A/N; Um... so, you know how I promised that I'd write another story? I'm still going to, I'm just stuck somewhere between the middle and the end. I'm trying to work through it, but unfortunately, my way of working through a problem is to spend a lot of time thinking about it, which translates into doing a lot of other stuff. But I swear I'm not abandoning it!

As a consolation, I humbly offer another deleted scene from All I Have Needed, which takes place after Haru gets kicked out of the music room for making out with Baron. I've been thinking about this scene for a long time, but didn't write it due to the heavy implications between Haru and Lucy.

InYuJi: I would not protest about getting your email address in a safe way. I want a real conversation! You were right about A Bride's Story being like Beholder's Eye! At least when it comes to the main two's relationship, I was giggling at the similarities. May have to more directly use that idea for another story... hmmm...

And now, in tradition, a quote to open up the scene, kindly provided by ElvisRules41. I don't know if it suits the chapter...

Never mind. It does.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.

- Jim Henson (RIP!)

ooOoo

As soon as he heard the girl's footsteps fade from the other side of the door, Toto wheeled around with a glare. "You promised," he hissed through his teeth. "You swore you wouldn't make the first move!"

"I did keep my promise," his cousin answered while crossing his arms in a defiant gesture. "She kissed me first, and made no protest when I returned the favor." 'Other than the tiny hesitation when she realized her actions, but he doesn't need to know about that.'

"So what did you do to make her do that?! Sing to her?"

That made the feline lord squirm guiltily before closing the open music book still lying on the piano. "It was merely my White Day gift."

"A completely obvious one!" Toto barked, marching up to his cousin to slam one hand on the lid of the instrument. "You know what your voice does to impressionable girls! Why didn't you just come right out with it and hang a sign around your neck saying 'kiss me, I want you to'?!"

"Haru would have awkwardly ignored that, and you know how I feel about signs around the neck."

Toto shook his head angrily. "Humbert... you can't keep doing this to her! She's said it herself; she's no Lucy!"

Those large green eyes narrowed into angry slits as the werecat slowly stood up. "I never asked that of her. I don't expect it of her." He took a deep shaky breath. "I will freely admit that I once wondered, but that doesn't matter to me anymore. She's a good girl and I love her."

There. He finally said it. Granted, not to the person he would have preferred, but it was a start.

Toto's eyes grew wide with horror. "Oh no... Humbert, you... you can't! Can you imagine what Muta would say about you going after his little girl?!"

"I am prepared to do whatever it takes to earn his approval. And if you tell him before I do, I will never forgive you."

"Oh, like you said you were going to tell Haru about her resemblance to Lucy?" his cousin asked sarcastically.

"I will!"

"You've been saying that since she started visiting you! Well? You can't just keep up with your current plan after what just happened."

Baron leaned against a wall in deep thought. "I agree. That's why I'm going to tell her the day after tomorrow."

"Does she remember it's her birthday tomorrow?" Toto asked worriedly. "We could still make things a surprise."

"I saw nothing to indicate it, though I'm sure her parents will remind her if they so desire." The feline lord sighed. "Toto, you have made your opinion of my relationship clear from the beginning. But... I don't hurt anymore. For the first time since I lost Lucy, I'm no longer hollow. Haru has told me that I make her feel the same way, and even if she hadn't, her scent is always calm and happy around me. I don't want to go back to how things were before she came. I probably won't last if I do."

Toto looked to the side guiltily. "I know. Neither do I. But... if you don't handle this just right, it will destroy her. She doesn't need to be broken again."

"I have zero intentions of breaking her. Toto, I swear on all I hold dear that I will tell her all after her birthday as gently as possible. I will do whatever it takes to assure her that she's the one that has my attention, and for her parents to warm up to the idea. Please don't take this shot at happiness from me. I've waited long enough for a second chance."

The darker haired cousin stared at the other, remembering all too well a more optimistic declaration of love. He opened his mouth, but his tongue was too heavy to bring up the similarity.

It had always been a bit difficult for him to make his cousin open up to his true thoughts, especially after losing a beautiful future with Lucy.

Humbert tiredly walked back to the grandfather clock. "If that wasn't enough to convince you, nothing will be. But please give me until then, and all will be well."

Not bothering to wait for a response, he entered the passageway in order to return to his room. There was no pressing business for the day, and being alone sounded heavenly.

... How odd. It used to feel more comforting to be alone. A smile worked its way onto his furry lips after he unlocked the secret entrance to his room in order to ease into his favorite 'thinking couch'.

'Haru... if only you knew how much you've changed my perception of 'alone'.' Almost of its own accord, his gloved hand reached into his coat pocket and pulled out something that had only recently arrived at the manor.

He carefully studied the shape of the diamond, as well as the tiny circle the white gold made. If he hadn't personally measured Haru's finger after she fell asleep on him Christmas Eve, he'd wonder if there was truly a hand delicate enough to match the ring.

"... It's such a waste! You'd have made a great dad if that idiot had just... let's forget about him," Haru's voice echoed again through his mind.

Baron closed his eyes in agony, agreeing with her completely. "Please," he begged in a hoarse whisper. "Let me keep this second chance."

'Don't make me go back to the 'alone' I used to know.'