Bit disasppointed about not getting any reviews for the last chapter... :(
This is the last chapter! I can't believe it! I've been writing this for almost a year now so it's going to be weird not writing it anymore. :(
I'm going to miss writing this and I'm going to miss all of you reviews and readers too.
I'm sure I'll start a new story soon so I hope to see you there! :D
The Absence Of Colour
Chapter 27: Epilogue
6 months later
Haru looked bleary eyed up at the partially illuminated whiteness above him. He blinked a few times and after a moment of disorientation, he realised he was laying in bed and the whiteness above him was a ceiling. More specifically, the bed in Kyo's room. He turned his head to the side and was met by the serene face of Kyo.
Haru loved seeing the cat like this. While Kyo had definitely become very comfortable around him, he was still calmest when he was asleep and his sleeping face was absolutely adorable. He would never tire of the sight before him and spent a few minutes just admiring his boyfriend. 'God, I'm so lucky...'
After a while of peace, the cow decided he should wake the other. After all, today was an important day though the orange haired boy did not know it yet. Leaning forward, he pressed a gentle kiss to the other boy's lips and watched as one-of-a-kind crimson eyes were slowly revealed in a morning daze. He saw Kyos eyes begin to focus and a sweet smile spread across his face as he realised the reason for his awakening.
"Good morning." The white and black haired boy said softly.
"Morning." Kyo mumbled, voice slightly scratchy from sleep.
"We've got to get up. Things to do." Haru told his boyfriend. Calling Kyo his boyfriend had never lost his appeal. It still made him feel unbelievably happy. This suggestion was met with a groan and Kyo rolling over and hiding his face in the pillow behind him.
"Don't wanna..." The cat stated childishly. Haru grinned widely at the cute behaviour.
"I thought you were supposed to be a morning person."
"But it's so warm and comfortable here and it's cold out there." Kyo grumbled.
Haru couldn't argue with that. It was now late October and the warmth of the summer was long gone, winter temperatures beginning to make themselves known.
"Ok then. I'll just have breakfast without you. I hope there will still be enough milk left by the time you get up..." The cow drawled, knowing that the possibility of no milk was easily enough to coax the orange cat out of his cocoon of blankets.
As expected, Kyo immediately perked up, lifting his head and turning to look at the other boy. You could almost see little cat ears flickering on the top of his head.
"No milk? You would use the last of the milk, would you?" He asked suspiciously.
"Well I don't know. You're really starting to make me like milk. I am a cow, you know." The cow replied slyly.
Kyo was out of bed and getting dressed in seconds, rushing downstairs shortly after pulling his t-shirt on as he went.
Haru smirked before dressing and following at a more leisurely pace. Upon entering the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the two of them -he didn't know where Shigure, Tohru and Yuki were but they obviously weren't in the house- he saw Kyo drinking a large glass of milk, some of which was now across the top of his upper lip, almost like a white moustache.
Laughing, the cow crossed the room and wiped the liquid away with his thumb.
Once it was prepared, the two ate their breakfast in relative silence but it wasn't uncomfortable. The had never been the kind to talk just for the sake of talking and over the months they had become comfortable enough around each other that there was very rarely any awkwardness between them.
They did not have anything planned for the day so they just lounged around and watched a few movies. It was nothing spectacular but they enjoyed it nonetheless. In the early afternoon, Haru left the room to make a phone call but Kyo thought nothing of it. At around 4pm, the cow began to get nervous.
"Kyo, you should go and get ready. We're going out for dinner in about an hour."
"Really? You didn't tell me about that."
"Well I'm telling you now."
Kyo left the room, sulking a little at not being told in advance though Hatsuharu could tell he wasn't actually upset. He was almost ready but there were still a few things he needed. Firstly, he grabbed his wallet which, after a while of frantic searching, he found on the counter in the kitchen. 'Must have just dumped it there when I got here yesterday.' Then he retrieved his shoes and jacket from by the front door and lastly he carefully removed a small box from a drawer in Yuki's room. He had permission, of course. Yuki had allowed him to store it there and get it out again this evening. He placed it in his pocket before returning downstairs to wait for Kyo.
When Kyo returned he was wearing jeans and a plain black t-shirt. It was a simple outfit but it was rare to see the cat in anything other than his usual combats so it was a nice change. Somehow, Kyo managed to look stunning even in such a casual outfit. Haru had never figured out how he managed it...
"Wow! You look great." The white haired teen breathed.
"Thanks..." Kyo replied, a slight blush rising to his cheeks.
They didn't go on actual dates often for fear of being seen by anyone that may be associated with their family. They went out for walks and things like that. Inconspicuous things.
