Thanks to linithamonre77, JustARandomNerd, and 1221bookworm for reviewing!

linithamonre77: Aahhhh, thank you so much! I'm glad I made you feel that way! Thank you for being such a kind and supportive reviewer, and I hope you like this one!

JustARandomNerd: THANK YOU! Your review absolutely made my day! Thank you for being such a great reviewer! Hope you like this one!

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Hi everyone! This is the last one shot in the series, it's for Reunion! I was kind of pressed for time on this one, so it's not very well proofread. Still, it is something, and it is Kaider, and it is fluffy, and I hope you like it! I definitely enjoyed writing it, I collaborated with rowaelinfeyrhys again. :) A million thank yous to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, followed, liked, or reblogged, and to everyone who does so in the future! It has been my absolute pleasure writing for TLC Ship Weeks these past three weeks! Please review!

P.S. I might post a few other WIPS I wasn't quite able to finish in time in this series, it'll probably be more Wolflet and Kaider, and maybe some Winlet (BroTP) since I wasn't able to do as much of those as I wanted to. (There's all too much Cresswell and Thinder in these, because I am total trash for them. XD) But those probably won't be coming for a few weeks. Still, stay tuned!

Disclaimer: TLC belongs to Marissa Meyer.

Pairing: Kaider

Theme: Reunion

Cinder stormed out of her apartment, barely remembering to lock the door behind her. She let her feet carry her where they would and when she looked up, she found herself in the local park she frequented. She took a few deep breaths letting her rage out, looking at the sky. Breathe.

She had just gotten off the phone with Pearl, who had been a bitch, as usual. The usual taunting, flaunting her new possessions, and goading her into saying something she would regret… she hated that Pearl had this power over her. She hated it.

She sighed and walked slowly over to her favorite tree that leaned over the lake. Grabbing the first branch that was just within reach, she pulled herself into the tree and perched on the highest branch she could get without falling out of the tree. Despite herself, she smiled at the view. She could see everyone from where she was.

"Hey," came a voice, from much closer than she expected.

Cinder almost fell out of the tree. When she recovered, she grabbed a branch and looked down to see who it was. She saw a dark head of hair, followed by a face with stunning brown eyes.

A man, about her age, smiled at her, and then pulled himself up into the tree. She stared at him as if an alien had just come to sit in the tree and announced that he would like to infest the human population with evil parasites.

The man noticed her staring. He coughed nervously and rubbed the back of neck, looking uncomfortable.

"Why are you here?" she asked bluntly, bordering on rudely if she was being honest.

"Because I like sitting in trees," he said, as if he was trying to be funny. Cinder almost rolled her eyes.

"I'm not in the mood for bullshit right now. Why are you here?" she asked sternly, then added, "And who are you?"

He grinned, color flooding to his cheeks. "I'm here because I saw you storm into park and then climb the tree and honestly, I'm intrigued. I don't know what possessed me to be here, but I'm here to try and make you feel better. And I'm Kaito Huang, you can call me Kai," he said, sticking out his hand.

She raised an eyebrow, ignoring the hand. He awkwardly put it down when she didn't shake it.

"And what made you think that you could be here, or that you could make me feel better, or that I even want someone to try and make me feel better? Maybe I like storming into parks and climbing up trees. In fact, I make it a point to get extremely angry once a month, storm into the park, and throw pinecones at ducks," she said dryly. It came out a little bit more venomous than she had intended, but she didn't care. She was feeling rather venomous.

His lips twitched but he didn't laugh, instead saying "Point taken."

They sat in silence for about a minute before the boy started climbing down from the tree.

"Where are you going?" Cinder asked, startled.

"I thought you wanted me to go away," the boy, Kai, started climbing down.

"Not an answer," Cinder told him. "Also, you don't seem like the type of person to give up so easily."

Kai raised an eyebrow at her declaration and Cinder almost blushed at the insinuation.

"Are you saying you want me here?" he asked. "I can… stay, if you want."

"Sure," she murmured. She quickly bit her tongue. What was she saying?

