* This story was inspired by previous works that I've read in the past. Key authors being Holly Black and Melissa Marr. I take no credit for their work. Furthermore, I don't carry the rights for this anime. Some of the characters will act OOC; all of these characters are of age. Constructive criticism is very welcome. Enjoy.


Chapter 22: Ikuto's POV:

After a solid four years of interacting with Amu and the rest of humanity, Ikuto still couldn't grasp the reasoning they did what they did. Amu was consistently busy with juggling her job and college, and he was consistently bored watching and waiting for Amu to finish juggling her job and college. It seemed that all humans did was work and work until they get old enough to not be able to enjoy the things that make youth enjoyable. It was a wonder why no one took the time to stand up and question the way things worked. Why no one took time to change things, even a little.

But what did he know? His favorite pass time is sitting idle in a park rarely frequented by people. He was bored doing just that.

"When will you return home?" He questioned. Amu was busy brushing her hair back into a ponytail. He couldn't tell her that he preferred it hanging loose.

"You always ask that question, and I always give you the same answer." She turned her head from her focus on the mirror, to eye him. A grin graced her lips and she shook her head, "I should be home before 10 tonight."

"I ask it because I'm wishing for the day the answer changes. Ten at night wouldn't be so horrible to me if you actually spent time with me after. You resemble an elderly woman so much so, that I question your aging genes. All you do is sleep after you get home."

"What do you expect, Ikuto? I'm on my feet for a good 8 hours, and on some days; sitting in a boring lecture for another 4." Amu huffed and walked over to his perched form on the seat of her bed. She spread out her arms and stared at him.

Lately, the two had gotten to be very daring with their skinship; or lack thereof, anyway. He never complained about it, though. Although he was always very cautious, whenever she found new ways to touch him; and vice versa, the two were always pleased. If not a little worried.

His arms laced around her waist, and he burrowed his face into the cloth of her shirt. His eyes closed and he took the moment to feel her own warmth emanating from her abdomen. All the while, her arms remained stretched out. If her desire was as great as his, he knew that she would have so badly wanted to wrap her arms around his neck in a complete embrace.

That was not an option for either of them.

"When you return home, know that I have been waiting patiently." He mumbled while releasing her from his embrace.

She stepped back and lowered her arms, flashing his favorite bright smile.

"You're such a child, Ikuto. You know, I'm not the only person in the world. Go out! You can obviously interact with people well," he frowned, "sorry. Really, though. Just go out and make friends?"

The idea sounded so ridiculously unreal to him that it nearly hurt his brain in an attempt to imagine himself surrounded by a circle of friends.

"No, thank you." He replied dully.

"Are you sure?"

Now he knew she was teasing. Her final question contained so much humor in it, that he grabbed a pillow behind him, stood up, and playfully whacked her on the head.

Her perfect ponytail had gone slack and messy, and she yelped with surprise. "Hey!"

"Why must I go out and make friends when I already have to deal with you and those you hang around with? I do not need anyone accidentally figuring out what I am."

He knew that he was right, that she knew he was right. She didn't say so, though. He knew that she would never say such a thing. Instead, her lips pinched together and she turned to fix her hair with a brief 'harrumph'.

He smiled and sat back down, a winner.

*Later.*

Ikuto really didn't do a single thing but lay down and rest lazily the entire day, and explore Amu's apartment. He was glad that he didn't have to sneak in and out of her house any longer; although he knew he would still be climbing in and out of her bedroom window. It has become a habit. He could also say that he greatly missed the balcony. He also had been filled with wonder when it came to memories. He'd never really lived a memorable life, and because of that, having places to miss, experiences to miss—all of it was new to him. He couldn't say that he hated it.

Amu had never really taken the time to tell him about her parents, as well as why she felt so eager to move out when that time came. But he'd been in her home on several different occasions when her mother and father seemed to have thrown a fit. Even during those times, Amu kept silent and he didn't want to push her desire to keep to herself.

With a huff, he laid down and sunk comfortably into the bed, shuffling his body around to become comfortable. He eyed the white that was her ceiling, and closed his eyes.

Amu had moved a good deal away from the park, and so when he left that night he assumed that he'd dislike the change of direction. Though he complained about it to Amu, her response was simply: "Can't you, I'unno... Fly?"

Which he found ridiculous. He was a Faery, not a bird.

