A/N: Thanks for the reviews and comments! They mean a lot and help motivate me to keep going. Here's Chapter 2 :D

Chapter 2 - In the Heat of the Moment

Ann sucked down the frozen strawberry cocktail through her straw, lazily slumping over the counter top with heavy lidded eyes. While her friends had happily chattered on and on about various exciting topics at the bar section of the restaurant, she was stuck anguishing over the man she thought she could trust with her life. She felt so pathetic, internally sulking when she should've been enjoying time with her good friends who were trying to cheer her up. But, she couldn't help it. Heartbreaks were never easy no matter how many she had in the past.

To think that she sacrificed so much time for that asshole. To think that he loved and valued her as a person. Such a fool she was. What was she thinking?

Time passed, and everyone except two parted ways.

"Hey," said Ren, who had been sitting beside Ann for a while now since they both started drinking. He shifted a bit on the stool to face her, genuine concern in his eyes as he saw her slumped over the counter again. "You gonna be alright?"

The blonde sat up a bit. "I'm alright. Don't worry," she replied with a small smile, swirling her second frozen cocktail. "It still stings a bit, you know? He used to be so sweet, and then he changed like this." She stopped the swirling, her disheartened eyes baring themselves. "Sometimes I wonder if I did something that made him have the affair."

"Hey," he said again, placing a hand over her shoulder. "You did nothing wrong. He's an asshole, Ann. You deserve better."

"Yeah..." Ann leaned over the table, hand supporting her cheek as she stared ruefully at her drink. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't be such a downer like this after all you guys have done for me today."

"Don't feel bad. No one's judging you," he reassured, giving her a few gentle pats. "We all get it. You're going through a rough time right now. That's why we all came today. If anything, we're all here for you, Ann. That's what friends are for, right?"

She smiled at him, her spirits lifting a bit, "You're right, Ren. Thank you... I'm glad to have such amazing friends."

"And, for all it's worth," he added, sipping his beer, "you're a thousand times better looking than her. Your ex is a dumbass for thinking otherwise."

Ann snorted, slightly rolling her eyes. "Oh, stop. You're just saying that 'cause you're my friend." She gave his shoulder a light, playful nudge. "But, thank you for trying to cheer me up. It worked a little bit."

Ren quirked a brow, giving her a wry look. "I'm not saying that 'as a friend'. I'm saying that as a guy."

"Come on, Ren. There must be something crummy about me that turns guys away. Maybe I'm too overbearing, or maybe I'm just—Ow!" She winced, rubbing the area of her forehead Ren flicked his finger against before shooting a glare at him. "Hey! What was that for!?"

"Oh, shut up," he told her flat, waving his beer at her. "You're perfect the way you are. Stop being so silly."

"You're just saying that to butter me up."

"No. I'm saying that because it's true," the miffed shaggy raven-haired man rectified, looking back at her straight in the eye. "You're perfect, Ann. You're perfect the way you are. I mean it."

A little smile crept on her lips, her cheeks tinging a shade of red at those words. He always had a way to lighten her up when things just sucked. That's why she knew she could always rely on him in a pinch, that she could always go to him whenever she needed to vent or a shoulder to cry on.

That's why she loved him the most...

Wait... Love? No, no! Not in that way. He's just a friend. She loved him like she loved Shiho. Friendly love—that's what it was. That's how it's always been. She never saw him as anything more than that. She never felt anything for him more than that. Nothing more. Nothing more...

Well... okay. She lied. There was a time when she felt something for him. But that was, what, six years ago? It was just a silly teenage crush, a small fleeting feeling that left after he returned home. A small fleeting feeling that dwindled because "long distance relationships rarely worked out"—even though they managed to keep in close touch during those years he was back at home—even though she'd still think of him every once in a while, pondering the many possibilities if they were together.

And besides, there was always another lady in his life, and there was always another man in hers. Even when he had returned to Tokyo three years ago, it was clear they couldn't be anything more than friends. It was as if fate seemed to be against it.

Not that it mattered anyways. It was all a fleeting feeling from high school anyways.

