Dessert

"Humans, even if they're broken or successful, can't live their lives all alone."

"Shut up. I'll live alone."

"Think of who's been helping you out you brat!"

"OW!"

"Well, you might not understand right now, but when you're all by yourself it gets embedded into your mind, ya know?"

...

The man slowly blinked his eyes open. Streaks of morning sunlight trickled in through the window that filled the small room up with warmth.

'A dream heh.'

He rubbed his eyes with his knuckles. Slowly and reluctantly, he sat up and trudged to the bathroom. On the sink, there was only one toothbrush standing alone in the clear plastic cup. The bristles were wet and tiny droplets were walking down its body.

"And here we have a couple themed restaurant! This limited-time menu is perfectly suited for a date!"

The newcast entered his ear and he looked outside. He was sleepy at first but his sense was coming back to him. Over on the bed, Aine was sitting cross-legged as she embraced the pillow. Her eyes were twinkling like stars. "Hey," she asked, her eyes still glued to the screen where an assortment of desserts was displayed.

"Yeah?"

"I want to go on a date with you!"

He unintentionally squinted his eyes. "Huh?"

Aine stared back at him. "Well, all the news is about me is starting to settle down… I guess we can't heh?" She slumped back onto the bed and covered her eyes with her arms, but occasionally she would still peek at the television. It showcased a red cake that had snow decorations scattered over its surface.

He applied the minty paste on the grass-like bristles which stuck like bubble gum. "Well with all the security cameras out there, something like being traced makes me really hesitant to say yes."

"I see... You're right."

"Remeber what we said before, If they find us then we won't be able to get married."

Aine still heaved a depressed sigh. The flickering stars within her slowly fading away.

He spat out the liquefied paste and rinsed his mouth full of cold water. The sensation further woke up his senses that were still dazing around. Her expression made him feel uncomfortable and a sigh of defeat escaped his lips.

"Sure. Let's go on a date. It would have to be in a quiet area and preferably somewhere without many cameras."

Her pale cheeks instantly turned pink and her eyes gleamed with excitement once again, but her voice was still hesitant. "R-Really?"

"Yup. But there's one condition you have to follow."

"Condition?"

He wiped his wet hands against the dry towel and walked over to the closet. The show indent was still visible from his outburst the first time he met Aine. "You can't get separated from me. Do you promise?"

She perked her flat chest up with the blanket still bundled around her. "Yeah! I promise!"

"Alright. Then let's make a pinky swear."

"Pinky swear?"

Confused, she stared at the man for some answers. His body had faint pecks that glimpsed from his thin body, but the scene didn't last long as he wore a black shirt. He clutched his chin for a moment then ambled towards her side with his pinky finger up. "We cross our finger like this. Then we do a spell to make sure you keep the promise."

"A spell?" She also lifted her pinky finger and tapped his one.

"We cross it, like this." Using his pinky finger, he grabbed hers and tightened his hold on her. "Then we make a promise. Recite it with me.

---

"Pinky promise, hope to die, swallow a thousand needles if you lie, and cut my finger."

---

Aine glanced at her now pink pinky finger. "So if I break the promise, I have to drink a thousand needles."

"Something along those lines."

"So if you break your promise with me you'll drink needles." Her vermillion eyes were serious.

He gently caressed his hand along her face. "No. I could never do such a thing. I could never do something bad to Aine."

She pulled his touch away from her and picked up some clothes from the closet. "Thank you."

The man stared at her back as she pulled the over-sized white shirt away. Her chest was laid bare for him to see but she concentrated on the task at hand and search through his closet. But his eyes, his stare was emotionless as always.

'For us, something like a thousand needles isn't enough. A victim and her kidnapper hiding their true feelings for each other. Even if we're in the same room together, I know for sure that Aine had to hear something like that. If Aine had to drink needles, then so do I. Since Aine has come to this room, I've made a lot of promises that I can't keep.'

"I'm done changing. My disguise is complete! Are these your old clothes when you were young?" Her new outfit consisted of a grey parka with fur coming off the hood. She had tight jeans that showed her slim legs and glasses that covered her face. And her hair was bundled together and hid it underneath the rusty brown that she donned on her head.

"Yup, from about ten years ago. They didn't get thrown away so they've been stored in this closet all this time."

"I see."

They both walked towards the door and put on their shoes. Since Aine couldn't go out wearing the old ones she had to make do with the blue rubber thongs he had.

"If you're ready shall we head out?"

Aine pulled her hood down and fumbled with her fingers. "Um, is it… is it okay if we hold hands?"

"Sure"