Secrets

'...' Thinking

"..." Speaking

Disclaimer:

This will be my first time writing in a few years, so please be patient with me. All the stories I write are my interpretation of how I would have wanted the show/game to end up. The characters and the actual series I write about are not mine as I do not own any rights. I am just a fan and love to show it by creating my stories, but any OC's I create are that of my own imagination and creativity. Please keep in mind I am not a perfect writer and I do make mistakes.

This chapter was written on Valentine's Day and is dedicated to the holiday. My internet crapped out and I was unable to post, so forgive me if it's a day or two late.

The next morning Ulquiorra trudged down the stairs to his new apartment and entered the kitchen. Nnoitra was already getting started with his day by making a healthy breakfast that was said to improve eyesight. He noticed his friend was up super early, quite unlike him as he tended to sleep throughout the afternoon unless they had school.

"You're up early. Good morning."

"It's only ten."

"My point exactly, you usually sleep until three or four." He remarked as he whipped up some egg whites.

"What are you, my caretaker?" He mumbled as he grabbed an energy drink out of the fridge. It's not like he was wrong, Ulquiorra wasn't a morning person and preferred the night owl lifestyle.

"Tch. Anyways why are you up? Got somewhere to be? With a certain someone by chance?"

"If I say yes will you drop it?"

"Mmmm…nah." His eerie smile spread from cheek to cheek while his almost nonexistent eyebrows wiggled with mischief.

"You know it is Valentine's Day…why don't you invite the girl to dinner instead of another boring study session."

"It's only the second time we met and you're acting like it's an anniversary. She's just a friend…nothing more."

"Says you. Is that why I found this bag in the trash?" He held up a little pink bag that had empty wrappers of snacks that Momo gave him yesterday.

"Trash picking is disgusting and beneath you. What are you doing, Nnoitra? Put it back, it's been covered in god knows what else you have trashed in that bin." His green eyes pierced Nnoitra's good eye and caused him to flinch backward. "Chill man it's just a joke. You're overly sensitive this morning that must mean you DO care for her."

Ulquiorra sighed and collapsed into the kitchen chair, "fine Noir I'll indulge you. Even if I did. IF, what the hell makes you think she could like someone like me…? People like us? She has a better chance with those ghastly humans they call jocks."

"Who gives a shit what other people think? You only get one life Ulquiorra I am sure if your mother were still with us, she would wa-"

"Don't bring her up. Just don't, you are not my father so don't presume to know what she would have wanted." His eyes seemed to flash but clearly, that was impossible since he was only human, right?

"Look all I meant was I am sure all mothers would want to see their children happy. You know I don't have my mother either, so I can say this because I understand. Don't worry about what other people think because at the end of the day you need to look out for yourself and your well-being because this world is shit and it doesn't give handouts so when you find that bit of happiness as I have…grab that fucker by the balls and go all in." He chuckled and grabbed a rubber band to put his hair up, "now stop fucking moping in this kitchen and get up. Go do something productive like having sex, going to dinner, or even studying. I don't know man, something. You are ruining the good vibe I have created in my personal space, I have to be in good spirits to get through my date with Nel."

"You are…like an animal it's so uncanny." He stood up and walked to the doorway before looking over his shoulder, "thanks."

'It's about time someone showed him some tough love.'

To: Momo H.

From: Cifer-Kun

Subject: Property…

After you left, I found this on the floor (see image below for reference). I'll make sure to bring it to the study session today…are we still on for it?

All Ulquiorra had to do now was wait until it was time to meet with Momo again.

Momo was still asleep in bed while the time was counting down till she was to meet Ulquiorra. Her phone was going off alerting her that she had an incoming message, but she was so exhausted she didn't have the will to reach for it now. All night she had been crying and stressing over the loss of her art book. Most people would have just shrugged it off and purchased a new one. Usually, she would have if the book didn't contain the last drawings she had of her grandfather. Normally she could redraw them at any time, but they were the only ones he was able to see before he passed away, giving them more meaning.

"Mm…" After finally getting annoyed at her ringtone she sat up and unlocked her phone. The light was so bright she couldn't help but wince, quickly turning it down she scrolled through her messages.

'Cifer-Kun…? Has m-my book?!' He found it! She was so happy she could just cry. Looking at the time her eyes widened. She was going to be late yet again, why did he even bother putting up with her?

