You call it fluff, I say relationship building

Hikari's POV

I've been woken up by many things. By someone shaking me, yelling, and beating. By the sound of thunder, footsteps, and laughter. I was taken from my sleep by things such as the smell of food or sudden pain.

But never have I been woken up my music. Even with sleepiness still fogging my senses, I can detect one of Beethoven's works playing near me. Fur Elise, far too iconic to forget. Slowly, I open my eyes, yawning in the process. I sit up in my bed and look around.

I rub my eyes in disbelief when I survey the room. I'm not in my bedroom, but the familiar green themed one that belongs to Shuu. I look down and notice that I have an emerald green sheet over me instead of my usual purple. I also lack any clothing on my upper half, so I quickly pull the covers up to my chin. Why am I in here?

I'm taken from my thoughts when I hear a groan by my side. There's a movement beside me and I turn to see Shuu sluggishly rising from under the covers. He reaches over and smacks his bedside table a few times before his palm lands on the clock near him. I stare at his bare back, noting how defined it is. His lower half is still under the covers, although they seem to be falling down.

Slowly, his head turns in my direction. We lock eyes, neither one of us speaking for what seems like an eternity. "Mornin'," he says with a yawn.

"It's not morning," I reply. "You already did this to me once before."

"Yeah, just seeing if you were going to fall for it again." He seems to stare off into space for some time. As is shot, he falls right back on the bed with another groan.

"Shuu?" I question. "Aren't you going to get up?"

"The first part of me waking up is spent wishing I was still sleeping," he says. "I think I still am because I doubt this is real."

"What?"

"You being in here," he says.

"You expected me to leave?"

He doesn't answer, he only closes his eyes. I sigh myself, not knowing what to do. Little by little, hazy memories of yesterday drift into my mind. I was playing the piano with Shuu, ate, then, then what? All I can come up with that that is that we...did it. The thought makes me feel queasy. After what Laito said, it makes me feel so slutty. Why, how, what even happen to make me go that far? It hasn't even been a week since I said anything about my feelings, now I'm having sex.

"Hikari?" Shuu says with no emotion in his voice.

"Hmm," I hum, not looking to the vampire.

"Are you okay?" I hear the hint of worry in his words.

I wish I knew the answer to the question. Am I really okay? I don't think I've ever been. So I do what I've been doing for some time now, I cover my emotions I don't want people to see. To put on the mask I wear so well and so often it feels more like a second skin. "Yeah, I'm good. What time is it?"

"6:28," the vampire answers.

"Why do you wake up so early?"

"I...do not...know," he says eerily like he isn't sure of his words. He covers his eyes with his arm like he is going back to sleep. I'm about to slide out of bed, but then I notice I'm completely naked. I feel my face flush at the thought. Oh god, it has been forever since I had to go through the post-sex stages.

"Um, Shuu," I say.

"Hm?"

"Uh...where are my...clothes?" I ask slowly. I look around the room and on the floor, searching for my own clothing.

"I don't think you need them," he says slyly and I see a smile working on his face.

I find an article of clothing on the floor near me. I lean over and pick it up, and it turns out to be Shuu's underwear. I roll my eyes and look back at the vampire. My face flushes more when I come to the realization that he's probably also naked.

"Shuu, put on some clothes!" I snap, hitting him with his own underwear repeatedly. He groans and rolls over, grabbing a pillow to shield himself from my attack.

"I can say the same thing, but I'm not complaining," he groans once I finally throw the clothing at him.

"I would, but I don't know where they are. And I refuse to leave this bed naked."

"Mm, why not?" he teases.

"SHUU!" I shout, my face red with embarrassment.

I see his smile grow slightly as he lets out a sigh. He sits up and grabs the underwear I was using as a weapon not too long ago. He moves so he is sitting on the edge of the bed, feet on the floor. He slides on his underwear to his thigh. When he stands to pull them up to his waist, I catch a glimpse of his butt. I snicker softly and look away.

"What?" he questions, turning to look at me.

"Nothing," I muse with a smile.

