#sbsecretsanta

Her throat felt so dry. She lifted her face out of the pillows enough to eye the little kitchenette on one side of the hotel room. Even the thought of swallowing water made her throat hurt, but that was all she had – the mini-fridge had nothing in it. Not even a teabag.

She rolled over onto her back, blinking blearily as she tried to build up the strength to sit. She’d have to go to the store. She hadn’t wanted any of the cast or crew to worry, so she’d put on such a good ‘totally fine’ act that it hadn’t been till she got back to the room that she’d remembered she needed to buy medicine, at least.

But it had been her fault, and there was no way she would ever let her own irresponsibility affect work. She’d been so excited during the flight, arriving in New York for the first time in her life, and then she’d dived right into filming her new role – the young protégé of a time-travelling detective. She’d paid no attention to the warning signs until it was too late. Now she had a full blown cold.

To herself, she could admit a little pride at how well she’d hidden it from everyone. But now she felt as though the wintery cold of outside had settled deep in her bones, and she couldn’t seem to stop shivering.

With an exhausted sigh, she decided to try and warm up a little before heading out. Stretching out an arm, she grabbed a handful of blanket and rolled herself into a burrito.

She had two days before she had to be back on set, and then only one more day before they all moved on to the next location in Texas, where they’d shoot the rest of the film, including the most important scenes for her character, who was on a secret mission to get revenge on the time-travelling cowboy that had murdered her parents.

Maria and the President would be meeting her there, and though she’d managed to fool them on the phone - she was mostly sure - in person was always a lot harder. Hopefully she’d be all better by then.

A cough caught her off guard, sending paint through her entire body. She curled herself tightly into the blanket as she imagined Kanae patting her head, telling her she’d be all better soon enough. Tiredness lowered her self-control, and she found her mind imagining the larger hands of another, altogether different person.  

She told herself she needed to get up, buy medicine, make herself something to eat.

And instead, she slept.

   When she woke, she was still dreaming of a hand stroking her forehead. Or at least she thought she must still be dreaming. It felt remarkably real.

Her eyes opened, and she squinted, trying to see past bright spotlight of the bedside lamp. A deep voice murmured an apology, and the light switched off.

The face over hers was beyond familiar, framed by hair that seemed pale in the now dim room, but might not have been. And yet – it couldn’t be Ren. “Corn?”

“Miss Mogami.”

It was Ren. Kyoko’s eyes widened. “Ren? How are you here?”

“You think I’m less likely than a fairy prince?”

Kyoko hesitated, unsure at the odd note in Ren’s voice.  

With a shake of his head, Ren smiled and laid his cool hand along the side of her face. “It’s fine. Sleep.”

Without thought, Kyoko leaned her cheek into the broad palm, her eyes already closing. She was so very tired that she barely had time to decide that this truly must all be her imagination before she slipped firmly back into sleep.  

   As Kyoko’s breath evened out, Ren, very much not a figment of Kyoko’s imagination, wondered for possibly the millionth time what exactly she thought of him. She’d seen him with blond hair enough times now that he’d thought she wouldn’t confuse him with Corn anymore – but evidently he’d been wrong.

And evidently, also, she thought the fairy prince was more likely to appear in her hotel room.  

Still, this was ok. He’d spent most of the flight and the drive to the hotel wondering how he’d explain to Kyoko why he’d decided to visit her – he’d had a job in LA, but he knew she knew enough geography to figure out that wasn’t exactly next door to New York City.

And then he’d gotten the call from Maria as he’d stepped into the lobby, and he’d been too distracted to worry about excuses anymore. And since the President was now involved he had no problem getting into her room – the hotel had let him in.  

He’d found a curled up Kyoko, and he’d jumped into action.

Or at least he’d wanted to. He had not the slightest clue what to do – he’d only ever had one cold, and he hadn’t realized how expertly he’d been taken care of until he stood staring down at a shivering Kyoko with no idea how to help her.

