Date #Four

~CHARLOTTE~

She walked into the shop alone, nervously eyeing the floor as the door swung closed behind her. Hesitant to look at any of the mannequins directly for their lack of modesty, she braved a quick look over the merchandise around her. I just need something simple. Pretty and simple and not... that... Her eyes darted from one thin string to the next, searching for a bathing suit that would cover more than merely half her butt.

She didn't dare bring any of her squad mates along for this visit. They would certainly try to convince her to wear the skimpiest swimsuit, all the while deliberating on what Yami would do when he saw her. Of course, she hadn't let it slip yet that they were planning a trip to the beach, but she had learned what kind of things they all thought about. Particularly when Yami was involved.

Some of them were obsessed with how hot Yami was and were hell-bent on knowing exactly what he was like in bed. She didn't need or want to hear their wayward thoughts about it all. Yes, Yami was attractive, but he was also her man and hers alone to admire. Her blatantly spending the night him didn't help, either, but she drew the line with their incessant questions.

To everyone she must remain the Captain of the Blue Rose Knights, a woman of strength and honor. Not some girl who giggled and twirled her hair whenever Mr. Prince Charming looked her way. The mere thought disgusted her. Memories from all the weak men who fawned over her in the earlier days returned all too vividly. The things those men used to say to "woo" her were too loathe-some to repeat. She scoffed at the thought of anyone assuming she could be subjugated by a man simply because they were attractive or powerful.

"Are you having troubles finding something?" The clerk said, walking closer as she straightened some displays on her way.

Charlotte returned from her brew of thoughts to the present. She looked up, resolve set clearly in her face to find a suitable outfit for the beach. Not too revealing, not too impractical.

"I'm looking for a suimsuit, but something a little different from all of these," she motioned to the ones on the mannequins the cheek had just adjusted.

"Hm... something fancier or are you looking for a one-piece or maybe a jumpsuit? What activities do you plan on using it for?"

"I'm not entirely sure. You see, my..." she hesitated. Is he my boyfriend? He's never actually used that word with me... "My significant other and I are planning a simple trip to the beach. Nothing extravagant."

"Ohhh I see! You're going on your honeymoon!!"

"That's not-"

"You need something attractive, but of course you want to keep it simple so it doesn't outshine your natural beauty. It'd be a shame if you looked like every other girl on the beach during your special celebration... but I can tell you're also not the type to show off...hmm let me see... yes mhm, let's see how you'd feel about that..."

Charlotte's face was heating up. This was almost as bad as if she had brought Sol or another of her squad mates along. At least they knew to avoid the topic of marriage! But the woman's face had lit up so much that Charlotte didn't have the heart to correct her. Plus the evaluation of the type of swimsuit she wanted wasn't too far off the mark. She would just find some other swimwear store in the capital if this encounter became too embarrassing.

The clerk had disappeared into another aisle of the store, but soon came back to find Charlotte standing in the same spot and holding the same expression as she had left her with. She was well aware that this was Charlotte Roselei, Captain of the Blue Rose Knights. As such she figured Charlotte wanted to be discrete about her love life. A woman so famed for her beauty was bound to learn the invaluable lesson of avoiding curious eyes and jealous tongues. Yet it would be a dishonor to sell her anything less than something her lucky man would faint upon seeing her in.

"Okay... now just bear with me here... let me show you what I have in mind."

The clerk held up a rather skimpy navy blue bikini, and upon seeing it, Charlotte's face flushed even more. It came with a stylish metal circle and thin strings that tied around her neck. That was not what she had in mind for herself.

"I know what you're thinking, so let me show you what else I brought..." in the clerk's other hand she held up a hanger from which was draped a classy and lightweight white shirt. The sleeves only went as far as the elbows and had simple frills at the end. It was long enough to cover her thighs, and looked simple yet stunning.

"See?" The clerk continued, pride beaming from her brilliant smile, "Wear this white dress over the swimsuit and then you can take it off whenever you fancy! Best for the lady and for the gentleman," she finished with a sly wink.

Charlotte stood staring at the outfit. The blue color was indeed something that appealed to her, and both the suit and the dress had a quality appearance. What would Yami think, if I surprised him by wearing that bikini? If he's the only one that saw...

"I'll take it."

It was about time she shocked his heart as much as he had done to hers in the past few weeks.

A/n: Can I just say this frikkin fanart is the best?!?! (Can you guys see the pictures I put as the chapter artwork/banners?)

Poor Yami really is going to have a heart attack, and we all know how he gets ;)