Chapter 12: No Air
As Karin returned to her room, the air felt very heavy, as if there was a huge weight on her chest, pushing down to suffocate her slowly. She walked leisurely over to her bed, sitting quietly on the plush comforter, reaching up to remove the hair tie from her tresses. As she ran her fingers through her soft, black hair, she noticed that moon was exceptionally bright out tonight as it hung out of her bedroom window, shining inside and bathing the whole room in a light silver glow.
Walking over to her nightstand, she looked at her tired figure in the mirror, nearly cringing at the sight of herself. Damn…do I really look that bad…?
She took in the stringiness of her dark hair hanging over her sunken shoulders and in front of her exhausted, glazed eyes that had dark circles subtly forming beneath them from her lack of rest over the previous few days. Her face looked very pale and worn, the moonlight casting an almost sickly tone over her ivory skin. She brought her hand up to touch her sallow cheek, ghosting her fingertips over the clammy flesh. Maybe that's why he doesn't want to look at me…
After a brief moment of defeat, she brought her unoccupied hand to the tie of her obi. Hooking her index finger through the loop in the fabric, she pulled the sash free, allowing it to fall to the floor and the top of her hamaka to fall open slightly, revealing the two-inch wide section of white flesh covering her sternum down to her naval, barely concealing the intimate sides of her upper torso. I wonder what it would be like…
Reaching up to her waist, she pulled the thick black fabric from the waistband of the hamaka pants, letting it fall to its full length just above her knees. Looking more like a geisha than a Soul Reaper, she locked her eyes on the mirror. What the hell, why not? She scoffed lightly too herself before sliding the fabric off of her shoulders, allowing it to pool around her ankles in a thick pile.
Cocking her head slightly to the right, she glanced back into the mirror, studying the contours of her upper body that she had never really taken the time to truly look at before. Karin wasn't one to spend much time looking in the mirror to see her appearance and, consequently, she wasn't all that familiar with her body. Damn…I don't even remember when I got these…When did my body change so much…?
The truth was that Karin rarely ever went shopping or bought new clothing, for she had always chosen to either steal something of Ichigo's or just wear sports clothing. As she gazed at her reflection, she disappointedly returned to her prior train of thought. I think that I look pretty decent…so why doesn't he want to look at me…? It's not like I'm trying to force myself into his bed or something…I'm just trying to be a good friend…I don't know why everyone is blowing this into some sappy romance novel, but it's not like that…at least…I don't think it is…
She took another moment to finally untie the last remaining sash on her pants, letting them fall to join her top on the floor. Taking in the sight of her form in the mirror, she sighed softly, shaking her head as her eyes traced over her curves. She was definitely hourglass shaped, the gentle swell of her bust under her black sports bra and hips clad in only black hipster underwear obvious against her narrower waist. She wasn't skinny by any means, but she wasn't chubby either. Rather, she was toned; her tight abdominal muscles could be subtly picked out from below her pale flesh of her tummy.
Her hip bones protruded ever so slightly, emphasizing the fact that she took good physical care of herself. Her creamy thighs and arms were fit as well, results of years of soccer and basketball practice and games. Almost too shy, she turned to the side to glance at her profile…I wonder what it would feel like to have someone…NO…that's not how my life works…Karin Kurosaki is a hard-ass, a jock, a Soul Reaper, and a kick-ass arguer, but she is NOT a romantic or a nympho…Where the hell did that come from?!
Growling to herself for her lapse in reason, she slowly climbed into bed, feeling the coolness of the satin sheets against her almost bare form. Pulling the covers up to her chest, she sighed, rolling onto her left side, staring back out the window at the bright moon. I do wonder what he is doing right now…I hope he isn't taking this stress to hard…I really do care about him…
Letting out a breath, she allowed her eyes to drift shut as she inhaled the scent of night-blooming jasmine and honeysuckle coming in from the small window. Sighing once more, she surrendered herself to sleep, but not before letting one more thought pass through her mind.
I'm sorry, Toushirou. I never meant to hurt you, if I ever did…
…Tell me how I'm supposed to breath with no air…
Toushirou awoke from the dream with a start; sweat sliding off of his forehead onto his bare chest and shoulders. His face was flushed and his eyes had grown wide from the shock of regaining consciousness so quickly. What the hell… After a few shaky breaths, he allowed his eyes to slowly close, calming his breathing as best he could. Bringing his hands to his face, he rubbed his eyes with his left hand, while his right massaged the back of his neck, attempting to relax his still tense muscles.
