Hello everyone! Welcome to the eleventh installment of Hidden! I am absolutely in love with writing this story, so I hope that you enjoy reading it! This chapter was fun to write, and so I won't keep you for very long so that you can actually read it! I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to the people who have followed and favorited this story and also for those of you who have reviewed. It really means a lot to me to know how I am doing and what you guys think. So, that's all, enjoy the chapter!
"I'm chopping my hair off." I say as I examine my reflection in the mirror of my vanity. I see Kyoya glance up from his lap top in shock. "There's just too much of it…I'm getting lazier by the day."
"If laziness is the issue, then I don't think that cutting your hair is the appropriate solution." He says and I sigh, putting my head down.
"You're just saying that because you've developed some kind of weird fetish with my hair." I say and he sighs. I can hear the roll of his eyes. "Could you have rolled your eyes any harder?"
"Probably not." He says and I laugh. "I do not have a fetish for your hair. I just think that it looks nice as it is. If you want to cut it off, who am I to say?"
"Don't worry…I generally go through something like this every few months. It took me forever to grow my hair out, so I won't be cutting it any time soon." I say as I stand up. "Someday…but not soon."
"I'm glad to hear it." He says, going back to his work. "You know, Tamaki wants us to come over for dinner sometime soon." I walk over to my desk and sit down, hiding the blush on my face. It sounds like we're a married couple.
"Does he?" I say, opening my laptop. Hikaru has emailed me more of his drawings for my wedding dress. "Oh wow…"
"What?" Kyoya asks, and I can hear him standing up. I close the lid very quickly. "What were those?"
"Nothing. So when should we go? I really do miss Shima." I say, turning around in the chair. He's close.
"Annie…" He says and I raise my eyebrows in question. "What were those pictures?" I fold my arms across my chest.
"They're personal. I don't have to tell you a damn thing, and don't get any wise ideas about hacking into my email either. Respect my privacy." I say as I stand up again. "They're a thing from Hikaru. Drawings."
"Okay." He says and then he looks at his watch…the one I gave him and not the one that is currently on my wrist. "Would you like to go out for dinner with me?"
"Like a…" I start, sounding more nervous than I mean to. He gets that overly-handsome satisfied smirk and I purse my lips. "Like a date?"
"If that is what you would like to call it. We could just call it dinner, though." He says and I turn him around by the shoulders and start pushing him towards the door.
"You should give a lady an appropriate amount of time to get ready if you're going to ask her to dinner. I'm assuming I should wear a dress?" I ask as we reach the door.
"Nothing too formal." He says before I boot him out the door. I run to my closet and thumb through the hangers, glancing at each dress as I pass them up. Finally, my hands fall on the new red dress that the twins had given me. I grab it and pair it with a simple black pair of heels, since it's cold I put on black tights as well. I go over to the vanity and style my hair in a sophisticated looking pony tail. After that I put on some light makeup. I forgo any jewelry, but I keep Kyoya's watch on. I transfer my small wallet and my cell phone into my favorite black clutch and throw my black pea coat over my arm just as there's a knock at the door. I go over and open the door.
"You look lovely." Kyoya says as he offers his arm to me. I take it, closing the door gently behind me, and we head down the hall. Once we're in the foyer we stop and he takes my coat from me and helps me into it.
"Thanks." I say, the first word I've been able to utter. It isn't my fault…he has this way of always looking impeccable…and he doesn't even have to try. The red, no doubt silk, shirt under his black jacket really does wonders for him. I wonder if this was planned…because we probably look like one hell of a pair. "You…don't look so bad yourself."
"Thank you, Anya." He says as we head out into the cold November air. The sun is setting, so it's only going to get worse. Kyoya opens the door for me and I slide into the car. He closes the door and gets in on the other side.
"You're less freaked out around me now." I note and he looks at me, a small smile gracing his features. "More at peace."
"You know how I feel now." He says, taking my hand that had been sitting in the middle. "And I know that you at least have some semblance of the same feelings for me, so the way I see it…we can pretend to be normal for now."
