Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat! or Closer by Ne-yo.
Again, a big thanks to everyone who's reviewed my one-shots, added the story to their alerts or favourited it - it makes me want to keep writing, so keep the stuff coming! Criticism is always welcome, I really want to improve my writing so if you guys catch any mistakes please do let me know! Also, a phrase that I heard has been used in this one-shot - it's used a lot on T.V. so a cookie to anyone that recognizes which show the phrase is from!
This next one-shot is kind of related to the events that occurred in chapter 160 - continuing on from Kyoko finding the watch in Ren's pocket.
Come closer
And I just can't pull myself away
Under her spell I can't break
I just can't stop
And I just can't bring myself away
But I don't want to escape
I just can't stop
He poured himself another glass of scotch and drank it swiftly. The liquid burned as it trailed into his body, spreading a warmth that he wished she would spread. He poured himself another; usually he never lost count, but tonight, like a drunkard, this is how he would drown his sorrows.
He threw his head back and ran his hand over his eyes and through his hair. The rain outside beat relentlessly on his windows, adding to the pounding headache he had. He recalled what had happened…
"Nii-san!" Setsu came up to the foot of his bed holding his watch. His body stiffened at the sight, he had completely forgotten that he had left it in the bathroom. But why was she going through his things? As a sister, she would be curious.
"Yes Setsu?" He asking, rolling to his side, his back facing her – attempting to indicate that he was in no mood to talk.
"Your watch, it's broken. Maybe from the fight?"
He almost laughed out loud at her innocence and naivety.
"We should get it fixed tomorrow," she smiled, as she set it by his bed side. As her hand retreated, his hand shot out of the bed and grabbed her wrist with force. A flash of pain shot through Kyoko's face.
"Setsu, you shouldn't go through things that do not belong to you." He growled through his teeth. His voice was husky and his eyes dark. Kyoko fell out of character as she stared confusedly into his eyes. Her sempai was lost.
"Nii-san," she laughed, trying to seem natural. "I'm your sister and you have nothing to hide from me!"
"Setsu," he snarled. Even as his voice left his life, he didn't recognize himself anymore. His dark passenger had taken over him once again. His weak voice called out in the crevices of his mind to stop, but the shadow overwhelmed him – no longer heeding his fragile threats. "My things, are mine." He demanded, the hold on her wrist tightening. He could see the pain in her face; she shielded her golden-eyes from him. Opening them again, a tear escaped.
"Tsuruga-san."
He threw her down, on the second bed, and arose from his. He looked down at her, vulnerable; the shadows told him to take her, however, they were not strong enough to withstand the assault he threw. He could never hurt her. But it was too late, the look in her eyes showed that he already had.
He couldn't stay, no. Not with her looking up at him like that. Vulnerable and unprotected from his dark passenger – in a hotel room! The fates were laughing at him, but he needed to remove himself from here.
He ran. Again. It wasn't the first time he removed himself from his problems because of his past, and he knew it wouldn't be the last.
Murderer.
Her high-pitched, blood-curdling scream rang through his mind. Pounding in his head. What used to be a light hum in the background had been brought to the surface. The watch in his hand, a constant reminder of what he had done. The sin he had committed. The reason why Hizuri Kuon had died that night.
He heard a light knock on the door; throwing back his umpteenth glass, he cursed the person away. He heard the doorknob slowly turn and his door creak open. Had he really forgotten to lock his apartment?
Kyoko entered. Her long extensions matted against her body. She had changed out of her black leather outfit and adorned a simple lilac t-shirt and jeans. Her clothes clung to her body suggestively; even the black leather left something to the imagination. Her make-up was streaming down her face, from tears or the rain, Ren wasn't sure he wanted to know.
She approached him hesitantly. He was surprised that she hadn't apologized for entering his apartment without his permission. She sat down beside him, she raised her hand towards him and took the glass out of his hand and set it down on the table. Her eyes looked into his dark ones. She looked like an innocent young girl who had stumbled into a wolf's cave. A ravenous wolf - who looking down at the defenseless, young girl - became blind with hunger.
Ren leaned towards her; she was taken aback by his sudden response. His fingers gently caressed her cheek, pushing strands of hair back. Curving his hand around the nape of her neck, he pushed her lips into his. He wasn't soft or kind, gentle or slow – he was passionate and raw, full of hunger and lust. Bits of Kuon came out in his kiss, and he didn't try to hold back for her sake. He needed her to know what he felt, unadulterated and true. He pulled back slowly; she exhaled, her warm breath brushed his face. He looked into her eyes, expecting hate and revulsion – the look on her face when that foul Fuwa attacked her. Though he couldn't look down on him, he had stooped to his level.
However, that look was absent. Her eyes were still closed, her face calm. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, as if she had just woken from a beautiful slumber. She reached up to touch him; with both her tiny hands on his cheek, she pulled his head down on to her lap.
"Mogami-san –"
Putting a finger over his lips, she hushed him.
"You took my demons; it's only fair I take yours."
She ran her fingers through his hair. Soothed and relaxed, he closed his eyes and burrowed deep into her damp lap. Finding tranquility, he felt the dark shadows escape him.
"My important person."
Her voice was soft; the tenderness in her tone exterminated the darkness that threatened him today. Whether it was for her nii-san or him, he didn't want to know. All he knew was that Kyoko was trying to take care of him and he needed her closer to him.
