One Year Later
Two Years Later
Three Years Later
Four Years Later
Almost Five Years Later
“Warren?” Kitty whispered as she gingerly tiptoed into the living room.
“Are you awake?”
Kitty giggled as she approached the sleeping reaper, covering her mouth in an attempt to muffle her laughter. She grinned and poked his arm gently. Warren grunted, before turning over on the couch.
“Wake up!” Kitty exclaimed, throwing herself on top of him.
“Kitty get off.” Warren grunted, rolling the cat off of his back and onto the floor. Kitty laughed as she continued to poke at Warren’s side and he vaguely attempted to swat her hand away.
“Why are you even awake before noon?” He moaned, turning his back towards Kitty who continued to jab at his sides.
“It’s already one o’clock, Dude.” Takado rolled his eyes at the two as he stepped into the living room.
“Yeah what time did you go to sleep?” Kitty asked, poking his side one last time before going to Takado.
Warren shrugged, glancing up at Takado before yawning.
“Whenever The Dark Knight Rises ended I guess.”
Takado grinned, wrapping an arm around Kitty’s waist. “You two have seen that movie over a hundred times. You sure it wasn’t anything else?”
“She has a boyfriend, Takado. No it was not anything else.” Warren groaned in response.
“Can I go back to bed now?”
“Just be glad Spikes isn’t here Warren. She’s never let anyone sleep in for all the seven years I’ve known her.” Kitty responded, jumping onto one of the barstools in the kitchen.
Takado leaned over to kiss her cheek before stepping aside to search the refrigerator.
“That reminds me actually.” Kitty sighed, batting her eyelashes at Takado.
“Oh no. What am I in for?” Takado leaned over the small island, kissing her forehead.
He turned around and continued to work over the stove, glancing back at her over his shoulder.
“Nothing just… Well our five year anniversary is coming up, and I was wondering if maybe you’d planned something?” Kitty asked, grinning as she leaned over the counter.
“Sorry to disappoint you my love, but you’ll have to wait and see.” He chuckled, reaching over to gently flick her nose before focusing on the meal he was preparing.
“Unbelievable. Why can’t you just tell me?” Kitty whined, stepping down from the barstool.
She walked up behind him, grabbing at his shirt seams as she whined for his attention.
“Because it’s a surprise, and nothing you do will get me to tell you.” Takado kissed the top of her forehead before she stormed out of the kitchen.
“Can you believe this?” Kitty groaned, taking a seat ontop Warren’s stomach in the living room.
“Honestly, no I can’t Kitty.” Warren feigned sympathy, grinning as he spoke.
“I never would have believed you would still be this spoiled at twenty three.”
Kitty swatted at Warren’s head with a pillow. Warren laughed, pushing Kitty off of him as he sat up on the couch.
“Alright you two I have to leave.” Takado smiled at Kitty as she stood up.
“You’re still not going to tell me where you’re going are you?” She frowned, grabbing his hand.
“Nope.” Takado laughed, pulling her close and ran a hand along her cheek.
“It’s a surprise.”
Kitty rolled her eyes, pushing herself onto her tiptoes. Takado eagerly met his lips to hers.
"You’re no fun.” She whispered against his lips.
He grinned, kissing her once more before releasing her.
“Yeah I know. Your food is getting cold by the way.” He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear before quickly kissing her cheek.
“I love you Kitty-Kat.”
“I love you Tako.” Kitty smiled up at him.
“Stay safe.”
“Always.” Takado whispered before making his way towards the door.
“See ya later tonight Warren.”
Warren rolled his eyes, waving at Takado. He took a moment to stretch before laying back down on the couch.
Kitty stepped into the kitchen, retrieving her food before walking back into the living room and sitting across from Warren.
“How does Gabe feel about the two of you hanging out late at night?” Warren’s face fell. He sat back up, hiding his face in his hand.
Kitty sat quietly, nibbling at her meal waiting for Warren’s response.
“He didn’t know this last time.” Warren’s voice was quiet, Kitty could see the guilt in his eyes.
“We decided not to say anything since he gets so upset every time.”
