Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda D'Oro. Yuki Kure does. I simply own this original idea and anything non-canonical.

Pairing/Rating: Azuma/Kahoko. I'm giving this drabble a straightforward 'M' rating, so consider this fair warning.

Author's Notes: Akane Cross begged like mad for a Yunoki/Hino, so I'm obliging.

Summary: It doesn't take a genius to realize what's going on here.

Realization

Before we begin, one thing needs to be made very clear.

You, Yunoki Azuma, are not an idiot. In fact, you're dangerously smart. No one can take advantage of you, since you're more likely took advantage of them first. It cannot be stressed enough how far above other human beings you are because of your knowledge, your talents, your looks.

This is all reaffirming the fact that you're a Very Intelligent Person.

So why the hell did you fall for that stupid violin girl?

You stroke down the length of her back, pushing cloth and uncertainties away with the barest touch of your hand. You don't bother to whisper sweet nothings in her ear, but you're willing to say her name a few times because you like the way she feels on your tongue.

You're not like your closest male friends, the ones who love (dear lord, when did you start using that word) her. Despite the many walls they erect around themselves, they're still so very open around that stupid violin girl.

You, however, are different. You're the one who used her, abused her, helped break her confidence right when she didn't need the assistance. There is nothing that should be connecting you to her because she's plain and simple and not particularly bright or talented.

So how the hell did you fall for that stupid violin girl?

Your fingers don't hesitate as they release the catch of her bra, but she is shaking enough for the both of you as she undoes the buttons on your shirt. You would give her a hand except they're too busy making her arch her back as you play with her front.

For all your intelligence, your wit and wisdom… you don't have an answer.

This would be funny if it wasn't so damn disturbing.

Your breath passes near the shell of her ear as you bite into the curve of her neck, leaving marks of possession in their wake as they move from side to side, up and down. Now when she trembles, you know it has nothing to do with nervousness.

You know yourself. You're not a good person; you may play nice but your natural instincts would rather see you play dirty. You don't do good things because you like it; you just like the image it creates. You aren't interested in love or affection, and you certainly don't want it from a hyper-sensitive redhead. You're an arrogant, self-centered son-of-a-bitch, and damned if you aren't perfectly happy to stay that way.

… Except that it's not true, and you know it.

You bite into her shoulder and she lets out a cry, but retaliation is swift as she slides her hand down your pants and through thin cotton barriers. You jump in her grasp, and both of you know you're something between winning and losing.

Evil can be just as effective a front as Good, and you wear both like a reversible jester's mask. Yes, you can be brutal and unkind with your words, but ironically it's only to the people that matter. They're the ones who deserve your truth because they're the ones that you care about, the ones you want to help. You're willing to use your knowledge for them because, whether or not you want to admit it, it brings you quiet satisfaction to see them become stronger.

You're on top of her, in her, around her, and there's power in your gaze as you stare down at the tousled red hair and barely parted lips. You realize that there's power in her eyes, too, because when she looks at you, you're certain she can see through everything you've pretended to be.

So the price you pay for genius is ignorant bliss. You can't pretend that things are fine even after control has slipped from your fingers and shattered across the floor. You are fully aware of the fact that your world is turned upside down because this stupid violin girl has seen right through both acts.

She tells you she loves you. She gives you no reasons for her choice; the simple fact is enough for her. She acts like it should be enough for you.

And the world shifts beneath you as she wraps her legs around your waist and pushes you on your back. Her hands are suddenly on the sides of your head, her fingers pinning your hair against the pillow, and there's a sense of reverse dejá-vu as she stares down at you with eyes that are too sharp for her gentle features.

It scares you – yes, dammit, it does! – because she knows the real you and she still wants to stay by your side.

You let out a gasp as she pulls you into her embrace, and she's the one whispering words of reassurance. And you feel yourself drowning in fire as you realize that, more than her, you're the one who's so painfully vulnerable.

And all your self-defensive reasoning isn't standing in the way anymore because you finally, finally understand that you can't outsmart your emotions because they're the truest thing about you.

You tell her you love her, and that's what pushes her over the limit. You're certain that you'll never hear your name spoken with that much wild abandon in your life, and you make her say it again and again before the echo can die from your ears.

So you can rest comfortably tonight, Yunoki Azuma, knowing that you are not an idiot for falling in love.

You pull the sheets up, and fall asleep with her head pillowed on your shoulder.

You're just an idiot for not doing this sooner.

Author's Notes (12/7/07)::whew:: A very long story this time around. I dabbled with a new technique and I hope it turned out well. And yes, I wrote for many of the La Corda memes; I usually write very long stories, so practicing with drabbles was good for me (though perhaps I hogged the prompts. :X) I only have two more of them left, and they're both Tsuki/Hino. I'll try and space 'em out.

I'd like to get another Shimizu/Hino in here eventually for Yokai no Miko, and an Ousaki/Hino for Mars (and for the challenge it presents). I can't promise I'll get to any more requests, but I'll see what I can do.

Also, someone had asked about my Ouran fics. So far I'm only doing one, but it keeps my attention like nothing else. I realize this is the La Corda section, but if I can't speak well of my own works, no one else will. Check it out if you have time. :)

Thanks to everyone who's been keeping up with these stories and offering their support and well-wishing. I'm really very lucky to have such a thoughtful group of readers.