A/N: I found this wonderful 30 Theme Challenge on wattpad and decided to give it a try. X-posted to Appleseed-stuff on LJ. Still don't own Appleseed.
1. Story (early LA)
"Tell me a story," the pint sized terror demanded of her new friend. The former KGB assassin blinked at the little girl a few times before her request sank in. Finishing his previous activity of tucking the sheets in around her small frame, Briareos sat down and considered his limited knowledge of bedtime stories. After a moment, he smiled and began to speak.
"Once upon a time, there was brave girl who could win every fight and was the very best at defending her home. One day she met a broken warrior and decided to team up with him when no one else would. Together they travelled the land, defeating anyone who challenged them." He reached over and ruffled the girl's hair.
"And? Did they live together happily ever after?" Deunan asked curiously, her tone suggesting a child's concern that the characters remained friends.
Briareos' expression became thoughtful, "I guess we're just going to have to find out."
3. Cherry Blossoms
Their hectic lives didn't give them much time to relax, but when they had the chance they tried to spend the free time outside. Olympus had a large selection of beautifully cultivated parks that encouraged lazy afternoons.
Deunan had fallen asleep in the shade of the blooming tree they had settled beneath. Simply enjoying the mild weather, Briareos leaned back against the trunk to watch her rest. Hitting the solid mass harder then he intended, soft pink petals drifted down and settled on the sleeping beauty beside him.
The cyborg considered the cherry blossoms gracing Deunan's face and body, and knew if he could capture one moment to last forever, is would be it.
4. Rain (Olympus)
He probably didn't even notice her watching him as he stood in the rain. Deunan looked out the water-streaked glass at her cyborg and wondered. He had stood outside in a storm and let the water run over him and stared into the stormy skies as long as she had known him. Was he trying to wash away his past? The blood on his hands? The warrior woman knew better then to ask anymore. The short time Briareos spent in the rain was his time to think, to clear his head. Not even becoming a cyborg diminished his need to stand in the rain.
9. Shooting Star
"Aren't you supposed to make a wish on a shooting star?" Bri asked quietly as they sat out on the roof one night. The moon had set early leaving the sky glittering and bright with stars.
"Why?" Deunan asked, cuddling closer under her cyborg's arm, "I already got you. What more could I ever wish for?"
He chuckled quietly and hugged her as tight as he dared.
10. Rice (Olympus)
Briareos opened the door to the apartment, instantly became engulfed in a cloud of smoke, and just as quickly he wished he'd been shot in the line of duty. His woman was cooking again, and things did not look like it would be one of the lucky days when she actually succeeded.
"Deunan?" he called, trying to wave the smoke away from his nose, "Are you all right?"
A fit of coughing answered him, before he heard, "I'm okay! I just didn't add enough water."
He finally got into the kitchen and found the underused room rather clean except for the fire filled pot on the cook top. "What were you trying to make?"
Deunan managed to look sheepish as she looked up at him, "Instant rice?"
Unable to be upset at her adorable expression, the cyborg shook his head and dropped the lid on the pot. Cutting the heat, he pulled his girl close to him and hugged her. Once he was certain the failed dinner was no longer a danger, Bri chuckled softly. "You know, if you wanted me to take you out for Asian food, all you had to do was ask. You didn't have to ignite the poor rice."
Clearly torn between laughing and slugging her man, Deunan settled for giving him a withering look before pushing past him muttering, "I'll get my coat."