Ren downed the remains of his bottle, a glisten of perspiration trailing down his smooth neck as his head tilted upward. Ann slightly bit her lower lip, simply admiring the way the dim lights above them illuminated the outline of his profile and neck. All of a sudden, she felt very warm and fuzzy inside.

God. He is so fine.

Ann blinked, her back straightening a bit before she shook her head, a bit overdramatic than necessary. What in the world was she thinking—thinking about one of her best friends like this?

Alright. Fine. So maybe there's still a bit of an attraction there. No crime in being attracted to a friend, right? Ren wasn't a bad looking guy. Tall and a bit on the lankier end, Ann always found herself quite drawn to the shaggy raven-haired guy. The fact that he wasn't wearing his glasses tonight made him stand out more, the striking features of his face more defined: more pronounced with that sharp jawline and nose, smooth and immaculate with that ivory complexion, alluring with those intense silver eyes, charming with that stellar smile...

She shook her head again, palming her forehead. Maybe she should lay off the alcohol for now. Her head was feeling a bit heavy anyways. That, and being dumped and drunk wasn't a good mix, nor was rebounding the answer for a broken heart. And this was Ren here, her closest friend besides Shiho. She wouldn't want to do anything that would ruin their friendship.

She needed to think straight; she didn't want to end up adding more problems to her plate.

"Say... How long have we known each other for?" Ren asked, gesturing the bartender for another beer.

"Hm?" Ann bobbed her head to the side. What a random thing to ask. "Since our second year of high school. Why?"

"Wow. Six years. Hard to believe it's been that long," he said, popping the cap off his second beer when he received it.

"Yeah. Now that you mention it, I didn't realize it's been that long." She mused, tapping her chin. "...Let's make a toast to it!"

"Huh?" He quirked a brow, giving her a puzzled look.

She took her cocktail glass, raising it to him. "Six years of friendship and going on strong, hehe!"

"Eh? What kind of toast is that?"

"Why not? It's something positive, right?"

He quieted for a moment, and then burst out in laughter.

"What?" She frowned, lowering her glass a bit. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. You're right." He shook his head in amusement, and raised his bottle to her. "It's something positive. Let's do it."

And they toasted.

"Ahh!" Ann sighed after sucking down the rest of her drink in one go. "To everlasting friendship!" She raised a finger in the air and hiccuped.

Ren simply smiled, letting out a small light-hearted laugh. "Right. To everlasting friendship."

She beamed, more jubilant than ever. "We'll be best friends forever, yeah?"

"Of course." He nodded, the smile on his face never changing.

"Oh, come on! You're supposed to say it with more enthusiasm, Ren."

He chuckled, pointing his beer at her. "Sounds like you're in a better mood now."

"Uh huh! All because of you~!" she chirped, throwing an arm around his neck

"I'm glad. Now, we can all see your pretty smile."

"Aww..." She brought both hands to her cheeks. "Stop that. You're making me blush."

"Heh heh. Well, if it makes you feel better, then it's all worth it, yeah?"

"You're so sweet Ren. Why must you be so sweet all the darn stinkin' time?"

"Because I can. And because you're a lovely lady—and my lovely friend."

She nudged his shoulder. "Oh, you. You're such a charmer."

"I try." He winked, leaning over the countertop, chin on his right hand. "Did it work?"

She gave him a wry look. "No."

"Heh. Well, alright. If you say so," he said with a nonchalant shrug.

"But..." she paused, poking his cheek. "I'm pretty sure you'd make any girl happy."

"Not every girl. I've been dumped a few times myself, remember?" he mentioned. "But, I try—I like spoiling women I date."

"Well, those girls who left you were dumb. They didn't know how lucky they had it."

He shrugged again, sipping his beer. "To each their own, I guess."

"Hmm..." she mused, leaning over the table again with a wistful sigh.

Then, she said, without even thinking:

"You know... Sometimes I wish all the guys I dated were like you..."

Ren looked at her, quirking a curious brow. "Oh? Like me, huh?"

