Warning!  This is an adult fiction story.  If you are not legally an adult in your jurisdiction, go back now and enjoy the rest of this site. 

Warning!  This story contains yaoi (gay) relationships between male characters (YoujixKen, YoujixAya).  Explicit sexual situations, violence, angst and sap abound.  Ken and Omi are meanies.

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of various entities who own the rights to Weiss Kruez.  This is a work of fanfiction and an expression of our love for this wonderful anime series.

Part Two:

Sitting on the railing of the second floor hallways, the street far below, Youji smoked and looked off down the street. It was certain that he was waiting for Aya, and even though Ken watched him from his window, he said nothing. It hurt too much for him to even realize that Aya was pushing him out of whatever he was too scared to admit with Youji. When the redhead finally did make it to his door, the blond grinned and waved. "Wanna go somewhere this Sunday?" Youji didn't even realize he was breaking his plans with the others.

 Aya tilted his head, wondering what had happened to the weekly outing the others had made a habit of since before he came to join the group. Perhaps there was some special event to two younger Weiss had chosen that left the eldest member without plans. He nodded at Youji's offer. "Where?"

 "Anywhere. Where do you want to go?"  Youji's eyes sparkled as he looked into Aya's eyes.

 Aya considered the question, his forgotten key still stuck in the lock of his door. Finally he named a beachside resort located a couple of hours drive from the city. There was a hint of question in his voice, as if he expected it to be too far, or that Youji would recognize that swimming season was past and object.

 "Ah! They have the best hot springs in Kamakura!" Youji jumped off the railing, his eyes sparkling. "Great! I've been meaning to go there soon, but girls usually don't like the idea that I might be asking them for an overnight stay. Let's go Saturday night after we close. We'll be there just after dark!" Youji never looked so excited! It was actually kinda scary, the way he held his hands to his face like a girl. "Great! Better than great! I'll go make reservations!" And off he went, humming happily.

 Aya watched the playboy saunter off, subconsciously appreciating the sway to his hips but not ready to let his conscious mind examine such things. He would have to give up both his Saturday and Sunday visits to Aya-Chan. He decided to extend his lunch hour a little on Saturday and visit her then. It was not as if she would notice his absence, but that path led to despair and he was uncommonly happy at the moment and didn't want to allow his thoughts to turn dark. He finished unlocking the door and walked into his apartment, struck with the realization that he had discarded his beach clothing along with every other frivolous thing he owned when he accepted the job Kritiker offered him right after Aya-Chan was hurt. He hadn't had cause to replace them till now. He thought over his busy schedule for the week and picked a time when he could stop by a store to shop.

 The week passed far too slow for poor Youji, who was humming very silly things about going to the beach and writing down lists that dealt with things to take on a nice long car trip for an overnight stay. He too went shopping to pick up a new towel for the hot springs and some bathing supplies to go along with it. He was already starting to pack stuff into Seven on the sly, very aware that by ditching Omi and Ken he was going to have hell to pay. Well, anything was worth it for Aya. He had already given his gold card to the resort management, and because it was too cold to use the ocean, there were only a very few guests there currently. Their prices were low for the very best rooms. Youji only bought one, but he made sure it had two bedrooms. When Saturday finally hit and he and Aya were the only two in the shop, the clock seemed to take forever to get to six thirty. When five o'clock hit, Youji peered over his arrangement at Aya. "Can't we close up? No one's coming in!"

 Aya considered the question. He already felt a little irresponsible for having left Youji alone in the shop for two hours while he visited Aya-Chan at lunch. But they hadn't had a customer in more than an hour, they had few drop in customers on Saturdays. Most of the business on the weekend was customers who preordered arrangements for dinner parties, and those had already all been picked up. "5:30." he finally conceded, and hurried his pace with the reconciliation of the week's cash register receipts.

 "Great!" Youji was already starting to clean, though they hadn't closed yet. By the time five thirty came around Youji was panting and the room was sparkling. He did a better job then he usually did. Closing his eyes, hands folded together until his chin, Youji cooed. "Let's go! Let's go!" As they drove, Youji had his music on loud and the top down. The highways were almost deserted, and Youji pushed Seven up to 130. He looked like a high school boy just after exams. "Doesn't it feel good? Getting away?"

 Aya turned to look at him, crimson hair whipping wildly in the wind and gave him what could only be called a smile. The amethyst eyes regarded him for a long moment after he had turned his own back to the highway for safety's sake, taking in the long, lean form curved against the leather seat, the dark blond hair dancing in the contrary wind inside the cabin, the glasses perched on his nose, and laughter trapped inside the curve of full lips. Aya turned his own eyes back to the highway for safety's sake.

 They made it to the resort in record time, just under two hours. They were shown right to their room, the girl at the desk giving both the beautiful men eyes. "One room, yes yes. Mr. Kudou. This is your guest? Good. We'll have a meal sent up to you both right away. Please unpack and enjoy your stay. Your robes are under the beds. The hot springs are open all night." Youji winked at Aya as he shouldered his own bag and reached for the redhead's too. The room, once they got inside, was absolutely beautiful and done in a western style. "Ah! It's great!"

 Aya captured his own bag before Youji had a chance to pick it up and followed the taller man to the room. It was a huge room and expensively decorated. He looked at Youji with a hint of concern. He'd been thinking of a quiet walk on the beach when he'd suggested the resort, he hadn't expected this trip to turn into a luxury vacation.

 Seeing the look he was being given, Youji grinned a little and dropped all his things on the wide bamboo couch. "Oh, it was cheap, and besides, I charged it to the card Kritiker picks up." He laughed at Aya's face and then stole his hand for a kiss. "Go get changed, and put on a sweater. We should go look at the stars on the beach." He released Aya with reluctance before he made a bee line for one of the bedrooms. When he emerged, almost fifteen minutes later, he was wearing a pair of loose black canvas pants, a pair of black and red reed sandals and an open throated shirt that would no doubt billow around the curves of his body in the ocean breeze. It was past sunset, but the sky was still a medium shade of purple. It glowed on the water and made it a smooth lavender color. Youji turned back from the large picture window as he heard Aya's door open. He wasn't expecting the sight to take his breath away.

 Aya opened his door and stepped into the main room. He was dressed in an off white shirt of light weight cotton with tiny threads of darker brown showing in the unbleached material and a pair of natural colored cotton gauze beach pants whose thin fabric clung to his long legs and narrow hips. He had on a pair of off white beach shoes and carried a light velour jacket over his arm. He looked up at Youji, framed in the huge picture window, and thought he looked exactly like the men on the covers of the romance novels they sold at the Magic Bus coffee shop. What had he gotten himself into?

 Smiling his patent smile, Youji offered his hand to Aya, and once he had the small one safely in his own, Youji's eyes sparkled. The walk down to the beach was pleasant and took them through the resort's garden and down wooden steps sunk into the hillside. The ocean was beautiful, glistening, the color of Aya's eyes in the darkness. The beach below their feet was the softest white, like Aya's skin, only not as smooth. The moment was perfect, standing there holding the hand of his ice prince, gazing off into the endless ocean. But Youji let it slip on by. Aya was not one for such romance. Youji gently squeezed Aya's hand and led him down the beach towards the grotto with its shallow, warm water pools and beautiful statuary.

 Aya stared out at the ocean. It was hard to believe that there was anything on the other side of all that water. He thought of early adventurers, sailing off into the unknown, more likely to be drowned than to find safe shores. He felt just a little like them now. With a soundless snort he shook the silly thought out of his head and looked up at Youji, who was staring out at the water as well. The breeze that came up from the ocean lifted his hair and touched his face in a caress. The older man looked at peace. Aya hadn't realized how sad he sometimes looked until he saw him now with the moonlight softening his features and his cares seemingly left behind in the city. Aya regretted when they moved on to the grotto, although the chill breeze was blowing through his light clothing.

 Stepping out of his sandals and into the tidal pools warmed still from soaking in the day's sunlight, Youji smiled at the feel of the sand between his toes and grinned in his nonsensical way up at Aya. The grin faded quickly, though, when he saw the look of uncertainty on the redhead's face. He wasn't sure he liked the way he was being looked at. "Did I do something wrong, Aya-kun?" he asked softly, adding the suffix just in case that had been the problem. He didn't want to appear that he was getting too close. "I...I'm sorry, whatever it is. Do you want to go see if the food arrived?"

 Aya eyes narrowed a little in a frown. "No." he said, toeing off his shoes and stepping into the water. The warmth gave him goose bumps on his arms. He folded his arms and looked around at the garden, at the statuary, at everything but Youji.

 For being such a playboy, Youji was clueless about Aya. He reached forward, carefully, and touched the redhead's arm with his warm hand. When that wasn't reacted to as if he had burned, Youji took a step closer to Aya and slipped that hand up his arm. He wanted to hold him, suddenly. "We can go bathe in the hot springs later. I can wait in the room if you want to go alone."

 Aya turned toward him at last, a Mona Lisa smile curving the edges of his lips. "It's all right." He leaned a little closer, not quite touching Youji, uncertain himself what he wanted in this moment.

 Aya was too sweet for words. Youji's arms slipped around his pale, smaller frame and pulled him close against his chest. He tried his hardest to be gentle; to make sure that Aya had every opportunity to pull away from him. When he did not, Youji could just feel the happiness wash over him as he tugged that head to his shoulder. "Thank you for coming with me," he whispered, fingering Aya's hair.

 Aya rested his head against Youji's shoulder, not quite resting his body weight against the playboy's. "I'm glad we came." he said in a quiet voice. He closed his eyes and took in the scent of the other man, some designer cologne and designer shampoo and beneath it a musk uniquely his own. He had noticed it a little the other night in the car, but it seemed stronger now.

 With the owner of the establishment saying there were not many guests, Youji had expected uninterrupted affection in this secluded spot. "Eee...they're both boys! I bet they're going to kiss!" Youji's arms tightened around Aya's shoulder, trying to protect him from the words. "Faggots!" He didn't look to see where the voices where coming from. The sounded like high school kids.

 When the jarring voices of the teenagers interrupted his train of thought, his eyes snapped open and he pulled a little away from Youji, his body tightening into a combative stance. It made him angry with himself that he hadn't noticed their approach.

 Youji took Aya's hand almost roughly and bent to pick up their shoes. He stormed out of the grotto he had assumed would be their sanctuary, and stormed off down the beach. He hardly noticed that he was almost tugging Aya's arm off and didn't stop until they were back in their room. In the middle of the table sat a beautiful spread of foods, but Youji hardly noticed as he sat down on the floor and folded his arms over his chest. "Fucking jerks," he said before realizing that Aya was there, standing nearby, panting. Youji looked up, worried. "Oh god! I'm so sorry, Aya-kun! I didn't mean to run back so quickly I just..." Didn't want to beat the asses of those kids in a fit of jealous rage in front of the man he was slowly coaxing from his shell.

 "Did what they said hurt you?" Aya asked curiously, settling onto his knees in the plush carpet and feeling his breathing slow to a more normal pace. Usually he had a better wind than Youji, whose cigarettes made his lungs strain after a short dash. He supposed anger had given Youji new reserves. At least he had gotten warm by the time they arrived back at the room.

 Blinking at that question, Youji gazed over at Aya with wide green eyes. He licked his lower lip and leaned his head down to Aya's lap. "No. I didn't want it to hurt you though." Curled up on the floor, Youji closed his eyes. He was going to be thrown off of this comfortable position any moment now, he realized. "I'm sorry, I'm not ashamed of you at all." Or maybe...it's just that it wasn't true that got to him. Maybe he was jealous of everyone's perception of them. Or something that Youji wasn't really getting.

