A/N: I don't normally put these, because I forget. But I hope you like this little filler chapter. I couldn't help but write up the morning after. Poor Midori doesn't know how to handle this.
January 21, 2004
I woke up, disoriented, and bleary eyed. Normally, I would wake up completely aware of my surroundings, but today I felt off. I eyes felt aggravated from the use of contacts from the night before, and my hair still protested from the tight updo it had been forced into. The only pleasant thing about the morning was that instead of the usual flavor of morning in my mouth, I was treated to the flavor or strawberry mochi ice cream. I couldn't place why it was there in the first place, though. That was until the memories of the night before surfaced, causing my face to turn an unimaginable shade of red. Slipping on a grey shirt and the regular jeans, I decided to forgo my hoody, placing all of my stashed sweets in my pack. I was happy that Ryuzaki no longer needed to run surveillance on me.
I entered the living room area, to see Ryuzaki poring over the case files alone, watching for any new patterns in criminals deaths.
"Morning." I mumbled, looking over his shoulder. I was caught by surprise by the chaste kiss on the cheek I received in greeting. I blinked owlishly, processing the strange occurrence before smiling and returning his peck with my own.
I moved away, to get to painting while I thought through the plot so far. I found it odd that Light had been allowed in here, I remembered that he wasn't allowed on the case for months yet. But I did notice that Light had been carrying his father's things when he left the car. Perhaps that was why?
"You should order food before we switch hotels again." He murmured.
"I suppose you're right." I sighed. I plopped down on the love seat, reaching for the phone. I settled the base on my stomach, and dialed room service. "Hello... Yes, that is correct... I'm placing an order for breakfast... I'll have a bowl of cinnamon oatmeal. A side bowl of cinnamon sugar should be on the side... Yes, and please add a pot of herbal mint tea with that." I covered the speaker. "Would you like anything Ryuzaki?"
"The same as you, I suppose. But can I get a bowl of strawberries on the side?" I nodded.
"Make that two bowls of cinnamon oatmeal with a side of cinnamon sugar, and please add a bowl of fresh strawberries, as well as a bowl of cinnamon apple pie filling?... Yes. Yes, that's all. Oh and two cups for the tea, with a sugar bowl as well... Thank you."
"Apples?" Ryuzaki tilted his head.
"I like to add it to my oatmeal." I chuckled.
"Sounds interesting." He had turned his attention fully to me.
"Not really. A friend back home used to make it her mission to make me like oatmeal. She was working on making apple pie at the same time as cinnamon oatmeal, and accidentally dumped the whole batch of pie filling into it. It became a favorite of mine. It's really good in america when autumn rolls in, and you're able to eat it outside, to watch the leaves changing colors, with pumpkin spice in the air. I used to eat it with pumpkin spice coffee with whipped cream and cinnamon on those mornings." I could feel the pull of nostalgia as I closed my eyes to remember days passed.
"Sounds poetic." He sounded slightly bemused. "I take it, autumn is your favorite season, then?"
"Hmmmm... I suppose so. Though winter and spring tie in at a close second." I mused.
"What about summer?" He asked.
"Summer can go fuck itself." I grunted.
He clucked his tongue at me. "I think I hear strong resentment."
"Yeah. I was from Texas. Summer in Texas was a time for you to beg your AC unit to keep working, even though it wasn't likely to last the whole season. People were crabbier, sweatier, and it had an altogether unpleasantness to it. Always pressured to be thin as a rail, so you could show off your bikini body. I didn't go out in the sun for long since I burned too easily, and I was antisocial. I felt like I was melting into the pavement every time I stepped foot out the door. At least with the cold, you can layer up and nobody bats an eye, but in the heat, there's only so many layers of clothing you can remove before it becomes public indecency." I rambled. "But I guess swimming is sorta fun." I tacked on as an after thought.
"Maybe I'll take you swimming when this is all over." I heard him mutter quietly.
"Hm?" I raised my head to look at him.
"Nothing." I opened my mouth to fish for an answer only to be stopped by a knock at the door. I looked at the time. It had only been ten minutes. We looked at each other in confusion. "Door's open. Let yourself in." He called.
"I'm here with a delivery for a miss Reiko?" A delivery man read the card to assure himself, that he got it right.
"That's me." I answered. The man looked up at me and grinned.
"Well here ya go, ma'am. If you could just sign here, I'll be out of your way." He handed over a huge bouquet of several colored orchids, oriental lilies, lily of the valleys, and red roses in a crystal vase. And then showed me where to sign.
