Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.

— Anticipation —

Her eyes traced the creases across his palm. They followed the long fingers that were angled in different positions, fanning around the palm.

I want to hold hands with him.

The thought had been running through Mai's head the whole day. It lingered at the edges, forcing her to space-out at odd moments while staring at his hands. She tapped the pencil impatiently against the desk.

It had become a sudden obsession. It had sprung out of nowhere and had only managed to make her more confused.

Does he want to?

The question could not be answered at the present moment.

Mai watched him flip open the files with his hands. One hand made it's way to his face and rested on his lips as he proceeded to glance through the contents. She huffed. The whole process was absolutely pointless.

If she wanted to hold hands so badly, she could just as well entwine fingers with him as she pleased, however shameless it may seem. After all, it had been months since they had admitted their feelings for each other.

It would be worth it.

The things that Mai had gone through to confirm his feelings and to make him admit it. It had been a hell of a roller coaster ride, laced with awkward moments that had at that time seemed endless.

It was pointless to ponder over such trivial things, yet these trivial things were the ones that made Mai's heart flutter.

Naru shifted from his position. Mai snapped back to reality as she saw him rise from his chair from the corner of her eye. She got up immediately. Mai knew what was coming. The usual 'lunch' at a nearby restaurant.

Naru made his way to her. He did not have to say anything. All he had to do was grunt and all she had to do was follow him.

Naru looked at her and she nodded. She walked after him, picked up her overcoat lying on the rack and followed him as he exited the office.

Mai hardly paid any attention to the people walking around her or the buildings that surrounded her. She was more interested in watching his hands move as he took every step. It was strangely alluring.

She could hear her heart thumping softly against her chest. Her throat went dry as she reached out for his hand slowly.

However, just as her hand reached near his, she hesitated. Just an inch more and they would brush against each other. She couldn't find the courage to do so though.

To her surprise, his hand moved in a flash and caught her fingers in his. Mai could feel the awkward pressure on her knuckles as they entwined clumsily. She let out a soft gasp.

The rough texture of his palm brushed against her fingers, sending jolts through her arm.

Mai looked up at his face. She caught his eyes that were watching her.

She noticed the smirk on his face.

'Did you hope that I wouldn't notice?' He asked, the smirk never leaving his face. Mai blushed.

She spluttered and avoided his gaze.

It was infuriating how she was affected by such a trivial thing. Mai blushed even harder when he gripped her hands tightly. She decided to reply with the first coherent thought that entered into her mind.

'I hoped that you would.' She managed to answer while looking him square in the eye.

It was Naru's turn to blink.

However, he recovered in a millisecond and went back to his usual condescending self.

Except for the small smile that graced his lips.

Mai found herself smiling too.

She felt his fingers entangle further around hers. Her heart rate had normalized, yet the occasional flutters did not cease. Mai found herself remembering every touch and feel, every crease and crevice of his hand. She found herself engraving the moment in her heart.

The moment that had been worth the wait.

The moment that had been worth the anticipation.

A/N — Liked it? I finally found the time to flex my fingers and type away. I hope you enjoyed it. Do let me know how you feel.