"..♡..~"

A small moan escaped your lips, opening your eyes as your mouth closes. Tracing your dried lips with your tongue, you sleepily gaze at the dried paint of your room wall. 

Huffing out a small breath, your cheeks flushed as you felt arms wrapped around your midsection. Slowly... Very, CAUTIOUSLY...

You turn your head a bit, seeing a familiar yellow horn that clashes amongst the bright cyan of Lums fluffy hair. 

Smiling awkwardly at Lums soft snoring, you pull at the blankets a bit to see his hands clutching at your tummy. Embarrassment wasn't even enough to describe to your emotions. You honestly thought your brain was going to short-circuit like a toaster in water!

So...

Your hands slowly grab ahold of Lum's arms.. Carefully and slowly trying to untangle them from your body.

"Mn...~"

"AAAAAGHGGGHHHHHHH!" You screamed at the feeling of Lums nails (claws) digging into your skin!

Lum retracts his arms as he sits up hurriedly, quickly looking around the room for the source of his lovers' terror. "Darling! What's wrong?!"

As Lum glances at your heaving form, he smiles adoringly. "Darling... Did you have a nightmare?" The male asked with a teasing grin. Cheeks tinted a slight pink as he twirled a strand of your hair. 

"Darling.. Your husband is here. There is no need to have such scary dreams. A man is supposed to protect his wife from danger.." Lum slowly leans down to your frozen bodice about giving you a morning peck.

"°•○●DING!~●○•°"

Sitting up, quickly with a sharp gasp, you wheeze. "ILL- Uhm.. Get it!" Eagerly, you throw off your bed covers, accidentally tossing them on Lum.

As you stand, you notice your mistake!

"Lum! I'm so sorry!" Pulling the blanket off, Lums messing bed head and cheerful face greets you. "It's alright! Dar -" The words die on his tongue as he sees your pajamas. 

"I'm gonna check who's out there!" You said politely, glancing around for some slippers before shrugging it off and quickly heading to the door. Lum's eyes widen, not wanting his fiance modesty to be tarnished as he yelps. "W-Wait! (Y/N)!" He flies after you hurriedly.

Ripping open the door swiftly, eyes wide and hair fluffing up everywhere. You blink and smile happily.

"Ataru!" You stumble over your words of greeting as you him.

"Morning~!" Ataru grins cheekily, scanning you up and down pointedly before drooling. "(Y/N).." He says slyly, "did you wear that for me-AAAAAAHHHG!" 

Lighting strikes the other male as he yells in pain. Your eyes widen in fright as the shocks stop, and Ataru wobbly stands at your doorframe. Clothes charred and a bit destroyed as he coughs out a small cloud of smoke.

"Don't you... DARE. Look at my fiancee." Lum spat, snarling from behind you as he glares at your other childhood friend.

"LUM! ATARU!?" You wail in utter confusion as you help Ataru inside. "Lum! You can't just electrocute my friends!?" You said, still frazzled from earlier events. Maybe even a bit scarred of the alien prince...

Lum huffs angerily, still pissed at Ataru. Yet, he noticed your expression of weariness. The Oni slowly frowns, glancing away, not bothering to voice his reasons as he floats to the outside balcony. Needing some air... Along with a better t-shirt for you.

☆

You patch up Ataru as he frowns unhappily. Wincing a bit as you finished up, groaning in pain as he leans his back on your living room couch. 

"I'm.. Sorry-"

Ataru quickly grabs your shoulders, shaking you back and forth. "If you want my forgiveness, break up with that freak!!" He whined with rage.

"W-wah!?" You babble as he literally tried to shake some sense in you.

Ataru, let's go when seeing your dizzy expression, sighing.

"Or... Maybe a peck will make it all better!" 

You raised a brow, smiling a bit as you laugh away your troubles. Small fits of giggles leaving your throat as Ataru blinks. He laughed along, glad he cheered you up a bit.

However-

"Oh! I forgot! That old jerk, Cherry, sent me here." Ataru grumbled slightly, looking around and patting his clothes before finding what he needed in his pocket. 

"Here." 

