Heels 16.
Hello dear readers!
A lot have happened in my life these two weeks. Me and my fiancé has celebrated our ten-year anniversary! I feel old! Haha!
Our new apartment has finally begun to feel like a home. We have two Guest-rooms! If anyone like to travel through Karlstad, Sweden anytime in the future, I got two beds for you! I'm completely serious as I love random encounters. I would like to meet you! A warning though; We are a bit strange, but it is the good kind of strange.
I also probably saved a life at work!
I seriously must thank you guys. I was in a slump about half a year ago, you probably noticed when my chapters suddenly got sparser and I couldn't find motivation. I never thought I would finish school and I felt frustration about my own faults.
I was at my lowest. Then, I sat down and read your reviews again. From the very first one to the end.
Wow. You are amazing. To think that people all around the world took their time to read my words and then reply to them. Suddenly I got courage again. I studied and started to take care of myself, and this week, I saved a life. I have gotten so many compliments about my work and about myself that I feel a bit embarrassed.
However, I also feel empowered.
3Rapunzel, black neko hime, ladygraywolf, Anime-Manga-Music-Lover, Tabbykatroses, alitablake, PaulaGaTo, Setsuka e Cain, DreamIdol, Yira, TheAngelOfOblivion-DarkMadness, Guests and everyone that previously reviewed. Thank you!
Special shoutout to my Beta KetriaTM!
I love you all! I won't keep my promise of two weeks until the next chapter if I answer you all but know that I will in the next one.
Minna Vipera – Storstadsperson! Jag är från lilla Karlstad. Tycker Stockholm är så förvirrande stort! Och Göteborg är det helt omöjligt att hitta i! Haha. Vad pluggar du?
Coooooookie – Oh toffee! We are unparalleled with our toffees I think! Swedish candy in general is awesome. Send me a PM with your address and I will send some goodies for you ^^
Let it begin…
Ren turned his head towards the approaching woman and couldn't help but gasp for air. She was a devil eating him with her eyes.
He knew that he would perish if he continued to stare into those dark pupils but he couldn't tear himself away. He happily drowned in her gaze and moved closer, pulled by the gravity of her hunger.
She lifted her hand and let her fingers softly land on his jaw. Ren closed his eyes to savour the moment their skins met. He swallowed once and then missed her gaze enough to pry his eyes opened. The devil had changed appearance to a cute girl with chestnut hair and big open eyes.
Ren got startled for a moment but then she smiled and the same gravity hit him again. Her hand shifted from his jaw to his hand. She gripped it tightly and squeezed it a bit while her smile grew. It was like if an angel had honored him with their presence. Every corner of his mind vibrated and reached out for her. A tinge of fear coursed through his heart but she allowed him to touch her. He even felt her eagerness stroke his mind and he pulled her into his arms. Her sweet fragrance enveloped him and Ren couldn't imagine one place he rather be than right there, right then.
.
Ren clung to the dream when he floated closer to the surface and the day that inevitably would require his presence.
A groan slipped out of him when he moved past that invisible point of no return that carried him away from his dream.
Ren flipped around and dug his face into the pillow by his side. A frustrated sigh slipped his lips but a smile then painted his face.
'Pleasant dream.' He thought as a mental picture of Kyoko simmered to the surface.
'Not only a dream.' The Kuon-part of him hummed pleased and Ren started to grin.
'She has done everything in it. The last part even as herself.' Ren smiled and pushed himself off the bed and placed his feet on the floor.
He replayed the memory from some days ago, when Kyoko had held his hand and smiled that sweet smile towards him. It had made something unlock inside of him that he couldn't identify. Whatever had changed, had made Yashiro to shiver in fear while they moved between appointments but Ren couldn't remember when he had felt as good as he did now.
Ren walked into the kitchen and fished out a bottle of fruit yoghurt from the humming fridge. He chuckled when he imagined the girl's furious reaction if she had caught him with only some yoghurt for breakfast.
The thought put a smile on his lips for hours. Long enough to make Yashiro shiver in his shoes again.
"What's with you these days?"
"What are you talking about?" Ren smile only grew wider and Yashiro made a little squeal like if he had been startled by something.
"Your eyes! You have that dangerous tint in your eyes all the time but you smile for real! I have never seen that before!" He said in one long breath and Ren lifted his eyebrows in question.
"You don't have to worry. I feel fine."
"What happened then?" Yashiro looked like he tried to keep a calm face but as he also had to keep his eyes on the road, it was hard on him. Ren relaxed against the passenger seat and turned his eyes to his phone. He was catching up on Box'R' during their travels as Yashiro had recently gotten his license. Ren felt a shiver travel through his body when the striking Natsu filled the screen of his phone. He paused it conveniently when Natsu glared into the camera as he felt his manager's uncomfortable silence. "You know about my new contract?"
"What do you take me for?" Yashiro murmured and Ren smiled his way.
"It's with Kyoko." Ren smiled impossibly wide and Yashiro snorted.
"That I also know."
"Then you should know why I'm smiling." Ren said and turned back to the movie. He admired the frozen screen for a moment before he pressed play.
"No, because something has happened with you. You never admitted liking her or acting strange because of her before."
"I have grown up then." Ren shrugged.
"No," Yashiro sounded like he thought it over. "it is more like if you have come alive and it scares me that I didn't notice you being dead before." Yashiro said and Ren paused the clip again.
'Came alive? Maybe.'
"All are well then. Alive is better than dead." Ren snickered in amusement. Yashiro's voice was trembling with uncertainty and unease and Ren found it strangely funny.