He smiled at the thought. He hadn't heard a single word from Utau in a few months. And even more quiet, was the Summer Court. Yoru hadn't summoned him at all, and the Kiddy King hadn't yet kicked up any trouble. He relished this silence, but feared it also. After the many years of doing Yoru's bidding, being nagged by his sister, and cleaning up his own messes.. Well, he couldn't seem to believe in this peace. He could not seem to believe his relationship with Amu would be easy, either. Maybe he feared that difficulty most of all.

*Much Later.*

When Amu finally arrived home, Ikuto was busy paging through the new books she'd bought for school. A lot of the material seemed dry; dry and repetitive. Almost as if he'd read every line at least five times in thousands of other books.

"Ikuto, you didn't!" The pinkette cried, eyeing him with disappointment.

"What didn't I do?" He glanced up from the book, a look of confusion briefly passing over his features.

"You didn't stay inside all day." She shook her head, frowning.

Ikuto set the book in his hands down next to him before he laid back and folded his arms under his head, closing his eyes. "Actually, that is something I did do. I did stay home all day."

"Didn't I tell you to go out?"

"It wasn't an order. I took it as a suggestion."

He smiled when he heard her exasperated sigh, "no, it wasn't an order, but I really wish you would take me up on my suggestions."

Amu sat down at the foot of the bed, and his eyes opened to glance at her. He couldn't imagine not having met this girl. Despite the stress and boundaries, he'd couldn't remember ever having been happier.

"Should I take you up on all of your suggestions from now on? Would you like me to go outside tomorrow?" He rose an eyebrow when she nodded.

"I really like that I don't have to spell things out for you the majority of the time." The pinkette grinned and leaned forward to lay a firm, playful smack on his abdomen.

Amu's POV:

The smiles cleared from both of their faces, and they eyed each other. Ikuto's gaze burned holes into her face, and Amu nervously focused her gaze on this throat instead; just in time to see his Adam's apple bob.

She cleared her own throat and forced herself to look back up into his eyes. "Ah, I have another suggestion."

Ikuto closed his eyes. "Amu, I really—"

"Kiss me."

There was a long pause before he even moved, and she didn't notice that he was holding his breath until he exhaled sharply. She could practically hear his frustration. This wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation.

"I can't."

It was a simple reply, but Amu—her hand still on his chest—balled her fist, crumpling his shirt with it. The man turned to stone beneath her, as if staying still was the safest thing he could possibly do in this moment.

"You can try. We can think up ways." Her voice rose and she knew that she was being the worst person in the world at that moment. But she couldn't seem to help herself.

"Amu, we've talked about it so many time—" he closed his eyes and shook his head for a long moment before speaking again. "Amu, you knocked down every single idea I had given."

"I'm sorry for not wanting to kiss you through a window, Ikuto."

She didn't mean for it to sound bitter, but she really wanted him to understand her feelings. So despite the pained look on his face, she continued speaking, though used a lighter tone.

"Ikuto, I know that you're so used to being touched, and that the very idea doesn't even matter to you—that's amazing. Many girls would feel so much at ease. I just.. I just really..." She sighed. It was hard to explain, and she could feel her face begin to heat up. So much for bravery and taking control.

"Amu, I'm trying to understand, but I really can't." He frowned and looked up at her. "This whole talk, it just really... You're forgetting the fact that you, I don't know, die." His head shook and he smoothly rolled out from underneath her; an almost comical large exhale of relief escaping him.

She sighed once again and threw herself down onto the bed. "It's not that I'm forgetting. I just don't really care."

"Really? You don't care? Remind of that when you're writhing in excruciating ecstasy," Ikuto paced around the room, gesturing to various things as he went on his rant; she could see the pronounced veins in his neck that signified his being angry. "Remind me of that when I need to get Utau to come and clean up the mess I made of you," he huffed, turning to look at her before pausing abruptly.

She turned her head to him just in time to see his eyes ice over with dark resolve. She couldn't help but to shriek when gloved hands pinned her arms to the bed above her head. She looked up to him with wide eyes. She couldn't think coherently, nor could she see anything past the indigo, bottomless orbs that were his eyes.

"I-Ikuto?" She whispered, knowing not to move a single muscle while he was this close.

"I'll kiss you."

Her heart nearly stopped. It's what she'd been asking for, right? Why did she suddenly feel terrified?


Q: Thank you for reading. Please R&R!