Of course he came back.

Even it's just one more chance to set these things right.

"Hey, stranger."

Timing is everything.

"… long time no see, Karin."

And Hitsugaya Toushirou hears her voice, never sees her face, and he feels her disappointment.

"… Ryouhei."

Caught in the moment, his eyes close as his breath escapes him.

He's too late.

But he'll wait, sit on the roof, and be apart from this conversation with The Ex.

Let Karin handle it her own way… and if she calls, then he'll be ready.

Awkward anger fizzles in their static exchange, like the both of them are playing a game to see which of them will yield.

"My love is true…"

Then Karin speaks, hand on her… pumpkin hip, circling like a vulture.

"Ryouhei, you're looking well. Is the new girlfriend spoiling you?" Civilized politeness has never seemed so cold.

"It's a matter of fact…"

The Ex sighs and Toushirou has to repress the urge to make him into ice and then promptly shatter him.

"Karin – I'm sorry. But you know as well I do, that things weren't working out."

"Oh, and you love me too…"

"And that gives you the right to cheat on me?" She snaps, eyes narrowed, not expecting an answer. Then the atmosphere dissipates, as she idly plays with her hat. "Honestly, I didn't think you'd turn up tonight. But… as it is… you're here. And since that's the case, out of obligation, if Kazuya sees you… he may be a cause of… shall we say 'unfortunate accidents'. To put it lightly."

"It's as simple as that."

The Ex appears startled, and then he laughs. "Things haven't changed. Except they have. Karin… what do you say to one last fling?"

Hitsugaya Toushirou frowns, decidedly looking away; sticking with his decision to not intervene.

Wonders how the party is, and how the Kurosaki's and… Kazuya are doing.

Huh.

Kazuya is like an elegant clown. And eating candy like it's his oxygen. This could either be cosplay, or how he usually is.

Yuzu is dressed in pink, with a pink birdlike staff. It's the epitome of cute, without being sickening. And she even has wings!

Rukia is a rabbit. With whiskers and floppy little bunny ears; although she doesn't hop – which is probably for the best.

Which leaves… Kurosaki. Who is a samurai with even longer and redder hair than Abarai Renji. Except his sword is wooden. There's a change.

While the tenth taichou muses on these various things, he can't help but notice rather… violent sound effects coming from the balcony.

And then there's Kazuya, who is, as stated earlier, oddly dressed. Now he's downing quite a lot of drinks as if that's his new addiction.

Now he's approaching Yuzu, who is sparkling and sunny as she holds a card pack in her hands.

Now he's talking to Yuzu, red faced. Yuzu may or may not be blushing.

Now he's placing his hands on her shoulders and actually—

"Hi-yah!" Karin karate kicks Ryouhei. "Thanks but no thanks. You may be a cheater, Ryouhei. But I'm not."

After helping him up, she not-so-gently guides him back to the party.

"Try to keep off the alcohol, okay?" She says loudly, and more to herself. "Although it's kind of useless now that you're drunk."

With one more 'light' push; she gives The Ex a small wave – as if to say: well, that's that.

Exhaling, and folding her arms, she looks up; grins and says. "Are you going to join me or stay there all night?"

"… hello, Karin." He can't help but smile.

"… hello, Toushirou." She replies, in that smirking tone.

And so he lands gracefully beside her, curious at what will happen next.

Kami, she's beautiful.

Plenty of things rush through his mind, but that's the first one that becomes coherent.

"So. You heard all that, huh?" Her head tilts, and she places the hat back on her head.

"No. I… I…" Damn it. Words are failing him, even if he didn't technically listen.

Her mouth part, quirking upwards. "Hey, it's okay. That part of my life is over. And I have no intention of ever seeing him again. Maybe if Kazu-kun able to persuade me, but… it's unlikely."

Ah. Good.

"Well. If it's what you want to do…" It's her choice, after all. That means that he can mumble out this answer with semi-flushed cheeks.

Her smile widens and his head empties of thought.

"Look, I'm… I'm really sorry about before. I'm grateful that you saved my life, but I tend to overreact about stuff. Because, I don't know, it felt perfect, and perfect things always get ruined because it's too good to be true. I just—"

"You want me to be there, but not catch you."

It makes sense, really.

It's the only way people grow.

