Cosplay

Hachi

I spent the rest of the night laughing and playing video games with Cole and Hiro. It was around midnight when Hiro said he had to go.

"My bus leaves in an hour and then I have a ten hour flight home," Hiro explained.

"Bye, Hiro, it was nice meeting you," I waved.

"You too, Kitten," he smirked.

Cole turned the game off and tossed his controller on the ground.

I yawned and stretched, "Well that was fun."

"Oh," Cole hopped off the bed and walked over to the closed door, "I almost forgot."

Cole opened the door.

"Hiro and I tried on our new cosplays today."

Cole lead me to the very end of the hall. A Death the Kid costume sat in the cabinet.

"I took a picture of us, Hiro was Soul. I just need you to get me another frame for it."

I nodded, understanding what he was asking.

"You know," I said, "I've never seen you actually in cosplay before."

Cole grinned, "Go wait out in the bedroom."

Cole came out a few minutes later in full costume. He had the wig, the guns, even the rings.

"Hello," he said to me, "My name is Death the Kid, but most people call me Kid."

"Nice to meet you, Kid," I giggled, "I'm called Kitty."

Cole set the guns on the floor and knelt in front of me, "It is an honor to meet someone as lovely and symmetrical as you, Miss Kitty."

He took my hand and kissed it. I blushed. Cole looked up at me and I saw he had gold contacts on.

"If you love symmetry, why is your hair asymmetrical?" I teased.

Cole froze up. He dramatically put a hand over his heart and fell over backwards, "Don't remind me!"

I started laughing uncontrollably.

Cole stood up, "It's good to see you smiling, Kitty."

Cole changed out of his outfit. By that time is was close to 12:30.

I groaned, "Wolfie will kill me if I wake her at this hour."

"So don't wake her up," Cole suggested.

I glared at him.

He rolled his eyes, "I mean stay here for the rest of the night."

"Oh... OK, I guess. I can sleep on the floor if you want..."

"Or... Look, you don't have to sleep in the bed with me, but I know something is wrong. And I know I want to feel like I'm protecting you."

I looked down, "Fine..."

I was already wearing my pajamas. Cole drew me in for another hug.

"Is it OK if I take tomorrow off?" I asked into Cole's chest, "it's my little cousin's birthday. He's turning nine."

"Sure," Cole allowed.

"Thanks," I pulled away, "I'll also get you that frame."

Cole smiled down at me, "Sounds good. Now come on, you need your sleep."

I nodded. I followed Cole to his bed and crawled under the covers. I bundled a corner of the covers up and tucked it under my chin.

When I was half asleep, I felt Cole press his body against mine. His arm snaked around my waist. At first I felt trapped, but Cole's soft breathing and warmth soon made me relax and eventually fall asleep.

Cole still had his arm around me when I woke up. I rolled over and curled up into his chest. He stretched before holding me closer. I sighed contently.

I didn't ever want to leave.

And I guess Cole felt the same way.

"Cole, I gotta go," Cole just grunted and didn't let go.

I giggled softly, "I appreciate the gesture but I really have to go. It's my little cousin's birthday, remember, and I know he's gonna want me there."

Cole sighed and finally let go. I sat up and looked down at him. He looked back at me.

Cole's eyes looked sad.

"I'm really sorry," I whispered.

"No you're not, M Neko-Chan," he smirked.

I laughed again, "But I am!"

"Hmm..." Cole sat up, "I'll believe you on one condition."

"And what would that be?"

Cole leaned forward, "Let me try something again."

His hands cupped my face and his lips pressed against mine. My hands went to his neck as I kissed him back. Cole tilted my head to the side to deepen the kiss.

It felt amazing! Like fireworks going off in my chest and a million butterflies were trying to escape my stomach.

Cole pulled back far too soon, leaving me wanting more. He kissed my forehead and I leaned on his shoulder. He rubbed my back with one hand.

I finally got up and left. I lingered a moment in the door before Cole playfully shooed me out.

Wolfie wasn't in our room, which worried me. I hoped she wasn't too mad at me for ditching her last night.

I changed into the same outfit I wore the day I came here. I grabbed my phone and my wallet and stuffed them in my pocket. I slipped on my shoes and left for the day.

My first stop was a clothing store to buy a bathing suit. I picked out a black bikini with dark purple strings. Next up was another picture frame. This one was black and rainbow zebra stripes and super fluffy.

I was almost to Aunt Grace's house when I heard my phone go off. I didn't recognize the entire number, but the first three were my old area code so I answered.

"Hello," said a hauntingly familiar voice, "how are you, baby girl?"