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

The (Im) Perfect Couple

"Perfection itself is imperfection." ~Vladimir Horowitz

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

Chapter 7: Sloth

"Sloth and Silence are a Fool's Virtues." ~Benjamin Franklin

"Thou seest how sloth wastes the sluggish body, as water is corrupted unless it moves." ~Ovid

They never had to vie for love – instead, others compete for their affections.

That made them complacent, slothful.

Tomoyo –

Even heiresses have things they cannot possess.

She breathed life to encouragement for her dearest cousin from near and huge chunks of herself wilts.

She looks at her dearest cousin from afar, and the whole world falls to pieces in her eyes (as Sakura confesses, as per her previous advice).

Now, now she had no one to love, no one to present her affections to.

So she will become a lifeless little thing. One that warmth will never reach, one that will never radiate love.

The doll grows grimy.

Dusty webs of slothfulness entangle the doll.

Eriol –

He watches the sunny pair (Syaoran and Sakura) and his dearest (Tomoyo).

And he knows; that he will never have to contend with any others.

Dearest Tomoyo will never accept anyone else.

Then he thinks.

[If she does not love anyone, would she love me?]

When the answer his mind came up with was a solid [No], a painful smile made its way onto his face.

Thus, he grows slothful too.

[B e c a u s e his love will never reach as lifeless a person as her.]

. x .

If only they had tried.

. x .

If Tomoyo had accepted love, if Eriol had offered love – then they would not be stuck in this sluggish, mud-sticky cycle.

A/N:

(i) Short, because this is Sloth. This is the final chapter! I had fun writing these chapters. I'll miss this! (Cries)

(ii) Explanation: 'Sloth' refers to bring unable to offer (and receive) love. Tomoyo grows slothful because she knows she can never have Sakura. Eriol saw that Tomoyo is unable to love, thus did not bother to tell her what he feels i.e. sloth. 'sluggish, mud-sticky cycle' refers to a loveless cycle of pain and hurt.

(iii) Aww. All my dearest reveiwers never fail to make me smile silly. I had this been saving this thought ever since the 2nd/3rd chapter: that reviewers over her (CCS) is superbly endearing! Thanks lots to redeyes143, Fauxfire101 and all those that peeked (i.e. read but don't review)!

(iv) I still want to write (writing is my salvation, my reprieve). _ Send requests in the form of PMs or reviews please! ^_^