“Well you can hardly blame him. He loves Sabbith.” Kitty pushed her food around with her fork.
“He sees you as competition.”
“Sabbith and I are just friends.” Warren turned in his seat to face Kitty.
“There’s no reason for his extreme jealousy and paranoia.”
“Well I know I would feel uncomfortable with Takado seeing women late at night and then staying at their house.”
“Even if it were Sabbith or Spikes?” Warren smirked, leaning back in his seat.
“They don’t count.” Kitty sighed, glaring at him.
“Spikes is his sister and Sabbith is Sabbith. They’re both my best friends, and I trust all of them.”
“I have been around for four almost five years now, Kitty.” Warren reminded her.
“I was friends with Gabe before he and Sabbith became official. Why don’t we get the same amount of trust you would give Takado?”
Kitty nodded, taking a moment to collect her thoughts.
"I’m just worried about you three.”
Kitty opened her mouth to say more, but quickly closed it at the sight of Sabbith through the glass door.
“You slept in late.” Kitty smiled at Sabbith as she entered the living room.
“Yeah, Warren and I were trying to watch all the Batmans, but I feel asleep.” Sabbith explained, moving to sit beside Kitty.
“Are you busy today?” Kitty stuck out her lower lip and leaned against Sabbith’s shoulder.
“Takado left to do something that he won’t tell me about.”
“Well I don’t work today we could catch up on that one show.”
“Oh the one with the guy?”
“No the one with hair.”
“Aren’t we caught up on that one.”
“No I think they released a new episode.”
“Well we can check it online.”
“What on earth are you two talked about?” Warren questioned the two.
Sabbith and Kitty both paused to stare at him for a moment before they both began laughing. Warren groaned, rolling his eyes.
“I’ll never understand women.”
…
“What in the hell are you wearing?” Takado nearly choked on his coffee at the sight of his sister.
“What?” Spikes frowned, pulling at the hem of her shirt.
“I thought it was cute.”
“That shirt is a lot of things, but cute is definitely not one of them.”
“What did you want Takado?” Spikes sat down across from him, taking his coffee from his hands.
“I wanted to ask for your help with a… with a purchase I’m planning.” Takado explained hesitantly.
He stood from his seat, walking to the counter to order another coffee.
“What sort of purchase?” Spikes asked when Takado returned.
Takado bit down on his lip, his eyes on the cup of coffee in front of him.
“A ring.”
“Uhm okay for what?” Spikes asked, taking a sip of the coffee she’d taken from Takado. Takado looked up from his own drink, raising an eyebrow at his sister.
“What?”
“Carissa.” Takado sighed, holding up his left hand. “A ring.”
“Okay a ring so what? Why is that so important you need my help-” Spikes paused, her jaw dropped eyes widening on her brother’s hand.
"Oh my god. You mean… You mean a ring.”
“Yes.” He sighed resting his forehead against the table’s cool surface.
“Thank you for joining the program.”
“Oh this is so exciting. Do you know what you’re going to do? What you’re going to say?” Spikes squealed, leaning closer to her brother across the table.
“I don’t know. I thought I’d probably take her out to dinner and ask her when we got home?” Takado shrugged lifting his head off of the table.
“That is completely unacceptable!” Spikes exclaimed, flicking her fingers against her brother’s forehead.
“Do you love her?”
“Of course I love her.”
“Then why are you making one of the biggest moments of your lives so mediocre?” Spikes whined, grasping for her brother’s hand.
“You need to make this special, plan the evening out, prepare what you’re going to say and practice it. This is a moment she is going to remember for as long as you both live.”
“Well this just got infinitely more complicated.” Takado sighed, glancing out the window next to him.
“Not really. Because no matter what you do she’ll say yes.” Spikes smiled reassuringly at her brother.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this, Rissa?” Takado asked, startling Spikes.
“Why wouldn’t I be Takado?” Spikes laughed. It was hollow, and they both knew it.
“My best friend is going to be my sister. Isn’t that what everyone dreams about?”
“Everyone except the weirdos who take it to mean she’s losing her brother and her best friend.” Takado stared intently into Spikes eyes.