He’d taken off her coat, gotten her under the covers. He hadn’t touched her clothes, though she looked uncomfortable - as few barriers as Setsu had had when it came to walking in on Cain, Ren had been very careful to keep well away from any accidental glimpses the other way around, and he wasn’t planning on changing that anytime soon.  

A light tap at the door had Ren gliding smoothly across the room, opening it to find the flustered hotel receptionist who’d helped him in earlier.

“Um. Mr- uh. Sir.” The young woman’s freckled cheeks were almost as red as her hair, and Ren had to wonder what exactly the President had said on the phone to get the staff to let him into Kyoko’s room.

“Here-” She held out two bulging plastic bags, seeming relieved as he took them from her. “We got everything we could think of, I hope it’s ok.”

Ren smiled, and the girl’s flush grew, but she managed to flash him a shy smile. “The manager said I could go get whatever, if you need more stuff.”

“Thank you, I’ll let you know.”

As he shut the door, Ren peered doubtfully into the bags.  

There was medicine, several kinds. He’d have to look up which ones were best on his phone. He saw oranges – those were easy – as was the milk, although he had a sneaking suspicion he was supposed to do more with that than just pour it into a glass. The baffling boxes and cans he’d leave alone, for now, although he recognized the label on one soup can that he’d battled with before, so maybe this wouldn’t be as hard as he thought.

But the ice pack he definitely knew what to do with. Or at least he thought he did, until he unpacked it and found it wasn’t cold at all. He stuck it in the freezer, and grabbed a small towel and wet it in the sink.

He was pretty sure he’d seen people use wet towels for fevers in at least one script.

As he placed it on Kyoko’s forehead, he was relieved to see she instantly seemed more comfortable, some of the tenseness in her frame easing.

Blowing out a long breath, Ren stood up straight. With determination in his eyes he turned back to face the bags he’d dropped on the counter.

He was going to make her a meal.

   It was hard, and it took several attempts, but in the end Ren had a passable collection of things that he was pretty sure would be edible.

It took him a minute to wake Kyoko, but as she blinked up at him he was relieved to see a little more clarity in her eyes.

“Ren?”

He couldn’t help his smile. “Yes. We went over this already.”

“That actually happened?”

“Right.”

“Oh.” Her eyelashes fluttered against too-pale cheeks, and Ren realized she wasn’t entirely awake.

“I made you food.”

It took her a second, but her eyes snapped open, and alarm was clear in her voice. “You made food?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Mostly from a can.”

As he helped her sit up against the pillows and set the tray he’d carefully prepared across her lap, he tried not to be too obvious as he watched her reaction.

Her face was expressionless as she stared down at the bowl of soup, the peeled and diced orange, and the mug of tea he’d managed to put together.

“You made food.” Her voice was blank, and for a moment Ren wondered if she was genuinely upset. The moment evaporated as she turned her face up to his, and he saw the shining wonder in her eyes. “You made food for me.”

His breath caught in his throat, and Ren clamped down on his self-control. He watched her hand as it picked up the spoon. The soup spilled a little as she lifted it to her mouth, but she managed to get most of it.

“It’s good.”

Ren debated telling her about the failed bowl of soup currently sitting by the sink – he hadn’t realized you didn’t always have to add an extra can of water, but decided to leave it for the moment. In any case, she wasn’t able to eat more than a few spoonfuls and a piece of the orange, but as he pulled the tray away he was happy to see her cheeks seemed slightly less pale.

   Over the next few hours they followed the same pattern. She would sleep, and he’d warm up small amounts of soup for her to eat every time she woke. Eventually, she was able to change her own clothes – it had become a necessity as they’d become damp and uncomfortable from sweat – and Ren started to think they were on the way out.

It was about five in the morning when her restless movements woke him again. Sitting up in the chair he’d fallen asleep in – it had been moderately comfortable at first, now it wasn’t remotely – Ren glanced over at Kyoko.