 Aya let Youji rest his head in his lap, but resisted the impulse to stroke his fingers through the dark honey colored hair. "I don't care what people think." Aya said quietly, surprised that Youji thought he might.

 "Really?" Youji looked up at Aya, turning onto his back. One hand reached up to curl his fingers in one of those amazing eartails. He tugged, just a little, and smiled up at Aya. "Well, good then. Let's not care what anyone things of us, okay?" He wanted nothing more then to stroke that pale cheek.

 Aya quirked a carmine brow at him, that enigmatic smile playing over his lips again. He set his hands under the warm weight of Youji's head and came to his feet in a graceful motion, lowering Youji's head to the carpet and walking to the table to examine the elaborate meal laid out there.

 Sitting up slowly, laughing, Youji crawled over to the table and rummaged around for some chopsticks. "Itadakimasu!" he cried, breaking apart the disposal ones they had been given before he picked up a bowl and opened the rice container. He doled out Aya's first, handing it over with a little hint of pleasure as their hands brushed, before he got one for himself. Youji could really eat, diet or no. This was vacation! He grinned at Aya as he inhaled the fish and egg. "This is sooo good!"

 Aya nodded, savoring the taste of the food. He lived on a steady diet of fast food and whatever he could microwave at home, with no time for cooking. He wasn't a gourmet, but it was nice to eat from real dishes and enjoy food that had been prepared with care. He ate with the same economy of motion he used to fight and to arrange flowers, glancing up from time to time to meet the emerald eyes across the table. Youji's dinner conversation flowed through him like water. He heard every word, but it was the current and the refreshing quality that made it valuable.

 Panting after the end of the meal, Youji slumped forward to lean against the table and smile with such unadulterated happiness at Aya. He felt his heart soar at the look of enjoyment in the other's ice cold eyes before he stretched and belched behind his hand and exclaimed how good it was to be alive! He wanted to do nothing more then to curl up on the floor with his head on Aya's lap again. "Nah, wanna go to the springs now?" Youji's tone had a touch of perversion to it.

 Aya nodded and rose again gracefully, looking at the debris of the meal. He supposed the hotel staff would come and get the food. He'd never stayed in a hotel except as part of a mission, and in those cases they had kept the hotel staff out for fear of their arsenal of weapons and electronic surveillance devices being found.

 "Great!" Youji fetched his bathing basket and his brand new towel and waited for Aya to get his own things together. They would change into their towels, back to each other, in the men's changing room. Youji obviously didn't care much about being naked in front of Aya. No wonder on that. He winked at the redhead as he passed and slipped out into the cold night air. "Ah! Cold!" But the hot springs...oh...they were fantastic. Youji sunk into the water with a delicate sigh, his back towards the steps so as not to embarrass the redhead with his roaming eye.

 In the end it had taken Aya three different shopping trips to find a satisfactory swimsuit.  Most suits were in vivid colors designed for people of darker complexion than his.  He'd had to shop in the tourist district frequented by Americans in order to find a suit which didn't make his pale flesh look like a corpse.  He'd ended up selecting a boxer style suit of pale lavender with abstract aqua symbols decorating it in a sedate pattern.  He slipped into the suit while Youji's back was turned and slid into the water, the warmth welcome on his chilled skin.  He smiled a little at Youji's gentlemanly turned back.  He'd given the man the impression he was as shy as a schoolgirl, which was probably true but the assassin was still not sure he was happy with the comparison.  Still, he was comfortable with Youji's gentle approach and flattered by the playboy's attentions, so he'd accept the role and relax in the safety it offered.

 Being the terrible man he was, Youji snuck a peak at Aya through the reflection of the water as he removed his towel and slipped into the water.  He couldn't help laughing, or giving himself away either by lunging for the redhead and slipping the tips of his fingers into Aya's swimsuit.  "This is a hot spring baka!  You can't bathe in a swim suit!" 

 It was just so perfect, really, this moment.  Aya was blushing, probably because Youji was naked and rubbing his cheek against his own.  Youji was laughing happily, almost like a girl, his arms wrapping around Aya's neck.  "You're so great, you know that, Reds?"  There was a little kiss, not to his lips of course, but just below his left eyebrow.  Youji was just too happy for words.  When he was not alone and brooding, when he not around the reminder that he killed for a living, Youji was just a happy twenty-six year old, wanting to make a good impression on the guy he loved.

 Loved?  Youji blinked and drew back, blushing himself.  "Eh, sorry!"

 Aya's eyes widened as he made a series of realizations.  Youji was naked.  He was supposed to be naked.  Aya was supposed to be naked.  He had his arms flung around Aya’s neck and was pressing an innocent little peck on Aya's face, but he was pressed up against Aya and he was naked.  Aya's imagination happily supplied images of all the things the water hid and he blushed as crimson as his hair.  Youji pulled back, blushing too, which was interesting because he'd never seen Youji blush before but Youji was still naked so no wonder he was blushing and Aya wished he had his katana because seppuku seemed the only graceful way out of the situation he had gotten himself into.  "G-gomen," he stammered, backpedaling to the steps and hurrying out of the pool, pulling the towel around himself.

 Youji raised his hands up defensively and then placed them on the stone outside of the pool, his head bowed low.  "Don't go, don't go, I'll put clothing on too!"  Youji felt like the biggest asshole in the world.  With his shoulders and arms and his back glimmering with moonlight refracted from the moisture that clung to his skin, his hair clinging to the back of his neck, Youji tried to appear as safe as possible.  "I'm sorry," he cried, his forehead now to the stone as he prostrated himself.  "I'm really REALLY sorry!"

 Aya looked at Youji with his head bowed to the stone like that, tendrils dripping where they'd picked up a bit of water and it was all really funny in a horrible sort of way.  He'd never been so embarrassed in his life.  But it wasn't Yohji's fault, it was his own stupidity.  And he'd ruined everything.  Unless he just toughed it out.  A dozen guards with machine guns didn't slow him down, why would one scrap of cloth?  Or the absence of it?  Setting his teeth into his lower lip, he hooked a thumb under the waistband of his swim shorts and stripped them off in one simple motion, then stepped back into the water with no fanfare, although his eyes were averted and his face was an amazing cherry color.

 Eyes mere dots in the center of a white field, Youji peered through his dripping hair at the back of Aya's head.  His gaze shifted to the swimsuit, left dripping wet by his head.  Then it belonged to Aya again.  Youji moved slowly, but hardly without letting Aya notice as the almost too hot water was displaced by his body, closer and closer.  Closer still, until his arms were around Aya's chest and his lips were dropping one, two kisses onto his shoulder.  "Stop making me so happy Fujimiya," Youji said, sniffling.  "I can't take much more of you and your surprises."

 Aya's body was completely rigid; his head bowed a little as he kept his eyes neatly fixed on the feet of the statue nearest the pool.  His breathing was calm and even, like when he was doing a complex sword kata and was first learning the movements which would later be sped up to a blinding whirl of death.  His concentration was such that it seemed as if he didn't even know Youji was in the pool with him, much less holding him and speaking in his ear.

 "Mmm.." Youji whispered, pressing his cheek to the back of Aya's shoulder, his grip loosening just a little so that he could remember to keep his head about him.  The moments passed like heartbeats, and Aya didn't move or say a single word.  He didn't soften and melt back into Youji's arms.

 So, he just let go and drifted back to one of the natural stone seats sunken into the water.  He crossed his legs and lifted his arms one the even rim.  His head tilted back and he looked at the sky.  "The stars are brighter here, don't you think, Aya?"  There was a certain sense of contentment with his words as he smiled lazily up at the sky.  "It makes you forget that the world is different from this moment.  That tomorrow night we'll be leaving this place to go back to that hell."  How sweet his voice was, laced with sadness.

 Aya slowly turned to look at Youji over his shoulder, drawn from his focus by the melancholy in the other's voice. Still painfully self-conscious, he stepped back to the deeper part of the pool before turning. He looked up at the night sky. The stars did appear brighter here, and even though he knew it was just getting away from the light pollution of the big city, it did add to the tranquility of the little grotto. "There are more." he observed, glancing through the corner of his eye at Youji.

 "Ahh...that's true." Youji turned his face away from Aya and wiped his face with his already wet hand. "More, and better too. They're not afraid to glow so brightly for us here." How strange he was sometimes, how soft his eyes could be. It seemed everything wasn't about sex and cigarettes. Youji hadn't had either since this little vacation began. Slowly, Youji's hand lifted above the water and reached for Aya. He wanted to hold his hand.

 "Maybe..." Aya started and stopped for a few seconds. "Maybe they have more to hide when there are others watching." he finally said. He let his hand slip into Youji's without making any special note of it.

 Rubbing his thumb across Aya's fingers, Youji drew him into his arms in perfect rendition of their night spent. First date. So was this the second date? Youji looked over at Aya and smiled again, very softly. He was already starting to lean in. He was already starting to lick his lips and tilt up Aya's chin. He was already starting to mess up something beautiful.

 Aya turned his face away. Not sharply, and he didn't force his way out of Youji's arms as he had before. But his posture and expression told the playboy clearly that the redhead wasn't ready for this.

 Stiffly, Youji was the one to pull back, his eyes wide and his cheeks red. With his hands in his lap, Youji lowered his face and sighed before he climbed up out of the hot spring, not bothering to wrap his towel around his waist, before he started to dress in the changing room. He needed to smoke. And to jerk off. But that last problem was something he didn't want to think about.

 Aya slipped deeper into the water till it came to just below his nose and waited, eyes half closed, till he heard Youji leave. He stayed in at least another hour, trying to sort though his confused feelings. He knew he had disappointed the playboy. He suspected Youji didn't often have to invest so much time and energy in the hunt. The handsome former detective could have almost anyone, man or woman, he wanted. Aya still couldn't understand why he'd spent so much of his time trying to seduce one skinny, pale, socially backward assassin. He slipped from the water in silence, drying himself and pulling his clothes back on, tossing the clammy swimsuit in the basket. It was done with now. The blond had gone to find easier game, which meant anyone at the resort. His face as smooth and expressionless as those of the statues beside the pool, he walked back to the room, listening for a few minutes outside the door to decide if Youji had company within before letting himself in with a killer's stealth.

 The only person in the room was Youji, curled up on the couch. He seemed to have been waiting up when sleep had overcome him. He looked peaceful, content, and yet, he seemed to be so full of guilt that he was about to burst. On Aya's closer investigation, Youji grabbed the fairer one's wrist and whispered a name Aya never had heard before. "Asuka, it's kinda cold in here, shut the window."

 Surprised to find Youji home so soon, Aya frowned at the sleeping man. Asuka? Had he already found release with someone here at the resort and was calling him by her name? That would make sense, except that something about the way he said the name made it seem more like he was speaking of someone he knew well. A former lover then, perhaps from before he'd joined Weiss. Careful not to wake the man, Aya went to Youji's bedroom and took the coverlet from the bed. He draped it over the playboy, making sure he would be comfortable and warm enough before retreating to his own room and the emotional safety it offered.

 Waking with a start not more than an hour later, Youji left the room filled with his single, terrified cry and sat hunched over and clutching the blanket to his chest. He was surprised to see Aya come rushing from his room, through brown eyes (he had removed his contacts) filled with the same tears that soaked his cheeks. It hit Youji a bit too hard where he was and who he was with, and in shame he turned away from Aya and tumbled out onto the balcony.