"Would you like some food?" he asked her, pulling out something from his pocket.

She raised her eyebrows. "What is it?"

"It's a warm cookie," he smiled. "The best kind. I thought it might lift your spirits."

"I'd love some," Cinder said, grinning. She accepted the warm object Kai placed in her hand, and bit into it. Stars. It was so, so good. There were no words for it.

"Spirits lifted," she said, turning to him. The two of them looked at each other, and then grinned. Despite herself, she was liking this Kai. She was feeling significantly better.

"I… should go," Kai said, awkwardly. "I'll leave you to yourself, anyway. That's what you want, right?"

She shrugged, not wanting to admit how much she was enjoying his company, and how her heart melted a little bit every time he smiled at her.

"I hope I see you again, someday," he said, holding out a hand to her. She accepted it and shook it.

"Me, too," she found herself saying.

"Until our reunion," he said, and she nodded.

She watched him climb down the tree, and walk about ten feet out from its base.

"Wait," he said, walking back to the base of the tree. "What's your name?"

Cinder laughed, genuinely laughed. "My name is Cinder."

"Bye, Cinder," Kai said, walking away again. From where she was, she could see everything he was doing. Not that she really cared…

But wait… what was he doing now? He seemed to be surrounded by a throng of giggling girls. And… he was laughing with them, humoring them… he seemed to be having a good time.

Was he flirting with them?

Stars. He thought she was just another innocent girl for him to dupe, didn't he? He had tried to charm her, with no actual feelings for her.

Stupid playboys.

And worse yet, Cinder had almost fallen for it. She had found herself enjoying his easy smile and 'genuine' manner, for those few minutes. It made her skin crawl just thinking about it.

Rage welled up inside her, even more than was already there. How dare he? She was not another brainless girl for him to woo with false words and promises. She would not be seduced.

She… she needed to leave this park, right now. She couldn't stand one more minute of watching him flirt with all the girls.

Cinder lowered herself from the tree, in an even worse mood than before, and stormed out in a fury.

She looked back, one last time. Though he was still laughing and chatting with the girls, it almost looked like Kai was watching her.

No matter. She was leaving. She would not give him a second thought.

"So how's my favorite princess doing?" Thorne asked, smirking at her in that irritating way of his.

It had been five years since what Cinder liked to think of as the park incident. She and her best friend Thorne were having lunch together at their favorite coffee shop. It had been years since she had seen him, and and stars, she had missed his obnoxious face.

"Stars, Carswell, I see you for five minutes and you already start up with the nicknames? Can't I get a break?" She held up her hands.

"Hey, you have no right to speak. You just Carswelled me."

Cinder shrugged. "Fair enough." Despite herself, she smiled.

"So how are you doing?" Thorne asked her.

"Eh," Cinder replied. "Well enough. Missing you, of course, and starved of any real company, really. Iko only visits once a month."

"Shame on her!" Thorne said.

"Says you?" Cinder raised her eyebrows. "I haven't seen you in years."

Thorne just shook his head. "Hey, at least I make it a point to gif-spam you once a week."

"Which only wastes my data." She shook her head. "Anyway, how are you doing? Have you found a reputable job yet?"

"I'm just peachy, thank you for asking," Thorne said, flashing a smile at her. "And no, I haven't found a 'reputable' job yet, but I'm working on it." He rolled his eyes.

"You're working on it?" Cinder raised her eyebrows. "What prompted you to do that?"

Thorne turned pink and did not respond.

Cinder grinned wickedly. It was her turn to be Iko.

"You luuurve someone, don't you?" she said teasingly.

"No!" he replied, a little bit too quickly. "Other than myself, that is."

"You're not fooling me," she replied. "Come on, Carswell, who's the poor girl?"

Thorne shook his head violently. "I'm telling you, there isn't anyone!" he exclaimed. "Come on, Cinder, you know me, I'm not good at staying with girls for more than a day!"

She just raised her eyebrows. "Captain Thorne just admitted he wasn't good at something? That's a first."

