***Sorry it took so long to post such a short epilogue, but hopefully it rounds out the story a little bit more***
There was indeed aspirin and a glass of water on the nightstand next to Ishizu when she woke up that morning. She had a headache, but otherwise felt better than expected. She took the aspirin, and a shower, and walked into the kitchen dressed and ready for another day.
Mai stood in front of the stove, her hair in a haphazard ponytail. She flipped a batch of pancakes in a skillet. Rishid sat at the table, near finished with his food.
"Good morning," Ishizu said.
"Morning." Mai trapped a yawn in one hand while the other held the spatula.
"Good morning," Rishid greeted. "You should sit down and eat. These are wonderful."
"You're a sweetie." Mai laughed, setting her latest batch of pancakes onto a plate and setting it down on the table before ladling a new batch onto the hot skillet.
Bakura and Marik stumbled into the kitchen a moment later, entranced by the smell of breakfast.
"Good morning," Marik greeted, opening the fridge and grabbing the extra orange juice from the night before and pouring himself a glass.
He gestured, silently asking if anyone else wanted a glass. Rishid and Mai shook their heads. Bakura made a queasy face and bee-lined for the coffee. Ishizu smiled and nodded, and Marik grabbed a second glass.
Mai gave Marik a plate of pancakes, and then Bakura, waiting to feed herself last.
"I'm surprised you're eating breakfast." Marik laughed.
"I'm so hung over right now," Bakura said, as if that justified his need for a stack of pancakes.
"I've never had pancakes before," Ishizu confessed. She usually had fava beans or a rice dish for breakfast, sometimes she'd eat eggs but she didn't much care for them.
"Well?"
"Delicious." Ishizu smiled.
"I tried, but they're not half as sweet as you." Mai winked.
Ishizu felt her face flush.
"Gross, c'mon, I'm eating." Bakura scrunched up his face as if he was nauseous.
"This from the guy confessing his love to Marik last night." Mai gave Bakura a challenging look, as if to argue.
"I was drunk," Bakura hissed.
"Bitch-ass excuse. Own up to what you say when drinking." Mai flicked Bakura's excuse away with a well-manicured hand.
Marik smirked, raising an eyebrow. Bakura scowled into his coffee cup.
"Whatever, you know I meant it."
Rishid looked at his watch, standing up and setting his napkin down on the table.
"Forgive me, but I have to leave for work." He bowed. "Thank you for breakfast."
"No big deal." Mai shrugged, looking bashful.
By the way she acted, Ishizu suspected she wasn't used to polite behavior or gratitude. She resisted the urge to frown, but made a mental note to thank Mai in private for cooking breakfast the next time they were alone together.
"I have to go, too," Mai admitted, looking like she wanted to do anything but leave.
Ishizu sighed. "Myself as well."
She stood up, stepping beside Mai. There was an awkward pause between them. The urge to embrace and kiss was a physical pull, but Ishizu couldn't push herself to do it with Marik and Bakura in the room.
"Come on, Bakura." Marik came to her rescue. "I think it's time for us to go home as well."
"Yeah, I don't want to see girls kissing." Bakura snickered as they left the kitchen.
Ishizu turned and chased after Marik. "Thanks for coming over for dinner!" she called out.
Marik laughed. "Thanks for cooking dinner."
"What the hell's wrong with you two?" Bakura gave them a funny look. "We come over every Thursday."
"Just shut up, Bakura, and let's go home." He winked. "I want to hear you tell me you love me in private."
Bakura flushed. "Who says I ever intend to say it again!"
"Oh, I'm sure I can persuade you to consider it."
Ishizu couldn't help rolling her eyes, but decided to ignore them. Mai still stood in the kitchen, grinning and waiting.
"So, this weekend, right?" Ishizu asked, nervous all over again.
"Yup. I'll pick you up. I have somewhere specific I want to show you."
Ishizu smiled, stepping close. "Sounds intriguing. Do I get a clue?"
"It's a place I love, but never took anyone to before because I thought they'd laugh at me." Mai leaned in, kissing Ishizu until they were almost late for work.
The breeze blew through Ishizu's short hair, pulling at the skirt of her dress. Ishizu closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of chrysanthemum, camellia, roses, and jasmine.
They had taken a train far out of the city and into beautiful countryside. Mai had made Ishizu close her eyes, only allowing her to open them when they stood in front of the entrance of a large botanical garden. They'd strolled through the gardens until dusk gilded the flowers and the leaves and turned it all into treasure more beautiful than anything Ishizu had ever seen while buried in a tomb or above ground.
Mai held Ishizu's hand, tracing her thumb against Ishizu's skin.
"I'll show you a secret." Mai pulled Ishizu near the hedge wall bordering the garden.
"Shouldn't we head home?" Ishizu giggled, loving the joyous look on Mai's face. "Don't they close at dark?"
"The garden, yes, but we're sneaking out through the back."
Mai picked a seemingly random spot between two hedges and pulled Ishizu through. Ishizu held her breath, expecting to bump into a wall, but the shrubs gave way and opened up to hilly countryside.
Ishizu gasped. "It's lovely out here, so open."
"I thought you might like it." Mai let go of Ishizu's hand and instead wrapped her arm around Ishizu's waist, leading her out into the grassy fields and up the first hill.
They faced the east. The moon rose round, bright, and pale in the darkening sky. Ishizu lost herself to the sight of the sky. It wasn't until she heard music playing that she came back to her senses. Mai giggled, her cellphone in hand and music pushing through the phone's speakers.
"I thought we could dance."
Ishizu looked around. "Here?"
"Yeah. You don't seem to like the club crowds or smoke. I thought this would be nicer."
"Oh Mai," Ishizu near jumped into Mai's arms, drawing a slow, lingering kiss from her lips.
Ishizu pulled away, sniffing.
"Ishizu." Mai brushed a tear away from Ishizu's cheek.
Only a few slipped out, and then Ishizu regained her composure. She allowed Mai to dry her cheeks before explaining.
"I don't think I've ever been this happy. I never even dreamed people could be this happy."
"Cut it out or you'll make me start." Mai brushed the tip of her nose along Ishizu's temple, slipping down and then pressing a light kiss against the shell of Ishizu's ear.
Ishizu grabbed Mai's waist and hand and initiated a graceless waltz in the grass. The last of the sunlight sank below the horizon, leaving them bathed in moonlight. Mai's perfume drifted to Ishizu in the breeze; her flaxen hair glowed in the silvery light.
Ishizu held on a little closer. They leaned close, noses brushing together as they shifted from side to side. Ishizu forgot to be clumsy, syncing up with the music and Mai's rhythm. They stayed in each other's arms beneath the moonlight as the music continued to play.
As night slowly approaching
The sun is set for love
And when I see you smiling
I'm dancing with the moon.