i'll take your heart && keep it close to me.

[keith archer!]

he sighed, knowing very well that he should have too. he looked at her face, it was covered with hurt and dissappointment, although she was faking, he thought it was real. he looked into her eyes and placed a hand gently on her face.

"i'm sorry." he apologized quietly, kissing her lips once. then she was grinning and he realized she had been faking. he forced a smile too. "soon. but hey, if we get bored at the park, you can always come over and meet her at my house." he suggested.

after the kiss, he looked at her, confused. amazuzing? "what is that, french?" he asked her, curiously.

his heart pounded and he switched to poufing his hair up a little, giving it that sex hair look. keith would do anything for lucy and it seemed she was starting to realize that. "like this?" he asked, making sure it met her apporval.

keith layed down, staring up at the sky. "first im fat and now im anorexic?" he said, looking up at her. lucy could be a little mean towards him sometimes. but maybe having a girlfriend like her would toughen him up. he shook his head, she wouldn't get it so easily. "not if i duct tape my clothes on..."

[Lucy Marks.]

Lucy had to smile when he thought it was real. "But what if we never get bored?" She asked, kissing him lightly. She wasn't able to keep her lips away from his, and she was kind of disgusted with herself about her obsession with his lips.

"Apparently it's my new word," Lucy replied, in a slightly dazed tone. "Don't you love it?"

Watching him poof his hair, she had to grin, she had him in the palm of her hand, she wasn't going to abuse it or anything, but it felt nice. She pressed her lips to him, keeping them longer than she had intended. "Yeah. I like it,"

Lucy layed down on top of him, something he probably wasn't expecting. "Yes. You fluctuate between fat and too skinny," She shook her head scornfully, "You'll reach the perfect weight sometime in your life," She pouted as he said the bit about duct taping his clothes on. "That's mean. I have issues with duct tape," She lowered her voice to a low whisper, "It doesn't like me,"

[keith archer!]

he smiled against her lips and then looked at her when she pulled away. "okay, scratch that. how about, whenever we get cold?" he told her instead since the wind was picking up and even he was shivering slightly. he leaned in and kissed her once more, thinking how their kisses were still and the short, gentle stage.

after pulling away from the kiss, he raised an eyebrow at her. he nodded when she asked if he loved it. "i love everything that has to do with you." he told her honestly. "and your word is very creative, the leter 'z' is rarely used." he told her dorkily.

and keith didn't think lucy would abuse it. he was fragile and if anymore hard blows hit his heart, keith was afraid he'd go back to becoming what he used to be - an angry, alcoholic, heroin addicted party whore. he didnt want that and he certainly didnt want to go back taking his depression meds. thanks to lucy, he hadnt found the need to take them anymore.

"i-" he started, but stopped when lucy's lips were pressed against his. suddenly what he was about to say escaped his mind and he was aware of nothing except how good lucy's warm lips felt against his. the kiss was long, longer than their others, when she pulled back he was left breathless again. "okay..." he responded softly.

he let out an 'oomphf' when she unexpectedly layed her body ontop of his. he still wrapped his arms around her body nonetheless and kissed the top of her head sweetly. he frowned. "so you don't think im perfect the way i am?" he asked, joking a little. no one was really perfect, but he'd try to be for her. he nodded when she told her issue with duct tape. "okay, then it's forever out of my life."

[Lucy Marks.]

"I like this new idea of your alot better," She said with a soft laugh. She wrapped her arms around herself, even though she was wearing a sweater, she was still freezing. She let her sleeves hang over her small hands as she wrapped her arms around his neck, as if telling him to keep her warm.

Lucy smirked as he said this, "Well hon. I can think of two words that have the letter 'Z' in them," She kissed his lips before explaining herself further, "Zebra and zipper," She nodded. "And I did not invent those two lovely words," She shook her head, "I wish I would have,"

Lucy thought of a reply to this, she didn't have one. "You're just putting words in my mouth now," She finally replied. She put her hands under his neck, putting her head on his chest.