She didn’t try to return his gaze, tilting her head down.
“That was years ago Takado. I’m over it.”
“Are you?” Takado asked, reaching over to brush some of her hair aside.
“Or did you just get used to her being my girlfriend?”
“It doesn’t matter which Takado. It’s not like this is going to change anything.” Spikes snapped, backing away from his touch.
“You’ll still be the same people in the same house. You’ll just have rings on your fingers now.”
“I guess you’re right.” Takado sighed, ruffling her hair. He stood up, finishing his coffee before tossing the small cup into the trash can.
“Still wanna help?”
“Of course I do.” Spikes smiled, following his suit.
“I’ll follow you in my jeep?”
Takado nodded, pulling her into a brief hug before retreating out the front door. Spikes hesitated, staring down at her hands.
Nothing was going to change. She would still have her brother and her best friend. They wouldn’t change.
She wouldn’t let it change.
…
Kitty sighed happily, entwining her fingers with Takado’s as she leaned against him. Takado wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing the top of her head.
Takado bit his lip staring up at the sky for a moment in an attempt to gather his courage.
“Did you have fun tonight?” Takado asked, preferring to ease into the conversation than just ask her.
“Of course Tako.” Kitty grinned up at him.
“I always do when I’m with you.”
“I’m glad.” He kissed her cheek. Inhaling deeply he released her waist, turning her to face him.
“Look I want to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?” Kitty asked. She smiled cheerfully at him, swaying the arm she held on to.
“I uh, I wanted to talk to about…” Takado lost his words as he stared into her sapphire eyes shining brightly while the wind swept her hair aside.
Kitty smiled up at him before glancing at her side. Her eyes widened as she ran past him.
“Tako come and look at all the books.” Kitty squealed with excitement.
Takado turned around, chuckling at the sight of Kitty’s nose pressed against the glass to look inside.
“Do you want to go in? It looks like it’s still open.” Takado offered. Kitty threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek before running inside the small shop.
Takado rolled his eyes, finding a spot to sit and wait as Kitty ran circles inside the shop. Kitty giggled, wide eyed with fascination as she ran from shelf to shelf.
Thirteen new books later Takado finally convinced the cat to leave the shop.
Kitty bounced with excitement beside him as they made their way back to his truck.
Takado opened the truck door laughing as she hit her head on the door because she’d been looking at her books.
“It’s not that funny.” Kitty whined, hitting his arm with a book.
“Yeah actually it is.” Takado chuckled. He bent over to kiss the top of her head, and then her forehead where she’d hit herself.
“I still need to talk to you by the way.”
Kitty nodded, once again her attention captured by her book.
Takado frowned, pulling the book out of her hands.
“Hey give it back!”
“Not until you listen to me Kitty. You can’t multitask worth crap when you’re reading.” Takado tossed the book onto the passenger seat.
“Fine. What do you want?” Kitty stuck out her lower lip, crossing her arms.
Takado sighed, for a moment contemplating letting it go for now.
“Look I wanted to say that. Well we’ve been together for a while now and- Would you stop glaring at me?”
“You stole my book.” Kitty stuck her tongue out at him before turning her head away.
“You’re not going to let it go are you?”
“Nope.”
Takado groaned, picking up the book and placing it her hands.
“Happy now?”
“Yes.” Kitty smiled, any trace of her having been upset vanished.
“What did you wanna say?”
“Let’s just go home, Sweetheart.” Takado helped her into the truck before stepping in himself and starting on their way home.
“You have to tell me.” Kitty whined, poking at his arm.
“I really don’t think right now is the time for it Kitty.” Takado grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles.
“Please Takado. Curiosity killed the cat you know. Do you want me to die?” Kitty sighed dramatically, leaning over to rest her head against his arm.
“Please tell me.”
“Kitty I really don’t think-”
“Please.”
“Okay okay.” Takado sighed, for seemingly the hundredth time that night.
“I just wanted to say we have been together for five amazing years now and I-”
Takado was abruptly cut off by Kitty’s phone.
“Give me a second Tako.” Kitty kissed his cheek.