"For now." I say quietly, enjoying the warm feeling of his hand holding mine. "I like when you're at peace…but not when you get that smile on your face…that one from before when you asked me to come."
"Why don't you like it?" He asks, looking at me with a raised eyebrow. I have to look away, because I'm too embarrassed.
"Well, because it's a loop hole. I told you to not use your host voice on me…and somehow you've found a way around it. Because what you did was not how you act during hosting hours…but it also wasn't normal Kyo." I say, shrugging my shoulders lightly.
"So I have another personality now?" He asks, amused. "I assure you, if it sounds like I am trying to 'host' you, I am not."
"Good to know." I say with a laugh. "That isn't even how you pulled me in. That particular bit happened all of a sudden….I think."
"What on earth were you thinking?" He asks and I laugh. "I'm serious…you have your pick…in the general sense, we're not talking about your ultimate choice between Mori-senpai and myself…but…why me?"
"Why not you? You always tell me that I don't see myself very clearly, but I think that you're the one who doesn't see yourself clearly." I say, looking up at him. My eyes meet his, but I don't look away. "Kyo…you're a great person. Yes, you piss me off a lot and you were a royal jerk when we first met…but you see people and you understand them. Regardless of the fact that you try to make people think you're just using them, you love so fiercely and it's a little scary sometimes. You're almost like Tamaki in that respect…only he isn't scary." He chuckles. "One of the first times you expressed actual concern for me was the first time I saw Dr. Honda…do you remember that?"
"How could I forget?" He asks and I smile a little. "She told me that you were twenty pounds underweight…I thought the worst…"
"You do have a habit of doing that. Let's not talk about that though, because I am a woman and I don't like talking about my figure, I'd rather just have it be silently admired." I smirk as in the dim light I see the color spread across his face. "When did you know that you were in love with me?"
"I knew for certain that I felt something when I first heard you sing." He says and my smile grows. "It isn't when you're thinking…I actually heard you sing before then, but now I'm not so afraid of you being angry with me."
"So you lied, and set up an elaborate, romantic dance for us under false pretenses of the first song that you heard me sing." I say dryly and he shakes his head.
"Oh, it was the same song. You sing that one often." He says and I glower at him, but not full force. "May I ask why?"
"Well…it's really stupid." I say, trying to disappear into nothing. "I really don't want to say."
"Trust me." He says and I look at him…realizing that I do…fully. "Come on Annie…it can't be so bad."
"It's because…well I have this fantasy of someone I love singing that song to me…or any song really. It's totally stupid. Forget I said anything." I say, trying to hide, but he doesn't let me.
"I don't think it's stupid." He says, but I still won't look at him. "We're dreamers…Annie."
"We're so alike, yet so different at the same time." I say and he hums his agreement. "I wouldn't describe you as a dreamer….ambitious maybe. Then again…I'm still not used to the romantic side of you. Romantic Kyo enjoys embarrassing me."
"The way you describe me…" He shakes his head. "I'm not really that bad, am I?" He asks.
"Well…some of them sort of go together. Romantic Kyo and Cute Kyo for instance. I don't want to tell you the other personality name I developed." He gives me a look as I speak. "Oh fine, I do want to tell you. It's Dick Face Kyo."
"How you monitor your language in front of my family I will never know." He says dryly. The car stops and Kyoya gets out, going around to the other side to open my door. I accept his hand and he helps me out. "Have I mentioned that you look stunning?"
"Something like it." I say, my cheeks turning red. We walk into the building and ride the elevator up to the top floor. As the doors open, a man asks for our coats. Kyoya helps me out of mine and then gives them to the man. We walk up to the host.
"Ohtori." Kyoya says and the man trips over himself to give us the best possible service. We are escorted to a table that's out of the way and intimate. The host leaves us with our menus.
"You planned this." I say, shooting him a lighthearted glare. He shoots back the smirk from earlier. "I knew it. We even match." I roll my eyes.
"That was unintentional." He says, amusement clear in his eyes. "I remember you saying that you liked Italian food."
