Hey guys, I'm back in action! I'm so sorry for the long hiatus. It's been a very hectic period for me.
About Neil's eyes that was brought up by Mryhh, some do think it's red, while others wine red (almost violet-ish). For me, I see his eyes as more violet than red, but thanks for the input! ^^
I hope you guys enjoy the story so far!
P.S.: I know this is a huge jump from the previous chapter and I am sooo sorry for forgetting to tell you. What happened directly before this is published as a one shot "Birthday Mayhem". That story will explain the 'why' and 'how' of this chapter. Again, I am so sorry for forgetting this!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon, and I do not own the song that is featured in this chapter.
Reine
When I open my eyes, I find myself in a bedroom with the back of my head hurts like hell. Shit, what has happened?
What time is it now?
I check my watch. It's five to twelve. However, the sky outside is dark. It's either my watch broke down, or I woke up in the middle of the night.
What's going on? The last thing I remembered was going into Neil's house.
Shit. I really can't remember anything.
I turn over and find a bulge under the blanket.
I hope it's not… someone I don't want.
Well, um, it's not that I don't want him, but…
Blood rises to my cheek.
Shit. What am I thinking?
I pull the blanket away and find Gwen sleeping soundly. Although I feel kinda bad doing it, I decide to wake Gwen up. She stirs like a lazy cat before rubbing her eyes. "What is it?"
"Do you remember why are we here?"
She shakes her head. Geez.
The door is opened and Neil enters. "What the hell is going on here?!" I ask him immediately, before I notice that his left cheek is bruised. "What happened to your cheek?"
"That's none of your business." He brushes me off. "Come, they're waiting for you."
"They?"
Impatient as ever, Neil grabs Gwen and me and force us to stand. "C'mon, don't waste my time."
"Hey! At least tell me what's going on!"
"Shut up."
"Dummy!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
In front of me, Rod, Yuri and Allen are standing around the dining table, wearing party hats. Somehow, the room has been decorated with ribbons and balloons, and there is a lot of food on the table.
I take a look on my watch. It's already past midnight and today is 18 June.
It's our birthday.
"Oh my God," I say, "You guys did this for us?"
"Happy birthday Kreiss twins!" Rod said cheerfully. "Hope you like this small party we prepared for you!"
I look at Neil, who in turn smiles at me. "Happy birthday, crybaby."
That moment, I can't tell you how much happiness fills my heart.
Neil
After we finish the food that Yuri had cooked (with a bit of help from Rod that resulted in the burnt fried shrimp), Allen brings Gwen somewhere else for another celebration, just the two of them.
Rod pats my shoulder, "We'll clean up here. Just bring her there."
My heart skips a beat. I never did this in front of anyone else. What if I screw it up?
"Break a leg, Neil," Yuri whispers.
I glance at Reine, who is now gathering the dirty plates and bringing them to the sink at the kitchen. Yuri approaches her and stops her from washing them, and she points at me.
Shit.
Reine walks in a springy manner. She is obviously in a very good mood. I hope I won't ruin it.
"Yuri said you have something for me," she says. "What is it?"
"Um, yeah," I reply, trying not to sound awkward. "Follow me."
For the first time, she sets her foot on the second floor of my house, and I bring her to the balcony. "The air feels good here!" she remarks as she stretches her arms.
"Well, take a seat."
"You sound so serious!" she pouts, but when I stare at her she sits down on the wooden floor. "Whatever,"
I take the guitar I've put earlier and sit in front of her. Her eyes widen. "You play guitar?"
"Yeah," I tell her. "I used to play… quite okay."
She smiles. "Are you going to play now?"
"Don't laugh."
She puts her finger in front of her mouth as she smiles.
Damn it. She's cute.
I take a deep breath before I pluck the first string, then the second, then the song just flows.
You know I'd fall apart without you
I don't know how you do what you do
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me
Makes sense when I'm with you
Like everything that's green, girl, I need you
But it's more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it
You gotta know you're wanted too
'Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I, I wanna make you feel wanted
Anyone can tell you you're pretty, yeah
And you get that all the time, I know you do
But your beauty's deeper than the make-up
And I wanna show you what I see tonight...
When I wrap you up
When I kiss your lips.
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
'Cause, baby, I, I wanna make you feel wanted
As good as you make me feel
I wanna make you feel better
Better than your fairy tales
Better than your best dreams
You're more than everything I need
You're all I ever wanted
All I ever wanted
And I just wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted
Baby, I wanna make you feel wanted
You'll always be wanted
I pluck the last string softly and stare at her. Her green eyes are fixed on me. Her mouth is slightly open, and my heart skips a beat. What is she going to say?
"You…" she trails off. "You really want to kiss me?"
My jaw drops. What kind of question is that?!
And here I am, preparing myself to be laughed at.
My heart beats like a moth batting its wings. I put my hand on her cheek, feeling the light brush of her hair against the back of my palm, and stare into her green eyes.
"Yes."
She holds her breath and I can see her cheeks turn slightly pink. A moment later, she smiles, and let me tell you something: I won't exchange this smile of hers with anything in this world. I close my eyes and lean in, and as I draw closer to her, I can smell the cherry blossom perfume she likes to put on. When my lips brush slightly against hers, I hold my breath.
"WAAAAAAAAAH!"
Both of us jerk backwards as I turn to the source of the noise and find Rod lying flat on the floor nearby.
"Rod?!"
He grins, "It's okay, carry on, I'm invisible."
"Yeah, right!" I snap.
Allen comes out suddenly, "You just ruined a perfect moment."
"Allen?! Since when you guys…?"
"You know I'd fall apart without you…" Rod sings as he smiles teasingly at both of us.
"Shaddap!" I retort.
"I don't know how you do what you do…" he continues, ignoring my protests.
"It's a nice song," Yuri suddenly appears out of nowhere. "Right, Gwen?"
Gwen nods.
So they've been watching us the whole time?
I scratch my head. Gwen and Yuri go to Reine who is covering her face that is almost as red as Allen's hair. Rod continues to sing the song while Allen pats my shoulder. "You're not half bad."
I swear I might die out of embarrassment.
The song featured earlier is Wanted by Hunter Hayes, and I do think this song fits Neil-Reine relationship! I do recommend this song! ^^
Thanks for reading and your reviews are more than welcomed! ^^