Day 3: Merriment and Misgivings

Tomoyo's eyes slipped open to the sound of her buzzing alarm clock. She let out a little sigh of content as she slapped it to silence it, then rose up into a sitting position. It was then that she realized that she was still in her clothing from the day before… and she didn't even remember coming inside.

She stood, scratching her neck and noticed her headband on the table. Her bedroom door was open as well… and a familiar scent wafted through the air. "That's Eriol's cologne…" She muttered, blushing. She had never really realized that scent of lavender that fluttered around him. It amazed her that she had started to identify it.

"Is he here?" She questioned, looking around the room and into the living room. No sign of the boy with glasses.

She traveled to the bathroom and started the shower, then returned to her room and gathered up a pair of white Capri pants and a red tank top with her name written across the chest.

-

Eriol lay in bed, his face half consumed in the pillow when a knock on his door startled him into consciousness.

He felt around for his glasses and slipped them on, then wrapped the sheet around his waist and walked to the door, looking tired still. He peeked through the crack as he opened it slightly. "Syaoran," He greeted sleepily.

"Just thought I'd check up on how you're doing with Tomoyo. Sakura's been raving on about it since she hasn't heard from her."

"Let me put some pants on, okay?" He said walking away from the door. He returned moments later in a pair of blue jeans and working desperately to pull a comb through his hair.

Syaoran let himself in and shut the door. "So, I can see that she hasn't killed you yet," He said smirking.

"I haven't really done all that much to be killed over," Eriol replied effortlessly. "She and I are on better terms than we were."

"Well, that's certainly good," Syaoran said, leaning against the door. "What've you been up to?"

"Eating out since I can cook to save my life. Yesterday she taught me how to ice skate," He replied, shrugging.

"She TAUGHT you? Didn't you already know?"

"No, not really," He said, smiling sheepishly. "It was easy after a few laps around the rink. It was, dare I say it, fun."

"-and there's been no sex involved," Syaoran said, looking out Eriol's window.

"I haven't even… Well, I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it. I am a man after all… but not really, no. I just enjoyed her company, I suppose. When she's not shooting daggers at me through her eyes, she's a pleasure to talk to. It's not often you find a woman who enjoys the finer things in life like art, and music, and--"

"That's incredible," Syaoran said, smirking at him. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that you're starting to like her!"

"I always liked Tomoyo, Syaoran," Eriol responded, a look of confusion on his face.

"Not that kind of like. You know… like her, like her."

"Are you daft?" Eriol cried, taken aback by his observations. "I have no feelings for her like that! We're merely acquaintances!" He walked into his bathroom.

"Then why are you taking her out and laying on all this charm?"

Eriol slapped some of his cologne along his neck, then emerged while slipping a white top around his shoulders. "I want to win the bet, Syaoran! I can assure you that the only one falling in love is her!"

Syaoran raised an eyebrow of suspicion, then shrugged. "Well, if you say so."

"Well, I do say so," Eriol said, tucking in his now buttoned up shirt and proceeded to braiding his hair with much difficulty. "This damned hair…"

"Why don't you cut it?"

"Women love my hair!" Eriol replied snappily as if it was the most obvious thing on the planet.

"Well," Syaoran walked passed him and slapped him on the cheek two times, "Good luck, lover boy." -and he was gone before Eriol could retort.

"Me in love? Foolery," He muttered, throwing his braid back behind his head. Her face came into his mind, that smiling look she had given him the day before. His cheeks flushed, and he furiously busied himself to making his bed.

-

Tomoyo tied her hair up in a ponytail with a red ribbon, her luxurious curls tumbling down her back. She entered her living room once more, sighing in satisfaction of being clean and ready to go.

She searched her refrigerator for something to eat when her doorbell rang.

When she opened the door, Eriol stood before her, his usual grin upon his face. "Good morning."

Tomoyo smiled at him until she realized what she was doing, then greeted promptly. "Eriol."

His grin grew wider. "So, it's not Hiiragizawa anymore?"

She had still slipped up.

"F-for now," She responded, thinking of something just in time.

Eriol chuckled slightly, his amethyst eyes glittering playfully. Tomoyo blushed slightly. He's got such absolutely beautiful eyes…AH! What am I thinking!

"Do you want to go out to breakfast?" He asked.