"Well, of course… but still… I don't know how to read you anymore." His words only made Ren chuckle. He pressed play on his phone and let Yashiro dwell in his misery on his own.
.
.
Kyoko pulled a deep breath and leaned forward to press connect on her computer. The little icon on her screen turned into three dots that flashed one after another.
A sound indicated that the call had connected and Kyoko jumped in her seat when a picture popped onto her screen.
"Father!" Kyoko greeted and Kuu grinned as wide as her.
"Hello daughter." He lifted his cup of tea and then took a sip of it. "How are you doing?" He asked in English and she immediately switched language herself.
"I'm doing fine. Nervous." Kyoko said and shivered a bit when her body remembered her nerves again.
"When do you start shooting?"
"Five days until the scrip reading. Then two weeks until training camp. Then shooting begins before 'Sacred lotus in the mire' shoots in the summer." Kyoko rambled on and Kuu nodded.
"Good. Then you have time to get ready." Kuu said with a smile and Kyoko nodded.
"I should get the script today." She nodded and Kuu smiled.
"I'm not talking about your role. That I know you will do perfectly. I'm talking about handling media. That is a new one for you I think."
"Media? Why would I need to handle media before shooting the movie?" Kyoko asked and tilted her head.
"Ohh Kyoko." Kuu said kindly and Kyoko felt alarms go off in her head. "What do you think media is going to do when they hear about Kurosaki's audition, the romantic take on the movie and the fact that you and Ren has known each other for a while?" Kuu asked and Kyoko needed the help from Natsu to grasp every hint he was throwing her.
'They are going to ask if you are a thing in real life.' Natsu said and Kyoko flinched. 'Thing as in romantically involved.'
"What should I do?" Kyoko gasped and turned to her mentor on the other side of the world. Kuu chuckled and rolled his shoulders like to stretch.
"It is easy. You only have to imagine them to be people like the boss." Kuu said and Kyoko imagined a sea of Lorys in different costumes that asked her questions. The image made her pale.
"That sounds horrible." Kyoko said and Kuu laughed.
"It was only a suggestion. You managed him well the other day." Kuu smiled and Kyoko tried to recall the evening at Lory's mansion.
…Flashback…
It was only moments after Kyoko had reached out for him and the smile on her face had started a change within Ren.
Kyoko squeezed his hand and Ren's smile turned bright as the sun. She didn't know how he managed to do it, but he made even Corn's smile pale in comparison. Her grudges trembled in fear and hurdled close to each other in their UV-protective suits while the angels soaked in the light.
"Mogami-kun?" Lory asked and Kyoko lifted her gaze to him. She had been so close to telling Ren the truth that she felt a little bit shaken.
She thanked the divine smile for short-circuiting her brain for a moment, stopping her from spilling her emotions in front of Lory and her father.
"Yes?" Kyoko asked and Lory gave a pointed glance at their hands.
"It there something you want to tell Ren?" Lory barely kept his smile in order.
"Of course there is." Kyoko said with Natsu's aid. The tone turned a bit sassy but Kyoko hoped it would go unnoticed. "I want to thank him for thrusting me with being his partner for this movie." Kyoko smiled and felt a bit smug when she saw the older man pout.
Kuu made a thumb up behind Lory's back and Kyoko had to school her face to not reveal him.
"That's all?" Lory pressed on and tilted his head with a small smirk in the corner of his lips.
"Actually. I wanted to ask him something too." Kyoko said and Lory piqued up behind them. Ren stepped in a bit closer and smiled encouraging.
"I feel like I could use a break soon..." Kyoko said with a carefully weighed smile. It was not too professional and not too sweet. It was like a small plea without any desire. Ren's eyes glinted and a Kyoko felt a shiver travel down her back. There was a new kind of light behind his eyes but it didn't make her uncomfortable. Kyoko felt her temperature rise beneath that light and fire and melted liquid started to swirl in her guts.
"When you mention it. I would care for a small break." Ren said with a warm breathy voice. Lory snorted Ren's way and Kyoko held her face within the safe zone regarding emotions.
"Then what about this week?" Kyoko asked and Ren hummed.
"I believe Friday until Saturday would work."
"Perfect." Kyoko said and squeezed Ren's hand again before she let it go. Ren returned the little gesture before they lost contact.
"Need any help?" Lory asked and Kyoko glanced at Ren to let him know he would decide.
"No, thank you. I think we are settled." Ren smirked and Kyoko could hear the playful note behind the words.
… End of Flashback….
Kyoko gripped her chin with her fingers in a thinking position and hummed a bit.
'It could work. I always have to tread lightly around the president.' She thought and then pulled her focus to the screen when she remembered that she was in a conversation.
"I think it would work." Kyoko said out loud and Kuu chuckled.
"Boss means to do no harm, but his enthusiasm is sometimes a bit too much, I guess." Kuu said and Kyoko smiled. A warm feeling spread in her chest and she wished she could have been closer to him.
"Yes, Father." She stumbled over the word and Kyoko saw his eyes lit up in excitement. He didn't comment on her calling him father but only continued with a poorly hidden smile.
"Now, have a wonderful day at work! You don't want to be late or you could miss your date tonight." Kuu said and Kyoko blushed for real.
"It is only a break."
"Disguised as a date." Kuu said matter-of-factly and winked her way. Kyoko couldn't look him in the eye any longer and turned her eyes on her fingers. "Send Kuon my regards." Kuu sounded pleased and Kyoko nodded.
"Bye." She said and then pulled a deep breath before speaking again. "Father."
