Giggling as they sipped on drinks watching the sunset from a table perched on the waterfront of a dockside bar. "I don't know what he was saying, sheltered, my ass! You're sneaky! The fact, the literal fact, that all you did was bat your eyelashes and fake being upset about your I.D, and here you are, two margaritas deep. Men are pushovers."

Sayu smiled and winked. "Overprotective families don't raise good kids, they raise sneaky ones. My brother and I have quite the talent for acting. But, aside from that, in my country, I am old enough to drink."

Nelly snickered as she danced in her chair while sipping her drink. "Either way, I think you've got them all fooled. Beyond included."

Sayu chuckled quietly. "You think? I think he's got my number, I think he lets me get away with being childish." Nelly hummed with an unsure tone. "I am immature for my age, but I really do think it's because no one has ever let me do things on my own. All of my experience is either from books, movies or getting massively in trouble the next morning."

"Okay. Girl. Hear me out. That's a whole ass tactic on its own. Like a lioness, pretending to be helpless, but laying in wait!" Both girls erupted in laughter. As the laughter settled, Nelly leaned on the table with her elbows, propping her head up on the heels of her hands. "So tell me, do you like Beyond? Like, is that why you're here?"

Sayu shrugged as another margarita was set in front of her. "He's cute, fun and sweet… But liking him? Like what?" Nelly gave the brunette a knowing stare. Sayu stirred her drink while in thought. "I think he's using me. And, truthfully, I'm fine with it, because I'm using him right back." Sayu sighed happily as she dropped her straw into the third drink, a sweet after taste of lime on her breath. "I am perfectly fine with using him. I like the chaos it causes. My brother in shambles while I get spoiled and dicked down?" Nelly spit her drink out while laughing as Sayu shrugged. "I don't see a downside."

Coughing to recover her breath, Nelly pounded on her chest. "Warn a bitch!" Sayu smiled and handed her a napkin. Taking the cloth with an appreciative smile, Nelly cleared her throat and dabbed her chin. "So, nothing there, huh?"

Sayu shrugged nonchalantly as she watched the sun make its final descent. "Liking someone takes time. And that isn't something we've had a lot of together. I won't say there isn't a lot of potential there, but he seems like the type that's emotionally unavailable. But, I guess, if he wasn't, he's attractive, kind and well off. There isn't much to not like, I wouldn't want to get my hopes up for something that likely isn't going to happen."

Nelly nodded quietly as she sipped on her water. "He's emotionally distant, but not unavailable. He got fucked over real good. I like you, so I'll give you some advice. As his best friend, make sure to keep him at an arm's distance if you don't intend on sticking around. Man, I can't pull his ass out of the bottom of another bottle. He seems like a tough guy who just wants to party, but there's more to him than that." Nelly slapped her hands on the table and stood up in a flash, startling Sayu slightly. "We should grab the groceries and head back, tomorrow is Christmas Eve and my folks have been up my ass to crash at theirs."

-x-

Laughter filled the halls of the home as the girls carried bags in. Nelly flicked the lights of the main corridor on as she suspiciously leaned over to look up the stairs of the home. "Where is he?"

Sayu shrugged as she peeked into rooms off the foyer before finding the kitchen, and carrying some of the groceries towards the kitchen. Nelly shrugged and carried the remainder of the groceries in the direction Sayu went. Setting the groceries down on the large island in the kitchen, the brunette glanced her eyes around a darkened modern styled kitchen. Nelly flicked the lights on as the brilliant kitchen came into view, white cabinets and marble countertops. Sayu glanced at the large refrigerator and started to step towards it while curiously glancing her golden eyes around the kitchen and giving a brief smile at the dual oven.

"Girl, you should have seen this place when he first got it. The definition of used and abused. Place was a dump." She paused for a moment before shifting an uneasy glance to Sayu. "Uh, you do know what he does for a living, right?"

Sayu nodded as she loaded vegetables into the refrigerator drawers. "Yeah. I don't care, it doesn't affect me." Nelly smirked as she set some fruit on the counters. "I guess as long as he's safe and happy." Nelly leaned her hip against the counter as she watched Sayu load the groceries in the refrigerator.

She nodded as she bounced off the counters from her leaning position. "I'm going to grab your clothes and then I gotta get going." Sayu nodded at her with a bright smile and an appreciative head bow. She glanced out the kitchen window, which faced the ocean. "Ah, there he is, he's out front. Maybe when you finish up, make sure he's eaten. He's an idiot and forgets to do that."

"Uh, sure. I'll ask him in a second." Sayu turned to look at Nelly once again, but she had already gone to retrieve the final bags.

Sayu had rounded the corner while darting her eyes around wildly. Opposite of the kitchen and dining room, across the foyer, was what seemed to be a large living room. She tilted her head as her eyes shifted to the left, towards what seemed like large doors leading outside. Her eyes drifted around a plain yet elegant foyer that led to an outdoor patio which was equally as grand as the home. Placing her hand on the handle to the exterior, her eyes shifted up to see the moon dancing on the gentle waves of the water. As the door opened slowly, she sighed happily as the salty breeze kissed her cheeks. Her eyes fell onto a figure standing at the end of a dock, which had a large three tiered boat moored up on it, a large plume of smoke departed the silhouette of the young man.

Timidly she stepped closer to the dock, her eyes drifting around the yard, a well manicured beach, a small fire pit and a few scattered beach chairs. Her eyes flicked towards the raven when she heard his throat clear. "Oh! Sorry, I was coming to see if you'd eaten anything, but got a little distracted with the sights."