[keith archer!]

he smiled, he liked it too. he was cold and would rather spend time with lucy in the comfort of his home. he watched her shiver and he moved closer to her. she wrapped her arms around his neck quickly and he wrapped his arms tightly around her frail body. she was like ice. he pressed his lips to her cheek and looked at her. "would you like to go now?" he offered.

hon. he liked it when she called him that, or any othe cuter names. he smiled, listening to her explain further after her small kiss. "yes, but two words out of what, a million?" he guessed. "so...hon..." he told her, smirking. "it is rarely used. " he pointed out and then glanced down at his zipper, making sure it was closed, just in case. "invent others." he suggested.

he laughed, making her body vibrate on top of him. "am not. i was asking a simple question that needs a simple yes or no answer. now's the time to tell me a certain flaw about me that you hate...cause...well..." he bit down on his lip. "i want to be perfect in your eyes..." he whispered gently. "you are in mine."

[Lucy Marks.]

Lucy gave a nod, smiling as she felt him brush his cheeks. "Yeah. I'm gonna freeze to death," That wasn't true, she was cold but not on the verge of death, in fact, she was far from it.

"I'll use both of them in an intelligent sentence," She offered, clearing her throat. "My drunk uncle Robbie broke into the zoo on a late Wednesday night and he set all the zebras free," This wasn't true, but it was the sentence that came into her mind. "One more...hmm..." She tapped her chin, her eyes brightening as she said, "My sister Macy lost her phone when she was riding the Zipper at the carnival, a carnie stole it and ran up her bill," This, unlike the first one, was true.

"You are perfect," Lucy said with a nod, leaning her head down and kissing him softly on the lips once more. "I pwomice," She said in a voice like a five year old.

[keith archer!]

he laughed a little, shaking his head. "you will not. i'll make sure that you stay nice and warm." he promised and stood up, carrying her now, her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. his body heat would keep her warm enough till they got to the apartment. "my apartment sucks, so don't expect anything glamorous." he warned, heading out of the park.

"see! i told you there was something up in that head of yours." he told her. he stuck his tongue out at her as if her use of an intelligent sentence pointed it out all along that he was right. he kissed her forehead, smiling happily. "by chance, either of those stories true?" he wondered aloud to her.

he grinned, shrugging modestly but blushing insanely. he didnt know she would come right out and say it, he kind of thought she'd tease him a little more. "i try." he said sheepishly. he bit down on his bottom lip, looking into her eyes. she was so sweet. he kissed her softly once more and then pulled away.

[Lucy Marks.]

"Just as long as you have a bathroom and a kitchen I'm fine," Lucy replied, wondering how he could see where he was going, with her big head in the way and all. "I just want to get warmer," She raised an eyebrow, pausing for a few seconds, "And to see Caitlin of course,"

Lucy gave a nod, "Yeah. The one about my sister is true," She couldn't help but laugh, remembering how Macy was freaking out. "They told her to empty her pockets and she didn't, so it was her own fault," She rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Macy's a dork though,"

"You do a great job of it too," Lucy replied, grinning before she planted one on his lips.

[keith archer!]

her big head wasn't in the way too much and because of his height he was able to peer over it just enough to see where he was going. he was walking very slow, trying his hardest to not be clumsy and drop her. he walked slow when he was with caitlin too. the last thing he needed was to drop his daughter, so he was careful.

leading her into his bad neighborhood, he held onto her even tighter. it was a bad place, especially for a girl as pretty as lucy and boy like keith who cowered at the sight of raised fists after being abused almost all of his life. he carried her up the stairs, three flights of them and set her down in front of his apartment. he held up a finger, showing for her to wait.