"Bye my child." Kuu said and Kyoko lifted her gaze to capture a last image of his face. Kuu smiled like the sun her way and then waved a last time. Kyoko barely managed to lift her hand before the screen went black.
Kyoko pulled a steadying breath and then glanced at the time. She was running a bit late but knew she would be able to cut some time from her ride to work by taking her bike. She closed the lid on the laptop she had borrowed from Lory and then quickly gathered two sets of clothes.
One for her and one for Setsu.
.
.
Ren couldn't help but tap his fingers impatiently against his knee when the show he was recording dragged on for longer than planned. He glanced at the digital clock fitted in the ceiling and gritted his teeth.
'Half an hour.' Ren thought and his heart trembled slightly by the thought.
"Tsuruga-san, please, one more time from the top." A woman with a clipboard in her hand said and bowed twice with an embarrassed glow on her face. Ren forced his mind back on track and smiled towards her in a way he had learned calmed down peoples heart. The woman in her early thirties jumped slightly when she caught his expression but then exhaled slowly.
"Of course." Ren calmly said and schooled his face into the required mood to indicate that he was ready.
"Oh! Take 14!" The woman hurriedly said and gestured towards the crew to roll the cameras.
'29 minutes until I meet Kyoko.'
…
.
Ren's heart stopped for far too long to be healthy when he saw the girl that walked towards him with a confident stride.
Everything canceled out. The people walking past him and the traffic that moments earlier had been drowning out every other sound. Suddenly he could hear her heels hit the pavement and the jingle of the chain in her lip that swayed from side to side. He swore he could hear the sound of her eyelashes pushing the air out of the way and the slight friction of her lips against each other.
He extended his hand and she fitted in his arms the way he remembered. He brought his head down to meet her and gasped for air like if he hadn't breathed before in his life.
A pain he didn't knew he had felt left his body and everything suddenly felt right.
"Setsu." He breathed and he could feel her smirk like if it was his own.
"Nii-san." She exhaled and the voice filled with feelings made shivers spread over his body.
"Finally." He exhaled and lifted his hand to caress her cheek. The warmth from her skin connected directly with his gut and lit it on fire.
"Yeah." Setsu gasped and Ren couldn't explain how he remained standing when she dragged her hands through his hair and his knees weakened. "I need you. Alone." Setsu gasped and Ren didn't even notice her choice of words as he only could mirror the same desire in his own mind.
"Follow me." Ren said and lifted his hand to intertwine his fingers with the ones that played in his hair. It was a caress and he felt her gasping breath against his lips when it made her tremble.
"Always." Setsu answered and clasped his hand hard when he brought them down frown his nape.
Not even Lory's amused face in a passing car could break his mood when she finally was back within his reach.
Ren smirked and forced himself to turn away from their close embrace before leading them down the street. Their goal was close and Ren felt his feet carry them there with an impatient pace.
.
.
Kyoko had no idea where he led them and she didn't care. Somewhere ahead would there be a place he had picked for them and she didn't doubt for a moment that it would be her paradise for hours to come.
She was strangely aware of his every breath and the pulse that danced against her sensitive skin. It was like everything that had been wrong made sense again and she pulled a breath she didn't knew she had restrained.
Ren changed their direction and pulled her towards a secluded building in the end of an alley. It looked like the kind of place she never would have stepped her foot into if she had been alone. Setsu however felt like she had been transported back to tragic marker and her brother fitted the scene like a piece in a puzzle.
The building in front of them looked like something from a horror movie. The windows were covered with planks of wood and the door had shed half of its paint.
Setsu couldn't help but lift an eyebrow when her brother pulled out a key and fitted it into the sturdy looking lock. A heavy sound of metal sliding over metal confirmed that it was the right key and Cain pulled the door open for her to enter.
Setsu didn't hesitate more than a moment and then walked inside something that looked like a reception.
Light form the street formed stripes over an old booth with a gold-plated sign that spelled tickets. The worn red carped that clad the whole floor was matted with dust and it didn't look like someone had cleaned it in years.
An old wardrobe directly behind the ticket-boot gaped empty of clothes and only had some sad-looking string hangers.
"Where are we?" Setsu asked and turned around to see Cain close and look the door behind him.
"A private place." Cain said and then pulled her toward a huge door to their right that led deeper into the building. Setsu followed without asking further questions.
Cain pushed the door open and Kyoko couldn't help the little gasp of surprise when she saw what was inside.
It looked like an old movie theater. A large screen was fitted on the wall opposite the one with the door and heavy curtains made from the same color fabric as the carpet draped the sides. Kyoko expected to see several rows of seats but was surprised again when she only found a handful large bedlike sofas and a few round tables with armchairs spread on several levels.
Every furniture was covered with white sheets except one queen-sized bed in the center that looked like it had been recently made with fresh linen.
An additional table had been pulled close to the bed and Setsu could smell the amazing fragrance of exquisite food from a basket placed on top of it.
Kyoko stepped further inside the big hall and glanced around. There were two balconies on the wall that faced the screen and she saw the two small doors that most likely lead to stair that accessed them. It took a while before she realized where the light was coming from. She had to glance up to find the thousands of small lights in the ceiling that resembled a starry sky. It didn't look like they would be strong enough to lit the room but she could make out every shape clearly. None else could be seen and Setsu turned to Cain with a lifted brow.
"Come." He only said and pulled her hand towards the made bed in the middle. Their steps were silenced by the thick carpet and only the sound of the closing thud of the door could be heard.
Kyoko felt her pulse climb in excitement when they moved forward. She couldn't decide whether it was from excitement or fear as the mood felt both romantic and a bit spooky.
