"Look, you know. Even though I sound like some heroine out of a cliché movie, I can't thank you enough for saving me,"
The faintest touch of a smile graced his lips. "It was no difficulty, Leifang. You did most of it yourself, anyhow. Hayate certainly seemed moved by your poignant speech back there,"
She smiled, relieved. "Yes. Lucky, that. It just came from nowhere. I didn't know what it was going to sound like until I spoke,"
Suddenly, a twinkle appeared in his eye. She blinked. He looks… almost cocky. As though he has something planned. But this is Ryu! I've never seen him look so… so human! "Do you know what happens to heroines in cliché movies, Leifang?"
"No, I don't," she said, shaking her head. "So. What does happen to heroines in cliché movies?"
A gentler, softer smile graced his lips. "They always somehow manage to get the person who…" he indicated quotation marks with his fingers, "…'saves' them,"
"What, are you saying that you want me?" she teased, but her heart was thumping madly. Do I really want him? Is this the right thing to do? Then the thought was whisked away in a heartbeat. Well, Jann-Lee never loved me, so there's no harm being done there. Does it feel right? It felt so nice when he kissed me earlier, even if it was supposedly a mistake… whisked away. Do I want it?
…….
…of course.
A soft exhalation of breath, so she could almost taste his purity on her tongue. Jann had never tasted like that. Jann was always cinnamon, musky and endearing. But Ryu… Ryu had an indescribable taste. It was as though nothing even on the edge of being impure had considered going near him. I love that. Maybe… maybe I really do love him. Maybe I can love again, after all. "At first, I thought that you would not be able to cope with the life we lead. But you proved yourself admirably. And even though Kasumi was my first love, yes…" she inhaled sharply as he stepped closer to her, his alluring scent overpowering her senses, "I think that I am indeed saying that I want you. Leifang,"
With that, he leant closer to her, before shutting those beautiful emerald eyes and kissing her gently. This feels so right. It truly was meant to be. She responded to the kiss, his delicious, scrumptious taste flowing into her mouth, everywhere around her.
I still do love Kasumi. She always will have a place in my heart.
He paused in his administrations to fondle Leifang's hair gently. She smiled up at him, leaning her head on his chest.
But… this was truly meant to be. It feels so right, having her in my arms, holding her like this. It's hard to imagine that if I hadn't seen her, we never would have realised that we were meant to be together. I'll protect her. I will keep her safe.
She ran a hand through his hair as he looked down at her, wrapping an arm around her protectively.
No matter what, I will always be there for you. I think I can learn to love again.
Such is our destiny.