 Aya watched Youji flee to the balcony, mystified by the man's behavior. Where had all that self-confidence gone? Somewhat at a loss, he got a bottle of orange juice from the minibar and took it, along with the blanket, out to the balcony. Silently, he held them out to the other man.

 Laughing to make up for the tears, Youji leaned against the balcony and smiled out to where the sounds of the ocean were coming from. "Just a nightmare, go back to bed." He was afraid that if he ever looked at Aya, the need to be held would overwhelm him and he'd make a huge fool out of himself.

 Aya considered the other man gravely in his usual cautiously appraising way. "We have that in common." he said, holding the other's gaze.

 Youji reached out with a trembling hand and gently touched Aya's chin with his fingertips. "We have too much in common, Aya." Youji glowed as he looked away and removed his hand and the offending touch.

 Aya blinked, quite uncertain what the other man meant. They shared an unusual job. They both suffered nightmares involving a woman; probably a woman both had failed in some way. Aya wondered if this Asuka was dead, and felt a tinge of sadness for the playboy, if he had truly loved her. Other than those small commonalities, Aya thought that he had less in common with the handsome playboy than with the ocean pounding against the shore. He wanted to go in, he was so terribly unsuited for comforting anyone. The only person he shared anything with was in a state of living death. He had tried for so long to share her fate that he had no idea how to even pretend to be anything other than a colorless ghost. But he felt responsible, in some vague way, for Youji's despair. So he stayed, neither offering support nor withdrawing it, waiting for the tide to shift one way or another.

 Youji smiled then, quite suddenly, and without any attachments riding its coattails. He reached for Aya without warning and hugged him. It was warm, and tight, but brief. Youji had nearly stepped beyond his boundaries for one night. That was far more then enough. He took the redhead's hand in his and led him towards his forgotten bedroom. "Thank you," he said, eyes sparkling with happiness he knew Aya would never understand. "Don't let me sleep the day away. We should rent a boat tomorrow and spend the day on it." Aya's knuckles were kissed with such sweet longing before Youji stepped back and smiled again. Somehow, just one touch, just one look of sympathy, had made it all better again.

 Aya had a little trouble falling asleep in the unfamiliar bed, but finally drifted off. He had many dreams, some good, some bad, none of which he could remember when he awoke at dawn. He slipped from his room to see if Youji was awake yet. Finding the playboy's door still closed, he dressed quickly in sweats and running shoes and left a note saying, "Back by 7" before taking advantage of the beautiful sunrise to go running along the beach. He returned at the appointed time, sweaty and hungry, and crept back in again in the hopes of not waking the other if he were sleeping in.

 Across the way from their bedrooms, Youji was in the bathroom, evidently taking his good old time getting ready for the day. The door was left open a whole lot more than a crack, giving anyone stepping into the room an excellent view of him by way of the mirror. Youji seemed unconcerned to be shaving completely naked, the running water drowning out Aya's careful sounds of being undetected.

 Aya paused for a guilty moment to look at the beautiful sight offered so freely. Youji's slender body was well muscled, the sinews gliding under his golden skin with every little movement. He stood with one hip cocked, posing even when alone, and his body swayed along with some tune he seemed to be humming as he performed his morning rituals. The redhead gave up the moment of voyeurism with some reluctance, heading for the phone, which sat outside the angle of the door, to call and enquire if breakfast had been ordered for their room yet. He knew Youji wanted to get an early start this morning. He kept his back to the bathroom door while speaking on the phone to avoid temptation.

 The problem with mirrors was that they reflected both ways. Youji sank to the toilet after Aya turned away, resolution sparkling in his eyes. So, Aya was not without desires! And even better, Aya had some faint desires towards him! Youji hugged himself in his wife beater and sheer black over shirt before he dropped to the floor behind Aya and hugged him as he had done last night in the hot springs. "You came back early!"

 "I'm sweaty." Aya responded, thinking Youji didn't want to hug him right after showering. He twisted in the embrace to come nose to nose with the playboy, a twinkle of something like mischief in his eyes. He'd expected Youji to break off pursuit after last night, to return to the flirting and mildly mocking demeanor he'd had in their early acquaintance. But he still seemed just as interested, and Aya was glad, although he knew it would make both their lives less complicated if the other assassin had given up on him. But Aya had discovered during the night and his morning run that he didn't want to be given up on. He had resolved to try harder to let Youji inside his carefully crafted walls. He lowered his forehead to bump against the other's then brushed the lightest of kisses across his lips before bolting into the bathroom and turning on the shower.

 Kneeling now, his palms on the floor since that person in his arms had somehow vanished, Youji looked back over his shoulder at the bathroom door with massive eyes. "Ehh..." he said, touching the tingle left on his lips before he smiled and found himself laying on the floor, all curled up in contentment. "Aya...you're terrible, really."

 Youji had never felt happier than in that shocked, glorious moment. He waited just where he was outside of the bathroom door, a smile as big as his face would allow shining brightly as testament. He couldn't help sighing. It felt so...so good!

 Aya realized halfway through his shower that he hadn't brought any clothes with him into the bathroom, but the towels provided by the hotel were large enough for modesty. He toweled his hair dry and wrapped himself in one of the big bath towels. Maybe Youji was out on the balcony smoking or something. He opened the door a crack and surveyed the room. Seeing no one, he slipped gratefully into the main room, only to discover that the playboy was lying on the carpet where he'd left him, looking upside down at him with a silly grin on his face. Aya bared his teeth in a mock grimace and strode across the room clinging to what little dignity he could muster, disappearing into his room and closing the door. He reappeared shortly in the same pants and shoes from last night and a cotton shirt the color of new butter.

 Sitting up by this time, Youji craned his head towards Aya and then got slowly to his feet. There had been a knock on the door almost a full minute ago, but Youji hadn't wanted to miss Aya's look as he came out of his bedroom. Kneeling at the door to lift the massive tray he found just outside, Youji winked at his redhead (yes, his) and then delivered their breakfast to the center table. "Their miso is fantastic," he said, still smiling. It was going to be weeks before that went away.

 Aya glanced up at him through his lashes, still a little shocked at his own behavior. But it seemed to have had the desired effect on the playboy; he'd never seen him smile like that for more than a few seconds at a time. He matched it with his own secret smile and carefully sectioned an orange, handing half to Youji.

 How did Aya know the secret weapon for complete and total Youji love?! Tears sparkling in his eyes, Youji accepted the orange and ate each slice carefully, savoringly. He refused to meet Aya's eyes as he finished his little gift, licking his fingers clean of sticky juice. "I use to say that when a girl gave me half of her orange, that was the girl I was going to marry." How could Aya have known such a thing? Even Asuka hadn't. Or anyone else for that matter. No one except his long dead mother.

 The redhead's heart stuttered a little on that one and he looked into Youji's eyes searchingly. He had sounded so sincere, but surely it had been one of his many carefully crafted lines of seduction. But the sparkle of wetness at the corner of his eyes was real enough. Aya sat very still and regarded Youji with surprised wonder. Was it possible he was more to the playboy than a particularly hard won notch on his bedpost? He hadn't considered that Youji might actually come to care for him, he'd accepted their relationship as ephemeral, expecting to get only a few brief weeks of the other's affection before it left in search of warmer shores. The redhead pursed his lips and considered what that meant.

 Rubbing his hands across his eyes, Youji snuffled just a little and then forced himself to smile without such...what do you call it? Innuendo. "Ah, just forget it. It was something silly I use to tell my mom when I was a child. We both loved oranges, and she always let me eat my own and then split hers with me. So, if I ever found someone that would do that...I'd marry them." Youji reached for his soup and lentils and refused to look right at Aya. His face was blotchy with embarrassment. How could he had been so stupid as to say something like that! He was going to frighten Aya off, and he had worked so very hard to get him to the point where he didn't flinch when Youji touched him.

 So, at least for the moment, he was seeing the true Youji, without his masks. Aya watched with interest, turning back to his meal only when the other had successfully regained himself. The swordsman knew it was unkind of him, he would not want the other to see him devoid of his own carefully crafted mask. He honestly didn’t know what lay beneath; he never took it off to look. But he needed to know if he could trust the blond. By way of apology, he reached across the table to brush Youji's hand with his own, then filled his coffee cup before lifting the pot of green tea to fill his own cup. "Boat?" he asked in a deliberate non-sequitur.

 "Ah, the boat!" Youji had never jumped up so quickly before for anything. He nearly pounced on the phone and began to dial the main desk like mad. He had been told when he made reservations that they only had two all day yachts for rent, and that if Youji wanted one, he would have to call early. "Yes yes, this is room...er...I don't know but I'd like to rent one of the boats for the day and maybe a map of the islands around here and...em...a picnic lunch too?" He sounded almost out of breath until he hung up and breathed with relief. "We got the last one!" he cried, already heading for his bedroom to pack some things for the trip. Sunscreen, a hat, sandals, swim trunks...

 Youji popped his head out at grinned at Aya sheepishly. "I guess I should eat first."

 His eyes crinkling in humor over the rim of his teacup, Aya lowered it and nodded. "You know how to sail?" He'd been on powerboats, of course, but never on a sailboat. In movies, they looked very complicated.

 "Damn straight, I'm talented." Youji took his seat beside Aya and went back to his breakfast, explaining over another orange how his father had owned a boat way back when his family was running a small hot spring resort farther south. He didn't go into too much detail, just enough to hold up a conversation. But the past was past, and Youji hated more then anything in the world to think about it. He took Aya's hand as they had both finished and smiled up into his eyes. "Let's go get shipwrecked."

 Aya listened to the story with interest. Youji had never spoken of his family before, and now he'd mentioned both his mother and his father in one sitting. If Youji had grown up at a resort like this one, it explained many things about his personality. At Youji's suggestion of getting "shipwrecked", Aya said, "We'll have to pack a big lunch for that." He went to his room and quickly packed his things. His swimsuit was in his bath basket, still wet from the night before. He slipped it into the plastic bag the hotel left in the closet for dry cleaning and put it in the canvas bag with the rest of his things, making sure to include the sunscreen he'd bought at the suggestion of the girl in the swim shop. He emerged with his bag on one shoulder and an expectant look.

 "I got that covered," Youji said, offering his hand to the redhead. He didn't care what people saw, and now that he knew that Aya didn't care either...

 The girl at the front desk smiled at them happily and told them that everything waited for them in the boat at the pier, dock six. "She's called the Luna Love," she said as she handed Youji the keys. "And we took the liberty of packing dinner along with the lunch, compliments of the staff."

 Youji kissed her hand in return and smiled his most dazzling smile for her. There was too much joy within him to do otherwise. Aya's hand was taken more tightly, fingers lacing together instead of mitten-like holding. The walk to the docks was pleasant. The beach seemed deserted. "It's going to be a good day," he said, his hair shimmering gold as he looked up at the cloudless sky.

 Youji looked as if he were in his natural element, the sun on his skin, the wind in his hair, a carefree expression on his face. He looked like a model for an ad for a resort just such as this one. Aya could hardly pry his eyes loose to look at the boat, graceful even in her mooring. He felt as if he were living someone else's life. This couldn't be Fujimiya Ran standing here, son of a hard working and only moderately successful banker. And it certainly couldn't be Abyssinian, that soulless predator of the night. This was the country of one Kudou Youji, playboy and scoundrel, and he was a happy guest here.