Instantly alarmed, he jumped up and moved quickly to her side. She was flushed, remarkably so, and shivering badly. When he moved the warm ice pack away and put his hand on her forehead he found it bone dry.    

He grabbed his phone, ready to call the President and get him to send an actual doctor, when he felt Kyoko grip his wrist.

“So cold.” A fresh shiver took them both by surprise. Her eyes seemed to be asking for something as she stared up at him.

Ren hovered next to her. She was clinging to his hand, and tightly holding onto the blanket around her. She looked as though she wanted any more warmth she could get.

Not giving himself time to change his mind, Ren leaned over and scooped her up, blanket and all. He carried her over to the uncomfortable chair and sat, with her in his arms and the blanket draped over them both, trapping as much heat as he could.

She burrowed into him instantly, tucking her head against his chest. It was hot under the blanket, but he felt the shivers still wracking her body. Ren decided that if they hadn’t eased within fifteen minutes he’d call a doctor himself.

As they sat, he watched the city light outside, bright even against the pre-dawn sky. Despite his worry, he felt at peace, and was amused at himself for it.

He really was so far gone.

After a long while, Kyoko’s shivers eased, and he felt her settle more naturally against him. He thought she’d fallen asleep until she spoke.

“Why did you come, Ren?”

He wasn’t prepared for the question, and instead of the words he’d carefully prepared he found himself on the verge of saying something far too true. Stopping himself just in time, he scrambled to come up with something, anything to say.

“I was returning the favor.”

“What favor?”

“You took care of me when I had a cold, after all.”

She pulled her head away, her expression suspicious, if a bit bleary, as she stared up at him. “I don’t like that.”

Ren blinked. He knew his excuse wouldn’t hold up to much of any logic, but he hadn’t expected that response. “Why not?”

She frowned. “I don’t know. But I don’t.” She dropped her head to rest it against his chest again.

For some reason, Ren felt the old, familiar, and traitorous feeling of hope welling up. He knew better, but couldn’t stop it entirely. He lifted a hand, wiped damp hair away from her forehead. Maybe it was the relief of finding out she was sweating again, or maybe it was the irrepressible hope, but he let himself say something of the truth.

“I wanted to see you.”

She went stiff for a long, painful moment, and then with a big sigh, relaxed against him again. A finger poked at his chest. “You shouldn’t say stuff like that to just anyone. You should only say things like that to that one girl.”

“That one girl?”

“That girl. The one you love.”

“Who says I have a girl I love.” Ren spoke carefully, his mind flashing to the President, or Yashiro.

“You did! You told Bo.”

“Bo?”

“Bo!”

Completely baffled, and more than a little worried, Ren pulled Kyoko’s head away enough that he could see her face. “Who is Bo?”

Her eyes went wide in shock, and her jaw dropped open “You don’t remember Bo?”

Ren slowly shook his head.

“Hmph. After he helped you with Katsuki and everything.” She nestled her head back against his chest, and a moment later Ren felt her body go lax against him, and her breathing even out. Amazingly, she’d fallen asleep.

He sat, thinking. There were only two people he could think of that he’d ever talked to about his feelings, and while the President was unpredictable, he couldn’t see any way for him to have earned the nickname of ‘Bo’. Yashiro, of course, would never have said anything to Kyoko.

And then Ren had a flash of memory. Of feathers, and a plump, white, talking chicken.

Carefully, he pulled out his phone. A quick search netted him photos of Bo, the chicken from Bridge Rock, and message board after message board of people trying to work out who the actor behind Bo was.

There were whole strings of theories. Apparently the ‘real’ Bo never appeared at live events with Bridge Rock, only on the regular show, and sometimes he was even replaced there, but you could always tell because the real Bo looked like a giant chicken, and the fake Bo looked like an actor wearing a giant chicken suit.  