"If you don't say it, you're not getting your clothes."

I narrow my eyes at him and raise his brow, challenging me. "Well…" I say, "you have a nice ass."

He looks taken back by the comment. He makes a what-the-fuck face and shakes his head slowly. He then rolls his eyes and begins to travel the room, collecting clothing. The first thing he picks up are my panties and I try not to blush more than I already am. He makes a remark that I probably don't want to put them on and I don't argue. He then tosses me my black jeans and I mouthed a thank you. I shift in the bed and put the pants on. I keep the covers over my breast, still not comfortable exposing them.

I watch him as he collects the clothes, studying his mostly exposed body. He doesn't have too large of a frame, but his muscles are noticeable. His legs, like his upper body, look strong in structure, yet lean in size. But I can't stop staring at his nearly perfect butt. Why the hell does he have such a round, yet firm, ass?

"Hey!" Shuu shouts, gaining my attention. "Stop ogling me like I'm eye candy."

"More like man candy," I mutter under my breath.

The words don't go unheard because the vampire gives me a hard stare. He bends over and when he straights, I see he has picked up my bra. "I would love to see something myself," he saws, holding up the undergarment with a smile playing on his lips.

"Shuu, give me my bra," I say sternly.

"Nah, I will hang onto it until you come and get it. I do think you have a tasteful sense for underwear, I may just keep them"

"I'm not playing, I want my clothes. Just give them to me," I say in annoyance, unamused with his antics.

"Gotta beg for it."

"Beg!" I echo in shock.

He sighs and shakes his head. "You were much better at this earlier."

"I'm not begging for my clothes, I'm not a dog."

"You can be my bitch," he says slyly.

"That's it!" I shout. I throw off the sheets and hurry over to the vampire, my arm over my exposed chest. He smirks and takes a few steps back as I rush towards him. I reach out with my free arm to get the article of clothing, but he keeps raising it higher.

"Shuu, please give me the bra," I say in frustration. He only shakes his head, raising said clothing high so it is out of my reach.

"Gotta jump," he teases.

"Like hell, I would!"

"You should try, it could prove effective."

"I'm not! You're such a perv. My boobs aren't for toying with."

"I can object."

"FUCK YOU!"

"I don't know about that, but I have no problem on fucking you again."

"ASSHOLE!"

"I never tried anal."

His perverted statements bring a whole new wave of embarrassment over me. I open and close my mouth, incapable of forming words. I press my lips together and lower myself to the ground. I lift my knees up to my head and rest my head on them.

"Hikari?" he says softly.

"I...just...can't with you," I say slowly. The redness of my face has traveled to the tips of my ears and I know I can no longer even look at Shuu. It's like I overheated and can no longer function. I soon feel something graze my side. It tickles me, making me flinch and let out a laugh. It comes again, tickling my side a bit more. A giggle escapes my lips and I look up at the culprit.

Shuu smiles down at me and I roll my eyes at the vampire. "I don't like being tickled."

"We all have to step out of our comfort zones," he replies. With his guard down, I'm able to snatch my bra from his hand at last. I stick my tongue out at him like a child and put on the undergarment, which makes me feel much more comfortable.

Shuu gets up and walks to his dresser, retrieving a white, button-up shirt. As he does this, I look around for my own top. "Uh, Shuu, where's my shirt?"

For a moment, it looks like he is thinking over the question like the answer is just out of reach. "I believe it's still in the music room."

"I'm not even going to ask why it's in there," I say with a sigh as I raise from the floor. I jump back onto the vampire's plush bed, allowing the soft bedding to consume me. I let out a soft sigh as I nuzzle into the covers.

"What are you doing?" Shuu questions, his footsteps coming close.

"There's no reason for me to be up this early, so I'm going about to sleep," I answer, trying to go back to a restful state. I know sleep as long left me and it won't return until later, but I don't want to do anything at the moment. The area next to me sinks in and the now familiar feeling of fingers combing my hair joins soon after.

"Hikari, is something actually bothering you?"

