The hours pass by as we continue to pelt each other, until we grew exhausted and lay on the snow.
"The snow is cold!"
Edward chuckles at Kahoko-san's comment.
Of course it's cold. It's frozen water.
The same thought is echoed instantly by Len. It is then that Edward realises something.
Frozen water. What about… frozen time? How to freeze time so that it, just like water, can stay together? Freezing time, or freezing everything but time, allowing for them to stay together?
There would be costs associated, of course. Lots of paperwork. Which mean I should get started.
I slowly began to pick myself off the snow, and see cousin Len helping Kahoko-san. My mind wonders for a moment why he is lucky and I'm not, before I forcefully push the thought away.
It was my own fault hoping that a long-distance love would work. It doesn't.
And in their case, it may not for much longer.
I smile at them, hoping none of my thoughts are crossing my face.
"Shall we head back to the hotel?"
They nod back at me, and the three of us walked back.
|~-~|
Edward bid us goodnight as he went to the door of our suite. Len nodded and thanked him politely for his time tonight, watching him briefly head for the lift before closing the door.
He turns around to face the living room and what seems to be a stunned Kahoko. He cautiously walks towards her, wondering what's wrong.
Then he notices the garments on the ground. He mentally hits himself in the head for not clearing it up before they left.
"What… really happened…"
Her eyes look at him directly, and don't waver. He blinks, and gulps.
How do I explain an impulsive kiss to get her clothes off? She was going to be sick wearing that much!
Then he remembered something he could say instead.
"If you don't remember, then it probably wasn't important."
He said it slightly coldly, as he was unhappy that she truly had no clue what had occurred. Not that it was anything… naughty… or such, it's just that he wanted to remember every single moment with her right now but her not remembering it also means that he probably shouldn't recall it either.
It's a pity. I was quite intrigued at my own skill of doing that.
Her hand touches his cheek lightly and he inhales sharply.
"But… it seems important to you, Len. Isn't it?"
He sighs. He can't seem to stay angry with her, at all. He cups her chin and kisses her passionately, like he did hours before as he took off her extra layers of clothing. She tilts her neck ever so slightly, and he takes it as a sign to continue, but instead, he ends it.
The confusion in her eyes is clear.
"It's been a long day, Kahoko. You should take the bed, I'll be fine on the couch."
He slowly heads towards the bathroom.
|~-~|
The next few moments seem to go even slower. Her hand reaches out to grab him by his arm, gripping tightly on the piece of his shirt that lies between her fingers.
"I don't want to sleep by myself tonight"
He turns around, his mouth shaped in an O as he takes in her words. She knows what she said, and knows that he could either go further away from her, or take her even closer. Whatever the choice, she knows she's ready for it.
"Please, Len. Stay with me tonight."
She decides not to add the last two words she planned to. Instead, she actually wanted for him to think differently than what she meant. What she really meant was that she was scared of being in a place by herself; and wanted some company. But no, what she hopes is going through his mind is a lot less innocent-sounding than that. And why? She doesn't really know.
She notices him gulping as his Adam's apple bobbles. The silence between them that you could cut with a knife… and his never-changing blank expression. She knows, from the look in his eyes and the clench of his fists, that he's considering it. Taking things through carefully, looking at all the possibilities each path could give.
For moments, her fingers are still clutching his shirt, their eyes still interconnected, neither daring to speak.
His free hand slowly takes her hand clutching his shirt, and grasps it softly.
"Okay"
|~-~|
He never expected her to speak out like that. Wanting them to sleep together. As he locks himself in the bathroom to get ready for bed, the slight feelings of happiness drown the nerves.
He finds himself smirking at his reflection.
I had a feeling this might happen… but not this soon. I can probably let her go easier after tonight…
Soon enough, he finishes, and heads out.
|~-~|
Kahoko smiles at him as he comes back, ensuring that she isn't looking at his face. She's more than embarrassed that she's somehow packed only one real 'sleepwear' item (besides some slightly old PJs).
"I… didn't have anything else. I know you weren't really fond of –"
"I like it. I like you wearing it."
|~-~|
Flushed red upon seeing that garment once more, he decides to settle the truth for once and for all. She looks at him shocked, and he chuckles slightly.
"When you wear that, it makes me want to do things to you."
|~-~|
Kahoko takes a cautious step back, redder in the face than before.
Is this the same Len…
|~-~|
He advances further, using his primal instincts. For once, he is determined to mark her as his own, and nothing will stop him tonight.
"You don't know how hard it is for me to control myself when you look so beautiful."
|~-~|
She's halfway taking another step back, before Kahoko pauses at his last word.
Beautiful? Me?
She can feel her heartbeat increasing, and all the emotions that are clouding her mind.
|~-~|
He strides towards her, and notes how she steps back until she's against the wall. He pins her there, her body melded against his, his head at her left ear.
He nibbles her ear softly, his arms around her waist.
"I want to know every part of you. From your head, to your toes, and everything in between."
He tilts his head to reach her neck, and kisses her Adam's apple repeatedly.
|~-~|
Kahoko could feel herself melting as Len continued to kiss her neck, and his lips made their way down…
"Iie… I only want… for you to sleep with me tonight because I'm scared of being by myself in a new place."
Her hands are on his shoulders, pushing him away from her.
"It's not that I don't want this… it's just… I'm not ready to do it yet. Gomennasai, Len."
|~-~|
He wants to hit himself as the words come through.
"It's just… I'm not ready to do it yet."
I'm an idiot.
He quickly steps away from her.
"I'll watch over you until you fall asleep."
"No, I want to feel your warmth beside me."
Her arms wrap themselves around his waist.
"You know I didn't mean to mislead you…"
He sighs again, and looks at her.
"I know. I'll wait for you in the bed."
He leans to kiss her forehead, before heading off to the main bed.
|~-~|
She watches him leave, and sighs. She touches her neck lightly, and her mind is filled with what happened just moments ago.
It's not that I don't want to do it… it's just… I don't want to do it yet? Does that sound stupid or something?
Although, as she watches through the window the snow falling once more, Kahoko realises how short time is.
At the very least, I want Len to remember me… and me, to never forget him. No matter how far we are, we'll make it work. Because I love Len.
She blushes, before smiling slightly. She walks towards the bedroom, smiles as she sees the side closest to the wall left for her, and hops in.
|~-~|
Edward knows his first job is to try and find an alternate venue for some of the other events he would have to push out of the way for his father.
The email on his Apple indicates the day, time, and presumed location.
He sighs as he realises it's the Grand Ballroom, one which has been booked for a wedding a year in advance.
I'm going to have to call on someone else. It's just a matter of who…
He decides to end his day there, and heads off towards the bathroom. Quickly changing his clothes and brushing his teeth, he heads towards the king bed and drifts off to sleep.
|~-~|
Finally the next bit of the story! I must admit I had some fun writing this chapter… and putting Len through some torture… *winks*
Once again, not much detail of the plan at all. But, I assure you, Edward has one.
And it's going to be a hell of a bombshell.
Till next time, xxx jazzzz-chan
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