"Yes, it's one of my favorites." I say with a smile. "This is really nice, Kyo." I say, looking around. The dimly lit, candle light atmosphere gives a really intimate feeling.
"After the fiasco at the Halloween ball, I thought that you deserved something nice." He says and I look away. "We won't talk about it…not now at least."
"You're a gem." I say, taking a sip from my crystal water glass. "You guys have yelled at me enough about it. So…uh…how are things?"
"They're alright." He says, the small smile never leaving his lips. "And with you?" Now he's making fun of me.
"They're fine." I say with a nod. Why does this feel so different? Oh my god…it's because this is my first date. How did I not realize! That's exactly why it is this way…Addie must have been involved in the planning…she knew I'd freak out. I didn't even have time to think about it.
"Are they?" He asks, concern briefly flickering across his face. I nod, smiling. "I'm glad." The waiter then comes up and we order. I always hate restaurants, because I never know the appropriate protocol. I must do alright though…because no one laughs or makes fun of me. "You'll have to forgive me…I'm not used to this kind of thing."
"Neither am I…talking to you is usually so easy." I say, pushing a lock of my hair out of my face and back into place. "I mean…"
"I understand." He says and I smile, letting out a small sigh that helps me to relax my shoulders. "Uh…"
"Hmm?" I ask, looking him in the eye. He looks away and then I laugh. He looks fearful for a moment before he starts laughing too. "Maybe we're not the date types."
"No, this is nice." He says, a big smile on his face now. "I really am enjoying myself. It's just, for the first time in my life I am completely at a loss for words. I think of something and then I look at you and I draw a blank."
"Same." I laugh. "I think we're the type of people who don't have to talk to have a good time. I enjoy being around you."
"I'm glad." He says, looking relieved. "I'm sorry that this is so awkward…It isn't at all how I imagined it."
"Oh? So what did Mr. Kyoya Ohtori imagine for his first date with me? That I'd be swooning and falling all over myself to try and get you to hang on my every word?" I ask, resting my chin on my hand.
"Absolutely not." He says, shaking his head. "You're not that type of woman…and you see, you don't have to try to get me to hang on your every word. You already do that naturally."
"That was smooth." I say, sitting up again. "That was very smooth." Our meals are then brought out to us. And so…this is my first date.
"What do you three have to say for yourselves?" I ask as I pace back and forth in front of Addie and the twins.
"Milord was in on it too." Hikaru says, quick to throw Tamaki under the bus. "He was the grand orchestrator…well next to Kyoya himself, but still."
"This one may live." I say, patting the evil red head on the arm. "Now…if I ever catch you guys scheming again…oh who am I kidding?"
"Exactly." Addie says, patting me on the head. "Did you have fun?" She asks and I flop into a chair.
"Yes…it was almost painfully awkward for both of us…but we had fun." I say, smiling to myself.
"You're so cute!" Hikaru and Kaoru exclaim, hugging me. "Our big sister is the cutest person ever!"
"Yeah, yeah." I say, trying to escape their holds. "Your big sister is a crazy person. We should get back out there, though."
"You're right…I've got a cake in the oven that's almost done." Addie says as she checks the timer on her phone. The four of us exit the back room, the boys carrying some things for us. "Annie? Is that your guitar case?"
"Shut up." I say as I begin icing a cake. "It's a surprise for me…Kyoya wouldn't tell me why, but he told me to bring it today." I begin adding the finer details to my cake.
"That's romantic." She says with a smile and then she sighs. "I may have to leave for a little while."
"Will you come back?" I ask, turning to look at her. She nods slowly, which doesn't really convince me.
"It's for my last movie." She says and I nod. "It should only take a couple of months…I don't know how to tell Takashi."
"Easy, you just say 'hey, I'm leaving for a while, but I'll be back'. He's more understanding than you give him credit for…and you guys haven't even confronted your feelings yet." I say and she runs a hand down her face.
"I need to do that, don't I?" She says and I laugh. "Today's as good a day as any…okay. It will happen today."
"You'll feel so much better." I say with a smile. We work in silence until the end of club hours. Addie has a lot to think about. "Good luck…" I say to her as she grabs her bag.
