Beautiful

"I just – can you believe the audacity? Because I can't! I just – how dare he?!"

"Want me to color his dick green?"

Aoko slumped down on the couch in the Kuroba household, nearly throwing her head on the lap of her best friend, eyebrows drawn together, puffy eyes and a pout on her lips.

"Be serious, Kaito. At least film him when his girlfriend is about to suck his green dick or something."

"Noted."

It was nearly second nature, the way his hand found its way into her hair, comforting her with gentle caresses. Even if today more than just the usual comforting was needed.

"I just – I mean it's not like I love him or anything. It was arranged by our fathers but at least I tried and he just … just … and then in front of everyone. And I was so damn angry, I started to cry. I was so damn angry. I am still angry! I just … he told me, in front of everyone, how he could never date someone as ugly as me. I mean why couldn't he just say no? Is it so difficult, yes? Does he have such an inferiority complex that he had the damn need to screw me up?! I mean what is his fucking problem?! And I even fucking put effort into my outfit and makeup and now it's all ruined and I just hate this!"

She grabbed his jeans tightly in the middle of the tirade, clenching her fists in anger, probably not even realizing she was doing it while smudging her makeup further on his jeans and crumpling her pretty white flowery dress on the couch.

"Asshole! He doesn't deserve my tears! I'm just so angry."

Kaito sighed and brushed a stray strand out of her face, softly wiping her tears away. Though thankfully, she wasn't sobbing and crying a river because that was something he had no idea how to deal with – not that he didn't want her to cry. It was good if she let all the emotions out, she needed that outlet. But he simply hated seeing her hurting like that, pain that he couldn't fight for her.

He surely could fight that guy, though.

As much as Kaito hated Koizumi Akako, sometimes she was damn useful. He wondered if she had one of those voodoo dolls that he could use on this guy – it wouldn't kill him, after all, only scare him a little. And then he could dye his dick green and then tell him he had some kind of rare sickness that untreated would result in him losing his dick. Or he'd stage a one night stand with that guy – as a girl probably – and then be there in his bed as a guy, greeting him good morning. Of course, he'd film all that and show Aoko later. That'd be too hilarious.

Or maybe he'd have to think of something bloodier, something that drove home how he better never crossed Aoko again or else he'd have to face his wrath.

Hmmm, he could also use Kid's persona and scare-

"And why aren't you saying something?"

Turning her head upwards to fixate her best friend, Aoko hit him on the chest lightly.

"Oi, that hurt, you violent idiot!"

"Who is an idiot? I was just brutally murdered in front of my father and you just sit here and listen, well, I mean, thanks for listening but I expected more of an outburst from you."

"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "And what did you expect me to do?"

"I don't know, save my reputation maybe? Tell me I'm not ugly? Anything really. I mean, Kuroba Kaito is usually that smooth talking asshole, so why not right now?"

Kaito pinched her upper arm in retaliation.

"Ow! Now, that hurt, Bakaito!"

"Who's a smooth talking asshole, Ahoko?! And here I was, thinking up revenge plans for this guy who hurt my girl but then your ungrateful ass had to ruin it. Again, may I add."

"So you have some ideas to get back at him?"

Kaito turned his head away and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Well, not telling now."

"Don't be like that, Kaito." She would have hit him on the chest again if he didn't have his arms posted protectively over it. So she just drummed on his arms instead. "Come on tell me."

"Geez, who would want a violent flat chested girl like you, anyway, huh?"

It was their usual banter but maybe saying those things on this day was the wrong choice, as hurt flashed through her eyes, even if just momentarily, before she jumped up and dashed out of the house – had he let her. Of course, Kaito didn't. Before Aoko could leave the couch, he encircled her waist with his arms and pressed her to him.

Had the situation been anything else, Kaito would have celebrated having her so close to him, on his lap, and all squirming even. Damn, she was hot. Unfortunately, Aoko wasn't in the same mood as him.

Geez, Kuroba. Now's not the time to get aroused!

"Oi, let go! You told me what you think of me, so let me go!"

Oh, Aoko was livid, turning in his embrace as best as she could, with all the strength she could muster but all the Kid training plus the fact that he was a guy made it an impossibility for her to get out of his grasp. Not unless he let go of her.

"Nope. Calm down. You got it all wrong."

She elbowed him in the ribs in the next second, successfully breaking his iron grip, before Kaito threw his whole body on her, pinning her to the couch face down. But Aoko knew how to get out of such positions, especially not having her right arm pinned down. She went for elbowing him again, but he grabbed her arm mid swing and as distracted as he was with her arm, she raised her foot in between both of his to hit him where it hurt the most (usually she was more considerate but considering the day and what he told her on top of it, he definitely deserved it, well in her opinion at least). But Kaito squeezed his legs together to trap her leg between his, thus immobilizing her.

"Oi, what is your problem, Aoko! That would have hurt like hell, damn it!"

"So what!"

With only her head free, she headbutted him like the pro that she wasn't but his grip slacked for a single second which was enough for her to bash her elbow back into his ribs, successfully generating space between their bodies. It was just enough room so Aoko could slip out and ran around the couch.

