"I declare this to be, the night of the rose. In which, you must give a rose to your most beloved before the night is out...or you shall be problem ridden with all relationships for the next year...until the next night of the rose, where you will be given another chance."

So proclaimed Marluxia four years ago.

Four years ago, Larxene sat in the corner of Castle Oblivion without receiving a rose.

Four years ago, Larxene refused to give her rose away.

Four years in succession, she had the same tradition every year...

And now...He was in front of her...changing it all.

"Take it..."

"No."

"Larxene..."

"Marluxia..."

"Take it..."

"NO."

"Why not?" The Graceful Assassin inquired of the blonde in front of him.

"Because, you're supposed to give these stupid things to the people you love. I know you don't love me." She stubbornly sneered.

"How do you know that?"

"...I just do, alright?" She pushed him away, scampering off to the other side of the room as Axel and Roxas watched in amusement, having already giving their flowers to one another.

"I wish she'd just admit that she loved him and get it over with." Axel laughed.

"Me too...She's in deep denial. But then again...this is her first year ever even being offered a rose." Roxas sniffed. "I'd be a little skeptic, too. Especially if it came from the man I'd been in love with for years."

"Well, it's a good things we don't have that problem." Axel gave Roxas' hand a slight squeeze.

Larxene turned swiftly and glared in his direction as he approached her. She took notice in all the little things he did. His pompous stride, his arrogant aura, his commanding essence...all things that made her despise him to the core. All things that made her yearn for his touch and love, as well. He walked a few steps closer and she raised her delicate hand to slap him across the face. It might have worked well had he not grasped it tightly in an almost painful squeeze. He used the control he had over her right hand to pull her closer and push the flower with demanding force into her hands.

"Brat...You need to learn that you actually do need people in your life, Larxene." He murmured, walking away after giving her the rose. The Savage Nymph stood in disbelief. Did Marluxia go through the trouble of actually forcing her to take the rose? And what was the scolding about? She looked at the pink flower in her hand for a moment and then portaled off to her room. No need to stay out in the open while confused as hell. She made her way up to her room in Castle Oblivion and glared at the ivory walls she passed, keeping the rose secure in her hand. Outside, in the halls, she heard Demyx and Zexion exchanging roses.

"Stupid roses..." She muttered.

Then, Larxene had an epiphany...

--

"Ugh...why am I always the one to set aside my pride?!" Marlxia growled, making his way down the halls to Larxene's room. He pushed open the door and found her looking out her open window, allowing for soft, chilling air to fill the room. "Larxene..." He took another step further. "You know...I didn't mean to offend you, if I did, in anyway. I don't see how I could have...but I didn't mean it. I mean...stuff like this doesn't happen on the night of the tulip on the first of every year! Or the night of the daisy on the second...Or--"

"How many nights of the flower are there?" She asked, keeping her back turned to him.

"One for everyday of the year." He answered matter-of-factly. And of course...they were all established by Marluxia.

"On leap-years?"

"February 29--The night of the Bleeding Hearts, of course." Marluxia made his way directly behind Larxene. "But that isn't my point. I'm trying to say..."

As suddenly as he started his sentence, Larxene had turned herself around from the window and tip-toed up to help her lips meet with his, grasping his hand. After which, she threw her arms around his neck and followed Marluxia's moves to deepen the kiss. She broke away fairly quickly and strode out of the room, leaving a stunned Marluxia with a new pressure in his hand.

As he looked down, he found Larxene's rose in his possession.

Larxene's epiphany? Marluxia honestly did love her...