"Thanks…I'm gonna need it. Have fun at your surprise." She says with a wink and I realize that she knows what's going on. Before I can ask about it, she runs away however. I shake my head as I go over and pick up my guitar case.
"Are you ready to go? Tamaki can finish up those dishes." Kyoya says and I can tell that he's irritated with the poor blonde.
"I should stay and finish them, since I know you're being mean." I say with a smirk and he gives me a look. "Yes, Anal Retentive Lord." I grab my school bag.
"Would you like for me to carry something for you?" He asks, meaning I must look silly. I set my school bag down again and put the strap around my body, carrying the case on my back. I pick up my school bag again and smile.
"Hana's the only other person I trust with my baby." I say and for a moment, something flickers in his eyes. "You're going to start wearing contacts, so I get an unobstructed view of those expressive eyes of yours." I mutter darkly as I walk past him.
"You've been saying that a lot lately." He says, falling into step with me. We arrive at the car and I place my guitar in the trunk before we get into the back of the car. Almost as soon as we start driving, my eyes start feeling heavy. "Take a nap…" He instructs and I look up at him. "It's fine." In a moment of daring bravery, I scoot over and lean against him. He gently moves his arm and drapes it around me. I hear his heart racing and I smile.
"Careful, your heart might beat out of your chest." I mutter, enjoying everything about this.
"I know my limits." He says and I peek up at him, only to find him looking down at me. I quickly close my eyes again, smiling. "If I had known how pleasant this would be…"
"Me too…" I say with a yawn. "Now, I thought I was supposed to be sleeping." I say and he chuckles, the sound is even nicer close up.
"Of course, forgive me." He says and I relax further and after a while, he leans down and kisses the top of my head. My heart could burst.
"Annie." Someone shakes me gently. "Annie…wake up, we're here." I jump, struggling against a restraining arm. "It's alright, I'm sorry." Kyoya says and I look at him with wild eyes. "We're here…I'm sorry for scaring you."
"Sorry for freaking out." I say around a huge yawn. "Where are we?" I ask and try to look around. His hand covers my eyes though.
"It's still a surprise. Close your eyes and I'll guide you." He says and I do so, but only to get out of the car. As I stand upright, his hand covers my eyes again. "I have your guitar, I'll help you put it on."
"Kyoya…" I grumble. "My last surprise was moving to Japan, so you'll have to forgive me for not being overly fond of them." I let him put the strap around me though. The familiar weight is comforting.
"You'll like this one…don't you trust me?" He asks and I huff. "Now be careful, I won't let you fall but I shouldn't have to do all the work."
"You wouldn't have to if I were allowed to look." I mutter and he chuckles. I make a show of gently feeling out each step with my foot. "Why don't you just carry me? Mr. Strong Man?"
"Because then you'd look…and I'm not allowed to carry your guitar." He says and I sigh. "It's not very far, come on." He starts leading me, his hand firmly yet gently clasped over my eyes.
"What is this for?" I ask as we walk, I've stopped making things difficult, so it's going much smoother now.
"An apology…for last night being so awkward. I figured that this setting will be more comfortable for you." He says and that only makes me more curious.
"Why have you been so much Cute Kyo lately?" I ask and then it hits me. "Well, I never thought I'd see the day when Kyoya Ohtori would openly fight for my hand."
"You already love me, so I think that it's time to fight for the rest." He mutters, but not in the dark way that I normally do. "You're using a new shampoo, aren't you?"
"I thought you said that you weren't a stalker." I note and he actually laughs. "But yes, I frequently change shampoos. Washing my hair is the best part of the day, but what's even better is when someone else washes it for me."
"It's the little things." He says, his tone agreeable, but I can tell he's just distracting me. "We're almost there, the path is going to be a little more tricky now."
"O great gravity gods do not forsake me now!" I pray to the (for all I know) nonexistent gods. "Lift me up! Make my spirit one with you!"