The mystery seemed to be growing with each episode, and the cast and crew of Bridge Rock seemed to want to protect the real Bo’s actor. None of the guests on the show had ever seen the actor behind the suit. One person had posted a blurry picture of someone with chestnut hair carrying a chicken head, but that was considered pretty inconclusive.

The only other person who seemed to know who Bo was was Sho Fuwa, who got very angry every time they were asked about it.

Ren had been amused, right up until that last fact.

Setting his phone down carefully, he looked down at the girl in his arms. She was baffled him, and was always unpredictable. When she woke, he’d have to poke a little and see if there were any other secret roles she’d been hiding. He’d have to see if he could extend his visit. He wondered if there were any other secret roles she hadn’t told him about.

The feel in his heart

The passion and butterflies

The laughs at her side

Oh-ohh

The magic behind

The difference

The importance

Of it

Of love

Of Her

...

She made him be himself again

Made him learned how to be happy again

...

The warm and tenderness in their hearts

Oh-ohh

...

She's the moon lightning away all the darkness

In his heart-in his eyes

He's the sun blinding her

Making everything bright around her

...

He was there to shove away worries

To swept away the drops escaping from her eyes

Tears From too much solitude

Too much hardship

Too much cruelty

...

She never let go of his hand

Always stayed by his side when he was fighting his demons

Always been covering his back

Alighting from another light

His darkest memories

Turning upside everything and anything

In the most crazy way

Troubling him to no end

And making everything right again

...

As some sort of magic's spell

Healing every person-every spot

-every hearts she touched

...

They were the destiny of the other

The other half they searched eternally

Each unreplaceable and unique

But incomplete if alone

...

If without you...

...

All this time not seeing the truth

Not seeing the love

...

Silently healing each other

Hiding their feelings

Longing for the other

...

From these two wounded souls

Life was bring back in their eyes

By the only power

By the true touch

...

Of her of him

...

But now the blindfolds have fallen

...

And they never have been so sure of anything

Never have been as strong as when they are together

...

Like the mystery of destiny

All their dreams are coming true

For me and for you

...

Now that we're together

I never been so sure of anything

...

She showed him how to be happy

He learned to her how to love again

They learned to forgive themselves at each other side

He learned to be himself

She learned how to love herself

They learned how to truly be loved by someone

...

Met a long time ago

They become the force of each other

The hand to never let go

The eternal love they vowed to each other

is

What make them act

What give them a bit of sweetness

...

It was their fate their destiny

...

And now that they are free

They can finally reach to the other

...

That's why

...

On a unknown balcony

their glazes meet

and as smooth little flakes of snow slowly start to fall

on this Christmas' eve night

They move without even questioning it

...

Strong arms tenderly captured a feminine form in its frame

Thinner ones hang on high at the smooth turtle-neck cloth at the back of the long masculine form

Two names murmured at the ultimate second

-Ren...

-Kyoko...

And their lips meet

with softness

With passion

With abandon and surrender

With taste of absolue and eternity

With love

...

It must have been the mistletoe

Or was it the last trick of fate

...

They were the person the other was destined to meet after all

Magic of all sorts are always involved in these cases

Fate’s magic-fate’s tricks  on fanfiction.net.

One step closer-Troubles’ magic  also on fanfiction.net.

If the links don’t work, just aware me or message me and i will check it.

Lot of kisses for everyone.

It was going so well, it was almost midnight and most of the guests were dancing merrily amongst themselves while others were thanked or greeted warmly. Ren had just reached Kyoko at the food table when they heard a high pitched wail somewhere close to the live reindeer. The president brought his pet snake against many protests, but the man had knitted the thing a sweater, dammit, it was going to happen. The snake, Sir Cornelius Slitherton, was supposed to remain around the president's neck, and he did so for most of the night, thoroughly terrifying the guests. Apparently, that plan didn't work because one shriek turned into a collective scream and scramble of feet.