"Yeah..." she continued, the thought of where this conversation might turn still not crossing her mind. "Kind. Sweet. Mature, like an English gentleman. Sexy..."

She stopped and blinked a few times, finally snapping out of her world and realizing that he was still there, listening to every word she was saying.

"Sexy?" he repeated, mischief in his tone as a smug look plastered his face. Shifting himself on his seat again, he leaned toward her a bit, his lips curling into an arch smile. "You think I'm sexy, huh?"

The smoothness of that baritone in his voice made her quiver, uncertain in how she was going to cover up something she stupidly brought out. Damn alcohol. The things that alcohol made one say or do.

"Uhh..." she hesitated, trying to come up with something plausible. Several options came to mind. Plan A: Play dumb and deny the obvious. Plan B: Change the topic. Plan C: Tell him he's hearing things and bolt out of the place like he never saw it coming.

However, none of them seemed feasible. Playing dumb and denying the obvious wouldn't do much since Ren wasn't one to let something like that slide so easily, and probably would just pester and tease her until she got miffed enough to admit it. She could try and change the topic, but the outcome would just be the same like Plan A. Plan C wouldn't work either, because Ren would probably outrun and catch her even with a bit of alcohol in his system.

Plan C still might be worth a shot, though.

Ah, screw it! Ann conceded with a huff, settling for a different option when she daringly looked him straight in the eye, her eyes glaring defiance. "Yeah..." she admitted, jabbing a finger at his chest. "Yeah, that's right..." she said again, the deadly red on her tipsy cheeks burning her entire face now. "I think you're sexy. And so what if I do? Gotta problem with that?"

He rivaled her newfound boldness, moving a little closer to show he wasn't going down so easily. "Not really. Though, that's quite a statement coming from my good friend here."

Her eyes narrowed sharply. "What? Is it a crime that one of your friends find you very attractive?"

"Not really— Especially considering that I find her very attractive too," he said, brushing a finger under her chin and teasing it upward.

She faltered a little at that, but treaded along. "Oh, really? How so exactly?"

Ren smirked, slowly moving forward. "In many ways actually," he told her in a soft murmur, his eyes intense and smoldering as they held hers, gazing deep in those delicate azure orbs. "She's cute. Lovely. Beautiful. To put it simply—I find her incredibly attractive... and sexy." He stopped, close enough to sense that sweet scent of her vanilla shampoo, now mingled with a trace of strawberry and liquor from her shaky breaths. "I'm pleased to know that the attraction here is quite mutual."

Ann felt blood rushing to her cheeks. "I-Is that so?" she managed to respond, feeling a warm sensation spiraling down her stomach.

"Hmm..." His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing hers for a brief moment. The smirk on his face deepened as he reached his hand out to gently palm one of her flushed cheeks, stroking it with his thumb. "You're blushing... by the way."

"Y-Yeah, well... It must be the alcohol..." she presumed quickly, feeling like her heart would burst any second the longer they lingered like this.

He raised a skeptical brow. "Is it now?"

What's with him? At first, it seemed like he was just playing around, teasing her with flirtatious remarks since a little harmless flirting wasn't anything new between them.

But... this? Not like this. He'd never been this close before...

...And yet, she wasn't even sure if she wanted him to stop.

"Y-Yes," she stuttered, her composure about to break as his breaths began to tickle her lips. "My cheeks turn red... when I drink... Y-You know that."

For a moment, they remained this way, eyes locked intensely as if something was bound to happen...

...

But, Ren backed off, shifting back to his spot.

"Heh. You should see the look on your face right now," he pointed out, making her blink in confusion. He looked at the beer in his hand, letting out an impish chuckle. "Don't worry, nothing's gonna happen. I don't kiss anyone I see as a friend."

"O-Oh..." she said, looking at the empty glass her frozen cocktail was once in. Somehow, her heart dropped a bit, but she laughed anyways, awkwardly scratching the back of her head. "Right! Totally got me there, haha!"

"That's what you get for falling for my charms, heh heh."

"As if!" Ann huffed, crossing her arms. "Stop being so cocky! You may be hot, but I'd never fall for your charms!"

