Vincent

It was only 5:00 pm, so Katastrophe was remotely empty. Azriel wasn't due in for another few hours, and the dancers weren't doing much. I walked over to the bar, and looked at one of the few people who was there.

"You didn't have to come in so early. Don't you have work?"

"It was a slow day at The Gazette. Besides, I'd spend all my time here, if it meant spending time with you."

I smiled and walked over to him. Wrapping my arms around him, I rested my head on his shoulder.

"You need to stop that." I chuckled.

"Stop what?" Malyk asked.

"Stop being so damn irresistible." I leaned in to whisper in his ear. "I won't be able to control myself."

"We can come back later if you guys want your privacy." Came a voice from the door.

I jumped up and welcomed her with open arms. "Veronika! Snarky as always, I see. And Kyouya, good to see you."

"You just saw us this morning, you goof." Veronika said shoving me.

"I know, I know," I laughed. "But sit, drink, enjoy yourselves. Azriel's not here yet, but I can do minimal bartending. Just don't ask for anything too complicated."

They sat down and I moved to the other side of the bar. "So, what can I get you?"

"I'll have a rum and coke." Veronika said.

"Nice try. You're lucky I let you in here. I'm not getting shut down for serving you guys booze. How about just the coke?"

"That's fine." She grumbled.

"I'll take one as well."

As I busied myself with the drinks, I noticed Kyouya looking around tentatively.

"You can look. It's not going to kill you." I laughed.

"You said you had something to show us?" Veronika prompted.

"Oh, that. Um… Well…" I glanced from her to Kyouya and back. "I'll be right back." I walked to the back room, and prepared the surprise. Walking back out into the bar area, I smiled. "This is the new desert we're featuring. I wanted you to be the first to try it." I set it down in front of her.

"Yay! Food!" She gushed. "It looks delicious! But you seriously called me all the way out here to try a cheesecake?"

"Yes. Don't question me." I said with as much seriousness as I could muster.

She shrugged, not questioning any longer, and took a bite. "Oh my god, this is amazing. Here," she turned to Kyouya, "try some." He smiled and gratefully took the offered bite. A few more bites, and Veronika gasped.

"The fu….?" She pulled out the shiny object that had been wedged into the middle of the slice of cheesecake. "What is this?"

"This," Kyouya said grabbing her hand and licking the remaining cheesecake off of her fingers, "Is a ring."

"I can see that…" she stammered, "but what is it?" She looked at him with wide questioning eyes.

"I want you to know how serious I am about you. We're both too young for marriage, but I know how I feel. So this ring," he slipped it onto her finger, "is a constant reminder that I will always love you."

She wrapped her arms around him and squealed. Then she turned to me.

"You. How did you…? And you got out… and you knew he'd… What?"

Kyouya and I smiled. "He set it up. I'm just a not-so-innocent bystander."

"You said you have your ways. Well so do I." Kyouya said.

I sighed as a hand found mine, and I looked up to see Malyk smiling at me. I guess the moment had gotten to him, too.