"Um... thank you." I replied awkwardly as I signed quickly, then, watched him tip his hat, and leave.
"Flowers?" Ryuzaki looked at them. I checked it over and found the card in the thick of the blooms.
It read: Had a wonderful time last night, perhaps next time the two of us could do it again, and make a night of it. I felt sick.
"They can stay out here." I set the vase down on the kitchenette counter harder than I meant to, and it created a loud noise, causing Aizawa to stumble out of the extra room looking wide eyed and disoriented. I crumpled up the card and tossed it in the bin.
"He's very persistent." Ryuzaki grumbled. I took pity on Aizawa, with his lost, dazed expression, and started coffee.
"What's goin' on?" Aizawa slurred drowsily.
"Reiko-chan has admirer in Light." Ryuzaki teased.
"It's childish. Who spends that much on flowers that'll just wilt? Those flowers had to have cost a fortune..." I grumbled.
"You don't like getting flowers?" Ryuzaki inquired. I watched Aizawa yawn and move to go get a little more sleep.
"I love getting flowers. But when people spend a stupid amount of money on flowers that don't mean anything, it's annoying."
"I guess I see your point." He murmured. Another knock at the door. My eye twitched.
I opened the door, to see another delivery man, holding a clip board. "Reiko-san?" He asked.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Sign here please." I signed, then a fragrant bouquet, and an overly large bag were handed over to me. "Thank you, have a nice day."
I pulled the gifts indoors as I began my usual cataloging. Bellflowers: unwavering love, red carnations: passion, mallow: consumed by love, moonflowers: dreaming of love, gardenias: secret love... I looked for a card, after setting it on the coffee table. I found one, but after reading it, my face had turned as red as the carnations. The taste of vanilla becomes you.
I gaped at Ryuzaki in complete shock. He tilted his head, keeping his bored facade firmly intact. "Is something wrong?"
"No." My voice barely made it above a squeak. I quickly stuffed the card in my jeans pocket, and turned to the bag I had received with the sentimental bouquet. Opening it, I found a bottle of vanilla scented perfume, and a new big teddy to cuddle with.
"Very soon, those bears will have to keep each other company. I intend take up your nights soon enough." I clutched the bear to my chest for dear life as I processed his seemingly careless words. I looked down to notice that it was a black teddy to go with my brown one.
"You-" Another knock at the door sent my anxiety skyrocketing. I couldn't even form coherent words as he opened the door to let our breakfast in. "I-... you-... what-"
"Eat your breakfast before it gets cold." His voice remained stoic. I ate, obediently, trying to pull myself together.
It's just Ryuzaki. No big deal. Who cares that you had the hugest crush on him ever since you began watching series? Who cares that he's looking at you with such an intensity, you can feel it in your very soul? This is no big deal. Oh, who am I kidding? This is a HUGE deal! He just used the language of flowers to say that he loves me and I am totally freaking out! He really knows how to get a girl's attention!
"I hope the flowers aren't too distracting." He commented. I regained brain function then, and chuckled.
"You have quite an elaborate way of flirting, Ryuzaki. One would think that you're trying to seduce me." I watched him through my lashes.
"Mmm. Probably because I am." He answered bluntly, through spoonfuls o oatmeal. I couldn't repress the silent laughter that shook my shoulders as I covered my blushing face. Leave it to Ryuzaki to be equal parts sexy and awkward.
"Well, it's definitely working." I spoke through my giggles. He disregarded my laughter altogether, and continued to eat his food. It was only when I playfully swiped a strawberry, that I had his full attention. I slowly pushed the red berry between my lips, finally making it disappear entirely behind my teasing smirk. His eyes tracked the berry, finally meeting my eyes once it was out of sight. Though his face was blank, his eyes were burning with such intense want that I could feel my heart skip a beat. Maybe I pushed him too far?
He leaned toward me, and I couldn't help but feel my breaths quicken. His lips opened, he was so close... He stole a spoon full of my apple cinnamon oatmeal, then retracted himself back to his own food. I stared at him, wide eyed. "You have great taste." He said, acting like nothing had happened at all.
Before I could even respond, the task force let themselves in, effectively breaking the mood.
"Whoa. Nice flowers. Where'd they come from?" Matsuda asked.
"That reminds me. Can somebody please pass along the message to Light-san that it is improper to be sending an unrelated woman flowers, when she has expressly told him that she is not interested in him?" I nearly shouted, to the task force's terror.
"Uh... Will do." Ukita stuttered.