 After walking around the small pleasure craft twice, checking out its hold with its bathroom, a tiny bedroom fitted with only a bed, and very small kitchen cooling tank, he went ahead to the engine room and tinkered around until he familiarized himself with the parts. Next came the rigging, and the control panel. Everything was digitalized. All he need do was push a button. Somewhat disappointed that he wouldn't be able to show off his boating skills, Youji helped Aya into the Moon Love and then jumped out himself to untie her from her moor. Within the hour they were heading out to the horizon, the wind in their hair and in the sails. Youji plotted a course on the computer system for a small island the map said was only visible at low tide and then sat back with his arm around his redhead to enjoy the feeling of being just a normal human being.

 Aya relaxed on the deck, watching Youji move about the boat, performing mostly mysterious tasks with the grace and ease of an acrobat. He sure footedly ran along the narrow ledges and dangled precipitously from protrusions of the boat with the comfort of familiarity. When he finally settled beside Aya, the other welcomed him with a small smile and settled easily into his arms; laying his head on his shoulder and watching the sapphire water glide past. The sun on his face felt like a gift, and the breeze tangled crimson and blond hair in a carefree dance.

 The sweetness of Aya in his arms was breathtaking, and Youji found himself watching the redhead watch the ocean instead of paying attention to their direction. Even so, through modern technology, the yacht pulled into the lee of the small, less then an acre wide island covered in sparkling white sand half an hour later. They had eight hours, give or take, to spend there before heading back to the resort to pack up and then drive home. After helping Aya off the boat and into the knee deep, warm water, Youji dropped anchor and passed the redhead the picnic basket and their own supplies to be placed up on shore beyond the waves. Wisely, the resort staff had packed them an umbrella, and Youji helped Aya set it up, laughing as they floundered to do the simplest of things when they could so easily perform tactical maneuvers without thinking. "Let's go swimming, Aya. You can change on the boat, I don't mind staying here." And why should he? He knew Aya had already seen him.

 Aya nodded, wading out to the boat and climbing aboard to go to the small cabin and change. The swim trunks were clammy with last night's dampness and required amazing feats of acrobat prowess to put on in the cramped cabin, but Aya's years of training in martial arts served him and he finally wrestled his way into the wet cloth. He folded his clothes and laid them back in the canvas bag, save for the pants, which had gotten wet getting on and off the boat. Those he laid on the counter under the window to dry in the strong sunlight. Remembering, he spread waterproof sunscreen on his pale skin and took the tube with him as he waded back to the tiny island. Youji was long since finished changing; lounging on the blanket and watching him make his way through the shallow water, the wet swimsuit clinging to his skin. Reaching the edge of the blanket, Aya knelt in the sand and squinted a little at the playboy.

 "Let me get your back," Youji said, adjusting his sunglasses on his nose and swiping the tube from Aya. He wore tiger stripped bikini cut trunks that really left nothing to the imagination as he guided Aya lay down on the checkered towel he had spread and straddled his waist to smear on the thick white creme. Having perverted thoughts, Youji worked the lotion into every bit of Aya's back he could, going over some areas twice just because he didn't want to stop touching him. When violet eyes looked up, meeting his own, Youji laughed and stood up, feeling just a little sheepish, before he ran into the water, jumping waves. "Ne! Fujimiya! Bring the ball, okay? We'll play volleyball!" From the uncertain look on the redhead's face, Youji realized that sweet, wonderful Aya had probably never played beach games like these before.

 Aya never thought having sun block applied could feel so good. So erotic. The feel of Youji's warm hands stroking his skin, pressing the lotion into his skin, smoothing his muscles. The feel of Youji's thighs pressed against his sides, his hips shifting above with the rhythmic motion of his hands. Before the playboy relented and jumped into the water, he'd given Aya a hard on that he was sure the damp swim suit would never conceal. Fortunately, Youji offered a solution when he suggested Aya bring the beach ball with him. Reaching to snag the large inflated ball from where it rested on the sand, Aya came to his feet and used the brightly colored shape as camouflage till he made it to waist deep water. Although the water here in the shallows was warmed by the sun, it was still late in the season for swimming and the sudden chill made short work of Aya's embarrassing problem. Shifting his weight up onto his tiptoes, he tossed the ball at Youji.

 Youji slammed it back, falling face first into the oncoming wave. His teeth were already chattering. People weren't supposed to go swimming in September, and now he knew the reason why. Even so, he was so happy being able to be with Aya, play with Aya, that Youji quickly forgot he was going to freeze to death and swam under the water to pull at Aya's feet and tug him under-- so much for volleyball. Besides, who would want to play that when you could wrestle in the ocean?

 Aya was distracted by wading after the ball and didn't see the stealthy attack coming, but when he felt warm hands on his ankles he grabbed a lungful of air before being pulled under. Using Youji's grip as leverage, he drew his legs into a crouch so he could flip the taller man beneath him in the surf.

 Rising to the surface on his back, Youji blinking away the water in his eyes and just stared at the sky for a few moments before he realized what had happened and broke into laughter so pure it was the most wonderful sound ever heard. His arms curled around Aya and pull him to his chest. "You're ridiculous."

 Aya let himself be pulled close; enjoying the other man's wet warmth, and looked into Youji's laughing eyes. In a completely serious tone of voice, he said, "You're it." and broke away, floundering toward the shore.

 So, THAT'S how it was going to be, huh? Youji waited a few minutes before he too started for the shore, his feet slipping in the wet sand, the water keeping him behind. Up on the beach it was no easier. Youji was not as fast as Aya, and keeping up with him was becoming impossible. The sand was so fine it was like walking on ice. Youji slipped, and cried out. "My ankle!"

 Aya heard Youji's cry and circled carefully, wary of a trap. But it looked like the playboy had really hurt himself, sitting in the sand and clutching his ankle, so the redhead jogged back to where he was and crouched next to him. "Let me see."

 Oh, but it WAS a trap, and poor Aya fell for it. Just as he bent down to look at the sobbing (real tears!) man's foot, Youji pounced on him. His weight, and the degree of surprise he had inflicted, left him with a very good grip on the redhead. Grinning like a wolf, Youji peered down at Aya. "Gotcha."

 Aya looked up at him, cheeks flushed with exertion and proximity to the other man. The depths of those amethyst eyes seemed bottomless in the shade cast by Youji's body above him. Aya relaxed in his grip, hands splayed palm upwards on the sand at his side, his chest rising and falling to catch his breath after struggling up the beach.

 Very slowly, Youji reached up to brush some sand that clung to Aya's cheeks, relieving his beautiful one of it's marring. His fingers then went to Aya's hair, his eyes soft as he stroked the blood red and mixed it with the sand. Finally, and with the most delicate of care, Youji lowered his face to brush the smallest of kisses on Aya's slips, his eyes only half closing as he sunk down into the sand, cheek to cheek with someone that was quickly becoming more to him than anyone else had ever.

 "Aya...what's your real name?"

 Aya closed his eyes, listening to Youji’s quiet breathing.  He could feel the warmth of his body, almost dry in the sun, and the dampness of that silly little swimsuit he was wearing.  His skin felt electrified where it touched the other man’s.  His hand found Youji’s in the warm sand and crept into it.  “Ran.”  He finally said.  “Fujimiya Ran.”

 "Ran," Youji repeated with a smile, covering Aya completely with his body. "Just like a flower," he said softly and kissed the redhead, this time for real. He felt himself pulled into Aya, just as he felt a dam burst inside the other's chest, icy waves breaching that shell and spilling around Youji. He thought, for a moment, that he would drown in those lips. It was a thrilling thought indeed.

 Aya kept his eyes closed as he felt Youji’s body move over his.  He demanded his own body remain relaxed and had more success than he’d had in the past.  He let himself focus on the feel of those sensuous lips on his, the warm, gentle touch awakening a tingling sensation he was only beginning to become familiar with.  When he felt the moist brush against his lips, he parted them to admit Youji’s tongue.  It was a strange feeling, but wonderful.

 The rich feeling of Aya's (Ran's...why couldn't he think straight?) mouth, the smoothness of the silk lining within, excited Youji beyond all common sense.  He really should have tried to be more delicate with the fragile warmth he explored, but all reasonable thought left his brain and splashed down onto Aya's (Ran's!) cheeks.  Not sure just how he had gotten this fortune, Youji sat back on his heels, though it pained him to do so, and gazed down at the way the redhead breathed and writhed still in the sand.  He wanted to touch those lips, but how could he do such a thing when his fingertips were sandy?

 Instead, Youji leaned in again for another kiss, and found that his breath had once again been stolen.

 Aya looked up through long lashes at the blond, his eyes simmering with forces he couldn't even name to himself. For a moment he feared-hoped-feared that Youji had decided not to press him, and he knew he would never be bold enough to try to change his mind, but then the other man was bending back down to him and he raised his head to meet those lips he craved.

 Hands slipping into the loose sand, Youji pulled Aya up against his chest as a rain of gold poured from his arms. The ice prince was kissing back now, and the very thought, let alone the action, sent a shiver of delight down his back. Youji knew he was experiencing something no other man alive had experienced. He didn't mind the sand finding the most sensitive parts of himself. He didn't even notice. He didn't notice anything until he pulled back for air.

 The redhead's eyes were closed, his face flushed. His lashes slowly parted to look up at the other, his lips, swollen from kissing, breathed an inaudible word that looked very like the shape of Youji's name. Aya lifted his hand to trail the very tips of his fingers through the damp strands of Youji's hair, fanning them to let the sunlight sparkle golden on their surface. He seemed fascinated by this simple play of light.

 Turning his head, Youji pressed his lips to Aya's sandy wrist and held his hand to cheek for a good bit of nuzzling. By then, the sun was at his peak and Aya's skin was starting to turn just a small bit of pink. Youji slipped his arms beneath Aya's neck and legs and carried him slowly back to the blanket and their umbrella. He kissed him softly before he laid him down in the shade and went to the ocean with a bucket to collect water so that Aya could wash his hands before lunch. Youji's eyes had never looked so soft as they did then, so caring.

 Aya luxuriated in the feel of being carried, being cared for. He snuggled in Youji's arms as he lifted him to cross the sand and settled him in the shade, venturing to kiss his hand before Youji headed to the surf for a bucket of water. He watched the lithe form of the other man as he made his way back, water splashing from the bucket, and smiled as he arrived back at the little picnic.

 It wasn't as strange as you might think for Youji to kneel beside the redhead and carefully wash away the sand from his hands and arms before he unpacked their lunch for the day. Little sandwiches, cold miso, fish...the people at the resort had taken very good care of them. Grinning, his eyes seeming to glow, Youji watched as Aya ate and made small talk, just so that he would have an excuse to look him in the eyes, and then lose himself there.

 Contributing practically nothing to the conversation, as was his wont, Aya still connected with Youji through eye contact and subtle nuances of expression in response to what he was saying. The food was again delicious. Aya had a brush with that feeling he'd had on the dock, that this was all too good to be true, he was going to wake up cold and alone in his bed at any moment. But the sun was too warm, the breeze too cool, Youji's laughter too carefree. He could never have imagined the man laughing like that. He could never have imagined his mouth tasting like that, sweet, and faintly of cigarettes. This must be real, his imagination just wasn't this good.

 After he had eaten, Youji stretched out on the blanket he had spread and laid his head in Aya's lap. He felt like a normal man, with a normal romantic life and on a normal vacation. He smiled up at the redhead and gently tugged on one curling eartail. "What would you like to do now," he asked, yawning even as he did so. His stomach was full, his heart was full, and Aya's kiss had warmed him completely.

 Aya's finger stopped twirling in the curl of blond hair it had captured and he looked down at the other man with blank eyes. He had no idea, he'd been riding along thus far on Youji's plans, and he hadn't had a single complaint. Licking his lower lip he looked around at the tiny island and shrugged narrow shoulders in bafflement. Sitting here in the shade with Youji's head on his lap was good enough to fill his afternoon. His week. His life. Just add a ferry to the Magic Bus Hospital for a couple of hours every day and he was prepared to live out the rest of his life on this little spit of sand.

