Disclaimer: I do not own DNAngel or any of it's characters.
Sorry (again), for taking an eternity... but for awhile I got really tied up in a bunch of stuff (like usual). Anyways, here'd the new chapter, it's a little rushed, but I hope you enjoy it!One Week 'till Marriage
Chapter 3: Feverish Friday and Sarcastic Saturday
The week felt as though it had slipped between her fingers like water, and yet the idea of marriage seemed to be of no concern to her. It did not feel real, and it was more like a vague dream to her rather than a nightmare these days… She glanced down the hallway and sighed. In such a large palace, how could she ever be comfortable?
Dark watched her expressions and chuckled, "What're those faces for? Hm…?" He smirked slightly and put his hand on her shoulder, winking at her when she cast her worried glance at him for a moment's time. His smirk dropped when her expression failed to change as he expected. He looked at her inquiringly and crossed his arms, "Hey, you gonna talk to me, or…?"
"I'm tired… how can you live here so comfortably…?" Riku sighed, leaning against the wall, frowning. "I don't even know how to find my own room sometimes, and it's just awkward to have to ask others for help!" A light blush tinted her cheeks, and she felt dizzy… holding herself up against the wall, she felt the room sway a little. She groaned and buried her face against the wall.
"Hey, are you alright?" Dark laid his hands on her shoulders and steadied her when she tried to stand and walk to her room. He leaned her against his chest and when the expected resistance did not follow through, he lifted a hand to her forehead. His face become serious and shocked when he felt her temperature burning hot, "you've got a fever!"
"No… I'm just—tired…" She tried walking on her own but before she could take a second step she fell into Dark's arms, and groaned. Her vision was blurring and she could feel a headache coming on.
Dark lifted her into his arms and he carried her to their room, trying his best not to jolt her too much. "What am I going to do with you…?" He frowned and sighed comically. How was the wedding supposed to go through if his bride had a fever? He would have a hell of a time explaining the situation to his mother…
Setting her down on the bed, he called for a nurse on the bedroom phone and covered her in blankets. He set a chair next to the bed, and retrieved an armful of towels. The nurse knocked twice and opened the door, "Excuse me…?"
Dark opened the door for her and sighed with relief when he saw that the nurse saw no need to panic. She walked towards Riku, her silken brown hair tied back into a neat ponytail. She examined Riku, checking her temperature by hand and then taking her pulse for any abnormalities. With just the simple examination, she smiled knowingly at him. "No need to worry, it's just fatigue."
Dark nodded but could not help but raise an eyebrow at her antics. She smiled as if she knew everything, but he just brushed the feeling off when she exited the room as quickly as she had entered.
At the sound of the closing door, Riku began to stir and she opened her eyes slowly, feeling much too groggy to move around. Her body felt heavy, and although she was awake, she didn't register a tenth of anything she was saying or doing.
"How are you feeling?" Dark's whisper made her turn her head his way, and she frowned. He chuckled lightly and she turned away from him, eyes closing and opening slowly. "Are you hungry?" Dark asked, shifting over to the bed and brushing his fingers over her auburn hair.
She paused for a minute and shook her head, staying put and allowing Dark to comfort her. He smiled and moved around a little more, settling down so that he was lying next to her. Unlike most days where she hit and threw him out of bed she just kept to herself allowed him to hold her in his arms without much retaliation or hesitation.
Riku sighed contently and strangely enough, she curled into the embrace, mewling slightly when he buried his face in her neck, inhaling the soft scent of her strawberry shampoo. His eyes fluttered closed and his hand traced invisible circles over her abdomen.
Riku's eyes opened and she whispered almost incoherently, "Promise…you won't tell?" Her eyes were threatening to close and she tilted her head slightly, consciousness slowly fading back to black.
"Promise…" Dark smiled and snuggled closer, already knowing her thoughts were in a jumble from her half-asleep state of mind. His hand closed over hers and he squeezed it reassuringly.
Riku's cheeks were dusted with a powder pink color and she closed her eyes, "Don't tell Dark, but… I've always liked it when he does this…" Riku buried her face in the pillow and she kept shifting to get comfortable.
Dark's eyes started to glow in slight awe and happiness, "Oh…?" His smile slowly fell back into his usual trademark smirk and he whispered in her ear, "You mean… this…?" His hot breath feathered over her sensitive ears, and his thumb traced circles in her palm, his lithe fingers lightly brushing against her knuckles as he shifted back into the crook of her neck, eliciting a quiet moan from her.
