I do not own anything.
In the winter-themed park, pulsating bodies pushed and shoved to get within the gates. A couple on the outskirts of the horde were strapped together by the male's arms. Pressed up against the other, it wasn't too hard to notice that they shared an unified quick heartbeat; but it also didn't take too long for them to be pushed apart with two different pulses.
"Amu." His repeated whisper, which had torn her common sense for a passing second, slammed her back into reality. The girl had quickly dropped under his grip and lurched forward in a disarrayed balance. Amu, however, was pulled back up by her arm, which had been grasped by him. Once again, he had saved her and made her fall more deeply in love with him. Man, was Amu destined for steep disappointments and constant yearnings?
"Why are you here?" She bit back all the spiteful words swarming her head. Sure, Amu made that stupid, misguided bet with Yoru; but she wouldn't lash out her anger on this unsuspecting villain, or victim.
"I'm obviously here to persuade you to allow me to love you." His eyes abandoned his pride and pinned her with his ultimate desire. Ikuto thought he'd never get a chance with her, because he knew that she didn't want to be reminded of Yoru; but maybe, just maybe, she wanted him at least half as much as he did. If it weren't that, then why would she send him that text?
"Tsukiyomi, I just think that..." Her breath was left hanging because his tenacious hands gently brought her slim wrists to his chest. Under the palm of her hand, she could feel his thrashing, nervous heartbeat. His eyes gave her the message to complete the action. My heart's in the palm of your hand.
"Fine, let's just meet Santa." Amu surrendered.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're going ice-skating first." Ikuto retorted, dropping her wrists.
Suddenly away from his warmth, Amu's body could feel the turbulent winds. She had guessed it wouldn't have been too cold-hence, her thin sweater; yet she was desperate for some sense of warmth. As if reading her thoughts, Ikuto dropped his heavy coat onto her shoulders, almost causing her to fall to her knees.
"But you'll get cold, Ik-Tsukiyomi." She corrected herself a syllable too late that smirk-itis, a disease caused by an inflammation of pride, had infected Ikuto and induced a crooked smile.
"If you don't want either of us cold, then you'll have to let me put my arm around you," Ikuto said with too much coy for Amu's favor. With a heavy reluctance, she threw him his coat in a childish fit and took a step closer to him. He just chuckled and put on his coat. His body leaned into hers, as his arm rested on her shoulders. Her cold, pale arms and hands hesitantly reached under his coat and wrapped around his torso.
"Don't even say a word." She groaned. Amu knew, no matter how many years she spent atoning for this moment, she'd never live this down.
Dead Boyfriend's Brother
A sparse number of people were on the ice, because everyone wanted to meet Santa first and get the best presents. Other than a family of four and a group of high schoolers, the couple was alone.
"If you really need a hand, mine is here the girl fasted onto the outer rails. He had wanted to prank her on the ice, but pranking a newbie was definitely not appealing.
"Be quiet, Tsukiyomi. I am going to steadily learn." Amu said as she wobbled on the ice. As she stuck her foot out in front of the other, she also struck a new line on the fresh ice.
"Amu, you're not supposed to be walking so rigidly. Just glide. If it makes it easier, make a t with your feet and push off from the back, and do it with your other leg." The blue-haired college student demonstrated flawlessly. With his abundant amount of grace, of course, ice skating was easy for him; but for someone as clumsy as Amu, it seemed impossible.
Amu followed his actions, but because she feared the possible fall, she took small steps and still clung onto the rail. Ikuto sighed and grabbed onto her waist, slowly tugging her away from the rail.
"What are you doing, Ikuto?" Amu wailed, struggling and almost falling.
"Teaching you," He chuckled. "Don't worry I won't let you fall." He stood behind her, pushing her around the ring. The rush of wind pushing against her sent an exhilarating rush through her veins. Under Ikuto's wing of protection, her fears just flew away, which made the irrepressible smile show; and that was the smile he had been waiting for all night.
Amu hated how Ikuto always pushed her, but she couldn't exactly hate the emotions that followed.
After a half hour of skating, the thought of her emotions began to whelm up within her, causing her foot movements to be more lethargic than before. With her uncomfortable foot movements, Ikuto understood and led her to the side to rest.
"Are you okay, Amu?" He asked, seating her and himself on a bench.
"Ikuto, what are you doing here?" The honey eyed girl spat back with a surprising abysmal spite. Although her brows her furrowed angrily, she silently swallowed a sob. This young teen, already choosing a life without Ikuto, didn't want to be swayed by those glorious blue, inviting pools of mystery.
"I'm here to persuade you to allow me to love you openly, Amu." Ikuto dared to look at her hateful, heated glare. His hands gripped onto her arms, restricting her movement. He knew that at any moment she could walk away from him, but he wanted her to understand at least a fraction of what he felt.
"I don't want you here. I don't deserve to be with someone like you." As these malicious words fell from her lips, her fringe covered her eyes and hid her turbulent emotions. Why did he have to be here now that she was finally going on a date with someone else?
"Amu, don't say that. I will try better and-" He began with a stony expression, steeling himself from her hate-ridden words.
"I don't deserve to be with someone who relentlessly cares about the people he loves and who comforts me at my darkest hours. *hiccup* I definitely don't deserve to be with someone who wrote jealous confessions in French to a high school girl, who waits on my porch on a chilly night, who harasses a girl for her car keys, and who beats up his own motorcycle." With a straightforward gaze, she yelled at him. She yelled at him for all those times he shamed her into loving him so hard. Throughout her entire rant, he held her gaze firmly. He didn't know how to take all this, and frankly, he didn't mind hearing about all those memories they had with each other these past months.
"Most importantly, you don't deserve a girl who perpetually tells herself the same lie to not get caught up in a dream she's been dreaming ever since she knew that she..." Her word trailed off, but tears began to fall instead of her flaring words. Her face contorted with pain, just as her fists started pounding onto his chest.
"I'm sorry." Ikuto echoed the words he never expected to say tonight. He had thought this night out, but he never dreamed of making his precious Amu cry. Smile, Amu. Smile.
"Why are you here? Why do you want to ruin me?" Amu wailed at him. It was a surprise no one could hear their quarrel, but the Christmas music still rang loudly through the speakers.
"I'm sorry, Amu. I'll take you home." His fingers tangled into hers and brought it to his lips. With the seal of his kiss, he promised himself silently,"I vow to never push my feelings on you."
Thanks for reading.