Surrender

Chapter 4: A Night Together

‘What the fuck? Did she pass out? She’s going to collapse!’ Natsume’s mind raced as he jumped off the bench and ran to Mikan’s side. Just as her knees gave way, Natsume caught her in his arms. Youichi stared at her in slight horror. Natsume picked her up bridal style and carried her to the bench.

Natsume frowned at Imai. “What did you give her?” Hotaru replied coldly, “Something to calm her down. She was annoying me.” Hotaru stood up and motioned to Ruka. “Let’s go back now.” She turned to Natsume, “Don’t worry, she’s fine. But you should take her home.” With that Hotaru turned and walked off. Ruka’s troubled blue eyes looked to Hotaru back to Natsume, and he stammered, “I-I’m sorry, I n-need to go too.” And he took off after Hotaru.

Youichi glared at the two as they walked away. He turned to Natsume, “Onii-chan, let’s go back too.” He cast a worried look towards Mikan. Natsume picked her up again and began walking to the bus stop, “Don’t worry, I can carry her.”

The bus ride home was quiet. Natsume leaned Mikan in the seat against the window. He sat next to her to make sure she wouldn’t topple over. Natsume checked her breathing, and it seemed normal. ‘It’s like she’s just sleeping.’ He thought to himself.

Youichi sat in the seat in front of them. He kept poking his head over the back of his seat to check on Mikan. Even though the childish actions annoyed the hell out of Natsume, he understood so he kept quiet.

Natsume carried Mikan to the dorms with Youichi trailing behind him. Natsume assured Youichi made it to his room before they parted ways. Youichi paused and kissed Mikan’s cheek before toddling tiredly into his room muttering, “Goodnight onii-chan.”

Natsume smiled inwardly at the child’s actions. He continued carrying Mikan to his room. ‘I don’t feel comfortable leaving her in her room alone. I guess I have no choice…’

He struggled to unlock his door before stepping inside. He immediately blushed, ‘I just carried her like a bride over the threshold.’ His cold crimson eyes scanned the room and decided to place Mikan on his bed.

Natsume gently laid Mikan upon the bed. He took care to tuck her inside the covers and fluff the pillows under her head. ‘She looks so beautiful.’ He thought as he brushed some hair away from her face. He took in a sharp breath as he touched her soft skin. He gently caressed her cheek and smiled gently.

Natsume rose and quickly changed his clothes for bed. He gazed at Mikan lying on the bed. ‘Where should I sleep? I can sleep on the couch, but I won’t be comfortable. Plus I’ll be worrying about Mikan the whole time. If I sleep next her, I know she’ll just complain in the morning. I’ll just shrug it off and tell her that she’s lucky I took her home in the first place.’ He smirked at the thought.

“It’s going to be a loud morning,” he whispered to himself as he turned out the light. He climbed into bed next to his angel. Not wanting to wake her, Natsume snuggled close to Mikan and gently rested his hand upon her waist. Natsume gently breathed in Mikan’s sweet scent and sighed as he drifted off into peaceful sleep.

Mikan gently moaned as she woke. Even with her eyes closed, she could still see the sunshine peeking through the window. She felt a tug at her waist and was pulled close to someone. Someone’s breath tickled her face. ‘What! Who is this? Where am I?’ Mikan’s mind raced. Even though Mikan was freaking out, she somehow felt safe. She breathed in and recognized the scent. ‘Natsume?’

Mikan’s hazel eyes fluttered open and they fell upon the sleeping face of Natsume inches from her own. Her heart began pounding. “Natsume…” she whispered to herself. She was still a bit tired, so she surrendered and closed her eyes again. She gently wrapped her arms around Natsume’s waist and naturally pulled herself closer to him. Before she dozed off again, she felt the arm around her waist tighten its grip. Mikan smiled and drifted back to sleep.

Natsume opened his eyes in surprise. ‘Mikan?’ He thought as he realized she was less than an inch from his face with her hands clasping his back. He tightened his grip on her waist and gently pulled her body closer to his. His heart began pounding and he struggled to keep his breath regular and closed his eyes. Once his heart calmed, he allowed himself to fall asleep again.

Natsume’s door peeked open as the two lovebirds slept. The faces of Hotaru and Youichi peered in. Their eyes glinted as they noticed the couple sleeping in each other’s arms. CLICK! Hotaru’s camera quickly took a snapshot and the two quietly exited the room.