The cool air began to chill his burning skin, a sensation he was not used to, being the master of Hyourinmaru. Throwing the sheets off of his bare form, clad in only emerald green boxers, he brought his feet to the floor, walking over to where he had left his hamaka and haori on the floor in front of his nightstand. Stepping into his pants and socks, he quickly fastened the belt that held the black fabric up, reaching to pull the white cloths onto his feet. Gathering the hamaka shirt and haori in his arms, he entered his bath chamber, pouring a basin of cool water and throwing a rag into it.
Setting his hamaka top and haori on the chair by the door, he walked back to the basin and cupped his hands, filling them with the icy water before splashing it back onto his face. Standing slightly more upright, he allowed the frigid liquid to cascade down his neck, and over his shoulders and chest before the final few drops trailed down to the waistband of his pants, dampening the fabric there slightly. His chest heaved and fell as his breathing hitched, shuddering slightly from the exhilarating feeling of the cold fluids running down his lean, but muscular upper body.
Grabbing a hand towel, he dried himself before walking back to his remaining clothing, donning the hamaka top quickly. Leaving his haori on the chair, he returned to the basin, draining it before grabbing the white piece of fabric and heading back into his bedroom. The darkness was almost haunting as it wrapped around him like a heavy cloak. It had to be around four in the morning, he thought to himself as he shuddered from the memory of the dream. Don't think about it…It'll only hurt more…
Sighing as he walked to throw the sheets back into their place on his bed, he folded the comforter back neatly, running his fingers over the soft plush to smooth the wrinkles. Walking to the window, he threw his haori on, inching it over his shoulders before straightening it in the front. He breathed in deeply, inhaling the tickling scent of the honeysuckle that wrapped around the walls of the 10th Division chambers as it wafted in from the small rectangular opening in the wall. Leaning over the window frame, he crossed his arms, resting his chest against them as he leaned slightly out of the opening. He could feel the breeze tickling his face and began to realize, almost immediately, that it was a frigid, icy wind.
Allowing himself to smile slightly, he breathed in again, letting the cold air intrude into his lungs, feeling the delicious sting as it hit the soft internal tissues, pulling the last remaining sleep from his body.
This was his weather. He had waited for this to arrive for an entire year, grinning that he could finally enjoy the cold without the interruption of war.
Finally tearing himself away from the window, he closed it, fastening the latch as he walked to the door of his room. Opening it quietly, he exited into the main hallway that led to the 10th Division Office. It was moving day and he had things to get in order. Walking slowly into the dark office area, he lit a small lamp on the table by the sofa, chuckling slightly at the passed-out form of Rangiku half hanging off of said sofa.
Walking silently over to his cluttered desk, he grabbed the box that had been left for storage and quickly began shuffling things into it, not bothering to take a moment to reflect. Reflection is not something that I need right now…I refuse to get emotional over such trivial things…
After all of his personal belongings on the desk had made their way into the square box, he set it quietly on the chair, emptying out each of the drawers in the same fashion, until he came to the last drawer on the right. There it was…
He let out a shuddering sigh, closing his eyes at his own foolish misstep. As he lifted the thick piece of formal paper, he stared at it in his pale palm for a moment, as if he was torn as to what to do with it. Finally, he gathered the strength to carefully unfold the dusty piece of parchment. Opening his eyes slowly, he allowed them to scan the fateful piece of paper, the words cutting into his heart like his own blade.
