It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Crash

"Oh my…"

Their new house was much smaller than the palace they'd grown accustomed to. The panelled walls were a sweet cream colour and the first-floor room with the roof on was built with beautiful, large stones. The porch was small but a small bench fit snug to the side beside the tall, white door. The front garden had been cut clean and a baby pear tree sprouted beside the bird fountain. A stone pavement led from the front gate to the steps leading towards the door of their new home.

"This place is… beautiful," Athena whispered, looking over to Reiji who was fishing for something in his pocket.

"Before we enter," he said, "may I have your rings?"

"My rings? Why?"

"We are restarting," he said, "we aren't married anymore."

"Legally-"

"Athena," he cleared his throat, "it isn't as if we're moving onto other people. We will still be together. You wanted to redo everything, didn't you?"

"Yes," she nodded slowly, frowning as he removed his wedding band. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckle gently.

"They will be safe," he assured her, slipping them into his pocket before taking her hand in his. "Shall we?"

"We shall."

The entrance was small, much like their first home together. It led to the living room which was a rather spacious room, a pale couch stood before a cosy fireplace, a large television hanging above it, the remote placed on top of the mantelpiece. There was a fluffy white rug on the floor beneath the round coffee table which rested in front of the couch. "It's very white," Athena commented.

"I figured you'd wish to renovate," he replied, "I had all the walls painted white, you can decorate as you wish." She looked up at him, lips parted as her eyebrows furrowed sweetly.

"I adore you," she whispered, catching sight of the dining table seated before the glass double doors leading out to the back garden. It seated four.

"As you can tell, this is the living room," he said, opening the glass doors to let some air in.

The next room they entered was the kitchen which was attached to the living room, connected by an archway. Excitement soared through Athena's veins at the pale room. It was very minimalistic and cute. The same with the bathrooms.

Their bedroom wasn't large but it was comfortable, their bed had been made neatly, her beloved plushie sat upon the centre of it, tucked in. The vanity was against the wall and half of her clothes had already been hung up in the attached closet. There was a vase on one of the bedside tables, a bouquet of tulips nestled within. "This house is…"

"There's two more rooms," he said, leading her out of the bedroom, "well, three counting my own studio downstairs."

"What other rooms do we need?"

"Your art studio," Reiji took her hand in his as he led her to a small room at the top of the stairs. She gasped as she caught sight of the beautiful canvas standing in the centre of the room. "Kanato made it for you," he informed as Athena's fingers traced the engraved words her mother had left her, "he found it in your studio after it was destroyed."

"Oh bless his soul," she whispered, eyebrows furrowing as she fought the tears brewing in her eyes.

-_-_-_-_-

The fire was crackling, orange flames gnawed upon the discarded logs, scenting the room with its toasty scent. Athena Tsukinami lounged on the couch, her legs curled, perching against the back of the couch. A fluffy blanket was laid upon her, a thick book nestled upon her knees as she read the novel silently. Her auburn hair had been tied into a high ponytail, two strands which were too short framed her face. She wore a pair of pink shorts and a white vest top with a long, grey cardigan on top.