Simply Delicious

Disclaimer: The characters and story of Hana Yori Dango are the sole property of Yoko Kamio.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to xinusess; it took me a long time but your request encouraged me. I hope you enjoy. And to ease confusion, I am placing the pairing next to the chapter title for each one-shot.

A Simple Sight

"When do you get off work again?" he asks, the same emotionless expression plastered on his face. He leans further over the table to look closer at the dango placed in front of him. "Hanazawa Rui, I didn't tell you to wait for me. I don't even know why you're waiting for me," Tsukushi replies, but instinctively knows that she will not get a response. She sighs and then concedes to him, "15 more minutes."

She looks out the windows at the darkness and wonders, 'How many hours has Hanazawa Rui waited for me?' She glances at him but then shrugs her shoulders and goes back to work.

"Okay, Hanazawa Rui, I'm done," she exclaims. He stands up and leads her out the door, the forgotten dango left behind. "Now are you going to tell me why you waited for me?" she asks while she follows him to his car. Silence answers her. She glances at his sports car, back at him, and wonders aloud, "No chauffeur?"

"No," he replies while opening the passenger door for her. After she sits down, he closes the door and then walks to the other side. Tsukushi blushes at the gesture and quickly thanks him. "You are allowed more freedom than Tsukasa has ever had, aren't you?" she asks.

"His mother is more protective than mine," Rui responds. He starts the car and she recognizes that he is ending the topic. After several failed attempts to make small talk, she gives up and quietly draws on the foggy windows.

Rui glances at her quickly before focusing on the road and smiles to himself. He wonders to himself, 'Why do I care so much for her?'

"We're here," he says, parking the car. She scans the forested view and looks at him confused. "This is a park, Hanazawa Rui," she answers. "There are plenty of parks near Eitoku, why did you have to drive me here?"

"Don't judge a book by its cover," he states softly. He gets out to open the door for her. As she gets out, he places a hand on the car roof, effectively cornering her. She looks at him in surprise and questions him. "Hanazawa Rui?"

"Are you over Tsukasa?" he asks her, penetrating her with his blue gaze.

"Of course, I am," Tsukushi says. "I have been for a long time." Rui's stare softens as hurt flickers in her eyes. A thought passed his mind, 'Is it too early?' Maybe he had underestimated her pain. It has been a year and a half since Tsukasa's rejection of Tsukushi and acceptance of Umi. The F3, Shigeru, and Sakurako had fought him and continually tried to convince him for several months, but ultimately at Tsukushi's request, they stopped.

"I'll take you home now," he says. "But we just got here, Hanazawa Rui," she replies. "Come on, I want to see why you brought me out here."

A strange emotion flashes in his eyes, and she knows what he thinks. She reaches out to hold his hands in hers.

"I know that none of you have believed me, but I am. I'm over Tsukasa, I promise," she says, her eyes pleading with him to trust her. She smiles at him suddenly, and says "Now show me your surprise."

He looks at her glowing smile and gives in. He leads her into the middle of the woods, and she gasps. "This is beautiful," she whispers as she looks around. He has led her into a clearing; thousands of wild flowers surround her. He chuckles lightly, and she whips around to look at him. 'Did Hanazawa Rui just chuckle?' she ponders in incredulity. "That's not what I wanted you to see. Look up," he tells her. She looks up and her mouth opens in amazement. Millions of stars sparkle in the sky, unblemished by city lights. A tug on her hand pulls her out of her revelry. He leads her to a telescope that he set up yesterday, and helps her use it. He watches her in silence as she peers at the clearly visible planets. He smiles as soundless gasps leave her.

"Tsukasa gave you Saturn, and I… I wanted to give you the universe," he says. Almost immediately, Rui is tempted to slap himself. 'Darn Akira and Soujiro for putting that cheesy line in my head,' he thinks.

She looks up at him with her sparkling eyes wide open, a rosy blush on her cheeks, and her adorable, soft mouth slightly open. He quickly leans down, stealing a kiss. He pulls back and looks at her for any sign of anger or rejection, but sees none and lets out a breath he hadn't realized that he had been holding.

His gaze darkens when Tsukushi unconsciously licks her lips. "Hanazawa-" she starts, before he cuts her off with another kiss. This time, it is more demanding, more needy, and more possessive. As his arms wrap around her waist, her right hand instinctively moves up to his neck, winding her fingers in the silky strands.

He withdraws from her and says quietly, "Rui."

She gives him a look of confusion while trying to clear her head.

"It's Rui," he states again. "Just Rui, not Hanazawa and not Hanazawa Rui."

Her lips lift in a grin, and she answers softly, "Okay, Rui. Thank you."

Her words spark something inside him, and Rui recalls his question earlier, and thinks, 'It is okay for me not to understand. As long as I know she makes me happy, and that it makes me happy to see her happy, that is all I need to know.'

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed this. Pairing requests, reviews, and constructive criticism is welcome. Also, a beta reader would be nice if anyone is interested.