"Fine," Thorne sighed, looking down. "Her name is Cress. She's… a real sweetheart. You'd like her." He looked at her awkwardly.

"And?" she prompted.

"And what?" he asked, feigning confusion.

"You know!" she hissed.

He sighed again, shaking his head. "Yes, Cinder, we're together. We've been together for a month."

Well, that she had not expected.

She let out a squeal worthy of Iko. "I am so proud of you!" she said, getting up from the table. She was happy for him. After all those years of never feeling like he was good enough from his parents, she was glad someone finally saw him for the amazing person he was.

A small part of her wished she could find the same happiness, but that was a different matter.

Thorne got up from the table, a giddy smile on his face. "Thanks," he laughed. "To be honest, I don't know how it happened."

Cinder pulled Thorne into a hug, squeezing her friend close. "Oh, Thorne, you deserve it!" she whispered into his ear.

"Yes, I do," Thorne replied, winking.

Someone else behind them cleared their throat. Curious, Cinder turned around to see who it was.

Oh, no.

It was the jerk from the park incident five years ago. Her temper flared just thinking about him.

"What do you want?" she asked, glaring at him.

Kai walked into the coffee shop, which he frequented since it was close to his work. He walked up to the counter, smiled at the barista who he recognized, and ordered his usual sandwich and tea. He turned around and sighed. It had been a particularly stressful day and he was looking forward to his lunch break. He scanned the coffee shop to see where he wanted to sit. He recognized many of the regulars and when they saw him looking, they waved.

But there, in the corner, sat a young couple, laughing and talking over who knew what. The guy seemed like your average movie-star heartthrob, but the girl, she was attractive in an unusual way. She looked familiar…

And then, it hit him.

Stars above.

With a start, he realized that it was the girl from the park five years ago. The one who had flitted into his mind at the most inopportune moments over the last few years. His heart leapt at the prospect

At this, he studied her date closer. They were on a lunch date, and everyone knew that lunch dates weren't serious. What was he thinking? All those sitcoms had rotted his brain. But she was laughing, seeming like she was having a fabulous time. Oh, now so was he.

He didn't know where this jealousy was coming from, it certainly wasn't warranted. Nothing had happened five years ago, and their conversation had been unwanted by her in every world. There was absolutely no reason he should be feeling like this. Nevertheless, he was.

Cursing his emotions as he had a million times before, he decided to go say hi. It was just an added benefit that it would interrupt their cozy little date, some small part of him said. He quickly shoved out those thoughts. Where had this mean, petty part of his brain come from?

Steeling himself, he strode over. His eyes widened when she squealed, jumped up, and ran around the table to hug the other man.

Wonderful, just wonderful.

This doesn't change anything, he told himself. You knew they were on a date. You're just going over to say hi to someone you recognize, he reasoned to himself. Someone you have a crush on, the unhelpful part of his mind whispered to him. Just as long as they didn't start kissing. He would be fine as long as they didn't start kissing.

The girl, Cinder, hadn't noticed him yet, so he cleared his throat. They jumped apart, as if embarrassed to be caught hugging. Although maybe that was just his take on it. Cinder's eye's fell on him, and he saw the exact moment that she recognised him. Her face fell a bit and she seemed either disappointed or disgusted. A bit of his heart twisted in on itself as a burning pain consumed him. Internally rolling his eyes at his recently increased dramatism, he dismissed such thoughts and tried to be his diplomatic, charismatic, charming self.

"What do you want?" she spat out at him. Probably bitter about being interrupted on her date.

"I just wanted to say hi. I'm Kai, from the park. Five years ago?" he said unsure. Good going Kai, he told himself sarcastically. Charismatic and charming.

"I remember you," she said venomously. He took a step back at the tone, trying not to let his hurt show on his face. He had been perfectly polite to her back then. What did she have against him?

"I'm sorry for interrupting your date. I'll go now," he got out awkwardly, slowly stepping away.

The other man, Cinder's date, snorted loudly, but not rudely.

"Cinder, he… he thought we were on a date," he gasped, uncontrollable laughs shaking his body.

