When Aizawa got back to the pool the only person there was the keeper, cleaning the far end with a skimmer in one hand. Shaggy pointed silently to the cabana on the side of the pool. He nodded his thanks and tapped on the door, then stepped inside. She was huddled on a couch in the dark room, shaking and growling in that way cats had when upset.
Aizawa stood in the entrance for a minute so she could smell it was him, and then, taking no chances, announced himself. "Ches, it's me." He flicked the light switch and a series of battery powered candles and light strings glowed into life.
"Sh - Shota?" Her voice was anguished; a mix of rage and despair. "How <i>dare</i> he show up here after rejecting my invitations? I - I don't want to see him!"
"All right. I sent him back."
"You did?" Her ears perked cautiously up. "Good. That's good ... th - that's better."
"Is it?" He sat beside her. "Perhaps you should see each other. Neutral ground would be the best bet as a meeting area..."
"<i>No.</i>"
He held a hand up. "I apologize, and will not bring it up again." He watched her for a time as she flexed her hands, digging her nails into the soft cushions. "Would you like to watch the fireworks tonight?"
She jumped a bit. "Oh shit, that <i>is</i> tonight!"
He blinked sleepily at her. "So?"
"Okay, yeah. Let's go sit on the rooftop. I don't feel like mingling in the park right now." She shook herself and then stood up.
Aizawa followed after her, only pausing to pick up a fleece blanket from where it lay draped over one of the wicker chairs. When they got off the elevator the wind on the rooftop picked up, whipping about them and blowing their hair wildly about.
"Ugh." She tucked her side locks back and sat down in the area best suited for viewing the display. The flowers climbing along the trellis nearby lent a sweet smell to the air, combined with the salt of the sea close behind the mansion. It was a peaceful spot. Aizawa sat beside her and silently handed her the blanket.
"Oh. Thanks." She draped it over herself, then paused. "Uh... aren't you cold?"
"I'm fine." He sat calmly with his arms crossed, staring up at the darkening night sky.
"Take half the damned blanket," she grumped, thrusting it at him.
He grinned at her, sitting there with her face scrunched in a thunderous frown. "Are you certain you're cold? You appear to be sweating."
"Shut up."
Chuckling, he turned his attention to the first low pops and fluttering colors decorating the sky. They watched all the way until the very end and when it was over, he stretched his legs out and yawned.
"All right, it's late." A soft snore was his only response. His stomach tightened as he saw the moment he had feared had arrived at last. She was leaning back, snuggled into the corner of the tall-backed seat with her eyes closed. Still, he could wait and perhaps she would wake shortly. He leaned back, resting an arm across the back and sighing. Checking his smart watch showed only a few minutes passed before she groaned, blinking in confusion. When she realized she had fallen asleep and was still on the roof she curled in on herself. Aizawa was astounded to hear a soft series of kittenish mews as she wept.
"Ches."
Her head jerked up. "Ahh!"
"Sorry. The wind must have masked my scent to you. I've been here the whole time, ten minutes or so."
"Oh." She held the blanket in front of her face. "Damn it."
"It's late," he repeated gently.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm getting up."
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