Cain pulled her the whole way into the bed and Setsu kicked off her shoes before she followed him into the soft covers.
A slight smile played Cain's lips as he suddenly pulled her hand and flipped her around. She landed on her back and she didn't have time to react before he hovered above her with his body close to hers.
"I have missed you." Cain breathed and Setsu only needed a moment to collect herself before she gripped the back of his head and brought his lips to hers.
It was like a switch had been flipped as he grasped her waist with one hand and then lowered his body to cover hers.
The stars in the ceiling had nothing on the explosion in her head when she tasted his breath and felt his heat envelope her. She breathed like if she had run a mile at full speed and pulled him even closer.
A low grow slipped Cain's lips and she smiled in response.
.
.
Ren had found the place by accident some nights before and it didn't take more than a few calls to get his hand on a key. A somewhat confused Yashiro had slipped in a bit ahead of them with a basket of food and a handful of tasks to complete before the Heel's arrived.
Ren couldn't have asked for a better setup than the one that Yashiro had provided and he even got a text with some additional features that the manager had set up in the place.
Ren sent a thought of gratitude towards the man before he let himself embrace the girl even closer.
He felt fire burn his lips and body wherever she touched him. Her hand in his neck was accompanied with another hand that stroked his side and that then dived inside his shirt.
Setsu's slim fingers traveled over his ribs slowly and forced his breathing to pick up pace. The slow ticklish torture was almost too intense and Ren repaid the favor by moving his mouth from her lips to her slender neck. Setsu's breath sounded as strained as his when he carefully sucked onto the skin above her pulse point.
It had only been days since their last meeting but Ren took his time to slowly imprint the feeling of her body and skin to his mind. His lips traced every line of her face and his hands found every curvature of her arms and shoulders.
It could have been minutes or even an hour when he finally pulled away. A small whine of complaint left Kyoko's lips when he created some space between them and Ren had to force himself to not explode with pride.
'She wants more.' He pleasantly realized but didn't fulfill her wish. He pulled back until he could see her face again and allowed a smirk on his lips.
"Have you missed me?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Setsu snorted and Ren let his thumb trace her lower lip with a grin.
"No." He said with confidence as he had felt exactly how much she longed for this through their kiss.
"Then why did you stop?" She asked with a pout that made Ren's heart sing in joy.
"Because you stopped breathing." He said and lifted an eyebrow in amusement.
Setsu frowned and then licked her lips. They had already been wet with saliva but she slowly tasted it in front of his gaze.
'Where did she learn to play me like this?'
"I don't want you to pass out." Ren continued and Setsu exhaled through her nose.
"You make me lightheaded even when I remember to breathe." She blamed him and he believed she intended it as a complaint but he could only see it as a compliment.
"I can't help it." Ren used Cain's way of speaking but knew that he was far from the brother's way of acing. He was only 30 percent Cain at the moment but he couldn't find it in him to care.
Setsu smiled when he spoke and dragged her hand through his hair again. He leaned into the touch but then pulled them both up to a seated position. He knew that she tried to coax him into kissing her again and he would have been more than willing if her stomach hadn't growled.
"Let's eat." Ren said with a not so fake grunt of dislike.
"You have to eat." Setsu immediately caught up on his unwillingness and Cain let her turn him towards the table at the end of the bed.
"I need a drink." Ren reached out for the bottle he saw sticking out of the basket but Setsu pushed his hand away and then got out of the bed to plate their dinner.
Ren pulled several breaths to calm himself down when she moved away from him for a moment. He almost chuckled when the possessive feelings called for him to pull her back.
'I'm pathetic.' Ren thought but without any real fire behind the words. He didn't force the smile of his face completely as he watched the girl quickly divide the food into two servings.
"No alcohol." Setsu said with a satisfied grin as she searched the basket. She pulled the bottle that he had been about to grab and saw that it only spelled water on the outside. Ren acted like Cain would and grunted in irritation.
Setsu's eyes sparkled with amusement when she poured two glasses for them and then handed him a plate.
Yashiro had gone all out with hamburger steak and a fried egg on top served with rice. Ren realized then that he hadn't been able to fool his manager and that the man had knew who he would be dining with. Ren however didn't know how he knew that the girl loved that particular dish.
"Eat." Setsu ordered and Cain lifted his fork demonstratively. Setsu nodded once and then moved to sit down on the bed beside him. Ren took a few small bites and then turned to her.
"How was work?" Ren tried to put the Brother's disapproving tone behind his voice and succeeded somewhat.
"Boooooring." Setsu said and placed the plate on top of her crossed legs. It looked a bit unsteady but she supported it with a hand and then scooped another full fork in her mouth before continuing. "The director is still tyrannical about my training. He has yet to beat me in a fight but he still wants me to train even harder." Setsu groaned but Ren knew that the girl behind the act was honestly worried. Ren frowned when he recalled the director of Kyoko's current project 'Sacred lotus in the mire'. He had crossed paths with the man during some projects in the past and recalled the man that never seemed to be pleased with anything.
"He shouldn't push you too hard. I know how well you have prepared your role. If he has complaints its only because you are surpassing his expectation and he feels inadequate." Ren said and forced himself to eat another bite. He wasn't hungry but knew that Setsu would force him to eat everything on his plate in the end.
Setsu shrugged and made a displeased frown before taking another bite.
"Your Momoji will be perfect. I know you won't settle with less." Ren said confidently and a small smile grew on Kyoko's lips before she covered it up with another mouthful of food.
"I had the best teacher." Kyoko said with a pointed glance towards him and Ren felt a bit surprised.