 Sitting up a little, Youji checked his watch. They still had four hours or so of low tide left before the island sunk, but Youji didn't want to risk falling asleep and having all of their belongings float away before they could get to it. Youji smiled gently and leaned in to give Aya another little kiss. "Let's go take a nap on the boat," he suggested, already packing away the lunch.

 Although the sun was making him drowsy, Aya had no wish to sleep away any of this perfect day. But he had given Youji full charge of the itinerary, so he nodded and returned the small kiss a little awkwardly, though none of that awkwardness was apparent as he came to his feet and began gathering the things they had brought with them.

 Once on the boat, their little island again left unmarred by human hands, Youji stood under the fresh water shower in the tiny, one person bathroom and cleaned off all of the sand. Toweling off and slipping into his loose pants, Youji told Aya about the shower and then stretched out on the bed that took up the entire bedroom. He was still a little damp, but that was okay. Aya would warm him right up.

 Aya spent the time Youji was in the shower storing their belongings, then he sat on deck and regarded the little island, committing it to memory. Like so many things in his life, it would soon be gone as if it had never been, and it made him wistful enough that he was relieved when Youji came bustling out of the shower and invited him to take his turn. The cool water was shocking on his lightly sunburned skin and he silently thanked the girl who'd suggested he buy the sun block in the first place. Showering himself clean and drying off, he pulled on his own pants, rescued crisp and dry from their spot in the window. He came out and looked around for Youji.

 "In here," the blond called, moving aside to make enough room for Aya to lie next to him. "If you're worried, you can tie up my hands, or knock me out, or anything else you want." Youji pondered the bit about being tied up. Kinky, but Aya wasn't like that.

 A faint smile touched Aya's lips at the mention of tying Youji up, and he climbed on his hands and knees to his side of the bed before rolling onto his back and regarding the spotless ceiling. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't trust you." he said evenly.

 "Well you shouldn't trust me, little boy," Youji said, rolling over to pin Aya to the sheets. He laughed happily at Aya's shock and then leaned down to nibble on his earlobe. "Didn't you know that I'm a fox, come to steal you away with me?" Youji tried to make a fox face, one every Japanese child had feared would come to take them away if they were naughty.

 "I would call you tomcat first." Aya replied dryly, relaxed beneath the larger man. "If you stole me, where would you take me?" he asked, gazing up into Youji 's face with those deadly serious eyes.

 Between kisses and small caresses that all took place above Aya's shoulders, Youji told Aya the answer to his question. "I would keep you on this boat and we would sail to China on it and live in a little village. I'd teach you to fish, or make nets, and we'd live on our catches." It was a good fantasy to have, as good as any, really. His tongue caressed the vein in Aya's neck. "Or we could go to America and open up a beauty parlor."

 Aya's deep chuckle was the reward for that last, although his eyes were sparkling with the fantasy. He filed it carefully away in the same place he had put the impression of the island, his breath catching as Youji's tongue found the small depression behind his ear and the earring he never took off.

 A bit too turned on to safely continue, Youji laid his head on Aya's chest, grateful for the almost automatic way the redhead's long, delicate fingers twisted in his curls. He held Aya tightly and kissed up under his jaw line, trying to get comfortable and to hide his budding hard on from the man he was sure he could love if given the time. "Where would you like to go if you could A--Ran.."

 His name sounded strange from Youji's lips, intimate. He thought about the question for a little while, unable to offer a contemporary answer. Finally he said, "When I was young, I wanted to be an archaeologist. Travel the world digging up dinosaurs and fighting Nazi's." There was a tone of wry amusement in his voice at that last. "It would be nice to travel the world and discover ancient mysteries." he added more seriously.

 Like how to melt an ice demon, Youji asked himself as he listened to the way Aya's heart pounded in his ear. Time seemed to be slipping by too quickly. It was only a handful of hours before they had to check out and start the drive home. Somewhere up on deck, Youji thought he heard his cell phone, but ignored it. He had no want to get up and ruin this completely perfect moment. "Let's not go back then," he said softly, knowing nothing of Aya's attachments.

 Aya's chest tightened as if he'd been stabbed. Not go back. Never to spill blood again. To leave all the darkness behind. But it was impossible, a fleeting fantasy made all the sweeter for its lack of substance. "I have to." Aya answered, and Youji could not mistake the regret in his deep voice. His hand tightened in Youji's hair, nails lightly brushing the scalp. "Would you go if we could?"

 "In an instant," Youji said, his eyes closing. "Even though I know I would be tracked down and slaughtered... As long as I was with..." But that was too much burden to put on poor Aya's shoulders, to know that Youji only stayed because he had nothing worth living for if he left. Gently, he stroked where he felt Aya's ribs and kissed the center of his chest. "It's a hopeless cause."

 "Today." Aya reflected. "Not always" He had lived on such a slim hope for so long that this glimpse of a possible future seemed like a broad highway to him.

 "Hmm." Youji didn't try to disillusion his precious one. With fingers in his hair and warmth in his arms, he drifted slowly to sleep as the yacht drifted slowly on the waves, rocking him into oblivion.

 Aya watched Youji sleep. It was good to watch someone sleep and know they would wake up. He moved the strands of hair from the other's face one by one and combed them with his fingers till they were tumbled together in a gleaming mass. He traced a tiny, almost invisible scar on his temple and made up stories in his head about how the intrepid Detective Kudou had come by such a scar. He created and carefully colored in the details of the international relic detecting team of Fujimiya and Kudou, who traveled the world hunting down artifacts but always returned home to their little house in China by the sea. Before long the fantasy had become a dream as he drifted seamlessly to sleep in Youji's arms.

 Waking up with someone so responsive to his touch was something new for Youji. He smiled at Aya's pale features and gently kissed his high cheekbones and his forehead before he carefully pulled himself up and slipped into the bathroom to relieve himself. He stood, afterwards, at the end of the bed, memorizing Aya's body carefully, making sure not to skip a single detail before he went up to the deck to set a course back for their resort and to check the message left on his cell phone.

 He dropped it when he heard Ken's frightened voice and raced down to the cabin to shake the redhead awake. "He's dead...he's dead...Omi's dead.."

 Aya came to his feet with an amazing shift from the gentle lover to trained killer in the space of a heart beat. "What? What's happened?"

 Youji sat dazed on the edge of the bed, gazing as his hands as if they were bloodstained. "It was a simple mission...it was a simple mission but Omi fell through a weak section of venting and..." Died.

 He covered his face with his hands, knowing full well that even if he had been there, Omi still would have fallen, still would have broken his neck.

 Aya stood and stared at him for a long moment, the warrior Aya and the gentler Ran vying for dominance, and Ran finally winning. He slid onto the edge of the bed close to Youji and slid his arms around him, saying nothing, still uncertain how to offer comfort other than his simple presence.

 Youji leaned back against Aya's chest and sobbed into his shoulder. Omi was dead. Youji shook his head and clutched Aya's arms as tightly as he couldn't. No, no, Omi couldn't be dead. He had just seen the idiot not more then a day ago. He had made fun of his clothing. He had...he had blown him off for this weekend with Aya. He missed his chance to be with him before he died. Youji's sobs were not manly, but wild and frightened as he trembled in Aya's arms.

 Aya couldn't do anything more than hold the other man as the storm of grief shook him. He didn't fully understand Youji's pain; he'd never been close to anyone other than his sister--till now. But he had suffered terrible loss of his own and he understood at least that much of what the blond was going through. In truth, he was shaken by the abrupt loss of the youngest member of their team as well. Although Omi hadn't really cared for him, he had liked the boy, even admired his intelligence and level headedness. But his sadness at Omi's death was nothing in the face of Youji's mourning, and he would face it later. For now, he just held Youji and waited for the storm to pass.

 Crying himself hoarse, Youji allowed Aya to lay him back on the bed and to remove his sandals. He felt miserable inside, wanting to do nothing now but sleep. But that was impossible. Wasn't it? After all, poor Ken was alone, grieving by himself. That was unacceptable.

 Staring at Aya, looking into that lavender gaze, Youji realized he could never forgive himself. He stood up slowly and climbed up to the deck for his phone. Hardly caring, Youji sunk again to his knees and dialed Ken's number, hardly able to speak.

 And Omi answered. "Dead? What? Ken-kun, why did you tell Youji-kun I was dead?" Without bothering to hang up, Youji threw the phone out inside the sea. He knew what had happened. Ken, the little fucking bastard, was jealous. Seeing red, Youji got slowly to his feet and leaned against the railing at the prow of the ship. The clear blue water seemed endless. And so was his hatred.

 Aya was below, securing everything in the cabin for the ride back to port he expected to start at any moment. But when he didn't hear the ratcheting sound of the anchor being weighed, he went on deck to find out what was wrong. He found Youji staring at the water with a look of rage twisting his face. Believing it was still reaction to Omi's sudden death, Aya backed away and went back into the cabin. He turned on the little electric eye and heated water for instant coffee. Once the coffee was hot he brought the cup to Youji and offered it silently.

 The coffee wasn't wanted, though Youji took it anyway, his knuckles white as Aya's skin. His kiss, it was rough and needy, his arms wrapping around Aya's waist as he dropped the mug on the deck. It shattered, and he felt Aya cringe against him, Youji sighed and tried his level best to relieve the tension from his chest. "Ran, just hold me...don't let me kill Ken, okay?" He tried to laugh, but it was forced.

 For just one moment Youji had frightened Aya, the need in his eyes stronger than the redhead could face. Then his grip loosened and Youji was talking about killing Ken. Aya let that go for a few minutes before asking in a cautious voice, "You think it was Ken's fault?"

 Swallowing, Youji realized he had a lot of things to clear up for poor Aya. Leaving the mess on the deck, he gently took a hold of the redhead's hand and led him back downstairs to sit on the bed. "Omi's alive. Ken...Ken was getting me back for leaving them behind." Youji was beside himself with anger and grief as he lay down on the bed and laid his head in Aya's lap. "I love you." It was something sudden. Youji didn't even seem to realize he had said it.

 Aya was still trying to absorb the happy news that Omi was still alive and trying to imagine how much malice it would take for Ken to pull such a cruel prank when Youji pulled the world right out from under him with the three words he'd least expected to hear. His jaw literally dropped and he stared down at the playboy with open shock as his stroking hand stilled.

 Youji turned his eyes up to Aya and then said in a voice almost too small to be heard, "Don't stop, please." He took Aya's hand and pressed it to his lips as his eyelashes glittered with tears. "Just pet my hair and make it okay again." Youji wasn't sure what was wrong with Aya, why he looked at him with abject shock in his eyes. Ahh. That I love you. Youji just smiled a little and turned to his side. He probably had just screwed himself over by his tiny confession.

 Hand shaking just a little, Aya went back to stroking his hair. It hadn't been what it seemed, he realized. Youji hadn't meant "I love you" like the people in the movies did when the hero took the heroine in his arms and the closing credits rolled. He meant "I love you: in the way that comrades in arms said, "I love this guy!" when they bought a round of beers. Of course. He was just being a fool. Desperately glad he hadn’t said anything to Youji about it, the allowed himself to relax again, tracing his fingers again over the familiar scar and remembering with a smile the little story he'd made up about it. He decided if they lived to be a hundred he would never ask Youji the true story. He let his fingertips trail over the man's face, memorizing it from the back, and then combed through his hair some more before lightly trailing his fingers over his shoulders and back, enjoying the feel of the muscles under the warm golden skin.