Ataru hands you a small, simple, black box. You raise both your brows at the odd package, taking it. "U-uh.. Thanks... Can I ask why?" You ask softly, raising the box closer to your eyes as you shake it slightly.

Your friend shrugs in response. "He didn't say." Ataru said uncaringly, eyeing the box.

"It's probably some dumb trinket." Ataru shrugs, watching you open it. A small letter falling out, addressed to you, while a yellow ribbon sat in the box.

"Hm?" 

Taking the envelope, Ataru opens it up and reads the letter inside.

"Dear (L/N), take this ribbon and tie it around Lum's horns. Only the person who ties will be the only one who shall be able to remove it. It will block his Oni powers. I made this ribbon escape for you. Take this as thanks for helping my niece. -Signed Cherry."

You blink, frowning at the letter. "Take away Lum's powers..? That seems a bit much -" You mumbled under your breath before glancing away from the item as you hear the window open. The alien-male floats back inside as he holds a simple white shirt tucked underneath his arms.

"Darling! Oh.. YOU are still here." Lum snarked underneath his breath. But smiles sweetly at you as he hands you one of his t-shirts. "Here you go! I felt bad for ripping at your shirt." Lum said kindly as you take the clothing. But frown in confusion, "Wait, what?"

You glanced down as you felt your heart drop to your stomach.

Your sleep shirt had turned into a ripped croc-top overnight!

Ataru quickly snatches the ribbon from the box. When you are quickly throwing the shirt on, he smiles wickedly as he forms a plan.

You place on the t-shirt over your top as Ataru slides closer to your side on the couch. "Wow (Y/N)..! I can't believe you bought Lum such a nice gift! I'm SO jealous!" Ataru said with a cheesy grin, acting.

Lum's eyes light up at the words as Ataru continues. Waving the yellow ribbon back and forth tauntingly.

"Eh? B-but Cherry-"

"Cherry?"" 

Ataru interrupted you, "Yeah! Cherry color would have looked nice! But you said yellow suited him!" Ataru quickly goes over to Lum, holding the ribbon. "Let ME put it on for you, Lum!" Ataru grins toothily, a bit too friendly with his intentions.

"(Y/N), you really didn't have to get me more things..." Lum moves away from Ataru, eyeing you gently. "I told you yesterday my ship was outside."

"But I-" You try to explain to the floating male as Ataru back blocks Lum from your sight.

"Lum! Don't you see!" Ataru says seriously, gazing at the alien boy determinedly. "Here on Earth! A husband must look good in front of his wife! And with such a thoughtful present... Yet you are rejecting (Y/N)'s gift so carelessly as if it wasn't worth your time!?" He explained accusingly, pointing at the Oni. 

Lum gapes at Ataru, "What!? Of course not!" 

"Then wear it." 

Lum tsks' at the brown haired individual, taking a quick glance at you as he snatches the ribbon away from Ataru. Handing it you as he floats to the floor near your legs, sitting cross-legged, patiently.

"Darling.. Can you place it on me?" Lum tilts his head up at you, smiling warmly.

"A-ah.. U-uh.. I-I don't think -" You try to reason, sputtering out nonsense once more as Lum gives you puppy-eyes. You try to look away, though Ataru gives you the same look!

You gave up...

Gently combing through Lum's hair, you tie the ribbon on both of his horns. A beaming grin crossed your lips, proud of your handiwork as Ataru applauded your efforts jokingly.

"Darling! How do I look?" Lum jumps up from his spot, twirling around to face you. Smiling so wide that his small fangs poked out.

You nodded excitedly, "it looks really good!"

"Yeah, really, good." Ataru snickers under his breath.

Lum walks over to the window, shouting in pure joy that he is gonna show off to the neighbors. 

He proceeded to jump out of the window

...

"AHH!"

"LUM!" You yell is worry, completely forgetting about how the ribbon would undo his powers! Racing to the balcony, you lean your body over the railing. Scanning the ground for your alien roommate.

"Ow..." 

Lum rubs his head in pain before glancing up at your fretting expression.

"Ah! Darling! Uhm.. Don't worry! Ehehe.. Uh.. I'll be back soon!"

