Yuuki's small hand ran across Zero's door, feeling the wood beneath her fingers. What am I doing…? A mere second ago, she was filled with confidence and determination to cheer him up. And now? She narrowed her eyes, glaring at the dark knot in the wood which was hidden underneath the white paint. As she banished her self-doubt, the end of the mistletoe moistened with her sudden perspiration. Come on, Yuuki!

Her sticky hands were swiftly wiped on the back of her skirt, making sure she kept the mistletoe intact. Reaching for the golden door knob, she cracked the door open, her curious eyes peeping through the gap. The early morning sun streamed through his window but did not touch the figure up against it. This prompted her to open the door wider, stepping quietly through. "Zero…" She breathed, longing to comfort and hold that lonely shape. He did not react, or did not show it, tempting her few eager steps forward.

"He annoys me so badly…" His voice rippled through the room, halting her approach.

Ducking her head at the sound, she blinked at his words, caught off guard by his trivial confession. A sigh made its way out of his lips, relived at how he wasn't upset any further than irritation. Despite this, his tone was strange, a thickness clouding his intentions.

Proceeding further, she stood a couple of feet away from him, an urge to embrace him immediately. She listened to her desires, outstretching a shaking hand towards his form.

"I'm sorry."

Her lidded eyes opened wide, taking in the sincerity on his face. His gaze was directed at the floorboards, staring but not seeing. They stood facing each other for a few moments, the room filled with an amicable silence.

"It's ok…"

He blinked, focusing now on their interlinked hands, her delicate two clutching to his pale single one. His face softened, bending forward to rest his head against hers. She responded by tilting her own up partially, the heat from their foreheads matching each others.

"You know…" Yuuki began, the grip on his hand tightening. "…you don't have to hide your feelings anymore."

The gaze of his ashen eyes intensified, his nose probing softly against her skin. Her heartbeat skittered about at his misunderstanding.

"Ayah…what I meant to say is that-" The grazing of his fingers against her palm made her stop, the contact between them breaking momentarily.

Dropping her gaze and letting her other hand fall, she stared at her sprig of mistletoe in between his thumb and forefinger. Daring herself to glance up, there was a curiosity in his eyes as he tapped the flower against her nose.

"Yes?"

Pausing, she realised he was questioning her unfinished sentence instead of her motives. Her eyes flickered frantically around the room, everywhere but his face.

"Yuuki." He prompted after a heart beat or two, bringing his hand up to her cheek.

She slid her gaze back to him, her honest chestnut hues searching his for a few minutes. Entranced by the intimacy, she breathed out the continuation of her reassurance.

"You…can be yourself around me…"

Zero watched her carefully, his expression betraying no sign of comprehension. An agonisingly slow second passed before a sheepish grin spread across his face. This startled her, the sudden happiness radiating from his face a rare sight.

Yuuki felt his thumb rub against her cheek, the gentle touch leaving her blood surging up to that area. His smile stayed but became gentle, touching his eyes in ways she had never seen him appear before.

"Yes…" He nodded slowly, his alternate hand drifting in a fluid moment to her jaw. Stroking along the shadow line, a slight heat passed across Yuuki's skin, flushed with anticipation. "…yes, I know."

The mistletoe dropped to the floor.

Silently.

Forgotten.