Our Time

By Zaru

Summary: With Rika's final wish granted by Dark and her passing, the phantom thief is helping Risa through the tough time.

Disclaimer: I do not own DNAngel or anything associated with it. This is a fanfic I made for a show I seriously love.

Rika's death had finally come and the twins did not accept it graciously. Early in the morning, after awakening, both girls had went to see how well their grandmother was faring only to touch a cold body in a warm bed. Risa had taken it the worst as she fell, her small body covering the woman who was the closest thing they had to a mother. The tears had streamed down her cheeks, sobs escaped her throat. Riku tried her best to remain strong as Daisuke told her, too, but alas, there was no chance of that happening. Her heart was torn seeing her grandmother like that. But as soon as she saw the peaceful smile on her face, Riku knew the suffering the old woman was going through finally ended. Albeit saddening, Risa Harada was finally in a better place where she could continue watching over both her granddaughters. That thought helped put a smile on Riku's face during that trying time.

It was the night before the funeral would be held and the Harada twins were in angst. The tragedy that struck them both in less than a night still weighed heavily on their minds, but Risa was a little better for the most part after a few days of resting in bed and staying home from school. Daisuke Niwa had visited them constantly seeing to their every need if possible. Riku associated herself with his arms on more than one visiting occasion. They had become her safe haven, away from all the bad things surrounding her. For even just a moment, the worries that plagued her were shooed away. But poor Risa was never able to find comfort in his arms at all. Even just a second of.

Dark had been with Daisuke all those times seeing the trouble Risa and Riku Harada were drowning in. His promise to Rika was to watch over the two of them until they find themselves at peace. And he intended to keep that promise. So, he planned, after Daisuke fell asleep, he would make the switch and go be with Risa.

Risa was having trouble sleeping. The sedatives she was prescribed by the doctor lay in the medicine bottle right next to her bed on the nightstand. Her dark brown hair was a little disheveled, her eyes red and puffy from the continuous crying. Tear tracks could be seen glistening on her face from the moonlight shining through the balcony window. Sighing, the young girl pushed the covers off of herself, hoping not to wake Riku who was sleeping in the next room, and treaded quietly to the balcony and into the fresh air of the evening.

As she pondered the current events, there was a slight chance she understood the process of moving forward. With her grandmother gone, there was no one else in the world who could fill her shoes, even though their butler did almost everything for them like any parent would do. But it was not enough. Who could be her comfort now? Who would wrap their arms around her and say she was not alone? Riku may be her sister, but it wasn't close enough for her. Nothing compared to Grandmother Harada's gentle arms pulling her into a big hug after a bad day, telling her that everything was going to be all right. Was there anyone that could compare to that? If so, who? Risa leaned over the balcony, head down as new tears streamed down her cheeks. Grandma…

Dark had been flying for some time now as he flew through the skies swiftly. He had made a detour to a local flower shop that was closed, but he had broken inside easily to get some flowers. But this time, he didn't steal them. No. He paid for them, leaving the money on the counter so the owner would see it in the morning with his note about what he took. Giving something for something… that's a change. He chuckled a little to himself, finally seeing the Harada household in view. And there, standing on the balcony in just pajama pants and a tank top, was Risa, the girl he would learn to love.

Risa heard the sound of swishing and glanced upwards to see. There in the sky, darker than night itself, was Dark's famous black wings and he held something in his hand.

"M-Mr. Dark?" She whispered, tears continuing to fall.

The phantom thief landed soundlessly on the balcony. "Hello, Risa."

"Oh, Mr. Dark!" She sobbed and ran to him, her arms wrapping tightly around his chest.

He was slightly surprised by her running to him, but all he could do was smile small and wrap his arms tightly around her. "Risa."

Risa cried into his chest, the tears absorbed by black, sleeveless shirt. "Oh, Mr. Dark, I'm so glad you're here!" She let out a couple more sobs before pulling away, but not removing her arms from around him. At last she was finally able to speak as she gazed up into his violet eyes. "Why have you come here?"

Should he tell her the truth about him being there when Rika died? Or should he just fib with the truth? Sighing, he smiled small. "I heard about your grandmother. I'm very sorry that she passed away so suddenly."

The brown-haired girl nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Dark." She remembered the time when Dark had mentioned about him being in love with her grandmother that so resembled her. It made her wonder his feelings on Rika's passing. "I know you loved my grandmother so much." Her brown eyes welled with water. "I wish that you could have seen her one last time to say a real good-bye." She gasped a little when her crush wiped the tears away.

He had to tell the truth. If only the girl wouldn't feel so bad for him. She was the one who was in agony because of it.

"Risa, I did see Rika before she passed away."