 Youji sighed softly, contented almost at once as if Aya's fingertips had the infinite power to reach past his flesh to his soul and to sooth him. When half an hour had passed and Youji's headache whittled away, he sat up slowly, eyes red, and slipped into the bathroom to remove his contacts. He smiled a little, washing them in the solution he brought with him before donning his glasses. He wondered absently what Aya would think about this, dark brown eyes. Glasses with simple wire frames. Youji leaned in the threshold of the bedroom and smiled softly at Aya as he nursed his tea. "I want you to know," he said softly. "That everything I say to you is the truth. Please remember that."

 Aya looked up at him and cocked his head, smiling at little at Youji's new intellectual look. That would win him lots of girls at the college Aya attended. He wasn't sure what Youji was talking about, having already resolved in his mind that he'd just misunderstood what the other had been saying a while ago. "Are you all right?" he asked. Youji had been through quite a lot of emotional turmoil in the past hour, and Aya wasn't sure if the man had gotten to the other side or was only wearing a brave face for him.

 "I will once you kiss me," he said, sitting beside Aya to collect his kiss. He really was terrible. The blush on Aya's cheeks told him so, even as the redhead leaned forward to give Youji what he asked for. Smiling into the kiss, Youji pushed Aya back onto the mattress before he straddled his narrow hips and kissed him good and hard. It left them both breathless and rather happy with the situation. "Let's head back," Youji said with some reluctance. "I want to soak a bit in the spring before we go back to Tokyo."

 Aya tugged on a lock of his hair and stole another rather chaste kiss before relenting. He loved the way Youji kissed him deeply and explored his mouth with his clever tongue, but he hadn't learned the technique yet and was too unsure of himself to risk it. Scooting off the bed he picked up the broom and headed above decks to clean up the mess made by the broken coffee cup. At least he'd had no cream or sugar to put in it. Omi's alive. He told himself again, settling that happy fact into the spot where he'd set the boy's death a while ago. Youji really cares. He swept the last of the trash into the dustpan with a smile so wide it would have stopped the playboy in his tracks if he'd seen it. And Ken hates me. He dumped the trash into the sealed container below decks and considered the ramifications of a jealous claw wielding assassin. Youji really cares about me. He smiled.

 Setting the panel to guide them home, Youji seemed to have gotten over his torment and was busy gazing off at the horizon and following along with his map. He hummed happily, his big floppy hair on his head and an open hoody around his shoulders to keep him warm from the wind. Twenty minutes before they hit the docks at the resort, Youji took the yacht off of auto and motioned Aya over. Standing behind the redhead, Youji guided Aya as he let him drive the boat back to the safety of the shore. Little kisses were dropped to the back of his neck between glances up to check their position. Ken, and his terrible jealousy, was completely forgotten.

 Aya enjoyed piloting the boat, but not as much as he enjoyed Youji snuggled up behind him, smoothing gentle kisses on his neck and shoulders. He loved the way the wind whipped the playboy's hair into his face when the blond leaned down to press a kiss on his neck. He was glad driving the boat was easy, because that was damned distracting. Fetching his belongings from the cabin when they arrived, Aya let Youji help him to the dock, although the short leap was easy for him. He kept hold of Youji's hand as they headed up the dock toward the resort.

 Youji kissed Aya's hand at least five times as he went to return the keys and the picnic basket. The girl winked knowingly at them, and Youji laughed that he was in love with a prude, and didn't get half as much as the girl imagined. She blushed. The redhead attached to his hand blushed. Youji was left to laugh happily and pull Aya into the elevator for a few more gentle kisses. There, he had confessed his love twice, but it was up to Aya to believe him and his intentions himself. Once inside their room, Youji dropped his hoody and kicked off his shoes. "I need to get the sand out of my ass, I'll be RIGHT out!"

 Aya sat on the sofa and contemplated many things. He contemplated the matter of sand in his ass. He contemplated the matter of sand in Youji's ass, and that brought to mind a variety of interesting images worthy of consideration. He contemplated the fact that Youji loved him, or said he did, repeatedly and with gentle sincerity, and that left a white space in his mind that sounded very like the ocean outside the balcony. He contemplated the matter of sand in his ass.

 If Youji would have known, he would have kissed Aya and shook his head and not only offered to clean it out for him, but to say that Aya was going to pop the blood vessels in his eyes if he didn't stop thinking so hard about such silly things. Stepping out of the bathroom, still in his glasses and wearing a pair of cut off shorts a bit too big for him and easy to slip off. He looked rather cute, but saying that would probably have made him frown and change. He stretched, the muscles in his abdomen stretching too. "Oh man, that feels SO good!" Youji leaned over the back of the couch and grinned at Aya as he hugged him. "Ne, Ran, let's stay an extra night? Please? We'll leave in the morning?" Fuck the shop.

 Aya thought about this for a little while. He didn't care about his shift at the shop. He thought about his sister. But he'd spent two hours with her on Saturday, and he often didn't visit on Sundays. So missing one Monday visit would not be inexcusable? In his voice he heard her voice, as he often did carrying on her half of the conversation when he sat at her bedside. This gorgeous guy says he loves you, niisan, of course you should stay and find out what that means!  He conceded to what he knew her wishes would be, and nodded at Youji. "One more night."

 "Great!" Youji hugged Aya round the neck before he danced to the front of the couch and pulled the redhead up into his arms. "Okay, go wash up, I'm going to scare all the men from the springs so we can be alone." Youji was entirely too happy for words as he marched down in his almost nothing outfit. All eyes turned to him. He ignored them. He had a beautiful redhead that loved his kisses and was going to join him in a hot spring and "GAH! I love my life!" Well, that certainly cleared away all the people that had been heading to the hot springs. Youji seemed to be the loud masturbating type. Even if he was amazing to look at in those little shorts.

 Aya stepped into the shower and washed himself quickly, washing his hair as well with the jasmine scented shampoo that the hotel had provided. This time he knew he was supposed to get in the water naked. He thought he could handle that challenge tonight. He'd only brought the one pair of beach pants, so he pulled them on again and slipped on a lightweight pullover shirt before gathering his bathing basket and heading for the spring. He looked for Youji when he got there.

 Leaning against the wall, his arms crossed on the flagstone walkway around the pool, Youji waved as he saw Aya step timidly out of the change area in his towel. He laid his cheek against his forearm and smiled at Aya with an admiring eye before he realized that just watching him drop the towel and slide into the water would be inappropriate. Youji turned his back and drummed his hands on the stone as he waited for the splash to signal Aya's entrance into the water. "It's a little cool tonight, don't you think?" Youji asked as he turned around, eyes glowing.

 Blushing just a little, Aya tried to pretend everyone here had their clothes on and he wasn't standing naked in a pool with a man he suddenly found himself wanting to escape to the far ends of the earth with. "Hn." he answered in an affirmative tone and waded to the deepest part of the pool to get warm.

 Youji waded towards Aya and ringed his arms around his waist, pulling the redhead as close to him as he dared. He wasn't sure how much closeness Aya could manage, but he just wanted to be close to him. As close as he possibly could without getting his face slapped. "Ran," Youji whispered softly, kissing him in the naturally heated water. "If you close your eyes, and if you could picture us anywhere, where would it be?" Youji gently kissed each of Aya's eyelids, smiling as his body yielded to him.

 Aya closed his eyes, trying very hard not to twist his body so nothing embarrassing might accidentally get pressed against anyone and let out his breath in a long slow sigh. "Here. Now." He let his head fall forward onto Youji's shoulder. "Us."

 Gently stroking Aya's back, pulling him closer still, never mind their state of undress, Youji nibbled on his earlobe and exhaled hotly in his ear. "Ran...you're really a nut you know?" Youji's laughter rumbled from the very pit of his stomach as his hands moved a bit lower then he had meant them to. He felt Aya stiffen, and Youji immediately let go. He was not going to push. He promised that with his smile.

 Aya wanted to be ready for whatever Youji started.  Truly he did. But his conservative upbringing and reclusive nature kept interfering, making him pull away when he wanted to reach out.  Tonight was the last night they would be able to spend at the resort, and when they returned home tomorrow, it was impossible to say what might happen to the relationship they had built over the past few weeks.  He didn’t want to throw away this chance of happiness; they both knew too well that life held no promises.  He turned his head so that his mouth was against the blonde’s ear and whispered, “It’s all right, Youji.” As he summoned the nerve to press himself close against the playboy.

 Knowing he was being given a very special privilege, Youji made sure he was extremely careful when he touched Aya, his fingers sliding down the curve of his ass to the back of his thigh. Youji was content just to touch, just as he was content just to kiss. Unfortunately, with Aya pressed so close, Youji couldn't hide his hardening erection. It pressed right between his thighs and nestled there, but Youji ignored it in favor of Aya's lips. And as for what would happen when they got back...well, even if Youji didn't know what would become of them, he knew his feelings could not be changed.

 Aya closed his eyes, shivering like a nervous horse under Youji's hand, but stilling after a few minutes and relaxing into the gentle kisses, He seemed oblivious to Youji's erection, his own body responding much more slowly to the new stimulus. He leaned against the other, allowing his hands to slip of their own accord around his slim waist and settle on his lower ribs.

 Youji himself leaned back to the edge of the pool to find a ledge for him to sit on and create a lap for Aya. He rather liked the way it felt, Aya's cock trapped between their stomachs, and his own careful kept between his own thighs to prevent Aya's swaying with the water to have a disastrous effect. Youji's lips left the beauty of Aya's mouth to taste his throat and his collarbone, his hands still stroking his lower back and the slight curve beneath.

 An almost inaudible moan escaped Aya's mouth as Youji's lips explored his neck, and he tilted his head back to enjoy the kisses, his fingertips pressing into the playboy's shoulder.

As much as Youji had said he would have been happy without this, his blood boiled from the steaming water and from Aya's moans and from the way he reacted to his administrations. So beautiful. That was the problem Youji had now. Aya was so beautiful, snow white, pure. He wanted him then, the erection that could no longer be trapped now resting slightly between the redhead's cheeks, his breathing turning animalistic. Youji looked up at Aya and pressed a hand to the flat of his stomach before he pushed him off his lap. "Careful, Ran. I told you, I'm a fox. And it's getting foggy here."

 Aya had felt the huge erection pressed against his rear, but it was all a part of the whole overwhelming experience and held no special significance. His own cock was starting to come awake, stiffening with anticipation and almost foreign desire. When Youji pushed him back he looked at him with hunger and disappointment before his more rational mind reasserted itself. He was being unfair to Youji, leading him down this path with no certain destination in mind. He needed to decide now if he was going to be able to make good on any promises he made this night. He certainly wanted to, but his heart rarely got what it wanted. He looked at Youji with some of the cool appraisal usually seen in Abyssinian’s narrow eyes. "I've never done this." he said frankly, in a calm voice. "As you've guessed. But...I'm willing."

 Lifting his arm, water dripping in thin streams from his fingertips and elbow, Youji's eyes grew much softer as he cupped Aya's cheek. "You have to remember that what you're willing to do in the heat of the moment can make you feel dirty when you calm back down." Youji leaned forward to kiss Aya's swollen lips, his body curving away from him. "Why don't we go take a walk. Then you can tell me how willing you are," he said with a smile, having no expectations at all.

