Enigma Personified

By: Krizzie

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS

A/N: This is the last sure chapter of Enigma Personified. I want to concentrate on my other stories for a while. Thank you for everyone who read, appreciated, critiqued, praised and reviewed my work. :D Writing this was fun. Your comments have really helped me a lot. Last question: is there any chapter in this collection that you want me to expand into a story? There's a poll in my profile. (I want to try it out XD) I'm just asking… although I really can't make any promises. I just want to write more ExT really.

Eriol briefly considered offering to pour her some wine before belatedly remembering that they didn't order any because he wanted to remain sober the entire night. He looked up from his plate, envying the way she seemed totally at ease in such a crowded place before realizing that he was only nervous because he was close to her particularly. His throat felt all dry all of a sudden.

"Hiirigizawa-kun… if it bothers you, we can leave."

The fact that she was worried about him was quickly overshadowed by the innocent implication that he was incapable of putting up with something as mundane and trivial as a dinner date.

"I'm fine." He answered coldly, regretting it instantly when she stiffened in her seat. "I apologize for my rudeness, Daidouji-san, I'm just a little worn out tonight."

She relaxed. "I'm sorry that you were forced to do this." She looked genuinely concerned. "I've noticed you're not really that interested in social gatherings, despite your attendance."

"I don't really mind… but they are quite a nuisance when overdone." He wanted to knock himself at the head for sounding so trite. "I could only shake the hands of strangers a number of times."

He was relieved to find her giggling, and expelled the breath he hadn't realized he was holding when she took a bite. A glance at the clock told him it was well past nine, and it made him wonder if there was someone waiting for her at home every night. He brushed off the thought and looked back at her.

Daidouji-san sure looks pretty in the candlelight, Eriol noted, loving the way the soft gentle fire made her almost glow, despite how impossible that sounds. He watched the shadows shift and bunch around her as the fire danced and flickered, and found himself enamored.

Just to be on the safe side, Eriol checked his drink. He had been sure they ordered nothing alcoholic. He had discovered earlier he had very low tolerance for inebriating liquids, and had taken careful measures. But he really couldn't find any other plausible excuse for being so uncharacteristically… sappy.

He furrowed his brow. What was it that Li had said?

Ahh… something about falling in love. The boy had been so terrifyingly patronizing about it, but he supposed it had something to do about him being a newlywed. But Eriol wasn't even going there.

He really can't be bothered with senseless attachments. It was as simple as being he can't afford it. If there was anything he needed in his life, it was stability, and from what he had gathered, falling in love just gives the opposite. Li was a concrete example.

"You're thinking too much, Hiirigizawa-kun." Tomoyo chided, and Eriol realized a little later that she was stroking his hand. He didn't even realize he had set it upon the table.

"Why does the candlelight make you pretty?"

"…come again?"

He had said it even before he realized it. Shit. Eriol quickly pulled his hand away, flinching. Figures, he thought, irritated, she touches him and his brain goes into overdrive. This just proves it really. Women are troublesome. He didn't know why God really bothered making them. Why not just make the earth a male homosexual haven? At least things wouldn't get so complicated. Because that's just what females bring really. Complications. And trouble.

"I'm sorry." The redness on her cheeks was only heightened by the soft lighting. Damn. He's staring again. Figures. He gets angry with her and she just has to go and apologize while looking all cute like that. See? This is what he means. She just couldn't just leave him be and let him get angry. She has to say sorry and make him all warm and fuzzy and confused and where did this urge to hug her come from?

His head was starting to ache.

When Eriol Hiirigizawa loses his cool enough to soundly oddly incoherent, there had to be something wrong. Thankfully, he had half a mind to keep his thoughts to himself, and Tomoyo was at least spared from his indignant rants.

He blamed it all in the candlelight.

"Hiirigizawa-kun… why are glaring at the candles?"

"Because they make you pretty." He answered blithely, well beyond thought. "And that makes me act funny. There should be a law against that kind thing. Maybe I'll propose that next week."

"Oh… I see." She bit her lip, but the amusement was clear in her eyes. "Don't you think we should be heading home now?"

He blinked. Tomoyo was relieved to see the aggression in his eyes gone. "I suppose. The night had been pleasant, Daidouji-san."

"Yes." She agreed blandly.

He made no attempt to stand and she wasn't at all inclined to initiate there departure either, so she decided to ask.

"Do you think we can do this again sometime?"

He considered. "…dinner?"

"Yes."

"Just you and me?"

"Yes."

He hesitated then, "Will there be candles?"

She blushed. "…if you want."

He made a face. "I hope not. I want to see you in the fireworks next time."

A/N: Gah! This is weird. I liked some parts but the overall was just… bleh. I edited it a bunch already too.