"No," I lie once more to Shuu. Not only am I still trying to accept that we did have sex, but my thoughts are also plagued with what Liato said yesterday. What did he mean when he said that Shuu can't deal with another heartbreak? Did he already like someone, was it recent? When Laito said 'last time', does he mean there was more than one heartbreak for Shuu?

"What are you thinking about?" Shuu ask.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me. You're too quiet to be thinking about nothing." The combing fingers stop and I can feel his hard eyes staring into me. Dammit, he knows I'm lying and he isn't going to take another one.

"Why do you like me?" The question is voiced before I even think about it. A wave of uneasiness soon washes over me and I'm soon in a sea of regret. I don't breathe or move a limb, the only things in motion are my racing mind and pounding heart.

"You've interested me since I first saw you," Shuu says after a long moment of silence. "Isn't that how it all starts, by finding interest in something or someone? I can't explain when down the line it became more than that, but I somehow come to the realization that what I felt wasn't just deep interest."

I'm taken back by his words. I didn't think he would give me an answer of any sort.

"But that doesn't really answer your question of why I feel what I feel. There are many things about you that I like, can't you see them?"

I remain silent, not wanting to answer the question. I feel like I can't lie to him after his touching words like would be the worst thing I could possibly do. I'm too hesitant to speak the truth that eats me away at times. The question my therapist ask me so many times it burns like acid when I hear it. Not uttering a word my only resort.

"Hikari?"

"It's not like you to be so sentimental," I say, my voice void of emotion. I raise my face from the covers it was buried in and look at Shuu. He face shows a bit of suspicion as if he knows that I'm trying to cover something. His sapphire blue eyes gaze at me with a look of sympathy, a look I was given far too many times for my liking. I give him the same false smile I gave the nurses and therapist, hoping it is enough to remove the apprehension from the situation.

"Can you braid?" I ask randomly.

The vampire raises a brow, question my attempt to change the subject. He seems to let it slide as he nods his head.

"You do?" I gawk, stunned by the answer.

"You don't?" he counters.

"I know how, it's just hard. My hair was much longer not too long ago, and I'm not used to braiding short hair."

"Sit up," he says with a sigh. I do as he says and rise from my laying position. I cross my legs and sit with my bare back towards him. I feel him take my hair in his hand and begin to twist it in a braid. His fingers are quick and diligent like they've been performing the task since birth.

"How come you know how to braid hair?" I question.

"Do you not see this mess of hair I have to work with?" he questions like it is the most obvious thing in the world. I giggle at his joke, but I don't bother to ask for the real reason. "Do you have a hair tie?" I nod and fish one out of my pocket. I hand him the requested object. "So you just carry around hair ties?"

"Yeah," I answer with no further explanation. He knots the braidd at the end of the bread to keep it secure.

"Are you going to your room now?" the vampire as once he's done.

"Are you trying to kick me out now?"

"I'm just asking a question," Shuu says in his usual annoyed voice. The tone actually makes me feel better, knowing he's being his normal self.

"I need to get my shirt from the music room, but I rather not leave you room like this." I gesture towards my exposed upper body.

He nods and gets off of the bed, making the journey to his dresser once again. He fishes something out and return back to the bedside. He tosses me the white garment and I catch it. I open it and realize it is a white t-shirt. I give a smile to the vampire and slip on the shirt. It is a bit large for me, but it is only temporary.

"Thanks," I say, standing up from the bed. I look in his eyes, hoping mine don't show the discomfort I'm feeling. I do love Shuu, but I know there are many things that trouble the both of us, making our feeling difficult to convey. But no matter how much trouble I have, I want him to know that I do have these feeling for him. I step closer, so I step right in front of the vampire. Standing on the tips of my toes, my hands on his shoulders, I'm able to press my lips against Shuu's. He kisses back, lightly forces his lips against mine. It's not a heated one, but surely one formed from passion.

I'm the first to break away from the kiss, allowing the muscles in my toes a rest. I don't look the vampire in the eyes after breaking away. Instead, I remove my arms from his shoulders and wrap them around his body. I lean into his front, inhaling his scent. It's still foreign to me, but it's comforting. Like him.