Dear 'Shiro,
I know that if you are reading this you are probably very upset and angry with me. I understand, for I know how much you fought for me. I know that I have been horribly unfair to you and an unnecessary burden upon your shoulders. For that I am eternally sorry. I also am aware that no words, be they from my own mouth or inscribed on this parchment, will ever heal the gaping wound that I am going to leave upon your heart. For that, I am also truly apologetic. I have always loved you, as a brother, a friend, a lover, and a warrior. I have always respected you, as well. (Even if you are still my little whitey)
I hope that one day you can find it in yourself to forgive me and remember me as I once was when we were just kids. Oh, sometimes I really do wish that we could both go back and just do it all over, knowing what was going to happen. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if I had chosen not to become a vice-captain under Captain Aizen. Maybe things would have turned out differently for the both of us. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you this before, but I think that I am in love with two men. One flatters me constantly and promises me much power and happiness…but the other promises protection and a love that runs deeper than any ocean…
I know that you think that I am probably making the wrong choice here, but I have to protect that man that offers his own protection so adamantly. I can't allow him to fall prey to those that are more dangerous than the power that he himself wields. I hope that you will not misunderstand me. I am not leaving because I love that dangerous man more than you…I just can't let anything else happen to you, my Heavenly Guardian. I would never be able to forgive myself if it did. And before I left, I just wanted you to know that last night was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me and that I am forever indebted to you for making me the most treasured thing in your life. As an after thought, I just wanted you to know one more thing…I love you, Toushirou Hitsugaya…and…in all of this…I'm sorry, Toushirou… I never meant to hurt you, if I ever did.
Love always, Momo…
As he finished reading, he realized that a headache was starting to form behind his temples, threatening to draw tears from his cerulean eyes. Breathing deeply, he folded the letter back up and tucked it into the folds of his hamaka, tossing his emotions aside, refusing to let them loose.
Turning back to his work, he found that he was unable to concentrate. Five years later and he still couldn't shake the woman from his mind, scrunching is eyes shut as her memory attempted to flood his mind once more, barely keeping it at bay. Opening his eyes once more, he remembered the night before.
Freezing in his task, he frowned as he remembered how he had allowed the young Soul Reaper to just leave him and retreat into the night. Sighing, he realized just how cold he must have seemed to her in her rare emotional state. Damnit…why can't a ever say the right things…?
Realizing what he had to do, he set the box down and silently left the office, exiting into the frigid night. Walking quietly across the small wooden bridge hat separated his quarters from everyone else's in the 10th Division; he came to the door he was looking for. Knocking quietly, he waited for some sign of life inside. Hearing nothing, he knocked again, a little louder this time. After no one answered still, he tried the knob, startled slightly when it turned and the door slowly opened.
Walking into the silent, dark room, he noticed that the occupant was still in bed, a small form on the mattress, still in deep sleep. He stood silently for a moment after shutting the door behind him, wondering if this was proper or not, even after remembering her words that it was always okay to just enter and 'throw something at her'. Not knowing what to do, he stood and stared at the body on the bed.
The young woman was curled on her side, facing towards door, her eyes softly closed and lips parted slightly as she breathed deeply in her sleep. One arm was wrapped under the pillow beneath her head, the other elegantly rested just in front of her face on the crumpled pillow. Her hair was sprawled out over the white cushion beneath her head and draped over her naked shoulder, coming to rest over the front of her neck.
Her shoulders were hunched up slightly, towards her ears, her body sunken tiredly into the mattress. The satin sheet had fallen and was bunched around her hips, revealing the creamy skin of her tummy and arms. He could make out the outline of her toned thighs as they lay crossed beneath the thin fabric of the sheets, her left foot and ankle peeking out from beneath it, hanging off of the bed slightly.
He stood stone still before remembering and realizing that he was here for a reason. Walking silently over to her bedside, he knelt in front of her and sat, crossing his legs under him. Reaching out, he gripped the satin sheet softly, drawing it back up to her shoulders, draping it over her sleeping form. Looking down at her, he really stopped to get a true view at her, for the first time in a while. He noticed that even in sleep she frowned slightly, as if she was constantly bothered by some plaguing thought.
This is ridiculous…I really shouldn't be doing this…it isn't proper…I never should have come…I'll just try back later today…
With that thought, he started to stand, freezing when the young woman in front of him stirred slightly in her sleep. He held his breath as he waited for her to settle again. She seemed to stretch out slightly, her muscles tensing and relaxing at the action. His eyes widened a bit as her hand flopped off of the pillow to hang off of the edge of the mattress, about an inch from his knee. She sighed in her sleep, drifting back and forth from a subconscious state to REM sleep.
He heard a quiet moan escape from her lips as her brows furrowed, her eyes moving rapidly beneath her lids. Her head began to loll slightly back and forth on her pillow, ruffling her hair and causing her shoulders to reach higher towards her ears. Her hands clenched themselves into fists, her knuckles turning white, as her knees pulled closer to her chest, almost as if she was trying to shield herself from something. What's going on…?
