A/N: I'm placing all the blame to you, TheShhTiger, lostvindications, Rhonarina, Vividpixie, mizchelz, drasnian07, ayakuma, TohruMitsuki, xtheBLEACHEDalchemistx, rattdragon, Animefreak126, Bokuso-chi, kitty.0, SwtKisses, xEternal Silence, Shark's Fin, ChocoChip7, minamishiho, sakuraakamichelle, Iris petals, brooke summers1610, and Bebe17 haha ;) After reading your words to me in Clothes, I was encouraged to finally sit down and write something. In fact, I hardly stopped yesterday up to midnight until I finished this 4-chapter story. The idea of the story had been in my head since I've read the latest chapter of KWMS (Chapter 69) almost a month ago. It's like a 'what if' in my head since then, but I never got the motivation to write it. Now, I finally did, thanks to you, folks ;) And because of you also, it didn't take me weeks or months (even years), to post again here. I never thought it would be only few days haha. But don't get use to it ;)

Here's my 9th KWMS fanfic in FFN, dedicated to you who told me you enjoyed Clothes, as well as to you who recently reviewed my old stories. Thanks again, folks! This story is quite a fluff (as always!) and maybe quite OOC, too. So folks, read at your own risk! And no, I don't own the characters ;)

-x-

"I'll Be Your Support"

- - - Arvendell - - -

Chapter 1

-x-

TWO people were alone together at an empty cafe, though if anyone happened to see the area, that person would think that there was only one person in the building. That person was a ball of energy as she moved around. The other person, on the other hand, was unmoving on the wall, only the movements of his chest as he breathed and sometimes the movement of his eyes indicated that in fact, he wasn't a statue.

The living statue, or rather Usui Takumi, glanced at the spotless floor. He had a vague suspicion that if the floor got shinier, it might pass for a mirror. Then he lifted his eyes to the ball of energy. He watched with a mixture of concern and amusement as his favourite maid and none other than beloved girlfriend, Ayuzawa Misaki, worked relentlessly and furiously. He knew she became aware of his presence ten minutes after he had started watching her. The small pause and stiffening of her already stiff posture alerted him when she had become aware that she wasn't alone anymore. Those reactions would have been indecipherable to anyone, except that he had spent so much of his time watching and observing her that he was able to notice the minute changes. She didn't acknowledge his presence, though. She continued to clean the floor, her body rigid, her movements jerky. She continued to perform her task quietly and studiously avoided meeting his eyes.

He didn't say a word. He knew that she was trying to release some pent up frustration and anger at the menial task. For the last few days, she had vacillated between more violence and silence. She had put up a strong front to the others, a smile plastered in her lips as she worked, but he knew her better. His favourite maid was angry and hurt.

Usui patiently waited for her to look at him. When she glanced his way, probably curious about his long silence, he opened his arms invitingly. For a second, she looked at him suspiciously, and then as if being pulled by a magnet, she dropped the mop with a resounding crash as her feet moved towards him, small and slow steps at first, before they gathered speed and she was in his arms in a matter of a heartbeat, surrounded by his warm and comforting embrace.

Misaki buried her face on Usui's chest and took a deep breath. She let his embrace and scent calm and comfort her. His presence gradually chased her fears, her worries, her insecurities, and her anger, away.

For a little while, Usui and Misaki just stood there, tangled in a gentle embrace. He silently lent support, while she gratefully accepted what he gave. After a while, he placed a finger on her chin and coaxed her to lift her head, which she did without conscious thought. His eyes softened at the look of vulnerability in her face. Slowly, as if giving her a chance to pull away, he brought his face closer to hers. When she didn't pull away, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and then on her eyelids when she automatically closed her eyes. He kissed both eyelids, and then her pert nose. He paused as his lips lowered to the level of hers. His warm breath fanned her lips as he breathed a little heavier. When she parted her lips as if to welcome his kiss, he moved closer and closed the distance between them.

Usui's kiss was soft, gentle, loving, comforting. It brought tears in Misaki's eyes, which surprised them both. He pulled away and gently wiped the tears that escaped his vulnerable girlfriend's eyes. The effect, however, was the opposite. His tender treatment brought more tears to fall from her eyes. Alarmed at the torrent of tears, he pulled her face to his chest, not mindful as she soaked his shirt with her tears. He hugged her protectively. If possible, he didn't want to let her out of his arms. He wanted to protect her from everything that hurt her.