"I'm going now," I say, although my arms remain snaked around him. "I'm going outside for a bit before we go to school." I feel him tense the moment I utter the words. "I'm telling you that because I know you'd probably get upset if I left and you didn't know where I was. I promise I'm not trying to leave, I just want to clear my head before going to school. Besides," I look up at the vampire, meeting his gaze, "I have no reason to leave you."

My words are like a spell, causing his body to loosen in an instant. He nods his head and I unravel my arms from him. With a smile and a short wave, I head towards the stairs the lead to the door. I exit Shuu's room and head down the hall to find my own. It doesn't take me too long to realize I have no idea where I'm going. I've only been to his room once, and that time I went there and didn't leave on my accord, so the way back is blank to me.

I groan and walk the seemingly ends halls of the manor, trying to find one that looks familiar. I open a door that leads to a balcony. I take a step into the cold, late evening air. It chills me to the bone and goosebumps dot my arms. There is something about the cold that I love. The way it seems to cool everything, making it fresh. I stare at the setting sun, watching it slowly dip into the horizon. The last rays of the day slowly dying from now.

Another shiver runs through me, telling me I should change and put on my jacket before coming back outside. When I open the door to enter the manor, there's a figure in the way. I look up to see Reiji staring down at me, eyes hard as always.

"Oh, hello, Reiji, I didn't know you were here," I say.

"I need to have a word with you," he replies, not even giving a greeting of his own. He starts to walk down the hall, so I guess I'm supposed to follow him. The second eldest vampire leads me to his lab-like room. I enter, closing the door behind me. This will be the third time I was in here to talk to the vampire, I hope I didn't do anything bad again.

He picks a clipboard up from the coffee table and scans over it. Without giving an explanation, has me do random things. He asks me to walk in a straight line, do some reading, and task that seem very familiar in general.

"Rei-" I begin.

"Silence yourself," he snaps as he scribbles some more thing onto the paper before him. "I swear, I'm always going to be going behind my brothers and their stupid games," he murmurs under his breath. He sighs as he places the clipboard back down on the coffee table. "You may sit now." He gestures to the seat in front of him, and I take it.

"We received a letter today," he begins. "It was a notice saying a doctor from the hospital you were emitted to will be coming here sometime next week. They said that is has been about three months since you've been discharged and two since your last check up, correct?"

"Yes," I say with a nod.

"Whoever they pick to check up on you will arrive later next week like I previously mentioned. I was asked to do a pre-appoint to make sure things are in check before the actual session." He hands me the clipboard and pen. "Go over this. Fill in anything I left blank and correct any errors."

I nod once more and take the survey from his hands. I've done these multiple times before, so I'm used to them. Maybe that's why the task he wanted me to perform were familiar, they were standard things to check. I scan over the document, reading over what was already filled in. Most things Reiji did, such as my name, age and birthday, and I wonder how he knows them. Things such as my last menstruation cycle are left blank of course. I fill out the few things left empty. An answer to a particular question leaves me puzzled.

"Why did you check 'yes' for number twenty-seven?" I question.

"Which is that?"

"Patient has taken nonprescription medication/drugs'. Wine isn't considered drugs, its alcohol, which has its own question."

"Do you really think I'm dumb enough to mistake wine for a drug?" he questions, his words sharp, challenging.

"Uh...no," I say.

"Shuu didn't inform you about it I presume. That good for nothing always doing everything half-ass. I don't know what happened between the two, but to tell you simply, he drugged you sometime last night."

"He what?" I gasp, not knowing if I could trust Reiji, the one who I can tell has the most trouble with Shuu.

"He took one of my drugs last morning and said he wanted to have fun. Whatever happens, between the two of you is your business, which I've been told not to intervene in."

Did Shuu really drug me? What purpose would he have to do so? I don't want to believe Reiji, but it doesn't seem like a lie. It would give a logical explanation of my vague memories.