A strangled whimper fell from her mouth as a look of anguish crossed her face followed by words that made Toushirou's blood run cold, "Please stop, I'm not ready yet…"
What the hell…? Toushirou leaned slightly closer to hear more, even though he knew he should probably leave rather than intrude on her private thoughts.
She thrashed a bit in her sleep, the blanket falling back to her waist. Her left hand grabbed the sheet, balling it in her fist and holding onto it as if it were a lifeline. Her breath was coming in shallow pants, her chest heaving from the effort. Throwing herself over onto her back, she started to cry out in her sleep, thrashing against some invisible assailant. Toushirou back away slightly, frightened a bit at what he was witnessing, but too concerned to leave.
She kicked into the air, throwing the sheet from the bed, exposing her body clad only in the black sports bra and boy shorts. He watched as her long legs flailed for a moment before she flattened her feet on the mattress, her knees bent and pointed to the ceiling, as she squeezed her knees together. "I said NO, FUCKER!" she snarled as her wrists crossed and came above her head, hanging over the top of the mattress, her elbows bent around her temples.
Toushirou felt himself frown as he watched the display in front of him. What is she dreaming about…?
He could see the sweat forming on her brow and collar bone as she strained against her nonexistent enemy. She panted from exhaustion and effort, grunts and moans if exertion falling from her lips. "Dammit! Why won't you just leave me be?!...Please...Go find some other girl to fuck senseless…"
Upon hearing those words, Hitsugaya had heard enough. He leaned over and wrapped his left arm around Karin's waist and cupped the back of her neck with his right hand, snatching her off of the mattress and crushing her body to his to still her thrashing and wake her from the nightmare.
After a few moments of screaming and jerking, fighting against his embrace, Karin collapsed into his chest. Her lower body remained on the mattress as her arms fell limp on either side of him, her head crashing onto his shoulder in defeat. Her legs were curled slightly under herself as the icy captain supported her upper body. Her left arm was lying limp across the hard wood floor, but her right arm hung stilled on his lap, her palm resting on his outer left thigh. Her head was heavy against the muscles in his shoulder, her searing breath shuddering across the back of his neck, making his hairs stand on end.
He sat very still for a moment as he realized that she was still asleep. Shit…what do I do now…?
Then, as if to answer his question, her arm twitched as she began to stir awake. A long shuddering breath exited her lips, her muscles tensing slightly, feeling her body in an unfamiliar position in an unfamiliar place. Curling her legs to her chest, trying to sit up out of reflex, she only succeeded in pulling herself completely into his lap, her knees straddling his own left one.
His breath hitched in his throat for a moment as he felt her weight shifted completely onto him. She seemed as confused as him about what to do now, shifting around uncomfortably. He heard her mutter something that sounded suspiciously like 'where the hell am I…' but couldn't know for sure, as she raised her right arm to his left shoulder, pushing herself up slightly to get a view of where she was. As soon as she realized that she was in someone's arms, she stiffened for a moment. Oh my God…I wasn't dreaming… was her first, though incorrect thought.
Both relief and panic flooded her body as her dark orbs met the wide, concerned teal ones staring back at her. She could feel an uncomfortable heat rising onto the back of her neck as his eyes bore into her own, but soon felt slightly less afraid once she spotted a rare and new emotion shining at her from them. She could feel her breathing stop as she realized that she saw fear looking back at her from his cerulean orbs; shear, raw, and utter terror.
She let a soft sigh out, her eyes softening as they fell to her resting place on his lap. He sat completely unmoving, almost like a statue. She could feel his heart thumping quickly in his chest, his breathing nonexistent as he waited for her to say something. She let out a dry laugh before placing her forehead against his own chilly one and whispering, "You, know…you can breathe…I'm not going to run away…"
Letting out a breath he didn't even realize he had been holding, the young captain let his eyes close as he gulped loudly, nodding, afraid to speak. His breath hitched once again, his eyes snapping open as he felt her left hand move from its place on the floor to cup the right side of his face gently, the hot skin of her palm quickly warming the cold flesh of his cheek.
She sighed loudly before opening her eyes to meet his gaze, "What happened…? What are you doing here?