"Let's get going." Haru smiled, grabbing the other's hand once he had put his shoes on and walking out the door.
The Absence Of Colour
After around half an hour of walking, the couple arrived outside quite a fancy looking restaurant. Hatsuharu had spent quite a while choosing a place for their date. He wanted it to be nice; nice atmosphere, nice food etc, but he also didn't want it to be a busy place since he knew that Kyo didn't like being around a lot of people. He finally chose this small restaurant near the edge of town that, luckily, was said to have great fish.
When they walked in to the restaurant, they were met by a friendly-looking employee who asked their names and led them to a table near the back Haru thanked her before him and Kyo began to look through the menu.
Kyo did not take long to choose since he really only had to choose what kind of fish he wanted while it took Haru longer but he was still done quite quickly.
They ordered their food and drinks and made casual conversation while they waited for it to be prepared. Haru was becoming increasingly nervous as the night wore on though Kyo did not seem to notice. once their orders arrived, the conversation died down as they dug into their meals. Within about two hours of arriving at the restaurant, they had finished a lovely dinner and were preparing to leave. Hatsuharu paid the bill and made sure to leave a tip for the quick and friendly service.
As they exited the building, they became aware of how cold it had become in the last few hours. The cat began to shiver a little and cursed himself aloud for not bring a coat or jacket with him. Noticing this, Haru slipped his coat off and draped it over the orange haired male's shoulders. Kyo looked up at him and smiled gratefully before pushing his arms into the sleeves and pulling it tightly closed around him. Haru smiled at the sight. It made him strangely happy to see the other boy wearing an item of his clothing. It was almost like a sign of possession.
They continued walking though neither really knew where they were going, they were content to just wander through the streets together in the peace of the late evening. As they reached a park-like place with benches, a sports field and a small play park, it began to snow. It was a light snow but it was beautiful all the same. The cow started to shiver a little at the cold but tried to ignore the drop in temperature.
They'd go back soon. Heart racing, he led Kyo over to a bench to sit down. The cat looked confused but complied. Once he was distracted watching the falling snow, Hatsuharu knelt on one knee on the rapidly moistening ground and pulled the box out of his pocket then opened it.
"Kyo." He said softly, voice betraying only a little of his inner panic.
Kyo turned to look at him and his expression turned into one of complete surprise followed by absolute joy.
"Kyo, I love you. You're the person I spend the most of my time with and I can't even imagine it any other way. I don't even want to. I don't know how I managed before you came into my life. I have never felt as strongly about anyone as I do about you and I don't think I could survive if you weren't with me anymore. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me and my whole life seems better now that you're a part ot it. I could spend hours listing the reasons I love you but I won't so I'll just say, Kyo Sohma, will you marry me?"
Haru had barely finished speaking when speaking when Kyo leaped forward and hugged the cow making them both fall to the ground behind them. Haru barely managed to keep hold of the ring while he fell on his back with the orange haired boy on top of him.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! Of course I will! I love you Hatsuharu."
The cow carefully took the ring out of it's box and slid it onto Kyo's finger. It was quite a plain silver ring because they didn't want anything that was too obviously an engagement ring. Plus, they were guys so they didn't really want pretty diamond rings or anything like that. It did, however, have a Celtic pattern engraved around the outside of it. Haru was already wearing his but Kyo hadn't noticed it earlier in the day. Kyo was grinning like the happiest man in the world and Haru was ecstatic.
"We should head back now. It is snowing after all." The black and white haired teen suggested, feeling the cold a lot more on his bare arms now that the nervousness and slight adrenaline had worn off.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Kyo replied still not remembering that Haru had no jacket due to his blissful feeling.
Standing up, Hatsuharu lent a hand to Kyo who took it gratefully and also stood up. He kissed the other sweetly on the lips before beginning to walk back to Shigure's, the cow following and quickly catching up. They walked back to the house in the light snow and night air, still holding hands, engagement rings glinting in the moon's light.
The Absence Of Colour
I can't believe that's the end!
I also can't believe that I've completed the whole story and still not thought of a title I like!
Thank you all so much for sticking with me throughout this story and a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited or subscribed to it. You are what motivated me to keep writing through my stupid writer's block and, of course, before and after it too! :D
I hope to see you again at stories I write in the future! :)
Please review and let me know what you thought. I'm not very good at ending stories but I thought this one was quite good. Am I right or was it actually really rubbish and I'm just deluding myself? If you want to give feedback of the whole story, that would be fantastic! Reviews would make me very happy! :D
-Kitsune