I try to shake the thoughts from my head, thinking about it now won't do me any good. I finish going over the survey and hand it back to Reiji. He dismisses me and I gladly take the invitation to leave. I head to my room, my mind overrun with troubling thoughts.

My pencil repeatedly taps at my notebook, beating far faster than the second hand on the clock. I won't let my eyes leave the ticking hand as if my stare alone will make it move quicker. It ticks by at the usual pace, but it seems to be slowing, mocking me even.

I've been staring at the clock all of History, wanting the period to be over as soon as humanly possible. I just want to leave this class and go somewhere. But this somewhere can't be the music room. Not only did I feel uneasy with Shuu this earlier, but Reiji came along and made everything a million times worse than it originally was.

I don't know how to approach Shuu about this. In the past, facing Shuu head on about things give me a result I was satisfied with. But I don't know if the tactic will work this time. I don't want to accuse him of something I'm not totally sure about, that would cause a whole new problem. I'm thinking the best thing to do is to let it sit for some time and it will soon be brushed under the rug.

The sounding of the chimes brings me back to reality. I don't even collect my stuff before I'm out of my seat. Ayato gives me a weird look as I walk by him, but I don't give him a second glance. I head straight over to Haru and Keita.

"Hi, Haru, Keita," I say once I approach the duo.

Haru is the first to greet me. "Hey, Hikari. What's up?"

"Nothing really," I say with a small smile. "Hey, would it be too much to ask if I can have lunch with you two today?"

"No, that would be great," Keita says, turning towards his friend. He nods his head, agreeing the plan is a good one.

I sigh in relief, thankful I now have a reason to skip over the music room today. I do feel guilt twist in my stomach, but I try not to think of it. I walk back to my desk and collect my stuff. I return to Haru's desk and the three of us head to the cafeteria. I've actually never been there, which is odd, I have been coming to this school for a bit more than two months now.

Haru and Keita head to a certain table as soon as we enter the large area, making me think that it's their usual table. We settle down and take out our food. The two of them take out properly boxed lunches, and I simply take out a container of fruit and a bag of cookies.

"So, Hikari, did you finish your piano lessons?" Keita asks me.

"More or less," I say with a shrug. "I didn't master the piece, and I mess up here and there, but I'm almost done."

"Shouldn't you keep working on it then?"

"Nah, I can't go in there with Shuu for the time being. Lucky me, I lost another bet."

This makes Haru laugh out loud. He chokes on whatever was in his mouth, making him cough furiously. After calming down, he clears his throat. "Excuse me," he says, the smile never leaving his face. "It's just, you're really bad at bets. First with Ayato and now with the other. You really need to stop gambling. Did you lose anything this time?"

"Nothing but a bit of my dignity," I say sarcastically.

The conversation throughout the period is void of anything weird. We talk casually about grades and life. Well, when it came to personal lives, I let the boys do most of the talking. I make a few comments here and there, keeping up with the others. My thoughts continue to drift to Shuu, wondering what he may be doing at the moment. Is he playing like he was last time I wasn't there? Could he be waiting for me? Does he even care if I come or not?

"Hikari?" a voice says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hm?" I hum, focusing on the two in front of me.

"I said, how is Yui?" Keita repeats.

"Oh, Yui. She's good, nothing different with her."

"That's good," he says with a nod.

"Why so curious about my sister?" I tease, wiggling my eyebrows.

The glasses wearing boy's cheeks color a bit. "No reason, just wondering."

"Besides, Keita over here is taken," Haru says.

"Really?" I say. "That sucks, my plans are ruined."

Keita's face only reddens, causing both Haru and me to laugh.

"I feel bad for the two of you," Haru says. "Chained down by the shackles of a relationship. I, on the other hand, can do whatever I want, whenever I want."

"Who said I was in a relationship?" I ask.

"Aren't you and Shuu something?"

"Uh, it's a bit complicated at the moment," I say, tapping the side of my water bottle.

"Oh, sorry," Haru says.

The chimes ring again, telling us that we need to head to our next class. I put on a smile before leaving the two, thanking them for letting me join them. We part ways, and I head to Home Ed. I try to focus in class, but Shuu seems to be in my every thought.