"Damn, wait, Aoko!" Kaito yelled and jumped over the only thing separating him from her, landing right in front of her. When Aoko crashed right into him, as she wasn't able to stop anymore or change her route, Kaito grabbed her arms again, fully intending not to let go anymore. In the same second, he kicked her feet from under her and consequently made her stumble right on the floor with him on top of her. Immediately, Kaito lay between her legs and held her arms securely on the ground, making sure she wouldn't get out of his grip again.

Towering above her, Kaito couldn't help enjoying the view as much as he did. With her hair a mess, a mess that used to be in curls and perfectly arranged, something that's Aoko never done before, her makeup smudged by all the crying, her bloodshot eyes and the scowl on her face. Had she been anyone else, Kaito would have run as fast as possible to get away from that femme fatale but this was Aoko – his Aoko who was hurting. And even with a scowl like that, her runny nose and the black makeup streaks on her cheeks, she was the most beautiful girl in the world to him.

Eyes blazing with hands clenched into fists, Aoko tried her hardest to get out of his grip.

"You're so dead, Kaito!"

Damn, did he love it when she threatened him.

"I can't believe I came here for comfort and yo-"

She felt his lips on hers before she saw his face right in front of her. His lips were soft and wet and so warm and –

"Ugh, Kaito, that's disgusting! I have snot all over my face! Don't kiss me like that!"

Chuckling, Kaito lay his head on her shoulder, softly kissing her neck before he raised it again and looked into her stunned eyes.

"Calmed down?"

He expected her to scowl again, but she didn't manage more than a confused frown.

"What? No! How could I be calm?! Just what – why – I – what the hell Kaito?! Just why -"

She blinked.

"Wait."

Blinked again.

"Wait, wait, wait."

Nodding, Kaito watched her with an amused smile. "I'm waiting."

"You said my girl. Before. As in I'm your girl. As in more than just friends, you know, like – I mean."

"Took you only an hour to realize."

Seeing him chuckle at her expanse, Aoko wanted to hit him but her restrained arms didn't let her.

"You bast-!"

He stopped her with another kiss.

"Aww, come on. I thought you'd be happy if I kissed you."

"Well, how about you let me cuss you out and then kiss me?!"

He watched her with the roguish smile only he could muster and an intensity that made her blush spread to her ears.

"What!"

"You're so beautiful, Aoko."

Kaito's voice was soft and full with emotions, something he rarely ever showed anyone anymore, so much that it took her aback.

"…what?"

"I was just six but the first second I saw you, I couldn't get over how beautiful you were. I still can't get over how beautiful you are now. How much more beautiful you've become over the years."

Looking up at him baffled, Aoko felt the heat all over her face. Somehow, she felt small under the look he was giving her, intense and full of love. Full of unhidden honesty. He truly meant what he said.

"The way your eyes light up when you're angry, the way your eyes sparkle when you're happy. The way your voice turns tender when you talk to a child, or the soft touch of your hands when you comfort someone. Even when someone hurts you or your pride, you still don't bend down but stand your ground and leave with confidence. There is nothing I don't love about you, Nakamori Aoko."

Blinking, Aoko opened and closed her mouth in a reply but no sound came out, too stunned was she by his confession, too out of breath by his words.

Grinning, Kaito leaned back in to kiss her but stopped only millimeters before. "If I'd just known sooner that such simple words would shut you up so successfully…"

"Kai-!"

Before she could break the moment anymore than he did, he smashed his lips against hers in a deep kiss.

"Wait!" But Aoko pushed him off nearly immediately after, wrinkling her nose. "I'm still disgusting."

Now Kaito burst out laughing, finally letting go of her arms and lying down next to her.

Quickly wiping her nose and face on the sleeve of her dress shirt, Aoko tried her best to be as presentable as possible in this situation without having to stand up and go to the bathroom – which she really should do but then she'd have to leave Kaito and what if this whole thing was nothing but something that her mind came up with? Not going to risk that…

Throwing her leg over Kaito, she sat down back on his lap and God did she love it there.

"Oh? Aren't we bold right now?"

He smiled that roguish smile again that she loved so much.

Biting her lip in nervousness, Aoko's determination won anyway and she leaned down to him, just a breath away from his lips. And before she could close in, Kaito already pecked her on her lips instead.

"Oi, not fair, Kaito."

Sticking his tongue out at her, he shrugged. "Life's not fair, Aoko."

Then Kaito sat up and leaned against the back of the couch, never breaking the eye contact, keeping her on his lap. Placing his hands on her hips, he pulled her even closer to him, over that one spot that was just too sensitive right now and damn if he –

"Kaito, are you aroused?"

There was the blush on her cheeks again and a bit of alarm in her eyes but nothing that would freak her out too much.

"It's hard not to be when you sit on me like that, Aoko."

He wondered if she'd jump up and go home but she didn't. Instead, Aoko pressed her hips more into him, then moved them very slowly in a circling motion and watched him with those hawk eyes of hers.

"And you enjoy it, don't you?"

She grinned. "Yes, that's revenge for before. And anyway. So, revenge. How do I get back at him?"

Kaito groaned.