He can direct her path, influence her if he wishes, but only she decides if she wants to walk it.

"Yeah." And her expression says it all, from the depth of her blue eyes.

"But I won't be able to do that all the time. Sometimes… if the time comes… I don't think I'll be able to help myself."

Instinct – protecting, saving the one he loves. It's natural, like breathing.

"That's okay. As long as I can do the same, when the time comes."

Something's changed between them.

And he's not sure if the change is welcome. He's never been in a relationship quite like this; emotional, intense, light-hearted, and full of love.

But then, nobody is Kurosaki Karin except Kurosaki Karin.

Nobody but her can bring a smile to his face and melt the ice.

And it feels like they're moving forward… to a brighter future.

Her smile flitters back on her face, and it starts from where her heart beats.

"I missed you."

I love you.

"Yeah." His face mirrors hers. "Me too."

And he can't help but kiss her, pulling her towards him and never letting her go.

"Mm." Karin grins as she pulls away, snarky delight evident in her voice. "I missed that especially."

"You prefer my kisses to my actual presence?" Dry, he arches an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't say that…" Teasing, she snickers. "But the kisses certainly help."

A song starts, and it's like it's meant for them.

"Do you trust me?" He says, and the words fall needlessly off his lips. But after watching a medley of classic films, he wants to say those words. It's not a marriage proposal, just yet, but maybe it will be.

"Yeah, I trust you."

And so he lifts her up into the air.

It begins to snow.

"No. No way!" Grinning, Karin looks around in marvel, pretty snowflakes staining her hair, above the dazzling lights.

But nothing could be as dazzling as her.

"You remembered!"

The wind blows through them, and still her hand remains in his.

A smile escapes him.

"I never forgot."

"Dance with me?"

Looking amused, as if to say I haven't got much choice, have I? Karin only gives a half-smile. "In a pumpkin suit?"

"If it helps, it's much more complimentary than a cat suit."

Because this way, Tsubasa is out of the competition.

"Well then, I suppose I will. If only to make Hitsugaya Toushirou happy."

Smiles are becoming incredibly infectious, the longer he stays with her. And that isn't a bad thing.

So long as he doesn't become squinty eyed.

The whole of Tokyo have no idea where they are, alight with celebrations and snowfall.

And all they do is dance.

"So what happens now? Do I… go to Soul Society? Do you stay here? What's going to happen to us?"

"Karin…"

"I don't want to ruin the moment, but… I want to know what's going to happen to us beyond tonight." Her cheeks flush, and her eyes darken in sorrow.

"Who says we have to choose one world or the other? We can take it slow, we can take it fast. We'll take it however we want. But what's the rush?"

Why over think these things?

"I can wait for you. There's no hurry for you to join me in Seireitei."

"You know, I had a whole speech prepared." She grins sheepishly. "About how I wanted to live my life, not following Ichi-nii, looking after Yuzu… I feel really foolish now that you've said that." She bites her lips, almost shy. "So you'll love me even when I'm old and grey?"

"I'll love you even when you're old and grey."

He'll wait forever, just to be with her.

"Okay. Good. That's settled. But how are we going to remain in contact with each other? Now, I don't mind visiting Soul Society," Karin's mouth widens, much more comfortable with future planning. "As long as you don't mind visiting Tokyo."

Is that what she's calling it?

"I think I can do that."

"Really?"

"Really."

And his kisses can certainly prove it.

"What, dare I ask, was that for?"

For the delicious cake that she baked him. And Yuzu delivered.

That answer is tempting.

"No reason."

"I never did give you my number did I?" Laughing, Karin stows away the thought for future reference. "Mistake on my part."

Hell Butterflies feel more romantic… but it works.

"It's alright. I don't mind."

"So… we're okay?"

"Yeah. We're okay."

The dance is over, but that doesn't mean that they'll come down.

"Is love alive?"

"How long are you going to stay?" Her voice is soft and gentle and childlike and vulnerable, and for a second Toushirou is at a loss.

She rests her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat and he mulls over the answer.

He doesn't want to say forever, because right now, that's a lie.

So instead, he holds her hand, continues the motionless dance, and lets the city below them remain oblivious to the dragon and the pumpkin.

"As long as you want."

a/n. Thank you for reading and reviewing! I really enjoyed writing this. Merry Christmas everyone!