"You're a comedian." Kyoya says dryly. I allow him to lead me through some place until we finally stop. "Okay…you can open your eyes." I open them and my eyes are assaulted by vibrant colors. I look all around me, admiring the different plants. "We're in a botanical garden…I know that it isn't the same, but I thought that if you wanted to, you could play amongst the flowers like you did at home."
"This is perfect…" I say as I look around. "I…I can't even tease you about anything…because this is the sweetest thing that anyone has ever done for me." I look up at him, feeling the tears pricking at my eyes. He looks so hopeful…so different from the Kyoya I knew when I first met him, even different from the Kyoya I've come to know. He's looking at me, even though we're surrounded by this beautiful sight. "Thank you…"
"So it's alright?" He asks, uncertainty coming back again. I hug him, wrapping my arms around him, hiding my face in his shirt. "Annie?"
"It's more than alright." I say, stepping back. I look around and see a bench, so I walk over and sit down. I lay the guitar case on the ground in front of me and pull out my old friend. "Any requests?"
"Anything you want." He says as he sits down next to me. I tune, glancing at him. He has such a placid expression. I strum a few times, making sure it's in tune. Now…what should I play? I feel like I should play something romantic, but would that be too stereotypical? He said anything I want…so I could be a total smart ass, but he's being so kind. I smile and begin playing My Heart by Paramore. I've sang it to him before, but I doubt he remembers…and if he does, then I doubt he minds.
"Was that…okay?" I ask as I finish. I'm almost afraid to look at him. I look over at him and he smiles.
"That was perfect." He says and then he frowns when his cell phone rings. "Just a moment…" He answers. "Hello?" He listens for a moment and then his smile returns. "Okay, we will be there soon." He hangs up. "Annie…Francois is here."
"Annie!" My little brother screams as he runs at me. I drop to my knees and catch him in my arms. I squeeze him tight, kissing all over his head. "I missed you so much! Maman said that we get to live here together for a while! She said that you were going to take care of me! She said that I'd get to go to a new school and meet all of your friends!"
"All of those things, baby." I say, trying to not cry. "You're going to love it here. Kyoya just took me to a place that has flowers like at home! I'm sure if you asked nicely, he would be willing to take us there sometime."
"Who is Kyoya?" He asks, taking a step back and looking at me. He looks around for the first time and looks up at Kyoya…he looks intimidated.
"No, baby." I say with a laugh. "Don't be afraid of him, he is a big softie." I stand up, keeping ahold of Francois' hand. "Kyoya, this is my brother Francois. Francois, meet my good friend Kyoya." Kyoya shocks me when he crouches down.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Francois." He says, shaking his hand. "Your sister is a very special person."
"She's a little weird, but I love her." He says and we both laugh. "Do you love her too? Like my Papa loves my Maman?"
"Francois." I chide him, giving his hand a little squeeze. "You can't just go around asking people you've just met that sort of question. I may have to tickle you for that." I say and he screams in delight and I start chasing him. I catch him quickly, lifting him into my arms. "Oh boy, you've gotten big."
"No no! Don't tickle me!" He begs and I laugh, choosing to hug him instead. I set him down, just to see Mr. Ohtori down the hall. "Sir." Francois bows, he must have been going through intensive training in this culture.
"Welcome to Japan, Francois." Mr. Ohtori says, a small smile on his lips. "Kyoya, I would like to speak to you in private."
"Of course, father." Kyoya says and he offers me a small smile before he walks away with his father.
"Kyoya's father is not like Papa at all." Francois says and I smile a little. "He's a little scary."
"Maybe just a little, but he is a good man. He is protecting us." I say as I take his hand. "Come on, let's go see if Hana can get some ice cream for us." I lead my brother to my room to find Hana putting my guitar away. "Hey Hana…this is my brother, Francois."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." She says as she bows to him. "My name is Hana. Is there anything that I can get for you?"
"We were just going to see if you might be able to sneak some ice cream for us." I say in a secretive tone.
"Of course, anything for the new arrival from France." Hana says as she bows. She exits my room and I lift Francois onto my bed.
"This place is so big." He says, looking around. "I'm afraid of being lonely here…" I smile at him, because he's so much like me.