Usui's jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed into slits as he clutched Misaki even closer. He disliked seeing her vulnerable, sad, so different from the strong woman that he had to deal with frequently. And yet he was pleased that she was comfortable in his presence and trusted him to see the vulnerable side of her. If it had been anyone else, he had a feeling that she would have denied being weak.

He placed gentle kisses on the crown of her head while one of his hands held her firmly to him and the other drew soothing circles on her back until the tears stopped.

After Misaki had calmed down, she pulled away from his embrace reluctantly, and he released her slowly. However, instead of letting her do what she wanted, like continuing cleaning the already clean floor, he moved her body until she was faced to the door that leads to the kitchen. When she looked up at him in confusion, he tilted his head and gently tugged her maid uniform. Her brows furrowed. She looked at the mop on the floor then back to his eyes. He shook his head in response. He gently nudged her back towards the kitchen. With a small sigh of resignation, she did as she was silently asked.

Once Misaki was out of his sight, Usui picked up the mop on the floor. He swept his gaze around the dining area and saw that everything was in order and cleaned except for the mop on the floor. He took care of it and made sure that the kitchen was just as tidy as the dining area. After which, he leaned at the door leading to the staff room and waited for Misaki to emerge, all the while his mind whirled of things that he needed to do to help her hurt girlfriend.

His eyes immediately focused on Misaki when she emerged from the staff room dressed in her Seika High uniform. His eyes swept through her form. She had fixed herself as much as she was able, but the puffy and red-rimmed eyes as well as her slumped posture told him that she was not alright. He gently took her hand and led her out of the Maid Latte.

Usui and Misaki still didn't exchange words as they walked the familiar path away from the cafe. There was no need for verbal explanations. They let their actions spoke for themselves. They trudged the empty street in silence, their fingers entwined. Every now and then, he squeezed her hand to let her know that he was there for her, that he would do everything for her. Every time he did, she squeezed back in response to reassure him that she was grateful for his presence and support.

When they came to the path that leads towards Misaki's home, she surprised Usui when she stopped walking. He looked at her with curiosity as she looked at the ground as if it was the most interesting thing she had ever seen. He could tell that she was thinking and nervous about something. He hoped he was right in what he decided to do when he tugged her hand that was still firmly clasped with his. As what he did earlier, he patiently waited for her to have the courage to look at his eyes. When she did, he tilted his head in the direction opposite to her house. He stifled a chuckle when her cheeks pinked. She was just too adorable even at this situation.

When Misaki didn't give inclination that she accepted his invitation, however, Usui acknowledged her decision and directed them towards her house, albeit he was slightly opposed though he didn't show it. If possible, he wanted to take her away from the source of her pain and erase everything and leave her with nothing but happiness.

Misaki surprised him once more when she didn't follow and even pulled him back. He looked at her questioningly. She didn't meet his gaze, but she shook her head almost imperceptibly. He understood. Still not saying a word, he directed her towards his apartment. She didn't resist.

In no time at all, Usui and Misaki were already inside his apartment. He sat her on his couch before he turned to the kitchen, though he didn't manage to get far because she had his shirt fisted in her hand. He turned around and captured her small hand in his much larger hand.

"I'm going to prepare our dinner. We can't sleep with our stomachs empty," he said gently, finally breaking the silence that enveloped them. He let out a small chuckle when she jolted at the mention of sleep. "Wait here."

He kissed her forehead before he let go of her hand and then headed to the kitchen. He sent a wink on her way before crossing the door. He chuckled when she flushed and quickly averted her eyes. He barely heard the words 'perverted alien' before he started working in the kitchen.

Not wanting to be alone at the moment, Misaki followed Usui in the kitchen. She smiled timidly when he looked up at her curiously but otherwise didn't say a word. She leaned on the counter and watched him work fluidly and efficiently. This was the first time that she actually stopped and just watched him cook. His movements were quick and sure. She forgot about everything else as he unknowingly mesmerized her with his spellbinding moves.

For some reason, Misaki's curious and intent eyes on him made Usui quite smug. He knew he was showing off. Nevertheless, he didn't control himself. This was the first time that Misaki didn't shy away from watching him work. He couldn't help himself, too, as he gave her a peck, either on the nose or cheek or forehead, whenever he was near her. She didn't resist him. Instead, she blushed cutely, which only made him want to kiss her more.

"You have to teach me some time how you're doing that," she muttered in amazement as she watched him prepare and cook food expertly.

