"You don't have to do this, you know." Tomoya followed her into the apartment, closing the front door with a foot as his hands were full of bags.
"It's not a problem," she smiled.
"You won't take no for an answer, will you? You already help me so much." He put the bags on the table and turned to the window. "You are taking too much on yourself."
"I don't think so."
He turned back to her. "You help Yuuto grade papers, film Haru's video antics, keep my ass alive and give Kaien a sympathetic ear when he needs to rant. I think you do more than enough for us."
She shrugged, "Not like I have much else to do with my time."
"You need a hobby." He paused for a moment. "Wait a minute..don't tell me we're your hobby!"
She laughed, "Not intentionally, but kind of."
He shook his head, undoing the clip and letting his hair free. "Can I help or am I banished to the couch?"
She looked thoughtful, "Can you cut veggies?"
He gave a bow. "Your wish is my command."
She smiled and passed him some veggies after cleaning them.
He began to chop, pausing to rub his chest occasionally. He seemed to do it without thinking, a song hummed under his breath.
She threw spices into a pot and began cooking the meat, giving him a soft smile.
He gave her a grin when he caught her looking at him. "Am I distracting you?"
She chuckled, "Maybe a little with your cuteness."
His cheeks went red and he dropped his eyes. "I'm not cute."
"Yes you are."
He stopped his chopping, resting his hands on the counter. "How can you say that? You've barely seen me without a hospital room and bandages.."
She smiled, "Because, I love you. Even the parts I haven't seen."
He raised his eyes, then straightened. He took off his jacket and hesitated briefly, then pulled his shirt off over his head.
Eight puckered scars were visible in his chest, others scattered along his shoulders and abdomen.
"Am I still cute?" The question had a sad tone.
She stepped away from the stove and gently put a hand on his chest. She smiled at him, "Yes, you are."
He stared at her, his eyes wide. "How? I look like a walking practice target. No girl wants to see this." He fumbled with his shirt, trying to put it back on.
She sighed, "I have a lot of scars too. Maybe that's why I don't see it as a problem."
He stopped, surprise in his face. "Really?"
She nodded, checking the food before slowly raising up her shirt. Three bullet scars as well as multiple others that looked like whip marks coated her front and back. She looked down nervously.
He slowly approached her, touching the scars tenderly. "The Otas?"
She nodded. "I have these as well as burn marks on my arms. That's why I wear long sleeves a lot."
He dipped his head, kissing each scar softly. "I'm sorry."
"You don't hate the scars?" She asked quietly.
"I hate who gave them to you, but I don't hate them. Or you." He captured her mouth gently, running his fingers down her chest. "They are proof of how strong you are."
She smiled softly before moving back to the stove to check on the food again.
He leaned against the counter and watched her for a moment. "Yashiro never wanted to see them. Said it was a way to make her feel pity for me."
Arya shook her head, "You can't help what's happened to you. If she really liked you, she should have accepted them."
He sighed. "I was new to the whole relationship thing. Didn't stop to consider that. She asked me to have a drink with her outside of work and I honestly was amazed she wanted to spend time with me."
Arya nodded in understanding before throwing the rest of the veggies into the pan. She stirred everything up before looking back at him. "Too bad she ended up being a bitch."
Tomoya laughed. "Just think of it as rehearsal for us. I was so awkward around anyone not my brothers before."
She chuckled before plating up the food. She set everything out on the table and poured drinks before sitting down with a smile.
He joined her, intertwining one hand with hers. "Are you happy with me?"
She nodded, "Of course. Are you happy with me?"
"Indescribably so. Hard to believe we started the way we did, huh?"
"Definitely. I'm glad we met. I never expected to find anyone who would look past my family."
"Too busy handling my own." Tomoya laughed again.
She smiled, "I love you."
"Love you too." He picked up his fork and took a bite, closing his eyes in joy.
She began eating, watching him with a smile.
He devoured the food, sitting back finally with a contented smile. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Probably."
"Haven't found it yet." He gave her a wide grin. "What now?"
"We could watch a movie?" She suggested.
"Anything you want." He rose from the table, clearing the dishes and going to the sink. "Pick something while I take care of these."
"Are you sure? I can help?"
"You cooked. I'll do the dishes. It's only fair." He started washing, humming again under his breath.
She went and picked out a movie, putting it in before sitting on the couch and waiting for him.
He soon joined her, wrapping an arm around her and drawing her close.
She cuddled into him before pressing start on the movie. She watched for a few minutes before moving and gently kissing him.
He smiled, returning the kiss as he ran a hand through her hair. "You're so beautiful.."
She blushed slightly before kissing him harder.
His eyebrows raised before he hungrily captured her mouth, his hand entangling in it as he held her head still.
She ran a hand down his chest while her other hand was in his hair.
He pulled back breathlessly, his eyes glittering in the tv light. "You sure about this?"
She nodded, "Are you?"
"Absolutely." He flicked the tv off, kissing her softly before picking her up and taking her into a bedroom.
She chuckled softly, smiling up at him.
He hovered over her for a minute, a soft smile on his face. He opened his mouth, but instead of words a scream came out.
The memory crashed down entirely as Arya was brought back to her current situation. She winced at his screams, wishing she could save him.
They suddenly cut off.
A man turned to her with a sigh. "It's no fun when they pass out. Oh well, let's see if you can last longer?"
She tried to back up but couldn't move.
He smiled sadistically, raising a thin blade to her throat. "Scream for me."
She struggled to get away, unable to bring herself to scream.
He snarled, slashing at her violently.
She cried, tears streaking her face. She let out a few screams before sobbing too hard to scream more.
"Disappointing." The man shook his head at her. "I thought you would be different. Guess it's time for you to die. He's more fun."
She closed her eyes, trying to control her breathing.
He lunged at her, but stiffened as several gunshots went off. He sank to the floor, revealing a furious Kaien.
Arya slowly opened her eyes, starting to lose focus as blood pooled on the ground around her.
Kaien raced to her side, putting pressure on the wounds. "Don't you die on me, Arya. Toya would murder me."
"Toya.. is he okay..?"
Kaien glanced to where the medics were working on his brother. "He's alive. Now be quiet."
She tried to nod, struggling to keep her eyes open.
Kaien disappeared, a medic taking his place.
She was quickly stabilized, her gurney following Tomoya's out of the building.
Kaien scowled, kicking the man's body in fury before leaving.