"Of course not, Kyoya and I would never allow it. Mrs. Ohtori is also fun to be around…and Kyoya's sister when she's here. I'm afraid his two older brothers are a little intimidating though…and of course Mr. Ohtori is too." I say, sitting next to him. He crawls across the bed and hugs me again.
"I've missed you so much, Annie." He whispers. "But now I miss Maman and Papa." I hold him.
"I know, baby. I miss them too, but we will see them again someday. We are a family, aren't we?" I say and he nods. "Exactly. In the meantime, we can be happy here…we have each other and we always will." There is a knock on the door. "Yes?" I call and Mrs. Ohtori walks in.
"I heard that we have a new guest and I came to meet him." She says, her eyes dancing with kindness. Francois scrambles to get up and he bows respectfully.
"Thank you for letting me stay in your home." He says, his Japanese slightly flawed…I assume he'll have tutors.
"Of course." She says, crouching down to his level. "I heard that you met my youngest son, was he nice?"
"Yes, ma'am." He says, a little less shy this time. "Annie says that he will take us to see flowers."
"I said if you asked nicely, he would take you to see the flowers." I remind him and he blushes. "Oh, baby." I say, shaking my head. "Thank you…" I say, looking at her.
"Annie…I'm really sleepy." He says and I look at the clock. It is about the time where he would normally go to bed.
"It is your bedtime, and you've flown very far little one." I say and then I smile to Mrs. Ohtori. "I should probably help him get to bed."
"Of course, but I would like to talk to you when you get a moment." She says and I nod. She leaves us and I pick up Francois.
"Come on, let's find your room." I say and he nods, wrapping his arms around my neck and resting his head on my shoulder. I see a servant. "Hello." I smile. "I was wondering, where is my brother's room?"
"Oh, this way Miss." He says before he leads me down the hall and to a room. "We have unpacked his things already."
"Thank you." I say, opening the door and going inside. I set him down and go to the closet. I find some pajamas for him. "Alright, I want you changed and your teeth brushed in five minutes." I say sternly and he scrambles to do just that. I go about turning down his bed. I place his favorite stuffed animal, a dog named Jacques, on one of the pillows. I glance at my wash and he scrambles to my side, just barely making it. "Good boy." I say and then I lift him into the bed.
"Annie, will you tell me a story?" He asks and I smile as I tuck him in, handing him Jacques.
"Of course, what kind of sister would I be if I didn't?" I ask, sitting down next to him. "Let's see…once upon a time, there was a handsome prince. He was the bravest prince in all of France and everyone loved him very much. One day, a dragon was terrorizing a small town. So, they called upon the prince to rescue them! The prince went to their rescue, of course, because he was such a kind soul. When he got to the town, though, he discovered that the dragon wasn't actually mean. He just had a really bad tummy ache. So, he poured the dragon and giant glass of ginger ale and tucked him into bed so that he could feel better soon! Because the prince was able to save everyone, they threw a great big party in his honor! There was cake and ice cream and all of the fresh baked treats that you could possibly imagine." By the time I finish, he's asleep. I smile and kiss his forehead before I exit the room, leaving a couple of lights on. I find Mrs. Ohtori.
"Anya…" She says, looking up from some papers. "Please come in and have a seat…there's something very important that I need to speak with you about."
"Is everything okay?" I ask as I walk over and sit down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. "Is Francois…"
"Everything is fine and Francois was able to slip in undetected." She says, giving me a smile that calms my fears a little bit. "We have discovered something…and so we need you to make your decision as soon as possible. Meaning…you need to tell him…you need to announce it."
"I…what went wrong?" I ask, trying to stay calm. "I mean…why is it? Why are we rushing now?"
"I can't say…my husband just thought that it would be best if I were the one to speak with you about it, but things have changed." She says with a small smile. "What are you afraid of?" It isn't mean…it's the voice of concern.
"I'm afraid…that…I don't know…that something will go wrong. Now I'm especially afraid because Francois is here. I know that I am in danger and that my family is in danger and that you're the only ones who can save us." I say, the tears threatening to overtake my careful composition. "I'm afraid that Mr. Ohtori will get angry with me for something and then Francois and I will be thrown out and something bad will happen to him." I can't stop the sob. "He's at my side now, but I am so afraid of losing him again."