Ren and Kyoko looked on in complete horror as Sir Slitherton made his way to the deer attached to a red sleigh. The animals bucked against their restraints and took off, fake Santa and several small children in tow. They broke free from their golden ties and ran into the crowd, who was also running. Spooked deer are not a force to be reckoned with. Santa was relieved that the sleigh stopped moving but the kids were mortified, not from the movement or the snake, but the fake antlers slipping from the “reindeer’s” ears. Meanwhile, the president could be spotted running after the snake, crouched down and singing something in Arabic.

Some of the staff were able to put themselves together enough to direct the flailing crowd to the doors, effectively turning mass running in random directions to mass running in a singular direction. The deer bolted out the doors along with the spooked guests. Just as the president caught the reptile, triumphantly at that, the guests had all cleared out, leaving nothing but turned over tables, discarded food, confetti, some deer excretions, and a flabbergasted Kyoko and Ren. The two actors remained glued to their spot, having been a ways away from the action. Kyoko is the first one to move, walking forward to pick up some trash. Ren moves next, taking the trash from her hands. He looks sternly at her and says, "It's your birthday Mogami-san, there are others to clean up.”

Kyoko points at the clock, the minute hand not quite at the ten.

"It's not my birthday yet," she says and proceeds to bend down for some trampled napkins.

He sighs and says in resignation, "Fine, but the second the clock strikes twelve, I'm taking you home."

She nods and returns to work. The Daruma couple were planning on coming later, stating that they're old and can't handle that much wild. It's a good thing they didn't come earlier, she thinks.

Ren's beside her silently working as well. In the background they hear Sebastian with a crate trying to take Sir Slitherton away from the president. The president argues that  "Noodles” didn't do anything wrong, and that “he was just curious!”

The two actors chuckle to themselves eavesdropping on the heated debate. Maria comes up soon and joins Sebastian in the great snake debacle, being the voice of the team and yelling passionately.

The two had hardly made a dent in the mess when a large chime vibrates through the ballroom, with balloons dropping from the ceiling. Ren looks to Kyoko and she takes that as her cue to get up. They wade through the sea of balloons until they reach the president who muses over how he “forgot about that.”

Needless to say, the president was also shocked to see that Kyoko and Ren were still there.

He hands ‘Noodles’ over to Sebastian quickly and gives Kyoko a tight hug. It's warm and fatherly, something she dreamt about, but never thought she'd have. When he pulls away, he's quick to apologize.

"Oh, Kyoko dear, I'm so sorry I ruined your party. You're eighteen, an adult now! What a horrible way to start it off. It should be filled with love and joy."

Despite the recent events, she looks up with a genuine smile. It warms his heart.

"Don't worry, it still is full of love. You're still here, aren't you?" She thinks he tears up a bit, but can't really tell when Maria slams into her, full throttle, with a hug.

"You've got me too, big sis!", she yells excitedly. With tears welling up, Kyoko looks down fondly at the girl.

"Yeah, I do."

Ren stands in the background, knowing now what he's grateful for.

~

Eventually the party parts, saying their goodbyes and one promise for another party to make up for "this disaster.” She laughs and waves the president off, claiming that one is enough to last a year.

Ren presents an arm to her, suggesting that he wants her to take hold of it. His face is insisting enough and the president is no doubt watching intently, so she takes hold with only a blush in protest. The two walk like that to the door, Ren leaning down only slightly so Kyoko wouldn't have to walk on her toes. When they're close enough to the door to see out of it, Kyoko's eyes go wide and she takes off towards it, leaving Ren in the dust. She makes it there in record time considering the heels she's wearing and aggressively pushes on the glass to open it. She steps outside in wonder, looking animatedly and the glistening flakes floating down. She takes one step, and then two more, and looks back for Ren, grin splitting her face in two. It’s the most beautiful thing he thinks he's ever seen.

"Did you know it was supposed to snow?!"

Her joys resembles her as a child. The comparison makes him smile.

"I drove here in it," he responds. This grabs her attention.