"Oh? Now, I'm hot? I thought I was sexy."

She rolled her eyes. "You're so ridiculous."

"Maybe." He gave her a cheeky smile. "But either way, you still can't resist my ridiculously stunning looks. Heh heh."

"Oh, just shut it with your ego!"

"Can't help it with all this flattery you're giving me, sweetheart."

"Ugh!" she groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "The things you say sometimes..."

"Anyways..." he said, changing the subject. "Wanna go for some shots? The night's still young, you know?"

She stopped to consider it for a bit. Why not? A couple of shots wouldn't hurt after two cocktail glasses. She needed this anyways: to loosen up a bit—make up for the shitty birthday she had the other day.

"Maybe just a few," she said, calling the bartender over.

The two held onto each other as they burst out of the establishment, laughing belligerently and slurring nonsense as they staggered clumsily upon the pavement. What started as one shot turned into two, then three, then four, then five...

"Oh, Ren!" Ann hiccuped, her face all flushed with her body all warm and fuzzy. "You're the best!"

"I know." He had a lazy smirk on his face.

She beamed a jubilant smile. "You're the bestest friend anyone could have, you know that?"

"You're pretty amazing too, you know?" he said.

"Not as much as you!" she replied.

He snorted, rolling his eyes. "No. You're more amazing— And you smell good too."

Ann sniffed him. "You smell better."

"No. You smell better."

"Nuh ah! You smell better!"

"Goddammit, Ann!" He pinched her cheeks. "Stop being so cute."

"Well... then stop being so handsome."

He laughed. "I thought I was hot and sexy."

"Well... Now you're hot, sexy, AND handsome!"

"Gee, Ann. If I didn't know you any better, I'd say you've developed a little crush on me."

"Psh. As if!" she scoffed. "You're just an awesome friend who I find ultra attractive."

"Haha! Is that what it is? Well, I'll be damned."

They laughed again, almost tripping over a crack on the sidewalk.

"But, you knoow..." Ann said, now twirling little circles on his chest. "I actually had a little crush on you back in high school."

Ren stopped, the sudden halt making Ann almost topple over the ground.

"What? No way...!" He blinked at her, looking very surprised. "Really?"

She nodded, cheek resting comfortably against his chest. "It was a looong time ago, though."

"Oh really? Huh. Funny," he said. "I actually liked you too back in the day..."

Now, it was Ann's turn to be surprised. "Whaaat!? No way...!"

"Yup." Ren nodded. "It's true."

"Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, almost accusatory.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he countered, throwing the question back at her.

Ann quieted for a moment, her eyes shifting downward for a second before looking back at him. "I thought you liked Makoto."

"Ehh!? What made you think that?"

"I don't know! You two seemed to hit it off well when we were a team. Then, there was that fake dating—"

"That meant nothing!" he cut her off, all defensive now. "It was out of concern for a friend of hers!"

"Yeah, yeah I know." She rolled her eyes, still skeptical but rolling along with it anyways. "Both of you said that a million times. But still, I couldn't help but wonder at the time..."

He let out a long sigh. "Well, I thought you had a thing for Ryuji."

"What!?" she shrieked, the thought making her want to vomit. "Eww! How could you think such nasty things!?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. You two were pretty close."

"Again— Ew! That'd be like dating my own brother." She jabbed a finger at his chest. "You were soo off big time!"

"Well, so were you!" he retorted. "Makoto's a nice girl and all—and a good friend. But, she's definitely not my type..."

Silence came between them for a while. Then, they bursted out in boisterous laughter again.

"Hahahaha! Oh my god! That's so funny! Maybe we coulda been something back then, huh?" Ann playfully slapped his shoulder.

"Haha, maybe. But neither of us did anything about it," he said with a small shrug.

"You shoulda said something, Ren... I would've definitely gone out with you."

"Heh. Well... same with you too."

"Too bad we've grown out of that..." she said as they continued forward. "I think we woulda made a great pair."

"We would've, wouldn't we?"

Ann hiccuped again, tripping over another deep crack. "Uhh... I feel so clumsy and tired..." She decided to change the subject.