Even Cinder had a small smile on her face. Kai was royally confused.

"Aren't you her boyfriend?" Kai asked the man, unsure now.

The man laughed harder than she thought was possible, almost to the point that tears were coming out of his eyes. He grabbed onto Cinder for support, and while she didn't look pleased about it, she didn't look too annoyed. Her mouth was twitching as though she was trying hard not to laugh.

"He… he… thought I was your… your… boyfriend," the man choked out, still laughing uncontrollably. "Wait till Iko hears about this. Kai, was it?" he asked, finally recovering, but still chuckling once in a while.

Kai was completely and utterly confused. Cinder decided to spare him and explain.

"We're not a couple and we're not on a date," she started, still grinning. "Thorne is one of my best friends and we're having lunch together to catch up after years," she told him. "Besides, Thorne is dating someone. So, the conclusions you drew were completely wrong."

"I'm so sorry. It just looked like… with the hug… and lunch… I'm sorry." Kai stammered. So much for charismatic and charming.

"Ok, well now that we got that cleared up, I'm going to head out now, I'll see you again for dinner. Have fun talking to your boyfriend, Cinder," he said, hugging her one more time. "You didn't tell me or Iko about him. I'll call you soon. I expect Iko will be wanting to hear all about this," he whispered, although it was loud enough that Kai heard.

Thorne winked and gathered his coat as Cinder snapped, "He is not my boyfriend."

Kai felt a spike of sorrow at the statement. And jealousy that Thorne was so close to her. Stop it, he chided himself. You're getting an opportunity to talk to her. Don't screw up.

He didn't know what he was going to say. For the first time ever, charisma and charm were failing him. He decided to try a different approach. Looking at her, the first words that tumbled out of his mouth were, "Why do you hate me so much?"

Whoops. That had been a little bit too harsh.

"Why do you think?" Cinder spat.

Kai shrugged, at a complete loss. It had been a genuine question. Cinder raised her eyebrows.

"Fine. Since you're so thick, I'll have to spell it out for you," Cinder said. "You climbed into that tree with me. You were charming, you were kind, and you fooled me into believing you had feelings for me. I was maybe even starting to develop feelings for you. And then, the moment you get off the tree, you start flirting with every girl within one mile of you. So forgive me if I feel manipulated."

He gaped at her. Of all the reasons, that was why she hated him? He started to splutter, at a loss for words. He felt his heart sink in his chest, all hope going away.

"Go ahead, defend yourself. It won't change my opinion," she snapped.

"I wasn't flirting with them!" he said incredulously. "I wouldn't flirt with random people I don't know! They came to flirt with me, and I was trying to deflect them in the nicest way possible!"

The anger faded from her face, and was replaced with confusion. "It certainly looked like you were flirting with them…"

Kai put his hand on his heart. "I wasn't," he said. "That's the honest truth."

Slowly, acceptance filled her features. She gave a slow nod.

"I'm… sorry," she said, somewhat grudgingly.

"Me, too," he replied.

"What for?" Her mouth twitched upward.

"For assuming you were dating Thorne," he said. "It was stupid. I've been watching way too many sitcoms."

Cinder looked at him, raising his eyebrows. "You watch sitcoms?"

"Who doesn't?" He grinned. He felt giddy, like his heart was floating up, up, and up.

"True," Cinder laughed.

She walked back over to her seat and was about to take another bite of her soup when she paused and put the spoon down. "Don't you want to sit down?" she asked him, noticing that he was still standing.

"Sure, that would be great," Kai said, taking a seat. The barista came over, set down Kai's food, gave him a smile that bordered on flirty, and left.

Kai looked over to Cinder as he tried to fight his grimace and found her trying not to laugh. Small giggling sounds were still getting through her otherwise stoic demeanor. He smiled at the adorable face she was making. She seemed to notice and her smile faded.

"So…" Cinder started, awkwardly trailing off into silence.

"So. Tell me about yourself," Kai said.

"What do you want to know?" Cinder asked wearily.

"I don't know. I just want to get to know you."

"Why?"