His voice shook as he attempted to convey his thoughts, shuddering at the feeling of her forehead against his own, "I-I wanted to speak to y-you about last night. I felt bad about the way that I treated you, and how I let you just leave like that. I'm sorry…"
She let a small smile perk the corners of her lips upward as she ran her thumb over his soft cheek, much like the way she had done it the night before, "Apology accepted, but that still doesn't explain why I am in your lap on the floor beside my bed at some ungodly hour of the night…"
She trailed off, quirking her head to the side, awaiting an answer. He gulped once again, grabbing for something mentally to say. It's not like I can just say 'Hey, I was watching you sleep and you were having a bad dream, so I decided to be cavalier and wake you up…'
He breathed in enough to clear his mind for a moment. At this, Karin cocked an eyebrow at him. Using that the ground himself again, he finally answered, "You were having a nightmare…"
He could see her visibly tense at his words, her eyes widening slightly before she threw her façade back up. This action did not go unnoticed by Hitsugaya, using this opportunity to cock his brow back at her. "Why, what's wrong…?"
He could tell that the next smile that she threw up was fake as it never quite reached her eyes. Giving her a stern look, she realized her mistake and finally sighed in defeat. "Damn…what did I say?"
His eyebrows raised at her words, surprised that she was aware she talked in her sleep. "What…?" he asked, trying to get her to give herself away.
She sighed and crawled off of him, sitting back on the mattress with her legs crossed under her, "I've had nightmares since I was a little girl. They are usually extraordinarily vivid and cause me to react rather violently in my sleep. Yuzu told me on several different occasions that my sleeping fits caused her so much concern and fright that she used to be unable to get back to sleep after they would happen…I've said some pretty graphic things in my sleep, and my movements often seem to reflect what is happening in the dream. That's why I asked what I said. You looked pretty disturbed when I woke and I was in your lap, so I can only guess that I said or did something to freak you out…"
As she finished talking, he watched as her eyes scanned the floor, avoiding his gaze. He leaned over to try to catch her gaze, only to be unsuccessful. Settling for looking at her, he sighed and replied, "Let's just say…you sounded as if you were being forced into…an unfavorable encounter with another person…"
She laughed wryly as she looked up to finally meet his eyes, startling him slightly, "Just say it. I sounded like I was being raped…"
He blinked in shock at her sudden and blunt reply, "What?"
He expected her to roll her eyes and dismiss him with a hand, but she didn't. She sighed softly and locked her eyes on his, daring him to look away. She forced an calm look onto her face as she spoke, "I sounded like I was being raped, did I not?"
He didn't know really how to answer her, but tried his best, "You could say that, I guess."
She laughed again, dryly, before tossing her hair over her shoulder and pulling the sheet back around her, as if to shield her from his intense stare. She was silent for a moment as she built up her resolve, finally digging up the courage to say what she had never really wanted to ever say again. "Toushirou…can I tell you a secret…?"
He was slightly startled at the rare and almost adolescent request, blinking for a moment before his expression hardened once again with concern. Tilting his head slightly to the left, he frowned softly, "What is it…?"
She stared deeply into his eyes, searching desperately for a reason not to tell him. But she found none; no excuses to change the subject or reasons to avoid him. This was it; the point of no return, the moment of truth. The apron strings were cut and the training wheels taken off. The ball was in her court now and she never forfeited a game.
Taking a deep breath, she allowed her eyes to close as she dropped her head slightly. Reopening them, she looked back up at him to see confusion and worry reflected back at her through the pained emerald orbs. Frowning slightly, she spoke, "You have to promise not to tell…"
He sighed as he answered her, afraid of the result, "I promise. A captain's word is gold, and one does not give away gold…"
She smirked slightly at the expression, finally finding her courage. She took a deep breath and raised her chin to stare at him dead-on. "When I was fifteen, I was raped…"
She could see him visibly shudder at the blunt and definite proclamation. His breath caught in his throat. "Why did you put it so bluntly...?"
She shrugged, "My dad always told me that when I was having a hard time building up my courage to do something, that I should just do it fast, like I'm ripping off a band-aid. Because a band-aid hurts less if you rip it off fast than if you peel it off slowly…"
Hitsugaya stared at her, torn between horror and amusement. "What happened…?"