"I'm tired of eating out. I'll get fat," She said. "So, I'm going to have a bowl of cereal. Do you want some?"

Eriol was silent for a second, wondering how she thought she would ever be fat, then nodded. "Sure!"

-

The two sat across from each other at Tomoyo's table, munching on their Cheeriosä. Eriol couldn't help but think that cereal could be terribly loud when he wanted to say something. He stared at her deeply, never being at such a loss for words. What could he say that wouldn't get him slaughtered? He knew he had to slip up eventually, but he was working on it.

She glanced up, feeling eyes peering upon her. "Problem?" She asked.

"Oh! Uh---" He looked around nervously. "You… err…look…really nice today…" He said.

"Thanks," She said. "You too."

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

"Do you only own button-downs?" She asked, leaning her chin on her hand, her spoon dangling daintily between her index and middle finger.

"I guess I've always preferred those kind of shirts as apposed to t-shirts. I feel like I look more adult or something. I was Clow Reed after all, and he was a very proper man. I guess I just picked up my dressing habits from him, though I don't wear the colorful coats with designs of the sun and the moon like he did."

"Well, I suppose we prefer the clothing that suits us best," Tomoyo said, a smile playing on her lips that she was forcing herself to prevent.

"You're lucky then. You look wonderful in all different styles," He said, beaming.

"Lay off the magic, player," She said, hiding her shock with a dead-pan attitude.

"Last time I checked, Sakura had all the magical cards locked away in her room," He replied simply.

Tomoyo shoved her mouth full of cereal since she had nothing to say.

Eriol drank the milk from his bowl and took it to the sink, then proceeded in washing his dish.

Tomoyo stared, jaw dropped at him. "You're… washing it?"

"It would drive me insane if I didn't, and I don't want to spend the whole day thinking about it," He said, scrubbing it clean and drying it with the towel next to the sink. "Is there something wrong with that?"

"No… I'm… impressed, actually," She said, smiling. "Flattered even…"

He took her empty bowl and starting washing it too, along with the spoons. "What can I say? I like my place clean."

"It's about time someone besides Sakura agrees with me," Tomoyo said, pushing her chair in. "She says that Syaoran has the tendency to be a slob."

"Shall we be off?" He asked, drying his hands.

"We shall," She said, following him out the door. "By the way, have you always worn that lavender cologne?"

"Yes. It's lovely, isn't it? I bought it in Paris," He said, opening the limo door.

"Paris!"

-

"So, where are we?" Tomoyo asked as the car stopped. The driver opened the door for the both of them, and they stepped out.

"The carnival," He said effortlessly.

Tomoyo stared at the rides and miscellaneous tents in childlike wonder. "I love the carnival!"

"Everyone loves the carnival!" Eriol laughed, grabbing her wrist. "LET'S GO!"

She giggled as he dragged her inside.

-

The dazzling music and churning rides kept them both enchanted as they traveled down the rows of booths. Eriol looked over at her with his sweetest smile, then dropped it as he stared at her. She really was quite pretty.

She turned to look at him, and he quickly averted his eyes. "So, what do you want to do first?" He asked, blushing slightly. What's gotten into me? He asked himself, chewing on his lower lip.

"Roller coasters!" Tomoyo cheered, grabbing his wrist and bolting through the crowd. "Let's go!"

He stared at her hand gripped firmly around his and smiled warmly, then shook his head. It must be the lights… Yeah, and it's warm out.

She pulled him into line with her and stared excitedly ahead. It was as if she was a child running around with her 'Sakura-chan' again. It was a sight for sore eyes in a way to see that she was still the same Tomoyo that she used to be, even if it was only deep down inside. For a moment, he even half-expected her to whip out her camera.

The line dwindled down until they were up, and Tomoyo sat in the back. Eriol sat next to her, and the bar went down on their waists.

Tomoyo smiled ear-to-ear, looking at the bar, then realized that Eriol's hands were trembling. She looked up at him to see his face, pale as a ghost with nervous features.

"Are you okay?" She asked him.

"Fine, fine," He said, though he certainly didn't sound fine.

"You're not… scared are you?" She asked.

"Eh-heh…" He said, blushing. "Maybe a little."

"Well, okay then," Tomoyo said, staring back ahead of her.

"Okay… Maybe a lot…" He then responded.

