#kyolie

The first of Ashlie’s presents to Kyoya was something very typical of Ashlie– something utterly ridiculous that reminded her of him. It was accompanied by a short handwritten note saying, “I know this always makes you laugh, a sound that’s slowly becoming one of my favorites… I love seeing those more candid sides of you, and this gift is a celebration of that. Joyeux Nöel, mon amour. :)”

The next was tiny box containing something more personal that she wanted to give him for quite some time, but never really managed to do until today…

I was supposed to give you earlier, but I’ve already failed twice– on our anniversary and on your birthday. I’m not sure why… maybe because part of me is still reluctant to give it up. But I actually really want you to have it (and I have a feeling he would too), so I figured I should just write a note to go with it since I am more articulate that way anyway…

Inside the tiny box was pocket watch, aged but otherwise well taken care of. Engraved on its edges were the words ‘I shall never know at what hour my heart is to be ready to greet you,’ from Ashlie’s favorite book as a child– The Little Prince.

This was my grandfather’s… He left this for me as a reminder that one day, my heart will be ready to greet and welcome the love and happiness he knew I deserved. He trusted in me and knew that like time, I’ll keep moving forward and that one day I’ll start to see myself in a different light. Surely enough, just when I was starting to lose faith in his words, an overhaul started in my heart February last year.

This little thing got me through a lot of tough times because I trusted his words so much, and repeated them in my head to beat those other voices… Naturally, I was scared to give away because I thought that with it gone, I might forget time and again that I’m worth being loved or being happy like he said… But I don’t think I need that reminder anymore, since happiness has become so effortless since you came along. So long as I have you beside me, I won’t forget anymore that it’s okay for me to be unapologetically happy. Thank you for that… :) I’m sure he’d want you to have this had you guys gotten the opportunity to meet. (Oh, and I’m sorry that this got rather sappy. Now you see why I chose to write a note instead of telling you all of this in person.)

Also in his gift pile was some French wine from her parents (particularly her dad’s favorite wine, she noticed), a pair of dress shoes and a rather embarrassing matching shirt to the one she gave Ashlie, plus some more things from Ashlie– a digital frame she filled up with their photos together, an Iron Man flash drive (for my favorite genius, billionaire, playboy (?), philanthropist. ;) ), and a pair of well-fitting jeans that she had bought for him before and knew he’d look good in.

Of course, there was also her little update about the current status of her application to Harvard Medical School and her current thoughts on her impending decision… but as excited as she was, that one can wait.

After having paused for a brief moment after Ashlie had opened her gifts, Kyoya scooted back to his seat and the gifts that had been piled in front of him.  Coughing to clear his throat, he lifted the one on the top into his lap, sliding his fingers gently along the seams and working off the tap so that none of the wrapping ripped.

"Ha!"  One guttural laugh rumbled in his throat and made his way through his lips as he looked down at the custom made pajama set.  Yes, it made sense that something this queer yet functional was among the set of gifts Ashlie had given him, but he found it satisfying that she was playing into the joke from one of his favorite television shows.  The two had been watching it together, and while the gift was not only highly amusing, he found it to be an added validation that she shared one of his more irrational interests.

"Thank you, dearest.  It would not be a gifting holiday if I did not get something absolutely inconsequential,"  The right corner of his lips lit slightly into a self-satisfied smirk, lifting his hand to press his glasses up with his pointer finger, "But this is one of my favorite moments.  I suppose I have something else to wear when I am in your presence.  Perhaps they are just perfect for mornings you request pancakes."

Letting out a small, huffed chortle at his lame attempt at a joke, he placed the folded pajama set down, picking up a smaller package from the top and extracting the gift from the wrapping in the same careful way he had before.

"Ashlie..."  Kyoya's voice was barely a whisper, clearly stunned by the gift.  The explanation made a lot of sense, and as he turned the pocket watch over in his hand, studying it intently with open eyes, his smile grew soft.  Looking up, he reached forward to lay a hand on Ashlie's cheek, looking once back at the card before looking back up to her, "Rationally speaking, as long as you have me, and I have this, this pocketwatch is not gone at all.  Neither is what it stands for."

That is a simple question.  Perhaps it is the way her laugh mimics the tinkle of bells.  Perhaps the intellectual depth she possesses that gives our conversation intrigue and intensity.  Perhaps her ability to challenge my thoughts with deft wit and precise logic.  Or perhaps the fact that she is the only individual—and yes, I say only—who can make fun of me and get away with it and, in many instances, retrieve the same type of banter back. 

Maybe the fact that, when I hold her, she fits perfectly in the space between my arms.  Or that she gives me a strength no one else can…yet allows my weakness to seep through without compromising my pride, arrogance, or rationality.  Perhaps it is because she is passionate, talented, complex, and beautiful.  Or that she is painstakingly frustrating and still, after over a year of being together, can push my buttons even faster and with more precision than even Tamaki.