I scribble down the answers to my math homework, trying to finish it before I fall asleep. All I want to do at the moment is drop everything and sleep, but I know I would only regret not finishing my work. I'm already dressed in my plaid purple, pajama pants, and black tank top. My hair is already brushed and in a ponytail.

I notice I need my protractor for the next few problems, so I search for the tool. I search my bag and under my bed. I open the drawers of my nightstand, only to see the back of a frame. Forgetting about my work, I pick up the object of my past.

I hold the framed photo in my hand, staring at the younger me. The she doesn't look the slightest scared or uncomfortable next to Natsume. She smiles like that is where she belonged and no matter how hard it could be at times, nothing truly bad would ever take place in that household. Her fingers laced with Natsume as if she's saying, "This is the person I love, the person I want to be with." How wrong that girl was.

The creaking of the door opening snaps me out of my thought. "I'm coming in," a voice says, not giving much time to react. I quickly hide the photo under my pillow, like it is a forbidden artifact that shouldn't be in my possession. The instant I saw my pillow down, the door is fully open, revealing Shuu.

"Wow, thanks for the warning," I joke with a role of my eyes.

"No problem," he says with a shrug as he makes his way towards me. He sits on the chair close to my bed. He looks me straight in the eyes, his expression serious. "Hikari, we need to talk."

"Uh oh, Shuu is getting serious," I say in a joking manner although I feel anything but happy. HIs words make my stomach turn and palms sweat. I wanted to let this die down, to leave it alone and forget about it.

"I'm not playing," he says sternly.

"Did I not just say you were serious?"

"Stop fooling around, this isn't a game!" he snaps, making me stop my smile. He inhales deeply, calming himself for both our sakes. "Why didn't you come to the music room today?"

"Because I still can't master the piece and the ghost of music past regret me," I reply.

The vampire is unamused. "Hikari, I'm serious. You were acting weird earlier and it is bothering me."

"It's nothing, I swear. There's no need to worry about me." I press my lips together and look away from Shuu. I have to fight my hand to stay away from my hair.

"Is it because yesterday?" the vampire questions, causing me to stiffen. "I hit right on the nail, didn't I? Hey, if I made you upset, I'm sorry. I'm sure that Reiji already told you about the drug. I know that was stupid and I honestly did it for my own amusement. I didn't know things would escalate like they did. If they went in a way you aren't comfortable with, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," I murmur under my breath.

"Hikari, I'm serious. If it mad-"

"I said it's fine!" I snap at the vampire, glaring at him. He is shocked by my outburst and looks at me with a mixture of surprise and confusion. I shake my head at myself and lower it into my hands.

"Sorry," I say after some silence. "Honestly, I'm fine with it, it wouldn't have been the first. I have just been having troubling thoughts about what you asked me earlier. You asked if I could see the things about myself that you like. Well, I can't," the two words leave my mouth with a bitter taste. I've said them repeatedly, and it seem like I will be once more. "I don't like myself, Shuu, I don't. I think I'm a burden, problematic, and a nuisance. I've little shame and just overall a disgusting person. I do not love myself and I can't find a single thing about me that you would find appealing."

The hours of therapy never changed my view on myself. I don't think I'm beneficial in any way. And I constantly come between people and cause problems. I'm my hassle, from my tantrums to my medication. And when I first got here and had sex with both Ayato and Laito. There is nothing about me that's likable or respectable.

"You have extremely amusing reactions to things," Shuu says, making me look up at him. His head is back and his eyes are close, but I can tell he is thinking. "You always say when you're annoyed. You possess a variety of skills in multiple areas. You realize when you make mistakes and you try your best to fix them. Even if it seems nosy at times, you try to help others. You have a nice sense of humor and your dramaticness and sarcasm is fresh and enjoyable. And like I said from the very beginning," he opens his lovely blue eyes, looking into my pink ones, "you're very interesting." He leaves his chair and comes closer to me. "And as a bonus, you're very attractive."