"That would never happen." Mrs. Ohtori says as she stands. She comes around the desk and she hugs me gently. "No, you have made everyone in this house care for you so greatly." She says with a laugh. "Even the stone hearted Yoshio Ohtori."
"And I'm seventeen…I'm not ready to get married. I want to go to college…I want to live my life." I can't hold back the waterworks now.
"Sweetheart," She says, all the comfort of a mother. "there was never a doubt that you would do all of those things. You will have a full life. You will get to see your parents again and you will get to gain even more family."
I walk out of Mrs. Ohtori's office, my eyes red and somewhat puffy. I walk down the hall towards my room, nervous. As I turn the corner, I see Kyoya leaning against my door. He looks at me, something odd in his eyes.
"Kyo…" I say as I get closer. He looks frightened, but that turns to concern as he takes in my appearance. "It was you." I sob and he comes over, confusion plain on his face. "It was always you." I hug him. "Always. I was always going to pick you." He doesn't say anything. "I'm so afraid of loving you, because it could all just go away and you could not like me anymore and then we would be miserable for the rest of our lives. I have to protect Francois regardless of if you love me or not. There has just never been a question. Please say something."
"Not out here." He says and we go into my room. I sit down on the couch, holding myself. The tears don't stop flowing, no matter how much I wipe my eyes.
"Kyo?" I ask, looking up at him. He doesn't really have an expression on his face. "Kyo…please."
"You've known the whole time." He says, coming and sitting down next to me, but not too close. I nod. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I…" I frown. "At first it was sort of a game…you had been so mean and so it was a way to get back at you…dangling myself in front of you like a carrot." I shake my head at my odd comparison. "Anyway…as time went on…I realized that I was actually in love with you…I was actually going to marry you someday and I got scared…I'm still scared. We're children, Kyoya…babies." I stand up and start pacing. "I spoke with your mother…and now I'm not as afraid…but now you're scaring me."
"You've known the whole time." He repeats, and I see touches of anger. "You've known…and yet you watched me sit here in anguish. You've seen how…how unreasonable you make me act."
"Kyo, please don't be mad." I say quietly. He looks up at me and the anger vanishes. "I'm so sorry for hurting you…but if it's any consolation I've been having panic attacks on an almost regular basis for the past two and a half months." I say and he stands up. "Generally in my daily showers after school. Those drawings Hikaru and Kaoru keep sending me are their design ideas for my wedding dress and I'm not ready to get married yet." Bigger tears roll down my face. "I want to be a person and not a vase."
"You're not going to be my fucking vase." He says and then he hugs me. "My wife, yes." He laughs then. "No matter how crazy you make me…how irrational you are sometimes…how grumpy you get and how often you take it out on me…I couldn't have asked for a better person to steal my heart."
"You're a sap." I say, starting to laugh. "You couldn't just say that you loved me?" I ask and he laughs too. He takes a step back and looks down at me.
"I…uh have something for you." He takes a box out of his pocket. "I know that you're not ready to get married yet and frankly neither am I. We have entirely too much to accomplish." He gets down on one knee, looking very uncertain. "Anya Marie-Sofie Masson, since you arrived in Japan you have opened my eyes. I…don't really know what to say except for thank you…because without you I wouldn't be the person I am or have the confidence to go after what I want out of life. Since I met you, you have successfully made me crazy with worry and I think that one of the only ways to make sure that I can protect you always is to make you my wife…so someday…not too soon, would you give me the tremendous honor of being by my side for the rest of our lives?"
"Yes." I whisper. He opens the box, having forgot to before and he takes out the delicate looking ring. He slides it onto my finger and stands up. I hug him and he holds me tight, shaking. "Don't be afraid…"
"I'm not." He says and we both laugh. I look up into his eyes. "I'm happy…really happy."
"I don't know what to do now." I say, laughing awkwardly. "This is…I don't…" And then he kisses me.