That she is as vast as the night sky she so loves, mixed with both blinding brightness and hidden darkness—both of which consume me like nothing else in the universe I call my life.

Perhaps—and perhaps this is the only reason that is needed or should ever be needed—it is because I am in love with her.  Genuinely and deeply.  Irrationally so.  Without reason or logic.  I am so damnably in love with her.

What I miss, dear anonymous, is looking around and not being in her presence, for no one else has captivated me or drawn my attention like she has, and no one ever will.  This fact is what makes this question obsolete and moot, for there have been many women who have fancied me.  Many women who have attempted to gain my affections by appealing to my family name and business.  By presenting me with frivolous gifts, deeds, and words, affecting upon themselves perfected and false charms that they believe will ensnare me. I tired of being surrounded by a show.  By people believing they know what is best for me.  By people thinking they understand me simply because I am an Ootori.

Only one woman has presented me with her reality.  Only one woman has walked to my front door and sought to meet me as a typical adult male without tie to wealth or prestige.  Only one woman has dove into my depths this far, doing so with care and softness rather than blunt candor and veiled insult.  Only one has looked within and not retracted in fear or apprehension.  Only one has fallen for me without any restraint or restriction or expectation.  Only one who dared tell me she loved me.  Genuinely and deeply.  Irrationally so.  Without reason or logic.

For every ✿ sent, my muse will say something that makes them happy

I would tend to agree that it is rather unsettling.  The fact I knew about your limited internet access added to my thinking it was you.  Sending it on anonymous not only to be unnecessarily playful but also because you were not on your computer and took internet where you could find it.  Perhaps it was Tamaki?  Or even Fuyumi.  Now that I know it is not you, it could be a number of individuals.

14. Can you drive a stick shift?

No, I cannot.  I can only drive an automatic; though, I have read up on them, and while it is harder than driving an automatic, I doubt it would be all that difficult to learn.

27. Who was the last person you talked to before you went to bed last night?

Last evening would technically have been my brother Akito.  I was on the phone with Ashlie when I got into bed as is our usual routine, but Akito called me just as I was falling asleep.  You can imagine that I was quite irritated.

30. Does anyone hate you?

100. Who’s in your profile picture with you?

My profile pictures for the websites I am part of only include my own picture unless you are talking about the sidebar photograph I am using for this website.  That individual would be my girlfriend, and I believe that was taken at a masquerade that she attended with me while I was on business.

101. Ever kissed under fireworks?

I have done so several times, yes.

102. Has anybody ever given you butterflies?

10. Do you think your life will change dramatically before 2013?

I assume that this question is asking about 2015 as that is the year after this current one.  At any rate, considering there is not much longer until the beginning of a new year, I highly doubt that anything with change all that dramatically.  Of course, there is always the possibility of something dramatic happening in the small time that is left this year even if the probability is slim.

12. Have you ever kissed someone whose name begins with the letter ‘A’?

This seems like a tremendous waste of a question.

16. Are you going out of town soon?

Yes.  I know I will be spending parts of my Winter break in Japan, New York, and Hungary.  I also may be spending some of it in France as well should I have the time.

23. Are you dating the last person you talked to?

I am, yes.

34. If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be?

25. What would you say if the person you love/like kissed another girl/boy?

I believe the first thing I say is to ask why.  Ashlie is a rational person, and were something like this to occur, she and I would be able to discuss it like civil adults.  Of course, I know with complete certainty that this is not an event that would likely transpire.

35. Do you ever write in pencil anymore?

This is an odd question, but now that I think about it, I do not write in pencil.  I do not even see a pencil on my desk.  Most of the work I do is on the computer, and my formal documentation is edited and signed in pen.  There is no need for me to really use pencil.

46. Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night?

I have already answered a few of these, so I will be skipping them as to not be repetitive.

Nova: When were you happiest?

This is not particular specific.  Are you asking for a specific moment or just a generalized time in my life?  Ultimately, either way, I cannot really logically answer this question as, for me, one happiness tends to compound upon the other.  There is a direct correlation between them, and to choose one would be to betray the impact the others had on creating said chosen event.

Equinox: What makes you calm?

Calmly sitting on the couch with my dearest either talking or partaking in some form of entertainment.

Bolide: What makes you want to give up?

I have not reached a point where my ambition has been cheapened so much as to make me feel such an emotion.

Black Hole: Has there ever been a point where you thought nothing would get better?

There was a brief moment in middle school where I was very much resigned to my lot in life and believed that nothing I could do would gain me the recognition I craved.  Of course, a certain moronic individual was very important in changing that viewpoint, and in fact, that change was what set my life on the trajectory that brought me to my current happiness.  In that sense, perhaps my answer to the Nova question could be conjoined with this one as that single moment was the change that created my current satisfaction with my life.

Sun Spots: What makes you feel bad about yourself?

Failure.

Zenith: What makes you feel good about yourself?