Beyond raised an eyebrow at her as she chuckled nervously while seeming to avoid eye contact with his presence. A plume of smoke escaped his nose as he slowly walked to the beginning of the dock. He chuckled at her seemingly shy demeanor as his voice seemed to purr out. "Is that so?" Sayu nodded quickly while pursing her lips. "I see. So, what do you want?" He stopped a few feet away from her and leaned in slightly towards her with a knowing smirk.

Flashing her eyes upwards towards the raven. "I don't want anything. I… Well, I was trying to find a way that I could thank you for everything." She wrung her hands together slightly nervously. "Maybe trying to find a nice way to bring up how much we spent?"

Beyond chuckled and walked past her. "I know exactly how much you two spent." Sayu blinked a couple of times before spinning around to look at the other. "Did you think I'd send you two out with a card I couldn't track?" Beyond motioned his head towards the house. "Really, I'm surprised how little you spent. Only two thousand?"

Sayu gasped and stomped slightly as she trailed behind him briefly. "That's a lot!"

Beyond smiled bitterly while shaking his head and scoffing out playfully. "Please, my ex would have blown that and more in a single store." He started towards the house forcing Sayu to continue to follow if she wanted to continue to talk.

She shifted her eyes to where he was previously standing on the dock. "What were you doing?"

Pausing momentarily, the raven turned slightly to glance at the large vessel. "Making sure my boat is up to code. Had a running light out, but aside from that, it's fine." He chuckled as she looked back to the boat. "You have been on a boat before, right?"

Sayu shrugged as she walked through the door he had held open for her. "I've been on a ferry and my dad has a small fishing boat."

He huffed a quiet laughter as he followed her in. "Not exactly in the same league."

"Can it go out into the ocean!?" She excitedly asked before continuing, her words slurring slightly. "My dad's can't, he said it's too small and can't handle the waves of open water." Sayu mindlessly wandered to the kitchen as she spoke before stopping and whipped around to face him once again. "You never answered me! Have you eaten?"

Beyond smirked at her and shook his head. "Are you drunk?"

Rolling her eyes slightly. "Tipsy at best, we had a few drinks, but they were pretty watered down. What do you want? Once I figure out where everything is, I'll make whatever I can. You didn't send me any list, so I just bought what I know I can cook with."

Beyond smiled wistfully as he nodded towards her. "Right. Whatever works, doesn't matter to me. I'll be upstairs working. While you were out, I prepared the room at the end of the hall to the left for you. So, whenever you want, that's your room, there's a spare key to the house on the dresser, so you can come and go as you please."

-x-

Beyond typed quietly on a laptop as a gentle knock was heard. "Yeah?" The door opened slightly before being nudged open further as Sayu backed up into the dimly lit office. She spun around slowly with a brilliant smile as she set down a plate and a small bowl. The raven tried to force away the small smile that crept along his features at her display.

"Ta-da!" She tucked her hands behind her back before gasping and then pulling a spoon out of the pocket of the apron around her waist and dropping it gently in the bowl. "I made yasai yakisoba and miso soup!" She giggled slightly at the surprised expression on the other. "Meshiagare!"

"Uh…"

"It's like saying born appétit."

Gently setting his computer away from him and taking more interest in the food that was set in front of him. "And what would one say back to that?"

"Itadakimasu!" Sayu's grin seemed to widen at his apparent interest in her culture. "Um, it directly translates to, to receive, but in Japanese culture it's a way of expressing gratitude and understanding of all the sacrifices to make the meal, not only for the preparer but all of the ingredients."

Pulling the plate and bowl closer to himself his eyes flicked up to her as he smirked. "Alright, well, Itadakimasu."

Sayu clapped very quietly. "You have good pronunciation!" She felt her cheeks begin to flush slightly when his smile seemed to widen. "Okay. Well, I'm going to go clean up and put the leftovers away." She turned on her heel as she briskly made her way to the door before pausing for a moment at the sound of his voice. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I said thank you, this was very nice of you." Sayu nodded quickly and swiftly walked back down to the kitchen.

She scrubbed the pan she had used mentally scolding herself and silently cursing Nelly for getting into her head about having feelings for anyone. She jumped slightly as the plate and bowl landed next to the sink. Her startle seemed to startle the raven as well. "Oh, I didn't hear you come downstairs, just leave them, I'll take care of them."

"Nope." He placed his hands on her shoulders and led her out of the kitchen. "You cooked, I'll clean. You should take your bags upstairs and get settled in." Sayu turned to protest but had realized from his crossed arms and expression that this wasn't a debate, more of a gentle command.

Sighing quietly, she nodded before leaning to peer around him. "There's mochi resting in the oven, it should be ready now. The container on the counter next to the oven is where you put any leftovers, then put them in the fridge, if you don't finish them. Sorry, I saw a few limes on the counter, so I used them."

Glancing over his shoulder, Beyond gave her a thumbs up. "Got it." She nodded and turned towards the bags sitting next to the entrance. "Oh, one more thing…" Sayu hummed slightly as she fidgeted with her fingers. "The food was great. Thanks."

Sayu smiled and bowed slightly. "Thank you." She felt her smile grow as she grabbed the bags and glanced at the entrance to the kitchen before peeking into the kitchen and silently giggling at him poking at the mochi with his finger. She carried herself up the stairs and down the hall to the last room on the left. As she pushed the door open she could feel her breath be stolen from her.

Deep red wooden beams ran along the ceiling as a warm pale yellow room came into view. A window wall that led to a private balcony which overlooked the waterfront and a large king sized bed with soft looking blankets sat awaiting her. Sheer white curtains seemed to drift over the bed on a warm breeze from the open windows along the other exterior wall. Sayu silently squealed as she belly flopped onto the plush bed.