Throwing the covers off her body she quickly made her bed and ran around her room trying to find the right outfit for the study session they had planned. Her small belly growled as she skipped breakfast to make it on time. She sent him a text that she would just meet him at the café since she probably made him late to the last train for lunchtime. It brought her comfort that they were meeting at a bakery at least there she could order as many snacks as she wanted. Momo was so focused on getting there that she forgot what day it was and how most places would be infested with couples.

To: Cifer-Kun

From: Momo H.

Subject: Sorry!

Just go to the cafe in your car I already took the train. I am so very sorry! I always seem to be running late I promise I am almost there. Please keep my journal safe it means the world to me! I'll pay for our snacks and lunch if you can find a table, consider it compensation for my lateness.

She hit "send" and made her way to the front of the train as it was preparing to arrive at her destination. Her eyes wandered to the side as she could see so many couples holding hands and sucking face. She had half a mind to gag, why is it when she was single and forever alone that the universe decided to tease her this way? As if having Ulquiorra, her crush, as a partner wasn't torturing enough.

Stepping off the train she adjusted her pink skirt and hugged her brown coat tighter to her body. She was dressed perfectly for the holiday despite her sudden forgetfulness. Quickly she made a small sprint for the café that was just around the corner, her cheeks and the brim of her nose turning red from the cold.

'Please don't be mad. Please just be there...I want to see him. I want to see Cifer-Kun!' She threw open the door to the café causing the bell to sound off louder than usual. Some eyes instantly went to her while others were too busy with their partners to pay her the time of day. Her brown eyes scanned the area until they landed on Ulquiorra's handsome face.

"C-Cifer-Kun!" His head raised slightly, and he came face to face with Momo who was trying to catch her breath, he could tell she had been running.

"You didn't have to rush woman. I would have waited regardless." He closed the menu and stood up, easily towering over her. His green eyes stared deep into her soul as she stared up at him, once again that spark reigniting. Going around the chair he pulled it out for her so she could sit.

"A-ah! Thank you! You didn't have to do that, but I am appreciative. I am so sorry I am late I-"

"It's fine. Here-" He stopped her before she could stress over the time and handed her the brown leather journal that contained her precious drawings. "Thank you so much! I-I was scared that I had lost it. I would have been so devastated, you're a real lifesaver."

"Not really." He mumbled before opening the menu up and looking for his favorite milk tea.

Her eyes cast downward a little embarrassed, "ah…did you by chance...look?"

Ulquiorra remained silent for a few seconds staring at the menu, so he wouldn't make eye contact with her. He could Momo was super nervous and embarrassed about what was in the journal. This was one of those white-lie moments and he knew it, but to lie to her already when they had just started becoming comfortable in each other's presence? It wasn't his thing to lie, but he did keep stuff to himself occasionally since he was a private man, it couldn't possibly be the same thing…could it?

"I did. You're very artistic and have a true talent for the arts." He murmured before flagging down a waiter.

"A-AH!" She put her face down onto the table, burying herself from his gaze and the stares of other people around them when she started to gently bang her forehead against the table.

"You're loud…"

"Well excuse me for being a little embarrassed as my entire private life was exposed in a few drawings!" Her cheeks were as red as tomatoes when she raised her head which caused a slight smirk to appear on his face.

"It's not funny Cifer-Kun!" She groaned and put her hands over her face.

"I'll take a chai latte and for her-" He waited for Momo to tell the waiter her order before continuing their discussion.

"Four mango mochis and a strawberry milkshake. Make it a double shot of strawberry, I'm going to need it." The waiter quickly scribbled their orders down and made his way to the back leaving them alone once again.

"Go ahead…ask me." She mumbled while playing with a lone thread on her skirt that was sticking out, anything to distract her from those piercing green eyes.

"It's none of my business."

"Yet, you still looked. I know you saw it." This time she was staring straight into his eyes with a look of sorrow and worry.

He sipped his tea once the waiter came back and leaned into his chair, "I did, but do not allow yourself to be shaken or upset. You have no reason to be, it was a very nice drawing. I felt as if I were reading a picture book."

Her cheeks reddened even more as she was given such praise. It made her truly happy to see that Ulquiorra had liked her work, but that still didn't address the elephant in the room. He had to have discovered by now that she was deeply and madly in love with him…it might have sounded creepy, but she had known him probably longer than he knew her. Love truly made people act differently to the point where it was not the norm.