"As I said that first evening, I find you intriguing."

Cinder seemed skeptical. After about a minute of searching his face, she seemed to decide that he was not teasing and that he was, in fact, interested in her. Then she blushed. Kai nearly sighed in relief to be out of her critical gaze.

"So, hobbies, friends, job…" Kai pushed.

"Not fair," Cinder said so matter-of-factly that it took Kai a minute to register what she had said.

"What's not fair?" he asked incredulously.

"That I have to tell you all about my life, but I don't get to find out about yours," Cinder told him.

"Good point. How about a question for a question?" Kai suggested.

"Fine. But I don't have to answer if I don't want to. Neither do you, I guess."

"Ok, do you want to start?"

"No, you came up with the idea, you go first."

"Ok… Um… What do you do?" Kai asked lamely.

"Well, I eat, drink, sleep, read, and do other stuff I don't want to specify right now," Cinder said with a smirk.

Kai gave her a look.

"Fine, I'm a mechanic." Cinder said with a sigh. "So boring," she muttered with a sly smile.

"Mechanic, huh? Where do you work?"

He shook his head. "It's my turn to ask a question."

"Ask away then."

"Fine. Umm. What do you do?" Cinder asked, lacking inspiration. "And I mean regarding your job," Cinder added when Kai opened his mouth.

"Who's boring now?" Kai asked. Cinder gave him a look.

"Fine. I'm the CEO of Rikan Corps," Kai said, trailing off. He mumbled the last part so softly that she barely heard. She did however, and she gasped.

"You're, you're that Kaito Huang. The.. the.." she trailed off, dumbfounded.

He sighed. Now she'd start treating him like a CEO of a huge multi-million dollar corporation.

"Huh. So now I can claim that I had lunch with Kaito Huang," Cinder said, looking very pleased with herself.

Kai nearly laughed in relief. She still saw him. Just him and not a CEO.

And so they sat in the coffee shop, talking and laughing, and looking for all the world like a couple.

They had been talking for a long time now, and Cinder found that she was quite enjoying herself. They had discussed hobbies, dreams, even some very personal facts, things that Cinder hadn't thought that she would ever share with anyone. But she felt comfortable talking to him for some reason.

After a particularly vicious bout of laughter, Cinder startled when her eyes landed on her simple wristwatch adorning her wrist.

"Oh my goodness. It's been two hours," Cinder exclaimed, hurridley trying to clean up her food and grab her jacket.

"Wow, it doesn't feel like it's been two hours," Kai said, gathering his things.

"Well, it's been really nice talking to you," Cinder said genuinely.

"Yeah, you too. I had fun," Kai said, suddenly awkward.

The two of them looked at each other shyly, and then she started to make her way out of the coffee shop.

"Sorry, I should… really be going," she said. "Thorne is coming over for dinner, and I won't get any work done with him, so I need to do it all now." He could see her hesitation, but… she chose to confide in him, no matter how small it was. That made him very happy.

"Okay," he said, starting to exit the coffee shop as well. "I… should go as well."

For some reason, she was saddened at the prospect of leaving him.

It was likely she would never see him again. And… well, she felt like an idiot for assuming the worst in him. He was actually kind of sweet.

She didn't know what made her do it, but she turned to him. "Hey, uh… do you want to come to my house some time? And maybe watch some Seinfeld? And other sitcoms?"

"Yeah… yeah," he replied, looking shocked. "I would love to. You know… Seinfeld is my favorite as well."

"High-five!" she said, rather energetically throwing up her hand. He returned it.

"Okay, uh… I'll give you my number." Kai pulled a pen out of his pocket, and beckoned Cinder to hold out her hand. Once she did so, he scrawled his number on her hand.

"Looking forward to it," she said, uncharacteristically shyly, heart fluttering as his skin touched hers. "Hopefully it'll be a better reunion than this one."

"Yeah," Kai laughed. "No stupid misunderstandings in the future?"

"It's a promise," she said, smiling.

It felt true to her. There was no going back now with Kai, only moving forward.

For some reason, she liked that.