"(Name)-chan, come on. Mommy and Daddy have to go to work now. We have to drop you off at Grandma's." The little five year old you frowned.
"I don't wanna!" You obnoxiously yell, determined to stay planted to the cream colored carpet in your living room.
"It'll be lots of fun with her! You can play with her kitties." Your mother coaxed while your nose scrunched up at the mention of the multiple cats that your Grandma owned.
"Grandma smells yucky and the kitty cats gave me a booboo…"
It was then that your father walked through the front door after starting up the car.
"Is she still not budging?" Your mother shook her head.
"Hm. Perhaps the Zwinglis will…" Your ears perked up at the mention of the familiar last name.
"Are we going to see Vash-nii san?" Your parents glanced at each other before they realized what time it was. In a flash, you were picked up and taken to the car.
"I'll call them to make sure!" Your mother called out. You were buckled into your car seat as your father slid into the driver's seat, waiting.
A couple of minutes later, she returned with a smile on her face.
"To the Zwinglis we go!" She declared.
"Yay!" You cheered, waving your arms in excitement.
"(Name), I know you're excited, but stop kicking my seat!"
"Sowwy, Daddy."
The car pulled to a stop in on the Zwingli's driveway and finally, the seemingly never-ending drive was over. You were bouncing up and down in your car seat anxiously waiting for you mom to unbuckle you. As the two of you reached the front door, you were so excited it was hard to contain it. It had been so long since the last time you saw the older boy. You thought back to the last time you saw him. It was probably way back over a year ago when his sister, Lili was born. Due to an unforeseen business trip, your parents couldn't attend her first birthday a couple months ago while you were sent to stay with your grandma. As much as you loved your granny, watching her sew for five hours straight wasn't fun at all. The cakes she baked were delicious though.
The door opened revealing Mrs. Zwingli.
"Good morning! Hello (Name)-chan, it's been awhile since I've seen you. You've grown so much!" You gave her your biggest smile and waved. Speaking of growing up, you wonder how Vash looks now. Maybe he grew taller? In your mind, you imagined a towering giant with the face of a seven-year-old Vash. Nervously, you clung closer to your mother. A honk from you family's car caught both women's attention and your mother realized that she was going to be late to work.
"Oh, I'll have to talk to your again some other time! (Name), Mommy will pick you up after work, be a good girl okay?" Your mother placed a kiss on your cheek and rushed off to the car. Mrs. Zwingli gave you a warm smile and invited you inside.
"Vash is upstairs in his room. I'll be in the kitchen baking cookies if you need me." With that, the older blonde woman hustled to the kitchen.
As you made your way to the staircase, you spotted a large bundle on the couch. It turns out that it was the one year old Lili, fast asleep. You smiled at the adorable scene before you and continued on your way.
Up the stairs, you were greeted with the familiar sight of the long hallway with numerous rooms along each side of the wall. It was easy to find Vash's room, seeing as how it was the only one with an open door.
Slowly, you tip-toed closer and took a peek in. The blonde boy was seated on the floor and reading a fairly large book. You were pretty sure that these were what the big kids call "chapter books" at your school. You were amazed at how Vash could read so fast, flipping through the pages in no time. He was only two years older than you!
While you focused your attention on Vash, you had leaned over a little too much and slipped on the hardwood floor. The sudden loud crash had caused Vash to look up from his book. He saw you sprawled on the ground and ran over to check on you.
"Oi! Are you okay? What are you doing here?" You, slightly recovered from the fall, looked up with watery eyes.
"Vash nii-san!" You cried and flung your arms around him. You couldn't see it from your angle, but Vash's entire face had turned redder than a tomato as he awkwardly put his arms around you and patted your head.
The smell of fresh baked cookies hit you and you quickly removed yourself from Vash's hold.
"Vash-nii! The cookies are done! Let's go get some!"
"Huh? A-ah…yeah, let's go." You waited as he got up and put his book back on his shelf. You took his hand in yours, taking note at how much bigger it is now, and the two of you went downstairs together.