 Aya caught his hand and held it to his lips, meeting his eyes. There was the keener edge of control there than there had been a few minutes ago, Aya seemed to have slipped from a purely emotional state to one with more control of the mind. Yet he met Youji's eyes unwaveringly. "A walk on the beach would be nice." He answered. "But nothing you do makes me feel dirty, Youji. Confused, and out of control, but not dirty." he added with a small smile, and climbed out of the water without giving in to the impulse to hide himself from the blond. Pulling his towel around his waist he said very quietly, "Sometimes it's nice to lose control." Then he headed for the changing room.

 "Aaa..Ran!" Youji left from the water and pulled the towel around his waist as almost an after thought, trying to dry himself off a little before he slipped back into his shorts and put his glasses back on. He wanted to change, not in a slutty mood as these shorts called for. He wanted to be a little elegant, elegant like Ran was. Hand in hand they walk back to their room for Youji to change into what he wore their first night there, his shirt left open this time. Aya was kissed almost roughly against his bedroom door, rough because Youji needed to work out just that little bit of aggression caused by his dying erection. He licked across Aya's lips, accepted his hug, and then took him possessively by the hand down the beach to where Youji had seen a small takoyaki stand. They could have dinner with their feet in the sand and Youji's hand on Aya's knee.

 Aya seemed both more relaxed and in control than he had during the day, accepting and returning Youji's touches but still initiating only the smallest of contacts, holding hands and light kisses. But he seemed comfortable, his small smile making frequent appearances as Youji held up most of the dinner conversation.

 Drinking enough sake to kill a horse and going through almost three toothpicks eating the takoyaki, Youji surprised even himself by how very affectionate he could be in public. Generally, Youji tried to act cool and composed during dates and seductions, but this time he was just his insanely lovable as Ken had always known him to be. He popped yet another piece of dough fried octopus into his mouth and leaned over to slide his greasy lips across the redhead's.

 Aya was still somewhat shy about public displays, although he really didn't care what people thought of him, he was dependent on his cool mask to keep others at bay, and Youji kept drawing him out with little gestures and touches, and once said something which made the swordsman outright laugh. Youji realized he had never heard the man laugh, his rich voice unforgettable. Aya drank only two cups of sake and finished the meal with tea. When Youji's attention was elsewhere he watched him, taking in again the way the wind and starlight seemed to love the playboy's hair and skin. The man fairly glowed.

 After Aya laughed, Youji's arms tugged him close to his chest like a teacher finally getting a problem child to speak. Youji petted the back of Aya's hair and gently kissed his neck when he thought the redhead was unprepared for it. He was rewarded with the way Aya trembled in his arms. After paying for their meal, they set off down the beach again to watch the sunset.

 Aya kept his hand clasped in Youji's, and stepped into his arms without urging to watch the sun drown its glory in the ocean. He leaned his head back against the playboy's chest in perfect contentment, burrowing his toes deeper in the sand, finding the cooler sand beneath the sun warmed surface. "Thank you." he said softly, then turned his head to look at the playboy's profile.

 The kiss on the beach was Youji's second best kiss ever. The first had happened earlier that day. THAT day. To think, all this happiness had happened during the sunlight hours of this very day. Youji felt as if he had been loving Aya forever. Holding the redhead in his arms as the sun sunk into the ocean, Youji was actually moved enough to cry. He held Aya's lips in his until the tears drifted away before he pulled off his glasses to wipe his eyes. "No, thank you."

 Aya ran his thumb along the curve of Youji's cheek and beneath his eye to capture some of the moisture and looked at it in wonder for a moment before he brought it to his lips. Salty, like ocean water. Spontaneously, he threw his arms around the other man and hugged him. It seemed he was almost clinging to him, his grip was so strong. He felt that if he held Youji tight enough, buried his feet deep enough into the yielding sand, he could anchor them to this moment and time would not have the power to move past it.

 But in spite of the whipcord strength in his lean body, it was not enough to hold back time, and eventually he had to let go, looking up at Youji with a rueful grin ghosting his lips. "It was worth a try."

 Falling to his knees and pulling Aya along with him, Youji wasn't sure he stayed there in that moment. All other thoughts had fled. He was Kudou Youji. And the man he was holding onto so tightly, protecting so fiercely, that was Fujimiya Ran. As Aya released him, said those very soft words with the corners of his mouth tilted up, Youji caught his mouth and kissed him deeper then before. "It'll happen one day," Youji said, panting from the kiss. "It's going to be okay."

 "You said everything you tell me is true." Aya responded with a small quirk to his mouth, challenging Youji to believe his own words.

 Pouncing on Aya, driving him back into the sand, Youji went to work tickling him. Sand flew everywhere. "You little prick, of course everything I say to you is true! You don't lie to the people you're in love with!"

 Aya wriggled under the tickling fingers, although he wasn't exactly ticklish. It just felt good to wrestle playfully in the sand. He caught Youji's face in his hands and said, "Tell me what that means." He looked deep into the other's eyes, searching for an answer to his question. He had finally come to believe that Youji loved him, but he was so untried in the meaning of that word, he wanted to understand exactly what Youji meant.

 How do you explain love exactly? "I...I want to be with you when you want to kill me and the world. I want to share your sorrow and then steal it from you. I want...to protect you and kiss your sandy fingertips. I want to dream with you..." Youji stared down into Aya's violet eyes, even though without his glasses on his vision was blurry. There was a certain kindness to his eyes, something Aya had never seen in him before. "I want you to hit me when you need to hurt something and I want you to confide in me all the things about myself that I've never seen before. I want to wake up next to you, kill for you and by your side and teach you how to sail and become great artifact collectors..." Youji was just rambling now, taking the sweetest of the ideas that popped into his head. "I want to hold back your hair when you throw up and hear you moan only my name...and...I guess that's what love is."

 Aya blinked up at him, weighing those words, tasting them like a fine wine. "Then I love you." he answered in the same calm voice.

 As if Aya's words had been like acid, Youji jerked back and sat on his heels. He seemed terrified of Aya suddenly, his hands clasped in his lap. He hadn't expected to hear those words. Ever. And now that he did, he was certain this was all just a cruel joke. Youji tried to carefully wipe the tears from his eyes, attempting not to rub sand in them.

 Aya sat up and looked at him, head tilted curiously. "They aren't easy words to hear." he offered, sharing his own confusion and upset when Youji had confronted him with the same sentiment earlier that day. "But I believe them to be true."

 After a nice long cry on the beach, holding onto Aya for support, Youji and his redhead managed to get back to their room for a little bit of relaxing just after they removed the sand from their damp flesh. Youji offered the use of the shower first while he started a pot of water for tea.

 Aya emerged from the bathroom wearing the robe the hotel had provided and looking damp. He'd never spent so much time in the water in his life as he had over the past 24 hours. How could Youji think he felt dirty when he took a shower or a bath or a swim every hour? He stealthed up behind the playboy and slipped his arms around him from behind, brushing his shoulder with a kiss and pulling him tight in a hug. "Your turn."

 Now, if that wasn't the most pleasant thing Youji had ever experienced in his life, he wasn't sure what was. "I have your tea steeping," he said, slipping regretfully from Aya's arms to slip into the bathroom and emerge just as Aya did in a robe with still dripping hair. Youji took the stool opposite of Aya and watched him drink his tea. He felt like a school girl, cheeks in his hands, eyes glowing.

 Aya refilled his cup and sipped from it, then offered it to Youji with cupped hands, a feel of old custom in the gesture. He watched Youji sip the bitter green tea with a small smile. "I love you." he said. "I know you won't hurt me, and now I understand that this is something more than right now. I..." He broke eye contact and forced himself to look back up, a blush staining his cheeks. "I want to be with you, but I don't know if I am really ready.. Can we talk about it?" The speech was probably the longest Youji had ever heard him make.

 Talk? Youji blinked a little and nodded placing the cup between them as a kind of peace offering before he took Aya's hands in his very warm ones. "We can talk about anything you like," he said softly. "And just so long as you let me take you out sometimes, I'll be happy, Ran. Okay?"

 Aya nodded, happy at the promise of future outings. It made the future, a future that included this thing they were creating, seem more real. He closed his hands around Youji's. "When we touch, it doesn't make me feel dirty. Sometimes it's just...too much. I can't think. So I freeze."

 "Just tell me to stop then," Youji said as he leaned across to touch Aya's cheek before he smiled a little. "Or yell at me and punch me, either works fine." Youji caught the smile that etched across Aya's lips and then whisked him out of his stool and into a dance whose music he was humming as they went along. "If you're really serious about all of this, then let me hang up my playboy shoes." Youji whirled Aya in his arms and dipped him low. "Hell, even if you're not serious, I can't think of anyone else but you."

 Struggling to follow Youji's graceful dance moves and failing miserably, Aya asked with a familiar grimace, "When am I not serious?" Fed up with his own clumsiness, he hooked a heel under Youji's foot and sent them both tumbling to the soft carpet, landing on top of the blond with an indelicate grunt.

 Youji groaned and looked up the ceiling, his eyes clouded over. "Ooooouch..." he said, rubbing the back of his head. "Do you have two left feet, Fujimiya? My ass hurts now!"

 Aya blushed fiercely at the retort that came to his lips and chose a less suggestive one to voice. "Don't be such a baby, Kudou." He softened the words with a lingering kiss, sliding up the other man's prone body till he was hovering over his face, his eartails forming a curtain of deep red on either side of their faces. He set his hands on either side of Youji’s face and kissed him experimentally, slowly deepening the kiss as he practiced the kissing techniques Youji had been teaching him during the day.

 Completely overwhelmed by the entire experience, Youji's hands gripped Aya's small shoulders. He parted his lips, and as Aya's tongue entered his mouth, Youji suckled gently on it and drew it deeper inside. His breath was like a purr, a musk, hot and soft from his throat as he carefully corrected and taught Aya much more gentle techniques and then reveled in the twists Aya added all on his own. Drinking in his scent, Youji let his hands fall back to the carpet, palms facing up. With Aya controlling and Youji just guiding, the 'former' playboy felt far more at ease with the pace. Now he knew what Aya wanted, and at what speed he wanted it.

 Aya let Youji guide him, exploring the wonderful sensations of this deep and relaxed kissing, feeling his own body rise and fall with Youji's breath. His hands gently massaged the sides of the playboy's head, tangling in his hair as he moved his head and shoulders to find the best positions. Coming up for air, he wriggled a little to get the knot from his robe out of his ribcage and asked, "Can you breathe?"

 Grinning, Youji pointed to his nose and Aya's nose too. "Learn to breathe through your nose." Nuzzling Aya's cheek with his own, Youji reached down between their bodies and pulled open Aya's robe. He looked at Aya directly in the eye as he did it, careful to make sure the redhead was okay with it as he did it before he opened his too. It was okay to lay there, naked, their skin soaking up the warmth. Youji twirled his fingers in the tie from Aya's robe and then gently rubbed his back.

 Aya's momentary tension faded as he slipped his hands inside the front of Youji's robe to support his weight on his fingers and rub his thumbs over the well muscled chest. He was fascinated by the way the flesh changed color as his thumbs moved it, slowly returning to the original bronze. Without even realizing what he was doing, he rubbed one thumb over Youji's nipple and was surprised at the way it tightened at the touch, he glanced up quickly at Youji to see his reaction.

 Eyes closed, Youji's head tilted back just a little as he sighed into the air. He wondered if Aya knew how dangerous that was, to touch something so sensitive. Well, Aya had done it first, so Youji figured it would be okay if he touched Aya like that too...with a certain other flare. Licking his forefinger and his thumb, Youji pushed Aya's robe off of one of his shoulders and applied his moist fingertips to one of the pale pink nipples on his chest. He didn't just touch, he squeezed and rolled the nipple between his fingers.