I'm left speechless by his words. No one has ever said anything like that to me. Each word spoken was filled with extreme sincerity. His body language made it like he was saying nothing, but his words were everything. He leans in close to me, a small smile present on his lips. He brushes away an unshed tear and moves my hair from my face so it's behind my ear.

"There are many things I like about you, and I want you to be able to see them. You are your greatest critic, so don't judge too hard. Because if you see what I see, you'd be a much happier person, and I'd love that. You have flaws, that's what makes you human. I, on the other hand, well, am neither perfect nor human." The comment makes me laugh softly.

Shuu reaches down and takes my hand in his. He rubs circles on it as he says, "Allow me to love someone that loves herself." He raises my hand towards his face, placing a kiss on it. He looks up at me, our eyes locking once again.

Still unable to speak, I nod my head meekly. He does the same, confirming he understands my acknowledgment. I feel as if I have to say something, but the words seem to want to come out at onces, backfiring on themselves. There's nothing I can possibly say that would even reflect half the feelings and emotion in my heart at the moment. "Can I have a hug?" is all I'm able to say.

The vampire smiles and chuckles at the childish request. He nods and let's go of my hand. He leans over so he is able to snake his arms around me and hold me close. This is what I love, feeling someone else's embrace and warmth. Having them hold onto me and determined to make sure I stay with them.

"Thank you, Shuu," I whisper into his ear. "Thank you for caring for me, for changing me."

"I can say the same," he says into my ear. "Hikari, my biggest regrets in life are not knowing how people around me felt and hurting them. So, please, tell me when something troubles you or you feel uncomfortable, I want to know stuff like that." His embrace tightens around me. "I can't lose you, I refuse to."

"I will, I promise," I say. He release me from his warm embrace and looks down at me.

"You better not start crying," he teases.

"Why do you always say that?" I ask with a laugh.

"People crying is annoying," he says rolling his eyes, but I know he just doesn't want to see me sad.

"You're a jerk," I say with a roll of my eyes.

"Really?"

"Yeah, but you can be my jerk."

"I can live with that," he says. He leans in, placing his lips on my own. I kiss back, letting him know how much he means to me. He slides his arm around my waist bringing me closer to him. It is similar to the kiss we shared earlier, but this one is different. It is like a wordless promise between the two of us.

He is the first to break away from the kiss. He looks relaxed, his smile still present on his face. "Do you want me to stay with you today?"

"I would love that," I reply, happy he suggested it.

"You need anything?"

"Like I would take anything you'd give me," I say, giving him a playful punch. "I'm not going to be drugged again."

"And here I thought I would be able to see your looney side again."

"Doubt it."

He shrugs his shoulders. "I can hope." He says he needs to go to his room for a moment and leaves. Once he's gone, I retrieve the photograph from under the pillow. I stare at the photo like I did not too long ago. I need to tell Shuu. If I'm going to truly move on, I have to let go. I've long accepted what happened, I just need to remember that the past should hold me in chains. I but the framed photo back into the drawer until I figure out what I'm going to get rid of it.

I clear the notebooks and school supplies off my bed and return them to my school bag. The moment I zip it close, Shuu is back in my room. He doesn't say anything about what he did, but I have no reason to ask.

He kills the lights and we both find ourselves under the covers of my bed. I cuddle up into his bare chest, his arm draped over me. His warmth fills my body, making me feel protected and cared for. I inhale deeply, taking in his scent that is becoming more and more comforting.

"Shuu?" I whisper.

"Hm?"

"No funny business."

"Sure."

"Shuu."

"Hm?"

"Are you comfortable?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Shuu?"

"Hm?"

"I love you."

"Do you love yourself yet?"

"I'm getting there."

"Good."

There is a long pause in the conversation. Right before I fall asleep, I hear, "I love you, too, Hikari."

GOD I LOVE SHUU. I have basically fallen in love with my interpretation of a character fml. Oh well, hope you guys liked it. Comment your thoughts, didn't get many on my last real chapter. Also, don't forget to vote or comment if you want a prequel or not. Thank you all for reading, publish soon my lovelies.