"Good morning, gorgeous."
"Morning," Megan mumbled, pushing her face deeper into the pillow.
"What's wrong?'" Tamaki asked worriedly.
"Headache," she mumbled. "Hangover."
"Ah. I'm sorry, sweetie. Why don't you go back to sleep?"
"'Kay."
He pulled her closer, holding her tight. He kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers through her hair, lulling her to sleep.
"Are you ready, Thorne?"
"Almost—gimme just a sec, Amber."
Amber walked further into Thorne's room, leaning on the bathroom doorway. Thorne was standing in front of the mirror, meticulously applying her makeup. She was dressed in a denim mini-skirt, black wedge sneakers, and a purple tank top that really made her green eyes pop.
"You look cute," Amber grinned.
"You think so?" Thorne asked, pursing her lips.
"Absolutely!" Amber nodded emphatically. "I'm sure Takashi will be impressed."
She giggled as Thorne's face turned bright red. Thorne had been putting a little extra effort into her appearance since they'd come to Japan—she spent a few extra minutes on her hair and put on makeup every morning, and was more attentive when picking her outside-of-school outfits—but her effort had tripled in the week since she'd gotten engaged to Mori.
Thorne capped her eyeliner and dabbed on her lip-gloss before turning around.
"All right," she exhaled slowly. "Let's go."
"Amber! Thorne!"
"Hey, Mitsu!" Amber giggled as Honey hugged her excitedly.
"Hey, Honey," Thorne smiled fondly down at him.
Mori walked up silently behind Honey. He kissed Thorne's cheek, and she blushed, as always.
"Hi, Takashi," she smiled shyly up at him.
"Hi, Thorne."
"So where're we going?" Amber asked.
"Where do you wanna go, Amber?" Honey countered.
"I dunno," she shrugged, squinting up at the bright sky. "What do you think, Thorne?"
"We could go skating," Thorne suggested softly.
"Ooh, yeah! Let's do that!" Amber grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly. "You always have the best ideas, Thorne! Doesn't she have the best ideas, Mitsu?"
"The best!" he chirped, giggling.
Amber grabbed Honey's hand and took off running down the road, laughing. Thorne giggled at them; they were the strangest combination of children and adults, platonic and romantic, friends and lovers. They were so innocent, yet there was always…something in the air between them. Something…explosive.
"Thorne?"
She snapped out of her thoughts, looking up to find Mori peering down at her curiously.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, n-nothing!" she blushed, her eyes widening.
He just smiled and offered her his hand. She slipped her hand in his, and she couldn't help but smile. His hands were warm and strong—he was warm and strong. Warm and strong and safe and comfortable. Comforting. Just holding his hand—something so small and simple—made her feel so…perfect. She felt at home.
Arranged or not, their relationship was real. Their union would be a happy one, one she could never begrudge.
She was home.
Takashi was her home.
Super short, I know, but I couldn't let a natural closing point go to waste. I'll post the next chapter soon, though, and it'll be longer, I promise! Please review! :)