Prompt: Art of love.

The art of love... is largely the art of persistence. ~Albert Ellis

Dark was a very persistent man, anyone would tell you that. He wouldn't give in until he got what he wanted and nothing was exempt from that persistence.

Especially love; that was one of the things that he was most persistent at, he wouldn't stop until he had his sacred maiden at long last.

His Sacred Maiden, just so happened to be very-very persistent as well. She was persistent in pushing him away and not ever letting him close to her.

Dark decided, being at the height of his persistence, that today he would make sure Riku knew his feelings, at no matter what the cost. He had been gone far too long and now that he was back he was determined to make sure she knew.

"Riku come here!" He said to her as she was walking down the street towards him. She glared, crossed the street, and continued walking away.

Failed attempt one.

"Riku Harada!" He yelled from across the park, acting as though it was a coincidence that he had seen her there. Riku turned, sighed, shook her head, and left the park in a hurry.

Failed attempt two.

'Three strikes and I'm out…' he thought before moving quickly, and stealthy behind her. Riku wondered deep into the woods and sat down in a large opening.

"Dark come on out now." She called over her shoulder causing the Phantom Thief to laugh. He walked over and removed most of his disguise; a hat and glasses, before sitting across from her. She looked at him amusedly and he returned the look.

"So how exactly did you know I was there?" He asked and she laughed.

"I'm not stupid, and we just wouldn't randomly run into each other at the park. You hate how loud and crowded it is there in the afternoon." She said with a smirk and he smiled sheepishly while raising his hands up.

"Okay you caught me, I've been following you and how exactly did you know about my dislike for the park Riku? Only Daisuke knew that." He said with a smirk of his own as her face grew red.

"Uhm… oh… I overheard you and Daisuke!" She said nervously and rubbed the back of her head with a giggle. She only did those two actions together when she was lying.

"That's a lie if I ever heard one." Dark said and she glared with a face as red as a cherry.

"Shut up! Are you only here to tease me and make fun of me you pervert?" She yelled and crossed her arms over her chest.

"No I'm here for the opposite actually." He said and she raised her eyebrow, her face returning to its normal color.

"Okay so tell me what that reason is." She said.

"I want to ask you something." He said.

"Okay ask away then." She said and moved to where she was lying on her stomach.

"Do you think I am persistent?" He asked, moving to where he was laying on the ground as well.

"Yes." She said.

"Do you know why?"

"No."

"Do you want to know why?" He asked her, a bit nervously.

She looked deep in thought before finally settling on her answer.

"Yes." She said quietly.

"I'm persistent because from the minute I saw you Riku; I've loved you and I wanted for so long to show you that and to tell you that but you have been quite persistent yourself; in shoving me away that is." He said with a chuckle at the end. Riku sat up and buried her face in her hands, her face as red as a fire hydrant.

"Riku what's the matter?" Dark asked worriedly as her heard a small whimper escape from her.

"It's just that…" She trailed off, hiccupping slightly.

"It's just what?" He asked.

"I've…uhm…erhm… I have really liked you too… for a while…. And I thought that you'd never… you know… feel the same…" She said and in a flash Dark had her in his arms and was kissing him.

Dark was a very persistent man indeed.

Even more so in love, and that was how he got his sacred maiden at long last.

XxxX

Well that was the longest one yet! I hope you liked it guys! Reviews please?