"I-"

"Momo, I have to stop you there. I am not someone you should involve yourself with…you are young and have a whole life of success ahead of you. Me? I killed my mother during birth and my father became an alcoholic who grew to despise me for taking her away. Overtime I was used as a punching bag and after a while, I was strangely okay with that…I felt it was a way to redeem myself for my crime. I vowed not to ever experience happiness if he couldn't either. I was at the bottom of a pit where no light could reach the darkness. If there is such a thing as happiness in this world, it should resemble the endless nothingness. That's what I feel towards anything having to do with love and affection…I know not of what it feels like. I just don't want you to waste your time here."

He sighed and looked elsewhere, trying to find an object to focus on. Her eyes were brimmed with tears while her hand reached across the table to grab his. It was the first time she ever made physical contact with him and he would be lying if he didn't admit her warmth was comforting. "You're wrong. Everything you are saying is completely wrong. Cifer-Kun no one deserves to be anyone's punching bag. You have gone through a tragedy and even worse a trauma with your family. You should have been loved and cherished by your father, but more so you have no reason to feel such guilt from your mother's passing. It wasn't your fault….it just wasn't."

She took his other hand and squeezed it, "you do know love. You want to know how?"

His brow furrowed and he cocked his head to the side, "I am unsure of what you mean woman."

Momo shook her head and stared directly into his eyes, something he found no one wanted to do because their color was so intimidating. "You have friends Cifer-Kun who have probably shown you more support and love than your father ever has. I am sorry if I am overstepping here, but I just wanted you to know you are not alone. If you'll have me, I would love to continue being your friend too. Isn't that the happiness you seek? To never be truly alone?"

He was silent for a moment before he let go of her hands. Her eyes cast downwards in sadness feeling defeated as she couldn't get through to him. "I'm sorry…I crossed the line. W-We can just finish this project at school. Forget I said anything, thank you for returning my journal." She quickly looked through her purse for her wallet to pay for their snacks, but a hand on her head stopped her. "A-Ah…"

For the first time, something other than a frown or scowl graced his face. A genuine smile, though it was small…it was progress. He ruffled her bangs since the rest of her hair was in a bun, "are you scared of me…? Am I frightening to you…?"

"No. Not one bit." She answered confidently while grabbing a bite of her melted mochi. He leaned forward with his hands folded under his chin thinking of what he could possibly say in a situation like this. He was shocked that another human could understand how he operated and why he thought so little of himself. "I guess I still have some maturing to do, to eventually find what it means to have a heart…"

"I'll help you and I won't leave your side either. Let me be there for you too, I promise I won't rush anything or make you feel uncomfortable." She mumbled while looking away slightly embarrassed.

"I think….that would suffice." He gave her hand the smallest squeeze before slowly releasing it, their fingertips slightly touching.

Her blush remained before she laughed nervously and grabbed her English book. "Good, then it's settled. Now, how about we actually get some studying done…"

"If that is what you wish."

The two "lovebirds" may not have been a couple just yet, but their feelings and support for one another would be a stepping stone in the right direction for a beautiful romance to blossom.

To: Ulquiorra C./ Nel O.

From: Nnoitra G.

Subject: Disappointing...

NG: What no kiss? Come on you can't leave us in suspense like that. Be a man and confess your undying love for her.

NO: We can't hear anything from over here! Lean over and give her a smooch!

Ulquiorra's head snapped upward and his eyes began to scan the room for those two nosey friends of his. He noticed they were sitting near the front door in terrible get-up attires trying to conceal themselves from his line of view. When Momo was reading her lines he quickly sent a text.

To: Noir G./Nel O.

From: Ulquiorra C./Ulquii

Subject: Idiots…

Have you forgotten that my eyes see everything? Nothing goes unnoticed nor can it escape. What my eyes don't see it doesn't exist. You have the next few seconds to leave before I go over there.

"He made us! Scatter!" Nel screeched before grabbing her purse and sticking multiple panda biscuits in her mouth. Nnoitra's eyes widened and he quickly slapped down a few bills before yanking her hand and hauling ass out of the café.

"Cifer-Kun? Is something wrong?" Momo asked with her eyes wide as she suddenly saw him alert. She slowly looked behind her to see what the ruckus was about but Ulquiorra took her hand and shook his head, "it's nothing. My turn, right?"

"A-Ah right!"

For the rest of the café's business hours, Ulquiorra and Momo managed to cover half of the book, but what would happen when the end was finally achieved? Could their relationship remain the same or would it fall apart? Flourish? Only time would tell their story.