 "A--ah!" the redhead exclaimed, eyes widening in shock at the amazing sensation. He stared down at Youji, a small shiver rippling through him. Swallowing, he lowered his head and gently licked at the hollow of Youji's throat. He'd been wanting to that since he'd first noticed having feelings for the blond, weeks ago. When Youji didn't recoil, he explored the hollow with the tip of his tongue, savoring the taste of his skin.

 Closing eyes the color of coffee, Youji turned his head to the side and allowed Aya to do whatever the hell he wanted to do. Youji's free hand slipped inside the terry cloth robe to touch along the curve of his ass as he had been doing in the hot spring. He smiled, his breath catching in his throat. So, the ice prince could feel such desire.

  Remembering how good it felt when Youji kissed his neck, Aya began working his way up the column of Youji's exposed throat, using his tongue and lips in an inexperienced but sincere attempt to share pleasure. The smell and texture and taste of Youji's skin were intoxicating, and the feel of his hand smoothing the curve of his rear made him feel like he was drunk. He nuzzled behind Youji's ear and tugged on his earlobe very gently with his teeth.

 "What did you do with my Ice Prince," Youji asked, grabbing Aya just a bit too roughly, and almost delighted in the way he whimpered because of it. With his hands he parted and massaged Aya where he touched him, seeking out those lovely moans and the feeling of his erection coming to life between them. For all of Aya's wants and desires, Youji's were nearly 10 times as great, his resistance amazing. Somehow he controlled his body not to react as quickly as Aya's. Everything, it seemed, would be for the redhead tonight.

 Aya lost all semblance of control at that, his hands clutching at Youji's hair when he touched him so intimately, his body answering with an erection growing more rigid with every beat of his heart. In spite of himself, he began to move against Youji, rubbing that needy piece of flesh which he rarely even touched himself against Youji's body like a cat begging for attention. Part of him was mortified at the soft moans he was making and the way he was acting, but another part, long buried, was rising to the surface in ecstasy at finally finding freedom.

 Youji placed a staying hand on Aya's chest before he rolled over and gently kissed his lower lip. He stood, and just like on the beach, lifted Aya effortlessly and carried him towards Aya's own bedroom. He figured it would be more soothing if Aya had the power to banish Youji, since this was his space. Youji kissed those pouting lips again, and again, before his fingers slid down and curled around Aya's obvious ache. He wanted nothing in return but Aya's soft mouth on his as he began to rub that precious heat into the redhead's body.

 The redhead made a sound that was as if something broke inside him when Youji's fingers closed over him and began to stroke him. He met Youji's lips like a man in the desert greets water, with a thirst which seemed could not be sated, his body moving helplessly under Youji's hands.

 Keeping his pace slow, Youji drank in Aya's moans, his lips running down his neck and his chest to tease a single nipple into hardness with his tongue. The entire ordeal was over too fast, but Youji was expecting that to happen the moment Aya felt what it was like to have an experienced mouth engulf his throbbing length. Hardly seeming concerned by it, Youji swallowed all Aya had to give him, his nose pressed to the down as black as the night just above his still trembling cock.

 Aya made alarmed sounding noises as he realized he was about to come, and Youji was there, with his beautiful mouth on him. He tried to find words to warn him but language was simply beyond him and so was holding back. His back arched and his head pressed deep into the pillows, a guttural cry wrenching from deep in his chest as he came harder than he had ever imagined was possible.

 Lying beside Aya, gathering his almost limp body to his chest, Youji closed his robe and then gently stroked his hair as he settled down. "Just breathe," he said softly, kissing the corners of Aya's mouth. “Just breathe.”

 Youji's voice was his line back to the real world, his warm and solid presence and anchor to cling to as he began to come back to himself, eyes staring wide at the blond. He flexed his hands, which had been balled into fists so tightly his neatly trimmed nails had left indentations in his flesh and laid his palm on Youji's hip. He seemed to soak up energy and vitality from the contact, his face losing a little of the absolute awe and smoothing to that enigmatic smile which was becoming familiar to Youji.

 "I didn't know." he said, very softly, as if he didn't trust his voice quite yet.

 "And now you do." Holding Aya like a teddy bear, Youji gently soothed him with his cooing and his touch, smiling happily into Aya's lavender gaze. "You're terribly beautiful, you know," he said as he guided the redhead's face to his throat to help him hide the blush he knew would be spreading just about any second now. "Thank you for giving me that."

 "I didn't mean to...do that." he mumbled in his deep voice against Youji's throat, thinking the other man was being awfully kind to call him beautiful. He nuzzled the other's throat in apology, his hand gently smoothing over Youji's hip.

 Pulling Aya up to look him in the eye, Youji squinted at him and then kissed him hard, letting his taste carry over on his kiss. "Don't say that, Ran! I'm glad you did. I love the way you taste."

 Youji's mouth tasted different, then he realized what it was and almost pulled away in shock. He made himself be still, return the kiss, and shyly meet his eyes. "You're not..." he wanted to say disgusted, but lamely finished with, “...mad?"

 Peering at Aya, his eyesight not so good without his glasses or his contacts, Youji ruffled the younger man's baby fine hair and then laughed. "I knew what was going to happen before I went down there. I wanted it to happen. It's the reward."

 "Reward?" Aya asked dubiously. He knew that people did that with one another, but he'd never considered that anyone would actually like it. He leaned back a little bit to glance down with a blush at Youji's impressive erection. "I don't know if I can do that." he said unhappily. He didn't want to be a prude, but the thought of that thing in his mouth--well, a part of him that ought to be done for the night twitched at the thought, but most of the rest of him recoiled at the idea

 "You don't need to!" Youji said quickly, snuggling down next to Aya. "I'm just glad you let me touch you." Youji wasn't even the slightest bit disappointed. He had his hand, and he knew how to work himself. Besides, he had had a hundred orgasms at the expense of other people, so he deserved to pay a little of it.

 Besides, Youji really liked the fact that Aya was okay with the touching, as well as the kissing and the holding. They had made great progress this weekend, and the blond couldn't ask for anymore. "I'm happy, Ran."

  "I could,..you know." Aya offered, holding up his hand and waggling long fingers expressively. "That's something I know how to do." There was a self deprecating curl to the smile he offered Youji.

 Youji laughed and kissed Aya's fingertips before he laid them on his chest. "I have no doubt you’re good at that," he said, hugging Aya tightly in his arms before he looked him carefully in the eye. "Now listen to me, Fujimiya. I don't give expecting anything in return. I give because I can't get enough of you when you're whimpering and moaning." He was, however, expecting a slap for that.

 Instead, Aya chuckled deep in his chest and warned, "If I ever hear you say that in public it will be shi-ne for you." He stroked the side of his head against Youji's chest. "I want to touch you. Get used to the idea."

 "Well..I guess you can.." Youji said as he kissed Aya's chin. "But you can stop whenever you like...I'll just be running to the bathroom after is all." His smile was warm, his eyes were warmer still.

 "Yes." Aya said, his own eyes glittering with affection. He came gracefully to his feet and pulled Youji after him to stand beside the bed, while Aya stepped back and simply feasted his eyes on Youji in all his full fledged male glory. His eyes wandered slowly from the warm brown eyes to his long toes, curling in the carpet. Then Aya slowly circled to the back to complete his inspection, memorizing every scar, every mole, every tiny perfection in his lover's form. As he walked back around in front of Youji, he trailed a touch as light as a kiss over his stiff cock and then said, "Sit, I'll be back." and stepped into the open bathroom to rustle through the things on the counter. He returned with a bottle of tanning oil and a handful of tissue, wearing nothing but the blush he found when he caught himself in the mirror.

 This was something Youji had never expected Aya to do. He let those eyes wash over him, unashamed of his body. He even lifted his arms and turned too, catching the redhead's gaze with his own as he raised an eyebrow. After being told to sit on the edge of the bed, Youji’s confusion grew. He sat, legs apart, and folded his hands in his lap, not over his erection, just in a normal sitting pose while he waited for Aya to come back. It was Youji's turn to feast on the beauty of Aya standing there, his hands crossed demurely to hide himself. Youji's heart fluttered. And then he saw the lotion and smiled wider. He had never used such a thing on himself. He jerked off to his bare hand and his calluses. Aya was going to be kind to him. It made Youji grin.

 Aya settled beside Youji, one knee folded behind him, and squeezed a lot of oil onto his hand, dripping some on the other's leg. He put his hands together to use up some of the oil and used the back of his wrist to rub the extra into the blonde's leg before it fell to the carpet. He made a sound which was almost a giggle except the baritone of his voice would never go there. He laid his left hand on Youji's back and began to massage him a little, rubbing in the oil and getting himself back into the spirit, his lips trailing over the shoulder in front of him. Then he slowly reached with his right hand and gently began to massage the oil over Youji's erection, exploring the whole area curiously before closing those slim, strong fingers over Youji's cock, much larger than his own, differently shaped and textured, and began to stroke with long, slow motions that went from the root to the tip, his thumb gliding over the tip to rub at his slit every second or third stroke. As he fell into the rhythm, he let his head lay on Youji's shoulder and listened to the man’s irregular breathing.

 Swaying slightly with Aya's hand, Youji's head dropped back and exposed his throat to the ceiling. The oil Aya used heated up his skin and left him tingling and shuddering beyond all reasonable sanity. Feeling as if he were falling, or being fried alive but without the pain or the fear, Youji's fingers clamped in the sheets at his side and tried his best to remember to breath. Youji didn't moan, but rather grunted, his brows furrowed as he closed his eyes It was heaven, even in the hands of the inexperienced, it was heaven.

 Aya shifted a little behind Youji so he could kiss and lick the exposed throat and increased the pace of his hand, wrapping his other arm around Youji's chest to rub one finger over his already hardened nipple. He loved the way it felt to have Youji thrusting into his hand, to hear those powerful needy sounds he made as Aya's hand manipulated him to a new angle and stroked deeper and faster. Without knowing he was doing it, he sucked on the vein in Youji's neck hard enough to leave a mark that would last for days, pressing his body as close as he could get to the other man.

 With one finally cry, guttural and strange even to his ears, Youji released and tugged Aya into his arms with a most definitely heartwarming hug, his face pressed into Aya's shoulder. He couldn't catch his breath for almost a full minute, letting most of what he had spilled dry on his thighs. Chest still rising and falling much more quickly then normal, Youji looked up into Aya's worried eyes and then ravaged his mouth with his tongue.

 Aya opened to him and met his tongue, his hands gripping tightly to the older man's broad shoulders. He felt a sense of great joy at the pleasure they'd shared, and at the promise of more pleasures, new pleasures, which would be theirs one day in the future. Pushing Youji back on the bed and straddling him to lay nestled completely on top of him, Aya said, "I love you."

 Lifting his arms to hold Aya as close as he dared, Youji repeated the words with a smile in his eyes and on his lips before he managed to bundle the little redhead up in his arms and pad to the bathroom with him. Not that they needed, they took a shower together with the lights out, kissing and touching and reveling the way the water splashed over them. Youji decided that Aya was too good to walk, and after wrapping him in his great big robe once again, he lifted him up in his arms and started back for the bedroom. "You are far too good for me."

 Aya chuffed in his familiar give me a break, Kudou way and grabbed the far side of his collar and used it to lever himself high enough to nip at the shell of his ear. Then he pressed his damp head deeper into the curve of Youji's neck. He had nothing more to say with words, only feather light kisses and touches as if to reassure himself that Youji was real and not some incubus he'd dreamed up after too long alone.

Part Three

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Last updated: 03/21/03.