he walked down the hall and knocked on an apartment door. mrs. richardson lived there and when the door was opened, keith was greeted by a kind looking old lady. she looked over in lucy's direction and smiled at her. then she turned to keith, asking him questions about lucy and making him blush. she let him inside and minutes later he came out with caitlin in his arms and her diaper bag slung over his shoulder.

caitlin was a beautiful baby. she was of average weight and average height, her skin was milky white except for her rose colored chubby cheeks. she had a full head of dark brown hair, a small nose, pouty lips and incrediable bright blue eyes. she had some features of keith's -cheeks, nose, dark hair and some of holly's - paleness, pouty lips, and bright blue eyes. the little baby, clung to her daddy tightly as he walked to open the door, her eyes on lucy.

he let lucy inside and followed suit. his aparment was a good size, but very spacious and incrediably neat. it was bare with some furniture and kitchen appliances. the colors of the walls and the paintings and lyrics on them is what brought the place to life. he blushed a little, he always felt embarrassed when people saw his work. he sighed and set caitlin's bag down and then looked at lucy, moving closer to her so she could get a better look at caitlin.

the baby's bottom lip quivered and her eyes watered. she wasn't so good with strangers. she was shy, like her father. caitlin squirmed in keith's arms, itching to get out. she was starting to crawl and that's all she ever wanted to do lately. "lucy, this is caitlin, caitlin this is lucy." he introduced them. caitlin stared at lucy a while longer before breaking out into smiles and giggles. keith laughed and kissed his daugher on the forehead. "wanna hold her?"

[Lucy Marks.]

Lucy shook her hair from her eyes, a smile plastered on her face as she entered the apartment. She looked around, the paintings catching her eyes, they were beautiful. "Did you do these?" She asked, biting her lip as she saw Caitlin's bottom lip begin to quiver.

She cracked a grin, however, when she saw Caitlin giggle and smile. "She's so pretty," She said to Keith, looking up to him, a slightly bigger grin on her face. She nodded as he asked her if she wanted to hold Caitlin. She bent over and picked her up, playing with her fingers.

She turned to Keith, still holding Caitlin. "You never really answered me," She looked at Caitlin and smiled but turned to Keith with the same smile, "That day when I asked you if I could babysit her. You never gave me an answer,"

[keith archer!]

he looked around his apartment once and then blushed, looking down. the living room and his bedroom were insane. they were the rooms with the most art work in them. the kicthen had some, but because of it's many cabinets, he couldn't do much. the bathroom was just painted a bright color and caitlin's room had to be the best. it was painted with a castle, green hills, ponies, the works. she was keith's princess, so he made sure her room reflected it.

"yeah, i did. it's nothing though." he said softly. he was never one to brag about his work. he grew worried when caitlin had her crying face on, but then she cracked and unexpected smile and started to giggle, her little vocal chords loud and strong. "thanks, i know. she's the most beautiful girl there is. besides you." he said as he handed caitlin over to lucy gently. the baby happily stayed in her arms and even preceeded to play with lucy's hair.

he had been watching caitlin, she was so adorbale with her big, curious blue eyes taking lucy in. he looked up when she spoke to him, a confused expression on his face. "what?" he asked, not knowing what she was talking about. when he was reminded, he bit down on his lip, thinking. "she seems to really like you..." he said softly. "i guess...you can..."

[Lucy Marks.]

Lucy shook her head, not even caring that Caitlin was tugging on her hair, she was pretty much immune to her hair being pulled, with all the fights she got in, a toddler pulling on it didn't hurt much. "No. They're really good," She looked back down at him after she had been looking around, "I like it," She said nodding, tightening her grip on Caitlin a little.

"Really?" Lucy asked with a grin. She couldn't imagine doing anything else other than spending her days with this little girl. "You think she likes me?" She asked, a little unsure despite the girl was laughing. It could have been just a phase she was going through.