Riku nodded shyly and Dark chuckled, "Your secret's safe with me…" Dark watched as Riku's eyes fluttered closed once again, probably not even registering any of his words, not even her own for that matter… He just hoped that when he woke up later he wouldn't be sprawled out on the floor with a slap mark on his face…
The next morning Dark did in fact, find himself sprawled about the floor awkwardly with a red slap mark clear as day burning on his cheek. Instead of his usual silliness though, he was ten times worse in Riku's opinion…
"Hey, what are you doing in my bed, again? And why don't I remember anything from yesterday…?" She watched him intently and raised an eyebrow when all she got was his perverted smirk and a wave of his hand.
"Don't worry, sweets; I didn't do anything you didn't want me to do." He winked when her face was turned a deep scarlet and she appeared to be speechless. He stood and brushed a couple violet strands of hair out of his face, taking a seat on the leather recliner, a kingly pose accompanying his air of confidence.
Riku's hands gripped the sheets tightly and she trembled in embarrassment, watching as Dark reveled in his win. "Ugh!" Riku released the sheets and grabbed the closest pillow, throwing it at the haughty prince.
Dark grabbed it and tossed it to the side, "Hey, it's not my fault you told me you liked when I—" Dark's comeback was silenced by another incoming pillow, and he frowned in disappointment when he didn't get to finish his 'lovely' sentence.
"OK prince, I don't know what you did last night but I think I'd like it if you cared to elaborate for me." Riku placed her hands on her hips and she suddenly appeared in front of his with an angry glare plastered over her beautiful features.
"Don't worry sweetie, I—" Dark smirked when her face grew even redder with his nickname. He chuckled and decided not to finish his sentence, leaving Riku feeling a little more than just curious.
"Go on…" she said, waiting for her pervert of a fiancé to finish his sentence and satisfy her curiosity. "I'm waiting," she muttered, her impatience clearly showing when she began to tap her feet and cross her arms.
Dark raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Only if you promise…" Dark said the words quietly, almost innocent enough to be called cute… and sickeningly sweet…
"I promise… not to kill you…?" Riku raised an eyebrow and waited for his answer, uncrossing her arm and stopping her foot tapping when he nodded.
"OK then… It's not my fault you admitted that you like it when I touch you, hold you, and whisper in your e—"
"OK, OK, OK, I get it! Will you please just stop with all this—augh!" Riku's face burned brightly and her cheeks felt hot enough to make anyone think she had a fever. "I don't believe you anyways…" Riku muttered incoherently, pouting, and frowning; anything to distract herself from the inescapable embarrassment she was feeling.
Dark just shrugged and when she raised her fist in preparation of beating the living daylights out of him, he lifted and waved his index finger mockingly. "Remember, no hitting." He smiled goofily and laughed like an idiot until he couldn't breathe, especially when she began stomping out of the room, almost like a monster… that is—until she turned around, composed and smiling.
Dark froze on the spot and felt a chill travel down his spine… his day probably wasn't going to be as great as he had originally thought it was going to be. Suddenly, he had the overwhelming urge to box himself off into the safest place available and cower in fear… "Erm—Riku I… I'm sorry…?" He smiled nervously, praying that she would forgive him and spare him.
No such luck, Riku just returned his nervous smile with her own smirk, frighteningly confident looking from Dark's perspective. "I'll see you at dinner, dear." She put an emphasis on the nickname and smiled when she saw the result of her handiwork. Dark looked like a kitten in the rain.
Dark muttered regretfully to himself and buried his face into his hands. He hoped he'd survive the day with his insanity intact. Riku didn't seem to be the type to get even to Dark, more like the type to get revenge.
Riku hummed to herself and her steps almost had a skip in them. She nearly twirled when she reached the corner, but restrained herself from doing so when she spotted a familiar redhead.
Daisuke sat on the bench-like edges of a stone fountain in the middle of one of the palace's smaller gardens, a tiny strawberry plant set next to him. He smiled and chuckled when the plant moved. Riku watched the sight with interest, wondering what was causing him to laugh.
