CCS (c) Clamp and all rightful owners, similarly for the quotations.

The (Im) Perfect Couple

"Perfection itself is imperfection." ~Vladimir Horowitz

"There is a kind of beauty in imperfection." ~Conrad Hall

Chapter 2: Avarice/Greed

"Love is always a stranger in the house of avarice." ~ Andreas Capellanus

"Avarice has ruined more souls than extravagance." ~Charles Caleb Colton

Eriol –

He was drinking again.

But then, so was she, in a pub. One does not decline drinking in a pub. To drink in a pub is a social etiquette of sorts, so he must abide by this rule. A gentleman always abides by rules.

His eyes greedily drink in the sight of a broken Tomoyo, and simultaneously lords over her suitors by discreetly claiming her as his.

Tomoyo –

She had left him.

(It was a painful break-up.)

She was greedy for wanting to forget him, to leave him in the dusty trails of her memories.

(She wishes to protect herself from the hurt he inflicted.)

So she left for the pub.

(To drink is to forget.)

Our 'perfect' couple is a greedy pair.

Eriol –

Eyes are expressive, he mused.

His eyes were not surreptitiously directed at her. No! His eyes were blatantly gazing at her oblivious self.

Greedily, he drank in everything that was her.

Waist-length, wavy, purplish hair. Petite, curvaceous form. Creamy, smooth skin resembling unblemished porcelain.

At the same time, his expressive eyes dared any suitors to approach her.

(They did not dare.)

Eriol must say that he is enjoying himself, soaking in the sight of her.

Tomoyo –

Her night came without interruptions. Normally, she would have to fend off people, both of the male and female variety.

She does not mind suitors tonight.

But alas, none came when she feels the mood to engage in strangers.

She knows the cause (of people not approaching her).

Eriol, that bastard, but she will be damned to acknowledge his presence.

Thus, she fakes obliviousness.

Eriol –

Like a panther to its prey, he approached her.

He knows she had noticed him.

Eriol took glee in watching her inward struggle as he sat beside her on the barstool.

Tomoyo –

She struggles.

Gambling on the miniscule chance (that he is worth it, that they are worth it), she turned to ackno w l e d g e him. Her vision slowed dramatically.

Tomoyo turned her ashen face harbouring a shaken expression away.

(Why did I ever think he was worth it?)

Eriol – ever the charming player, intimately in practically some stranger's embrace!

Eriol –

He had taken his eyes away (albeit for a fleeting moment) to an even better sight – that of a disgusted Tomoyo. What a rarity!

He recognises pain on her pretty, pretty features, and was gleeful for inflicting this 'pain' on a person as perfect as Tomoyo, and as equal as him.

He inches closer to stranger, but continues to eye Tomoyo – always.

(Will you acknowledge me now?)

. x .

A remix of [Forget You] blared from the jukebox.

Eriol, Tomoyo –

[How fitting.]

A/N:

(i) Confusing, I know. Le sigh. This chapter was re-edited and posted the next day. If you ever want a copy of the crappier unedited copy, feel free to PM me.

(ii) Explanation: Tomoyo is selfish because she denies his presence yet desires his attentions, and seek to forget Eriol. Eriol, on the other hand, greeds for her presence and acknowledgement, regardless of hurting Tomoyo. That's the general gist of it, the rest is crap, I'm sure. (Hides in a moldy corner)

(iii) Thank you lots to redeyes143 for reviewing! Want the cookies I'm distributing to all? Lols.