his head on the table.

Note: Yay, early update! I couldn't help it. Pshyeah. o3o
Of course, reviews are greatly appreciated. And Mr. Disclaimer says I don't own HTF.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Be jolly! :D