A/N

Hello again! This is a short story that I was inspired to do by my dear Akise. Your reviews are the fuel that drive me to continue. So, do what you can!

xoxos

Diaphanous (adj) - characterized by extreme delicacy or form; ethereal.

He didn't know why he was born, if he was born, but he knew his name. He was named Akise Aru. He was a 'spiritual being', rarely seen and often exposed. He had been worshiped, vehemently denied, and emotionless throughout the thousands upon thousands of centuries.

He's been, more recently, called a ghost when seen instead of demon or deity. Akise didn't care for any of these titles. Years passed him by slowly, for nothing in the world surprised him nor interested him. The cruelty was typical and unforgiving towards innocents, and the beauty was often drowned out by negativity. He had done what he could to make a positive influence on others, attempting to save thousands with his 'deity' title, but no matter the situation, being different wasn't accepted. Whether he were revered or despised, he was still 'different'. Not that Akise cared either way. He was born empty and purposeless and lived in such a way.

"May I help you?"

Akise was planning to ignore the voice as per usual, but suddenly he felt as if his very self was twisting and churning. He looked up, alarmed for the first time in his non-existence, and saw an employee from the convenience store across the street, broom in hand. The boy had dark brown hair and inquisitive cerulean orbs, his lips without a false smile like so many others. Akise felt the odd twisting once more as the boy spoke again, "I saw you out here from the shop. D-Don't worry, I'm not dangerous! Are you all right? It's freezing out here, and you're wearing so little.."

Akise noticed for the first time it was indeed winter, and most were wearing thick coats. Akise's expression didn't change as he reached towards the brunette, his hand passing straight through. A cold chill embodied the young-looking boy from his center. Akise pulled his hand away silently, and warmth filled Yukiteru. He trembled at the sensation. Without being touched, he felt the silent man's touch so deeply.

.. Not touched?

Yukiteru jumped back, completely shocked. Akise's expression refused to change, as though he were numb. Yukiteru began to notice that the translucent skin was more than that - he could vaguely see a sort of light shining off of him. This person was glowing..!

Yukiteru's mouth dried and his knees felt ready to buckle from fear, but crimson eyes, a vast contrast with the paler one's skin, subtly showed a soft sadness that only a person who was fully rejected could.

'A person'..

Yukiteru paused for a moment. What did he even know about this person? Why just assume he was scary? There was nothing threatening in the air. He didn't know anything about this stranger, but he had a feeling he wasn't dangerous. Yukiteru took deep and steady breaths, smiling down at the supernatural being. Yukiteru held out his hand, obviously perplexing Akise.

"What's your name?" Yukiteru asked. Akise felt that sensation once more simply by hearing the boy's voice. Akise then realized this was the first time his name has been asked.

.. No, it wasn't the first. Akise clutched at the shirt only he could feel, as if that would cease the unnatural pounding. He knew he had no heart, no internal organs. He knew nothing about body heat outside of speculation. But he could feel it, somehow. He could feel heat rise from the pit of his stomach.

"Are you all right?" Panic filled Yukiteru's voice.

"Aru.."

Akise's mutter concerned Yukiteru and he repeated the two syllables, "'Aru'?"

Akise's chest thudded harshly. His face felt warm, but he had no blood to reach it. The constriction in his center was suffocating, despite the fact Akise needn't breathe. He had heard that voice call his name before. His name, the only thing he remembered in these many, many years, had been uttered again after so long.

Akise looked up at Yukiteru, and almost as though a floodgate had been raised, emotion poured into the delicate, surreal features. Yukiteru's heart seemed to stray from it's normal pattern, skipping a beat and then pounding swiftly as if to make up for the loss. Blood rushed to his face as the boy cloaked in white tones gazed up at him nearly desperately, so very confused and curious and knowledgeable. The wistful feeling was shared by them both, and time seemed to stop before a tanned woman with shortly cropped ginger-brown hair shouted out, "Amano! Your shift's not over yet! Quit staring into space!"

"I-Into space?" Yukiteru stammered under his breath, heaviness weighing down on his heart.

"Most people can't see me." An eloquent voice made Yukiteru's body temperature rise in the crisp winter air, making his eyes go wide. That was the first sentence he ever heard uttered, but the voice was ever-so familiar. Yukiteru gulped down a lump that seemed caught in his throat.

"Will you be here later?" Yukiteru asked after a moment of hesitation, unsure whether he was heard and clutching the broom in his hands tightly in unexplained anticipation.

Akise's unrestrained smile seemed to steal Yukiteru's breath, "Probably."

The vague answer was unsatisfactory, but Yukiteru decided to accept it as a promise to meet again, "I'm sorry if I'm burdening you. My shift ends at nine -"

"Akise Aru." Akise said his own name aloud for the first time in his recent existence, "That's my name. Akise Aru."

Akise reached and loosely clasped the hand previously offered to him, not touching him yet still drastically affecting Yukiteru's nerves. Yukiteru had to stop himself from jumping back in fear. The chill spread through his hand to his forearm, feeling painful yet soothing in the frigid air. Akise retracted his hand and mischief sparked in his eyes as he observed the intense shudder, warmth returning strongly to Yukiteru's arm.

Once Yukiteru regained coherent thought, the name repeated in his mind. Yukiteru felt tingles run throughout his body over and over, seeming to have remembrance of the name. They shared one more long gaze, essentially meaningful despite the fact that neither knew why it ever could be. They both couldn't identify this incomparable feeling. They could only stare in silence and hope for an answer.

"Amano!"

Yukiteru looked over, realizing that there was still a world outside of he and Akise. Hesitantly he turned away, running back to the shop and tossing apologies at the apparent manager.

Akise closed his eyes, picturing Yukiteru. Yukiteru's voice, face, eyes.. everything was so familiar yet distant. He may have forgotten, but his soul had not.

At some point in time, Akise knew Yukiteru. And even now, with no recollection of such a time, Akise was very much aware that he loved Yukiteru.