"I did nothing." He couldn't help saying and Setsu rolled her eyes.
"Modesty doesn't fit you brother." She snorted and put away her empty plate. Ren frowned slightly when he saw her move. She had finished and he knew she soon would begin commenting his food. Ren glanced sideways on her face and saw it soften slightly while she patted her mouth with a napkin. "You were the one that got me interested in acting."
Ren turned more towards her when she spoke and he tried to figure out who was it that spoke those words. He knew they fitted with Setsu's role but her voice had turned soft like the way Kyoko spoke.
He wanted to know and cursed a bit inwards when he was bound by their act.
Ren scooped the remaining food into his mouth and almost choked on the particularly large bite. Frustration hummed in his heart.
'These breaks… I don't want to act like anyone else. Will I ever be allowed to spend time like this with her without acting like someone else?' Ren forcefully swallowed and put the plate a bit ungently on top of hers.
'Never. If I don't come clean with my feeling. If I can't make her believe in my feelings… She will forever regard this as an act.' Ren took a swing directly out of the bottle of water, disregarding the glass she had poured for him earlier.
He wanted to tell her but he was too cowardly to speak. He wanted it to be real, but he also knew that there was a possibility of her freaking out and cut the breaks of completely.
'Fake dates… or nothing?'
He already knew what he would choose for the moment.
Setsu moved beside him and he only watched while she cleaned their plates quickly with some napkins and then put them back in the bottom of the basket.
..
.
..
Kyoko had expected some kind of positive response to her confession but got slightly taken back when her antenna for anger slightly began to vibrate.
'What did I say?' Kyoko quickly played back their conversation in her head.
'He maybe got reminded of Shotaro? Maybe he got reminded of the reason that made you enter show business.' Setsu helped and Kyoko frowned slightly. It sounded like a plausible explanation and she bit her lip.
She couldn't undo her words and she quickly sought some sort of distraction. She cleaned the plates while she glanced around for inspiration.
"Does the projector work?" She asked when she caught the big screen behind her in the corner of her eye.
"Yes." Cain glanced to the side and then got back up on his feet. Setsu moved to follow him and Kyoko exhaled slightly when her antenna stopped buzzing.
Cain led them back into the reception area and then towards a door hidden behind the ticket booth. Kyoko would had missed it if not for Cain leading her straight towards it and that the dust on the carpet had been stirred before.
The projector room was filled with paper and a large grey steel engine. Ren effortlessly pushed some buttons and the large monster hummed awake. Light flickered from its side and Setsu bent down to see through the small opening in the wall. Surprise filled her when she saw the commercial that had begun to play.
She saw herself on the screen, leaning back onto a black cover with a bored expression. The screen froze while she was watching and a sound to her left made her turn to her brother.
"Come." Cain said and gestured some sort of remote control in his hand before walking outside again. Kyoko swallowed her own surprice down and moved to follow him.
She entered the theater behind Cain and she saw when he got startled by the picture on the screen. Seemed like he hadn't known what movie would be playing.
Cain's hand trembled for a moment before he turned towards her and then nodded towards the bed.
Setsu didn't need more encouragement than that before she climbed up onto the comforter and leaned against the head board. It was surprisingly soft, like the backrest of a sofa and she arranged her short skirt before turning towards Cain.
She caught him staring at the screen and Kyoko couldn't blame him. It was strange to see her own figure several meters tall in front of her. Like if he felt her stare, Cain turned to her with a slight smirk.
"You are beautiful." He said and Kyoko had to stop the blush from reaching her face but only managed halfway. She didn't trust her voice but only smirked back and patted the bed beside her.
Cain didn't hesitate but only toed off his boots and then climbed into the bed with her. He hovered over her for a moment and captured her lips quickly before settling down beside her. Setsu managed to hold her smirk while Kyoko tried to extinguish the flaming red color that wanted to claim her face.
She thanked the dark room for hiding the heat she didn't manage to suppress and scooted closer to him. Cain put one arm behind her back and pulled her halfway on top of him. Setsu fitted herself onto his shoulder and put a knee over his hip. Her arm found his waist and she finally stilled when they were flush against each other.
Cain didn't stall but pressed a button on the remote control and sound and picture began again.
Kyoko's eyes were fixated on the screen and her own figure that moved on the bed. She didn't know how she could look so…
'Suggestive?' Natsu helpfully provided and Kyoko could only hum to second it.
The commercial had moved on to the pool and she tensed a bit as she grew excited about the next part.
Ren's head broke the surface of the water in slow motion and just when you realized how handsome the man on the screen was, he suddenly opened his eyes, revealing dark red irises. Setsu smirked when the camera zoomed out and followed the man out of the black water until she entered the scene again.
Kyoko refused to look on her own face while she counted every breath that Ren on the screen took. His evil air made the flames stir in her gut again. She could only explain it by admiration. The man in question had the ability to transform from the gentlest to the evilest man on earth.
The scene faded out and the perfume's logo appeared on the screen.
Kyoko exhaled slowly when it was over but then quickly sucked the air back in her lungs when a slideshow began of their pictures. However, it wasn't all. The pictures where pictures from around Tokyo, showing that their pictures already had been spread.
Kyoko was speechless for a long time and only found her mind when the pictures changed once again.
It seemed to be some sort of collections of every moment the two of them had been together on screen. From the first unpublished acting contest with Rurika to every tiny scene they both shoot in Dark Moon.
Kyoko stared transfixed on the clips before Ren slightly shifted beside her. Kyoko only had to wonder why for a moment before she saw that the scene had changed to their most resent audition.
