Kawasumi Kouha absently twirled his pencil around his fingers, lost in thought.

She wants to be closer to me.

He half smiled and imagined the scenario for the hundredth time that day – Suiren's look of sadness as he turned away. The shock and joy on her face as he stopped and looked back over his shoulder.

"Should I stay?" He would whisper, keeping his body facing the street, the path away from her.

"….yes" He would hear, before smirking and turning towards her, approaching her quietly so as not to startle. Her small hand would reach up and grasp his jacket.

"Yes?" She would repeat questioningly, looking up at him with eyes clouded by tears, cheeks stained with redness.

"Yes" He would confirm, grasping her shoulders and drawing her closer, into the circle of his arms. She would stiffen slightly – perhaps afraid of this sudden contact – but his arms would come up faster than she could retreat, locking her against his chest.

*RRRINNGGGGG*

Kawasumi jumped in his seat as the bell for 'go home' or club period rang. His pulse quickened as he realized it was only an hour away – walking Suiren home.

Shaking the thoughts from his head, Kawasumi exhaled harshly and gathered his supplies.

How was he going to make it through Karate?

Suiren's eyes darted to the clock hanging on the wall of the café. 6:10. Soon he would come for her, as he always did, and take her home, as he always did.

Even after weeks of this – she was still anxious. The thought of him so close to her, so close and yet so far away, sent thrills of excitement down her spine. One day – one day when she was a little less scared – she might even work up the courage to touch more than just his hand.

Redness slowly snuck up Suiren's neck as she imagined it, eyes locked on the table in front of her.

*CHING CHING*

The door opened and a tall, light haired boy entered, somewhat out of breath. His gaze swept over the tables, before settling on Suiren. He approached her, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Let's go." He said, darting a glance at Suiren, who smiled shyly and nodded.

As the couple walked down the dimly lit street, a cold wind surrounded them; causing Suiren to hunch her shoulders, shivering.

Kawasumi noticed and moved closer to the chilled girl, forming a wind barrier with his body. Their hands were planted firmly in their pockets, but Suiren knew she need only reach out to him and he would reciprocate, warming her palm with his own.

But… today was different somehow. Perhaps it was the diary entry she had written earlier – bringing her emotions close to the surface. Whatever it was, Suiren couldn't work up the courage to move, to ask with her actions instead of her words. Depression settled around her like a heavy cloak as she realized they were moving backwards – not forwards – in their relationship.

Unaware of Suiren's depressing mood, Kawasumi was nervous. His heart pounded erratically as he waited for the moment he would begin his carefully constructed plan. He knew what she wanted, he had imagined every action down to the finest detail – his plan was perfect.

If there was one thing to be said for Kawasumi Kouha, it was that he was a perfectionist. Once he committed to something, he would work at it seriously.

As they reached Suiren's house, however, she did something unexpected – which threw his entire plan out the window.

"Thank you." She whispered, bowing before turning away from him and walking up the path to her house.

Kawasumi panicked – He tried to say 'stop', 'no' and 'wait' all at once – which resulted in a garbled,

"St – n - Wait!"

Suiren stopped, but didn't turn around. Thoughts raced through her mind.

Did he – It's just like what I always – Does that mean–

Trapped in thought, she stared straight ahead as Kawasumi drew closer. His hand on her shoulder shocked Suiren enough that she jumped to face him.

Kawasumi's eyes widened as he realized how close they were. His courage fleeing, wind sneaking its way down his coat and making him shiver, he blurted out the first thought that came to mind,

"Are you cold?"

Suiren frowned and turned the question over in her mind, trying to figure out what he meant. Of course she was cold – it was quite chilly out. And she was nearly home now – warmth and security were only a few steps away. Why would he ask –?

Suddenly she landed on a meaning – probably not the one he intended, but she would take advantage of it anyway. Eyeing his heavy coat, Suiren inched closer to her boyfriend, her entre body leaning towards his warmth as she faked a shiver and pulled her hands close to her face.

"V…very" She stammered, as if her teeth were chattering. Suiren was pleased with her performance.

Kawasumi blinked rapidly, trying to figure out what was wrong with Suiren's balance. She could barely stand; she was leaning so heavily towards him that he thought she might -

His thoughts skidded to a halt as he realized what she wanted.