"How much longer is their place from here?" Ren asked.

"Hmm... eight more blocks?" she replied, her clumsy movements making it harder for her to keep balance. "I don't know if I can handle walking anymore though."

"Well, my place is right around the corner... Wanna just wait for a taxi there and hang with me for a bit?"

"Hehe..." A giddy smile plastered her face. "Okay! That would be good, thanks."

The two eventually made it to the entrance of his apartment, still cloddish as they held onto each other for support. It was a good thing Ren wasn't working the next day, otherwise he'd be dealing with the largest hangover while making curry and coffee—something he certainly wouldn't be in the greatest mood for, especially when some customers get a little grouchy with some of their ridiculous demands.

While digging in his denim pockets for his keys, something immediately stopped Ren in his tracks when he suddenly felt a soft peck to his cheek.

"S-Sorry..." Ann apologized when he turned to look at her with puzzled eyes. "I just... felt like doing that..."

Those boozy eyes he gazed into depicted some sort of innocence in them, as if she was actually being genuine here instead of her giddily inebriate self. She always had such beautiful eyes—clear like the sunny blue sky. He remembered being so captivated by them the first time he saw her those many years ago as a young teenage boy, along with that lovely smile she gave him on that particular day.

Even now, with her disheveled hair, her smudged eyeliner around her puffy eyes, and her flushed cheeks, Ann was still just as beautiful as he had first laid eyes on her those years ago.

He leaned forward, lessening the distance between their faces. Her heavy labored breaths tickled his lips as he came closer... and closer... and closer... and then...

His lips brushed against hers. Electricity. Absolute electricity. Something he hadn't felt in the longest time.

Or... wait. Had he felt something like that... ever?

They lingered there for a long moment before he merely pulled back and gazed into her eyes once more. Nothing was said at first as Ann stood there with wide heavy-lidded eyes, obviously not expecting him to do that.

"Sorry..." he spoke first, cupping her cheek in his palm. A smirk played on his lips. "I felt like doing that too..."

Ann pressed her lips with a finger, still trying to process the situation in her head. "I'm confused..." she said when it looked like he was coming in for another kiss. "I thought you don't kiss someone you see as a friend."

"I don't."

With that said, he kissed her again, his lips practically crashing into hers as he slammed her against the door. Ann was caught off guard at first, but immediately snapped back when she threw her arms around his shoulders, tugging him closer and kissing him like no tomorrow. Their kisses were burning and intense, desperate and hungry as their tongues tangoed in their mouths, the strong taste of liquor prodding their senses as their breaths mingled.

Ren broke the kiss for a moment to pull out his keys, still holding her close against him as he clumsily unlocked the door. Barging through the entrance, his lips met hers again, him kicking the door shut just before stumbling all the way into his bedroom with her, falling over his bed, landing right on top of her.

The heat between them grew more and more, their hands venturing all over each other as they sought each other out. She was soft to the touch, pliant with his kisses, and sweet beneath the bitter liquor. Groaning, Ren felt himself growing harder, grinding it against the area between her legs as he swallowed her sweet moans in his mouth.

When her hands began fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, something suddenly hit Ren and he stopped, pulling back and stopping her midway.

"Ann..." he said, taking a moment to catch his breath. He might've been drunk, but he was sane enough to know where this was leading to, and that they were both crossing a very thin line here. "Maybe... Maybe we should stop..."

"W-Why?" she asked, her breathing just as heavy and labored as his.

"I think... we had a little too much to drink..."

Ann didn't say anything, quiet with an expression he couldn't read well. Ren sat up, adding, "Let's just stop here... before we do something—"

"Am I that bad...?" she finally said, the question catching him off guard.

"Huh?"

She let out a mirthless laugh, forced with a small plastic smile on her face. "I guess now I understand why Kenta chose her over me..."

"Ann..."

She laughed again. "Even you find me boring..."

"No, Ann! That's not—"

"Ah, shit. No... No, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to get all defensive there." Tears welled in her eyes. A sense of shame overtook her as she covered them with her hands. "I... I just want someone to hold me right now... It still hurts."

