Chapter 4
He felt guilty for what he was allowing to happen. He knew that she wanted nothing more than what she thought he was giving to her. Friends with benefits. She didn't need to know that it tore at him each time he made love to her. If she needed him to heal her in this way he would oblige. Perhaps one day it would turn into something more, perhaps not, but for now he would just enjoy the few crumbs that she tossed his direction and give her what she needed. These where the deep thoughts he had many nights as she lay sleeping peacefully in his arms. His broken angel. He knew that he could never actually be the one that could really fix her. It had to be the one that originally broke her and that was not him. Not ever. He pulled her closer and she murmured something in her sleep. "I love you..." He whispered and caressed her soft, bleached locks and sighed.
Kuon groaned when he saw the bane of his existence approach, yet again. "When is this guy ever going to stop." He groused.
Sho slapped the tabloid article down in front of him on the lounge coffee table and pointed to it. "When are you going to fix this Hizuri? She's with this idiot now and it's all your fault!"
Kuon rolled his eyes. "Really Fuwa? Really? Him even knowing her is my fault? You seriously have the unmitigated gall to say that? If it weren't for your rivalry with him, he wouldn't even know about her! Now back the fuck off!" He shoved the tabloid off the table and onto the floor, stood up and left the room. "Fucking jackass... If it weren't for him, this would have never happened in the first place." He mumbled as he walked to the vending machines to grab another coffee.
He had heard through the grapevine of her and Reino's little friendship. He wasn't worried about the violet-eyed stalker taking his place in her heart, but hell it hurt. He hated that she felt she had to be this way and it was him that pushed her over the edge. Yes, granted a good portion of the blame could be placed squarely on the shoulders of that calculating little snake Morizumi, but he felt he kind of compounded it when he released his identity without seeking her out first and giving her a damn good explanation for lying to her for over 10 years and Fuwa's part in all of this didn't help the situation much either.
Every night they were together, he would hold her until she slept peacefully. Every night he would whisper words of love into her sleeping ears, hoping beyond all hope that one day it would sink in and her heart would soften and hear him.
Over the months, his soft whispers would be heard and his image would replace another's. It had been awhile since she had heard any of the names of the men in Japan uttered, that she felt had betrayed her. She was starting to heal. There is old advice that you shouldn't date when your heart is broken, but no one ever tells you how long it takes a heart to heal. They never tell you exactly why you shouldn't. They never pose the question of, what if the person that you go to is the very person that is meant to heal your broken heart. What if that person loved you all along and was just waiting for you when you needed them the most? There's also the stupidity that claims you shouldn't date or, fall in love with a friend. Why not? Shouldn't you at least like the person you fall in love with? Wouldn't it be better if the person you were destined to love, turned out to be one of your best friends that you could talk to and tell your darkest secrets to?
Kyoko quietly pondered these things as she lay quietly observing the man sleeping next to her. She gently caressed his platinum locks as they shimmered in the morning light, filtering into their bedroom, through the partially opened window. She smiled softly. He almost looks like an angel when he's sleeping. She giggled quietly and gently kissed his lips. "I love you, Reino..." She whispered softly.
His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her into a hug before he kissed her with all the emotion that filled his heart at her words. He nuzzled her neck. "I love you." He sighed contentedly. He gave her a pensive look and smiled softly. "Marry me."
She looked at him a little shocked. "Y-You want to marry me? What about your music, your image?"
He chuckled. "What about it? My true fans that appreciate my music would be happy for me. I don't care what they think. All I care about is that I... want... you..." He punctuated each of his last words with a quick kiss on her lips. "Well? What do ya say? Do you want to?"
Her eyes went wide and she thought for a moment. This man had never lied to her. He had been brutally honest with her from the very first moment they met. Why was she even thinking about this? She smiled and nodded her head. "Yes..."
He looked at her surprised by her answer. "Really?"
She nodded again.
He laughed and pulled her in tighter and kissed her again. He quickly pulled away and reached into the nightstand next to his side of the bed. One cannot say that he wasn't prepared for something like this. One cannot say that he wasn't an optimistic person. He had made the purchase of what the little blue box with the small gold stud on the top contained, eight months ago when they had first started dating. He rolled back over to her and smiled widely. "I got you something... I hope you like it enough to wear it."
He opened the small box and she gasped when she saw the large word "Enchanted" stamped in gold on the inside of the lid. Thousands of dollars worth of diamonds, with platinum and gold filigree, sparkled in the morning light as the ring slipped onto her left ring finger and warmed itself on her skin.
"I-It looks like a c-crown." She whispered in awe.
He kissed her finger and smiled at her. "The perfect crown for my queen." He smirked a little. "I was told this one is called Cinderella."
She squealed and threw herself into his arms, pushing him back into the pillows and pinning him to the bed as she showered him in kisses. "It's beautiful, Reino! I love it!"
"Sorry it wasn't very romantic." He murmured to her, when she had finally settled down and started admiring the little jeweled bauble in the morning light.
She snuggled into him and shook her head. "No, this is perfect. Just us and no one else. I don't want to share this moment with anyone, but you right now."
He kissed her forehead. "And I don't want to share you with anyone else. Can we get married before we have to travel?" He felt a little selfish, but considering the circumstances he wanted her off the market as soon as possible. "Sorry, I... I just don't like the thought of people thinking we're available to anyone but each other." He explained.
She giggled a little. "You're sure?"
He nodded. "I would drive you to Las Vegas and marry you tonight if I could have my way. I don't want to wait another minute." He chuckled a little embarrassed for being this kind of jealous and possessive.
She looked into his eyes and stroked the back of his neck softly. "Why don't we then?"
He looked at her a little shocked. "Who are you and what have you done with my workaholic girlfriend?"
She playfully slapped his chest. "I'm not that bad." She pouted.
He raised a brow and smirked. "Really...? Hmm, then prove it. Call Bob and tell him you're taking a couple of days off." He dared her.
She gave him a sexy smile that sent shivers down his back. "Only if you do the same." She purred as her fingers gently traveled over his torso.
"I'll see your wager and raise that you have to have your overnight packed in the next 45 minutes." He dared her as he twisted to reach his cell phone, turn it on and dial. "Hey... It's me... I'm taking off for a few days... No, I have something important to take care of... None of your business, bye." He shut it completely off and looked down at her with a mischievous smile. "Well, my queen?"
She smirked and grabbed her phone. She winked at him as she brought it to her ear and mouthed, "I'll raise your bet." "Hi Bob, I'm taking a week for a personal emergency... I don't know, tell them I've got the flu... Thanks, see you in a week." She turned back to Reino, kissed him and ran to the bathroom. "Make sure you pack for a week, Loverboy." and she quickly shut the door with a giggle.
He flopped back onto the bed and chuckled. He sat up quickly. "Shit!" He sprung out of bed and started packing, not forgetting the rest of the bridal set that went with the ring he bought her and packing it safely in a pouch in his suitcase.
