Chapter Thirteen:
He hadn't realized that one little piece of metal could be so heavy or that by creating it he would be adding so much stress and anxiety to his life. As Hikaru stared down at the glittering silver within his palm, he could feel the sweat gathering at the back of his neck and the twisting sensation that fluttered through his gut. Never had he been more anxious in all of his life.
And he hadn't even asked her to move in yet.
"Hika?"
The sound of her voice startled him out of his innermost thoughts, causing him to jump slightly as he hastily tossed the small key into his pocket. "Yeah, in the kitchen!" He called, nervously trying to make himself look busy. Who was he kidding anyway? Hikaru didn't cook.
Renge seemed to notice that oddity right away, her eyebrow peaked as she entered the kitchen and placed her bag upon the counter. "You're up to something." She immediately accused.
"Up to something?" He asked, his voice a little too high pitched. "What makes you think I'm up to something?"
Renge scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "The fact that you're in the kitchen, for one, and the fact that you're voice sounds more like a pre-pubescent boy than my boyfriend, for two."
Hikaru rolled his eyes, leaning back against the counter in what he hoped would be a nonchalant fashion. "Cant a guy take interest in food?"
This time Renge actually laughed. "Yeah, normal guys. You? Not so much." She crossed the kitchen with an ethereal grace, leaning up and placing a chaste kiss upon his lips. "Are you going to tell me what you're up to now or not?"
Hikaru huffed, his hand still tucked in his pocket and his fingers wrapped around the small key so tightly his knuckles were turning white. "I have something for you."
"A present?" His girlfriend brightened immediately. While Renge had many redeeming qualities, it was evident to anyone who had ever met her that Renge balanced precariously on the materialistic line. The easiest way to please her was with wrapping paper and gift bags. "What is it?"
"Do you love me?" He asked, feeling his heart ache slightly at the mere thought of receiving a no.
"Of course I love you, stupid. What kind of question is that? And before you ask, no I don't just love you because you have a gift for me." She smirked, seemingly pleased with herself and her answer.
"How much do you love me?" He asked, narrowing his eyes as he tried to find a reason not to move their relationship forward. If he was being completely honest with himself, Hikaru was scared. He had grown so close to Renge over the last few months, much closer than he had ever expected to grow with another person. He had never felt so attached to anyone except for maybe his brother. And he had consulted with his brother many times over the last week. Every morning he had ventured out to Kaoru's grave and spent at least an hour conversing with his brother. He ran through every argument, every insecurity, and still he could find no reason to stop the natural progression of his relationship. He was merely scared.
The revelation had come to him the night before, right before he went to the locksmith and had the new key created. The root of all of Hikaru's fears was loss. He had been so connected to his brother and in an instant he had been ripped away from him. Getting close to Renge gave her the ability to hurt him on a deeper level. If something were to happen to her or if she were to decide she didn't want to be with him anymore, he wasn't sure he would be able to recover from that. Giving her the key to his house was like placing a loaded gun in her hand and expecting her not to pull the trigger.
"I love you more than anything in the world. If the last few months haven't taught you that, I'm clearly doing something wrong." She teased, placing a gentle hand upon his arm. "What's wrong, Hikaru?"
He shook his head, taking a deep and unsteady breath as he pulled his hands from his pocket. Gently he stroked her cheek with his empty hand, taking a moment to allow the feel of her soft skin ease his anxiety. There was something about the heat that radiated off her body and the scent of her lilac perfume that eased the boy in a way he had never been eased before. "I don't know what I would have done over these last few months without you. Especially the last four since Haruhi and Tamaki's wedding. You've been there for me through everything and I feel like it's time to take our relationship to the next step."
"The next step?" She asked anxiously, her eyes wide as saucers. He could see the way she breathed shakily, her own anxiety evident on her soft features.
"Hnn." He nodded, opening up his hand to reveal the little silver key. "I want you to move in with me, Renge. I mean you practically live here anyway so what would be different between what we do now and you moving your stuff in so that you don't have to go home so often?"
"No difference at all." She beamed, lightening immediately.
"So yeah. Here's your key." He grumbled, a dark blush crossing over his features as he placed the little silver key in her hand.
"But Hika," she giggled. "You already gave me a key to your place, remember?" She asked, lifting the chain that hung around her neck, holding the small copper key to his home.
"Yeah, but this one is symbolic or something." He huffed, narrowing his eyes and daring her to argue with him. Haruhi had been his go to for all things related to Renge and keeping her happy. It had been Haruhi who suggested he make the grand gesture of creating another key and asking her officially to move in with him. She's a sucker for those sorts of things, you know. Had been her biggest argument on the case "But if you don't like it, fine. I'll keep it as a spare."
"No!" She yelled, a little too loudly as she clutched the new key to her chest. "I love it. I want it. I'm keeping it." She demanded like a petulant child, sticking her tongue out at him.
Hikaru chuckled, reaching out and pushing her chin up forcing her tongue back into her mouth. "Fine, it's yours."
"You know what this means, right?" She asked, smiling sheepishly up at him.
"What?"
"You get to move all of my stuff for me." She smirked, dancing out of his grasp and marveling at her new key.
Author's Note:
Hello, hello! I owe you all a huge apology for my absence over the last couple of months. If you read any of my other stories, you've already seen that I had quite a few big changes in my life since the holidays. I totaled my car, lost my job, got a new job and a new boyfriend. The boyfriend more than anything has been distracting me from updating these stories.
The good news?
I got a new job! And that new job is completely computer based. AND! When I don't have any work to do? My managers are totally okay with me writing and posting my chapters up for all you lovelies to read. This means? UPDATES! Lots of them and more frequently.
The bad news?
There are only two more chapters before this story is over... So bare with me and I hope you continue to enjoy the end of our journey.
All my love; Kaasuten