"Ann..." His eyes softened. She was clearly heartbroken. That, he knew much. It was understandable, but frustrating to watch too. To see her hurting over a selfish asshole who didn't value her like a loving boyfriend should've, made him clench his hands in fists. And she knew she deserved better, yet always seemed to end up with the same kind of prick over and over. She could argue that they weren't all bad all she wanted, but it always ended the same way: That they didn't care enough about her, or her feelings—that they didn't love her enough.

How could they not love her? Ann may be a bit silly times and a bit overbearing, but she was still endearing in many ways. Her smile and optimism was infectious. Her strength to carry through during her lowest times were inspiring. She cared so much for the people she loved and her love was always so giving and kind.

Yet, they always took her for granted.

She probably thought Ren didn't pay much attention to it, but he did. What kind of friend wouldn't notice—the way she'd give everything for her lover, only to be brushed off and told she didn't give enough? Did she really think he'd ignore all of that, each time she wasn't cared for like she should have been?

Sure, Ann was an independent woman. She didn't need a man to coddle and shelter her, because she could fend off quite well on her own. But, she still deserved love and care, knowing that someone would be there for support when she needed it, someone to remind her that she wasn't alone—that she really was somebody's world.

Yet, she's wasting her tears on this piece of shit.

"T-This is so embarrassing." She began to sob, muffled by her hands. "I told myself I wouldn't cry over this anymore... but I guess I'm not as strong as I think I am..."

"That's not true..." He moved her hands away, seeing the wetness all over her flushed face. "You are strong, Ann. Crying isn't weakness. Allowing yourself to feel the pain takes a lot of courage and strength. Not many people are brave enough to face such painful feelings, but you are—and that's what makes you strong." His hand palmed a damp cheek, stroking it with his thumb.

Ann sniffed, wiping her eyes. "I-I guess you're right..."

"Of course." He smiled, scooping her back in his arms, hand gently pressing her head against his chest. "So... go ahead and cry if you need to. No one's judging you here."

"Thank you..." She circled her arms around him, nuzzling him as he caressed the back of her head. "You're such a good friend, Ren."

Right... because that's all he was to her: a friend. Not that it mattered. Why would he be bothered over such trivial things?

"I love you, Ren. You really are my best friend."

The caressing stopped. Did she even realize what she was saying here? She may have meant it platonically, or may have been spouting nonsense, but still...

...That 'love' didn't sound platonic—not in this context, at least.

And yet...

"I love you too, Ann..." he told her softly, lightly squeezing her in his arms.

What the...? Did he just say what he thought he said? Why did he say that? Was it the alcohol? It had to be—it just had to be. There was no other reasonable explanation as to why he'd respond with such fond, doting words to a friend.

"I... don't feel like going home tonight," she said, something vulnerable in her tone.

Ren said nothing at first, thinking about what was said earlier when they were outside his door.

"I thought you don't kiss someone you see as a friend."

But, he kissed her. Twice. Three times. Four...? Why? Why did he do that then? What was he thinking? Wasn't she just a friend to him?

And why...? Why did he have the strong urge to do it again?

It had to be the alcohol.

"I don't wanna go anywhere else... but here."

Yes. Just a friend. Clearly, that's all she saw him as.

"Don't make me leave... please?"

Somehow, knowing the fact that's all she'd ever see him as, regardless of how she felt for him in the past, made him feel like some kind of tool just now. Why...? Why was he feeling this way?

He pulled away just enough to look at her, tilting her chin with his finger to gaze in those beautiful azure eyes.

"You don't have to..."

With that said, he kissed her again and again, kissing her senselessly as they sank back into the bed, their warm bodies entwining upon the soft mattress.

She wanted to be held? Consolation? Nothing else but friendly comfort? Distraction?

Fine. He'd give her all of them as she wished.

End A/N: Hope you guys are enjoying it so far. Sorry if it got a bit cringey there. I'm not really good with spicyish scenes quite yet—but it's a work in progress, haha?

Anyways, until then…

Blackwings