Dazzled

Summary: Ren is seduced by the little things. My Take on Ren's thoughts inside the trailer on chapter 96. Complete and utter semi-fluff. Not even really. Sigh. It's actually more of a character study. In Ren's point of view. Kind of. …..ugh! I have no excuse. It's just a fic-let.

She wasn't a beauty by any stretch of the world, plain, and more than a little odd would be the term he would use. Yes, she could be made into a different person with make up, but, as an aspiring actor, it's a gift that is not only advantageous but also a bit of a requirement.

She was something akin to a caterpillar on its way to a butterfly every time she created a role for herself. But the role he liked best was the one without the glitter of make up and the attitude of a character written on paper. The Kyoko he liked best was the one that made voodoo dolls and muttered to her in dark corner. The Kyoko that amused him was the one that, despite the very mature attitude she took in her work ethics, she was surprisingly childish when it came to her love of fairy tales.

He wondered, vaguely if there was something wrong with him, considering the fact that he was arguably one of the best actors that Japan had seen in a long while (not to toot his own horn), and having no particular interest in the females that threw themselves at him with such ardor, but finding himself drawn a woman-child that thought he was the "Emperor of the Night", and regularly seemed to see him as some sort of cruel, sadistic sort of person (although he had to admit, it was fun to tease her). The first time he'd met her, he thought she wasn't serious about her acting. The next time he'd seen her, he was grudgingly drawn to her tenacity and guts. Before he knew it, he was falling; head over feet, tumbling further and further, every time she smiled, or asked him for advice, or said something unexpectedly sweet and flattering.

He tried to tell himself that it wasn't healthy, that, no, he couldn't fall in love. And while his mind might have agreed with him, his stubborn heart refused, pounding and jumping when she was in the room, dancing when she smiled at him. He'd known her when she was a child, seen her spunk and drive, and her thoughtfulness towards others. Her self sacrificing humbleness and her innocence.

She was a walking contradiction, all darkness and sunshine wrapped into one, exasperating package. She sparkled to him in a way that continuously broke all the walls he'd erected around himself with just a smile and the words "Good morning, Tsuruga-san!"

It continuously flattered him when she fussed about his eating habits (although it was a little embarrassing), and her respect and trust meant more to him then he thought possible. He sighed, eyes closed. He would just have to build stronger walls around himself and try his hardest to keep his feeling a secret, despite the fact that they were threatening to grow exponentially by the day.

But he wouldn't fail, he was resolved. And though it bothered him to think of Fuwa having such a large part in her heart and mind, he wouldn't waiver. No. Not at all.

It was then he felt a gentle hand on his forehead, and a soft sigh.

"Phew, he doesn't seem to have a fever. I'm glad" the hand on his head began to stroke him.

It couldn't be helped, he thought, as his thoughts drifted languidly away. She dazzles everyone she comes across.

Why would I be any different?