Disclaimer: I don't own KWMS

Takumi silently entered the house behind Misaki. He couldn't tell whether she was nervous or angry or anything. She wouldn't turn to face him. He followed Misaki's lead, hanging his coat and hat in the foyer closet. Misaki lead him to the living room, and got her first look at what he was wearing. He had clearly come to the dance straight from work, because the suit he was wearing was definitely not one someone would wear to a high school dance.

"Wait here." she spoke for the first time since they'd left the school. "I'll be right back." and so, Misaki's dress clad figure disappeared up the stairs.

Takumi sunk into the couch hunched over. He pulled his tie a bit loose so that he could breathe and held in head in his hands. He took a moment to mull over what had just happened. He had the mad urge to…do something. Scream in frustration, cry in embarrassment, smile in relief, laugh with happiness, all his emotions were muddled. Takumi ran his hands through his hair, slouching over further, cheeks almost reddening from any one emotion.

He had confessed. Sure he had told her on many occasions that he liked her. He closed his eyes, staring at the blinking lights on the back of his eyelids. He had admitted not only to himself but to Misaki as well that he loved her. He definitely wasn't regretting his feelings, but he had a feeling he might regret having told her. It was…embarrassing, simply put.

It was in that position, mourning his idiocy that Misaki found him less than two minutes later.

"Whats wrong?" she asked, causing him to snap up his head to look at her.

She stood, arms folded gazing worriedly at him from the doorway. She wore loose, grey sweatpants and a purple tanktop, the straps of her white undershirt visible on her shoulders.

At his stunned look, Misaki repeated her question.

"Whats wrong?" she approached him soundlessly.

"Its nothing." he reassured her, standing to match her height.

"Well then, come on up and get some sleep." Misaki commanded half-heartedly, avoiding his gaze and glancing at the clock behind him; 12:46am. "We'll talk in the morning."

They slowly walked up the stairs, careful not to awake Suzuna and the newly returned Minako. She silently opened her bedroom door and shut it just as silently behind them. They stared at each other for several seconds, gazes glazing over temporarily. Takumi could tell what she was thinking and was about to speak when-

"We don't have a guest bedroom and I refuse to let you sleep on the couch." Misaki answered before he could ask. "I'll be downstairs if you need me, and no peeking around!"

As she turned to leave, Takumi's gentle hand came to rest on her left shoulder. Misaki stiffened immediately. She weakly tried to brush off his shoulder, her right hand instead going to grip his left on her shoulder, knuckles turning white from the force she was using to keep her shaking hand still. Forcing herself to believe that it was solid and not just her imagination.

"Ayuzawa?" he whispered, right arm snaking around her waist from behind.

Misaki was terrified. She had longed to see him for so long and now she was avoiding him! She was worried that the whole thing was a dream in her head and that she would wake up the morning of the dance, all of this just a dumb fantasy of hers. Her frame shook, though she did not cry, she shook with fear. She could feel his breath on her neck, his arms embracing her gently. It pained her to know this sensation would be gone with the dream when she awoke.

"H-hai?" she answered hesitantly. Even if it was a dream, Takumi's presence still affected her.

"Don't leave." he breathed into her ear "Stay with me." His words implied something more than just staying with him for the night. Something longer, more real than just this haphazard dream of hers.

And she loved him too much to let him go.

"Always." was her sole reply.

Takumi turned her frame to caress her face in his hands and suddenly, Misaki realized with a jolt as she gazed into his emerald eyes, it wasn't a dream. It was as real as anything. Her pride would not allow her tears to fall twice in one night. Takumi instead read her mind and his mouth swooped down on hers in a longing kiss.

There was something there that neither had noticed before. Something aside from the brutal love that had infested them. There was a sort of passionate desire that burned their skin at the touch. A simple loving wish of being with the other, of giving themselves to the other. And they were unconsciously, answering it. As they somehow landed on the bed, legs tangling together in an intense embrace, Misaki had the fleeting feeling of relief flood through her. She had locked the door.

Takumi could feel her fingertips threaded through his hair. He couldn't really think straight through his desire and as far as he could tell, neither could Misaki. And while they didn't know what was going to happen in the future.

Though their plans remained as blank as a sheet of paper, he knew he had to protect her, even if she felt she had the same obligation to him.