Granted that spring didn't come to the colonies, but careful programming had allowed the environmental system to mimic a change of seasons very well. It was all the same to Duo; spring was spring wherever he might be and it simply wasn't spring without ice cream.

"You always surprise me," he said, licking around the edge of his cone. "The great Heero Yuy, Master of Cool Calculation, Sultan of Simplicity, eating Triple Chocolate Crunch. With sprinkles."

Heero shrugged, sucking the top of his cone into a point. He paused to savour the mouthful of chocolate before replying, "I can indulge. I don't do it every day."

Duo grinned. "Says you. Those weren't my chocolate bar wrappers in the garbage last night."

"Well, you never struck me as the vanilla type," said Heero, deftly side-stepping the accusation.

"I'm not picky about my flavours, that's for sure," said Duo, "but I've always liked vanilla in the spring. I mean, look around! We have this great park full of budding trees, early flowers, and a fair simulation of warm spring sunshine from the heat lamps. Short of being on Earth, this is the most beautiful place we can be. I wouldn't want to ruin the effect with a strong flavour. Vanilla is perfect. Subtle."

Heero walked the path in silence, examining flowerbeds as they passed. Sure, they looked patchy and barren, but soon they would bloom and the tree buds unfurl. It was a place of hope...and a future.

Duo was taken by surprise when Heero spun him around and pushed him up against the stone wall that lined the park. Surprised, but not unable to enjoy the kiss, long and lingering.

"You're right," said Heero when he pulled away. "It's a very good day for vanilla."