She couldn't help but stare in confusion when she saw the hideous creatures that had shared their kitchen. She saw them drop the knife into the counter and follow them around. It looked strange and distracted her for a moment before she could focus on their acting. The strange sense of seeing her self while remembering the emotions that had trashed her insides took her complete focus.
She looked amazingly in love. Natural like water in the scene and she even felt herself involuntarily smile during their little struggle with the cream.
It took longer than it should have before she noticed Ren's tense body beneath her own. She felt him move and only had time to register the rock hard muscles before she was pushed onto her back and he invaded her mouth for real.
The strange feeling of his tongue against her own soon was bypassed by the intense heat and taste that exploded in her mouth. Kyoko went from slightly smiling into a complete mental reset. She forgot how to breathe and think.
.
.
.
Ren had cursed mentally when he realized that his safe pick for a movie night had been tempered with. It didn't take more than a few short moments before he identified the culprit as the president.
Ren tried to fight it. He tried to look at their shared time together with clinical eyes but soon failed. He slipped up when her hungry eyes filled the screen and he had no time to collect himself before their interview at the Dark Moon party appeared. It was a certain downfall from there. When he saw the girl laugh and tease him lovingly at the screen, he lost it.
He needed to get even closer to her and Ren completely ignored the Heels' earlier discrete limit of only kissing with lips. Sure, there had been some licking lips and, well necks, but he surpassed everything they had done before.
Ren could barely contain a sound of complete ecstatic happiness when the girl responded to his sudden assault. She gripped his hair and one hand found his back and forcefully held him close.
It was sweet but possessive and Ren carefully trained her tongue to move in sync with his. The movie continued to play in the background for another hour but neither of them took any notice. When the light dimmed, their pace had turned slow and lazy.
Ren could barely think as the sweet confirmation of her acceptance brushed against his lip.
.
.
Kyoko slowly floated through seas of magma but she didn't even get a burn. She was fire herself and her body danced on top of the melted rock like two parts of the same element.
The sea turned into a river and something must have been beneath the surface because her body rocked slightly to the side before she leveled out again. Kyoko couldn't help but frown. It was something about that disturbance that made her anxious. It felt as an ill omen and she turned out to be right.
The river step by step began to cool down and forced her own temperature to lower. It only felt like a few moments as she transformed from fire to ice.
Kyoko snapped awake with a sharp inhale and she sat up in the bed while she threw her hands out to steady herself.
She knew what was wrong then. She was alone.
"Ren!?" Kyoko called out in distress and got up on her knees. He was nowhere in sight and her heart began to hammer hard inside her ribcage. "Ren!?" Her voice broke in the end and Kyoko stumbled out of the bed on unsteady feet.
A loud sound in front of her made Kyoko jump high in fright.
'Ren!' As there only were the two of them there, the sound had to be from Ren. Kyoko blinked away tears she didn't knew had begun to build and Ren's frantic face came into focus.
"Kyoko?" Ren was running towards her and Kyoko hurriedly closed the distance and pulled him into an embrace. She could only reach his lower ribcage and she crashed her face to his chest. "Kyoko what happened?" Ren called out in distress as he returned her hug.
As soon as his hands enveloped her, the ice in her mind began to crack and then exploded in a burst of snow. She pulled a deep breath of his scent and her muscles relaxed.
'Why… what happened?' Kyoko's mind slowly restarted and she began to play back the dream and the panic she felt when she couldn't find him. Realization soon dawned on her and Kyoko burned bright red in embarrassment.
'The magma… it was Ren. His heat. When he got out of the bed it turned cold… I-I overreacted.'
Kyoko relaxed her grip around his body but didn't let go completely.
"Sorry… bad dream." Kyoko stammered out and knew her face burned far too bright to be able to hide.
Ren exhaled loudly and he pulled her closer again. Kyoko didn't fight him but relaxed against him again. "There, there." Ren rubbed circled onto her back and Kyoko almost smiled when she was reminded of how Kuu had calmed her down.
"Where were you?" Kyoko heard herself ask before she thought the words. Ren tensed slightly in her arms but then returned to normal.
"Outside. Getting some air and breakfast." He turned her slightly to let her see that another basket was placed beside the first one. Kyoko frowned. Ren hadn't held it when he rushed towards her. He had been out twice then.
"Couldn't you sleep?" Kyoko asked worriedly and Ren chuckled.
"I slept too well. I woke up completely refreshed an hour ago." He said and patted her back again. Kyoko relaxed further and then she became aware of their position. She didn't move immediately but first glanced around discretely.
She had desperately hugged Ren once before but that had been a case of mix up. That time she had felt embarrassed beyond words and her face had burned red for hours.
Now, however, she only felt blessed. She leaned into his frame and pulled a slow breath.
…
.
.
Ren had in fact woken up long before Kyoko. He had first thought it to be a dream when he found the girl with her chestnut hair rest on his arm. His memory had quickly served him with some explanations to their position. Setsu's wig had fallen off during their make out and Ren hand dragged his hands through Kyoko's real hair more than once to remove that hideous hairnet. Both the net and the wig had fallen to the floor on her side of the bed.
While his mind replayed the evening before Ren had felt the dread fill him up again.
'What did I do?' He tensed and Kyoko had frowned beside him when her headrest suddenly moved. Ren carefully lifted her head up and replaced his arm with a soft pillow before slightly retracting. He stared at her relaxed face for minutes before he frowned at his own behavior and then left the room. There was no excuse for his behavior the night before and it had only been a miracle that the girl hadn't gotten traumatized.