"You did what?" She's upset now.

"I drove here in the snow," he says defiantly, "And we're driving home"

"No, we're not! It's too dangerous!"

She's probably right and he knows it, there's at least two inches on the ground, but he's stubborn and overconfident and obnoxious. So he continues, "Yes we are. It's too far."

"Not if we cut through the park."

"It's too cold."

"We've got coats."

"Your shoes?" He's smug, he's' sure he's got her on this one.

He's disappointed when he sees her digs through her bag and present another, more comfortable pair. He gives in with a sigh once again that night.

"Fine, you win."

He kneels down to the ground, one hand extending to her foot.

"Let me help with those shoes."

She triumphantly raises her foot off the ground and hands him her second pair. He slides them off and Kyoko is too proud to be embarrassed by this. He sees her temporary distraction as an opportunity and scoops up some snow and tosses it at her. It hits her right on the arm of her coat, no damage done, but she looks scandalized. He smirks right at her before running out towards the street.

"What are you going to do about it, Mogami?" He shouts, far out from her but still in firing range.

She immediately bends down and grabs some snow and starts running, packing it into a tight snowball on her way to him.

"You're petty!" She shouts back as she throws it at him.  It hits him square in the back and he lurches forward from the force. He goes down for more only to be greeted with more snow at the back of his head. He turns around and she right behind him with about five more snow balls in her arms. He sees his defeat so he breaks out into a sprint down the sidewalk.

He may have long legs that give him speed, but Kyoko's got aim. He's hit from behind almost every two seconds, which would usually be unpleasant, but he can feel her smile every time he yelps out, over exaggeratedly. He deems the cold worth it.

He's losing bad, if he's counting correctly it's 21-1, but he's trying his best. Every now and then he tries to get handfuls of snow while he's running, but fails to get the haphazard balls within five feet of her. Then he spots a little pile of snow ahead of him, and he gets this devious idea. He runs harder towards it and with both arms, engulfs the whole pile. He turns around and she's mildly panicked, although still up for a fight. The two are still, glaring at each other in a frozen standoff. Kyoko's moves first, hurling one of her snowballs in stock. It hits Ren in the shoulder, but it doesn't deter him from his task. He runs awkwardly towards Kyoko with a heap of snow in his arms. Kyoko tries to stop him with a few more feeble snowballs, but he plows on unaffected. She realizes her impending icy doom when he nears and she tries to run around him. He leans over and tries to throw the pile at her in passing. The snow is heavy, though, and it throws his balance off completely, causing him to drop to the ground.

When Kyoko turns to look at him, he's face down in the snow. The sight gets her and she can't help but to full out laugh. His face may be cold and wet, and he may have lost, but her voice is melodic and her gasps for air are cute. He looks up and he feels blessed.  Her dress is moving rhythmically with her laughter and her face is flushed red and her smile, her smile is going to kill him tonight.

Then her laughter dies down and it's her turn to be enamored. He's on his elbows now, gazing up at her with a sheepish smile, his cheeks are rosy while his hair is dripping a combination of water and packs of snow. He's adorable like this and she wants to remember this image forever. She holds out her hand as a peace offering, "Truce?".

He takes it firmly, needing all the help possible to drag him off the sidewalk and replies with a solid truce in return.

The two stand side by side, falling into step with one another. The snow is finer now, looking more like sparkly dust raining down. It's peaceful, the white noise of snow softly hitting other snow. Somehow, the snow isolates both actors from the world. The city is changed under its white blanket. It's quiet and calm. The only distinguishing sound is the soft crunch of two pairs of feet in the snow. It comforts Kyoko, reminding her that she will never be alone on her birthday ever again. A light smile tugs at the corners of her lips and when she peers over, she sees that he too is content.

The park entrance is ahead of them, tall trees standing out amongst the skyscrapers. They don't say anything as they approach it, continuing to listen to their soft breaths, slow and steady. They turn in sync when the time comes and admire a different scenery. The trees are frosted and the snow is untouched. Ren spots a bench and suggests they sit down for a break.

