"Hmmm…my favourite…"

She closed her eyes to keep the flavour on her tongue and then sighed before another brown square slipped into her mouth. "Don't you just love it? It's the best chocolate in Cloudbank. Expensive, too, but definitely worth it."

A whirl of smoke twisted itself into the air from behind her and she grimaced while swallowing the next piece.

He pocketed his partially devoured chocolate and with the other hand steadied himself on the handrail as the bus swung into a turn. "You shouldn't be eating on public transport."

Her eyes shot like knives to the bulk of a man behind her and she muttered, "He shouldn't be smoking."

Boxer nudged himself closer as a sudden swarm of people flooded the areas around them and they found themselves squeezed between strangers, sharing breaths and shuffling in awkward proximity. The bus seemed to glide through the streets but at the same time rattled and creaked like it was going to fall apart. The chairs sagged tiredly in old-fashioned wear and he noticed the grime on the poles and handrails. The floor faded and dirty, littered with cigarette butts and blackened gum in the corners; the stained windows and faded signs. Must have been an old model - a very old model. The Administration would eventually take care of it.

Then again, that part of the city was not really focused on - by the public or the Administration itself. Although Cloudbank was a prosperous city, there were still those who slipped through the cracks and ended up in the old side of town with no work or Selection to turn to. Niola Chein brought these issues into attention with openings and events arranged in the Goldwalk Channel and they continued to create a stir until her untimely disappearance.

It was at Red's insistence to take the bus home, despite how she avoided it at times because of unwanted publicity. After a long day out she somehow convinced him to stop and buy some of her favourite chocolate even though she was as willing as he was to get out of the crisp winter air.

She clutched her chocolate protectively to her chest as one of her arms hung loosely around his neck to grasp his collar. The bus lurched itself around as it stopped to accept a handful of people and a burst of chilled breeze. Buildings started to liven and stand straighter as it slowly made its way out of the underdeveloped areas, which ranged from almost slum-like conditions to the poorly built, older buildings abandoned instead of renovated. Although they weren't big these regions still crippled the image and pride of Cloudbank's success and their shadows still leaked into the more built-up regions. The bus was an example.

"Two more stops." She said, focused back on her chocolate. The foil crinkled slightly as she peeled some off to welcome more of the body into sight. He watched as she carefully broke off another square to avoid smudging her lipstick and it quickly disappeared between her lips. The same satisfied sigh, a content smile.

She looked elegant in a brown coat and boots, tailored specifically to her design. Another gift by that famous fashion designer who's name always slipped his mind. It was something like a 'thank you' gift for her attendance at one of his annual fashion shows where she agreed to contribute with her own kind of entertainment. It fit her snugly and contained a similar ring of feathers as her gold dress, including an identical triangle at the front. It must have been a signature symbol of hers.

When they finally arrived at her apartment he didn't hesitate to tear off his jacket and sink into the plump mattress of their bed. She laughed slightly as he sighed and seemed to deflate himself like a balloon. She was rustling around somewhere at the foot of the bed, most likely taking off her outerwear and keys, and he heard Luna's tail thump methodically in excitement.

"Where's your chocolate? Is it still in the jacket?"

He cracked an eye open and turned to her direction, the light already proving itself an invasive entity. Red was squatting to give Luna her attention and he eyed his jacket on the hook above her.

"You're not planning on eating it, are you?"

She straightened and twisted herself to look at him, chocolate in hand. "Why not, are you?"

Before he could reply she rushed to spring herself onto the bed and hovered above him with hands planted on either side of his shoulders to kiss his cheek. "Its way past your bedtime though, six o'clock - maybe you really shouldn't be eating sweets at this hour."

She laughed down at him as he buried his face under the pillow, but she could tell he was smiling with her. She teased him relentlessly about his occasional early bedtimes even though he explained it in his overtime at work and the longer hours he was clocking in for.

Red rolled herself to the side and plopped next to him with newfound energy. She brought up a hand to smooth away the wrinkles in his shirt on his back and weave her fingers in his hair.

"Hey. You didn't even take your shoes off."

"Hm."

The sheets rustled as she turned to roll off the bed. "Old man,", she whispered quickly to tease him and he heard the smirk in her voice, knowing what was in store for her. But she didn't escape fast enough and he turned around quickly to grab her waist and drag her close to him. "No, no, don't!", she cried breathlessly in laughter.

"You can't just leave me here alone…..old and frail…" His voice rooted itself onto the back of her neck.

She squirmed in his arms struggling to keep a straight face. "Oh, stop it, Boxer."

"But what if I….fall off the bed, or, suffer a stroke or worse -"

"Ok, ok, quit it! I promise I'll leave you alone!" He stopped tickling her with roaming hands and she tried to lurch out of his grasp. "Come on, please, I really want that chocolate….and a warm bath."

He seemed to think that over and didn't loosen his hold on her despite how hard she gripped his arms. "Hmmmm, I'm not sure that's a very good answer….

"Boxer."

"Wouldn't you be cold like that?" He looked pointedly at her thin jumper and tights.

"Yes, thats why I'm taking a bath."

"I don't know..this duvet seems to hit the spot just fine.."

She sighed sharply and turned to face him. "Oh come on, I was only teasing…"

"So am I."

"You're only….500 years old, I mean, I've dated older." Her voice cracked into a laugh before she shrieked when he attacked her sides.

"Alright I'm sorry! Ok, ok, stop!" Red laughed breathlessly as he propped his head up on his arm to look down at her, smiling to himself.

"I think I needed that, I feel more awake." He planted a kiss on her shoulder.

She rolled her eyes at him. "You're welcome."

"Aren't you going to take a bath?"

"Actually, I don't really feel like I need it anymore, thanks to someone."

He gave her a knowing smile before standing up off the bed. She held back a laugh at the sight of his lop-sided collar. "I guess I'll go eat that chocolate then."

Her head snapped up and she shuffled to sit up. "Oh no, that's mine."

He strode into the hallway and soon stood confusedly searching his jacket. It was limp and damp and more importantly, the pockets were empty. "Where did you even put it?"

But Boxer looked at her when she didn't reply to see her already breaking off sizeable pieces, hurriedly consuming one by one so he wouldn't see her, and he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Red-"

"Hm?"

"Slow down - 'savour the taste', or whatever you keep saying."

She gave him a look and continued eating, with significantly less fervour. He ran a hand down his face in fatigue and walked over to bite a chunk from the bar and she didn't resist.

"Hm. Its good." He took off his shoes and belt and crawled under the duvet.

"Did't I tell you?" She began wrapping it back in its foil and stood to put it in the kitchen. "Let's keep some for tomorrow." The light in the hallway was flicked off to his relief and soon she settled under the thick covers next to him, exhaustion already tugging at her eyes.

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