Ren had brought his shoes and he stepped into them before walking out into the chilly morning air.
He almost tripped over the basket that was placed outside the door. A small note was tied to the handle and Ren considered twice whether or not he had the mental reserves to read whatever Lory had written. He sighed in the end and flipped it over, allowing him to read some handwritten words.
'On the house, as compensation for exchanging the movie.' It said and Ren snorted. He had no idea how Lory even knew about the theater. Ren had bought it directly from the realtor without consulting anyone. Yashiro had only learned about the place the morning before when Ren asked him to bring some food to the building and check if the old projector still worked. The bed, the lights in the ceiling and the cleaning of the great hall was all done by the manager.
Ren had been shocked when he had stepped inside the theater and saw that all broken furniture had been removed and the carped cleaned. Ren had no doubts that Yashiro would have made the place spotless if he had had more time.
Ren lifted the basket and placed in on the inside before stepping out into the alley. The smell was a bit rich but the cool walls were a blessing for his mind. He soon turned cold and sighed before he returned to the sleeping girl. Ren placed the basked beside the first and then sat down on the edge.
A slight sound came from the girl and Ren turned towards her worriedly. A slight frown played on Kyoko's lips and Ren almost jumped when she suddenly threw her head towards him. Ren stayed frozen in place and watched in fascination when the girl shifted through several expressions rapidly.
"Ren." She suddenly exhaled and Ren thought he had been caught staring before he heard her mutter something else.
Curiosity filled him and he crawled back into the bed and leaned closer. He didn't have to wait for long before she mumbled again.
"Ren." He only caught his name before she suddenly licked her lips and smiled. Ren stared like transfixed on her lips as they parted and spoke his name over and over again. There were other words that he couldn't catch and he leaned in even closer. Their noses almost touched as he leaned his ear close to her mouth.
"Don't go. It's cold." He finally caught some words and they put a smile on his lips before the girl exhaled a loud moan that made shivers trash through his body.
Ren felt the heat on his face and he abruptly jumped out of the bed and headed outside again. He needed cold air more than ever before.
It took more than half an hour before he calmed down completely and he chuckled lightly at his own pathetic reactions. The chilly air finally drove him back inside.
He had only landed his hand on the handle when he heard her scream his name.
Adrenaline rushed through his body and he gasped for air as he threw open every door between him and the girl.
.
.
Ren didn't know what to do when the girl calmed down but still stayed inside his arms. He had expected her to bolt out of his arms at first calm breath. Instead she smiled towards him before leaning her head against his chest again.
Ren begged to whomever listened to not let her notice the way his heart skipped and rumbled about in his chest.
"Your heart is beating really fast." Kyoko commented and Ren mentally winced. Apparently, no one had listened to that particular plea.
"You gave me a fright." He said and it would have been the truth if she had asked about five minutes earlier. Adrenaline could no longer be blamed for its quick pace.
"Sorry." Kyoko said and adjusted her head a bit. She still didn't make a move to break their embrace and dangerous hope couldn't help but start to bloom in his heart.
"There is nothing to worry about. Some tea might help." Ren knew it was a matter of moments before they would separate again and he was struck with a sense of unwillingness. Ren put one of his arms around her shoulders and steered her toward the bed and the breakfast.
'I'm an easy man.' Ren thought as his mood turned brighter when she allowed him to move her.
"What is it?" Kyoko asked with a pointed stare towards the basket.
"I have no idea. It was left at the door by the president. As an apology-gift for switching the movies." Ren said and snorted shortly. Kyoko turned to him with a bright smile.
"I didn't mind." She said and Ren froze in his tracks.
'Didn't mind the move or my reaction to the movie?' He couldn't help but think.
"Didn't mind the movie?" Ren heard himself ask. Kyoko's face turned a bit brighter.
"I didn't mind it either." She said and turned to open the basket in front of her. Ren caught himself staring at her. The color of her face turned brighter and brighter as he watched until it started to look a bit animated. "As in… I didn't mind the thing… with the tongues… or… and I didn't mind the movie."
Ren almost went silly with hope and happiness when he heard her choke the words out. He found her glancing towards him with almost closed eyes and she seemed tense. However, he couldn't misinterpret her words in any way.
"I'm sorry that I didn't warn you before it happened." Ren smiled like the sun while his words were light as clouds. Kyoko undid the lit of a thermos and poured steaming hot tea for them both.
"It's fine." Kyoko whispered and jumped a bit when she saw the smile on his face. Not even her little squeal of fear could diminish his mood.
"What should we do until we have to return?" Ren mercifully changed the topic to spare the girl that looked like she was squinting her eyes.
"Ahh, could we practice?" Kyoko suddenly brightened and a wide smile grew on her lips.
"Anything in particular?" Ren lifted his tea to his lips and sipped on the hot beverage.
"Newlyweds!" Kyoko immediately exclaimed and Ren sprayed some tea over the carpet. "Like kissing and teasing and…" She rapidly hit him with a dreamlike list of requests. He would never have been able to guess that their morning would turn into such a paradise. "…fighting with someone you love."
"Fighting?" Ren couldn't help but chuckle and Kyoko nodded.
"Couples often fight, right?" Kyoko asked with twinkling eyes and Ren felt his mind enjoy the task she landed him.
"Some do, some don't." Ren guessed considering the relationships he had seen around him growing up. He didn't count his own as he had realized that he hadn't felt real love for his partners.
"Then could we fight? As newlyweds?" Kyoko asked and Ren saw the excitement burn strongly in her eyes.
"If we reconcile too." Ren said. He knew it would be an act but he didn't want to leave it at a sour note.
