14: Replay
Why not redo something for your own selfish reason when it could mean so much more?

It was light—apple, vanilla, and something uniquely her that he can't put a name on. Anna's scent has always been light and has always brought him comfort wherever and whatever the situation, so he breathes in more as he lifts his lids to welcome the early morning light. His consciousness alerts him to warmth seeping through cotton under his palm and easy moist air rhythmically blowing under his chin. This sight, this space, this feeling is one that he knows never to take for granted. A small smile forms on his face without effort and he lifts a free hand to slide his knuckles down the serene face in front of him. She looks tired—he knows she was wiped before they retired to bed the night before; she tires more easily nowadays. So as soon as they were left to their own devices, he let her change and wash up quickly, and she let him lead and tuck her to bed without a fight. He stayed by her side for a while until her breaths turned slow and even. When it did, he leaned down to kiss the barely-there curve in her abdomen over the covers then went north to press his lips to her forehead and lingered for a second or three, before going to ready himself to sleep as well. At that moment, there was nothing he wanted more than to slip in and gather Anna in his arms and dream a dreamless sleep. He supposed it was not how the night should've proceeded. After all, there's a certain societal expectation as to what happens on a wedding night, but the wellbeing of his wife comes first. Besides, their child was already growing inside of her, so he figures the point was moot.

He takes in another breath of her comforting essence and wonders how he got so lucky. Sure, his childhood wasn't easy and his crazy sibling may decide to end humanity in a few years, but he was able to reach this moment when everything seems right in the world with his wife within arm's reach and not beating him up for being sappy (until she wakes up, at least), and he just feels so happy and blessed and content. He gets that every time he looks at her.

He feels even luckier being to steal a few more minutes just like that before Anna started to stir awake. He gets to revel how beautiful Anna is without being hit or teased as she blinks to awareness. Yoh tests his luck further by smoothing his hand up and down the curves of her side, warming her up to full wake. He smiles at the lack of violent reaction and gets bold enough to inch closer and murmur a good morning in between her brows. It was definitely a great morning. He then rests his forehead against hers, noses touching, and they stayed like that for a few minutes with calm, even breaths. The stillness and quiet enveloped them, amplifying the sound of their heartbeats, and Yoh decided then and there that it was a bewitching lullaby that can get him asleep as fast as it can get him excited and high. In just a few moments, he's already drunk at the scent and touch of her and the sound of them.

"Anna," he whispers, breaths intermingling. He savors this moment, this feeling, and it gets too much to keep in and so he stops thinking.

"Marry me."

She moves back and out of his hold to look fully at the man-child with the idiotic grin looking expectantly at her. With a raised brow, she says his name. "Yoh."

"Hmm?"

"Did you hit your head yesterday? The ceremony finished less than 24 hours ago."

"Yeah, but that's…" He tries to find the right words and fails, so he finished his sentence the best he could.

"…for them."

Anna stares with a deadpan look and he sighs. Of course she's not going to make it that easy. Yoh then takes her hand, laces it with his, and moves to press them to the side of his face, taking in the warmth, her scent—light but so very potent, and the comfort until he relaxes his eyes shut and touches his lips softly to the back of her hand.

"I want to marry you because I want to."

He did not need to open his eyes nor ask for her answer when he feels a shift in their bodies as Anna presses close and his body responds naturally, as easy as breathing, to accommodate her closer and let her claim their second kiss as husband and wife.

Later that morning, as the family and guests that stayed overnight were abuzz with the search for the newly weds they were supposed to be celebrating at the Asakura estate, two people boarded a train to Aomori to head where it all started—at the hallowed ground of Mount Osore.

By the temple where they went that fateful new year, with the snow and mountain sprites (and Matamune, they wished) as their witness, they exchanged vows that only the two of them know. Just Anna and Yoh. They honored their past, cherished their present, and prayed for their future with the little one they will soon call Hana.

Hellos or goodbyes, she really did make him cry every time he saw her.

FIN
Review if you would. Constructive criticisms appreciated. Small appreciations expected.

Yes, Yoh was too sappy and yes, Anna initiated that kiss. But I think it works. I was so happy writing this one because I had to re-read the Osorezan Revoir arc to make it fit.

Posted: 042218 . 1705h

For those waiting for Sun Showers, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little longer. But no matter how slow I write my fics, this stays forever true: it's been 11 years since I started this series and 13 years since I joined FFN. It may take me months or years in between publishing fics, but I swear I will never ever stop writing.

Sweet Nothings © applecherry™ December 2006