In the kitchen, Lili already woke up and was placed in her high chair. She looked at you with large, curious green eyes.
"Lili, say hello to (Name) nee-san." Mrs. Zwingli told her. Lili, in her baby talk, blubbered something that you thought sound like Nee-san but it was hard to tell.
"You two came down at the right time, I just finished these cookies." Vash's mother handed the two of you each a large chocolate chip cookie.
"Thank you, Mrs. Zwingli." You said as you bit into the warm, gooey treat. She poured two cups of milk for you two and left the kitchen saying that she'll be working outside in the yard.
After you finished your snack, Vash suggested that the two of you watch some TV. Leaving Lili occupied in her high chair with some stuffed animals, you two walked into the living room and channel surfed for a while. Halfway into a new episode of a show about a bunch of colorful bears, Vash had fallen asleep with your lap being used as a pillow. You were surprised yet slowly, mischievousness began to creep up on you as you pulled your hair out of the perfect pigtails they were in.
Grasping the two ribbons in your hands, you flashed an evil grin that only five year olds can make. With quick, skilled hands, you had put your blonde friend's hair into two, short pigtails, much like what you had just two minutes prior.
When Vash began to wake up, you shot a glance at him and couldn't stop your laughter. His sleepy face along with that hairstyle was just too cute!
"What's wrong?" He asked in a half asleep tone.
"Nothing, this show is just really funny." Vash looked at the bright screen. The main character had just lost his favorite balloon and began to cry. Vash gave you a weird look.
"Vash-nii, I'm hungry." He let out a sigh.
"Wait here, I'll make you something."
"Um..Vash-nii, what is this?" You pointed to the bowl of white-ish yellow liquid.
"Cheese fondue." He simply replied.
"Oh, so this is what cheese fondue looks like?"
"Uh…yeah." Okay, so maybe microwaved mozzarella cheese sticks in a bowl with half a bagel wasn't exactly the most authentic cheese fondue that Vash has ever had in his seven years of life, but hey, you were barely five, you wouldn't know what cheese fondue looked like.
"This is really delicious, thank you!"
After your meal, you asked Vash to teach you how to make this delicious thing called cheese fondue.
He took three cheese sticks out and threw them in a bowl. The bowl was then put into the microwaved and microwaved on high for thirty seconds, or until it was all melted. Finally, take a bagel or any other bread like item available, and dip it into the cheese sauce.
"Thanks for the help, Vash-nii!" You kissed his cheek and hopped off to play with Lili, leaving the older boy standing there, slightly dumbfounded.
As the day came to a close, it was time for you to go home. You waved goodbye to the Zwinglis and allowed you mother to buckle you in.
"How was your day, (Name)?" Your dad asked as he started up the car.
"It was lots of fun, I know how to make cheese fondue now!"
"Ah that's great, why don't you make us some once we get home? Mommy and I are very hungry."
"Okay!"
-Extended Ending-
You set off to work the moment you stepped into the house.
"Let's see, I need cheese sticks…" You looked in the refrigerator, but there was no cheese to be found. You did, however, remember that you had some marshmallows left from the last camping trip you had with your parents. The color was close enough, so you poured those in a bowl.
"Microwave on high thirty seconds or until it is melted." You repeated what Vash told you.
As the microwaved stopped beeping, you opened it to find a big sticky mess.
"Oh well, at least there's still marshmallow in the bowl." Next, you poked a finger to taste it.
"This is too sweet! It needs to be salty!" You reached for the saltshaker, accidentally knocking down the pepper along the way. It was then that you remembered your dad liked to eat spicy things.
"Better add this too!" Salt and pepper were added to the mixture and you mixed it together with a spoon. Finally, you looked around the kitchen for bread-like items.
"Bannana bread!" Your cheese fondue dinner was complete.
You were glad that your parents seemed to enjoy it. They even stayed home the rest of the week to play with you too!