She approached him and tilted her head, "Hey, Daisuke, what are you up to?" Riku sat down next to Daisuke and looked over his shoulder. "What's the plant for?"
Daisuke looked at Riku and gave her a questioning look, "Can't you see him?"
He pointed downwards, and Riku looked down, but saw nothing but the plant. She looked puzzled and just stared at the plant intently until she saw Wiz emerge from behind the plant, carrying a strawberry in his mouth.
"Oh, it's Wiz!" Riku's eyes lit up with understanding, and Daisuke laughed, standing up, and moving to the other side to allow Riku to pet Wiz. "So… is this all he eats?" Riku pet Wiz and looked at Daisuke, waiting for an answer.
"Err, actually I don't know… This is all I ever see him eat, but since he's a rabbit I guess he eats carrots, too?" Daisuke looked confused, but so did Riku. "I guess he's kind of weird, huh?" Daisuke laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
Riku laughed, still petting Wiz when it pouted after hearing that even Daisuke hardly knew anything about him. "Say…" Riku's eyes glinted with mischief as she momentarily halted her ministrations. "Do you mind if I borrow Wiz for the evening?"
"Not at all, Miss Riku, just leave him in the living room when you're finished with him. I'll be sure to pick him up after dinner?" Daisuke pet Wiz and pulled off the strawberry he was trying to yank off the vine. Wiz clung to the strawberry and began nibbling it. "But what do you need Wiz for?"
"Oh, it's nothing to worry about, just a little prank on Dark…" Riku smirked deviously and Daisuke looked at her worriedly. "I'm just going to…" Riku whispered her plan to Daisuke and her plan made Daisuke blush.
"Isn't that a bit—much?" Daisuke couldn't hide his blush and he tried to look away. "That's just a little overboard…" Daisuke sweat-dropped and he began to pity Dark…
"Well anyways, I think I should start practicing with Wiz now. Do you mind…?" Riku pat Wiz on the head, and Daisuke nodded, blush still covering his face as he left her to do what she had to do.
That evening Dark paced his room in worry of what Riku had in store for him. He had to go to dinner no matter what, but what did she have planned for him. The mere thought of what she had the potential to do made him tremble where he stood, but either way he had to get it over with sometime. Dark bravely left his room, but to his surprise, he didn't even get to reach the dining room…
"Oh, Dark!" Riku came from behind and tapped him on his shoulder, smiling unusually sweetly. "I was waiting for you…" Riku pouted and she gave him the most innocent look she could pull off. Dark looked like he tripped over himself in his brain, but he was still able to register that his feet were moving, and Riku was the one dragging him.
"I made dinner, so eat up, alright?" Riku smiled and sat Dark down where a steaming plate of food sat in front of him. The smell wafted towards him and he inhaled the scent of the delicious looking stew.
Half of dinner was spent in silence until Dark noticed that Riku had somehow moved closer over the few minutes that had passed… "Dark… is it good?" Riku's hands brushed over his cheek, and Dark fell out of his chair, startled.
He sat frozen in place, even when Riku leaned over him. "You hurt yourself… are you alright?" Dark noticed how her voice changed; it was—somehow sexy…
She brushed her hand over his head and Dark closed his eyes, anticipating either a hit or a kiss… However, Dark's eyes opened wide when Riku trailed her hand over his chest and smiled down at him. "Close your eyes, OK?" She tilted her head cutely, and Dark smirked.
"You got it sweets…" he smirked and awaited his kiss. His confidence got the better of him and when he felt her lips on his he didn't even realize that there was a random 'poof' sound resonating through the room. He only realized when he saw that he was kissing not Riku—but Wiz and his strawberry…
"Good one Riku… good one…" Dark's clothes were ruffled, and his hair stood up as if he had been shocked.
As he had thought, she didn't get even… she got revenge.
End of Chapter 3
OK, so this isn't the greatest chapter I've ever written, but I was rushing a bit so I could get this up by today. Sorry, for such a huge delay and no, I'm not on hiatus if that's what some of you were thinking. It's just been me with a lot of other stuff going on, so I'm really sorry about all the waiting and stuff. You guys are awesome for waiting so long, and I'm really thankful to have people reading my story. But anyways, recently I'd gotten a PM from IcedOverFire, and she/he just really motivated me, so this chapter is dedicated to IcedOverFire! I hope you like it!
As always, thank you for reading, and please review!