Her eyes widened. "You did? When?"

"A few days prior. After Daisuke told me, I knew I had to see her." Seeing the surprise on her face, he continued. "She asked me to keep a promise. And I intend to keep that promise."

Risa shook her head. "What promise?" She asked in a quiet voice.

He smirked slightly. "It's a secret." When he noticed a ghost of a smile cross her pretty face, the thief presented her with the white roses he swiped from the florist. "I got these for you."

She gasped. They were the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. "Wow." Her small fingers reached out and gripped the stems. "Oh, Mr. Dark." The tears came again. "Thank you."

He nodded to her. At that moment, a sudden urge to gather her tightly in his embrace overcame him. The purple-haired man leaned against the railing of the balcony, gently pulling Risa against him. Her arms wound around his neck, her flawless cheek nuzzling against his chest. Dark's strong arms wrapped themselves tightly around her leaving not a hairsbreadth between their bodies.

Risa closed her eyes as she listened to the sound of Dark's heartbeat. It was strong that was for sure. And it was the most comforting sound she ever heard lately. Perhaps this was the embrace she had been seeking since her grandmother's illness and death. It was the only one she was feeling safe in. The world felt like it was melting away and nothing was there except for the two of them. It was warm. It was her haven.

The couple stood there in silence for several moments until Dark felt Risa's body shiver from the cold.

"Are you cold, Risa?" He asked.

"A little, Mr. Dark."

"Come." He picked her up in his arms. "I'll take you back to your bed so you can get some rest."

Smiling through tears, she accepted the offer and crouched her body as tightly together against him as she could as he carried her bridal style back inside.

He made sure the coast was clear and made his way to her bed before laying her down and pulling the covers over her. Dark Mousy sat down on the huge queen-size bed and reached out a hand to stroke her hair. She was so beautiful. There was no chance he would ever leave her. No. If necessary, he would do the best he can to stay in the world and be with Risa. To take care of her. That was his promise to Rika.

Another smile graced his face. "I'll be here for you, Risa. I promise." He touched her cheek.

"You will, Mr. Dark?" At his nod, more tears shed.

"Oh, Risa. Why do you keep on crying?"

"I'm happy, Mr. Dark, that you are going to be here with me." She reached up her own hand, and with nimble fingers, threaded his hair them. "Will you come tomorrow?" She wondered.

"I'm sorry. I won't be able to make it to Rika's funeral. But I promise I will come see you tomorrow night."

"Thank you."

As he gazed into her chocolate eyes, he felt a sense of passion ready to overwhelm him. Taking a chance, he leaned down, his lips connecting with hers in a chaste kiss. It wasn't a kiss like before when they were near a Christmas tree. No. This was a kiss of real love. Not a greeting.

Dark heard Risa sigh and before he knew it, she was snoring softly, eyes closed with a smile plastered on her face. Shaking his head, he chuckled a little. He had a chance to leave, but didn't take it. He feared she might wake up in the middle of the night thinking it was all a dream that he had been there with her. But he glanced down and saw the Baby Romantica roses were still in her hand.

"You'll know I was here." He whispered and pulled a feather from the black wings on his back. "And that I'll always protect you. For the rest of your life. You are not alone."

Setting the black feather on the pillow next to her, he left one last kiss on her lips before sneaking out of the room. "I guess I really can learn to love you, Risa. I will most definitely try." That said, he jumped off the railing and into the sky, heading back to Daisuke's house without the boy ever knowing about the switch.

In the morning as the sun shone through the balcony, Risa woke up as Riku knocked on the door.

"Risa, are you up?" Her sister asked while opening the door and was shocked to see her twin sitting up in bed, staring out the doors f the balcony. "Risa?" She walked over and set a hand on her shoulder.

Risa turned abruptly scaring Riku. "Oh, Riku! I'm sorry. Yes. I'm up."

"Okay. Well, get showered and dressed. The funeral is today."

Risa bit her lip, tears ready to come again. "I know, Riku." As she looked down beside her, a small smile made its way to the surface.

"You okay, Risa?" Riku set a knee on the bed checking on her sister.

"Yeah."

"Good. I'll see you downstairs." With a final nod, the short-haired girl left, leaving her twin sister alone.

As Risa continued staring outside, it felt like the worries were withering away. Picking up the feather and flowers in her hands, she clutched them to her heart. "Thank you, Mr. Dark. Thank you."

FIN

A/n: Well, I think this 2nd part of the oneshot I created was way overdue. I felt like I needed to write this after reading the original Final Kiss. But I rewrote it a little and put this two-parter with it. Hope you like. :D

Sweet Dark Dreams,

Zaru