So I already had everything written and ready to go and this was a three shot and all, then I got all of your lovely reviews and I feel like I'm going to disappoint you with my finale :(

Picture Perfect.

Aspirator.

Chapter 3: The Aftermath

Sakura took in his image like a breath of fresh air. She felt like she hadn't seen him in eternity; in reality, it was closer to a few months. Caught in his intense gaze, Sakura couldn't find the will to look away.

Sakura had always loved his eyes. They were so beautiful, warm, bright, teasing...everything. Right now, they were warm umber with golden flakes lining the edges of his irises. She saw her reflection in them, and she looked like a deer caught in headlights.

He continued seriously, his gaze unwavering, "Tomoyo knew we wouldn't listen to her or anyone for that matter. Hell, each of us are more stubborn than both our families combined. So she decided to show us."

Gently Syaoran flipped the pages back to the first photograph, and Sakura let him. She didn't take her eyes off of his face as he gently smiled at the image.

"You were so focused, so out of this world, so...beautiful." Syaoran looked up briefly to meet Sakura's eye. "I had no idea what I was getting into then."

He flipped the page to the second picture. In the photograph, Sakura was staring at him this time. He chuckled lightly, "Let's just say, my self-confidence skyrocketed. I mean, to catch the pretty girl across the coffee shop stare at me?"

Sakura also looked down at the picture of her staring across the coffee shop. She blushed lightly at the memory.

The photograph was soon replaced by a snapshot of the two seemingly conversing. Or rather, Syaoran teasing Sakura.

"Something about you…" Syaoran sighed, dragging a hand through his hair as the back of his neck reddened. "you just -you made the past twenty two years of my life that I spent without you seem...bleak. That was when I knew. We had a connection, Sakura."

Sakura bit her lip in attempt to squelch the butterflies in her stomach.

Syaoran flipped the page again and grinned at the picture. On the glossy page, Sakura was staring at Syaoran in admiration while he wasn't looking. Out of the page, Syaoran glanced up at her as she blushed again in embarrassment.

"I guess I was the only one surprised when you agreed to be my girlfriend." Syaoran laughed lightheartedly. Sakura flushed again.

He flipped the page to the fifth picture. Syaoran made a humming noise originating from the back of throat, a light reminiscent smile resting on his face. "Basorexia." He mused. "I didn't know it was real until I met you."

Sakura knew she was melting and by God, she couldn't stop herself.

Syaoran flipped the page again to show them lying on top of the car. He stared at the picture for a long moment, lost in thought. Finally, he looked up to meet Sakura's bright Emerald eyes. He smiled cheekily, "I figured you couldn't reject me after the most romantic night ever."

He flipped the page again, revealing the two pictures. One was of him kissing Sakura's cheek while Sakura made a playful face. The other was a black and white photograph, both models looking serious as Sakura leaned on Syaoran's shoulder.

"I wanted to be there for you, Sakura." Syaoran was as serious as the black and white picture. "I still want to. I want to be the shoulder you lean on, the hand that'll lift you up, the arms that'll give you a hug when you need it, the kiss that'll make your day better...need I go on?"

Sakura shook her head softly, her breath caught in her throat.

Syaoran looked down, his eyes sweeping over the picture after he flipped the page. He sighed, the words tumbling out of his mouth. "I was an asshole."

"You were jealous." Sakura's soft voice rang melodiously in Syaoran ear, and he glanced up momentarily to catch her gaze. It was the first time she spoke to him in a while. There was no accusation in her voice, no anger; it was just a statement of fact.

"I was a jealous asshole." He confirmed softly. He flicked to the next page, and he settled his gaze on the telling picture. "Sakura…" He dragged her name out, his eyes searching hers. "I said some things, alright? And I don't mean any of it. Hell, I don't even know why I said those things. It just came out, and I regretted them the moment -" he shook his head, already beating himself up inside. "but I had too much pride. And we just fueled each other's anger. We made it worse and worse...until, until I thought we were at the point of no return."

He flipped the page and Sakura found herself looking at two lonely faces on the glossy magazine pages.

In a small voice, she let out, "This is stupid."

"What?" Syaoran breathed, caught off guard.

Sakura gestured in frustration at the page in front of her. "This is stupid." She looked up to meet Syaoran shocked amber eyes. "Us fighting. I hate it."

"Me too." Syaoran responded, his body visibly relaxing. "Can we go back to...like nothing had happened?"

Sakura smiled faintly at him, but shook her head no. "I hurt you and you hurt me. We can't ignore that."

"But we can start to mend ourselves." Syaoran tried not to sound too hopeful.

Sakura's smile widened. "Yes," she nodded as she confirmed enthusiastically, "yes, we can."

Syaoran grinned. He hadn't looked so happy since...well, since the last time he and Sakura were happy.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Sakura, who slumped in her chair in defeat. Sakura's disappointed green eyes met Syaoran's confused amber ones. She explained, "I wasn't mentally prepared for this whole making up thing."

"What?" Syaoran thought she was ridiculous. "Do you need to...meditate or something?" The twinkle in his eye made Sakura scowl at his teasing. "I can wait, you know. I don't think I have a yoga mat in my car though, do you?"

"You're hilarious." Sakura stated, not at all amused. "You just took me by surprise. Now I can't accept your apology with a plate of homemade cookies." She pouted, sagging against the chair behind her.

Yup, Syaoran thought, Sakura was ridiculous. "How about you whip up a batch of forgiveness right now and we'll call it even?"

"Well, it requires a special ingredient," Sakura played along with a coy smile, "It starts with 'I'm' and ends with 'sorry'."

