Kei-chan: IMPORTANT! This is NOT the end! After this, there is an epilogue, with a little surprise for you all!
Rin-chan: Thanks for all our awesome reviews, we love you guys. Hope you like this chapter!
Chapter Seven - The End of the Challenge
Finally.
Finally, the challenge was going to be over.
They were all in the restaurant where the challenge was first issued, deciding they might as well end it where it began.
Tohma smiled. "The challenge is officially… over."
Shuichi sighed, letting his head fall back, and Yuki slid down in his seat.
Letting out a relieved sigh, Yuki - still with pink hair - put his arm around Shuichi, pulling him to rest against his side. Shuichi shifted closer, and reached for Yuki's cigarettes on the table.
The others blinked. And stared.
They were all ignored by the two cuddling, and smoking.
Shuichi sat up suddenly. "I finished the novel I was writing. If anyone wants to read it, they're welcome to." He put it on the table, before cuddling close to Yuki again.
Yuki was about to pick it up, but was beaten by Tohma.
He smiled. "I'll read it first."
Everyone was staring at Shuichi, waiting for him to revert back to his hyper, and annoying, self. But he continued to sit there, smoking, like a normal person. They were also waiting for Yuki to shove Shuichi away, snapping something abrasive.
Neither moved, both continuing to smoke a whole pack of cigarettes between them. Tohma had a gloating smirk on his face, but no one noticed because they were so dumbstruck.
The same waitress from the last time they were there nervously approached. Just like the last time, everyone ordered their drinks first.
Shuichi smiled. "I'll take a beer, please."
Yuki snorted. "Don't blame me if you have a hangover tomorrow." he said, running his fingers through Shuichi's blonde hair.
Shuichi smirked. "Hey, I managed to drink all the beer in your fridge, didn't I?"
Yuki stared at him. "You did what?" Everyone winced, awaiting the explosion. Yuki sighed. "You're so restocking that damn fridge."
Shuichi laughed. "Fine."
Dinner was pretty uneventful. No arguments, no yelling, no random spazzing… ultimately, it was all good.
After, everyone began to make their way home. Tohma was going to drop them off at Yuki's apartment, and finally leave them alone. Shuichi and Yuki climbed in, stretching out their legs.
About halfway through the journey, Shuichi looked up. "Wait… stop here for a second. There's something I need to get."
Eyeing him suspiciously, Tohma asked the driver to stop. Shuichi hopped out of the limo, closing the door behind him.
Yuki and Tohma raised an eyebrow at each other, before shrugging. Tohma smirked at him. "So, the hair dye didn't bleach out?"
Yuki shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I didn't bother trying. I like it this way. It reminds me of him, even if he isn't around."
Tohma rolled his eyes. "Oh! My darling Shuichi! I never want to be away from you! I'll dye my hair pink, even though I look like an idiot, so I can think of you all the time!" he mocked.
"Really, Tohma. I had no idea you felt that way. Should I worry?" Shuichi said, sliding in next to Yuki, a bag in his hand.
Yuki laughed, and Tohma… blushed.
"Aww, look! He's blushing!" Yuki teased.
"Kawaii! He looks like a cream-topped strawberry!" Shuichi said, snickering.
Tohma scowled, still red. "Alright, shut the fuck up." He said crossly, folding his arms.
Shuichi looked at him innocently. "We aren't doing anything, Tohma-chibi-chan."
Tohma twitched. "I'm beginning to wish I'd never set that challenge… you two are awful now."
Yuki and Shuichi laughed.
----
Yuki and Shuichi calmly walked into Yuki's apartment. Shuichi went into the kitchen, and produced beer cans from the bag in his hand, storing them in the fridge.
Yuki went into his study to make sure Shuichi hadn't left it in a mess. He sat at his desk, casually slipping on his reading glasses.
Shuichi walked through the door carrying a box. He handed it to Yuki with a grin. Yuki opened the box to see… strawberry cheesecake. He looked up at Shuichi, raising an eyebrow.
Shuichi winked. "I won't tell if you don't."
With a grin Yuki pulled him down for a kiss. A few minutes later, Shuichi laughed breathlessly.
"If that's the kind of thanks I get just for bringing you cheesecake, I'm going to do it more often!"
Yuki snickered. He closed the box, setting it on his desk. He grabbed Shuichi by his waist, pulling him down into his lap. He kissed his lover tenderly, holding him gently.
When they parted, he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small box, covered in velvet. He flipped it open, revealing a ring.
"Marry me?" Yuki whispered into Shuichi's ear.
Shuichi could only stare, his mouth hanging open. Suddenly: "BAKA! Of course I will!" Shuichi threw his arms around Yuki's neck, kissing him again. Yuki slipped the ring onto Shuichi's left hand. The ring was a silver band set with pink diamonds. They matched Yuki's hair, which made him smile.
Shuichi laughed softly. "I guess great minds really do think alike." he said, pulling a similar box out of his own pocket. Yuki smiled as he opened it. Shuichi smiled back, sliding the ring onto Yuki's finger. Yuki's ring was a gold band, and had a yellow diamond, matching Yuki's eyes, and Shuichi's hair.
Yuki smiled softly, gently touching Shuichi's cheek. "I love you." he whispered.
Shuichi's eyes widened, before a huge smile spread across his face. "I love you, too." he said, happiness making his eyes shine.
They kissed softly, both of their rings catching the light.
----
Some Time Later
Shuichi looked up from breakfast as the doorbell rang. Before he could move, Yuki stood from the other side of the table. "I'll get it." he said, ruffling Shuichi's hair as he passed.
He opened the door to see a delivery boy. "Delivery for Shindou-san."
Yuki nodded. "I'll take it." He signed, taking the package.
He walked back to the kitchen, handing Shuichi his package.
Shuichi opened it curiously, and gasped. Yuki looked up again. "What's wrong brat?"
Shuichi smiled, and handed Yuki a book.
Yuki looked at the cover.
'Gravitation'
By Shindou Shuichi
"This is the book you wrote?" Yuki asked.
Shuichi nodded. "Yeah. I didn't know Tohma-san was going to get the damn thing published."
Yuki shrugged. "You never know. It might make for good reading."
He stood up, pulling Shuichi with him, and went into the sitting room. He sat on the couch, tugging Shuichi to sit next to him. He opened the book, taking note of the dedication.
'To my Yuki. I love you more than anything.'
He smiled, and Shuichi blushed. He flipped the page to the first chapter, and began to read.
'Chapter One - The Pull of Gravity
It all started when my lyrics blew away. That's when I met him. The love of my life. I fell in love the moment I saw him. I just didn't realize it-'
----
Later
'And that's the story of how I met my lover. Things were complicated sometimes, but I wouldn't change him for the world. I love my Yuki just the way he is.
THE END'
Silence. Shuichi fidgeted.
"Uhm… Yuki? Aren't you going to say anything?"
Yuki slowly turned. "Yeah, I will say something…"
Shuichi shifted.
"You're a better writer than I thought."
Shuichi looked at him, and smiled.
Yuki put the book on the coffee table, before lying on the couch fully, and pulling Shuichi to lie on top of him. He stroked a hand down his back as Shuichi sighed happily.
"I love you, Yuki."
"I love you too, Shuichi."
Rin-chan: Hope you liked it, it was nice and fluffy!
Kei-chan: Please review!
