That night Totsuka's big surprise was not cake like I had wanted, but instead he set up a slideshow of the last year. He had made popcorn and arranged the tables in the bar to make viewing easier. All members of Homra squished together around the pub to watch, which seemed to take away some of the gloom that had been hanging over the gang lately.
When the show began I was seated at a table between Mikoto and Totsuka who was controlling the slide changes with a digital remote. Anna was seated on my lap so she could see around everyone, which wasn't too hard since out table has a perfect view of the screen.
"Oh my god, I forgot all about that!"
"Looking good Shohei!"
"Shut up Dewa."
At the start of the pictures the guys were laughing and reminiscing events that I didn't know. It wasn't surprising, I had only been at Homra for five-ish months, but inside I still felt like there was a separation between the guys and me. I did my best to hide those feelings though. I chuckled at the shared stories that flooded around with each new picture.
I was hugging Anna like a comforting stuffed animal when a loud "Ah!" filled the bar. Startled I quickly glanced away fro the slide to find the source of the outburst.
I thought it was Yata from the way his face had reddened and how he slumped down in his chair like he was trying to hide.
"That's the day Nao-chan showed up," Kamamoto said.
"Huh?" I said bemused.
Turning back to the screen I saw a picture of myself lying on a couch asleep with terrible hair and a white shirt that wasn't mine. My gaze widened as I felt warm eyes on me.
"Totsuka-kun," I murmured.
"I had a feeling that day would be important," he grinned at me.
Hiding my face that blushed behind Anna's cute little lace hat I said, "Pervert, taking pictures of a sleeping girl."
Totsuka didn't get flustered like usual when I called him a perv, instead he laughed it off and changed the slide.
"Aw man, that day was a mess," someone commented.
"Our King caused quite a mess," Kusanagi added.
Mikoto tsked indifferently.
Looking up I only saw me, unconscious again, and being carried by Mikoto. I knew when it was, but I had no recollection of the event.
"Yeah, got arrested and joined a gang by accident all in one day. I either have the worst luck in the work or the greatest karma," I joked.
Those who heard laughed while the others discussed the day from what they remembered. Then Totsuka went on with the show, and I followed the stories better. I even had comments to add and could laugh with the inside jokes.
Several photos later Totsuka stopped on one from Anna's birthday collection and it was of Yata and I attempting to dance. Everyone laughed, I snickered, and some teased Yata. I was still giggly from the photo that I nearly choked on my own air when the picture changed. I was no longer dancing with Yata, now I was sitting at the bar with a fork held up to Mikoto waiting for him to take a bite of cake. Embarrassment filled me the moment I saw the image. Back then it felt like an intimate moment and now staring at it it definitely looked like a private scene.
Before I turned to Totsuka, Anna was whisked out of my lap by Kusanagi who gave me a cheeky wink that only fueled my temper.
"Totsuka-kun," I hissed.
"Oops," he said innocently.
Punching him as hard as I could in the arm I ordered, "Change it."
"Okay okay," he whimpered in pain.
As the reminiscing continued I folded my arms on top of the table and leaned forward to prop my chin on them as I watched on with a bitter pout. Despite the pout I enjoyed the rest of the pictures with everyone else until the end. When it was over Kusanagi raised the lights and the other started to mingle and leave like it had been a movie at a theater.
Keeping my head on my arms I turned to my right to see Mikoto gazing down at me with half lidded eyes. I couldn't tell if he was tired, or just deep in thought. Maybe both.
"Did you have fun?" I asked him.
"Hm," was his reply.
"So yes," I interpreted.
From the other side of me as he got up I heard Totsuka say, "You're getting better at that."
"Shut up," I called to him.
Totsuka laughed.
I closed my eyes with my long sigh, when they opened I saw Mikoto getting to his feet. Shooting upright I grabbed his wrist stopping him.
"Um," I began but I couldn't find anything to say.
Dropping my hand from him I slumped back against the table saying, "Nevermind. Goodnight."
Without warning my hair was ruffled by a large warm hand that sent a jolting sensation through me. Once it was gone and I heard Mikoto ascend the stairs I buried my face in my arms and released a small happy squeak.
At the bar Kusanagi said, "I do believe the frog and princess have kissed."
"So our King in now a prince," Totsuka chuckled.
"Still lacking in the charming department," Kusanagi said.
Sitting up and spinning around in my chair I shot, "Look who's talking."
"Careful Kusanagi, you've insulted the princess," Totsuka said.
"Don't you two have something better to do than talk fairytales all night?" I challenged.
Kusanagi and Totsuka exchanged a look then shrugged in unison at me.
"Nope," Kusanagi said.
"It's too much fun," Totsuka said.
Groaning I stood and started for the side hall. As I passed the two at the bar sarcastically waved at me and I stuck my tongue out at them.
At the top of the stairs I wasn't expecting anyone, so I bumped head first into Mikoto. I knew it was him right away not by sight, but from the electric shock that sang through me.
"So-," I began.
The words were lost to me when I felt his mouth against mine. This kiss was much different from the last. There was no anger this time, instead there was s strong feeling of something I couldn't exactly explain. It was reassuring, yet possessive, and it melted me.
When Mikoto pulled away I saw a flame dancing in his eyes that twisted my core in not-so-terrible ways. I wanted to grab him and kiss him again, but I still had enough sense left to remind myself to not be greedy. So instead I watched Mikoto turn away and walk into his room while my hear nearly ripped free of mt chest.
"He's annoyingly charming you dopes," I muttered to myself.
Springing awake I frantically glanced about my room unsure of what I was searching for, but when I didn't find it I scrambled out of bed. Still half groggy I made my way out of my room and down the hall to Mikoto's room where I knocked on the door. There no response, but there never was, so I opened the door and crept inside. It was dark and quiet but I could feel Mikoto somewhere in the blackness.
Shuffling inside I closed the door behind me and carefully made my way across the room to the bed. When I bumped into the mattress there was a rough groan that unlocked something inside me. Dropping onto the bed I release a stifled sob as I curled up against Mikoto's side.
"Sorry," I sniffled.
"Wolves?" Mikoto inquired.
He didn't sound upset with my intrusion, but part of my felt bad about waking him up.
"No," I said.
I cried against his side for a while before more words left me.
"I was so scared. I just couldn't escape," I murmured.
"Hm," Mikoto grunted to show he was listening.
"I don't know who it was, but I hate them. I want to do anything to stop that monster," I said through more tears.
"Don't bother," he said. "They'll pay."
Curling up into a tighter ball I nodded slightly as I listened to Mikoto's even breathing. Having him beside me helped sooth my pounding heart and made sleep a possibility again.
"Thank you Mikoto."
Thanks for reading. Sorry that the last few have been shorter, but that's the way this story works.
Please leave a review.