Kaname sipped the rose tea quietly, watching the fire hissing in the fireplace. A log slipped, but still Kaname could hear the light footsteps of someone drawing back.
He chuckled. "Yuuki, you don't have to stay over there."
He didn't turn from the fire as she tiptoed over to his chair. "You didn't wake me," she whispered.
"No, I didn't, I thought I'd let-"
Yuuki's arm slipped around his neck, silencing his reason. Chin on his shoulder, her words drifted over to her ear. "You don't have to be alone, Kaname. I want to start over, but that doesn't mean you have to stay away. I- I want to help." Kaname set his tea down in silence, face unreadable. "Kaname.."
He touched her hand. "Thank you, Yuuki..." He felt her soft smile embrace him, warming his skin, as he ran his fingers through a long lock of her hair. Her efforts were still so innocent, even after seeing his past. He stood up, lacing his hand with hers, and moved to the sofa, tugging Yuuki over to it. "Now, you have a place to sit, in case you get tired again."
"What about you?"
A slow smile formed as he ghosted his lips over Yuuki's. "I will watch over you." Until the game is won...
