Cigarettes and Roses

The stars were out; thousands upon thousands could be seen, filling the night sky. The shining points of light twinkled and flashed. Some fell slowly across the sky while most stood still. Some of the stars were red, and in the background an enormous green and yellow band of the Milky Way.

A woman was outside on the porch smoking. Dressed in a white blouse and black jeans, she was sitting on the railing gazing at the sky. Sounds of the party still going on inside were muted and distant. Behind her the sliding door opened and closed; she did not turn around to see who it was.

A red haired man walked over ad stood beside her. He was dressed in black pants and a white long-sleeved button down shirt; it was intricately embroidered with little red flowers that had green leaves and stems. He looked up at the sky then at her and exhaled slowly.

“It’s beautiful,” the woman whispered.

“Like a certain girl I know.” The man muttered softly.

“This girl sounds like someone I should know about.” The woman quipped, still looking at the sky. The man snorted and shook his head.

“You can’t accept a simple compliment?”

She lowered her head and surveyed him like someone would a beautiful sculpture. Bringing her glowing cigarette to her lips she took a long pull on it then blew out the smoke slowly.

“It takes a special man to wear something like that when he's sober.”

“We’re back to insults, so I’ll take that as a no. And I have had a drink.” He nodded towards the door.

“A drink? As in only one? That’s not nearly enough, even for a lightweight like you. I have no problem accepting a simple compliment, by the way. It’s just that lately with you it is neither a complement nor is it simple.”

“I am not a lightweight. I simply refrain from the overindulgence that other people seem to enjoy. And it was, as always, a simple compliment”

“People like me, you mean? Overindulgence? Ha! Kurama, you pride yourself on being so careful, so controlled. I’ll bet you’re scared of getting even a little drunk! You cling to your inhibitions, terrified of letting go even just a little. That’s your greatest fear.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “And it wasn’t a simple compliment; you were teasing me, as always.”

“I am not afraid of getting drunk. I have these inhibitions, as you call them, for a reason. You should know I fear very little, least of all alcohol.” He scoffed, eyes narrowed. “And I wasn’t teasing you. I simply thought you looked nice tonight.”

“No, you aren’t afraid of getting drunk. You are afraid of what might happen to the people you love if you lose those inhibitions. You fear what you might do to them. You think you’re such a monster! You can’t lighten up a little and maybe have some fun!” she stood up and strode to the door, sliding it open.

“And if you simply thought I looked nice, then you should have said so plainly instead of teasing me like I was your girlfriend or something. I can not believe you, of all people, would toy with my emotions like this! You shouldn’t say things you don’t mean!”

She walked inside sliding the door closed a little harder than necessary. It was silent for a moment then a soft voice muttered into the night.

“But I did mean it…”