There's a bench nearby, overlooking the park. Ren takes the lead to brush the powder off the seat. Kyoko plops down, feet tired from long use. It's a relief to say the least, and Ren seems to be having similar thoughts. They look out at the landscape, not focusing on anything in particular, just absorbing their surroundings.

"I got you a gift, you know,” he says, still watching the snow fall. "It's still in my car, I was planning on giving it to you after the party.”

"You didn’t have to do that," she protests. She thinks back to all the presents he's gotten her, all expensive, all meaningful. She doesn't consider her gifts to him as good as hers, regardless of how he actually feels.

He turns to her, face only about a half a foot away from hers. His voice smooth as the snow on the ground, he tells her, "I wanted to, you deserve it."

He holds her gaze for a few more seconds before returning it to the terrain. She still looks at him though, his face focused and introspective. She watches him as he muses, "I'll have to give it to you some other time, now.”

They both know that may not be for sometime now. She's busy with her Momiji role and he's just plain booked. She looks out once more.

"I wish I had taken the role for 'A Lotus in the Mud", he says to the wind. He misses her. Misses her acting, her ideas, her excitement, just her.

She's taken aback by his statement. "Why?” She questions. “I thought you had other jobs."

He picks the answer he thinks she'll appreciate the most.

"I miss getting to watch you act," he answers truthfully.

"Me?" She asks. "There are much more talented actors than me on set, though."

He gazes at her again. "I doubt it Mogami-san." He's a little saddened by her low self esteem.

"You’re the best out of all of us."

"T-that surely can't be true!" She stammers out, "What about you or Moko-san or-"

"I mean it," He cuts her off, he notices a stray flake fall unto her lashes and he has to hold himself back from brushing it off.

"You're smart and impassioned, your acting is always a surprise and a joy to watch. You have the most heart in all of acting.”

Her mouth opens and shuts like a fish out of water. There are so many ways to respond to this, she doesn't know which one to pick. Maybe gratitude is the best option. It would fit with the theme of the Grateful Party, right? And he's been so kind, and he's taught her so much, and he's just been there for her over the past year and-

She doesn't get to say anything because he's already standing up, extending his hand as an offering to pull her up. She's dodged a bullet, she knows, but she still feels guilty for not responding. Now that she thinks about it, she didn't thank him at the party. The snake beat her to it. His hand is still in front of her, though, so she's dragged away from the thought as she herself is dragged up.

The Daruma isn't far from here, maybe a five minute walk. Physically it's as quiet as before, but mentally there's as much commotion as the party. She's got to think of a way to thank him, and all those things he said, did he mean it? Why? How? There's not that much special about her right? She's just a plain girl right? But he didn't make it seem like that.

The Daruma is too close for her to come up with neither solutions nor conclusions. When they're at the door, Ren is ready to exchange goodbyes.

"I guess this is it, then," he says, waving to the door.

She doesn't know what she was expecting, but this did not cross her mind.

"No,” she says, “come inside and get warmed up at least. Your apartment is 5 miles from here."

He doesn't really feel like protesting, he hasn't won one fight tonight and he can't feel his toes at all. Dress socks can only do so much. He accepts and walk in behind her.

The couple is there to greet them. They heard about the party, the snow, and Ren was supposed to take her home anyways, and they worry like parents. So when they see them walk in they immediately perk up and rush to Kyoko. There's a long stream of "Happy birthday" and "What does it feel like to be an adult?" and of course there are gifts. They get her a long, beautiful dress, to which they add, "for your debut!” It's enough to make her cry. Once again, Ren is in the background, just content to watch.

It dies down after Kyoko gives them a hug and thanks them. The couple takes notice to Ren standing a good few feet from the scene. They head over to him and thank him for bringing Kyoko home safely. He's says that she's always welcome and prepares to brace the cold again. But it doesn't happen. The couple offers him the spare room. It's less of an offering and more of an insistence, with the threat of rejection being held against him. He decides he likes these two.