"Okay. Should we eat first?" Kyoko quickly unwrapped some sandwiches and plated one for him. Ren smirked and slapped the porcelain plate into the floor. Kyoko stared when it exploded in multiple pieces. Ren waited for her to grab the opportunity and he only had to wait for a moment.
"What are you doing?" Kyoko asked in a loud voice that almost startled them both.
"Sorry." Ren said in an irritated tone. "It looked awful anyway." He snorted as he slumped his shoulders and sighed before he made a gesture like to lean down. Kyoko stopped him before he managed.
"Awful? You were the one that picked it out!" She said and pointed.
"Sure." Ren snorted as he crossed his arms.
"What do you mean by that?" Kyoko asked as she narrowed her eyes. Ren felt a bit excited when he saw her body language turn defensive.
"You think I would pick something like this? I wanted black plates but I didn't say anything as Mrs 'everything should be white' so generously 'let me choose whatever WHITE design I wanted'." Ren even made the bunny ears gesture when he spoke.
He could see Kyoko's whole body vibrate in faked anger.
"How am I supposed to know that you wanted black ones if you didn't say anything?" She gritted her teeth and gestured at herself and then towards him.
"When have we ever gone with what I wanted?" Ren asked and waved both his hands between them.
"We agreed on FIVE kids!" Kyoko yelled out loud and she breathed like possessed. "Do you have any idea what kind of compromise that is? To me kids… to me…" Kyoko trailed off like if she had realized herself what a bad deal she had signed on. Ren's eyes grew wide. She had hit him from a direction he hadn't foreseen. His heart dropped in his chest and he frowned.
"Honey, I'm sorry. I…" Ren grabbed Kyoko's arms gently and steered her towards the bed. She sat down on the edge and Ren kneeled in front of her. "I know you have compromised with me with many things. The house, the wedding… Children." Ren knitted his eyebrows in worry. "I have been in a bad mood. Things hasn't gone too well at work and I unconsciously took it out on you." Ren started to get a bit worried as her face remained a pale mask. He carefully stroked her cheek and she pulled a shaky breath.
"Look. I will clean up this mess." Ren tried a different angle and turned around towards the shattered plate. He gripped a piece and with his fingers before Kyoko's enraged voice sounded again.
"Don't pick it up with your hands!" She almost cursed his way and suddenly kneeled beside him. She had a napkin in her hand and gripped the piece he had been about to touch. Ren stayed frozen to not push her buttons wrongly again. Kyoko peeked into his field of view and she made a slight smile. "That sounded like a mother, right?"
Ren felt his heart restart again and knew she gave him a confirmation that she hadn't freaked out for real. She picked the pieces with the napkin and Ren followed her every move. That's why he saw her slight flinch. Ren frowned but then saw the little tear in the paper and how her finger had passed into it. A cut started to grow red on her fingertip.
"You all right?" Ren asked and reached out for her hand but Kyoko had pulled it towards herself and inspected the wound. She pulled her finger out of the tear and put away the napkin with the collected pieces of porcelain. Ren only got a moment of warning before a mischievous glint colored her eyes and she held her finger in front of his face.
"It needs to be disinfected." Kyoko said with a smirk and Ren felt the strange feeling of déjà vu. He didn't think just acted. He put her finger in his mouth and sucked on it gently. He let his tongue collect the metal tasting drops.
He managed to hold a serious face until he met her eyes. Considering their expressions, they could as easily have been making a business deal.
Their tension suddenly broke and both crumbled to the floor, laughing.
"Do couples really fight like this?" Kyoko laughed and Ren couldn't stop chuckling.
"I don't know. But if we want to fight like this, I believe it could be our way." He said and Kyoko's eyes glimmered.
"I like our way."
Ren couldn't push down the hope in his chest this time either. She still fueled it with her words and beautiful smiles.
'Maybe… She would accept a break with me. Maybe.'
.
.
Kyoko smiled towards the man in front of her and she felt her heart hum pleasantly in her chest.
Something had happened inside of him. The feeling of different part of Ren clashing had disappeared and he seemed more…
'Complete?'
'I wonder if he has come to terms with his old self?' Kyoko thought when she saw the relaxed man on the floor. His body showed no restraint and his laugh felt more alive than before.
Kyoko almost drowned in the feeling of pride. She had followed his fight from the sideline, and what a fight it had been, and suddenly every part came out victorious.
'It's like magic.' Kyoko thought and glanced towards Ren's eyes. She was close enough to see the shadow from the contact lenses. His laughing expression had pushed them slightly askew and the real color barely be hinted thought the opening in the middle. Nostalgia filled her body and she couldn't hide it any longer.
Tears of happiness surged in her eyes and Ren's face turned into a worried frown.
"What happened?" He asked and she once again heard how different he was. In the past, he would have sounded uncertain and reserved but now she could only feel worry and determination from him.
"I'm just happy." Kyoko laughed and wiped away the wetness from her eyes. Ren exhaled and softened his face once again.
"What made you happy?" Ren asked curiously and Kyoko got up on her knees. She leaned in closer and she saw him pull a sharp breath.
"For letting me into your live, for letting me stay beside you, I am very happy." Kyoko said with a confidence she hadn't known she could feel. She gripped his hand again and squeezed it hard. "You really are a fairy prince."
Kyoko saw when Ren registered her words and when shock gripped his body. His mouth fell open and a choked sound slipped past his lips.
.
.
Authors note.
Cliffhanger. I have planned for this reveal for a long time and some of you almost caught me!
Hope you will like my take on this.
Until next time! (Soon I promise!)