And now, it's time for my favorite couple ever to be added to the collection! Ladies and gents, I present to you…Izumi x Meroko loooooove!

Theme: Embrace

Pairing: Izumi x Meroko

It is the night after Mitsuki's final concert as Fullmoon when Meroko hears a knock at her door.

She gets up and drifts over to the door, not knowing exactly who it is, but knowing at the same time.

When she opens the door, Izumi is standing there.

For a long time, the two Shinigami stand still, staring at each other. Their faces betray nothing.

At long last, by some unspoken agreement, they move forward and wrap their arms around each other. They hold each other as close as they can, finally together after too much time apart.

For a long time, they remain like that, with Izumi gently stroking Meroko's hair with one hand and Meroko holding her head over Izumi's shoulder. Then Izumi leans toward her ear. "I've missed you," he whispers tenderly.

Meroko lets out a sob and holds him tighter, feeling tears swell in her eyes. Izumi notices this and pulls back, inspecting her face with concern.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

Meroko swallows hard, her arms still wrapped around Izumi.

"I've missed you, too," she says softly, her voice choked. She swallows again and closes her teary eyes.

"I've missed you so much…ever since you left. I've been feeling so alone…and all I've ever wanted…was for you…to come back…"

She opens her eyes briefly, looks up, and makes eye contact with him. It is then that the tears begin to fall, trailing down her face in crystal streams.

"Please…" she whispers, shaking in both voice and body. "Will you come back? Will you stay with me? Izumi…"

She breaks down, sobbing, her head falling against his chest. The hat on her head slips off and falls to the floor.

For several seconds, Izumi says nothing; only stands there holding her. Then he reaches with his hand and pushes her face back. Her tear-filled eyes stare at him.

He lifts a finger and brushes a falling tear off her face.

"Of course, Meroko," he says. "I'll stay with you forever." A smile comes to his face. "I'll never leave you again."

She starts smiling too, and she leans forward and embraces him again, crying tears of joy.

After what seems like an eternity, they break apart, and Izumi says, "I came here to ask you something."

Meroko starts rubbing the tears from her cheeks, still smiling. "What is it?"

He looks at her seriously and holds out his hand. She looks at it, confused.

"Will you be my partner again?"

She gasps and meets his eyes, hardly daring to believe that his words are true.

"B-but…" she stammers wildly. "But…you…I thought…"

"I want you to be my partner, Meroko." He smiles with gentle eyes. "I want to be with you always."

Without speaking, she smiles and nods and takes his hand. "It's what I've wanted ever since we met."

They leave the house and walk together, holding hands, feeling like they're on top of the world. They don't talk; rather, they just keep moving forward, with happiness painted on their faces and coloring their hearts.

Some time later, it occurs to Meroko that she left the door to her house hanging wide open. But when she glances over at Izumi and sees his warm look, the thought leaves her mind.

What, did you really think I'd leave my favorite OTP out of this little challenge?

I'm going to try to do a Takuto x Mitsuki one next, so look forward to it!

RRE.