Lum stands wobbly but walks away without much of a scratch or cut, thankfully.

☆

Lum tries to float as he walks. He takes a deep breath as he jumps, but slowly, his feet touch the ground. Uneasily, he keeps walking.

You and Ataru follow after, "He's gonna' be fine (Y/N).." Ataru whines boredly, yawning. Smiling slightly at Lum's despair when the alien tried to float again.

"No. This isn't right - I gotta' get the ribbon off of him.." You said quietly, about to reveal your hiding spot. Ataru quickly snatches your shoulders, trying to pull you back.

"W-wait! If he finds out!" 

While Ataru tried to persuade you, Lum noticed a familiar figure nearby.

"Shinobu?"

The young man, holding a bag of treats at his side. Sees the alien male and scoffed. "Lum..." Shinobu turns his head away snootily, moving past Lum. Yet Lum had other plans, he takes hold of his rivals arm. Gazing at him blankly.

Shinobu frowns, uncomfortable with the gaze be directed at him. "What?" He growls out bitterly, snarling at him. 

Lum frowns, letting go. "Damn.. It didn't work." Lum tsks," taking a step away.

You glance away from Ataru, seeing the intensity of the interaction between them. Stepping in before Ataru would try to grab you again.

"Shin! Lum!" You call out to the two, pulling Ataru beside you.

"Eh? (N/N)?"

"(N/N)...?!"

Your face warms up at the nickname, smiling. "Shin..." You giggle at your friend. "You and Ata haven't called me that in a bit.." You rub the back of your neck bashfully.

Shinobu smiles, glancing at Lum with haughtiness. "Of course, we are... Childhood friends." 

Lum's eye twitches in irritation. "At least, MY DARLING, gave me a gift!" Lum points to his horns, showcasing the yellow ribbon, grinning triumphantly.

Shinobu looks down at his shoes before laughing loudly.

"Ha! That's it?"

Shinobu shows off his pink hair clip smuggly. "(N/N) gave this to me when we were FIVE. Oh, and I have a pink ribbon that's much nicer at home." 

Lum growls. "She bought me clothes!"

"Same here!" Ataru and Shinobu shout at the same time.

"She's wearing my T-shirt!"

...

"...I'M GONNA RIP THAT DAMN BOW OFF MYSELF!!"

"I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY!"

Before the two would try to fight, you hurriedly step in. "W-wait! Please!"

The two boys glare at you as you shrink slightly, even if you were bigger than both of them. 

"I... Lum, can we head home. Please?"

You turn to Shinobu. "Shin, I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb your walk -"

"Stop apologizing for his actions!" Shinobu yells at you. Surprising everyone at his outburst.

"Y-you keep defending him! And saying *sorry* isn't your job!"" Shinobu sighs, shoving the bag of treats to your arms.

"See you later!" He growls, running back to his home.

"No! Shin, I'm sor- I-I mean!" You try to follow, but Lum holds your hand tightly.

"Ata, please.. Check on him." You said quietly.

Ataru shrugs, "..Yeah, see ya.""

☆

With head hanging low, you eye the baked treats from Shinobu. Sighing sadly as you read the small note, placing the cookies in your fridge before heading to your room.

"Darling..?" Lum says softly, sitting on your bed. 

"Hm?" You put on a smile. "Yeah?" 

"Since.. I can't fly to my ship, which means that I won't be able to get my things.. So.."

"Oh..." You forgot that the stupid bow caused all of this.. 

"Lum," you go over to the bed, leaning over him.

"A-ah! Darling? Is something wrong?" 

You gaze at him deeply as he tries to meet your gaze.

"Done." You smile, showing the untangled ribbon.

"Wha? Darling! That's unfair! Give it back!"

"No, Lum." You said, serious.

"I-I.. Wanna get you a better one. If that's okay?"

Lum eyes widen but rely.

"Fine!" He huffs, getting up. But starts floating!

"Darling! I got my powers back!" He cheered, happily taking your hands as he floated. Gazing down at your gentle gaze, as if tired by the events of the day.

"I'm glad!"

-

☆Omake☆

"Darling! Oh.. They're sleeping.. Oh well! Guess there's room for one more~!"