[keith archer!]

caitlin loved to tug hair, she did it to him quite often, so when he noticed caitlin was tugging lucy's, he took her hands gently off. "no caitlin, bad." he told her and she looked up at her daddy, bottom lip quivering again, her eyes watering before she cried out loud.

he sighed, not phased by it and dug through her diaper bag and pulled out a ragged white teddy bear that was so dirty and stained it could no longer be classified as white. it also had some patches on it, ones that keith had to take from his old t-shirts because the bear was so old with worn it was falling apart and caitlin loved it so much he couldn't bear to throw it out.

handing it to his daughter, instantly she quieted down and hugged her animal tightly. she was also teething, so it wasn't uncommon for her to chew on the bear's ear like she was doing it at the moment. she looked at her father, it showed she was mad at him. "daddy's sorry caitlin, but you can't pull people's hair." he told her and she looked at him. he leaned down to give her a kiss and she responded by giving him a slobbery wet one on the cheek.

now that all was forgiven and caitlin was entertained, keith focused on lucy again. "sorry about that, your hair okay?" he asked her, brushing her ends back behind her shoulders just in case. he smiled at her slightly. "thank you though, that means a lot coming from you." he told her in response to her reacton to his artwork.

"really." he told her, liking that she looked so excited. "i think she does lucy, a lot. she's never had a female figure in her life besides mrs. richardson. so maybe...you can be like the mom she's never had you know?" he told her quietly. he would never dump his child on lucy but if she wanted to, he would like her to become close with caitlin. he smoothed back his daughter's dark air, biting down on his bottom lip.

[Lucy Marks.]

Lucy couldn't help but grin at that little father daughter moment, he was cuter when he was in dad mode. She nodded, "Yeah. I'm used to my hair being pulled on," She said with a soft smile to both dad and daughter. "Well it looks good and I can't keep this stuff bottled up,"

She nodded, a smile rising on her lips again. "Yeah," She said in low voice that would almost pass as a whisper. "That sounds great. Except I have to warn you that I would probably be a friend more than I would be a mom," She said, giving him an apologetic look.

It was true, Lucy always hated discipline, and she wasn't likely to treat Caitlin as if she was a ticking time bomb. Sure she would tell her no when she needed it. But those big eyes filled with tears would make her want to cry and she would probably be cuddling her and telling her sorry the next moment.

[keith archer!]

cute in dad mode? keith would have never thought a person would think that. but it was lucy, and it seemed everything he did was cute to her. sometimes he got worried though. what if he wasn't a good father? certainly a good father wouldn't be raising their daughter in a dangerous neighborhood, but he gave up so much for caitlin. he always put her first and made sure she had what he needed.

keith always liked to make it seem that everything was good and he was fine being a single dad, but in reality, it was so hard. he never bought anything for himself, sometimes he didn't eat because he wanted to have money to get caitlin's food, and he worked all the time and sometimes he would come home from work, change his clothes, and go to school. even though he had all those difficulties in his life, he'd never give that little girl up, she was the only one that he knew would never leave him and would love him no matter what.

he frowned, that might be a little problem. "well, that's okay i guess, just make sure you discipline her when you see she's doing something wrong. i want her to grow up to be a good person, so rules are neccessary. she'll try to get you with her little eye trick, don't let her, be strong. she's very sly like her mother was. " keith said and smiled, tickling his daughter and she in turn kicked her legs and giggled loudly. "thanks lucy for being so cool about this..."

[Lucy Marks.]

Lucy bit her lip as Keith said this about not surrendering as soon as her big eyes got teary eyes, that could be a problem in Lucy's case. Earlier when Caitlin was pulling her hair, Lucy felt really bad and she just wanted to cuddle the little girl, but she nodded when he was finished. "I'll try," She said, laughing as Keith tickled her stomach.

"What did you expect?" Lucy asked him, tilting her head, "That I was gonna leave you up there in Cherry Flatts as soon as you told me the truth?" She gave a shrug, "I can't imagine anyone who would do that. Alot of girls probably would have though," She added, scratching the back of her head.