DGG: And with a date a the carnival, Yusho can definitely "hear the bells" in the distance. Title inspired by the song with the same title from the musical/movie Hairspray. Haha.

Yoko laughed as Yusho attempted to throw the last ball at the target only to miss…again.

"Maybe I should win you a prize," she snickered.

"But it's customary that your boyfriend win you a stuffed animal," he gave her a playful pout.

"Sure, but my boyfriend couldn't hit the broad side of a barn apparently. Duel? Yes. Aim? No. Let me try," Yoko gave some money to the attendant in exchange for three balls.

"Okay, but it's not as easy as it…" a buzzer cut him off as she hit the first bulls eye. "…looks."

"You were saying?" a supercilious smirk graced her face as she hit the next target as well as the next.

"Well…uh…I…" he stammered causing Yoko to giggle

"Here you are, Miss," the attendant handed her a stuffed bear.

"Thank-you," she grinned. "Here, my love. For you."

"Aw," he took the bear from her. "Thank-you. I wish I could have won this for you, though…"

"Listen, Yusho. You may not be good at this carnival game, but at least you have a cute butt," she wrapped her arms around his neck. "And at the end of the day, that's all that really matters, isn't it?"

Yusho laughed.

"That's a good consolation prize, I'd say."

"Oh yeah," she agreed as she stood on her toes in order to give him a peck on the lips. "Now come on! We need to ride the Ferris wheel now!"

"Whoa," he cried as she linked her arm with his and practically dragged him toward the line for the ride.

"Good. The line's not too bad," she remarked when they arrived.

"So tell me again why we couldn't ride this during the day?"

"Because Maiami City is much prettier at night, Yusho," Yoko raised an eyebrow at the male.

He snorted.

"I can't argue with that, my love."

The couple waited patiently in the queue as they slowly inched forward. A gentle breeze blew around them, and while the night wasn't particularly cold, the wind nipped due to the ocean nearby.

"Ooh," Yusho shivered. "Here. Take this."

"You don't have to do that," Yoko shook her head as the man took off his suit jacket.

"No, I don't have to. But I want to," he beamed as he placed his jacket around her shoulders. "Besides, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I let my girlfriend freeze to death before she even got to her favorite ride?"

"Aw. You're too sweet," she batted her eyelashes as she rested her chin on his shoulder and grinned at him. "But how will you keep warm?"

He wiggled the bear in his hand before hugging it to his chest.

"My new friend will help me, I'm sure."

Yoko giggled as Yusho pulled her into his side as they continued their wait. After what felt like an eternity, it was finally their turn and Yusho motioned for Yoko to enter the car first before settling down beside her. The ride attendant latched the door, and the wheel moved so that the people behind them could get into the next car.

"So what is it that you like about the Ferris wheel so much, Yoko?" asked Yusho.

"It's peaceful," she sighed. "You get to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view for awhile."

"Peaceful, huh? Was this always a favorite of yours, Yoko? Because I could have sworn that 'peaceful' wasn't a word in your vocabulary until after we'd met."

"Shut up!" she hit him playfully, causing him to snicker, the ride moving a bit again. "It's just nice. Especially when you share the ride with someone you love."

"Aw," he leaned over and rested his forehead against hers, prompting her to give him a quick peck on the lips as the wheel began rotating continuously.

Yoko sat up, pulling Yusho's coat tighter around her shoulders as the night air nipped at her neck. Yusho gazed at the woman as she admired the view. A latent excitement was glittering in her eyes as the wheel continued its revolutions. The Ferris wheel was a classic carnival ride, yes, but he hadn't known many people to have this much excitement brewing just under the surface – except for small children…and also himself.

The woman gasped as the wheel began to slow down, Yusho watching her with fascination.

"I think we might stop at the top!" Yoko squealed as she nudged her boyfriend.

"I think we just might," he agreed with a grin.

"Come on. Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!" she bounced in her seat as the ride finally came to a halt. "Yes! Right at the top!"

Yusho chuckled as Yoko stared out at the landscape with a childlike awe, her eyes sparkling as admired the many lights around and beneath them. Each building lining the street was emanating a warm glow from its windows. Even the billboards added to the beauty of the town, rather than clutter it. The light that emanated from the video screens wasn't harsh so much as it was soothing, like a helpful nightlight in the hall. They illuminated with a warmth that welcomed anyone, strangers and natives alike. But while the streets and walkways were pretty, it was the lights reflecting off the waterfront that truly made Maiami City beautiful. The rippling water caught the reflection of the lights, making the ocean glitter as though it were a rare and precious gemstone.

But Yusho wasn't paying attention to any of that. The rest of the world may as well have been dark and dank. The only light in his world right now was that of the woman beside him. His heart swelled with love as he just gazed at her.

"It's beautiful," Yoko commented, not tearing her eyes away from the scenery.

"Yeah," Yusho absently agreed. "Yes. Very beautiful."

His dreamy words caused the woman to turn toward him, her face flushing a light shade of pink when she caught his eye, a coy smile finding a home on her face.

"You're supposed to be admiring the view."

"But what I'm looking at is so much better."

"You're a dork," she smiled as she leaned on his shoulder, "but you're my dork."

Yusho's heart skipped a beat.

"I'll always be your dork, if that's what you want."

"Is that a promise, Yusho?"

"Yes, my love. Yes, it is."

Yusho rested his head against hers, feeling totally at peace. It was amazing to him how much he couldn't imagine his life without her anymore. She was his rock. She was his comfort. She was his best friend. She supported him and believed in him. Underneath her hard exterior, she was a very gentle and loving person. She understood him in a way that no one else could. He absolutely loved this woman. And it took his breath away just knowing that she loved him as well.

He was going to spend the rest of his life with her. He would make sure of it. One way or another, he just knew that he could never let her go.