"Then it's a good thing I have that particular ingredient on hand," Syaoran grinned charmingly. "There's a place I've been meaning to go with you." He turned serious, leaning in to catch her eyes. "Come with me and we can call it an apology date."

Sakura was swept up in all his romantics and charms again. "Where?" Her chin lifted with his form as he stood up to leave. He stopped by her side, offering a large, tan hand to her.

Sakura smiled brilliantly as she placed her small, smooth, hand in his. She let him hoist her up easily, and she stood unsteadily next to him. Before she knew it, he intertwined their fingers and wound his other arm around her waist. He pulled her closer and suddenly, she as caught up in the passionate kiss of a man in love.

They parted all too soon, and Sakura's knees were weak. Syaoran breathlessly uttered, "I'm sorry, Sakura. I missed you."

Sakura leaned against Syaoran's strong arms for support as she caught her breath.

"Me too."

He let go of her and she planted both feet steadily on the ground. "I don't think we should tell Tomoyo."

"Hm?" He answered intelligently as he lowered his hand to intertwine with hers. She let his warmth engulf hers.

"Pretend we still hate each other when she's around. That's what she gets for tricking us, anyway." Sakura jutted out her bottom lip in a delicious pout. It was a good thing Syaoran want looking, or she would be caught in another kiss.

Syaoran's head was turned to the other side of the coffee shop where he caught a glimpse of amethyst and azure. "I think she already knows." He turned back to her as they walked out of the coffee shop.

"Why do you say that?" Sakura furrowed her eyebrows cluelessly.

Syaoran smiled mysteriously. "She probably has a best friend sixth sense or something."

"Huh." Sakura frowned, contemplating the thought. "According to Yukito, my brother has a little sister radar."

Syaoran grunted unhappily in response.

"Speaking of," Sakura continued obliviously, "I'm actually really impressed with Eriol's Photoshop skills because I posed with Yukito for that hugging picture, you know with the kiss on the cheek, and he's taller-"

Sakura felt a tug on her hand and whirled around unsteadily to see that Syaoran had stopped. "You posed with Yukito?"

Sakura saw the expression on his face and raised her free hand to wag an index finger at him. "Don't you start, you probably posed a woman too so we're even."

"Meiling-" "-oh, she's back?-" "-but she's family!"

Sakura turned, deciding the discussion was almost over and tugged Syaoran's hand to bring him along. "Yukito's practically family."

"Practically." Syaoran muttered lowly when they started walking side by side again. "And also single and obviously loves you-"

"Like a little sister!" Sakura cut in. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Syaoran, the main difference between you and Yukito is that you're my boyfriend and he's not. I'm in love with you and I love him like family."

"You love him?" Syaoran muttered distantly.

"You're impossible." Sakura answered, looking around her in passing. "Anyway, where are we going?"

"The park." When Syaoran saw no signs of recollection on her features, he added, "you remember what today is, right?"

Sakura apparently had lost track of days. "What's today?"

Their voices faded as they continued down the mildly busy street.

"The Cherry Blossom festival."

"Oh my gosh, how could I forget?"

"Too busy missing me?"

"Ha ha, Syaoran."

.

.

.

Last. They say there's no such thing as perfect. Obviously, they haven't seen this couple together.

A young man was dressed in a casual button up, sleeves rolled up with a few buttons loose, and khakis, complete with fashionable shoes. His face, wrinkled in laughter, was the focus of the picture. His stunning amber eyes were softened in adoration as he gazed downwards at the woman next to mouth was open and wide, grinning, to reveal spotlessly clean teeth. His chestnut hair tousled in the wind but slightly tamed under his fedora hat, where its brim was already full of blossoming cherry blossoms. His right hand was placed on top of his hat in an attempt to keep it from flying. He was slightly leaned back, but that was mostly due to his left side.

His left side was covered by another person, a woman to be exact. She was wearing a cute floral dress, a light cardigan, and adorable flats to go with it. Most of her right side was away from the camera, but one could see a hint of their clasped hands behind her form. She was leaning into the man in uncontrollable laughter. Her left hand was flat against his chest. Her golden brunette hair was also windswept with hints of pink petals poking out between the champagne curls. One couldn't see much of her face for it was covered by beautifully unkempt bangs. The resolution of the picture was clear enough to discern bright green eyes wrinkled in laughter looking up at her male counterpart. If one looked closely, one could see her long eyelashes curled up against her eyelids. One could definitely see the laughter in her mouth and the straight, white teeth.

The sidewalk was not very crowded, but the park behind them was very much brimming with people, laughter, and happiness.

::::::::::::::::::::::::

"You know we didn't have to stalk them, Tomoyo. They'll tell us eventually when they get back together. They say good things come to those who wait."

"Eriol, do you always have to ruin the moment?"

Roll of the eyes. "The moment isn't even ours."

"But just look at it. Look how perfect they -" A shove of the heavy camera into larger hands, which envelops it. "Hey - what are you - give me my camera back!"

"Nope."

"Eriol…"

"Tomoyo."

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere else."

A raise of the brow.

A sigh. "Somewhere we could have our first date." And in a smaller voice, "without the 'perfect' couple overshadowing my romantic advances."

An open mouth.

A genuine smile.

A/N. Ugh, so much fluff.

Soooo readers, if you guys like Adventure, Drama, Mystery, a splash of humor, and lovely romancing between the usual couples, you should check out my other fanfic In Plain Sight. It's about espionage and crime and James Bond/Mission Impossible kind of stuff and yes, maybe it's a crossover with Gakuen Alice, but you don't need to know anything about Gakuen Alice to read it. Just a thought. I figured, what's the harm in advertising for myself? Heh heh heh.