“Hey Sabbith what’s going on?”
Takado growled under his breath, frustrated that the night had absolutely not gone as he’d planned.
He was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn’t see the car coming at them until the last second.
Takado swerved into the next lane, the oncoming car slamming into the bed of his truck, sending it spinning a few times.
As soon as the truck stopped Takado jumped out of his seat and ran to the passenger side.
He nearly tore off the door opening it to get to Kitty who was curled into a ball in the passenger seat.
Takado reached in, undoing her seat belt before lifting her into his arms and moving her away from the road.
“Are you okay?” He asked gently as he set her down.
“I think so, other than freaked out.” Kitty glanced at the other car.
“Is the other person okay?”
“I don’t give a shit about them.” Takado growled, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.
“Takado…” It was all she needed to say and he understood. He ran back to the cars, and helped the man out of his car while Kitty called for an ambulance.
“He’s unconscious, hurt pretty bad and the moron reeks of alcohol.” Takado called out to Kitty while she was on the phone.
Takado and Kitty stood in silence on the sidewalk, quietly waiting for the ambulance and police to arrive.
When they did arrive Takado took care of talking to them and anything else they needed while Kitty stayed on the sidelines except when a nurse insisted on checking her for injuries.
“Tow truck should be here soon to deal with the cars. Want to go sit at the park and wait?” Takado asked after the police and ambulance had left.
He smiled gently at her, reaching for her hand.
She took his hand, and he pulled her into his arms.
Both sighing softly and nuzzling closer to the other.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” Takado whispered.
“I would have killed him if you weren’t.”
“I know.” Kitty closed her eyes.
“I love you. I’m glad you’re safe too.”
“I love you too.” Takado loosened his grip on her, kissing her softly before taking her hand in his as they walked into the park to wait for the tow truck.
Kitty sat down on a swing quietly swaying, Takado beside her. They both stayed silent for a few minutes before Takado stood in front of Kitty, leaning down to meet her eyes. “Talk to me Kitty. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing Takado. I’m fine.” Kitty turned away from him.
“Clearly you’re not.” Takado grabbed her chin, turning her to face him.
"Talk to me.”
Kitty bit down on her lip, her eyes beginning to water.
“It's nothing Takado. It just scared me for a minute. I thought something might happen to you.”
“You’re never going to lose me, Kitty.” Takado smiled, gently pressing his lips to hers.
“You’re stuck with me.”
Takado stood up straight, stretching his back before turning around to sit on the end of a nearby slide. Kitty frowned, following after him. She sat down in front of him and leaned against his chest.
“The stars look so pretty tonight.” Kitty commented, her eyes on the sky.
“Yeah.” Takado glanced up, his hand moving to his pocket.
“Can you believe we’ve been together for five years now?”
“Sometimes. Other times I can’t believe you’ve put up with me this long.” Kitty giggled.
“I need to say something.”
“What is it?” Kitty moved slightly, turning to glance at Takado.
“I don’t like the person I was before you. I was heartless, yet you saw past that. You saw past the monster, and you gave me a reason to change who I used to be.”
Takado kissed her shoulder, slowly pulling the small box out of his pocket.
“I’m no angel, Kitty. I’m just me, but I love you. I'll love you until the end of time. You’re my better half and I can’t imagine a single day of my life without you.”
“Takado what are you…” Kitty stood up turning to face him. Takado stood with her, swallowing before he continued.
“I’m not a perfect person, but I swear I’m perfect for you.” Takado held his breath, lowering himself onto one knee.
“Katherine Caine will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Kitty’s hands covered her mouth as tears fell from her eyes.
"Takado..." She struggled to wipe her tears away as she nodded.
“Yes. Of course, yes.”
Takado exhaled, a smile plastered on his face as he lifted Kitty in his arms.
“Really?”
“Yes really, you stupid ass.” Kitty laughed, their lips meeting clumsily
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” He whispered against her lips.
He pulled the ring out of the box, nearly dropping it twice as he struggled to get it on her finger without setting her down.
They both laughed, resting their foreheads against each other’s. Kitty cried, and Takado kissed every tear that fell.