"As long as I'm the one who'll eat Ayuzawa's cooked food, then I don't mind," he responded with a grin. His happiness was more on the fact that her voice sounded her normal tone.

"That's very selfish of you," she commented with a snort.

"Nope. I should be given an award for eating Ayuzawa's deadly food," he teased.

"Now that's plainly rude, idiot Usui," she exclaimed as an angry tint appeared in her cheeks.

He chuckled. Now, that was the Misaki he knew very well.

"Are you saying that you don't have the ability to make me a decent cook?" She challenged.

"No. I'm saying that Ayuzawa is hopeless in the kitchen and should just leave it to me," he answered with a grin.

"So you'll just let me starve. How gentlemanly of you," she said, her tone oozed with sarcasm.

"I'm saying that I'll be in charge in the kitchen and Ayuzawa should just sit down and wait until her food is served. I'm willing to do it for the rest of our lives."

Misaki's face exploded with a blush. If that wasn't an indirect proposal, then she wasn't sure what to make of it. Unable to find a retort, she glared at him instead.

Usui inwardly chuckled at Misaki's response. He wanted her to get used to the idea of him being at her side for a very long time. He wouldn't propose, not yet, but he wanted to get it through her stubborn head that he wanted to be with her for the rest of their lives.

"In fact, I'll be very much willing to feed Ayuzawa, too," he continued, "With my bare hands if she wants me to," he added, looking at her expectantly for a good measure.

"Pervert."

He chuckled at the expected comment.

"On second thought, you can cook for us. And if I can't eat the food, then I'll eat the cook. That will be much more fun."

"P-pervert!"

"That's what hunger does to a person. Her vocabulary becomes poor," he teased as he handed her a plate of food.

Misaki hated it that she was always the one at the short end of the stick but she was still at a loss for words except 'pervert' so she childishly stomped towards the living room with his chuckles in her wake. She cursed herself. She was really out of sorts today.

Usui picked up his own plate and then followed her to the living room. He only grinned in response when she glared at him. She didn't say a word, much to his amusement, but the silence was comfortable. After they had filled their stomachs and she had taken care of the dishes, they sat on the couch, each situated at the other end at her insistence because of the perverted comment he said with regards to sleeping arrangements. She had a blush on her cheeks and a frown on her face, while he had his arms crossed childishly and a pout was on his lips.

"Stop being such a child, Usui," she snapped. She silently cursed him and herself, herself because his demeanour made her want to give him what he wanted.

He huffed for good measure before he stood and headed to his room to pick something for her to wear. He knew she'd most likely directly head to school tomorrow so it was better if she didn't sleep with her uniform on. Though of course, he wasn't averse to let her leave his apartment with his clothes on.

Without conscious volition, a grin appeared in Usui's lips at the thought of Misaki in his clothes and other people seeing it. True, it felt like he was a dog who wanted to surround what was his with his scent, but he didn't care. Misaki was his, and he would challenge anyone who refuted that claim.

A grin plastered on his lips was how he looked when he approached Misaki and dropped a short and t-shirt on her lap.

"What's with that creepy smile, Usui?" Misaki commented as she held her body rigid, prepared to escape if he attempted something. The grin on his lips didn't bode well for her.

'That explains her posture. So naive, my Misaki. If only you knew, you'd probably never let me within a mile radius around you.'

"Ah. I didn't know I was smiling. Sorry."

He wasn't sorry at all, they both knew. He chuckled when she stood and stomped once more, this time headed towards the bathroom.

"Like you can escape me forever, my Misaki," he muttered as he went back to his room to use the other bathroom there. He wanted to be back before Misaki was finished. "But I'm glad you're your normal self now. I know it won't be for long, but for now, stop worrying," he added softly as he passed by the bathroom door that separated him from his most precious person. He paused for a moment at the door as he listened at the sound of water flow. Unbidden, an image of Misaki in nothing on but water droplets crossed his mind. He bit his lips as a groan threatened to erupt. "I really am a pervert when it comes to you. I'm totally defeated by you, Misaki."

With a shake of his head, Usui headed to the other bathroom. He needed a cold shower, a very cold shower.

-x-

A/N: So that's the first chapter, a touch of seriousness and humour with a bit of naughtiness ;)

Now that the adrenaline rush is over, I am going to do something else. No reading and writing again. So next chapter will come when it comes (but you're not going to wait for months, I promise ;) Until then, folks! ;)

- - - 21 April 2012 - - -

12:50 PM