Title: A Box of Chocolates
Author: Potato Maiden
Pairing: Umi Ryuuzaki/Ascot
Fandom: Magic Knight Rayearth
Theme: #23 - Candy
Disclaimer: I do not own Magic Knight Rayearth, it, and all it's components belong to Clamp, who refuse to answer my phone calls...

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It was a simple thing really. She liked candy and all he had to do was give it to her. Yet, there was still that twinge of fear in the back of Ascot's mind. That question the left him sleepless for about an hour or so. That single question that most people hate to have when giving a gift – Will she like it?

Fuu had at once said that the best way to know was to give it to her, a good reaction would be a hug, and excited squeal, maybe even a kiss on the cheek. A bad reaction, well, let's not get into those.

Hikaru of course, said Umi would love it, to which she stopped, paused and thought for a minute and added the dreaded word 'unless'. Ascot had then began to lose his confidence, and with Caldina behind him, giggling all the way, it didn't help much either.

Yet, Windam's knight was a genius, truly a genius. When the knights were to return home, as a parting gift, Ascot would give Umi a box of chocolates (which Fuu had bought at Tokyo Tower) and hopefully (and most likely) get a good reaction. Perhaps, a very good reaction. So good, it would make Ascot want to 'la la', in a sense.

The day had come and Ascot was, needless to say, a nervous wreck. Throughout the day, he had avoided Umi, who had become curious as to why Ascot avoided her, thus becoming the stalker of the blushing boy.

Ascot, hidden in the shadows of one part of the castle breathed a sigh of relief, Umi was nowhere to be seen, found or heard, cursing the day Ascot was thought of. Ascot, peeking around one corner stealthily, jumped about a mile into the air as he was touched softly on the shoulder.

"Caldina! You scared me!" he whispered, breathlessly. Caldina grinned, ever so mischievously, and gave a small twirl.

"Well, the girls are leavin' pretty soon and Umi sent me to come find you." She said, turning away. "By the way, Fuu told me what you were doin', I think its cute." Caldina then walked off as Ascot once again, continued his shadowed trek to the Crown room.

"ASCOT!" Ascot froze, she had spotted him. Finding it no use to run, Ascot stayed planted where he was and waited until the clicking of boots stopped in front of him.

"Ascot," Umi said more gently, "where've you been? I've been looking all over for you all day."

"Around." He muttered. Umi sighed.

"Look, I just wanted to tell you something."

"What?"

"Well, it's a secret. Promise me you won't tell?"

"Alright."

"Excellent. Well, you know how we've been here off and on for the past month or so?" Ascot nodded. "Well, it turns out, that Fuu's trying to graduate early so she can come and live with Ferio and have tons of kids. Anyways, back to the point of this-."

"Umi! We've gotta go!" Hikaru called, from down the hall.

"Coming!" Umi shouted back. "I'll tell you when we get back. Bye Ascot!" Umi gave Ascot a quick kiss, just missing his lips as she darted off down the hall to where her two friends were waiting, as patiently as possible.

"Umi…I have chocolates…for…you…." Ascot held out the box and let his arm drop, his face flushing and his voice becoming softer.

"Aw, Ascot! That was so cute!" Caldina cried, stealing the chocolates and dancing around her little brother. "You know, the girls taught me this song… UMI AND ASCOT SITTING IN A TREE K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" she sang loudly, dangling the box in his face as he turned brick red.

"CALDINA! Stop!" Ascot pleaded futilely as he chased her down the hall.

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More thirty kisses goodness. Enjoy!