"So you are scared?" She asked, feeling a bit guilty that she had pulled him into it without even asking.

"Absolutely mortified," He said with a smile.

"Then, we should get off. I'll just-"

…but it was too late. The ride jerked and began its way down the track. Eriol paled even more.

"Hey, it's okay. It's not bad, I promise!" She assured, hoping to cheer him up.

"Screaming metal deathtrap…" He murmured as the coaster started upwards.

"Oh, come on," She tried again. "It's really fun, I promise!"

"I suppose I should have said something…"

"Look," She said, placing her hand on top of his. "You can hold my hand if you're really scared." She smirked slightly, apparently beginning to feel superior.

He looked into her eyes, and for a moment their gazes locked.

"Thank-" He began when suddenly the coaster went zooming downwards. Eriol screamed and clutched onto her.

"WOO!" Tomoyo yelled, having the time of her life as Eriol said prayers into her shoulder.

The ride went in two loops, a few corkscrews here and there, five hills, and then slowed to a stop in front of the waiting crowd.

Eriol had not let go of her since the first drop, and she practically had to yank him off of her. His hair was a distorted, nappy mess, and his glasses were crooked on his face. As if he didn't look bad enough, he collapsed once they were off the ride, and she had to help him to a bench.

She fanned him with her hand, doing all she could not to laugh. "No… more… roller coasters…" Eriol panted, leaning his head back.

"Oh, give it a rest," She said. "We're alive aren't we?"

That didn't seem to make him feel better.

"Hey, the only one who got hurt was me," Tomoyo responded to the silence in a huffed tone. "-and that was because you dug your nails into me like a cat in a swimming pool!"

"I…"

"What?"

"I'm sorry…"

She gawked at him, taken aback. Apologizing? For what? "It's no problem…. Wuss."

Eriol pouted but did not respond. Indeed, he felt like a wuss. He'd almost passed out over a ride that his friend who happened to be a girl was not afraid of in the least. He figured this had to be one of those moments that he would look back and laugh at later in life.

Then, Tomoyo burst out laughing. Apparently, her moment was now.

He blushed in humiliation, but after a few moments, his lips curled into a smile and he laughed too. "Yeah, I know I'm really spineless when it comes to roller coasters," He said as they calmed down. "They just don't settle with me. Let's go ride something else."

"What do you want to ride?" She asked, standing.

"Let's walk around and see our options," He said, standing as well.

The two began their stroll through the park. Occasionally they stopped to play a few games that were impossible to win, but with some 'help' of Eriol's magic, he managed to win her a pink teddy bear.

"Ooh, look! There's the Tilt-o-Whirl!" Eriol exclaimed, pointing at it. "We should ride that!"

"Eriol," Tomoyo said.

"Yes?"

"Why do you take me on these long trips with all this fun stuff? This is part of your bet, but why would you want to spend all this money-"

"I choose these places because I like these places… and because… I like spending time with you." He turned and smiled at her, his most sincere one in mo--- ye--- a very long time.

She blushed. He has a nice smile…

"COME ON!" He dragged her to the tilt-o-whirl before she could say anything else.

The rest of the day was spent on several rides that didn't include roller coasters, loads upon loads of greasy fair food, and many losses at the rigged games.

By ten o' clock that evening, they had arrived at Tomoyo's house with no money in their pockets, no strength left to walk, and one pink teddy bear that Tomoyo had won and given to Eriol.

"Thank you for the wonderful time," Tomoyo said, standing in the doorway.

"It wouldn't have been nearly as fun without you," He said awkwardly, rubbing his neck and smiling. "Well, uh… sweet dreams."

"You too…"

"Always," He responded as she shut the door.

That was when he looked down and saw on the ground a red ribbon that had fallen out of Tomoyo's hair. For a moment he contemplated knocking and giving it back, but instead, he picked it up and headed for the car, ribbon in one hand, bear in the other.

As the limo took off into the night, he slipped the ribbon around its neck and tied it in the front. "Now, what should I name you?" He asked. "I'm not very good at this…"

"Why don't you name it Tomoyo, sir?" The driver suggested.

"Yeah…" Eriol whispered, shutting his eyes. "Why don't I?" He fell asleep.

(A/N: WOO! Long chapter! WOOO! Chapter period! HOO-RAH!)