The couple offers to set the room up and hands them some hot chocolate. Ren learns that Kyoko likes hers with tiny marshmallows while she learns that he puts a candy cane in his. Both finds the other's style adorable. There's still some sparkle left in her eyes from her dress and she can't help but think about how lucky she's been over the past few years. Ren has the same idea, only he voices it out loud.

"You've got a lot of people who love you."

Her voice is the softest he thinks he's ever heard when she responds with a simple, "I know."

The hot chocolate runs out sooner than initially anticipated, their cheeks are still touched by the cold when they hit the bottoms of their mugs. Their time together is almost over. Kyoko puts the cups in the sink and leads him up the stairs where the rooms are.

It hits her that their night is coming to an end during their assent, Kyoko stalls on the final step up. She turns, finally face to face with Ren as he too stops, and leans in to kiss his frosty left cheek. Her lips were as chilly as the surface of his skin, but neither seemed to notice. Instead, an intense warmth shakes them to their core. She's wearing a blush, she knows that warmth, that she thinks the rosy color from the cold is hiding. She disregards the other warmth, hoping he will too. His lips are slightly parted, gasp forgotten halfway through when her lips leave his face. She doesn't look up at him just yet, unsure which reaction she fears most.

"I-I didn't get the chance to thank you." He remains silent, and she's still not ready to see him. Her eyes remain on her hands.

"You've done so much for me, guiding and supporting me, an-and I don't think I've ever properly thanked you for that."

He's still quiet, which is a third option she hadn’t considered. She's improvising now, deviating from her planned script, there's nothing left in it but the scene is still going. Her hand nervously reaches for Rosa, playing with its edges and searching for guidance. "It might not be much- I know it's not much but, I, I'll make it up to you one day when I can call myself Japan's actress and when we stand on equal ground." It's bold she knows, but she always has been bold. Maybe now she's bold enough to face him once more.

Her chin is the first to go up, with her eyes following shortly. They latch onto his eyes first, so full of something Kyoko can't quite place. Admiration, fondness, love. Those are the easy ones to describe - But there's something else too, a glimmer, that shines underneath.  Maybe it's determination, or a challenge, or maybe it's hope. She almost can't handle it.

Then she sees his hand, unhinging hers from its tether, and next she sees the curl of his lips on their way to meet what was retrieved.  Now she really can't handle it.

Her face burns more so than before, but this time there's no evidence of the winter weather to hide behind. She can't hide how this affects her. His lips are pressed to her hand, and it's too much, she thinks, yet she finds herself trying to suppress a smile. He's looking right at her eyes, ready for when she looks back at his. He's got a smile on her hand and she feels it in more ways than one. And like that she feels his gaze, waiting for hers. She finds herself complying. He holds everything for a short moment, and she thinks she finally gets him, all of him, parts of him that no one else does. His conflict, his pain, and his desire to resolve it.

Her chest swells with pride and honor and a familiar feeling. He made himself vulnerable to her, he trusts that she understood, and he trusts that it will stay with her. And most importantly, he's trusting her with him, something he doesn't trust even himself with.

He lowers her hand and says with her full attention, "I look forward to that."

His thumb draws long, sweeping circles on the top of her hand, and she knows he's not done. He's trying to be careful, he wants to make sure she's listening with every fiber of her being. She is.

"Although, I have a feeling that day is coming soon."

She knows what he wants, and deep down she knows that's what she wants too. It's overwhelming, and she just nods once in response, in idle agreement. She continues up the stairs and to her room, showing him his just next door before she enters hers. She lays down, staring up blankly at the ceiling, just feeling with no energy for denial.

And just like the gentle gust outside blows the snow, her heart guides a renewed concept back into her mind.  

I'm going to tell him soon.