Before his mind could rebel, his traitorous arms reached out and gently surrounded Suiren's small frame. Trembling legs took a step forward as he drew her slowly towards him.

"I-I'll warm… you" He stammered.

Trying to ignore the pounding of his heart in his ears and the heat in his face, Kawasumi gently rubbed warmth into his girlfriend's back.

The pressure of this caused Suiren to tumble forward – perched precariously on the tips of her toes as she was. Grasping onto the coat of the boy in front of her, Suiren regained her balance by stepping forward, bringing her body flush against him.

Happy

Suiren thought, as she leaned the side of her head against Kawasumi's chest.

I am so happy

She felt … Protected. Loved. Safe.

The feelings coursed through her entire body, causing her heart to pound uncontrollably.

Suiren tried to memorize the feeling of him – the warmth permeating from his chest, the strength of the arms surrounding her, the freshly washed smell of his clothes.

Her face flushed, Suiren closed her eyes and unabashedly breathed in his scent. The first thing that came to her was a dull soapy smell she assumed was his shampoo. Underneath it was the subtle muskiness of sweat. But the most fascinating thing was a dark, earthy scent that reminded her of a forest.

"I want to stay… like this… forever," Suiren whispered to herself, not realizing she was speaking aloud.

Kawasumi blushed harder upon hearing those words, averted his eyes and settled his mouth in an upside down u.

"We can do this. Again. Sometimes. I mean – If you want"

Suiren began to smile at the thought, but then stopped and remembered her faltering courage earlier, her inability to reach for him.

Kawasumi swallowed and tried to still the trembling of his arms, but the feel of her– the smell of her– It was becoming too much for his self-control.

Suiren knew the moment was nearly over, as Kawasumi was shaking and his voice had taken on that embarrassed quality she recognized as a precursor to him running away.

Taking a last deep breath of him, Suiren released herself and slowly backed away. Kawasumi let her go, feeling a strange mixture of relief and loss. Regardless, he was grateful that she had ended the embrace – any longer and he knew he would have done something careless.

The quiet girl looked at the ground and whispered,

"How…"

Suiren paused, but Kawasumi waited patiently. He knew she would express herself given enough time. Sure enough, she continued.

"How can… I tell you….when I want…"

Suiren faltered and raised her hands to her face, hiding her intense embarrassment.

How can I ever ask for his affection if I can't even talk to him?

Kawasumi suddenly understood, and smiled at the bashful girl. Reaching towards her, he took her hand gently in his own and folded her three middle fingers down, leaving her pinky and thumb outstretched.

"When… you want – that –" Kawasumi coughed and looked away, taking a deep breath and rallying his strength.

"Make this dog-ears sign, and – and hold it up. When I see that, I'll know –"

Suiren looked up at him and smiled, one of her beautiful, soul touching smiles.

The breath caught in Kawasumi's throat as he stared at her – gods she was beautiful. How in the world was he so lucky? His heart clenched happily at the reminder that she was his, he had claimed her in front of his peers. This beautiful angel was entirely his to cherish and protect.

Suiren averted her eyes as she raised an unsteady hand, showing the dog-ears.

He blinked, not sure if she meant what he thought she meant – or if she was only practicing.

"Like… like this?" Suiren stammered.

Touched by her courage and knowing how much his gentle girlfriend struggled to communicate with him, Kawasumi quickly reached out and placed his hand on her head, drawing her near him once again.

"Che. Y-yeah. Like that" He responded.

Suiren felt like her heart had grown wings. Not only once, but twice had he reached out and touched her!

Suddenly, a bright light flickered on from the house behind them and a voice called out,

"Suiren! Are you out there?"

The bashful teens immediately jumped apart from each other and turned away.

"Good… night." Suiren whispered, before turning and dashing into her house, leaving a dumbfounded Kawasumi staring at an empty spot in her wake.

"I love you." He whispered, belatedly realizing she had retreated. Blushing and looking around frantically to make sure no one had witnessed the spectacle, Kawasumi shoved his hands into his pockets and quickly walked away, before he could do something stupid like go after her.

I decided to continue posting these, rather then wait for reviews. The view count is enough for me to be happy.

Writing is rather therapeutic, I haven't done this in years...