"Marry Me" by Train

"I'll go park and meet you in the shop, okay love?" That blinding smile coupled with such an intimate pet name never fails to make my heart flutter. My ears are burning too. I still find it a bit strange that someone would show affection for me so openly.

I don't think I could ever get used to this sort of fairy tale romance. Part of me is still expecting it to all shatter and ruin me all over again. Ren tries to reassure me that his feelings for me aren't going to change. It helps now that I know that he's human and fighting his own demons like I am. I don't know if he knows that he's helping the fight against mine. So I'll do whatever I can to help him fight his.

"Kyoko?" I guess my mind drifted off. Ren looked a little concerned and amused.

"Hai…" I gave him a small smile before I turned to get out. Before I could get too far, Ren snuck a quick kiss on my cheek. My hand covered the place his lips graced. What a happy grin on he's wearing. I just stood there as he put the car in gear and went to find a parking spot. I wonder if I'm smiling the same way he was.

Kyoko, you're in the middle of the sidewalk probably looking like an idiot just staring into space, get a hold of yourself! Go get some coffee for the two of you. This way you can finally pay for something since Ren never lets you pay for anything anymore. Right! Get a move on! Victory is in sight!

With a shake of my head I was able to force myself into the coffee shop. It's a small and quiet place that we found a bit off the beaten path. It's easier for us to keep to ourselves this way. The staff here is very friendly too. The first waitress we had recognized us instantly, if her wide sparking eyes were any indication. We were surprised how she didn't bring any attention or bother us in any way until she brought our check. She quietly asked if we could give her our autographs. Of course Ren and I obliged her since it's rare to get such a discreet waitress. Ren tipped her graciously too. We were surprised we left without a hassle too. Instead, the other staff present just gave us knowing smiles and told us have a good day. Within a few return visits here, we've never had an issue with being spotted or our cover blown. Ren was so pleased with how we've been treated that he asked the owner over one time.

"What can I do for you today, sir?" Ren smiled a genuine smile.

"I wanted to thank you and your staff for being so discreet about our presence."

"Thank you for such high praise, Tsuruga-sama." He bowed deeply to show how grateful he was for such a comment. I piped in, unable to hold the question in my head any longer.

"We're just curious why we never cause so much as a stir here."

"Well, I imagine that if you came here, you were searching for a semblance of privacy. I told my wait staff to respect that when you two first walked in the door. I hoped that we could act as a bit of a sanctuary for both of you, so long as you don't mind the eager autographs requests. I haven't been able to keep them from vibrating in excitement anytime you dropped by. It's not every day that Japan's hottest couple walks through your shop door."

I certainly blushed at that comment. I never really keep tabs on the media news and being labeled as that is simply foreign to me.

"We certainly appreciate your efforts." Ren answered in return "We're surprised the media hasn't found us here yet." The owner gave a mischievous smile.

"They may have gotten an errant tip from an overzealous fan once or twice concerning a couple looking much like yourselves in another coffee shop across town." Ren's eyes crinkled up in amusement.

"I guess I should be thankful to our fans then. Even when they mistake others for us." Ren replied in faux seriousness. I giggled a little.

"I never look like my characters, so I can understand them mistaking me, but you? You're much more recognizable, Ren."

"Don't sell yourself short, Kyoko-sama. Emiko-san pointed you out when you first walked into our shop."

"See, love? She noticed you before me. And she's a female. You're getting more recognizable than me."

"But…!" I can't believe he just called me that in front of a stranger! This can't be true! He's the biggest star Japan has seen in years!

"Kyoko-sama?" I found myself already at the pastry counter. This coffee shop really has become a safe place for me and Ren. I can even lose myself in thought and not worry about anything. But there are more important things to consider. Like how I want something to munch on with my coffee today.

"Sorry Emiko-san. I'm getting lost in my thoughts today."

"That's fine. Anything catch your eye?"

"Oh, that chocolate chip cookie looks good. With our coffees too, please?" We've become regulars enough that the whole staff knew how we took our coffee.

"Of course, Kyoko-sama."

"You don't have to keep calling me Kyoko-sama. Kyoko-san is just fine." Emiko-san's face brightened and reddened at the same time.

"Really?" She asked over her shoulder at one of the machines behind the counter.

"Yes, being called –sama anything is strange to me."

"You're so humble and kind Kyoko...-san. I'm so glad you come here. And that we can be of any sort of service to you and Tsuruga-sama. Here you go." She handed me a large mug and a smaller one on a plate along with a couple of cookies. I turned to go sit at our usual table but found a very surprising thing in my path.

Familiar blond hair and blue eyes stared up at me. It took me a second to realize that he was kneeling down on one knee holding a small black box. Wait, what's going on? Is this a joke? I opened my mouth to scream at his cruel torture but I stopped when I noticed his eyes. Sho's eyes were brimming with sincerity, apology and… hope? What is this?

"Kyoko. I can never undo what I did to you and I can never quite say how sorry I am that I did. But if I never did that, I would have never realized how empty my heart is without you. I've done a lot of soul searching and realized that only a childhood with you isn't enough to spend with you. Forever can never be long enough for me. I want to make things right between us before it't too late and I lose you for good.

"And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to convince you that I love you and that I was so... wrong in saying you were ever plain and boring. You've become the most beautiful woman I've ever seen..." He took a deep breath.

"And I could be your Prince Charming that you've always dreamed of. You'll be my princess that'll wear white at our wedding and I'll wear out the words "I love you." But I'd ask that you promise me you'll be happy with me. In return, I'll promise I'll always sing to you. Even when my songs have fallen off the charts, or even after I've sung myself hoarse from singing how much you mean to me..." My vision started getting watery. "I've never found myself having a harder time telling a woman how I feel than now. I've actually had to work up the nerve to talk to you after seeing you a bunch of times here...

