With soft clicks against the concrete and Shinra's warm hand grasping her chilled one, Celty couldn't imagine a better day. They had been wandering through the shopping districts, and marveling over the clothes, books and movies on display, chatting idly about these things and more. It was exactly what Shinra'd had in mind, and a day Celty enjoyed to the fullest.
Nobody had approached them, but they had received puzzled looks from a small handful of onlookers as they realized Dr. Kishitani wasn't with the headless rider, but with another. He'd been seen with the urban legend on multiple occasions, and there'd been buzz that they were in business together. Not confirmed nor denied of course, when the biker was addressed about it, she'd say silent, as well as the doctor. If only they'd known that there was only one change to the scene before their eyes: True happiness, and a woman who'd finally met her goal.
As the pair continued walking, talking, laughing and having a nice time, Celty ran into a familiar figure. A grunt was heard from the man as the couple stopped, and the man stepped back, looking down at the freckle-faced beauty.
"Watch where you're going, okay?" His eyebrow twitched as his eyes wandered and landed on the man who was attached to the woman by their hands, "Shinra? What are you doing out here with- Did Celty break it off with you? Really? Never thought I'd see that coming." Shizuo spoke with a soft tone as he pulled a cigarette out and lit it, putting it to his lips and inhaling.
"What?! No, no of course not-" Shinra then turned to look at Celty, who was averting her gaze, chewing her lip softly as the two exchanged their words. Of course she hadn't told him.
Quickly snapping her gaze to the blond brute, Celty pursed her lips and stared with an expression that only read as determination. Her lips parting, she spoke with a tone that was sure, and confident, "Shizuo, I would appreciate it if you'd keep from talking about Shirna and I's break up. I'd really like to think that wouldn't happen any time in the future." Well, that was one way of telling her best friend who she was.
Citrine eyes widening, and a small stream of smoke flowing out of his mouth, Shizuo coughed, "Celty?" He glanced from her, to Shinra, and back again, "When did that happen? I'll say you look... Great." He gestured to her, smiling with the most genuine smile she'd ever seen from him.
And she beamed right back, fiddling with the end of her skirt with her free hand before she let go of Shinra's hand to pull her friend into an embrace, "Thank you, Shizuo. It was hard, but I finally made it." She pressed a small kiss to his cheek and stepped away.
Grinning and scratching the back of his head, Shizuo laughed, "Well I'm glad for you, Celty. You deserve it." It was something he thought she deserved for so long, and wa genuinely happy for the pair, "And Shinra," He turned to the doctor happily, "Keep her close." His voice was serious, but anyone could tell there was meaning behind what he'd said.
With a nod, Shinra smiled, "Of course, Shizuo. I always have."
"Well, you two continue with your fun, I'm off to work." Shizuo nodded, and waved as he walked past the couple and disappeared within the streets of the busy neighborhood.
Shinra turned to Celty with a raised brow, a small smile on his face before he laughed softly, "Well, that's one less person to worry about."
Of course, it took a weight off of Celty's shoulders, but of the vast amount of people she knew, who knew of her abnormality before, there was still a small pressure upon her. But why did it bother her so much that she needed to make a big deal? Why couldn't she address it casually, like Shinra'd been doing this whole time? These were questions she asked herself as the man's steel blue eyes stared at the side of her face. Celty, quickly realizing how long she'd been lost in these thoughts, smiled and turned to Shirna.
"So, where are we off to now?" The look on her delicate features made Shinra's knees weak and his heart race.
He loved every inch of her, headless or not. Without thinking, Shirna quickly glanced on either side of them, and looked back at her. It was odd, he thought, to be out with a woman he'd known his whole life. A woman who hadn't changed at all since day one, a woman who had so much dirt on him (Ah, the memories of the adolescent doctor, messy hair, braces, and all). He didn't mind so much, because what mattered was there, and what was happening around them now.
Cupping a hand to Celty's cheek, Shinra came closer, pressing his lips to hers in the tenderest of ways. Like anyone, Celty was caught off guard for a moment, staring bewildered at the man in front of her, her face a redder tint than normal, yes still that pale porcelain skin he was used to. (She didn't blush normally, due to the odd way her body works. And no matter how badly Shinra wanted to understand, it was nearly impossible.)
"You know, I think we've had a busy enough day," Shinra said, with a lowered tone as he took hold of Celty's hand once again, "I think it's time we go home, and maybe watch a movie. Relax a little. You deserve it."
Celty, still taken aback, nodded while gripping his hand in return. She walked with him, weaving their way through the small amount of people out on the streets. She hadn't expected their first kiss to be on a neighborhood street in front of a clothing store just after they had spoken with her best friend, yet, she couldn't ask for anything more.
The sounds of their feet thumping against the stairs bounced off of the walls of the stairwell as they approached their home. And once Shinra had the door unlocked, Celty had words forming in her mouth.
And she spoke them, "Shinra?" He turned to her, questioning as he stood in the doorway, looking out to her. She was standing right where the light above their door hit her and made her hair shine, and it was picture perfect, "I love you."
Now, it was his turn to be taken aback, a soft gasp escaping his lips as he grinned from ear to ear and took her hand. Pulling her in to a warm, loving embrace, he mumbled into her shoulder, "I love you too, Celty. I always have."