Len accepted the white box with the large dark blue bow on top, opening it to find himself looking at sleek, white headphones with soft looking, icy blue Ear Cushions. The matching, slightly iridescent decals gleamed weakly as he shifted the box in his hands.
"Thanks…. but why?" Len looked at the sweet, orange loving, blonde. Her eyes gleamed and Len got the feeling he was missing something…. something important. His confusion must have shown on his face, Rin giggled sweetly as Len's heart jumped happily in his chest before skipping a beat.
"It's for our four month anniversary!" Rin announced cheerfully with a bright smile on her face. It could rival the sun, Len thought. Maybe that's why it's hidden behind a blanket of thick, grayish clouds.
He stared, a comfort silence settling between them before the blondes large, dark blue eyes blinked owlishly.
"D-Did you g-get me anything?" She asked sheepishly, a faint blush coating her cheeks as if afraid of the answer. Len noticed her head was slightly tilted downward.
"Uh…no?" He admitted. A small part of him knew that was the wrong answer, but a larger part couldn't seem to stop his mouth to stop talking.
'Was I supposed to?' He found himself thinking. It wasn't his fault he didn't realize it might be important! Guys didn't really think about stuff like that. (*Len's internal screaming: Don't judge me!)
This time, an awkward, uncomfortable silence settled over them as Rin waited for Len to admit it was a joke. Anything to prove their relationship was at least somewhat important to him! Or he'd at least thought about it…. but as the minutes ticked by, that seemed less and less likely. Tears welled in her large dark blue eyes, slowly dripping onto the lightly snow covered ground below.
Rin opened her mouth as she raised her head up to face Len. The short haired blondes large eyes shimmered with emotion…. emotion that almost immediately made him feel guilty. She looked angry but also hurt and betrayed.
A small voice in Len's head told him once again, it wasn't his fault, as Rin turned, walking away at a hurried pace and clearly trying not to cry.
The blonde boy stood frozen, blinking owlishly at the empty space before him. Len could feel his brain working sluggishly, trying to piece together his mistake…. one he was already painfully aware of!
After a full TEN minutes – five minutes to long, he heard a female voice in his head say, deadpan and emotionless, yet full of annoyance – Len jogged hurriedly down a familiar path.
He came to a park, warmly lit and peaceful. A small gazebo stood in distance, white fairy lights weakly illuminating the bench Rin sat on, cheek in her palm as she gazed at the snow –eyes seeming distant and faraway.
"Rin?" Len called softly, sitting down to her. The park they'd first confessed four months ago looked unchanged…. almost frozen, and Len couldn't help but think a mysterious, unseen force was responsible for it.
'Please don't be where it all ends.' He begged whoever, or whatever, was listening.
He turned toward her, gently taking her hands and softly rubbing his thumbs over her knuckles in a feather light touch. Rin couldn't help but shiver as warm tingles spread over her body, starting at her shoulders and the back of her neck. Despite the fact she was supposed to be mad at him, she found herself meeting his gaze. His large, dark blue eyes gleamed faintly with understanding…. and deep remorse. And suddenly, Rin couldn't remember why she was angry, the reason — whatever it was — seemed unimportant now.
"Let's go home," Len suggested, tone light and soft as he stood, gently pulling Rin with him. Their gazes locked briefly before they walked home hand in hand.
The faint, yet strong scent of orange hit Rin's nose as she stepped inside. The spacious, yet cozy living room was warmly lit by light off white fairy light along the walls. The scent grew stronger as she made her way over to the couch, wordlessly sitting as Len headed to the fridge.
She leaned back, enjoying the scent of her favorite fruit as her brother pulled containers from the fridge. She sat up, curiosity piqued as she noticed they were labelled with a black marker: one, two, three and four.
Len's eyes met hers as she stood up, coming to stand beside him as he opened the containers, briefly glancing at the lids.
"Len," She breathed in awe as she looked at the carefully frosted cake rounds, "y-you made these?"
The boy nodded slightly, his small, neatly done ponytail bobbing with the moment. Rin was …surprised to say the least as her brother slash boyfriend's culinary skills were not the greatest. Yet, the cake looked sturdy and, most importantly, edible. The white frosting was smooth with not a streak in sight.
'This must've taken a long time.' She thought, feeling bad. So Len didn't get her a present— store bought or otherwise— who cared? This was so much better!
The two worked in silence, faint, cheerful glow around them as their shoulders brushed softly, cutting the tops and bottoms before stacking the cake. Outside soft, wet snow drifted slowly from the pale sky, adding to the pleasant, cozy late December atmosphere.
After the cake was put away in the fridge, the couple returned to the couch and took turns feeding each other. Rin's eyes closed briefly, a small, happy moan escaping her delicate looking, rose petal lips as the strong, tangy, citrusy taste of the orange flavored cake danced across her tongue. She opened her eyes, hazy yet clear with bliss and pleasure as Len scooted closer, hand on her hip as he carefully took the banana flavored bite into his mouth.
Len swallowed, tongue swiping around his lips instinctively and his eyes met hers —shimmering and impossibly deep like the ocean itself— making Rin forget how to breathe.
The blonde boys eyes gleamed regretfully as he took her hands in a soft, gentle, feather light touch that makes her heart skip a beat.
"Y-you never forgot, did you?" Rin's voice was barely a whisper as her mind slowly turned. The carefully, lovingly made cake that Len worked so hard on, the pleasant, cozy, romantic atmosphere and, most importantly, the honest regret in Len's eyes: a deep, mournful feeling that wasn't just an act because that's what he thought he 'should' do. How could she have doubted him!
"I-m so—." Rin's needless apology was cut off as his lips gently covered hers, tasting strongly of banana was the faintest hint of something spicy and cinnamon-y. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, intending to pull him closer before he pulled away.
"I have one more surprise for you." Rin was captured by his eyes and her heart sped up. Something small and cool was slipped onto her pale, slender finger as she glanced down.
Her large, dark blue eyes widened at the sight of the simple, yet elegant silver ring.
"I know we're a little young but…" The unspoken promise hung in the air as their mouths hovered close, lips tingling as if yearning for each other before finally meeting in a deep, passionate kiss.