She sighed again and started her story, "I was out with a boyfriend, my first one. It was my birthday and we had gone to the park and played a game of soccer before going back to my house and having dinner with my family. He was two years older then me, so my dad was thrilled. Ichigo kept warning me that something didn't seem right with him, but I was so caught up in the fact that I had a boyfriend that I didn't see where he was coming from. The signs were all there, plain as day; the way he was always touching me and trying to get me alone. I was naïve enough to follow him to his apartment afterwards, under the pretense that we were going to 'watch a movie and hang out'. Well, that wasn't exactly what happened. Yes, we put a movie on and were 'hanging out', but somehow he ended up kissing me, and I thought it was nice. Being a young teenage girl and being kissed was always a perk, but things started to go really fast and he started touching me in places that I didn't feel comfortable being touched."
"I tried to push him off, but he resisted, saying things like, 'baby, I need you so bad' and 'you know you need me too'. I was trapped. I started fighting back saying things like, 'Please stop, I'm not ready' and 'why can't you just go do this with someone else'…but he didn't stop. I could do nothing but watch as he ripped my clothing from my body and forced himself into me, stealing my virginity and my self-esteem at the same time. I don't think that I have ever felt more ashamed in my life than when I felt his seed spilling into me as he rode out his climax. Knowing that I could have and should have easily prevented it from happening weighs on my heart still, and apparently my dreams as well."
"After it happened he left. I ended up calling Ichigo to come and get me, telling him what happened and that I needed an extra pair of clothes. He came right away, helping me clean up and taking me home. He helped me come up with a cover story to tell Dad. But I think that what brought me the most respect and love for him through all of that was when that night, he came to my room as I was crying in bed, crawled in with me, and just held me as I mourned myself…It brought me closer to my brother than I think I have ever been…"
Pausing for a moment, she collected her breath, "I'm sorry if I frightened you, but that's not exactly something that you just forget and move on from…"
Hitsugaya was stunned, to put it lightly. His jaw was slack, his lips parted slightly as he struggled to wrap his mind around her story. She, Karin Kurosaki, had not been able to fend off a man and consequently had her innocence stolen from her. What a mind-fuck…
Not knowing what else to do, shakily stood, coming to sit next to her as her eyes made their way back to the floor. He placed his lithe fingers under her chin, lifting it up to meet his gaze, "You know that what happened to you is nothing to be ashamed of. There was nothing that you could have done. If not then, then it would have happened to you later…"
She sighed and replied, "I guess you're right…"
She let out a shuddering breath, closing her eyes tightly, fighting back a sudden wave of emotion, "Fuck," she said, slapping her hands over her eyes, "Don't fucking cry…"
Reaching up, Hitsugaya grasped both of her wrists and pried her hands from her face. Her head reflexively dropped to hide her face behind her dark hair, shielding her emotions from the white haired captain. "Please, 'Shiro…don't look at me…"
His heart nearly stopped at her plea, his lips parting to speak, but no words coming out. He could feel a strange, yet familiar emotion stirring in his heart. He had felt it before, but not often at all. Finally he sighed in defeat, shaking his head slightly as he mentally surrendered. It was now or never… Letting go of her wrists, he brought his hands up to cup her wet cheeks.
Lifting her face to look into his, he watched in both pain and awe as the trails of tears cascaded down her pale face. She was still fighting the display of emotion, even as it forced itself out of her body. Closing his eyes slowly, he hung his head for a moment, an internal battle finally won by his heart. He lifted his chin, brushing his nose against hers softly and gently, causing her eyes to widen considerably.
He allowed his left hand to leave its place on her cheek to slide down to her waist, pushing the satin sheet aside and letting his fingertips ghost over her narrow waist. She shivered under his touch, her lids falling a fraction of a centimeter. Finally, he growled in a way that appeared as if he was asserting dominance over his own mind, "Please forgive me…" he practically groaned out.
Diving his right hand to he base of her head, burying it in her dark mane, he tightened his left arm around her waist pulling her against his body, bringing them both up on their knees. She stared in wonder at the uncanny actions of the man that knelt before her.
Before he could allow himself to falter and run away, he 'ripped off' the proverbial 'band-aid', crashing his lips to hers in a desperate kiss that knocked the air out of both of them…
…Can't live, Can't breathe with no air…
…No air…No air…
A/N: I'm sorry that it's been a while, but I told you that you wouldn't be disappointed. Well, things are getting a little warmer for the young duo. I hope that I gave you a little bit of a fix for the next week. Let me know what you think…