"I just know how we belong together…" He opened the box revealing a brilliant diamond engagement ring. Air rushed into my lungs. I blinked to

"Marry me, Kyoko?"

I feel numb. Is that crashing the tray falling from my fingers? What do I feel about this? This was a childhood dream of mine. To finally have my prince charming say all the things I wanted him to… Then the pain of everything he's put me through surfaced. All the cruel things he's done to keep him on my mind. I would think this is another one but this is the most sincere I've ever seen Sho. The only thing I really know was that my heart ached at this sight. My mouth is just hanging open, words failing to form. What do I say to something like this?

"Please, say you will…"

Tears started rolling down my cheeks. My head slowly shook side to side as I took a step backwards. I looked to the door to escape and saw Ren there. His aura was dark but I really couldn't tell if it was anger or sadness or anything. Was he angry at me? He didn't feel angry, but I couldn't be sure. Reality chose to take a brief hiatus today. I mean, in what sort of universe does Sho propose to me?

Angry or not, I need to escape. I hurried towards the exit and subsequently Ren. From what I can tell through my blurry vision, he looks more concerned than anything. It's small relief following something so upsetting. I don't really care which way I was going. I just need to get away.

I tried calming my breaths, but they only ended in sobs. I'm an actress, dammit! I should be able to control my emotions! I didn't get very far until strong arms stopped my shoulders.

"Kyoko… Hold up for a second." I was gently goaded to turn around and face dark eyes and dark hair. He had crouched down so our eyes were level. One hand released my shoulder to wipe away some of the tears.

"We're parked the other way, love. I don't want you running around blindly alone either. Something might happen to you, though not like what just happened." Ren gave me a sad sort of smile. I sniffed.

"You're not angry? Or upset?" I sound horrible.

"Why is it that you always think I'm angry at you? I usually angry at the things that make you upset."

"Oh..." I don't know what else to say. He straightened up and put an arm around my shoulder as we started to walk to his car.

"Oh, and your little ploy to pay for coffee didn't work. I still got to pay Emiko-san for the coffee and mugs." His arm tightened around me.

"Oh no! I can't believe I dropped and broke everything! I didn't even stay to clean up my mess! They're never going to want us back there again! I'm such a horrible customer!" Ren's arm kept me from running back there to apologize.

"I'm sure the private drama scene they got was more than enough payment." We just passed other end of the coffee shop's windows. They must have seen Ren stopping me. Sho must have seen it too. "Plus the tip I left them should help too."

"Ren…"

"What? They've been more than gracious to us. They go out of their way for us."

"Sorry…" Ren stopped us then and turned slightly to look into my eyes.

"It's not your fault that Fuwa Sho decided that he hasn't caused you enough pain and twisted the proverbial knife more. Even if he really meant what he said." We started towards the car again

"…How much did you hear?" My voice sounded meek.

"…Enough." I noticed his jaw clenching. "Enough where I really have to keep myself from doing anything to him. Otherwise the press would have a real heyday." We arrived at the car at this point. Ren turned and let his arm fall from my shoulder to hold my hand. His other hand took mine while he closed his eyes.

"We need to call Yashiro and Yoriko-san." Ren's eyes opened "As good as they've been about the press, this is a bit out of the ordinary for even the Coffee Fountain to handle. I'm sure they'd appreciate the heads up. Unless they're too busy making eyes at each other." A smirk curled about Ren's mouth. "I need to get teasing him about that more. There's still lots of payback to be had." I couldn't help but smile in return. He pulled me into a hug. "You should probably call Kotonami-san too. She'd be upset if you kept her out of the loop."

"Yeah… Oh that's right! We have a sleepover soon! I'm so excited!" I felt myself getting all gooey-eyed until Ren gently pressed me against the car. No that's not correct. The Emperor of the Night pressed me against his car. What's with him pinning me against his car?

"Can't we have a sleepover soon too?" That look really needs to be illegal. My face burned and the pit of my stomach grew warm. It was sinful just looking at it. Not to mention the dark voice he said it with...

"No! Because I hardly think you'd let me sleep!" Why did his eyes look so hungry all of a sudden? Did he actually want to eat at shop? Was it something I just said? Oh…. Oh! Oh my goodness! I can't believe a good Japanese girl like me said something like that! I didn't mean… that! Well I figured we would probably kiss quite a bit, but I didn't mean to imply something so… much more… intimate… I must be blushing all over!

"Oh? By doing what?" Ren's dark voice challenged me. I squeezed my eyes shut desperately wishing that Ren would release me from his inhuman allure.

"!" I made another silent prayer to gods of maidenhood.

After a pause, Ren chuckled and went to get my door for me. "If that's what you want, Kyoko." I practically collapsed onto the seat and buckled in. The further we got from the Coffee Fountain, the more my chest started to ache with old wounds. I tried hugging myself to fill the growing emptiness until I felt Ren brush his fingers against my knee. He kept watching the road, but that didn't keep his concerned glance from darting over every few moments.

"Are you going to be ok?" I turned to look back out the window.

"I think so..."

"I'll be here for anything you need, love."

"Mmmm. Thank you." Ren, as long as you're here, that's all I really need.

A/N: I'll spare you the excuses. But I haven't forgotten my stories! I was wondering if I wanted to save this song and scene for a later fic, but I can't get it out of my head. Plus I needed a Kyoko chapter. And that last part with Ren, I don't know what it is, but he can't keep his hands to himself even when I'm writing. I probably need to edit this more, but I wanted to share! And sorry if I built up expectations with the chapter title, hehehe.